Rosenthal On Cubs’ CF And More
Ken Rosenthal burst back onto the scene with a slew of new trade and signing rumors for us to mull over. A summary:
The Cubs are still looking to trade Jacque Jones, who carries a reasonable price tag. Rosenthal says a Cliff Floyd signing is likely, though the Chicago papers reported nothing new on that front earlier this week. As expected, the Cubs would like a veteran to bridge the gap to center fielder of the future Felix Pie. Ryan Church, Steve Finley, or Darin Erstad could be that guy. Bernie Williams is a long shot, though the Cubs do have a good relationship with Scott Boras.
Kevin Towers will speak with David Wells tomorrow.
The D’Backs entertained the notion of trading Chad Tracy for Mike Gonzalez and then acquiring Morgan Ensberg. They couldn’t get a deal done with Pittsburgh, however. The Bucs refuse to include Chris Duffy in any deal; the Braves wanted him for Gonzalez. I think Ensberg is primed for a major comeback in 2007. I don’t see how the Astros think they can afford to lose him.
Seems likely Tomo Ohka‘s two offers are from the Nats and Mets. We know that the Pirates are in there too. The Bucs could end up with Brian Lawrence instead though.
The Astros could put Chad Qualls in the rotation if they are short on starters. Qualls last started at Triple A in ’04, and it didn’t go well. Relievers converting back to starting seems all the rage this year with the inflated market for starting pitchers.
The Rockies still have interest in Rodrigo Lopez, and they like Ramon Ortiz as well.
Armando Benitez will likely need to prove himself in spring before any team acquires him.
Bonds Fails Amphetamine Test
According to a New York Daily News exclusive, Barry Bonds failed an amphetamine test during the 2006 season. The newspaper has several sources saying that Bonds indicated teammate Mark Sweeney as the source when informed of his failure. Sweeney’s agent denies it. Sweeney and Bonds have discussed the situation, which Bonds labeled as a misunderstanding.
There was no penalty for failing an amphetamine test for the first time except for regularly scheduled drug tests. A player’s first failure is to be confidential but it leaked out in this case. Right now it’s just another black mark on baseball’s favorite villain.
The NY Daily News also reports in a separate story that the sticking points in the Bonds negotiations are his desire to have his entourage back and language over possible legal problems.
Schoeneweis Signs With Mets
UPDATE: $10.8MM over three years, or $3.6MM annually. Score another one for Boras. Jamie Walker should’ve held out for more.
ESPN reports that the Mets are close to a three-year deal with 33 year-old southpaw Scott Schoeneweis. That’s a lot of years for a lefty specialist with a 1.47 K/BB over the past couple of seasons. His main skill is keeping the ball on the ground; he’s not going to impress in strikeouts, walks, or hits allowed.
The Blue Jays essentially gave Schoeneweis to the Reds in August, but I guess 14 dynamite innings for Cincinnati has the Mets convinced.
Mulder Signs With Cardinals
UPDATE: It’s confirmed – Mulder will return to the Cardinals for a guaranteed contract of two years and $13MM. Incentives can kick in to make it a three-year, $45MM pact if Mulder makes 30 starts in each of the next two seasons. It’s a longshot but it could be done if he returns right in the beginning of May. He had shoulder surgery in September of 2006.
Adam Wainwright might be able to remain in the bullpen as a result of the signing.
UPDATE: Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has once source saying Mulder has signed with the Cards. He’s trying to confirm it with more sources.
Mark Mulder could decide tonight between the Cardinals, Indians, and Rangers. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch says the Cards have offered two years and potentially $18MM. The lefty probably won’t be ready to pitch until July, but he is looking at two guaranteed years from any of the three clubs.
The Dallas Morning News agrees that a decision is likely today. The three teams have made similar offers. If that’s the case, I don’t know why Mulder would choose to pitch in Texas or even the American League. The Rangers could snag one of Tomo Ohka, Mark Redman, Tony Armas Jr., Steve Trachsel, or Bruce Chen instead. The Rangers could use one more guy so as not to have to go with both Robinson Tejeda and John Koronka.
Thomson Had Some Words
John Thomson had some interesting things to say in his press conference today.
On Paul Lo Duca:
"As far as just looking at Paul Lo Duca across the field, I’m not really into how he acts behind the plate."
Unfortunately, the Mets and Blue Jays won’t meet in interleague this year to create a showdown.
On the Mets’ and Jays’ outfields:
"And then with Vernon Wells in center field, I’m not really concerned about the outfield with him out there. … Just watching the Mets’ outfield, if Cliff Floyd is still there it’s not a real good fit for him out there. He can hit the ball, but as far as defense, he’s a little shaky."
The thing is, the Mets have a guy in center field, goes by the name of Beltran…he’s not too shabby with the glove. Other thing is, Floyd is a free agent and won’t be back with the Mets. Still, in general, the Jays do have a better defensive outfield than the Mets. Mostly because of Shawn Green.
Thomson says his shoulder is OK now, and can earn $4MM with incentives.
Rockies Sign Javy Lopez
It’s a day later than expected, but the Rockies have signed catcher Javy Lopez. He gets $750K, non-guaranteed. The total possible value is $1.6MM. I kind of understand the signing – teams are always reluctant to turn a pitching staff completely over to a rookie catcher (Chris Iannetta) while Yorvit Torrealba finished ’06 on the 60-day DL with a strained shoulder.
Lopez has caught just 38 games over the past two seasons, so the 36 year-old will have to get into shape if he wants playing time.
Pirates Targeting Elijah Dukes?
Bucco Blog reports that the Pirates and Devil Rays are talking, and the Bucs may be targeting 22 year-old first baseman/outfielder Elijah Dukes. Jake’s informal poll of writers and scouts seemed to indicate that such an acquisition would require either Tom Gorzelanny or Mike Gonzalez. To me, Gorzelanny would make the most sense. As you probably know, Dukes has a world of talent but some makeup issues.
Gorzelanny had a scare last year with August elbow stiffness, though he came back to make three starts after that. For 2007, the 24 year-old southpaw is projected at a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 153 innings by ZiPS and a 4.27 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 168 innings by RotoAuthority.
Blue Jays Sign John Thomson
According to the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays signed 33 year-old right-handed starter John Thomson for $500,000 plus incentives. The 33 year-old has a mild labrum tear and was affected by elbow soreness and a blister in ’06 as well. The Jays aren’t risking much to see if he can rehab his way to a fifth starter job. In fact, if Thomson can keep his ERA around 5 he’d be on par with most fourth starters.
2007 Fantasy Baseball Third Baseman Rankings
My fantasy baseball third baseman rankings are a bit off the beaten path, apparently. Take a look over at RotoAuthority and leave a comment about why I’m wrong.
And over at AllCubs.com, a Hall of Fame case is made for Andre Dawson.
One other note: I have updated the position-by-position available free agent posts that can be accessed from the left-hand sidebar of this site.
Pirates Still In On Ohka
According to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "The Pirates are among the two or three teams that have offered a two-year deal to free-agent pitcher Tomo Ohka. However, Ohka’s agent is holding out for a three-year deal."
Three years for Ohka sounds like a bad idea. But hey, can’t blame a guy for trying. As far as the two or three teams, it seems possible that they might be the Mets, Nationals, and Mariners.