Reds Acquire Willie Bloomquist
The Reds acquired Willie Bloomquist from Kansas City for a player to be named later or cash, according to a Royals press release. The 32-year-old utility man has played all three outfield positions and all four infield positions this year, so the Reds are getting one of the more versatile players in the game. He hasn't hit much, however, and his season line now sits at .265/.296/.388.
Bloomquist hits free agency after the season, when his two-year $3.1MM contract expires. He won't be a ranked free agent, so the Royals aren't missing out on the chance to obtain draft pick compensation. Since Bloomquist was acquired in September, he will be ineligible for Cincinnati's postseason roster.
Pirates Claim Chris Leroux, DFA Brian Bass
The Pirates claimed Chris Leroux off of waivers and designated Brian Bass for assignment, according to the team. Leroux, a 26-year-old right-hander, appeared in 17 games for the Marlins this year. He struck out 18 batters in as many innings, though he also walked 11. The Montrealer posted a 6.28 ERA in three minor league stops this year, but his strikeout (7.2 K/9) and walk (2.5 BB/9) numbers were good.
Bass, a 28-year-old righty, spent most of the season in the bullpen at Triple A Indianapolis, where he had strong numbers. In 69 innings, he posted a 3.26 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9, though he struggled in 7.1 major league innings this year. He cleared waivers when the Pirates designated him for assignment earlier in the season.
Potential Alternatives To Free Agent Starters
Our list of prospective free agent starters identifies lots of targets for teams looking to fill out their rotations, but there will be many alternatives. That's because some pitchers will be non-tendered and others will become trade targets. Here's a preliminary look at some starters who could be available this offseason, even though they're under team control for 2011.
Trade Candidates
Non-Tender Candidates
Teams With Potential Interest In Cliff Lee
When it comes to pitching, Cliff Lee will be the prize of the upcoming offseason. Though free agent starters such as Javier Vazquez, Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda would be welcome additions to many MLB rotations, they haven't pitched as well as Lee in recent years.
After winning the 2008 Cy Young Award, Lee posted a 3.22 ERA in over 230 innings last year, striking out more than four times as many batters as he walked. So far in 2010, the lefty has a 3.28 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 0.7 BB/9 as he closes in on his fifth 200 inning season. Lee, 32, has set himself up for a big free agent payday. Here's a list of teams with possible interest:
- Yankees – It's long been assumed that the Yankees will offer Lee a massive contract. The Bronx Bombers have outbid others before and their financial might will likely come in to play again. After all, some believe Lee will go to Siberia if that's where the money is.
- Tigers – The Tigers have an open rotation spot and money coming off the books. It's a natural fit.
- Rangers – The Rangers know Lee will be pricey, but they're prepared to bid on him.
- Nationals - GM Mike Rizzo identified starting pitching as a major need even before Stephen Strasburg underwent Tommy John surgery. The Nationals have been willing to spend on free agents in recent years.
- Dodgers – Ted Lilly, Vicente Padilla and Hiroki Kuroda hit free agency and the Dodgers have to replace that production somehow.
- The Twins, Mets, Reds, Brewers and Padres may have interest, depending on how the next few months unfold. Lee could have an extra suitor or two if the Twins lose Carl Pavano, the Mets decide they can spend more than expected, the Reds let Bronson Arroyo walk or the Padres surprise people. At this point, it seems more likely that the Yankees, Tigers and Rangers will be Lee's most serious suitors.
Teams With Potential Interest In Upside Starters
It's easy to be tempted by talented pitchers like Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, Chien-Ming Wang and Brad Penny. Those starters have all pitched at an elite level in the major leagues, so teams are a little more willing to overlook recent struggles or injuries. As usual, GMs will place calls to high-upside pitchers such as Brandon Webb and Jeff Francis this offseason.
Webb, Francis, Penny, Harden, Wang, Chris Young, Erik Bedard, Pedro Martinez and Justin Duchscherer could all hit free agency this offseason. High-upside arms aren't for everyone, of course, so here's a list of teams that may have interest in this kind of pitcher for their 2011 rotations:
- Yankees
- Blue Jays – The Jays may decide to create competition for the fifth starter’s job.
- Tigers
- Royals
- Nationals
- Marlins – They could bring in an extra pitcher to compete with Sean West, Alex Sanabia and others.
- Mets – The Mets could look to create competition for Jenrry Mejia instead of handing him the fifth starter's job, especially now that Johan Santana's timetable is uncertain.
- Cardinals – They’ve signed Rich Hill, Brad Penny and Matt Clement in recent years, so they’re clearly open to this kind of signing.
- Pirates
- Cubs – The Cubs’ interest in free agent pitchers depends on whether they trade Carlos Zambrano.
