MLBTR Mailbag: Dickey, Ethier, Price, Kennedy
2013/05/mlbtr-mailbag-1.htmlWho do the Giants go after for left field? - Allen Gregor Blanco, Andres Torres, and Francisco Peguero have manned left field for the Giants this year, posting a .250/.299/.336 line at the position. … Arizona's rotation has a 3.68 ERA, sixth-best in the league even with Kennedy's 4.88 ERA covering about 22% of their innings.
Midseason Top Prospect Trades
2013/05/midseason-top-prospect-trades.htmlHow often are top prospects traded midseason? Using trade periods of June through August, and Baseball America's preseason top 100 prospect lists, let's take a look at the last four years: 2012: 7 (Jacob Turner, Arodys Vizcaino, Jean Segura, Zack Cox, Allen Webster, Nate Eovaldi, Christian Villanueva) 2011: 5 (Jonathan Singleton, Alex White, Zack Wheeler, Drew Pomeranz, Jarred Cosart) 2010: 3 (Justin Smoak, Brett Wallace, Wilson Ramos) 2009: 7 (Brett Wallace, Tim Alderson, Carlos Carrasco, Gorkys Hernandez, Aaron Poreda, Lou Marson, Chris Perez) If recent history is any indication, we should expect between three and seven top 100 prospects to be traded this summer. … It's fair to expect most traded prospects to be in the 40-100 range on the rankings.
Quick Hits: Angels, Montero, Gomes, Dodgers
2013/05/quick-hits-angels-montero-gomes-dodgers.htmlThe Dodgers were criticized for absorbing hundreds of millions of dollars in salary (and giving up five players, including prospects Allen Webster and Rubby De La Rosa) when they acquired Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto from the Red Sox last August. … But, MLB.com's Lyle Spencer tweets, Gonzalez, Crawford and Punto have been the Dodgers' three best position players this year.
Trade Candidate: Yovani Gallardo
2013/06/trade-candidate-yovani-gallardo.htmlSome potential examples, in my opinion, could be Nate Karns of the Nationals, Jesse Biddle of the Phillies, Allen Webster of the Red Sox, Zach Lee of the Dodgers, and Kyle Gibson of the Twins. … It would be best to target a pitcher who hasn't had much big league success to date, but could learn on the job for the last few months of 2013 and take a step forward in '14.
Dodgers Notes: Ethier, Puig, Beckett
2013/06/dodgers-notes-ethier-puig-beckett.htmlEthier is a little over two months into a five-year, $85MM contract extension with the team but he has struggled this season and fallen out of favor with manager Don Mattingly. … Koufax finished his career with four no-hit games, second only to Nolan Ryan's seven no-nos in baseball history.
Quick Hits: Adams, Cole, Twins, Rangers
2013/06/quick-hits-adams-cole-twins-rangers.htmlAdams, 24, is hitting .313/.352/.552 as a bench player this season, and he's blocked by Allen Craig, Carlos Beltran and Matt Holliday. … Hiroki Kuroda figures to be the best starting pitcher on the market, Passan says, but Kuroda is 38.
Boston Not Heavily Interested In Garza; Called About Norris
2013/07/boston-not-heavily-interested-in-garza-called-about-norris.htmlSpeier adds that the Sox are pleased with their core of upper-level pitching prospects such as Allen Webster, Brandon Workman, Drake Britton and Rubby de la Rosa. … The Red Sox were never a big factor in trade talks for Matt Garza because the team viewed him strictly as a rental and wasn't interested in offering him a long-term extension, writes WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.
Red Sox Notes: Buchholz, Pedroia
2013/07/red-sox-notes-buchholz-pedroia.htmlAnother factor in the Red Sox's decision about whether to add pitching is the "readiness" of younger pitchers Drake Britton, Brandon Workman, Rubby De La Rosa and Allen Webster, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. … I just don’t think we appreciated how much chemistry can mean to a baseball team." Also, Britton argues that, in addition to a Pedroia deal making sense for the Red Sox, it's also in Pedroia's best interest to do a deal now at age 29, rather than waiting to hit the free agent market when he's 32.
