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Archives for May 2008

Odds and Ends: Jacque, Vizquel, Greinke

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Today’s linkage…

Rosenthal’s Latest: Lidge, Daniel Cabrera, Bonds, Edmonds

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.  I put the Griffey info in a separate post; let’s discuss the rest.

  • Rosenthal suggests that Brad Lidge would be harder to replace than Pat Burrell, and for that reason the Phillies will make a bigger effort to re-sign him.  I imagine Phillies fans would prefer that course of action.  The problem?  The Phillies have little chance of offering four years, according to Jayson Stark.
  • The Rangers will face a delicate situation in coming years: moving Michael Young to a different position.  The chain reaction could make Hank Blalock available.  Blalock has a club option for ’09 at $6.2MM.
  • Aside from Rick Porcello replacing Kenny Rogers at some point, the questionable Detroit rotation is set and signed through 2010.
  • One scout seems to think Daniel Cabrera has turned the corner and shouldn’t be traded.  He’ll become a free agent after the 2010 season and earns $2.875MM this year.
  • Though it might be seen as a desperation move, the Tigers don’t have much to lose by signing Barry Bonds.  Gary Sheffield endorsed it.
  • Rosenthal says the Rays and Jays are teams with "possible interest" in Jim Edmonds but are likely to pass.  That leaves the Cubs.
  • Will Jason Giambi find a job next year after the Yankees decline his option?  He plans to try.
  • The Red Sox asked about Mark Loretta during Spring Training as "infield insurance."  Rosenthal suggests the Sox consider Omar Vizquel, a defensive upgrade over Julio Lugo.

Griffey Rumors From Rosenthal

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Yesterday we ran through various complications the Reds face in trading Ken Griffey Jr.  Today, Ken Rosenthal addresses many of them.

  • Rosenthal says Griffey "would not necessarily require a team to exercise his $16.5MM option for 2009 as a condition of a deal."  On May 5th ESPN’s Peter Gammons had written that Griffey was "unlikely to agree to a deal without that option being guaranteed."
  • Rosenthal adds that Junior is open to more teams than he was previously, as being closer to his Orlando home is a less pertinent need than it once was.
  • A big league source of Rosenthal’s says Reds GM Walt Jocketty recently asked Griffey if he wanted to be dealt.  Griffey would reportedly prefer to stay but would consider a deal if that’s what the Reds want.  Griffey may be able to maintain his Type A status, but would the Reds offer him arbitration?

Dodgers Looking For Emergency Shortstop

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The Dodgers placed shortstop Rafael Furcal on the DL today, and MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick says they’re trying to acquire an emergency replacement.  Furcal will be eligible to return on May 21st.  He’s been perhaps the game’s best hitting shortstop to date.

Perhaps the Rays’ Andy Cannizaro would make sense?  The Dodgers have been using Chin-lung Hu at short; despite his lack of offense it may be best to just stick with him.   

Free Agent Stock Watch: Milton Bradley

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In December, Milton Bradley signed a one-year deal with the Rangers for $5.25MM guaranteed.  He can earn up to $2.75MM more based on playing time incentives.  The Padres didn’t offer him arbitration; they were afraid of a possible award nearing $10MM. 

Bradley was available at an affordable price and term mainly because of his injury history – he hasn’t played 100 games in a season since 2004.  His ’07 season ended with an ACL tear in a bizarre incident (his manager tackled him to keep him away from an umpire who had provoked him).  That Bradley was ready for Opening Day was remarkable.

Since Bradley was traded to the Padres on June 29th of last year, he’s been an elite hitter: a .981 OPS in 263 at-bats.  In that period his OBP ranks 7th in the game (.419) and his SLG ranks 15th (.563).  Bradley could be called the Rich Harden of hitters – oft-injured, but elite when he plays.  Bradley might be a hot trade commodity this July.  He won’t come cheap, since he has a decent chance of Type A status.

The smart move for Bradley in ’09 will be to choose a team with an open DH spot.  If he can remain relatively healthy and incident-free for the rest of ’08, he could ask for a $12MM salary.  He could even get multiple guaranteed years (after all, Frank Thomas did).  The Yankees, Rays, Jays, Royals, and Mariners could be possibilities if the Rangers don’t re-sign him.  Of course, we can’t rule out the NL – Bradley nearly re-signed with the Padres.

Julian Tavarez Designated

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8:12pm: The Rockies have strong interest in Tavarez, and Troy Renck thinks a deal could be reached within a couple of days.  The Red Sox are just trying to get some kind of prospect out of it.

