Could Reds Pursue Prior, Wood?
Dusty, Prior, and Wood back together again? Chris De Luca’s article today discusses the possibility, though it should be classified as speculation.
New Reds manager Dusty Baker apparently keeps in touch with his former 1-2 punch, Mark Prior and Kerry Wood. Baker would like to know exactly what was wrong with Prior’s shoulder, if he is going to be blamed for it. As a 22 year-old in 2003, Prior ranked third in the game in Pitcher Abuse Points per start. Wood ranked first (and rankings don’t take the postseason into account).
De Luca notes that the Cubs are likely to non-tender Prior, who would have to be paid at least $2.86MM otherwise. I’ve contended that Prior remains worth that small investment for 2008, but De Luca’s sources speculate that he might not be ready until June. That would change things. There’s been some speculation that Prior could sign with his hometown Padres if the Cubs cut him loose.
As for Wood, he looked solid in 24 innings after experiencing a miracle recovery. De Luca suggests that Wood, who is a free agent, would have to go to another team if he desires a chance to start again. A lot of folks are advocating Wood as some kind of swingman bargain this winter. I’ve always been a fan of the guy, but counting on/paying him for even 50 innings from him is very risky.
How About Bonds To The Reds?
Here’s one we haven’t considered: could Barry Bonds join the Reds? Home Run Derby discusses the Dusty Baker connection, while Sabernomics believes the Reds hired Dusty partially to show free agents they’re serious. Sabernomics believes the Reds could even make a run at Alex Rodriguez. (Hat tip to Bleed Cubbie Blue on both links).
Bonds would be a welcome addition to any offense. But he only fits in with an NL team in left field. Adam Dunn resides there currently for Cincy, playing some of the worst LF defense in the game. So the loss on defense would be minimal. Dunn could then be moved to first base or sent packing. The latter option makes the most sense, since Joey Votto is ready and Scott Hatteberg is under contract.
The possible problem is that exercising Dunn’s option for 2008 gives him full no-trade protection until June 15th. Last we heard, the Reds are likely to go for it. A Dunn-for-Bonds exchange only makes sense if the Reds score a good young pitcher for Dunn. Anyone have any reasonable trade scenarios involving Dunn?
Latest Silva, Hunter Rumors
Aaron Gleeman and La Velle E. Neal III have combined for some good Twins rumorage in recent days. Let’s catch up.
Neal had an interesting post yesterday with plenty of Twins hot stove banter. The Twins have talked to Torii Hunter‘s agent since he rejected their 3/45 offer, but have yet to tender a better offer. The club is also talking to Carlos Silva‘s agent as they’d like to retain him. Neal feels that both players will at least test the open market.
Hunter has seemingly been connected to half the teams in baseball; you can see all posts involving him here. Today Gleeman added another club to the mix: the Reds. Gleeman’s source talks to Dusty Baker, who has suggested the Reds might be interested. That’d create a definite outfielder surplus in Cincy.
Gleeman also weighed in on Silva’s asking price, which he expects to be in the $40MM range (I imagine over four years). I agree…it’s a bleak market when Silva is one of the best available, but that’s just how it is this year.
Dunn’s Option Likely To Be Exercised
The Cincinnati Enquirer’s John Fay reports that the Reds are likely to exercise Adam Dunn‘s $13MM option for 2008, based on comments from club CEO Bob Castellini. What’s more, an extension is not out of the question. Last we’d heard, it was "hard to see" the Reds picking up the option.
Back in August, the Enquirer noted that the Reds would either pick up the option and trade Dunn or just not exercise it. Dunn, however, gets full no-trade protection until June 15th if the Reds exercise his option. He might have to be convinced to approve a deal this winter.
Mets Acquire Conine
UPDATE: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Mets are on the verge of getting Conine for two low-level minor leaguers.
According to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, the Mets might consider trading for Reds outfielder Jeff Conine. The need was created when Damion Easley endured a Grade 3 ankle sprain.
Conine, 41, has about $480K left on his contract this year. He’s known to have cleared waivers, and I’m sure he can be had for a song.
Graziano’s Latest: Andruw, Dunn, Fukudome
Dan Graziano has a new article up regarding the free agent outfielder crop. He spoke to two anonymous GMs. Let’s take a look at some highlights.
- Andruw Jones has an awful .216/.312/.418 line this year. He’s been outdone by Shawn Green, Sammy Sosa, Jose Vidro, and Shannon Stewart in terms of OPS. Nonetheless, Jones isn’t expected to come at a discount. Scott Boras will just play up the defense, the RBIs, the career totals, whatever.
