Happy birthday to two former All-Star catchers! Future Hall-of-Famer Ivan Rodriguez turns 39 today, while Angels manager Mike Scioscia turns 52.
Some news items…
- Count Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer as unimpressed by Detroit's contracts with Joaquin Benoit and Jhonny Peralta. Pluto cites Benoit's 4.47 career ERA and Peralta's .696 OPS over his last two seasons.
- The Orioles' failed pursuit of Victor Martinez proves "the issue isn't how much money the Orioles are willing to give somebody. It's whether somebody suitable is willing to take it," writes The Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck.
- Mike Axisa of the River Ave Blues blog thinks Manny Ramirez would be a bad fit on the Yankees.
- By the time the sale of the Astros is finalized, the new ownership group should have few salary commitments to deal with, reports Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.
- The Giants are betting that other teams don't value Juan Uribe as highly as they do, says CSNBayArea.com's Mychael Urban, which is why the club offered the infielder (a Type B free agent) arbitration. San Francisco thinks Uribe won't be able to find a multi-year deal elsewhere and will thus accept arbitration or re-sign for a $5MM, one-year contract. Even if Uribe does leave for another club, at least the Giants would get a draft pick in compensation.
- Urban also notes that the Giants are "tire-kicking" J.J. Hardy and Miguel Tejada as other infield options. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun predicts Tejada will be the best free agent bargain of the winter.
- In his look at the offseason needs of the AL Central clubs, The Kansas City Star's Bob Dutton names Detroit prospects Andy Oliver and Jacob Turner, Minnesota outfield prospects Joe Benson, Aaron Hicks and Ben Revere, and Kansas City's Robinson Tejeda and Alex Gordon as young players within the division who could be dealt. (Oliver and Turner only in "major trade talks" since "neither will be cheap.") Dutton adds that Grady Sizemore probably won't be dealt in the winter but "interest should quickly escalate" if Sizemore gets off to a healthy and productive start in 2011.
I think a trade of Zack Greinke for Kyle Gibson and Aaron Hicks would make sense.
That seems fair. But two questions: When does Grenkie become a FA and is Gibson, Revere, or Hicks their top prospects?
Greinke is a free agent after the 2012 season, and Kyle Gibson is the number one prospect, Hicks in number 2/3, and Revere is top 10.
How about Hardy, Gibson, and Joe Benson? Or Hicks, Revere, and Scott Baker?
Not sure if those offers would intruige the Royals…It’d have to be without Baker and Hardy…Some combo of Sano, Hicks, and Gibson…Two of the three.
Then your probally right. Hicks and Gibson would likely snatch Grenkie.
We’ll see what happens.
A trade of Greinke, especially within the division is going to take more than 2 prospects.
Yes, but Gibson and Hicks are two elite, top 20 prospects in Baseball arguably. Those offers don’t grow on trees. It’s all about quality not quantity. No chance the Twins would offer another blue chipper…maybe someone like Anthony Slama
twins wont pull the trigger on that deal Gibson is untouchable. Hicks was said to be untouchable but he is pretty much the centerpiece of any major deals if anything major really comes down to a pitcher Wimmers will be it not Gibson he is the only close to the majors high upside pitcher.
Wimmers is literally untouchable. He can not be moved until next summer.
Wimmers is literally untouchable. He can not be moved until next summer.
I think we have a hard enough time beating the Twins without them having Greinke…There is no way I want to see him in the ALC…I dont care who we get in return!!!
I keep thinking that Boston will trade a prospect for Alex Gordon and move him back to third if they don’t sign Beltre.
What would it take to get Gordon? His value seems pretty low.
No one has convinced me that KC has any interest in dealing Alex Gordon. Why deal him now? It’d be dealing low. He’s still somewhat a prospect himself.
agreed. Plus, I think he’s going to have a huge breakout season in ’11.
Yeah people keep saying that but it hasn’t happened nor do I think it will happen… not with Kansas anyways. It’s nothing to do with the team but I just think that if he does breakout, it will be with a change of scenery.
I disagree, Kansas will do nothing for him. Kansas City on the other hand…
He’s had health issues. Vision issues too…I believe. Not fair to say what his career would look like if he were healthy.
He can hit…..he makes hard contact…and he can recognize a pitch. Watching him…ya have to wonder why it hasn’t all come together yet…..injuries have marred quite a few careers……but so what….maybe he’s not the next George Brett. But it would not be out of the realm of possibility to see him go on a nice 5 year .270-25-85 path.
The Jays could use him. So could many teams…why not? But why would the Royals move him?
