While perusing through ESPN, I noticed that former All-Star Steve Finley wants to play another year. He understands that he's not going to find an everyday job, or even a platoon one. He seems content with a role as fifth outfielder - something he couldn't find after being released by Colorado last year.
Quote:
After 19 major league seasons, 2,548 hits and a four-month forced sabbatical last summer, Steve Finley reached a decision: He's not ready to give up on playing just yet.
Finley, one of only six players in history with more than 300 career home runs and 300 stolen bases, wants to return for a 20th season in 2008. So he's asked his agent, Casey Close, to look for openings -- even though the best he'll get is probably a minor league invite with a chance to compete for a job in spring training.
"I've still got that bug," said Finley, who turns 43 in March. "I'm still in great shape and doing my workouts. The bottom line is, I want to play."
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ESPN - Veteran outfielder Finley hopes to play in 2008 - MLB
Though Finley is on the old side, he's still a good defensive outfielder with excellent baserunning speed (12 triples as recently as 2006) and a decent OBA for a bench player (.320 in 2006.) I don't think it's entirely fair to hold 2007 against him, given the small sample size of at-bats. If he's willing to battle for a spot at the end of the bench, it wouldn't hurt to invite Finley to spring training. I'd envision him as a defensive replacement for Ramirez in away games, and also as a pinch-runner. He'd battle with Moss, Carter and whoever else gets brought in to camp for the 25th spot on the roster.