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Archives for July 2007

Graziano On Greinke, Pettitte

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Good stuff today from Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger.  Here’s my summary:

  • Beyond the Cubs, Graziano lists the Braves, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks as teams interested in pitcher Zack Greinke.  If the initial asking price for Octavio Dotel was as high as reported, I can’t imagine what Dayton Moore would want for Greinke.
  • Graziano’s Dotel suitors: Cubs, Dodgers, and Brewers.  The Red Sox, Rockies, and Indians have been mentioned by other sources.  Quite a market for this guy.
  • David Weathers is seen as the poor man’s Dotel/Gagne.  Let’s see if Wayne Krivsky can get something useful for him.  Stormy makes another $2.75MM in ’08 before his contract is up.
  • The Mets are mostly focused on a power relief arm, as Roy Oswalt and Dontrelle Willis are said to be unavailable.  I have no idea why Willis keeps getting lumped in with Oswalt; they are nowhere near equal.  Graziano says the Mets still like Javier Vazquez but the White Sox keep trying to pawn off Jose Contreras instead.
  • The Braves are trying to deal for southpaw reliever C.J. Wilson of the Rangers.  The 26 year-old has an undeserved 2.81 ERA right now.  His control has been worse this year, so he’d have to remain unhittable to be effective.
  • The Mariners inquired on Andy Pettitte, but the Yankees aren’t giving up yet.

Byrnes Extension Seems Unlikely

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It seems unlikely that the Diamondbacks will sign 31 year-old outfielder Eric Byrnes to a contract extension.  According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the team won’t even approach Juan Pierre’s five-year, $45MM deal.  And Juan Pierre isn’t good.

It’s just the business reality – the Diamondbacks have way too much outfield talent in their system to give Byrnes anything near what he’s worth.  He’d probably have to take something like two years, $20MM to remain in Arizona.  Earlier I said 4/32 might do it but now I’m thinking even that wouldn’t work.  I still like him as a possible White Sox next year.

Piecoro also mentioned that Josh Byrnes inquired on Bobby Abreu and Jermaine Dye, but is backing off because Carlos Gonzalez was requested.  Buster Olney proposes Shannon Stewart as a lower-cost alternative.

McAdam On Red Sox Trade Possibilities

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Yesterday, Sean McAdam of The Providence Journal posted an article discussing trade possibilities for the Red Sox.  Let’s discuss.

  • It seems that the Red Sox will add a bullpen arm despite the fine work of Manny Delcarmen.  Apparently they want someone with experience.  Eric Gagne doesn’t seem likely, nor does Brad Lidge.  Instead, Chad Qualls, Dan Wheeler, and maybe Salomon Torres or Scott Linebrink could be acquired.  The focus is said to be on the Houston relievers.  Wheeler seems like a solid buy-low option.  You can add Octavio Dotel to the radar as well.  And let’s throw Brian Fuentes into the mix.  UPDATE: Today, McAdam added Damaso Marte as a reliever the Red Sox like.  He says the price for Torres is "way too high" at present.  And according to the Boston Globe, Drayton McLane will not even consider moving Lidge.
  • The Sox would get involved on a top-flight starter like Roy Oswalt or Dontrelle Willis.  Calling Willis "top-flight" is a stretch, but that’s what McAdam said.  They also like Jon Garland, if they can pry him loose for a reasonable price.  Other available starters don’t seem markedly better than internal options.
  • The Royals would love to pawn Reggie Sanders off, but the Red Sox don’t have interest.  Instead, they could reacquire Kevin Millar or even go after Jermaine Dye.  Is Dye really a perfect fit, though?  Wouldn’t his acquisition make he and J.D. Drew part-time players?  That wouldn’t be good for the clubhouse.  UPDATE: McAdam says today that this playing time issue will indeed thwart a trade.  On the Millar front, the Boston Globe debunks that rumor on the basis that the Sox want someone who can play center field.
  • Speaking of people who can play center field, the Boston Herald mentions Randy Winn and Dave Roberts as possibilities.  The fans would love a Roberts acquisition, I imagine. 
  • The trade Mike Lowell/acquire Mark Teixeira scenario is highly unlikely.
  • The Boston Globe is saying that the Red Sox are "actively shopping" Wily Mo Pena.  I discussed Wily Mo in a post yesterday.  The Boston Herald today said that he might be the trading chip for a deal with Houston.

Olney: Braves Interested In Arroyo

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ESPN’s Buster Olney heard a rumor: the Braves are interested in Bronson Arroyo.  Olney believes the Reds would demand Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  Personally, I think Salty can bring someone better.  And using him at first base isn’t the worst idea in the world, if no one knocks John Schuerholz’s socks off. 

Arroyo is the definition of an innings eater, and he’s signed at about market rate.  On second thought, $10MM a year for him might be slightly below-market.  Atlanta got a good look at Arroyo last night, as the 30 year-old hurler had his best start of the season (seven scoreless innings).  Arroyo has been solid in his last five starts, though he did get to face the Cardinals and Giants.

So, are there any Braves fans out there who would trade Salty for Arroyo?

Yankees Still Pursuing Wilson Betemit

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The Yankees’ love affair for 27 year-old infielder Wilson Betemit continues.  They keep trying to swap Scott Proctor for him, this time with the Dodgers instead of the Braves.

The Dodgers are definitely searching for late-inning relief help, but Joel Sherman and Mike Puma of the New York Post say Proctor doesn’t do it for them.

Betemit began the year as the Dodgers’ regular third baseman, but hit his way out of the job after about a month.  I’ll be the first to admit I thought he’d keep the job and OPS at least .800.  But to be fair, Betemit’s OPS is over .800 – a career best .844 in fact.  He’s got 28 home runs over his last 515 ABs, and he’s drawn enough walks this year to keep his OBP strong.

