Cubs Eyeing Coco
Last Sunday, I discussed how either Chicago ballclub were good suitors for Coco Crisp. Today, Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago Sun Times is reporting the Cubs interest do indeed lie with the web gem specialist, Crisp.
"With only one other lefty bat in the lineup (right fielder Kosuke Fukudome), the Cubs hoped to get a secondary lefty near the bottom of the order while assuring a good glove in center from their top two near-ready outfield prospects. While Hendry’s attempt to trade for Rangers outfielder Marlon Byrd was meant to provide a right-handed complement to the center-field winner, the focus now appears to be on Red Sox outfielder Coco Crisp, a switch hitter who could start in center and bat near the top of the order."
Nothing substantial has come our way yet; however, Coco, who is slated to make only $4.75MM in ’08 and $5.75MM in ’09 with an $8MM club option for ’10, would be a very good fit for the Cubs and provide more time for Felix Pie to blossom under less stress. Wittenmeyer confidently predicts,
"The Cubs will trade for a veteran outfielder to start in center, and one of [Pie or Sam Fuld] will open the season on the bench, the other in the minors."
However, Covelli Loyce Crisp still needs to bring his average back up to be the lead-off guy the Cubs are seeking – his inability to do so is a big reason the Red Sox will, by all accounts, part ways.
By Nat Boyle
Rowand Still Hoping For Crede To Giants
The indefatigable Aaron Rowand continues his Joe Crede-campaign, hoping the Giants will make a deal for him now that the Dodgers have entered the picture. In an article in the Chicago Sports Tribune, Roward argues that Crede has played the last few seasons with a bad back and, now healthy, will put forth his best season yet.
”I’m just the middle man,” Rowand said when asked how hard he has been pushing to be reunited with his close friend. ”I’m not playing recruiter. It’s not like I’m going to [the front office] and saying, ‘Get him.’ They asked me, and obviously everyone knows what he can do on the baseball field. I told them, ‘You’re asking a guy that is biased, but I’ll give you my answer.’ God knows I want to play with Joe again.”
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times chimes in,
"While the Sox haven’t even come out and said whether they’ll trade Crede this spring, all signs point to the third baseman’s departure. Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in Crede, Williams can sit back and wait for the best offer."
MLBTR discussed the Dodgers interest yesterday, and readers seem to agree with Mr. Rowand: acquiring Crede is a great move for either team.
By Nat Boyle
Mets Have No Interest In Bonds
A couple New Yorker-perspectives on the Mets interest in Barry Bonds:
First, The NY Daily News reports that the Mets have "laughed off" the idea, saying,
"…a high-ranking Mets official insisted there is no interest in taking on the monumental baggage – which includes charges of perjury and obstruction of justice – stemming from the out-of-work home run king’s involvement in baseball’s ongoing steroids mess."
And Joel Sherman at the New York Post has joined in on the fun,
"Of course the Mets should enlist Barry Bonds. He fits their program perfectly. He is old, injury prone and very likely will not respect the manager."
This isn’t new – MLBTR discussed Buster Olney’s recommendation of the Mets signing Bonds here, and MLBTR readers seemed to see this as a good move, despite Omar Minaya’s stated reluctance. As it stands, it doesn’t seem to be in consideration.
By Nat Boyle
Francoeur Not Expected To Sign Long-Term
The odds that Jeff Francoeur and the Braves agree on a long-term deal "appear to be getting dimmer" says Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Instead, Francoeur seems to favor year-to-year deals followed by arbitration. Carroll adds,
"Players who are renewed might make $10,000 or so less than they would have had they reached a deal, but sometimes they do it to make a point in negotiations. Wren said another renewal wouldn’t negatively affect any future dealings with Francoeur."
This is standard procedure. Francoeur made $427,500 in 2007 and is eligible for a contract renewal any day now.
By Nat Boyle
Coco Still Possibility For Cubs, White Sox
Two suitors for the affable Coco Crisp, both in the Windy City.
According to Chris De Luca at the Chicago Sun Times,
"The Cubs and Red Sox have had talks centering on Crisp in recent weeks, though the subject was broached by Boston, sources say, and evidently the Red Sox were not interested when the Cubs dangled outfielder Matt Murton. Talks could resume during spring training, however, depending on the Red Sox’ need for starting pitching — an area where the Cubs are expected to have some surplus with Ryan Dempster or Jason Marquis getting nudged out of the rotation."
And also from the same source,
"They, too, could find themselves in the market later in camp if Jerry Owens doesn’t pan out in center. Manager Ozzie Guillen has long admired Crisp, but the White Sox don’t figure to have a surplus of starting pitching by the end of spring training."
On a related side note, I caught the BoSox/Twins preseason game on Friday night and got a chance to watch Twins CF incumbent Carlos Gomez unload a scud missile from centerfield to get Dustin Pedroia at homeplate. With Gomez in house, I can see why rumors of the Twins as an option for Coco have cooled. Thoughts?
