Mets Rumors: Eckstein, Dotel
Let’s catch up with the Mets, who are moving on to other needs now that they’ve settled their catching situation.
- MetsBlog’s Matthew Cerrone says the Mets have some interest in David Eckstein as a second base option, and may meet with him soon to wine and dine him. Eckstein might be the backup option to Luis Castillo. I’ve said all along, I don’t get why Eckstein would market himself as a second baseman. As a shortstop he stands to get $21MM over three years; as a second baseman he doesnt.
- Ben Shpigel of the New York Times adds that the Mets would love to trade for Orlando Hudson but might need to save their top prospects to trade for starting pitching. Shpigel says the Mets have inquired with Octavio Dotel‘s agent. Dotel came up as a starter with the Mets, debuting in 1999. He was dealt to the Astros soon after in a package for Derek Bell and Mike Hampton.
Cardinals Interested In Silva, Lohse
Joe Strauss has the latest regarding the Cardinals’ pursuit for starting pitching. The team is interested in free agents Carlos Silva and Kyle Lohse. Matthew Leach recently quoted John Mozeliak as searching for a starter with some upside, so maybe the Cards favor Lohse. They’d have to tangle with Scott Boras to get him – I’ve heard some speculate that Lohse could get a Gil Meche 5/55 deal.
Strauss’s article also mentions that the Cards are exploring options besides David Eckstein for shortstop. They’ve recently been linked to Cesar Izturis. Maybe the Cardinals could try to get a shortstop in return for Scott Rolen, someone like Erick Aybar or Rafael Furcal. Derrick Goold recently had a nice breakdown of the available shortstop options.
Finally, Strauss’s report adds that Mozeliak "downplayed any interest in Barry Bonds." It might be tough to fit both Chris Duncan and Bonds into the outfield.
Padres Rumors: Crisp, Pie, Andruw, Eckstein
Tom Krasovic continues to set the standard for Padres inside information. Today’s column is especially delicious for rumor junkies, with tons of new material to chew on.
- Kevin Towers expects to fill his center field vacancy via trade. He may first want to wait to see if Mike Cameron accepts the team’s upcoming offer of arbitration. Cameron is a Type B free agent. Remember that he will be limited to 137 games in ’07.
- As for trade candidates, Coco Crisp is on the radar but the Padres smartly won’t part with Chase Headley.
- Krasovic notes that Bud Black’s connection with Angels manager Mike Scioscia could play a role now that Trader Bill Stoneman isn’t the GM. Reggie Willits or Nathan Haynes might be in play for the Padres.
- The Padres really seem to like Felix Pie, and could re-open talks that would include Khalil Greene. They’ve asked about Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Brewers in the past. And it does sound like the Royals are willing to talk about David DeJesus.
- Sounds like the Padres will offer Andruw Jones $14-16MM on a one-year contract. Scott Boras hasn’t seemed open to this with Jones, but time will tell.
- The Tigers will have competition from the Padres for Geoff Jenkins. Krasovic envisions a Jenkins/Scott Hairston platoon in left and expects the Friars to make an offer.
- Two starters will be acquired even after Greg Maddux is retained. Rehabbing former Mark Prior and Matt Clement would both like to play in San Diego. There has to be some sort of cosmic rule about having three ex-Cubs in the rotation. That is not recommended. Plus the Padres were on Curt Schilling‘s list. And don’t forget the team’s previous trade interest in Josh Towers, who seems likely to be non-tendered and could be solid in PETCO.
- The Padres could pursue David Eckstein as a second baseman and leadoff man. But that would seemingly block Matt Antonelli for longer than necessary. Plus such a switch wouldn’t be in Eckstein’s best interests financially.
- Towers likes Jason Kendall, perhaps as a backup, but faces opposition in the organization.
- In another article, Towers lends credence to the theory that the Marlins could sign Alex Rodriguez.
Astros Hope To Sign Luis Castillo
According to Ken Rosenthal, the Astros are looking to inject some OBP into their leadoff spot by signing second baseman Luis Castillo. He adds that not many teams are looking to fill second base via free agency, so the Mets might be the only team battling for Castillo.
Rosenthal rates Kaz Matsui and David Eckstein as the best second base alternatives behind Castillo. The Rockies are prepared to offer a two-year deal to Matsui but will move on if he wants too much. They can’t be thinking about offering more than $8MM, wouldn’t you say? Rosenthal says Matsui is not on the Mets’ radar because, well, they already gave him a shot.
As for Eckstein – his best bet financially may be to market himself as a shortstop. His estimated take is $6-7MM over two or three years, a figure that would be deemed pricey for second base.
White Sox To Meet With Torii Hunter
According to Joe Cowley of the Sun-Times, White Sox GM Kenny Williams plans to meet with Torii Hunter next week. They can’t talk contract terms, but Williams will work to convince Torii that the South Side is the place to be. Apparently Hunter told a friend he was receptive to the Sox.
It seems that five years and $75MM is the minimum Hunter will accept, and the Sox seem prepared to do that. It’s a huge commitment for a guy coming off a career year. Plus, Hunter doesn’t contribute an above-average OBP, something the White Sox need. Aaron Rowand is the alternative if the Sox can’t sign Hunter. Though both are Type A free agents, Chicago’s #8 overall pick is protected.
