February 2006

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Williamson Surfaces In Trade Talks

Mike Kiley of the Sun-Times notes that "Other teams are highly interested in Scott Williamson, as they have been all winter in trade talks with general manager Jim Hendry." In a separate article, Kiley quotes Jim Hendry saying that Matt Murton, Ronny Cedeno, and Rich Hill have been highly sought after as well. Hill came up in talks for Barry Zito and a possible Miguel Tejada deal. As a 26 year-old, Hill is far past prospect status. Despite pitching college ball as late as 2002, he didn't pitch above A ball until 2005. Ridiculously high strikeout totals have been negated..   Continue Reading

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What's Up With Zack Greinke?

Strange situation going on with Royals starter Zack Greinke. He's left spring training camp and probably won't start the season in the Kansas City rotation. The team is being weirdly mum on why he left. Here's what we think we know: - Not drug-related (Royals) - Not family-related (KC Star) - Not in trouble with the team (MLB.com) - Didn't lose desire to play baseball (KC Star) - Not a legal problem (Royals) - Not an injury (Royals) So Greinke is out indefinitely, and we're left to play twenty questions to figure out why. RotoWorld suggests that he may be..   Continue Reading

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Would The Marlins Trade Miguel Cabrera?

The Marlins are nearing a major decision on Miguel Cabrera: build around him or trade him for an unprecedented bounty. The budding superstar will be 23 this season and hits arbitration for the first time next winter. Palm Beach Post journalist Joe Capozzi writes that GM Larry Beinfest declined comment on Cabrera's future with the team. He points out that Cabrera may score a payday of $7-10MM in arbitration after the season. Given that the Marlins didn't want to pay Josh Beckett $4-5MM this winter, it stands to reason that they may consider trading Cabrera during the 2006 season. Cabrera..   Continue Reading

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Contract Year Catchers

My latest post over at RotoAuthority involves Contract Year Catchers. It's worth checking out even if you're not into fantasy baseball. But if you do happen to be one of the couple million fantasy baseball nuts out there, how about some more customer feedback to persuade you to check out my 2006 Fantasy Guide? "I was very pleased to find a flexible, Fantasy Baseball guide that was already setup in a similar format that I have tried to setup with modest results, in the past. The projected stats, the commentary, and the organized tab setups would've been enough to satisfy..   Continue Reading

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Phils Crave 5th OF

Randy Miller wrote an article yesterday quoting Phils GM Pat Gillick's desire for a lefty outfield bat off the bench. Miller didn't throw out any names, so I thought I'd dig around a bit to see who might be on the radar. According to my best Phillies source: On B.J. Surhoff: "I got a lukewarm response from a high ranking club official when i asked about him a week ago. Not saying it won't happen, but i didn't like the guy's body language." On Bobby Higginson: "I got a thumbs down when I asked about Higgy a month ago." On..   Continue Reading

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Bowden Still Chasing Wily Mo

Tucked at the bottom of Bill Ladson's article about the Nationals' attempts to convince Alfonso Soriano to play left field is a new trade rumor. Well, a new old trade rumor. According to Ladson: "The Nationals already have feelers out for Reds outfielder Wily Mo Pena, and a Nationals scout is expected to look at him sometime this week. The Nationals have been after Pena since last season. He is a player who Bowden acquired from the Yankees when he was the general manager of the Reds. Last year, Pena hit .254 with 19 home runs and 54 RBIs for..   Continue Reading

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Luis Gonzalez Trade Possibilities

Nick Piecoro's article today for the Arizona Republic implied that the Diamondbacks would have a tough decision to make on Luis Gonzalez's 2007 option. Now, as a reporter covering the D-Backs, Piecoro has to use a certain amount of tact when discussing Gonzo's situation. I like Gonzalez as much as the next guy, but there's no chance Josh Byrnes exercises his $10MM option. Gonzalez is 38 and is said to have his "elbow and shoulder injuries behind him." He comes out of baseball's home run era with a 57 HR season under his belt, though he's never topped 31 in..   Continue Reading

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Wednesday Lunchtime Reading

Looking for something to read during lunchtime today? Over at RotoAuthority I discuss why I find the Twins perplexing and why I expect Armando Benitez to have an ERA over 4. I'm nearing my tenth update on my Fantasy Guide. Said customer Gus O.: "It is by far the most extensive and elaborate guide I've ever come across-and for only $9.99 you'd have to be insane not buy it." AllCubs has an interesting take on some underrated prospects. Looking for a print sportswriter blog that's frank, entertaining, and funny? Visit SportsJustice, run by Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle. His..   Continue Reading

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Prior's Injury: Timeline of Events

As this Mark Prior shoulder injury thing continues to pick up steam, I thought it might make sense for me to lay out an estimated timeline for those not located in Chicago. February 20th, 11am: Baseball Prospectus injury analyst Will Carroll mentions a tip he's received claiming that Mark Prior is nursing shoulder problems within a spring training injury notebook. February 20th, 11:05am: Major League GMs and other BP subscribers read Carroll's report and nod knowingly. Cubdom reacts. Blogs were all over this one for the next few hours. February 20th, afternoon: Carroll appears on Chicago sports talk station 670..   Continue Reading

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The Shortstop Trade Market

By my count, five starting shortstop candidates may be on the market currently: Miguel Tejada, Orlando Cabrera, Cesar Izturis, Craig Counsell, and Julio Lugo. The Red Sox, Cubs, Twins, and Mariners are all at least semi-contending teams with shortstops that have to be considered less than a sure thing. Add in a surprise injury or two, and there's sure to be some shortstop movement in the coming months. Let's break down the five most likely to be dealt. Miguel Tejada was worth 7.6 wins in 2005 and projects to be worth 6.8 in 2006. He'll be 30 years old and..   Continue Reading

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