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Archives for December 2007

Orioles Want Jered Weaver, Brandon Wood For Tejada

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Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times writes his "State of the Angels" Winter Meetings intro, and some information is revealed regarding Miguel Tejada.

As you know, Tejada is the Angels’ fallback option if they can’t get Miguel Cabrera.  Well, it doesn’t sound like the price is reasonable on Tejada either.  The Orioles want both third baseman Brandon Wood and starter Jered Weaver for him.  The Angels would be comfortable with one of Joe Saunders or Ervin Santana plus a lesser prospect.

Given the lack of interest in Tejada and the multiple question marks, it’s surprising to see such a huge demand for talent.  No wonder Ken Rosenthal said the Giants, Astros, and Cards don’t have the young talent to get Tejada.  And by the way – the Orioles won’t be eating any of the $26MM owed to Tejada over the next two years.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Barrett, Piazza

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Ken Rosenthal is presumably in Nashville doing what he does best – collect trade rumors by the dozen.  His latest column is an excellent example.  What’s the over/under on Rosenthal scoops over the next four days?  I’ll set it at 10.

  • Rosenthal says the Mets are unwilling to extend the contract of GM Omar Minaya, who is signed through 2009.  The lack of job security could compel Minaya to mortgage the future, and the Lastings Milledge trade was a good example.  Carlos Gomez, watch out.  Here’s MLBTR’s look at Omar Minaya’s Mets trade profile.
  • The Astros, Giants, and Cardinals aren’t really in the running for Miguel Cabrera, so they don’t need to wait for that shoe to drop to go after Miguel Tejada.  However it sounds like all three clubs don’t have the talent even for a Tejada trade.  Jon Heyman mentioned today that the Orioles do have interest in Adam Everett and Michael Bourn of the Astros.
  • Here’s a good one: Peter Angelos favorite Brian Roberts might be available.  The Mets and Astros inquired but moved on, but Roberts might be just what the Cubs are looking for.  The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec recently told us that he doesn’t expect Andy MacPhail to move Roberts unless he’s "totally overwhelmed."
  • The Marlins, Rays, and Orioles have interest in Michael Barrett.  In the case of Baltimore, the interest indicates the availability of Ramon Hernandez.  If Barrett can find a multiyear deal from one of those teams, he may decline the Padres’ offer of arbitration.  It’s a catch-22, though, because that would make Barrett much less signable in terms of draft pick compensation. 
  • If Barrett does decline, the Padres might bring Mike Piazza back.
  • The Nationals keep asking for Rickie Weeks for Chad Cordero, and the Brewers keep saying no.
  • The Braves are big fans of Coco Crisp, and could have a passing interest in Corey Patterson.  But they certainly wouldn’t mind going with internal options in center next year.
  • Aaron Rowand is definitely getting that five-year deal – a Mystery Team has already offered one.  The Yanks could pursue him if they trade the Melk Man. 
  • Deja vu – the Yanks and Mets both like Octavio Dotel, again.  It’s known that Octavio loves New York.

Nationals Targeting Damian Miller

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The Nationals aren’t ready to anoint Jesus Flores their starting catcher even with Brian Schneider gone.  The 23 year-old Rule 5 pick was forced to jump from A ball to the bigs this year so the Nats could retain him.  It certainly makes sense to get him to Triple A so he can re-enter a normal development path.

That leaves the Nats seeking a veteran catcher.  According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, they’ve set their sights on Damian Miller.  The interest is mutual.  Miller, 38, took on a backup role last year as his offense continued to slip.  He made $2.25MM and probably isn’t looking for much more than that.

Ladson runs through the other available options at catcher but none seem an ideal fit for the Nats.

