Some links for Thursday, a day that has even the most intense baseball fans wondering about LeBron James' decision…
- MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reviews all of the players Pirates' GM Neal Huntington has acquired after they were designated for assignment by another team. The best of the lot: Delwyn Young.
- Tony LaRussa is happy with the Cardinals' recent bullpen additions, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. St. Louis added Mike MacDougal today and Renyel Pinto about two weeks ago.
- Padres GM Jed Hoyer confirmed to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio that the Padres have payroll flexibility and would like to add a well-rounded hitter and a starting pitcher (all Twitter links).
- Peter Gammons notes a Corey Hart–Mike Minor rumor (via Twitter). The Braves are interested in Hart and other right-handed hitting outfielders, but Hart tells MLB.com's Adam McCalvy that he wants to stay in Milwaukee.
- The Mets, Phillies, Rays and Dodgers are among the teams watching Roy Oswalt today, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (Twitter link).
- Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog hears that the Mets, Phillies and Rangers are among the many teams eyeing Ben Sheets.
- Yahoo's Steve Henson dials the clock back to 1999 and takes a look at the little league team that included Stephen Strasburg and Mike Leake.
- Cubs draftee Matt Szczur has a deal that will give him an additional $500K if he gives up football, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America.
- Jamey Newberg says the Rangers should seriously consider trading Chris Davis or Justin Smoak if there's a real chance to improve the club.
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the D'Backs will listen to offers for Dan Haren, but will likely have to be blown away to deal him (Twitter link).
- Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun asks Orioles fans: should the O's have any untouchable players in trade talks this year?
- Billy Wagner repeated something he said earlier in the year, telling Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he intends to retire after 2010.
- Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Phillies – like every other team in baseball – would be better with Cliff Lee.
- David Ortiz tells John Tomase of the Boston Herald that he hopes to talk to the Red Sox about staying in Boston after this season. The Red Sox hold a $12.5MM option for Big Papi in 2011.
Of course they should trade Chris Davis, they’ve got Justin Smoak. You don’t need to first basemen when you have a full-time DH.
I did not read what you wrote, I just like your picture.
Chris Broussard has come out and said on his twitter that Lebron is going to Miami…I know its only twitter, but Chris Broussard is as credible as they come in basketball rumors.
That would be one insane team… James and Wade are both unselfish players but they both need to have the ball in their hands.
Damn! If he goes to Miami, it’s game over for the East. Broussard is pretty credible… I hope he is wrong on this case though.
Why are you talking basketball on a baseball site?
Because the header to this article started with “Some links for Thursday, a day that has even the most intense baseball fans wondering about LeBron James’ decision…” maybe?
I doubt it. With three max-contracts the Heat would be signing complete nobodies to role-play…and those role-players are pretty darned important on a team. The Big Three would have to play 40+ a night, or get crushed when they played their 2nd stringers.Plus, LeBron and Wade are both guys that need the ball to be effective…one of them would have to defer to the other. Who’s going to be Robin on that team?They’d be good, no doubt, but I don’t think they’d be locks.
Bill Simmons has a really great article on this today.
How weird, as I was reading your post, I was thinking of the Bill Simmons article which I just read ten minutes ago. It is a great piece, just really long!
How weird, as I was reading your post, I was thinking of the Bill Simmons article which I just read ten minutes ago. It is a great piece, just really long!
I read that Simmons article too, and I still hope LeBron goes and plays in Miami, and I didn’t like a lot of his reasoning in that article either.
I read that Simmons article too, and I still hope LeBron goes and plays in Miami, and I didn’t like a lot of his reasoning in that article either.
I doubt it. With three max-contracts the Heat would be signing complete nobodies to role-play…and those role-players are pretty darned important on a team. The Big Three would have to play 40+ a night, or get crushed when they played their 2nd stringers.Plus, LeBron and Wade are both guys that need the ball to be effective…one of them would have to defer to the other. Who’s going to be Robin on that team?They’d be good, no doubt, but I don’t think they’d be locks.
Bill Simmons has a really great article on this today.
I don’t understand why people think trading Justin Smoak for a rental player is even a slightly good idea. Chris Davis I can understand. But Smoak appears to have a huge future ahead of him. A year ago when he was a top-10 prospect no one would suggest trading him for a few months of Lee. Just because he hasn’t set the world on fire in his first few months in the big leagues shouldn’t change that.
