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Contenders In Need Of A Shortstop Upgrade

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As many as six contenders are lacking at shortstop.  Let's take a look.

  • Rays:  The Rays have been employing Reid Brignac at shortstop lately, though Elliot Johnson and Sean Rodriguez are also capable.  None of them are hitting, though Brignac's defense is a plus and Rodriguez has some pop.
  • Brewers:  The Brewers have used Yuniesky Betancourt at short, with Craig Counsell pitching in.  The numbers say Betancourt has been terrible both offensively and defensively. 
  • Cardinals:  Ryan Theriot has been manning shortstop for the Cards, and his bat has been more than acceptable.  However, he's probably better-suited defensively for second base.
  • Reds:  They've used the Paul Janish/Edgar Renteria tandem, with the 28-year-old Janish getting more playing time.  Janish is strong defensively, and since the Reds have the best offense in the league they might be able to tolerate his struggles with the bat.  Prospect Zack Cozart is hitting .317/.361/.498 at Triple-A, but the Reds are not at the point of making a move yet.
  • Pirates:  The Bucs have been searching for a long-term answer at short for a while now, but right now they have Ronny Cedeno.  Brandon Wood is showing some signs of life this month, and he could be an option at shortstop.  The Pirates also have Chase d'Arnaud playing well at Triple-A.
  • Giants:  Miguel Tejada was signed as the team's shortstop, but it's rookie Brandon Crawford at present.  He's strong with the glove but doesn't provide much offense and skipped Triple-A upon his call-up.

All four NL Central contenders are weak at shortstop, so if one of the clubs acquires a prize like J.J. Hardy it also takes an option away from direct rivals.  The Orioles aim to talk extension with Hardy before the All-Star break.  If that possibility falls through with time to spare before the July 31st deadline, Hardy will be a hot commodity.

A couple of top options in Jose Reyes and Stephen Drew appear to be off the board, since the Mets and Diamondbacks are in contention.  Jamey Carroll, Clint Barmes, and Rafael Furcal (if healthy) may be available.

Marlins Hire Jack McKeon As Manager

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The Marlins' hiring of Jack McKeon as manager is complete, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.  An announcement by the team is scheduled for this afternoon.

Edwin Rodriguez surprised the team by resigning Sunday, in the midst of a brutal month for the Fish.  McKeon, now 80, managed the Marlins from 2003-05 and remained with the organization as a special assistant.  He'll be the second-oldest person to manage an MLB game behind Connie Mack, reports ESPN's Buster Olney via Elias.  As Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports notes, McKeon's past four managerial jobs began midseason, including his '03 hire with the Marlins that resulted in a World Championship.  The 32-40 Marlins are 7.5 games out of the wild card, so they'd probably have to play at least .620 ball from here on out to have a shot at the playoffs.

For Contenders With Deep Pockets

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Payroll flexibility is a beautiful thing at the trade deadline, as it allows a team to acquire talent by providing salary relief to the other club.  For teams with a little money to burn and an inclination to keep top prospects, here are some players who I think could be acquired mostly by taking on their contracts.  This list doesn't take no-trade clauses into account, except for the elimination of Aramis Ramirez.

I haven't included players on contending teams here, though it's certainly true someone could acquire players like Aaron Rowand and Jason Bay by only taking on their contracts.

Trade Candidate: Jamey Carroll

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At 7.5 games back in the NL West, the Dodgers might start pondering trading a few impending free agents.  In infielder Jamey Carroll, they've got someone who would be useful to many teams.

Carroll

Carroll, 37, stepped in as the Dodgers' regular shortstop when Rafael Furcal broke his thumb in April.  With Dee Gordon now in the mix at short, Carroll is contributing more at second base lately.  He has also logged time at third base and the outfielder corners.

Carroll is a top of the order type, with a .357 career OBP and a .376 mark this year.  He's earning $1.8MM plus incentives, so his contract won't be an issue for any team.  Dodgers GM Ned Colletti hasn't been committed to acquiring draft picks through free agent compensation, but Carroll appears to have a shot at Type B status.