Erik Bedard Rumors: Monday

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UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 12:20am: MLB.com’s Jim Molony has a big ol’ post up at his blog.  Molony names the Phillies and Cardinals as new teams interested in Bedard.  Previously we’d learned that the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Angels, Dodgers, and D’Backs had inquired.  Neither the Phils nor the Cards would appear to have the goods in my estimation.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 9:06pm: Andy MacPhail says he told the Washington Post that extension talks with Bedard had cooled, but the door remains open.  Something have gotten lost in translation.  MLB.com’s Spencer Fordin believes Bedard and Miguel Tejada could both be traded by week’s end, anyway.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 4:55pm: Sounds like the Mariners might make a run at Bedard now, but it’d cost ’em Adam Jones, Brandon Morrow, and Jeff Clement.  That bounty sounds about right.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 2:38pm: ESPN 1050 via MetsBlog reports Andy MacPhail as saying he will meet with Omar Minaya while in Nashville to discuss Bedard again.

UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 8:35am: I knew the Red Sox belonged in the mix for Bedard.  Jayson Stark confirms their interest, and adds a new one in the Phillies.  Stark also verifies that the Orioles want more for Bedard than the Twins want for Santana – as in four top youngsters.  Stark’s source thinks the Orioles will hang onto Bedard.

FROM 12-2-07 at 11:30pm:

According to Dave Sheinin and Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post, Erik Bedard has informed the Orioles that he has no interest in signing an extension.  He’s under Baltimore’s control through the 2009 season.

The authors indicate that Bedard would cost half the talent Johan Santana will.  I don’t agree with that assertion – two years of a cheap Bedard is easily worth more than one of Santana, without question.  If anything, Bedard should require more talent than Santana to pry loose.

According to Jeff Zrebiec, six teams have inquired on Bedard so far: the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Angels, Dodgers, and Diamondbacks.  The Mets reportedly made an offer of Lastings Milledge, Aaron Heilman, and Philip Humber to the Orioles before trading Milledge to Washington, according to the Roger Rubin of the Daily News.  A source of Rubin’s believes replacing Milledge with Carlos Gomez or even Ryan Church would represent a superior offer.  And to further the speculation, I think the Mets would have to replace Humber with Mike Pelfrey to really get the Orioles thinking.  I repeat: Erik Bedard is worth more than Johan Santana. 

Hat tip to MetsBlog on the Daily News link.

Johan Santana Rumors

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UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 12:02am: Not only will Johan veto any midseason deal, he’ll veto any deal to a team other than the Yankees or Red Sox.

UPDATE, 12-2-07 at 8:30pm: Hank weighs in, reiterating the deadline.  He says the third player actually isn’t the sticking point.  Thanks Hank!

UPDATE, 12-2-07 at 7:30pm: The Yanks’ deadline on their offer, which no one is taking seriously, is for end of day Monday.  Brian Cashman has given Bill Smith a list of possibilities for the third player in the deal.

UPDATE, 12-2-07 at 6:15pm: Ken Rosenthal says Santana told the Twins he won’t waive his no-trade clause during the season.  It’s now or never.  The packages the Yankees and Red Sox are offering are definitely better than two draft picks, especially since there’s no guarantee one of them will be a first-round pick.  I’d be surprised if he’s not moved this week.

UPDATE, 12-2-07 at 1:30pm: Buster Olney is reporting that the Sox will include Ellsbury in their offer, but pull Lester out of it.  Basically the Twins can have one or the other.  Olney doesn’t say whether Buchholz/Ellsbury is possible, but I imagine it’s not.  The Twins are expected to choose an offer from Boston or New York soon.

FROM 12-2-07 at 8:45am:

When we left off last night, the Twins and Yankees were still haggling over the third player in a Johan Santana trade.  The Twins wanted Alan Horne or Austin Jackson, according to Jon Heyman.  Now comes word from Tyler Kepner that those two are considered untouchable in the deal by the Yanks.  Dellin Betances, Ian Kennedy, and Jose Tabata round out the five that they will not include as the third player.

