Graffanino to Mets?

Did you know that Baseball America scouts and ranks 12 year-olds?  That's kind of weird.  I learned this after reading that Austin Jackson, a Yankees outfield prospect, ranked at the top of his age group when he was 12.  They should've been scouting my age 11 season.  I was the leadoff hitter for the Foxes and posted an OBP over .500.  I could lay a mean drag bunt despite well below-average speed to first base.  The third baseman knew it was coming but still couldn't throw me out.  But even then, my makeup was in question with all the rampant womanizing.  My vices got the best of me and I was out of baseball by age 15.

On to the trade rumor.  A source has given me some more info on the Mets' second base situation.

The Alfonso Soriano rumors have died down now that he's decided to give left field a try.  Good for him.  The Mets see Jeff Keppinger as more of a utility man, and they are a little wary of throwing Anderson Hernandez to the wolves without a little more seasoning in the minors.  Kaz Matsui's injury might keep him out more than a few weeks, perhaps as long as two months.  Enter Tony Graffanino, a Minaya favorite.

If Boston's demands drop a bit, the teams might be able to strike a deal.  The Mets might be willing to part with one of the following three pitchers.  The following info is from Baseball America's Prospect Handbook.  Thought you might like a little background.

Matt Lindstrom is a 26 year-old right-handed reliever with "the most explosive arm in the system."  His heater is the best among Mets' minor leaguers, occasionally touching 100mph.  How come this dude is still in Double A then?  He's two years behind because of a Mormon mission.  The problems:  his fastball is straight, he doesn't have a secondary pitch, and he has some mechanical issues.  He didn't have a great 2005 season and is now ranked as the 26th best Mets prospect after a #10 ranking the year before.

Henry Owens is ranked 29th in the system and was a Triple A Rule 5 pick.  The former catcher has good heat but questionable breaking stuff...he's a reliever entering Double A and will turn 27 soon.  He and Lindstrom are the two best relievers in the Mets' system according to BA.

Jason Scobie led the Mets' minor leagues with 15 wins in 2005.  He's entering his age 28 season, and seems to have a handle on Triple A despite a strikeout rate barely above 5 K.9.  He's 8th among starters on the Mets' minor league depth chart, so he's not exactly a hot commodity.

Comments

[Eric]

I am not sure why Boston would want any of those three for Graf. I say Kepp and Kaz or even Diaz and Kaz just to get rid of Kaz contract. Maybe Boston would throw in a prospect?

[Kyle]

Graffinino is not a very valuable trading chip Diaz alone is worth well more than Graff.

[Bdid]

True about Diaz, but they won't take Kaz without some sort of talent!

[rayoftruth]

So how much is Boston asking for a journeyman infielder these days? If the Cardinals inquire, would they ask for Pujols and Carpenter, or just one of the two?

[RumorMonger]

Well, those aren't exactly top prospects, those 3...

[Eric]

I just could not imagine Boston trading him for those 3 combined much less one of them. And we still have Kaz, if we included a better prospect would they take him too?

[Dave]

Why would the BoSox follow up the Wily Mo deal with one that nets them Victor Diaz? Talk about redundancy.

[Bdid]

They probably wouldn't. Maybe if we sent them 2 of those 3 pitchers? And maybe Keppinger?

[Profressor Snooty McKNowitall]

Rumor Monger, I'm starting to think these "sources" you have are just voices in your own head...

[steven]

those 3 pitchers are worthless boston would have to really just want to get rid of graffs salary to do any of those trades. if they just wanted to dump his salary then he would already be gone. i mean almost 30 year old aa pitchers are completely worthless especially ones rated so low in the mets pathetic farm system. boston seems content to hold graffanino until he can be traded for something worthwhile. eventually some team will develop a need.

[Bdid]

"boston seems content to hold graffanino until he can be traded for something worthwhile. eventually some team will develop a need."

The Boston Media is reporting that he's gone by end of next week. Someone had better develop a need quickly!
Like I said, maybe if Keppinger is in the package Boston would do it. They'd basically be getting a Graffanino back, one that wouldn't be crying about being a role player instead of starter. The Mets would get a starter and could send AHern back to AAA for some seasoning, and Matsui could be traded for a few jock straps.

[RumorMonger]

Rumor Monger, I'm starting to think these "sources" you have are just voices in your own head...

