Links for Sunday..
- Returning to a former team is nothing new for Russell Branyan, writes JR Radcliffe for MLB.com.
- Eric Wedge had a great interview with the O's, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
- Bob McManaman of The Arizona Republic writes that D'Backs manager A.J. Hinch doesn't want his players to worry about being dealt.
- Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was sorry to see skipper Fredi Gonzalez go, writes Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald.
- Andy MacPhail said that the O's "gambled" and lost when they gave Garrett Atkins a one-year, $4.5MM deal, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.
- Carlos Gomez hopes that he can live up to the expectations the Brewers had for him when they acquired him from the Twins, writes MLB.com's Jordan Schelling.
- Former Oriole and current MASN broadcaster Rick Dempsey isn't sure if his upcoming meeting with O's GM Andy MacPhail can be considered an official interview for the managerial position, writes Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer doesn't envision a club taking Jhonny Peralta at the trade deadline.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry stands by his investment in Carlos Zambrano, writes the Daily Herald's Bruce Miles. Hendry gave the hurler a five-year, $91.5MM extension in 2007.
Cubs GM Jim Hendry stands by his investment in Carlos Zambrano, writes the Daily Herald’s Bruce Miles.
Ah yes…and this is the same Jim Hendry who [in his infinite wisdom] thought Milton Bradley a suitable addition to the team. Way to flip off your fan base, Jimmy-boy!
Not only did he sign Milton Bradley, he traded Mark DeRosa so he could have to payroll flexibility to afford him. DeRosa had just OPSed .857 for the Cubs in 2008.
Ya but he got Archer in that deal who looks like he will be a fine pitcher at some point in the next 2 years and Stevens who hasn’t been bad what is Gabb doing.
I couldn’t believe the Indians gave archer up in that deal, prior to the deal shapiro had done nothing but praise his hugh up-side.
It seems like we’re getting a great return on that deal. And with Silva pitching great, he could get us something good as well. It seems like Hendry’s big blunder will end up working out in the end.Well this Zambrano one likely won’t…
+1
I’m telling you I follow an extreme amout of minor league baseball Archer is the real deal and he looked like it right out the shoot.
I think if the Indians Front Office had really thought it through Archer would be on the verge of the majors with us, but you know it like all the greats say that most fans don’t realize you have to give something up to get something.
And we really ended up with a good return on DeRosa getting Jess Todd and Chris Perez from the Cardinals they really look like the ones who was screwed in all this.
But I will say injuries aside Mark DeRosa is a very fine ballplayer and he was a leader in the clubhouse and on the field.
Shapiro knew he was giving up potentially good pitchers to the Cubs. At the time of the deal he said he hoped all three would end up in the ML, and he fully expected 2 of the 3 to make it. He didn’t say which two, though. Too bad that DeRosa got hurt.
What do you expect him to say?
“Yeah, I suck. Fire me now.”
Hmm…let me see. No but OK, I’ll take it.
Last year had to be interesing if you were playing with the Cubs having Zambrano and Bradley in the same clubhouse.
I could see the Yanks showing interest in Peralta. Provided the asking price isn’t more than a borderline low level prospect then why not? Peralta is nothing special with the glove but the Yanks have a very week bench w/ out any real pop and the guys we do have are very young and lack experience (Pena and Russo). In Peralta you get a guy who can spell Arod and Jeter, still has decent offensive skills, evident by his 20 dbls and 5 hrs in a week lineup and he’s show an ability to hit for greater power in the past (40 dbls/20+ hrs). He could be an excellent bat off the bench and a decent replacement for Arod and Jeter when they need a day off or need to DH for the day. Retain Pena for defensive purposes and all round utility guy and send Russo back to AAA.
The Indians are looking to fill out the lower levels they are interested in SS / 2nd / centerfielder and RHed power hitting corner outfielder and corner infielders.
Would a guy like Zoilo Almonte be available? An A baller with power they would be very interested in.
No Almonte is giving up too much. He’s a 21 year old who has improved on his bat avg, obp and power number sin 3 consecutive years. Right now, at age 21, with a modest .289/.362 line w/ 10 hrs and some speed I think the Yanks would be smart to hold on to him. Ma
However, maybe someone like a Melky Mesa? Tone of power and speed ability but still very raw.
He is slightly old for that level but he from the Dominican Republic so he may get a pass on the age thing.
I like his numbers If I was Shapiro he is a righthanded bat with pop and some speed I would do Peralta for him.
The Indians on a 1 for 1 though would never eat the rest of Peralta salary this year so I think that would be a done deal if the Yankees are willing to pick up the rest of Peralta’s pay.
Paul Hoynes said the same thing about Branyan, Hoynes said nobody would wnat Branyan because of the 5 million option that could be player exercised and look they picked up what looks like what may be a fine SS prospect and a servicable centerfielder that was a top 12 prospect with a C Tier prospect rating.
IMO Peralta will be dealt, it might not be by the trading deadline but I would bet he will be part of a waiver wire deal and I would not be totally shocked to see Carmona end up with the Mets for Fernando Martinez, Bradley Holt and Kirk Nieuwenhuis ( With Niewenhuis being the key who could replace Sizemore when he is dealt this time next year )
That’s just a weird package. It’s sort of too much AND too little. Martinez and Holt’s stock have basically never been lower.
they picked up what looks like what may be a fine SS prospect and a servicable centerfielder that was a top 12 prospect with a C Tier prospect rating.
15th, actually, in the Mariners weak system – projects as a serviceable fourth outfielder. And Diaz isn’t even a rated prospect.
It’s good to be optimistic though I guess.
I sort of agree with you to a point but IMO they really gave Martinez the Express Rush Job to the majors IMO if he was picked up and moved back a level and not rush him and he would come back around.
I’m a bif Holt fan IMO he will come back around and will be a very good 4 or 5 starter in the next 2 year he was another they may have put to much pressure on to early.
Niewenhuis is the key with the Indians about to lose Sizemore he would be making it the the majors in the perfect time to take over for Sizemore, Nieuwenhuis would be a much better option for the Indians than Brantley who is showing to be more of a 2 tool player than the 4 + tool guy he was hyped to be ( in 60 games he is batting 285 with 7 double and 3 were in one gane and 2 triples he has only stole 7 bases and been caught 4 times he is basically Co Co Crisp lite IMO ).
I could see the Indians packaging Brantley in one of their trades with the play of Crowe to upgrade a prospect quality return.
The bigger problem with Martinez is that he can’t stay on the field. He hasn’t been good OR healthy this year. And for all your optimism about Holt, it’s still speculative. He’s been downright terrible. Profoundly bad. And Nieuwenhuis is showing some promise, but a lot of people think he’s a fourth outfielder, and there are definitely holes in his game.
Another classic MacFAIL.
Clever. Original.
I have never heard this one, especially from my fellow Cub fans. /sarcasm
Very creative.
“Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez was sorry to see skipper Fredi Gonzalez go before he could tell him off himself since he really is that immature.”
There, fixed it.
Hi-yo.
Getting Branyan back says only one thing the mariners are desperate to please there fan base because they screwed up this offseason