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Odds and Ends: Baldelli, Salcedo, Piazza, Rivera

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Time for today’s linkage.

Dodgers Haven’t Discussed German With Royals

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On Sunday evening, Ken Rosenthal wrote that Ron Belliard of the Nationals and Esteban German of the Royals were "attracting the Dodgers’ interest."

However, Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports today that Royals’ GM Dayton Moore has not been informed of any interest in German by the Dodgers.  German is known for his .373 career OBP and his versatility, though Baseball Prospectus says he is "capable of playing second, third, and the outfield equally poorly."

Heyman’s Latest: Crede, Ethier, Teixeira

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SI.com rumor guru Jon Heyman has a new column up; let’s take a gander.

  • Heyman talked to an NL scout who considers Joe Crede a below average third baseman right now.  If that scout’s opinion is the consensus, it makes sense that Kenny Williams is inclined to wait for Crede to build more value.
  • The Rangers pushed hard to acquire Andre Ethier from the Dodgers, both in a Mark Teixeira deal and after L.A. signed Andruw Jones.  If I were a Dodger fan, I’d be angry to see the team put its pride ahead of winning by playing Juan Pierre over Ethier.
  • Heyman talked to a general manager who felt the Braves have no chance of signing Tex.  That GM named the Red Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Giants, Mariners, Dodgers, and Angels as potential suitors.  In a survey of almost 1,700 MLBTR readers, the Yankees were picked as the team most likely to sign Teixeira (followed closely by the Braves).

Odds and Ends: Garland, Linden, A-Rod

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Time to round up various tidbits and rumors.

Odds and Ends: Loretta, German, Belliard, Baldelli

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  • An update to the Ken Rosenthal article discussed earlier suggests that either Esteban German or Ron Belliard would be better, cheaper alternatives for the Dodgers than Joe Crede or Brandon Inge. It would take less to get Belliard or German, they’re paid less, and either of them could back up Jeff Kent, 40, at second base in addition to playing third. Both players are "attracting the Dodgers’ interest" according to Rosenthal.
  • The Baltimore Sun is now reporting that the Orioles have an interest in Mark Loretta. Hopefully this is a sign that the Brian Roberts-to-Chicago saga will soon mercifully come to a conclusion. Loretta apparently isn’t slated for regular duty in a Houston infield that now features Miguel Tejada, Kaz Matsui and Ty Wigginton, which is why he might be in play. The Astros sent a scout to watch the O’s on Sunday.
  • Rocco Baldelli spoke with Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal about his myriad health problems, and dispelled some of the more creative speculation about him. He didn’t, however, address the big decision on his future that the Rays will be forced to make in the coming weeks. As discussed here a couple of days ago, and again in Sunday’s St. Petersburg Times, the decision on whether the team will pick up Baldelli’s 2009 option has to be made by April 1st. The Times suggests the Rays will pass, meaning a $4MM buyout.

Posted by Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Crede, Willits, Rivera, Belliard

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Ken Rosenthal checks in with all kinds of hot stove info.

  • Continuing on yesterday’s post regarding Joe Crede and the Dodgers , Rosenthal reports that a source close to Dodgers management explained that the team trading for a third baseman like Crede or Brandon Inge is "all about the budget and whether [owner Frank] McCourt will allow them to add money."  Rosenthal continues to point out that Crede is a better deal than Inge in terms of their contracts, and that Crede could also be more attractive to Dodgers management because the White Sox might be willing to trade for prospects, while the Tigers are looking for immediate bullpen help.
  • The Mariners had been in the market for a veteran right-handed hitting outfielder, but have opted instead for in-house options.  It seems Coco Crisp could have filled a need.  Sure, he’s a switch-hitter, but his splits suggest it could have made some sense.  If they didn’t have to part with too much, it might have worked.
  • The Angels have a surplus in the outfield — Juan Rivera and Reggie Willits — and Rosenthal reports that Willits is now untouchable according to the Angels (two teams have inquired after him recently).  The two are blocked by Vladimir Guerrero, Garrett Anderson, Torii Hunter, and Gary Matthews Jr.  While it sounds as if they’d prefer to move Rivera (a free agent at season’s end), it’s hard to imagine that they’d send Willits to the minors (he has options remaining) if they don’t find a good match for Rivera (Umpbump Coley suggested the Padres or Mets yesterday).  As Coley pointed out, the Angels have numerous banged up pitchers, and there are a number of teams out there who are going to be starting center fielders with inferior skill sets compared to Willits (as Tim pointed out a few days ago).
  • The Nationals are dealing with a surplus at second base, and Rosenthal believes that Ron Belliard is the most logical piece to move, what with his $1.6MM salary this season, and his $1.9MM for next.  Rosenthal pinpoints the Rockies (perhaps too little range on the right side with Jeff Baker and Todd Helton), Cardinals, Twins, and White Sox as potential trade partners.

Posted by Matt Birt

Rowand Still Hoping For Crede To Giants

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The indefatigable Aaron Rowand continues his Joe Crede-campaign, hoping the Giants will make a deal for him now that the Dodgers have entered the picture.  In an article in the Chicago Sports Tribune, Roward argues that Crede has played the last few seasons with a bad back and, now healthy, will put forth his best season yet.