I can see how one might think that...but they ain't. I trust this source. Not that the deal is imminent or anything, but that the Mets are offering one of these three for Graff.

[Erik]

"They should've been scouting my age 11 season. I was the leadoff hitter for the Foxes and posted an OBP over .500. I could lay a mean drag bunt despite well below-average speed to first base. The third baseman knew it was coming but still couldn't throw me out. But even then, my makeup was in question with all the rampant womanizing. My vices got the best of me and I was out of baseball by age 15."

Classic. I actually pasted that into my "Text File of Funny Quotes."

My plate discipline improved over the years, but my inability to hit the curve and declining bat speed conspired to keep me off the HS team.

The Mets have very little to trade. Milledge, Pelfrey, Bannister, and Hernandez aren't going anywhere. I'm skeptical about a deal being imminent.

[RumorMonger]

At least you played at a level where curveballs are thrown...

You know, with Bannister...I was reading his BA scouting report and he doesn't seem to grade out as much more than a #5. With his spring and the hype around him, they could swap him for a decent Major Leaguer. They kind of need him though.

[steven]

Bdid

this is about the third time this offseason the media has reported graffanino will be traded soon. Therefore, I can only put so much stock in that. I dont doubt the mets could be offering a deal like that I just see about a zero percent chance of the red sox taking a deal like that. Graff very well could be dealt soon but he will stay on the team if that is the best offer they can get in the next week.

[Uncle Charlie]

Monger, not really a surprise to hear you liking the whores.... Good for You....

Anyways whats the chance the Bosox trade Graff to the Cards, Fish, or Cubs?

Thanks

[Kyle]

The problem is the red sox really can't keep Graffinino. Theres no room they need to trade him. Eventually I feel they will probably get a couple real raw low level prospects for him.

Currently as it stands there bench has its 5 spots taken. Cora, Snow, Pena, Stern, and Huckaby/Bard are all gonna be on the bench so the Red Sox are gonna want to move Graffinino soon or else they may be forced to release him

[RumorMonger]

Cards/Cubs, pretty decent...I'm not a believer that the Fish would want him. I mean they're going with crap at so many positions...why worry about 2B?

[Kyle]

I think that the best case scenario for the Red Sox would to be to try and get a lefty specialist for Graffinino. Heres a possible trade

Graffinino and a low level prospect for Flores

The Cards get a solid second baseman and the Sox get a lefty specialist

[Erik]

"You know, with Bannister...I was reading his BA scouting report and he doesn't seem to grade out as much more than a #5. With his spring and the hype around him, they could swap him for a decent Major Leaguer. They kind of need him though."

Yes. There are questions over whether Bannister's fastball is good enough to set-up his plus-plus curve.

However, you might find the following intriguing:
“I’ve spent the last three years in the minor leagues developing all these pitches at the sacrifice of my stats,” Bannister said. “Making these pitches major-league caliber and (learning) to throw them to both sides of the plate for strikes. This is the time of execution.”

Anyway, if Bannister is telling the truth, should we throw away not only his stats but also his scouting reports? Probably “throwing away” is too strong, but I think there’s a chance they could not be telling us all we need to know about Brian’s current pitching ability, and more importantly his potential. I mean, if for example, he insisted on throwing his cutter inside, a scout could have thought it was getting it because the pitch wasn’t a good one when in fact the pitch could have been effective but Bannister’s predictability made it vulnerable on any given game/count. Some food for thought, I guess.

But yes, he's a #4/#5. Check ZIPS and PECOTA. Would you rather pay a wonky Kris Benson 7M for basically the same production?

[RumorMonger]

Yeah, PECOTA looks pretty solid for a rookie. I figured you'd have a decent argument in his defense, and you did.

[steven]

it is true they dont have a spot for him but there are ways to get creative and work around that. if the sox were not notoriously good at that the past few year stern wouldnt even still be on the team. if wells isnt going to pitch for a while anyway they could claim he was unfit or something and slip him on a list and carry one less pitcher until stern can go back to the minors.

[Erik]

Very bright kid. Great control. His GB/FB ratios look good. Brian was never really HR prone in the minors. Whether Brian can do that in the majors will be a huge key to any success he might have.

