Angels Pursuing Joey Gathright, Toby Hall
According to Ken Rosenthal, "The Angels are believed to be talking to the Devil Rays about a deal for center fielder Joey Gathright and/or catcher Toby Hall."
We reported yesterday that the Angels were hot on the trail of Tampa Bay outfielders. While our source named Ervin Santana as likely trade bait, Rosenthal thinks young infielders and/or catchers would be sent over. It does make sense that Jeff Mathis would go to the Rays if Hall is dealt. Mathis had a great age 22 season for a catcher at Triple A Salt Lake. It is expected that Steve Finley will be benched or traded to clear a spot for an imported outfielder like Gathright.
Rosenthal also mentions, "acquisition of Hall almost certainly would end the chances of free-agent catcher Bengie Molina remaining with the Angels." An interesting scenario could develop if Molina decides to play it safe and accept arbitration, which is still a possibility. Last year, Placido Polanco unexpectedly accepted arbitration with the Phillies, creating an awkward situation with Chase Utley ready to play every day. Polanco was quickly dealt for just Ugueth Urbina.
Carl Crawford On The Block?
A source close to the Devil Rays’ scouting department filled me in recently on their outfielder extravaganza.
It’s well known Joey Gathright is on the block. If you’re looking for a scrappy player with no power who runs real fast, Gathright is your man. It’s unknown whether Gathright can make his on-base skills shown at Triple A Durham translate to the big leagues, but some team besides the Rays will find out soon enough. I’m not yet able to narrow down the list of his suitors to a single digit number.
Infinitely more interesting than Gathright is the possibility (albeit slim) that Carl Crawford could be dealt. Crawford was "a little shocked" by Rocco Baldelli‘s deal, and rightfully so. After all, where was Baldelli while Crawford was busy being the 10th best LF in the game in ’05? 2006 could be the year Crawford busts out and hits 20 HR.
According to my source, the Angels are hot on the trail of Baldelli, Gathright, and Crawford. The Rays are quite enamored with 22 year-old righthander Ervin Santana. Santana had a solid rookie season in ’05, winning 12 games for the Angels.
Another team in the running for Crawford is the White Sox. They’re not entirely sold on Brian Anderson in center field for a defending World Champion, and the Devil Rays are asking for Brandon McCarthy and/or Josh Fields.
McCarthy pitched with a vengeance in September and October of 2005, tossing 43 innings of 1.69 ERA ball. He led the Minor Leagues in strikeouts in 2004.
Third baseman Josh Fields is in the Sox’s top ten prospect list for sure. However, he was just OK at Double A Birmingham in ’05, hitting .252/.341/.409 in 477 at-bats. Fields is a hard worker, but still needs plenty of seasoning in the minors.
Thanks to Matt
Notes On Byrd, Burnett, Sosa
Today’s hot stove happenings:
Ken Rosenthal reports on the Cubs’ interest in A.J. Burnett. This confirms our assertion from November 18th:
"It’s sounding more and more like the Cubs will come up with another starter to add to the stable. Then they’ll deal from that depth to acquire an outfielder. GM Jim Hendry may be more inclined to make a big splash with A.J. Burnett than give a lot of money to Washburn. Unlike last season when he had to get Sammy Sosa off the books, Hendry will act early and often. The Cardinals’ interest in Burnett may motivate Hendry to make a better offer to the starter."
Speaking of Sosa, the Mets are mentioned as a suitor for the outfielder. The opinion here is that Sosa has nothing left, and is three years older than his listed age of 37. Only a foolish team desperate to allocate its free agent budget somewhere, anywhere, would take a chance on Sosa. I’m predicting the Kansas City Royals sign him as a PR move.
In yet another Rosenthal scoop, the Indians nabbed Paul Byrd for two years and $14.25MM. There’s a club option for the third year. We first reported the Tribe’s interest on November 29th. Byrd should provide decent value at what’s become the going rate for a middle-of-the-rotation starter. The fallout: the Angels will have to bring in a name pitcher if Jarrod Washburn also leaves town. I think he will, and the Angels kicking the tires on Erik Bedard, Livan Hernandez, and Jason Marquis.
The Mets moved quickly on Paul LoDuca, giving up one of their best remaining pitching prospects. Juan Pierre remains the last man standing, and the Marlins haven’t been waiting around to ditch their expensive players. Pierre should be gone as soon as the Fish find a team desperate enough to part with a top-notch prospect. The feeling here is that that team will not be the Yankees.
Thanks to Jerry and Alex
Angels Sign Hector Carrasco
The Angels snagged Hector Carrasco, a 37 year-old reliever, for $6.1MM over two years. Considering that Carrasco was waiver bait a couple of years ago, he did an excellent job capitalizing on his freakish 2.04 ERA in 2005.
Carrasco had the lowest batting average with balls in play among any pitcher with at least 80 innings in 2005 – .236. Given that the typical BABIP is more like .300, Carrasco’s luck is likely to run out. Expect an ERA closer to 4 in ’06.
The Carrasco acquisition adds fuel to the fire that the Halos could deal a top reliever like Scot Shields or Brendan Donnelly.