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Cards Interested In Braden Looper

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Word on the street is that the Cardinals plan on making a run at Braden Looper this week to add some depth to their bullpen. 

Looper had a lost ’05 – his HR rate shot up, his lost his 2004 gains in control, and his K rate plummeted.  He lost his closer’s title in September and was an the operating table the following month (shoulder surgery).  With the AC joint arthritis cleaned up, it’s worth a million bucks on the Cards’ part to see if he can return to 2004 levels in a setup role.

The Cardinals are also poking their head around to see how much Octavio Dotel is asking for.  Dotel may not be ready til midseason, but many Cardinal fans think they’ll have the division locked up by then anyway.

Thanks to Drew

Burnett, Hoffman, Manny, And More

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Latest hot stove from around baseball:

Jayson Stark and Jerry Crasnick are reporting from Dallas that the Blue Jays are close to signing A.J. Burnett to a five year, $55MM deal.  Seems Burnett’s agent is going back to Walt Jocketty one last time before finalizing the deal in an attempt to squeeze that fifth year out of him.  We’ll know soon enough if Jocketty caved in.

According to Hot Stove All-Star Ken Rosenthal, the Indians are nearing a deal with Trevor Hoffman for $21-24MM over three years.  For a team that got a solid year out of the decaying corpse of Bob Wickman, this seems a little unnecessary.  Especially since Casey Blake and Aaron Boone are currently penciled in as two automatic outs.

Just noticed today that for some reason, Omar Minaya has yet to do an interview with Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.  C’mon Omar, show some respect to baseball bloggers.  Cerrone would conduct a better interview than most newspaper writers for sure.  Matthew has also dug around in the whole Gaby Hernandez mess, and concluded that yes, the Marlins did indeed acquire him in the LoDuca trade.

On that topic, my Mets source tells me that the Marlins initially insisted on a Major League-ready player for LoDuca.  After the Mets declined that request, they asked for Gaby Hernandez.  The agents for Ramon Hernandez and Bengie Molina weren’t responding to Omar Minaya’s offers, so he agreed to the LoDuca deal.

The Red Sox wouldn’t mind hanging on to Manny, and my sources say that there’s a good chance a deal does not get done.  Only if a team coughs up true star power like, say, a Carlos Beltran, will the Sox send him packing.

Kris Benson should be shipped out of town pretty quickly.  Mets’ management doesn’t think Benson will ever be a consistent pitcher, and their distaste for him has nothing to do with his annoying wife. 

The possibility of the Mets acquiring Barry Zito is remote at best.  Billy Beane is demanding Lastings Milledge, and Zito’s agent is not guaranteeing a 72 hour window for a contract extension.  It is more likely that Minaya simply waits a year and signs Zito as a free agent.  Javier Vazquez is still very much on the radar, and his past failure under the New York spotlight does not faze the Mets.

Peter Gammons and others are saying the Mets’ signing of Mark Grudzielanek will be made official Thursday. 

Mets management is content to go into spring training with Xavier Nady and Victor Diaz duking it out for the right field spot. Let’s just hope Tike Redman doesn’t get regular playing time.

My earlier Andy Marte to the Twins blurb turned out to be more than idle speculation.  A source has confirmed that the Twins have offered Jesse Crain, Kyle Lohse, and unknown prospects for Marte.

Thanks to Brandon, John, and Brian.

Braves’ Andy Marte Available?

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Are you familiar with Atlanta Braves’ third baseman Andy Marte?  Before the 2005 season, Baseball Prospectus rated him the #1 prospect in the game. 

At age 21, Marte had an excellent 2/3 of a season for Triple A in ’05.  Marte posted a .372 OBP and .506 SLG for the Richmond Braves.  After Chipper Jones went down with an injury, Marte got a brief call-up to the Show on June 7th.  He didn’t play regularly, and made several trips back and forth to the minors after that. 

There had been whispers of Marte’s availability through trade, but it didn’t seem logical to me.  Deal away a 21 year-old top prospect simply because of Chipper Jones?  If there’s one thing Jones does not do particularly well, it’s play third base.  I know he’s the well-respected veteran, but a move back to left field to clear the way for Marte seemed like a no-brainer.

