Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Dodgers Rumors

Delwyn Young Drawing Interest

By | at

Tony Jackson of the LA Times tells us that Dodgers' outfielder Delwyn Young is drawing interest from numerous teams. The Indians, Pirates, and Phillies have all had scouts present in the past week during a rehab assignment. Jackson expects a move to be made in the next few days.

Young, 26, is out of options. Jackson wrote in an earlier piece that he expected Young's rehab stint to go the maximum 20 days because there doesn't appear to be a place for him on the 25-man roster.

Young hasn't been overly impressive in the Majors over parts of three seasons, but he's a switch hitter and possesses a .303/.363/.515 minor league line.

Odds And Ends: Hudson, Alvarez, Anderson

By | at

Links for Saturday…

Offseason In Review: Los Angeles Dodgers

By | at

Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Dodgers.  Here's what we wrote about them on October 22nd. Changes for 2009:

Additions:  Manny Ramirez (re-signed), Rafael Furcal (re-signed), Casey Blake (re-signed), Orlando Hudson, Randy Wolf, Guillermo Mota, Will Ohman, Claudio Vargas, Brad Ausmus, Mark Loretta, Doug Mientkiewicz, Eric Milton, Jeff Weaver, Charlie Haeger, Ronald Belisario, Tanyon Sturtze (re-signed), Shawn Estes, Juan Castro

Subtractions:  Derek Lowe, Brad Penny, Chan Ho Park, Joe Beimel, Greg Maddux, Jeff Kent, Nomar Garciaparra, Mark Sweeney, Andruw Jones, Scott Proctor, Takashi Saito, Angel Berroa, Jason Johnson

As expected, it was an eventful offseason for the Dodgers.  All the shuffling actually led to an $18MM reduction in Opening Day payroll.

Last year the Dodgers ranked 13th in the NL with 4.32 runs scored per game.  The '09 lineup will not feature Kent, Jones, Berroa, or Garciaparra.  It will hopefully have full seasons of Ramirez, Furcal, Blake, and Hudson.  The revamped lineup projects to score a healthy 4.98 runs per game, according to CHONE projections and the Baseball Musings lineup analysis tool.  Such production would've ranked 2nd in the NL last year.  GM Ned Colletti gave his offense a huge boost at a total commitment of less than $100MM for the four free agents.

The 2008 rotation ranked 3rd in the NL with a 3.87 ERA in 927.6 innings.  Colletti downgraded by replacing Lowe with Wolf, but he also committed $5MM instead of $60MM.  Clayton Kershaw and James McDonald will pick up the innings Penny, Maddux, Eric Stults, and Park consumed last year.  Using CHONE and my own innings approximations I have the '09 rotation posting a 4.16 ERA – still pretty good.  I don't think they need to worry about adding Pedro Martinez right now.  Maybe Colletti can go after a bigger fish at midseason if someone gets hurt.

The Dodgers had a sterling pen last year, with a 3.34 ERA in 519.6 innings.  The pen has a different look this year, with Mota and Ohman coming in and Park, Beimel, Saito, and Proctor gone.  The new bullpen projects at a 3.96 ERA.

Defensively the Dodgers ranked 10th in the NL last year according to The Fielding Bible II.  Despite more Manny I think they've improved overall given the keystone combo of Hudson and Furcal.

I see the Dodgers currently as a 91-92 win team, which should be enough to hold off the Diamondbacks and perhaps Giants.

Bottom line: Colletti dove headfirst into free agency and, for once, emerged a victor.  The Dodgers' new offense should be among the best in the league, and they'll reach the playoffs with decent pitching.

Odds & Ends: Lackey, Sheffield, Luis Gonzalez

By | at

Links for Thursday…

  • Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald learned that while White Sox GM Ken Williams seeks a leadoff hitter, he does not have interest in Juan Pierre or Gary Matthews Jr.
  • In an article yesterday, MLB.com's Lyle Spencer said all is quiet on the John Lackey extension front.  Angels GM Tony Reagins said Lackey's initial Opening Day deadline was never a factor for the team.
  • Murray Chass says Gary Sheffield's clubhouse presence is a positive.
  • Luis Gonzalez, a free agent, hopes to play in 2009.  But when he retires, he'll do so as a Diamondback according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
  • MLB.com's Joe Frisaro wrote in praise of Florida starter Josh Johnson.
  • MLB.com's Corey Brock says the Padres introduced Tom Garfinkel as the new president and chief operating officer in charge of non-baseball operations.
  • I wrote about Blue Jays starter David Purcey over at RotoAuthority.

