If The Diamondbacks Become Sellers
The Diamondbacks are three games back with over 90% of the season remaining, so it'd be silly to write them off. Still, let's take a look at who they might make available in trade if they're out of contention a few months from now.
Brandon Webb, coming back from shoulder surgery, isn't eligible to come off the disabled list until May 25th. Barring a setback, he should have a month's worth of big league starts before the trade deadline. If he's able to conjure up vintage Webb, he'll have plenty of suitors. But as we saw with Erik Bedard in years past, there are no guarantees he'll have trade deadline value.
Catcher Miguel Montero should return from knee surgery before the end of May. Chris Snyder could be placed on the trading block once again, if Montero shows no ill effects. For his part, Snyder has several weeks to prove himself as a healthy starting catcher. He's owed $11.25MM for 2010-11.
Adam LaRoche, Chad Qualls, Aaron Heilman, Bob Howry, Kris Benson, and Rodrigo Lopez will be eligible for free agency after the season. The D'Backs could move the majority of them if things are looking bad come July. LaRoche might fetch something useful. Augie Ojeda is under team control for 2011, but would probably be available as well.
2011 Contract Issues: Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles face two contractual options after the season:
- First baseman Garrett Atkins has an $8.5MM club option with a $500K buyout. Barring a miraculous return to his 2006 abilities, the Orioles will decline.
- Lefty reliever Mark Hendrickson has a $1.2MM club option with a $200K buyout. Much too early to call.
Paying a $500K buyout to Atkins means shaving $3.5MM off the payroll. The Orioles can free up nearly $30MM in additional funds, since Kevin Millwood, Miguel Tejada, Koji Uehara, Ty Wigginton, and others are up for free agency. They'll also trim $1.5MM in buyouts paid to Melvin Mora and Chad Moeller. The Orioles will shed $32.85MM if they let all their free agents go aside from Hendrickson.
On the increase side, there's a $3.5MM bump for Nick Markakis. The Orioles have three first-time arbitration players in Adam Jones, Jim Johnson, and Felix Pie. Jeremy Guthrie, Cla Meredith, and Matt Albers will go for a second time, Luke Scott a third. The Orioles should have at least $15MM to play with even if they hold payroll steady and tender everyone a contract.
Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the info.
Odds & Ends: Martinez, Rangers, Strasburg, Zambrano
Links for Wednesday…
- Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal thinks that Victor Martinez's inability to contain baserunners could cost him millions in free agency and compromise his long-term future with the Red Sox.
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram writes that Tom Hicks is "concerned" about the sale of the Rangers to new ownership. Hicks' comments prompted MLB to release a statement in which they say the league has taken control of the Rangers' sale.
- Despite Stephen Strasburg's hot start, Mike Rizzo has no plans to rush his prized prospect through the minors, according to Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington. Rizzo says that when Strasburg arrives in Washington, the club wants it to be for good.
- Ever seen a $17.875MM reliever? Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune reports that the Cubs are moving Carlos Zambrano to the bullpen on Friday. Carlos Silva will remain in the rotation; Tyler Kepner of the New York Times recently looked at his potential resurgence.
- In a pair of February articles, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune noted that Mark Buehrle's 10-and-5 rights kick in on July 6th, while A.J. Pierzynski's date is June 14th.
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times posits that if the Mariners hadn't traded Adam Jones, they wouldn't have Jack Zduriencik and Franklin Gutierrez.
- Though he'll continue to work for ESPN, Joe Morgan has joined the Reds as a "special advisor to baseball operations." Morgan will not be involved in the team's day-to-day operations, learned John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says the Diamondbacks looked into a trade for Nate Robertson before the southpaw was dealt to Florida. Crasnick's article deals with the performances of nine important fill-ins so far this season.
- FanGraphs has added an aspect of catcher defense to its Wins Above Replacement stat.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports talks about the plight of Dodgers pitcher Chad Billingsley. I imagine quite a few teams would like to try to get him back on track.
- Kevin Millar, released by the Cubs in March, has joined the MLB Network as an analyst according to Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball.
Rangers In Need Of Bullpen Help?
The Rangers have identified two needs in their bullpen, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. The club would like to find a left-handed reliever to complement Darren Oliver, and a power right-handed arm for the 8th inning.
Sullivan suggests that the Rangers will look first within their organization. For the left-handed role, Triple-A reliever Clay Rapada is perhaps the most likely choice, since the team has no desire to move C.J. Wilson or Derek Holland to the bullpen. As for the right-hander, Sullivan notes Chris Ray could emerge if Frank Francisco continues to struggle, though Ray hasn't exactly been dominant so far either.
If the Rangers' bullpen, which sported a 4.66 ERA coming into tonight's game, does not improve in the near future, the team might be forced to explore trade options. Last week, we identified a few relief pitchers that may be on the market this summer. The Blue Jays, who have a very effective lefty (Scott Downs) and multiple power righties (Jason Frasor, Kevin Gregg) in their 'pen, could potentially match up well with Texas.
