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Archives for March 2006

Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Gyroball

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Japan’s Daisuke Matsuzaka brings his mysterious gyroball against Vinny Castilla and the Mexican team tonight.  I’ve written quite a bit about Matsuzaka back when we thought there was a chance he could come to the United States this offseason.  Here’s a link with all four of my posts on the topic – scroll to the bottom to start at the beginning.   

UPDATE:  Fittingly, Jeff Passan’s interview with Matsuzaka recently reveals that he does not throw the gyroball regularly.  Hat tip to Will Carroll, who pointed me to that article and brought the gyroball to the forefront in the U.S.

Astros Could Pursue Zito

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For months (seems like years) both New York teams have been claiming ownership of Barry Zito.  We know that he kind of likes the city and won’t re-sign with Oakland.  Both the Mets and Yankees sorely need a dependable #2 like Zito.

But Ken Rosenthal reminded us recently that the Astros will have a ton of free cash after 2006 for a player like Zito.  Jeff Bagwell and Andy Pettitte make a combined $34.5MM this year, and there’s little chance Roger Clemens is still around.  That will leave a lot of money and a huge void in the starting rotation behind Roy Oswalt.  Zito’s estimated worth according to Baseball Prospectus for 2007-2010? Just $22MM.  Not that the Yankees care. 

If Houston doesn’t snag Zito, I see them signing or trading for Jose Contreras, Jason Schmidt, Kerry Wood, Kelvim Escobar, Adam Eaton, Mark Mulder, or Doug Davis instead.  Wood, of course, is from Irving, Texas – but does that really matter?  A topic for another time: with the impending free agency of Davis and Carlos Lee, should the Brewers go for broke in 2006?

Nick Johnson Signs Extension

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Wondering why you had that empty feeling this weekend?  I’m pretty sure it was because I briefly stopped churning out new content for you.  But never fear, we’re fully moved into our condo and I’ll try to start writing regularly again between unpacking.

One of the weekend’s stories that I wanted to comment on was Jim Bowden’s signing of first baseman Nick Johnson.  Six days ago, I remarked:

"My hunch is that the Nationals will re-sign him to a one or two year contract worth maybe $7MM annually.  It doesn’t seem like a team would commit more than two years to a player who’s never healthy."

This Saturday, Johnson signed a three-year, $16.5MM pact.  Given the huge discount, committing for that extra year isn’t a bad move.  Compare the contract to PECOTA’s estimate of his worth for the next three years:  $17,775,000.  So Bowden saved over a million bucks even if Johnson can’t maintain his 2005 level.  The upside is that there’s a very good chance he exceeds PECOTA’s projection entering his age 27 season.  By my estimation, Johnson could easily be a $12-13MM player annually.

The signing could mean that 25 year-old first baseman Larry Broadway is available.  Baseball America rates him as the Nationals’ 8th best prospect.  Broadway stumbled a bit in 2005 due to a knee injury, but BA’s scouting report says he could still be a 30 HR player in the Majors one day.

Johnson’s contract extension also means that next year’s free agent class will lack an impact first baseman, assuming Derrek Lee re-signs. 

Friday Morning Reading

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Expect a lack of trade rumors, fantasy advice, and email replies this weekend – I’m moving on Saturday.  Good times. 

Anyway, I thought I’d throw you some quick Friday morning reading:

Read The Danger of Closers at RotoAuthority.  I promise that it applies to real baseball too.

I posted the Cubs projections from my Fantasy Baseball Guide.  Do you agree with them?

Viva El Birdos pleads for the Cardinals to just let Anthony Reyes pitch already.

The definitive word on the Bonds saga at Sportszilla.

I love this book. Kept me up all night.

Cubs Still Looking At Soriano?

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An emailer tells me that AM 670 The Score in Chicago reported yesterday that the Cubs are looking at Alfonso Soriano again.  They’re hoping that Brian Dopirak or Brandon Sing put up big numbers in Spring Training to boost their trade value.  There’s nothing on Score reporter George Ofman’s blog to this effect yet.

Currently, Dopirak is 5 for 9 with two home runs this spring.  Sing is 4 for 7 with two homers.  Logically, the trade rumor makes some sense for the Nationals.  Nick Johnson is an impending free agent, so it’d be nice to have some depth at first base in a barren farm system.  Dopirak took a step backward in high A ball last year, hitting .235/.289/.381 in 507 ABs.  He’s 22 years old.  Sing is 25 and was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft this year after hitting .276/.404/.538 in Double A.

In Soriano, the Cubs would be adding their fourth second baseman.  Soriano has a career line of .280/.320/.500 for New York and Texas.  He’s 28 and will be a free agent after 2006.

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

Calling All Basketball Writers

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Well, I’d like to try recruiting for HoopsBuzz…again.  It’s a blog very similar to this one where you’ll establish some contacts, hopefully scoop a rumor or two, and just analyze all that is buzzworthy in the game of basketball.

I’m not able to pay you, but you will get a built in audience of at least several hundred people a day and something to put on your resume.  I’ve been kind of slacking lately as far as keeping this site alive and well, so I want to try again.  People seem to like the general idea if not the execution.

