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.
“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.