Discussion: What Late Additions Could Have Big Playoff Impact?
With the 2009 postseason picture nearly in place, it's time to identify some of the late-season pickups that can make a huge splash in this year's playoffs.
In 2002, the Angels may not have won the championship without the help of a young pitcher by the name of Francisco Rodriguez. Because of multiple injuries to their bullpen, the Angels called up the 22-year-old in mid-September. Rodriguez was able to pitch in just five regular season games for the club before being thrown into the postseason fire. The hard-throwing righty responded to the pressure beautifully, posting an ERA of 1.93 and fanning 28 batters in just 18.2 innings.
Here are some of the key late-season additions by playoff-bound squads:
- Scott Kazmir has posted an ERA of 1.73 since being acquired by the Angels in late August. The 25-year-old southpaw is slated to start the third game of the ALDS against Boston.
- The Yankees acquired pitcher Chad Gaudin from the Padres in August. Gaudin proved to be a valuable addition as he posted a 3.43 ERA in 42 IP as both a reliever and a starter. If Gaudin makes the playoff roster, it will be as a reliever. Along with deadline acquisition Jerry Hairston Jr., Gaudin will have to wait until Wednesday for confirmation that he will be on the postseason roster.
- When the Cardinals claimed John Smoltz off of waivers in August, no one was sure if the future-hall-of-famer had much to offer after an unsuccessful stint in Boston in which he posted an ERA over 8. However, Smoltz appears to be turning things around in St. Louis as he has posted a 4.26 ERA, 2.1 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in seven starts for the NL Central division champs.
- Alex Gonzalez has given a boost to the Red Sox after coming over from Cincinnati in an August trade, as he has played well in the field while posting a slash line of .285/.318/.438 in 43 games.
- Jason Giambi has thrived in his new role as a pinch hitter for the Rockies, who signed the slugger on August 23rd. In 18 games with Colorado, Giambi hit .350/.519/.700. It's safe to say that this year's NL wild-card winners will carry Giambi on the playoff roster.
- The Dodgers acquired pitcher Jon Garland via an intra-divisional trade on August 31st. Prior to that, they signed Rangers-castoff Vincente Padilla to fill-in for Hiroki Kuroda after a comebacker to the mound took him out of action. It is probable that both Padilla and Garland will find themselves on the Dodgers' playoff roster. One or both could land themselves a start in the NLDS with Kuroda shelved once-again – this time to recover from a neck injury.
- Speaking of the Dodgers, late-season acquisitions Jim Thome and Ronnie Belliard should find themselves on the playoff roster.
What other playoff-bound players added to the big league roster after the trade deadline could be poised to have a memorable postseason?
Padres Take Cash For Gaudin
Corey Brock at MLB.com reports that the Padres will receive cash in return for pitcher Chad Gaudin, who was traded to the Yankees August 7. The sum the Padres will receive is "believed to be" $100,000, according to Brock.
The deal was initially reported to be for a player to be named later. As it turns out, the Padres had until September 1 to decide between a PTBNL and cash considerations.
Odds And Ends: Wagner, Red Sox, Scherzer
An assortment of links to get the day started…
- Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News hears that one AL contender has at least some interest in adding Billy Wagner for the stretch run. The lefty makes $10.5MM this year and has a $1MM buyout for 2010, so Wagner seems likely to clear waivers.
- Rubin says the Mets won't likely offer Wagner or Carlos Delgado arbitration after the season.
- As Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports, Max Scherzer uses some pretty advanced stats to judge his performances.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the Yanks and Padres almost completed the Chad Gaudin trade before the deadline. When Kenny Williams called about the Jake Peavy deal, Towers had to ignore Cashman, but the teams struck a deal in the end.
- Danny Knobler of CBS Sports says one look at John Smoltz's face suggests he may be done.
- Yahoo's Gordon Edes says Smoltz looked like a "pitcher turned pinata" last night.
- Sam Donnellon of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. looks pretty smart right now.
Yanks Acquire Chad Gaudin
11:27pm: Peter Abraham of the LoHud Journal reminds us that the Cubs released Gaudin in April, so they're on the hook for all but the pro-rated league minimum. Surely the Cubs wish they'd non-tendered Gaudin, but perhaps they needed the spring to decide. – Tim Dierkes
9:31: Kepner tweets that the "plan is for Gaudin to start off in the bullpen."
9:17: Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets that the Yankees "owe roughly $650K to Gaudin the rest of the year."
9:07: Tyler Kepner of the New York Times is reporting on Twitter that the Yankees have acquired RHP Chad Gaudin from the Padres for a player to be named later.
