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Archives for August 2007

Rowand Linked To Nationals?

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This is a tenuous connection, but I’ll take what I can get.  MLB.com’s Bill Ladson notes that Aaron Rowand seems intrigued by the Nationals’ bright future and center field opening.  It’s possible the Nats could be in the mix for Rowand this winter.  It could just be a respectability type signing, which I think is what they were trying to accomplish with Dmitri Young and Ron Belliard.

When the White Sox were last in Philadelphia, speculation ran rampant that Rowand could come back to Chicago.  He admitted to having a soft spot for the team he came up with.  If the Sox are serious about improving center field in ’08, the main candidates seem to be Rowand, Torii Hunter, and Mike Cameron.

Keep in mind that the Phillies could definitely re-sign Rowand.  He’s a fan favorite and would be a solid sign at the Eric Byrnes price (three years, $30MM).  However, there have been no extension talks yet. 


Stark On Waiver Happenings

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Jayson Stark’s column today was a goldmine of waiver-related material.  I updated my Players Who Have Cleared Waivers post with his new info.  Two thoughts from that group:

  • I was surprised to see that no one wanted a piece of Troy Glaus’s contract, which really isn’t scary at $24MM over 2008-09 (assuming he exercises his player option).  I’m sure his no-trade clause would’ve been a pricey obstacle, but what’s the harm in making a claim?  Why would the Angels, Phillies, and Dodgers pass on him?  Maybe clubs talked to J.P. Ricciardi and decided it just wasn’t worth it.  And to be fair, Glaus hasn’t done anything since June and is dealing with plantar fasciitis.
  • I wonder if Jim Bowden was embarrassed that no one would touch Dmitri Young’s silly new contract.

Another group Stark had was the Claimed But Withdrawn.  Here they are:

Jon Garland
Scott Hatteberg
Kei Igawa
Jacque Jones
Mike Lamb
Mark Loretta
Corey Patterson
Chad Qualls
David Riske
Richie Sexson
Miguel Tejada
Matt Thornton
Javier Vazquez
Dan Wheeler

Just one jumps out at me here.  Richie Sexson is a huge burden at $14MM next year.  And Bill Bavasi passed on the chance to unload that contract.  The guy is hitting .208/.299/.405 as a 32 year-old; his OPS has cracked .800 in only one month this year.  This is a team that can’t find playing time for Adam Jones.  What’s the logic here?  $14MM could’ve bought something nice in 2008.


Players Who Have Cleared Waivers

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Once a player clears waivers, he can be traded to any team.  Here’s a list of the players who have cleared waivers this month plus their contract situation.  I’ll keep the list up-to-date and put it on the sidebar under MLBTR Features. (Thanks to Jayson Stark for many new additions).

Last updated 8-20-07

Pat Burrell – $13MM in ’07, $14MM in ’08, full no-trade clause
Jose Contreras – $9MM in ’07, $10MM in ’08, $10MM in ’09
Kyle Farnsworth – $5.25MM in ’07, $5.5MM in ’08
Troy Glaus – $10.75MM in ’07, $12.75MM in ’08, $11.25MM player option in ’09, full no-trade clause
Jason Lane – $1.05MM in ’07
Mike Piazza – $8.5MM in ’07
Odalis Perez – $7.75MM in ’07, $9MM club option in ’08 with $1.5MM buyout (Dodgers paying a portion)
Sammy Sosa – $0.5MM + a possible $2.2MM in playing time incentives
Josh Towers – $2.9MM in ’07
Steve Trachsel – $3MM in ’07, $4.75MM club option for ’08
Jack Wilson – $5.25MM in ’07, $6.5MM in ’08, $7.25MM in ’09, $8.4MM club option in ’10 with $0.6MM buyout
David Wells – $3MM in ’07
Dmitri Young – $5MM in ’08, $5MM in ’09, $6MM option in ’10 that may vest based on plate appearances


Rockies Rotation In Shambles

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The Rockies are five games out in the NL West and two out in the Wild Card.  Baseball Prospectus sets their playoff odds at a healthy 22-27%.  Their main strength has been team OBP (second best in the league).  The Rockies’ offense has dominated at Coors Field.  They’ve also had some fine relief work from Manny Corpas, Jeremy Affeldt, and even Jorge Julio. 

