The Center Fielder Market

What about Kenny Lofton? I suppose he'd no longer have the range to play center, but his 105 OPS+ last season might tempt a team to give him a shot.

I remain baffled that Willy Taveras continues to draw a major league paycheck. He's a two-dimensional player -- he can bunt and run. He has no power, no plate discipline and is not a particularly great OF either.

Management remains dazzled by his speed but there are two players on the roster who are clearly superior -- Sullivan and Spilbourghs -- and why the Rox haven't made Willy some other team's problem remains a mystery.

I think DeJesus is the best fit for the Cubs...

TNS: When did Kielty head to Lancaster? Somehow i missed that move. Seems really strange, him in high A, even if he does find it more comfortable.

Somethins gotta give with Three Little Indians…

…Choo and Gutierrez are out of options, the team wants Francisco in the majors ~ one almost has to be dealt no matter what, and if the team brings in a corner-type its possible that 2 could be packing their bags…

Oh, and the Angels might still be hoping to rid themselves of the Mathews contract as well…

Willy Taveras continues to draw a major league paycheck. He's a two-dimensional player -- he can bunt and run.

I'm sure some GMS noticed, the Red Sox won a World Series in 2004 for trading for such a player and using him for pinch running purposes.

Reggie Willits?

What about Kenny Lofton? I suppose he'd no longer have the range to play center,

The guy stole 23 bases and hit 6 triples last year. He still has the range to play center. Where in the world do people get the idea that Lofton, a guy with 4 Gold Gloves and 8 assists last year, can't play defense.

"Reggie Willits?"

Intriguing, because he has the range and instincts to play center, the arm to play right and has played a lot of left in the majors. The Angels just don't seem to want to trade him.

I wonder if anyone has interest in Terry Evans. 5 tool guy and can play center.

"Oh, and the Angels might still be hoping to rid themselves of the Mathews contract as well…"

The Angels seem oddly content with Matthews. He is a game-changing defensive player and has a knack for driving in runs, even if his BA has sucked this year. Plus, that is a huge chunk of change.

That does make me wonder though. What about the Angels and Dodgers trading expensive 5 year deals that fit their teams better. Pierre for Matthews. Dodgers get more power, Angels get a speed guy.

"…Yeah I know, it can sometimes seem that way. I just wonder how much of it is PR and attempted saving face. We sure did hear his name quite a bit from out-of-state sources as being shopped earlier though, adding to the confusion."

Whatever it is, the Angels do a damn good job keeping quiet any turmoil there might be. It does seem, however, the Matthews has been involved in a lot of big plays this year, which probably does help his value a bit over the sheer numbers. Remember that last year, before he started hiding his injuries, Matthews was playing really well on both ends of the ball and with all 5 tools. The Angels still seem sold on his talent, and not ready to give up on him, as all the trade talk seemed to die down as the year has gone on.

"I don’t think the Dodgers would honestly think about Matthews for Pierre for long though… Sure he provides a bit more power, but he comes at a higher cost and who knows what you get production wise as a whole… Once Jones is back, that could be two such players in the lineup ~ and Pierre seems to be doing ok with the sporadic playing time where we don’t really know how Matthews would handle it…"

Matthews has handled his situation this year pretty well. He hasn't hit that well, but has come up with the big hits, as mentioned before, and that is a good indicator. Still, it is not like they could rotate him at the DH.

As for the price, it isn't a huge difference in baseball terms. Just over $1 million a year.

I do find the whole Pierre/Jones dynamic interesting. Pierre has played like a real lead off hitter in Furcal's absence, taking a ton more pitches than he did before, and is on pace for something like 70 steals. Kemp is playing better defense in center at this point and Ethier does nothing but hit .300 with power and play excellent defense. I wonder if they have Jones play out the year and then just eat the money or perhaps even try to collect an insurance policy on him if his injuries prove as bad as his swing.