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Cafardo's Latest: Stetter, Catalanotto, Pedro

By Drew Silva [April 26, 2009 at 9:41am CST]

The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has a few bits of information...

The Red Sox scouted Brewers left-hander Mitch Stetter last week. The 28-year-old reliever has held lefties to a .170 average and rigthties to a .151 mark this season. The Sox, who scouted him last week, are simply being thorough and exploring options in case they come to need anothery lefty in the pen, writes Cafardo.
Free agent outfielder Frank Catalanotto has received interest, but is holding out for the right fit.
Jacque Jones and Frank Thomas have been working out together in Las Vegas and are both hoping to land MLB roster spots at some point this season.
As Cafardo writes, "The Brewers may be emerging in the hunt" for free agent Pedro Martinez. The Blue Jays, Astros, Rockies, A's, Orioles, Indians and Pirates are also thought to have some level of interest.

Comments

The good news that the Sox are looking at BP possibilities is that they see a problem (Lopez) and the bad news is that they must not be looking at the correct fix they already have in AAA with Daniel Bard, but with another jumk, side arm lefy imitation of Lopez in Stetter. If they want another lefty guy, just keep Hunter Jones on the roster instead of those side arm guys like Lopez and Stetter that throw slow stuff, plus probably have to give something decent up to get them. If anything, try and unload Lopez before his value totally plummets.

Why the Sox have any need for Catalonotto is a good one also. Mark Kotsay will be back in another couple of weeks, as will Baldelli and that makes 5 outfielders. Carfado did not seem to think his column out well at all.

Posted by: johns | April 26, 2009 at 09:52 AM

"the bad news is that they must not be looking at the correct fix they already have in AAA with Daniel Bard"

Actually I like that they're not rushing Bard. I can remember 2 power relief prospects in recent history that the Sox rushed through the minors only to see them get crushed on the major league stage. Meredith needed a change of scenery and the friendly confines of PETCO park to figure it out and Hansen has yet to figure anything out. While granted Bard has been extremely impressive so far, struck out the side on 9 pitches the other night, I think he should stay in AAA until at least June.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | April 26, 2009 at 10:30 AM

I understand your point SWP on rushing him and you have probably been keeping up with his progress as well, but others not doing so, he's pitched 10.2 IP, 18K, 3BB, 2hits and 2 runs, both of the runs were solo homers.

While maybe a good thing to not rush him, the guy sure has been dominant for 1 season total in the minors. and ST.

Posted by: johns | April 26, 2009 at 10:37 AM

"Jacque Jones and Frank Thomas have been working out together in Las Vegas and are both hoping to land MLB roster spots at some point this season."

Really? with who?

I dont know of any teams willing to pay 4-5 million for an arrogant, ignorant, over the hill, one way player that has trouble staying healthy for even half a season. I wouldnt even pay 1 million dollars for Frank Thomas. He was a pain in the ass in his later Chicago years, he was a clubhouse cancer in Toronto and the whole coaching staff hated him in Oakland. The only teams I can see MAYBE picking him up are Baltimore, Detroit or Minnesota if he signed for dirt cheap.

Jones could find himself a job somewhere but he will have to play in the minors to earn a shot with a team because most teams have veterans and prospects already in their systems that could provide the same level of skill as Jones. But if he signs a minor league deal, works hard and puts up good numbers, he could be an asset as a bench player somewhere.

Posted by: xethicx | April 26, 2009 at 11:35 AM

In regard to the Jays picking up Pedro...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

End rant.

Posted by: xethicx | April 26, 2009 at 11:36 AM

Andy MacPhail and the rest of the Orioles' brass have said repeatedly that they have no interest in Pedro. None. His price is too high, and no one believes he can get out hitters in the AL East on a consistent basis.

Why would the O's have an interest in Thomas? He's a DH, and that role is filled. He's a one-dimensional a-hole on a young team not expected to contend who doesn't really need any more offense.

Posted by: mstrchef13 | April 26, 2009 at 12:35 PM

I hope the big hurt comes back and kills every pitcher he faces, he is a great guy and I belive he can still hit. As for Pedro, take what you can get. Your days as a number 3 starter are numbered.

Posted by: Tomahawk368 | April 26, 2009 at 12:41 PM

Houston better not sign Pedro "Ouch my arm" Martinez. I love the guy and respect him very much, but why waste 5 million when you can invest that in the draft? We have two 3rd round picks, I'd like to see them be signed. Period. Ed Wade. Sweet talk Drayton yaaaaa PANZY. I'm sure my position on this could change, if we have a good draft and sign all of the high picks. I would hope Pedro can throw more than just 10 starts. $500,000 a start is CRAP.

