Earlier today MLBTR's Tim Dierkes reviewed the Marlins' busy offseason. Here are some more links from the NL East…
- Braves GM Frank Wren told reporters that reliever Arodys Vizcaino will miss the 2012 season after undergoing Tommy John ligament replacement surgery. The 21-year-old right-hander appeared in 17 games with the Braves last year and entered the season as the 40th-best prospect in MLB, according to Baseball America.
- The Phillies could start the season with prospect Freddy Galvis at second base, or explore the trade market for alternatives. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney hears from rival executives that there’s a short list of veteran middle infielders available in trades. Maicer Izturis, Alberto Callaspo, Chris Getz and Blake DeWitt appear to be options for teams seeking infield depth.
- Even though they're short on left-handed relief, the Mets are unlikely to sign C.J. Nitkowski, Hong-Chih Kuo or Dontrelle Willis, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports.
- Jayson Stark of ESPN.com hears the Nationals "still have a lot of motivation" to trade John Lannan and his $5MM salary (Twitter link).
Sucks about Vizzy :( He was a life saver last year when it became apparent that Christhian O’Ventbrel was getting overworked
That’s Medlen’s job this year. He’ll do just fine in that role.
I don’t really know the Phillie’s roster. Is there a bullpen guy the Angels should want for any of their middle infielders?
stutes is good, Antonio can’t-say-his-last-name-on-this-website is good…
Similar salaries?
Borderline league minimum.
They’ve got Aumont, DeFratus, Savery, Shwimer, and Ramirez that I would think are trade candidates. Aumont’s turnaround 2011 may have saved him from any trade though or at least with a guy like Callaspo. Stutes and Bastardo I would say are untouchable for the middle infielders listed here…
I’m not familiar with the relievers, but I do think Callaspo is one of the underrated players in the league. He’s no Utley but he is very solid.
Well, the Vazquez trade still sucked, but at least the Yankees got Boone Logan out of it.
Vizcaino getting the surgery out of the way when he is only 21 isn’t a bad thing. The Braves don’t really need him this year anyway. Hoping he comes back strong as a starter in 2013-2014.
I never really understood why this ‘two pitch’ label is making people believe that he won’t be a starter. He’s a two pitch guy at the age of 21, it’s not like he’s missed the boat on developing another one. I hope the Braves get him back to starting in 2013.
Glad they’re getting it out of the way, it was coming eventually. This hurts the SP depth a bit as Medlen will likely be in the pen all season, but the Braves have plenty of high upside pen options. Jurrjens is worrying me again, he’s looked like a career minor-leaguer this spring.
The Phillies better go get an infielder… Our only other back up shortstop’s out now. (Not much of a loss… but we’re getting thin on infielders).
This is good timing for the Angels with all their extra parts. Time to trade them for prospects.
all the LOOGYs in the world can’t help the Mets. They need better options in all up-the-middle positions. Ruben Tejada gets on base but can’t hit for power at all. Thole’s defense almost offsets his offense. Torres was horrible last year when he played, and there’s a reason that he wasn’t in the news much a few years ago. Daniel Murphy could be the only above average guy up the middle. Plus the Jason Bay dilemma, the Mets have a lot of work to do.