Blue Jays Targeting Dukes?
UPDATE: A reliable source close to the Jays tells me this one is "nonsense." Sorry to disappoint!
According to our good friends at D-Rays Bay, the Blue Jays and Devil Rays are talking about an Elijah Dukes trade. The proposed deal is pitchers Shaun Marcum and Josh Sowers for Dukes.
Marcum, 25, had a strong showing in Triple A last year as well as an acceptable rookie effort with the Jays. Sowers, Jeremy’s brother, is still in the lower minors.
Not sure where Dukes would fit into Toronto’s 2007 plans, as Adam Lind is already looking for a full-time role on the team.
The radio report referenced was from Ronnie Lane of MLB Home Plate on XM Radio.
Pirates Targeting Elijah Dukes?
Bucco Blog reports that the Pirates and Devil Rays are talking, and the Bucs may be targeting 22 year-old first baseman/outfielder Elijah Dukes. Jake’s informal poll of writers and scouts seemed to indicate that such an acquisition would require either Tom Gorzelanny or Mike Gonzalez. To me, Gorzelanny would make the most sense. As you probably know, Dukes has a world of talent but some makeup issues.
Gorzelanny had a scare last year with August elbow stiffness, though he came back to make three starts after that. For 2007, the 24 year-old southpaw is projected at a 4.06 ERA and 1.36 WHIP in 153 innings by ZiPS and a 4.27 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 168 innings by RotoAuthority.
2007 Tampa Bay Devil Rays
A few of you have reminded me that I’ve ignored the Nats and D-Rays in the 2007 Team Outlooks. No offense intended. Check out Rays Index for your D-Rays blog needs.
Andrew Friedman’s contract obligations:
C – Dioner Navarro – $0.38MM
C – Josh Paul – $0.475MM + raise
1B – Ty Wigginton – $0.75MM + raise
2B – Jorge Cantu – $0.38MM
SS – Ben Zobrist – $0.38MM
3B – Akinori Iwamura – $1.8MM + $1.1375MM posting fee = $2.9375MM
IF/OF/DH – Greg Norton – $0.8MM
LF – Carl Crawford – $4MM
CF – Rocco Baldelli – $0.75MM + $0.45MM bonus = $1.2MM + incentives
RF – Delmon Young – $1.16MM
OF – B.J. Upton – $1.3MM
DH – Jonny Gomes – $0.38MM
SP – Scott Kazmir – $0.38MM
SP – Jamie Shields – $0.38MM
SP – Jae Seo – $1.2MM
SP – Casey Fossum – $2.2MM (September shoulder surgery, should be ready for spring training)
SP – Brian Stokes – $0.38MM
SP – Jason Hammel – $0.38MM
SP – J.P. Howell – $0.38MM
SP – Jeff Niemann – $1.68MM
RP – Dan Miceli – $0.65MM
RP – Shinji Mori – $0.7MM (torn labrum rehab, should not be ready for spring training)
RP – Seth McClung – $0.38MM
RP – Edwin Jackson – $0.38MM
RP – Ruddy Lugo – $0.38MM
RP – Chad Orvella – $0.38MM
RP – Tim Corcoran – $0.38MM
Non-roster invitees:
1B – Hee Seop Choi – $0.975MM
This payroll should be under $25MM, even with some raises, incentives, and the possible inclusion of Choi or Neimann. And that even includes Iwamura’s posting fee broken up over four years, which may not count against payroll. It’s a great core, and if built up carefully the D-Rays could make the AL East a very interesting division towards the end of the decade.
The catching situation is set, with Navarro the main man. The Rays only had to give up a couple of unwanted vets to get Navarro and Seo.
As of right now, Wigginton is the favorite to play first. He could have two challengers in Choi and Elijah Dukes. I don’t have Dukes listed above because I don’t see how he fits in at the moment. But given a 12-man pitching staff there is room for one more position player, one of these two.
Despite his clunky defense and lost 2006, some teams should have interest in Cantu. Moving him would free up some much-needed space in the infield. Iwamura can bounce to second if needed, but it seems unlikely that the B.J. Upton-at-third experiement would resume. Right now Zobrist is the only shortstop candidate, but the Rays might try to upgrade via trade. As long as it’s not an outfielder, I get the impression Friedman will just try to get the best available player(s) in a deal.
Norton will split some time with Gomes at DH, though I could see Gomes running away with it if healthy.
The outfield is set at Crawford/Baldelli/Young. That leaves no room for Upton or Dukes if they are viewed as outfielders. Both deserve starting gigs, so something has to give. I know the team doesn’t want Upton on the bench with the big club but he’s had enough time at Triple A.
Trade rumors have swirled around Upton, Cantu, and even Crawford, but Baldelli is the name everyone’s talking about currently. If the Marlins really offered Scott Olsen, the Rays should take it. Looks like Friedman will just sit back until a team bowls him over with a couple of top shelf prospects. John Schuerholz, for one, has never been afraid to deal his. Nor has Kenny Williams.
