 |
|
|
| |
« Graffanino to Mets? | Main | Angels Interested In Ruben Sierra »
MLB Free Agents 2007: Eric Gagne
Recently I got to thinking about Eric Gagne. 30 years old. An unstoppable relief ace from 2002-04 (a 1.79 ERA and 13.3 K/9 over 247 innings. Imagine if he did that in one season as a starter! Roto Immortality.) Tommy John surgery in 1997 plus another cleanup type surgery last summer. A $10MM salary for 2006 with a $12MM option for 2007.
With Scott Boras as his agent, Gagne may elect to void that '07 option. Or the Dodgers may simply choose not to exercise it. The Dodgers are one probably the only team in baseball with two established "closers" on the roster. No, Jose Mesa and Braden Looper don't count. Danys Baez is an excellent backup that will allow the Dodgers to limit Gagne's innings this season. But should a decent setup man emerge from Yhency Brazoban, Franquelis Osoria, and Jonathan Broxton, the Dodgers may just send Gagne packing this summer.
src="http://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js">
So which contending teams have questionable closers?
Red Sox. I have to assume Epstein doesn't see Papelbon as a long-term reliever/closer candidate. He'll probably be in the rotation by July, and Keith Foulke may give out by then. The pen has some depth, but lacks a relief ace. Many folks see Craig Hansen closing out games by year's end, and I don't disagree. Still, if he stumbles a bit in his first Major League season, the Sox could take a crack at Gagne.
White Sox. Bobby Jenks and Dustin Hermanson are wild cards right now. With only Neal Cotts and Cliff Politte as dependable options, Kenny Williams could go after the cream of the crop in Gagne. His trading chips will probably have to come from his Major League roster this time.
Rangers. Should Francisco Cordero happen to go down this year, I'm not sure if Texas will be content to give the ball to Akinori Otsuka, Joaquin Benoit, or Frank Francisco in the 9th inning.
Braves. This really wouldn't be their style, though Gagne would really solidify the relief corps.
Phillies. What's Plan B if Tom Gordon's elbow gives out? The Phils need Ryan Madson in the rotation and probably don't trust Arthur Rhodes.
This is all just speculation, but watch the rumors fly this summer if Baez and Gagne are both pitching well and an injury to a starter or position player creates a need for the Dodgers.
Thanks to The Closer Watch for the current bullpen depth charts.
The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com
TrackBack
TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://www.typepad.com/t/trackback/447826/32116742
Listed below are links to weblogs that reference MLB Free Agents 2007: Eric Gagne:
Comments
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
On an unrelated note:
Imagine if Buckner wasn't traded for The Eck. That one's a real noodle scratcher, I tell ya!
For that reason, i'll always root for the Cubs if my Mets are out of it.
Now, about Gagne. He has to be the most undervalued commodity next to Doug Davis in all of fantasy. To give you an idea... he was still available after everyone had finished picking in my fantasy draft! Of course, I dumped a mediocre setup man (Eyre) and jumped on him immediately.
Posted by: Erik | March 24, 2006 at 12:00 AM
I think the only real likely team that would will be the Red Sox even more so because if Foulke struggles or gets hurt they should be in the middle of the fight for their playoff lives. Giving up afew games here and there with blown saves is likely what could very well decide who gets into the playoffs.
On a side note us canadians are always underrated I think even Jason Bay is really underrated when you compare names with guys he equals production to and even beats in alota cases.
Posted by: Devin | March 24, 2006 at 07:27 AM
Didn't this come up last year when Brazoban was pitching great? And nothing happened. Granted trading a hurt players is kinda hard to do, and this is his last year of his contract so the Dodgers may be more willing, and Brazoban is really unproven...ok, I'll stop myself here.
As for the Sox, it seems to me they're trying to get younger (Willie Mo, Beckett) so I'm not sure they'd give up a whle lot (because I'm sure that's what the Dodgers would try to get-a whole lot-for Gagne. Obviously, things change in July/August when you have a better idea as to where you're going as far as standings go, but I'm not sure the red Sox are going to be willing to dig deep into their system and give away prized talent for Gagne
Posted by: Conor | March 24, 2006 at 07:33 AM
Gagne is a great player and its gonna take a couple of the red sox top 5 prospects to get him and I doubt the dodgers would do it. I would think if Gagne is pitching well it will take something like, Lester and Pedroia, or maybe Hansen, DelCarmen and Pedroia
Posted by: Kyle | March 24, 2006 at 07:51 AM
Hansen, DelCarmen and Pedroia!!!!! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
Posted by: Gagne Sucks | March 24, 2006 at 07:58 AM
Off topic...
Has there been anything said lately about that poor kid from KC? Has he been back to camp, are they attempting to trade him? He looked like he was going to be something special for a while there.
Posted by: Bdid | March 24, 2006 at 09:15 AM
All I've heard is that he won't be put on the 60 day DL, but I don't think he's back in camp or anything.
Posted by: RumorMonger | March 24, 2006 at 09:22 AM
Thanks Monger
Posted by: Bdid | March 24, 2006 at 10:06 AM
I have doubts about Gagne to the White Sox - Kenny Williams hates dealing with Scott Boras, so much so that he had his assistant GM do all the work in avoiding arbitration with Boras' White Sox client, Joe Crede.
Also, the Sox seem to be set with contracts for the majority of the major league team for the next two years so any trades for relievers are likely to be for minor leaguers.
Posted by: astrosfan | March 24, 2006 at 11:59 AM
if anyone it is the red sox.
Posted by: Nick | March 24, 2006 at 02:28 PM
We all know he's going to wind up on the Cubs...
Posted by: Dave | March 24, 2006 at 04:54 PM
The cubs have Dempster
Posted by: Nick | March 24, 2006 at 06:27 PM
With the Dodgers having Baez and the Sox having Mccarthy and concerns about Jenks and Hermanson I think both teams should consider a Gagne for Contreras deal before the season starts. It would give LA a solid starter who if for some reason the Dodgers struggle all season should bring value back at the all star break. As far as the Sox they could use Gagne until they feel Jenks is ready then deal Gagne somewhere at the break or hold on to him all season and really improve their bullpen.
Posted by: Mooseman | March 26, 2006 at 12:07 PM
That is the gayest thing i have ever heard????Contreras for one of the best closers in baseball??
How about Mcarthy and Contreras for Gagne.
Posted by: | March 26, 2006 at 07:03 PM
dude, contreras had the best second half in baseball last year winning almost every game he started. why would the white sox give up a rising star and one of their solid starters for someone who missed the entire season last year?
Posted by: chris | March 28, 2006 at 11:33 AM