More On Rowand/Linebrink
Internet rumor, eh? If there’s one term I’d like to retire, it’s "Internet rumor." It discredits the many legitimate Internet-based sources and generalizes the entire medium. Many rumors broke via the Internet this year (blogs included). In fact, most of them came via the Internet, courtsey of Ken Rosenthal. I’ve seen a lot of garbage in print, but don’t refer to them all as "newspaper rumors."
In this case, Paul Hagen doubts the legitimacy of a Buster Olney rumor that first appeared in Olney’s blog on January 26th. Olney reported that the Padres and Phillies were kicking around an Aaron Rowand for a reliever trade.
Anyway, Hagen creates a newspaper rumor, speculating that the Phils might entertain trading Rowand because they think they can acquire an outfielder for Jon Lieber. He also speculates that the Phils would send both Lieber and Rowand to San Diego for Mike Cameron or Terrmel Sledge. Now that’s one that "appears to make little sense."
More On Rowand/Linebrink
Internet rumor, eh? If there’s one term I’d like to retire, it’s "Internet rumor." It discredits the many legitimate Internet-based sources and generalizes the entire medium. Many rumors broke via the Internet this year (blogs included). In fact, most of them came via the Internet, courtsey of Ken Rosenthal. I’ve seen a lot of garbage in print, but don’t refer to them all as "newspaper rumors."
In this case, Paul Hagen doubts the legitimacy of a Buster Olney rumor that first appeared in Olney’s blog on January 26th. Olney reported that the Padres and Phillies were kicking around an Aaron Rowand for a reliever trade.
Anyway, Hagen creates a newspaper rumor, speculating that the Phils might entertain trading Rowand because they think they can acquire an outfielder for Jon Lieber. He also speculates that the Phils would send both Lieber and Rowand to San Diego for Mike Cameron or Terrmel Sledge. Now that’s one that "appears to make little sense."
Linebrink/Rowand Trade On Hold
Buster Olney mentioned a possible trade of Aaron Rowand to the Padres for a reliever back on January 26th. Turns out the targeted reliever for the Phils was indeed Scott Linebrink. However, any such deal is on hold until springtime. Kevin Towers would like to see how Terrmel Sledge looks in left and how the loss of Linebrink would affect San Diego’s bullpen.
I say, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I think a Sledge/Cruz platoon could outhit Rowand for a lesser cost. And is the difference in defense in left field that crucial? David Wells and Chris Young typically don’t go six innings; I’d rather retain one of the league’s better eighth-inning guys.
White Sox Keen On Rowand?
The Philadelphia Inquirer mentioned today that Aaron Rowand remains a favorite of White Sox management. According to the paper, the Sox are expected to try to sign him as a free agent after 2007. Of course, Kenny Williams and Pat Gillick seem to get along well these days, so a deal could be struck. On the other hand, Ryan Sweeney or Brian Anderson could be a solid center fielder by 2008 for the league minimum.
Two days ago, Buster Olney mentioned that the Padres were kicking around the idea of sending a reliever to Philly for Rowand.
Utley Gets Seven Year Extension
Chase Utley agreed to a seven-year, $85MM contract with the Phillies today. It buys out three arbitration years and keeps him a Phillie through 2013. The deal covers Utley’s age 28-34 seasons.
PECOTA compares him to the 1985 version of former Blue Jay Willie Upshaw. Upshaw was finished at 31, however. A few other comps on his list include Ryne Sandberg, Lou Whitaker, and Alan Trammell. PECOTA only has the next five seasons projected, but it says Utley is worth $95 million over those seasons alone.
Jays Offered Rios For Myers, Billingsley
According to Ken Rosenthal’s latest column, the Blue Jays wanted either Brett Myers or Chad Billingsley plus Matt Kemp or Jonathan Broxton in return for right fielder Alex Rios. Both clubs are known for their current starting pitching surpluses; the Phils actually have the need for an outfielder.
Not too many teams are looking to unload an AL-East-ready starter, so the Jays might have to lower their expectations. Plenty of teams could make room for Rios as a right or center fielder.
Reds Acquire Jeff Conine
According to Marc Lancaster, the Reds have acquired 40 year-old outfielder Jeff Conine from the Phillies. I guess he was expendable given the Phils’ acquisition of Jayson Werth.
Conine is owed $2MM in 2007. He joins a crowded Reds outfield that already contains Adam Dunn, Chris Denorfia, Ken Griffey Jr., and Ryan Freel. Oh, and they have to fit Josh Hamilton in there all year if they want to keep him.
Perhaps Conine will team with Scott Hatteberg at first base and face lefties. Though Conine’s .269/.352/.419 line against southpaws the last three seasons doesn’t blow anyone away.
Phillies Close On Barajas
Excitement…the Phillies are close to signing 31 year-old catcher Rod Barajas. Rodrigo can’t get on base to save his life, but he’s shown above average power for his position in the past (though not last year).
Barajas was middle-of-the-pack at throwing out attempted thieves this year (33%). Last year he was seventh in baseball at 34%. He should be a worthy adversary for Jose Reyes.
Barajas backed out of a verbal agreement with the Blue Jays earlier this winter after switching back to Dan Lozano as his agent.
Phillies Sign Jayson Werth
According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies have signed Jayson Werth to a contract, pending a physical. The outfielder turns 28 in May; he was nontendered by the Dodgers.
Werth played in the Baltimore and Toronto systems before a trade to L.A. He plays all three outfield positions. He was actually a catcher with Baltimore and considered a backup at times in L.A. Perhaps the Phillies would pursue the idea once again.
He’s had plenty of injury problems: a strain in ’03, an oblique strain, two cracked ribs, and a torn elbow ligament in ’04, a broken wrist from an A.J. Burnett heater in ’05, a sore knee that same year, wrist surgery that winter, and a second wrist surgery last August. Whew.
Werth got Major League offers from the Cards and Padres as well this winter. He’ll join Pat Burrell, Aaron Rowand, Jeff Conine, and Shane Victorino in the Phillie outfield if healthy. The signing might add some flexibility for a trade.
Phillies Trade For Freddy Garcia
Ken Rosenthal reports that the Phillies have acquired starter Freddy Garcia for pitchers Gavin Floyd and Gio Gonzalez. Apparently the Sox wanted Gio back.
Now Pat Gillick has the surplus of starters, with Brett Myers, Cole Hamels, Jamie Moyer, Jon Lieber, Adam Eaton, and Garcia all under contract. Speculation is that Liebs will be dealt for an outfielder.
MLB.com reported today that the Phils are looking at various deals with the Brewers, possibly involving outfielders or bullpen help.