The Rays, Reds, Brewers, Pirates, and Giants are contenders who could use a hand a shortstop, though the Dodgers may not want to deal with a division rival.  The Tigers and Cardinals could desire a second baseman, while the Indians, Tigers, White Sox, Mariners, and Rockies might like a third base addition.  While the Dodgers probably won't extract a top 100 prospect for Carroll, there's potential for a half-dozen suitors or more.  Assuming the infielder ascends to Type B status, the Dodgers should at least be able to acquire a prospect who is on par with a supplemental round draft pick.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

Week In Review: 6/12/11 – 6/18/11

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A look back at the week that was at MLBTR:

Marlins Manager Edwin Rodriguez Steps Down

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9:36PM: Jack McKeon, 80, is expected to be named the Marlins' new manager, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com.

11:52AM: Bobby Valentine is also being considered by the Marlins as well, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

11:30AM: In addition to Hyde, the Marlins are considering 80-year-old Jack McKeon as a candidate for interim manager, tweets Olney.

10:35AM: Marlins skipper Edwin Rodriguez has resigned, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).  Bench coach Brandon Hyde will manage the team this afternoon in Tampa Bay as the club begins its search for an interim manager.

Rumors have swirled about Rodriguez's job status this season as the Fish have floundered.  The Fish have long coveted White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports recently reported that the team was even looking at Bobby Valentine.

Florida has lost 18 of their last 21 games and earlier this month fired hitting coach John Mallee in an effort to shake things up.  The Marlins are at the bottom of the NL East, 12.5 games back of the first place Phillies.

Rodriguez was hired on a full-time basis in November.   The 50-year-old finished 2010 as the club's interim manager after Fredi Gonzalez was fired.

Olney’s Latest: Bell, Phillies, B.J. Upton

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Buster Olney of ESPN.com has passed along some interesting tidbits tonight via Twitter. He also touched on some of these notes in his daily column this morning. Here's Olney's latest:

  • The Padres' sweep at the hands of the Twins this weekend could hasten their decision on if and when they should trade closer Heath Bell, Olney thinks. The sooner the Friars deal Bell, the more they can ask in return (Twitter links).
  • The Phillies are looking for a right-handed hitter and have checked in on the Twins' Michael Cuddyer and the Athletics' Josh Willingham (Twitter link). Olney first reported the Phils' interest in a righty stick last week. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that the Phils are seeking someone cheap, such as the Rockies' Ryan Spilborghs, because of payroll constraints.
  • The Rays will listen to offers for B.J. Upton but probably won't deal him unless they can obtain a good bat, although that wouldn't necessarily have to happen within the same trade (Twitter link).

Blue Jays Notes: Hechavarria, Anthopoulos

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The Blue Jays made an interesting move this morning, announcing that they've signed shortstop Yunel Escobar to an extension that could keep him in Toronto through 2015. Here's a note on that and more, courtesy of Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.

  • Escobar's extension won't have an impact on shortstop prospect Adeiny Hechavarria, according to GM Alex Anthopoulos. "There's no effect, because Hechavarria is a highly-touted prospect and we believe in him. But there's no downside to having too many good players. I always say things will find a way to work themselves out, and especially when you have a middle of the diamond player." Toronto signed Hechavarria, a 22-year-old Cuban, to a four-year, $10MM deal in April 2010. He was rated as baseball's No. 96 prospect by Keith Law of ESPN.com in January and is regarded as a glove-first shortstop.
  • Anthopoulos regrets his response to reports that the Jays had a pre-Draft agreement in place to sign first-round pick Tyler Beede for $3MM, but insists that the charge is one that shouldn't be thrown out there lightly. Such agreements are not allowed, though most Draft experts say they are commonplace. The reported $3MM would be about $1.7MM over the slot recommendation for the No. 21 overall selection.

Diamondbacks Waive Sean Burroughs

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The Diamondbacks have waived infielder Sean Burroughs, according to Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com (via Twitter).

Burroughs, once a touted prospect with the Padres, had left baseball before joining Arizona, last appearing in the big leagues with the Rays in 2006. He signed with the D'Backs in November, rejoining GM Kevin Towers, who drafted Burroughs into San Diego's organization in 1998. Burroughs, 30, was recalled from Triple-A Reno on May 18 but was hitting just .261/.261/.304 in 23 plate appearances entering Sunday's action.

Arizona is expected to promote Wily Mo Pena, another former top prospect, to serve as its DH for its upcoming interleague series in Kansas City and Detroit, per Magruder. Pena, 29, was hitting .362/.440/.733 in 62 games with Reno entering play on Sunday.

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