Odds and Ends: Giles, Crisp, A-Rod
Nothing huge cooking this morning, so here are some odds and ends.
- Doesn’t look like the Dodgers will acquire Marcus Giles.
- Rany Jazayerli writes about how Kansas City is home to many of the country’s best baseball journalists. On a related note, the Star’s Sam Mellinger has a chat with Brian Bannister on his blog.
- Coco Crisp rattles off the trade rumors he’s heard: Cubs, Sox, A’s, Padres. No deal appears imminent, though Crisp was healthy enough to pinch-run this morning.
- John Harper snags an exclusive with Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod admitted he chose the Rangers over the Mets for money and feared he was going down that road again this past winter.
- Roch Kubatko writes that Brian Roberts was pulled from the lineup today for back pain, hoping to nip trade speculation in the bud.
- The Phillies have to make a decision on Kris Benson today.
- Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the Joe Nathan extension. Buster Olney talked to baseball execs who felt the Twins should’ve added Nathan’s money to their Johan offer.
Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd
Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs’ quest to add an outfielder. Let’s put it all together.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets. Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers’ need for him while Curtis Granderson is out.
- ESPN’s Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal’s assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson. Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton.
- ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently observing the Cubs. Other scouts in ‘zona are speculating about a Sean Gallagher for Crisp scenario. Gammons notes that the Red Sox wouldn’t mind getting Murton back, either. He thinks the Sox are wary of trading Crisp right now though, echoing a sentiment from Buster Olney.
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers want Murton plus one of Jose Ceda, Gallagher, or Donald Veal for Byrd. Jim Hendry did recently re-engage the Rangers, according to Grant.
Who Wants Reed Johnson?
3:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are "showing the heaviest interest" in Johnson. Johnson does make sense for the Cubs, playing center when the team faces a lefty. It might hold Felix Pie back slightly, but it’s a win-now move.
Rosenthal says the Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers are the other teams in on Johnson. It’s definitely surprising to see the Sox and Rangers in the mix as neither club is light on outfielders.
9:40am: If 31 year-old outfielder Reed Johnson clears release waivers, he’s going to be a hot commodity. Already, the expected three teams have been named as possibilities in their respective newspapers.
- On Sunday, Joel Sherman characterized the Mets’ interest as "mild at best." Bart Hubbuch says the Mets are interested but quotes Omar Minaya as saying the Mets will go with internal options.
- Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in Johnson, noting that Jim Hendry is likely to make an acquisition this week. Jeff DaVanon is another (less likely) option. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs would have interest in Johnson if he clears release waivers.
- Joe Smith connects the Rays to Johnson and DaVanon, though only in speculation.
- I asked ESPN’s Keith Law how Johnson handled center field. He said: "I haven’t seen him since the injury, but he could play it every day when I was with Toronto, and he has a plus arm."
Rangers Close To Signing John Patterson
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan says the Rangers are close to a deal with John Patterson. The match makes sense for both parties. Patterson is from Texas and will remain in a low-pressure environment. The Rangers add some depth with no risk and decent upside. He’ll head to Triple A and try to regain his strength and velocity.
You can read all about Patterson’s lengthy injury history here.
Odds and Ends: Braves, Cruz, Breslow
Some nuggets from today…
- The Braves look to be the market for a bat off the bench and according to David O’Brien of the Atlanta-Journal Constitution it’s not likely to be a minor name. O’Brien asked Wren if the Braves "had money to add a player of significant salary to their payroll," throwing out an accompanying figure of $3-4MM, to which Wren said yes "without hesitation." Let’s use this to set the stage for what should be an interesting late spring Reed Johnson sweepstakes.
- Evan Grant of the The Dallas Morning News believes that Jason Botts 2 for 5 performance on Saturday versus the Mariners has locked up a roster spot for the young DH/1B. Speculation is that Kevin Mench, who can be optioned, would be sent to the minors and that Nelson Cruz could be designated for assignment.
- MLB.com speculates the ugly spring put up by Aaron Fultz may have played a part in the team’s decision to claim Craig Breslow off waivers from the Red Sox. Fultz has put up an 11.88 ERA in just over eight innings and last week he gave up four runs on five hits during a performance against Double-A Akron in an intrasquad game last week.
Aaron Shinsano writes for East Windup Chronicle.
Three CF Options For Cubs
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reiterates the Cubs’ concern with Felix Pie, setting out the three main trade candidates for the team.
