March 2008

Kielty Stays With Red Sox

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 10:50pm CDT]

Outfielder Bobby Kielty will not opt for free agency; he’ll head to Triple A for the Red Sox.

Kielty, a 31 year-old switch-hitter, batted .218/.287/.287 in 87 ABs for the A’s and Red Sox last year. In his defense, he battled back and calf issues. Kielty can handle all three outfield positions and typically handles lefties well. He’ll await a Coco Crisp trade to create an opportunity for him in Boston.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Bobby Kielty | Boston Red Sox

Braves Sign Scott Spiezio

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 7:33pm CDT]

According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves have signed Scott Spiezio to a minor league deal. Spiezio, 35, hit .269/.354/.386 in 223 ABs for the Cardinals last year.

Spiezio was released by the Cards in February when they learned of his arrest warrant related to a drunk-driving incident in December. The Cardinals paid him $2.4MM to go away.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Atlanta Braves | Scott Spiezio

Orioles Sign Alex Cintron

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 4:33pm CDT]

The Orioles inked shortstop Alex Cintron today. That he’s probably the team’s best option at short now is damning with faint praise.

Cintron, 29, hit .243/.281/.324 for the White Sox in 185 ABs last year. He dealt with bone spurs in his elbow, a bruised thumb, and time spent on the bereavement list for his grandfather. Cintron had been with the Cubs this spring, but they no longer had a need for him after they decided not to trade Ronny Cedeno.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Alex Cintron | Baltimore Orioles

Latest On Rios Negotiations

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 12:27pm CDT]

12:24pm: J.P. Ricciardi is optimistic the Rios extension will get done, and the two sides are pushing their deadline back a few days.

8:17am: According to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, the holdup in the Alex Rios negotiations is the amount of money for the option year. It might be the salary or the buyout amount. Sounds like a minor stumbling block before completing the six-year, $65MM pact.

J.P. Ricciardi is cautiously optimistic; the Jays kick off their season in less than four hours. That is supposedly the deadline, but stretching it another day or two doesn’t seem like a big deal. The Jays are getting a solid price relative to other recently signed right fielders.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Alex Rios | Toronto Blue Jays

No Multiyear Deal For Aaron Hill

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 11:48am CDT]

From Buster Olney’s blog this morning:

The Blue Jays attempted to sign second baseman Aaron Hill to a multiyear deal but could not reach an agreement.

Hill, 26, broke out last year with a .291/.333/.459 line. He could be even better this season, with a shot at 20 home runs. His defense is among the best in the game at second base.

Hill will reach arbitration for the first time after this season. Orlando Hudson might be a solid comparable. Hudson made $2.3MM, $3.9MM, and $6.25MM in his arbitration years.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Aaron Hill | Toronto Blue Jays

Odds and Ends: Cashman, Matsuo, Durham

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 9:54am CDT]

Some random links to ponder today…

Peter Abraham submitted nine reader questions to Yankees GM Brian Cashman. I liked reading about how Cashman deals with agents who lie to him.
The Red Sox signed free agent Terumasa Matsuo, who was pitching in a Japanese independent league. I have no idea what the 26 year-old pitcher is capable of.
Tracy Ringolsby says the Giants really want to move Ray Durham and Dave Roberts, and will pick up some salary to do so. Durham makes $7.5MM in ’08. Roberts gets $6.5MM in each of the ’08 and ’09 seasons.
The Big Lead interviewed ESPN’s Keith Law.

Three July Trade Predictions

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 8:58am CDT]

I’m in a prognosticating mood; here are three July trade deadline predictions.

Phillies acquire Joe Blanton for Carlos Carrasco and Adrian Cardenas. Pat Gillick’s last hurrah.
Padres acquire Jason Bay for Kevin Kouzmanoff and Wade LeBlanc. Bay returns to San Diego to provide some power and solve the left field issue. Chase Headley takes over at third for the Padres.
Rays acquire Javier Vazquez for Wade Davis and Desmond Jennings. Just a fun prediction to ponder. In this scenario the Sox opt for a complete rebuild and the Rays make a somewhat surprising playoff push.
Your turn. Why are my proposals ridiculous? What reasonable July trade scenarios can you concoct?

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Predictions

2008 Cy Young Predictions

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 8:35am CDT]

Let’s make some 2008 Cy Young picks…

AL: Justin Verlander. Runner up: Erik Bedard.

NL: Johan Santana. Runner up: Jake Peavy.

Who are you taking?

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Predictions

MLB Roundup Video

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 7:56am CDT]

Let’s kick off the week with a new MLB Roundup video. My segment examines three under-the-radar trades from the offseason.

Full Story | Comments | Categories: Video Mailbag

MLBTR Logo Contest

By Tim Dierkes [March 31, 2008 at 7:40am CDT]

I received dozens of excellent submissions for the MLBTR logo contest. I appreciate each and every one of them.

The winner comes from a guy named Aaron, who you can reach at aaron4289@yahoo.com if you’d like to hire him. Here it is; what do you think? Click to enlarge it.