Red Sox Call Royals About Mark Redman
A source tells me that the Red Sox have placed a call with Kansas City to assess their demands for 32 year-old All-Star southpaw Mark Redman. I say All-Star with tongue firmly planted in cheek.
In 15 starts this year, Redman has a 5.38 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Redman’s walks have been up this season, and it’s hard to survive when striking out 3.3 batters per nine. He missed a start with forearm tightness in late May, and missed the first two weeks of April because of knee surgery.
Redman chose to exercise his $4.5MM player option last November with the Pirates, leading to a trade to the Royals the next month. Another possible contributor is rumored trouble in the clubhouse.
To his credit, Redman did manage a decent June with five wins and a 3.74 ERA. He’s tied with Scott Elarton for the team lead in quality starts, with six in fifteen tries. That’s a backhanded compliment, as even Jeff Weaver has had seven quality starts. Scuffy Moehler, too. I’m not sure what the Red Sox or any other suitor would have to give up for Redman, but it won’t be much.
What’s Jason Michaels Worth?
Jason Michaels just can’t get a break. He was kicked around the minors long enough to lose the "prospect" label, and then he was branded a part-time player despite out-hitting many regular center fielders. I touted Michaels in my recent Center Fielders With Potential article, noting his .380 OBP in 808 Major League at-bats.
After Kenny Lofton‘s contract expired, Michaels finally figured to be pressed into full-time duty. Of course, the Phillies decided to import Aaron Rowand instead. Not a bad trade for the Phils, but now they have a clear surplus of center fielders. It remains to be seen what kind of bounty Michaels will bring.
Odds are that Pat Gillick waits until most of the other CFs are off the market to make his deal for Michaels. The Yankees are Pirates are already poking around. The Cubs could get in on the act if Milton Bradley, Juan Pierre, and Brad Wilkerson fall through the cracks.
The Phillies have asked for Chien-Ming Wang from the Yanks, a very even trade as far as I can tell. They were rebuffed, and then chuckled when the Pirates offered Mark Redman. Some pitchers I’d consider comparable to Michaels are Jorge Sosa and Bruce Chen. While Chen is certainly available, the Phillies don’t want him back for a second tour of duty.