Crawford Wants To Stay
Last week Rays outfielder Carl Crawford made some ambiguous comments. One person might say Crawford was hinting he’d leave the Rays after the 2010 season; another might see no such implication.
Yesterday, Crawford clarified, saying he "couldn’t imagine" playing with a team other than the Rays. He wants to stay, and knows the best is yet to come for the organization. There haven’t been any extension talks, but he’d listen if the Rays came to him.
I admit this isn’t much of a story. Who knows how he and the Rays will feel three seasons from now. Crawford’s a bargain through 2010, but after that his value will be tough to quantify. How do you value top-notch left field defense, tons of speed, and a bat that may only be slightly above average for his position?
Davidoff: Tejeda Makes Sense For Mets
Newsday’s Ken Davidoff has an idea for the Mets: 26 year-old recently DFA’d starter Robinson Tejeda of the Rangers. Davidoff notes that the Mets have had interest in him in the past, and now he could be had for very little via trade or even a waiver claim.
Tejeda’s main problem has been control. Back in ’05, Baseball America compared Tejeda to Carlos Silva "in build and repertoire." One big difference – Tejeda averages almost 95 mph with his heater.
I discussed some other Pedro replacement options in this post.
The Harden Situation
Rich Harden is popular this morning – both Bruce Jenkins and Buster Olney discussed his trade value in the wake of his second excellent start of ’08. Jenkins suggests it’ll take at least six starts for suitors to begin believing in Harden. Olney believes he could be the top difference-maker to acquire via trade this summer. It’s pointless to speculate on teams yet – any contender would benefit greatly from adding a healthy Harden (though I will mention that he was recently linked to the Yankees).
Harden is still just 26. He earns $4.5MM this year and then has a $7MM club option for ’09 with no buyout attached. Cot’s Baseball Contract’s also notes escalators based on innings pitched. Harden’s ’09 option is a given as long as he makes a dozen starts this year without needing surgery.
Harden had unkind words in February about Oakland’s handling of him in ’07. His shoulder issues apparently lingered until December.
Odds and Ends: Putz, Byrdak, Graves
Today’s linkage.
- J.J. Putz is out for at least a few weeks; the fantasy baseball world reacts.
- The Astros inked Tim Byrdak, selling him on an easy path to the big leagues. The 34 year-old southpaw had a 3.20 ERA last year, albeit with poor control.
- The Twins added former closer Danny Graves to their Triple A club. He’s also 34. His peripherals weren’t too impressive last year for the Long Island Ducks despite 33 saves.
- I did a Q&A with Dexter Sports.
- Unfortunately Corey Koskie doesn’t seem anywhere close to coming back.
- Joe Sports Fan looks at baseball’s "bespectacled heroes."
- Correcting an SI.com report from yesterday, MetsBlog says there’s been no contact between the Mets and Edgardo Alfonzo.
Cubs, Sox Still Like Crisp
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Cubs and White Sox "have shown the most consistent interest" in center fielder Coco Crisp. Nothing appears imminent, as the teams haven’t found any kind of match on players. Cafardo says the Cubs have found the asking price prohibitive. A week ago, Peter Gammons suggested Sean Gallagher and/or Matt Murton could be in the mix.
The Cubs are currently using Felix Pie and Reed Johnson in center; the White Sox used Alexei Ramirez on Opening Day. As the season progresses we could see the Sox try Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson, and Jerry Owens.
Crisp himself named the Cubs, White Sox, A’s, and Padres as clubs he’s heard rumored for his services.
Helms Designated For Assignment
3:07pm: According to David Murphy, Helms has been DFA’d. Any suitors will probably try to wait it out so as not to pay his salary.
8:53am: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News says it’s likely that Wes Helms will be moved by Saturday, when closer Brad Lidge is set to come off the DL. Hagen suggests the Dodgers as a good fit. Ned Colletti could offer up a player to be named later, or just wait and see if the Phils release Helms. He has $2.9MM left on his contract.
The Dodgers had been eyeing Alex Cintron and almost signed Marcus Giles. Helms doesn’t quite fit their profile, as he’s never played second base. And Dylan Hernandez believes Helms might prefer opportunities with Florida or Atlanta, if possible. The Braves just signed Scott Spiezio though. Hernandez adds that the Astros told the Dodgers Mark Loretta isn’t available, at least not until Kaz Matsui comes back.
Rockies Likely To Get de la Rosa
According to Tracy Ringolsby, the Rockies are likely to receive pitcher Jorge de la Rosa from the Royals as the player to be named later in the Ramon Ramirez deal. The Rox will have him start at Triple A now that he’s cleared waivers and accepted his minor league assignment. He went unclaimed partially because of his $1.025MM salary.
De la Rosa, a southpaw, turns 27 in a few days. He hit the DL in August with an elbow strain. He was also affected by a bruised thumb. His fastball averaged 92.3 mph in ’07, not bad for a lefty.
Odds and Ends: Alfonzo, Hill, Kline, Reitsma
Time for a link roundup.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mets have talked with Edgardo Alfonzo. Alfonzo, 34, came up a Met and snagged MVP votes in 2000 with a .967 OPS.
- Seems like Aaron Hill‘s contract extension may wait until after the season, when his offensive value is more clearly established.
- No interest in Steve Kline yet…teams will probably wait the Giants out so they don’t have to pay his $1.75MM salary.
- If Chris Reitsma doesn’t make a decision soon about heading to Triple A, the Ms could place him on the restricted list.
- Dejan Kovacevic hasn’t heard anything about Adam LaRoche as a trade candidate, even though extension talks fizzled.
- Kevin Goldstein believes shortstop Tim Beckham is the "top talent in the draft."
Tigers Eyeing Chad Cordero?
Matt Palmer and John Keim of the Washington Examiner write that the Nationals and Tigers discussed Chad Cordero this spring. Their source believes the Tigers’ interest will heighten if their bullpen struggles early on. The article doesn’t cover suggest it, but the Tigers could also consider relievers Jon Rauch or Luis Ayala. A look at the three:
- Cordero, 26, earns $6.8MM in ’08. He’ll be a free agent after the ’09 season. Cordero hasn’t pitched yet this season due to shoulder tendinitis, and he wasn’t at his typical velocity in spring. His control was off in ’07 and he was more hittable than ever. Jim Bowden won’t get full value if he trades Cordero soon.
- Rauch, 29, earns $1.2MM in ’08, $2MM in ’09, and has a $2.9MM club option for ’10. He showed the best control of his career in ’07, and he’s second in line for saves in Washington. He has more trade value than Cordero – he’s completely healthy and signed cheaply.
- Ayala, 30, earns $1.7MM in ’08 and then reaches free agency. He may not be a fit for Detroit – he pitches to contact, and their bullpen already has those types. Ayala had Tommy John surgery in March of ’06.
Pedro Injury May Lead To Acquisition
Pedro Martinez will have an MRI on his strained hamstring today, so the team should get an idea of how long their #2 starter will be out. We were already talking about the Mets possibly adding a starter before the injury; now the need is pressing.
MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone suggests free agents Claudio Vargas or Woody Williams. Vargas is the most talented free agent pitcher; the group also includes Jeff Weaver and David Wells. Other random available starters I tossed out in my Kelvim Escobar post: Jason Marquis, Matt Morris, Matt Belisle, Byung-Hyun Kim, Horacio Ramirez, Anthony Reyes, and Cliff Lee. The Mets aren’t overflowing with trade chips, so signing Vargas makes the most sense.