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Baseball Blogs Weigh In

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Bunch of random topics so let’s just get to it and see what it being said in the Blogosphere…

  • Big League Stew talks to Bless You Boys about the idea of Barry Bonds signing with the Tigers. BYB argues against signing Bonds noting that the Tigers already have a bunch of slow players (base cloggers?) and what they really need is some more speed in the lineup…Although we keep hearing about collusion and have not heard any numbers bandied about, Bonds has always made it very clear how much he values the almighty dollar. Does anybody else think that Bonds would already be in uniform if he had come out said he would play 2008 for $3-5MM plus incentives? The baggage is what it is, but teams might find it easier to deal with it at a price Bonds is not likely to accept.
  • Rockin’ The Red takes a look at the five Cardinals that are most likely to be traded during the season…Chris Duncan is an interesting name on the list. With all the outfielders that the Cards have, Duncan is a solid bat that is likely to be a Super-2 at the end of the year.
  • The Yankees: Minors to Majors looks at the pending free agents for the Yankees and concludes that there is plenty of compensation picks to be had giving the Yankees plenty of flexibility to sign a high-end free agent like C.C. Sabathia…Of course, that is assuming the Yankees would let something like draft pick compensation stand in the way of signing a free agent. Not likely.
  • Wrigleyville23 has had enough of the Brian Roberts-to-the-Cubs media reports…Who?
  • The Bronx Zoo would love to see Nick Johnson back in a Yankees’ uniform but notes that Dmitri Young may not be a dependable replacement for the Nats.
  • Mets Fever notes that eight players have moved among the Brewers, Mets and Nats since this offseason…Let’s just say that the Brewers did not get the best of that "three-way trade".
  • One writer at DRays Bay is hoping the Rays and M’s can re-engage talks for Edwin Jackson…The M’s may be interested once again after being two-hit by Jackson yesterday, but maybe the price just went up.
  • One name that kept popping up recently as a possible trade piece in the near future was Rich Harden. Well, Harden has once again found himself on the DL and Athletics Nation is not taking it well.

Cork Gaines writes for Rays Index and can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Rauch, Fielder, Braun, Garcia

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Some links for you to peruse…

Tigers Eyeing Chad Cordero?

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Matt Palmer and John Keim of the Washington Examiner write that the Nationals and Tigers discussed Chad Cordero this spring.  Their source believes the Tigers’ interest will heighten if their bullpen struggles early on.  The article doesn’t cover suggest it, but the Tigers could also consider relievers Jon Rauch or Luis Ayala.  A look at the three:

  • Cordero, 26, earns $6.8MM in ’08.  He’ll be a free agent after the ’09 season.  Cordero hasn’t pitched yet this season due to shoulder tendinitis, and he wasn’t at his typical velocity in spring.  His control was off in ’07 and he was more hittable than ever. Jim Bowden won’t get full value if he trades Cordero soon.
  • Rauch, 29, earns $1.2MM in ’08, $2MM in ’09, and has a $2.9MM club option for ’10.  He showed the best control of his career in ’07, and he’s second in line for saves in Washington.  He has more trade value than Cordero – he’s completely healthy and signed cheaply.
  • Ayala, 30, earns $1.7MM in ’08 and then reaches free agency.  He may not be a fit for Detroit – he pitches to contact, and their bullpen already has those types.  Ayala had Tommy John surgery in March of ’06.

Could Cubs Switch From Roberts To López?

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Nationals infielder Felipe López has been adamant about being their starting second baseman, but word out of National’s camp is that Ronnie Belliard is their guy at second. López has played some short this spring, but Cristian Guzman has that position locked up, which all but ensures López a backup role and a warm seat in the bench.

López isn’t too happy about that, but will he demand a trade? The Nats’ front office says it won’t be forced into making a deal.   However, according to the Washington Post, the Nats are indeed actively shopping López.  The Cubs had scouts in the seats for Friday’s game.

As you’re more than aware, the Cubs have been in constant discussions with the Orioles about Brian Roberts, but both teams are far from reaching a deal.  It’s possible the Cubs are considering Plan B.

Alejandro Leal writes for umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Loretta, Ensberg, Lopez, Ring

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Ken Rosenthal has some Spring Training odds and ends this morning.

  • Rosenthal adds Mark Loretta as a possible third base acquisition for the Dodgers.  Given their desire for a relatively affordable guy who can also handle second, Rosenthal has linked them to Ron Belliard and Esteban German previously.  Loretta shouldn’t be too hard to pry away from the Astros.  Though he can’t play second, Morgan Ensberg could be an option if the Yankees let him leave.
  • The Nats are shopping Felipe Lopez, who’s said he wouldn’t be content on the bench.  Rosenthal says the Nationals have their eye on awful shortstop Angel Berroa as a possible replacement, which is strange on multiple levels.  Not only is Berroa not a Major Leaguer at this point, but the Nats plan to use Cristian Guzman at short.
  • Royce Ring is said to be "perhaps the most available of the Braves’ out of options relievers."  Who needs a lefty?

Nationals Release John Patterson

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6:58pm: Bart Hubbach of the New York Post says the Mets are not interested in Patterson.  The Astros may take a look.

