Mike Axisa | MLB Trade Rumors

Poll: Best Trade Package For A Young Pitcher

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 8:37pm CDT

When the offseason started, we figured it would be headlined by a pair of MVP caliber bats (Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder) and a Japanese import (Yu Darvish). While those three certainly garnered their fair share of attention, the winter was mostly dominated by trades involving young, high-upside pitchers with multiple years of team control remaining.

The Doug Fister trade seemed to get it all started. The Mariners sent him and David Pauley to the Tigers for Francisco Martinez, Casper Wells, Charlie Furbush, and Chance Ruffin at the trade deadline. Four similar young, high-upside starters with multiple years of contractual control remaining were traded this offseason. Here are those deals, presented chronologically…

Athletics trade Trevor Cahill (and Craig Breslow) to the Diamondbacks for Jarrod Parker, Collin Cowgill, and Ryan Cook.
Padres trade Mat Latos to the Reds for Edinson Volquez, Yasmani Grandal, Yonder Alonso, and Brad Boxberger.
Athletics trade Gio Gonzalez to the Nationals for Brad Peacock, A.J. Cole, Tom Milone, and Derek Norris.
Mariners trade Michael Pineda (and Jose Campos) to the Yankees for Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi.

Each trade involved multiple young players going the other way, including at least one top 100 prospect according to Baseball America. Which team got the best return for their young hurler?

Which team received the best return for their young pitcher?

Padres for Latos 43.84% (8,892 votes)

Mariners for Pineda 29.81% (6,046 votes)

Athletics for Gonzalez 20.16% (4,090 votes)

Athletics for Cahill 6.19% (1,255 votes)

Total Votes: 20,283

Trade Candidates: Tim Stauffer & Dustin Moseley

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 6:56pm CDT

The Padres won 90 games in 2010, but they fell back into the NL West cellar in 2011. They changed GMs this offseason and traded ace Mat Latos to the Reds for a package of three young players and Edinson Volquez. New GM Josh Byrnes also bought low on Carlos Quentin and Huston Street, but a lot will have to go right for San Diego to return to contention this season.

ESPN.com and Baseball Prospectus agree that the Padres have the best farm system in baseball, and they're going to have a prospect-heavy Triple-A rotation led by three of their ten best minor leaguers: Casey Kelly, Robbie Erlin, and Joe Wieland. Kelly came over in the Adrian Gonzalez trade while both Erlin and Wieland came from the Rangers in the Mike Adams deal. With that kind of talent waiting in Triple-A, Byrnes figures to be able to shop a starter or two for more young players at midseason.

The 29-year-old Tim Stauffer (pictured) was San Diego's Opening Day starter last season. He finally made it through his first full season as a big league starter in 2011, eight years after being the fourth overall pick in the draft. He pitched to a 3.73 ERA in 185 2/3 innings spread across 31 starts, relying on ground balls (51.8%) and control (2.57 BB/9) rather than strikeouts (6.20 K/9). Stauffer did appear to hit a bit of wall in mid-August and finished the season on the shelf with arm stiffness, but he's healthy now and ready to go.

Dustin Moseley, 30, was enjoying a bit of a breakout year in 2011 before dislocating his left (non-throwing) shoulder swinging a bat in late-July, which ended his season. Before the injury he'd pitched to a 3.30 ERA in 20 starts (120 IP). Like Stauffer, he's a ground ball (49.5%) and control (2.70 BB/9) guy, not a strikeout guy (4.80 K/9). Also like Stauffer, Moseley is healthy now and will begin the season on time and in the rotation.

Stauffer and Moseley aren't the biggest of names, but they'll have plenty of trade value if they carry their 2011 performance over into 2012. The former will earn $3.2MM this year and the latter just $2.0125MM, plus both guys will remain under team control as an arbitration-eligible players in 2013. With expensive hurlers like Joe Blanton ($8.5MM) and John Lannan ($5MM) highlighting the current pitching trade market, Stauffer and Moseley could look very attractive at their salaries come June and July.

The Padres have plenty of young pitching on the way, so they should be able to replace a starter if they make any trades this year. They can always count on Petco Park to help their pitchers perform a little better than they probably should as well. Both Stauffer and Moseley are unspectacular but effective when healthy, and we've seen similar pitchers like Jake Westbrook and Ted Lilly fetch nice returns at the deadline in recent years. The San Diego duo is both younger and cheaper, and new ten-team playoff system could mean more clubs will be in contention and looking for rotation help this summer.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

Red Sox Release Carlos Silva

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 12:58pm CDT

The Red Sox announced that they have released pitcher Carlos Silva. The right-hander signed a minor league deal with Boston just after the New Year.

