Free Agent Odds and Ends

Brian Lawrence wants to pitch for the Rockies, and they've attended his private workouts.  The Nationals acquired Lawrence for Vinny Castilla on November 3rd of last year, only to learn in February he'd be out for the season with a labrum tear.  Lawrence is a pitch-to-contact guy with good control.  His heavy groundballing style could fit in Colorado.

The same Denver Post article mentions that Javy Lopez's agent has had discussions with the Rox.  Teams don't like to turn rotations over completely to rookie catchers, so Chris Iannetta may unfortunately have some company for a season or two.  The Rockies previously hoped to sign Rod Barajas.

Tracy Ringolsby writes that the Orioles still want to sign Shannon Stewart on an incentive-laden deal.  Seems pointless to me. Ringolsby also says the Padres are the frontrunners for David Wells, who wants $3MM.  That makes sense for any NL team, but Wells wants to pitch in California.

Mark Mulder returns from Tahiti soon and will decide whether to become an Indian, Ranger, or Cardinal.  For his career's sake, he should probably go back to St. Louis.

One way or another, the Yankees will import a lefty reliever.  Ron Villone and Scott Schoeneweis are being discussed.

Comments

[DonCoburleone]

Shannon Stewart???

[ramaboy28]

Schoeneweis was sick last year with the Reds in the 2nd half (0.63 ERA, 11 k's in 14 innings, 2 Wins). Yanks should give him a shot.

[darkstar1661]

"Mark Mulder returns from Tahiti soon and will decide whether to become an Indian, Ranger, or Cardinal.  For his career's sake, he should probably go back to St. Louis"

Would pitching for Cleveland be that bad of an idea? I thought our medical team and nutral park would be fine for him, plus with the amount of rooks we have almost ready it would mean he wouldn't be rushed back before ready. In Stl they seem to be thin on pitching which might make them push him to pitch before he should. No?

[ramaboy28]

I'm guessing Rangers are offering the most money but my guess is that he still goes back to St. Louis.

[Aduncaroo]

The Cards don't have a history of rushing anyone back, at least that I'm aware of. I think the Cards defense and their pitching coach Duncan would benefit him the most, and I think thats what they are talking about here.
I'm a Cubs fan, and I really hope that he doesn't choose St. Louis, but I have a feeling, if they money is close, he will go back.

Can anyone tell me what happened to Arizona? I thought that they were the front-runners at some point?

[jd]

I'd love to see Lawrence in Texas, I've always thought that guy could pitch here. Wouldn't mind seeing Thompson return either, he was above decent here before.
Millwood
Padilla
McCarthy
Lawrence
Thompson/Tejeda/Whoever
That doesn't blow anyone away but it might not be horrible.

[Rayman]

"for his careers sake" he should become an Indian, as the tribe has a history of helping pitchers successfully overcome injuries.

[bravesrule14]

im surprised there isnt more demand for Villone he is a good lefty guy that canm get righties and wil give u over 60 innings consistently. i would like the Braves to get, but alas we are stripped of cash

[Aduncaroo]

'"for his careers sake" he should become an Indian, as the tribe has a history of helping pitchers successfully overcome injuries.'

And the Cardinals don't? See a guy named Chris Carpenter.....

[nickjs21]

You can't just name one pitcher and assume that makes your case that the Cardinal's training staff has handled pitchers better than the Indians'.

Indians starters have missed 7 games in 2 years. Bob Wickman, Bob Howry, and Kevin Millwood all came back from injury with Cleveland and all got nice contracts out of it. Even Mulder's agent is quoted today saying

And yeah, he'd have all the time in the world to come back if he signed with Cleveland, considering they already have a full 5-man rotation with two young guys waiting to fill in. He'd likely be brought in around June and make 20-25 starts, and allow for either a trade of one of our starters or to let either Byrd or Westbrook walk in FA. Or both.

Mulder's agent:
"Mark Shapiro does a great job selling what the Cleveland Indians have to offer. I think he's in a good spot to get Mulder to come to Cleveland."
On the ability to rehab pithers:
"If you look at those numbers, they're pretty incredible."

[darkstar1661]

Come on Mark, even your agent seems to think it to be smarter!!!

Now we lock him up, offer Westbrook and prospects to the Jays for Rios midway through the season and we are set.

Any word on what we are offering? I had heard it was 2yrs with an option.

[Aduncaroo]

I hope you get him. But come on, Wickman, Howry, and Millwood? Carpenter being better then EVER AFTER his surgery is a better sign than that. I would say that there is no reason that St. Louis wouldn't have more to offer. They have a better team (WS Champs), better pitching coach, better Manager, better chance to make the playoffs, the best pitcher and hitter in the NL, and he is already comfortable here. I really, really hope that he goes to the indians which would benefit the cubs, but unless you are offering a good amount more money, I just don't see why he would leave.

[giantspwner187]

I don't know about that. Howry now is a stud for Chicago, and Millwood lead the league in era before cashing in and going to Texas. If Mulder can get a two-year deal and turn it around, he'll be looking at big time money since he'll be able to blame his falloff to injuries that are done with.

[darkstar1661]

Adun, you can add guys like Sauerbeck, Miller, Karsay and a few others to the list but the three are the ones with the most success afterward. There are also guys like Elarton as reclimations as well... Its a pretty good track record.

I don't know much about Stl as I don't follow the NL much, they have a pretty good track record too?

[nickjs21]

Their track record is one guy. And trust me, Mulder is not making a decision based on who has a "better Manager, better chance to make the playoffs, the best pitcher and hitter in the NL, and he is already comfortable here." He is looking for a team that will allow him to cash in when the contract is up. That's a team that will get him healthy. And the Indians, whatever you want to say about who is better, have a longer track record there.

And like I just said, it's about the money. So in the end he may decide he'd rather take more money now than chance on more money later, and in that case he may very well choose St. Louis. But that would be the reason.