January 2006

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White Sox Interested In Abreu

Remember that Abreu/Contreras/Dye rumor that was bouncing around last night that couldn't quite graduate from the Unfounded category? We're a little closer to a foundation about this one tonight. A very solid source close to the Phillies tells me that Kenny Williams and the White Sox "love" Bobby Abreu. It's the first I've heard that the club is truly interested in the right fielder. He also mentioned that the Phils would like a pitcher like Jose Contreras. There is some question as to whether the Phils would need to include Gavin Floyd to make an equitable deal. He said that..   Continue Reading

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Alfonso Soriano Trade Possibilities

Ken Rosenthal's latest article mentions that a trade of Alfonso Soriano could happen, but Nationals are more likely to offer Soriano a long-term deal to convince him to become an outfielder. I don't doubt Rosenthal, but let's take a look at some possible suitors for the second baseman. I'll assume that a trade signifies no position change. First off, let's narrow the field by looking at which teams lack an established 2B. Blue Jays - Looks like Aaron Hill is the man at second base for 2006, and he's a fairly solid hitter already. Plus, Soriano probably isn't Ricciardi's type..   Continue Reading

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Unfounded Rumors

It's time for everyone's favorite segment, Unfounded Rumors. It's where I toss out some rumors that have been floating around radio stations, message boards, my inbox, whatever. You never know; we did get Russell Branyan right the last time we did this. Feel free to debunk. Apparently Dodgers GM Colletti is working on two deals, one big, one small. Many have theorized that Bengie Molina would represent the small deal. As for the big one, there are plenty of possibilities. Could Eric Gagne be on the block? It seems he'd have to prove his health first. How about Bobby Abreu..   Continue Reading

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Trade Candidates Part 2

Last time we looked at players in their contract year and trade possibilities. Today we'll open the field and see who else could be available. Dealing Shea Hillenbrand or Eric Hinske would probably make sense for the Blue Jays. It looks like the two will enter 2006 splitting DH duty for the Jays, and Hillenbrand may have twice as much value with the bat as Hinske. The problem is figuring out which team actually has a need for a middling 1B/3B/DH type. The Red Sox have six starters (seven if you think Papelbon is rotation-ready), but they shouldn't be so..   Continue Reading

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Sunday Night Reading

Over at RotoAuthority: Fantasy Hotsheet discussing Piazza, Willingham, Kubel, and Kendall. My Frank Thomas projection. Speaking of fantasy baseball, The Closer Watch is the best resource on the web for closer depth charts. It's worth checking out even if you don't play fantasy baseball, actually. Don't forget to swing by HoopsBuzz and see what's happening in that other sport. AllCubs.com applicants, don't despair if you haven't heard back from me after emailing about the gig. Right now I'm just collecting the interested writers; I have yet to sort through the emails   Continue Reading

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Angels Should Pursue Javy Lopez

Javy Lopez and his agent have been making a stir lately, pushing for a contract extension or a trade. Lopez is in the last year of a three-year deal, and will make $8.5MM in 2006. A recent Baltimore Sun article mentioned: "The Orioles have had some discussions with teams about Lopez, including a potential trade for Angels first baseman/outfielder Darin Erstad during the winter meetings, but the Angels weren't interested in making the deal." In between the flurry of rumors back in December, this is one I missed. The Angels should not have dismissed this trade so quickly. Erstad makes..   Continue Reading

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Piazza Signs With Padres

RotoWorld and other sources are reporting that the Padres have signed Mike Piazza to a one-year, $2MM deal with an $8MM mutual option for 2007. The Padres were one of a handful of teams that stood to better their club by acquiring Piazza or Bengie Molina. At this point, Molina should be begging the Angels to take him back, as they're one of the few teams he can help. The Padres probably added 2 or 3 wins by signing Piazza, so they're getting good bang for their buck. There's approximately zero chance they exercise that 2007 option. Here's a look..   Continue Reading

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Possible Kearns/Westbrook Swap

Reds interim GM Brad Kullman certainly seems more open-minded than his predecessor, Dan O'Brien. But one of O'Brien's final non-moves may have been one of his few wise ones. Sheldon Ocker's Beacon Journal article today reports that O'Brien turned down an Austin Kearns for Jake Westbrook all-Ohio trade prior to his firing. Such a one for one trade would lean heavily towards the Indians, in my opinion. Here's my reasoning. The 25 year-old Kearns has yet to reach his potential, while Westbrook has topped out at age 28. Let's look at 2005. In just 387 at-bats, Kearns was worth 3.6..   Continue Reading

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Recruiting Writers For New Cubs Blog

Well, the time has come. This website is bursting at the seams with Cubs fans who need another outlet for their Cub-centric minds. A place where it's OK to argue about Matt Murton's HOF chances. A place where it's acceptable to profess your undying love for Joe Kmak. A website where Cubs fans can congregate before, during, and after every game. An outlet where the wackiest, most lopsided Cubs trade proposals are tolerated. AllCubs.com should be live within a couple of weeks. It'll be a full-service Cubs blog, with perhaps dozens of established, unique, Cub-savvy authors chiming in on every..   Continue Reading

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Crisp For Marte Done Deal?

According to a source: "I've been told it's a done deal with a contingency regarding Mota's health. If he hits the DL a predetermined amount of times Sox might have to give up another player to be named later." This is the same rumor/source cited in the recent RotoWorld blurb on the topic. RotoWorld also points to a Paul Hoynes Cleveland Plain Dealer article from this morning. Here's that info: "There is movement in the Coco Crisp trade to Boston. Indians left-hander Arthur Rhodes, according to a major league source, flew to Philadelphia on Friday morning to undergo a physical..   Continue Reading

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