Silva was released by the Cubs last March with $11.5MM left on his contract. He hooked on with the Yankees shortly thereafter but was released in July as he was hampered by shoulder problems through seven minor league starts. Silva's last big league season was with the Cubs in 2010 as he posted a 4.22 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 through 113 innings.

Had he made Boston's big league squad, Silva would have earned a base salary of $1MM for 2012. The 32-year-old's contract also included performance bonuses and an additional $50K for winning Comeback Player of the Year.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Minor Moves: Oswaldo Navarro

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 12:54pm CDT

Let's keep track of the day's minor league moves right here…

The Mets have signed infielder Oswaldo Navarro, reports ESPN New York's Adam Rubin. The 27-year-old hit .267/.348/.333 with two homers in 365 plate appearances for the Astros' Triple-A affiliate last year. Navarro has 18 big league plate appearances to his credit with Houston and Seattle (2006 & 2010), and has experience at all four infield spots.

Rockies Will Consider Dontrelle Willis

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 11:56am CDT

The Rockies are always looking to add pitching depth, and today the team will internally discuss whether to pursue Dontrelle Willis according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post. The Phillies released the southpaw yesterday.

“It’s tough at this point in camp, but we will take a look at it,” said GM Dan O’Dowd.

Colorado has left-handed relievers Rex Brothers and Matt Reynolds on the 40-man roster, but it should only take a minor league contract to land Willis at this point. The 30-year-old has held lefty batters to a .178/.245/.248 batting line with a 5.0 K/BB ratio in 143 plate appearances over the last two seasons. Yesterday we heard that the Marlins were unlikely to have interest in bringing their former ace back.

Yankees Links: Pettitte, Garcia, Posada, Wise, A-Rod

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 10:14am CDT

Twelve years ago today, the Expos sent Christian Parker to the Yankees as the player to be named later in the Hideki Irabu trade. The two teams made the deal a few months earlier, with prospects Jake Westbrook and Ted Lilly going to New York. Parker eventually flamed out, but both Westbrook and Lilly went on to have long and productive careers, just not in pinstripes. Here's the latest from the Bronx…

Joel Sherman of The New York Post says the Andy Pettitte signing was a move from the vintage George Steinbrenner playbook, a "sensationalistic lightning bolt" signing.
"You play for the Yankees, nothing surprises you," said Freddy Garcia to reporters (including Marc Carig of The Star Ledger) when asked about the Pettitte signing this morning (Twitter link). Garcia is a candidate to be traded once the left-hander is in game shape.
Sherman checked with Jorge Posada following the Pettitte signing, and confirmed that the team's long-time backstop is staying retired (Twitter link).
“We’ve been trying to sign him for the last few years,” said GM Brian Cashman to Jack Curry of The YES Network about Dewayne Wise. The team sees him as a valuable reserve outfielder with above average defense. Wise joined the club on a minor league contract this offseason.
Alex Rodriguez told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that he'd like to own a baseball team one day (Twitter link). According to the game's bylaws, A-Rod will have to wait until he's no longer under contract with one of the 30 clubs to do so.
MLBPA head Michael Weiner told Carig that he expects the Yankees to remain under the $189MM luxury tax threshold in 2014 and 2015 (Twitter links). That will qualify them for rebates in 2016, and Weiner then expects them to raise payroll.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: A’s, Royals, Phillies, Napoli

By Mike Axisa | March 17, 2012 at 8:34am CDT

Six years and one day ago, Roy Halladay agreed to a three-year contract extension with the Blue Jays worth $40MM. The deal did not kick in until the 2008 season and bought out three free agent years. Halladay only pitched two of those three years in Toronto before being traded to the Phillies prior to the 2010 season. All told, the Jays paid Doc approximately $76MM for over 2,000 innings of 3.43 ERA ball. Here's the latest from around the web…

The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan interviewed several members of the Athletics bullpen, including Brian Fuentes and Grant Balfour.
El Maquino says the Royals are copying the Rays with their recent contract extensions.
Redleg Nation is comfortable with a two or three extension for Brandon Phillips.
Baseball Time In Arlington wrote about Mike Napoli and his lack of a contract extension.
Baseball GMs invented some extensions for various players.
Disciples of Uecker says the Brewers have no reason to trade Logan Schafer right now.
Brotherly Glove makes a case for the Phillies to keep Joe Blanton.
Phillies Nation, meanwhile, muses about a deal sending Blanton to the Angels.
Swingin' A's wrote about Yoenis Cespedes and the Athletics' recent history of risky moves.
AL Eastbound & Down looks at expectations for Brett Lawrie.
SaberGM analyzed the Tigers' second base situation.
Chicken Friars wrote about two similar players who ended up in very different places.
Through The Fence Baseball wonders what Padres ownership is trying to tell fans.
Sports of Boston plays the what-if game with Jacoby Ellsbury and Curtis Granderson.
Wahoo's on First looked back at the 2007 Cleveland Indians.
I-70 Baseball thinks Luke Hochevar may be better than we realize.
The Eye in the Skydone wrote about Brett Cecil's missing velocity.
The Battlin' Bucco says the Pirates should free Starling Marte.
SB Nation Chicago previewed the Cubs season.
Rising Apple thinks the Mets need a center fielder, specifically Matt Angle.
Why Won't The Tigers Hire Me? looks ahead to some potential July sellers.
85% Sports scores Sandy Alderson's time as Mets GM.
M.C. Antil says Mat Gamel still has a long way to go.
Infield Shift listed the 2012 Spring Training All-Stars.
Cleveland Indians Perspective listed the Indians' top 75 prospects.

