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Braves Want Young Impact Pitcher For Salty

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Back on June 24th, Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentioned that the Pirates inquired as to the availability of catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  At that point the required bounty was thought to be a frontline starting pitcher like Mark Buehrle.

Today, Kovacevic clarifies: the Braves want an impact-caliber young pitcher.  That makes sense.  The Pirates have a couple of those: Tom Gorzelanny and Ian Snell.  They’d have to give one up to get Salty.  Such a trade would be excellent for Atlanta but wouldn’t really seem to move the Pirates forward.

While shaky in terms of confirmation, we do have one report that indicates the Pirates could trade Snell this month.  Snell is 25, healthy, and a long ways from free agency.  He’s been the eighth best pitcher in the National League this year according to VORP.  Better than Roy Oswalt, Brandon Webb, Carlos Zambrano, or Cole Hamels.  It’s been quite a breakout season for Snell, and he’s improved his efficiency greatly.  He averaged 5.81 innings per start in ’06 and increased that all the way to 6.76 per start this year.

Salomon Torres Requests Trade

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Pirates reliever Salomon Torres believes Dave Littlefield tricked him during their contract talks in April of 2006.  Torres did not use an agent.  To hear him tell it, he had a verbal agreement with Littlefield that the Pirates would pay to rent one of Torres’s baseball academies in the Dominican Republic.  That never happened, so Torres filed a grievance.

Now Torres feels that because of the grievance, he is being punished by the Bucs by means of a longer-than-necessary rehab assignment for his elbow.  He’s fed up with the team and would like to be traded.

Torres has about $1.3MM left on his contract this year and $3.2MM for ’08.  His deal also has a $3.75MM club option for ’09 with a $300K buyout attached.  Torres can earn another $900K in incentives. 

Torres is now 35, and he logged a whopping 280 relief innings during 2004-06.  He’d be a fairly risky acquisition.   However, with some of the silly reliever deals handed out this offseason, he’s still got trade value.   

Mets Considering Paulino For 2008?

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According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets’ front office has never been thrilled with catcher Paul Lo Duca.  Rubin recalls their pursuit of Bengie Molina and Ramon Hernandez a couple of offseasons ago before abruptly trading for Lo Duca.  Rubin says the Mets are already laying the groundwork for an offseason trade for Pirates’ catcher Ronny Paulino.  Lo Duca would like to remain a Met, but the team doesn’t appear interested.

Paulino, 26, had a fine rookie season for the Bucs in 2006.  He hit .310/.360/.394 and threw out 36.2% of baserunners with improving mechanics behind the plate.  He’s been effective against the running game again this year with 38.5% caught stealing.  However, the bottom dropped out on his offensive line, which is not a shock since it was supported mostly by batting average.  Paulino’s statistical profile is actually quite similar to that of Ramon Hernandez, so there is definitely hope for him.  I’m not sure why the Pirates would give him up, though a Jarrod Saltalamacchia acquisition would be a good reason. 

The Orioles could possibly put Hernandez on the market, should they prefer to escape the $15MM+ he’s owed for 2008-09.  Jorge Posada will probably re-sign with the Yankees, and the Tigers are likely to exercise Ivan Rodriguez’s option.  That leaves Michael Barrett, Jason Kendall, and Brad Ausmus as the free agent possibilities.  The Mets could also turn to internal option Ramon Castro. 

Pirates Inquire On Saltalamacchia

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According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have inquired regarding the availability of Braves catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia. 

Kovacevic says the Braves want frontline pitching for Salty (ie, Mark Buehrle).  This makes a deal unlikely for the Bucs.  What would John Schuerholz want from the Pirates?  I can’t see how it would get done without Ian Snell or Tom Gorzelanny included.  A trade of either would be shocking.  Kovacevic mentions that multiple teams have an eye on Zach Duke, but he’s not comparable to the aforementioned pair.

Rosenthal’s Latest

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Ken Rosenthal has a new column up.  A summary appears below.

  • Rosenthal thinks the Tigers are unlikely to acquire Eric Gagne or Akinori Otsuka, perhaps preferring to look at internal options.  That’s a shame, as I think they really need to add someone.
  • The White Sox won’t be granting a 72 hour negotiating window if they trade Mark Buehrle.  Strictly a rental.  That could limit the market for him, but Kenny Williams will come up with at least one quality prospect.
  • The Dodgers don’t seem likely to trade for Adam Dunn or Jermaine Dye, but could go after Mark Teixeira.  Dye seems most likely to end up in the NL West somehow, but only if he is healthy and hitting.
  • Possible Dontrelle Willis suitors: the Rockies or Diamondbacks.  They’ve got the young trading chips, and the need in the present day.  The Rox could offer Aaron Cook plus prospects, and the D’Backs could try Livan Hernandez and youngsters.  If the D’Backs dare offer up Justin Upton, the Marlins would jump.  Of course, D-Train needs to be healthy and the Marlins would need to fall out of contention.
  • Barry Bonds’s agent really doesn’t see a trade happening.  Well, no one does, but it’s fun to speculate.  Rosenthal thinks only the Yankees could accomodate him.
  • Aside from the Pirates and Padres, the Astros, Cardinals, and Rangers could go after Milton Bradley. 
  • Rosenthal has a GM source who thinks the Reds could wait until this winter, exercise Adam Dunn’s $13MM option for ’08, and then trade him.  Dunn, however, would gain no-trade protection until June 15, 2008 and then be able to block 10 teams thereafter.
  • Troy Glaus isn’t going anywhere.  Even if the Jays wanted to trade him, his contract is prohibitive.
  • The Indians or Rockies could trade for Octavio Dotel for bullpen depth.  Dotel is developing into a fine trading chip for Dayton Moore, just as planned.  The Tribe has had interest in Dotel in past offseasons. 

