Haudricourt On: Hall, Pitching, Cain
Tom Haudricourt from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel has some topics of discussion for your reading pleasure this Sunday afternoon:
- Haudricourt says that there's a best case scenario for Bill Hall, and it's not returning to the Brewers' lineup. Haudricourt feels the best thing for both sides is for Hall to play strongly at the Triple-A level, draw interest from a team needing infield help, and get traded. This would require the Brewers eating a significant portion of the roughly $10MM Hall has left on his deal, but with Casey McGehee's emergence and Mat Gamel waiting in the wings, Hall is an odd man out.
- It's not fair to blame the Brewers' lack of minor league pitching depth on injuries to first round picks such as Mike Jones and Mark Rogers. As Haudricourt says, at some point, you have to develop a mid- or late-round pick into a viable major leaguer. His example: Randy Wells – a 38th round pick – and his 2.84 ERA.
- Matt Cain's dominance this season serves as a testimonial as to why the Brewers were unable to acquire him when they were rumored to be pursuing the San Francisco righty in the past. Haudricourt says the Giants never intended to deal Cain, and his 12-2 record and 2.12 ERA are the reasons for that.
- Haudricourt wonders aloud how nice Zack Greinke would look in a Brewers uniform, and offers this quote from the Kansas City ace: "The way we've been playing, it's as bad as any team I've played for." Strong words from someone who's been with the Royals since 2004. Greinke is just 10-6 despite leading the Majors with a 2.08 ERA, and has a 2.97 ERA over his five no-decision this season. Ouch.
- Haudricourt discusses the Indians as well, pointing out that no team had ever traded the AL Cy Young winner in back-to-back seasons. He quotes Cliff Lee:
Discussion: What To Do With Dye?
Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald in Chicago writes that veteran right fielder Jermaine Dye "deserves a new deal."
Dye clubbed his 24th home run today, and has driven in 67 runs as I type this, while posting a line of .280/.354/.534 this season. He may be 35 years old, but as Gregor points out, that doesn't seem to have slowed his bat down.
With Jim Thome likely departing after this season due to concerns from the White Sox over his health, Dye could take on designated hitter duties in order to keep him fresh. Gregor also feels that Dye can still play right field as well, citing a great catch today and a strong outfield assist at Mark Teixeira's expense yesterday.
Dye has become a staple in Chicago, but that didn't stop them in the case of Joe Crede this past offseason. Dye loves playing on the South Side, and currently has a $12MM mutual option for 2010 with a $1MM buyout, though Gregor mentions a possible two-year extension. If you were Kenny Williams, how would you handle the situation this offseason? Should Dye's age be a concern? What type of contract would you offer Dye, if at all?
Olney’s Latest: Padres, Braves, Indians, Rays
ESPN's Buster Olney takes a look at some "trade deadline ripples." ESPN Insider is required for the whole story, but here's some quick highlights:
- The Padres had to trade Jake Peavy for financial reasons, and don't be surprised to see them continue the firesale in the offseason. Olney says we could see both Adrian Gonzalez and Heath Bell moved to restock what's become a poor farm system.
- Olney says it may be the Braves who have done the best work of all this season, bolstering their offense with Nate McLouth and Adam LaRoche. At just four games back of the Wild Card, Olney is right to say that the Braves are indeed dangerous.
- Olney praises the Indians for building a solid foundation of young pitching through its moves this season.
- The Rays may move both Scott Kazmir and Carl Crawford this season, for financial reasons.
- Olney states that the Brewers did the correct thing by playing it conservative this year. Medium-market teams can't afford to trade off prospects for veterans every year and expect to contend.
- Roy Halladay's trade value dropped by 30 to 40 percent, in Olney's estimation. He has a hard time seeing them trade Halladay before the July 2010 trade deadline. Wouldn't it be fun to relive the drama all over again a year from now?
- Scott Rolen's $11MM 2010 salary will account for almost 15% of the Reds' payroll next season, which Olney says "makes no sense."
Brandon Webb To Undergo Surgery
According to a report from Mark Maynard of Brandon Webb's hometown Ashland, Kentucky, the Diamondbacks injured ace will undergo surgery on Monday that will end any hopes of him pitching in 2009.
Webb had gone through two different periods of rest and strengthening with visions of pitching in September. However, the stiffness in his right shoulder has not improved. The recovery time from the procedure is not yet known.
