Odds and Ends: Inge, Snell, Jones
Some early Monday odds and ends to get things rolling…
- D-Town Baseball takes a closer look at the idea of Brandon Inge catching this year, something Dave Dombrowski would recommend to him.
- According to Marc Topkin, the Rays have increased payroll more than they promised (from $24MM in ’07 past $40MM this year.)
- Speaking of ’08 payrolls, the Detroit Free Press projects the Tigers at nearly $134MM.
- We’ve got a good discussion at RotoAuthority going regarding my Top 76 Fantasy Baseball Outfielders.
- The Pirates rejected Ian Snell‘s idea of a contract extension. He’s under team control for four more seasons, so they’re in no hurry.
- Some quotes from Adam Jones regarding being pulled from winter league ball.
Astros Close On Runelvys Hernandez
Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros are close to a one-year deal with starter Runelvys Hernandez. Hernandez will turn 30 in April. He spent 2007 in Triple A with the Pirates, Yankees, and Red Sox organizations.
None of this seems terribly interesting, but the article also says Hernandez got on a strict training regimen. Now that he’s in shape, he’s reportedly hitting 97 on the gun (sounds like agent-speak to me). I’ll believe it when I see it. But Hernandez chose the right team in the Astros, as they’re hurting for starting pitching. It’s not a done deal yet; he’s having some last minute discussions with other clubs. McTaggart says the Rangers, Pirates, Phillies, and Reds have all shown interest.
Pirates Talking Extension With LaRoche
The Pirates have first baseman Adam LaRoche under team control through the 2009 season, currently. However, they have recently approached LaRoche about a three or four-year contract. They could be buying out two years of free agency.
Dejan Kovacevic notes that LaRoche and the Pirates only have a week to reach an agreement or put in their figures for his ’08 salary. They could reach an agreement for ’08 and then work out an extension that would start with ’09.
LaRoche hit .272/.345/.458 in 2007, while the average NL 1B hit .284/.365/.481. He was above average for his position in ’06, though. And if we cut him a break for his first month in Pittsburgh, we see that he hit .296/.361/.492 thereafter. LaRoche turned 28 in November, so he may still be in his prime.
Pirates Interested In Brad Thompson?
Scott Wuerz of the Belleville News-Democrat suggests that Cardinals pitcher Brad Thompson is a rumored target for the Pirates. He could be part of a larger package, where players such as Jack Wilson, Matt Morris, and/or Jason Bay could be involved.
Thompson turns 26 soon. The Cardinals tried him as a starter last year, and he posted a 4.66 ERA in that role. He was at 4.91 in relief, but for his career he’s been better coming out of the pen. Thompson lost his groundball mojo a bit in ’07, and as a result his HR rate rose dramatically.
At one point, the Cards and Bucs discussed a Wilson-for-Chris Duncan deal. About a month ago Dejan Kovacevic said he expected Wilson to stay put this winter. Morris was a Cardinals’ target at various times in ’07. There hasn’t been much buzz about the Pirates trading Bay to St. Louis.
Pirates Rumors: Snell, Estrada, Villone
John Perrotto had some new Pirates’ rumblings in yesterday morning’s column.
- Don’t be so quick to dismiss the Ian Snell to Seattle rumor. Perrotto acknowledges it, noting that the Mariners would offer Jeff Clement but the Pirates would probably require Adam Jones.
- Perrotto believes the Pirates have backed off their pursuit of Johnny Estrada, though Dejan Kovacevic hasn’t heard this. I never thought Estrada made much sense for them.
- Perrotto says the Pirates have an eye on free agent lefty Ron Villone, who pitched for them back in ’02.
Bucs May Extend Capps, But Not Sanchez
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has the latest regarding new GM Neal Huntington’s plans for closer Matt Capps and second baseman Freddy Sanchez.
Capps, 24, posted a fine 2007 (2.28 ERA) in his first year as the Pirates’ closer. He’d be under team control through 2011 anyway if the Pirates went year-to-year with him. But Huntington has an offer to Capps out for three or four years, buying out most or all of his arbitration years. Kovacevic notes that this is a strategy Huntington observed under Mark Shapiro in Cleveland.
Huntington appears to have less faith in 30 year-old second baseman Sanchez. He seems to have developed into a solid .800 OPS guy, and his second half in ’07 showed further upside. Sanchez has two more years under team control; if the Pirates gave him an extension they’d want it to buy out his first year of free agency in 2010. Sanchez would probably not be amenable to that, but even going two years would give the Pirates more cost certainty. At any rate, it would make sense for Huntington to entertain offers on Sanchez.
Ian Snell, Jason Bay On Mariners’ Radar?