Davis is still as big a prospect as Smoak with bigger power potential and a much better glove at first. He’s been tearing up the PCL since his demotion and people should not give up on the guy. I seem to remember a certain guy named Nelson Cruz who didn’t put it all together until he was 28. Not so sure Davis won’t be the better all-around player down the road. We shall see. Either way, not a bad problem for the Rangers to have.
Considering the ballpark Smoak will be playing in, that’s a sacrifice the Rangers should be willing to make. Average power can get you 30 HRs a year in Texas. Why make the sacrifice for the potential of 10 more HRs if you can have a guy hit about 50-60 points higher while striking out less than 200 times a year, which would be Chris Davis’s fate with his poor plate discipline.
Then again I’m not too schooled on Justin’s discipline, either.
I see just about every Rangers game and you’re right, Smoak’s discipline, at this point, is at a much higher level than Davis’ … not even close. But remember, Davis just turned 24 not long ago and Smoak turns 24 in December. Smoak is struggling right now at the big-league level just like Davis did. At some point, the light will come on for one or both of ’em. Mike Schmidt hit .199 his rookie year.
That’s terrible logic. You know who else hit .199 in their rookie years? A lot of players you’ve never heard of. That’s like arguing that a 13th round pick has a good shot at superstardom because Pujols did it.
Also, a lot of players just never learn plate discipline. I like Davis OK long term, but the disparity in approach between him and Smoak will most likely always be pronounced.
It’s not terrible logic. It means you don’t give up on a guy just because he struggles early against major league pitching. So many people have written off Davis because he’s struggled after a good 2008, but he’s still got potential. Hell, Smoak isn’t exactly lighting it up right now.
THAT logic is fine. The Schmidt example is just a ludicrously extreme way of illustrating it. Part of the problem with Davis is that in his first dose of the majors, he was better than anyone could expect, which set up unreasonable expectations. I like Smoak better, because Smoak has a broader based skill set and I see more potential for real stardom on a consistent basis, but I like Davis. I see him as a Russ Branyan sort of guy, and I still believe that if Branyan had gotten a full shot somewhere along the line, he would have had a good major league career much earlier. People focused too much on what he wasn’t instead of what he was. Davis might have the same problem now.
THAT logic is fine. The Schmidt example is just a ludicrously extreme way of illustrating it. Part of the problem with Davis is that in his first dose of the majors, he was better than anyone could expect, which set up unreasonable expectations. I like Smoak better, because Smoak has a broader based skill set and I see more potential for real stardom on a consistent basis, but I like Davis. I see him as a Russ Branyan sort of guy, and I still believe that if Branyan had gotten a full shot somewhere along the line, he would have had a good major league career much earlier. People focused too much on what he wasn’t instead of what he was. Davis might have the same problem now.
It’s not terrible logic. It means you don’t give up on a guy just because he struggles early against major league pitching. So many people have written off Davis because he’s struggled after a good 2008, but he’s still got potential. Hell, Smoak isn’t exactly lighting it up right now.
Davis was not and is not as big a prospect as Smoak. Davis is a good prospect and has better power, but what Smoak lacks in power he more than makes up in contact, plate discipline, and defense. Much better all around player in the making.
You beat me to the punch! Chris Davis is and was never a Big prospect. He closed his eyes and hit a few big league homers…that doesnt make him elite. Put it this way, you won’t even land Sheets, Lilly or Even Livan if your centerpiece to the offer is Davis…Let alone Lee.
Let’s not get crazy. Davis can be the centerpiece for Livan.
Let’s not get crazy. Davis can be the centerpiece for Livan.
Closed his eyes and hit a few big-league homers, huh? LOL … I wish it was that easy. If it’s that cut and dried, why is the Rangers staff still split on who the team’s first baseman of the future is?
And if you don’t think for a second that the Nats would part with Livan Hernandez for Chris Davis straight up, you’re not much of a baseball fan. That’s a ridiculous statement.
And if you don’t think for a second that the Nats would part with Livan Hernandez for Chris Davis straight up, you’re not much of a baseball fan. That’s a ridiculous statement.
There is no split….Penant race is on and Smoak is in bigs. Livan was Hyperbole to show that Smoak for a rental is absured. Chris Davis is a AAAA player who can have some success at the big league level A la…Jack Cust. You will struggle to find any MLB exec or scout who feels Davis is a better Defensive 1B than Smoak as well.