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.

Quick Hits: Willis, Marlins, Reyes, Dunn, Blue Jays

By Mike Axisa | March 16, 2012 at 10:03pm CDT

Here are some miscellaneous notes from around the league…

The Marlins are not expected to show interest in their former ace Dontrelle Willis, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter). The Phillies released Willis earlier today.
"Before I signed here, I saw what [the Marlins were] trying to do," said Jose Reyes to David Lennon of Newsday. "That's why I decide to come here to Miami, because of the opportunity to win. Because in my ninth year in the big leagues, I don't win anything yet."
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports expects Adam Dunn to rebound from his disastrous 2011 campaign with the White Sox. The 32-year-old slugger said "ninety percent of what happened was simple, mental."
Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava spoke to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm about a number of the team's prospects, including David Cooper, Travis d'Arnaud, and Anthony Gose.

Rangers Notes: Feldman, Uehara, Lowe, Webb

By Mike Axisa | March 16, 2012 at 9:12pm CDT

On this date in 2000, the Rangers acquired David Segui and cash in a three-team trade. Texas sent Lee Stevens to the Expos, the Expos sent Brad Fullmer to the Blue Jays, and the Jays sent Segui and cash to the Rangers. Here's the latest from the two-time defending AL champs…

The Rangers have gotten calls about Scott Feldman, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). They have a strong inclination to hang onto the versatile 29-year-old right-hander, however.
Given their deep cache of right-handed relievers, Heyman says (on Twitter) that Texas could still trade Koji Uehara or Mark Lowe. Uehara invoked his no-trade clause to reject a deal to the Blue Jays in January.
The Rangers rolled the dice with Brandon Webb last season, and ESPN's Buster Olney says (on Twitter) that the 32-year-old sinkerballer continues to work out with the intention of getting back on the mound for a team at some point.

Reactions To The Andy Pettitte Signing

By Mike Axisa | March 16, 2012 at 7:57pm CDT

Most of us thought the Yankees were done improving their rotation after acquiring Michael Pineda and signing Hiroki Kuroda, but they added one more veteran piece on Friday. Andy Pettitte decided to come out of retirement and return his old team, signing a one-year, minor league deal worth $2.5MM with no incentives. He won't be ready for Opening Day, but will get back into shape early in the season before rejoining the team. Here's a bunch of news and reactions to the signing, with most links going to Twitter…

"I am embarrassed to be coming back, but what can I do? My desire has changed," said Pettitte to reporters (including Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News and Joel Sherman of The New York Post) in a conference call this afternoon. "It was the Yankees or nothing," he added.
Dialogue between Pettitte and GM Brian Cashman started back in December according to Jack Curry of The YES Network. The team originally offered a one-year deal worth $10-12MM, but the left-hander wanted to work out for six weeks to see how he felt.
The two sides spoke sporadically over the last year according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Yankees checked in with Pettitte before signing Kuroda in mid-January, but at that point he wasn't sure if he would return.
The Yankees had maxed out their budget by the time Pettitte said he wanted to pitch, so owner Hal Steinbrenner had to authorize the signing according to MLB.com's Bryan Hoch.
The two sides explored a number of different financial packages, including a personal services contract that would not have counted against the luxury tax according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
ESPN's Buster Olney says the Yankees could have signed Mike Gonzalez two weeks ago, but turned it down because of that budget. Pettitte's history with the team worked in his favor.
The Yankees are very open to trading their excess starting pitching, reports Olney. In addition to Pettitte, they have CC Sabathia, Pineda, Kuroda, Freddy Garcia, Phil Hughes, and Ivan Nova penciled into the rotation.
Sherman wouldn't be surprised if the Yankees shopped Garcia if they feel Pettitte could help this season. Garcia could be an affordable alternative for clubs looking at Joe Blanton or John Lannan.
“I don’t think he’s coming back to where he was, call it a hunch," said Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine to reporters (including Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald). "But he’s a good pitcher. Always respected Andy. Always thought he was a borderline Hall of Famer. Add someone like that to your staff, you’re doing good.”

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