Pierzynski Discusses Future With White Sox
WEDNESDAY, 6:20pm: Cowley follows up on Pierzynski's comments by getting a few reaction quotes from Ozzie Guillen. The White Sox skipper attempted to quell speculation about a possible trade or Flowers promotion, saying of Pierzynski: "He's not going to lose his job. I'm very happy with what I've got and I have a lot of optimism with what I have and I think A.J. is my catcher…. As long as I'm here, I don't see why he's not going to be my catcher."
TUESDAY, 9:28pm: Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times caught up with A.J. Pierzynski about his future with the White Sox. As pointed out by Tim earlier today, the catcher would achieve 10-and-5 rights this June, meaning he could veto any trade.
Pierzynski, 33, wanted to work out an extension with the White Sox, but with that off the table for now, he's looking for a resolution about his future.
‘‘Everyone knows my situation, I’m a free agent at the end of the year," Pierzynski told Cowley. "But I also know this, if it gets to about June then they can’t trade me, so they’re going to have to make a decision here pretty quick.’’
He added that Chicago is his first choice. Pierzynski is hitting just .171/.227/.195 in his first 44 plate appearances this season, but says his status has nothing to do with the slow start.
With Tyler Flowers in the wings, it is hard to imagine that the White Sox will keep Pierzynski around for anything other than a pennant race.
For his part, White Sox GM Kenny Williams is preaching patience.
Marlins Sign Jorge Sosa
Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports that the Marlins signed Jorge Sosa to a minor league deal "earlier this month." Sosa has been in extended spring training for the last week and will soon join the starting rotation in New Orleans, Florida's Triple-A affiliate.
Sosa, 31, had been signed by the Red Sox on a minor league contract earlier this winter. After a few mediocre spring innings, he was reassigned to minor league camp and ultimately released by Boston.
The right-hander appeared in 18 games for the Nationals last season, posting a 6.45 ERA over 22.1 innings. He last demonstrated big-league effectiveness in 2007, compiling a 4.47 ERA in 112.2 IP for the Mets.
Looper Throws For Cubs; Signing Not Expected
WEDNESDAY, 2:31pm: MLB.com's Carrie Muskat tweets that the Cubs are not expected to sign Looper.
TUESDAY, 8:36pm: FOXSports' Ken Rosenthal tweets that free agent Braden Looper threw for the Cubs today, and will be flexible on his role if the Cubs want him.
Looper is coming off of a disastrous 2009 season for the Brewers. He pitched to a 5.22 ERA, along with 64 walks and 100 strikeouts in 194 2/3 innings. Worst of all was a league-high 39 home runs allowed.
However, with the Cubs' bullpen pitching to a 6.00 ERA entering tonight's game (and struggling again), Looper may be an upgrade over some of the pitchers out there right now.
If The Cubs Become Sellers
At 5-9, the Cubs have fallen to four games back of the Cardinals in the NL Central. With over 90% of the season remaining, they've got plenty of time to right the ship. Still, let's take a look at who might be available if they don't.
If the Cubs decide to punt on the 2010 season at some point, I don't think it'd be a full-blown rebuild. Well-paid righties Carlos Zambrano and Ryan Dempster should be part of the 2011 rotation (though Z is headed for the 'pen on Friday), and I'd be surprised to see either traded. Aramis Ramirez has said he'll think about his '11 player option after the season; I don't see a midseason trade happening.
Right fielder Kosuke Fukudome could be shopped; we learned earlier this month that the Cubs and Nationals discussed a trade. With $26.5MM owed to him over 2010-11, the Cubs would have to eat salary or take a contract back.
Derrek Lee and Ted Lilly are free agents after the season. If the Cubs want to re-sign them, they're likely to stay put this summer regardless of the team's record. Otherwise, Lee and Lilly could draw solid returns on the trade market (assuming Lilly comes back strong from a shoulder procedure). Although both players stand a good chance of achieving Type A status, arbitration offers are not certain.
Most likely, the Cubs would move smaller pieces if they fall out of the race: Xavier Nady and Chad Tracy are on one-year deals.
Orioles Claim Pedro Viola
The Orioles claimed lefty Pedro Viola off waivers from the Reds today, according to a team press release. Viola was assigned to Triple A, and Felix Pie was transferred to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.
Viola, 26, posted a 5.47 ERA, 10.4 K/9, and 6.0 BB/9 in 49.3 Triple A relief innings last year, allowing seven home runs. In their 2010 Handbook, Baseball America praised Viola for a 92-94 mph fastball. However, they describe his changeup and slider as fringy and note his inconsistent command. Viola will be a project for Tides pitching coach Mike Griffin.
Roman Colon Clears Waivers
WEDNESDAY, 12:42pm: Colon cleared waivers and accepted a Triple A assignment, tweets Dutton.
FRIDAY, 11:20am: The Royals have designated reliever Roman Colon for assignment, tweets Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star. The move frees up a roster spot for righty Josh Rupe, who was summoned from Triple-A.
The 30-year-old Colon appeared in five games this year, allowing five hits and four runs in two innings pitched. He walked two and struck out just one. In 179.1 career innings, he has a 5.12 ERA and just a 5.9 K/9. Colon's minor league stats (3.93 ERA, 6.2 K/9) are a little more encouraging.