Explaining August Trades
2013/08/explaining-august-trades.htmlLast year, one of the largest trades of the past decade occurred on August 25 when the Red Sox traded Adrian Gonzalez, Carl Crawford, Josh Beckett and Nick Punto to the Dodgers for James Loney, Allen Webster, Rubby De La Rosa, Jerry Sands and Ivan De Jesus. … After one of the slower non-waiver trade deadlines in recent history, we're into August, which doesn't mean that trades are off the table.
Noteworthy August 2012 Trades
2013/08/noteworthy-august-2012-trades.htmland brought James Loney, Ivan De Jesus, Allen Webster, and two players to be named later who became Rubby De La Rosa and Jerry Sands. … The non-waiver trade deadline is in the rearview mirror, but MLB teams can continue making deals until August 31st.
NL Central Notes: Cardinals, Freese, Brewers, Bard
2013/09/nl-central-notes-cardinals-freese-brewers-bard.htmlBernie Miklasz, Goold's colleague at the Post-Dispatch, agrees the Cardinals' young talent has been a tremendous resource; but, with Allen Craig nursing a sprained foot, the club will turn to a grizzled playoff veteran: David Freese. … The division-leading Cardinals are hosting the Pirates and lead Pittsburgh by one-half game while the Brewers and Cubs are at Wrigley Field battling to avoid the cellar.
D-Backs Could Look To Extend Parra, Ziegler
2013/09/d-backs-could-look-to-extend-parra-ziegler.htmlZiegler, who was acquired from the A's for Brandon Allen and Jordan Norberto in July 2011, is earning $3.15MM this season and is eligible for free agency following the 2014 campaign. … The Diamondbacks are expected to pursue long-term deals for both Gerardo Parra and Brad Ziegler this offseason, writes Jack Magruder of FOX Sports Arizona.
NL Central Notes: Reds, Cubs, Beltran, Pirates
2013/10/nl-central-notes-reds-cubs-beltran-pirates.htmlHe adds that there's no way, however, that Mozeliak could have foreseen Allen Craig's injury, which forced Matt Adams into a starting role and depleted the team's bench depth. … Best wishes to Chris, his family and friends as he continues his recovery! Here's more out of the NL Central...
Arbitration Eligibles: San Francisco Giants
2013/10/arbitration-eligibles-san-francisco-giants.htmlIt's possible the Giants could consider an Allen Craig type of contract, perhaps with an adjustment to reflect Belt's Super Two status. … Brandon Belt (2.128, Super Two): $2.4MM Gregor Blanco (3.164): $2.2MM Jose Mijares (5.024): $2.1MM Yusmeiro Petit (3.016): $1.3MM Joaquin Arias (4.071): $1.2MM Tony Abreu (3.170): $700K Belt, 26 in April, established career bests in most categories and finished strong.
Offseason Outlook: San Francisco Giants
2013/10/offseason-outlook-san-francisco-giants.htmlThe Giants may consider buying out those years and more with an extension and Tim Dierkes recently suggested Allen Craig's deal as a possible comp. … After breaking out in 2008 and asserting himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball across four consecutive years, The Freak struggled mightily in 2012 and rebounded somewhat in 2013.
Arbitration Eligibles: Kansas City Royals
2013/10/arbitration-eligibles-kansas-city-royals.htmlI'd suggest an Allen Craig or Billy Butler type of extension, but Hosmer is represented by Scott Boras, and he's never done that type of deal. … Holland was flat-out dominant, earning an All-Star nod while posting a 1.21 ERA with 47 saves and 103 strikeouts in 67 innings.
Indians Notes: Perez, Westbrook, Hart
2013/10/indians-notes-perez-westbrook-hart.htmlIf Perez is traded or non-tendered, Hoynes names Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw as the best in-house replacements. … In other Tribe tidbits from Hoynes: Re-signing Matt Capps to a minor league deal is not an indication the Indians are going to part ways with closer Chris Perez.
Offseason Outlook: Cleveland Indians
2013/10/offseason-outlook-cleveland-indians.htmlIf the Indians do indeed non-tender Perez, young righty Cody Allen, who posted 11.3 K/9 while throwing mid-90s gas last season, would be an excellent candidate to replace him. … Yan Gomes, acquired the previous offseason in a relatively minor trade with the Blue Jays, caught 85 games and was one of Cleveland's best hitters.