On Friday, Will Carroll casually mentioned that Marte could be had for Julio Lugo:

"The Braves are said to be offering BP’s 2005 #1 prospect Andy Marte in return, which would be a nice deal both ways, considering that Marte has fallen as far as fourth on the organization’s depth chart at third base."

Now, I knew Marte was unpopular, but fourth on the depth chart?  How did Pete Orr supplant Marte?  But Carroll proved correct.  Check out this excerpt about Marte from John Schuerholz’s interview Friday with Talking Chop:

Joe Hamrahi: Is there any possibility that Marte goes to camp at a different position or tries to learn a new position?

John Schuerholz: I don’t think so. I don’t think so. He’s too young…he’s a primary dominant third base candidate for a major league team in the very near future, whether it be for our team or someone else’s team. I mean this guy’s total package, offensively and defensively, his power potential, and excellent defensive skills make him a legitimate major league third baseman. Right now, though, there’s a guy named Chipper Jones ahead of him.

Italics added by me for emphasis.  That’s not something you say about the future of your franchise.  I think it’s pretty clear at this point that Marte is trade bait simply because he’s blocked by Chipper Jones.  Now, the Braves have a history of trading away top-billed prospects and having them not pan out.  But Marte looks like a can’t-miss future Eric Chavez (and then some). 

With that in mind, which teams have a need at third base and could give the Braves the players they need?

Dodgers – L.A. has a stacked farm system, but the Braves are probably looking for a shortstop and/or a closer.  While Cesar Izturis could be part of a future package, a deal probably won’t happen now for Marte.

Brewers – The Brew Crew could definitely give Marte an everyday opportunity at the hot corner.  Problem is, the Braves don’t have a strong need for Lyle Overbay.

Twins – I’d love to see Terry Ryan get creative and make a deal for Marte.  He’s got starting pitching and bullpen depth to deal from.

Devil Rays – Ultimately, they’re still in the best shape to acquire Marte.  It’s sounding more and more like Baez and Lugo for Marte would appease both clubs. 

 

A.J. Burnett Update

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Some new information to report on the A.J. Burnett saga. 

Let’s start at Viva El Birdos, where lboros is getting a little weary with the constant Burnett sightings and updates.  It’s unclear whether he can be described as indefatigable.  Lboros references this Toronto Star article, which has the Cards close but the Blue Jays still in the game.  Another article mentions that the Nationals are still in the running even though they’ve yet to make an offer.

In light of this information, Brian Walton’s Scout.com article has changed significantly.  Walton is still contending that Burnett is due in St. Louis for a physical and has agreed to terms.

Speaking of Burnett in St. Louis sightings, I’ve got another source adamant that Burnett was seen at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport as first noted yesterday.  My source has talked to the head of security for Terminal A, who is "99% sure" it was A.J. Burnett last night.  Given that both sightings were by Cardinals fans, there may be another explanation to all the madness.   

Scout.com: “Burnett Deal Almost Done”

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Brian Walton of Scout.com is reporting that A.J. Burnett has agreed to terms with the Cardinals.  I have not spoken to Walton on the topic; he passed on an interview request a few days ago after writing a somewhat confusing article for Scout.com on November 30th. 

Walton’s article says the deal is for five years, guaranteed, and required special permission from the Cardinals’ chairman.

There’s a thread over at St. Louis Post-Dispatch columnist Bernie Miklasz’s Pressbox forum on this topic.  Miklasz has yet to weigh in.  Another poster on an STL Today forum claims to have seen Burnett at the Lambert-St. Louis International Airport, for what it’s worth. 

Lboros from Viva El Birdos has a trusted source down at the winter meetings, and he says the deal is "basically done."  Things are looking up for Cards fans at this point.   

Thanks to the many emailers who passed the article along.

Wilkerson Deal Unlikely To Include Cedeno

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Interesting article in the Washington Post, found via RotoWorld.  The Post confirms the Cubs’ interest in Brad Wilkerson, as mentioned on this site on November 29th.

The RotoWorld blurb and the Post article make a valid point: with the Cubs’ failure to sign Rafael Furcal, Ronny Cedeno is much less likely to be dealt.  RotoWorld speculates that Jerome Williams or Corey Patterson could be possible trading chips.

