Stark's Latest

Hey everybody, I'm back from my trip.  I hope you enjoyed the posts from Tom and Jeff in the meantime.  California was actually colder than Chicago is right now, go figure.

Jayson Stark had a new column up at ESPN.com yesterday; let's dissect the trade rumors.

• Stark quotes scouts doubting whether Miguel Tejada's power will ever return.  Over the last year and a half or so, the Orioles had all sorts of young players they could've acquired for Tejada.  Names like Felix Pie, Rich Hill, Brandon McCarthy, Ryan Sweeney, Ervin Santana, Erick Aybar have surfaced before.  Tejada earns $12MM this year, $13MM in '08, and another $13MM in '09.  That doesn't sound too bad but one more year of declining power might change my opinion.
• Seems the D-Rays would like to trade Elijah Dukes for a solid reliever.  A few teams might bow out because of Dukes' past, but in my experience most don't care.  I could see a match with the Padres, as they will need a center fielder if Mike Cameron leaves.
• Stark says the hottest free agent could be "30 year-old Chunichi Dragons center fielder Kosuke Fukudome, who will be an unrestricted free agent."  I have learned from Mike Plugh that Fukudome is best in right field, but might be able to get by in center.  Plugh thinks Fukudome will get $12-15MM annually for three or four seasons.  Will Carroll has connected the Red Sox to Fukudome, while Phil Rogers suggested the Cubs.  This is going to be one of the bigger stories of the winter, I think.

Comments

[deadbeat17]

wanted to take this time to mention that OF Larry Bigbie opted out of his Contract today.

perfect match for the padres bench right now. DROP SLEDGE!!!!!!

heres the link to the article

http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_6034207

and his minor league stats

http://web.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Larry%2520Bigbie&pos=OF&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=406933

[Baseballfan79]

Taylor Tankersly for Elijah Dukes perhaps?

a lefty Setup/closer type would be nice in their bullpen.

Dukes gets a fresh start at CF for the fish.

Both teams fill a hole. Not sure if Tank is worth Dukes since Dukes has a great talent but he is a headcase also.

Just figured toss that out there.

[Elvis Elvisberg]

I don't get the Red Sox as a landing spot for Fukudome. What about Ellsbury? It's already crowded in that OF even without Fukudome (or Ellsbury, for that matter).

[bsox21]

"This is going to be one of the bigger stories of the winter, I think."

you stole my line.

Also, as I said PRE season....

Dukes is the best young prospect in baseball.

Most of MLB knows this already, and won't give a rat's ass about his off the field issues.

99% of baseball players have off the field issues.

The media targets one guy, and takes him down.

Look at Arod. He gets caught with a chic and it's all over the papers.

I certainly hope that you guys aren't stupid engouh to know that over 50% of professional athletes do the same f-ing thing.

[lih]

There's a big difference between taking a woman to a strip club and sending a picture of a handgun to your wife on your cell phone. I highly doubt 50% of players go around sending handgun photos to their wives.

[PAbaseball263806]

If Dukes gets traded to Florida, just chalk it up to one more asshole on the cockiest, most unprofessional team in baseball. Oh, and now they have Armando? What a classy team!

[GoBoSox420]

PAbaseball: Please shutup

Thanks

[PAbaseball263806]

What's your problem? Haven't you ever seen a Marlins' game? They are gigantic assholes and the people down there don't come close to deserving two world champions.

[bsox21]

"There's a big difference between taking a woman to a strip club and sending a picture of a handgun to your wife on your cell phone. I highly doubt 50% of players go around sending handgun photos to their wives."

We are all a product of our environment.

He was raised by crackheads and lost his dad to jail when he was 13.

Most players have tons of skeletons in their closets. The media decides which ones they want to expose.

[coolpapabell]

Where do you see the Yankees going for a RF? Fukudome looks like a good fit for them. The Redsox have a crowded outfield with, Drew, Manny, Coco, Willy Mo, and Ellsbury.

[GoBoSox420]

Coco + Wmp are hardly safe
Ellsbury is a prospect
Manny could be traded
Drew sucks but he is signed to such a long contract trading him is out of the question, thus making him the only sure thing

[Baseballfan79]

If Dukes gets traded to Florida, just chalk it up to one more asshole on the cockiest, most unprofessional team in baseball. Oh, and now they have Armando? What a classy team!

Posted by: PAbaseball263806 | June 01, 2007 at 01:14 PM

As a philly fan you have no right to speak. Not only are you far biased but fans in philly of all sports are some of the worst around.

The team is very classy and donates large sums of money and time to many issues of concern around florida. They are respectful and good kids.

Dont be ignorant and foolish just because you dont like them and your team hit a marlins player and tried to hit another.

[coolpapabell]

The Sox will be sorry if they trade Willy Mo. Who is going to fill that void left when Manny leaves. Willy Mo will be dangerous when he get to play everday.