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Archives for April 2008

Odds and Ends: Pavano, Lima, Sabathia

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Today’s link collection contains a trio of awesome pitchers.  Enjoy.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Pat Burrell

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Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell was awesome in July and August of last year.  Outside of that, he was just decent.  He’s off to a blazing start in his first 14 games of 2008.  He turns 32 in October and can explore free agency after the season.

Burrell is earning $14MM this year.  Which players might serve as comparables for Burrell’s next deal?  Carlos Lee is similar, though he was a few years younger when he reached free agency in ’06.  Lee received $16.6MM per year for six years.  Burrell could be compared to Alfonso Soriano, who received an even bigger contract.  Hideki Matsui’s average annual salary of $13MM seems like the floor for Burrell.  If he has a typical Burrell year, I expect him to want something in the range of four years and $60MM (similar to Travis Hafner’s current deal). 

The Tigers, Mariners, Rangers, Braves, Mets, Reds, Padres, and Giants are teams that may have left field vacancies after the season.  The Rays could have room at DH.  If first base becomes an option, even more teams enter the mix.  The Phillies haven’t ruled out bringing him back and he’d love to re-sign.  Burrell will face competition from Mark Teixeira, Adam Dunn, Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, and perhaps Manny Ramirez.

Orlando Cabrera Contracts Talks Will Wait

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According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox will not have further contract discussions with shortstop Orlando Cabrera until after the season.  While an extension is still possible at that time, the chances seem to decrease as he reaches the cusp of free agency.  Often when a guy is that close, he’ll then say he wants to explore the market.

Cabrera makes $9MM this year, with the Angels paying $1.5MM.  It’s a solid price for the Sox, but Cabrera has to be looking for three years and at least $20MM.  He’ll turn 34 in November, so it’d be a risky move.  Alexei Ramirez is the only viable replacement in the organization, but he’s no sure thing.  Kenny Williams could consider other free agent shortstops, of which there are a handful of decent options.

Gonzales’ article also has one line about the Sox waiting until season’s end to consider an extension for Joe Crede.  An extension would surprise me, but I could see them sticking with him all year.

Reds Interested In Piazza?

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WEDNESDAY: Hal McCoy ran this one by Dusty, who implied that he hasn’t had any discussions about Piazza specifically.  Meanwhile Fay says the Reds have "mild interest" in his latest article.

TUESDAY: This morning, Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball wrote that Reds manager Dusty Baker expected his team to sign free agent catcher Mike Piazza.  Reds beat writer John Fay checked in on the rumor, and it he didn’t get a denial.  Whether or not Piazza is the target, the Reds are looking for catching help and/or a right-handed bench bat.

Piazza, 39, hit .275/.313/.414 in 83 games last year.  He earned $8.5MM from the A’s and didn’t catch at all.  A shoulder injury knocked him out for much of the season, and he cleared waivers in August.  The A’s offered him arbitration after the season, which he declined.  They stand to snag a supplemental draft pick if he signs with the Reds.  This winter we heard rumblings about retirement, the Rays, or even Japan for Piazza.

Considerations For A’s With 12th Pick

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As you know, the A’s have the 12th overall pick in the June draft.  Jim Callis’ always-informative Ask BA segment in the latest Baseball America print magazine (issue 0809) discusses some possibilities.

Callis suggests shortstop Gordon Beckham would make sense if available – he’s likely to wind up somewhere in the infield long-term.  Callis also rattles off a couple of catchers (Kyle Skipworth and Buster Posey), pitcher Christian Friedrich, and outfielder Aaron Hicks.  Friedrich may be a consideration for the Giants at #5, however.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Crisp, Murton, Lowrie

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Ken Rosenthal, your favorite hot stove reporter, has a new article up.  Let’s discuss.

  • The Red Sox seem inclined to keep Coco Crisp unless they’re blown away with an offer.  Jayson Stark noted last week that the Sox don’t want to eat any of the $11MM owed to him.
  • The Rays still like Matt Murton, and are not content with Nathan Haynes as their only outfield acquisition.  Rosenthal says the Cubs are asking for a lot for the 26 year-old, who is hitting .333/.487/.333 in 30 Triple A at-bats.
  • Rosenthal notes that Jed Lowrie is pretty well blocked in Boston with their infielders signed through at least 2010.  Could bring something nice in trade.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Cristian Guzman

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Time for the first edition of Free Agent Stock Watch.  Today we’ll look at the rising stock of 30 year-old Nationals shortstop Cristian Guzman, who is eligible for free agency after the ’08 season.

Jim Bowden was heavily criticized for signing the switch-hitting Guzman to a four-year, $16.8MM deal in November of ’04.  He was considered an all-glove, no-hit player.  Guzman was awful for most of ’05, though poor eyesight was suggested as one explanation.

Guzman then missed all of ’06 with shoulder surgery.  The following season was cut short by hamstring and thumb problems.  But since ’07 he’s been a surprisingly respectable hitter in a half-season of ABs.  He may be the slightly more affordable alternative to Rafael Furcal and Orlando Cabrera next winter.  If Guzman stays healthy and somehow posts an .800 OPS (with 90+ runs scored) he could be in line for a three-year, $21MM deal.

Brewers Sign Jeff Weaver

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Sounds like Scott Boras finally found a job for Jeff Weaver.  According to Tom Haudricourt, Weaver signed an incentive-laden minor league deal with the Brewers.  I never would’ve guessed it – the Brewers will already have an extra starter on their hands when Yovani Gallardo returns.  Haudricourt has further details on Weaver’s contract here.

It’s a risk-free move by Doug Melvin, especially with Weaver willing to start at Triple A (as he should given the late start).  Weaver, 31, posted an ugly 6.20 ERA last year in 27 starts for the Mariners.  Perhaps between Mike Maddux’s tutelage and a return to the NL, Weaver’s career can be salvaged.

Odds and Ends: Schilling, Piazza, Howard

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Tax day roundup…

Dave Bush Could Be Available

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Tom Haudricourt outlines the Brewers’ roster crunch – something has to give this weekend to make room for Yovani Gallardo.  The best solution may be to risk losing Seth McClung on waivers while moving Dave Bush to the bullpen.  But trading Bush has to be considered.

Bush, 28, has been knocked around in two starts this year.  He doesn’t even have his customary strong K/BB (last year his ratio was an impressive 3.0 despite a 5.12 ERA).  If nothing else, Bush is an innings eater with strong command.  He earns $2.55MM this year and is under team control through 2010.  I previously mentioned the Braves and Tigers as teams in need of starting pitching.  The Marlins could also use help.

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