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Archives for March 2009

Week In Review: 3/22 – 3/29

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Here's your weekly look back at the events of the last seven days:

  • Curt Schilling announced his retirement this week, wrapping up his career with a 216-146 career record, 3.46 ERA, and 3,116 career Ks. The six-time All-Star will go down as one of the greatest postseason pitchers ever, as he was 11-2 with a 2.23 ERA through 12 postseason series. Congratulations to Curt on a great career.
  • Bad news for Rangers fans, as Josh Hamilton was reportedly "disappointed" by the contract extension the Rangers offered him this past week. Hamilton is a the anchor of a dynamic lineup, and a once-in-a-lifetime talent; I'd be surprised to see the Rangers fail to get something worked out eventually.
  • There's been a lot of talk about what the White Sox are going to do with their center field situation. Juan Pierre's name was (very) briefly mentioned last weekend, but Ozzie Guillen said this week that he'd prefer to solve the problem internally. The question then, is whether or not one of Jerry Owens, Brian Anderson, or Dewayne Wise can step up and be the everyday guy the Sox need.
  • Gary Matthews Jr. wants to play every day, and isn't happy to be buried on the depth chart for the Angels. Any creative future general managers out there who can find a way for the Halos to somehow move Matthews and the three years, $33MM left coming his way?
  • Following his release from the Nationals, Shawn Hill elected to sign with the Padres. Hill should have an immediate rotation spot if he's healthy, and what better place to rebound for a pitcher han Petco Park? Hill had offers from six teams, and if you ask me, made the right choice for his career.
  • Ben took a look at the remaining names on the free agent market.
  • Tim conducted several Q&As this week, including Keith Law, Kevin Slowey, and Josh Byrnes.
  • Offseason Review updates: White Sox, Cardinals, Twins, and Marlins

Dodgers Talking With Ohman?

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4:22pm: Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times writes that Torre wasn't sure Ohman was as ready as he's been advertising. Ohman maintains that he's been working hard with the intention of being ready for Opening Day, and that he's reached that point. Torre disagreed:

Of Ohman's command when he pitched to minor leaguers in front of the Dodgers' brain trust, Torre said, "You can see he hasn't been pitched in games."

1:16pm: On his blog at MLB.com, Ken Gurnick writes that the Dodgers gave free-agent lefty Will Ohman a tryout this morning. Joe Torre joined nearly the entire Dodger front office in attendance.

Ohman, 31, has held opposing lefties to just a .197 batting average for his career. He's been holding out for quite some time now, despite interest from several teams. Most recently we've heard that the Pirates have been increasing their interest, and that the Phillies were out as a result of Ohman's $2MM asking price.

Bill Shaikin of the LA Times cites Dylan Hernandez (also of the Times), saying that following the tryout, Ohman and his agent headed into a meeting with Dodgers General Manager Ned Colletti.

Wilkerson Leaves Red Sox

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Rob Bradford reports that Terry Francona confirmed Brad Wilkerson's departure from the Red Sox earlier this morning.

Wilkerson, 31, was in camp on a minor-league deal, competing for the job of the fifth outfielder and backup first baseman. His contract allowed him to opt-out prior to April 1, which he elected to do after hitting just .119 through 42 ABs, with 18 strikeouts. The position battle will now likely come down to Chris Carter and Jeff Bailey, both of whom are having strong a strong Spring Training, hitting .350 and .357, respectively.

Mariners Acquire Chris Burke

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Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that Chris Burke, who was told by the Padres on Saturday that he wouldn't make the team, has been traded to the Mariners for cash or a player to be named later.

Burke, 29, hit just .194/.310/.273 last season in 86 games for Arizona. He saw time at all four infield positions and both outfield corners for the D'Backs in 2008.

Rangers Claim Joe Koshansky

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MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers have claimed first baseman Joe Koshansky off waivers from the Rockies.

Koshansky, 26, led the minor leagues with 121 RBI last year. He also swatted 31 home runs while hitting .300. He's been added to the Rangers' 40-man roster and is expected to begin the season at Triple-A Oklahoma as the starting first baseman.

