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Archives for January 2008

Rumor Royalty: Jon Paul Morosi (Tigers)

By Tim Dierkes | January 17, 2008 at 9:53am CDT

Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press snags our Rumor Royalty honor for the Tigers.  Here’s a link to the paper’s Tigers page and one to Morosi’s blog.  Many thanks to Jon for participating.  Click here and scroll to read all Rumor Royalty entries.

MLBTR: We’ve heard chatter that Miguel Cabrera could be baseball’s next $200 million player.  Is there any chance this could happen with the Tigers?  Seems that it would require an 8-10 year commitment.

Morosi: This much is clear: The Tigers love Cabrera and will do what they can to sign him long-term. (He’s two seasons away from free agency now.) I’m confident that they would make him a six-year offer for a little more than $100 million. But there’s a big gap between those figures and a 10-year deal in the $200 million range. There is little doubt that his free agency years will be valued at more than $20 million each; he has better career offensive numbers than Torii Hunter, whose contract with the Angels averages $18 million per year.

MLBTR: The Tigers have become major spenders in recent years.  Do you expect them to make a play for any of the big name free agent starters next winter, such as C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Ben Sheets, or Oliver Perez?

Morosi: I don’t anticipate them being major players in the market for big-money starters next off-season. Then again, I didn’t think they were going to trade for Dontrelle Willis when I arrived at the winter meetings last month. Right now, they have four starters — Willis, Justin Verlander, Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson — who are under club control through at least 2009. That’s pretty good depth. And Kenny Rogers could borrow a page from Jamie Moyer — who is two years his senior — and pitch longer than anyone expects.

On the other hand, the Tigers might need to look for a starter next winter if Rogers leaves/retires and one of the other four is injured or traded.

MLBTR: Will we see Brandon Inge and/or Marcus Thames in the Detroit organization on Opening Day?  Which one is more likely to be traded?

Morosi: Inge is the more likely of the two to be traded, but I wouldn’t be surprised if both are still with the team on Opening Day. A quiet development here has been Vance Wilson’s uncertain health after missing all of last season with an elbow injury that ultimately required Tommy John surgery. Jim Leyland said during the Tigers’ caravan over the weekend that he’s concerned about whether Wilson will be ready for the start of the season. Inge, who preceded Pudge Rodriguez as the starting catcher, could provide some insurance there. (Last year’s backup, Mike Rabelo, went to Florida in the Cabrera/Willis deal.)

The Tigers are still trying to trade Inge — Leyland said as much over the weekend — but it doesn’t seem that there’s a big market for him as a starting third baseman. And the Rolen-Glaus trade meant two more teams solved their third base questions, reducing the number of potential suitors for Inge. So, he may have no choice but to accept a bench role.

Detroit has been open to trading Thames at various times, but he’s still a very valuable player for this team. He has 44 home runs over the past two seasons in roughly the same number of at-bats (617) that some everday players get in a single season. He’s continued working out at first base this winter, and he could get some part-time at-bats there, in the outfield, and at designated hitter on Gary Sheffield’s days off.

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Detroit Tigers Rumor Royalty Brandon Inge Jon Paul Morosi Marcus Thames Miguel Cabrera

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Cardinals Considering Juan Gonzalez

By Tim Dierkes | January 17, 2008 at 8:58am CDT

This one isn’t a prank…the Cardinals are considering signing Juan Gonzalez and inviting him to Spring Training.  Every year there are rumors about comeback attempts.  It would be surprising to see Gonzalez in the St. Louis outfield at any point in 2008, but you never know.

Juan-Gone is 38 now, and hasn’t been in the Majors since that infamous one at-bat in 2005 with the Tribe.  He’s 66 home runs away from 500. 

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St. Louis Cardinals Juan Gonzalez

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Twins Intrigued With Mets’ Johan Offer?

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 11:33pm CDT

Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune has a new article up focused on how the ultimate package for Johan Santana may not be fan-pleasing.  That’s because the Twins "seem most intrigued" with the Mets’ offer, which doesn’t include household names.  They’re proposing some combination of Carlos Gomez, Fernando Martinez, Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, and Kevin Mulvey.  Seems it would be one of the outfielders plus the three pitchers.

Christensen notes the Chuck Knoblauch and A.J. Pierzynski trades as examples of deals that were derided in Minnesota at the time but ended up favoring the Twins.  However I do believe fans are better equipped to evaluate trades these days, the way prospects are followed.  (An aside – I still think we all would’ve praised Brian Sabean at the time of the Pierzynski/Liriano/Bonser/Nathan deal.)

In other Johan news, Sid Hartman has some fresh Hank quotes if you’re interested.

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Minnesota Twins New York Mets New York Yankees Carlos Gomez Deolis Guerra Fernando Martinez Johan Santana Kevin Mulvey Philip Humber

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Padres Looking For Corner OF Via Trade

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 10:54pm CDT

Padres GM Kevin Towers chatted at MLB.com today.  The money quote:

The one position that we still may be looking at would be a corner outfielder. This would most likely come via a trade, rather than a free agent signing.