The switch-hitting Betemit has never hit southpaws much, but he’s going to need full exposure to them if he’s ever going to learn.  It’s kind of a catch-22.  I still think he can carve out a career as a regular, maybe as an offensive-minded second baseman. 

Proctor for Betemit would be a fine move for the Yankees.  He wouldn’t have a regular job but could spend some time at first this year and offer an insurance policy for Alex Rodriguez next year.  If A-Rod is to depart, the Yankees could spend the extra cash to improve at a position other than third.

Reggie Sanders Likes Red Sox

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Is the feeling mutual?  39 year-old outfielder Reggie Sanders is finally back from his hamstring tear, pinch-hitting on Monday and playing left field last night against the Red Sox.  Sanders spoke positively of the possibility of playing for the Red Sox when asked.

In the half-month he’s played this year, Sanders has hit well.  He has about $2.1MM left on his contract currently.  The Royals would probably trade him for some salary relief and an A ball long shot prospect.  The motivation for the Red Sox would be replacing Wily Mo Pena as the fourth outfielder, as the 25 year-old has really been scuffling this year outside of May.

Pena is a guy who really got the short end of the stick.  After hitting 45 homers in 647 ABs for the Reds from 2004-05, he was traded to the Red Sox and stopped playing regularly.  Surely that’s hurt his development.  His comparables list is littered with 40-50 HR types, and as a baseball fan I want to see if he can realize that potential.  Hopefully there’s a power-hungry team that values Pena as much as Epstein does and a deal can be made.  The Padres have been mentioned, and that sounds reasonable.

Cubs Interested In Zack Greinke

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Whether he tops out at 96 or 100 mph, there’s no doubt 23 year-old Zack Greinke is an intriguing pitcher.  His name helps us remember or mnemonic devices from elementary school.  The man even has his own website.

Bob Dutton mentioned Greinke as a trade possibility a few days ago, and now Jeff Vorva of the Daily Southtown reports that the Cubs are interested.  Vorva is quoting "broadcast reports" for this rumor; I will try to find more detail.  UPDATE: The rumor is from 670 The Score out of Chicago.

Greinke would be a fine addition for the Cubs whether used as a starter or reliever.  I don’t believe he becomes a free agent until after 2010, though you’d have to check my math.  However, Greinke is a very valuable property for Kansas City and the Cubs would have to give up something good.  Maybe Dayton Moore could add some middle infield depth with Ronny Cedeno or Eric Patterson.  Would that be enough for Greinke?

Update On Conor Jackson Showcase

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According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, yesterday’s rumor about the Diamondbacks showcasing Conor Jackson in left field for the White Sox is false.  Piecoro quotes a sarcastic email between a couple of Sox and Diamondback execs:

"Let us know next time you’re showcasing someone for us."

The rumor seemed logical, as both teams have something the other needs and the GMs have made many deals before. 

Rangers Rumors Heating Up

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T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com has the latest – the trade market for Rangers is bustling.

  • Mark Teixeira is back and hitting well, and interest is picking up according to  Sullivan.  He names the Red Sox, Angels, Braves, and Yankees as the top suitors, with the Dodgers and Giants on the fringes.  There is a growing sentiment that teams are now overvaluing their prospects and ignoring the high attrition rate (especially for pitchers).  Ken Rosenthal feels this way, and notes that the Braves are exceptional in that they are not afraid to trade youngsters.  Evan Grant agrees, and doesn’t understand why the Mariners aren’t in on Tex.
  • Interestingly, Joaquin Benoit might be the most compelling reliever in trade talks.  The 30 year-old has a fine 3.33 K/BB.  Most publications are listing him as a free agent after 2008, but by my count this is his sixth year of service time.  I’ll have to get some clarification on that.
  • Benoit has moved past Eric Gagne and Akinori Otsuka on some teams’ lists because of Gagne’s desire to stay at closer and Otsuka’s recent injury.
  • Sullivan also reports marginal interest in Ron Mahay, Jamey Wright, Brad Wilkerson, and Kenny Lofton – much not much for Sammy Sosa.

Decision Time On Jose Guillen

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Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times spoke to Jose Guillen yesterday about his contract situation.  The 31 year-old right fielder was hesitant to discuss it, but Baker managed to extract some info.  Basically Guillen wants to stay with the Mariners past just 2008.  He would like to finally stay in one place.  Some kind of decision should come before month’s end.

Guillen signed with the Mariners back in December of ’06, receiving a $1MM signing bonus.  His base salary for this year is $4MM, and he can make another $2.75MM in playing time incentives.  The 2008 situation: basically a $9MM club option, which Guillen can void if exercised.

Guillen’s up to a .285/.358/.455 line, and his RBI total will probably approach 100.  After a slow June he’s been raking in July as the team’s cleanup hitter.  Keep in mind though that the bar is set pretty high for a right fielder – league average is .282/.356/.455.

Since Guillen can probably beat one year and $9MM on the open market this winter, the Mariners would have to give him a multiyear deal to keep him.  Say three years, $36MM or so.  At least that seems like market value to me.  Obviously it would be better if the Ms didn’t have to extend him all the way through 2010.

As Baker notes in his post, that the Mariners are entertaining a Guillen extension is a sign that they might trade Adam Jones or Wladimir Balentien within the next two weeks (probably for pitching).  Both youngsters appear Major League ready and could fetch something good.  But Javier Vazquez probably wouldn’t approve a trade to Seattle, leaving the starting pitcher pickings slim.   

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