Possible Milton Bradley Suitors

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Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle mentions several potential suitors for Milton Bradley in today’s column.  She names the Padres and Pirates as possibilities, citing connections to Paul DePodesta and Jim Tracy.  Additionally, Slusser quotes Billy Beane in saying that he worked on a Bradley trade within the past three weeks but it fell through.

The Pirates, as a noncontender, really don’t need to be picking up impending free agents.  There’s just no reason for it.  They need to give as much playing time to young players as possible.

The Padres, though, make a fine fit.  Bradley could help them in all three outfield spots, when healthy.  John Perrotto confirms interest from both teams. 

Meanwhile, the Mets will apparently pass because of Bradley’s baggage.  Bradley, though, had a relatively peaceful stay in Oakland. 

Healey’s Latest

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Mark Healey at Gotham Baseball has long been a solid, underappreciated source of inside information.  He’s got another Rumor Mill up at his site.  My summary follows.

  • The Yankees have an eye on big-name 1Bs like Mark Teixeira and Todd Helton.  But more realistically, they’re looking at Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena.  He’s got the defense, so even if he regresses to a 20 HR bat it’s a nice pickup.  Healey’s source believes Tyler Clippard is too much but the Rays like Sean Henn.  The Yanks have also inquired about the versatile Ty Wigginton.
  • The Reds, Rockies, and others have been scouting the Yankees’ Double A Trenton affiliate.  Joba Chamberlain, Ian Kennedy, and Brett Gardner are probably the most desirable players on that roster.  Gotham Baseball has previously connected the Yankees to Brian Fuentes and David Weathers.  Another reliever the Yankees like is Chad Bradford, though the O’s price may be too high.
  • Gotham quotes an NL scout who doesn’t believe the Mets will acquire a starter by trading Lastings Milledge, Carlos Gomez, or Fernando Martinez.  That scout believes the return of Pedro will supply the needed boost.  Personally, I can see Milledge going.
  • Some former Mets on the radar: Brady Clark, Jay Payton, and David Weathers.
  • Healey says the Mets sent scouts to look at Randy Winn this weekend.  They must not be pleased with Moises Alou’s progress.  As I mentioned earlier, Winn is signed through 2009.  He has a full no-trade clause this year.  For 2008-09 he can block deals to ten teams.
  • The Pirates have some vets to trade, and have contacted the Mets regarding Shawn Chacon and Damaso Marte.  Marte is quietly having a fine season with a 1.21 ERA and 1.03 WHIP.  Marte earns $2.45MM this year, and $2MM in ’08 with an odd $6MM club option for 2009.  He can also earn incentives based on games finished.

Could Bucs Trade Jack Wilson?

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The Pirates have benched shortstop Jack Wilson in favor of Jose Castillo for the time being, and Pirate fans are quite pleased with the decision.  Wilson, 29, is signed through 2009.  Here’s his contract situation:

2007: $5.25MM
2008: $6.5MM
2009: $7.25MM
2010: $8.4MM club option with $0.6MM buyout
Limited no-trade clause: Wilson can block trades to six teams each season

Is Wilson a $7MM player?  He is if you really like his defense.  Yahoo’s Tim Brown spoke to a baseball man who seemed to think there would be interest in Wilson.  I don’t know.  His defense had better be really, really good to put up with a sub-.700 OPS.  Cesar Izturis could do that, and the Cubs probably won’t exercise his $5.45MM option for ’08.

I was going to list some possible suitors here but I can’t really think of any teams in need of an overpriced, all-glove/no-hit starting shortstop.

Craig Wilson Clears Waivers

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According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 1B/LF Craig Wilson has cleared waivers and become a free agent.  The 30 year-old can be had for the Major League minimum.  Some have speculated he might return to Pittsburgh, but so far the team hasn’t contacted Wilson’s agent.

The Orioles had interest in Wilson last winter, though the Aubrey Huff signing probably quashed that.  I could see the Padres getting involved, as they have expressed interest in the past.

Baseball Prospectus projected a mildly useful .256/.339/.476 from Wilson for 2007, but he was awful for the Braves at .172/.304/.259 in 58 ABs.  Based on his BP comparables, Wilson can go in one of two directions to finish out his career: Pete Incaviglia or Glenallen Hill.  Hill at least built a nice post-30 career as a 250-350 AB guy with good pop.  I’ll never forget some of the home runs Hill hit at Wrigley…click here to read some amusing trivia on him.

Mets Don’t Want Castillo

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Though he and others have suggested a good fit, today Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette writes that the Mets are not interested in Pirate utility man Jose Castillo.  Castillo recently requested a trade.

When you think about it, why would they be interested? Castillo hasn’t done anything in the Majors outside of May 2006, and he may have a bit of an attitude problem.  Damion Easley, on the other hand, has five homers in 56 ABs.  True, he won’t slug .571 all year, but he’s every bit as good as Castillo and he’s already on the team.  The Mets don’t need a second baseman.  They have the best offense in the National League.  I’m not sure the Mets need much of anything.

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