There may be a lot of NBA and NHL rumors and signings floating around today, but the MLB hot stove will only get hotter as we approach the trade deadline. Here are some items from around the majors…
- Scott Miller of CBSSports.com speculates that the Angels and Reds could join the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Perhaps one of them could be the mystery team?
- Speaking of that mystery team and the possibility that it could be the Cardinals, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thinks it would be a bad move for the Cards to deal prospect Shelby Miller.
- Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com reports that the Russell Branyan trade was "a very popular move in the Indians' clubhouse. Branyan was great with reporters, but he was not exactly up for team captain consideration by his teammates."
- Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says trying to replace Chase Utley is Ruben Amaro Jr.'s "next big test" as Philadelphia's GM.
- Commenting on Tom Krasovic's item about Jayson Werth possibly being on the trade market, ESPN.com's Rob Neyer uses the "pretty far-fetched" rumor as further evidence that the Phillies erred with the Raul Ibanez signing.
- Washington manager Jim Riggleman is using the trade deadline as motivation for his team to play well enough that it doesn't get broken up, reports MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling.
- With the international signing period beginning tomorrow, Baseball America's Ben Badler ranks players by their projected signing bonuses. The story also provides links to other pieces breaking down what each team is looking for and scouting reports on various international players, though these stories are only available to Baseball America subscribers.
- Dan McNeil of the Chicago Tribune thinks Carlos Zambrano is a lost cause with the Cubs and can't believe that Jim Hendry defended Zambrano's contract extension.
- With Manny Delcarmen headed to the disabled list today, Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com thinks this will force Boston's hand in acquiring a reliever. If the Sox do get some bullpen help, don't expect them to give up any good prospects in return.
- Speaking of bullpen deals, Jon Weisman of ESPNLosAngeles.com cites the Josh Bell-for-George Sherrill deal as proof that the Dodgers should be very wary about another trade for a reliever.
No, no, no.. The Phillies didnt make the mistake of signing Ibanez, that was Amaros doing. It was the Phillies mistake to give Amaro the GM job. That being said, Werth could have been an enticing trade piece if the Phillies desperately needed a starter for their rotation, but their starters have been the least of their worries, and now that they are so injured they have to keep Werth.
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They should of given Raul a 2 year deal MAX. I wish we could get rid of that bum and put Dominic Brown in left. It would be the offensive boost our club could really use. Well now that Chase and Polly are out too we need all the help me can get.
Raul is a very talented player, but it appears age and injuries may be taking there toll on his career. Signing Raul wasnt a bad idea, Amaros willingness to give the free agents he signs absurd offers way above market value just so that they dont sign somewhere else was a bad idea. Even Polanco (who is living up to his contract) had virtually no suitors in the offseason, and they have $18 million tied up in him.
Giving at 37 year old outfielder a 3 year contract worth $33 million was moronic. Especially considering the fact that Ibanez finished last year with the same numbers that Pat Burrell would have given them, except Burrell is a righty who they could of signed for 2 years and less than half of what they gave Ibanez.
Do you have any idea what Burrell made in 2008? In what universe do they resign him to a two year deal for “less than half” of what Ibanez got? Ibanez was the cheaper (better) option, and a nice signing for the front office.
Raul is a very talented player, but it appears age and injuries may be taking there toll on his career. Signing Raul wasnt a bad idea, Amaros willingness to give the free agents he signs absurd offers way above market value just so that they dont sign somewhere else was a bad idea. Even Polanco (who is living up to his contract) had virtually no suitors in the offseason, and they have $18 million tied up in him.
Giving at 37 year old outfielder a 3 year contract worth $33 million was moronic. Especially considering the fact that Ibanez finished last year with the same numbers that Pat Burrell would have given them, except Burrell is a righty who they could of signed for 2 years and less than half of what they gave Ibanez.
Last year DelCarmen didn’t make the play-off roster, year before had an 31.50 era against Rays in play-offs, this is not a one season collapse.
He starts off the season well, but seems to be consistently without stamina.
Sounds like Kosuke Fukudome.
He starts off the season well, but seems to be consistently without stamina.
Last year DelCarmen didn’t make the play-off roster, year before had an 31.50 era against Rays in play-offs, this is not a one season collapse.
I’d like to see Lee in St. Louis. That would be a nice addition to an already impressive rotation.
I’d like to see Lee in St. Louis. That would be a nice addition to an already impressive rotation.
I think Raul Ibanez is evidence that the Phillies erred in signing Raul Ibanez.
Glad the Indians are happy to be rid of Branyan. I’m pretty sure the M’s clubhouse is happy to have him back.
Anybody is better in the Mariners clubhouse than Richie Sexson.
The last line should read: “the Dodgers should be wary about any trade, since it seems as if they’ve given up on properly evaluating their talent.”
I remember at the time of the Ibanez signing there were some people posting here who said three years was too much. Then when he went on a tear to open his first year Amaro was being praised as a genius: what an upgrade over Pat Burrell, look at this Murderer’s Row lineup, they’re unstopable.
In defense of Amaro, he did what a lot of GMs do, he took a chance that Ibanez would hold up through the life of the contract. Sometimes it works out, sometimes it doesn’t.
I don’t really think the Reds are going to be after Starting pitching. We have already got Arroyo, Harrang, Cueto, Leake, and now Travis Wood, who had a very nice 8 inning outing which he would have not given up any runs in if the bullpen had held it where he left. Players coming from the farm too in the starting rotation Volquez, Bailey, LeCure even did a decent job for his first cup of tea in the big leagues.
I just can see the Reds need for a starting pitcher. Relief pitcher that is a whole different story…