Orioles Eyeing Cubs’ Marshall?
The Baltimore Sun’s Jeff Zrebiec says the Cubs offered the Orioles Ronny Cedeno, Sean Gallagher, Donald Veal, and possibly Jose Ceda for Brian Roberts earlier this spring. As you know, there are differing schools of thought on whether the Cubs took the initiative and made an offer. And Ceda’s inclusion is questionable.
Regardless, one player Baltimore may have in mind is pitcher Sean Marshall. The Cubs do not have room for the lefty in the rotation or the bullpen – always a situation conducive to trade rumors – and the Orioles had scouts in the stands yesterday, during Marshall’s start against the Rockies.
Marshall said he doesn’t pay any attention to those guys, however. "They’re there every day."
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Tigers Said To Be Targeting Wuertz; Cubs Disagree
The Detroit Tigers have some last-minute shopping left to do to shore up their bullpen. As you learned on Friday, Jon Paul Morosi noted the Tigers’ interest in righty Mike Wuertz and the Cubs’ fondness for Brandon Inge and Marcus Thames. Inge, it’s worth noting, has seen time at catcher, third base, and all three outfield positions—and as of this spring, even shortstop.
The Chicago Sun-Times, however, says Inge and Thames "make no sense for the Cubs" and that the Cubs have as of yet had no discussions with the Tigers about a deal for Wuertz involving those players. (For what it’s worth, Baseball America does see some validity in the Inge-to-Chicago rumors.)
The Sun-Times also notes that Wuertz is one of just two Cubs pitchers not to allow a run this spring (lefty Carmen Pignatiello is the other), while Cubs manager Lou Piniella affirms that the only remaining hole on his roster is "somebody that can help out in center field."
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com. She can be reached here.
Tigers Interested In Wuertz
According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers are targeting Cubs reliever Mike Wuertz. He notes that the Cubs like Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge. Thames’ inability to play center and Inge’s contract could be issues though, in my opinion.
Wuertz, 29, is an underrated reliever with a nasty slider. Given the state of Detroit’s bullpen, he could see save chances if acquired. This was his first year of arbitration eligibility, and he settled at $860K. Wuertz is pretty far down in the Cubs’ bullpen pecking order, for some reason.
Three CF Options For Cubs
SI.com’s Jon Heyman reiterates the Cubs’ concern with Felix Pie, setting out the three main trade candidates for the team.
- Coco Crisp probably won’t get dealt until he proves he’s healthy. Even then, as I’ve said, $11MM over two years is a lot for a fourth outfielder. The Cubs may have competition from the Rays and A’s for Crisp.
- Jay Payton would be a salary dump given the $5MM owed to him this year. The Cubs could take him while passing off the $16.25MM owed to Jason Marquis. The Cubs would love to move Marquis, though Jon Lieber‘s willingness to pitch out of the pen reduces the urgency. The Cubs are growing frustrated in their attempt to get Brian Roberts from the Orioles.
- Then there’s Marlon Byrd; T.R. Sullivan said on Friday that talks weren’t dead. Today, Evan Grant wrote that the Cubs will do Byrd straight up for Matt Murton and that’s a "take it or leave it" offer.
Stark’s Latest: Roberts, Fuentes, Lofton
ESPN’s Jayson Stark has a new blog post jam-packed with hot stove rumors.
- The Cubs are getting frustrated with the Brian Roberts situation, wondering if they’ll ever complete this trade. The Orioles are scouting players but still haven’t given the Cubs the names they crave. I got the exact same vibe from the source who told me Jose Ceda‘s inclusion was never proposed by the Cubs.
- The Tigers and Phillies are both hunting for bullpen help; Detroit’s sights are set higher than Philadelphia’s. Unwanted players such as Wes Helms and Brandon Inge aren’t in demand. And while Marcus Thames is desirable, he’s not enough to get Aaron Heilman from the Mets. Brian Fuentes, also a Yankees target, may be the best available reliever. But Stark says the Rox want a "high-upside young arm" for the southpaw.
- My own guess at some useful relievers who may be available: Damaso Marte, Joe Nathan, Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, Huston Street, Alan Embree, Kevin Gregg, Jon Rauch, and Chad Cordero.
- Stark names the Cubs, Rays, and Mets as the teams looking for an extra outfielder. No deals appear imminent, though the Rays made an unsuccessful offer to Kenny Lofton. The Mets and Cubs are considering the same names we’ve heard for a few weeks now. The Cubs are in a holding pattern since they may get Jay Payton in a Roberts deal with Baltimore.
Nationals’ Surpluses Could Lead To Trades
Nationals GM Jim Bowden signed veterans Dmitri Young and Ron Belliard to curious two-year extensions last year. He’s now faced with a logjam at two infield positions.
Ben Goessling of the Washington Times describes the first base battle between Young and Nick Johnson, who get along well. Johnson has more trade value, given his age. Neither player is a lock for 150 games though. Johnson is injury-prone, but his perennial .400 OBPs are appealing. He and Young are both signed through ’09; Young has a vesting option for ’10. The Yankees or Mets could be in the market for Johnson if their current options don’t work out. Either team could then add Mark Teixeira after the season, creating another surplus.
