Trade History: The Pierzynski Deal
November 14th, 2003. A day that will forever haunt Giants fans. On that day, Brian Sabean dealt Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano, and Joe Nathan to the Twins for A.J. Pierzynski and cash. A year later, the Giants would release Pierzynski. Bonser may become a tolerable fifth starter in the bigs, while Liriano and Nathan are among the very best starters and closers in baseball, respectively.
Hindsight is 20/20, right? It's easy to rip on Sabean several years later. But was this like the Austin Kearns trade, where Wayne Krivsky was derided from the get-go? Or did the Pierzynski deal seem OK at the time? Let's view this in context.
The 2003 San Francisco Giants used a combination of Benito Santiago and Yorvit Torrealba at catcher. The result was a batting line of .270/.320/.412. The average NL catcher hit .260/.328/.404 in '03, so Santiago/Torrealba was tolerable. The club won 100 games and the NL West. However, they lost in the Division Series to the Marlins, who would of course go on to win the World Series.
The Giants traded for Pierzynski in November of '03, and Torrealba would remain with the Giants in '04 as his backup. Santiago signed with the Royals that winter for two years and $4.3MM. He would turn 39 before the season began. Santiago popped up in the BALCO case in March of '04 but seemed unfazed. A broken hand from a hit-by-pitch knocked him out in late June, and he didn't play for the Royals again.
Pierzynski was coming off a .312/.360/.464 season for the Twins, his best ever at age 26. He was the sixth-best hitting catcher in the game in 2003. His salary was due to rise several million dollars in arbitration and Joe Mauer was ready to go, so Terry Ryan explored his trade opportunities. A deal to the Cubs for Andy Sisco was mentioned, and the Padres expressed interest too. Ultimately A.J. became a Giant and slumped to .272/.318/.410, an offensive line that ranked 18th among backstops.
Brett Tomko called Pierzynski a "cancer" in May of '04, calling for Yorvit Torrealba to take over. The Giants still considered a multiyear deal after the season, but then decided to go with Mike Matheny and let A.J. go.
Bonser was ranked 29th on Baseball America's 2002 Top Prospects list, right behind Jake Peavy. A year later Rich Harden would earn the 29th spot, and Ervin Santana got the honors in '04. Bonser never made another list. In '03, he posted a 4.00 ERA in 135 Double A innings at age 21. Bonser now projects as a fifth starter with the Twins.
Liriano was ranked 83rd on BA's 2003 list, ahead of Taylor Buchholz and Wily Mo Pena but behind bums like Ben Kozlowski, Chris Gruler, Kris Honel, and Josh Karp. Liriano was outranked on the list by teammates Jesse Foppert (4th), Jerome Williams (50th), Kurt Ainsworth (64th), and Todd Linden (82nd). Shoulder injuries limited Liriano to just nine innings in 2003. It was clear he had potential, but Liriano was anything but a lock. Just another in a long line of hard-throwing pitching prospects.
Joe Nathan never made an appearance on a Baseball America top prospects list. Drafted in 1995 in the sixth round, Nathan reached the Majors at age 24 in 1999. He made 14 starts for the Giants and had ugly marks in home runs allowed, free passes, and strikeout rate. Many teams approached Sabean about Nathan in the winter of '99-'00, but he was regarded as untouchable.
Nathan started working on a changeup in 2000 while making 15 starts for the Giants. His numbers were even worse, as walks increased. He spent time on the DL with shoulder tightness that summer, but Dusty Baker made sure to get him right back out there ASAP. His shoulder caused a second DL stint in July. Surgery was considered, but Nathan ultimately took a cortisone shot and resumed pitching. The injury recurred a third time, causing Nathan to sit out the playoffs. Way to go, Dusty! Nathan had shoulder surgery in October of that year.
His velocity down to the mid-80s in '01, Nathan toiled in Triple A until June before earning a demotion to Double A. Things improved a bit before the end of the season, and he was in the low 90s by the spring of '02. He pitched poorly that year in Triple A but got a September call-up anyway.
In the spring of '03, Nathan finally gave up starting and managed to earn a job with the Giants as a setup man for Tim Worrell out of spring training. He started the season with a 22 inning scoreless inning streak. After winning 12 games and posting a 2.96 ERA in 79 innings in his first season as a reliever, he became a major component of the Pierzynski trade.
At the time, here's how I think each player was evaluated:
Liriano: interesting raw prospect with major injury concerns
Bonser: impressive young starting pitching prospect whose stock fell a bit in '03
Nathan: converted starter coming off his best season; history of shoulder problems
Pierzynski: one of the game's best-hitting catchers entering his prime with several seasons before free agency
Pierzynski was a coveted young backstop, and Sabean really only gave up one bona fide Major Leaguer to get him. Back in November of 2003, this looked like a deal that would benefit both teams. Liriano and Nathan could've easily been lost to the injury abyss and we wouldn't be talking about this.