But to have a legitimate shot, the Rockies need to sort out their starting rotation.  According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, injuries to Jason Hirsh, Rodrigo Lopez, and Aaron Cook have decimated the starting staff.  The current five consists of Jeff Francis, Josh Fogg, Ubaldo Jimenez, Elmer Dessens, and maybe rookie Franklin Morales.  Recently-acquired Ramon Ortiz will stay in the pen for now.  There doesn’t seem to be talk of using Taylor Buchholz in the rotation again.

While Jimenez was dominant yesterday against the Padres, control figures to remain a problem for him.  Same deal with Morales.  Cook should only miss three starts, and the Rockies desperately need him back.  Lopez is out for the season and Hirsh’s contribution will be minimal.  Fogg and Dessens are mostly just filler.

Since it’s August, the only real trade possibility is to acquire more filler.  Renck specifically mentions Steve Trachsel and David Wells as pitchers on the radar.  We’ve also seen the Rox linked to Josh Towers.  Trachsel and Towers have already cleared waivers, and Wells probably will soon.  As always, good starting pitching is hard to find.


Olsen Conviction Could Lead To Trade

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Marlins president David Samson indicated yesterday that starter Scott Olsen would not be welcome on the team if convicted of charges of DUI and resisting arrest.  Apparently the felony designation is the tipping point for Samson, who seemingly would not boot Dontrelle Willis off the team if convicted of only a DUI.

To be fair, Willis has had just the one incident while Olsen has had at least six.  Many teams could match up if the Marlins decide to trade Olsen this winter – the Diamondbacks, Phillies, Royals, and Devil Rays come to mind.  The Fish probably still need a center fielder.


Dodgers To Scout Contreras On Friday

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The White Sox will grant Jose Contreras a showcase start on Friday, in hopes of unloading some of the $20MM owed to him from 2008-09.  Contreras hasn’t started since he was bombed by the Yankees on July 31st.  According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Dodgers will be in attendance when Contreras goes Friday in Seattle.  The Mariners are actually a candidate to acquire him as well.

Contreras has thrown two consecutive scoreless relief appearances, and his last one lasted five innings against those same Mariners after Gavin Floyd was knocked around.  I’ve seen that attributed to Don Cooper’s recent tinkering, but can’t find a link to that story. 

As I mentioned before – it’s either going to have to be a bad contract swap or the Sox eating half of Contreras’s contract.  He’s cleared waivers, so he can be traded anywhere.  Here’s a list of others who have cleared waivers, but I don’t see a sensible fit.  I’m sure there are many more not on this list though.


Red Sox Must Make Room For Buchholz

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Pitching phenom Clay Buchholz remains on track to start a game of Boston’s doubleheader against the Angels on Friday.  However, the Red Sox will first need to make room on the 40-man roster.  Active roster as well, as far as I can tell.  I am no roster expert, so correct me if I am wrong.  But it seems that moving Brendan Donnelly to the 60-day DL would open up room on the 40-man. Coco Crisp and David Ortiz’s injuries don’t seem to merit the 15-day DL, so they’d still need to find room on the active roster.

One option, according to both the Boston Globe and Hartford Courant, is to trade or DFA Wily Mo Pena.  DFAs are a good way to clear up roster space while buying time to make a decision on a player.  Pena has already cleared waivers and can be traded to any team.  I haven’t heard any recent rumors on interested teams though. 

There hasn’t been much talk of cutting Eric Hinske, though he’s a free agent after the season.  I suppose the reason the Sox want him over Wily Mo is that they want to promote Bobby Kielty but don’t need five active outfielders.


A Possible 2008 White Sox Roster

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Nathaniel Whalen of the Daily Southtown speculates on a possible 2008 White Sox roster.  His scenario sends Jon Garland and Brian Anderson to San Diego for Khalil Greene, Heath Bell, and a pitching prospect.  Not sure who the Padres would use at shortstop, then.

Whalen’s scenario also has the White Sox signing Aaron Rowand.  Most folks around Chicago expect Kenny Williams to make a run at him, especially if it’s for Eric Byrnes bucks.  But that leaves Ryan Sweeney and Jerry Owens as the corner outfielders.  Neither fits the profile of a corner outfielder, and I’m not sure the Sox can sacrifice the offense as Thome, Konerko, and Pierzynski all get a year older.  Whalen’s picture also includes Darin Erstad on the roster, which could quickly lead to Erstad as a regular again.  Yikes.

