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What’s The Deal With Crede?

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The rumors of Joe Crede’s demise were greatly exaggerated.  With many people writing him off after a poor spring, the White Sox third baseman jumped out to a .393/.419/.679 start in 28 ABs.  That marks less than five percent of the season, but it’s a start.  South Side Sox is both supporting and doubting the early returns.

Understandably, Crede is leaving the trade and contract details in the hands of his agent, Scott Boras.  He’s earning $5.1MM this year, his last before free agency. The hot corner free agent market is looking bleak next winter, and Crede might be the best available.  No one’s expecting the Sox to extend Crede, but Kenny Williams has surprised us many times before.

The usual suspects remain the most likely suitors – the Dodgers and Giants.  There’s been nothing cooking on the Crede trade front recently with those clubs, though.

Phils Designate Lahey For Assignment

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Earlier today, the Phillies activated closer Brad Lidge from the 15-day DL and, to make room for him on the roster, designated young right-handed reliever Tim Lahey for assignment as foreseen. He’ll now be looking for his fifth job in as many months.

The wandering Lahey has already been part of the Cubs, the Rays, and the Twins. He’s still relatively new to pitching, having been converted by the Twins from catching. He posted a 3.45 ERA in 78 and a third innings at AA New Britain last year, and gave up three runs in three innings at AAA Rochester. Clearly, a bit more seasoning is required for the Princeton alum, but there are plenty of teams with shaky bullpens, and Lahey’s fastball sits in the low-to-mid 90s. "The delivery adds some deception," according to Baseball America, while the Cubs also praised his sinker, buddind slider, and ability to induce grounders. He’s 6’6" and 250 lbs. Due to Rule 5 draft rules, first dibs will go to Minnesota after Lahey clears waivers.

Which organization could use him the most? We all know Detroit’s bullpen is a glaring weakness, but it’s not clear that Lahey could be polished enough to help them this year. However, their farm system is pretty depleted right now, so it’s not too far-fetched.  The Indians, Braves, White Sox, and Brewers have also had bullpen meltdowns during this young season, and perhaps one of them would like to have some insurance at the Triple A level.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com and can be reached here.

Cubs, Sox Still Like Crisp

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Cubs and White Sox "have shown the most consistent interest" in center fielder Coco Crisp.  Nothing appears imminent, as the teams haven’t found any kind of match on players.  Cafardo says the Cubs have found the asking price prohibitive.  A week ago, Peter Gammons suggested Sean Gallagher and/or Matt Murton could be in the mix.

The Cubs are currently using Felix Pie and Reed Johnson in center; the White Sox used Alexei Ramirez on Opening Day.  As the season progresses we could see the Sox try Nick Swisher, Brian Anderson, and Jerry Owens.

Crisp himself named the Cubs, White Sox, A’s, and Padres as clubs he’s heard rumored for his services.

Odds and Ends: Giles, Crisp, A-Rod

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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.

Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Darvish, Crisp

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Let’s round up some morning links.

Market For Crede Dries Up

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Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says the market for Joe Crede has "dried up," as the Dodgers and Giants have little interest.  Tough luck for Josh Fields, who seems headed back to Triple A.  Ozzie Guillen’s explanation for the lack of Crede interest:

This game has gotten to be a bunch of political, a bunch of [expletive] budget, a bunch of [expletive].  They forgot about the talent.

I’m not sure what Ozzie means by that.  Perhaps the "political" comment has something to do with Scott Boras, who represents Crede.  SI.com’s Jon Heyman offers an alternative explanation, quoting a scout who says Crede still looks hurt.

White Sox Waive Uribe

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FRIDAY, 8:50am: Heard from ESPN’s Keith Law on the two pieces of info below.  He says they don’t jive – if a guy is on outright waivers, he can’t be pulled back.  Sounds like Cowley had it right – Mark Gonzales says the Sox can keep Uribe if no one claims him and Uribe is not being released.

THURSDAY, 6:32pm: Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times has the latest.  First of all, second base candidate Danny Richar is out for a month.  Cowley adds that a team claimed Uribe and the White Sox pulled him back to make a deal.  Cowley’s not sure if that deal will get done though.

WEDNESDAY, 3:00pm: According to George Ofman WSCR 670 The Score out of Chicago, the White Sox are expected to place infielder Juan Uribe on outright waivers.  Ofman cautioned that this rumor is unconfirmed by the White Sox, but Mark Gonzales heard the same rumor from a big league scout.  I believe this would give any team a chance to claim Uribe by taking on his $4.5MM salary.  Uribe and his agent haven’t heard anything from the Sox. 

The one team I’ve seen linked to Uribe is the Orioles, who currently have a need at shortstop and may have one at second if they trade Brian Roberts.

For more discuss of the Uribe situation, check out South Side Sox.

Orlando Cabrera Extension Talks May Carry Into Season

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Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times couldn’t get much commenting out of Kenny Williams or Orlando Cabrera regarding the state of contract extension talks.  The Sox do want to sign their shortstop, who can become a free agent after the season.  Cabrera doesn’t mind letting talks carry into the season.

I imagine Cabrera wants something in the neighborhood of three years and $24MM.  PECOTA would give a little more than half that amount; Cabrera is already 33.

Next year’s free agent market has perhaps three viable shortstop options aside from Cabrera: David Eckstein, Adam Everett, and Rafael Furcal.  Cristian Guzman could become one with a nice year.  Furcal is obviously the cream of the crop; it might make sense for the Cubs to renew their interest.

Nationals’ Surpluses Could Lead To Trades

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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.

No Crede Trade Imminent

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Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that it’s become "increasingly likely" that Joe Crede will get the Opening Day nod at third base for the White Sox, with Josh Fields heading to Triple A.  It’s an unfortunate situation for the 25 year-old Fields, who doesn’t have much left to learn in the minors.  Gonzales adds that trade talks with the Giants have "all but ceased," and the Dodgers don’t seem all that interested either.

Crede is trying to shake off the rust (his last regular season game was June 4th of last year) and prove he’s an above average third baseman worthy of his $5.1MM salary.  It seems that Crede’s audition will extend into April or May.  If he plays decently and a few teams suffer injuries or ineffectiveness at the hot corner, maybe Kenny Williams will get the return he wants.  Who knows – if Crede has a hot start, maybe the White Sox will decide to let him play out the season and have Fields work on his defense at Charlotte.  Or, Ozzie Guillen could pursue an interesting strategy posed by Sox Machine, where Crede is a defensive replacement.

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