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By Steve Adams [October 26, 2008 at 4:50pm CST]
Nick Cafardo from the Boston Globe has a nice article up catching up on some Hot Stove news, with a few other odds and ends tied in. Let's hit the highlights here:
- Cafardo seems to think the Yankees could entice C.C. Sabathia to pitch on the East Coast, and that the Angels would be crazy not to re-sign Mark Teixeira at whatever the cost. He also points out Joe Maddon's connection to Francisco Rodriguez from his days as a coach with the Angels, and covers other top names such as Jake Peavy, A.J. Burnett, Derek Lowe, Manny Ramirez, Pat Burrell, Matt Holliday, and Garrett Atkins.
- The Minnesota Twins were ranked as the #1 team in young talent by the 2009 Bill James Handbook. Minnesota had ten players in the top 150: Joe Mauer, Delmon Young, Justin Morneau, Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker, Carlos Gomez, Nick Blackburn, Jason Kubel, Denard Span, and Glen Perkins.
- The article includes a Q&A with Tom Gordon, who has high praise for the Phillies, particularly Brad Lidge. Gordon says that having avoided Tommy John Surgery, he feels he can continue his career, and would love to pitch in Philadelphia next year. Gordon will understand if his option is declined, but is emphatic in saying he's "going to pitch somewhere." Plenty of teams need bullpen help, and even with his injury, I can't imagine him having a hard time finding work.
- Cafardo likes the idea of either Rocco Baldelli or Gabe Kapler as a fourth outfielder for the Red Sox.
- Would Pedro Martinez consider an incentive-laden contract to be Boston's fifth starter next season?
- Red Sox catching prospect Mark Wagner has shown improvement the Arizona Fall League. This only adds to the Jason Varitek dilemma that Boston is faced with.
No Rocco's goin to the White Sox!
Posted by: ballerwhiteboy | October 26, 2008 at 04:55 PM
Boston has a lot of young pitchers that are better now in this stage of their career than Pedro probably is... giving Pedro another deal makes sense if only for 1 year but i doubt it would happen... a rotation of Beckett Lester Matsuzaka Pedro and Wakefield/Buchholz is scary though...
Posted by: BaseballFanatic40 | October 26, 2008 at 05:34 PM
Sox would be smart to resign Varitek for a year or two as a guy to catch 50% or so of games.
That would allow them to trade for an offensive minded catcher who has doubts about sticking behind the plate: Clement, Salt, Salome...Tutelage under Varitek and a 50% workload would be just the thing that all three could use.
Posted by: BraunHolio | October 26, 2008 at 05:40 PM
I'd love to have Kapler back in a Red Sox uni. He was always a fun guy.
As for Pedro... makes sense, in a weird way. Though if they're going to bring in an old vet for the 5th starter I'd rather see Byrd back. Less of an injury risk.
Zrosey, can we just assume you want the yankees to buy out every free agent?
Posted by: start_wearing_purple | October 26, 2008 at 05:52 PM
Zrosey,
The odds of the Yankees signing each of those players is nothing short of astronomical.
I'd say, absolute best case scenario, you get two of Sabathia/Teixeira/Burnett/Lowe/Manny.
Peavy is almost entirely out of the question at this juncture. Moose and Pettite are reasonable.
Posted by: Steve Adams | October 26, 2008 at 05:58 PM
I don't see Rocco leaving the Rays. They declined his option because with his disorder (which won't go away) he is primarily a bench player/part time DH/RF, and 6MM for a bench guy is steep.
I think the Rays work something out with Rocco and he signs for less than his option would have been for. And, he is a major clubhouse guy and one of my favorite players in the game.
K-Rod and Maddon would be entertaining to watch. Although it will never happen, for good reason.
Posted by: melonis rex | October 26, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Adding on, there is a 0.00000000001% chance the Rays even bid on K-Rod. Andrew Friedman doesn't roll like that, and it would be the absolute stupidest addition the Rays could make. Downright idiotic.
Maddon's connections with K-Rod are moot.
Posted by: melonis rex | October 26, 2008 at 06:50 PM
Why not just bring back Wakefield as the old vet 4th starter, and let Buchholz/Bowden/Masterson battle it out for #5, with the losers going to the pen.
