In his column today for the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo explores the effect of Arizona's controversial immigration law on baseball. He also shares a few notes from around the league:
- The Blue Jays' huge collection of scouts should have them well-prepared to deal at this year's trade deadline. Cafardo names a slew of players who the Jays could try to move if they're out of playoff contention, noting that the club will "likely listen to anything." The list includes Vernon Wells, Lyle Overbay, Alex Gonzalez, Scott Downs, Jose Bautista, John Buck and Jose Molina.
- Molina has thrown out eight of 11 basestealers so far this year, a statistic that could intrigue the Red Sox. However, Cafardo says the Sox "will never deal for a catcher who is all defense, no offense."
- Cafardo suggests that Adam Dunn would be a good fit at DH for the Red Sox in the post-David Ortiz era.
- Jarrod Washburn's time off this spring has given him a few extra weeks to recover from offseason knee surgery, though now teams will have to assess how long it will take Washburn to be major league ready. According to Cafardo, the Dodgers' pitching issues make them look every day like a better fit for Washburn.
- A source tells Cafardo that Elijah Dukes' rumored deal with the Tabasco Olmecas of the Mexican League fell through after Dukes failed to show up for a reporting date. Cafardo indicates that the 25-year-old could end up spending the year away from baseball.
Cafardo ought to do at least a little research before he writes these columns – Wells has a full no-trade.
Well no one is calling about Wells, but why would he block a trade?
Cafardo does mention that in the article, though I think the financial part of Wells’ contract will be a much bigger roadblock than the no-trade clause.
“will never deal for a catcher who is all defense, no offense.”
If its all about pitching and defense then you cant let walks and singles turns into doubles because they’re running at will. Either Vmart has to improve, or maybe he needs to be DH in some big games late in the season and let a real catcher (even with no bat) run the show.
They play the Rays and Yankees 16 times after the all star break, giving away base after base is going to hurt you eventually.
I don’t care if the Red Sox get a Catcher who bats below .200, when Vladimir Guerrero is stealing bases, YOU NEED AN UPGRADE.
Adam Dunn would be a BEAST at Fenway. He’d be a perfect DH.
Oh yeah, as far as Sac Flies go, about five years ago, Dunn went almost two years and 1100 Plate Appearances without getting one and this from a guy who hits way more fly balls then ground balls.
Also, in 2008 (I think) when Big Papi was having problems with his offense, Peter Gammons (the Red Sox talking head on ESPN at the time) said that if Boston’s Front Office was going to go out and get somebody to replace David Ortiz, they were MORE interested in Josh Willingham than Dunn.
If you look at those two guys stats, what you will find is that Willingham will give you about 80% of Dunn’s offense but will cost about 1/3 of what Dunn does.
Also, when you look at their stats, you will find that Willingham has played his home games in pitcher friendly parks whereas Dunn, up until he came to Washington, has played his home games in hitter friendly parks. When you look at their ROAD stats, you will find that Willingham, other than Home Runs, produces as much or more than Dunn (and Jermaine Dye and Pat Burrell).
I know this because I wanted the Reds to trade for Willingham in late 2008 and compared all four players stats from 2006 to 2008.
So, instead of Dunn, look for the Red Sox to go after Willingham instead (if Ortiz continues to struggle).
Red Sox media already salivating over players on a team that is higher than the Sox in the standings.