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Archives for July 2007

Contreras Actually Lacks No-Trade Clause

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The White Sox informed the Chicago Sun-Times today that Jose Contreras’s no-trade clause actually ran out in November of 2006.  So much for Contreras waiving anything.  Joe Cowley says the Mets, Braves, and Dodgers are all interested. 

I wouldn’t be shocked to see Kenny Williams deal Buehrle and another starter.  He could trade Buehrle for a top position player prospect, and then swap Contreras or Javier Vazquez for a younger starter.  It will be tough for KW to sit back and close up shop on starters after making a Buehrle trade.  A Buehrle trade may only increase the desperation of the remaining clubs.  Williams might still have the best available starter in his stable, if the competition is Matt Morris and Jason Jennings. 

Hargrove Resignation Could Help Ms Retain Ichiro

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Today’s surprising resignation by Mariners manager Mike Hargrove could have a major effect on our world.  That is, the trade and signing world of MLBTR.

Ken Rosenthal has a new video up at FOXSports discussing the Hargrove resignation.  Rosenthal mentions the well-known fact that Ichiro did not have a great relationship with Hargrove.  He speculates that the resignation could affect Ichiro’s decision on whether to stay in Seattle after this season.

Rosenthal adds that Ichiro likes new Mariners manager John McLaren.  The bigger factor, though, has likely always been Ichiro’s desire to play for a winning team.  The Mariners, at a surprising 45-33, are just one game out of the Wild Card (trailing the Tigers).  It’s starting to look like there’s a good chance the Mariners retain Ichiro.  Which player would be shifted to right field, Ichiro or superprospect Adam Jones?   

By the way, if the season ended today, the playoff matchups would be as follows:

AL:
Tigers vs. Angels
Indians vs. Red Sox

NL:
Brewers vs. Dodgers
Mets vs. Padres

My Stance On The All-Star Game

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I’m not as into the All-Star Game as I was when I was a kid.  But I do have some thoughts on it:

  • I have always enjoyed having at least one representative from every team.  You don’t want to have an entire team’s fanbase left out of the game.  The game is for the fans and the kids, and we need to see at least one National.  Unfortunately that turned out to be Dmitri Young this year.  Now there’s an unlikely selection.
  • To me, it’s all about what the player is doing this year.  Yes, I know a well-timed couple of months can earn a scrub a spot over a Hall of Famer.  But so what?  Fans have short-term memories.  If the All-Star game was a lifetime achievement award, they wouldn’t hold it every year.

Tigers Acquire Jose Capellan

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The Brewers finally traded reliever Jose Capellan; the Tigers snagged the 26 year-old for southpaw Chris Cody.

Many teams kicked the tires on Capellan, but I hadn’t seen the Tigers mentioned previously.  His work at Triple A was OK.  His 7.1 K/9 was nothing special, and his control wasn’t great.  Same story since his recall to the bigs.  I’m not sure how much he’s going to help the Tigers, but they will take anything they can get right now.

Cody, 23, had just earned a promotion from the Low A Michigan Whitecaps to the High A Lakeland Tigers after posting a 6.1 K/BB.  He was old for his level, and still isn’t anyone to get excited about.  Doug Melvin originally expected "something big" in return for Capellan.

Marlins, Brewers Scouting White Sox

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According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the Marlins and Brewers have been scouting the White Sox lately.

Gonzales believes the Marlins may be looking at Triple A center fielder Brian Anderson.  He mentions that the Fish have been fans of BA for quite a while.  Anderson is currently a member of the Charlotte Knights, but did not play in today’s blowout against Pawtucket.  Anderson is 25 now and hitting just .239/.302/.364 in Triple A.  A fresh start in a new organization could help.

Gonzales says the Brewers have been scouting Chicago’s pitching.  Not sure how a team that just demoted Yovani Gallardo to the bullpen would be in need of pitching, but you can never have too much. 

Mets Considering Paulino For 2008?

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According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets’ front office has never been thrilled with catcher Paul Lo Duca.  Rubin recalls their pursuit of Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez a couple of offseasons ago before abruptly trading for Lo Duca.  Rubin says the Mets are already laying the groundwork for an offseason trade for Pirates’ catcher Ronny Paulino.  Lo Duca would like to remain a Met, but the team doesn’t appear interested.

Paulino, 26, had a fine rookie season for the Bucs in 2006.  He hit .310/.360/.394 and threw out 36.2% of baserunners with improving mechanics behind the plate.  He’s been effective against the running game again this year with 38.5% caught stealing.  However, the bottom dropped out on his offensive line, which is not a shock since it was supported mostly by batting average.  Paulino’s statistical profile is actually quite similar to that of Ramon Hernandez, so there is definitely hope for him.  I’m not sure why the Pirates would give him up, though a Jarrod Saltalamacchia acquisition would be a good reason. 

The Orioles could possibly put Hernandez on the market, should they prefer to escape the $15MM+ he’s owed for 2008-09.  Jorge Posada will probably re-sign with the Yankees, and the Tigers are likely to exercise Ivan Rodriguez’s option.  That leaves Michael Barrett, Jason Kendall, and Brad Ausmus as the free agent possibilities.  The Mets could also turn to internal option Ramon Castro. 

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