Eckstein seeking Lugo-esque deal
If Julio Lugo was able to snag four years and $36 million last off-season, well, by golly, David Eckstein wants to do the same this year. You can make some arguments with the comparison — Lugo is a year younger, flashes a bit more power, and has been more consistent in his production (from year-to-year; we’re not counting his huge drop-off after being traded to the Dodgers last year). But it’s tough to argue with Eckstein for wanting to start talks at that level.
This may deter Eckstein’s perceived No. 1 suitor, the New York Mets, who are looking at him to fill their second base vacancy. One has to wonder, though, if the Mets wouldn’t just be better off with Luis Castillo, who performed averagely in his 199 at bats with the Mets last season (.296/.371/.372). On the whole, Castillo is far better Lugo comp than Eckstein; both Lugo and Castillo will be 32 next season, and have seen similar production over the years. The Astros are also reportedly interested in Castillo, though the same can be said for nearly every FA on the list.
The Mets are also looking at Orlando Hudson in possible trade scenarios to fill their second base vacancies. Speculation, though, is that the Mets would like to hold onto their movable prospects in order to acquire a front-line pitcher. Clearly, Johan Santana tops that list.
The Cardinals aren’t officially severing ties with Eckstein, but it appears unlikely that they will dole out a Lugo deal for him. New Cardinals GM John Mozeliak had this to say about the scrappy shortstop:
"We’re going into it looking for a shortstop, and given the fact that David is out there, obviously we have him in mind. One of the things we’re doing internally is trying to get a feel for the supply and the demand of shortstops in this market. David probably is doing the same, and right now there doesn’t appear to be a lot of teams looking for shortstops."
At first, I didn’t think too many teams needed shortstops, but after looking around it seems that there are plenty of teams that could at least use an upgrade at the position. Unfortunately, Eckstein doesn’t represent much of one.
Joe Pawlikowski is co-author of River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.
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.
White Sox A Match For Orlando Hudson
Speculating has been going strong for quite a while now that the White Sox have interest in Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson. As Yahoo’s Tim Brown explains, Josh Byrnes and Kenny Williams talk often and Byrnes could use a starting pitcher.
As I mentioned earlier, the D’Backs have cheap options at second base if they’re willing to sacrifice some defense. Or the Sox could just include Tadahito Iguchi in the deal. The White Sox would basically be acquiring Hudson for 2008. He would certainly fit the bill of Major League talent Williams desires, and he’d strengthen the team defensively. Byrnes could go after Mark Buehrle or Jose Contreras, or even re-acquire Javier Vazquez. I think an additional prospect aside from Hudson would be required for Buehrle or Vazquez. Maybe Dustin Nippert.
Orlando Hudson Expects To Leave Arizona
In a radio interview Monday afternoon, Diamondbacks second baseman Orlando Hudson indicated that he doesn’t expect to remain with the team for his career or even the next few years. His agent has at least had extension discussions with the D’Backs’ front office though. Hudson is eligible for free agency after the 2008 season.
2006 was a breakout season for Hudson, but he just keeps getting better. He’s going to obliterate his career high in walks, and he’s hitting for more power than ever. And he’s known as one of the best defensive second basemen in the game. The only problem? Since joining the Diamondbacks, Hudson has hit .311/.391/.495 at home but .273/.341/.421 on the road.
Hudson makes $3.9MM this year, and during this upcoming winter he can be compared to his peers in the arbitration process. I’m not an expert on that but I think that’s how it works. Comparing Hudson to Chase Utley – who will make $7.5MM in ’08 – is a stretch. But I would not be shocked to see Hudson earning $5-6MM next season. He’ll be 30 years old at that point.
Alberto Callaspo, Mark Reynolds, and maybe even Scott Hairston are potential replacement options, if the Diamondbacks are willing to take a hit on defense. Josh Byrnes may elect to trade Hudson this offseason. The White Sox, Braves, Mets, or Astros could be interested. The Rockies wanted to trade for him way back in ’02. The Yankees and Mariners apparently inquired back in ’03. The Royals and Rangers expressed interest in ’05.
Hudson seems like an interesting character. Funny story – he was sent to Triple A in ’01 for saying J.P. Ricciardi looked "like a pimp." (Though to be fair, Hudson was also having a poor spring). Regardless, his six-year old minor "makeup issue" pales in comparison to Callaspo’s.
Buzz Around The Game
Believe it or not, there’s a ton of stuff going on today that doesn’t involve the words "Prior" or "Tejada."
A tentative Troy Glaus trade has been reached. The Diamondbacks dumped Glaus and his contract on the Blue Jays for Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista. Brandon Webb, far and away the most extreme groundball pitcher in baseball, benefits greatly from the addition of Hudson. Another effect is the breakup of a highly rated defensive infield, at least in the eyes of Dayn Perry. The Blue Jays now have a logjam of 1B/3B/DH guys, and Rosenthal speculates that Shea Hillenbrand is the most likely to go. Should Shea stay true to his word, he’ll be a nice pickup. It’s a homecoming for Miguel Batista; let’s hope the team correctly employs him as a starter. Even with Glaus gone, the Diamondbacks still haven’t cleared up a corner outfield spot for #1 prospect Carlos Quentin. The kid’s more than ready; let’s hope GM Josh Byrnes can unload Luis Gonzalez or Shawn Green as his next trick.
Jason Johnson makes a sweet pickup for the Indians’ rotation. Like Millwood last year, the Indians found a starting pitcher and only had to commit to one year. In Paul Byrd, Cliff Lee, C.C. Sabathia, Jake Westbrook, and Johnson, the Tribe has built a deep rotation. Combined, the five of them threw 1023 innings in 2005. Seems Mark Shapiro has taken a page from Kenny Williams’s book, especially considering that he also has an excellent bullpen in place.
The Cards snagged Juan Encarnacion and Junior Spivey. The reaction at Viva El Birdos to the revamped 2006 lineup:
"To be honest and blunt, i don’t see a single position where the Cardinals have meaningfully improved."
That sentiment includes the bullpen and starting rotation as well. Which reminds me – how can the Cardinals possibly justify blocking Anthony Reyes with Sidney Ponson? The Ponson signing means one of three things:
1. There are concerns about Reyes’s health that have not been revealed to the public.
2. Jason Marquis will be traded this winter.
3. Tony La Russa and Dave Duncan are so loathe put a rookie starter out there every fifth day that they’d prefer yet another fixer-upper. Even if said fixer-upper had a 5.64 ERA over his last 346 innings.
Cardinals fans have got to be hoping for option #2.