Tigers Eyeing Farnsworth
Kyle Farnsworth really lost it this year; he’s striking no one out but still walking too many. Last year he at least racked up the Ks. The Yankees would love to get out from some of the $5.5MM they owe him in 2008.
A few teams have kicked the tires on the Farnz, like the Rockies, Phillies, and Devil Rays. But maybe it would be best for him to go back to the site of his last success, Detroit. George King writes that the Tigers are interested, if the money can be worked out. This makes a lot of sense to me. The Tigers aren’t desperate for relievers, and this risk would be more in money than players. Unlike Eric Gagne, who would cost both. Maybe Chuck Hernandez can right the ship for Farnsworth.
Graziano’s Latest: Livan, Wily Mo
Dan Graziano at the Newark Star-Ledger has really stepped up in recent days with a lot of insider trade talk. Let’s see what he has in store for us this morning.
- Apparently Josh Byrnes is calling around, actively shopping Livan Hernandez. According to Graziano, the Mets, Braves, and Mariners have expressed interest. To the contrary, Ken Rosenthal wrote last night that the Mets and Braves are not interested. Who to believe? Hopefully the Mariners do better than Livan if they make a move for a starter. To hear Nick Piecoro tell it, the Diamondbacks are more likely to just opt for the draft picks they’ll get if they let Hernandez leave via free agency.
- The Yankees are in a quandary when it comes to dealing Scott Proctor or Kyle Farnsworth. For Proctor, they want more than just a role player like Ty Wigginton. They want a reliever back, which begs the question – why not just keep Proctor? With Farnsy, the Yanks are reluctant to pay a big chunk of his $5.5 salary for ’08. They should toss in $2MM and see if that’s enough to get Wiggy.
- If the Red Sox can snag Bobby Kielty, they might turn around and trade Wily Mo Pena to the White Sox. Wily Mo in that ballpark with 600 plate appearances? 40 home runs. Might make Theo look bad. Dejan Kovacevic mentions that Epstein is "actively shopping" Pena, and seems to like the idea of the Bucs sending Salomon Torres to Boston for him.
- The Brewers, Phillies, and Dodgers are looking at Oakland lefty and impending free agent Joe Kennedy. Kennedy is only 28 and he has had National League success as a starter.
Joel Sherman’s Ten Trade Candidates
Joel Sherman of the New York Post has an article today regarding ten veterans who may be traded this month. He’s packed the column full of insider info beyond the ten players highlighted; check it out.
- Mark Teixeira is now more likely to be dealt than Eric Gagne. Sherman sees the Angels as perhaps the best possibility here; they’d have to include Casey Kotchman. I imagine Ervin Santana‘s stock is down far enough that the Rangers would not settle for the two.
- The Indians appear to be out on Gagne but the Tigers still make sense for all parties. Would Todd Jones graciously step down from his closer post? Detroit’s bullpen has actually been doing well lately.
- The Royals want a righthanded-hitting center fielder in return for Octavio Dotel. Now that’s a tall order. Sherman names Lastings Milledge and Carlos Gomez as two who fit the bill, but such a trade would require young talent like Zack Greinke coming back to the Mets. Just speculating, but Melky Cabrera and Reggie Willits also fit the Royals’ need.
- Apparently the Mariners and Braves are "very interested’ in Dmitri Young. That’s the first I’ve heard of a team besides Atlanta inquiring.
- Oddly, the Devil Rays appear to have some interest in Kyle Farnsworth if the money can be worked out. They like Scott Proctor as well, so keep an eye on that Ty Wigginton rumor. Sherman mentions that the market is heavy with available role players, so look for a lot of boring deals with that type of player. Just kidding, trade rumors are never boring. Sherman tosses out Tadahito Iguchi to the Padres; that’s a fresh one.
- Sherman runs down all of the available relievers we already know about. Throw Kiko Calero in there as a new name.
Ty Wigginton For Scott Proctor?
According to George King and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Devil Rays are willing to send Ty Wigginton to the Yankees for Scott Proctor. The Yanks are willing to trade Proctor because they believe Joba Chamberlain can jump up from Double A and fill in capably. Chamberlain is flat-out nasty.
Given his previous interest in Wilson Betemit, it looks like Brian Cashman is focused on adding a versatile player who is under control for several more years. A bonus for Wigginton is that he bats right-handed. Betemit is a switch-hitter but hasn’t done much from the right side.
It’s unclear how the Devil Rays would use Proctor, but I’m guessing they’d leave him in relief. Having a decent guy who can pitch 80 solid innings in the AL East for a few seasons is a stronger need than starting pitching right now. The Rays quietly have a ton of quality pitching in the Majors or in the pipeline. This is a team with a $24MM Opening Day payroll this year – imagine if they bumped it to $75MM and added three star players to complement the current group.
Another note from the column is that the Rockies like the idea of taking Kyle Farnsworth off the Yankees’ hands, but don’t want to pay too much of his remaining salary. Farnsy makes another $2.2MM this year and $5.5MM in ’08. In my opinion, the Rockies should go for it if the Yankees will eat half.
Lieber For Farnsworth?
At this point, the rumor appears more speculation than actual confirmed talks between the Yankees and Phillies. But plenty of folks see the logic in a Jon Lieber for Kyle Farnsworth swap, including Peter Abraham.
The Yankees find themselves with a rotation of Mussina, Wang, Pettitte, Igawa, and pray for rain. Pavano, Hughes, and Karstens are all hurt. Igawa is in the rotation mainly by necessity. Brian Cashman can hold out, hope for a Roger Clemens rescue. Or he can find some sort of reinforcement now. Is Lieber the answer?
Has the Lieber of old returned? It’s only been three starts. Lieber’s 6.27 hits per nine isn’t sustainable; a 1.7 K/BB is low for him. And let’s not forget how different it is to face the Red Sox as compared to the Nationals. I know beggars can’t be choosy, but we also can’t wishcast the current version of Liebs is the same as ’04.
The Yanks’ bullpen is pitching OK with a 3.97 ERA so far. Farnsworth has had a rough 9.1 innings in the early going, but I’m not sure he’s expendable. Brian Bruney and Mike Myers have been solid, but that’s about it. The Yanks owe Farnsworth $10.75MM for 2007-08.
Meanwhile in Philly, Tom Gordon flew back to have his shoulder checked. That increases the need for Brett Myers in the pen, but trading Lieber would further weaken the rotation. I agree with Tom that the Phils should stand pat. Or at least acquire relief help without trading away key parts of the team. Remember, Lieber was expendable back when Myers was starting, Adam Eaton seemed tolerable, and Gordon was somewhat healthy. All of those things have changed.
Thoughts on Farnsworth and Castillo
Many of you have emailed me concerning the Kyle Farnsworth signing and Luis Castillo trade. I appreciate the tips; rest assured that I’m aware of these rumors and signings and I’ll post if I have anything to add.
Farnsworth has officially signed with the Yankees, although the Rangers’ offer was superior. The Farnz can be a little homer and walk prone at times, but his strikeout rate has never failed to impress. His track record off the field leaves a bit to be desired.
The Twins were the clear victors in the Luis Castillo trade. Minnesota held on to Scott Baker, surrendering only pitchers Travis Bowyer and Scott Tyler. Bowyer is a young closer-in-waiting who has yet to refine his control problems. He’s walked nearly five men per nine at every level. He’ll close for the Marlins by default. Scott Tyler is a starter with a little promise and shaky control. He’ll likely be converted to relief one day. Castillo was the 9th best 2B in baseball in 2005 and is sorely needed by the Twins.