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Ted Lilly

Odds & Ends: Lilly, White Sox, Reds, Sheets

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Back to back Odds & Ends posts? Madness!

  • Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes about what the Yankees missed out on when they passed on Ted Lilly as a free agent in 2007.
  • Rick Morrissey of The Chicago Tribune says that the White Sox need Roy Halladay, no matter the cost. He suggests a package built around Alexei Ramirez and John Danks.
  • Hal McCoy of The Dayton Daily News says that he could see Aaron Harang and/or Bronson Arroyo moved for prospects if "the Reds nose dive before the July 31 trade deadline."
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that Ben Sheets continues to make progress as he returns from elbow surgery, but it's unclear if he'll be able to pitch at all in 2009. Earlier this month we heard that Sheets may not pitch at all this year.

Perrotto’s Latest: Reds, Dempster, Silva, Lugo

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John Perrotto’s Every Given Sunday column is up over at Baseball Prospectus. For those without a BP subscription, here’s the highlights:

  • Perrotto believes that Reds owner Bob Castellini will give Walt Jocketty the go-ahead to dive into the free agent market this season in an attempt to contend in 2009. The Reds like their young core, and feel a solid bat or two can help them contend in NL Central immediately.
  • Jed Lowrie’s play since taking over for the injured Julio Lugo has convinced the Red Sox that he can be the everyday shortstop. They’ll look to move Lugo (and his contract) this offseason.
  • There’s been a lot of talk about teams looking for corner outfield help, but don’t expect the Tigers to jump into that category. They’re convinced that rookie Matt Joyce can be their everyday left fielder next season. Joyce already has 12 home runs this season in just 183 ABs.
  • Despite a great season, the Cubs may be hesistant to re-sign Ryan Dempster to a long-term deal because they already have Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Jason Marquis signed for 2009.
  • I apologize in advance to Mets fans for what I’m about to write: Perrotto feels that the Mets could make a push to trade for Carlos Silva in the offseason, in the hope that a reunion with his close friend and former teammate Johan Santana can revitalize him.
  • The Pirates are almost certain to trade Jack Wilson before the 2009 season begins.
  • Another name for teams seeking starting pitching: The Marlins are likely to trade Scott Olsen this offseason to help keep their payroll down.

Odds and Ends: Millwood, Posey, Igawa

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Here’s the latest link collection.

  • Former Dodgers GM Paul DePodesta is now blogging for the public.  He currently works for the Padres as Special Assistant for Baseball Operations.
  • In his words, Kevin Millwood felt a stabbing pain even though he hadn’t been stabbed.  He’s on the shelf with a groin injury, taking him off the trade market temporarily.
  • Rays Index had some quality draft links yesterday about the Rays and their #1 pick.  Jim Callis of Baseball America says catcher Buster Posey is "the current favorite."
  • Joel Sherman wonders what might’ve been if the Yankees had signed Ted Lilly instead of Kei Igawa.
  • Ken Davidoff reminds us of the Padres’ past claim on Igawa, and also notes Boston’s interest.
  • Giants owner Peter Magowan may move on.
  • This email exchange between Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger and Carlos Delgado’s agent David Sloane is entertaining.
  • Here’s a valuable free agent to consider: Leo Mazzone.

Cubs Sign Ted Lilly

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Ken Rosenthal reports that the Cubs have signed southpaw Ted Lilly to a four-year, $40MM contract.  Lilly will turn 31 in January.  The Cubs’ rotation now looks something like this:

Carlos Zambrano
Ted Lilly
Rich Hill
New Guy
Mark Prior/Wade Miller

The price isn’t too bad; I thought Lilly could’ve snagged as much as $12MM annually if he waited longer. 

A month ago I had a full writeup of Lilly here at MLBTradeRumors.  Check it out.

Lilly At $44 Million?

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Will Carroll is reporting mostly a lack of action in the early going in Orlando, but does have a tidbit concerning Ted Lilly: the asking price seems to be $11MM annually.  Personally, I would not be surprised if Lilly gets $12MM annually if he waits out Barry Zito. 

Or who knows, maybe the Cubs will go five years on him to seal the deal quickly.  Not sure why people were balking at giving Vicente Padilla four guaranteed years but think it’s just fine for Lilly.

UPDATE, 11:40pm:  Lilly’s agent will speak to the Cubs, Giants, Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mariners on Tuesday.  And now the Globe and Mail mentions that Lilly’s agent will approach the Padres.

Cubs Make Offer To Lilly

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Cubs GM Jim Hendry has extended an offer to southpaw starter Ted Lilly.  The Cubs still have to deal with competition from several other clubs, but they’re serious about Lilly.

I know Lilly is one of the better Tier 2 guys out there, but he seems like a bad fit for the Cubs.  They should be searching for a durable innings eater, something Lilly is not.  The vet has dealt with all sorts of shoulder injuries after his 1999 surgery.  His career high in innings is 197, set in 2004.  I’m also unsure whether the Cubs should be acquiring a flyball pitcher given a home park that inflates home runs by 18%.

Market For Ted Lilly Develops

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Ted Lilly is looking for a four-year deal at close to $40MM.  It’d be tough to hand that contract to a guy with his injury history, but five teams are said to have serious interest.

There are two mystery teams, one from each league, in addition to the Blue Jays, Yankees, and Cubs.  The NL club could be the Giants.  But how about the Mets?  They have plenty of competition for Barry Zito, and Lilly might be the best remaining southpaw starter.

The AL club could be (pure speculation) the Orioles, Royals, Mariners, or Rangers.

My money is on the Cubs, as the Blue Jays seem to be more into Gil Meche and the Yankees don’t seem thrilled with Lilly.

Tuesday tidbits

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Nothing in the news that is too breathtaking today, but there have been enough things worthy of mention that I thought I’d throw them all into one thread.

Here’s a fun trade possibility: the Red Sox are interested in Chad Cordero (uh, who wouldn’t be?) and may be dangling Wily Mo Pena, whom Jim Bowden is known to…how should I put this?…really like.  Bowden hasn’t acquired a toolsy outfielder for a couple of weeks now, so if the Sox found a way to sweeten the deal, perhaps Trader Jim would take the bait.

The Yankees have been quiet lately, but they may soon make an offer to bring back Ted Lilly.  They have also been linked to Shea Hillenbrand and Rich Aurilia to fill a spot at first base. 

The Rockies signed Jeff Francis to a four-year deal for $13.25M, which takes him through his arbitration years.  He’s still only 25, and if nothing else, he’s proven he can eat innings.  He may still turn into more than that.  Even if he’s no more than a 5th starter, he’ll be worth close to that amount, and the Rockies will probably want to exercise their ~$7M option for his first year of free agency in 2011.

According to the LA Times, who I would link to if they didn’t require registration, Carlos Lee isn’t interested in the west coast, which would rule out the Dodgers, Angels, and Giants.  You gotta admit, it would’ve been pretty funny if El Caballo signed in LA and he and Juan Pierre played side by side for the next five years.  By the end of those deals, Vin Scully would’ve said "double to the left-field gap" more times than he did in his first twenty years of broadcasting.

The Reds sent more than half of Jason LaRue’s salary along with him in yesterday’s trade.  I didn’t think it was a horrible deal for the Royals in the first place (though, admittedly, do they really need a mediocre stopgap catcher to help get them to 70 wins?) but this makes it a better one.  More coverage at Royals Review.  (You didn’t know there was a Royals blog, did you?)

By Jeff Sackmann

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