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BP Annual Player Comments

Year		Comment
2004		We're just as shocked to find out that Ron Coomer is still in baseball as you are right now.
2003		Coomer isn’t really that much better than Scott Seabol or the Coolbaugh du jour. He can’t really play third anymore, and he’s not the platoon masher and caddy that the Yankees could really use for Ventura or Nick Johnson. They’ve signed Todd Zeile to fill the role. Coomer is better off as a spare part in the NL, but the Yankees inexplicably offered him arbitration.
2002		As easy as it is to bash the Cubs, remember that they did put Coomer into a role for which he’s well suited, which is backup corner infielder. When Bill Mueller broke down, Coomer provided the Cubs with everything they could have expected, offensively and defensively. Could they have gotten similar quality from somebody like Kevin Orie or Cole Liniak or Chris Snopek? Probably, but a lack of confidence in a player can be just as debilitating as a lack of talent. The Cubs wanted safety, security, and mediocrity. They got it.
2001		Is there anyone who loves being a Twin as much as Ron Coomer? He makes no bones about his wanting to stay. He had surgery on his foot last year and was playing four days later. He should never get 500 at-bats again, especially not hitting cleanup. As a pinch hitter, defensive replacement, and spot starter at either corner, he’ll be helpful, and the Twins will be better. He's signed a one-year deal with the Cubs.
2000		The Twins’ token All-Star and a guy to root for. Not everybody has to spend nearly six years kicking around the Southern and Pacific Coast leagues. He’s stretched as a regular at either corner, but he can still be a valuable pinch-hitter and platoon partner once the Twins decide which kids will win the jobs at first base and DH. While that projection looks optimistic, if Coomer plays less often against right-handed pitching, his performance will improve.
1999		An excellent example of a player who would be an excellent spare part, a real contributor to a championship team, but whose value disappears as a regular. Coomer hits left-handers very well and plays an acceptable third base. At 250 at-bats and $1,000,000, he's a good player. At 500 at-bats and more money, he's not. He could fall off a cliff any minute now, but until he does, a great platoon partner for Koskie at third base or Mientkiewicz at DH.
1998		Destroyed left-handers (.415 BA) but his expanded role resulted in an overall wash, as he posted a .671 OPS vs. right-handers. Drew four unintentional walks in his last 52 games. Remains an important spare part, but he should never again get 523 at-bats in a major-league season. Vlad seems to like his power.
1997		Coomer has turned out to be an extremely useful spare part for a Twins team that’s becoming heavy in left-handed hitters, because he crushes left-handed pitching. A line drive hitter who can play either infield corner, Coomer also put in a shaky 17 starts in right field. Think Mickey Hatcher with power and a legitimate ability to handle third.
1996		More of a line drive hitter than all-or-nothing flyout or slug type, Coomer is a natural platoon mate for Stahoviak at either first or third, depending on what happens with plans to have Molitor play the field and which corner David Hollins mans.

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