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« Cubs Sign Lieber | Main | Odds and Ends: Hendrickson, Soria, Sherrill »
Mailbag: Roberts, Teixeira, Johan, Nathan, And More
Time for this week's mailbag. You can hit it up at mlbtrmailbag@gmail.com to get in your question for next week.
Do you see the Twins signing a big name middle of the order bopper or trading for one before the opening of the new stadium in 2010? - Jordan
Funny you ask this. I recently asked LEN3 whether the Twins would have a $100MM payroll for the 2010 season, and he said, "I don't see it." So I'll go with his wisdom and say business as usual for the Twins despite the stadium.
Why are the White Sox not aggressively pursuing any pitching? Do they realistically think that Gavin Floyd and John Danks can hold down the #4 and #5 spots in the rotation on a contender? I believe we need to fill the holes with some veteran pitching such as Livan Hernandez who can eat up innings and possibly add Corey Patterson at center field. - Joel
I was just discussing this with a former coworker of mine. I can't see the White Sox sneaking into a Wild Card berth with this rotation, but what's the alternative? I don't like the Livan idea. I would consider signing a couple of swingmen/injury risk types such as Brett Tomko or Bartolo Colon if he looks decent. Just a few low risk/OK reward guys with good stuff who could pay off. There's no place for Patterson in the current Chicago outfield, I wouldn't do that.
Were the Cubs holding off on the Brian Roberts trade until they got Lieber? - Bryant
The Cubs/Roberts thing still seems possible, and trading both Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher is slightly easier to stomach with Lieber on board. If I were Jim Hendry I would let the whole Roberts idea go though.
What is the likelihood of the Braves signing Mark Teixeira long-term? - Matthew
I'll put it at a 10% chance. This is a $100MM+ contract and he's represented by Scott Boras. He'll probably want to test the open market, and there could be some ridiculous bids.
When, just when will this Santana situation be over?! It's just killing me! - Dan
We all feel your pain Dan. Most folks seem sick of reading similar rehashed rumors about this. I would be surprised if we don't know Santana's fate one month from now. Of course if his fate is to start the season with the Twins, then the rumors will restart in June.
Are there any trade rumors involving Joe Nathan? - Justin
C'mon Justin, you know I'd never hold out rumors on you. If Bill Smith is shopping Nathan around or getting inquiries, all parties are running very tight ships. Desperation for closers seems to kick in midseason, when certain bullpens are established as clearly crappy. So guys like Nathan and Huston Street may be more likely to be moved in June or July.
Why did the Josh Beckett/Mike Lowell for Hank Blalock/John Danks deal fall through back in November of '05? - Oliver
The Rangers believed the deal was done, and hoped to avoid any leaks before it was official. However, a source tipped off the Palm Beach Post. The Post and a Texas newspaper ran with it. It was at that point the Boston front office found out, swooped in, and beat the Rangers' offer. Those reporters altered history.
What do you see the Milwaukee Brewers doing with their pitching surplus? Do you see them maybe using some of their excess pitchers like Capuano and Bush to acquire a young catcher with some upside? - Tyler
We've seen it a million times - these winter pitching surpluses turn into deficits by May. There is certainly a case to be made for the Brewers to just stand pat, though all those arms would be tough to squeeze in given the bullpen acquisitions. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy expects some of the surplus to be traded before Spring Training. I like the catcher idea - Jeff Clement (Mariners), Bryan Anderson (Cardinals), or Taylor Teagarden/Gerald Laird (Rangers) seem like possible matches.
Do the Yankees sign Bobby Abreu after the 2008 season? - Andrew
Andrew notes that the Yanks have some money coming off the books after the '08 season. The right field alternatives are weak, so Abreu could make sense. If he'd take a two or three-year extension midseason I could see Cashman doing it.
Did you ever sell your place in Lombard? - Steve
Thankfully I did. I tried selling by owner for a month and barely got any bites. Then I hired an agent and she sold it in three days.
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Tim,
I was curious in regards to your reasoning to not acquiring Brian Roberts if you were Jim Hendry. Could you elaborate?