Lester-Beckett-Dice-K-Wakefield-Buchholz/Bowden/Masterson is nice.
Posted by: melonis rex | October 26, 2008 at 06:58 PM
melonis is right (except losers go to pen, go to AAA and be spare starters called upon due to injury or to make spot starts)
Pedro doesn't make sense, ignoring that I would rather have the young kids of Buchholz, Bowden and Masterson, he is a real injury risk, not to mention he is a very average starter now and the kids have upside.
RS need innings from their starters. The only RS starter I feel semi-safe saying will reach 200 innings in 2009 is Lester. Beckett injuries, Matsuzaka and pitch counts, Wakefield is his nature and injury, and the young kids won't get there either.
Honestly, Lowe does make sense.
Start out of Becektt, Lester, Matsuzaka, Lowe and Wakefield, with the idea to replace the first injury with Buchholz who starts at AAA or perhaps move Wake to the 'pen.
Posted by: quintjs | October 26, 2008 at 07:04 PM
Puts the bullpen at Papelbon, Masterson, Okijima, and try to find one more guy out there.
Buchholz and Bowden in AAA.
Not many teams are going to beat that arranagement.
Posted by: quintjs | October 26, 2008 at 07:06 PM
Pedro would make a great batting practice pitcher.
Posted by: icedrake523 | October 26, 2008 at 08:01 PM
I would actually like to see Baldelli on the Mets. I know he hasn't been completely healthy in a while and has a fatigue issue but at worst he could platoon with Church in right and maybe get some playing time in Rf.
Posted by: shaddix | October 26, 2008 at 08:02 PM
"The only RS starter I feel semi-safe saying will reach 200 innings in 2009 is Lester."
Lester threw a total of 237 innings this year, 83.1 more then his previous career high of 153.2 in 2007, an increase of about %55. Those numbers scare the hell out of me.
Of the current group, I wouldn't feel comfortable betting on any of them to make it to 200. Odds are at least 1 or 2 of them will; just saying, who knows which two? Just saying...Lester's innings increase is a lot to be worried about. (Case in point: the 2008 version of Fausto Carmona)
Posted by: Josh SF (D1) | October 26, 2008 at 10:11 PM
"just saying..."
Ugh. Poor penmanship. Embarrassing. Tired. Heh.
Posted by: Josh SF (D1) | October 26, 2008 at 10:12 PM
THe innings increase is not locked in stone as an effect, Also Lester has been a professional for a while, he isn't a rookie and is also like 450% stronger than he was 2 years ago.
The more innings he got under his belt, the better he got this year.
Posted by: quintjs | October 26, 2008 at 11:22 PM
Just saying [ :) ] - the innings increase would scare me if it was Buchholz, Bowden or Masterson, or most other rookie pitchers, but it doesn't worry me for a guy like Lester who is big, strong, and has been around MLB for a few years.
Posted by: quintjs | October 26, 2008 at 11:25 PM
yanks have the money and prospects, just go all out this year Brian. New ball park = #27
Posted by: yanksrule | October 27, 2008 at 01:59 AM
I think Pedro on a one year incentive laden deal will be a good pickup for anybody. He is due to have a solid season next year. People look at his velocity and say he is done. Wrong. He was throwing 86 and 87 in 2005, and he posted CY young like numbers. He can have success with what he has. The problem was locating his pitches. It was his first season back after shoulder surgery. What is the last thing to come back? Location. Second year back from surgery next year, he will be a much, much better Pedro. I definitely think he is capable of giving a team quality outings, as long as he can stay on the mound.
Posted by: nrmax88 | October 27, 2008 at 03:20 AM
Pedro is talented enough that if he can maintain a 86-88 MPH fastball, he can be a good mid-rotation starter. The only issue is if he can ever stay healthy enough to maintain that velocity.
Posted by: scribbletone | October 27, 2008 at 11:22 AM
I like Pedro. As a Red Sox fan, I like him because four years ago to the day the Red Sox were celebrating our first World Series victory in 86 years. However, it just doesn't make sense to bring him back. The Red Sox offered him a deal to stay and he got greedy and left. Once he left, he did absolutly nothing but get injured in New York. Buccholz or Bowden, I think, will be ready toward the beginning of the season. Plus, Pedro probably still wants big money because that is how he has been his whole career.
