Archives for January 2008

Church As Part Of A Santana Deal?

By Tim Dierkes | January 24, 2008 at 9:10am CDT

Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald has some info on a Johan Santana possibility, and it isn’t the usual rehashed stuff. He writes:

A package the Twins could receive will probably not include both of the Mets’ top outfield prospects, Carlos Gomez and Fernando Martinez. There are indications that Martinez would be in the deal, along with major league outfielder Ryan Church and at least two other prospects. Starter Mike Pelfrey could be part of the deal as well….

Would Martinez, Deolis Guerra, Kevin Mulvey, and Church get it done? Maybe not a fan-pleaser but you’d have guys who can contribute now and others that can develop into superstars. Would Michael Cuddyer still be a center field candidate if the Twins acquire Church?

Cubs Still Discussing Roberts

By Tim Dierkes | January 24, 2008 at 8:37am CDT

Judging by my inbox, many of you are thirsty for Brian Roberts info. Here’s the latest from a rumor-packed Jeff Zrebiec article:

The Chicago Cubs remain the likely landing spot for Roberts for a package that is expected to include pitcher Sean Gallagher and one of the Cubs’ young outfielders. The teams have discussed several scenarios but have yet to agree on a package.

Roberts is set to earn $6.3MM in ’08 and $8MM in ’09. The 30 year-old switch-hitter is projected to hit .287/.363/.437 in 579 ABs by the fine ZiPS system. The same system calls for a 4.91 ERA in 143 innings from the 22 year-old Gallagher. Gallagher dropped 25 pounds this winter, for what it’s worth.

Odds and Ends: Foulke, Ordonez, Feliz, Phillips

By Tim Dierkes | January 24, 2008 at 8:21am CDT

All sorts of odds and ends to discuss this morning.

I will be appearing on Rutgers Student Radio this morning at 8:40am CST. You can go here and click the "listen" link to hear it live.
Keith Foulke threw for the majority of teams in baseball last week, topping out around 84. The D’Backs may make an offer. I don’t believe they have signed a free agent yet.
The New York Times says Jose Canseco has apparently dragged Magglio Ordonez into the steroid mess, with the FBI getting involved on possible extortion. I have to admit, I am going to read Canseco’s new book. The first one was interesting but poorly written.
The Giants’ two-year offer to Pedro Feliz was rejected, and they seem inclined to fill third base internally. Joe Crede is not out of the question though.
Seems that the Reds might be talking about a long-term deal with Brandon Phillips.
Rewriting history: the Padres almost acquired Mark McGwire in 1995. Speaking of Kevin Towers, here’s a quick look at his trading record. It’s good.
Team payroll data for ’07 is out; it’s not terribly surprising.

Orioles Discuss Lohse, Villone, Chacon

By Tim Dierkes | January 24, 2008 at 8:04am CDT

Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says the Orioles are looking at various one or two-year stopgap free agents.

According to Scott Boras, he and Andy MacPhail have discussed six or seven of his clients. Among them are Kyle Lohse, Ron Villone, and Corey Patterson. Lohse would probably not sign for two years, I’m guessing. Or in the American League. Who else might they have discussed? Jeff Weaver? Anyway, it’s nice to see the Orioles getting along with Boras!
Zrebiec notes that the O’s have had "preliminary talks" with the agents for Shawn Chacon and Steve Trachsel. Looks like MacPhail just wants some warm bodies for the back end of the rotation. Chacon seems to prefer to the Pirates, and a return to Pittsburgh looks "increasingly logical."
Zbrebiec says Rod Barajas seems to be headed elsewhere despite "significant discussions" with Baltimore.

Erik Bedard Rumors

By Tim Dierkes | January 24, 2008 at 7:38am CDT

Here’s the latest on the Erik Bedard front.

