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Felipe Lopez

Lugo For Byrnes Talks Dead?

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FRIDAY: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick notes that this deal looks dead now that the D’Backs have signed Felipe Lopez (MLBTR commenters were all over the idea as well).

THURSDAY: According to ESPN’s Steve Phillips, the Red Sox and Diamondbacks are having discussions about swapping Julio Lugo for Eric Byrnes.  Lugo would play second base for Arizona, while Byrnes would be Boston’s fourth outfielder.  Lugo has $18MM left on his deal, Byrnes $22MM with no-trade protection.

D’Backs Rumors: Webb, Lopez, Jackson

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10:25pm: The D’Backs met with Brandon Webb’s agent for more than an hour last night.  They discussed Webb’s desire to stay in Arizona but there is no extension offer at this time.

Also, the D’Backs could sign pitcher Mike Bascik to a minor league deal for depth.

7:55pm: D’Backs rumors for Tuesday…

  • According to Nick Piecoro, the D’Backs met with Scott Boras on Monday to discuss Felipe Lopez.  The D’Backs did not make an offer at that meeting.  Lopez wants a multiyear deal, and figures to be out of their price range.
  • Piecoro heard a Conor Jackson for Kelly Johnson trade was discussed, but it doesn’t have momentum.
  • Joe Beimel does not seem to be a priority for Arizona.
  • At least one team is looking at Brandon Lyon as a starter.

Crasnick’s Free Agent Bargains

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick lists nine possible free agent bargains in his column today.  A few notes:

  • Randy Johnson is looking for a one-year deal, and his agent says the list of interested clubs is approaching double figures.  The Dodgers may make sense, though Johnson is on the backburner for them.
  • Crasnick speculates that Philadelphia could be a nice fit for Felipe Lopez.
  • Scott Boras seemingly wants a multiyear deal for Joe Crede, as he’s using the Magglio Ordonez contract as a model.  Maybe his new team would have the ability to opt out after the season if Crede hits the DL for back problems again.  Crasnick mentions the Rangers as an interesting fit for Crede.
  • Crasnick talked to execs who see Juan Rivera signing a two-year deal in the $6-8MM range.
  • Also weighing in on free agent bargains: Dave Cameron at FanGraphs and ESPN’s Keith Law.

Cardinals Infield Rumors

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5:06pm: MLB.com’s Matthew Leach says a team source was "somewhat nonplussed" by the report of the Lopez offer, and Lopez says he has not been informed of anything.

Leach says mutual interest is clear with Edgar Renteria, but the Cardinals were not among the ten teams to have expressed interest in Rafael Furcal.

2:32pm: According to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals have already made an offer to free agent infielder Felipe Lopez.  Lopez, a Scott Boras client, is said to desire a multiyear contract on the strength of this year’s resurgent 169 plate appearances with the Cards.

Keith Law’s thoughts on Lopez: "He’s not a .385 hitter and probably isn’t even a .300 hitter, but as a guy who could easily hit .280/.350/.400 and play a capable second base, he’s one of the best infield options on this market."  However, Law notes that Lopez’s effort level has been questioned often.

Cardinals Rumors: Hudson, Lopez, Kennedy

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The Cardinals have moved on from Matt Holliday for the time being; let’s see what else is cooking.  Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest.  Middle infield seems to be the primary concern now. 

One option is to pursue a trade for Kelly Johnson or Yunel Escobar of the Braves, but that will probably require Ryan Ludwick.  However, those talks must wait until the Braves resolve their chase of Jake Peavy.

On the free agent front, the Cardinals are interested in Orlando Hudson but not Felipe Lopez. Scott Boras seems to be aiming for a multiyear deal for Lopez. 

Adam Kennedy wants out of St. Louis, and the D’Backs may be interested.  GM John Mozeliak is said to be reluctant to eat a "significant piece" of Kennedy’s $4MM.  The D’Backs barely seem willing to spend that amount on Randy Johnson.

The bullpen is the other concern, but Trevor Hoffman is apparently not on the radar.

Boras Makes Pitch For Felipe Lopez

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic has some good stuff tonight:

  • Scott Boras made his pitch for infielder Felipe Lopez, suggesting Lopez "re-established" himself in 169 plate appearances with the Cardinals.  He hopes to find Lopez a starting gig and a multiyear deal.  Piecoro heard Lopez would love to play for Arizona, but isn’t sure if the interest is mutual.
  • Adam Dunn does not have a positional preference – he’s open to first base or either of the outfield corners.  Piecoro’s heard Dunn prefers the NL, just like Pat Burrell.
  • Piecoro likes the fit with Kelly Johnson for the D’Backs, but isn’t sure who they’d send in return.
  • If the D’Backs fail to re-sign Randy Johnson, they’ll probably look at bargain free agent starters in January.  If it’s true that the Diamondbacks have just $3-5MM budgeted for Johnson, he’s gone.

Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Payroll, Needs

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest Cardinals buzz…

  • The Cards are going to stand pat with their starting rotation until they learn more about Chris Carpenter’s injury.  He’ll be examined in late November.  Strauss says a swing man type acquisition is possible as insurance.
  • The Cardinals are likely to approach Albert Pujols about an extension before he enters his 2011 option year.  Pujols will earn just $16MM in each of the ’09, ’10, and ’11 seasons.  Teams must be salivating at the prospect of Pujols on the free agent market, but the Cardinals will try to prevent that.  Pitchers Hit Eighth recently did a roundtable about this very topic.
  • The ’09 payroll is projected in the $106-108MM range.  The Cardinals have $20MM+ to spend, with the exact number depending on several arbitration cases.
  • The Cardinals need middle infielders and lefthanded relievers.  Strauss says, "The club prefers to deal from its surplus of righthanded relievers, outfielders, minor-league pitching and corner infielders."  I have argued about this in chats a bit…is there really a surplus here?  To me a surplus in baseball means more starters than positions (rather than just good depth).  The Cards have a starting outfield of Ryan Ludwick, Rick Ankiel, and Skip Schumaker, with Colby Rasmus coming on fast.  Rasmus will be a rookie, while Ankiel is a Boras client eligible for free agency after ’09.  There are other interesting players on the roster (Brian Barton, Joe Mather, Chris Duncan), but the Cards aren’t overflowing with starters.
  • Viva El Birdos contests the idea of a surplus of righty relievers, and would like to see Russ Springer re-signed.
  • Strauss says the Cardinals have yet to talk to the agents for Cesar Izturis and Felipe Lopez.  He sees players such as Rafael Furcal and Khalil Greene as possible middle infield targets.

Odds and Ends: Bonds, Crow, Odalis Perez

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Links for Tuesday…

  • Barry Bonds is enjoying his freedom.
  • MLB.com has a list of all the potential free agents. The Dodgers lead with 14, while the Royals and Giants have only two.
  • Brewers GM Doug Melvin may get an extension soon.
  • Rich Harden will have a shoulder exam soon, which will inform the Cubs’ decision on his $7MM option.
  • MLB.com’s Matthew Leach sees the Cardinals letting starter Braden Looper leave, but attempting to re-sign infielder Felipe Lopez.
  • The Kansas City Star’s Bill Reiter catches up with Aaron Crow, who is basically just chillin’ right now.  MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel says the Royals like Crow, but he may not be around when they draft 12th in 2009.
  • Ken Rosenthal agrees that the Rays owe their success to much more than just top draft picks.
  • Pete McElroy notes that Odalis Perez would love to re-sign with the Nationals.  Perez pitched 159.2 respectable innings but earned less than a million bucks.
  • Eddie Bajek has his final Elias rankings for NL relievers.  Type As: Ryan Dempster, Russ Springer, Juan Cruz, Doug Brocail, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, and Jason Isringhausen.  Type Bs: Joe Beimel, Jeremy Affeldt, Brian Shouse, Bob Howry, David Weathers, Trevor Hoffman, Eric Gagne, and Brandon Lyon.  If one of these players is offered arbitration, turns it down, and signs elsewhere, his old team gets one or two draft picks.
  • MLB.com’s Spencer Fordin doesn’t see the need for the Orioles to sign Jeremy Guthrie to a long-term deal this winter.

Week In Review: 8/3 – 8/9

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Here’s a quick look back at some of the bigger stories on MLBTR over the past week:

  • D’Backs ace Dan Haren signed a very affordable extension with the team, which would keep him in Arizona through 2012 with an option for 2013. Great deal for the D’Backs and their fans.
  • Brian Giles was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox, which is now believed to have been an effort to block the Rays from acquiring him. Giles blocked the trade to Boston with his no-trade clause.
  • The Rockies acquired Livan Hernandez from the Twins. Minnesota won’t receive a player in return, but unloads Hernandez’s remaining $1.5MM on his contract, as well as his 5.48 ERA. Seems fine to me.
  • Fifteen teams watched a throwing session from Freddy Garcia. Here are a few reactions.
  • Relievers on the move: The Cubs DFA’ed Scott Eyre, and traded him to the Phillies the next day. The Rays acquired Chad Bradford from the Orioles, and DFA’ed Al Reyes in order to make room for him. In a rare inter-division trade, the Royals traded Horacio Ramirez to the White Sox. Huston Street was claimed, but is staying put.
  • Position players on the move: Felipe Lopez signed with the Cardinals, the Mariners released Jose Vidro, and the Marlins signed Paul Lo Duca in addition to claiming Brad Ausmus off waivers. No word on whether or not a deal will be worked out for Ausmus yet.
  • A few glimpses into 2009? Rafael Furcal hopes to re-sign with the Dodgers. Bobby Abreu hopes to be wearing Yankee pinstripes again, and the Nationals hope Willie Harris is a part of the organization again as well.
  • Tim made a list of waiver trade candidates for both the American League and National League and compiled a list of players who were known to have cleared waivers in 2007. Remember, these are just players who would likely clear waivers, whether because of their talent level or contractual status. Teams often place big-name players on waivers that they have no intention of trading.
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