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Stark’s Latest: Patterson, Lohse, Lofton, Clemens

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Finally, new info regarding some of the remaining free agents.  Jayson Stark has the scoop.

  • Seems there’s a chance Corey Patterson takes a cheap deal to return to Baltimore.  He could be relegated to fourth outfielder duty in that case.  Stark says the Marlins have discussed Patterson internally, but aren’t sure if they could afford the Boras client.  Patterson would be a nice stopgap for Cameron Maybin, who’d be well-served with some time in Triple A.  Ken Rosenthal also mentioned the Florida possibility.
  • One of the most surprising free agents at this point is Kyle Lohse.  Stark shoots down the notion of Lohse signing with the Met or Phillies on a one-year deal.  Rosenthal tossed out the Cards and O’s as slight possibilities.  It’s tough to be impressed with Boras’ work with Patterson and Lohse this year.  Stark’s colleague Buster Olney even speaks of rumors that Lohse could ditch Boras. 
  • Kenny Lofton wants a Major League deal, and the offers so far have been minor league (including one from the Reds).  I don’t find this an unreasonable demand on Lofton’s part; he’s still a useful player.  He’s OK with starting the season late and coming in as a mercenary when a spot opens up.
  • Stark talked to a friend of Drayton McLane who believes the Astros’ owner could roll the dice on Roger Clemens at the right price.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Lohse, Furcal, Lofton

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FOX’s Ken Rosenthal checks in with the latest buzz from Spring Training.

  • The Mets, Cardinals, and Orioles are listed as possibilities for Kyle Lohse.  However, the Mets may deem him unnecessary, reports are conflicting on the Cards’ interest, and the Orioles are wary of the price.
  • Rosenthal says Rafael Furcal’s agent met with Ned Colletti a few days ago, but the Dodgers would likely want to see Furcal return to form before entertaining an extension.  Click here to see the other shortstops eligible for free agency after the ’08 season.  The Dodgers may have a viable replacement for Furcal in defensive whiz Chin-Lung Hu.
  • Rosenthal notes that the Yankees, in search of a right-handed outfielder, considered Shannon Stewart and Mike Cameron this winter.
  • Kenny Lofton’s chances of a getting the big league deal he wants with the Reds or Twins look slim. 
  • The rumor going around for Corey Patterson is the Marlins, if the price is right.
  • Rosenthal confirms two additions for our 2008 Out Of Options list – Gabe Gross and Clint Barmes.
  • Rosenthal says the Mets need a right-handed hitter who can play left field and first base.  Here are some names I came up with: Ryan Ludwick, Xavier Nady, Matt Murton, Franklin Gutierrez, and Kevin Millar.  Granted, not all those guys know their way around first base.

Odds and Ends: Fields, Garcia, Bonds

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Welcome to today’s roundup…

Shawn Green Retires

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According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, outfielder Shawn Green has decided to retire.  He had interest from a half-dozen clubs, but apparently nothing close enough to his California home.  Green retires at 35 with about $100MM earned in his career.  That’d be kind of nice, wouldn’t it?

Green finishes with a line of .283/.355/.494 and 328 home runs.  He topped 40 HR in three different seasons.

Odds and Ends: Hughes, Nathan, Pedro

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Here’s today’s collection.

  • Interesting article about Phil Hughes’ blog.  We should see more and more player blogs as the Internet generation reaches the Majors.
  • Jonathan Mayo’s book Facing Clemens has hit shelves.  The MLB.com writer attempts to put you in the batter’s box against the Rocket.
  • Nothin’ doin’ on the Joe Nathan talks.  I thought they’d hammer this one out to restore some Johan goodwill.  Guess not.
  • Like reading about injuries?  Take a look at Baseball Injury Report, by my friend Rick Wilton.  Especially good for fantasy junkies.
  • Pedro isn’t going to approach the Mets about an extension, but he’d listen if they came to him.  The Mets want to see at least part of this season play out before considering it.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Roger Clemens

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Last week we looked at one face of the steroid era (Barry Bonds) and wondered where he might end up playing in 2008. Today let’s take a look at the newest face of the steroid era, Roger Clemens. Clemens has yet to decide whether to pitch in 2008.

While his friends believe that the Astros are the only option, Buster Olney suggested the Cardinals could also be an option. And while the Yankees and the Red Sox have shown zero interest, we can’t rule out a mid-season return to either team. Both have question marks in their rotations, and if the proposed solutions don’t pan out, they will be in the market for a proven pitcher in July, no matter what Hank Steinbrenner says now. Another team that could be a darkhorse after the All-Star break is the New York Mets. We learned yesterday that they have tried trading Orlando Hernandez, as there appear to be serious concerns about his health. And if the Mets are fighting for a playoff spot in July, memories of last year’s collapse with the added pressure of having added Johan Santana will fuel the effort to win "at any cost." Let’s also not forget that 11 more wins would put Rocket into the Top 5 all-time and 20 wins (2009?) would make Clemens the third winningest pitcher ever, behind only Cy Young and Walter Johnson. Let’s take a look at what some are thinking about Clemens in the Blogosphere.

