The Lefty Reliever Market
Let’s take a look at some of the left-handed relievers on the market.
George Sherrill, Orioles
- 31 years old, under team control through 2011.
- Known suitors: Cardinals, Brewers
- Asking price: two or three prospects, possibly a shortstop among them
Brian Fuentes, Rockies
- Almost 33 years old, free agent after season. Type A status likely.
- Known suitors: Marlins, Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Phillies, Cubs, Cardinals, Rays, Angels, Brewers, Tigers
- Asking price: Apparently a young starting pitcher – Jon Niese, Ian Kennedy, and Clay Buchholz have been named
Damaso Marte, Pirates
- 33 years old, $6MM club option for ’09 with a $250K buyout. Type A status likely.
- Known suitors: Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, Rays
- Asking price: Perhaps a package exceeding the value of two draft picks
Ron Mahay, Royals
- 37 years old, signed for ’09 at $4MM.
- Known suitors: Cardinals, Yankees, Rays
- Asking price: Unknown, but Royals intend to keep him. Rany Jazayerli wonders if trading Mahay now would discourage future free agents from signing with KC.
John Grabow, Pirates
- 29 years old, under team control through ’09. Elbow stiffness last year.
- Known suitors: Tigers, Phillies, Cardinals
- Asking price: Less than that of Marte
Eddie Guardado, Rangers
- 37 years old, free agent after season. Type B status possible.
- Known suitors: Cardinals
- Asking price: Perhaps a starting pitching prospect; Rangers are said to be interested in the Cardinals’ Jess Todd
Alan Embree, Athletics
- 38 years old, $3MM club option for ’09. Type A status possible, but may choose to accept offer of arbitration. Embree wouldn’t be surprised if he was traded.
- Known suitors: None
- Asking price: Unknown
Jeremy Affeldt, Reds
- 29 years old, free agent after season. Type B status possible, could accept offer of arbitration.
- Known suitors: Yankees, Rays, Astros, Phillies last offseason
- Asking price: Unknown
Dodgers Scouting A’s?
Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle notes that the Dodgers have a scout at the current A’s-Rays series in Tampa Bay. Ken Rosenthal recently named the Dodgers as one suitor for A’s closer Huston Street. Slusser also speculates that the Dodgers could consider shortstop Bobby Crosby.
Street is not at peak value right now, with eight hits and four runs allowed in his last three appearances. His average fastball velocity is down to 89.7 mph this year from 90.4 last year. Strikeouts are down, walks and home runs are up. He’s dealt with a groin strain this season and ulnar nerve irritation last year. Street is under team control through 2010.
Other teams eyeing Street: the Mets, White Sox, and Brewers.
Orioles Talked Extension With Markakis
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles recently discussed a contract extension with right fielder Nick Markakis. However, talks have already reached a standstill and will wait until after the season.
Markakis will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after the season. He’s earning $455K this year, so his ’09 salary should increase at least tenfold. Zrebiec says the O’s wanted to buy out Markakis’ three arbitration years, at the least.
Zrebiec speculates that Markakis’ contract could fall somewhere between those of Alex Rios and Hanley Ramirez. Rios is an odd case since he was a Super Two player. He will receive about $16.3MM for his last three arb years and then $12.25MM annually covering four free agent years. Ramirez gave up his three arb years for $23.5MM and then three free agent years at an average of $15.5MM.
Splitting the difference, the Orioles could offer Markakis a six-year, $62MM extension.
Tigers’ Deadline Plans Unknown
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers’ approach to this year’s trade deadline remains unclear. It might make sense for GM Dave Dombrowski to wait a while longer, since the Tigers have a series against the White Sox this weekend. The Tigers are currently in third place, 5.5 games behind the Sox.
One need might be starting pitching; Tigers starters rank 10th of 14 teams in ERA. Padres starters Randy Wolf and Greg Maddux are not on the radar. The Tigers will probably attend Freddy Garcia‘s August 5th audition. No other possibilities have surfaced, but A.J. Burnett would be intriguing.
On the relief side, the Tigers are said to be interested in Pirates lefties Damaso Marte and John Grabow. They were also linked to Jon Rauch in April. Shortstop is considered a longer-term need for the Tigers, who seem unlikely to exercise Edgar Renteria‘s $12MM option for ’09.
Recently Morosi took a look at Tigers prospects who may be used as possible trade chips. Reliever Fernando Rodney is considered expendable, as well.
Pirates Rumors: Alvarez, Marte
A few notes from Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette this morning.
- The Pirates are still engaged in deep, tight-knit negotiations with first round pick Pedro Alvarez. No one’s talking, but Kovacevic heard a rumor that the sides are $2MM apart. This might not be settled until the August 15th deadline.
- Kovacevic talked to a Pirates source who said Boston’s interest in Damaso Marte has heightened. Many clubs are after Marte. The lefty has a $6MM club option for ’09 with a $250K buyout. That actually might be worth considering. Marte seems likely to sneak into Type A free agent status – important stats like wins, saves, and innings are all up from last year.
Ozzie Doesn’t Think Garcia Will Be Ready
TUESDAY: Garcia was "very, very upset" by Guillen’s comments. His audition is tentatively scheduled for August 5th, and he believes he can help a contender this year.
SATURDAY: Freddy Garcia is hard at work trying to rebound from labrum surgery. Roughly a dozen teams are interested; they hope the veteran right-hander will able to contribute in September and perhaps October.
His close friend and former manager Ozzie Guillen, however, isn’t too optimistic about Garcia’s chances. Guillen told MLB.com writer Scott Merkin:
"I doubt it. I hope he is. He’s my friend…But when I see him and where he’s at right now, I don’t see that happening. I don’t think by August, maybe September. Freddy hasn’t even thrown off the mound yet.
