Rosenthal’s Latest: Andruw, Rowand, Castillo
Ken Rosenthal has cranked out another rumor-filled column. A summary is below.
- The Marlins are insisting on Howie Kendrick in a Miguel Cabrera deal. The Angels are understandably reluctant.
- The Nationals could sign Andruw Jones long-term if they felt it was a bargain – say, $13MM a year. The Giants, White Sox, and Padres may be in the mix as well. Hmmm, White Sox and Boras? And if Scott Boras changes his tune and hunts for a one-year "rebuild value" contract for Jones, the Red Sox could get involved.
- The Phillies think Aaron Rowand will end up getting a 4/52 contract, though Rosenthal expects him to get the fifth guaranteed year. It’s previously been reported that Rowand is looking for a six-year, $84MM deal. Yikes.
- Aside from the Astros and Mets, the Indians, Padres, and Dodgers could get in on Luis Castillo. In the Tribe’s case, it would involve a scenario where Jhonny Peralta was dealt.
- Interesting note on Curt Schilling‘s $2MM in weight incentives – the target weights are aggressively low, and the weigh-ins will be done randomly. So, no cheating the system. By the way, isn’t it ridiculous that one Cy vote gets him $1MM? Sportswriters have given out single votes on a whim for much dumber reasons.
- The Red Sox are apparently asking a lot for Coco Crisp, more than the Twins are ready to give up.
- The Indians and Brewers have an excess of starters. Names that could hit the market include Cliff Lee, Dave Bush, and Chris Capuano. The Nationals have their eye on Lee. He came up as an Expo through Double A.
- The Nationals might be able to get something good for outfielder Ryan Church. In general, Jim Bowden desires a young MLB-ready starter like Kevin Mulvey or Kevin Slowey.
Phillies Close To Deal With Romero
According to Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phils are close to a multiyear contract with southpaw reliever J.C. Romero. Two years, $6MM would be one thing but I would hope they didn’t go three years.
Zolecki adds that the Phillies don’t believe Adam Eaton will require surgery for his shoulder issues. It still wouldn’t hurt to add a starter to the group of Cole Hamels, Brett Myers, Jamie Moyer, Kyle Kendrick, and Eaton. Hamels and Kendrick may be considered injury risks.
Phillies Acquire Brad Lidge For Michael Bourn
A major trade was struck tonight, as the Phillies acquired Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett for Michael Bourn, Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo.
The makings of this deal surfaced earlier today, as it was revealed the Astros had interest in Francisco Cordero. The ‘Stros had been talking about bringing in a center fielder, though no one expected Bourn.
Phillies fans have to be happy to hear that the acquisition will allow Brett Myers to move back into the starting rotation. We were hearing just yesterday that Myers would remain in the pen. Perhaps Pat Gillick surveyed the market for a top-rotation starter and didn’t like the prices. Besides bolstering the bullpen for 2008, Gillick should snag a draft pick or two if Lidge leaves for a multiyear deal via free agency (assuming he has a good 2008 season).
Bourn is obviously the key to the deal for Ed Wade and the Astros. He’s a burner and prototypical leadoff man as well as a plus on defense. The move seems to give Wade a new trading chip, right fielder Luke Scott.
Ricciardi Willing To Listen On Burnett
UPDATE, 11-7-07: This isn’t really an update. Ricciardi kind of clarified his comments, saying that the Jays aren’t shopping Burnett. But he never said they were in the first place. He originally said if he was blown away, he’d trade Burnett. The only people confused were those who didn’t closely read his original comments.
FROM 11-6-07: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has said something interesting things to the media in recent times, from lying to the public about B.J. Ryan‘s injury to questioning A.J. Burnett’s manliness. It’s not that his actions and opinions are astounding; it’s just odd to see a GM so publicly frank about things.
Today, Ricciardi was upfront with ESPN about the possibility of trading Burnett. If he’s blown away by an offer, he’ll trade him. It’s not really a groundbreaking assertion. I imagine most GMs feel that way about most players.
In Burnett, another high impact arm enters the trade market. His opt-out clause after the 2008 season effectively makes his contract worse than a one-year deal, as we discussed here. Jerry Crasnick says the Cardinals, Phillies, and even Orioles are possible fits. I could imagine the Braves, Mets, Astros, and Diamondbacks expressing interest as well. Burnett has no-trade protection against 15 teams, so that might require compensation. He’ll earn a reasonable $12MM in 2008.
Hiroki Kuroda Interests Phillies, Dodgers
It’s tough to decide who the best available free agent starter is now that Curt Schilling is off the market. One could make a legitimate case it’s Hiroki Kuroda, who could dazzle in his first few months in MLB.
While Kuroda prefers to play on the West Coast, he’s on the Phillies’ radar. Paul Hagen notes that Pat Gillick previously ventured into the Japanese market to snag Ichiro several years back. Kuroda has filed for free agency. So far the Mariners, Rangers, and Cubs have shown interest. He could earn north of $8MM per season over three or four years. According to Tony Jackson, the Dodgers are also expected to make a bid. Expect this list to grow.
Hagen’s article names former Phils Jon Lieber, Randy Wolf, and Kyle Lohse as other possibilities for Gillick. A trade for Jon Garland remains an option as well. Also, Adam Eaton recently had an MRI. If he needs some kind of surgery, the Phils could import two starters.
In other Phillies news, Gold Glover Aaron Rowand is still partial to the Phillies and hopes to come back. Don’t count on it. He also indicated that his other former team, the White Sox, have an advantage.
Phils Won’t Focus On Third Base
Third base was a gaping hole for the Phillies in 2007. But because the team scored a lot of runs that year, GM Pat Gillick does not see the need to upgrade at the position. Instead, he will focus on adding pitching whether via trade or free agency.
