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Archives for March 2007

Garcia’s Injury Halts Lieber Trade

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This is my second contribution to MLBTradeRumors.com and with this entry, I have yet to comment on a trade that might be happening.  So far, when it comes to the Phillies, it’s been all about trades that aren’t going to happen.

Yesterday afternoon, manager Charlie Manuel told reporters that Jon Lieber, the subject of considerable trade speculation since December, would begin to pitch exclusively out of the bullpen, not because of poor performance, but because he was the odd-man out on a team with six starting pitchers.  Later in the evening, Freddy Garcia was pulled from the first inning.  Besides suffering from numerous big hits by the Toronto Blue Jays lineup, Garcia’s velocity was down and he reported experiencing tightness in his right biceps.

With this development, it’s likely that for the time being, life will change very little for Lieber and he will slide right back into the starting rotation while Garcia’s health problems are sorted out.  Lieber won’t be traded anywhere any time soon.

Tom Goyne is the author of Balls, Sticks, & Stuff, a Phillies-centric site, and maintains the Phloggers’ Pheeds page, a source for the latest commentary from around the "phlogosphere".

Second ProTrade Challenge

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Would you like to win a copy of the 2007 RotoAuthority Fantasy Guide?  And possibly a ton of ProTrade money to boot?  Here’s your opportunity in case you missed out on the first challenge.

I’m giving away five more fantasy guides.  The challenge starts on March 26th at midnight and will have 1,000 entrants.  It’ll run until March 30th.  Click here to access the challenge.

If you’re not familiar with it, ProTrade lets you trade baseball players as if they’re stocks.  It’s completely free.  You can buy players or short them.

Jayson Stark’s Latest

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Jayson Stark has a new column up today chock full of trade rumors, and it’s not behind the Insider wall.  Check it out.  Some highlights:

  • Stark’s source doesn’t think the A’s are actively pursuing Byung-Hyun Kim or any starter.  And teams are wary of using Kim as a reliever.
  • Jim Bowden’s price is way too high for Chad Cordero.  Bowden did this with Soriano and it was a blunder.
  • Closer-worthy relievers like Lidge, Otsuka, and Linebrink will stay put.  Juan Cruz is an intriguing name that is on the market.
  • Plenty of available outfielders, including affordable sluggers like Jason Lane and Marcus Thames.

Lieber, Kim Rumors

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has some trade rumor tidbits from around baseball this morning.  To summarize:

  • Renck does not think the Phils truly want to use Jon Lieber as a reliever, and mentions two scenarios floating around.  Lieber could be paired with Aaron Rowand and sent to the White Sox, which I would think would require at least Mike MacDougal.  Would be interesting to see Liebs back in Chicago if old pals KW and "Stand Pat" Gillick can work it out.  Or, he could go to Milwaukee for Kevin Mench.  Such a trade would have to push Claudio Vargas to the bullpen.
  • Renck says the Rockies like Mark Hendrickson despite his mediocrity and their stable of starters.  The Dodgers would like to include Hendrickson as part of a bigger deal for a slugger.
  • Byung-Hyun Kim to Florida is a long shot unless the Rox eat most of his $2.5MM salary.  The Rocky Mountain News reiterates that the interested parties are Florida, Oakland, and Texas.  You can add the Pirates to that list as well.  The Bucs could also trade for Armando Benitez.
  • John Thomson seems likely to be released.  The A’s have been rumored.

Brewers Interested In Mackowiak

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According to the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales, the Brewers have an interest in White Sox utility man Rob Mackowiak.  The White Sox don’t have a lot of room in the outfield for the 30 year-old Oak Lawn native.

Gonzales writes that the Brew Crew would use Mackowiak mainly as a backup at second and third, and may be offering Brady Clark.  Clark doesn’t constitute an upgrade for the Sox, so the clubs would have to keep working to find a fit.  GMs Doug Melvin and Kenny Williams pulled off a major deal in December of 2004 in the Carlos Lee/Scott Podsednik swap.

The Brewers have a fantastic long-term solution at third base in Ryan Braun, if he can only learn to play credible defense.   

A-Rod To Angels Trade Possible?