"He’s throwing flat and he’s throwing good and he said his velocity is coming around. Everything is fine, but people think because you play catch, you are pitching. That’s not the same. You don’t have people on the mound or hitting. I hope he do it, but it’s going to be a little bit difficult for him to do it."
Dodgers Showcasing Andy LaRoche?
Dodgers manager Joe Torre pledged to play young third baseman Andy LaRoche in all three games of the current series against the Rockies. Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News wonders whether the Dodgers are showcasing him. Or, the Dodgers may just want to see if he can win the starting gig.
LaRoche, 24, began the season on the DL with a torn thumb ligament. He then hit .277/.444/.420 in 38 Triple A games. In the minors and in his brief Major League career, LaRoche has drawn a ton of walks. He’s yet to flash much power in the bigs, but it’s a small sample.
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti is said to be targeting third base and/or shortstop help. Possible veterans on the radar: Jack Wilson, Casey Blake, and Adrian Beltre.
Posada May Be Out For Season
Tough news for the Yankees – catcher Jorge Posada is headed back to the DL and is considering season-ending shoulder surgery.
Jose Molina can certainly handle the job in the short-term, but the Yankees may want to replace Posada’s bat. Here’s a look at the catching market, in case Brian Cashman decides to pursue a trade.
Pirates Rumors: Wilson, Bay, Nady, Marte, Grabow
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest Pirates hot stove chatter.
- The Pirates are not opposed to creating a hole at shortstop for the rest of the year by trading Jack Wilson. They would just need the right return. Teams are still calling on Wilson, with the Dodgers confirmed and the Tigers possible.
- A Jason Bay deal seems less likely – the Pirates’ price is high for their star.
- Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte continue to draw interest, with John Grabow in the mix as well. Nady or Marte would require two prospects each. Nady’s suitors are the Rays, Mets, Yankees, and Braves. Marte has roughly a dozen suitors.
- Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger says the injury to Hideki Matsui led to heightened interest from the Yankees in Nady and Bay. They’re also in on Marte and Grabow. The Bucs aren’t interested in Melky Cabrera.
- Interesting stuff in this John Perrotto article found via DRays Bay. He names the Red Sox, Tigers, Mets, Yankees, Phillies, Cardinals, and Rays as teams interested in Marte. The Tigers, Phillies, and Cardinals also have an eye on Grabow.
- Perrotto runs through all kinds of names of interest to the Pirates: Anthony Reyes, Chris Duncan, Jeff Larish, Matt Joyce, Ross Ohlendorf, Brent Lillibridge, Brandon Jones, Jeff Niemann, Jon Niese, Eddie Kunz, and Bobby Parnell.
The Left Fielder Market Revisited
Time for another look at the market for left fielders. The Mets figure to be surveying these options. A trend here: teams don’t seem terribly motivated to move the top players.
- Matt Holliday, Rockies. Holliday, a Scott Boras client, is signed for ’09 at $13.5MM. The Rockies’ asking price seems to be fantastically high.
- Jason Bay, Pirates. The Bucs are not motivated to trade Bay, who is signed for next year at just $7.5MM. An extension seems more likely than a trade.
- Adam Dunn, Reds. There hasn’t been much buzz around Dunn, for some reason. He’s got a very Dunn-like .230/.387/.550 line, which includes a staggering 75 walks in 385 plate appearances. He’s likely to be a Type A free agent after the season, and I don’t buy the logic that the Reds are afraid to offer him arbitration for fear he’ll accept.
- Xavier Nady, Pirates. Nady is generally a right fielder, but he can play left. He is under team control but not contract for ’09. He is in the midst of the best year of his career and has a host of suitors. Dejan Kovacevic says "truly elite prospects are not on the table" in possible trades, though.
- David DeJesus, Royals. The 28 year-old DeJesus is also having a career-best season, flashing more power than ever. He can play all three outfield positions; his team-friendly contract runs through 2010 with an option for ’11. It would take a lot for the Royals to trade their (arguably) best hitter.
- Raul Ibanez, Mariners. The Ms could choose to keep Ibanez, both for his leadership and in an attempt to avoid an even more embarrassing offense. He has a good shot at Type A free agent status, too.
- Casey Blake, Indians. Blake seems likely to be traded; he could be someone’s Plan B to Nady. He’s been raking since the beginning of June and is a free agent after the season.
- Chris Duncan, Cardinals. Duncan’s power disappeared sometime around August of last year. The 27 year-old looks like more of a platoon/bench guy.
- Juan Rivera, Angels. Rivera is making the most of regular playing time, and isn’t expendable.
- David Dellucci, Indians. Dellucci can only be used against righties, and he hasn’t hit them particularly well since ’06. He’s signed for ’09 at $4MM.
- Jay Payton, Orioles. Payton has been lousy and seems like a DFA candidate.
- Dave Roberts, Giants. The injury-prone speedster is under contract for $6.5MM in ’09. He’ll return from the DL on Wednesday and figures to take a bench role behind Fred Lewis.
- Marlon Byrd, Rangers. Byrd, 30, hasn’t been able to match last year’s .814 OPS. He’s under team control for ’09 and can play all three outfield positions. Byrd dealt with knee inflammation earlier in the year.
- Frank Catalanotto, Rangers. Catalanotto is a useful utility man. However, he’s owed $4MM in ’09 and a $2MM buyout in ’10.
- Kenny Lofton, free agent. Lofton posted an .838 OPS against righties last year, but he remains unemployed. He should get a job soon if his price is reasonable.
- Barry Bonds, free agent. Bonds’ agent Jeff Borris tells us his client could be ready to play in ten days. Borris says Bonds would play for the league minimum but all 30 teams have passed. Bonds could help several clubs, but those teams don’t want his baggage.