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Alfonso Soriano

Nats’ Soriano Demands Revealed

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According to Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press, the Nationals want three good prospects in return for Alfonso Soriano.  As much as critics panned it, you have to admit that Jim Bowden is sitting pretty after his Wilkerson/Soriano deal.

23 year-old Tigers prospect Humberto Sanchez would apparently be the centerpiece of the deal.  Sanchez dominated Double A for 11 starts this year before earning a promotion.  Sanchez has been far more hittable in Triple A, and his strikeout rate slipped quite a bit.  Still, it was an aggressive promotion.  Sanchez’s stuff is described as "a shade behind Verlander’s and Zumaya’s" when he’s at his best, according to Baseball America.  They project him as a "solid, middle of the rotation starter."

Brent Clevlen was actually ranked higher than Sanchez coming into this season. The 23 year-old rightfielder has good raw power but is hitting just .223/.303/.343 in 89 Double A games.  Jair Jurrjens of Curacao is just 20 years old.  He was promoted to Double A in June after 12 dominant starts, and his success has with a 2.78 ERA despite a 1.39 WHIP in 32 innings.

We know that the Angels are unlikely to part with their big-name prospects.  The Yankees will need to surrender Philip Hughes and more.  The Mariners are a dark horse, with players like Adam Jones, Chris Snelling, and Rafael Soriano likely to be desired.

Angels Trade Rumors: Alfonso Soriano and More

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I spoke to my Angels source recently, and he had all sorts of good info about the team.

A recent hot surge has landed the Halos just two games out in the AL West.  Because of this, GM Bill Stoneman is upping his demands and won’t cave in and send any of his future stars to the Nationals for Alfonso Soriano.  The Angels are pleased with 28 year-old Juan Rivera and think he’s developing into a big bat in his own right.  Rivera is hitting .277/.337/.505 on the season and has had a blistering July.  Baseball Prospectus considers him most similar to Lou Piniella at the same age, though Rivera has more power.

Most of the Angels’ top prospects are untouchable: Nick Adenhart, Jose Arredondo, Howie Kendrick, Joe Saunders, and Brandon Wood won’t be moved (click their names to view their minor league stats this season).  A couple of excellent young players who could be used in trades this month or in the offseason: Jeff Mathis and Erick Aybar.  Aybar’s big league showcase didn’t generate the interest Stoneman wanted, and a Mathis became expendable with the emergence of Mike Napoli.

Some other players who have a good chance of being dealt are Brendan Donnelly, J.C. Romero, and Dallas McPherson.  On McPherson, my source says he "would’ve been the centerpiece of a Soriano trade had he not been hurt."  Mathis, Aybar, and McPherson will bring a fine bounty eventually, whereas the two relievers will be used more to acquire spare parts.

Latest Mets/Soriano Rumor

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A source of mine reports some info concerning the Mets’ interest in Alfonso Soriano:

The Mets do want Soriano, but they’ll only make a deal if the Nats will accept Kaz Matsui.  The Nats would use Matsui at shortstop and would also receive Victor Diaz.

Matsui will be out until mid-April with a sprained knee ligament.  He last played shortstop in 2004, appearing in 110 games there.

This morning, Soriano plans to announce whether he’s willing to play left field for the Nationals.  The fact that he’s even considering it leads me to believe that he will play out there.  Soriano refused to play LF on Monday and would likely be placed on the disqualified list if he refuses again.  He’d lose his salary and right to become a free agent after 2006 in that case. I’m pretty sure his agent is going to advise that he gives in.  Still, he may still be a trade candidate if he’s enormously unhappy with the Nationals. 

Another note from the MLB.com article: it looks like Jon Daniels pulled one over on Jim Bowden.

"Texas denied Washington permission to talk to Soriano about a switch from second base to left field until the players took their physicals and the trade was official."

Diaz may start the season in Triple A, as Xavier Nady is the heavy favorite for right field for the Mets.

Cards Sour On Anthony Reyes?

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The fine Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos pieces together the latest info about hotshot pitching prospect Anthony Reyes.  Sidney Ponson has won the fifth starter competition, and Reyes will be optioned to Memphis soon.