So if you’re a damn good writer, love basketball, and can post three times a week for sure, email me at hoopsbuzz@gmail.com.  Please don’t use any other email address for this.  If you applied before and want to apply again, that’s fine.  I’ll probably take around six people depending on the number of applicants.

UPDATE:  One more thing to add – please don’t apply if baseball is your true passion but you like basketball too.  I am looking for people whose #1 sport is far and away basketball.

Cardinals Kicking Tires On Cabrera

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That’s right, a friend of MLBTradeRumors informs us that a team source has confirmed that the Cardinals are "checking into" Miguel Cabrera.  An unknown third team would definitely be involved to broker a deal.

Seems to me that Jocketty’s been looking to make that big splash all offseason, and obviously this would qualify.  I would expect Anthony Reyes to depart as well as whatever other big-name prospect the team could wrangle.  Reyes fits the bill as a Major League-ready, front rotation type starter.  The Cards would use Cabrera in left field and could improve the club by as many as five wins with the addition.

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

Jason Marquis for Victor Diaz?

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Just got word from my main Mets source with all sorts of good info.

With Pedro’s status a question mark at this point, Omar Minaya would like to add a proven veteran starting pitcher to the middle of the rotation.  The Mets first preference is Jason Marquis (a New York native, for what it’s worth).  They’ve offered a package beginning with Victor Diaz to entice Walt Jocketty.  Diaz would probably be an upgrade over the Cards’ current left field options.  The Mets aren’t thrilled with Diaz’s defense and would be content to try Xavier Nady in right field.

Other options include two Boston starters.  The Mets would love to bring Matt Clement back to the NL, but they don’t want to give up a lot to get him and are wary of his salary.  Bronson Arroyo’s name has also come up.

The White Sox could also be a factor if they decide to part with Jose Contreras.

Keep an eye this spring on the right field battle, Pedro’s toe, and the 4th-5th starter spots in the rotation.  A spring trade is a good possibility.

The Soriano thing has pretty much been debunked; the Mets will see where Kaz Matsui takes them and then try Anderson Hernandez as needed.

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

Marlins Looking To Trade Cabrera

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Halos Heaven is the best Angels blog on the ’net.  I recommend bookmarking it as a daily stop.  I was perusing Rev Halofan’s latest material after fending off some angry Angels fans.  They were less than amused that I ranked Dan Haren over John Lackey in 2006 fantasy baseball value.  It brought up an interesting topic for another day: would the baseball world have praised the Esteban Loaiza signing if he were adopting an Angels cap instead of an Athletics one?

Anyway, let’s get down to business.  Trade rumor business.  Back on Monday, Halos Heaven reported various detailed trade rumors with all sorts of new juicy information.  Go read that post and then come back here.

After reading that, I went directly to the source to dig for more info.  Rev Halofan was gracious and responsive, providing enough off the record info about his multiple inside sources to convince me fully.  As far as his connections, I can vouch that they’re impressive.

On to the first rumor from the site:

"So many teams are scouting Dallas McPherson that if he explodes this Spring, Angel GM Stoneman is prepared to be bowled over by a multi-player offer and is planning a few contingency trades.This might explain recent discussions for what was initially a confusing trade possibility of Adam Kennedy to the Astros for Jason Lane."

I asked Rev why the Astros would give up Lane to get a second baseman with Craig Biggio already in the fold.  He told me that Houston is somewhat concerned with Biggio’s durability and that "if he twists something this spring, look for Kennedy there within 48 hours."

Rev told me that Howie Kendrick just needs to flash halfway decent leather in the minors and Kennedy will be a goner.  Lane could play left for the Angels if Juan Rivera is used in another deal.  Stoneman is still in the hunt for middle relief.

I’d surmised McPherson would be available back in January on RotoAuthority, but it was just a logical assumption.  Even with 40 HR potential, he seems to be the odd man out.

On to the big gun, Rev’s Miguel Cabrera rumor.  Some more details:  the Marlins requested Chone Figgins and assorted Angels top prospects for their young superstar but were turned down.  The Fish are definitely shopping Cabrera at this point.

As for the Cubs portion of the rumor, he commented: "They will definitely want Felix Pie and lots more from the Cubs – but my understanding is that the Cubs were just begging to be let into the party."

Back in late February, I mentioned that the Yankees, Angels, Dodgers, and Mets would probably have the prospects, cash, and desire to acquire Cabrera.

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

Dodgers Looking At Hidalgo?

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With Jayson Werth possibly out til May, the Dodgers are in the market for a good fourth outfielder.  Word is that Los Angeles is considering signing Richard Hidalgo to fill the role.  The source is an emailer citing 1540 The Ticket, a radio station in California.  Hidalgo was last seen entertaining offers to play in Japan.

Reportedly, the station’s related rumor is that the Dodgers could ship Joel Guzman and Greg Miller to the A’s for Barry Zito before picking up Hidalgo.  Despite what Billy Beane has said, a source of mine tells me that at least twelve teams have inquired about the southpaw.  Guzman is the Dodgers’ third best prospect according to Baseball America and ranks anywhere from 12th to 29th among all prospects. 

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

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