You’re dead wrong about the defense. Where do you come up with these things? Defensively, they are not even close, and that’s a fact.
You’re dead wrong about the defense. Where do you come up with these things? Defensively, they are not even close, and that’s a fact.
Closed his eyes and hit a few big-league homers, huh? LOL … I wish it was that easy. If it’s that cut and dried, why is the Rangers staff still split on who the team’s first baseman of the future is?
You beat me to the punch! Chris Davis is and was never a Big prospect. He closed his eyes and hit a few big league homers…that doesnt make him elite. Put it this way, you won’t even land Sheets, Lilly or Even Livan if your centerpiece to the offer is Davis…Let alone Lee.
Smoak is not a better defensive first baseman than Davis, who was playing lights-out defense even when struggling offensively at the big-league level. Rangers brass will tell you that.
Smoak is not a better defensive first baseman than Davis, who was playing lights-out defense even when struggling offensively at the big-league level. Rangers brass will tell you that.
Also, I think Phil Sheridan is crazy. If the Phillies get Cliff Lee, they’d end up in last place in the division. No way that would improve their team.
Maybe not last place, but you’re right it wouldn’t help. Pitching is not the Phillies problem. Their problem is that the top half of their lineup is filled with underachieving All Stars and the bottom half is a who’s who of the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.
I was being satirical.
They need a new closer, set-up man, actually just a whole new bullpen…. and someone to replace Moyer.
Tough call on Big Papi. If he ends up with 30 HR’s and a decent AVG., it’d be hard not to bring him back for one more year – unless there are moves for a 1B/3B/DH scenario (Adrian Gonzalez, Adam Dunn, etc. type player).
Still, painful to sit through the last two seasonal starts from Papi. Can only assume that will become the norm going forward.
However, no way they pick up that option. 34 year old DH’s (he is that age right?) do NOT get 12.5mil anymore. They still may resign him but at a lower value.
of course they would have been better with Lee. Looks like everyone was right for panning that trade. Phils could have had their cake and eat it too with Lee. Oh well as a Mets fan I’m pleased.
# Billy Wagner repeated something he said earlier in the year, telling Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he intends to retire after 2010……….Tell us something we don’t know already .
In case none of you knew, the Philadelphia Inquirer sports section has been taken over by Jon Heyman. It’s not going to be named “sports section” anymore, it’s gonna be called the “No sh!t sherlock section”
How about a trade between the Rangers and Cubs that are centered around Smoak and Lilly? The Cubs will need a 1st baseman after this year (DLee FA), and the Rangers could use Lilly for the pennant run. Just throw in some prospects on either end to even it out, and I would be happy with it (Cub Fan)!!
horrible
Trades usually work when BOTH sides are happy, though. Rangers would never entertain that idea.
As a Cubs fan, you would be happy with that BUT the Cubs will not be getting such a high level prospect for Lilly.
“(Cub Fan)”
Wow, didn’t see that one coming…
Is your last name Hendry?
Is your last name Hendry?
I will wait and see when it comes to Wagner. I’m extremely happy for him in that he proved he could still dominate hitters. He could pitch another few years. I’ll take the retirement talk with a grain of salt until he actually does it.
Personally, I think if the Braves make the playoffs then neither Chipper or Bobby retires… however, with Wagner its pretty much set in stone (IMO). He kind of pigeon-holed himself b/c he said he was retiring to spend more time with family, so if he doesn’t he looks like a douche
Personally, I think if the Braves make the playoffs then neither Chipper or Bobby retires… however, with Wagner its pretty much set in stone (IMO). He kind of pigeon-holed himself b/c he said he was retiring to spend more time with family, so if he doesn’t he looks like a douche
Wieters and Matusz should definitely be untouchable. The idea that you even have to ask if any Orioles should be untouchable is goofy. Markakis, Jones, and Tillman should be too. They’re still building a nice core even if this year has been a nightmare.
The O’s are just trying to get that #1 pick next draft. 😉
The O’s are just trying to get that #1 pick next draft. 😉
Ortiz may not be back next season with the RS and it wouldn’t be about $$$. I think they will sign two OF’s. The DH po. is going to be defined differently on this team. It isn’t going to be a highly paid guy who can’t play the field anymore.
Ortiz may not be back next season with the RS and it wouldn’t be about $$$. I think they will sign two OF’s. The DH po. is going to be defined differently on this team. It isn’t going to be a highly paid guy who can’t play the field anymore.