- Astros
- Dodgers
- Padres
- Rockies
Teams With Potential Interest In Innings Eaters
Mid-rotation innings eaters don't necessarily grace ticket stubs and souvenir programs the way a Clay Buchholz or Felix Hernandez might. But most teams rely on veteran starters to provide steady innings, not to electrify the fan base. Once the offseason begins, GMs will bid on innings eaters as they look to fill out their rotations.
Rodrigo Lopez, Jon Garland, Bronson Arroyo, Jeremy Bonderman, Dave Bush, Bruce Chen, Doug Davis, Freddy Garcia, Aaron Harang, Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Javier Vazquez and Jake Westbrook all fit the description to an extent and all could hit free agency this winter. Here's a preliminary look at which teams might be in the market for innings eaters in the 2010-11 offseason:
- Yankees
- Orioles
- Indians
- Royals
- Tigers
- Twins – Minnesota figures to offer Carl Pavano arbitration and if he turns down their offer, they could go after an innings eater.
- Mariners
- Nationals
- Reds – The Reds could pick up Bronson Arroyo’s 2011 option.
- Cardinals
- Pirates
- Cubs – The Cubs’ interest in free agent pitchers depends on whether they trade Carlos Zambrano.
- Astros
- Diamondbacks
- Dodgers
- Padres
- Rockies
Phillies Designate Carrillo For Assignment
The Phillies designated Cesar Carrillo for assignment, according to the MLB.com transactions page. It's the second time this month that Carrillo has been designated for assignment; the Padres cut the right-hander on September 1st only to see the Phillies claim him.
Carrillo, a 2005 first rounder, debuted on the 2009 Padres, but has not yet returned to the major leagues. In 27 Triple A starts this year, the 26-year-old has a 5.60 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9.
MLBTR Originals
Here at MLBTradeRumors, we're about a lot more than supplying you with up-to-the-minute hot stove news. Here's a look back at some of our original work this week..
- I have good news and bad news. The bad news is that the 2011 Rotations series is complete and has come to a close. The good news is that you can check out every team's preview right here.
- This week MLBTR readers voted on the NL West, the best minor league deal, and Manny Ramirez's next contract.
- The Blue Jays have a lot of options when it comes to Kevin Gregg, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
- We continued to examine non-tender candidates this week with looks at Matt Diaz of the Braves and Willy Aybar of the Rays.
- On Thursday we brought you the latest installment of Eddie Bajek's Elias Rankings.
- Luke Adams brought us a look at Carlos Pena's stock as he heads into free agency.
- Check out the transcript of Ben's chat right here.
- Mike Axisa brought us another round up of the best from the baseball blogosphere with Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Geovany Soto is an extension candidate after a fantastic year at the plate.
Week In Review: 9/5/10 – 9/11/10
I've been waiting all day for Sunday night, because that's when we take a look back at the week that was on MLBTR..
- Waves were made on Sunday when Cards skipper Tony La Russa confirmed that Colby Rasmus had demanded a trade earlier in the season. La Russa also said that the youngster made a similar request in 2009. Rasmus later denied making such a request this year.
- We learned on Wednesday that the Red Sox offered Victor Martinez a two-year contract extension. However, he turned that proposal down and his agent Alan Nero says that Martinez is seeking a long-term commitment.
- Meanwhile, Boston is prepared to pick up David Ortiz's option. Big Papi's option calls for him to earn $12.5MM in 2011.
- Boston veteran Mike Lowell put all speculation to rest this week when he announced that he will retire after this season.
- Surprisingly, Aramis Ramirez says that he may not exercise his 2011 option worth $14.6MM.
- The Nats likely won't pick up Adam Kennedy's option for 2011.
- After DFA'ing Akinori Iwamura and Erik Kratz early in the week, the Bucs chose to release Iwamura and outright Kratz to Triple-A.
- It appears that Kevin Towers is the frontrunner for the Diamondbacks GM job.
- Speaking of Towers, the Padres DFA'd Steve Garrison and Towers convinced his current employers, the Yankees, to pick him up. The Yankees designated Wilkin De La Rosa for assignment in order to make room for the pitcher.
- The Dodgers designated infielder Ronnie Belliard for assignment.
- Reliever Taylor Buchholz landed with Toronto after being DFA'd by Colorado on Tuesday.
- Pat Knows. The Royals signed former Dolphins and West Virginia quarterback Pat White to a minor-league deal.
- The Phillies gave Nate Robertson his walking papers and claimed Cesar Carrillo from the Padres.
- The Angels released reliever Brian Stokes, whom they acquired last winter from the Mets. Utility player Robb Quinlan was also released by the Halos.
- Arizona acquired Matt Gorgen from the Rays to complete the July 31st Chad Qualls deal.