Rosenthal's Latest: Crede, Willits, Rivera, Belliard

@darkstar1661:

Most definitely it has something to do with these low-ball offers. It just surprises me that in a division as tight as the NL West, that the Padres couldn't part with an ML-ready pitcher (dealing from a strength) in order to shore up something that they should most certainly be concerned about (namely, their outfield). Can't believe they're low-balling at this point. Edmonds is not suddenly going to get healthier.

Yes, Belliard was extended in July. That alone would make me think that they have no interest in moving him. But Rosenthal makes the point that Bret Boone will be kept around due to nepotism (Bob's in the organization, as is Aaron) and Guzman has a contract that would prevent him from being moved without the Nats taking on a lot of his ludicrous salary (slated to make $4.2MM this year!!).

Ichiro in right is exactly what I was thinking. Makes sense to me, as Brad Wilkerson is now a yearly disaster.

Well it is Bill Bavarsi, so Coco for Clement doesn't sound too insane. Bavarsi is an idiot.

Though seriously what would the Mariners offer for Coco. I agree though, Coco in CF for the Mariners meas a good chunk of the outfield is covered.

Matt,

“Can't believe they're low-balling at this point. Edmonds is not suddenly going to get healthier.”

…Yeah, but Willits sucks! :) His MiL numbers don’t say he should probably be expected to be good, and he hit the ground with a thud that was felt in China last year in the second half. Seriously, it knocked my Figgins bobblehead off my desk! (I’m down the street from the stadium so…) Watching the Angels last year in the second half, it was obvious to me the team was better off without him late. If the other teams were watching, well then I could understand lowball offers… Maybe the thud knocked the BrianGiles bobblehead off Towers desk as well! hehehe…

Oh, and Belly can also play 3rd. Where Boone (the one not caught for performance enhancers) was signed for 3rd (for youre “Family Affair” reason one could only guess), he is also out with injury already and I believe on a MiL deal anyway. If the Nats really do sacrifice 2 ML 25-Man spots just to get the two useless MiL-contract Boone guys on the club, then Belly does look like he should be moved. Its just so backwards in my mind though; so counter-productive to the teams overall best interest and goes against the recent extension to RB. I think they would be so much better off having both Aaron and Brett in AAA and let them get the hug-fests in down there where they don’t hurt the club ~ Belly is better then both and makes both expendable while only costing 1 roster spot…

@darkstar1661:

Yeah, Willits' first-half was driven by a 40% hit rate, so he was bound to come back to earth. Still, his walk rate is a real asset, as is his speed. His OBP is leadoff-worhty. Plus, he will earn less than $1MM over the next two seasons. But still, that's probably not worth as much as the Angels need it to be worth.

I agree with you in totality regarding the situation with Belliard. Keeping either of the Boones around is proof-positive of the idiocy of Bowden/Papa Boone (let alone keeping them around over Belly). Rosenthal is the one who thinks it makes sense, and I don't think that in this regard, Rosenthal makes much sense.

And here's my question about Ponson (though it applies to other hurlers who try out for scouts):

If, as they often say, a hurler gains a few miles per hour when he moves to bullpen from the starting rotation, why should one believe the 94 mph readings when a pitcher like Ponson works out for scouts? I mean, if he goes back to having to throw 100 pitches and a starting role, it's inevitable that his fastball is gonna lose a few ticks and then he won't look so shiny and new anymore.