Posted by: Jacob E. | January 16, 2008 at 04:35 PM
Although i dont like the chances of the Braves signing Tex long term, i do believe it will be a little better than 10%. The braves will have hampton and glavines contract money off the books, that only is roughly 16 million ( have read braves spaced out hamptons money over all the years). The braves will still have james, reyes, and jurjjens who will all still be very cheap but could easily be the 3,4,5 guys in the rotation. The braves NEED to make this happen and keep Tex. Chipper isnt going to be around forever and the braves will need that dominant middle of the order guy. they need to sack up and give him a big contract and a NTC, everyone waives them later on anyway and keep TEX!
Posted by: thedeuce | January 16, 2008 at 04:36 PM
I think if the Cubs cant get Roberts, they should move on and try to aquire Rafael Furcal. They made a big push for him in the '06 offseason. He is fast and bats left-handed so they probably still like him. He could replace Theriot instead of Derosa. They could still give guys like Lee and Ramirez extra days off by using Theriot at 2B and moving Derosa. With 1 year left on his contract and Chin-Lung Hu emerging, I could see the Dodgers making him avalible. Cubs could offer Eric Patterson and either Marshall or Gallagher. Patterson could replace Jeff Kent when he retires, and add some more pitching depth. If it dosen't work, I could see the Cubs going hard after Furcal in the offseason again. what do you guys think?
Posted by: Joe | January 16, 2008 at 04:47 PM
A few comments/questions:
1.) If White Sox fans are unready to enter the season with this rotation, could a swap with the Giants be possible? (Lowry and Roberts for Crede and Poreda or something simpler, I don't really know).
2.) I would put the Brave's chances of re-signing Tex long term above 10%, maybe around 30%. All signals show that he loves playing there, but he would be financially challenged not to test the open market. Just because money gets thrown at him does not necessarily mean he will go for the bigger bucks. Remember when Soriano and Carlos Lee were supposedly offered monster contracts by SF and they declined? Finding a fit in an organization still matters. Of course that philosophy takes a much greater hit when you are a Boras client.
Posted by: The Juice | January 16, 2008 at 04:53 PM
The Yankees don't do mid-season extensions. So, Abreu is going to have to get off to one hell of a start in 2009 or the powers-that-be will be heavily scouting rightfield talent. The real question here is: Why don't the Yankees buy out some of Cano's Free Agency Years and wrap him up a la DJ and A-Rod? He's the left-handed staple they need in the lineup.
Posted by: rossdfarian | January 16, 2008 at 04:54 PM
Sorry, I meant 2008. I mistyped.
Posted by: rossdfarian | January 16, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Pitching seems a bigger need for the '08 Cubs than 2B. They have solid options in DeRosa and Patterson. I wouldn't give up useful starting pitching depth just to upgrade on DeRosa. I think Gallagher is going to be solid and Marshall maybe already is. Keep the depth, you'll need it later.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 05:02 PM
Maybe Soriano and Lee didn't want to play for the Giants, but they still got themselves monster deals from new teams.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I'm not saying Tex isn't going to get a monster deal, but I do think he will certainly consider the Braves before any other team regardless of dollars. This could be a potentially hazardous off season for Boras if another "huge" client decided his agent is acting in the best interest of dollars rather than player satisfaction.
Posted by: The Juice | January 16, 2008 at 05:05 PM
Being a Braves fan & showing as little bias as I can -- Gut feeling tells me somehow we keep Tex in ATL for a long time. The comment was made that Chipper isn't going to be there forever -- and this is oh so true. He's around 35-36 this year & what better to replace a switch hitting corner infielder with power than a switch-hitting corner infielder with power! :P
Posted by: ksesxe | January 16, 2008 at 05:17 PM
Even with a hometown discount, the Tex is going to make atleast 100 mil. I dont see the Braves coughing that up, but we'll see.
Posted by: nrmax88 | January 16, 2008 at 05:53 PM
As a Braves fan it pains me to say it but I think Tim's handicap of Teixeira staying in Atlanta beyond 2008 is spot on. There are several big-market teams, including the Yankees and Mets, who project to be in the market for a 1st baseman after this season. I've seen Teix quoted as saying he loves playing in Atlanta, but I'm not sure if he loves it $40 million+ worth. I would say the biggest contract the Braves will offer him would be in the 6/$120MM range with an option year or two. Teix won't get Arod money but you can bet a big budget team will blow $120MM out of the water. The only thing standing between us Braves fans and a Jason Heyward stop-gap is a significant hometown discount from a Scott Boras client...10% sounds about right. Hopefully I'm wrong.
