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Perrotto's Latest: Royals, Ibanez, Rauch, Gregg

By Steve Adams [September 14, 2008 at 5:51pm CST]

It's Sunday, which means that John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here's the highlights...

Royals GM Dayton Moore will likely make a big splash in the free agent market once again. Two years ago, he signed Gil Meche to a five-year, $55MM deal. Last year, he signed Jose Guillen to a three-year, $36MM contract. This year, his big target appears to be Rafael Furcal, which would allow the Royals to move Mike Aviles to second base. Moore is also believed to be willing to trade anyone on the team with the exceptions of Meche, Zack Greinke, and Joakim Soria.
Raul Ibanez isn't likely to be back with the Mariners as a free agent next season. Perrotto feels that Ibanez is a good bet to become the Rays' designated hitter for 2009.
The Diamondbacks originally wanted to use Jon Rauch as their closer for 2009 and let Brandon Lyon leave through free agency. Rauch's recent string of rough outings has them reconsidering that train of thought.
The Marlins will try to trade Kevin Gregg this offseason, and will likely non-tender him if they don't find match.
The Braves are looking to add two starters for the 2009 campaign. General manager Frank Wren has traveled overseas to scout Japanese pitchers Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami already this year.
The Nationals have a crowded situation at first base with both Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young under contract, but they'll still be looking to improve at the position in the offseason.

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Comments

Gregg to Detroit? They have worse options for a closer... Todd Jones was one.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 14, 2008 at 06:19 PM

Oh please trade Kevin Gregg. Get at least something back for him.

Posted by: Barroid_Bonds | September 14, 2008 at 06:33 PM

I could see Gregg going to Detroit, but it probably hinges more on Joel Zumaya's health. Detroit's traded a lot of their farm system away too, though I don't imagine the price for Gregg would be all that high.

I expect them to be able to find someone though. Closers seem to always be in demand. The Rockies, D'Backs, Indians, and Cardinals come to mind as teams that could use a closer.

He could also be moved to a team that just needs bullpen help, which there are even more of.

Posted by: Steve Adams | September 14, 2008 at 06:36 PM

"The Diamondbacks originally wanted to use Jon Rauch as their closer for 2009 and let Brandon Lyon leave through free agency. Rauch's recent string of rough outings has them reconsidering that train of thought."

Is this a typo? Rauch has been fine recently but Lyon has been terrible.

On a different note, I heard that Adam Dunn doesn't like baseball.

Posted by: themfightnwords | September 14, 2008 at 06:45 PM

I can't see how the Marlins could non-tender Gregg....I hope this was just the writer hinting at this and not the Marlins. He's struggled as a closer and been a bit hurt but closers are going to be in such high demand this winter.

Angels, Mets, Brewers, Cardinals, Indians, Tigers, D'backs, and possibly even the Dodgers will all be looking for closers. K-Rod and Fuentes can only sign with 2 of those teams. Gregg should easily be able to get the Marlins something. He's only got 1 year left and will be making only about $4M (same as Borowski made and less than Jones made). So it's not a big risk.

Plus they can package him with Hermida, Jacobs, or Uggla and get a very nice return.

Posted by: Hermie13 | September 14, 2008 at 07:10 PM

I would love to see Ibanez back in KC.

Posted by: PJH | September 14, 2008 at 07:23 PM

Rauch has given up 12 runs in his last 13 appearances spanning 11 IP.

Posted by: stellar | September 14, 2008 at 07:29 PM

Jon Rauch has allowed 10 earned runs over his last 9 innings of work.

Since being acquired by the Diamondbacks, he has a 6.20 ERA in 20.1 innings pitched with a 1.48 WHIP, and opponents are hitting .286 off him.

He's struggled tremendously as a Diamondback.

Posted by: Steve Adams | September 14, 2008 at 07:29 PM

*12 earned runs. 13 runs total.

Posted by: stellar | September 14, 2008 at 07:30 PM

im not saying they might not go after a k-rod or fuentes if the price was right, but why would the dodgers go after gregg? beyond saito they have broxton... and even kuo seems like a candidate.

Posted by: elmedius | September 14, 2008 at 07:41 PM

The Dodgers wouldn't necessarily trade for him as a closer. As a reliever he's not half bad, getting him as a 7th or 8th inning guy isn't a bad idea. In a weak hitting NL West Gregg could fit in.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 14, 2008 at 08:50 PM

for the dodgers they should try to trade for gregg and uugla, kill 2 birds w/ one stone. kents going 2 retire, dewitt to 3rd and sign blake if neccesary, and have uggla at 2b, w/ gregg in ben. u could even have dewitt be a super-backup, 2b and 3b, and martins day-off is a true one, not playin 3b

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | September 14, 2008 at 09:02 PM

The Nats really should of sold high and traded at least one of Nick Johnson (not really selling high but higher then he is now) or Dmitri Young after last season. Now they have two veterans that aren't getting the job done and with bad contracts.

Posted by: John Difford | September 14, 2008 at 09:28 PM

Kevin Gregg will easily be traded and won't need to be non-tendered. Any team that needs bullpen help, which is about half of them. Not hard to find.

Posted by: melonis rex | September 14, 2008 at 10:06 PM

Lyon and Rauch have been horrid. Speaking of Kevin Gregg, could he be a Diamondback? Lyon should be gone.

Posted by: melonis rex | September 14, 2008 at 10:14 PM

what are greggs stats anyways?

Posted by: lakersdodgersyankees4life | September 14, 2008 at 10:39 PM

http://mlb.mlb.com/stats/player_locator_results.jsp

Far from a lights out closer... but also a far better option for some teams.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | September 15, 2008 at 01:23 AM

Gregg belongs in a bullpen as a setup man, which is what the Angels developed him as once he hit the majors. He isn't a terrible closer, but he is less than ideal. Then again, given all the troubles the D'Backs have had, he is probably an improvement.

Posted by: AA | September 15, 2008 at 01:42 PM

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