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Archives for December 2007

Yankees Sign LaTroy Hawkins

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UPDATE, 12-10-07 at 8:41am: It’s a done deal, pending a physical.  Having watched LaTroy implode firsthand as the Cubs’ closer, I’m skeptical as to whether he can succeed in New York.  But the risk is low.

FROM 12-9-07 at 3:27pm:

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees are close with LaTroy Hawkins on a one-year deal worth $3.75 million. If this proves true, the Yankees will have beat out the Rockies and Rangers for Hawkins. The signing comes as rather strange, being a one-year deal for a soon-to-be 35-year-old.

After a couple of stellar years with the Twins and the Cubs, Hawkins has been average in terms of ERA. He had a decent season last year, posting a 3.42 ERA in 55.1 innings, though he struck out only a batter every other inning, give or take. He did keep his walks low.

Apparently, the Yankees liked the idea of Hawkins on a one-year deal, rather than Luis Vizcaino for three or four. Vizcaino had a solid three months for the Yankees in 2007, but also had three months where he got beat around pretty bad.

After missing out on Hawkins, the Rockies are reportedly looking at Vizcaino.

–Joe

Odds And Ends: Fassero, Hansen, Petco

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Couple of player-related items to share, though they’re not really rumors. Anyway:

–Joe

Cardinals Could Make Rasmus Available

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Of course, they wouldn’t ship off the 21-year-old center fielder for just anyone. Erik Bedard is the target, according to Joe Strauss. In the weak NL Central (how many times have we all said that this winter?), Bedard is a potential difference-maker. He’d solidify a spotty starting rotation in St. Louis, though I suppose that’s true of any team he’d end up joining.

Rasmus alone won’t fetch Bedard, meaning other top prospects — Strauss mentions Bryan Anderson and Chris Perez — would have to be included. You can add 21-year-old lefty Jaime Garcia to the potential Orioles targers.

Strauss does note that two of the Cardinals’ young sluggers, Chris Duncan and Rick Akiel, likely won’t be dealt, since St. Louis is going to need their bats to go along with Albert Pujols.

Personally, I’m not sure St. Louis has enough to get it done. Their system isn’t all that great — though they could use that as a reason to empty it for Bedard and start over.

–Joe

More Odds And Ends: Hawkins, Hernandez, Brewers

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The one good thing about Sundays is that you always find a ton of little tidbits, even if there isn’t anything big in the works.

–Joe

Rangers Reach Deal With Bradley

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MLB.com is reporting that the Rangers have come to terms with outfielder Milton Bradley on what appears to be a one-year deal. Its base worth is $5 million, though Bradley can earn a few incentives.

Of course, there’s still the issue of Bradley’s knee. He suffered a torn ACL towards the end of the season in that strange scuttle with Mike Winters and Padres manager Bud Black. Some reports have Bradley being ready by Opening Day, some have him sitting out the first month of the season.

Not that we could have expected it, but this report gives us no further insight into Bradley’s health condition. It does mention, though, that Bradley has to take a physical. I would certainly hope so.

–Joe

Odds And Ends: Inge, Gagne, Pavano

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Couple of findings around the Internets:

  • Drew Sharp argues that Brandon Inge should stay with the Tigers. His argument is that Inge would still get 300 or so at bats and would be playing for a surefire contender. If he was to be traded, he likely wouldn’t land with a team nearly as good. Plus, with some of the injury histories of current Tigers, it might be best for Inge to wait around for playing time.
  • Though the Rangers were interested in Eric Gagne, they were only $6 million interested. For a one-year deal with an option, there was little chance of that happening. Gagne likely would have sooner accepted the Red Sox arbitration offer.
  • Carl Pavano will accept a minor league assignment after the Yankees release him this week. They need 40-man roster spots for Alex Rodriguez and Mariano Rivera. They’ve already released Bronson Sardinha to make room for Andy Pettitte.
  • Monte Pool dislikes the idea of the A’s signing Barry Bonds. He mentions what you’d expect: The trial, his health, and the money.

–Joe

Cleveland In The Haren Sweepstakes?

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In mentioning the possible Dan Haren trade, Buster Olney mentions the Indians as a sleeper pick. They haven’t really been mentioned in relation to the 27-year-old righty, as talks have been dominated by the Diamondbacks. The Yankees and the Dodgers are the other teams Olney mentions as interested.

This would make Cleveland’s rotation for 2008:

1. C.C. Sabathia
2. Dan Haren
3. Fausto Carmona
4. Jake Westbrook
5. Paul Byrd

Mentioned as A’s bait are Jeremy Sowers, Aaron Laffey, and, of course, Adam Miller. It’s unlikely that they’d be interested in players like Andy Marte and Josh Barfield, since a trade of Haren would signify the A’s beginning to rebuild. They’d likely want players with little to no service time. They could, in addition, trade Joe Blanton and Huston Street as part of this process.

–Joe

Brewers Near Deal With Gagne

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UPDATE, 12-9-07 at 12:31am: The AP agrees Gagne will get $10MM, plus another mil in incentives.

UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 8:51pm: Tom Haudricourt has heard the deal might be around $10MM for one year.

FROM 12-8-07 at 1:06pm:

According to Yahoo’s Tim Brown, the Brewers are nearing an agreement with free agent Eric Gagne.  It’ll probably be a one-year deal, which jives with what Doug Melvin has said.  The move pushes newly acquired David Riske to the eighth inning, while Derrick Turnbow, Salomon Torres, and Guillermo Mota can split sixth and seventh inning duty.

As far as I can tell, Gagne earned $8.5MM in 2007 ($6MM base plus $2.5MM in performance bonuses guaranteed for waiving his no-trade rights).  We’ll have to wait to see the terms, but my guess is that this turns out to be a shrewd signing by Melvin.  Gagne will be in his comfort zone – National League, closer role. 

Rosenthal’s Latest: Figgins, Helms, Affeldt

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.

  • The Angels are telling teams they will only consider trading Chone Figgins if they find a third baseman.  If Figgins does hit the market, figure on the Cubs getting involved.
  • The Marlins offered Scott Nestor to the Phillies for Wes Helms, if the Phils paid $1.8MM of the $2.9MM owed to the third baseman.  The Phils passed. 
  • Jeremy Affeldt already has a four-year offer in hand, so he’s now looking for five years.  Jeez.  Teams known to be in on Affeldt: the Yankees, Rays, and Astros.  Affeldt’s agent has contacted the Mariners, trying to sell him as a starter.  He grew up in Washington state.
  • The Mets like the Pirates’ Damaso Marte, if the Pirates lessen their demands. The Yankees, Phillies, Braves, and Astros are interested as well.

Jays Waiting On Rios For Lincecum Offer?

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UPDATE, 12-08-07 at 3:12pm: Brian Sabean spoke on the radio about making this decision within a few days; there’s even a rumor the Giants could pursue the Tigers’ Dontrelle Willis to replace Lincecum.

UPDATE, 12-8-07 at 12:17pm: George King talked to a Blue Jays source who said "there was nothing to reports the Giants were talking to Toronto about Alex Rios for Lincecum or Cain."  Who’s right here, Blair or King?

FROM 12-5-07 at 11:36pm:

According to Jeff Blair, it’s in the Giants’ hands: Alex Rios for Tim Lincecum.  A Jays official suggested to Blair that Brian Sabean might sit on this for a few weeks, mulling it over.

Blair says Sabean is hesitant because he’s scared of making a mistake of the same magnitude as his Liriano/Nathan move four years ago.

It’s easy to bash Sabean for that trade.  But you should ask yourself – would you have bashed him at the time he made it?

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