Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for December 2007

Cameron, Padres Sever Ties

By | at

The Padres and Mike Cameron will go in different directions, according to his agent.  It had been said previously that Cameron and the Padres agreed on two years but couldn’t meet on the amount of money.

Tom Krasovic notes that the Padres have already talked to the Cardinals about Jim Edmonds.  They’ve also got an eye on free agent Kenny Lofton.  Lofton may not be a defensive asset these days, but the 40 year-old still hits righties at an .800 OPS.  Scott Hairston could play center when the Padres face a southpaw.

As for Cameron, the White Sox, Twins, Rangers, Brewers, Phillies, and Braves could be options.  Ken Rosenthal adds the Cardinals, Reds, and Yankees as possibilities as well.  Cameron is the best center field free agent left on the market.

Dan Haren Trade Analysis

By | at

The first domino fell tonight as an ace starter, Dan Haren, was dealt to the Diamondbacks for a bevy of prospects.  I believe the D’Backs won this one.  Let’s dig into the details.

Take Haren, a horse of an American League pitcher, and throw him in the easier league.  The D’Backs got themselves a bona fide ace to pair with Brandon Webb, and they get him for three years at a reasonable price.  He makes a mere $16.25MM over 2008-10; he’s worth at least three times that amount.   (Arizona also gets 26 year-old reliever Connor Robertson, who hasn’t really conquered Triple A yet.)

To balance out the immense value of Haren, the A’s get six young players.  Four of them represent the #1, 3, 7,  and 8th ranked prospects on Baseball America’s top ten for the team.

Carlos Gonzalez, 22, is the stud of the group.  He can play right or center and has definite star potential.  However, he’s no lock to become Carlos Beltran or Jeff Francoeur.

Southpaw starter Brett Anderson turns 20 in February.  He’s more about polish and command than stuff, and is a curious guy to be the main pitching prospect in the Haren deal.  He’ll try to tackle Double A in 2008.

We’ve discussed 21 year-old first baseman Chris Carter recently; the D’Backs just acquired him for Carlos Quentin.  Who knew it was setting up a Haren deal.  He’s a slow guy with massive power and plenty of strikeouts.  He’ll give High A ball a try in ’08.

Outfielder Aaron Cunningham turns 22 in April.  He’s one of those guys who doesn’t do anything poorly but isn’t great at any one skill either.  Baseball America thinks he’ll become a solid fourth outfielder.

24 year-old southpaw Dana Eveland came to Arizona along with Doug Davis.  He’s drawn David Wells comparisons and has proven himself in the high minors.  He missed a lot of ’07 with a torn tendon in his pitching hand. 

Greg Smith is a 24 year-old southpaw starter with a good curveball and mediocre fastball.  His strikeout rate was just 5.85 per nine at Triple A in ’07.

I’m surprised Billy Beane didn’t get more "sure thing" young players for his best trading chip.  Gonzalez will probably pan out, but he really needed a high octane near-MLB young gun starter too and he didn’t get it.  I will give him credit for spreading out his risk over six prospects, though.  Josh Byrnes gets an ace without giving up anyone he needed in ’08.

Dissecting The Jose Valverde Trade

By | at

Regular MLBTR readers know I have mostly been a harsh critic of Ed Wade’s short tenure as the Astros’ GM.  Well, not this time.  He made an excellent deal in acquiring Jose Valverde for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez.

Valverde, 27, is a nasty shut-down closer with two seasons before free agency.  He gets strikeouts by the bushel and can handle the ninth in a tough hitter’s ballpark.

Burke was once the 10th overall pick in the 2001 draft, but he turns 27 in March.  His best year was a .765 OPS in 2006.  The D’Backs hope he can match that and take over for Orlando Hudson after the 2007 season. I have to think his trade value was minimal.

Qualls, 29, has three seasons before free agency.  He’s quietly compiled a 3.39 ERA in 284 career innings. He had a solid strikeout rate last year and also posted a strong groundball rate near 60%.  Josh Byrnes is gambling that Qualls is nearly Valverde’s equal, just without the fancy 40-save season.

Gutierrez, 24, didn’t impress as a starter in Triple A or the bigs this year.  Baseball America recently ranked him as the Astros’ fourth best prospect, with an excellent heater and sometimes plus changeup.  He may end up in relief, but is an intriguing arm.

