Giants Pursuing Corner Infield Help
I’m not sure of the Giants’ plan – are they rebuilding? Playing for 2008? Kind of rebuilding but trying to seem respectable?
At any rate, the Giants don’t have much going on at first and third base. I like the idea of going after a cheap under-30 third base upside play like Dallas McPherson. But I wouldn’t fill the spot with a vet just to fill it. As for first, I’ve said before I’d just toss Dan Ortmeier there for 550 ABs in lieu of adding some stopgap. But that’s just me; here’s the latest on Brian Sabean’s corner infield pursuits:
- Tony Clark is a target, and San Francisco is a good fit for him in terms of playing time. He’d probably get a one-year deal and be paired with Ortmeier.
- The Mariners are apparently shopping Adrian Beltre for pitching. Doesn’t seem to be a smart move for Seattle but it may be a moot point if they are nearing a Carlos Silva signing.
- No doubt Joe Crede can be had. Paul Konerko, not so much. Crede makes sense for the Giants in that they might be able to flip him if he has a good April-May.
- Morgan Ensberg is a free agent who would probably play for $3MM and jump at a full-time chance.
- Pedro Feliz remains on the radar, but apparently still wants three years. C’mon now.
- The Giants have "moved in opposing directions" with McPherson, a Scott Boras client.
Youngman’s Latest: Tejada, Eckstein, Inge
Randy Youngman of the OC Register has a few new rumor tidbits for us. Let’s discuss.
- The Angels won’t include Jered Weaver in a Miguel Tejada trade. Youngman says the O’s asked for the moon as a way of gauging Tejada’s market value. Now they’ll get serious.
- Both the Padres and Angels like David Eckstein as one-year possibilities, not that he’s open to that. The Halos actually have a bench role in mind for him, according to Youngman. The Padres, by the way, spoke to Eckstein’s agent today.
- Youngman says the Dodgers have interest in Brandon Inge and Pedro Feliz. If that’s the case, they should really go with internal options. Jayson Stark said three days ago that the Dodgers would pass on Inge.
- The Giants are apparently fans of Luis Gonzalez. In a December 5th posting Jerry Crasnick said the Rangers, Twins, Rays, White Sox, and Giants had all spoken to Gonzo’s agent.
Brewers Rolen Talks Cool
UPDATE, 12-4-07 at 4:18pm: Haudricourt says the Brewers-Rolen deal croaked over something, but not the intra-division part. Didn’t make sense in the first place. Also, Doug Melvin expressed his disinterest in Pedro Feliz.
FROM 12-4-07 at 2:45pm:
You don’t need Insider to read this one. ESPN’s Jayson Stark says the Brewers talks with the Cards about Scott Rolen have cooled. The Cards are hesitant about trading Rolen within the division. It’s weird because it’s not like that’s a new development, the intra-division factor.
The Brewers had already worked who was paying what and agreed to send Chris Capuano and a "top prospect" over. Stark’s source says that most likely, the deal won’t happen.
The Giants and Dodgers are in on Rolen, however.
Brewers Considering Crede, Blalock, Feliz, LaRoche, Tejada
What, you thought the Brewers were dead set on Scott Rolen? Not so, according to Tom Haudricourt. They’re considering the following options at third base, mostly because the left field options are worse.
- Joe Crede – I can see this one happening, Doug Melvin and Kenny Williams get along. And Kenny really has nowhere to play Crede.
- Hank Blalock – Trading Blalock now is generally seen as selling low, so this seems unlikely.
- Pedro Feliz – I’m going to disagree with Haudricourt that Feliz is intriguing.
- Andy LaRoche – Now this one is intriguing, hitting the Dodgers up for LaRoche. I imagine Colletti may want to include LaRoche in other, bigger deals though.
- Miguel Tejada – He’s been discussed, but all the well-known warts make this unlikely.
Phillies Rumors: Wolf, Feliz, Jenkins
MLB.com’s Ken Mandel has a Phillies update for us tonight.
- Pat Gillick’s honesty is refreshing and funny. On Randy Wolf: "He’s the only guy who’s voiced some concern, but I haven’t heard anyone else voice concern about the ballpark. He’s always voiced concern. I talked to him last year and talked to him this year, and he always makes some remarks about the park which are quite unfounded."
- Gillick also weighed in on Kyle Lohse and Carlos Silva, noting their agents want to keep as many clubs involved as possible. The Phillies expect to sign neither.
- It’s a bottom priority, but the Phils are considering Pedro Feliz as a third base option.
- Trot Nixon isn’t on the Phils’ list of outfield targets. As you know, Geoff Jenkins is under consideration.
Cardinals Rumors: Rolen, Feliz, Capuano
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 9:01pm: About four teams have talked to the Cards about Rolen, perhaps including the Brewers, Giants, and Rangers.