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

  • The Redbird Blog does not see Clemens as a difference-maker for the Cardinals, and wonder if it is worth signing him.
  • C70 At The Bat does not think that the Cardinals pitching situation is as dire as some have portrayed, so the need for Clemens may be minimal.
  • My Baseball Bias reiterates what Hank Steinbrenner stated…Clemens will not pitch for the Yankees. They also think that the Astros are the only logical destination for Clemens.
  • Center Field feels that the Phillies would be a good match based on an actual letter sent from PETA to Clemens urging him to become a vegetarian.

And that’s it from the Blogosphere. Is Roger Clemens pitching in ’08 a non-story? Is there a team out there that we are not considering that the Rocket could help this season? Let us know in the comments.

By Cork Gaines

Theo Epstein WEEI Interview: Crisp, Santana

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WEEI recently posted an interesting interview with Red Sox GM Theo Epstein.  Epstein was frank with his answers and didn’t duck questions.  A few points of interest:

  • Epstein observed a "horrible free agent market, bereft of talent."  The one surplus he noted was center field, which he feels resulted in the lack of a trade market for Coco Crisp (the best defensive center fielder in the game last year, according to Epstein).  Epstein said he learned his lesson with Jay Payton and does not want to be forced to trade Crisp as he was Payton.  He won’t deal Crisp from a "position of weakness."  Michael Silverman believes a team will have to have its center fielder significantly injured for a market for Crisp to develop.  Or, a prospect like Felix Pie or Colby Rasmus will have to prove not ready or be traded.
  • As for Johan Santana, the Red Sox were "in it, with limits."  Epstein said he left the Twins with two solid offers, but Bill Smith wanted a package that would’ve been "completely irresponsible."  He felt that Boston’s offer was better than that of the Mets.

Mets Dangled El Duque

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According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman:

The Mets quietly sought trade offers for Orlando Hernandez late this winter, with the idea that if anyone bit, they would sign Kyle Lohse. But apparently there were no takers.

Swapping El Duque’s 140-150 innings for Lohse’s 190 might add a few wins, given the replacement level pitchers the Mets went to in ’07.   Hernandez at $6.5MM isn’t  terribly appealing though.  The Mets could probably get Lohse for a similar amount on a one-year deal.  Maybe they still should and just force Hernandez into the bullpen whether he likes it or not.

Mets Not Interested In Garcia

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TODAY: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says that line about Garcia just visiting friends may be a cover.  That’s because Garcia brought his agents with him and went to Omar Minaya’s office.  So this apparently had a business element after all.  Heyman adds that two or three other clubs are interested, with the Yankees an option given Garcia’s apparent affinity for New York.  If he’s throwing well on June 1st I predict the rumors will involve ten plus teams.

2-20-08: The New York Post is reporting that the Mets will not sign free agent Freddy Garcia. Earlier today Jon Heyman had reported that the Mets were meeting with Garcia. Omar Minaya stated that Garcia was just in camp to meet with Johan Santana and Pedro Martinez, with whom Garcia is friends.

By Cork Gaines

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Barry Bonds

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He has 762 home runs and 7 MVPs. In 2007, he hit 28 home runs in only 126 games and posted a 170 OPS+, which would have led the NL if he had not come up 27 plate appearances short of qualifying. Still, Barry Bonds is without a job for 2008. Some would argue it is because he is 43 years and has bad knees that limit him to DH duty. Others would say it is because he is an unwanted distraction. Some are even beginning to whisper that Bonds is being blackballed by baseball…The Cardinals and the A’s have been linked to Bonds. The Padres were rumored to be in the mix, but publicly have said they are not interested. Marc Topkin wondered if the Rays would be interested, which seems unlikely as the Rays just traded Elijah Dukes and Delmon Young in part because they were headaches. The latest rumor has Bonds possibly playing in Japan in 2008. Could the enticement of setting another home run record convince Bonds to head to the land of the rising sun? With camps in full-swing and Bonds recliner still without a home, let’s take a look at what is being said about Bonds in the Blogosphere…If you think there is a team that is the perfect fit for Bonds in 2008 let us know in the comments.

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

  • Giants Cove is willing to admit that the Giants chemistry will be better in 2008, but there is one glaring problem with the new found chemistry. The Giants cleanup hitter will be Benjie Molina.
  • Athletics Nation notes that signing Bonds would be a smart business decision for the A’s.
  • Catfish Stew wonders if A’s fans will be just as hard on Jack Cust, who was named in the Mitchell Report as they say they will be on Bonds if he signs with Oakland.
  • Yankees Chick finds it curious that so many Yankees fans are clamoring for the Bombers to sign Bonds.
  • Rays of Light notes that baggage aside, DH is already crowded for the Rays with Cliff Floyd, Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli sharing at bats.
  • Metstradamus feels that the chances of the Mets signing Bonds to play the outfield are about 2,000,000 to 1.
  • Gaslamp Ball
    is not surprised the Padres passed on Bonds, noting that San Diego is
    where the giant syringe was thrown at Bonds during a game.
  • Babes Love Baseball can’t understand why Bonds is without a job, but they understand he comes with a bit of a circus and the occasional ’booing’.

By Cork Gaines

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