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Archives for May 2008

Olney Speculation: Atkins A Fit For Indians?

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ESPN’s Buster Olney makes a point to say that this trade idea is pure speculation rather than anything he’s heard.  Still worth discussing.  Here it is:

If Colorado eventually turns the page on 2008, the Indians and the Rockies could match up well in a deal built around Garrett Atkins. The Rockies have a third baseman waiting in the wings, in Ian Stewart — although he is not faring well so far — and the Indians, as they look for ways to improve their offense, are flexible at first and third base.

Back in March, Ken Rosenthal suggested that Atkins was one player the Rox may not try to sign long-term.  There were no talks in the 2007-08 offseason.

Atkins, 28, is a .274/.344/.446 career hitter away from Coors.  Dismissing him as an average hitter is unfair – he’s at .289/.363/.496 on the road since the start of the ’06 season.  Hard to say exactly where he’d settle in as an American Leaguer, but he’d probably be above average.  Atkins’ glovework does leave something to be desired though.

Atkins is under team control through the 2010 season.  He could earn close to $20MM during his last two years of arbitration eligibility.

What would it take for the Indians to acquire Atkins?  Adam Miller would be too much.  Would Aaron Laffey and Josh Barfield be enough?

Rosenthal’s Latest: Reds, Marlins, Turnbow

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column; let’s take a look.

  • Aside from Adam Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., Rosenthal suggests Walt Jocketty could look to trade veterans Paul Bako, Scott Hatteberg, David Weathers, Jeremy Affeldt, and Kent Mercker.
  • Most of the Marlins’ best players will reach arbitration for the first time after this season, which could prompt a trade or two.
  • Rosenthal expects collusion investigations to go nowhere.
  • The Brewers don’t plan on paying any of the $2.5MM remaining on Derrick Turnbow’s contract in order to trade him.  They might end up losing him and paying it anyway, however.

Royals Mulling Options For No. 3 Pick

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In MLB.com articles here and here, Dick Kaegel attempts to decipher the Royals’ plans for their #3 pick in the June draft.

Comments from Royals’ scouting director Deric Ladnier have been understandably cryptic.  Kaegel’s interpretation is that the Royals will lean toward a college power hitter such as Pedro Alvarez (if available) or Justin Smoak.  Top pitchers as well as catchers Kyle Skipworth and Buster Posey can’t be ruled out though.  First baseman Eric Hosmer has been suggested as another possibility; it’s still wide open.

Boras Discusses Oliver Perez

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Scott Boras represents impending free agent starter Oliver Perez, who might be in line for a huge payday if he can have another decent year.  John Delcos has heard speculation of a five-year, $60MM starting point.  If Perez can post a sub-4.00 ERA in ’08, that price will probably be exceeded.  Boras was in L.A. yesterday, giving reporters his typical spin.  To hear Boras tell it, Perez is not erratic and compares favorably to Johan Santana at the same age.

Perez, Jon Garland, Mark Prior, and C.C. Sabathia constitute the under-30 free agent starter group.  Perez will be 27 in August and is the youngest of the group.  All four have their flaws, but at least Perez is healthy and won’t require $100MM.

Boras doesn’t plan on negotiating during the season with the Mets.  We know how he operates – if Perez has an off year and that huge offer doesn’t materialize, he’ll probably find his client a one-year, $12MM deal and hope for a rebound.

The Griffey Situation

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WEDNESDAY: Armstrong, through a spokesman, clarified that his comments about Griffey were meant in a broad, rather than impending, context.  It doesn’t sound like any trade talks have occurred at this point.  I’m sure we’ll be revisiting this topic though.

TUESDAY: Bob Nightengale spoke to Ken Griffey Jr. recently.  Junior’s comments were not surprising or new – if the Reds decide to trade him he wants to play for a contender.  Nightengale also has a comment from Mariners President Chuck Armstrong, who admitted he’d like Griffey to retire a Mariner.

Griffey makes $12.5MM this year and has a $16.5MM option for ’09 with a $4MM buyout (much of the money is deferred).  It’s unknown whether Griffey would require that the ’09 option be exercised in the event of a trade, but that wouldn’t be surprising.  Reds GM Walt Jocketty has yet to engage in trade discussions about Griffey.

Peter Gammons suggested the Cubs might be a fit, but they won’t pick up the option and that figures to be a problem.  The Mariners could certainly make room at DH and right field.  Griffey could help the Indians, Braves, and Padres as well.

Trading Junior makes more sense than trading Adam Dunn.  While Griffey might be able to maintain Type A status when the Elias rankings come out this winter, the Reds would not get draft pick compensation for him unless they offer arbitration.  That’d be a risky move.

