By Tim Dierkes | at
The Providence Journal reports that Red Sox outfielder Brandon Moss could begin a minor league rehab assignment this week (he had an emergency appendectomy). Bobby Kielty is not close to returning from his broken hand.
Why is this relevant? Nick Cafardo had reported a few weeks ago that Moss’ injury killed the chances of trading Coco Crisp. A healthy Moss could reignite trade talks for Crisp, unless the Sox decide to enjoy the luxury and wait until the offseason.
By Tim Dierkes | at
SUNDAY, 10:29am: Bob Dutton reports that Soria gets $8MM guaranteed with a chance to earn $32MM. There are accelerator clauses included to cover a possible move to the rotation.
SATURDAY, 10:11pm: Royals closer Joakim Soria signed a three-year contract extension with an additional three option years tonight. The terms are not yet known.
Soria, 24 years old tomorrow, would’ve been arbitration-eligible starting with the 2010 season. Assuming the contract starts in ’09, it appears to buy out two arb years with an option on the last. Then the Royals have options on two free agent seasons. If Soria’s deal is similar to that of Manny Corpas, Soria might get around $7MM guaranteed for the 2009-11. I’m sure we’ll know soon enough.
Soria’s lights-out start to the ’08 season seems to demonstrate improvement upon his fine rookie year. Will the Royals try him in the rotation one of these years? Also, are they discussing extensions with Zack Greinke or Brian Bannister? Nothing has been reported yet.
By Nat Boyle | at
Last week I heard Peter Gammons on ESPN radio discussing Omar Vizquel as a possible replacement candidate for the struggling Julio Lugo. In today’s Boston Globe, Nick Cafardo chimes in:
"Vizquel is quite fond of Boston but would be interested only if he were a starter. He has a close relationship with Manny RamÃrez from their Cleveland days. Vizquel still has a terrific glove and can hit."
Lugo – who is just returning from a mild concussion – finds himself batting .284 but with a .331 OBP and only 7 extra base hits, all doubles. He has a major league leading 11 errors, almost half of the Red Sox 23 errors. Here’s a sampling of Red Sox fan frustration.
Playing in a hitters haven would be a good move for Vizquel, who wants to play in ’09, assuming he produces in the spotlight of Boston. I see Vizquel as a band-aid (although a band-aid may be what they need). He might be a better option than a Cora/Lugo platoon; however, the Red Sox are a team that can weather this problem even if Lugo’s contract becomes a sunk cost this year. Jed Lowrie should be called back up this season and may progress well enough to be the solution, making Lugo the new Coco Crisp in ’09.
By Nat Boyle
By Nat Boyle | at
Ken Rosenthal has some items worth discussing in his latest Full Count video:
By Nat Boyle
By Coley Ward 2 | at
Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.
By Joe Pawlikowski | at
Over the past few months, Troy Tulowitzki, Miguel Cabrera, Evan Longoria, Hanley Ramirez, and Ryan Braun have been locked up to long-term contracts. There appears to be no such deal in place for Phillies slugger Ryan Howard. Though the two teams have talked long-term over the past two off-seasons, they aren’t particularly close on terms.
The difference, of course, is that Tulowitzki, Longoria, Ramirez, and Braun all signed before reaching arbitration. Cabrera went to arbitration once with the Marlins, taking home $7.4MM before being traded to the Tigers, where he signed a monstrous extension. However, there is no reason to believe that Howard will get similar treatment. The former MVP is three years Cabrera’s senior.
While Howard’s potential free agency pay day has been slightly hindered by his extended time in the minor leagues, he should still make out well before then. In his first year of arbitration eligibility, he took home a record $10MM. He’ll face arbitration before each of the next three seasons before he reaches free agency after the 2011 season, at the age of 32.
He could rack up over $50MM prior to that, though (counting this year’s bounty). And at 32, he might be able to land a decent sum, likely with an AL team to split time at first base and DH. Howard himself says it best: "I’ve always said it’s something that you can’t control. The only thing I can control is what I do on the field. If it ever happens, whenever it happens, it happens."
Joe Pawlikowski is a writer for River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog, and can be reached here.
By Joe Pawlikowski | at
Like most Saturdays at this time of year, it’s a bit slow. So here are a few links to pass the time.
Joe Pawlikowski writes for River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog, and can be reached here.
By Joe Pawlikowski | at
The Florida Marlins are likely looking to upgrade in center field, where incumbent Alfredo Azemaga is hitting a svelte .226/.311/.292. They’re also likely looking for someone to help shoulder the load of injured OF Josh Willingham, who just experienced a setback in his rehab — though Luis Gonzalez has hit fairly well since replacing him, at .317/.369/.433 in 16 games. So they’re a likely destination for free agent Jacque Jones.
Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinal has something of a third-hand rumor that the Marlins could sign Jones by this evening. Damon Lapa, Jones’s agent, has, of course, denied the rumor. He says that he and his client hope to narrow down a list in the next few days before ultimately deciding on a destination. His new team will only be on the hook for a prorated amount of the league minimum $390,000.
"We’ve started some dialogue with a number of clubs," Lapa said. "Ever since he technically became free there’s been an uptick in intensity. He’s weighing all his options."
Rodriguez notes that Jones is from and continues to reside in San Diego, and might seek employment closer to home. The Padres could probably use him, though I’m not sure Jones would want to sign there, given the team’s play to this point. The two LA teams have plenty of outfielders.
The Marlins still do seem like the most likely destination. The only small problem I can see is that both Jones and Azemaga have clear career splits showing they hit righties better than lefties, though Jones bucked that trend last year in 87 plate appearances against southpaws. But that shouldn’t stop the Marlins from pursuing a potential upgrade in center.
Joe Pawlikowski writes for River Ave Blues, a Yankees blog, and can be reached here.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer believes the Indians’ preference to be to acquire an infielder, if they are to explore the trade market. If so, they might pass on discussing potentially available outfielders such as Ken Griffey Jr., Adam Dunn, and Jason Bay. However, Hoynes notes the Indians’ past interest in Dunn.
Hoynes believes the Brian Roberts rumblings could resurface, perhaps a month or two from now. Peter Gammons suggested in April that the Orioles’ decent start might cause Peter Angelos to mandate retention of Roberts.
Some other possibly available infielders: Garrett Atkins, Nick Johnson (perhaps six weeks from now), Aubrey Huff, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Castillo, Cristian Guzman, Felipe Lopez, Melvin Mora, Chad Tracy, and Mark Ellis (once he recovers from a strained hamstring). It seems easier to acquire an impact outfielder. Regardless, Hoynes believes the Indians would use their starting pitching surplus to engineer a trade.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post reports that the Rockies have signed lefty Glendon Rusch to a minor league deal. Rusch missed all of the 2007 season due to a blood clot in his lung. He struggled with his control in 19.2 innings with the Padres this year.
Rusch joins some familiar names in the Sky Sox (Triple A) rotation: John Koronka, Josh Towers, Valerio De Los Santos, and Franklin Morales. It looks like Cedrick Bowers has replaced Victor Zambrano in that rotation.
Renck also wonders whether the Rockies and Blue Jays could be a match given Colorado’s outfield depth.
MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com
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