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Archives for April 2008

Rays To Stay Flexible

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Some Rays notes to report on from Marc Lancaster:

  • A quote from Principal Owner Stuart Sternberg:  "We have room to cut payroll, we have room to grow payroll.  We’ll be opportunistic. I know you guys have heard it, but we’re never going to take our eye off of that. If somebody happens to want a high-priced talent of ours and we can get low-priced talent, great. And if they want a low-priced talent and we get high-priced talent that we think is very additive, that’s fine, too."
  • According to Lancaster, just because the Rays didn’t pick up Rocco Baldelli’s option doesn’t mean they’re not committed to the player.  Rays Executive VP Andrew Friedman says, "We’ll do anything in our power to keep him in a Rays uniform as long as possible." If Baldelli can recover and get back on track, he could possess the same relative injury risk and upside at a fraction of the cost.

By Nat Boyle

Olney’s Latest: Lidge, Shields, Eveland, Lahey

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Here are some trade-rumor-tidbits from Buster Olney this morning:

  • For the first time in his career, Scot Shields was activated from the DL and rookie pitcher Rich Thompson was sent down to Triple A.  The Angels had hoped to keep the kid around but last friday’s 1 inning, 5-run meltdown assured his ticket out.
  • A likely story:  Dana Eveland is making Billy Beane look smart.  He shut down the Indians for 7 innings yesterday, striking out 7.  When Dan Haren was sent to Arizona for 6 prospects, Tim thought the Dbacks won and suggested Eveland could be a back of the rotation starter of the David Wells-variety as was the common consensus around the league.  Eveland hadn’t shown anything at the major league level; however, it seems Eveland might be realizing his potential (413 minor league IP, 8.84 K/9).  Then again, it’s been one start and Olney notes Jhonny Peralta just thinks Eveland got lucky.  Time will tell, but Beane has a funny way of making time work in his favor.
  • As Brad Lidge comes back, reliever Tim Lahey is designated for assignment to make room.  Lahey’s path is a bit of a head-scratcher.  He was selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft from the Twins before being claimed off waivers by the Phillies.  He’s now back on waivers, and if he clears, he’ll have to be offered back to the Twins who apparently do want him back.  So an imminent Twins/Phillies deal could be in the works.

By Nat Boyle

Giants Interested In Nick Johnson?

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Henry Schulman at The San Francisco Chronicle reports that Giants GM Brian Sabean is seeking a left-handed hitting 1B to complement the aging Rich Aurilia, and lists Nick Johnson and the Braves’ Scott Thorman as points of interest.

Nick Johnson is off to a hot start hitting .368/.455/.688 in 19 ABs, and for this reason Schulman suggests he could be off the market; however, contrary to that rationale, the Nationals might want to take advantage of Johnson’s sudden upswing in value.  They do have Dmitri Young sitting idly by.  If the Giants want to spend $11MM over the next 2 years on Johnson, he would be a solid addition to a lackluster offense.  Johnson would almost certainly make a bench player of Aurilia.

Scott Thorman, who the Braves have been shopping for over a month, is 26, and hit 11 homeruns in 268 ABs last season.  With Mark Teixeira locked in at 1B this season, and plenty of guys who can be moved to 1B next year (Matt Diaz, Mark Kotsay, et al), Thorman no longer seems to be the heir apparent should Teixeira not re-sign.

While I’m always hesitant to suggest a team should deal with Billy Beane, Dan Johnson needs a new home.  Sure his value has collapsed over the past couple seasons, but he hits lefty, could provide power, and is only 28.  He’s on a one year contract for $410,000, so there’s not much risk, and Beane’s asking price can’t be high.  If the Giants don’t want to commit $11MM to a player as they try to rebuild, DJ could be a good alternative.

Any other 1B options you think would be a good fit?

