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Odds and Ends: Fukudome, Burrell, Furcal, Rolen

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Two of my favorite local blogs have good hot stove posts for us today as part of Odds and Ends.

Rays Mulling Plans For Pena, Baldelli

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We’ll start with the positive vibes: the Rays unearthed Carlos Pena from the free talent pool this year, and he’s got a decent shot at besting the franchise home record of 34 (held jointly by Jose Canseco and Aubrey Huff).  He could also top Canseco’s team-best .563 SLG from 1999.

Pena, a Scott Boras client, is making just $800,000 this year.  Talk about bang for your buck.  He’ll have about four years of big league service time after this season, meaning he’s under team control and could go to arbitration.  He’s set to reach free agency after the 2009 season, in my estimation.  Going to arbitration with him is the low-risk option, as the Rays would just be on the hook for one year.  The two sides might be able to come to an agreement in the $4MM range, even. 

Another option, suggested by Marc Topkin, is to sign Pena to a three-year deal with an option.  Pena is loves Tampa Bay; he’s up for the idea.  A three-year pact would buy out the first year of free agency.  Would $21MM be enough?  Most commenters at D-Rays Bay seem in favor of a multiyear contract.

The negative vibes: what to do with Rocco Baldelli?  He’s locked in at $2.25MM for ’08.  Then he’s got a $6MM club option with an unfortunate $4MM buyout for ’09.  The 2010 and 2011 options ($8MM and $9MM) must be exercised together and come with a $2MM buyout.  Baldelli seemed ready to break out after a strong 92 game stint last year.  But this season has been completely lost to injuries.  B.J. Upton now owns center field, leaving Baldelli to share DH with Jonny Gomes if he can take the field. 

I don’t see how the Rays can trade Baldelli until he puts together a couple of healthy months to start 2008.  That’d probably be at the expense of Gomes unless an outfielder is injured.  Hindsight being 20/20, the Rays should’ve taken what the Braves were offering back in December.

Rosenthal’s Latest

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Ken Rosenthal posted a new article this afternoon.  A good read as usual, though not chock full of new rumors.

  • Rocco Baldelli remains the Devil Rays’ best trading chip; they hope to see the 25 year-old return and re-establish the trade value he had in 2006.  Many are already saying the Rays waited too long on Baldelli, but let’s see what they get for him before making that judgment.
  • Reggie Willits has hit his way into a starting job for the Angels.  Nice to see an Angel drawing walks 12% of the time.  That will enable Willits to remain effective after his batting average regresses.  Rosenthal says third base is the clear position for upgrade for the Angels.  Garrett Atkins is desired, and Rosenthal would consider Brandon Wood a reasonable bounty.  If I’m Dan O’Dowd, I’m making that deal.  Meanwhile, Bill Shaikin believes the Blue Jays would ask for Wood for Troy Glaus, but would settle for Ervin Santana and 1B/3B/DH Matt Brown.  Shaikin’s source says J.P. Ricciardi is not yet prepared to trade Glaus, however.
  • Rosenthal speculates that the Braves would like to add a big-time starter to get away from the current plan of "Hudson and Smoltz and pray for lightning bolts."  Sorry, that was the best weather rhyme I could come up with.  He mentions Rich Harden and Dontrelle Willis, accompanied by the obligatory Jarrod Saltalamacchia rumor.  Poor Salty.

Renck’s Latest

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has a host of trade rumors in his recent column.  Let’s break it down:

  • Time to restart those Todd Helton rumors, as the first baseman is hitting a robust .360/.473/.533.  Renck thinks a trade to Detroit is unlikely, but that the Yankees, Red Sox, or Braves could make a play for him this summer.  The Yanks came up recently via Mark Healey.  Maybe with Helton’s strong start, the Rockies can get their part of Helton’s $90MM contract down to $30MM.
  • Renck likes the Rockies, Braves, and Red Sox as suitors for Rocco Baldelli.  Rocco hopes to return in early June from a strained left hamstring.  I wouldn’t expect a deal until at least late June.
  • The Astros apparently are not making Chris Burke available despite his demotion.  That’s a shame, because the Rockies like him.  The Rox are hoping to see Kaz Matsui return from a back strain this week, so we’ll see how that goes first.
  • The Angels still have interest in Garrett Atkins but talks haven’t been serious.  Seems odd that Dan O’Dowd would sell low on Atkins at this point, but I guess it depends on the return and the Rockies’ projections for him.

Stark’s Latest

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Jayson Stark posted a new Rumblings and Grumblings column over at ESPN; it’s definitely worth a read.  A summary of his trade rumors:

  • GMs calling the Marlins have noticed that the team seems a little more open to trading Dontrelle Willis this year. Miguel Cabrera doesn’t appear to be under discussion.  If the Marlins are out of the race in mid-July and a team ponies up with three legimate young regulars, they might be able to pry him away.  The D’Backs or Dodgers could probably pull this off without damaging their current group too much.
  • Stark says the D-Rays are considering promoting both Evan Longoria and Reid Brignac before the trading deadline, filling out the left side of their infield.  Someone would have to be pushed out; maybe B.J. Upton to center, Akinori Iwamura to second, and Rocco Baldelli to another team.  Stark reminds us of past interest by the Red Sox.  And don’t forget all the interest from Atlanta in December.   
  • The Rich Harden trade rumors may just reflect frustration on Billy Beane’s part, and not actual availability.
  • Stark also debates whether the Rangers would still be on the hook for $21MM if Alex Rodriguez opts out and then the Yankees re-sign him.  Right now it’s an open question.

Braves Trying To Get Rocco Baldelli

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As you may know by now, John Schuerholz is working on a trade for Devil Rays outfielder Rocco Baldelli.  Baldelli would play left field for the ’07 Braves, and then could shift back to center in 2008.

David O’Brien of the AJC cautions that the Braves are just one of several teams (White Sox, Orioles) going after Baldelli.  The general structure of the deal is thought to be catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia, shortstop Yunel Escobar, and a starting pitcher.  The Rays want that pitcher to be Chuck James, but the Braves might only be open to Kyle Davies.

Saltalamacchia turns 22 next May; he struggled in 92 Double A games this year.  In his defense, he dealt with a wrist injury and also came on strong in July and August.  Plus, he hit .565 in the AFL before straining a groin muscle.  Salty is a switch-hitter with a sweet swing; he was thought to be untouchable last winter.

Escobar, a Cuban defector, turned 24 in November.  His bat didn’t impress at Double A, but he has solid tools and plays decent defense at short.

James you already know.  In examining his Major League work a few months back, I decided that his stats were quite inflated and he’s probably more of a 4 ERA guy.  Still, that’s nothing to sneeze at.  He’s a flyball pitcher with a fantastic changeup.

Davies turned 23 this year.  He’s struggled in 151 Major League innings, but pitched well at Triple A as a 21 year old. 

Baldelli is just 25 and has 384 Major League games under his belt.  He showed nice power growth this year and has a favorable contract.

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