Odds And Ends: Lahey, Gibbons, Freel
A couple minor notes this morning…
- The Phillies claimed reliever Tim Lahey off of waivers from the Cubs. Lahey was the top pick in the Rule 5 draft from the Twins’ system. The Cubs had to expose Lahey to waivers prior to offering him back to the Twinkies. Rule 5 rules still apply with the Phillies, so Lahey must remain on their 25-man roster all season or be offered back to Minnesota.
- John Fay notes that after the Reds latest round of cuts the roster sits at 26 which could open the door for a trade. He doesn’t offer any potential names, but Ryan Freel still seems like the most logical choice. By the way, LEN3 notes that the Reds called the Twins about Freel and the Twins weren’t interested.
- Peter Schmuck thinks that the Orioles might be reluctant to cut Jay Gibbons while Major League Baseball continues to renegotiate the league’s drug policy. Gibbons is facing a 15-day suspension for use of PEDs but many believe the suspension will be lifted under the new agreement which ironically is supposed to stiffen penalties. Schmuck feels that if Angelos decides to keep Gibbons, it could undermine Andy MacPhail’s efforts to rebuild the Orioles.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Matt Murton
Yesterday, Tim asked the question, "Who Wants Matt Murton?" As we await the answer to that question, only one thing is clear, the Cubs don’t. Surprising for a player that is only 26 and PECOTA projects to have an .821 OPS, 19.8 VORP and 2.4 WARP in 2008 assuming he can find a team that will give him big league at bats. With only two years of service time, Murton is still a year from arbitration and four years from free agency, so he should be able to command a solid relief pitcher in return. Let’s take a look at what is being said about Murton in the Blogophere.
- Hire Jim Essian wonders how Murton ended up in this position and finds it hard to believe that Jim Hendry hasn’t been able to swing a deal yet if they knew that Murton was not part of the equation.
- Cobra Brigade sees the way the Cubs have handled Murton as just another example of how the Cubs don’t know how to handle pretty much anything. They believe that Murton could be a solid contributor with an AL club as an everyday left fielder.
- Snobs vs Slobs is not really sure why the Cubs essentially dropped Murton for Reed Johnson, noting that Johnson is an average defensive outfielder and not nearly the bat of Murton.
- Mets Fever feels that Aaron Heilman is too big a price for Murton.
- Talking Chop believes that Murton could be a nice addition to the Braves, filling the need for an experienced bat with pop off the bench.
- DRays Bay acknowledges that the Rays would prefer a switch-hitting center fielder, but doesn’t think they could find one that hits as well as Murton.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Who Wants Matt Murton?
26 year-old Cubs outfielder Matt Murton is very much available now that they’ve signed Reed Johnson. PECOTA gives Murton a .295/.359/.462 projection for ’08; ZiPS says .289/.360/.465. Here are the league averages from 2007:
AL left fielder: .275/.335/.426
NL left fielder: .278/.358/.478
AL right fielder: .288/.359/.465
NL right fielder: .275/.344/.442
These numbers are presented in the form of batting average/on-base percentage/slugging percentage. You can see that Murton is comfortably in the league average offensive range for a corner outfielder. He’ll be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season. Let’s look at some trade possibilities. (As for what the Cubs would want in return – I’ll guess a lefty reliever or just a prospect or two).
- Rays – DRays Bay suggests Murton could help in right field, not a bad idea.
- Padres – The Justin Huber acquisition makes this less likely.
- Rangers – They rejected a Murton for Marlon Byrd proposal, and now the Cubs don’t need Byrd.
- Orioles – He was connected to them until they acquired Luke Scott and Adam Jones to fill out their outfield.
- Red Sox – The Cubs no longer have a need for Coco Crisp, even if the Sox had mild interest in re-acquiring The Big Murt. Murton wouldn’t start in Boston anyway. Still, Buster Olney says there’s still some chatter that the Red Sox will go after him.
- Athletics – Some folks think Billy Beane will pluck Murton simply because he’s underrated. The A’s don’t seem to have any kind of opening for him.
- Braves – Murton doesn’t project as much of an upgrade over Matt Diaz.
- Mets – Could make sense for a team thinking about running Fernando Tatis out in left. Longer-term, Murton could be an oft-used fourth outfielder, spelling Moises Alou and Ryan Church.
- Giants – Would be a nice low-pressure place to see what Murton can do, but they’re already loaded with outfielders.
- What are your thoughts on a good fit for Murton?
Roberts-Cubs Deal Off The Table
I think we can finally put this one to rest, at least for a few months. Andy MacPhail told reporters that "a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs is off the table," according to Paul Sullivan. You can argue the semantics – dead, impasse, off the table – but it doesn’t look like anything’s happening anytime soon. Sullivan doesn’t see it reviving before July.
Since the Orioles couldn’t match up with the Cubs, it might make sense for MacPhail to start engaging other teams about Roberts.
Cubs Sign Reed Johnson
1:48pm: The Chicago Tribune says the deal is for $1.3MM. BP’s Nate Silver weighs in on the move here.
12:35pm: Levine now reports that the Cubs have signed Johnson. For a team focused on winning now, it’s not a bad move. Only drawback might be the Murton situation. Meanwhile, Evan Grant says the Rangers reduced their demands for Marlon Byrd but the Cubs still decided to pass.