Cowley adds that the possibility of signing David Eckstein has caused the White Sox to hold off on Juan Uribe‘s $5MM option. However Cowley’s source says the Sox will pick it up and use Uribe at second or third base if necessary. November 7th is the deadline for Uribe’s option.
Latest Cardinals Hot Stove: Antonetti, Eckstein, Maroth
Let’s take a look at what’s going on with the Cardinals.
- Viva El Birdos has a hunch that Chris Antonetti will be the team’s next GM.
- According to RotoWorld, the team has released Mike Maroth. The 30 year-old lefty was terrible with St. Louis, but will probably hook on somewhere for $2-3MM. He would’ve been non-tendered anyway.
- Interim GM John Mozeliak recently talked about his dealings with David Eckstein. No deal is imminent, and he may test the free agent waters. I don’t see the team going with Brendan Ryan, so look for some trade activity this winter if Eckstein departs.
Cards Hope To Re-Sign Eckstein
Last we’d heard, David Eckstein was expected to leave the Cardinals and sign with the White Sox, Tigers, or Mets. However, the Cards’ team spokesman said two days ago when Joel Pineiro was signed that John Mozeliak’s next order of business was to re-sign Eckstein.
Eckstein earned $4.5MM this season in the last year of his three-year deal. He turns 33 in January, and has averaged 120 games in the last two seasons. Eckstein has a solid career OBP of .351. There’s a great point-counterpoint over at Viva El Birdos about whether the Cards should re-sign him. Their best estimate is that he would earn about $6-7MM per year on a two or three-year deal. The Cards stand to net some solid draft picks if they let Eckstein walk in favor of Brendan Ryan or an external candidate.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Bonds, Nathan, Barrett
Ken Rosenthal has a new rumor column up. Feels like it’s been a while.
- Rosenthal thinks it’s a sign of desperation that the Angels would entertain signing Barry Bonds, who doesn’t fit in with their club. His OBP would fit in anywhere, but he would tie up the DH spot at the expense of Juan Rivera and Vladimir Guerrero.
- The Cubs are expected to bring Daryle Ward back at $1.2MM (makes sense) and Steve Trachsel at $4.75MM (questionable). Cubs fans can only hope Trachsel would be considered a tradeable asset, as Rosenthal opines. Rosenthal also quashes the idea of trading Aramis Ramirez, both because of his full no-trade clause and the team’s impending sale.
- David Eckstein is expected to leave the Cardinals, no big surprise. Rosenthal reiterates recent rumors connecting him to the White Sox, Tigers, and Mets.
- Rosenthal’s idea for Bill Smith and the Twins: keep Johan Santana this winter, and instead trade the $6MM super-closer Joe Nathan. Teams would line up for him, and Pat Neshek wouldn’t be a bad replacement.
- Do you think Michael Barrett could be a free agent bargain? Rosenthal talked to one exec who feels this way, and it is a good point if he can bounce back to .280/.350/.480 for five million bucks.
Should Mets Pursue Rowand, Eckstein?
When I first saw the subheading of Joel Sherman’s most recent column – "Mets Would Get Much-Needed Jolt From Rowand And Eckstein" – I had the knee-jerk stathead reaction. That is: Eckstein’s overrated, Rowand’s coming off a career year, and the grinder element either doesn’t exist or doesn’t add wins.
But Sherman doesn’t seem blind to the numbers and his plan to move Carlos Beltran to right field and use Eckstein at second base seems reasonable. Who am I to say that adding two guys who play with such enthusiasm wouldn’t have an intangible effect? Sometimes the pendulum swings too far the other way with stats people (I am guilty of this). Rowand and Eckstein are above average players, even if their attitudes earn them too much media extra credit. There are immeasurable but valuable traits in baseball.
Rowand might end up costing $60MM over five years at the high end. Eckstein, $10MM over two years. Should the Mets make this investment? Sherman’s plan also calls for using Lastings Milledge/Carlos Gomez/Fernando Martinez to acquire a workhorse arm like Jon Garland, Nate Robertson, Joe Blanton, Bronson Arroyo, or Dontrelle Willis. Thoughts on that?
Meanwhile, John Delcos of The Journal News wants Glavine, Lo Duca, Castillo, Easley, and Alou back plus trades for Adam Dunn and Chad Cordero.
Carlos Guillen to Play 1B Next Season
The Tigers anticipated this. Carlos Guillen‘s okay with it. Despite signing Guillen in March to a 4 year deal for $48MM to begin next season, the shortstop is going to be moving across the diamond sooner than expected to play first base. The move is designed to protect his knees from the physical stresses of SS.
Tim argued that 4/48 was a bargain as long as he remained the Tigers’ shortstop. Unfortunately, it appears Manager Jim Leyland has had to talk him into moving to first, despite Guillen’s condition last week that the Tigers had to bring in a gold glove caliber replacement. However, Guillen now believes it’ll be better for the team and the longevity of his career.
Who then will be playing short for the Tigers in 2008? Omar Vizquel, David Eckstein, and Cesar Izturis are free agents that stick out. The Detroit Free Press notes there "could be other shortstops available in trade." Edgar Renteria seems to be a popular choice among MLBTR readers. Or will the Tigers make another attempt at Jack Wilson from Pittsburgh? Or would they stick with the in-house option of Ramon Santiago? The apparent good news is there are many options.
This also confirms the obvious: the Tigers have no plans to bring Sean Casey back.
Posted by: Nat Boyle