April 2006

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Interview With John Hickey

John Hickey covers the Mariners for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer, writing frequent columns and even manning a blog. John was kind of enough to provide insight into all sorts of Mariners questions. MLBTradeRumors: What's your take on the extra day off for Kenji Johjima? Was Hargrove sending any kind of message or was there a miscommunication? John Hickey: It's an odd thing, really. Historically, when Hargrove gets a backup player into the lineup, he likes to get him two games in a row. (Willie Bloomquist gets two as often as not). So there is the thought that he was just being..   Continue Reading

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What To Do With Delmon Young

By now, we've all seen the video of Delmon Young's bat flip. At least, ESPN was calling it a flip before the video came out. They've kind of quieted on that now that we saw that Young really whipped that sucker. Intent to harm is still a question mark...but when you throw a wooden object at that speed end over end in the direction of someone, you have to realize the distinct possibility of injury. This eyewitness account stresses that he tossed and did not fling the bat, but I vote fling. The Young incident is far worse than Roberto..   Continue Reading

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Should Cubs Add Tony Clark?

Word comes today that Tony Clark is willing to waive his no-trade clause if that's what the Diamondbacks want. The Cubs are the obvious fit - should they go after him? I vote yes. The Cubs' offense was barely acceptable before Derrek Lee went down, and now it's just plain feeble. This club cannot be backed into playing Neifi Perez regularly once again. Clark is probably worth a win or two in Lee's two month absence, and that easily justifies the $2MM owed to him through 2007. Josh Byrnes is a shrewd GM, however, so Hendry has to try not..   Continue Reading

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2007 Free Agent Market - Second Basemen

Updated 1-9-07 Let's assess the 2B free agent market next offseason for those teams in need. These are the guys who I consider starters at the position. Ronnie Belliard - Should be worth about $4 mil at age 32 in 2007. Consistent if not spectacular. The dreads are a plus   Continue Reading

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Cubs Shopping Maddux?

A good one from the rumor mill over at Gotham Baseball. Unfortunately their page is not working right now so here's a link to MetsBlog's take on Gotham's report. According to Gotham, Greg Maddux is being shopped. Interested parties: Mets, Yankees, Brewers, Phillies, Diamondbacks, Royals, and Cardinals. The Cubs would essentially be reducing their rotation to "Carlos Zambrano and pray for a tornado," but Maddux is an impending free agent. My opinion from a couple of weeks ago: he's the same old Mad Dog, just with a well-timed hot streak. Still, dealing him now would be a very early white..   Continue Reading

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Miscellaneous Rumors

There are a few trade-related nuggets in the newspapers today, but I don't expect anything major to go down until June. The Reds are trying to find a taker for Tony Womack, who has thankfully been pushed out of their infield and demoted. That is what we call a million dollar mistake. I guess Brandon Phillips makes up for it, at least until his bat runs cold. Jay Payton and his agent are being vocal about finding him his 500 ABs with another team if necessary. The best fit I can find is the Cardinals. The Yanks plan on declining..   Continue Reading

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2007 Free Agent Market: First Basemen

Updated 1-2-07 Today we take a look at the first basemen available as free agents after the 2006 season. These are players who I think are actually capable of starting regularly at first base. Aubrey Huff and Darin Erstad - I don't think they'll end up at 1B next year. Phil Nevin - He made $10MM this season. The Rangers traded him to the Cubs and Nevin responded with an .832 OPS as Derrek Lee's replacement. Things didn't go so well after the Cubs traded him to Minnesota, however. A long shot to start for anyone next year. Craig Wilson..   Continue Reading

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Marlins Made Crazy Offer To Mets

According to Jon Heyman, the Fish offered Dontrelle Willis to the Mets for David Wright this spring. Sounds like something out of a fantasy league. Baseball Prospectus projects Wright to be with about ten more wins than Willis over the next five seasons. I believe Heyman here. His report definitely calls Jeffrey Loria's denials into question. Sounds like the Fish are shooting for the moon with Willis, but he really does seem to be available. What do you think of a Willis for Chase Utley deal? Who wins, and why wouldn't it work   Continue Reading

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Replacing Derrek Lee

The Cubs have plenty of external options to replace their All-Star first baseman. Still, IvyChat makes a fine point: Jim Hendry has very rarely made trades to cover for injuries (see Nomar, Alex Gonzalez.) Then again, there was one exception (quote from IvyChat): "What's ironic is that the only reason Hendry received the contract extension was due to a trade he made to fill in for an injury. If not for Korey Patterson's injury, the Cubs win nothing in 2003." Link found via Baseball Musings. RotoWorld adds that Michael Restovich was out of Triple A Iowa's lineup last night, a..   Continue Reading

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Howie Kendrick To Debut In May?

Just got word from a respected Angels source. You may be wondering why Maicer Izturis has made four consecutive starts - at shortstop, third base, and even DH. Sure, he's hitting well (5 for 15 with three steals). But this is Maicer Izturis here folks. He's a .232/.299/.336 hitter in 300 career ABs. You don't want him DHing. The reason behind all the PT for Izturis is that he's being shown off for scouts in attendance. The Angels are hunting for the right deal to make room for Howie Kendrick by mid-May. If they can't find something they like for..   Continue Reading

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