”I’m just the middle man,” Rowand said when asked how hard he has been pushing to be reunited with his close friend. ”I’m not playing recruiter. It’s not like I’m going to [the front office] and saying, ’Get him.’ They asked me, and obviously everyone knows what he can do on the baseball field. I told them, ’You’re asking a guy that is biased, but I’ll give you my answer.’ God knows I want to play with Joe again.”

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun Times chimes in,

"While the Sox haven’t even come out and said whether they’ll trade Crede this spring, all signs point to the third baseman’s departure. Now that the Los Angeles Dodgers have shown interest in Crede, Williams can sit back and wait for the best offer."

MLBTR discussed the Dodgers interest yesterday, and readers seem to agree with Mr. Rowand: acquiring Crede is a great move for either team.


By Nat Boyle

Does Crede Make Sense For Dodgers?

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South Side Sox wonders if the Dodgers will look to acquire White Sox third baseman Joe Crede now that Andy LaRoche is out two months with a torn thumb ligament and Nomar Garciaparra’s status is day to day after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch.

Buster Olney says the Dodgers are likely to trade for a player like Crede because "the perception about Garciaparra, among scouts, is that his unusual throwing mechanics make it very difficult for him to play third base on a regular basis."

Previously, Los Angeles had been mentioned as a possible destination for Detroit third baseman Brandon Inge. But, as South Side Sox points out, "Crede brings more power, a better contact rate, and a smaller salary" than Inge. So why not Crede?

One more point in Crede’s favor: because he’s in the final year of his contract, he wouldn’t block LaRoche at the position next season. Then again, Crede, who is coming off back surgery, is hardly a safe bet to stay healthy and the last thing the Dodgers need is three third basemen on the DL.

By Umpbump Coley

Injuries May Revive Inge To Dodgers Talk

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The Dodgers’ Andy LaRoche suffered a torn ligament in his right thumb when he was hit by a pickoff throw in Friday’s spring game. In the same game, Nomar Garciaparra was hit by a pitch on his right wrist.  LaRoche will undergo surgery and will miss eight to 10 weeks. Garciaparra suffered no break but is in pain and will be evaluated today.

If Garciaparra joins LaRoche in sick bay, the recent Brandon Inge-to-the-Dodgers rumor that was declared dead this week may be resurrected. If both LaRoche and Nomar miss significant parts fo the season, the Dodgers’ already shallow infield will need a warm body or two.

By Big Mike Glab

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Brandon Inge

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Oh Brandon Inge…Has it really only been two years since Inge belted 27 home runs and endeared himself to Tigers fans everywhere by transforming himself from a utility player into an everyday Major League third baseman? In doing so, Inge became the poster-child for the resurgent Detroit franchise that took only three years to go from 119 losses to the World Series. And now? We are certain that there are still Tigers fans out there that love Inge, but we are having a hard time finding them. Inge, who has three years and $19MM left on a contract he signed prior to the ’07 season, was obviously upset when he lost his job after the Tigers traded for Miguel Cabrera. And despite an opportunity to receive 300+ at bats as a utility player on a contender (and receive $6.2MM while doing so) he is apparently unhappy about having to play catcher (though he feels that he was misquoted).

Now it seems like trading Inge may be the best solution for both sides with Inge landing a starting job on another team and the Tigers able to skim $6.2MM off the books for a player that was not going to start. The only question now is: Who is willing to give up a player (or two) for 30-year old Inge with a $6.2MM price tag, no seasons with an OPS+ greater than 100 since 2004 and bad facial hair? Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogospere…

If there is a topic you would like to see covered in "Baseball Blogs Weigh In" please let me know HERE.

  • A League of Her Own thinks the Cubbies should ship Ryan Dempster and Jason Marquis for Inge. Boy, Cubs fans really don’t like Marquis right now.
  • The Cub Reporter doubts that the Cubs will land Inge, as the team seems to be all talk this off-season…Anybody want a Brian Roberts update?
  • Mike Scioscia’s Tragic Illness lists about 437 reasons the Dodgers should not be interested in Inge, noting that the Dodgers would end up downgrading at third base, paying more salary to do so and weakening their bullpen in the process. And yeah, they don’t like his facial hair either.
  • Bugs & Cranks thinks Inge should just shut up and accept hit utility role on a good team.
  • Mack Ave. Tigers has finally had enough of Inge and doesn’t want a guy on the Tigers that doesn’t care about winning.
  • The Detroit Tigers Weblog wonders if Inge’s decision to start talking to reporters is a way to try and expedite a trade, but notes that his words are not endearing himself to any potential trade partners.
  • Mets Fever sees the Mets and Tigers as a good match up. If the Mets can’t land Marcus Thames, then maybe Inge would fill their needs.
  • Fanhouse thinks the Giants might make a good trade partner for the Tigers as Inge could be a better fit than Joe Crede whom the Giants have recently inquired about.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

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