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Archives for April 2009

Marlins Acquire Ross Gload; Royals Release Peralta

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3:11pm: Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star says the Royals also released reliever Joel Peralta, saving about $380K in the process.  Peralta, 33, posted a 5.98 ERA, 6.5 K/9 2.4 BB/9 last year in 52.6 innings while allowing 15 home runs.

11:47am: According to a press release, the Royals traded first baseman Ross Gload to the Marlins for a player to be named.  Gload, 33 in a few days, hit .273/.317/.348 in 418 plate appearances for the Royals last year.  He's owed $1.9MM this year and has a $2.6MM club option for '10.  It's surprising to see the thrifty Marlins make this seemingly pointless acquisition.  Previously their corner options consisted of Jorge Cantu, Emilio Bonifacio, and Wes Helms.

Offseason In Review: New York Mets

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Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Mets.  Here's what we wrote about the team on October 14th.  Changes for 2009:

Additions:  Francisco Rodriguez, J.J. Putz, Sean Green, Darren O'Day, Oliver Perez (re-signed), Tim Redding, Connor Robertson, Alex Cora, Carlos Delgado (exercised option), Jeremy Reed, Cory Sullivan, Fernando Tatis (re-signed), Freddy Garcia, Casey Fossum, Livan Hernandez, Ramon Martinez, Bobby Kielty, Rob Mackowiak

Subtractions: Pedro Martinez, Moises Alou, Aaron Heilman, Duaner Sanchez, Scott Schoeneweis, Claudio Vargas, Jorge Sosa, Luis Ayala, Joe Smith, Damion Easley, Endy Chavez

Last year the Mets tied for 2nd in the NL with 4.93 runs scored per game.  Despite a similar lineup, CHONE projections and the lineup analysis tool put them at 4.69 per game for '09.  Rather than any one player, the projection system sees small declines for multiple guys.  Should Omar Minaya have brought in a corner outfielder?

The rotation hasn't changed much either.  Last year's group posted a 3.98 ERA in 971 innings, 5th in the NL.  The front four of Johan Santana, Mike Pelfrey, Perez, and John Maine may again be followed by a revolving door of fifth starters.  This time the candidates are Hernandez, Redding, Garcia, and Jon Niese.  It's inexact, but using CHONE I have the Mets starters around a 4.20 ERA in '09.  The system does not see Santana and Pelfrey repeating their ERAs (2.53 and 3.72).

The focus of the offseason was to revamp the bullpen.  Minaya signed K-Rod and traded for Putz and Green.  These improvements should make up for any slippage by the rotation.  The Mets played strong defense in '08, and that should hold true in '09.

The bullpen should add a few wins, but will that improvement be balanced out by a slightly worse offense and rotation?  If so, the Mets are an 86 win team.

Bottom line: Minaya may not have done enough by revamping his bullpen and bringing in a new fifth starter cast.  The Mets could be players at the trade deadline.

Brewers Release Mike Lamb

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WEDNESDAY: As expected, Lamb was placed on release waivers according to Haudricourt.

TUESDAY: According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers cut third baseman Mike Lamb today.  Lamb can either head to Triple A or become a free agent.  Based on his comments, Lamb isn't interested in Triple A.  The Brewers have instead decided to go with Casey McGehee in a backup infield role.  It's not a big financial loss for the Brewers, as the Twins are on the hook for most of Lamb's salary.

Rockies Rumors: Podsednik, Hammel, Gaudin

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest on the Rockies.

  • With Dexter Fowler making the team, the Rockies will release Scott Podsednik.  The Brewers have shown interest in bringing him back to Milwaukee.
  • Renck notes that Sal Fasano, Josh Fogg, and Matt Belisle all have out clauses in their contracts.
  • The Rockies are looking for pitching.  The top target is Jason Hammel of the Rays, while the Cubs' Chad Gaudin is also on the radar.  It's possible Gaudin will clear waivers due to his $2MM salary, though. 

Padres Acquire Edward Mujica

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WEDNESDAY: Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune says the Padres acquired Mujica from the Indians.  Brock reports the same.  Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer says the Indians will receive a player to be named later or cash.  Click here to read Paul DePodesta's thoughts on Mujica.

Additionally, Krasovic says the Padres shipped minor league pitcher Manny Ayala to the Phillies.

TUESDAY: According to MLB.com's Corey Brock, the Padres continue to eye the trade market for a hard-throwing reliever with late-inning potential.  Like recent acquisition Eulogio De La Cruz, the focus is on pitchers who are out of options.

Brock says the Padres might have interest in Cleveland's Ed Mujica.  Mujica, 25 in May, hasn't had big league success in recent years but did average 92.5 mph on his fastball in '08.

My own speculation – another name to watch might be Fernando Nieve, who the Mets recently claimed from the Astros but then placed back on waivers.  Here's the partial list of other out of options players I cobbled together earlier this year.

Gary Matthews Jr. Comments

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Yahoo's Tim Brown talked to Gary Matthews Jr., who is unhappy about his projected role as the Angels' fourth or fifth outfielder.  Matthews didn't exactly publicly demand a trade, but he said things like "We have a problem" and "It's going to have to get resolved."  Problem is, no team seems interested in taking on the $33MM owed to Matthews.  The Angels would have to eat money or match up with another bad contract, and they might just prefer to keep Matthews in a reserve role.

Over at his blog, Torii Hunter tries to explain where his teammate is coming from.

Tigers, Cardinals Discussing Raburn Trade

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According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Cardinals and Tigers are discussing a trade for Ryan Raburn.  Morosi says the Tigers may want to trade him for a pitching prospect.  Reader Mitch L. wonders if the Cards' interest in Raburn is linked to the recent news that Troy Glaus doesn't have a timetable for his return.  Raburn, 28 later this month, hit .236/.298/.368 in 199 plate appearances last year while playing all three outfield positions as well as second and third base.  The Tigers previously had talks with the Mets about receiving Brian Stokes for Raburn.  The Tigers optioned Raburn to Triple A Toledo today. 

Morosi adds that the Tigers hope to trade for a big league pitcher as well.  The Cubs' Chad Gaudin is on the radar, though his $2MM salary may be a bit much.

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