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The Los Angeles Times speculated yesterday that the Angels could be a frontrunner for Alex Rodriguez, obstensibly in the upcoming offseason.  Bill Shaikin speculated that such an acquisition would make Orlando Cabrera the odd man out.

On the heels of that story comes an intriguing trade rumor from Halos Heaven.  Yes, it is a blog, but I have known the author for some time and can vouch for the authenticity of his sources.  He says Bill Stoneman and Brian Cashman have a tentative plan in place where the Angels could trade Dustin Moseley, Jose Molina, and Jered Weaver for Alex Rodriguez. 

Instead of typical sixth starter Hector Carrasco, the Angels plan to use 25 year-old starter Moseley to fill in for Weaver as he misses one start in April.  It could be Moseley’s audition for a future trade.  He and Molina would be the complimentary pieces, with Boras client Weaver the centerpiece. 

I think Yankee fans would be satisfied with such a deal, should Weaver pass his physical.  So far this appears to be just the framework of a trade; big-time success by A-Rod or serious health issues for Weaver could get in the way.  And, of course, Rodriguez has veto power.  I imagine the Halos would try to hammer out a long-term deal with Rodriguez to make him the next great Angel for a long time. 

The Marlins are still very

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The Marlins are still very much interested in acquiring Armando Benitez or Jorge Julio to front their bullpen, according to MLB.com. 

A Benitez deal is more likely because apparently the Giants will pick up most of Benitez’s contract.  Julio makes $3.6MM to Benitez’s $7.6MM, but the D’Backs may not want to chip in at all.

Can the Marlins continue their string of resurrected closers? The parade includes Joe Borowski, Todd Jones, and Benitez. They’ve also had twenty save seasons this decade from Braden Looper, Vladimir Nunez, and Antonio Alfonseca.

Marlins Lean Toward Benitez Over Julio

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The Marlins are still very much interested in acquiring Armando Benitez or Jorge Julio to front their bullpen, according to MLB.com. 

A Benitez deal is more likely because apparently the Giants will pick up most of Benitez’s contract.  Julio makes $3.6MM to Benitez’s $7.6MM, but the D’Backs may not want to chip in at all.

Can the Marlins continue their string of resurrected closers? The parade includes Joe Borowski, Todd Jones, and Benitez. They’ve also had twenty save seasons this decade from Braden Looper, Vladimir Nunez, and Antonio Alfonseca.

Mondesi To The Mets?

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You know I love following the unlikely comeback stories of the spring.  Our subject today is 36 year-old outfielder Raul Mondesi, last seen in the Majors with the Braves in 2005.

My Spanish is a little rusty, but here’s the El Nuevo Dia article announcing his possible comeback.  According to the article, Mondesi is in negotiations with the Mets and an unknown Japanese club.  He should probably opt for Door #2. 

It sounds like he is physically at 85% and plans to play in the Pan-American Games.  Once he’s 100% by summer he’d like to join a big league team.  Correct me if I am wrong on that translation. 

I expect a denial by the Mets by lunchtime Wednesday.

Latest On Armando Benitez

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Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has a good article up discussing the Giants’ quandary with reliever Armando Benitez. 

On one hand, Benitez’s value may never be higher now that he’s healthy and throwing well in spring.  Giants fans dislike Benitez, and ownership will take a ton of flak if he blows several saves.

On the other hand, his salary is not a big issue for the Giants, their bullpen is a huge question mark, he seems healthy, and Benitez has his teammates’ respect in the clubhouse.  The article mentions a story where Benitez took all the September call-ups out to lunch and bought them two suits apiece, spending maybe $20,000 on the rookies.

I say the Giants should keep him.  He’s not a great closer, but this team can’t spare relievers.  Brian Wilson closing would be a mess and would anger the fans just as much as Benitez.  Speaking of which, unless it’s going to hurt attendance somehow, the fans really shouldn’t be a factor in a player personnel decision.

And what is the return going to be?  Maybe a very un-needed Ben Broussard, or perhaps a questionable minor leaguer?  Larry LaRue reports that the Mariners are following Benitez closely and would like him back.  Reports on J.J. Putz have been positive but they could use some insurance.   

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