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Rosenthal's Latest: Loretta, Ensberg, Lopez, Ring

By Tim Dierkes [March 21, 2008 at 9:41am CST]

Ken Rosenthal has some Spring Training odds and ends this morning.

Rosenthal adds Mark Loretta as a possible third base acquisition for the Dodgers. Given their desire for a relatively affordable guy who can also handle second, Rosenthal has linked them to Ron Belliard and Esteban German previously. Loretta shouldn't be too hard to pry away from the Astros. Though he can't play second, Morgan Ensberg could be an option if the Yankees let him leave.
The Nats are shopping Felipe Lopez, who's said he wouldn't be content on the bench. Rosenthal says the Nationals have their eye on awful shortstop Angel Berroa as a possible replacement, which is strange on multiple levels. Not only is Berroa not a Major Leaguer at this point, but the Nats plan to use Cristian Guzman at short.
Royce Ring is said to be "perhaps the most available of the Braves' out of options relievers." Who needs a lefty?

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Comments

The Cubs need a lefty. They are set to head into Opening Day with Eyre as their only lefty. Cotts has yet to impress and if Marshall makes the club he will be a long reliever. That being said, I can't see them actually trading for Ring.

Posted by: jax_cubs | March 21, 2008 at 09:50 AM

the Yankees need a lefty, please!

Posted by: Ellis | March 21, 2008 at 09:55 AM

What the hell was the point of getting Ridgeway and Ohman if they're going to have to trade Royce Ring as a result?

Baltimore should go after Felipe Lopez IMO

Posted by: jza1218 | March 21, 2008 at 09:57 AM

As long as Royce Ring has a live arm, he is always welcome in the Tigers bullpen.

Posted by: TigerFan54 | March 21, 2008 at 09:59 AM

The Dodgers are not going outside the organization to get a 3B unless Nomar ends up out for a really long time. LaRoche will be back by June, and most options are too expensive for a 2 month stint.

Posted by: rowdyoctopus | March 21, 2008 at 10:09 AM

Please let the nationals trade for Berroa. We'll take anyting for him.

Posted by: Brett | March 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM

I agree with jza... my braves have made so many moves with a lefty reliever at the center of it that my head is starting to turn. That being said, I agree the Cubs, Tigers, Yankees, and Dbacks could be options. I also think that the braves would really want an outfielder or corner infielder with power in return, who also can actually hit for a respectable average. Another option would be a player whom actually is a shortstop by trade.

Posted by: bravesbeast | March 21, 2008 at 10:23 AM

Well, this morning reports are coming out about Smoltz's shoulder, even to the report that a start on the DL would be an option. To be honest, while the braves do have depth, it a lot of our starters have either injury or inexperience concerns, if the cubs would eat a bit of salary, i would not mind getting marqis from them. I also would not be opposed to talking with the indians about sowers or laffy, or perhaps cliff lee.... even though it would take more than a lefty relieve to get a lefty starter i am sure.

Posted by: bravesbeast | March 21, 2008 at 10:52 AM

I don't think the Astros will be trading Mark Loretta anytime soon.

He'll be starting at 2B to start the season since Kaz Matsui is out for a few more weeks with that nasty-sounding injury I won't mention, and he's great insurance at SS in case Tejada gets suspended or thrown in jail.

I'd even consider him a full-time option at SS, sliding Tejada over to 3B, with Wigginton handling 2B...

Posted by: astrosfan | March 21, 2008 at 10:57 AM

I think it says a lot about the Giants this year that a guy like Ensberg who got a minor league contract could probably start for them. There you go, Sabean, the veterans you like to pay $5 million per year can now be had for near-free!

Posted by: jaywest05 | March 21, 2008 at 11:21 AM

If someone would trade for Loretta, he is as good as gone. They never really wanted to keep him just get the draft pick. Based on the Houston Chronicle they view David Newhan as a replacement for Loretta.

Posted by: Mike Simms | March 21, 2008 at 11:25 AM

Nomars injury is the same one that kept him out for all of 2001. It's also the same injury that kept Repko out all of 2005.

Posted by: dusto | March 21, 2008 at 11:28 AM

lopez to baltimore?

Posted by: Markakis21 | March 21, 2008 at 11:31 AM

I don't know why Astros brass would consider dumping Mark Loretta.

He can play every infield position, hits consistently in the .280-.300 range is a solid #2 hitter and is signed relatively cheaply.

He's much better offensively and defensively that Newhan, who's really a career minor leaguer.

Unless Ed Wade thinks he can get a starter to replace Woody Williams, Loretta's much to valuable to be thrown away.

Posted by: Cold Golden Falstaff | March 21, 2008 at 11:43 AM

'Royce Ring is said to be "perhaps the most available of the Braves' out of options relievers." Who needs a lefty?'

Anyone have a backup 1B/C/OF/IF for sale?

Posted by: FineHamAbounds | March 21, 2008 at 11:47 AM

I can't see the Tigers adding another lefty to the pen, unless it was somebody like Fuentes...maybe. They have repeatedly said they are happy with Byrdak and Seay as their situational lefties.

Posted by: gipper77 | March 21, 2008 at 11:56 AM

"on aweful shortstop angel berroa" lol
Any indication that the orioles want lopez is just crazy. 4 mill for that piece of garbage I'll let hernandez play there better defense and he would probably out ops lopez too. Why the nat kept him around is beyond me. Bowden thinks he's the miracle worker allright. Angel berroa is like non existent now good luck with that project tony pena jr outplays him! Yikes!

Posted by: joemorgan=#1 | March 21, 2008 at 12:09 PM

"I also think that the braves would really want an outfielder or corner infielder with power in return, who also can actually hit for a respectable average. Another option would be a player whom actually is a shortstop by trade."

I think they already got rid of one option when they traded Willy Aybar to get Ridgeway...I think he can be a beast.

And is Omar Infante still hurt?

Posted by: jza1218 | March 21, 2008 at 12:46 PM

Yes, it looks like Infante will be out at least one month.

I really didn't get why the Braves kept adding lefties as well. As it looks right now the bench will likely be; C Pena, IF Prado, OF Anderson, OF Blanco, and a 5th (TBD). I think whoever they get needs to have options left. If they deem Prado good enough to be the backup SS for the time being, I say go after a 1B.

I also think another pitcher plus Thorman will likely be dealt. Obviously teams could wait for Waivers, but I think it's likely a good handful of teams will put in a claim on these guys.

Posted by: mattynokes | March 21, 2008 at 05:41 PM

"Please let the nationals trade for Berroa. We'll take anyting for him."

I didn't even realize Berroa still had a job anywhere.

Posted by: asm | March 21, 2008 at 11:53 PM

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