It’s said that the Yankees will turn to Dan Haren if they don’t reach an agreement with the Twins today or tomorrow.  The Twins still like Jacoby Ellsbury more than Phil Hughes, so they’re trying to get the Red Sox to replace Coco Crisp with him in their offer.

Odds and Ends: Burke, Nathan, Adam Miller

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Here we go, another collection of random rumors.

Tomko Not Close To Signing With Padres

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The San Diego Union-Tribune’s Tom Krasovic reported today that Padres GM Kevin Towers expects to sign Brett Tomko for a relief role.  Tomko was quoted as saying "Of course, we’re interested."

To clear things up, ESPN’s Amy Nelson spoke to Tomko today.  He’s not close to signing with the Padres.  In an ideal world he’d get a multiyear deal and a chance to start.  The Padres offered one year and a bullpen job.  Said Tomko: "It’s not like I’m looking to be the highest-paid 4-12 pitcher ever.  But I don’t feel like I’m desperate. I’m willing to wait for a couple of other guys to sign."  Nelson adds that more than six teams have inquired on Tomko, including the Nationals, Rockies, Astros, and Marlins.  He’s an intriguing bargain buy.

But this begs the question: who was the highest paid 4-12 pitcher ever?  Tomko made $4.1MM this year, $5.1MM if you count his buyout.  Since 1901, 27 pitchers have gone 4-12.  Since 1990, only Tomko, Mark Gubicza, and Darryl Kile have done it.  Gubicza earned $1.6MM in ’96, while Kile earned $1.272MM in ’95.  So Tomko technically already is the highest paid 4-12 pitcher ever.

Carl Crawford Not Available

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Not a huge surprise, since Carl Crawford’s availability was questionable in the first place.  But Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune affirms that Crawford can’t be had now that the Rays have dealt Delmon Young.

The Cubs’ focus remains a left-handed hitting outfielder.  Their top priority is Kosuke Fukudome, who is very likely to try his hand at MLB.  Who else might the Cubs consider?

Reasonable options in my estimation include Raul Ibanez, Ryan Church, Milton Bradley, Randy Winn, Gary Matthews Jr., Luke Scott, Geoff Jenkins, David Dellucci, and Shawn Green.

Giants, Astros Interested In Miguel Tejada

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Friend of MLBTR Jeff Zrebiec reports on the Orioles Winter Meetings situation.  All Orioles are available, and Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard figure to be in all sorts of rumors.

A few days ago Zrebiec named the Yankees, Mets, Mariners, Angels, and Dodgers as the teams that have inquired on Bedard.  Today he adds the Diamondbacks to that list.

As for Tejada, we know he’s a fallback option if the Halos can’t acquire Miguel Cabrera.  One new one is the Giants, who have an opening at third base.  The Orioles won’t pry Matt Cain or Tim Lincecum loose, but maybe Jonathan Sanchez would be a start.  Hard to see the two teams matching up though.  Plus Tejada makes little sense for the Giants. 

Meanwhile, Jon Heyman confirms the Giants’ interest and adds the Astros to the mix.  They’ve been interested in before, but Roy Oswalt was a part of those talks way back when.  These days the O’s have interest in Adam Everett, Michael Bourn, and various prospects.  Hopefully they can do better than that!

Free Agent Starting Pitching Stat Leaders

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The Baseball-Reference Play Index is an awesome tool for just $29 per year.  Read all about it here.

Let’s look at the statistical leaders for starting pitchers.

Looking for a good strikeout rate?
K/9 Leaders, min 50 IP
Freddy Garcia – 7.76
Bartolo Colon – 6.89
Jason Jennings – 6.45
Roger Clemens – 6.18

Looking for good control?
BB/9 Leaders, min 50 IP
Carlos Silva – 1.60
Jeff Weaver – 2.15
Rodrigo Lopez – 2.38
David Wells – 2.40
Bartolo Colon – 2.63
Kyle Lohse – 2.66
Roger Clemens – 2.82
Andy Pettitte – 2.88
Freddy Garcia – 2.95

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