Dodgers Re-Sign Greg Miller

By | at

WEDNESDAY: MLB.com's Ken Gurnick says the Dodgers re-signed Miller and assigned him to A ball.

MONDAY: According to Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News, the Dodgers released lefty Greg Miller today.  Jackson says the Dodgers may still re-sign him to a minor league deal.

Miller, 24, was drafted 31st overall by the Dodgers in 2002.  He tossed 53.6 relief innings last year, walking 63.  Miller's Baseball America Top 100 Prospect List rankings: 8th in 2004 and 100th in 2005.  He was derailed by two shoulder surgeries.  MLB.com's Ken Gurnick has more on Miller.

Odds & Ends: A’s, Hammel, Manny, McPherson

By | at

Links for Tuesday…

More Peavy Chatter

By | at

How about a little more Jake Peavy chatter, courtesy of Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune?  Krasovic sums up the situation: Peavy and GM Kevin Towers hope the Padres will contend and trading the ace will not become an issue.  But with Peavy earning nearly 30% of the payroll and the Padres looking questionable, there's a good chance this will come up again near the trade deadline.

Krasovic adds that the Dodgers and Cubs "interest both the Padres and Peavy."  He says "a person close to Peavy said those two remain the most likely choices for a trade."  Peavy still prefers the National League, though I can envision a potential match with the Angels a few months from now.  Here on April 6th, what's your Peavy prediction?

The Jason Bay Trade Revisited

By | at

Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette recounts the details of the deadline deal that sent Jason Bay to Boston, specifically the final 7 minutes that reshaped the future of the Pirates organization. It's a really interesting read for any rumor-enthusiasts. Some points of interest:

  • According to Kovacevic, before finally dealing Bay at the buzzer, Pittsburgh had been working on dealing Bay for over a year and a half.
  • Before the 2008 season, the Bucs had come close to dealing Bay and catcher Ronny Paulino to Cleveland for Cliff Lee, Franklin Guttierez, and Kelly Shoppach. The Pirates did not feel it was enough and killed it.
  • Just 20 minutes before the 4p.m. deadline, Kovacevic says the Braves and Rays were considered the primary trading partners, particularly the "prospect-rich Rays." But with only 15 minutes left, "the Pirates called each [team] to insist upon a specific prospect package and summarily were rejected," writes Kovacevic.

The Rays Index takes a look at this article from a Tampa Bay perspective.

Gary Sheffield Rumors: Friday

By | at

It seems that the Mets may join the Phillies and Reds in the Gary Sheffield sweepstakes.  According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, "Sheffield's availability intrigues team officials."  Rubin cautions that an internal meeting about the subject has yet to take place.  Rubin believes Sheffield would have to start with a bench role, and the Mets might have to release Marlon Anderson to clear that spot.  MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone would like Anderson to be replaced with Frank Catalanotto instead.

Joel Sherman of the New York Post also thinks Sheffield is on the Mets' radar, and does believe they "have held some in-depth discussions on if they should sign the guy."

How about the Dodgers?  Ramona Shelburne of the L.A. Daily News talked to Joe Torre, who said it wouldn't make sense.

Click here to catch up on yesterday's Sheffield happenings.

Rosenthal On Sheffield, Repko, McPherson

By | at

A look at Ken Rosenthal's column from yesterday afternoon…

  • The Marlins chose Ross Gload over Frank Catalanotto, but are still considering signing Cat for the minimum now that he's been released. 
  • The Braves are not interested in bringing back Gary Sheffield.  Meanwhile, Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets (as well as the Phillies and Reds) have an eye on Sheffield.
  • Sheffield is apparently the only right-handed hitter on the Phillies' radar.  Rosenthal learned that the Rockies' asking price for Jeff Baker is high.
  • The Braves almost made a deal for Dodgers outfielder Jason Repko, but backed off recently.
  • The Yankees will pass on Dallas McPherson, but the Giants may consider him.
  • The Yanks don't seem desperate to move Melky Cabrera.  They've received multiple calls on him but Rosenthal says "the team will only move him for the right price."
Show all

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top