I have to say that I don’t agree with the logic. Runs are runs, whether you score more of them or let in fewer. The goal is to create the largest differential between runs scored and allowed, doesn’t matter whether you try to move the top or bottom line. That’s my opinion at least. I still think the Phils should acquire Joe Crede or Mike Lamb. Trading for Crede might help prevent runs because of his fine glovework. Another option for a defensive boost is Coco Crisp, who the Phillies reportedly like.
The Phillies are still intent on signing lefty reliever J.C. Romero before November 13th. Hopefully it doesn’t take three years to sign Juan Carlos…the man has a major walk problem and his success was predicated on an unsustainable hit rate of 3.72 per nine innings. Additionally the Phils have their eye on Colorado’s Brian Fuentes, who is signed next year for $3.5MM.
Though it’s easier to find a good reliever than a good starter, Brett Myers will stay in the pen for ’08. With Curt Schilling off the table, Gillick could turn back to his buddy Kenny Williams to try to pry away Jon Garland or settle for Jose Contreras. I imagine Contreras is starting to seem a bit more attractive to teams because they haven’t seen him pitch for a few months.
Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Burrell, Furcal, Rolen
Two of my favorite local blogs have good hot stove posts for us today as part of Odds and Ends.
- Bleed Cubbie Blue has a Cubs source indicating the Cubs are serious about both Hiroki Kuroda and Kosuke Fukudome. They could be signed quickly and fill team needs. This info jives with the recent info from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald. While Kuroda recently filed for free agency, he’s open to offers from MLB and Hiroshima.
- South Side Sox has their suggested offseason plan up for the White Sox. I like the idea of acquiring Pat Burrell and/or Rafael Furcal with Type A draft pick compensation in mind.
- Curt Schilling was in Philly to watch the Eagles last night.
- It seems possible that the Nationals could sign Corey Patterson for center field if they can’t get one of the big names.
- La Velle E. Neal III says the Twins and Red Sox have touched base about Coco Crisp. He adds that the Twins and Rays have been having conversations, perhaps in reference to Rocco Baldelli.
- Mike Lieberthal may be on the radar for the Blue Jays.
- Scott Rolen is said to be open to waiving his no-trade clause, but the three years and $36MM on his contract will be a problem.
Silva Rises To Top Of Free Agent Starter Market
About a year ago, the Twins were seriously debating whether to exercise Carlos Silva‘s $4MM option for 2007. After all, he’d posted a ghastly 5.94 ERA in 180 innings in 2006. His 246 hits allowed was among the highest totals in baseball that year.
What difference a year makes. Silva posted a solid 4.19 ERA in 202 innings, a performance more in line with his career marks. As a result he’s arguably the best available free agent starter this winter and stands to snag a contract of at least four years and $40MM (with no cost in draft picks). La Velle E. Neal III says the Twins want him back, and Bill Smith is already talking about the intangibles the team offers for him. The Twins may balk at even $8MM annually.
Neal notes that the Diamondbacks, Braves, Cubs, Mets, and Phillies had interest in trading for Silva this summer. That pretty well sums it up. We can probably add the Reds to the mix. Looking at Nick Cafardo’s recent summary, the Devil Rays, Blue Jays, Tigers, Astros, Cardinals, and Dodgers all seek to add veteran starting pitching. Silva typically ranks in the top 20 for groundball rate, so he may try to avoid stadiums with artificial turf.
Rangers Rumors: DeJesus, Lamb, Millar
Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but he posted this column at night. Go figure. He’s got some new info regarding the Rangers.
- As you know, the Rangers have had difficulty finding a long-term center fielder. That’s the main focus of this offseason. The team has already shown interest in Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, the top center fielders available. Other free agents such as Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron appear to be in play as well. Grant’s trade candidates: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Mark Kotsay, and Carlos Beltran. We’ve speculated on DeJesus to Atlanta in the past. With DeJesus signed cheaply through 2011 and the market at the position robust this winter, it might make sense for Dayton Moore to wait a year to shop him aggressively.
- Grant adds that Jon Daniels is considering some affordable options for first base. They’ve already talked to Mike Lamb‘s agent and like Kevin Millar as well. Lamb came up through the Rangers’ system but was traded to the Yankees in ’04. Millar is under contract for ’08 but it’s in the $3-4MM range and the Orioles should be open to a trade. Grant says Ben Broussard could pique the Rangers’ interest if he’s non-tendered.
- Grant concludes with five Rangers whose names will be bandied about in trade talks: Gerald Laird, Vicente Padilla, Joaquin Arias, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nelson Cruz. Salty’s not being shopped but Grant expects teams to ask. He proposes some kind of bad contract swap for Padilla – Jason Giambi, Richie Sexson, or Adam Eaton are named. I still think it’s funny the way Padilla crawled away from the brawl he started this year.
Schilling Names Targets
UPDATE, 10-31-07: Gordon Edes and Amalie Benjamin of the Boston Globe spoke to a Red Sox source who does not expect Schilling to return to the team. The Red Sox will offer an incentive-based contract. The source added that Tim Wakefield‘s option is likely to be exercised.
FROM 10/30/07:
Interesting. After Boston, Curt Schilling has 12 teams he’d consider pitching for in 2008. Here they are:
Indians
Tigers
Angels
Mets
Phillies
Braves
Dodgers
Padres
Diamondbacks
Cubs
Cardinals
Brewers
Schilling had talked about the idea of going somewhere he could tutor young pitchers, like Tampa Bay. But it sounds like that idea is out and he wants to play for a contender. Not that the Rays can’t contend in ’08. I’m curious as to why the White Sox and Rockies were excluded, but who knows.
That’s a nice extensive list, so it should be fun if Boston passes. At a reasonable one-year commitment, any of the dozen should have interest no matter what their rotation looks like.