2:18pm: Today the Nationals released oft-injured starter John Patterson, who hasn’t had a healthy season since his excellent 2005.  Patterson says he’s healthy, but wasn’t progressing as quickly as the Nationals had hoped.  His velocity has been down this spring.  Based on his comments he seems like a good guy; I’m sure he’ll find work with another club.

Patterson was drafted fifth overall by the Expos in ’96, but jumped to Arizona as a $6MM loophole free agent after Montreal didn’t offer him a contract within fifteen days.  The D’Backs’ top pitching prospect needed Tommy John surgery in May of 2000, before he reached the bigs.

He made his big league debut in July of ’02 as an injury replacement for Rick Helling.  He also received a September call-up to finish off that season.  Patterson was named by Bob Brenly as the fourth starter heading into the ’03 season, but a poor spring performance and a cut on his thumb caused Brenly to change his mind.  Patterson bounced up and down between Triple A and the Majors that year.

Out of options in ’04, the D’Backs delayed their decision on Patterson until late March and then shipped him to Montreal for nondescript reliever Randy Choate.  Patterson opened the season as the Expos’ fifth starter, but tore a groin muscle and didn’t come back until July.  His performance after that was erratic, but he excelled in the winter league after the season.

A Tony Armas injury helped Patterson snag a rotation spot to begin ’05, and he was masterful in 31 starts that year (despite a DL stint for back spasms).  With big expectations for ’06, Patterson discovered forearm soreness in April.  The injury didn’t go away, and Patterson had exploratory nerve surgery in July.

That winter Patterson lost his arbitration case but entered the season a healthy pitcher (aside from dizzy spells in spring).  Biceps and elbow soreness surfaced in May; his velocity was down all year.  In June he went to Canada for an injection-based nerve treatment in his elbow.  Though he deemed the procedure a success, Patterson went under the knife again in September to remove upper arm scar tissue and deal with more nerve problems.  While the velocity has been down this spring, Patterson hasn’t dealt with any injuries yet.  After reviewing his history, I realized Patterson is a marvel of modern science.  Still, it seems the man’s body was just not meant to pitch every five days. 

Nationals’ Surpluses Could Lead To Trades

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Nationals GM Jim Bowden signed veterans Dmitri Young and Ron Belliard to curious two-year extensions last year.  He’s now faced with a logjam at two infield positions.

Ben Goessling of the Washington Times describes the first base battle between Young and Nick Johnson, who get along well.  Johnson has more trade value, given his age.  Neither player is a lock for 150 games though.  Johnson is injury-prone, but his perennial .400 OBPs are appealing.  He and Young are both signed through ’09; Young has a vesting option for ’10.  The Yankees or Mets could be in the market for Johnson if their current options don’t work out.  Either team could then add Mark Teixeira after the season, creating another surplus.

The Nats have handed the starting shortstop job to Cristian Guzman, creating a battle for second base between Belliard and Felipe Lopez. Lopez responded with a "hell no" regarding a bench role.  Hell no to your .659 OPS and lousy defense, Felipe!  Belliard is more open to a part-time role, though he’s been outplaying Lopez.  Lopez may be the one to trade, given his impending free agency.  Barry Svrluga notes that the Orioles have been scouting the Nationals this spring, perhaps with the idea of acquiring Belliard or Lopez if they trade Brian Roberts to the Cubs.  The O’s are also interested in Mark Loretta and Juan Uribe for that reason.

Odds and Ends: Jerome Williams, Linden, Lo Duca

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Below you’ll find the day’s random rumors and links.

Nats To Pass On Weaver

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Scott Boras found a deal for Kyle Lohse; will he now focus on getting Jeff Weaver a job?  On Monday, Jeff’s brother Jered said the Nationals and Cardinals had expressed interest.  The Cards are surely out of the mix now, and MLB.com’s Bill Ladson says Weaver has seemingly "priced himself out of the Nats’ pay range."  I’ll guess the Nats were thinking $2MM or so.

So if the Nats and Cards are both out, what’s the elder Weaver to do?  Baltimore seems to be his best option.  Toronto could work.  Perhaps the Astros as a long shot.

In a note at the bottom of his article, Ladson also quashes a short-lived Felipe Lopez to the Cubs rumor.  He adds that the Dodgers have legitimate interest in Willie Harris.

Nationals, Cardinals Interested In Jeff Weaver?

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Whither Jeff Weaver?  We haven’t heard much about potential destinations for the 31 year-old righty.  Probably has to do with his 6.20 ERA last year, but at least he’s healthy.

Jeff’s younger brother Jered piped up yesterday, saying that the Nationals and Cardinals have expressed interest.  Hard to say if that interest is current or just occurred at some point this winter.  But either team would do well to bring him in on a minor league deal.  If he’s holding out for a Major League contract it may be time to adjust expectations. 

When teams have their rotations all lined up on paper during the spring, with their rose-colored glasses on, adding a guy like Weaver isn’t terribly appealing.  But perhaps this year Scott Boras will try a new ploy with Weaver and Kyle Lohse by letting them sit out until April or even May.  We’ve seen the mercenary thing with Roger Clemens, but not so much with healthy, younger pitchers.  A few starters get injured, others don’t pan out, and suddenly maybe Lohse and Weaver cause bidding wars.

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