Four Years ago, Derek Lowe got the win in the clinching game of the World Series. Now this guy makes sense, ya he's getting older, but he doesn't hold as big as a long term injury risk. Also, he showed he can still do it at the end of last year. Lowe was good in the playoffs in 2004 even when his regular season was terrible. That's the kind of guy the Red Sox need. Lester and Beckett can perform in the playoffs (Even though Beckett didn't do spectacular this year) and to add another guy that can perform to the list would be phenomenal.
Posted by: Johnny | October 27, 2008 at 03:28 PM
I doubt Rocco would leave Tampa. Especially with the run they are having this year.
Gabe Kaplar will probably end up a Red Sox again. For his third stint.
Posted by: Johnny | October 27, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Next year I see the Red Sox lineup like this:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF
2. Dustin Pedrioa 2B
3. David Ortiz DH
4. Kevin Youkilis 3B
5. Mark Teixeira** 1B
6. Jason Bay LF
7. J.D. Drew RF
8. C
9. Jed Lowire SS
BENCH: Julio Lugo, Gabe Kapler**, Kevin Cash, Jeff Baily
STARTING ROTATION
1. Josh Beckett
2. Jon Lester
3. Dauisuke Matsuzaka
4. Derek Lowe**
5. Tim Wakefeild
BULLPEN: Papelbon, Masterson, Okajima, Lopez, Delcarmen, David Pauly, Aardsma, Will Ohman**
What do you guys think?
Posted by: redsoxbaseball | October 27, 2008 at 06:06 PM
Redsoxbaseball...lineup looks great except Mike Lowell is not in it. Are you assuming a trade? While I might agree, Lowell is the consumate professional and a great clubhouse guy for chemistry. Pretty darn good player to boot. I think Lugo will be traded and Mikey stays and plays third and some first.
Do not like the idea of a Pedro return, like Colon this year his arm is shot. Too many broken pieces. Lowe makes sense, you also forgot Michael Bowden, that kid will be on board next year by June-July. Masterson will make a run at the rotation. Didn't mention Buckholtz, he will contribute a spot start to start the season and eventually work his way into the rotation. I love Wakefield but considering the catching situation and his age its time to move on. Thanks Tim, you were a great Red Sox!
Posted by: BoSoxFanatic | October 27, 2008 at 07:01 PM
BoSox Fanatic sees the Red Sox lineup like this:
1. Jacoby Ellsbury CF (Crisp)
2. Dustin Pedrioa 2B
3. Kevin Youkilis 3B
4. Mark Teixeira** 1B
5. David Ortiz DH
6. J.D. Drew RF
7 Jason Bay
8. A Texas Catcher (Laird, Teagarden, Saltalamachia)
9. Jed Lowire SS
BENCH: Mike Lowell, Coco Crisp, Julio Lugo (Trade for Bull Pen Arm), Kevin Cash, Jeff Baily, Chris Carter
STARTING ROTATION
1. Josh Beckett
2. Jon Lester
3. Dauisuke Matsuzaka
4. Derek Lowe**
5. Justin Masterson
BULLPEN: Papelbon, Bowden, Okajima, Lopez, Delcarmen, Aardsma,
**Will add a bullpen arm or 2 in offseason
Posted by: BoSoxFanatic | October 27, 2008 at 07:17 PM
It would be interesting if the Red Sox don't bring Wakefield back (not sure why they wouldn't he is a bargain at 4 mil) but if he went to a National league team where players are not used to seeing the knuckleball I wonder how he would do.
Posted by: tinski | October 27, 2008 at 08:54 PM
BoSoxFanatic
To anwser your question, yeah Mike Lowell has been everything the Red Sox have wanted, and much more, but I just don't see the Red Sox signing him again after his contract is up again. You don't no what kind of numbers he will put up this year, so I think you trade him while his value is high, even though he just underwent surgery.
As trading Lugo instead of Lowell, well I wish that could work out but I wouldn't think that there is 1 team in the MLB that would want the guy.
I would like to see Pedro come back to the Red Sox, but again I dont see it really happening. I agree with getting another arm in the bullpen, maybe a flame thrower.
Posted by: redsoxbaseball | October 28, 2008 at 08:22 PM