Gaudin signed a minor league deal with the Padres in April. He is 4-10 this year with a 5.13 ERA, but he is averaging a strikeout per inning and his FIP is at 3.68.
Towers Speaks About Possible Moves
Padres GM Kevin Towers spoke with Darren Smith of 1090 XX Sports Radio earlier today, touching on a variety of Padre related topics. You can download and listen to the interview by clicking here, but here's a roundup of the rumors…
- Towers said he expects to get calls from contending teams about his "experienced players," mentioning David Eckstein, Brian Giles, Henry Blanco, Kevin Correia, Chad Gaudin, Cla Meredith and Mike Adams by name.
- He also said it's doubtful that the team would take on salary in a deadline deal, but they might be able to during the offseason.
- Depending on how he comes back from injury, there may be interest in Giles. Towers said it's doubtful anything happens before the deadline, but a waiver trade could be made in August. Giles, of course, has a full no-trade clause.
- When asked why he wouldn't trade Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell before the deadline to bring back as much talent as possible, Towers said "it's not to say we won't." He then mentions that they first need to determine what young players they're committed to keeping here and what they need to bring in from outside the organization, but if someone approaches them about one of those guys "they need to listen."
Padres Will Solve Pitching Problem From Within
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres will promote right-hander Chad Gaudin before Monday's game for a start on Tuesday against the Rockies.
According to Brock, Padres GM Kevin Towers said Sunday that he will not seek to acquire pitching help in a trade.
The Padres have been hit hard by injuries to their rotation, placing three starters on the disabled list in the last month. Cha Seung Baek and Walter Silva have strained forearms, and Shawn Hill was moved to the DL after leaving a game with inflammation in his elbow.
Odds & Ends: Wells, Gaudin, Projections
Links for Monday…
- Ken Kadokura, briefly with the Cubs, is headed to Korea according to NPB Tracker.
- Jill Painter of the L.A. Daily News has Frank McCourt's unrevealing comments about Ned Colletti's future.
- Baseball America's Matt Eddy has the latest minor league transactions, including plenty of releases.
- The AP reports that David Wells has signed a multiyear deal as a TBS analyst.
- We snagged a mention in ESPN The Magazine, due to our sponsorship of Matt Holliday's Baseball-Reference page.
- Chad Gaudin told MLB.com's Sandy Burgin "as many as 11 teams" made inquiries before he signed with the Padres. He signed with San Diego for the opportunity to be a starting pitcher.
- Matt Swartz of Statistically Speaking finds the strengths and weaknesses of various projection systems.
- Admit it…you're starting to panic about certain members of your fantasy team.
Gaudin, Padres Agree To Minor League Deal
Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres have signed right-hander Chad Gaudin to a minor league deal.
He'll head to San Diego on Sunday for the official signing and a bullpen session. The Padres are only required to pay $400K of the $2MM he's owed for 2009, with the Cubs picking up the rest of the tab. Gaudin went 2-1 with a 10.26 ERA this spring, but he might just find a spot in the Friars' bullpen once he works through whatever was plaguing him during camp.
Nationals Sign Ron Villone
According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals signed lefty Ron Villone to a minor league deal. Villone is fourth on the depth chart in terms of southpaw relievers; he'll report to Triple A. He wasn't able to stick with the Mets earlier this spring.
Ladson adds that the Nats are in on free agent Chad Gaudin, but only for a minor league deal.
Rockies Eyeing Chad Gaudin
10:04pm: Ringolsby has a source saying Gaudin is leaning toward the Rockies, as he'd like to be a starter. He may be willing to spend some time in Triple A as part of the process. Ringolsby says the A's and Padres have interest in Gaudin as a reliever.
WEDNESDAY, 2:54pm: Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies' interest level in Gaudin changed when they acquired Jason Hammel. Still, they'd like to add him to the Triple A club. Gaudin's agent Larry Reynolds said, "We have a lot of teams calling so we are taking a step back."
TUESDAY: According to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies, pitcher Chad Gaudin cleared waivers. That means that the Cubs will be on the hook for $1.6MM of Gaudin's $2MM salary. The Rockies remain interested; Ringolsby says they'd like to sign Gaudin to a minor league deal and send him to Triple A. Ringolsby adds:
Word is that at least two other teams are talking with Gaudin, offering him a big-league job but it would be as a middle reliever.
The Cubs tendered Gaudin that $2MM contract in December, but changed course this month and released him after seeing him in Spring Training. Gaudin injured his back last summer after slipping off a curb and smacking into a dumpster. It seems that the injury has affected him since then.