Who Needs A Backup Catcher? Part II
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.
Odds and Ends: Tejada, Howard, Johnson
Couple more odds and ends this evening…
- Orioles executive VP Mike Flanagan admitted he wouldn’t have signed Miguel Tejada to a six-year deal if he knew the shortstop’s proper age. But he still would’ve signed him (if possible). People are debating whether ESPN ambushed Tejada with his birth certificate…of course they did.
- Ken Rosenthal believes the optimal course of action for the Phillies is to just let Ryan Howard play out the string and then let him walk as a free agent after the 2011 season.
- Rays Index says the Dan Johnson acquisition signals a "win-now" attitude for the Rays.
Miguel Tejada Age Discrepancy
The Astros learned today that Miguel Tejada is 33 going on 34, rather than 31 going on 32. Astros GM Ed Wade doesn’t seem bothered by the discrepancy at all. I’m surprised – those two years have to be a big consideration when projecting him for his ’08 and ’09 seasons, which the ‘Stros pretty much own. I guess the Astros can’t have a legitimate beef with the Orioles, if the O’s didn’t know either.
Tejada, by the way, can opt out of his contract after this season. He’s due $13MM in ’09.
Odds and Ends: Deeds, Tejada
Some random tidbits for you; I may add to this post if I find a few more.
- RotoAuthority analyzes the hottest fantasy baseball pickups from this week.
- The Twins completed the Craig Monroe deal by sending 25 year-old outfielder Doug Deeds to the Cubs. He looks like a long shot to make the Majors. Monroe hasn’t looked like much of a big leaguer lately, either.
- Richard Justice notes that the Cardinals targeted Miguel Tejada this winter but couldn’t get it done. As if they needed any more steroid stigma. It’s interesting to see the Tejada deal looking so good for Baltimore, without Troy Patton factoring in at all.
- I did a fantasy baseball mailbag over at The Hardball Times.
Stark’s Latest: Roberts, Crisp, Loretta
ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings column up. Let’s examine some of the hot stove material.
- There’s nothing cooking with the Cubs and Brian Roberts. The O’s still intend to trade Roberts this year, along with pretty much all of their other veterans. Their hot start is unlikely to halt the farm sale.
- The Red Sox don’t want to eat any of the $11MM owed to Coco Crisp over the next two years, and for now there are no trades in the works. Roberts, Crisp, and Joe Crede were three trades we all expected to go down.
- Once Kaz Matsui and Ty Wigginton are fully healthy, the Astros will look to trade Mark Loretta. He makes $2.75MM this year, a bit much for a utility guy. Stark says the Dodgers and Giants don’t appear interested at present, so there’s no obvious suitor. The Orioles could re-engage if they trade Roberts and don’t get a second baseman back.
Who Needs A Backup Catcher?
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
Odds and Ends: Putz, Byrdak, Graves
Today’s linkage.
- J.J. Putz is out for at least a few weeks; the fantasy baseball world reacts.
- The Astros inked Tim Byrdak, selling him on an easy path to the big leagues. The 34 year-old southpaw had a 3.20 ERA last year, albeit with poor control.
- The Twins added former closer Danny Graves to their Triple A club. He’s also 34. His peripherals weren’t too impressive last year for the Long Island Ducks despite 33 saves.
- I did a Q&A with Dexter Sports.
- Unfortunately Corey Koskie doesn’t seem anywhere close to coming back.
- Joe Sports Fan looks at baseball’s "bespectacled heroes."
- Correcting an SI.com report from yesterday, MetsBlog says there’s been no contact between the Mets and Edgardo Alfonzo.
Helms Designated For Assignment
3:07pm: According to David Murphy, Helms has been DFA’d. Any suitors will probably try to wait it out so as not to pay his salary.
8:53am: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News says it’s likely that Wes Helms will be moved by Saturday, when closer Brad Lidge is set to come off the DL. Hagen suggests the Dodgers as a good fit. Ned Colletti could offer up a player to be named later, or just wait and see if the Phils release Helms. He has $2.9MM left on his contract.
The Dodgers had been eyeing Alex Cintron and almost signed Marcus Giles. Helms doesn’t quite fit their profile, as he’s never played second base. And Dylan Hernandez believes Helms might prefer opportunities with Florida or Atlanta, if possible. The Braves just signed Scott Spiezio though. Hernandez adds that the Astros told the Dodgers Mark Loretta isn’t available, at least not until Kaz Matsui comes back.
Astros Release Woody Williams
3:47pm: According to the AP, Williams plans to retire rather than scavenge for another job.
10:36am: According to Joseph Duarte of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros released 41 year-old starter Woody Williams. The Astros will pay Williams $6.5MM to not play for them. It’s good to see Ed Wade looking at Williams as a sunk cost, opting for a better pitcher in Chris Sampson.
Williams joins guys like Russ Ortiz, John Thomson, Jeff Weaver, and David Wells in the free agency ranks.
Dodgers Scrambling for Infield Help
With veteran infielders Nomar Garciaparra and Jeff Kent both likely to miss opening day, the Dodgers are scrambling to find themselves some backups. Ken Rosenthal says that since the Astros are unlikely to trade Mark Loretta while Kaz Matsui is out, L.A. is considering Ron Belliard of the Nationals and Esteban German of the Royals. Another possibility, Morgan Ensberg, seems unlikely, as the Yankees added him to their 40-man roster yesterday. Joe Crede of the White Sox and Brandon Inge of the Tigers are both probably too expensive.
This could impact roster decisions Los Angeles will make on Monday, when they decide whether they can afford to carry twelve pitchers with so much uncertainty around their infield.
Ned Colletti, meanwhile, says he expects Monday to mark an uptick in trade chatter—but also that he’s content, for now, to fill his third base hole from within. It’s worth noting that Ensberg’s spot on the opening day roster is still not guaranteed, and that Matsui is expected to return in two to three weeks, perhaps freeing up Loretta.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.