Health is Gordon’s big issue. He hasn’t been able to stay on the field. One of these seaons he’ll put something together though…..it’s surprising he hasn’t had more of a career….the times I’ve seen him play live he has had tremendous pitch recognition.
He’ll probably always disappoint the KC fans though…they were sold on the “next” George Brett. He’s still only about 26-27. He could have 5 solid seasons in him.
It’d be a nice piece for the Royals….one that they don’t need to acquire in a trade. It’d be better if he played up the middle somewhere.
Hard to say he’s untouchable….but I’m not sure the Royals would be offered enough for him at this point to move him.
I agree completely, although I think he has more seasons left than 5.
I’m just saying that 5 seasons will get him to the typical decline phase of most players……especially ones with back and other previous health issues.
People have been so disappointed that he didn’t start raking at age 23. Maybe he won’t have a prolonged productive phase. Many players don’t…most don’t. I’d take a gamble on Gordon having a few solid seasons in his age 27-32 years.
Gotcha. I hope things do work out for him.
Gotcha. I hope things do work out for him.
I think you’re spot-on with Gordon. I must say, after watching him play in Double-A, I bought into the uber-prospect that the Royals media was selling, but somewhere along the way–on one of the rungs of the minor league ladder–his swing was revamped and became too long. Gone was that sweet, compact swing. He still has the pitch recognition but that swing is too blasted ugly. He’s too talented to be a Rob Deer/Dave Kingman grip-it-and-rip-it slugger.
I think you’re spot-on with Gordon. I must say, after watching him play in Double-A, I bought into the uber-prospect that the Royals media was selling, but somewhere along the way–on one of the rungs of the minor league ladder–his swing was revamped and became too long. Gone was that sweet, compact swing. He still has the pitch recognition but that swing is too blasted ugly. He’s too talented to be a Rob Deer/Dave Kingman grip-it-and-rip-it slugger.
Cliff Lee signing with the Yankees could be just the move the Royals need to see Texas jump into a deal for Greinke.
Jurrickson Profar, Engel Beltre, Derek Holland, and Tanner Scheppers.
It’d be nice to see the Royals get an A+ middle of the field prospect back. Outside of Christian Colon there’s not much there.
Johnny Giavotella is close to if not equal or better, or even have high upside than Colon, but Bonifacio, Garcia, and Antonio are really the only middle infield prospects they have out of those two guys. I’d like to see them nab either Sano or Hicks from the Twins, plus Gibson.
Sano, Gibson, and Hicks aren’t going anywhere. Twins hold on to prospects and those are 3 of the top 20 in baseball. Not a chance they get moved.
not so sure about Sano being a top 20 but i could see Hicks and Gibson being up there.
Alright, well thats fair enough. But I don’t think the Twins would get rid of Sano regardless. He was one of the most wanted international prospects a couple years ago and has been compared to Albert Pujols, Hanley Ramirez, and Alex Rodriguez. Not to mention that the Twins are thin in SS prospects. I think all 3 are locks to stay with the Twins organization.
Sano, Gibson, and Hicks aren’t going anywhere. Twins hold on to prospects and those are 3 of the top 20 in baseball. Not a chance they get moved.
Christian Colon isn’t even an A+ middle IF prospect. Though they do have some nice MI prospects, Colon is definitely the best. Their mostly rich in pitching and 2 elite bats.
3 elite bats, plus their underrated middle infielders….
I forgot to mention Cuthbert, who is a top prospect in his own right and would be a top 3 or 4 in any other organization…The Royals top 6 prospects would be any other organizations 1 or 2. Myers/Hosmer/Moose are the 3 elite bats…Giavotella/Colon/Cuthbert/Eibner/Robinson/Perez are other very good bats…
Span I’ve listened to you hype the Royals prospects all winter and I want to know why you think that their prospects are any better than the million other top prospects they have had. They’re like the Clippers of baseball. Great prospects and young talent but they all flop in the big show. Only prospect to make it is Greinke. You could say Butler but I think he is Travis Hafner in a year or two, so he doesn’t count.
Royals are definitely far and away the #1 farm in baseball. they have like 5 A prospects. Moustakes, Hosmer, Myers, Montgomery, Duffy. Of that group, Moustakes might be the opening day third baseman, Hosmer might join him in June and Montgomery not to far afterwards.
anyways, the royals haven’t really had that many top prospects coming up like that before. I can only think of 3 elite prospects recently to come from the royals farm: Gordon, Grienke, Butler. 2 out of 3 isn’t too shabby.
im going to state this again for the millionth time(i do hope they succeed i want the central to be more than a two team race) But there is a huge HUGE difference between prospects and mlb below average player let alone average player and let alone good/ great players…I really do hope they can make it to make baseball more interesting but just because they are the #1 farm team(which includes all the farm systems lowA to AAA so a ton of players that wont be in the bigs anytime soon) just because tehya re the #1 farm team does not mean it will translate into the bigs at all..it simply means they have a bigger chance than some other teams
This is true…and a statement that must be said…even for the millionth time. But you have to figure having a deep farm system will pay dividends at the major league level at some point.