- Coco Crisp probably won’t get dealt until he proves he’s healthy. Even then, as I’ve said, $11MM over two years is a lot for a fourth outfielder. The Cubs may have competition from the Rays and A’s for Crisp.
- Jay Payton would be a salary dump given the $5MM owed to him this year. The Cubs could take him while passing off the $16.25MM owed to Jason Marquis. The Cubs would love to move Marquis, though Jon Lieber‘s willingness to pitch out of the pen reduces the urgency. The Cubs are growing frustrated in their attempt to get Brian Roberts from the Orioles.
- Then there’s Marlon Byrd; T.R. Sullivan said on Friday that talks weren’t dead. Today, Evan Grant wrote that the Cubs will do Byrd straight up for Matt Murton and that’s a "take it or leave it" offer.
Reds Seek Catching Help
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer is hearing a rumor that the Reds are "actively seeking a catcher." He speculates that Ryan Freel could be trade bait.
Fay’s note conveniently gels with some info from a Jeff Brantley radio appearance that a reader passed along. Brantley reportedly said the Reds have been scouting the Rangers’ Gerald Laird. On a not necessarily related note, Brantley also mentioned that they may look to trade Matt Belisle.
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan recently wrote that the Rangers don’t intend to trade Laird despite some interest. On the other hand, Jon Daniels admitted in Sullivan’s article that he wouldn’t turn a deaf ear to anything. Laird is set to be the Rangers’ starting catcher this year. Jarrod Saltalamacchia would take on a smaller role or try Triple A.
The Reds could also consider trying to acquire San Diego’s Michael Barrett, who has played under Dusty Baker with the Cubs. Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez may also be available.
Cubs Still Talking To Rangers About Byrd
MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan writes today that the Cubs’ talks for Marlon Byrd still have some life. Not much has changed – the Cubs would give up Matt Murton, but the Rangers want young pitching.
Since the potential Brian Roberts acquisition seems to be on the frontburner, perhaps talks for Byrd would move to the next level if that’s completed. The Rangers may have to wait and see whether the Cubs bring Jay Payton in and which pitching prospects they give up.
Ken Rosenthal quoted a scout today who suggested the Cubs will never fully commit to center fielder Felix Pie and let him work through his growing pains. Rosenthal believes the Cubs would do well to give Pie a legitimate shot, as the Yankees and Red Sox are doing with their young center fielders.
Rangers Were Close To Acquiring Johan
SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with some inside info from the What Might’ve Been file. He says the Rangers and Twins were close to an agreement on the players involved in a trade that would’ve sent Johan Santana to Texas. The Twins pulled the plug when Santana was noncommital about whether he’d approve a trade to the Rangers. They felt that this would’ve decreased his market value (instead the Twins ended up overplaying their hand and accepting the second or third-best offer).
Heyman speculates that the Rangers could’ve offered Eric Hurley and/or Edinson Volquez, for starters. A Taylor Teagarden and various high-ceiling types could’ve been in there too, I imagine. Would’ve been interesting to see Minnesota get Teagarden and shift Joe Mauer to third base in ’09.
The Rangers hoped to pair Johan with Torii Hunter, but Hunter couldn’t pass on the Angels’ offer. Five years, $90MM is the kind of offer he had to pounce on.
Astros To Pass On Lohse
This morning, Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle suggested the Astros’ rotation picture looked like this:
1. Roy Oswalt
2. Brandon Backe
3. Wandy Rodriguez
4. Woody Williams
5. Shawn Chacon as the frontrunner, with Chris Sampson, Felipe Paulino, Runelvys Hernandez, Jack Cassel, Mark McLemore, and Brian Moehler in the mix
Now Paulino is out a month with a pinched nerve. Williams has been destroyed this spring. So now it’s looking like Oswalt/Backe/Rodriguez/Chacon/Sampson.
Not exactly playoff quality nor likely to stay healthy all year. However, Ed Wade said today he doesn’t see Kyle Lohse as a fit for around $4MM. Scott Boras called him up last week to pitch his client. Wade has been quite open in the press about his free agent discussions.
Given the uncertainty around everyone besides Oswalt and Rodriguez, Wade might do well to reconsider Lohse if he has room in the budget. Otherwise, Jeff Blair says the Cardinals, Rangers, and Giants have Lohse on the radar (but not the Jays).