Rosenthal On Matsuzaka, Igawa, Edmonds
Here’s a link to Ken Rosenthal’s latest.
Rosenthal confirms Yahoo Japan’s earlier story, which indicated that the Braves had interest in Japanese southpaw Kei Igawa. A Yahoo story had mentioned that Igawa’s posting would be contingent on Hanshin signing free agent Hiroki Kuroda, but Rosenthal states as fact that Igawa will be posted. In addition to Atlanta, we know that the Mariners, Dodgers, Mets, and Tigers have special interest in Igawa.
Rosenthal also officially adds the Tigers to the list of teams interested in Daisuke Matsuzaka. While we know every team has scouted him, the Cubs, Angels, Royals, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Rangers, Orioles, Dodgers, Mariners, and Padres have been mentionally specifically in print. Yes, I just named half of baseball.
Finally, Rosenthal indicates that Jim Edmonds‘s "postseason revivial" will make it more likely that the Cards exercise his $10MM option. Walt Jocketty isn’t that dumb, is he? That his decision could hinge on 15-17 postseason games is ludicrous.
Phils Unlikely To Pursue Aramis Ramirez
So, who’s to fill the Phillies’ glaring vacancy at the hot corner? According to this report by Randy Miller, it won’t be possible free agent Aramis Ramirez. If you scroll down a bit, Miller mentions that Ramirez "won’t be pursued." It’s not a direct quote from Pat Gillick, though you get the impression Miller spoke to Gillick to write the article. All the quotes from Gillick tipped me off on this. (Link found via Beerleaguer.)
The free agent market is barren, although Rich Aurilia might work. If Gillick wants to make a deal, he could go after Joe Crede, Mike Lowell, Morgan Ensberg, or Adrian Beltre.
What Leads You Here
Today, someone arrived at MLBTradeRumors.com by asking, "Is Alex Rodriguez on the Cubs?"
I hate to disappoint, my friend, but he is not. But there’s no such thing as a stupid question.
In another news, I should have my 2007 Top 50 Free Agents list done around the end of the month. I like to put it out kind of early. It includes my rankings as well as predicted destinations. Let’s hope I can do a little better than last year.
MLB Trade Rumors: 2008 MLB Free Agents
Let’s take a look ahead to the free agency class after the 2007 season. Of course, some of these guys will be signed before reaching free agency. They’re ranked by their 2006 WARP and their age for the 2008 season is in parentheses.
Updated 3-2-07
1. John Smoltz (41)
2. Carlos Zambrano (27)
3. Joe Nathan (33)
4. Mariano Rivera (38)
5. Jorge Posada (36)
6. Curt Schilling (41)
7. Bobby Abreu (34)
8. Ichiro Suzuki (34)
9. Andruw Jones (31)
10. Carlos Guillen (32)
11. Jeff Kent (40)
12. Mike Lowell (34)
13. Jason Jennings (29)
14. Jake Westbrook (30)
15. Ivan Rodriguez (36)
16. Freddy Garcia (32)
17. Kenny Rogers (43)
18. Torii Hunter (32)
19. Jason Isringhausen (35)
20. Omar Vizquel (41)
21. Marcus Giles (30)
22. Eric Byrnes (32)
23. Paul Lo Duca (36)
24. Bob Wickman (39)
25. Corey Patterson (28)
26. Adam Dunn (28)
27. Scott Linebrink (31)
28. Michael Barrett (31)
29. Milton Bradley (30)
30. Jon Lieber (38)
31. David Eckstein (33)
32. Aaron Rowand (30)
33. Juan Uribe (29)
34. Bartolo Colon (35)
2008 Free Agent All-Star Team
C – Jorge Posada
1B – Carlos Guillen
2B – Jeff Kent
SS – Omar Vizquel
3B – Mike Lowell
LF – Adam Dunn
CF – Andruw Jones
RF – Ichiro Suzuki
SP – John Smoltz
SP – Carlos Zambrano
SP – Jake Westbrook
SP – Curt Schilling
SP – Jason Jennings
RP – Joe Nathan
RP – Mariano Rivera
RP – Scott Linebrink
Sheffield A Hot Commodity
One name that didn’t make my list of available impact hitters is Gary Sheffield. Sheff was, of course, out for most of the year because of surgery on his left wrist. Using his 2005 work Sheffield would be maybe the 10th best hitter available, whether through trade or free agency.
According to Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, the Yankees plan to pick up Sheffield’s $13MM option for 2007 and then trade him. He mentions the Angels, Orioles, Cubs, Giants, Astros, and Rangers as suitors.
One year, $13MM is a fine low-risk contract for a possible .900ish OPS slugger. Sheffield doesn’t play right field all that well at age 38, but he can still be considered for that position. Left field and first base would work as well. In addition to Madden’s list, here are some non-AL East teams that could have interest: Indians, Tigers, White Sox, and the Mets.
2007 Cincinnati Reds
The Reds are next up on our 2007 Team Outlooks.