Bowden plans to be active, using money not spent on Esteban Loaiza and Hector Carrasco to acquire a free agent pitcher.  Back in October, I speculated that A.J. Burnett could wind up in Washington.  The possibility remains, and will increase in likelihood if the team is purchased soon.  One way or another, the Nationals are going to acquire several starting pitchers this offseason.

Cubdom Reacts To Furcal Signing

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The Cubs’ fan base has taken a reasoned approach to the Dodgers’ signing of Rafael Furcal.  Over at The Cub Reporter, Ruz praises GM Jim Hendry for not engaging in a bidding war.  He also recommends signing lower-tier outfielders and/or seeing what the kids can do instead of getting involved with Johnny Damon.

CubDumb also doesn’t seem to mind missing out on Furcal. 

Notes On Byrd, Burnett, Sosa

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Today’s hot stove happenings:

Ken Rosenthal reports on the Cubs’ interest in A.J. Burnett.  This confirms our assertion from November 18th:

"It’s sounding more and more like the Cubs will come up with another starter to add to the stable.  Then they’ll deal from that depth to acquire an outfielder.  GM Jim Hendry may be more inclined to make a big splash with A.J. Burnett than give a lot of money to Washburn.  Unlike last season when he had to get Sammy Sosa off the books, Hendry will act early and often.  The Cardinals’ interest in Burnett may motivate Hendry to make a better offer to the starter."

Speaking of Sosa, the Mets are mentioned as a suitor for the outfielder.  The opinion here is that Sosa has nothing left, and is three years older than his listed age of 37.  Only a foolish team desperate to allocate its free agent budget somewhere, anywhere, would take a chance on Sosa.  I’m predicting the Kansas City Royals sign him as a PR move.

In yet another Rosenthal scoop, the Indians nabbed Paul Byrd for two years and $14.25MM.  There’s a club option for the third year.  We first reported the Tribe’s interest on November 29th.  Byrd should provide decent value at what’s become the going rate for a middle-of-the-rotation starter.  The fallout:  the Angels will have to bring in a name pitcher if Jarrod Washburn also leaves town.  I think he will, and the Angels kicking the tires on Erik Bedard, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis.

The Mets moved quickly on Paul LoDuca, giving up one of their best remaining pitching prospects.  Juan Pierre remains the last man standing, and the Marlins haven’t been waiting around to ditch their expensive players.  Pierre should be gone as soon as the Fish find a team desperate enough to part with a top-notch prospect.  The feeling here is that that team will not be the Yankees.      

Thanks to Jerry and Alex    

Jeff Kent To The Mets?

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Just got a tip I thought was worth mentioning.  A frequent poster over at NY Fan Sites named Monte offered this rumor:

"The Mets are reportedly close on a deal that would bring Jeff Kent into the fold. Might be on hold until the winter meetings but very close to finished. No details on what they are dealing but it is something that has been worked on and actually got the Mets to back out of the Furcal chase so LA could finish the deal."

Now, I haven’t been able to establish Monte’s credibility; I haven’t been in touch with him.  He is a very frequent poster over at NY Fan Sites, and supposedly was the first to name Ian Bladergroen as the prospect dealt for Doug Mientkiewicz back in January of this year.

My gut feeling is that Monte has a legitimate source and is not fabricating rumors for attention.  While my Mets source didn’t have any such deal on his radar, it sounds plausible for the club.  Kent certainly fits the win now mentality the Mets have been pushing all offseason.  He’ll make $9MM in 2006 and will be a free agent after the season.

Monte and my own Mets sources are confident that Kaz Matsui will be moved somehow and that the Mets have no intention of starting the year with him at second.  Given that the Dodgers plan on playing Cesar Izturis at second base with Rafael Furcal in the fold, Kent is either due for a trade or a move to first.  Kent has played 105 games in his career at first base, but never more than 30 in a season.

It remains to be seen how the next Dodger manager will feel about first baseman Hee Seop Choi.  Choi is only 26, and has too much potential to be relegated to a bench role.  While Choi has struggled against southpaws, he’s had very little opportunity to hit against them regularly.  If Kent does stay put, look for DePodesta favorite Choi to be on the move.  Choi could certainly be a step towards a younger Giants club.   

Thanks to T.J.    

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