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Braves Expect Trades

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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s David O’Brien talked to Braves GM Frank Wren, and he learned that Wren expects to "make a deal or two."

DOB says the Braves are looking to add a proven bench bat.  They can spare an out of options reliever from the group of Blaine Boyer, Chris Resop, Tyler Yates, and Royce Ring.  O’Brien sees Yates as the one to go.  Catcher Brayan Pena and first baseman Scott Thorman are other possible trade chips.

As for who’s coming to Atlanta, O’Brien pretty much ruled out Reed Johnson and Robert Fick.  He considers Wes Helms a possibility.  The Orioles and Giants are two teams with veterans to spare, though most are of the overpriced variety. 

Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Darvish, Crisp

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Let’s round up some morning links.

Jays Release Reed Johnson

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SUNDAY: According to the Toronto Star, the Jays have released Reed Johnson.  The Jays have to pay $546K of his $3.275MM salary.  Not a huge deal, but non-tendering him several months ago would’ve been better.  Joel Sherman describes the Mets’ interest in Johnson as "mild at best."

SATURDAY: The Globe and Mail’s Jeff Blair refers to "scuttlebutt among scouts" about the Jays placing outfielder Reed Johnson on waivers.  However, J.P. Ricciardi said this was not true.  The Toronto GM said a choice is close regarding Johnson and Shannon Stewart, and both won’t make the team.  The Mets might be a match for Johnson.

I’m surprised by the way the Jays have gone about things in left field this year.  They brought back Matt Stairs, who can pretty much only play left since Frank Thomas and Lyle Overbay own the DH and first base spots.  They’ve got a seemingly Major League ready (and cheap) outfielder in Adam Lind.  They decided to tender a contract to Johnson, something I did not expect.  And then they signed Shannon Stewart on top of it all.  What are the Jays going to do with all these guys? 

Rosenthal’s Latest: Roberts, Horacio, Willits

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Rumor guru and baseball insider Ken Rosenthal has a new column at FOX Sports.  Let’s discuss.

  • Rosenthal does not see the Cubs taking on the salaries of both Brian Roberts and Coco Crisp, even if they shed their Jason Marquis commitment.  Roberts remains the focus.
  • Horacio Ramirez’s agent says seven clubs have already expressed interest in his client.  Perhaps he meant to say 0.7.
  • Rosenthal runs through many Rocco Baldelli replacement options for the Rays: Reggie Willits, Kenny Lofton, Gabe Gross, and Reed Johnson.  Only Willits seems the perfect fit, and the Angels aren’t making him available. Willits and his .393 career OBP could be headed to Triple A.
  • The Phillies are looking for middle relief help; Rosenthal suggests a possible match with Arizona.  Or, how ’bout signing Bob Wickman?  Is he officially retired?

Janssen Injury Could Result In Trade

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News comes today that Blue Jays pitcher Casey Janssen will miss the season with a torn labrum.  He was a bullpen ace last year, and was expected to move back to the rotation this year.

Robert MacLeod’s above-linked article quotes Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi saying he might explore the trade market in the wake of the injury.  If we take J.P. at his word this time, which starters could be possibilities?

The Brewers have the most obvious surplus with Chris Capuano, Dave Bush, and Claudio Vargas.  Bush came up a Blue Jay before being traded to Milwaukee with Gabe Gross for Lyle Overbay.  The Cubs could spare Jason Marquis, for what it’s worth.  How about free agents?  Kyle Lohse called the AL "arena baseball," leaving Jeff Weaver as the uninspiring option.  And I suppose a third stint with David Wells is possible.

Mets Inquire On Reed Johnson, Shannon Stewart

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According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets have checked in on Blue Jays outfielders Shannon Stewart and Reed Johnson.  Nicely done, Drunk Jays Fans.  Although you spelled "rumor" incorrectly.

Sherman says Stewart is a long shot since he can’t handle right.  The Mets want someone who can handle both corners, and Johnson could be that someone (he’s played 64 games in right in ’06 and 13 in ’07).  The 31 year-old will earn $3.275MM this year.  He could be useful if last year’s back problems are behind him.

