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Odds And Ends: Lowry, Street, Farnsworth, Roberts

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Just a few loose links for Saturday morning.

  • Billy Beane has talked to Alan Hendricks, agent for closer Huston Street, about an extension. However, they have been informal talks, with no specifics to mention. Don’t expect much movement on this front until we get deeper into the season and see where the A’s really stand.
  • Brian Roberts is relieved now that the trade rumors are dead. "I know where I’m going to be on a nightly basis now, at least," Roberts said. "It is a relief because I think everybody wants stability in their life, but I understand that doesn’t always happen. If it comes up again, I’ll deal with it."
  • Brian Sabean talked about the possibility of a six-man rotation once Noah Lowry returns to action in May. The article says that this "ensure that the youngest and most prized starters, Cain and Lincecum, are not overtaxed in a rebuilding season." But you still need them to get their innings in. Lincecum, for instance, pitched 177.1 innings last year. You’d like to get him to 200 this year, which would be difficult in a six-man rotation environment.
  • It looks like Kyle Farnsworth will be suspended for throwing at Manny Ramirez the other night. I know it’s not a transaction rumor. But won’t punishing retaliation just mean more preemptive aggression?

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski, who writes for River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.

Upton In No Rush For New Deal

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Could the Rays have started a new trend by locking up Evan Longoria after just 24 major league plate appearances? Probably not, though we have seen teams locking up players earlier and earlier. The Rockies secured Troy Tulowitzki for the next six years, with a $15MM option for a seventh. And the D’Backs decided they want Chris Young around through at least 2013.

The Diamondbacks have another player who stands to make some decent cash before he reaches free agency: Justin Upton. The youngest player in baseball is off to a scalding start after struggling in 152 plate appearances as a 19-year-old last year. He will be eligible for free agency after the 2013 season, and will enter the 2014 season at age 26.

Upton hasn’t been approached by the Diamondbacks about an extension, but he’s not sweating it. "I want to get through my first season," Upton said. "I’m not going to rush into anything." Indeed, it might be in his best financial interest to let this play out. Or, at least, take the Alex Rodriguez path and not sign a deal that takes him past his first year of free agency.

At 26 years old, Upton will be in high demand in the 2013-2014 offseason. In fact, with Miguel Cabrera locked up through 2015, at which time he’ll be entering his age-31 season, it stands to reason that Upton could be the next $200MM player. Then again, we said the same thing about Cabrera, and things didn’t quite turn out that way.

If Upton keeps up his hot hitting throughout the season, I wouldn’t expect him to sign any deal, options or not, that takes him past 2013, try as the Diamondbacks might.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.

Who Needs A Backup Catcher? Part II

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Two weeks ago, we discussed who would be a good fit for catcher Humberto Quintero, who had been designated for assignment by the Astros on March 31. It turns out he cleared waivers and was outrighted to AAA Round Rock, where he played just one game before being recalled. He went 2 for 4 with a double before being DFA’d again, this time to make room for Kaz Matsui.

Astros GM Ed Wade on the situation: "We think he’s a big league catcher, has big league ability, but we can’t carry three catchers." That’s a very insightful statement. No, you can’t carry three catchers if you’re stocking 12 pitchers. It’s just that I’d far rather keep the 28-year-old guy with plus defense over the 39-year-old who hasn’t been good in a very long time.

Last time around, we had talked about the Red Sox and the Giants as possible suitors. The Orioles were a possibility, though the timing might not be right. They’d have to unload Ramon Hernandez first, and he’s off to a horrible start. The Reds were brought up in the comments, and that seems to make sense, too. If Paul Bako’s OBP doesn’t drop 100 points over his next 70 at bats, I might eat my shoe.

You’d think the Yankees might be interested, given the injuries to Jorge Posada and Jose Molina. But Posada won’t hit the DL — and could be catching again within the next few days — and Molina will be back in due time. Plus, Chad Moeller has been filling in admirably (same disclaimer with him as with Bako).

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski, who writes for River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog. Rumors are slow this time of year, so if you see something, say something.

Recently DFA’d: Corey, Bazardo, Jimerson

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Anyone looking for a relief pitcher or an outfielder? The Red Sox, Tigers, and Mariners designated a few for assignment yesterday. Let’s see what they’re leaving on the table.

  • Yorman Bazardo, a 23-year-old who actually pitched pretty well last year, was curiously designated by Detroit.
  • The Red Sox designated 34-year-old reliever Bryan Corey to make room for Mike Timlin, who got the loss last night in his first appearance since coming off the DL. You’d figure Bazardo would get a lot more interest than Corey.
  • Finally, the Mariners have designated 28-year-old OF Charlton Jimerson after just one plate appearance. It was just the ninth of his career. It seems his .901 OPS in the minors last year, mostly with AA, was an outlier.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski

With Willis Injured, Is Snyder Detroit-Bound?

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Tigers lefty Dontrelle Willis didn’t even make it out of the first inning last night, leaving the game with a hyperextended right knee. The bullpen kept the game close, and the vaunted yet under-performing Tigers offense carried the team to victory. However, Willis’s knee adds greater concern to an already shaky rotation. Only Jeremy Bonderman has gone over 6.0 IP in a single start this year. Do these woes, combined with the Willis injury, mean that recently-DFA’d Kyle Snyder could be wearing orange soon?

Yesterday, Tim told us that the Tigers were among two other teams interested in the 30-year-old righty. The Phillies and the Rays are the others. Whether that would be for the rotation or the bullpen we don’t know. The Tigers could certainly use him as a swingman of sorts, as their bullpen also poses a problem.