Not just in helping the team on the field…but also in keeping the team from signing expensive mid level players to fill holes. KC can’t afford to spend a lot of money on middle relievers…etc.
That’s the equation that goes understated when the Twins are brought into conversation. It’s not just that they develope Joe Mauers and Justin Morneau level talent. They have a real knack for developing league average to league average plus talent from within their own system. They can fill that 4th-5th rotation slot or that middle relief slot on a regular basis.
Teams don’t seem to go wrong signing major free agents….where they get in trouble is paying dearly for average players.
The Royals seem to be attempting to get to a position where they don’t spend money on the Kyle Farnsworth types.
You’re right…..it isn’t the goal to have the best AA team on the planet. But in fairness, it does seem like the Royals have maybe 4 impact players on the way.
that was acrtaully a very good response i understand where your coming from. But when you talk about the twins yea they did come up with mauer and morneau but how many other players have come through the orginization and flopped…im not trying to burn them at all but im sorry i just dont like when people pick and choose who to say is a good farm team based on a few player
Every organization is going to have flops. Also..any organization can usually be safe with their #1 pick. Is it really to the Twins credit that their lousy season allowed them to be in position to take Mauer so high in the draft?
What I look for are the teams that draft well later in say rounds 5-15. Colorado does a VERY good job at this. This is where the scouting dept. really earns their money.
It’s like with the Nationals. It’s hard to say that they have a real brain trust going because they were in position to take Strasburg and Harper the pat two seasons.
There has to be balance. A team is in real trouble if they have no impact players…but there is a real value to being able to develope middle relievers as well. The money saved can best be used to extend and potentially re-sign core players.
The Cardinals have failed to do this…and now they are finding themselves strapped.
You also have to consider that Baseball America and the ilk have magazines to sell in the offseason. It’s all conjecture…something to debate just like everything else.
It depends on who the sources are as well. It’s hard to say at this point who the number one overall farm system would be. It’s much easier to name the top 5 probably. Time will tell how good the predictions were.
I think you hit upon a real solid point. MOST prospects fail…or seem to fail. Some of this is due to faulty comparisons. How many players out there have been called the next “Mantle”…..I just read Mike Trout being called the next “Mantle”…..how could he not be a failure with that comp?
I watched Mike Trout play almost every day for the first half of last season before his move to High A. He’s totally legit…but Mantle is a real stretch. I see him as being a real Andy Van Slyke though…and that is nothing to sneeze at. Go look at Van Slykes numbers……speed…some power…and great defense.
People that surf blogs like this tend to be more knowledgable about prospects than the average fan. The flip side is that they also tend to OVERVALUE prospects.
That’s why it’s odd to read that a Greinke isn’t worth a top end prospect. Everyone seems to think their team has the next “Mantle”..and who would deal Mantle?
The research is there. How many #1 draft picks don’t even pan out as MLB regulars let alone stars?
Royals are definitely far and away the #1 farm in baseball. they have like 5 A prospects. Moustakes, Hosmer, Myers, Montgomery, Duffy. Of that group, Moustakes might be the opening day third baseman, Hosmer might join him in June and Montgomery not to far afterwards.
anyways, the royals haven’t really had that many top prospects coming up like that before. I can only think of 3 elite prospects recently to come from the royals farm: Gordon, Grienke, Butler. 2 out of 3 isn’t too shabby.
I’ve followed their pro careers and some of their college careers and according my knowledge of the game and my eye for talent, plus several other talent evaluators, this Royals system is for real. Keep in mind, that everyone of these prospects was drafted or signed under the Dayton Moore management era, which also includes new scouting, player development, and front office. They have finally found it, and these guys are the future. Ill talk more about it tomorow or something but I have to get to bed. Its real late dude.
Well I could list atleast 20-30 Royal flops from the last 15 years. But since they don’t fall under your DM stipulation I won’t. While time will tell on his drafting, if his free agent signings are any example of his eye for talent here is a small list of them. Yuniesky Bet., Jose Guillen, Willie Bloomq., Rick Ankiel, Horacio Ramirez, Brian bannister. Btw I am by no means a Royal hater, I just think they have poor player development. You said they have changed that and I guess we’ll see. YOUR REPUTATION DEPENDS ON IT!! I just wanted to be dramatic.
