Perrotto's Latest

John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus has quickly become another fine source for trade rumors.  Some highlights from his latest column:

• The Twins would surrender a solid arm - maybe Jesse Crain, Juan Rincon, or Scott Baker - in return for a right-handed hitter.  My own speculation: perhaps Wayne Krivsky, looking to stabilize his bullpen, would trade Edwin Encarnacion for Rincon.  Rincon has been one of the best setup men in baseball for the past four years.  On the other hand, Baker could really flourish in the National League and Kyle Lohse may leave via free agency after the season.  Terry Ryan might want a more proven, reliable bat though.  Buster Olney throws out Morgan Ensberg's name in his blog today.
• Some clubs already have center fielder Torii Hunter on the radar: the Red Sox, White Sox, Cardinals, and Rangers.  I think there is no doubt the Rangers go in for one of the "name" center fielders this winter.  I can see the Red Sox testing the waters but it would seem odd to block Jacoby Ellsbury for four or five years.  Hunter is making the contract year argument, hitting .324/.358/.618 in 35 games.  His previous career high in slugging was .524 in '02.
• Perrotto confirms the finding of Michael Gluskin - Odalis Perez and Chan Ho Park are two names on the Orioles' target list of starting pitchers.  The O's might have found some relief in the shrewd Jeremy Guthrie pickup - his last two starts against the Devil Rays and Red Sox were excellent.   

Comments

[bravesbeast]

I think that the reds and the twins would be perfect trading partners for each other, as the twins could get the young right handed third baseman they have wanted for years in edwin, and the reds could probably get one of the better pitching bountys out of all the moves they have made recently. Another option I think could very much be available is garret atkins, although it probably would take rincon plus a Triple-A arm to get him, whether than just either or. But mauer, cuddayer,morneau, and atkins for the next 3 or 4 years would be a very good lineup, one of the best young hearts of the order in the majors.

[WestCoastBias]

How about Morgan Ensberg & Chris Burke for a solid pitching prospect from the Twins? I still can't believe how much they gave up to get Jason Jennings. That was absurd.

[native_astro]

I don't think the Astros are going to trade Ensberg and Burke for pitching prospects. It would be interesting to see if the Twins and Astros could work something out like Ensberg/Luke Scott for Tori Hunter and some prospects. Tori Hunter isn't going to be a Twin next year...he lives in Texas so maybe the Astros can strike a deal with him...4 years/55 million. I think the only way the Astros would do this if they did a sign and trade type deal.

[boomshwa12]

we already have pence playing a solid center field. why would they need to add torii hunter?

isn't joe nathan a free agent after this season? would they have any interest in brad lidge as well if they don't think they could re-sign nathan?

[lih]

Oh yeah, Odalis started out with Mazzone and the Braves. Maybe he knows what's wrong with him. Ever since he had shoulder problems in 05 he's been terrible. I have to pull out the old quote from when Odalis got traded to the Royals..."You know, the team is a bad team," Perez said of the last-place Royals. "[But] I could be happy there because I can be the ace on staff or one of the good guys on the staff." That's great stuff. When he started pitching bad he would shrug his shoulders one at a time and sort of shake around on the mound. This guy is a great source of comic relief. I hope the Orioles get him.