Trade History: The Pierzynski Deal
November 14th, 2003. A day that will forever haunt Giants fans. On that day, Brian Sabean dealt Boof Bonser, Francisco Liriano, and Joe Nathan to the Twins for A.J. Pierzynski and cash. A year later, the Giants would release Pierzynski. Bonser may become a tolerable fifth starter in the bigs, while Liriano and Nathan are among the very best starters and closers in baseball, respectively.
Hindsight is 20/20, right? It’s easy to rip on Sabean several years later. But was this like the Austin Kearns trade, where Wayne Krivsky was derided from the get-go? Or did the Pierzynski deal seem OK at the time? Let’s view this in context.
The 2003 San Francisco Giants used a combination of Benito Santiago and Yorvit Torrealba at catcher. The result was a batting line of .270/.320/.412. The average NL catcher hit .260/.328/.404 in ’03, so Santiago/Torrealba was tolerable. The club won 100 games and the NL West. However, they lost in the Division Series to the Marlins, who would of course go on to win the World Series.
The Giants traded for Pierzynski in November of ’03, and Torrealba would remain with the Giants in ’04 as his backup. Santiago signed with the Royals that winter for two years and $4.3MM. He would turn 39 before the season began. Santiago popped up in the BALCO case in March of ’04 but seemed unfazed. A broken hand from a hit-by-pitch knocked him out in late June, and he didn’t play for the Royals again.
Pierzynski was coming off a .312/.360/.464 season for the Twins, his best ever at age 26. He was the sixth-best hitting catcher in the game in 2003. His salary was due to rise several million dollars in arbitration and Joe Mauer was ready to go, so Terry Ryan explored his trade opportunities. A deal to the Cubs for Andy Sisco was mentioned, and the Padres expressed interest too. Ultimately A.J. became a Giant and slumped to .272/.318/.410, an offensive line that ranked 18th among backstops.
Brett Tomko called Pierzynski a "cancer" in May of ’04, calling for Yorvit Torrealba to take over. The Giants still considered a multiyear deal after the season, but then decided to go with Mike Matheny and let A.J. go.
Bonser was ranked 29th on Baseball America’s 2002 Top Prospects list, right behind Jake Peavy. A year later Rich Harden would earn the 29th spot, and Ervin Santana got the honors in ’04. Bonser never made another list. In ’03, he posted a 4.00 ERA in 135 Double A innings at age 21. Bonser now projects as a fifth starter with the Twins.
Liriano was ranked 83rd on BA’s 2003 list, ahead of Taylor Buchholz and Wily Mo Pena but behind bums like Ben Kozlowski, Chris Gruler, Kris Honel, and Josh Karp. Liriano was outranked on the list by teammates Jesse Foppert (4th), Jerome Williams (50th), Kurt Ainsworth (64th), and Todd Linden (82nd). Shoulder injuries limited Liriano to just nine innings in 2003. It was clear he had potential, but Liriano was anything but a lock. Just another in a long line of hard-throwing pitching prospects.
Joe Nathan never made an appearance on a Baseball America top prospects list. Drafted in 1995 in the sixth round, Nathan reached the Majors at age 24 in 1999. He made 14 starts for the Giants and had ugly marks in home runs allowed, free passes, and strikeout rate. Many teams approached Sabean about Nathan in the winter of ’99-’00, but he was regarded as untouchable.
Nathan started working on a changeup in 2000 while making 15 starts for the Giants. His numbers were even worse, as walks increased. He spent time on the DL with shoulder tightness that summer, but Dusty Baker made sure to get him right back out there ASAP. His shoulder caused a second DL stint in July. Surgery was considered, but Nathan ultimately took a cortisone shot and resumed pitching. The injury recurred a third time, causing Nathan to sit out the playoffs. Way to go, Dusty! Nathan had shoulder surgery in October of that year.
His velocity down to the mid-80s in ’01, Nathan toiled in Triple A until June before earning a demotion to Double A. Things improved a bit before the end of the season, and he was in the low 90s by the spring of ’02. He pitched poorly that year in Triple A but got a September call-up anyway.
In the spring of ’03, Nathan finally gave up starting and managed to earn a job with the Giants as a setup man for Tim Worrell out of spring training. He started the season with a 22 inning scoreless inning streak. After winning 12 games and posting a 2.96 ERA in 79 innings in his first season as a reliever, he became a major component of the Pierzynski trade.