Furthermore, Larry gets the impression that the organization is not committed to Reyes and is priming things for a trade.  Even with a less than stellar spring, Reyes’s stock is high coming off a 3.64 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in Triple A last year.  He’s a 24 year-old Major League-ready starting pitcher with #2 starter potential within a year or two.  How many of those are floating around?  If he can even manage league-average pitching and stay healthy, he’d provide incredible bang for the buck.

Now, it’s possible the Cards truly just want Reyes to work on his sinker and start regularly before a permanent May callup.  As was pointed out at Viva, payroll concerns for next year indicate that the club should retain Reyes.

But who doesn’t love trade speculation?  A favorite over at Viva El Birdos is a Reyes for Carlos Quentin swap.  The D’Backs need young starters, the Cards need a quality left fielder – that’s the idea.  That’s probably just wishful thinking, as stud prospects are typically not dealt for each other.

Let’s consider a few other possibilities.  Perhaps Jocketty sends Reyes to Washington for Alfonso Soriano?  No doubt Bowden would pull the trigger on that one (or at least I hope he would) but Jocketty can probably do better.  Reyes could be used as some sort of Miguel Cabrera package, as the Cards are known to have expressed interest.

As for a more down-to-Earth Reyes trade, we turn to a post from early March.  A few names the Cardinals might go for include Luis Gonzalez, Kevin Mench, and Craig Wilson.   

Soriano for Griffey Deal In The Works?

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It’s always fun to find trade rumors in Spanish newspapers.  El Nuevo Dia’s latest discusses an Alfonso Soriano for Ken Griffey Jr. trade that is cooking up.  The following is a rough translation (hat tip to Mariloren on the translation!):

The Reds and Nationals have been negotiating the Soriano for Griffey trade over the last few days.  Soriano refused comment when approached by the newspaper.  Details are the proposed transaction are still unknown.  If traded to the Nationals, Griffey would be reunited with former Reds GM Jim Bowden. 

My own commentary: I think the Reds would be the winners in this one.  Griffey is still on the hook for $41.5MM over the next three seasons.  Even if the Reds pick up a third of the cost, they probably come out ahead.  Soriano is a clear upgrade over the current choice to play second base, Tony Womack.  Of course, Ryan Freel might be better than both second basemen, but the Reds seem intent on using him in a supersub role. 

Despite subpar defense for a center fielder, the Nats would surely play Griffey out there.  The loser in the deal would probably be Ryan Church, who could be dealt if Jose Guillen proves healthy.

In other news from the article, Juan Gonzalez is still hungry to return to the Majors and try to reach 500 home runs.

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Cubs Still Looking At Soriano?

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An emailer tells me that AM 670 The Score in Chicago reported yesterday that the Cubs are looking at Alfonso Soriano again.  They’re hoping that Brian Dopirak or Brandon Sing put up big numbers in Spring Training to boost their trade value.  There’s nothing on Score reporter George Ofman’s blog to this effect yet.

Currently, Dopirak is 5 for 9 with two home runs this spring.  Sing is 4 for 7 with two homers.  Logically, the trade rumor makes some sense for the Nationals.  Nick Johnson is an impending free agent, so it’d be nice to have some depth at first base in a barren farm system.  Dopirak took a step backward in high A ball last year, hitting .235/.289/.381 in 507 ABs.  He’s 22 years old.  Sing is 25 and was left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft this year after hitting .276/.404/.538 in Double A.

In Soriano, the Cubs would be adding their fourth second baseman.  Soriano has a career line of .280/.320/.500 for New York and Texas.  He’s 28 and will be a free agent after 2006.

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Unfounded Soriano Mets Rumor

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Alright, here’s a new one.  I can’t really verify the source, but it still seems ripe for discussion.

Word is that the Mets could send Xavier Nady, John Maine, and Jeff Keppinger to the Nationals for Alfonso Soriano, Bill Bray, and Jason Bergmann.  Let’s discuss.