UPDATE, 1-5-08 at 10:29am: Jason Churchill of Prospect Insider says talks between the Pirates and Mariners for Bay and Snell "never went past the introductory stages" – the Bucs’ demands are not reasonable.
FROM 1-3-08 at 11:51pm:
Jake at Bucco Blog has been hearing a lot of buzz lately about the Mariners’ interest in Pirates’ righty Ian Snell. The 26 year-old posted a 3.76 ERA in 208 innings in 2007. He was an ace in the first half (2.93 ERA).
Snell seems somewhat comparable to Matt Garza, though he’s a bit older and has an extra year of service time. So maybe acquiring him doesn’t require a Delmon Young-caliber player, but something close. If Neal Huntington can get Adam Jones for him straight up, I think he should pull the trigger.
Odds and Ends: Cameron, Inge, Bay
Here are some random rumors and links I’ve cobbled together today.
- The Fish officially signed Jorge Cantu to a minor-league deal worth $500K with $100K in incentives.
- The Cardinals re-upped Aaron Miles for $1.4 mil. This team needs some good middle infielders.
- According to Tyler Kepner, Alex Rodriguez has been "privately endorsing" Mike Cameron. Well, it’s not private anymore! The Yankees could entertain such a signing if they trade Melky Cabrera but don’t want to move Johnny Damon back to center. Kepner’s article also discusses the internal struggle between Hank and Hal Steinbrenner. Hank wants Johan Santana, Hal wants to show a little financial restraint.
- Lynn Henning digs into the Brandon Inge situation, with help from the always-insightful Keith Law. Henning believes Inge would view a shift back to catcher "with contempt."
- Scott Wuerz runs through various possible Cardinals targets. He notes that the Pirates had considered the White Sox their best possible trade partner for Jason Bay, and are disappointed by Chicago’s Nick Swisher acquisition.
- Seems that Bartolo Colon has yet to crack 90 mph in the Dominican Winter League.
- There are rumblings that the Astros are considering bringing Freddy Garcia back.
- R.J. Anderson snagged an interesting interview with Paul DePodesta.
- Minor League guru and MLB.com senior writer Jonathan Mayo has a new book coming out about what it’s like to face Roger Clemens. I’m going to do a Q&A with Jonathan next week; if you have any good question ideas leave ’em in the comments. By the way, Mayo finished his book before the Mitchell Report came out.
- Yankees fans – Ray Istorico has an illustrated history of the early Yankees coming out in a few months.
- I will be appearing on XM Radio’s MLB Home Plate show on Sunday around 2:25 CST.
Odds and Ends: Estrada, Payton, Kielty
Random rumors from the day…
- The Bucs are set with their starting five, unless they can trade Matt Morris. Dejan Kovacevic adds that the Pirates and Johnny Estrada have mutual interest but haven’t spoken in a while.
- Roch Kubatko expects the Orioles to shop Jay Payton now that they’ve acquired Chris Roberson. Really, all of their vets should be fully available.
- Bobby Kielty has interest from three or four teams, but his first choice is Boston. The likelihood of that increases if Coco Crisp is sent elsewhere. Kielty is willing to give up switch-hitting if his new team so desires.
- Troy E. Renck has salary details on Mark Redman and Kip Wells. Redman gets $1MM, with another possible $500K in incentives. Wells gets a $3.1MM base with another possible $1.5MM in incentives.
Mailbag: Nioka, Crede, Snell
Let’s dig through the ol’ mailbag once again. Feel free to shoot an email to mlbtraderumors@gmail.com.
Do you have any news regarding Japanese shortstop Tomohiro Nioka? Is he a free agent and are any teams pursuing him? – Bob
It seems that Nioka turned out to be ineligible for free agency. We’ll have to keep an eye out for him next year.
What’s up with Joe Crede? Will the ChiSox be looking to deal him this summer if they are struggling? And if so, you have to believe the Phillies would be top contenders for him. – Dan
I’m almost certain Crede will be dealt, I’m just not sure when. Maybe after a week or two of proving his health in Spring Training? Josh Fields needs his reps at third base, so I’d be surprised if the Sox started the season with Crede at the hot corner. The Phillies seem like the perfect fit, especially since Kenny Williams and Pat Gillick have gotten together for many deals.
Have you heard anything about a package of Snell and Bay from Pittsburgh to the M’s for some prospects? – Aaron
Jake at Bucco Blog heard this rumor just a few days ago. Both of them going to Seattle would represent a whole lot of talent. Seems that it would require Adam Jones and then some. Might make more sense for the Mariners to target just Snell, since they’re in fine shape in the outfield.