Blue Jays Sign Armando Benitez

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According to the Toronto Star, the Blue Jays have signed reliever Armando Benitez to a minor league deal.  He’s apparently not in the closer picture (which makes sense, with B.J. Ryan and Jeremy Accardo good to go).

Benitez, 35, struck out 57 in 50.1 innings last year with the Giants and Marlins.  The problem was too many hits, home runs, and walks.  That resulted in an ERA of 5.36.  Benitez’s control has always been poor; he’s succeeded by being tough to hit.  The strong Toronto defense could help in that regard. 

By the way, Benitez’s agent called the White Sox before he signed, but they weren’t able to discuss the possibility.

Managers On The Hot Seat

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It is a slow news day, so we are going to venture a bit off the beaten path…As spring training is now in full swing, a number of managers may have their jobs on the line during the ’08 season. Three managers are in the final year of their deals and another 12 managers have two years left on their contracts. This second group will be due either an extension or a pink slip next winter as few teams are willing to play out a season with a lame-duck manager. Therefore, any manager with two years remaining on their contracts (including options) will likely have their fate determined prior to the ’09 season.

Ignoring managers that may be on the hot seat for other reasons (i.e. Willie Randolph), here is a list of managers that could potentially have their jobs on the line in ’08 based on their current contract situations. (Numbers in parentheses represent the number of years remaining on current contract)

  • Cecil Cooper, HOU (2)
  • Bob Geren, OAK (1+1 team option)
  • John Gibbons, TOR (1)
  • Bobby Cox, ATL (1)
  • Ned Yost, MIL (1+1 team option)
  • Tony LaRussa (2)
  • Bruce Bochy (2)
  • John McLaren, SEA (1)
  • Fredi Gonzalez, FLA (2)
  • Dave Trembley, BAL (1+1 team option)
  • Bud Black, SD (1+1 team option)
  • Joe Maddon, TB (2)
  • Clint Hurdle, COL (2)
  • Jim Leyland, DET (2)
  • Ron Gardenhire, MIN (2)

Taking a closer look at the list…Of the managers in the final year of their deal, Cox will be back if he chooses. LaRussa and Leyland may very well enter ’09 without new deals considering their ages. Yost, Gardenhire, Hurdle and Black look like locks for extensions prior to ’09. However, the remaining eight names on the list (Cooper, Geren, Bochy, Gonzalez, Trembley, Maddon, Gibbons, McLaren) may very well be managing for their jobs in ’08.

By Cork Gaines

Shawn Green Retires

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According to Mark Hale of the New York Post, outfielder Shawn Green has decided to retire.  He had interest from a half-dozen clubs, but apparently nothing close enough to his California home.  Green retires at 35 with about $100MM earned in his career.  That’d be kind of nice, wouldn’t it?

Green finishes with a line of .283/.355/.494 and 328 home runs.  He topped 40 HR in three different seasons.

Shannon Stewart Signs With Blue Jays

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TODAY: Fun fact/correction, courtesy of Susan Slusser.  Turns out the A’s will not be receiving a compensation pick for Stewart, since he signed a minor league deal.  It also seems a long shot that they get one for Mike Piazza, as he could retire, settle for a minor league deal, or head to Japan.

2-24-08: According to Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail, Shannon Stewart has signed a minor league deal with the Blue Jays. It seems that Stewart’s agent switch helped facilitate the contract, as the Jays made an offer earlier in the winter.  My guess is that this is around a million bucks, and you really can’t complain about that.  Stewart is a fine defender in left and a solid fourth outfielder.  Stewart was originally drafted by the Jays 19th overall in ’92.  That draft also had Derek Jeter, Jason Kendall, and Johnny Damon in the first round.

By the way, the A’s are set to receive the 39th or 46th overall pick as compensation for Stewart, depending on what Mike Piazza does.

Meanwhile, Adam Lind joins the class of expendable young outfielders with MLB experience.  Lind, 24, didn’t hit much last year but projects at .267/.324/.443 according to PECOTA.  That’s a notch below other available guys like Matt Murton and Gabe Gross.

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