Would White Sox Acquire Lieber?
Phil Rogers throws out the possibility in today’s column, suggesting the White Sox trade for Aaron Rowand and Jon Lieber. Mike MacDougal would probably be involved in such a deal.
After trading away several starters, one would not expect the White Sox to be in the market for starting pitching. Kenny Williams is unpredictable though. And it is true that the Sox scouted Carl Pavano‘s last start. It would be interesting to see Liebs return to Chicago, but for the Sox to send their starter surplus to Philly only to get it back seems unlikely.
Rogers thinks the Mets, Cards, Astros, Braves, and Giants would all be nice fits for Lieber. Not sure whether the Phils would want to help the Mets or Braves improve their pitching staffs, however.
More On Rowand Rumors
Just a few tidbits regarding yesterday’s Sun-Times story that the White Sox may reacquire Aaron Rowand.
The Philadelphia Inquirer says that the White Sox have been scouting recent Phillies games, though Rowand did not play yesterday. Additionally, the Delco Times speculates that the availability of Rowand is directly related to the fine play of Greg Dobbs this spring. The waiver pickup could platoon with Jayson Werth in right field, with Shane Victorino moving to center.
In a related topic, Buster Olney said today that any Lieber/Rios talks are dead but that the Rangers might make sense for Lieber.
White Sox May Reacquire Rowand
Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that Sox GM Kenny Williams has been in talks with Pat Gillick regarding Aaron Rowand. This is not the first time such a possibility has surfaced. Southpaw Boone Logan may be among the relievers going to Philadelphia.
Even after the Freddy Garcia trade, a Philadelphia Inquirer article mentioned that Rowand remained a favorite of White Sox management. If they can’t trade for him, there’s a chance they sign him as a free agent after the season. Center field and left field are definitely holes for Chicago this season, but I don’t expect the Sox to rely on Erstad/Sweeney/Anderson/Podsednik all year long.
Given that a Rowand for Scott Linebrink trade was seriously under consideration, I wonder if the Sox would have to surrender a closing-worthy reliever like Mike MacDougal to seal the deal.
Fallout From Vazquez Extension
From Jermaine Dye‘s point of view, it may have been odd to see the White Sox negotiate a contract extension with Javier Vazquez on Tuesday. After talking to the club earlier, Dye’s agent told the outfielder that the Sox would not talk contract extension with any player before the end of the season. The Daily Herald says he might accept less than Carlos Lee‘s 6/100 package. I think the Sox might consider 4/60 but he’s a long shot to re-sign.
And then there’s Mark Buehrle, whose situation is more directly related to Vazquez since both are starters. It’s pretty clear that Buehrle wants at least four years, and the Sox have their unofficial policy to limit pitcher contracts to three. Both sides are saying their doors are open. It’s kind of like being on a job interview when the company asks your salary expectations. Neither side wants to blink first.
I know there is going to be some level of outrage/disappointment in Chicago when Buehrle hops over to the Cardinals or some other club after the season, especially if he bounces back to post an ERA around 4. He was a huge part of the World Series team. But sentiment should not get in the way of reality. I think the team’s three-year policy is excellent. I’m sure they’d bend on it if the right pitcher came along at the right price, but Buehrle isn’t it.
The Sox have Buehrle’s best seasons in the bank, and the price was reasonable. Locking him up for his age 29-32 seasons as a reward for that isn’t good business. It’s nothing personal. Kenny Williams’s limit was probably the 3/30 offer he made last summer. He was right to draw the line there.
You can question whether the Garcia/McCarthy deals made sense – the Sox are trying to have their cake and eat it too by winning and rebuilding simultaneously. You have to admire them for trying and for Williams’s foresight. Re-signing Buehrle or Dye at anything near the market rate just doesn’t make sense.
White Sox Extend Javier Vazquez
In a surprise move, the White Sox signed 30 year-old right-handed starter Javier Vazquez to a three-year, $34.5MM extension today. The deal starts in 2008, as Vazquez is due $12.5MM this year.
I love the move. If the Sox had to choose one of their guys to extend, Vazquez was the right one. Plus, they get him at a slight discount after a 4.84 ERA that did not represent his skills. How many American League pitchers strike out 8 batters per nine and walk fewer than 2.5? Not many. Vazquez’s command, as measured by K/BB, is among the best in the AL. Only Schilling, Santana, Haren, and Halladay pitched 200 innings with better command. And Vazquez is a virtual lock for 32+ starts.
PECOTA says the White Sox overpaid by $7MM, but given the current market, I think it’s more than fair. If Ted Lilly requires 4/40 and Gil Meche 5/55, Vazquez’s deal is a steal. One of these years, maybe 2007, Don Cooper is going to solve the enigma of his disproportionately high ERAs.
Interest In Pavano
Yesterday I mentioned that Carl Pavano had his first healthy effort this spring, a major step towards a trade. The Cards, Rockies, and Mariners have expressed interest in the past.
Today, a George King report indicates some other possible suitors. King mentions that scouts from the Braves, Mets, and White Sox attended the game at which Pavano pitched. Whether they were there to watch him is an open question, but it is reasonable.
