Dodgers Scrambling for Infield Help
With veteran infielders Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent both likely to miss opening day, the Dodgers are scrambling to find themselves some backups. Ken Rosenthal says that since the Astros are unlikely to trade Mark Loretta while Kaz Matsui is out, L.A. is considering Ron Belliard of the Nationals and Esteban German of the Royals. Another possibility, Morgan Ensberg, seems unlikely, as the Yankees added him to their 40-man roster yesterday. Joe Crede of the White Sox and Brandon Inge of the Tigers are both probably too expensive.
This could impact roster decisions Los Angeles will make on Monday, when they decide whether they can afford to carry twelve pitchers with so much uncertainty around their infield.
Ned Colletti, meanwhile, says he expects Monday to mark an uptick in trade chatter—but also that he’s content, for now, to fill his third base hole from within. It’s worth noting that Ensberg’s spot on the opening day roster is still not guaranteed, and that Matsui is expected to return in two to three weeks, perhaps freeing up Loretta.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Orioles Eyeing Cubs’ Marshall?
The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says the Cubs offered the Orioles Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, Donald Veal, and possibly Jose Ceda for Brian Roberts earlier this spring. As you know, there are differing schools of thought on whether the Cubs took the initiative and made an offer. And Ceda’s inclusion is questionable.
Regardless, one player Baltimore may have in mind is pitcher Sean Marshall. The Cubs do not have room for the lefty in the rotation or the bullpen – always a situation conducive to trade rumors – and the Orioles had scouts in the stands yesterday, during Marshall’s start against the Rockies.
Marshall said he doesn’t pay any attention to those guys, however. "They’re there every day."
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Manny Hopes To Play Six More Years
Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez expressed no discomfort with his contract situation (Boston has $20MM options for 2009 and 2010). "They’re not stupid," he said of his bosses in the Sox front office. "They know. They know I can play and I’m ready. That’s it. I’m going to get the two options, then I’m going to get a four-year deal. I’m just going to go and get it." That would have Manny retiring at the age of 42. "Age is just a number," he added.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Tigers Said To Be Targeting Wuertz; Cubs Disagree
The Detroit Tigers have some last-minute shopping left to do to shore up their bullpen. As you learned on Friday, Jon Paul Morosi noted the Tigers’ interest in righty Mike Wuertz and the Cubs’ fondness for Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames. Inge, it’s worth noting, has seen time at catcher, third base, and all three outfield positions—and as of this spring, even shortstop.
The Chicago Sun-Times, however, says Inge and Thames "make no sense for the Cubs" and that the Cubs have as of yet had no discussions with the Tigers about a deal for Wuertz involving those players. (For what it’s worth, Baseball America does see some validity in the Inge-to-Chicago rumors.)
The Sun-Times also notes that Wuertz is one of just two Cubs pitchers not to allow a run this spring (lefty Carmen Pignatiello is the other), while Cubs manager Lou Piniella affirms that the only remaining hole on his roster is "somebody that can help out in center field."
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Astros Rumors: Patterson, Loretta
If 30-year old righty John Patterson clears waivers today, Ed Wade will give him a call. Patterson hails from Orange, Texas and was released by the Nationals on Thursday. You can read about Patterson’s injury-packed history here.
In other Astros news, Wade is not likely to deal infielder Mark Loretta, despite alleged interest from the Dodgers. The Dodgers want Loretta to sub for perennially injured 3B Nomar Garciaparra, who will not be ready to go by opening day. However, there may be wishful thinking going on in Los Angeles, as the Astros are also coping with an unpleasant injury to their new second baseman, Kaz Matsui.
Wade doesn’t like to discuss trade rumors, but told the Houston Chronicle that he "expects" Loretta to be with the Astros on opening day.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Waivers Possible For Nippert, Medders?
The Diamondbacks are facing too much of a good thing this spring, with five relievers competing for just one remaining spot in the bullpen.
Righthander Dustin Nippert was the frontrunner, but has stumbled in Spring Training. Strong performances by young throwers Billy Buckner, Juan Gutierrez, and Yusmeiro Petit have also complicated the situation, as each has made a strong case for his inclusion on the big-league roster. However, Nippert and fellow righty Brandon Medders have both been with the team for three years, and are out of minor league options. If the Diamondbacks leave them off the roster, they’ll hit the waiver wire.
One thought is that if Randy Johnson isn’t ready to go, his absence will leave a second slot open for a pitcher. However, that could still leave Medders and Nippert disappointed.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com; she can be reached here.
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No Bonds For Seattle
One of the teams for which Barry Bonds makes the most sense is the Mariners. By shifting around various players, they could definitely use his bat at left field and DH. As a team with its sights set on ’08, the Mariners probably can’t afford to use Jose Vidro as their designated hitter.
Nonetheless, Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln emphatically stated today that the Mariners will not sign Bonds under any circumstances at any time. Looks like it’s Vidro for ’08 (and perhaps ’09 if his option vests). PECOTA sees Vidro hitting .281/.346/.372 this year.
MLB Roundup Video
Here’s a link to the latest installment of MLB Roundup, hosted by Stephanie Rosa. Topics this week are the Japan opener, velocity and pitch type data now at FanGraphs, and Jeff Ma in Tout Wars. I’m not in this episode, but maybe next week.
Speaking of which, hit me up with your hot stove questions at mlbtraderumors2008@gmail.com for next week’s video mailbag.
Market For Crede Dries Up
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says the market for Joe Crede has "dried up," as the Dodgers and Giants have little interest. Tough luck for Josh Fields, who seems headed back to Triple A. Ozzie Guillen’s explanation for the lack of Crede interest:
This game has gotten to be a bunch of political, a bunch of [expletive] budget, a bunch of [expletive]. They forgot about the talent.
I’m not sure what Ozzie means by that. Perhaps the "political" comment has something to do with Scott Boras, who represents Crede. SI.com’s Jon Heyman offers an alternative explanation, quoting a scout who says Crede still looks hurt.