Ben Sheets’ Last Year in Milwaukee?
We’re well-overdue for a Ben Sheets rumor. I like Michael Hunt’s point on what could be the inevitable departure of Sheets:
"Chances are this is Big Ben’s last season with the Brewers, unless another medical anomaly throws a fat one over the heart of the team’s checkbook. But that’s the catch: The Brewers need him to be so good and healthy that he’ll be out of their economic grasp. Such is their balancing act… Absent the miraculous – the union agreeing to a salary drag – the Brewers can’t keep everyone. Maybe there’s your Sheets decision."
If Hunt is right and Sheets has to leave, with Yovani Gallardo in the wings and a youthful studly lineup locked up the Brewers should be just fine. Sheets is due $11MM this year, the final year of his contract, with a limited no-trade clause (can be dealt to only 8 teams). There’s a long list of starting pitching in the 2009 MLB free agent pool and if Sheets can remain healthy then he could even be up for a pay raise.
Odds and Ends: Crede, Rodriguez, Marlins
Just a couple items worth mentioning:
- Matt Hurst notes Elasticman Scot Shields says "(Heck) yeah" to whether or not the Angels should dish out the big bucks for Francisco Rodriguez, this despite incentives in Shields contract that would kick in should he be transitioned into the closer role.
- Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times touches in on Joe Crede‘s fate after notching his first homerun of the spring, easing concerns for his surgically repaired back. Says Cowley, "Crede’s agent, Scott Boras, already has told general manager Ken Williams that they want to explore the market. With Josh Fields waiting in the wings, the Sox are dealing from a position of strength. The Giants are a top suitor." Scouts were present for Crede’s homerun.
- Marlins Owner Jeff Loria says payroll is "all going to be a function of the revenues we generate. If we have a bigger base than we anticipate, that will go back to the payroll." This from Tom D’Angelo of the Palm Beach Post who add, "When asked if the team could lock up young stars like shortstop Hanley Ramirez for the long term, Loria said: ‘We’re going to look at that going forward. But we are challenged until we get into that new stadium." The Marlins payroll this year is just under $20MM.
Best Fit For Bonds: Atlanta?
UPDATE: Martin Johnson at The Root is taking a path-less-tread by calling for a "happy ending" to the Barry Bonds saga. He says Bonds can still hit, and where better than Pittsburgh, a city in need of attendance since Bonds left in 1992. Personally, I can’t see how Bonds can be anything more than a DH, which nixes this suggestion. Further, San Fran teammate Dave Roberts was quoted saying Bonds "is going to want to be in a situation where he can win," and the Pirates are not that. Still, Martin says,
"Bonds should offer his services to his first pro team, The Pittsburgh Pirates, and offer to play for the league minimum salary… Bonds has made $188 million playing baseball; in the name of boosting his public image, he can afford a pay cut."
What better way to start your week than with a Barry Bonds update? I’ll start by pointing to Tim’s recent survey that the majority of MLBTR readers (60.2%) don’t think Bonds will play for a Major League team in 2008.
Still, Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune explores the best fits for Bonds. Somehow, the Rays are still being considered an option here. We’re going back and forth at this point, as Peter Gammons had last reported there was nothing there, so I’m sorry if I’m beating a dead horse.
"Last week’s mini-firestorm about the Tampa Bay Rays’ interest in Bonds was not a smoke screen. Despite general manager Andrew Friedman saying this was a "non-story" there’s no doubt the St. Petersburg Times had it right. The Rays, especially principal owner Stuart Sternberg, are monitoring the availability of Bonds, who still might be capable of a 40-homer season at Tropicana Field."
Rogers notes payroll isn’t a hurdle for Tampa Bay. And he tosses in his opinion:
"If Friedman wanted to really roll the dice, he would sign Bonds and then trade his most marketable chip, Carl Crawford, for pitching and prospects."
Rogers then explores the idea of Atlanta being the best possible destination, "The best fit of all for Bonds could be in Atlanta, however, with a hole in left field and Bobby Cox to keep him in line."
Sunday Morning Starter
Nat Boyle here blogging from the windy tip of Cape Cod. Since I’ll be the regular Sunday morning starter here at MLBTR I thought I’d open with a little about myself. Seems the polite thing to do.
I’ve been a contributor for MLBTR since September. I’m a Boston University communications grad turned filmmaker living in Boston, currently studying graphic/web design. Along with cinema, I have a strong addiction to all things baseball. And today is day one of my favorite league’s slow live draft, so I’m definitely geeking out.
It’s Sunday which means a lot of trees have been cut down to deliver our weekly motherload of hot stove activity. So, sit back and click that refresh button. Or better yet, subscribe to the RSS. I’ll be here super-glued firmly to my computer devouring all things baseball.
Oh, and if you’ve got a rumor, email me.