And then Towers concluded the chat with this:

That is all the time that I have for this chat today. I now need to go find a corner outfielder for you all.

From these clues I have surmised that the Padres may be looking to add a corner outfielder via trade.  The Padres missed out on free agent targets Geoff Jenkins and Kosuke Fukudome. 

Possibly available left fielders: Jason Bay, Raul Ibanez, Marcus Thames, Jay Payton, Matt Murton, and Adam Lind.  Right fielders who might be available include Xavier Nady, Randy Winn, and Austin Kearns.  Nady and Bay have been of interest to San Diego previously this winter.  Your thoughts on the most likely targets? 

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San Diego Padres Kevin Towers

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Rangers Sign Jason Jennings

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 10:41pm CDT

UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 10:39pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick reports that the Rangers have reached an agreement with Jennings for one year and $4MM.  Another $4MM is possible in incentives.  I like the price, and I wonder if this was one of those hometown discount situations.

FROM 1-11-08 at 12:09am:

According to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News, the Rangers "appear to be closing in on" a deal with Jason Jennings.  Grant says the last hurdle before a deal is struck with the 29 year-old might be a physical.  Terms are not yet known.  The Dallas native earned $5.5MM in 2007.

Jennings had surgery in late August to repair a torn flexor tendon in his elbow.  He expects to be throwing by March 1st.   

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Texas Rangers Jason Jennings

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Odds and Ends: Hendrickson, Soria, Sherrill

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 4:35pm CDT

Here’s today’s random collection of links.

  • The Marlins signed Mark Hendrickson as the veteran leadership guy for ’08, at a cost of $1.5MM.  He was knocked around in 15 starts for the Dodgers in ’07 but was solid in the pen.  The Marlins will put him in the rotation, perhaps to tutor fellow southpaws Andrew Miller and Scott Olsen.
  • Craig Brown would like to see the Royals use Joakim Soria as a starter.
  • There is a theory that the Mariners’ signing of Arthur Rhodes will allow them to trade George Sherrill in an Erik Bedard deal.  Seems a half-baked theory, wherever it originated.  I don’t think Sherrill is holding this deal up.
  • An argument for the Nate Robertson extension from Danny Knobler, and one against from J.C. Bradbury.  Also, Peter Abraham thinks Chien Ming-Wang’s agent will use Robertson as a comparable.
  • The White Sox are still considering Bartolo Colon, according to ESPN Radio’s Bruce Levine.
  • Pat Burrell would love to re-sign with the Phillies after this season.  Pat, by the way, doesn’t have a computer and owes his second half success to "more hits."
  • Phil Hughes has a computer, and even a new blog.  Not much going on over there yet though.

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Baltimore Orioles Chicago White Sox Detroit Tigers Kansas City Royals Miami Marlins New York Yankees Philadelphia Phillies Seattle Mariners Arthur Rhodes Bartolo Colon Chien-Ming Wang Erik Bedard George Sherrill Joakim Soria Mark Hendrickson Nate Robertson Pat Burrell Phil Hughes

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Mailbag: Roberts, Teixeira, Johan, Nathan, And More

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 4:23pm CDT

Time for this week’s mailbag.  You can hit it up at mlbtrmailbag@gmail.com to get in your question for next week.

Do you see the Twins signing a big name middle of the order bopper or trading for one before the opening of the new stadium in 2010? – Jordan

Funny you ask this.  I recently asked LEN3 whether the Twins would have a $100MM payroll for the 2010 season, and he said, "I don’t see it."  So I’ll go with his wisdom and say business as usual for the Twins despite the stadium.

Why are the White Sox not aggressively pursuing any pitching? Do they realistically think that Gavin Floyd and John Danks can hold down the #4 and #5 spots in the rotation on a contender? I believe we need to fill the holes with some veteran pitching such as Livan Hernandez who can eat up innings and possibly add Corey Patterson at center field. – Joel

I was just discussing this with a former coworker of mine.  I can’t see the White Sox sneaking into a Wild Card berth with this rotation, but what’s the alternative?  I don’t like the Livan idea.  I would consider signing a couple of swingmen/injury risk types such as Brett Tomko or Bartolo Colon if he looks decent.  Just a few low risk/OK reward guys with good stuff who could pay off.  There’s no place for Patterson in the current Chicago outfield, I wouldn’t do that.

Were the Cubs holding off on the Brian Roberts trade until they got Lieber? – Bryant

The Cubs/Roberts thing still seems possible, and trading both Sean Marshall and Sean Gallagher is slightly easier to stomach with Lieber on board.  If I were Jim Hendry I would let the whole Roberts idea go though.

What is the likelihood of the Braves signing Mark Teixeira long-term? – Matthew

I’ll put it at a 10% chance.  This is a $100MM+ contract and he’s represented by Scott Boras.  He’ll probably want to test the open market, and there could be some ridiculous bids.