Baseball Prospectus’s Nate Silver also came up with a plan for the ’08 Sox back on June 14th.  His lineup involves free agent signings of Luis Castillo and Kosuke Fukudome, with Ryan Sweeney handling center and Josh Fields in left.  He proposed the Sox swap Mark Buehrle for shorstop Brent Lillibridge of the Braves, but that was prior to Buehrle’s extension.  He also thought Kenny Williams could swap Jermaine Dye for someone as useful as Chad Billingsley, which was wishful thinking even in June. 

What do you think?  Williams could go in many different directions, but one way or another he needs to come up with a shortstop and at least one decent veteran outfielder.


Mets Still Searching For Future Catcher

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Both the New York Daily News and Journal News had stories today discussing the Mets’ future catching situation.  There are a few viable free agent options, so let’s discuss those first.


Paul Lo Duca – No one seems to think the Mets will bring him back for ’08.  Brian Heyman of the above-linked Daily News cites his "non-impact season offensively and some embarrassing off-the-field related headlines."  Odd how Lo Duca’s off-the-field issues seem to carry more weight than Ramon Castro’s.  Lo Duca still seems capable of hitting southpaws.

Ramon Castro – I wrote extensively on Castro here.  Despite his desire to be the Mets #1 catcher, he has an injury history and the Mets opted for Lo Duca over him in ’06.  He might want starting catcher money and the Mets don’t seem convinced.

Ivan Rodriguez – Pudge is definitely on the radar, but GMs are divided on whether the Tigers will exercise his option.  If he’s out there, expect the Mets to make a run at him.

Jorge Posada – A lot of teams, the Mets, included, are going to make offers to Posada if he reaches free agency.  Nobody thinks he’ll leave the Yankees though.

Michael Barrett – Barrett might’ve made sense had his bat not died this year.  He seems to have a poor reputation around baseball right now, and 2008 will be his chance to redeem himself.  Perhaps on a one-year deal.

Yorvit Torrealba – Kind of a darkhorse in that he’s under 30 and his bat is less than lifeless for a backstop.  Aside from this year he’s been pretty good at throwing out baserunners.  His numbers might dip down the stretch as the Rockies don’t have a capable backup right now.  That would only make him more of a bargain.

Jose Molina, Brad Ausmus, Jason Kendall – If you want to completely sacrifice a spot in the order, these guys are options.

If the free agents aren’t suitable, there are some trade options.

Ronny Paulino – It’s known that the Mets have some interest, but the Bucs don’t really have anyone to turn to behind the plate.  And I don’t think Paulino would come cheap.

Jeff Clement – Even tougher to pry away would be the Mariners’ catcher of the future.  Kenji Johjima is only signed through 2008 so the Ms can conveniently work Clement in to be the starter in ’09.

Bengie Molina – The Mets apparently made identical offers – I believe it was 3/18 – to Molina and Ramon Hernandez after the ’05 season.  But Molina was oddly left standing and signed a one-year deal with Toronto despite coming off a career year.  He performed well and spun it into an ill-advised 3/16 deal with the Giants.  Should the Giants decide to use ’08 as a rebuilding year, Molina will definitely be available this winter.

Ramon Hernandez – Hernandez signed a four-year pact with Baltimore, and it looked solid after he posted an .822 OPS in 2006.  However, his power has fallen off drastically this year and he’s had injury problems.  He might be available, especially if the O’s sign Matt Wieters and expect him to move quickly.  But Hernandez’s contract has a limited no-trade provision that specifically names the Mets and Yankees as teams he has veto power over.  That probably indicates he’s not dying to play in New York.

As for the short-term need for a catcher, don’t look for the Mets to re-acquire Mike Piazza.  He’s seemingly incapable of catching, anyway.

Yanks, Padres Fail To Reach Igawa Deal

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Disappointing lefty Kei Igawa will not be traded this season.  According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees chose not to dump Igawa’s contract on the Padres, and the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement via trade.  The Padres had won the claim on Igawa, which shows just how little interest there was around baseball.

As I mentioned a couple days ago, the Yankees don’t really have an opening for Igawa in 2008 if all goes according to plan.  Many teams have shown past interest in Igawa, including the Orioles, Mariners, Padres, D’Backs, Dodgers, Mets, Cubs, Braves, Tigers, and Indians.  Igawa had expressed a desire to pitch on the West Coast.


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