A few Thursday evening links….
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that, with all their spring acquisitions, the Rangers have potentially turned their bench from a weakness into a strength.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (via Twitter) hears that the Pirates are engaged in "very minor" trade talks with the Rays. Kovacevic says that right-hander Virgil Vasquez could be involved.
- Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel speaks to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who does not deny that the team has or had interest in Jermaine Dye.
- Scott Schoeneweis has earned the final spot in the Red Sox bullpen, reports Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe. Schoeneweis signed with Boston on a minor league deal, and will earn $500K for making the big league roster.
- Despite not spending a single dollar on a major league free agent this year, the Marlins' use of revenue sharing money has satisfied league officials, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post.
Simple as this, you don’t need to spend money to win as long as you win. The Marlins do win. Simple as that.
Scott Schoenweiss has that Red Sox mentality.
What would the Rays want with Virgil Vazquez? Can’t they do better than him?
I try to find a positive behind every Pirate’s player, but you’re right, VV isn’t very good. Maybe the Rays need someone to fill in as Raymond, I heard he needed to take a leave of absence for “personal reasons.”
Definitely, The Marlins have a lot of sharp guys in the front office. They’re developing a lot of great young talent, and they’ve locked up a great youthful core in Johnson and Ramirez. Anyway you look at it they are doing a lot of things right, and they will be an exciting team to watch for years to come.
Maybe the Pirates are going to trade for Elliot Johnson, he was DFA’d right?
Maybe like a low-level prospect with some future upside. Like Nick Barnese. If it is someone who is currently on the Rays 40-Man Roster I think Elliot Johnson would be a nice piece to trade for Virgil Vazquez but I think that if Virgil Vazquez comes out of the bullpen he is more effective than when he starts. Remember, since he’s been on the Pirates, he really hasn’t pitched out the bullpen that much if at all so the Pirates could potentially ask for a more valuable player like Fernando Perez for example.
I can understand why the Pirates would be trading away Virgil. I like him, but the Pirates have a surplus of pitchers who were non-roster invitees and minor league signings. If you sent all the ones who did not make the 25 man roster to AAA, you would have more than 25 pitchers on the AAA roster. Actually, they can form 3 AAA pitching staffs and not be short a starter or reliever. BTW: I hope Powell ends up on a major league roster this year. He looked good on the mound.
Someone please explain to me why the Red Sox chose Scott Schoenweiss over Brian Shouse?!?!?!
I don’t know. He looked pretty bad for the Brewers in spring training. Then when they let him go, he complained about it, and seemed to think he was somehow entitled to a Major League roster spot.
I wonder what Dye’s asking price is at this point?
im more interested in what washington would give for hart and his unbelievable 4.8 arb number. besides hall and eventually suppan, i dont think paying any more dead money is going to go over well for the crew.