11:41am: It’s all Reed Johnson, all the time here at MLBTR. Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 says the Cubs will make a contract offer to Johnson once he clears waivers about twenty minutes from now. Cubs GM Jim Hendry has already been in contact with Arn Tellem, Johnson’s agent. Matt Murton might be the odd man out if the Cubs complete the signing. I’ll update this post if more info rolls in today.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Reed Johnson
On Sunday the Jays released Reed Johnson, but he will not remain unemployed long as several teams need help in the outfield or on the bench. Ken Rosenthal notes that the Cubs, Red Sox, Rays and Rangers have shown interest in Johnson, while Jim Baubach added the Mets to the equation. That is a lot of interest in a player that has 42 home runs, 28 steals and a career OPS+ of 95 in 4.5 seasons. Then again, with one week prior to the regular season, there are not a lot of options available. It’s not like a player that posted a 170 OPS+ in 2007 is available…Oh wait…Never mind…Let’s take a look at what is being written about Johnson in the Blogosphere.
- Mets Geek believes that Johnson is exactly what the Mets need, noting that he would be the right-handed bat that the bottom of the Mets order desperately needs. They also like his defense and the fact that he comes without having to surrender players.
- MetsBlog is not convinced that Johnson is much of an upgrade over Angel Pagan or Brady Clark and feels the Mets prefer Xavier Nady but are content with Pagan if Nady cannot be acquired.
- MetsMerized was against trading for Johnson but doesn’t see how Omar Minaya can pass on signing him now.
- Baseball Crank sees Johnson as a good fit for the Mets, noting that he has a solid career line against lefties, but concedes that what little power he has shown came at the hitter-friendly Skydome, or whatever they are calling it these days.
- Cobra Brigade sees the Cubs signing either Johnson or Jeff DaVanon, whichever comes at the cheaper price.
- Crawley’s Cub Kingdom feels the Cubs are going to make a deal and that a player like Johnson may fit better than a Coco Crisp or Marlon Byrd, both of whom may complain about playing time and impede the progress of Felix Pie.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Giles, Crisp, A-Rod
Nothing huge cooking this morning, so here are some odds and ends.
- Doesn’t look like the Dodgers will acquire Marcus Giles.
- Rany Jazayerli writes about how Kansas City is home to many of the country’s best baseball journalists. On a related note, the Star’s Sam Mellinger has a chat with Brian Bannister on his blog.
- Coco Crisp rattles off the trade rumors he’s heard: Cubs, Sox, A’s, Padres. No deal appears imminent, though Crisp was healthy enough to pinch-run this morning.
- John Harper snags an exclusive with Alex Rodriguez. A-Rod admitted he chose the Rangers over the Mets for money and feared he was going down that road again this past winter.
- Roch Kubatko writes that Brian Roberts was pulled from the lineup today for back pain, hoping to nip trade speculation in the bud.
- The Phillies have to make a decision on Kris Benson today.
- Aaron Gleeman weighs in on the Joe Nathan extension. Buster Olney talked to baseball execs who felt the Twins should’ve added Nathan’s money to their Johan offer.
Cubs’ Talks For Roberts Reach Impasse
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cubs are unlikely to acquire second baseman Brian Roberts prior to the start of the season. Jim Hendry and Andy MacPhail apparently could not find a match for the players involved. The Cubs have also been scouting the Nationals; Felipe Lopez may be Plan B. Shortstop is the main position where the Cubs are questionable.
It sounds like Hendry’s priority may now be finding outfield help, with Reed Johnson atop his list. The Cubs don’t want to enter the season without a backup plan for Felix Pie.
Who Wants Reed Johnson?
3:40pm: Ken Rosenthal says the Cubs are "showing the heaviest interest" in Johnson. Johnson does make sense for the Cubs, playing center when the team faces a lefty. It might hold Felix Pie back slightly, but it’s a win-now move.
Rosenthal says the Red Sox, Rays, and Rangers are the other teams in on Johnson. It’s definitely surprising to see the Sox and Rangers in the mix as neither club is light on outfielders.
9:40am: If 31 year-old outfielder Reed Johnson clears release waivers, he’s going to be a hot commodity. Already, the expected three teams have been named as possibilities in their respective newspapers.
- On Sunday, Joel Sherman characterized the Mets’ interest as "mild at best." Bart Hubbuch says the Mets are interested but quotes Omar Minaya as saying the Mets will go with internal options.
- Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs have interest in Johnson, noting that Jim Hendry is likely to make an acquisition this week. Jeff DaVanon is another (less likely) option. Gordon Wittenmyer says the Cubs would have interest in Johnson if he clears release waivers.
- Joe Smith connects the Rays to Johnson and DaVanon, though only in speculation.
- I asked ESPN’s Keith Law how Johnson handled center field. He said: "I haven’t seen him since the injury, but he could play it every day when I was with Toronto, and he has a plus arm."
Could Cubs Switch From Roberts To López?
Nationals infielder Felipe López has been adamant about being their starting second baseman, but word out of National’s camp is that Ronnie Belliard is their guy at second. López has played some short this spring, but Cristian Guzman has that position locked up, which all but ensures López a backup role and a warm seat in the bench.
López isn’t too happy about that, but will he demand a trade? The Nats’ front office says it won’t be forced into making a deal. However, according to the Washington Post, the Nats are indeed actively shopping López. The Cubs had scouts in the seats for Friday’s game.
As you’re more than aware, the Cubs have been in constant discussions with the Orioles about Brian Roberts, but both teams are far from reaching a deal. It’s possible the Cubs are considering Plan B.
Alejandro Leal writes for umpbump.com. He can be reached here.