At the time, here’s how I think each player was evaluated:
Liriano: interesting raw prospect with major injury concerns
Bonser: impressive young starting pitching prospect whose stock fell a bit in ’03
Nathan: converted starter coming off his best season; history of shoulder problems
Pierzynski: one of the game’s best-hitting catchers entering his prime with several seasons before free agency
Pierzynski was a coveted young backstop, and Sabean really only gave up one bona fide Major Leaguer to get him. Back in November of 2003, this looked like a deal that would benefit both teams. Liriano and Nathan could’ve easily been lost to the injury abyss and we wouldn’t be talking about this.
Shea Hillenbrand Designated
According to a Blue Jays source of mine, this is how the Shea Hillenbrand designation went down:
"It seems Hillenbrand and a few (word is two) of his teammates were being
mischievious during yesterday’s workout. Gibbons stormed in the clubhouse
like an old den-mother and demanded the pranksters reveal themselves.
Just Hillenbrand stepped forward.
Gibbons blew a gasket. Everyone’s face hung open.
Gibb told Hill to take a shower and leave (on his first day back from adopting
a kid).
As the team left for the field, Hill still suited-up and paced in the
clubhouse, not knowing what to do.
Until an in-house courier hand delivered his walking papers.
He then left."
Alright, this is Tim talking again. It seems that Hillenbrand’s mischief involved writing "This is a sinking ship" on a chalkboard in the clubhouse. Good times.
The Padres, Twins, Rangers, and Angels have been connected to Hillenbrand at one time or another. While the Pads are the concensus favorite, keep in mind that Kevin Towers and J.P. Ricciardi have never completed a trade with one another before. (As far as I can tell). But hey, there’s a first time for everything.
Trade Rumor Roundup: 11 Days Left
Let’s see what we’ve got churning in the rumor mill this morning.
Shea Hillenbrand, a player well-liked by his teammates, was designated for assignment last night. Kind of reminds me of the Jose Guillen situation a couple of years ago. Despite the unpleasantness, Bill Stoneman still managed to turn Guillen into Juan Rivera and Maicer Izturis. Let’s see how J.P Ricciardi does now that manager John Gibbons has forced him into this situation. As we told you a couple of days ago, Gibbons may follow Hillenbrand out the door. More on this situation in a bit.
A Reds message board rumor has Ian Kinsler going to Cincy and Todd Coffey heading to Texas, among some other components. I don’t know if this has any credence to it, just throwing it out there. Doesn’t seem logical to me.
The Jeff Keppinger for Ruben Gotay deal is official. Score one for Omar Minaya. In other Royals news, the Royals Authority advises fans not to panic about Luke Hochevar.
We saw what the Tigers would have to give up for Alfonso Soriano. Apparently, to get Bobby Abreu they’d have to surrender Marcus Thames, Zach Miner, and a lot of money. I’ll take option A.
Looking for an aging slugger who can maybe still hit lefties? Sammy Sosa is again making noise about playing again. This is not good for baseball.
Halos Heaven, a blog I know to have good sources, reports that the Orioles want the Angels to have Miguel Tejada. Orlando Cabrera and J.C. Romero could be part of a package.
Word on the street is that Baseball Prospectus injury analyst Will Carroll is in talks with ESPN about a possible job.
A TV program encouraging fans to come and boo Dusty Baker? C’mon, don’t kick a man when he’s down.
RotoAuthority looks for the game’s true .300 hitters.
Royals Rumors: Ryan Shealy
According to my Royals source, Dayton Moore has finished evaluating his roster and the team is about to become quite active in the trade market.
You saw the Mark Redman rumor yesterday. Today MLBTradeRumors has learned of a possible deal in the works between the Rockies and Royals. The Rox are looking for relievers, and the Royals have Elmer Dessens and Jeremy Affeldt available. Mike MacDougal also has a chance to be dealt. The Royals would prefer to unload shortstop Angel Berroa and just one reliever to get first baseman Ryan Shealy. That way other relievers could snag more value in separate deals.
Shealy has had all kinds of suitors over the last few months, and he is likely to be dealt for relief help this month.
Astros Talking About Miguel Tejada
MLBTradeRumors has learned that the Astros are in talks with Baltimore for Miguel Tejada. I don’t have much more detail than that, but it comes from a trusted source. Houston has been reluctant to offer up outfielder Hunter Pence, who currently has 22 home runs in Double A. It’ll be interesting to see how this one plays out. The Astros previously expressed interest back in January.
A couple more tasty Tejada nuggets: The Reds kicked the tires on the superstar shortstop, but a deal couldn’t be completed without including stud pitcher Homer Bailey. In my opinion, if the Reds are really going for the gold this year, they should’ve pulled the trigger. Also, the reason the Angels are resisting a Tejada deal: Mike Scioscia. Scioscia doesn’t want Tejada bringing his…influence…into the clubhouse.
