Odds and Ends: Doue, Furcal, Kuroda
Here are today’s links.
- Dave Cameron notes Nelson Cruz‘s video game numbers in Triple A and suggests he deserves another shot.
- Japanese catcher Hayato Doue was expected to join the Red Sox organization, but visa problems have gotten in the way.
- Buster Olney notes that Rafael Furcal will test free agency if he can’t hammer out an extension with the Dodgers by midseason.
- Shigetoshi Hasegawa denies the notion that he pushed Hiroki Kuroda toward the Dodgers.
- Athletics Nation sees Billy Beane targeting pitcher Tanner Scheppers if he’s available with the 12th pick. Also, Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com has an overall look at the ’08 draft class.
Astros Talked To Clemens Last December
It’s been refreshing to ignore Roger Clemens on this site. But Ken Davidoff does have a piece of information today that fits within our realm.
Davidoff talked to Astros owner Drayton McLane and learned that the Astros had a conversation with Clemens in December (post-Mitchell Report) about the Rocket pitching in 2008. One last half season with the Astros might’ve made sense at the right price, and it appeared at the time that Clemens wanted to play.
However, Davidoff says the events since that time make another comeback unlikely.
Juan Uribe Headed Out?
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times believes the White Sox plan to shake things up today by getting rid of one or two players. Most likely to go is infielder Juan Uribe. Uribe makes $4.5MM this year, so he’d become part of the growing list of players who were paid to go away. He was placed on waivers in March but no one wanted to pay his salary. South Side Sox isn’t jazzed with the idea of replacing him at second base with Alexei Ramirez.
Uribe, 29, has a career line of .252/.293/.424. His once-stellar defense has become a source of frustration. The Orioles are one team that might consider him, as they did last winter.
Gammons’ Latest: Bradley, Griffey, Padilla
ESPN’s Peter Gammons has a new blog post to discuss.
- Gammons says Cubs manager Lou Piniella would like to add a left-handed hitting right or center fielder to bat fifth. Milton Bradley and Ken Griffey Jr. seem like long shots though. It’s odd that the Rangers wouldn’t want to move Bradley.
- Gammons notes that the Rangers wanted Mike Pelfrey, Aaron Heilman, and Deolis Guerra for Vicente Padilla in the offseason. Even as a negotiation starting point, that’s a ton for Padilla.
Tigers Release Jacque Jones
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers released outfielder Jacque Jones today.
Jones, 33, received only 90 plate appearances before the Tigers gave up on him. He makes $5MM this year, of which the Cubs are paying $2MM. Given Jones’ ability to play all three outfield positions, he shouldn’t have a problem finding a new team.
Yanks Eyeing Derek Lowe For ’09?
According to Tony Massarotti of the Boston Herald:
There are already indications that the New York Yankees will be among Derek Lowe’s suitors during the offseason.
That’s not the point of Massarotti’s column; he’s mainly discussing Lowe’s leverage given his unique durability. I did a piece of Lowe recently; Scott Boras should be able to get him at least three years and $39MM. Does he make sense for the Yankees? Could he succeed back in the AL East for his age 36-39 seasons (or more)?
Indians Designate Jason Michaels
2:31pm: According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, Michaels will be designated.
10:30am: Outfielder Ben Francisco will join the Indians for Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. The Tribe will have to make room for him by then, and Mike Harrington believes the jobs of Andy Marte and Jason Michaels are at risk. Marte could be designated for assignment, while Michaels might just be released.
Michaels, 32, has been awful in 21 games this year. He earns $2.15MM this year. Michaels typically hits lefties well, but he’s been an easy out this year.
Marte, 24, is out of options and would have to clear waivers if the Indians try to demote him. The formerly well-regarded prospect has only 16 plate appearances on the year. He made the team after hitting .204/.333/.519 in 54 spring ABs.
John Mozeliak Chat On MLB.com
Cardinals GM John Mozeliak chatted with fans over at MLB.com. Let’s dig out the hot stove info.
- Mozeliak seems open to talking extension with Kyle Lohse at some point during the season. Lohse has a 3.79 ERA in seven starts. Less than 3% of his flyballs are leaving the yard, a trend that doesn’t figure to last. But for less than $5MM, who’s complaining?
- Mozeliak reiterated that the Cardinals have no interest in Barry Bonds.
- Trade talks "could be exciting" come July.
- Sadly, Juan Encarnacion is not likely to play baseball again.
Braves Acquire Greg Norton
The Braves just put out a press release; they’ve acquired Greg Norton from the Mariners for a player to be named later or cash considerations.
Norton, 35, certainly didn’t do anything wrong with the Mariners. He was 7 for 16 with a couple of doubles before they DFA’d him. He’s a solid switch-hitting bench bat, a nice pickup for Frank Wren. We might be able to give Norton a mulligan for his off-year in ’07; he was coming off knee surgery and finished the year with elbow surgery.
Pirates Hope To Retain Meek
Dejan Kovacevic fills us in on the Pirates’ attempts to retain 25 year-old reliever Evan Meek.
Meek was a Rule 5 pick who the Bucs just couldn’t hide in their big league pen all year. Meek was designated for assignment yesterday but the Pirates are trying to make a deal with the Rays rather than return him.
Baseball America says that Meek "uses a low-90s fastball that has good sink and run to pick up strikeouts and groundballs." As you might guess, control has been an issue.