Olney Speculation: Atkins A Fit For Indians?
ESPN’s Buster Olney makes a point to say that this trade idea is pure speculation rather than anything he’s heard. Still worth discussing. Here it is:
If Colorado eventually turns the page on 2008, the Indians and the Rockies could match up well in a deal built around Garrett Atkins. The Rockies have a third baseman waiting in the wings, in Ian Stewart — although he is not faring well so far — and the Indians, as they look for ways to improve their offense, are flexible at first and third base.
Back in March, Ken Rosenthal suggested that Atkins was one player the Rox may not try to sign long-term. There were no talks in the 2007-08 offseason.
Atkins, 28, is a .274/.344/.446 career hitter away from Coors. Dismissing him as an average hitter is unfair – he’s at .289/.363/.496 on the road since the start of the ’06 season. Hard to say exactly where he’d settle in as an American Leaguer, but he’d probably be above average. Atkins’ glovework does leave something to be desired though.
Atkins is under team control through the 2010 season. He could earn close to $20MM during his last two years of arbitration eligibility.
What would it take for the Indians to acquire Atkins? Adam Miller would be too much. Would Aaron Laffey and Josh Barfield be enough?
Indians Designate Jason Michaels
2:31pm: According to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com, Michaels will be designated.
10:30am: Outfielder Ben Francisco will join the Indians for Tuesday’s game against the Yankees. The Tribe will have to make room for him by then, and Mike Harrington believes the jobs of Andy Marte and Jason Michaels are at risk. Marte could be designated for assignment, while Michaels might just be released.
Michaels, 32, has been awful in 21 games this year. He earns $2.15MM this year. Michaels typically hits lefties well, but he’s been an easy out this year.
Marte, 24, is out of options and would have to clear waivers if the Indians try to demote him. The formerly well-regarded prospect has only 16 plate appearances on the year. He made the team after hitting .204/.333/.519 in 54 spring ABs.
Tribe Could Re-Sign Sabathia?
Sheldon Ocker notes that the Tribe’s ownership under Larry Dolan and sons has been a financial boon to the franchise. Writes Ocker,
"Some fans still describe the Dolans as cheapskates, unwilling to keep up with the Joneses. In truth, they have been responsible owners, who not only realize the limits the size of the market imposes, but also have managed to increase revenue in ways not done by their predecessors."
Despite payroll commitments already made for $132MM between ’09 and ’14, plus $61.5MM in club options to exercise or decline, Ocker says the Dolan’s creation of TV network SportsTime Ohio has allowed the team to increase its revenue to the point where signing more young players to long term deals is still an agenda.
Ocker mentions Ryan Garko may be the next to get a long term deal, and that GM Mark Shapiro is not "pessimistic" about re-signing C.C. Sabathia. It still remains a long shot, but we certainly shouldn’t write it off.
By Nat Boyle
Olney’s Latest: Nady, Delgado, Clement, Lofton
Buster Olney has some thoughts. Let’s have a looksee.
- He thinks that Xavier Nady could fit with the Mets or the Indians, but notes that the Pirates are sitting tight for now, hoping to compete this year. They’ll be singing a different tune in July.
- Olney goes on to speculate that the Mets could release Carlos Delgado if he continues his weak hitting. Nady would seem a decent replacement, though he hasn’t played first since 2006. Scott Hatteberg could be another option.
- In what he calls "pure speculation," Olney suggests that the Mariners trade Jeff Clement to the Red Sox for Coco Crisp and some pitching. It’s a rather vague trade idea, and I’d think that the Mariners could fetch a lot more than Crisp if they opted to trade Clement, who is having his way with AAA pitching.
- It appears Jake Peavy wants the Padres to sign Kenny Lofton. With the way Jim Edmonds and Scott Hairston are hitting, I can’t blame him.
Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.
Heyman’s Latest: Lofton, Owings, Sabathia
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up.
- Heyman and Buster Olney both believe the Cubs should sign free agent Kenny Lofton to help fill in for Alfonso Soriano. However, Olney noted that the Cubs don’t seem interested.
- Apparently the Yanks pushed hard to get Micah Owings in the Randy Johnson deal a few years ago. Ross Ohlendorf still looks interesting, at least.