I’m with DOB on the Hart-Minor rumors. I’m not buying it either.
mike minor has gained a huge amount of velocity this season and his strikeout rates are through the effing roof, and he has always been known as a control specialist…once everything clicks together, lookout…there is no way on earth i trade minor for hart, now maybe we make the package a little larger and we get hart+mcghee then we can talk
mike minor has gained a huge amount of velocity this season and his strikeout rates are through the effing roof, and he has always been known as a control specialist…once everything clicks together, lookout…there is no way on earth i trade minor for hart, now maybe we make the package a little larger and we get hart+mcghee then we can talk
I’m with DOB on the Hart-Minor rumors. I’m not buying it either.
I’d hate to see Minor go for Hart… who could just be having a flukey year (to a certain degree)… he could hit .265, with 20 HRs, and 5 SBs next year… which would be quite average for an outfielder…
I’d hate to see Minor go for Hart… who could just be having a flukey year (to a certain degree)… he could hit .265, with 20 HRs, and 5 SBs next year… which would be quite average for an outfielder…
Hart = Francoeur V 2.0
Hart = Francoeur V 2.0
The “average OFer” you have described would be an upgrade for the Braves over M. Cabrera & N. McLouth in their OF. I believe he wouldn’t be that bad of a pick up for someone such as M. Minor because we have ALOT of young pitching such as J. Jurrjens, T. Hanson, K. Medlen, J. Teheran, A. Vizcaino, C. Perez, J.J. Hoover, & R. Delgado and we can’t keep them all. Minor just happens to be the most major league ready so that is who the Brewers would want in return.
Yeah, but with Hinske/Diaz platooning at LF, I don’t really see an open space for this year, but for next year, he’d be great. Minor is an amazing 5th starter for us in the upcoming years, but you’re right, we have enough pitching and can afford to lose him. I don’t like buying high, so i don’t care where this one lands.
Yeah, but with Hinske/Diaz platooning at LF, I don’t really see an open space for this year, but for next year, he’d be great. Minor is an amazing 5th starter for us in the upcoming years, but you’re right, we have enough pitching and can afford to lose him. I don’t like buying high, so i don’t care where this one lands.
“having lots of pitching” is a terrible justification for trading minor for corey hart. pitching is the best resource any organization could have and it just flat out doesnt make sense to misuse that resource. at the end of the day, you’d still be overpaying for an average player having a good year instead of using your resources to acquire a better player.
The “average OFer” you have described would be an upgrade for the Braves over M. Cabrera & N. McLouth in their OF. I believe he wouldn’t be that bad of a pick up for someone such as M. Minor because we have ALOT of young pitching such as J. Jurrjens, T. Hanson, K. Medlen, J. Teheran, A. Vizcaino, C. Perez, J.J. Hoover, & R. Delgado and we can’t keep them all. Minor just happens to be the most major league ready so that is who the Brewers would want in return.
My thing is, he’s having a great year, is an improvement over the current outfield scenario, makes the offense better, and hopefully gets the Braves deep into the playoffs.
My thing is, he’s having a great year, is an improvement over the current outfield scenario, makes the offense better, and hopefully gets the Braves deep into the playoffs.
Oswalt threw a CG one hitter today. Yes, it was against the pirates but still impressive. The scouts in attendance should enjoy that.
You go, Roy! Solidify that trade value! So, it’s the Pirates. Selig does let them still call themselves a ML team, so yeah, it counts.
You go, Roy! Solidify that trade value! So, it’s the Pirates. Selig does let them still call themselves a ML team, so yeah, it counts.
Yes he did, and it was a beaut. So, we’ll take Jerry Sands, Ethan Martin and Withrow please and we’ll pay the rest of RoyO’s salary this year for you — in my dreams.
Yes he did, and it was a beaut. So, we’ll take Jerry Sands, Ethan Martin and Withrow please and we’ll pay the rest of RoyO’s salary this year for you — in my dreams.
Oswalt threw a CG one hitter today. Yes, it was against the pirates but still impressive. The scouts in attendance should enjoy that.
Minor for Hart is interesting but that seems like a lot to give up. Minor was the #7 overall draft pick last year and Hart is a rental player who is having a career year….but if he could help them get to the World Series then maybe he is worth it. And, they sure need an upgrade over McLouth/Cabrera/Blanco.
