Heyman’s Latest: Crede, Ethier, Teixeira
SI.com rumor guru Jon Heyman has a new column up; let’s take a gander.
- Heyman talked to an NL scout who considers Joe Crede a below average third baseman right now. If that scout’s opinion is the consensus, it makes sense that Kenny Williams is inclined to wait for Crede to build more value.
- The Rangers pushed hard to acquire Andre Ethier from the Dodgers, both in a Mark Teixeira deal and after L.A. signed Andruw Jones. If I were a Dodger fan, I’d be angry to see the team put its pride ahead of winning by playing Juan Pierre over Ethier.
- Heyman talked to a general manager who felt the Braves have no chance of signing Tex. That GM named the Red Sox, Orioles, Yankees, Giants, Mariners, Dodgers, and Angels as potential suitors. In a survey of almost 1,700 MLBTR readers, the Yankees were picked as the team most likely to sign Teixeira (followed closely by the Braves).
Odds and Ends: Garland, Linden, A-Rod
Time to round up various tidbits and rumors.
- Jon Garland says that unless his agent kept him in the dark, a long-term deal was never discussed with the White Sox. But in the unlikely event the Sox pursue Garland this winter, he’ll listen. Here’s a look others who will be free agents after this season and under 30 years old for ’09.
- We’ve heard the Brandon Inge/Joe Crede rumors regarding the Dodgers. Tony Jackson speculates that Wes Helms or Jeff Cirillo could also be options.
- Paul Sullivan says Aaron Rowand was the Cubs’ Plan B to Kosuke Fukudome.
- ShysterBall can’t figure out why the Cubs would go after Coco Crisp.
- Todd Linden is mashing so far this spring, but he gets the feeling he won’t make the A’s. The 27 year-old switch-hitter has a Major League line of .231/.303/.335 in 502 ABs.
- Jon Heyman has an inside look at Alex Rodriguez‘s offseason adventure.
- In addition to the aforementioned Brandon Medders and Dustin Nippert, Arizona’s Edgar Gonzalez is out of options and has drawn interest.
What’s Next For Brian Anderson?
White Sox center fielder Brian Anderson has had a roller coaster career, though he’s only 26. The former first-round pick entered the ’06 season as Chicago’s starting center fielder, but he didn’t hit enough to keep the job. BA didn’t make much noise in ’07 (aside from comments he made to Scott Merkin).
Now Anderson is making the good kind of noise, hitting .351/.442/.568 in 37 spring ABs. He’s battled his way into the Opening Day picture, especially with Jerry Owens and Carlos Quentin ailing. Anderson is leading all players in spring ABs, which would almost indicate a showcase. All sorts of teams have had interest in the past, including the Marlins and Rangers. However, Anderson still has two options so there’s no pressing need to trade him.
Odds and Ends: Loretta, German, Belliard, Baldelli
- An update to the Ken Rosenthal article discussed earlier suggests that either Esteban German or Ron Belliard would be better, cheaper alternatives for the Dodgers than Joe Crede or Brandon Inge. It would take less to get Belliard or German, they’re paid less, and either of them could back up Jeff Kent, 40, at second base in addition to playing third. Both players are "attracting the Dodgers’ interest" according to Rosenthal.
- The Baltimore Sun is now reporting that the Orioles have an interest in Mark Loretta. Hopefully this is a sign that the Brian Roberts-to-Chicago saga will soon mercifully come to a conclusion. Loretta apparently isn’t slated for regular duty in a Houston infield that now features Miguel Tejada, Kaz Matsui and Ty Wigginton, which is why he might be in play. The Astros sent a scout to watch the O’s on Sunday.
- Rocco Baldelli spoke with Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal about his myriad health problems, and dispelled some of the more creative speculation about him. He didn’t, however, address the big decision on his future that the Rays will be forced to make in the coming weeks. As discussed here a couple of days ago, and again in Sunday’s St. Petersburg Times, the decision on whether the team will pick up Baldelli’s 2009 option has to be made by April 1st. The Times suggests the Rays will pass, meaning a $4MM buyout.
Posted by Andrew Stoeten of Drunk Jays Fans.
Does Crede Make Sense For Dodgers?
South Side Sox wonders if the Dodgers will look to acquire White Sox third baseman Joe Crede now that Andy LaRoche is out two months with a torn thumb ligament and Nomar Garciaparra’s status is day to day after getting hit in the wrist by a pitch.
Buster Olney says the Dodgers are likely to trade for a player like Crede because "the perception about Garciaparra, among scouts, is that his unusual throwing mechanics make it very difficult for him to play third base on a regular basis."
Previously, Los Angeles had been mentioned as a possible destination for Detroit third baseman Brandon Inge. But, as South Side Sox points out, "Crede brings more power, a better contact rate, and a smaller salary" than Inge. So why not Crede?
One more point in Crede’s favor: because he’s in the final year of his contract, he wouldn’t block LaRoche at the position next season. Then again, Crede, who is coming off back surgery, is hardly a safe bet to stay healthy and the last thing the Dodgers need is three third basemen on the DL.