Pie-Greene Rumor Denied

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MAY 7th: Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald discussed the Pie-Greene rumor with Cubs officials, and it was "emphatically shot down."

APRIL 30th: Yesterday Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune wrote of Kevin Towers’ pursuit of a long-term center field option.  Jim Edmonds remains a question mark, and his contract is up after ’08 anyway.

Krasovic says the Cubs "have kept tabs" on shortstop Khalil Greene, while the Padres are still eyeing Felix Pie.  The Cubs’ win-now approach could lead to that move, as Reed Johnson is doing fine in center field so far.  Greene is signed through the ’09 season.  Trading Greene would leave a gaping hole at the position for the Padres though.  Another point is that the Cubs have gotten fine production at shortstop so far this year.

Krasovic notes past center field considerations for the Padres such as Jeremy Reed and Tony Gwynn Jr.  Reed doesn’t seem to have a future in Seattle.  As for Coco Crisp, Towers balked at Theo Epstein’s asking price of Chase Headley.

Rockies Looking For Starting Pitching

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7:22pm: Walt Jocketty did not deny the Fogg-Rockies rumor when asked.  Maybe he’ll be a little more loose with the rumors than Krivsky was.

9:18am: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has details on the Rockies’ pursuit of starting pitching.  Their search includes some familiar names.

  • Josh Fogg seems like the most likely acquisition; he’s a DFA candidate for the Reds.  Fogg received an early one-year offer from the Rockies this winter that was later pulled back.
  • Julian Tavarez, another former Rockie, is on the radar again.  The Red Sox don’t seem to have much use for him.
  • Kevin Millwood figures to be a popular name in the coming months.  Renck says the Rangers want "the right players in return, not salary relief."  Millwood makes $8.5MM in ’08, $11MM in ’09, and $12MM in ’10 (if he reaches certain innings incentives).  He also has a limited no-trade clause.
  • Rich Harden may come off the DL soon, but he’d have to remain healthy for probably a month before teams become seriously interested.
  • Renck says Joe Blanton is "currently not available."  The A’s are the current Wild Card leader, after all.

Padres, Marlins Interested In Jacque Jones

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According to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com, the Marlins and Padres have inquired on recently designated outfielder Jacque Jones.  The Tigers, on the hook for $3MM of Jones’ salary this year, would obviously prefer a trade.

Many Padres are not hitting, including outfielders Jim Edmonds and Scott Hairston.  Jones might not hit for much power anymore, but he can play a quality center field.

The Fish nearly acquired Jones last summer.  They haven’t gotten much out of Alfredo Amezaga and Cody Ross in center, and left fielder Josh Willingham is on the DL with a sore lower back.  The Marlins are just a game back in the NL East.

Weekend Writer Wanted

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MLB Trade Rumors is looking for another weekend contributor (it is a paid position).  Here’s what I’m looking for: 

  • It’s a regular shift: Sundays from 1-5pm Central Standard Time.  So you have to have that chunk of your weekend free every week.
  • Blogging experience is a plus, especially if about baseball.  If you have a baseball blog, you’ll be able to link to it in your signature.
  • Strong spelling and grammar skills – looking for a casual style 100% free of typos and awkward sentences.  You have to be able to write a post quickly but without errors and with your own insight.
  • Ability to write intelligently about all 30 teams without bias.  The goal is for each post to add some value beyond just the facts found in the newspaper article you’re linking to.
  • I will give pointers on gathering rumors, but proficiency with RSS feeds is preferred.  You’ll have to monitor your email for the entire shift, also.
  • Email me at mlbtrweekend@gmail.com explaining your credentials.  Unfortunately I won’t be able to reply to all.  Thanks.

Mets Discussing Turnbow

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TUESDAY: David Lennon adds that the Mets would only be willing to offer Turnbow a minor league deal.  Meanwhile, Gordon Edes hasn’t heard anything about the Red Sox pursuing him.

MONDAY: According to John Delcos of The Journal News, the Mets are "discussing whether to sign Derrick Turnbow" (hat tip to MetsBlog).  Turnbow seems like a reasonable gamble for the Mets.  Most teams could stand to add relief depth.

Turnbow was designated on Friday; Ken Rosenthal recently suggested that four teams are interested.  The Brewers would have to do something about his $3.2MM salary if they are to strike a deal.

The Brewers are having their own bullpen problems despite a pricey offseason makeover.  Eric Gagne and David Riske, making a combined $14MM this year, have disappointed so far.

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