November 2005

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Cardinals Nearing Huge Trade

I've got a source near the Cardinals organization telling me "something big is happening." Apparently, all company employees have received a memo threatening termination if any information is disclosed. Luckily, I'm not employed by the Cardinals, so I'm free to gossip. I dropped a line to Lboros over at Viva El Birdos, a blogger who has a finger on the pulse of the team. Lboros had an intriguing list of trade rumors and possible signings that have presented themselves within the past few weeks: Acquisition of Bobby Abreu. It is known that Abreu is on the trading block, although the..   Continue Reading

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Mets Sign Billy Wagner

Ken Rosenthal is single-handedly blowing ESPN out of the water today. First he scooped the Esteban Loaiza signing, and now he's broken the Billy Wagner deal with the Mets. While MLBTradeRumors.com's source may have jumped the gun by a week, he was correct in asserting that the Mets would definitely guarantee a fourth year to Wagner and complete the deal sooner rather than later. The Mets hold an option for a fifth year of Wagner for $10MM, a move necessitated by the market-setting B.J. Ryan signing. Wagner was the reliever closest to a sure thing this winter, as he boasts..   Continue Reading

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Bobby Abreu For Erik Bedard And Jay Gibbons

So the John Mabry rumor didn't carry enough heft for you? Looking for something juicer? How about this from a source in the Philadelphia area: The Phillies are apparently talking to the Orioles about sending them Bobby Abreu for Erik Bedard and Jay Gibbons. Abreu was the third-best hitting right fielder in the game in 2005, and the second-best in '04. He'll make $13MM in 2006 and is strangely unpopular in Philadelphia. Abreu is also on the hook for $15MM in 2007 with a $16MM club option for 2008. The '08 option has a $2MM buyout attached. Abreu will be..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Acquire John Mabry

The word over at Bernie's Pressbox via Viva El Birdos is that the Cubs have signed 35 year-old OF/1B/3B John Mabry to a one-year contract for $1MM. Mabry is coming off a poor season during which he hit .240/.295/.407 in 246 at-bats. This rumor is not yet confirmed. A million bucks sounds a bit high coming off an off year, although Mabry earned $725,000 in 2005. He was a spectacular role player in 2004, hitting .296/.363/.504 in 87 games. It may be that Mabry was given more playing time than is good for him in '05. Mabry's versatility would indicate..   Continue Reading

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Cubs Interested In Bradley: Update

Will Carroll over at Baseball Prospectus has confirmed the Cubs' interest in center fielder Milton Bradley, and adds a few interesting tidbits. According to Carroll, Bradley "figures to be a Dodger non-tender and is someone who doesn't scare Dusty Baker." I've heard whispers of L.A. non-tendering Bradley before, and I find it downright baffling. To throw away a world of potential just to do things "The Dodger Way" seems like a terrible business decision. Whether or not Bradley is a guy you want to have a beer with, his talent is undeniable. Consider: Bradley posted a 3.8 WARP (Wins Above..   Continue Reading

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Oakland Signs Esteban Loaiza

Ken Rosenthal has the scoop on the latest free agent signing over at Fox Sports. Apparently Billy Beane is close to inking Esteban Loaiza to a three-year, $21MM pact. A month ago, I commented on RotoAuthority that I thought this contract could be a disaster if it reaches more than two years or $6MM annually. I have to assume that Billy Beane knows something we don't about Loaiza. Loaiza was hit hard away from RFK Stadium in 2005, and he had a rough time his last turn through the American League. I commend Jim Bowden for letting him leave. Loaiza..   Continue Reading

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Best of 2005: Left Fielders

Today over at RotoAuthority we have a statistical ranking of the best left fielders of 2005. Jason Bay heads the list. Available top ten LFs include Cliff Floyd, Adam Dunn, and Manny Ramirez. Reggie Sanders is the top free agent LF, ranking 19th overall   Continue Reading

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Brian Anderson Projection

Curious how the White Sox's rookie center fielder will fare now that he's likely to get 450 ABs? The departure of Aaron Rowand in the Jim Thome trade means top prospect Brian Anderson will have the opportunity to play every day. Over at RotoAuthority, we've supplied a projection for Anderson for 2006. Whether you're a fantasy baseball nut or just a casual fan, it's worth checking out   Continue Reading

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B.J. Ryan Signs With Blue Jays

B.J. Ryan has signed a five-year, $47MM deal to close for the Toronto Blue Jays. GM J.P. Ricciardi simply made Ryan an offer he couldn't refuse. Ryan entered the 2004 season as a lefty with a powerful fastball but little control. He was possible trade bait for the Orioles entering that season. But then Ryan reduced his walk rate signficantly, and the end result is more lucrative then he possibly could've imagined. Ryan's deal will certainly have a ripple effect in coming years for free agent closers on the right side of 30. Eric Gagne, who is a few weeks..   Continue Reading

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Keith Foulke On The Block

33 year-old closer Keith Foulke was battered around in 45 innings in 2005. He's undergone surgeries on both knees and was said to have lost some velocity near season's end. Adding insult to injury, the Red Sox are now thinking about trading him. My Boston source is telling me Foulke will get some attention as a setup man this offseason after the free agent market runs dry. Despite the surgeries, several teams feel that Foulke's problems in 2005 were largely mechanical and can be fixed. The Sox are looking to shed Foulke, and may be willing to pay half of..   Continue Reading

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