This trade could definitely work out for Byrnes and Co. – they gave up two years of Valverde for 12 years of Burke, Qualls, and Gutierrez.  If Qualls can be 80% as good as Valverde, the D’Backs win the deal on service time alone.

I just question whether Byrnes got the best possible package for Valverde.  The Astros, meanwhile, did a nice job getting a possibly elite closer for a reasonable package.

Dan Haren Traded To Diamondbacks

By | at

It looks like Billy Beane has pulled the trigger on a trade for Dan Haren, sending him to the Diamondbacks for a package of prospects. The departed: Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, and Aaron Cunningham. The A’s also sent right Connor Robertson to the D’Backs.

The D’Backs also completed another deal, sending closer Jose Valverde to the Astros for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez.

Tim will be around later to share his views on the trade.

–Joe

Padres Sign Glendon Rusch

By | at

A small signing this evening, as the Padres inked 33 year-old southpaw Glendon Rusch to a minor-league deal.  He missed the entire ’07 season due to a blood clot. 

Add this to the recent Shawn Estes signing, and I wonder whether the Padres are content with their depth for the fifth starter spot.  They’ve also got Clay Hensley and Justin Germano on the roster to compete for that job.  My guess is that this means the Padres won’t pursue Mark Prior aggressively. 

Jenkins Will Choose Phillies Or Padres

By | at

According to Ken Rosenthal, both the Phillies and Padres are vying for the services of Geoff Jenkins.  He’s expected to choose one of the two clubs.  The Rays are now out of the mix, having signed Cliff Floyd.

Both opportunities in Philly and San Diego would probably be platoon situations.  Jenkins seems decent at one-year, $5MM, but I wonder if he’ll require two years.

Cubs Like Joe Nathan

By | at

UPDATE, 12-14-07 at 2:47pm: George Ofman of WSCR radio 670 out of Chicago says the Twins would indeed want Marmol in a deal for Nathan.

FROM 12-13-07 at 11:26pm:

LENIII has just a single-line teaser for us at the end of his column:

The Cubs are interested in trading for closer Joe Nathan if he’s available.

That’s a new one; who knew the Cubs were looking for a closer?  Their deficiences seem to be at shortstop and perhaps in the rotation.  It seems that some combination of Carlos Marmol, Bob Howry, and Kerry Wood can handle the ninth inning.

What would the Cubs have to give up?  I’m drawing a blank trying to find a precedent – an elite closer dealt with one year left before free agency.  Billy Wagner was dealt in the 2003-04 offseason, but he had two seasons left on his deal.  How about Keith Foulke?  The A’s acquired him with one year left; the White Sox received Daylon Holt, Neal Cotts, and Billy Koch.  Maybe the Twins would ask for Marmol plus one more good young player.

Royals Acquire Alberto Callaspo

By | at

Interesting move today, as the Royals sent 24 year-old minor league starter Billy Buckner to the Diamondbacks for 24 year-old second baseman Alberto Callaspo.

Buckner, a labrum surgery survivor, has a plus curveball according to Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein.  Goldstein adds that he’s able to get groundballs and projects as a fourth starter.  Throw him in the NL, maybe he could even become a #3.

Callaspo is one of the better second base prospects out there, but keep in mind that good prospects rarely come up at that position.  He almost never whiffs, and plays strong defense.  The high contact approach led to a .341 average in Triple A this year.  That the D’Backs shipped him off could imply they want to sign Orlando Hudson long-term.  Perhaps Callaspo’s off-field indiscretions played into the decision.  At any rate he’s a nice addition for the Royals.

Padres Rumors: Iguchi, Prior, Cameron

By | at

Padres rumor guru Tom Krasovic checks in with the latest.

  • Why does Tadahito Iguchi love San Diego so much?  He passed on far superior offers (and hitter’s parks) from the Rockies and Phillies.  The Padres have definitely developed a competitive advantage over the years in that guys will make concessions to play there.
  • Nine teams have expressed interest in Mark Prior, according to his agent.  The Astros are confirmed.  The Reds, Rangers, and Phillies are other possibilities.  The Padres haven’t checked in yet but they are expected to.
  • Talks are still ongoing between Mike Cameron and the Padres.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top