May 2007

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Benitez is Gone

Earlier today, I speculated that Armando Benitez could find a new home in no time. A couple of hours ago, I read that the Giants were going to change things up. It's already settled: Benitez was sent to Florida (along with some cash, presumably) for Randy Messenger. Benitez would appear to step right into the closer's role for Florida, while the Giants will now turn to Brad Hennessey. I can't wait until the Marlins take their next trip to Shea Stadium: I'll bet that's a trip Benitez would prefer to skip. By Jeff Sackmann Brew Crew Bal   Continue Reading

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Runelvys and Bocachica

More little transactions: Runelvys Hernandez, pitching for the Pawtucket Red Sox, is taking the out clause in his contract that allows him to move on if not on the MLB roster on June 1st. There might not be a spot waiting for him with his former team, the Royals, but he'd fit right in with the Nationals right now. And, it's a good thing the A's got Dee Brown, because they lost Hiram Bocachica on waivers to the Padres. I don't think Bocachica is going to do for the Pads what Jack Cust has done for the A's, but then..   Continue Reading

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Jeff Passan's Most Overpaid Team

Here's an interesting article from the Yahoo columnist that includes his selections for most overpaid players so far this year. Some of the blurbs are downright painful, like the reminder that Jason Kendall is earning more than $13M for this year's "production." I bring it up because overpaid players are so often a source of trade rumors on a thin market. After all, do you think it would take much to pry Kendall away from the A's? Shea Hillenbrand away from the Angels? It seems that clubs falling in the standings with money to burn (Yankees, anyone?) can always take..   Continue Reading

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A's Acquire Dee Brown

It doesn't get much more minor than this, but the A's have made yet another move to bolster their outfield depth, grabbing Dee Brown from the D-Backs for cash. I guess when you have a ton of minor league outfielders on the major league roster, you have to find somebody to man the position in Sacramento. What strikes me as odd, though, is that a few weeks ago the A's sent Charles Thomas to Milwaukee for catcher J.D. Closser. Oakland did need the catching insurance, but in a depth-for-depth swap, you'd think that Billy Beane could convince Doug Melvin to..   Continue Reading

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D'Backs Sign Max Scherzer

The parallels between Luke Hochevar last year and Max Scherzer this year were striking - both were first-rounders who didn't sign because they held out for a bigger signing bonus, then pitched for the Fort Worth Cats - but the story ended differently this year. Instead of going back into the draft, Arizona signed Scherzer. I would imagine Arizona hopes that isn't the only way the Scherzer story ends up differently than Hochevar's: Luke isn't exactly dominating Double-A so far this year. As for the impact on this year's draft, Scherzer probably would've gone higher than 11th (where he was..   Continue Reading

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Blanton's Durability Makes a Trade Unlikely

Also from K-Ro's latest, Billy Beane isn't ruling anything out, but at the same time, he has a hard time envisioning trading Joe Blanton any time soon: "He's a lot better than he gets credit for, and he's incredibly durable, too. He's a 200-inning pitcher with quality stuff. And he's getting better and better." Blanton's peripheral stats are also cited as being on the rise, and we all know how Beane values such things, but don't underestimate how much he and the A's value the durability. Year after year, the A's are riddled with injuries - Bobby Crosby, the outfielders,..   Continue Reading

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Phillies Kicking Brian Fuentes' Tires

The latest from the prolific and well-connected Ken Rosenthal: A member of the Phillies asks, "Is Brian Fuentes available?" Well, not yet — and maybe not at all if the Rockies' resurgence continues. The Rockies will discuss Fuentes, their left-handed closer, only if they fall out of contention. Fuentes, who turns 32 on Aug. 9, is earning $3.5 million this season, and eligible for free agency after next season. The search for quality bullpen arms will likely be a theme that lasts throughout the season for the Phillies, given that Brett Myers has proven to be a mere mortal, unable..   Continue Reading

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Ozzie Shoots Down Trade Talk

The always quotable Ozzie Guillen spoke out on recent trade rumors involving Jermaine Dye and Mark Buerhle [Chicago Sun-Times]: ''It's never been talked about,'' Guillen said. ''Maybe Kenny has it in his mind, but he's never said one thing to me about it. I want to go all the way to the end with these guys, see what we can do with these guys. ''I'll be honest with [the media], I'll be honest with the fans, I'll be honest with me. If we get to that point, I'll be the first one to tell people, 'It's going to be hard..   Continue Reading

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Injuries the Cause for Lack of Trades?

When Tim asked me to cover MLBTR.com today, in exchange for 20,000 Schrutebucks my first reaction was "Sure, why not? It's not as if there is anything to write about anyway..." To many a baseball fan, it certainly seems as if there is little to no discussion of trades to be had anywhere. If you are like me, you always wonder what might be going on behind the scenes that the average fan doesn't hear about. I always assume that even though nothing is leaking out, surely MLB's general managers are scheming and exchanging clandestine phone calls and emails. After..   Continue Reading

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MLBTR Coverage

I'm going out of town Wednesday and Thursday on business, my first trip to California (Pasadena). In my absence, Jeff Sackmann and Tom Goyne will fill in. Enjoy! I don't want to leave you hanging, so here are some links for the evening. The Hardball Times' Steve Treder takes a look at Steve Dalkowski, perhaps the hardest thrower in the history of baseball. Definitely an interesting read. Fire Joe Morgan takes on yet another Darin Erstad lovefest. Dave Stewart is writing for NBX.com these days, and he's not impressed with the Roger Clemens signing. Check out Peter Abraham's Myth vs...   Continue Reading

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