Minor for Hart is interesting but that seems like a lot to give up. Minor was the #7 overall draft pick last year and Hart is a rental player who is having a career year….but if he could help them get to the World Series then maybe he is worth it. And, they sure need an upgrade over McLouth/Cabrera/Blanco.
Glad to see the Mets had a scout there to watch Oswalt. Several media reports out of NY indicated they had no interest in him. That would be stupid, he’d be a major upgrade and could put them over the top. And he wouldn’t cost the king’s ransom that Seattle will want for Lee.
Who knows, the reports earlier this week were the Astros wanted 3 prospects AND full salary relief, but were willing to eat salary to improve the prospects.
Phils had a scout there today as well – I’d love to see them get Oswalt or Haren. I just hate to see them give up a big chip for a rental in Lee (even though I still love the guy)
Glad to see the Mets had a scout there to watch Oswalt. Several media reports out of NY indicated they had no interest in him. That would be stupid, he’d be a major upgrade and could put them over the top. And he wouldn’t cost the king’s ransom that Seattle will want for Lee.
Giving up a potential ace for Hart seems like a bad idea to me.
Giving up a potential ace for Hart seems like a bad idea to me.
couldn’t agree more, braves, do not trade Mike Minor.
as for the rangers, you include davis in a deal first. to those knocking his defense, you should know it far surpasses smoak’s and davis might be one of the top 2 or 3 1st basemen in the league, and has apparently been playing very well at 3rd in AAA
couldn’t agree more, braves, do not trade Mike Minor.
as for the rangers, you include davis in a deal first. to those knocking his defense, you should know it far surpasses smoak’s and davis might be one of the top 2 or 3 1st basemen in the league, and has apparently been playing very well at 3rd in AAA
Do not trade Minor for Hart. I think Hart would certainly be an upgrade over what the Braves have in the outfield right now. But, I’m tired of free swinging outfielders like Frenchy, Melky, McLouth etc. Hart’s numbers are very similar to McLouth’s and look how he turned out, I just don’t think Hart is worth a risky rental.
Do not trade Minor for Hart. I think Hart would certainly be an upgrade over what the Braves have in the outfield right now. But, I’m tired of free swinging outfielders like Frenchy, Melky, McLouth etc. Hart’s numbers are very similar to McLouth’s and look how he turned out, I just don’t think Hart is worth a risky rental.
I wanted to trade Minor until I saw his stats since being promoted to Gwinnett. Sure it’s only been two starts, but he has pitched great. The Braves have so much pitching depth they should trade some of it for positional depth, but I don’t know if Hart is the kind of player we are looking for. Hart makes a lot of outs. He is having a good year but trading Minor for him would be buying very high on Hart indeed.
I don’t oppose dealing Minor, but it should be for someone with a greater upside and who is under team control for several years.
How bout braves trade yunel escobar,kenshin kawakami,jojo reyes, and one of melky or mcclouth to Tor for Bautista,Alex gonzales,and a prospect or two?
Jose Batista is having a good year, but his Batting average sucks. I will not give up Escobar for a guy that is having one good year.
Braves should deal Kawakami, McLouth and Escobar then acquire Stephen Drew and B.J. Upton.
the braves have a very good team right now. if they’re going to make changes they need to be serious ones, and if they’re going to involve someone like mike minor, then we need to be looking at someone like stephen drew. they could turn around and ship escobar somewhere. he’s extremely talented, but so is drew and escobars such a headcase sometimes.
Braves should trade KK, Mclouth and Escobar for Drew and Chris Young
I like Chris Young but his past performance is just too similar to Jeff Francoeur. Young has a career .310 OBP. Francoeur has a .311 career OBP. He has about $23 million left on his contract over the next 3 years, which is a lot of money for a guy who is having the best year of his career and is still only OPSing .795. It would be a gamble. If his production dropped off his contract would be impossible to unload.
How about the Cubs trade Alfonso Soriano and $36 million to Atlanta for some pitching prospects??
I like Chris Young but his past performance is just too similar to Jeff Francoeur. Young has a career .310 OBP. Francoeur has a .311 career OBP. He has about $23 million left on his contract over the next 3 years, which is a lot of money for a guy who is having the best year of his career and is still only OPSing .795. It would be a gamble. If his production dropped off his contract would be impossible to unload.
How about the Cubs trade Alfonso Soriano and $36 million to Atlanta for some pitching prospects??