2:07pm: The Red Sox have designated Tavarez for assignment.  Nick Cafardo says trade talks with the Rockies and at least two other teams didn’t lead anywhere, even when the Sox offered to eat most of the contract.  The Red Sox asked for a pitching prospect from the Rockies but couldn’t get it.

MONDAY, 9:57am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies’ talks for Tavarez are dead.  His guess is that the Rockies will end up with Josh Fogg and won’t have to give up anyone.

SUNDAY: On May 8th, Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald reported that the Rockies remained interested in trading for Julian Tavarez, but no advancements had been made in the talks.  On May 9th, Rockies owner Dick Monfort said the team had no plans to acquire a fifth starter.  First, the Rox wanted to try 22 year-old rookie Greg Reynolds.  Today in his big league debut Reynolds allowed four runs in 5.2 innings to the woeful San Diego offense.  Franklin Morales could return to the team in a couple of weeks; he tossed five no-hit innings in Triple A today.

This evening, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe learned that the Rockies’ talks for Tavarez are ongoing.  The Red Sox already traded Bryan Corey; Tavarez could be next.  Bartolo Colon could join Boston’s rotation before month’s end.

Tavarez, 35, pitched in 51 games for the Rockies in 2000.  He set a career high with 11 wins that year.  His groundballing style sounds like a decent fit in Coors.  He has about $2.9MM left on his contract this year.

Odds and Ends: Millwood, Posey, Igawa

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Here’s the latest link collection.

  • Former Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta is now blogging for the public.  He currently works for the Padres as Special Assistant for Baseball Operations.
  • In his words, Kevin Millwood felt a stabbing pain even though he hadn’t been stabbed.  He’s on the shelf with a groin injury, taking him off the trade market temporarily.
  • Rays Index had some quality draft links yesterday about the Rays and their #1 pick.  Jim Callis of Baseball America says catcher Buster Posey is "the current favorite."
  • Joel Sherman wonders what might’ve been if the Yankees had signed Ted Lilly instead of Kei Igawa.
  • Ken Davidoff reminds us of the Padres’ past claim on Igawa, and also notes Boston’s interest.
  • Giants owner Peter Magowan may move on.
  • This email exchange between Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger and Carlos Delgado’s agent David Sloane is entertaining.
  • Here’s a valuable free agent to consider: Leo Mazzone.

Freddy Garcia To Throw For Teams Soon

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Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes that free agent starter Freddy Garcia will soon invite teams to watch him pitch in Miami.  Davidoff offers his most likely suitors; the Mets definitely seem like a strong possibility.  Since Garcia will only cost money, it’s likely that a good dozen teams will have at least passing interest.

Garcia would probably play for something like $5MM for a half season.  He seems a long shot to contribute, given the difficulty of coming back from shoulder surgery.

Mariners Send Exec To Scout Griffey

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According to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News, the Mariners sent consultant to the GM Duane Schafer to Shea Stadium this weekend to watch Ken Griffey Jr.  Junior finds himself with a .254/.333/.384 line in 156 plate appearances.  He’s three homers shy of 600.

There are plenty of complications with the Griffey-to-Seattle scenario:

  • The Mariners are eight games back, seven out in the Wild Card, and in last place with a .385 winning percentage.  The Reds are doing about the same, making it tough to say the Ms will offer a better chance at a ring.
  • Raul Ibanez would probably have to move to DH to open up an outfield spot for Griffey.
  • Griffey needs a big May to prove he can actually help a team’s offense.
  • Griffey would be moving farther away from home to play for the Mariners.
  • It’s not known whether Griffey would ask that his $16.5MM option for ’09 be exercised upon a trade.  Even with the hefty $4MM buyout and salary deferral, the option would be hard for any team to stomach.

Gillick Not Opposed To In-Season Extension Talks

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According to Todd Zolecki of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies GM Pat Gillick is open to breaking from his own policy and negotiating in-season with the team’s impending free agents.  Gillick’s lame-duck status may necessitate it.  I never liked the "no in-season negotiation" idea.  Even with the possible distraction, you can’t deny the huge cost savings compared to negotiating after the season.

The two Phillies everyone’s wondering about are left fielder Pat Burrell and closer Brad Lidge.  Burrell, 31, has cooled off a bit after a monstrous April.  He still has a 1.042 OPS.  He’d probably require four years and close to $60MM, and I don’t see the Phillies doing it.  Lidge is a more likely possibility; the 31 year-old is unscored upon in 17 innings.  Fine acquisition by Gillick, even with Geoff Geary pitching well for Houston.

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