It must be said that your point of view is one shared by more than a few lifelong Royals fans who were around during their heyday.
Dayton Moore rankled quite a few people when he told the fanbase to “trust the process”.
Royals fans who could remember the astroturf and Buddy Biancalana certainly didn’t want to be told about any process.
KC has extraordinary baseball fans. Just look at what they have been asked to stomach for a quarter century…and they still turn out in decent numbers. This is also a team that draws on it’s fans from a 4 hour driving range…and not just the KC metro. People will drive in from places like Wichita-Omaha-Des Moines just to see the Royals….and many will drive back right after the game.
3 elite bats, plus their underrated middle infielders….
I forgot to mention Cuthbert, who is a top prospect in his own right and would be a top 3 or 4 in any other organization…The Royals top 6 prospects would be any other organizations 1 or 2. Myers/Hosmer/Moose are the 3 elite bats…Giavotella/Colon/Cuthbert/Eibner/Robinson/Perez are other very good bats…
We both forgot to mention Cheslor Cuthbert, who is a top prospect and possibly the next Gary Sheffield…
The Royals have the best minor league system in Baseball, maybe the best minor league system in history…Colon, Giavotella, and Cuthbert are Polanco, Pedroia, and Sheffield respectively…The Royals system is just too good to be true.
Not gonna happen that’s too much
Subtract Scheppers. I’d still rather have Gibson and Hicks for Greinke.
I would rather have Greinke signed past 2012…
As would I, but unless the Royals get off to a hot first half of the season next year, there’s a chance he’s not going to want to re-sign.
Puke…
“Angels manager Mike Scioscia has reached his 52nd birthday in spite of that nasty bout of radiation poisoning he picked up years ago in Springfield”
Best Thing to ever be posted on this website, ever
I hate to ask this, but I need someone to explain the joke.
External links are frowned upon, but look up “Homer at the Bat” and if you can find a stream to the episode, watch it. All of the “Mattingly! trim those sideburns” comments from the Dodgers Managerial forum will also be answered. Also, Ken Griffey Jr. had to retire due to a case of gigantism, the asleep in the clubhouse story was a cover up.
Thanks J6, will check it out.
Span, its a Simpsons reference from the episode “homer at the bat” in 1992
a classic!
Thanks BRM, been a while since I’ve seen you comment on here. But I’m going to check it out. sounds funny!
oh im here everyday. i think i read just about every post that MLBTR puts up, i just dont usually post much.. you do enough posting for both of us
😉
haha. fair enough. I’m just trying to preserve the keyboards of others…yeah right!
i kid, i kid!
I enjoy your posts man. My favorite part about MLBTR is reading everyone’s take on the articles and what not.. the “Jeter saga” or whatever the flavor of the week is gets a bit mind numbing with out it.
I hear ya dude and thanks. But it would be cool if you commented more. I mean you were one of the first people who I ever chatted with on this site. You used to criticize me about my riduclous comments! Haha
Lol.. Im sorry but Garrett Anderson just isnt a HOF’er 🙂
youve got a real good knowledge about minor league baseball. I dont always agree with you, but at least you dont speak out of ignorance.
I live in alaska, so usually by the time im leaving work the news of the day has already happened and there’s not a whole lot more to add to the discussion.
HAHA you remember that!!!!!!!!
Good times!
But that’s awesome that you live in Alaska, there’s a. Blogger I know who blogs from Alaska. But your still one of the originals/my favorites just thought it’d be cool if you commented more. Plus MLBTR and Spanny never sleep, so comment whenever haha
But thanks for what you said, I’m learning more and more everyday and a lot of that is thanks to you guys, my fellow MLBTR readers. Just trying my hardest.
HAHA you remember that!!!!!!!!
Good times!
But that’s awesome that you live in Alaska, there’s a. Blogger I know who blogs from Alaska. But your still one of the originals/my favorites just thought it’d be cool if you commented more. Plus MLBTR and Spanny never sleep, so comment whenever haha
But thanks for what you said, I’m learning more and more everyday and a lot of that is thanks to you guys, my fellow MLBTR readers. Just trying my hardest.
oh im here everyday. i think i read just about every post that MLBTR puts up, i just dont usually post much.. you do enough posting for both of us
😉
Uribe back at one yr would be ideal. If not, I hope for Stephen Drew, JJ Hardy, or Jason Bartlett in that order.
I wish we would have bid for Nishioka
why you would have to wait possibly a year or two to get him to be adjusted to the bigs the asian game is totally different i would gues unless the twins NEED him he spends a year in AAA
Mike Axisa’s story that Manny Ramirez is not a fit for the Yankees is about as news worthy as saying too much salt is bad for you.