The Diamondbacks have an $8.5MM option or a $2MM buyout on Webb after this season, which they must decide on within five days of the World Series. General manager Josh Byrnes commented on the situation:
For a healthy Webb, the option would be a no-brainer. Unfortunately for Arizona, that's not the case. Should the D'Backs bring him back, regardless of health, or should they part ways with one of the faces of their franchise following the 2009 season?
Mora Unhappy With Playing Time
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes that Melvin Mora is unhappy after being benched for the third time in four games, and has gone so far as to say that manager Dave Trembley doesn't respect him.
The Orioles hold an $8MM option on Mora for 2010, which they're almost certain to decline. Mora seems to be at peace with the fact that he'll likely be wearing a new uniform next year after nine seasons in Baltimore:
In a separate piece, Peter Schmuck wonders whether or not Andy MacPhail will attempt to move Mora sooner than that. Mora's bat hasn't had much life in it this season, hitting .256/.321/.330. Would a change of scenery help the veteran third baseman?
Odds & Ends: O’s, Halladay, Pirates
Some links as we ponder what team might be desperate enough to pick up Sidney Ponson:
- Peter Schmuck at the Baltimore Sun notes that the George Sherrill trade sends mixed signals about whether the Orioles believe they can contend in 2010.
- Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe has a lot of interesting stuff from Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi in the aftermath of the Roy Halladay talks.
- Pirates owner Bob Nutting was "emphatic" in saying that ownership would not change for the near future, says Dejan Kovacevic at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Kovacevic also talked with general manager Neal Huntington, and has the highlights of that interview.
- Recently dealt Orlando Cabrera says he'd be interested in returning to the A's as a free agent this offseason, says Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Bill Madden at the New York Daily News calls the Indians' and Pirates' trade deadline "a disgrace."
- Indians GM Mark Shapiro is "not looking for applause now" for the Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez deals, says Bud Shaw at the Cleveland Plain-Dealer.
- Bob Klapisch from FOX Sports looks at how each divisional race is impacted by the flurry of deals made at the end of July.
Royals DFA Sidney Ponson
Like so many before them, the Royals have designated starter Sidney Ponson for assignment, says Bob Dutton at the Kansas City Star via Twitter. His departure will make room for the incoming Kyle Davies. Sir Sid put up a sparkling 7.36 ERA and 32/25 K/BB ratio in 58.2 innings for the Royals this season.
Red Sox To Listen On Matsuzaka?
According to Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe, you can expect the Red Sox to listen to offers for Daisuke Matsuzaka this offseason. There's a hope Matsuzaka will right the ship and return to success after injuries this season to help his trade value.
Matsuzaka's recent comments criticizing the team's rehab process might have been too much for him to have a place on the organization. Cafardo wonders if the team underestimated "the cultural and philosophical differences that would lead to a constant butting of heads." Matsuzaka would have to sign off on any deal, but indications are that he would okay a trade.
Cafardo also talked to a GM who said that Matsuzaka should draw interest from teams, as the Red Sox have already paid the enormous posting fee (over $51MM), his contract is otherwise reasonable, and because the Sox have a good history of taking care of their pitchers.
A’s Rumors: Garciaparra, Springer, Crosby
Susan Slusser at the San Francisco Chronicle says that the A's will be pressed to make a roster move upon the return of Jason Giambi this Tuesday, though it's unclear what the move will be. She notes that the A's essentially have five first basemen on their roster and wonders if one could be traded.
Slusser suggests that Nomar Garciaparra could generate interest as a bench bat in a waiver deal, but Billy Beane would likely ask for Garciaparra's approval before any move. She also notes that four teams' interest in Russ Springer before the deadline could spell a deal this month (the Cardinals were known to have some interest in Springer). No teams have reportedly made a call about Bobby Crosby, and she believes it's unlikely he is waived.
Twins Seek Pitching
According to Joe Christensen at the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins were hot after pitching before the July 31st deadline but came up empty. However, they're optimistic that they can get something done in August. As Twins GM Bill Smith told Christensen:
“There were very few relievers who got traded this week,” GM Bill Smith noted. “I won’t claim this, I read this the other day: Every team with a reliever was trying to turn a Larry Anderson into a Jeff Bagwell.”
With recent rocky starts by the Twins' young staff and a depleted bullpen, Christensen believes the team could use simply a consistent option–it need not be a "sexy addition," just a veteran to provide depth. He lists Jon Garland, Doug Davis, Kevin Correia and Miguel Batista as potentially interesting names for the Twins.