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Archives for April 2008

Pirates Release Matt Morris

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Unfortunately, there’s no surprise here.  ESPN reports the Pirates have released Matt Morris.  As Tim noted last night, the Pirates had little choice and eating $10MM seems their best option.  According to ESPN,

"The decision to cut Morris will cost the Pirates more than $10 million, in addition to what they already have paid him this season. Morris is making $10,037,283 this season, or about one-fifth of their payroll, and has a $1 million buyout for 2009."

There shouldn’t be much interest for Morris.  A minor league contract somewhere could be a possibility.  But retirement seems inevitable, and Morris may be resigned to the fact: 

"I’ve always said the other team will let you know when you’re done."

Phil Dumatrait will replace him in the rotation, and John Van Benschoten will be called up to fill the roster spot.

By Nat Boyle

Will Mets Release Delgado?

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Is Carlos Delgado the next Frank Thomas?  Or worse yet, is he the next Mike Piazza?  Sammy Sosa?  Barry Bonds?  (steroid implications aside).  So asks Joel Sherman of the NY Post who’s headline – always in that in-your-face extra-bold verdana – reads "DELGADO ON HIS WAY OUT AT FIRST".  With aging veterans out of work, and a rash of young talent being locked up, 2008 really feels like the end of one era and the marked beginning of the next.

An arbitrary fun-fact from Sherman, "In the past 25 years, just one champion has had a regular first baseman older than 32 (the 2001 Diamondbacks with 37-year-old Mark Grace)."  Delgado’s making $16MM this season, and although 35 is often a notorious age at which batters decline, this cliff fall is not the norm.  Still, a contract of that magnitude will keep Delgado in New York for at least a short while longer.

In Buster Olney’s latest, he speculated Delgado’s release, which seems to be slightly more than speculation at this point.  Olney cited Xavier Nady or Scott Hatteberg as potential replacements should the Mets want to trade for a replacement.  Nady, however, might not be available until the Pirates say "uncle."

Should the 35-yr old Delgado reenter free agent land, what kind of interest will there be?  Most likely less than there was for Frank Thomas, but someone would throw him a bone as he’d be low risk, high reward.  Not unlike Thomas, PECOTA projects a .265-20-80 season from the veteran and while that’s not a $16MM season, it’s still adequate production for many teams from a corner infielder or DH.

By Nat Boyle

Cafardo’s Latest: Ramirez, Papelbon, Moss

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Nick Cafardo spins Red Sox rumor gold in the Boston Globe.

  • Scott Boras is the spur in Manny Ramirez’s side.  Cafardo interviews the Notorious One in the Boston Globe today.  Says Boras, "Our plan for him is in place. If you can make a player comfortable, you have the ability to make a player play well."  So far, so good.  He doesn’t speculate on the reality of a contract extension saying, "I communicate with [Theo Epstein] on a number of things and I really let the decision-making be theirs. It’s rare if they haven’t thought about what their future plans are for a player."
  • In that same piece, Cafardo quotes Jonathan Papelbon who is fine going year-to-year right now.  He says he’s comfortable with his ability and his salary and shrewdly knows he’d rather wait for a big payday than make a concession for security when his talent could go beyond what he signs for.
  • Two GMs apparently checked on the availability of Brandon Moss.  If the Sox were to trade Coco Crisp, they would have no backup while Bobby Kielty is hurt, so the man I call "Brandy Moss" is not expendable at this point.
  • From another source, Dan Kolb was released to make room for Devern Hansack in Pawtucket (say it with me: Puh-TUH-kit!).

By Nat Boyle

Tribe Could Re-Sign Sabathia?

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Sheldon Ocker notes that the Tribe’s ownership under Larry Dolan and sons has been a financial boon to the franchise.  Writes Ocker,

"Some fans still describe the Dolans as cheapskates, unwilling to keep up with the Joneses. In truth, they have been responsible owners, who not only realize the limits the size of the market imposes, but also have managed to increase revenue in ways not done by their predecessors."

Despite payroll commitments already made for $132MM between ’09 and ’14, plus $61.5MM in club options to exercise or decline, Ocker says the Dolan’s creation of TV network SportsTime Ohio has allowed the team to increase its revenue to the point where signing more young players to long term deals is still an agenda.

Ocker mentions Ryan Garko may be the next to get a long term deal, and that GM Mark Shapiro is not "pessimistic" about re-signing C.C. Sabathia.  It still remains a long shot, but we certainly shouldn’t write it off.

By Nat Boyle

Decision Time On Matt Morris

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According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pirates management met with Matt Morris after today’s performance brought his ERA to 9.67.  I mentioned in my recent video mailbag that I couldn’t see Morris lasting past June 1st, but it looks like May 1st is in question.  Kovacevic explains the three possible scenarios:

  • Morris goes to the bullpen.
  • The Pirates release Morris, eating more than $10MM.
  • Morris retires, saving the Pirates millions.  But as classy as Morris may be, no one should expect him to leave that kind of money on the table.  It’s not his fault Brian Sabean signed him in 2005.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Crede, Lofton, Millwood, Dunn

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Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up; let’s discuss.