Could the Mets do without Nady?  Absolutely.  Wright doesn’t need much time off, and Franco can spell Delgado.  I’m of the opinion that Victor Diaz does not need a platoon partner in right field.  Nady would be more useful for Washington.  He could handle right field for three months while Jose Guillen is out, and Matt LeCroy could spend more time backing up Brian Schneider than Nick Johnson.  Plus, Nady could take over first base in 2007 if Johnson leaves via free agency.

I’m not sure that John Maine figures into the Mets’ rotation plans.  He didn’t make their depth chart, which goes eight-deep on starting pitchers.  Maine already has Triple A experience and could probably manage a mid-4 ERA pitching half his games in RFK.  That’d be a more adequate replacement for Brian Lawrence than some sort of Drese/Rauch experiment.

Jeff Keppinger has most certainly been passed by Anderson Hernandez on the Mets’ 2B depth chart, and so the Mets wouldn’t really need him even if they let Soriano walk after 2006.  Keppinger is probably best served as a utility man anyway, and he’d get a decent opportunity backing up Jose Vidro.  Brendan Harris might already fill this role for the Nats, but he’s no sure thing.

To recap:  the Nationals would receive a borderline backup in Nady, a back-rotation starter in Maine, and a utility infielder in Keppinger.  It’s quantity over quality, but Bowden is between a rock and a hard place here with Soriano.

Speaking of which, Soriano would fit nicely into the Latino core Omar Minaya is building.  I don’t know whether the Mets would try to keep him long-term, but even a player with his flaws is a good pickup for the cost outlined here.

College product Bill Bray isn’t too far off from being a Major League setup man.  I’m not so sure Bowden would need to give him up in this deal.  It seems to tip the scales too far towards the Mets.

Likewise with Bergmann, who had a nice year last year and figured to slot into the Nats’ big league bullpen.  That’s two valuable relievers going to New York, and it seems like too much.

Admittedly the Nationals are giving up a lot of value for some questionable prospects.  On the other hand, Bowden’s trade for Soriano is Exhibit A that he is capable of making trades that do not favor the his team at all.

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Alfonso Soriano Trade Possibilities

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Ken Rosenthal’s latest article mentions that a trade of Alfonso Soriano could happen, but Nationals are more likely to offer Soriano a long-term deal to convince him to become an outfielder.  I don’t doubt Rosenthal, but let’s take a look at some possible suitors for the second baseman.  I’ll assume that a trade signifies no position change.

First off, let’s narrow the field by looking at which teams lack an established 2B.

Blue Jays – Looks like Aaron Hill is the man at second base for 2006, and he’s a fairly solid hitter already.  Plus, Soriano probably isn’t Ricciardi’s type of player.

Mariners – Jose Lopez will get the nod entering this season, and he slugged .505 during a couple of stints at Triple A.  Giving him a full-time shot makes way more sense than trading for Soriano.

Marlins – Obviously the Fish aren’t dealing for Sori.

Mets – The Mets have made all sorts of splashes this winter, and adding a 2B isn’t top priority.  They’d like to cut their losses with Matsui, but Jeff Keppinger and Anderson Hernandez are viable in-house candidates.

Cubs – The Cubs have a three-headed monster at second base, and Soriano probably doesn’t fit into the budget at $12MM+ over several years.  The Cubs have a tradition of free swinging, and I could see Hendry trying this for 2006 if A)The Nationals win their arbitration case and/or eat some salary and B)the price is low.

Cardinals – St. Louis seems content with a battle between Junior Spivey and Aaron Miles for the 2B job.  Plus, Soriano doesn’t seem like the typical St. Louis team player. 

Padres – They’re going to let Mark Bellhorn, Eric Young, and Josh Barfield have a crack at 2B.  Plus, I can’t see how Soriano would fit into the budget.

Of course, the Nationals already had an established 2B when they traded for Soriano, so maybe this isn’t the best guide.  Rosenthal’s suggestion that Soriano will stay put is entirely logical once you break down the potential trade partners.  If a deal was struck, it’d mostly be a salary dump and I think the only teams with mild interest would be the Cubs and Mets.  Just my opinion. 

Phil Rogers On Burnitz

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Some interesting items for Cubs fans in Phil Rogers’s column today.

