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Archives for November 2009

Odds & Ends: Ramirez, Halladay, Tigers

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Some links for Sunday….

Discussion: Carlos Delgado

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The last time Carlos Delgado hit the open market, he signed a $52MM deal with the Florida Marlins. Five offseasons later, Delgado's in line for a considerably smaller deal and the Marlins are expected to spend more conservatively. The Puerto Rican slugger is returning from hip surgery that may limit his ability to play the field. He'll face competition from free agent first basemen and designated hitters, most notably Adam LaRoche, Hideki Matsui and Vladimir Guerrero.

Delgado has been a slightly below average defender in recent years without being a major liability, according to UZR/150. He isn't the offensive force he was in the early part of the decade with the Blue Jays, but he recovered from a tough start to hit 38 homers and post an .871 OPS in his last full season, 2008. This year, he had a .914 OPS before getting hurt in May and he's now just 27 homers away from 500.

So if you cheer for one of the many teams that could use a first baseman or DH, would you want your club to add Delgado? He's never been much of a defender, is returning from hip surgery and turns 38 next season. But he shouldn't be too expensive and he can still hit. The Mariners, Orioles, Braves, Mets and D'Backs are among the teams that could fit. Do you want your team to sign Delgado?

Josh Johnson Won’t Be Traded This Offseason

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According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, Marlins GM Michael Hill told 790 The Ticket that Josh Johnson will open next season with the Marlins. The big righty has been involved in his share of trade rumors since the season ended, partly because extension talks aren't progressing and partly because he's an arbitration-eligible Marlin. So will Johnson still be on the Marlins come April?

"Yes," Hill said. "I can say with certainty, yes."

Hill knows other teams have interest in Johnson, but says he wants to build around pitching. The cost-conscious Marlins may have to consider dealing Johnson before he hits free agency after the 2011 season, but he's not going anywhere before Opening Day.

MLBTR Seeks Comment Moderators

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MLBTR is now looking for moderators to read through comments and make sure that they're not in violation of our commenting policy. We're looking for a small group of people to contribute throughout the week. It's not a paid position, but it will keep you connected to the latest trade and free agent rumors. 

If you're a frequent MLBTR commenter who can help us keep inappropriate posts to a minimum, send a short e-mail to mlbtrmods@gmail.com and explain why you'd be a good fit. If you're responsible, respectful and interested in contributing at MLBTR, we want to hear from you.

Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Holliday, Nady, Beltre

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The Cardinals know it will take a lengthy and substantial offer to keep Albert Pujols in St. Louis, but the slugging first baseman would like to see what the Cards do this offseason before beginning serious contract talks, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Agent Dan Lozano says he and his client aren't in a rush to complete a long-term deal. Pujols is under contract for next year and the Cardinals are expected to pick up his $16MM option for 2011.

The Cardinals have interest in signing Matt Holliday, who's in position to demand one of the offseason's biggest contracts. Team chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. told the Post-Dispatch that signing Holliday "at the right level" wouldn't prevent them from locking Pujols up long-term.

If Holliday's demands exceed the team's budget, they figure to spend on pitching, according to Goold. They have interest in Xavier Nady, and Miguel Tejada could be a fit, too. Adrian Beltre has yet to draw interest from the Cardinals, according to Goold's source.

Week In Review: 11/22/09 – 11/28/09

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Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrated this week! Here's your weekly look back at all things Hot Stove from MLBTR:

Rogers On Mauer, Pujols, Vizquel

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Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says the Twins are "getting serious" about a Joe Mauer extension. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported earlier in the week that the Twins hope to sign Mauer to an extension by Christmas. As Rogers points out, Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, represented Cal Ripken Jr. and Kirby Puckett, so there's hope for Twins fans who dread Mauer's impending free agency. Here are the rest of Rogers' rumors:

  • Albert Pujols' representatives told the Cardinals not to worry about a potential extension until they take care of the team's other needs. Pujols is under control through 2011, a year longer than Mauer.
  • The White Sox may ask Omar Vizquel to mentor 20-year-old shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Like Vizquel, Escobar is a Venezuelan switch-hitter with a good glove and little power. But White Sox farm director Buddy Bell cautions against making Vizquel comparisons just yet.

No Active Millwood Talk For Brewers

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Earlier today, it was reported that the Brewers have inquired about Kevin Millwood's availability. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy says that while that may very well be true, it hasn't been anytime recently. According to McCalvy, Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he hasn't spoken with Brewers GM Doug Melvin in weeks.

Despite a lack of active talks, McCalvy states that the Rangers remain a possible trade target for the Brewers, even if Millwood isn't involved, due to their depth of options at starting pitching. While many teams would like to try to pull Tommy Hunter or Derek Holland away though, the Rangers would be more inclined to deal someone like Brandon McCarthy, writes McCalvy.

Whether or not Milwaukee is a match for Texas is yet to be seen. Texas would like to add a right-handed bat, but the best Milwaukee will be able to offer is Corey Hart, who is coming off a disappointing 2009 season. The Rangers interest in Hart may be dependent on whether or not free agent Marlon Byrd finds himself back in Texas next season.

McCalvy feels that the Rangers are likely to hold onto Millwood this winter and build their rotation around him and Scott Feldman. It's not hard, however, to see the logic behind dealing a 35-year-old coming off his best season since 2005. And, as McCalvy points out, the Brewers have been linked to Millwood in the past.

Pirates Notes: Rule 5, Duke, Yates

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Dejan Kovacevic has a new column up focusing on a number of Pirates topics:

  • After liking what they've found in Rule 5 Draft picks Evan Meek and Donnie Veal, the Pirates are actively scouting available players and have identified some potential targets to use their #2 pick on in this year's Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10. Meek posted a 3.45 ERA out of the 'pen for the Buccos in 2009. And, while Kovacevic points out that Veal's numbers this season were ugly, he recently dominated the Arizona Fall League. Veal posted a 2.14 ERA through 21 innings, allowing only a .221 opponent average, striking out 22 and walking seven.
  • Last offseason, the Pirates locked up Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth, and Paul Maholm, but Kovacevic says not to expect any long-term deals this time around. That includes Zach Duke, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.
  • Tyler Yates, who underwent Tommy John surgery back in July, is back to playing pain-free long-toss and is discussing a minor league deal to keep him in the Pirates organization.

Eight Teams Interested In Takashi Saito

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The White Sox, Cubs, Braves, and Mets make up half of the eight teams interested in signing right-hander Takashi Saito, according to Patrick Newman at NPB Tracker.

Saito posted a 2.43 ERA in 55.2 IP for the Red Sox last year, in what was maybe his least effective MLB campaign. In 245.1 innings over four seasons in Los Angeles and Boston, Saito's ERA is a minuscule 2.01. Although he turns 40 before Opening Day 2010, Saito's track record should earn him an eighth-inning job, and perhaps even a chance to close.

The last rumor we heard on Saito was that the Red Sox weren't picking up the reliever's $6MM 2010 option, but were still open to bringing him back to Boston. So we can probably add the Sox to the list of teams interested in the veteran righty. Any speculation on who the others might be? Tigers? Phillies? Astros?

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