- Graziano says "it’s hard to see" the Reds picking up Adam Dunn‘s $13MM option. This would just be plain dumb on Wayne Krivsky’s part. Given the $0.5MM buyout, it’s basically like signing Dunn to a one-year, $12.5MM deal. How many teams would pass on a huge power bat on a no-risk one-year commitment? If the Reds don’t exercise the option, it will be change for change’s sake. And a bad decision.
- Kosuke Fukudome is the dark horse, a possible impact right fielder from Japan. He will not require a posting fee. Graziano says the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, and White Sox are among the teams scouting him. More on Fukudome in a separate post.
Odds and Ends: Wells, Piazza, Dunn
Here are some miscellaneous happenings around baseball that weren’t worthy of individual posts…
- The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the Padres might release starter David Wells this week. Boomer earns about $175K per additional start, which needn’t continue the way he’s pitching. He’s tossed up a lot of seven earned run performances lately. Wells would probably retire if released, though it would be fun to see him hook on with the Dodgers.
- The Yankees designated ageless LOOGY Mike Myers for assignment on Monday. That leaves Ron Villone as the only southpaw currently in the bullpen. Phenom pitcher Joba Chamberlain might join the team today; the Yankees hope he’ll be their K-Rod. But they have to make the playoffs first (Baseball Prospectus puts their playoff odds at 55-65% currently).
- The Indians signed Russell Branyan to a minor-league contract. He still might be able to provide some pop off the bench against righties.
- Yes, Mike Piazza passed through waivers. But he also has a gentleman’s agreement with Billy Beane about accomodating his wishes if Beane trades him. And one of those wishes might be to avoid Minnesota.
- The Reds plan to either exercise Adam Dunn‘s option and then trade him in the offseason, or else just not exercise the option. Dunn might command a Carlos Lee-sized free agent deal. One added wrinkle: Dunn would gain full no-trade protection until June 15th if the Reds pick up the option.
Cubs Considering Outfielders
Multiple readers have emailed me about a radio report on WSCR 670 The Score out of Chicago today. According to the report, the Cubs are considering multiple trade possibilities to fill the monthlog gap left by Alfonso Soriano’s quad injury. On the radar: Craig Monroe, Matt Stairs, Jeff Conine, and Adam Dunn. Additionally, Cubs GM Jim Hendry came out and said today that he’s working the phones to find some help.
Contract situations of each player:
Monroe – $1.5MM left in ’07, should earn $5MM+ in ’08 before reaching free agency
Stairs – $267K left in ’07, free agent after season
Conine – $630K left in ’07, free agent after season
Dunn – $3.3MM left in ’07, free agent after season if traded
Monroe is the right-handed Jacque Jones, contract situation and all. He’d be a poor and mildly expensive addition. He’d probably clear waivers.
Stairs is doing what he does best, mashing righties. He’s having his best season since 2003. He’s not earning much and has no ’08 commitment. He played for the Cubs in ’01 and did a decent job. The problem? He might be claimed off waivers before he gets to the Cubs. Jim Hendry really should’ve made this deal in July. Every AL team will have a crack at him first on waivers. Plus the Jays might fancy themselves contenders at six games out of the wild card.
Conine is on the last leg of his career and doesn’t really offer anything Matt Murton doesn’t. I don’t really see the point but this pickup seems most likely.
Dunn is the most intriguing and also by far the least likely option here. The Cubs would have to give up some good players and pay out a decent chunk of salary for less than two months of Dunn. They’d also have to do something ugly like put him in right field when Soriano comes back. I don’t see this happening.
Nats Just Messing With Reds On Dunn?
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has an interesting tidbit today: did Jim Bowden engage Wayne Krivsky in talks about Adam Dunn just to string him along and waste his time? Fay’s source says Bowden never intended to trade for Dunn, but strung Krivsky along in some sort of childish maneuver.
The Reds still have a pending grievance regarding reliever Gary Majewski, who they believe was damaged goods when they received him. Is bad blood lingering, or can the two clubs play nice? Chris Needham doesn’t buy Fay’s story.
Braves Offering Jo-Jo Reyes, Yunel Escobar For Arroyo
UPDATE: John Fay says the Braves are also offering Yunel Escobar. This could get done. And finally allow Kelly Johnson to play every day again.
The Braves are making a push to get one of the better starting pitchers available. They’re willing to give up pitching prospect Jo-Jo Reyes to get Bronson Arroyo. My guess is that Reyes alone would not be enough; the Braves might have to dip into the farm system and pull out another prospect.
If you’re a Braves fan, you’re really have to admire John Schuerholz’s willingness to go for broke. Maybe he’s found a market inefficiency in teams overvaluing prospects.