By Nat Boyle
 

Don’t Count Bonds Out

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Last we checked, Barry Bonds was determined not to retire.  Rangers beat writer Jim Reeves has this to say about the basher:

"Fact is, if the Rangers are somehow a surprise contender by midseason and Bonds is still out there… let me just suggest that the Bonds issue might well be revisited again by the powers that be at The Ballpark in Arlington."

Reeves is not advocating the signing.  In fact, he’s urging Rangers owner Tom Hicks not to bend when he responded to the question of signing Bonds with a vehement, "No way" that put this rumor to sleep almost a month ago.  However, Rangers Manager Ron Washington is vocally in favor of bringing Bonds on board. 

"’I’d do it,’ Washington said. ’I would. I’m a Barry Bonds fan. I’ve always been a Barry Bonds fan… He’s going to help you win a lot of ballgames. That’s what it’s all about … He has his own attitude, but that don’t bother me,’ Washington said. ’The bottom line is what does he do for us between the lines?’"

By Nat Boyle

Red Sox Designate Snyder for Assignment

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Relief pitcher Kyle Snyder was designated for assignment by the Red Sox this afternoon to make room on the roster for Josh Beckett, who is set to come off the DL and start for Boston tomorrow. Snyder is out of options and hence cannot be sent down to Pawtucket.   

Snyder has not impressed in 2008. Today versus Toronto, he pitched a third of an inning, gave up two runs, and walked two. March 25 against Oakland, he gave up two runs on two hits, including a solo home run. He wasn’t terrible in 2007, posting a career-best 3.81 ERA, but the Red Sox still preferred Eric Gagne over the 6’8" righty for their postseason roster.

The move makes sense for Boston, since they have a better long-reliever/emergency-starter/mop-up man/Manny-Ramirez’s-stable-pony option in Julian Tavarez. (Tavarez stanched the bleeding today in Toronto, going two and one-third innings and allowing just one hit and one walk.) The Red Sox now have 10 days to release Snyder, trade him, or put him on waivers.

So where will Snyder go now? It’s hard to say—at this point in his career (he’s 30) there’s not a lot of upside anymore. I don’t see another major-league club making room for him on their roster, so a trade seems unlikely. The probable outcome, in my view, is Snyder consenting to a minor league assignment after he clears waivers.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Signing Johnny Cueto

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Cincinnati’s top three prospects garnered so much attention this spring that Johnny Cueto’s dominant debut on Thursday caught even some well-informed baseball watchers by surprise. The 22-year old Dominican, who began last year in Single A, seemed to explode upon the major leagues as Athena did from the head of Zeus: fully formed, and from a very unexpected place.

If you’re a GM, just how do you get your mitts on a talent like Cueto’s? Courtesy of Reds Insider, we have a peek at the story of the scouting and signing of the Reds rookie (is it still too soon to call him a "phenom"?). Cincinnati’s then-director of international operations, Johnny Almaraz, squeezed in an early-morning look at Cueto before his flight out of the Dominican Republic. Liking what he saw, he signed the 18-year old righty for $3.5K. (For contrast, the following year the Mets signed 16-year old Fernando Martinez for $1.4MM. That’s quite a differential.)

The full story, by John Fay, will appear in tomorrow’s Cincinnati Enquirer.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.

Phils Designate Lahey For Assignment

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Earlier today, the Phillies activated closer Brad Lidge from the 15-day DL and, to make room for him on the roster, designated young right-handed reliever Tim Lahey for assignment as foreseen. He’ll now be looking for his fifth job in as many months.

The wandering Lahey has already been part of the Cubs, the Rays, and the Twins. He’s still relatively new to pitching, having been converted by the Twins from catching. He posted a 3.45 ERA in 78 and a third innings at AA New Britain last year, and gave up three runs in three innings at AAA Rochester. Clearly, a bit more seasoning is required for the Princeton alum, but there are plenty of teams with shaky bullpens, and Lahey’s fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s. "The delivery adds some deception," according to Baseball America, while the Cubs also praised his sinker, buddind slider, and ability to induce grounders. He’s 6’6" and 250 lbs. Due to Rule 5 draft rules, first dibs will go to Minnesota after Lahey clears waivers.