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 6:38pm: Tom Haudricourt breaks down the Rolen to Milwaukee situation in detail. Talks are ongoing but Doug Melvin doesn’t think there’s anything serious yet.
FROM 12-3-07 at 5:42pm:
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch’s Joe Strauss has an update from the Winter Meetings.
- Strauss notes, as Ken Rosenthal did, that Scott Rolen and Pedro Feliz have the same agents. This somehow makes Feliz a candidate to replace Rolen at third base.
- The Brewers are in the lead for Rolen, with Chris Capuano still being mentioned as the likely return. The Cards will cover Rolen’s salary to a certain extent depending on who they get back.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Feliz, Nathan, Sexson
UPDATE, 12-3-07 at 6:04pm: Update on Richie Sexson: no one wants him, not even the Giants.
FROM 12-3-07 at 1:55pm:
More Rosenthal, let’s cut to the chase.
- The Cardinals could look at Pedro Feliz at third base if they trade Scott Rolen. Rosenthal is too kind in saying the Cards would have a "sub-par offense on the left side of the infield." Rosenthal also suggests the Cardinals could take a look at Hank Blalock.
- Hiroki Kuroda isn’t dead set on the West Coast – he’s keeping an open mind in terms of location.
- The Twins are discussing Joe Nathan with the Astros. Interesting match but who goes over to Minnesota in that one?
- The Mariners desperately want to trade Richie Sexson. Meanwhile they also may non-tender Ben Broussard when decision time comes.
Giants Rumors: Cabrera, Rolen, Walker
Finally some Giants rumors! I know a few fans have been clamoring for the team to join the hot stove rumblings. Andrew Baggarly has an article here and Henry Schulman has one here. Let’s discuss.
- The Giants have no one to play third base. Kevin Frandsen could technically do it but they prefer him at second. Thankfully, they will pass on Pedro Feliz. Feliz – get this – wants a three year deal. He’s on the Brewers’ radar, by the way.
- Miguel Cabrera is one option, though Baggarly doesn’t see the Giants offering up Tim Lincecum to jump into the fray. However Schulman’s source says the Giants have been "one of the most aggressive teams" after Cabrera. Who to believe?
- Baggarly’s team source doesn’t expect to go after the available Scott Rolen, given his health questions and contract. Free agents Morgan Ensberg and Mike Lamb seem more likely options at third base.
- Brian Wilson and the newly signed Tyler Walker will mix it up for the closer job. Brian Sabean doesn’t anticipate dropping big bucks/losing a draft pick for Scott Linebrink. Nor are the Giants likely to hit up the Japanese market.
Giants Rumors: A-Rod, Vizquel, Feliz
Brian Sabean acknowledged today that he’ll kick the tires on Alex Rodriguez but admitted that it could hamstring the team financially. That’s right – he’s considering tying up half of the Giants’ payroll in two players. Signing with the Giants would be A-Rod embracing his mercenary reputation – the team has no chance of competing next year.
Additionally, Sabean mentioned that the Giants hope to re-sign Omar Vizquel and Pedro Feliz for the left side of their infield. Discussions have begun with Vizquel regarding a one-year pact with a vesting option. It’s a very solid defensive tandem, but neither can hit much these days. They don’t make much sense for a rebuilding team, unless the angle is to build confidence for the young pitchers.
Sabean also implies that he’ll seek to upgrade the Giants by shopping Noah Lowry or Jonathan Sanchez. Shopping Lowry for a solid controllable position player actually seems reasonable.
One other tidbit is that Ned Colletti admitted that the Dodgers are also considering A-Rod, though signing him is just one of many scenarios.
Sox Owner Hopes Lowell Stays
Congrats to Cubs, Red Sox, and Diamondbacks fans! What a finish this year has been.
At the beer-soaked madness that was Fenway last night, Red Sox Chairman Tom Werner dubbed Mike Lowell the team’s MVP. The Boston Globe reports when Principal Owner John Henry was asked if Mike Lowell would be retained, he said, "In Florida, Mike played for me three years, my first three years [as Marlins owner]. We sort of grew up in the game together. It would be a wonderful thing."
As Tim pointed out here, Lowell could be open to a 2 year, $22MM contract to stay in Boston. But Lowell has seen a gradual resurgence in offensive production, filling in effectively for the injured Manny Ramirez, hitting .325 this year with 20 HR and 118 RBI, an all-time club best for Red Sox third basemen. Not to mention he plays arguably the best defense at his position in the American League. And when you consider the only other two third basemen certain to enter free agency are Pedro Feliz and Mike Lamb, I suspect the market will be ripe for a talent like Mike Lowell.
While they can move Kevin Youkilis back to third, expect the Sox to make an offer to Lowell. I would anticipate a 2 year deal, $20-24MM.
Posted by: Nat Boyle