Phillies Rumors: Iguchi, Carrasco
UPDATE, 12-5-07 at 10:52am: It’s "more unlikely than likely" that the Phils re-sign Iguchi.
FROM 12-5-07 at 8:53am:
Scott Lauber has a few Phillies notes for us this morning.
- Since the Phillies released him at the end of the season, a waiver will have to be obtained for Tadahito Iguchi to be allowed to re-sign with the Phillies and start the season normally. It can be done.
- Lauber says Pat Gillick indicated for the first time that he’d be willing to trade prospects for pitching. Lauber names Carlos Carrasco, Joe Savery, Josh Outman, and Adrian Cardenas as possibilities to go.
Rockies Interested In Iguchi
According to Troy Renck and Patrick Saunders, the Rockies met with Tadahito Iguchi‘s agent yesterday to discuss their second base opening. Iguchi prefers the idea of second base, and is looking for a two-year deal. Other teams interested in Iguchi are the Dodgers, Giants, Phillies, and Brewers.
Other second basemen on Colorado’s radar include Chris Burke and Mark Loretta.
Iguchi Now Open To Third Base
Pat Gillick told reporters a few minutes ago that Tadahito Iguchi has reconsidered his stance to market himself strictly as a second baseman. Iguchi is now open to playing third, and the Phillies might bring him back.
Padres Rumors: Loretta, Iguchi, Peavy, Barrett
Tom Krasovic fills us in on the latest with the Padres.
- Kevin Towers is considering Mark Loretta and Tadahito Iguchi as second base options. Loretta has expressed interest. I wonder how this will make the Padres feel; his strong flirtations may turn them off.
- Jake Peavy will get full no-trade protection for 2008-10, limited for 2011-12.
- As reported yesterday Towers is in talks for Mark Prior and Josh Towers. Towers said that himself? Tampering!
- The Padres still expect Michael Barrett to accept arby. Krasovic mentions the Cubs actually considered having Barrett switch positions last year. Yes! Barrett should market himself as a third baseman and play the field.
- The Padres recently talked about a multiyear (probably two year) deal with Mike Cameron.
Brewers, Padres, Angels, Rockies, Astros After Iguchi
In some ways, Tadahito Iguchi might be a better buy at second base than Luis Castillo. He’s getting half the press, but that doesn’t mean he’s getting half the interest. Iguchi’s agent said today that the Astros, Brewers, Padres, Angels, and Rockies have expressed interest. Keep in mind that the Phillies asked Iguchi about playing third base several weeks ago and he said he’d rather sign elsewhere at a second baseman.
I wonder if Iguchi may have relaxed that stance. The Brewers and Angels have third base vacancies. They have Rickie Weeks and Howie Kendrick at second base, respectively. Weeks could be an interesting option in center, and Kendrick has been rumored as part of a Miguel Cabrera package. So Iguchi could theoretically still play second for either club.
The Padres and Rockies just have good old-fashioned vacancies at second base. Both clubs could still fill the spot internally – the Padres with Matt Antonelli and the Rockies with Ian Stewart.
As for the ‘Stros, well, Ed Wade has contacted half the free agent class.
Astros Contact Cordero, Iguchi, Matsui
As promised, new Astros GM Ed Wade has touched base with a ton of free agents. We already knew about Luis Castillo, Jon Lieber, Scott Linebrink, Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand, and Tom Glavine (see Astros rumor archive).
Today we’ve got more names to add to the list, courtesy of Jose de Jesus Ortiz. The most interesting one: closer Francisco Cordero. Buster Olney’s thinking is that the Astros contacting Cordero indicates a willingness to trade incumbent closer Brad Lidge. Olney spoke to one executive who predicted Cordero would get $40MM this winter. That sounds about right. Cordero’s agent, the delightfully named Bean Stringfellow, represented Billy Wagner for his landmark four-year, $43MM deal in November of 2005. If several teams decide they need to have an All-Star closer, I could see bidding getting closer to $50MM for Cordero. Or even a five-year deal.
The Astros are also poking around on a couple of second baseman, despite their supposed satisfaction with Chris Burke. Aside from Castillo, Wade has contacted Tadahito Iguchi and Kaz Matsui. That trio pretty much sums up the second base market.
By the way, Olney also notes that any notion of the Astros making Roy Oswalt available is false.
Iguchi Wants To Remain At 2B
According to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies asked Tadahito Iguchi about re-signing to play third base in 2008. He said he wants to stay at second base, so he won’t be re-signing with the Phils. It was a creative thought by the Phillies given the weak market for third basemen.
Where might Iguchi land as a contender for the best free agent second baseman? The Twins, Mariners, Mets, and Rockies seem like possibilities.
Iguchi Could Return To Japan
According to Yahoo Japan, the Yomiuri Giants are looking into signing free agent second baseman Tadahito Iguchi this winter. However, my translator Tak notes that Iguchi is unlikely to return to Japan if MLB teams show interest in him.
Overall this season, the 32 year-old Iguchi is hitting .269/.349/.402 in 458 ABs. He’s been better since jumping to the NL in a trade to Philadelphia: .313/.370/.450 in 131 ABs.
Iguchi is joined by Luis Castillo, Damion Easley, Marcus Giles, Mark Loretta, Kaz Matsui, and Jose Valentin in the free agent second baseman class. He might be the best option at the position and could take a three-year, $12MM type deal comparable to Mark DeRosa‘s.
Phillies Acquire Tadahito Iguchi
According to WSCR 670 out of Chicago, the Phillies have acquired second baseman Tadahito Iguchi from the White Sox for 21 year-old Low A ball reliever Mike Dubee. Dubee, son of Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee, was originally drafted by the White Sox in 2004 but did not sign. Here’s the press release for the trade, if you’re interested.
You really can’t fault the Phils for making the move; they had to bring someone in to man second base. They didn’t give up much in Dubee, and they could snag some draft picks for Iguchi after the season. [Correction: Sounds like the Phils won’t get draft picks for him. I suppose if that was possible the Sox would’ve just kept him.]
The move leaves Mark Loretta, Mark Grudzielanek, Jose Castillo, Rich Aurilia, Ray Durham, Ty Wigginton, and maybe Luis Castillo as the available second baseman if the Padres or Mets are interested. Plenty of options, really.
Padres Interested In Loretta, Iguchi
The Padres have gotten a woeful .244/.315/.328 line out of their second baseman, most of it from Marcus Giles. They’re starting to work Geoff Blum in more often, but it’s a clear area for an upgrade.
The two names on the radar, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune, are Mark Loretta and Tadahito Iguchi.
Iguchi’s slugging percentage is down this year, mostly from an awful May. But he still represents an upgrade on Giles.
The more versatile Loretta is hitting .297/.373/.390 this year; he’s done a nice job drawing walks. Loretta pushed to sign with the Padres, but Kevin Towers stood him up. Now the Friars have come crawling back. The problem is that the Phillies and Mets have sustained injuries to their second basemen and could get in on him.