New Arrival: Randy Velarde, if, Oakland Athletics
…
Randy Velarde was a solid major league infielder. But at no point would you mistake him for Roberto Alomar. Mostly not. Maybe one time. But other than that, probably not.
…
He spent 16 seasons in the big leagues and retired with a respectable 101 OPS+ and 24.9 WAR. He even snuck in 100 career homers. Except in 1999.
…
In 1999, Randy Velarde was, by WAR, the fifth best player in the American League. His 7.0 WAR put him just a hair behind Manny Ramirez (7.3) and Roberto Alomar (7.4). That season he had career highs in HR (16) and had a 126 OPS+. He ended the season with 200 hits, making him the sixth player in Major League history to amass 200 hits in a single season while playing for two different teams.
…
Velarde got on my radar following his trade to Oakland during the 1999 season. Between him, Miguel Tejada, and Frank Menechino the A’s had a very solid middle infield during the 1999 and 2000 seasons.
…
And when Oakland decided to flip him to the Rangers in the winter of 2000, they got back future workhorse starting pitcher Aaron Harang. Which would have been a great trade if Oakland didn’t end up trading Harang before he became that workhorse.
…
Anyway. Velarde’s 1999 breakout came at the unfortunate baseball age of 36. While he would have a couple more decent seasons in the big leagues, he would retire following the 2002 season. But it was a nice late-career resurgence.