Rogers calls the Cubs’ decision not to exercise Jeromy Burnitz’s $7MM option a gaffe.  He points out that Jacque Jones is basically Burnitz’s equal in right field.  That’s true, even when you take fielding into account.  In my opinion, letting Burnitz go was a smart move.  However, signing Jones for three years is a poor way to solve fill the vacancy.  At least, that’s been my stance on this site. 

But after perusing the right fielder rankings from 2005, I had to ask myself:  what alternative would I have proposed as Cubs GM?  Nobody ranked above Jones/Burnitz was ever really available, at least not for a reasonable price.  Looked at in that way, Rogers is right.  Better to have one year of Burnitz and see if Felix Pie is ready in 2007.  However, given the almighty power as Cubs GM, I would’ve traded for Craig Wilson and stuck him in right. 

Rogers also weighs in on the Tejada trade possibility:

"If Hendry really will give up Mark Prior or Carlos Zambrano—and he would be nuts to deal Prior—there’s a deal to be made. The Orioles should soon realize that."

There’s been pages of debate on this site, but I think Hendry would be truly nuts to trade Zambrano.  Z is just 24 and has quietly become one of the best starting pitchers in baseball.  If he ever gets a handle on his walks, he’d be downright dominant.

Finally, Rogers mentions Alfonso Soriano as a trade possibility.  I shudder at the thought.  Remember when Hendry mandated the callups of Matt Murton and Adam Greenberg?  It seemed like he was forcing some OBP guys onto Dusty Baker and that was that.  I thought the organization had turned a corner and embraced on-base percentage.

Buzz Around The Game

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Let’s see what we’ve got going on today in a potpourri-style format.

As predicted, Eric Byrnes was non-tendered last night.  I can’t possibly think of a better way for the Cubs to turn the Jacque Jones signing into a positive.  If you sum up Byrnes and Jones’ salaries, you’ll be getting solid stats from RF for the price.  Assuming Dusty Baker understands what a platoon is and how all that works. 

Of course, it’s probably one more roster spot than the Cubs wanted to use on this type of thing since they already have John Mabry.  But Mabry can back up Aramis Ramirez, and the Cubs can carry one less pitcher and make it work.  I put a word in to a Cubs source of mine, and he agreed that the idea makes sense (who wouldn’t agree) and mentioned that the Cubs have liked Byrnes in the past. 

UPDATE: Just talked to a second Cubs source, and he echoed the sentiment held by many readers of the site: Hendry didn’t give Jones $16MM to platoon him.  He’s a full-timer for the most part.

Kirby Arnold reports that the Mariners offered Gil Meche to the Cubs for Corey Patterson.  At first, I said, "Sure, why not."  But then I looked at Meche’s numbers,  and I realized there’s no way he can help the ballclub.  When a pitcher loses his ability to strike batters out, as Meche may have, he has to counter the increased hits he’s surrendering with good control.  Or the ability to keep the ball in the park.  Meche appears to have none of these traits, and would be a frustrating spot starter who would allow tons of baserunners. I might rather have Josh Fogg at this point.  There’s got to be something slightly better out there for the Cubs.

Alfonso Soriano won’t move off second base for the Nationals and is pretty much raising a stink about being dealt to Washington.  Let’s see here, are there any teams with GMs dumber than Jim Bowden who might make a trade for Sori?  Dan O’Brien’s club doesn’t have a need for a 2B; Placido Polanco is firmly entrenched in Detroit…maybe Littlefield is interested?

Is Millwood really getting a five year deal from someone?  Insane.  Incredible timing to have your 2.86 ERA season.  Best timing award for the NL: Todd Jones.

My Mets guy is saying the club is still talking to the Dodgers about Jeff Kent, but right now it’s a "pipe dream."  Doesn’t seem like the two teams will agree on anything.  The Mets still have some faith in Victor Zambrano (or maybe they’re just trying to save face), but Omar feels that after adding Julian Tavarez his bullpen will be pretty much set.

The Mariners seem desperate to get rid of Jeremy Reed after pushing hard to obtain him for Freddy Garcia.  I guess they don’t understand that center fielders are hard to find and Reed will get better.  After the masterstroke that was the Johjima signing, Bill Bavasi has taken a step backward with Jarrod Washburn.

   

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