- Heyman has heard whispers about C.C. Sabathia having arm problems but admits there’s no real evidence. Sabathia threw 256.3 innings last year (postseason included), an increase of almost 60 IP over 2007.
Sabathia’s Future Value Remains Strong
Jon Heyman weighs in on C.C. Sabathia, his early season struggles and his impending free agency. Heyman notes that Sabathia and his 13.50 ERA are "costing himself millions by the pitch", even going so far as to say that CC could stand for "Complete Choke."
Heyman lists four players that had huge walk-years (Adrian Beltre, Alex Rodriguez, Alfonso Soriano, B.J. Ryan) and four players that struggled in their walk year (Andruw Jones, Jason Jennings, Jermaine Dye, Jeff Weaver). The problem with this list, is that there is not a single player similar to Sabathia. That is, there is not one left-handed ace in the bunch. As far as free agents go, there is nothing more valuable than a left-handed power pitcher in his prime.
The one player that Sabathia should be compared to is Barry Zito.
Zito had win totals of 14, 11, 14 and 16 and ERA+ of 134, 101, 113 and 116 in the four years prior to free agency and still managed to collect a 7-year, $126MM contract. On the other hand, Sabathia’s last three seasons included win totals of 15, 12 and 19 and ERA+ of 104, 140 and 143. In addition, Sabathia is a year younger in ’08 than Zito was the year prior to free agency.
Sabathia may indeed be costing himself a few million dollars, but in the end he is still a left-handed power pitcher in his prime and will almost certainly eclipse the $126MM contract signed by Zito.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Pavano, Lima, Sabathia
Today’s link collection contains a trio of awesome pitchers. Enjoy.
- Carl Pavano is talking about five or six more seasons; his new agent calls him a "1-2 starter." You can chuckle, but some team will probably toss him a million bucks this winter.
- The Kia Tigers have already had enough of Jose Lima. Coincidentally here’s a funny quote from Lima regarding his Atlantic League paycheck from ’03.
- Ken Rosenthal discusses C.C. Sabathia‘s situation, noting that the Indians could probably sign him if they’d give five years.
- Rany Jazayerli writes in praise of Dayton Moore.
- Rule V pick Fernando Hernandez is headed back to the White Sox.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Jones
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com has his latest video "Rosenthal’s Full Count" up and running.
- First, Rosenthal calls Andruw Jones the "early candidate for worst free agent signing" noting that Jones is now batting 7th. Rosenthal goes so far as to say that the Dodgers’ best outfield right now includes Juan Pierre and does not include Jones…The Dodgers are truly lucky to have Andre Ethier and Matt Kemp on the cheap right now ($840K combined), because Jones ($14.1M) and Pierre ($8M) are a lot of dead contract weight for one outfield.
- And we can thank Rosenthal for keeping Brian Roberts in our lives…Rosenthal notes that as the O’s start coming back to earth after their hot start, they can start thinking once again about their July fire sale. The big name is obviously Roberts and Rosenthal says that the Cubs still want the second baseman. He says the Rockies are also likely to be interested. However, the Indians, who tried to put a package together for Roberts this past off-season, will not be one of the bidders as it would require position shuffling, something not likely to occur in-season…Then again, Peter Angelos may just keep dangling Roberts into next off-season. Once Roberts is traded, Angelos may be worried that there won’t be much reason to talk about the O’s. You guys would miss all the Roberts rumors, wouldn’t you?
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Indians Sign Carmona To Extension
11:46am: Rosenthal says it’s $15MM over the four guaranteed years; that’s about the going rate. That implies the free agent options average about $11MM per year.
My own opinion – the Indians still aren’t likely to re-sign Sabathia, but this deal has little bearing on that. Perhaps the cost certainty and discount increase the chances ever-so-slightly.
10:12am: Castrovince has some details. Carmona actually gets four guaranteed years. The total package could be worth $43-48MM over seven years.
9:34am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Indians have signed starter Fausto Carmona to a three-year contract extension with club options for 2012-14. A news conference is scheduled for this afternoon. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince first suggested the possibility of a Carmona extension back in December. I’m guessing $8MM or so is guaranteed over 2009-11, but we’ll see.
Carmona, 24, broke out last year with 215 innings of 3.06 ball. He’ll inherit the ace title if C.C. Sabathia departs after the season.
Phils Designate Lahey For Assignment
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.