Which organization could use him the most? We all know Detroit’s bullpen is a glaring weakness, but it’s not clear that Lahey could be polished enough to help them this year. However, their farm system is pretty depleted right now, so it’s not too far-fetched.  The Indians, Braves, White Sox, and Brewers have also had bullpen meltdowns during this young season, and perhaps one of them would like to have some insurance at the Triple A level.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com and can be reached here.

Who Needs A Backup Catcher?

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We just talked about the lack of teams looking for a backup corner infielder. So what about backup catcher? The Astros have until Wednesday to do something with DFA’d catcher Humberto Quintero. It’s a foregone conclusion that some team would pluck him off waivers before he could be outrighted to AAA Round Rock, considering his meager $400K salary.

The 28-year-old backstop has put up some decent minor league numbers, though he’s never gotten any consistent time in the majors. His forte is defense, especially his arm. David Wells once said of him: "He’s throwing 110 (mph) down to first and I’m only pitching 88 to home plate." Maybe he could become somewhat of a Jose Molina.

So who’s in the market? Well, Boston has been looking for a solid backstop to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and maybe the Giants are looking for an upgrade from Steve Holm. That might be a longshot, though, since quality backup catchers are usually more desired by contending teams. Still, the Giants could win the waiver race if they were so inclined.

Anyone else want to suggest a team? I’m thinking he’d fit okay with Baltimore, and could get some real playing time in the second half if they decide to trade incumbent catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski

Interest In Helms Lacking

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It’s no secret that the Phillies are looking to dish Wes Helms. Problem is, there’s very little interest in the 32-year-old righty infielder. He was given a two-year, $5.45MM contract after a stellar part-time performance in 2006. After a poor 2007, the Phillies signed Pedro Feliz to play third. And, as we know, he was designated for assignment earlier this week.

So where does Helms fit? The immediate suitors aren’t working out too well. Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times says that the Dodgers are impressed by the play of Blake DeWitt, and are not interested in Helms. He also echoes the rumor that the Phillies have offered Helms to Florida and Atlanta. His salary probably prohibits him in Florida, which is sad, since it’s under $3 million, including the buyout of his 2009 option, and the Marlins could probably get the Phils to pick up a fraction of it.

Further, Andrew Baggarly of the the Mercury News reports that the Giants aren’t interested, either. You know something’s wrong when even Brian Sabean isn’t interested in your services.

So maybe the Phils work out a deal with Atlanta or another surprise suitor, but it seems likely that Helms will end up on the free agent market.  Where will he go from there? I can’t think of a team off the top of my head. Anyone out there whose team needs a utility corner infielder who can play the outfield in a pinch?

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.

Decision On Johnson Could Come This Week

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There just doesn’t seem to be a spot in Oakland for Dan Johnson. Once seen as a solution at first base, ineffectiveness and injuries have slowed him down a bit. While the 28-year-old still has some promise, he’s blocked in Oakland at first base by Daric Barton and Mike Sweeney, and at DH by Sweeney and Jack Cust.

There’s been some speculation of a Johnson trade, and that might be coming soon. Chad Gaudin can come off the DL on April 12, and Johnson could be the casualty. It depends, really, on whether Billy Beane and Bob Geren want to continue carrying 11 pitchers, or they want to up it to 12.

Apparently, Giants GM Brian Sabean told a sports radio program that he’s looking for a left-hand-hitting first baseman. They seem like a good fit from one end, but do the Giants have the chips the A’s are looking for? Other than that, I can’t see too many other teams that would be interested in him as a starter. Maybe as a backup, but then I suppose most teams wouldn’t be willing to part with much value for a backup first baseman.

I’m thinking that the A’s stick with 11 pitchers for the foreseeable future, and wait for a better opportunity to trade Johnson — probably an injury.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski. Please, email me rumors.

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