Sox To Wait On Crede Trade?
SI.com’s Jon Heyman gives his take on the White Sox-Giants Joe Crede trade talks:
The White Sox apparently haven’t been enamored by what the Giants have to offer for third baseman Joe Crede. A Giants person conceded, "We badly need bats,” but they aren’t to the point where they’ll give up any of their better pitchers to get them. One possibility could be hard-throwing reliever Jonathan Sanchez, though it appears now that Crede may not be traded until closer to this summer’s deadline.
White Sox GM Kenny Williams has previously said that Josh Fields will play third base in 2008, whether in the Majors or at Triple A. He doesn’t have much left to learn there, however. Ken Rosenthal explored a scenario that would allow the Sox to play both Crede and Fields at the corners – a trade of Paul Konerko before the veteran’s 10 and 5 no-trade rights kick in.
There is no reason that the Giants should feel motivated to include the promising Sanchez to acquire one year of Crede. The 25 year-old southpaw has a "sneaky fastball and plus change-up," according to Baseball America. He’s whiffed more than a batter per inning in his 92-inning big league career.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Thames, Konerko, Ellis, Atkins
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal dissects the outfield options for the Mets, many of the names we’ve been speculating. He notes that the Mets’ talks for Marcus Thames fizzled during the Winter Meetings.
- He says Paul Konerko "remains quietly available," and expresses the opinion that the Mets or Yankees could both use him. Rosenthal believes Chicago’s biggest need is starting pitching.
- Rosenthal speculates that six years at $18MM per might be the Rockies’ limit for Matt Holliday. Will the Scott Boras client demand full market value? Also, Colorado doesn’t seem to have any plans to lock up Garrett Atkins.
- Signing Mark Ellis to an extension rather than trading him is a possibility for the A’s. Three or four years at $5MM per would be the going rate.
- Though Dylan Hernandez wrote that the Dodgers "don’t appear to be interested in Brandon Inge," Rosenthal says they’re "indeed intrigued."
A’s Not Interested In Pierre
11:50am: Slusser says A’s sources are thoroughly denying this rumor. It was fun while it lasted! She is also skeptical of the Mark Ellis rumblings.
8:01am: There’s a headline I didn’t expect to write, given that the Dodgers’ Juan Pierre comes with a $36.5MM commitment over the next four years. Susan Slusser reports that the Athletics have inquired on him, proof that they may be looking to acquire a veteran center fielder.
It doesn’t make a whole lot of sense on the surface. Either the A’s would want the Dodgers to absorb a significant portion of the money, or they’d like to pass back their own questionable contract. Front row center would be Eric Chavez, owed $37MM over the next three seasons. Chavez’s ten and five no-trade rights haven’t kicked in yet, and the Dodgers aren’t among the teams on his current limited clause. The oft-injured Chavez isn’t expected to be ready for Opening Day.
Odds and Ends: Lowry, Mantei, Inge
Link time!
- The White Sox had a scout watching Noah Lowry‘s disaster yesterday. Maybe that affected him.
- Todd Zolecki says Ruben Amaro Jr. is the frontrunner for the Phillies’ GM job next year, with Mike Arbuckle the other main candidate. Meanwhile, Bob Ford thinks the Phils should’ve paid $200K for Cole Hamels‘ happiness.
- Looks like Matt Mantei’s comeback attempt may come to an end. Despite Jim Leyland’s comments, you have to think Dave Dombrowski will troll the market for relievers. Leyland also talked about how he’s not going to force Brandon Inge to catch.
- Jeff Sackmann discusses some clubs that would stand to gain around three wins by signing Barry Bonds.
- Jonathan Papelbon‘s contract is likely to be renewed today, and he’s probably not getting $900K.
- Tom Haudricourt offers up a primer on renewals, arbitration, free agency, all that stuff.
Odds and Ends: Ponson, Inge, Papelbon
Let’s round up some Monday morning links.
- The Cardinals are taking another look at Sidney Ponson. Insert your own punchline in the comments.
- Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun could see the O’s making a minor trade for a veteran second baseman if they acquire Ronny Cedeno but not Eric Patterson in a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs.
- Brandon Inge is trying his best to talk his way out of town. The Dodgers’ recently reported nibble hasn’t been publicly shot down, so that’s a plus.
- South Side Sox thinks speedy infielder Eugenio Velez is the type of player the White Sox could desire for Joe Crede.
- Jonathan Papelbon wants $900K in his last year before arbitration eligibility. Ryan Howard set a scary precedent last year. If Papelbon doesn’t get offered something close, he’d rather make a statement and be renewed near the minimum.
- Buster Olney suggests Dan Johnson and Doug Mientkiewicz could be possibilities for the Mets in their quest for a backup first baseman. Olney speculated on Nick Johnson, Scott Hatteberg, Richie Sexson, Tony Clark, and Kevin Millar the day before.