Rumor Roundup
Another day, another rumor roundup. Let’s throw everything fresh into the mill.
The Orioles are thinking about taking on one of Philly’s huge outfielder contracts, for some reason. I guess this could help next year’s push for third place. Baltimore is one of baseball’s most baffling teams to me. Abreu rumors have been floating around the Orioles since at least November.
The Cubs and Yankees may have something cooking, with Scott Williamson the likely candidate to be dealt. If the reliever market is really so inflated, why don’t the Cubs trade Howry and Eyre?
The Pirates are offering up all sorts of non-difference makers, but Mike Gonzalez could actually get them something decent. The 28 year-old southpaw has a 2.27 ERA in 39 innings this season. Fantay leaguers should start thinking about Matt Capps as his successor.
Trade rumor All-Star Ken Rosenthal is getting into the game more lately, with a full plate of whisperings posted an hour ago. Jose Vidro could become a Giant, and the D’Backs would love to trade Shawn Green (of course).
Unfounded rumors: Billy Beane may be shopping Mark Ellis and Jason Windsor, with possible interest in Brian Roberts…the Angels could be after David Dellucci…teams are calling the Mets about Alay Soler…Dallas McPherson is definitely on the block…there’s a decent chance Jon Lieber ends up a Yankee…the Mets and Nats are still talking about Livan Hernandez.
Red Sox Call Royals About Mark Redman
A source tells me that the Red Sox have placed a call with Kansas City to assess their demands for 32 year-old All-Star southpaw Mark Redman. I say All-Star with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
In 15 starts this year, Redman has a 5.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Redman’s walks have been up this season, and it’s hard to survive when striking out 3.3 batters per nine. He missed a start with forearm tightness in late May, and missed the first two weeks of April because of knee surgery.
Redman chose to exercise his $4.5MM player option last November with the Pirates, leading to a trade to the Royals the next month. Another possible contributor is rumored trouble in the clubhouse.
To his credit, Redman did manage a decent June with five wins and a 3.74 ERA. He’s tied with Scott Elarton for the team lead in quality starts, with six in fifteen tries. That’s a backhanded compliment, as even Jeff Weaver has had seven quality starts. Scuffy Moehler, too. I’m not sure what the Red Sox or any other suitor would have to give up for Redman, but it won’t be much.
Rumor Roundup
Here are some trade rumors from the last day or so that we haven’t covered. All come from various newspapers or other published reports.
Yesterday ESPN’s Jayson Stark reported some Bobby Abreu interest coming from the Brewers. It was a longshot from the start given Abreu’s contract. Today it’s been revealed that Doug Melvin hasn’t even spoken to Pat Gillick on the topic, and the rumor was placed by a rival GM. Any guesses who?
Something seems to be brewing between the Yankees and Royals, and Reggie Sanders is the name that makes sense. The Royals would do well to unload the 38 year-old right fielder’s $5MM commitment for ’07. A deal could also include reliever Elmer Dessens, who’s signed through next season. For the second trading deadline in a row, Brian Cashman seems to be taking a more level-headed approach.
Another option for the Yanks is Kevin Mench of the Rangers. Mench has been jerked around a bit this year by Buck Showalter and could come at a reduced price. I recently outlined a couple of possible career paths for Mench over at RotoAuthority. His career may be at a fork in the road; he should take it.
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mariners have become a major player for Alfonso Soriano. Bill Bavasi has stumbled with some questionable signings, but Seattle remains just four games out in a weak division. Don’t forget that Bavasi loves to deal with Kevin Towers more than any GM, so he may try to match up with the Padres somehow.
Mets To Trade Jeff Keppinger
Astute Mets fans may have noticed that second baseman Jeff Keppinger of the team’s Triple A club is not in tonight’s lineup. He also didn’t play in Sunday’s game. From the folks I have spoken to close to the Norfolk Tides, Keppinger is not known to have an injury.
A source tells me that Norfolk Tides manager Ken Oberkfell has informed Keppinger that he is part of a deal with the Pirates. Keppinger, a 26 year-old, hit .337 for Norfolk last year. He’s known for his superb bat control, regularly making contact more than 90% of the time. Baseball America considers him a future utility man with a possibility of more. Keppinger previously played in the Pittsburgh organization, and was sent to the Mets in the Kris Benson deal.
A separate source of mine indicates that something is indeed going on with Keppinger. While Keppinger for Roberto Hernandez is feasible, he says the deal may be expanded to include Oliver Perez, among others.
UPDATE: Looks like I was off on this one; a minor deal with the Royals appears to be in the works. KC would send Ruben Gotay to the Mets.