Too much salt is bad for you?
Too much salt is bad for you?
Hicks is not getting dealt. End of story.
For Greinke…yeah he would.
See the thing is Greinkes already had a better season then hicks ever will. It’s not like Hicks could ever be better then him. And the chances that he’s anywhere near him aren’t all that good. So ya Hicks is a guy that would go in a hurry for Greinke
It would probably be a combo of Hicks, Sano, and Gibson.
And that’s why the deal won’t get done and as a Twins fan, I’ll pass on Greinke for that price.
And that’s why the deal won’t get done and as a Twins fan, I’ll pass on Greinke for that price.
It would probably be a combo of Hicks, Sano, and Gibson.
For Greinke…yeah he would.
Hicks, Gibson, and Sano aren’t going anywhere.
Hicks, Gibson, and Sano aren’t going anywhere.
Jacob Turner is not going anywhere. Only way he’s getting traded is if it’s for Hanley or Greinke (and as long as he agrees to an extension first). I think Oliver will be traded all day long because I think he’s the next A Miller and I think DD thinks that too. That’s why Coke is being pushed into starting instead of easying Oliver in like Porcello was two years ago. Only things I don’t like about Coke being moved into starting rotation is: 1) He was a nice option in the bullpen 2) This all but guarentees that Turner will be staying in the minors all year as it would be hard on the bullpen to cover two pitchers with strict pitch counts.
Jacob Turner is not going anywhere. Only way he’s getting traded is if it’s for Hanley or Greinke (and as long as he agrees to an extension first). I think Oliver will be traded all day long because I think he’s the next A Miller and I think DD thinks that too. That’s why Coke is being pushed into starting instead of easying Oliver in like Porcello was two years ago. Only things I don’t like about Coke being moved into starting rotation is: 1) He was a nice option in the bullpen 2) This all but guarentees that Turner will be staying in the minors all year as it would be hard on the bullpen to cover two pitchers with strict pitch counts.
I know its already been mentioned but I have to say the simpsons reference may possibly be the best ever for the site; Classic episode – the song at the end is priceless. Ozzie down the black hole and Ken Griffey’s “grotesquely swollen head” Playing baseball….
Schmuck mentions that Dunn wants to stay in the National League, but the only thing that really matters is how much a National League team wants him.
How much is an NL team going to spend on a guy like that? The NL teams that have that kind of money already have boppers in the middle of their lineups. I guess the Cubs could use Dunn, but with the big deals that have gone south for them recently, does anyone really see that happening?
When it comes down to it, Baltimore is probably Dunn’s best fit right now. They are desperate enough for a middle of the order hitter that they can probably stick him at first and overlook his horrific defense. And if they resign Izturis and trade for a guy like Kouzmanoff to play third, they wouldn’t have to worry about many bad throws anyway. And after seeing what they offered to Victor Martinez, it’s clear that they have a lot of money that they’re willing to spend.
I could see the White Sox pursuing him fairly aggressively. They wanted him last year at the deadline and he could spell Konerko at 1st (that is if they resign him but I don’t think he goes anywhere).
As a Tigers fan, do I care that a guy named Terry Pluto doesnt like the Tigers decisions? No. If you read the article, he thinks Joaquin Benoit played for the Royals last season. Like are you serious? I’m obviously not taking anything this guy says too seriously.
“The Orioles’ failed pursuit of Victor Martinez proves “the issue isn’t how much money the Orioles are willing to give somebody. It’s whether somebody suitable is willing to take it,” writes The Baltimore Sun’s Peter Schmuck.”
Haven’t we all already known this since Vlad took less money to go to the Angels? People want to win, not just make big bucks, more often than not. All the money in the world can’t buy WS rings… unless Doc Gooden runs out of cash for his coke.
If Uribe doesn’t get a multi year deal from someone, he could accept arbitration. The D’Backs are trading Drew to the Giants? LMFAO. It depends on what the Giants would have to give up, as to a trade. The Giants could go after the Tejeda, Cabrea etc free agents.
Bartlett or Hardy could be options. Just saying.
Bartlett or Hardy could be options. Just saying.
If Uribe doesn’t get a multi year deal from someone, he could accept arbitration. The D’Backs are trading Drew to the Giants? LMFAO. It depends on what the Giants would have to give up, as to a trade. The Giants could go after the Tejeda, Cabrea etc free agents.
A Cleveland writer is unimpressed with Benoit and Peralta’s contract? Shocking.
Bleh. Tejada is not a good fit for San Francisco. I don’t like his bad defense in the most important defensive position one bit.