Posted by: baleen | January 16, 2008 at 06:33 PM
I think the Yankees will do whatever possible to land Teixeira/Sabathia for Opening Day 09. Others will bid on them too so its hard to imagine any of these guys signing extensions. Dont forget about Yu Darvish either, he could make Matsuzaka's posting fee and contract look like a five year olds' allowance.
Posted by: JD | January 16, 2008 at 06:46 PM
If Tex leaves the Braves get to have Salty back.
Posted by: Land-Man | January 16, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Teixeira will be signing with his hometown. The Baltimore Orioles. They have a need for a Power Hitting 1B and they will have tons of money off the books by then.
But if he doesn't sign with the O's I hope he stays in ATL.
Posted by: XD23 | January 16, 2008 at 08:36 PM
Tex wants to win. Baltimore is a black hole. He's going nowhere near the Orioles.
Posted by: ksesxe | January 16, 2008 at 08:44 PM
I think the O's are starting to turn it around a bit. their farm is improving quickly and if they're willing to do the right things they are even more likely to contend than the Blue Jays
That being said though, from the Yankees perspective Teix / Dunn / Santana / Sabathia will all be on their radar big time if they hit the market.
Wether or not Abreu signs will probably be determined by how the season goes.
Posted by: Yu Hsing Chen | January 16, 2008 at 09:09 PM
Tim, Brett Tomko reunited with AJP??? Let me refresh your memory: "Brett Tomko called Pierzynski a "cancer" in May of '04, calling for Yorvit Torrealba to take over. The Giants still considered a multiyear deal after the season, but then decided to go with Mike Matheny and let A.J. go."
Posted by: nick2335 | January 16, 2008 at 09:30 PM
Tim,
Just wondering why you dont like the idea of the White Sox signing Livan Hernandez.
Posted by: gogowhitesox | January 16, 2008 at 09:40 PM
Someone mentioned Nathan in the mailbag.. It will probably happen, in my opinion, but especially if Santana is traded. Trading Santana would be the ultimate "white flag" for '08.. so they would have little reason to keep Nathan around to let him walk next year, especially considering they have a guy in Neshek who would seem to be a good fit in the role. They might wait until mid-season to trade him, but I do see it happening eventually
Posted by: GoTribe | January 16, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Nice call on Tomko...
Livan Hernandez, because he costs decent money but isn't much better than replacement level arms the Sox could dig up.
Posted by: Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Tim, What do you think of this name for the Cubs? Ryan Freel. Now before you laugh, Hendry said he's looking for a speedy, versatile type. The Reds want to put Bruce in CF at some point anyway and they need pitching. They wanted Lieber and while the Cubs can't give them Lieber, they may take Marquis, Dempster - or at worst, Marshall. Freel can play 2b and if Pie turns out to be a bust, you can move Freel to CF and stick DeRosa back at 2nd base. Freel had a bad year last year but he previously had OBP's of .360-.370 - solid for a leadoff guy and he'll steal 35 bases if he stays healthy. The problem, I suppose, is trading within your own division.
Posted by: crunchy1 | January 16, 2008 at 11:05 PM
I like the idea Crunchy. Freel can play literally every position on the field, he is scrappy, and unlike most guys that get the scrappy title, he actually is a pretty good player. I have heard things about him being a loose cannon and not getting along great with his team, but have no idea whether that is true. He could be a better value then Roberts given both his results and what he would cost both in money and in prospects.
Posted by: nrmax88 | January 17, 2008 at 08:24 AM
I didn't know that about Freel. The other drawback is he isn't a very good defensive secondbaseman. But hey, like you said, overall he may be a better value. Especially if McPhail remains stubborn about his asking price for Roberts.
Posted by: crunchy1 | January 17, 2008 at 10:04 AM
"1.) If White Sox fans are unready to enter the season with this rotation, could a swap with the Giants be possible? (Lowry and Roberts for Crede and Poreda or something simpler, I don't really know)."
That trade would never happen. We cannot keep trading away our prospects. Poreda is by no means a sure thing, but we need to start building through the farm. I am sick of KW trading away our future for the present. I would rather have 5 good years than 2, so please can we start developing prospects and keeping them. Trading away Gio and Fautino will come back and haunt us, please stop it please.
Posted by: PIERZYNSKI 4 PREZ | January 17, 2008 at 09:51 PM