The Nats have handed the starting shortstop job to Cristian Guzman, creating a battle for second base between Belliard and Felipe Lopez. Lopez responded with a "hell no" regarding a bench role. Hell no to your .659 OPS and lousy defense, Felipe! Belliard is more open to a part-time role, though he’s been outplaying Lopez. Lopez may be the one to trade, given his impending free agency. Barry Svrluga notes that the Orioles have been scouting the Nationals this spring, perhaps with the idea of acquiring Belliard or Lopez if they trade Brian Roberts to the Cubs. The O’s are also interested in Mark Loretta and Juan Uribe for that reason.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rule 5 Draftees
Last year the Reds selected Josh Hamilton in the Rule 5 draft despite only 23 games above Single-A and only 15 games anywhere since 2002 (actually the Cubs picked Hamilton and traded him to the Reds the same day). Hamilton went on to hit .292-19-47 in 90 games. This year, 18 players were chosen in the Rule 5 draft (14 pitchers). These players must remain on the 25-man roster all season or be offered back to their original club for $25K. By my count, three players (Sergio Valenzuela, Lincoln Holdzkom, Jose Capellan) have already been offered back to their original clubs (Capellan was picked up on waivers by a third team during the process). Hamilton is the rare case of a position player sticking with his new club as it is far easier to hide a developing pitcher and still get him playing time in the bullpen than it is on the bench.While it is rare for position players to stick, we have already learned that the Cardinals may keep Brian Barton as a fifth outfielder. As opening day rosters begin to take shape, let’s take a look at what is being said in the Blogosphere about the chances for the Rule draftees.
- Tim Lahey (RHP, CHC/MIN): Bleed Cubbie Blue sees the Cubs working out a trade with the Twins that would allow them to send Lahey to AAA. In fact, they speculate that Lahey will be the PTBNL in the Craig Monroe deal.
- Evan Meek (RHP, PIT/TB): Bucs Dugout predicts that Meek will at least start the season with the Pirates before being offered back to the Rays.
- Randor Bierd (RHP, BAL/DET): Bird Brain projects Bierd to make the roster and hopes the O’s give him every chance to stick.
- Jose Capellan (LHP, CIN/BOS): Capellan was originally selected by the Giants but was just placed on waivers. The Reds picked him up (Rule 5 rules still apply) and Obsessive Giants Compulsive is surprised the Giants let him go.
- Sergio Valenzuela (RHP, CIN/ATL): Valenzuela was sold back to the Braves after not making a single appearance in a spring game. The Braves then traded Valenzuela to a team in the Mexican League. Which begs the question…Are "future considerations" from the Mexican League worth the $25K the Braves dropped to bring him back? Talking Chop finds the entire situation funny and is not surprised that Valenzuela did not stick with the Reds.
- Brian Barton (OF, STL/CLE): Cardinals GM is predicting Barton to be on the opening day roster with Juan Gonzalez starting the season in AAA.
- R.A. Dickey (RHP, SEA/MIN): Detect-O-Vision is infatuated with the knuckleballer but notes that Dickey "has a looooooooooong way to go".
- Steven Register (RHP, NYM/COL): Mets Fever thinks Register might actually stick by earning the final spot in the bullpen.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Dan Johnson, Baldelli, Soria
Let’s round up some linkage.
- Last Thursday I appeared on WVOX 1460 out of New York with Russell Mafes. You can download the file here (it’s about 12 mb and 16 minutes long).
- Jim Hendry is very candid about the Cubs’ desire to add a right-handed hitting outfielder who can handle center.
- Mike Sweeney‘s success and good health could mean Dan Johnson is on his way out of Oakland.
- Jim Salisbury says the Phillies might have taken Rocco Baldelli 15th in the 2000 draft instead of Chase Utley, if they’d had the chance. Would the Mets or Dodgers have taken Utley, then?
- Rany Jazayerli takes an in-depth look at Joakim Soria. Should the Royals give him a shot in the rotation later this year?
- On my fantasy baseball blog RotoAuthority I talk about the dropoff after the first five catchers.
Should The O’s Hang On To Roberts?
Following the Miguel Tejada and Erik Bedard trades, most assumed that the next Baltimore player to go would be Brian Roberts. There were conflicting reports yesterday regarding whether or not the Cubs offered 21-year old reliever Jose Ceda, but today it appears that nothing is imminent.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun sees no activity either, and offers his opinion that the Orioles may be better off beginning the season with Roberts in the lineup:
The chances of the Orioles obtaining full value for him in trade might actually increase if he gets off to a good start, and the market for him could expand if another contending club suffers a costly injury at second base or at the top of its batting order.
Schmuck also notes that Roberts isn’t exactly blocking anyone’s progress due to Baltimore’s lack of a second base prospect, which is a pretty accurate assessment. Among their list of the top 30 prospects within the Orioles system, Baseball America mentions one middle infielder, shortstop Tyler Henson, who comes in at #22 and is yet to play above Class-A ball.
But the Orioles may be in the market for pitching, especially given the news that 23-year old Adam Loewen had to be pulled from his scheduled start yesterday due to a sore shoulder. Loewen’s 2007 season ended in May following a stress fracture in his elbow.
Paul Moro writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here.
Cubs Did Not Offer Ceda
FRIDAY, 7:42pm: I have it on good authority that Ceda has not, in fact, been added to any kind of offer to Baltimore. With minor league games having begun today, the O’s are still doing their due diligence. Dave van Dyck’s sources agree that no deal is imminent.
FRIDAY, 7:13am: We’ve actually got some movement this morning on the Brian Roberts front. According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, the Cubs have added hard-throwing 21 year-old reliever Jose Ceda to their offer. They’d also send Sean Gallagher, Ronny Cedeno, and Donald Veal to Baltimore. The Cubs had been holding out on Ceda, a nasty relief prospect. With him included, they’d be sending their three best pitching prospects (according to Baseball America) in the 4-for-1 deal.
Wittenmyer also notes that the deal could be expanded to a 5-for-2 with cash if Jason Marquis and Jay Payton are included. He believes a deal will get done before Opening Day, but it may go down to the wire.