Mets, Indians, Cards Contact Dotel
In recent years, Octavio Dotel has whiffed batters at a ridiculous rate, sometimes approaching 13 per nine innings. While tough to hit in general, Dotel has been prone to the home run and too generous with bases on balls.
The colorful Dotel went down this summer with a strained right elbow, and by June Dr. James Andrews was wrapping a tendon from his leg around that same elbow. Interestingly, the tendon was long enough to be wound three times around the elbow, giving Dotel superhuman strength. Well, I’m not sure about the strength but it was wrapped three times.
Dotel elected for the surgery against Oakland’s wishes, and a door was opened for Huston Street to become Rookie of the Year in 2005. Dotel was one of the first free agents to file, and has declared in the past that he’d be happy to pitch in a setup role if need be. He even volunteered to play for free.
Dotel was ranked 31st on the RotoAuthority Top 50 Free Agents list, and Boston was picked as his likely destination. Now comes word of three other teams interested in Dotel’s services, courtesy of an unusual source. My source’s barber (in New York) is apparently friends with Dotel, as they knew each other back in the Dominican Republic. The barber informed my source that Dotel has been contacted by the Cardinals, Mets, and Indians. The best part, straight from my source:
"He also told me that Octavio is working on a record, not a record for saves or strikeouts or anything, a merengue record. He is supposedly a great singer. Seriously."
There you have it. It might sound a little far-fetched, but have fun with it. My honest opinion is that this report is accurate and truthful. St. Louis seems the most likely choice, as the club has shown great patience and has been rewarded with rehab projects like Chris Carpenter.
Thanks to Dan K.
Walker For Heilman Trade Legitimate
I’ve noticed various outlets claiming the rumored Todd Walker for Aaron Heilman trade was fabricated. While I’m not sure if the deal will ultimately go through, I can guarantee that the rumor is on the level.
According to Kevin Burkhardt of WFAN in New York, the Mets have been dangling Heilman in front of the Cubs in an attempt to acquire Walker. The rumor originally aired on November 12th, and I’ve contacted Burkhardt in an attempt to get more info.
Mike Cameron Deal To Be Completed Today
Several sources are telling me that Mike Cameron will be traded to the Padres today for Akinori Otsuka. As I mentioned earlier, Xavier Nady could also be included in the deal.
MetsBlog now says Buster Olney is reporting that this is a done deal. Olney has yet to provide any names coming from the Padres in his ESPN Rumor Central post.
Update: Gotham Baseball has the scoop on this one, telling us that the trade is indeed for Akinori Otsuka. According to editor-in-chief Mike McGann, financial concerns with Otsuka’s contract are the main hangup.
Thanks to Brian B.
Cameron For Nady Rumor Has Legs
A new Ken Rosenthal column was just posted over at Fox Sports. Some interesting nuggets in there, including a few that confirm rumors we reported on earlier.
The rumored Mike Cameron for Xavier Nady swap we mentioned on Sunday may have legs. Rosenthal adds that the Mets could spin Nady into a Manny Ramirez package if they don’t want to platoon him with Mike Jacobs. Nady could make sense for the Red Sox, a team with question marks at third and second base.
Cameron could also end up in Baltimore or Arizona according to Rosenthal.
The column mentions some interest coming from the Braves on Trevor Hoffman. I don’t buy this matchup, considering Hoffman’s outlandish demands. The Braves don’t seem like the types to give three years or $27MM to a closer.
Rosenthal also adds some info to the Julio Lugo to the Braves rumor. We confirmed before that the Braves would need more than Lugo to part with Andy Marte. Rosenthal suggests Johnny Estrada and another prospect as a more reasonable package going to the D-Rays.
Thanks to Brian B.
Cubs To Trade Todd Walker For Aaron Heilman
A new trade rumor has been floated from New York today. We all know Todd Walker is on the trading block; it seems the Mets are interested.
Word is that the Cubs will deal Walker to the Mets for Aaron Heilman, straight up. If the rumor holds up, this could help both teams.
Strangely, the Mets still seem to have little faith in Heilman despite his breakout 2005. Heilman just turned 27, and he misses bats. He has yet to settle into his role as a pitcher. Heilman could serve in the swing role for the Cubs if Glendon Rusch becomes a permanent rotation fixture. Having a pitcher versatile enough to start, close, and do everything in-between may be a new trend in baseball.
Walker is what he is – all hit, no glove. He’s definitely an above average hitter for a second baseman. You’ll see that Walker was the 20th best 2B in 2005 once you consider fielding. If he can stay healthy for 550 at-bats, however, he might crack the top ten in 2006 despite the poor defense.
The move would take the Mets out of their dance with Rafael Furcal and increase the chances the Cubs sign him.
Heilman wasn’t seen as an integral part of the proposed Manny Ramirez trade, so those talks would stay alive.
Thanks to Brian from Edison for the tip.
Mets To Swap Cameron For Nady
Over at RotoAuthority, I did an in-depth breakdown of the rumored Manny Ramirez trade. The conclusion? Even a trade of just Lastings Milledge and Mike Cameron for Manny Ramirez would be damaging to the Mets by 2007. If the Mets add Yusmeiro Petit or Aaron Heilman to the mix, they get killed in the deal.
But now we have a new trade rumor that puts a wrinkle in the proposed Manny deal. Word is that Mike Cameron for Xavier Nady is close to a done deal.
Nady’s versatility is helpful, but he won’t match Cameron’s value in 2006. Cameron’s not a star player in my book, but then again, you know you’ve made it when people start impersonating you to score painkillers. Cameron plays a solid center field, and can still add 6 wins to a team at age 33. Nady is 27 and is still several years away from free agency. The Mets are hoping he can approximate his production from Triple A Portland in 2004: .330/.391/.629 in 74 games. Nady did slug .615 in June of ’05, so the potential is intriguing.
More interesting than the Cameron for Nady trade itself is the related fallout. Consider:
The Red Sox would have one less option to replace Johnny Damon, and it becomes more likely that they bite the bullet and offer him a four-year deal.
The Mets back away from Carlos Delgado, Paul Konerko, and other available first basemen. They begin the year with some combination of Mike Jacobs and Xavier Nady at the position.
A new group of players would have to be assembled to entice the Red Sox to surrender Ramirez. Rest assured that if Lastings Milledge is involved, the Red Sox will still be listening.
Thanks to Ryan from Berkeley