The Mariners are still hot on the trail of Bedard, based on comments made by GM Bill Bavasi (unless some other elite pitcher is in play suddenly). Apparently the Orioles are holding up the deal.
Meanwhile Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider (righthand sidebar) says the two sides are at an impasse. He expects an announcement by the middle of next week, or else for Bedard to stay put. Andy MacPhail seems to want things settled by February 13th, when pitchers and catchers report.
The Reds are out of the running for Bedard.

Pirates Sign Jaret Wright

By Tim Dierkes | January 23, 2008 at 7:35pm CDT

The Pirates signed 32 year-old righty Jaret Wright today to a minor league deal. Seems crazy that Wright is 32 now, we all remember the baby-faced kid in the ’97 World Series.

Wright gets $800K if he makes the Major League roster and has incentives based on relieving or starting. Obviously Wright needs to get healthy again; he missed most of ’07 with shoulder woes.

Wright is the poster boy for good timing, signing a three-year, $21MM deal with the Yankees in December of ’04 after Leo Mazzone coaxed 15 wins out of him in ’03.

Questions For Brian Bannister?

By Tim Dierkes | January 23, 2008 at 6:00pm CDT

I first became a Brian Bannister fan when I read about how he prepares for AL vs. NL lineups (scroll to the bottom of this post). The 26 year-old Royals starter definitely seems like an intellectual pitcher.

Brian has kindly agreed to do a Q&A for MLBTR. Hit me with your questions for him in the comments and I’ll choose the best five or six.

James Shields Close To Multiyear Deal

By Tim Dierkes | January 23, 2008 at 4:50pm CDT

UPDATE, 1-23-08 at 4:49pm: If all of the Rays’ three one-year options on Shields are exercised, the deal could reach seven years and $44MM. Certainly a unique deal.

UPDATE, 1-23-08 at 9:15am: Topkin says the deal could be worth more than $40MM over seven years with incentives. $12MM and the first four seasons are guaranteed.

FROM 1-22-08 at 3:32pm:

According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, a six or seven-year extension for starter James Shields should be done tonight. Topkin notes that it’s odd for a young pitcher with two years of service time to get such a long deal. The Rays must really love him.

His ’07 season was very impressive. At age 25 he threw 215 innings in the toughest division in baseball and posted a 3.85 ERA with a 5.1 K/BB ratio. That’s not something you see every day.

Johan Santana Rumors

By Tim Dierkes | January 23, 2008 at 12:05pm CDT

SI.com’s Jon Heyman and the Minneapolis Star Tribune’s La Velle E. Neal III recently weighed in on the Johan Santana situation.

Neal says the Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees have all had recent discussions with the Twins about Santana. He says the Twins have "stepped up their efforts" to make a deal before Spring Training.
Heyman believes the Mets have taken the lead. He thinks it would take five or more prospects, and submission by the Red Sox and Yankees.
Heyman says the Twins may prefer Carlos Gomez over Fernando Martinez. That would be good for the Mets, who do not want to part with Martinez.

State Of The Indians

By Tim Dierkes | January 23, 2008 at 11:05am CDT

Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer talked to Mark Shapiro about the Indians’ relatively quiet offseason. Interesting quote from Shapiro:

Every single major guy that has been traded, with the exception of Johan Santana, we’ve been involved in the conversations.

We knew the Tribe poked their head in on Miguel Cabrera and Dan Haren. But does this mean they also inquired on Miguel Tejada, Jose Valverde, Nick Swisher, Brad Lidge, Edgar Renteria, Jim Edmonds, and Josh Hamilton? Hard to say where Shapiro draws the line at "major guy," but he must’ve looked into some of these.

As far as signing C.C. Sabathia long-term, Shapiro said:

I don’t see us ever closing the door. There’s no reason to do it. Even if he files for free agency, I still think we’ll be an active player.

Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com notes that the Indians made an initial offer to Sabathia, and that’s all we know for sure. He believes it’s safe to assume that the Indians are reluctant to give him five guaranteed years.

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