Shopping Brad Penny
The Los Angeles Times’ Steve Henson believes that Brad Penny is the Dodger starter most likely to be traded because of his temper problems and awful second half. On the plus side, Penny is on the right side of 30, has a favorable contract, and started the All-Star Game this year.
Henson names the Blue Jays as a fit since J.P. Ricciardi is a fan and the Jays still need to acquire a starting pitcher. Penny is signed at a below-market price – $7.5MM in ’07, $8.5MM in ’08, and an $8.75MM club option in ’09. Penny could be part of a package for Vernon Wells, but the Dodgers might need to contribute a prospect in a trade.
Would the Dodgers trade for Wells and then try to shift him to right field despite his fine defense in center? Wells has played 16 games in right in his career, most recently in 2002. This seems like the only reasonable solution as Juan Pierre and Luis Gonzalez can’t handle right field.
This all assumes the Jason Schmidt signing is official, which the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is not ready to concede.
Ken Davidoff of Newsday mentions that Mark Hendrickson could be a trade candidate for L.A. on the low end. He says Hendrickson could wind up with the Cubs.
Yanks, Giants Considering Zito
Scott Boras must’ve been pleased – Yankees GM Brian Cashman met with him Wednesday night to discuss Barry Zito, among others. However, speculation is that the Yankees will not go up to the 6/96 range said to be occupied by the Rangers and possibly Mets.
The Yankees remain focused on Andy Pettitte. Other notes from George King’s column:
The Yanks did talk Richie Sexson with the Mariners, but insisted Carl Pavano be involved. Seattle said no. They’ve also got some interest in Eliezer Alfonzo of the Giants as a trade target.
One free agent on the radar is Dustin Hermanson. The White Sox declined Hermanson’s $3.5MM option, but he can probably top that if he shows good health.
Meanwhile, the Contra Costa Times says "The Giants continued to go hardest after left-hander Barry Zito, even though they believe he could command an annual salary of $20 million over five or six years." Yikes.
Dodgers Sign Luis Gonzalez
According to MLB.com, the Dodgers have signed left fielder Luis Gonzalez to a one-year, $7MM deal. This one had been rumored all day.
With the signing, L.A.’s outfield appears set. It features Gonzo in left, Juan Pierre in center, and Andre Ethier in right. Sound good? It’s quite mediocre. Let’s compare the trio to the league averages from 2006.
Left field NL average: .277/.359/.478
Luis Gonzalez: .273/.357/.447
Center field NL average: .264/.335/.418
Juan Pierre: .292/.330/.388
Right field NL average: .268/.345/.453
Andre Ethier: .308/.365/.477
Looking at Ethier’s second half, I’d say there’s a good chance the Dodgers are below average offensively at all three outfield positions in 2007. And it’s not like these guys are Gold Glovers.
Cubs Still Pursuing Gil Meche
Jim Hendry said all along he wanted to acquire two, or even three starters this winter. True to his word, the Cubs are still pursuing Gil Meche after inking Ted Lilly. (By the way, Hendry is said to be fine and should be out of the hospital Thursday morning).
Keep in mind that Alfonso Soriano‘s contract is backloaded. Sori makes only $9MM in 2007, meaning the Cubs still have money to burn for Meche (note: I am unsure how Sori’s $8MM signing bonus is paid out). Hendry would probably have no problem tossing another $5MM to Cliff Floyd for old times’ sake, too. Hell, maybe the Cubs even go out and sign a third free agent starter to really cover themselves. It’s not like Lilly and Meche are horses.
Additionally, CubDumb spoke to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune today. Seems that the Cubs were going to get Lilly, no matter what it took.
Nationals Rumor Roundup
I know I don’t give a lot of love to the Nationals on this blog, so here we go. Late last night, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson weighed in with all sorts of rumors.
Chad Cordero can be had, albeit for a steep price. The Red Sox want him. According to the Washington Post, the Mets love Cordero, but Bowden wants Lastings Milledge and then some. Specifically, Bowden wants a top prospect, a near Major League ready starter, and one more pitcher.
