Rays Likely To Fill Outfield Void Through Trade
According to Marc Lancaster, the Rays would prefer to fill their need for a fourth outfielder via trade as opposed to signing a free agent such as Kenny Lofton.
Lancaster notes the Rays are likely to offer one of their surplus of starting pitchers. The Rays have five pitchers competing for the final two spots in the rotation and two of those pitchers (Edwin Jackson and Jason Hammel) are out of options. In addition Lancaster mentions that the Rays have a number of pitching prospects at AA and AAA that could be included in a deal.
The Rays would prefer a player that in addition to regular playing time in right field, can serve as a backup to center fielder BJ Upton. Lancaster lists several players that match this description including Juan Rivera, Reggie Willits, Coco Crisp, Reed Johnson and Ryan Freel. Ken Rosenthal previously said that Willits is untouchable, and Crisp and Johnson seem unlikely as trades rarely occur within a division. The Reds seem like the best fit of this group as they have been rumored to be active in the trade market this off-season for a starting pitcher.
Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.
Freel Could Be Traded
Hal McCoy of the Hamilton Journal-News notes that superutility man Ryan Freel is in a precarious position in Cincinnati. The Reds don’t have a major need for him; he makes $3MM this year and $4MM in ’09. McCoy and Freel have both heard trade rumblings.
The best part about Freel’s availability is that the Frofton monster could still be created. Back in mid-December I wrote:
Here’s the kicker of my plan: pair Kenny Lofton with Ryan Freel. Freel couldn’t touch lefties last year but the two previous years he had OBPs over .400 against them. Taking Lofton’s ’07 vs. righties and Freel’s ’06 vs. lefties and creating one hybrid Frofton Monster, you get a .311/.394/.444 hitter. Even better, Freel can help out at second base when righties are on the hill.
This plan was devised for the White Sox pre-Swisher, and I conceded that it didn’t pay much attention to defense at a key position. So it’s not without its flaws. But I still contend that Freel and Lofton could make a very solid offensive platoon. Plus you get the midget in Freel’s head, Farney. The problem is that teams have mostly settled their center field situations and don’t have two free roster spots. Still seems like Freel alone could fit in with the Sox.
Stark’s Latest: Santana, Hamilton, Snell
Ah, a new Rumblings and Grumblings from Jayson Stark. Let’s dig in.
- It sounds like the Yankees would discuss Phil Hughes and the Red Sox might part with one of Ellsbury/Lester/Buchholz to acquire Johan Santana. The acquiring team would need an extension window though. The Mets are in on Santana big-time and would have to give up Carlos Gomez and then some. If the Twins do trade Santana, they would probably hang onto Matt Garza. But otherwise Garza could be traded for a young hitter, as we’ve been hearing.
- The Fish want four 0-3 players for Miguel Cabrera, pretty much the names we’ve been tossing around here at MLBTR for a while.
- The Marlins would ask for two 0-3 guys for Dontrelle Willis, but aren’t inclined to trade him unless they’re blown away. Stark names the Mets, Mariners, and D’Backs as suitors. So think Gomez, Adam Jones, or Carlos Gonzalez.
- The Orioles and Cardinals don’t want to eat any money on Miguel Tejada and Scott Rolen, respectively. The Cards were asking for too much from the Yanks for Rolen – one of their top three young pitchers (you know the trio).
- The Reds are willing to trade Ryan Freel or Josh Hamilton to clear space for Jay Bruce.
- Ian Snell could be available. It’s not the first time his name has appeared in the rumor mill. Hell, Snell for Hamilton kind of makes sense.
Reds Extend Ryan Freel
According to MLB.com, the Reds have signed Ryan Freel to a contract extension through 2009. The deal covers his arbitration years, so he’ll still become a free agent in 2010 as originally scheduled. He’ll make $7MM for 2008-09, a fine price for Cincinnati.
Freel failed to break through with the Blue Jays and Devil Rays, and both clubs chose not to re-sign him. The Reds finally gave him a shot and he’s shown great speed with a strong walk rate.
It’s tough to put a price on a player like Freel, a useful guy who plays 2B, 3B, and all outfield spots. Plenty of teams have a player like this but most don’t get on base like Freel (.367 career OBP). At his press conference today, Freel talked about how he’s happy to play infield to give Josh Hamilton more ABs. He described Hamilton as a "game-changing guy" and the most talented on the team.
Freel Would Be Good Fit For Cubs
Over at The Cub Reporter, Arizona Phil recently outlined a sensible option for the Cubs’ leadoff spot that hasn’t been mentioned much. He proposes that the Cubs should find a way to acquire the versatile Ryan Freel from the Reds. Freel compares favorably to Juan Pierre and is further away from free agency.