Hot- Stove » david eckstein http://www.hot-stove.com The hottest MLB hot-stove site on the web...since 2004 Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:25:14 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 D-backs edge Angels for Eckstein http://www.hot-stove.com/d-backs-edge-angels-for-eckstein/ http://www.hot-stove.com/d-backs-edge-angels-for-eckstein/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 00:46:00 +0000 admin http://www.hot-stove.com/?p=575 The NL West-leading Diamondbacks acquired David Eckestein from Toronto for a minor league pitcher. The trade, made just before the deadline for playoff eligibility, gives Arizona a late-season spark plug with impressive October credentials.

The 2006 World Series MVP with St. Louis, Eckstein batted .277 with a homer, 23 RBIs and a .354 on-base percentage in a part-time role for Toronto. Known for his all-out effort at 5-foot-7, he also helped the Angels win the 2002 World Series.

A shortstop for nearly his entire big league career, Eckstein will play second base in Arizona, potentially sharing time with Augie Ojeda. The Diamondbacks had been looking for help at second since Gold Glove winner Orlando Hudson had season-ending wrist surgery on Aug. 10.

The fourth-place Blue Jays receive 23-year-old right-hander Chad Beck, who was 8-5 with a 3.67 ERA for two Class A teams this year. He made 15 starts and had one save.

A two-time All-Star, the 33-year-old Eckstein has a .333 average in 51 World Series at-bats with seven RBIs and nine runs scored.

To clear space on the 40-man roster for Eckstein, Arizona designated right-hander Emiliano Fruto for assignment. Fruto was with Triple-A Tucson.

After signing a $4.5 million, one-year contract with Toronto last offseason, Eckstein was relegated to part-time duty while the Blue Jays shuffled several middle infielders in and out of the lineup. He is batting .357 in his last 12 games.

Eckstein is a career .285 hitter in eight major league seasons with 31 homers and 307 RBIs.

]]> http://www.hot-stove.com/d-backs-edge-angels-for-eckstein/feed/ 0 Jays get Eckstein for $4.5 million http://www.hot-stove.com/jays-get-eckstein-for-45-million/ http://www.hot-stove.com/jays-get-eckstein-for-45-million/#comments Fri, 14 Dec 2007 21:10:00 +0000 admin http://www.hot-stove.com/?p=416 The Blue Jays have been mostly quiet this off-season, waiting for the right player to become available at a reasonable price. That player finally has emerged — free-agent shortstop David Eckstein. The Jays have reached a preliminary agreement with Eckstein on a 1-year, $4.5 million contract, according to a major-league source.

Eckstein, a two-time World Series champion, likely will become the team’s everyday shortstop and leadoff man, returning John McDonald to a backup role.

Eckstein, who turns 32 on Jan. 20, struggled to find the right fit in free agency, and the squeeze became tighter after the Cardinals declined to offer him arbitration.

The White Sox and Tigers acquired shortstops through trades early in the off-season. The Mets signed Luis Castillo to play second base after a brief flirtation with Eckstein. The Rockies, too, considered Eckstein at second, but the Jays offered a better opportunity.

Eckstein, a seven-year veteran, batted a career-high .309 for the Cardinals last season with three homers, 31 RBIs and 10 stolen bases. His career on-base percentage is .351.

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