The Reds have signed Russ Springer and they're close to adding Jason Isringhausen, but that doesn't mean GM Walt Jocketty is content with his team's bullpen. Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports has the details on the Reds, plus other notes from around the majors:
- The Reds have been looking for late-inning relievers aggressively, since they don’t want to tire out Francisco Cordero, Arthur Rhodes and Nick Masset.
- The Angels are not interested in taking on Lance Berkman’s contract, at this point (Twitter link). Berkman, 34, has a .799 OPS and about $5.8MM remaining on his salary this year. That's not it though – there's also a $2MM buyout for next year's $15MM option.
- The Tigers, Twins, Phillies, Yankees, and Rockies were checking out the Blue Jays’ relievers and bats this week in Kansas City (Twitter link).
Yep… Houston would probably have to pay at least 3.5 million or so of that remaining 7.8m for Berkman
Astros won’t do that. Really what GM would sell low on the face of the franchise when, thanks to compensation, you can pick from a much larger pool of prospects (and likely better) than the Angels or any other team has?
They’ll take the picks before losing the face of the franchise AND paying half his salary.
How are they going to take picks? He’s only a type B ranking so he is only going to bring one pick and thats IF he is offered arbitration which I highly doubt because of his poor play and his high salary. If Berkman were offered and accepted arbitration, hes guaranteed not to take a pay cut of more than 20%. That means his salary would be the $2 mm buyout plus an actual salary of $11.6 mm minimum. Hardly worth the risk of 11.6 million just to get one supplemental round pick.
A supplemental is a lot better than anything that’s been discussed for him so far, and how do you not offer him arby? Seriously, 11.6M is cheaper than his 15M and he’s already indicated he’s not returning if they decline his option? He’d be pissed and likely to decline and search for a multi-year deal with a higher total value.
As far as Drayton’s POV, he makes more than 11.6M for Houston (maybe not other clubs) in any given year. It SHOULD be a no brainer.
That’s my logic though and not the ‘Stros. They’ve failed to offer arby to likely (at least arguably) decline-‘s: Clemens, Pettitte, Huff, Wiggington, Tejada so I cant’ say they’re thinking that way.
Astros won’t do that. Really what GM would sell low on the face of the franchise when, thanks to compensation, you can pick from a much larger pool of prospects (and likely better) than the Angels or any other team has?
They’ll take the picks before losing the face of the franchise AND paying half his salary.
I’m sure it wasn’t difficult for the scouts to get tickets…
I think the angels would not be this hesitant if Berkman was being paid under 10 million. I mean, I see a advantage, they can use him to get to the playoffs(a la Mark Tex in 2008) and then get two prospects when he signs with another team next year. It’s all in the their favor.
Berkman is only a type B ranking right now and wont be a type A unless he goes crazy for the last two months. That means its only one compensation pick and only if they offer arbitration which I doubt they would considering his salary.
Walt Jocketty’s next move is signing Pedro Martinez. It’s all in preparation for his VH1 show: “I Signed the ’90s.”
I wonder why Brian Tallet’s name never comes up in Blue Jays bullpen trade discussions.
Mainly because the wheels have fallen off for Tallet this year. He truly has no trade value. I like Tallet, and want to see him do well, but there’s a couple of guys like him in every teams system somewhere.
The way he was abused last year completely killed his arm. I suspect the only reason he’s still on the jays is because cito feels bad that he is partly responsibly. as ukjaysfan has said he has zero trade value, he’s done.