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Rosenthal's Latest: Lohse, Furcal, Lofton

By Tim Dierkes [February 29, 2008 at 9:20am CST]

FOX's Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz from Spring Training.

The Mets, Cardinals, and Orioles are listed as possibilities for Kyle Lohse. However, the Mets may deem him unnecessary, reports are conflicting on the Cards' interest, and the Orioles are wary of the price.
Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal's agent met with Ned Colletti a few days ago, but the Dodgers would likely want to see Furcal return to form before entertaining an extension. Click here to see the other shortstops eligible for free agency after the '08 season. The Dodgers may have a viable replacement for Furcal in defensive whiz Chin-Lung Hu.
Rosenthal notes that the Yankees, in search of a right-handed outfielder, considered Shannon Stewart and Mike Cameron this winter.
Kenny Lofton's chances of a getting the big league deal he wants with the Reds or Twins look slim.
The rumor going around for Corey Patterson is the Marlins, if the price is right.
Rosenthal confirms two additions for our 2008 Out Of Options list - Gabe Gross and Clint Barmes.
Rosenthal says the Mets need a right-handed hitter who can play left field and first base. Here are some names I came up with: Ryan Ludwick, Xavier Nady, Matt Murton, Franklin Gutierrez, and Kevin Millar. Granted, not all those guys know their way around first base.

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Comments

If the Mets are hurting for a Left Fielder they can have Reed Johnson for a box of doughnuts.

I am sure he could learn first base.

Posted by: BJays Fan! | February 29, 2008 at 09:28 AM

Millar would be a great fit for the Mets - still a solid hitter and defensive 1B, can fake his way through playing LF, and great as the "face" of a club with the media.

Here's hoping the Mets don't get him. ;-)

Posted by: ColonelTom | February 29, 2008 at 09:31 AM

Regarding the other notes:

- The Dodgers are crazy if they sign Furcal to a big contract with Hu waiting in the wings.

- The Phils ought to sign Lofton - he's a huge upgrade on So (What?) Taguchi as a fourth OF. Lofton doesn't have the arm for right, but with Victorino able to slide over to RF if needed, that shouldn't be a problem.

- Corey Patterson would be a great place-holder for the Marlins until Cameron Maybin is ready.

- Kyle Lohse may well be this year's Gil Meche for the team that signs him. Give him a one-year contract with a pricey vesting option for innings pitched, and I'll bet he'll bite.

Posted by: ColonelTom | February 29, 2008 at 09:37 AM

i'd be interested to see ludwick play first base - he's a lefty defender, which is desireable. though obviously he's blocked as a cardinal and i don't think he'd be traded this season, so perhaps it's moot.

Posted by: MO Boiler | February 29, 2008 at 10:54 AM

What is Boras asking that Lohse couldn't get signed? Seemed like he would have been signed right after Silva.

Posted by: WhiteSoxFan | February 29, 2008 at 10:55 AM

Speaking of guys out of options, how about Justin Huber for the Mets? Righty stick, plays 1st and LF;
That said, the bigger problem is with the Mets overall bench construction-- one of Anderson, Easley, or Gotay has to go to make way.

Posted by: kid_dynamite | February 29, 2008 at 11:51 AM

Loshe to the Mets makes sense even on a multi-year deal. Sosa makes sense there too. Although he can't play 1st, he'd be a perfect platoon with Church while Alou is healthy, and a perfect fill in for Alou when he's not.

I'd LOVE to see the Yanks sign Furcal after this season, dump Damon, and move Jeter to LF.

Posted by: maximumpotential | February 29, 2008 at 11:53 AM

two things.

Corey Patterson will not be a "great" replacement for anyone..ever. Just look at his OBP to start with.

Jeter to LF...that will not happen, hope you were joking.

Posted by: Aron | February 29, 2008 at 11:58 AM

Ty Wigginton is a right-handed bat that can play 1B and LF

Posted by: jza1218 | February 29, 2008 at 12:43 PM

I wasn't joking at all. Eventually it will happen. If he has another year defensively like last years, next year would be the perfect time with them moving into the new stadium.

Posted by: maximumpotential | February 29, 2008 at 12:52 PM

maximum...i'm not saying it's not a good idea. I am saying it will never happen... Can you see him going for that? His numbers would be awfully ordinary in the outfield and i'm sure as smart as he is he knows his "value" $19-$20 mil/yr is due to his name/position. I just personally never see him moving form shortstop...and to speculate him accepting a LF gig is not even reasonable given the current state of affairs. He didn't switch positions for the best player in baseball (A-Rod) why would he do it for Furcal?

Posted by: Aron | February 29, 2008 at 01:08 PM

Lohse makes zero sense for the O's. I don't know why people keep talking like the O's need a pitcher, our rotation is pretty much set at Guthrie/Loewen/Cabrera/Trachsel/[insert prospect of the month here]. Olson will probably be the first in the 5 spot, but I can see Penn, Albers, and later in the season, Patton, getting some #5 action.

Posted by: The Globalizer | February 29, 2008 at 01:26 PM

I completely agree globalizer...it's not that the rotation is that solid, but there is just no need for him AT ALL. What is the upside of the Orioles signing Lohse? They are in no way competitive this year...it would serve them better to try out Olson, Liz, Albers and Patton when he's healthy.

Posted by: Aron | February 29, 2008 at 01:37 PM

jza...

As an Astros fan I'd be interested to hear what the Mets would offer for Wigginton?

Posted by: Aron | February 29, 2008 at 02:00 PM

FWIW, I think the O's take Liz in the direction of being a late-innings guy. He has the dimensions of a solid setup man. That could change if he gets his control together, but right now he's on track to be the 8th inning option.

Posted by: The Globalizer | February 29, 2008 at 02:56 PM

Aron, when A-Hole got here Jeter was avg def at SS. Now he's horrible, that's why. He won't be moving for Furcal, he'll be moving for Cashman and the Yanks.

Posted by: maximumpotential | February 29, 2008 at 03:00 PM

Xavier Nady makes the most sense for the Mets, though I do like the Justin Huber idea. Nady was nearly non-tendered by Pittsburgh, and they have plenty of similar options (Doumit, Pearce) to take his place. They even signed Mientkiewiz for some reason, presumably because they think he can play outfield too. If the Mets tossed a moderately warm prospect (Emmanuel Garcia perhaps?) back at Pitt, I think they'd jump on it.

I also think Ludwick could be moved, especially if Juan HGHonzalez has a solid spring. The Cardinals have a mild logjam in that case (Juan, Barton, Ludwick,Skip Schumaker for three spots) and the latter two named are out of options.

Posted by: Devlsh | February 29, 2008 at 05:23 PM

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