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Cubs Outfield Situation: Crisp, Johnson, Byrd

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Quite a bit of info is floating about this evening regarding the Cubs’ quest to add an outfielder.  Let’s put it all together.

  • SI.com’s Jon Heyman names Coco Crisp, Jay Payton, Marlon Byrd, and Brandon Inge as possible targets.  Inge makes the least sense given his salary and the Tigers’ need for him while Curtis Granderson is out.
  • ESPN’s Jayson Stark confirms Ken Rosenthal’s assertion that the Cubs are leading the pack for Reed Johnson.  Stark speculates that such an acquisition could prompt the Cubs to trade Matt Murton. 
  • ESPN’s Peter Gammons says Red Sox scout Allard Baird is currently observing the Cubs.  Other scouts in ’zona are speculating about a Sean Gallagher for Crisp scenario.  Gammons notes that the Red Sox wouldn’t mind getting Murton back, either.  He thinks the Sox are wary of trading Crisp right now though, echoing a sentiment from Buster Olney. 
  • Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News writes that the Rangers want Murton plus one of Jose Ceda, Gallagher, or Donald Veal for Byrd.  Jim Hendry did recently re-engage the Rangers, according to Grant.

Tigers Want Huston Street?

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According to Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger:

The Tigers, desperate for a pitcher at the back end of their bullpen, are trying to have serious discussions with Oakland about closer Huston Street. But so far, the A’s have not even decided if they want to trade Street. And if they do, they’re likely to ask more than the Tigers have to offer.

We talked about Street a couple days ago.  Jon Heyman believed the asking price would be huge; Susan Slusser suggested the A’s might wait until midseason.  The Tigers aren’t a great fit given their farm system.

Tigers Said To Be Targeting Wuertz; Cubs Disagree

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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

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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.

Could Tigers Trade For An Atlanta Reliever?

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7:21pm: David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution confirms Detroit’s interest in the Braves’ Out Of Options Four.  DOB can envision a scenario where the Braves carry three of the four and trade one.

3:23pm: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press speculates that the Tigers and Braves may match up well for a trade.  Morosi notes four out of options relievers for Atlanta: Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Royce Ring, and Tyler Yates.  He also mentions "frequent trade discussions" in recent years between the two clubs.

ESPN’s Jayson Stark wrote yesterday that the Tigers "would like to add a big-time set-up arm."   Stark said nothing was imminent but the Tigers have been active in trade discussions.  The above Braves relievers don’t fit the "big-time" criteria; Atlanta’s four would make sense for Philly if they weren’t in the same division. 

My list of more highly regarded guys who might be available: Brian Fuentes, Damaso Marte, Joe Nathan, Jamie Walker, Chad Bradford, Huston Street, Alan Embree, Kevin Gregg, Jon Rauch, and Chad Cordero.  Any others come to mind?

Inge Unlikely For Dodgers

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It figures that the Dodgers would step up their efforts to bring in a third baseman given news of Nomar’s microfracture.  Jon Paul Morosi says their search has intensified, but Brandon Inge is not a likely target.  The Dodgers don’t want to spend that kind of money. 

This might imply that Joe Crede is the perfect fit, but Morosi also says the Dodgers want a player capable of playing second base.  Given those criteria, the Royals’ Esteban German and the Nationals’ Ron Belliard seem to make the most sense.  Ken Rosenthal wrote on March 9th that both players had attracted the Dodgers’ interest, but Dayton Moore then told Bob Dutton that they Dodgers hadn’t called about German.  Rob Neyer and Jeff Weisman believe Chin-Lung Hu is the cure to the short-term third base problem.

Stark’s Latest: Roberts, Fuentes, Lofton

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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. 

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Rule 5 Draftees

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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.

Tigers’ Talks With Miguel Cabrera Continue

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John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press informs us that the Tigers’ talks with third baseman Miguel Cabrera about a long-term deal are ongoing.  Signing the superstar is the team’s top priority.

The popular opinion is that Cabrera will get something in the neighborhood of ten years and $200MM. He’s contracted for ’08 at $11.3MM and then has one more arbitration year before free agent eligibility.  I could be wrong, but I don’t know of any athlete other than A-Rod who broke the $200MM barrier.

Giants Plan To Keep Pitchers

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According to John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Giants are looking to add a bat without trading pitching.  The names mentioned remain Joe Crede and Brandon Inge, but the White Sox and Tigers want hurlers.

The equation doesn’t seem to make sense on the surface – if the Giants won’t trade pitching, and they have no hitters to speak of, how are they going to make an acquisition?

As we learned Thursday, the answer is that the Giants may only be looking to trade undesirable veterans.  Names like Scott Williamson, Randy Messenger, and Dave Roberts have been part of Brian Sabean’s offers for Crede.  Kenny Williams scoffed at this, inquiring about Jonathan Sanchez.  The gap may be too wide to bridge.  I have to side with San Francisco on this one – the demand for Crede and Inge quite low, and the Giants don’t have a strong need for either. Aaron Rowand isn’t holding his breath for a Crede-to-San Fran trade.

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