Matthews Jr. Leaves Camp For A Day

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Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times writes that Gary Matthews Jr. was permitted to leave camp for a day, following a closed-door meeting with Mike Scioscia and Tony Reagins. Scioscia and Reagins informed Matthews during the meeting that he will open the season with the Angels as their fifth outfielder.

Matthews is entering the third year of a five-year, $50MM contract with a full no-trade clause. It's believed that he would waive that clause in order to move to a team where he could play every day. Three remaining years and $33MM owed make him nearly impossible to trade, however.

Reagins said that Matthews is in the Angels' Opening Day plans, but had this to say when asked if Matthews would still be an Angel in a week:

"This game can change on a daily basis."

Matthews chose not to discuss the meeting with reporters, asking for a day to himself before commenting on the situation.

Morrow To Close, Walker Released

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This is not a trade rumor, but it's somewhat related. Larry LaRue of the The News Tribune reports Brandon Morrow is the likely closer for the Mariners. Geoff Baker writes that with no chance of making the starting rotation, according to manager Don Wakamatsu, the would-be starter approached coaches with a desire to close. Says LaRue,

"The only thing Morrow needs to prove now is that he can close regularly despite diabetes, a disease that can rock him unexpectedly. On Sunday, for instance, Morrow’s blood sugar level was high and his energy level down.He dealt with using his insulin pump – and last year, closing was not a problem for Morrow when J.J. Putz went down. Now that Putz is gone and he closing job wide open, Morrow wants it badly. Barring an unforeseen physical problem, it’s his."

This sounds vaguely familiar.

Morrow's decision spelled the end of Tyler Walker's time with the Mariners, according to Baker. He was released earlier this morning after pitching 5.2 innings this Spring. He allowed 3 ER with 8 hits, 4 Ks, 2 BBs, and one hit batter.

Tigers, Mets Deal Fell Through

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According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers have had serious talks recently with the Mets about reliever Brian Stokes; however, any deal fell apart when Stokes became likely to make their roster.

Morosi mentions Tigers infielder/outfielder Ryan Raburn would've been a part of the deal.

With Joel Zumaya heading to the disabled list to start the season, the Tigers are looking for relief help with just over one week to go until the start of the season, says Morosi. Along with Rayburn, the Tigers have put outfielder Marcus Thames on the trading block

Odds & Ends: Twins, Rockies, Yankees

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Ed Price at FanHouse.com has some Odds & Ends of his own in the Overheard and Understood section of his column.

  • The Twins are looking for a setup man who can provide good control. Internally, it's a big deal for them.
  • The Rockies could wind up dumping contracts midseason if they find themselves out of contention. Price quotes one exec saying, "Unless they move ($3.5-million salaried backup catcher Yorvit) Torrealba, they're not taking on any money."
  • The Mariners say no player is untouchable. The M's are seeking "athletes" says Price.
  • Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill will get the last two spots in Oakland's rotation.
  • The Padres are "dying for pitching" and "will claim anybody" on waivers, says Price.
  • If Cody Ransom gets exposed by playing on a daily basis, then the Yankees may need a stopgap to fill third base until Alex Rodriguez's mid-may return.

Pirates, Wilson Discussing Extension

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Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates and Jack Wilson are beginning to discuss a contract extension. Wilson apparently initiated talks this week, indicating a desire to stay with the club beyond next year when his contract could expire.

Wilson is set to make $7.25MM in 2009, with a club option for $8.4MM or a $500K buyout. In this economic climate, Wilson will almost certainly have to accept a salary reduction. During the offseason he was shopped aggressively but no market was found for the 31-year old shortstop.

Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review says Wilson contacted them to renegotiate the option-year of his contract in an effort to remain in Pittsburgh. While this is somewhat contrary to Kovacevic report, it's not unreasonable to expect both reports to be true. If staying in Pittsburgh is Wilson prerogative, then renegotiating his club option would buy him more time to get an extension done, and any extension would presumably begin next season in place of the option.

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