[Erik]

Are you talking about Adam Stern? I really like him. Are the Sox giving him a legit shot?

[Buzzard]

maybe the cubs could give up hairston and a prospect for graff like theriot

[steven]

Despite Stern's hot spring he is going to be back on Pawtucket once his 18 days are up. The Pena aquistion made this even more likely since Boston does not have much roster flexibilty. It is probably better for Stern to get playing time anyway.

Completely off topic but good for a boring Thursday afternoon laugh. For anyone who plays a yahoo league and needs further proof Yahoo is stupid look at the note they put up on Dontrelle:

"Mar 22 The Miami Herald's Mike Phillips reports Florida Marlins SP Dontrelle Willis has locked down a spot in the pitching rotation"

I am very glad they provide these amazing insights they will surely help me capture a fantasy championship.

[DG]

Bannister's a scary smart kid who could evolve into a Greg Maddux or end up the righty version of Glendon Rusch. His intelligence means he'll get more out of his stuff than most power pitchers get out of theirs

Mets would not give up Owens and probably wouldn't even if he was 32. He has shown signs of developing a plus slider which would make him a valuable reliever given his fastball's velocity.

Doubt Lindstrom will amount to much but the 100 mile per hour (I think he maxed at 102) just makes scouts stupidly drool. But a straight fastball is a straight fastball!

Scobie is a resourceful pitcher who smells of middle relief. Check out his BAA as he's moved up the ladder. I'd bet last year was his career year.

Anyway, Graffanino is probably worth one of those two or both. Mets are awful thin at this point.

[Erik]

Tim, I would like your opinion on something.

Let's assume, just for a moment, that it's June and Lastings Milledge is treating AAA pitching with contempt. Do the Mets trade Clifford Floyd to the Cubs at the deadline?

His salary is very reasonable. What might one reasonably expect back in trade from the Cubs? Are we talking a top prospect? A couple Top 10's?

[RumorMonger]

Well, the Cubs only have so much. They won't give Pie or Pawelek to rent Floyd. If they're in the thick of a race then I could see a Rich Hill/Angel Guzman/Sean Marshall going, but maybe just one of them plus a spare part.

Or, maybe things work out well in the revamped bullpen and the Cubs find that they can spare a Scott Williamson. If the Mets' pen is hurting that might be the makings of a trade.

At either rate, Matt Murton would probably have to be hitting .260 with 5 HR at the break for the Cubs to pursue it.

[Paul]

Hey Rumor thought you'd like to know this. I got a call form a friend who works for the Twins and Liriano has a good chance of stealing the 5 spot if he throws his fastball with good comand and they are talking about moving loshe around june 1. there's a thin market for him because of his good spring trianing. He's also not throwing his 4 seamer anymore or his slider just 2 seam cruve and change. he started doing that last year and his second half era was 3.95 so the twins are hoping he jumps out hot and trade for a 3b or ss lugo was a name mentioned but that was just cooler talk my friend said.

[Darin]

"My plate discipline improved over the years, but my inability to hit the curve and declining bat speed conspired to keep me off the HS team."

I feel you. I was throwing 85mph at 14....however, I felt that my pro sports future was in Wiffle Ball. I just new Fox was going to make a Wiffle Ball league and I would have dominated. Alas, by the time I realized my dreams would never come true, I had worn out my shoulder to the point I could no longer throw a baseball 30 feet.

[Jack]

If I'm the Cubs, I wouldn't hesitate to throw Rich Hill into a deal. The Cubs need to sell high while is stock is this good. People forget that we're talking about a 26 year old "prospect" with one good pitch. He struggles to locate his fastball, and really doesn't have a third pitch. Honestly, I see Hill becoming a reliever... a good one at that. But if the Cubs have a chance to make a deal that benefits them, I think they'd be wise to offer Hill. So many teams are hot for this guy right now, and with the emergence of Sean Marshall, he is even more of a spare part.

[P]

The Sox request would have to drop a lot---well past what makes any sense--to get to those guys.

In the mid-20s of a mediocre to poor farm system? Those guys are just flyers.

[Kyle]

I dont feel like the Red Sox would CAN drop there demands much more. If anyone had offered anything good for Graff it would have been taken. As it stands he may end up being released. I feel like near the end of the season they will take what they can get and trade Graff

Ya Right