  • Despite his .268/.330/.537 start, the White Sox would still entertain trading Joe Crede if it’d help the big league team.  This is a change from their apparent springtime willingness to deal him for prospects.  The most likely desire would be pitching, if the Sox can find a suitor.
  • Jake Peavy put on his GM hat, suggesting the Padres sign Kenny Lofton.  Rosenthal likes the idea, but notes that Kevin Towers will first turn to his farm system.  I discussed some future trade candidates for San Diego in my latest video mailbag.
  • Rosenthal suggests Kevin Millwood’s contract will be an obstacle in trading him.  He earns $8.5MM this year, $11MM in ’09, and a fairly achievable $12MM vesting option for ’10.  Plus there’s a limited no-trade clause.
  • Walt Jocketty’s biggest test this year might be deciding whether to trade Ken Griffey Jr. and/or Adam Dunn.  They both have no-trade clauses to deal with; even after June 15th Dunn’s includes most high-revenue teams.

Rockies Designate Jayson Nix

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According to Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post, the Rockies have designatd second baseman Jayson Nix for assignment.  So, he can be had cheaply or for nothing.

Nix, 25, was a long shot to have the bat for regular duty this year after posting a .793 OPS in his second Colorado Springs stint in ’07.  He is a skilled defensive player though.  He was the last pick of the first round of the ’01 amateur draft (just six after David Wright, and ahead of Dan Haren!).  The hindsight game isn’t fair but I like to play anyway.

Will Salty Callup Lead To Laird Trade?

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Jarrod Saltalamacchia has been called up, and GM Jon Daniels has no plans for him to warm the bench. Salty performed well at AAA Oklahoma, and when backup backstop Adam Melhuse broke a bone in his hand on Thursday, the call-up seemed imminent. However, incumbent Rangers catcher Gerald Laird has also been solid to start the season. Given the organization’s desire to get Saltalamacchia regular at-bats and the lackluster hitting of first baseman Ben Broussard, I think it’s likely that the defensively sub-par Salty will see at least some time at the "cold corner."

But with the Rangers off to an absolutely abysmal start–Buster Olney cites a scout today saying that the team looks "out of control"–we have to wonder when the Rangers will open up the treasure chest and share some of their backstop bounty with the rest of the league. As previously noted in this space, the team is expected to be sellers come July. In addition to Laird and Saltalamacchia, the Rangers also have three decent catching prospects. With catching talent so scarce, other GMs will likely come knocking sooner rather than later. Rumors about Laird have been flying to and fro since Texas acquired Saltalamacchia in the Mark Teixeira deal last summer, but Salty’s call-up means the clock has officially started ticking. Although Daniels said recently he wasn’t planning on trading Laird, I have a feeling he’s just playing hard to get. Some possible suitors? The Reds, the Mets, the Blue Jays, or the Red Sox.

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

Schreiber DFA’d, Lillibridge Called Up

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In a move that could have trade implications for both players involved, Braves prospect Brent Lillibridge is making his major league debut today, as shortstop Yunel Escobar suffered a shattered fingernail in last night’s game. To make room for Lillibridge on the 40-man roster, the Braves designated righty reliever Zach Schreiber for assignment. Lillibridge is pretty much blocked by Escobar, unless the Braves want to make him into a utilityman. However, with Escobar out until at least Tuesday, the slumping Lillibridge will have a chance to make an impression. Whether he’ll be auditioning for manager Bobby Cox or for the many other organizations that covet him, however, is a toss-up.

Schreiber, for his part, is just 25 years old and posted a 2.43 ERA in 33 and a third innings at AAA Richmond last year and a 2.22 ERA in 44 and two-thirds innings in Double A. The Braves drafted Schreiber, then a starter, out of Duke in the 16th round back in 2004. Though he’s struggled with his control so far this year, someone will want him.

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

Olney’s Latest: Nady, Delgado, Clement, Lofton

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Buster Olney has some thoughts. Let’s have a looksee.

  • He thinks that Xavier Nady could fit with the Mets or the Indians, but notes that the Pirates are sitting tight for now, hoping to compete this year. They’ll be singing a different tune in July.
  • Olney goes on to speculate that the Mets could release Carlos Delgado if he continues his weak hitting. Nady would seem a decent replacement, though he hasn’t played first since 2006. Scott Hatteberg could be another option.
  • In what he calls "pure speculation," Olney suggests that the Mariners trade Jeff Clement to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp and some pitching. It’s a rather vague trade idea, and I’d think that the Mariners could fetch a lot more than Crisp if they opted to trade Clement, who is having his way with AAA pitching.
  • It appears Jake Peavy wants the Padres to sign Kenny Lofton. With the way Jim Edmonds and Scott Hairston are hitting, I can’t blame him.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.

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