Posted by: RoyOswaltSteroidFree | April 26, 2009 at 05:38 PM

I don't think Jacque Jones will get a job, but I think some contender will give the Big Hurt a chance. I like Thomas, even though we can rename him "The Always Hurt" at this point.

Posted by: rdccdr801 | April 26, 2009 at 08:04 PM

"I like Thomas, even though we can rename him "The Always Hurt" at this point."

That's not really a fair analysis of Thomas's career. He didn't start getting hurt until the last half of his career and I'm pretty sure most of his worst injuries were when he past 36. Great career, but he should retire now. He can't hit a mid 90s fastball the way he used to.

Posted by: start_wearing_purple | April 26, 2009 at 10:14 PM

Posted by: xethicx: "The only teams I can see MAYBE picking him (Frank Thomas) up are Baltimore, Detroit or Minnesota if he signed for dirt cheap."

Why would the Twins possibly be interested in Frank Thomas? They already have one of the top DH's in the AL (Jason Kubel) and Justin Morneau at 1B. The Twins are probably the team that would be least interested in Frank Thomas!

Posted by: bernie | April 26, 2009 at 11:54 PM

Did I say anywhere in my post about Thomas being a starter? Nope, Im pretty sure I didnt.

My point was that Thomas could be a good bench bat to maybe platoon with someone at DH or play 1-2 games a week etc.

Maybe even as a pinch hitter for an NL team? But I doubt that very much since "the big ego" would likely not consent to such a role.

Bottom line is, Frank Thomas still thinks in his mind that he is an elite player worth elite money and a starting DH slot. BUT, if he was to sign for small dollars, MAYBE an AL team would be willing to bring him in to DH.

Detroit seems like an option, Minnesota if he comes off the bench and perhaps the Mariners since Clement cant hit lefty pitching worth a damn but I doubt Seattle would want his ego around all the young players.

In closing, he should retire but if I was a GM and my DH was hurt and I had no other options, Id give Frank's agent a call and offer him 1MM tops to come in for a bit.

Posted by: xethicx | April 27, 2009 at 10:23 AM

We're not talking about Manny Ramirez here, were talking about the Big Hurt. He'd probably play for the league minimum just to get a shot at swinging the bat again. He basically did it in '06...then in '07 he got a better offer.

Posted by: BunchOBull | April 27, 2009 at 11:56 PM

Just remember, Frank Thomas is one of the few players who put up big numbers without being "juiced". Have a little respect for a great career.

Posted by: ironman | April 29, 2009 at 11:23 PM

OK all you Frank Thomas haters out there especially xethicx.... you are piece's crap for even saying mean and rude things about someone so honorable. I want you to think back to the 90's....great leader, lots of respect, great hitter, and hell wasnt too shabby at first base either. you're right about him not being as amazing as he was, but in my eyes he will always be the highest respected baseball player in the league. No steriods, no horrible conduct to point out and all around a nice person, even though he has had his moments, just like any other person on the earth. Now i want you to think back to the 2005 world series team, earlier in that year when frank thomas belted homers, few, yes but ultimatley clutch. He gave the white sox extra runs during those games and actually put them ahead to win them. This helped out later in the year when it came down to the line, that the SOX had to win games to make the playoffs....With out frank thomas' help earlier that year, those clutch wins late in the season would have meant nothing, and the SOX could have kissed that season goodbye. Think about the small stuff that adds up to so much more...not to mention he's the all time rbi leader for the white sox, i'd like to see someone match that anytime soon...won't happen...
and one more thing He wasn't a pain in the ass for the white sox, he has been there a long time my friend. Don't you think after playing for a team so long, and bleeding white and black for all those years you'd have a little problem with some of the higher staff kicking you to the side?...and ultimatley having things said about you that isn't true, just to bring down your credibility? NO you wouldn't like that too much, so stop your disrespectful talk and watch the game. THink before you write something stupid and inconsiderate. Frank Thomas deserves RESPECT, he will always be my hero within my baseball mind. I stand up and applaud his amazing Career!

Posted by: Mahler3025 | May 14, 2009 at 02:45 PM

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Cafardo's Latest: Stetter, Catalanotto, Pedro

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