In today's column for the Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo wonders what the future holds for David Ortiz after his contract expires at the end of this season. An American League official says the Red Sox should be "looking at keeping his salary level around the same if his production maintains steady." Ortiz, who is earning $12MM in 2011, would like to retire with the Sox, and acknowledges that signing with a National League club is unlikely: "I would have to consider it. I don’t think people want me for that, because I’m a hitter." Here are a few of Cafardo's other notes:
- In the short term, Marco Scutaro, who has been discussed internally by the Phillies, could be valuable to a team looking for a middle infielder. Down the line, the Sox could still have an excess of infielders – Cafardo says Jose Iglesias should be ready to be a full-time MLB shortstop in 2012, meaning Boston may not have enough room in its lineup for him, Jed Lowrie, and Kevin Youkilis. If I'm the Red Sox, I view that as a good problem to have, and address it if and when it comes to that.
- A Dodgers official concedes that Russell Martin is "playing great" for the Yankees. "Better than he played for us," adds the official. However, he cautions that Martin tends to fade in the second half, which has to be of some concern for the Yanks. While Martin's career batting splits don't fully back up that assertion, the backstop did miss most of the second half in 2010 with a hip injury.
- The Angels have been exploring potential trades involving their catchers since Spring Training. They'd likely prefer dealing Bobby Wilson to Jeff Mathis, and may be seeking a left-handed outfield bat in return.
How many major league teams really “want” Jeff Mathis?
I think the statement Luke made answers your question. They’ve been trying to trade one of their sub-par AAAA catchers since spring training, with no takers. So how many MLB teams really want Jeff Mathis? None.
what do they do when trout comes up? do they trade hunter or bobby? and what do they do with trumbo when kendry comes back. I say trade amarista, trumbo, santana,Wilson and bell for David wright, J.A. Happ, Ricky Romero,or Cole Hamels after kendry comes back
it’s more like what choice do they really have? As far as I know, Wilson is out of options; they can’t send him down. Better for them to just ship him out and open up that bench spot.
When Cafardo told the Dodgers official that Martin’s splits don’t suggest that, did he say, “LOL stats, we don’t use those!”
The problem Russell Martin had with the Dodgers might become a problem with the Yankees….overuse. They need to keep him under 115 games for the season if they want constant production and good health for him to continue the way he is (doing).
Am I the only one who isn’t convinced yet that I would rather have Iglesias at short than Lowrie?
He will definitely have to earn the spot, but his potential is just to good to cast him off especially considering Youkilis is only signed through 2012 with a option for 2013.
He’s not exactly tearing up the league in Pawtucket. Not that he’s expected to be a great hitter, but they can’t afford another black hole, either.
thanks in part to published dullards like nick cafardo, too many people are assuming iglesias will start 2012 in boston. if lowrie has a strong year, there isn’t any reason to rush his development
cafardo needs to write articles for arizona newspapers about how jed lowrie would be soooo great at third base for the diamondbacks…
Give ’em Lowrie and Iglesias if you’re talking about what I think you’re talking about…
I think I want both starting in 2012. That means Youk goes to DH to replace Ortiz.
You must be the only one who has not seen him field a ball, yes, you are the only one, his bat is being developed, but it isnt a bad bat, it just isnt explosive, they are working on his bat being explosive and you will say Jed who?
I don’t know if you noticed, but I live in Maine, and I do go to Sea Dogs games, so I actually saw him in person several times. I know how good his defense is, but I also know how good Lowrie’s offense can be. If Lowrie is even average defensively, and has plus offense for a SS, and if Iglesias is a stellar defender, and weak offensively (like it is believed he likely will be) I would certainly rather have Lowrie on the team.
My point really was though that they are already anointing Iglesias the starting SS in 2012 while he is having trouble hitting AAA pitching. He is only 21, and if Lowrie shows he can continue to put up good offensive numbers, while Iglesias continues to struggle offensively, it wouldn’t make sense to move Lowrie and bring up Iglesias when another year in the minors could help his development. That’s why I said “Am I the only one who isn’t convinced yet” because I’m not convinced yet, he may end up being the better choice next year, but to this point I don’t think it is as certain as they proclaim it to be.