I wasn’t able to find any word on how long this injury will keep Willis off the mound. If it’s just one or even two starts, the Tigers might not be desperate to make a move. Then again, the Tigers could stand to add some depth to the rotation and the bullpen in any case. Not sure if they are so keen on Snyder as an answer, though.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski. Please, email me rumors.

Who Needs A Backup Catcher?

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We just talked about the lack of teams looking for a backup corner infielder. So what about backup catcher? The Astros have until Wednesday to do something with DFA’d catcher Humberto Quintero. It’s a foregone conclusion that some team would pluck him off waivers before he could be outrighted to AAA Round Rock, considering his meager $400K salary.

The 28-year-old backstop has put up some decent minor league numbers, though he’s never gotten any consistent time in the majors. His forte is defense, especially his arm. David Wells once said of him: "He’s throwing 110 (mph) down to first and I’m only pitching 88 to home plate." Maybe he could become somewhat of a Jose Molina.

So who’s in the market? Well, Boston has been looking for a solid backstop to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and maybe the Giants are looking for an upgrade from Steve Holm. That might be a longshot, though, since quality backup catchers are usually more desired by contending teams. Still, the Giants could win the waiver race if they were so inclined.

Anyone else want to suggest a team? I’m thinking he’d fit okay with Baltimore, and could get some real playing time in the second half if they decide to trade incumbent catcher Ramon Hernandez.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski

Interest In Helms Lacking

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It’s no secret that the Phillies are looking to dish Wes Helms. Problem is, there’s very little interest in the 32-year-old righty infielder. He was given a two-year, $5.45MM contract after a stellar part-time performance in 2006. After a poor 2007, the Phillies signed Pedro Feliz to play third. And, as we know, he was designated for assignment earlier this week.

So where does Helms fit? The immediate suitors aren’t working out too well. Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times says that the Dodgers are impressed by the play of Blake DeWitt, and are not interested in Helms. He also echoes the rumor that the Phillies have offered Helms to Florida and Atlanta. His salary probably prohibits him in Florida, which is sad, since it’s under $3 million, including the buyout of his 2009 option, and the Marlins could probably get the Phils to pick up a fraction of it.

Further, Andrew Baggarly of the the Mercury News reports that the Giants aren’t interested, either. You know something’s wrong when even Brian Sabean isn’t interested in your services.

So maybe the Phils work out a deal with Atlanta or another surprise suitor, but it seems likely that Helms will end up on the free agent market.  Where will he go from there? I can’t think of a team off the top of my head. Anyone out there whose team needs a utility corner infielder who can play the outfield in a pinch?

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.

Decision On Johnson Could Come This Week

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There just doesn’t seem to be a spot in Oakland for Dan Johnson. Once seen as a solution at first base, ineffectiveness and injuries have slowed him down a bit. While the 28-year-old still has some promise, he’s blocked in Oakland at first base by Daric Barton and Mike Sweeney, and at DH by Sweeney and Jack Cust.

There’s been some speculation of a Johnson trade, and that might be coming soon. Chad Gaudin can come off the DL on April 12, and Johnson could be the casualty. It depends, really, on whether Billy Beane and Bob Geren want to continue carrying 11 pitchers, or they want to up it to 12.

Apparently, Giants GM Brian Sabean told a sports radio program that he’s looking for a left-hand-hitting first baseman. They seem like a good fit from one end, but do the Giants have the chips the A’s are looking for? Other than that, I can’t see too many other teams that would be interested in him as a starter. Maybe as a backup, but then I suppose most teams wouldn’t be willing to part with much value for a backup first baseman.

I’m thinking that the A’s stick with 11 pitchers for the foreseeable future, and wait for a better opportunity to trade Johnson — probably an injury.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski. Please, email me rumors.

Odds And Ends: Gotay, Register, Haynes

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A couple of minor pickups this afternoon:

  • The Rays have claimed left-hand-hitting Nathan Haynes off waivers from the Angels. Rocco Baldelli will be moved to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man. Marc Lancaster speculates that Haynes, who is out of options, will take a roster spot that was presumed to be Eric Hinske’s.
  • The Mets have given up trying to trade for Rule V pick Steven Register, and are letting him go back to Colorado. He’ll report to Triple A.
  • Ruben Gotay, who had been DFA’d by the Mets, has been picked up by the Braves. Adam Rubin also notes that Anderson Hernandez has been optioned to AAA. UPDATE: To make room for Gotay on the 25-man, the Braves have asked for waivers on Scott Thorman. He has cleared, and will report to Triple A Richmond.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski

Reds DFA Mike Stanton

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Can’t say that I exactly understand this one, but the Reds have informed Mike Stanton that his services are no longer required. It’s not that Stanton is too good to let go — far from it, actually. Rather, the move is puzzling because of the team’s recent decision to option lefty reliever (and former first-rounder) Bill Bray to the minors last night. Jeremy Affeldt stands as the team’s lone lefty reliever.

Stanton was pretty bad for the Reds last year, posting a 5.93 ERA over 57.2 innings. His splits against lefties weren’t that encouraging, either: .306/.333/.429. The Reds will eat the $3 million he’s owed this year, plus the $500K buyout of his 2009 option.

UPDATE: Apparently, I’ve passed over Kent Merker, who is not on the Reds 40-man roster. However, with the jettison of Stanton, a spot now appears free.

Posted by Joe Pawlikowski. Keep the rumors coming.

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