Ryan Church has been connected to the Phillies, Royals, Cubs, Pirates, and Tigers. Seems that Nats can’t wait to get rid of him. Specifically, the idea of sending Church to Philly for Ryan Madson has surfaced. That one doesn’t suit Washington though. Meanwhile, the Bucs are backing off.
Nobody wants Jose Vidro, but Jim Bowden would love to unload him.
There could be some chance of Rodrigo Lopez ending up a National, but no serious offer exists. Ladson doesn’t think Lopez makes sense for the Nats. It may have been a three-way proposal with the Tigers mixed in, but that one didn’t get far.
Blogs Weigh In
I don’t know about you, but typically I find bloggers’ opinions to be more interesting than those in the newspapers. I am not referring to my own stuff but rather all the blogs I frequent. There are some smart blogs out there with sharp analysis on deals. As some of ’em are hilarious to boot. That said, here are some bloggers’ takes on today’s deals.
Freddy Garcia traded to Phillies. Sox Machine seems on the fence on the trade.
Cubs sign Ted Lilly. Goat Riders of the Apocalypse seems lukewarm about the signing.
A’s sign Mike Piazza. Athletics Nation has mixed feelings but appears to lean towards the negative side.
Dodgers sign Jason Schmidt, probably. Dodger Thoughts likes the depth provided.
Mariners acquire Horacio Ramirez. U.S.S. Mariner dislikes the deal, but believes Rafael Soriano‘s at a very high risk for injury.
Indians sign Joe Borowski. Let’s Go Tribe sees this as quantity over quality.
Bannister for Burgos. Royals Authority likes this trade.
The Andy LaRoche non-trade. Bucco Blog says the newspapers interfered.
Angels Decline Helton
According to the LA Times, the Angels have declined an offer from the Colorado Rockies for Todd Helton. The deal may have sent Chone Figgins, Casey Kotchman, and Erik Aybar to Coors.
Apparently the Angels had concerns about Helton’s age and health, and perhaps his $141-million contract had a bit to do with it. The Rockies were apparently willing to pick up some of the tab, but it didn’t seem to be enough for the Angels to "risk" it on Helton.
I’m not sure when the Angels will ever trade away their young prospects. They have held onto all of them for a while now, even when the Tejada, Manny, and other big bat rumors were swirling around the MLB. I wonder what it’s going to take for them to part with any of them.
By Adam Howe
Phillies Trade For Freddy Garcia
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies have acquired starter Freddy Garcia for pitchers Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez. Apparently the Sox wanted Gio back.
Now Pat Gillick has the surplus of starters, with Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Jon Lieber, Adam Eaton, and Garcia all under contract. Speculation is that Liebs will be dealt for an outfielder.
MLB.com reported today that the Phils are looking at various deals with the Brewers, possibly involving outfielders or bullpen help.
Scott Miller Winter Meetings Update
Here’s the latest from Scott Miller of CBS Sportsline. I’ll give a quick summary.
The Giants are "very interested" in Barry Zito, and Brian Sabean met with Scott Boras today.
The Jays offered Gil Meche something close to 4/34, but they believe the Cubs or Royals will get him. Their Plan B (or C if you include Lilly) is Jeff Suppan or Mark Redman.
The latest Rocco Baldelli rumor involves Baltimore and perhaps Daniel Cabrera and/or Hayden Penn.
The Cubs and Ms are getting medical reports on Cliff Floyd. Like I said, poor Matt Murton. This kid doesn’t need a platoon.
LaRoche For Gonzalez Offer Withdrawn
David O’Brien’s latest for the AJC confirms that the Braves have traded starter Horacio Ramirez to the Mariners for Rafael Soriano. Unless I’m missing something, John Schuerholz pillaged and maybe even plundered Bill Bavasi.
Additionally, the Braves have withdrawn their offer of Adam LaRoche for Mike Gonzalez. That makes sense given the completion of the Soriano deal. O’Brien opines that Atlanta could re-engage the Angels, hoping to acquire some combination of Chone Figgins, Casey Kotchman, and a pitcher.
Gonzalez has been cleverly subtracted from the Pirates’ front page, with Ian Snell replacing him.