Giants Notes: Abreu, Vogelsong, Lopez, Tanaka, Belt
2013/10/giants-notes-abreu-vogelsong-belt-tanaka.htmlMLBTR's Matt Swartz projects Belt to earn $2.4MM in 2014 and MLBTR's Tim Dierkes suggests that Allen Craig's extension could be a model for a Belt extension, though with some adjustments since Belt is a Super Two player. … Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com participated in a live chat with fans today and shared a number of Giants-related hot stove items...
NL Central Notes: Cardinals, Pirates, Cubs
2013/11/cardinals-notes.htmlLouis brass have yet to decide on whether they'll try to re-up with Beltran, though parting ways with the outfielder would allow them to start Allen Craig in right field, as the club would like to do, Goold says. … Louis Post-Dispatch writes.
NL Notes: Stanton, Ruiz, Kershaw, Cardinals, Phillies
2013/11/nl-notes-stanton-ruiz-kershaw-cardinals-phillies.htmlIf Carlos Beltran can be brought back on a reasonable deal, Miklasz writes, it is possible that the club will use super-prospect Oscar Taveras in center with a combination of Beltran, Allen Craig, Matt Adams, and Matt Holliday at first base and the corner outfield. … The soon-to-be 35-year-old backstop landed at number 29 on the list of MLB's top fifty free agents compiled by MLBTR's Tim Dierkes, who sees a return to Philadelphia as the most likely scenario.
Offseason Outlook: St. Louis Cardinals
2013/11/offseason-outlook-st-louis-cardinals.htmlGuaranteed Contracts Adam Wainwright: $97.5MM through 2018 Yadier Molina, C: $60MM through 2017 Matt Holliday, OF: $52MM through 2016 Allen Craig, 1B/OF: $29.25MM through 2017 Jaime Garcia, P: $17.5MM through 2015 Jason Motte, RP: $7MM through 2014 Randy Choate, RP: $6MM through 2015 Arbitration Eligibles John Axford, RP (3.170): $5.7MM (non-tender candidate) David Freese, 3B (4.028): $4.4MM Jon Jay, CF (3.314): $3.4MM Daniel Descalso, IF (3.016): $1.2MM Fernando Salas, RP (3.048): $700K (non-tender candidate) Rob Johnson, C (4.013): $600K (non-tender candidate) Free Agents Carlos Beltran (received qualifying offer), Chris Carpenter, Rafael Furcal, Edward Mujica With a terrific 2013 season, a strong big-league core in place and more young talent on the way, the Cardinals are in excellent shape, and nothing that happens this offseason is likely to change that. … The Cardinals fell to the Red Sox in the World Series last week, but with a roster well-stocked with young talent, their short- and long-term futures appear bright.
Rockies Notes: Tulo, Hudson, Beltran, Johnson
2013/11/rockies-notes-geivett-tulo-hudson-beltran.htmlEarlier today, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal proposed an Allen Craig/Shelby Miller/Trevor Rosenthal package plus a lesser prospect and Colorado paying…… It doesn't seem like Johnson would be a fit, as since the right-hander is looking for a one-year deal to rebuild his value, he isn't likely to take such a contract at Coors Field.
Indians Unlikely To Re-Sign Hurlers Jimenez, Kazmir, Smith, Albers
2013/11/indians-unlikely-to-re-sign-hurlers-jimenez-kazmir-smith-albers.htmlAs for the relief corps, Hoynes says to expect an internal candidate -- most likely, Cody Allen or Bryan Shaw -- to be tapped as the closer. … The Indians' best free agent pitchers -- Ubaldo Jimenez, Scott Kazmir, Joe Smith, and Matt Albers -- are all expected to be lured away by better offers to throw elsewhere in spite of the club's interest in retaining them, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Cardinals, Rockies To Discuss Troy Tulowitzki Trade
2013/11/cardinals-rockies-to-discuss-troy-tulowitzki-trade.htmlPassan writes that one potential piece the Rockies might receive in return is first baseman Matt Adams, who so far has been blocked by Allen Craig in St. … Tulowitzki, 29, hit .312/.391/.540 and produced 5.6 wins above replacement in 2013, making him the best shortstop in baseball.