When, just when will this Santana situation be over?!  It’s just killing me! – Dan

We all feel your pain Dan.  Most folks seem sick of reading similar rehashed rumors about this.  I would be surprised if we don’t know Santana’s fate one month from now.  Of course if his fate is to start the season with the Twins, then the rumors will restart in June.

Are there any trade rumors involving Joe Nathan? – Justin

C’mon Justin, you know I’d never hold out rumors on you.  If Bill Smith is shopping Nathan around or getting inquiries, all parties are running very tight ships.  Desperation for closers seems to kick in midseason, when certain bullpens are established as clearly crappy.  So guys like Nathan and Huston Street may be more likely to be moved in June or July.

Why did the Josh Beckett/Mike Lowell for Hank Blalock/John Danks deal fall through back in November of ’05? – Oliver

The Rangers believed the deal was done, and hoped to avoid any leaks before it was official.  However, a source tipped off the Palm Beach Post.  The Post and a Texas newspaper ran with it.  It was at that point the Boston front office found out, swooped in, and beat the Rangers’ offer.  Those reporters altered history.

What do you see the Milwaukee Brewers doing with their pitching surplus?  Do you see them maybe using some of their excess pitchers like Capuano and Bush to acquire a young catcher with some upside? – Tyler

We’ve seen it a million times – these winter pitching surpluses turn into deficits by May.  There is certainly a case to be made for the Brewers to just stand pat, though all those arms would be tough to squeeze in given the bullpen acquisitions.  MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy expects some of the surplus to be traded before Spring Training.  I like the catcher idea – Jeff Clement (Mariners), Bryan Anderson (Cardinals), or Taylor Teagarden/Gerald Laird (Rangers) seem like possible matches.

Do the Yankees sign Bobby Abreu after the 2008 season? – Andrew

Andrew notes that the Yanks have some money coming off the books after the ’08 season.  The right field alternatives are weak, so Abreu could make sense.  If he’d take a two or three-year extension midseason I could see Cashman doing it.

Did you ever sell your place in Lombard? – Steve

Thankfully I did.  I tried selling by owner for a month and barely got any bites.  Then I hired an agent and she sold it in three days.

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Atlanta Braves Baltimore Orioles Chicago Cubs Chicago White Sox Mailbag Miami Marlins Milwaukee Brewers Minnesota Twins New York Yankees Oakland Athletics Texas Rangers Bartolo Colon Bobby Abreu Brett Tomko Brian Roberts Chris Capuano Corey Patterson Dave Bush Gavin Floyd Hank Blalock Huston Street Joe Nathan Johan Santana John Danks Jon Lieber Josh Beckett Livan Hernandez Mark Teixeira Mike Lowell

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Cubs Sign Lieber

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 1:20pm CDT

UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 1:18pm: The deal is for $3.5MM plus incentives.  The signing looks solid to me; the Cubs needed a little depth at the back end of their rotation and the risk is very small.  Lieber had also spoken to the Reds, but the Cubs were his first choice.

UPDATE, 1-16-08 at 10:45am: Rosenthal confirms the signing; it’s a one-year deal.  He says Lieber won’t have to fight for a rotation spot.  That might mean Jason Marquis is headed out of town or Ryan Dempster back to the ’pen (I suppose Dempster could be dealt instead).  I guess Sean Marshall is the sixth man if he’s not traded.

FROM 1-16-08 at 10:14am:

According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs "appear close to signing veteran right-hander Jon Lieber."  Sullivan says Lieber would compete for the team’s fifth starter job.  Bruce Levine called this rumor earlier this month.

Lieber had some solid years for the Cubs, winning 20 games in ’01.  He had surgery in July of ’07 for a ruptured tendon in his foot, missing the rest of the season.  He’ll be 38 in April.

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Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Jason Marquis Jon Lieber Ryan Dempster

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Questions For The Mailbag?

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 12:55pm CDT

As I mentioned earlier, I’m going to make the MLBTR mailbag a regular Wednesday feature.  I noticed in the recent survey that some folks were bummed that their questions don’t get answered whether sent to the mailbag or my personal address.  Unfortunately with hundreds of questions coming in I can only take a handful.  A great alternative would be the discussion board on MLBTR’s Facebook page.

I’ve got a new email address for this purpose: mlbtrmailbag@gmail.com.  Send in the questions, and I’ll answer some later today.

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Mailbag

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Robertson Signs Three-Year Deal

By Tim Dierkes | January 16, 2008 at 11:52am CDT

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Tigers have signed starter Nate Robertson to a three-year, $21.25MM deal.  The contract buys out two arbitration years and one year of free agency.  He could get an extra million bucks in 2010 based on previous innings incentives.  I thought this would cost $27MM.

Solid move for the Tigers, given the price of pitching these days.  Robertson is 30 years old and he’s always good for 30 starts (though he did miss a few starts with a tired arm in the summer of ’07).  His peripheral stats were respectable despite his 4.76 ERA last year.

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Detroit Tigers Nate Robertson

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