A cross-town trade would be particularly interesting, although the Mets are not short on Pavano-like options.
Sean Tracey Hopes For Trade
26 year-old White Sox starter Sean Tracey doesn’t have much chance of making the team this spring, and he hopes Kenny Williams can accomodate him with a trade.
Tracey posted a 4.30 ERA at Triple A last year. His minor league equivalents: 6.27 K/9, 7.73 BB/9, 1.38 HR/9, and 10.07 H/9. Pitchers with that kind of control aren’t exactly hot commodities. PECOTA sees about a 10% chance he brings that walk rate under 5.0 per nine in the bigs this year. Tracey throws in the low 90s with unimpressive secondary pitches and profiles as a reliever according to Baseball America.
He’s best known for being berated by Ozzie Guillen for failing to hit Hank Blalock with a pitch last year. Give Tracey credit for trying twice.
Alex Rodriguez And The Cubs
UPDATE: In a related story, Jon Heyman of SI.com lists a slew of teams that inquired about Rodriguez’s availability this winter: the Angels, Dodgers, White Sox, Cubs, Giants, Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Indians. Heyman says the White Sox and Dodgers were the most persistent. None of the offers went anywhere given Rodriguez’s unwillingness to waive his no-trade clause.
Bob Raissman of the New York Daily News has an imposing mustache as well as some insight into Alex Rodriguez‘s next possible destination. The article involves Lou Piniella in his underwear as well as a lot of crying and one tender kiss. I found it touching.
Anyway, Raissman believes, based on an upcoming HBO interview with Rodriguez, that a reunion with Lou Piniella in Chicago would be a dream come true for him. Rodriguez responded to the idea thusly:
"He’s on a different team in a different league. My memories of Lou are in the present and the past, not the future."
This is not the first time Rodriguez has been connected to the Cubs. Last July, later confirmed by other sources, Bleed Cubbie Blue broke news of the team’s trading deadline interest.
I would imagine that Rodriguez would not play shortstop for the Cubs for the duration of his 5+ year contract. More likely to me: A-Rod plays shortstop for three seasons, through 2010. At that point, Derrek Lee‘s contract will be up and Aramis Ramirez might be ready to shift to first base. Ramirez is a Cub through 2011 or 2012.
Tim’s take – Chance of Alex Rodriguez signing with the Cubs in the ’07-’08 offseason: 15%.
Buehrle Turned Down Offer Last Year
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle turned down a contract extension worth around $33MM over three years last July. Buehrle was quoted as having no regrets, but you have to wonder. Would he take the same deal if the Sox offered it now? Would the Sox still offer it after a 6.44 second half ERA?
Buehrle’s strikeout rate dipped to a dangerously low 4.32 per nine in ’06. But the confusing part is that his two worst strikeout rate months were his two best ERA months (April and May). He was pretty lucky those two months – in April he allowed fewer than 7 hits per nine, and in May he managed a 3.18 ERA with a very high 1.54 WHIP.
June was more Buehrleish – 3.89 ERA, nothing terrible flukey about his peripheral stats. The wheels really came off in July, as he reeled off five consecutive poor starts. He was bombed by the Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, and Twins for an 11.48 ERA. Hits and HRs allowed went through the roof.
Buehrle recovered to post a 4.34 ERA in August with normal peripherals, but two of his six starts came against the Royals. He was battered around again in September, despite two good efforts against lousy offenses again.
After such a complete collapse, can anything be salvaged for Buehrle? Can he keep his ERA under five this season and then return to prominence with the Cardinals? PECOTA calls for 4.83, ZiPS for 4.36, and RotoAuthority for 4.39. PECOTA would still give Buehrle an Adam Eaton-type contract.
Buehrle Turned Down Offer Last Year
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that White Sox pitcher Mark Buehrle turned down a contract extension worth around $33MM over three years last July. Buehrle was quoted as having no regrets, but you have to wonder. Would he take the same deal if the Sox offered it now? Would the Sox still offer it after a 6.44 second half ERA?
Buehrle’s strikeout rate dipped to a dangerously low 4.32 per nine in ’06. But the confusing part is that his two worst strikeout rate months were his two best ERA months (April and May). He was pretty lucky those two months – in April he allowed fewer than 7 hits per nine, and in May he managed a 3.18 ERA with a very high 1.54 WHIP.
June was more Buehrleish – 3.89 ERA, nothing terrible flukey about his peripheral stats. The wheels really came off in July, as he reeled off five consecutive poor starts. He was bombed by the Cubs, Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, and Twins for an 11.48 ERA. Hits and HRs allowed went through the roof.
Buehrle recovered to post a 4.34 ERA in August with normal peripherals, but two of his six starts came against the Royals. He was battered around again in September, despite two good efforts against lousy offenses again.
After such a complete collapse, can anything be salvaged for Buehrle? Can he keep his ERA under five this season and then return to prominence with the Cardinals? PECOTA calls for 4.83, ZiPS for 4.36, and RotoAuthority for 4.39. PECOTA would still give Buehrle an Adam Eaton-type contract.