Wayne Krivsky’s contract obligations as he remakes the Reds in the Twins’ image:
C – David Ross – $0.5MM
C – Javier Valentin – $1.25MM
C – Jason LaRue – $5.2MM
1B – Scott Hatteberg – $1.5MM
2B – Brandon Phillips – $0.33MM
SS –
3B – Edwin Encarnacion – $0.3325MM
IF – Juan Castro – $0.925MM
LF – Adam Dunn – $10.5MM
CF – Ken Griffey Jr. – $6MM (another $6.5MM is deferred)
RF – Ryan Freel – $1.7MM
OF – Chris Denorfia – $0.327MM
SP – Aaron Harang – $2.35MM
SP – Bronson Arroyo – $3.8MM
SP – Kyle Lohse – $4MM
SP – Eric Milton – $9MM
SP – Elizardo Ramirez – $0.33MM
SP – Homer Bailey – $0.33MM
RP – Rheal Cormier – $2.25MM
RP – Gary Majewski – $0.352MM
RP – Matt Belisle – $0.3435MM
RP – Todd Coffey – $0.339MM
RP – Bill Bray – $0.33MM
RP – Brian Shackelford – $0.33MM
RP – Jason Standridge – $0.33MM
Buyouts:
SP – Paul Wilson – $0.85MM
IF – Rich Aurilia – $0.2MM
Injured:
SP – Brandon Claussen – $0.37MM (shoulder surgery August 2006)
I have the Reds at about $54-56MM depending on arbitration raises. They entered 2006 with a $61MM payroll. So, not that much to play with unless bigger salaries like Dunn or LaRue are unloaded.
On the catching situation: LaRue just had an awful year, basically becoming Aaron Harang‘s personal catcher and nothing more. He’s being paid like a #1, and would like to regain his job or be traded. If the Reds eat some salary maybe the Phillies would have interest. Ross posted some surprising career bests in 250 ABs; it probably can’t hold up over another 400. He’s only got three years of service time so the Reds should have his rights for a while.
With a heavy dose of right-handed pitching, Hatteberg bounced back with an .826 OPS. He’ll keep the seat warm for a good price until Joey Votto is ready. Votto is one of the game’s very best 1B prospects. Hatteberg seems to be Krivsky’s only acknowledgement of the importance of OBP.
Phillips certainly looks like a capable 2B and a great find by Krivsky. There’s been some talk of using him at shortstop; he played the position as recently as Triple A in 2005. He only got a brief trial there in ’06 with the Reds; my feeling is that he’ll remain at second and the team will import a shortstop.
Let’s just hope that Castro doesn’t spend too much time as the starting SS. Interestingly, the Reds asked about Miguel Tejada in July. For Tejada to fit in the payroll, I think Adam Dunn would have to be involved. I haven’t heard any specific names, but some other options at short include Julio Lugo, Jack Wilson, Alex Cintron, and Alex Gonzalez. It might’ve been nice to have Felipe Lopez around.
Encarnacion looks like a future star at 3B, and Rich Aurilia probably won’t be around to take any starts over there. Aurilia isn’t much of a starting SS, so he’ll probably price himself too high for the Reds to keep him as a backup.
The outfield is pretty well set, with Denorfia finding plenty of work when Griffey is hurt. Jerry Narron would prefer to move Freel around and play him four days a week, so Denorfia can find PT in right as well.
The front of the rotation looks solid, with Arroyo and Harang placing #1 and #3 in innings pitched in all of baseball. 40% of the time, those guys will take a load off a weak bullpen. Lohse wasn’t awful as a Red, showing decent command. You’d rather have him as your fourth starter, but that’s life. The Reds only have endure one more year of the Milton Mistake.
Ideally the Reds can work in superprospect Homer Bailey in place of the worst of Lohse, Milton, or Ramirez. Until that’s sorted out a bullpen intro to the bigs wouldn’t be a horrible idea. Last year’s 138 pro innings was a career high for the 20 year-old phenom. If he can keep the walks down, Bailey should be very tough to score upon even as a rookie.
The Reds hope midseason acquisitions Majewski and Bray are healthy and effective in ’07. If so, it has the potential to be a decent ‘pen. The Reds are still lacking that one shutdown reliever to use in the ninth inning, however. There’s nothing on the closer market, so the Reds will have to hope someone can step up.
Cincinnati has a middle-of-the-pack offense right now. A full season without Austin Kearns or Felipe Lopez plus a possible trade of Dunn could weaken it even further. The pitching looks mediocre as well, especially factoring in some regression for Arroyo. The Reds are not a bad team, but they would probably need one more good starter, an impact hitter, and a bullpen ace to be favored in the division in 2007.
Instead of trying to compete in 2007, the Reds might be better off shooting for ’08. Votto, Bailey, and other prospects will have had time to develop. Encarnacion could be a star. Milton and LaRue will be off the books. The 2008 club could be a few wise expenditures away from contention.
Red Sox Interested In Barajas?
I was clearing out my inbox a little bit when I noticed a rumor I haven’t mentioned yet on the site.
According to a WEEI chat with Sean McAdam from early October, the Red Sox are targeting free agent catcher Rod Barajas to back up Jason Varitek. McAdam mentioned that Barajas’s ability to catch the knuckleball is attractive the Boston.
Barajas will be 31 next year. He hit .256/.298/.410 this year, showing little plate discipline but decent power for his position. You can see the other free agent catchers here.
Phils Resign Moyer Through 2008
Jamie Moyer will remain in the National League as a Phillie for the 2007-08 seasons. He’ll earn $10.5MM plus incentives.
Moyer is now off the list of available free agent starting pitchers. The Phils’ rotation now consists of Moyer, Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, and Jon Lieber. Eude Brito or Gavin Floyd could fill in the fifth slot. The team’s focus will now turn to third base.
Yardbarker.com
Here’s a cool website in the vein of Digg. It’s called Yardbarker, where users submit sports stories and readers vote the best ones up. Here’s a link to Yardbarker’s MLB page.
I’m thinking about putting Yardbarker buttons on posts, which would give you the ability to submit my posts to Yardbarker so people can vote on them. Thoughts?
Akinori Iwamura Prepared To Play 2B/SS/CF
Akinori Iwamura is a 27-year Japanese third baseman with a good chance of being posted. Translations indicate that he could post a .850-.900 OPS in the Majors.
A recent interview with Iwamura (in Japanese) indicates that he’d be willing to convert to second base, shortstop, or even center field if needed. He was a five-time Gold Glover at third in Japan.