Post by The Vermont Bombers on Jun 27, 2017 22:05:40 GMT -5
RABBIT STAYS IN HIS DEN
Twins Extend Veteran Shortstop Saverine
Bob Saverine will retire as a Twin. That’s how it looks as of today as the team has announced that they signed their long time Shortstop to a two year, six million dollar extension. Saverine was drafted by the team in the 4th round (62nd overall) of the 1959 amateur draft when the team was still the Washington Senators and has never played for anyone else in his career. Some in the industry were shocked by the contract, citing that paying so much for a 36 year old Shortstop is paying him well above his market value. When asked about it during the press conference when the announcement of the extension was made, both Saverine and team owner Adam Costa acknowledged the fact.
“Yes.” He answered when asked. “We understand that many won’t understand why we did this as we did it. The answer is twofold. Firstly, we want Bob to retire here. He’s been a member of the Twins family for his entire career and we want him to end it here. We owed him this for his nearly twenty years of loyalty to the team. Secondly, Bob wanted a longer term. He asked us for four years. We felt that would be an irresponsible decision for the team long term. We compromised. Bob got the money he wanted, he gets to stay here and we get to see him retire as a Twin. Everybody won.”
Saverine is clearly near the end of his career. At 36, the deterioration in his physical tools is obvious. He’s not the prolific base stealer that he used to be. In fact, his one explosive speed is nearly gone. What he lacks in physical tools he makes up for in experience and veteran guile. This guile and experience has been on display this season as he’s stolen eight bases, hit twelve doubles and six triples and has almost matched his entire RBI total from last season.
He’s also a two-time Gold Glove winner and defensive stalwart at Short, although he’s not having his best season defensively with 11 errors and a .972 fielding percentage. In spite of this, he’s still considered to be a reliable defender and is someone the team is happy to see at the position game in and game out.
Most importantly, Saverine is one of the most popular players in the clubhouse. He and Milt Pappas are the veteran leaders of the team, although Saverine doesn’t see himself as a leader. His #43 jersey is also still one of the best-selling jerseys on the team. The “Rabbit” has always been popular with Twins fans and now they get two more years to cheer for him.
The “Rabbit” is staying in his den.