To further complicate the Red Sox infield situation for 2012, Navarro looks like he’ll be major league ready by the end of this year. I see they’ve been playing him in the outfield lately to further his utility player value. He’s currently hitting .320 with a .986 OPS.
Jed Lowrie 2.0, his stint with the sox was awful last season but he should push scutaro out of boston by the end of the season.
Yeah, a .287 BA and a .907 OPS while filling in at four positions is just awful.
His 20 game stint in Boston where in 42 PA’s he had .143/.174/.143 slash line and 17 K’s. Not his minor league stats.
Oh, you were talking about Navarro, but calling him Jed Lowrie 2.0? I get it now. Very clever. What Navarro did in Boston as basically a AA emergency fill-in is pretty irrelevant.
He was saying that he thinks Navarro will end up being like Lowrie regardless of what he did in his stint with Boston last year.
? Navarro had a .143 AVG and a .317 OPS in his limited time with the Sox last year.
Ugh please trade Mathis
Angels need to make this trade!! Aybar, Morales, Franky Rodriguez, Jepsen, Wilson to The New York Mets for Wright, Reyes ( Reyes would have to agree on a extension ) THEN trade: Minor leaguers and Amarista, Palmer to The White Sox for Paul Konerko… Then role out the red carpet for the WS in Anaheim!
you are a tool… This is the worst idea I have ever heard of
weird how someone liked it, must of been his mom.
you are a tool… This is the worst idea I have ever heard of
just a suggestion… when iglesias is ready they can move him up to shortstop. then move Lowrie to third base and move Youk to DH because he probably isnt the long term answer at third anyway. Then let Ortiz walk and save 12 million dollars. This doesnt have to happen in 2012. If Iglesias has a bad season this year then they can resign Ortiz for another year and do this in 2013
Youk has a great glove and you want to DH him?
compared to Lowrie yes I would definitely DH him. He hasn’t played enough time at third yet to prove that hes not the long term answer there but he will soon enough.
Bobby Wilson for Carl Crawford & cash?
Maybe in 3-4 years.
They should work a 3 way trade for Young
I personally feel they should have started experimenting with trumbo at third base during spring training. Anaheim has an abundance of infielders…(granted healthy), so you wouldnt have always needed him at 1rst. This way he could be playing it once in a while this season, and possibly slip over once morales is back. (if that ever happens)
thats all speculative to if he actually pick up on playing third, but wasnt he a pitcher or something originally? Either way it would finally bring a bigger bat at the corners like weve needed…
Mathis is supposedly a defensive catcher… yet all hear from angels fans is how horrible he’s at defense… IMO Mathis should be no where near a major league team.
looks as if Mathis may have some naked mike scioscia pictures or something
The Twins already have a Jeff Mathis type in Drew Butera.
Tanner, take a look at his numbers. He’s .991 fpct, and average in terms of throwing people out. He’s not a good defensive catcher. Then, he hits at roughly .200 in the West. Even if we are in need of a catcher, Mathis is not the solution. Now, take a look at Chris Snyder’s numbers. There is a guy we will chase if the Pirates say he is available.
which is horrible for all the angels’ fans like myself.
if he does, it’s only because scioscia gave them to him for valentine’s day
His defensive metrics are terrible.
That said, if someone can properly evaluate a catchers contribution you would think it would be Scioscia. His point has always been that being catcher is more than just PB and Caught Stealings. Managing the game is the most important part of being a catcher and “supposedly” that is what Mathis excels at. I say supposedly since I can’t evaluate that aspect of his game by watching the team. Have to take Mike’s word on it.
What I do know is that Mathis can’t hit worth a lick. So happy to see Conger getting some more playing time behind the dish. He looks good, even if his best trait is simply taking AB’s away from Mathis.
Mathis’ stolen base pct. is about half that Jose Molina (former Angel), who led the AL a couple of times in that category. He also commits a lot of errors. Hank Conger is their catcher of the future anyways.