September 2006

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2007 MLB Free Agents: Gary Matthews Jr.

The Rangers would like to retain free agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr., but competition could be fierce if he hits the market. It's important to remember that Sarge Jr. will be entering his age 32 season in 2007. Perhaps his athleticism will help him age better. While Matthews's .372 OBP is a career high, you'll notice that it's entirely batting average driven. He hasn't improved his walk rate at all this season. The improvement in batting average is tied to more frequent contact - he's up to 84% in that department. He's also got a career high SLG. The..   Continue Reading

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2007 Oakland A's

Next up in the 2007 Team Outlooks are the Oakland Athletics. They stand to possibly lose a couple of key players after this season. Billy Beane's contract obligations: C - Jason Kendall - $8MM C - Adam Melhuse - $0.85MM 1B - Dan Johnson - $0.33MM 2B - Mark Ellis - $3.5MM SS - Bobby Crosby - $2.5MM 3B - Eric Chavez - $9MM IF - Marcos Scutaro - $0.34MM IF - D'Angelo Jimenez - $0.75MM LF - Nick Swisher - $0.335MM CF - Mark Kotsay - $7MM RF - Milton Bradley - $3MM OF - Bobby Kielty - $1.85MM..   Continue Reading

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2007 Houston Astros

The Astros are due for the next Team Outlook. Tim Purpura's contract obligations: C - Brad Ausmus - $3.5MM C - Eric Munson - $0.35MM 1B - Lance Berkman - $14.5MM 2B - Chris Burke - $0.3625MM SS - Adam Everett - $1.9MM 3B - Morgan Ensberg - $3.8MM 1B/3B - Mike Lamb - $1.7MM IF - Eric Bruntlett - $0.365MM LF - Luke Scott - $0.327MM CF - Willy Taveras - $0.4MM RF - Jason Lane - $0.45MM OF - Orlando Palmeiro - $0.95MM SP - Roy Oswalt - $13MM SP - Jason Hirsh - $0.327MM SP - Wandy..   Continue Reading

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2007 Minnesota Twins

Given their postseason berth, you wouldn't expect Twins fans to be clamoring for a writeup on the '07 club. They have been, however, and I aim to please. Terry Ryan's contract obligations: C - Joe Mauer - $0.4MM C - Mike Redmond - $0.95MM 1B - Justin Morneau - $0.385MM 2B - Luis Castillo - $5.75MM SS - Jason Bartlett - $0.38MM 3B - Nick Punto - $0.69MM IF - Luis Rodriguez - $0.38MM LF - CF - Torii Hunter - $12MM option RF - Michael Cuddyer - $1.3MM OF - Lew Ford - $0.425MM OF - Jason Tyner -..   Continue Reading

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Royals Join Matsuzaka Chase

An unlikely eighth team has expressed interest in Daisuke Matsuzaka: the Royals. KC joins the Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Rangers, Orioles, Dodgers, and Mariners as a suitor. While it's unlikely that the Royals would pony up more than $10MM annually for one player, it would bring some excitement to the '07 team. It would also be better than the way they spent free agent money in 2006: $5MM for Reggie Sanders, $4MM for Scott Elarton, $4MM for Mark Grudzielanek, $1.85MM for Doug Mientkiewicz, $1.7MM for Elmer Dessens, and $1.5MM for Tony Graffanino. Granted that was a different GM, but the..   Continue Reading

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Sherman: Carl Crawford Available

As you may have seen, Joel Sherman's latest article mentions that the D-Rays will "dangle" Carl Crawford in return for a top starting pitching prospect. Sherman goes on to mention that TB would also explore trading Rocco Baldelli or - gasp - Delmon Young. Given Young's off-the-chart talent and future, I can't see how this is feasible. Crawford makes a sense though, as he's relatively well-paid and proven. But aside from Mr. Kazmir, how often do you see top-shelf pitching prospects moved? Here are some names: Scott Elbert, Homer Bailey, Philip Hughes, Jason Hirsh, Nick Adenhart, Humberto Sanchez, Donald Veal...   Continue Reading

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2007 Chicago Cubs

Updated 12/07/2006 Full disclosure: I am a diehard Cubs fan. Still, I think I'm capable of pulling together a Team Outlook for this bunch. Jim Hendry's 2007 contract obligatons: C - Michael Barrett - $3MM C - Henry Blanco - $1.8MM 1B - Derrek Lee - $13MM 2B - Mark DeRosa - $4.33MM SS - Cesar Izturis - $4.15MM 3B - Aramis Ramirez - $11MM IF - Ryan Theriot - $0.38MM LF - Matt Murton - $0.38MM CF - Jacque Jones - $4MM RF - Alfonso Soriano - $9MM OF - Angel Pagan - $0.38MM SP - Carlos Zambrano -..   Continue Reading

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2007 St. Louis Cardinals

I already took my best shot at a 2007 plan for the Cardinals back in August. But, let's do our usual Team Outlook analysis for the club. The Viva El Birdos article was more my recommendations, so here we'll discuss more of what I think Walt Jocketty will do. 2007 contract obligations: C - Yadier Molina - $0.4MM C - 1B - Albert Pujols - $15MM 2B - Aaron Miles - $0.35MM SS - David Eckstein - $4.5MM 3B - Scott Rolen - $12MM IF - LF - Chris Duncan - $0.33MM CF - RF - Juan Encarnacion - $5MM..   Continue Reading

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2007 MLB Free Agents: Luis Gonzalez

When we last checked in with future free agent left fielder Luis Gonzalez, he'd been informed by the D'Backs that they didn't want him back. Now, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has a few interested teams for us: "Don't feel bad about Luis Gonzalez's Diamondbacks career being over. The Orioles, Tigers, Rangers, and Cubs are already considering him as a DH and/or left fielder for next year." Word was that Gonzo wanted to stay in the NL, meaning a return to the Cubs might be at the top of the list. The problem? The Cubs already have a left..   Continue Reading

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2007 New York Mets

Let's see what's in store for the Mets next year. Their playoff appearance this year should ensure that ownership spends some more money to plug any holes. By the way, you can read any of my 2007 Team Outlooks here. Omar Minaya's contractual obligations: C - Paul LoDuca - $6.5MM C - Ramon Castro - $0.8MM 1B - Carlos Delgado - $14.5MM 2B - SS - Jose Reyes - $2.5MM 3B - David Wright - $1MM IF - Julio Franco - $1.1MM IF - Ruben Gotay - $0.3405MM, Anderson Hernandez - $0.327MM LF - Lastings Milledge - $0.415MM CF -..   Continue Reading

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