Kazmir, Seo, and Shields are locks for the rotation. Same for Fossum, if his shoulder is OK by spring. That means one vacancy goes to Stokes, Hammel, or Howell. Niemann probably needs a half season in the high minors before forcing his way in. The Rays could still sign a vet off the scrap heap to fill a spot, especially if they don’t have faith in Fossum’s recovery.
The bullpen probably needs one veteran signing, but targets Russ Springer and Octavio Dotel are off the market. David Riske, perhaps? The team doesn’t want to go into spring training with McClung closing.
Right now the D-Rays are cheap and supremely talented but at least a year off from competing. Management seems intelligent now, with some decent trades in the books and reasonable veteran signings. If guys like Norton, Iwamura, or Wigginton are playing well they could be dealt off for more youth in coming years.
Devil Rays Sign Akinori Iwamura
UPDATE: It’s official: three years for $7.7MM, club option at $4.25MM for 2010.
Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times tells us that third baseman Akinori Iwamura is "on the verge" of being signed to a three-year deal by the Devil Rays. The deal will be something like three years, $7.5MM guaranteed, I’ve heard. Add in the $4.55MM posting fee if you like and they’re getting him for roughly $4MM annually. Not bad at all.
The Devil Rays have a bit of a crowded infield – Iwamura, Greg Norton, Ty Wigginton, Jorge Cantu, Ben Zobrist, and B.J. Upton could all fight for PT. Norton, Iwamura, and Upton can play the outfield as well, and some space could be freed if Cantu and/or Rocco Baldelli are traded.
Relief Moves
The Red Sox picked up 35 year-old right-handed reliever Brendan Donnelly from the Angels for Phil Seibel. Donnelly’s control slipped significantly last season, but he’s had an excellent career despite a late start. He can help. Seibel, a southpaw, turns 28 in January. He was unhittable across three minor league levels for the Red Sox this year. The Red Sox also added J.C. Romero as a LOOGY option.
The D-Rays signed Al Reyes to a one-year deal. You may recall he was a fantastic reliever for the Cards in ’05 before succumbing to TJ surgery. He already threw a few Triple A innings in August so he should be 100% for spring training. I could see him as the closer at some point.
The Mets probably won’t land Akinori Otsuka, but the Diamondbacks could trade for him. On one hand, it’s scary to rely on Eric Gagne for anything. On the other hand, Otsuka’s value will never be higher. I agree with RotoWorld that Scott Hairston could be a huge sleeper in Texas. More on Hairston here.
Pads, Mets, D-Rays Interested In Giles
Marcus Giles, with a career line of .285/.361/.448, has been granted free agency at age 28 after only five seasons of Major League service. While last year was ugly, Giles still may be the best second baseman available.
Most speculation has been centered around the Padres, because Marcus’s brother Brian plays there. The Padres could’ve had Giles for Scott Linebrink, but now they can get him without surrendering players. Kevin Towers will talk to Giles’s agent today, though San Diego does have a capable option in Todd Walker already.
The Mets are also interested; they are looking to acquire a second baseman despite re-signing Jose Valentin.
Finally, the Devil Rays might check in. Jorge Cantu could be moved to first base or traded, opening up a spot. If Cantu were moved to first, he’d be competing with Ty Wigginton for playing time. That assumes the Rays sign Akinori Iwamura, which seems likely.
Braves Trying To Get Rocco Baldelli
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.
Devil Rays Target Relievers
Marc Topkin writes that after losing out on free agent closer candidate Octavio Dotel, the Devil Rays are now focused on signing either Russ Springer or David Riske.
Springer turned 38 recently, while Riske turned 30. Springer has been tough to hit in recent seasons out of the Astro pen, but has been prone to the gopher ball. Riske’s always been very difficult to hit, despite a significant strikeout rate decline starting in 2005.
It seems likely that if one of these relievers is signed, he would become Tampa Bay’s new closer. Fantasy leaguers, take note.
Topkin also mentions that Rocco Baldelli is drawing interest from the Braves, Orioles, White Sox, and Tigers, but no deal is close.
D-Rays Win Akinori Iwamura Bid
According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Devil Rays have won the bid for infielder Akinori Iwamura.
Mark Mulder To The D-Rays?
Explain to me again why the Devil Rays would have Mark Mulder on the radar? Does this make any sense to anyone? Mark Mulder. The guy who was just getting by in the NL Central with a great defense behind him, when healthy. That guy. Coming off serious shoulder surgery and pitching in the AL East.
Something tells me Gregg Clifton isn’t searching for a $1MM deal for Mulder. How is this one going to return positive value for any team, especially one battling the Yankees, Red Sox, and Blue Jays all the time? Save the $5 million; there’s got to be a better way to use it in the future. Hell, that money would be better spent on anger management classes for Elijah and Delmon.