Morisato As GM - Five Decisions I Would Make (The Middle Class Edition)

November 2, 2008 at 4:34 pm · Filed under Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Toronto Blue Jays

Onto to part three of four, this time concentrating on Baseball’s middle class.  Typically, these are guys that are rebuilding or are quasi contenders that are a move or two away from making the playoffs or starting over. 

The Kansas City Royals (75-87)

• Trade Jose Guillen To The New York Mets For Luis Castillo - Guillen has played his way out of Kansas City, and the Royals now look awful for giving him a three year deal.  So, what to do?  How bout offering the Mets a chance to swap bad contracts, giving them Castillo, who could play second for the Royals, and giving Guillen to the Mets, who would then fill the hole in left field they tried to fill with Daniel Murphy.  This would then allow the Mets to pursue the man they really want, Orlando Hudson.
• Trade Billy Butler To The Tampa Bay Rays For Edwin Jackson - The deal for Mike Jacobs fucked the Royals in the respect that it effectively ends Butler’s chances of being a productive major leaguer for the Royals.  WIth Kaia Ka’aihue in the minors and Russ Gload signed for another year, plus 2008 1st Round Eric Hosmer, there is effectively no room for Butler to hang on.  So why not deal him to a team that could bring about his potential, in this case Tampa.  Tampa needs a presence at DH and Butler hit well after the All-Star break.  Plus, Jackson isn’t a guy I expect to repeat the numbers he posted last year and is the likely odd man out next year to make room for David Price.  This deal has upside for everyone, and Jackson will be pitching in a division loaded with pitchers parks.
• Convert Joaquim Soria To The Rotation - Soria was a starter in the minors, but was converted to the bullpen in order to give the Royals the best chance of keeping him.  Soria is an exceptional closer, but he has more than enough pitches to succeed as a starter.  Soria has more value as a starter, not as a reliever.  Why not move him into the rotation?  And if things go bad, you could always switch him back?  What is there to lose?
• Play Alberto Callaspo As A Utilityman - Callaspo was acquired for Billy Buckner last off-season in hopes of giving the Royals a potential answer long term at the position.  However, he’s been up and down this season, and blocked by Mark Grudzielanek the rest of it.  With the Royals likely to let Gruds go, play Callaspo at second and short and see what he can do.  
• Make Robinson Tejeda The Closer - With Soria now in the rotation, see what Robinson Tejeda can do as the closer.  Tejeda has great stuff and was given up on too early by the Rangers, in my opinion.  Give Tejeda the opportunity to close.  At the very least, he gains experience and can be a valuable trade piece.  At the most, you get a adequate replacement for Soria, who could blossom as an everyday starter much the way Derek Lowe did.

The Oakland Athletics (75-86)

• Sign Jason Giambi - Giambi isn’t going to get offered arbitration by the Yankees, as there is a very good chance he might accept it.  That likely means that GIambi is going to be a free agent that won’t have draft pick compensation for it.  Giambi offers a lot of positives.  He still hits for big power and he draws great walk numbers.  And he still has a fairly good relationship with the A’s.  All in all, it’s a good fit, and adds a big thumper to the middle of the lineup at DH.
• Sign Rafael Furcal - Furcal offers a lot more upside than Crosby does, will likely seek a one year deal to try and re-establish his value on the market.  If Oakland wants to, see if you can sneak in a option for 2010.  The only problem here is that Furcal’s health record has been for shit the past couple of years. 
• Trade Bobby Crosby And Dan Meyer To The St. Louis Cardinals For David Freese - St. Louis is looking for an upgrade at shortstop and second base. and Crosby, who has his faults, is much better than what St. Louis currently has on the roster.  Offering them Dan Meyer, a pitcher that is out of options and might benefit from Dave Duncan, might sweeten the deal.  Freese is a solid catching prospect, but might get fucked over in the long run by St. Louis’ current crop of third base prospects.  They have Allan Craig in the system and are developing Brett Wallace as a third baseman.  Of the trio, Wallace is the one that is the best bet long term.  Oakland needs a successor for Eric Chavez at third base, as Adrian Cardenas won’t be ready for at least two years.  Oakland can even cover part of Crosby’s remaining salary to help a deal along.  And, in the end, St. Louis will be able to improve their roster at the cost of a blocked prospect and some cash.
• Trade Huston Street To The Tampa Bay Rays For Reid Brignac - The Athletics aren’t enthused about paying Huston Street big money now that they’ve found an effective closer in Brad Ziegler.  With the minors lacking any sort of shortstop prospects at all, the Rays make sense, as they’ll be seeking bullpen help and a closer that could take the load off of Troy Percival.  In return, the A’s get Brignac.  THis is a big simplistic, however, as I think the A’s might be seeking a huge bounty for their closer.  Keep in mind, however, that the time to move Street was in 2007 (when Eric Gagne brought a huge return to Texas) and not now (when Jon Rauch brought Emilio Bonifacio).
• Deal For The Top Selection In The Rule 5 Draft - There will be some interesting talent available in this year’s Rule 5 Draft.  With the success of teams in recent years of getting top selections, pay the $100,000 or so to get the Padres to sell your their slot and nab a talent.  With Oakland’s roster remaining fluid, keeping a Rule 5 Guy for the necessary time allotment shouldn’t be a problem.

The Texas Rangers (79-83)

• Exercise Hank Blalock’s Option - This is a no brainer.  For $6 million, which is what Blalock would get on the market, you get a first baseman or DH, depending on what you choose to do with him, that can produce well when healthy.  
• Let Milton Bradley And Jamey Wright Walk - Wright is the easy one, as he was one of the most abused relievers in the Rangers’ bullpen.  As for Bradley, he wants a multi-year deal.  If I were Texas, I’d offer two years, plus a vesting third year.  I think he wants much more than that.
• Sign Joe Crede For A One Year Deal - I’m not sold that the Rangers should make Chris Davis the everyday third baseman, as I think that should only be in an emergency.  I would, however, take a one-year gamble on Crede, who is a solid defender with some pop.  If the Rangers can manage his health, with Davis and Blalock taking the occassional day at third and first, with Crede as the DH, it could prove to be beneficial for both parties (big contract for Crede, draft pick bonus for Texas.)
• Trade Gerald Laird To The Florida Marlins For Scott Olsen - For both squads, this is a trade of needs.  Olsen is the odd man out of the Marlins rotation that will have Chris Volstad, John Johnson, Anibal Sanchez, Ander Miller, and a cheaper option than Olsen for the fifth spot.  I’d offer them Laird, who upgrades their catching void, while taking back Olsen, who I think under the right coach (it’s going to be Rick Peterson or Mike Maddux in the the next couple of days), can be a decent lefty pitcher.
• Make Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Frank Francisco The Opening Day Catcher And Closer - I still believe in Salty and I think he should be a good offensive catcher for the Rangers.  Francisco proved he can be a flat out nasty closer and should keep the role.

The Cleveland Indians (81-81)

• Trade Trevor Crowe To The Kansas City Royals For Mark Teahen -The Indians need a third baseman.  The Royals need a centerfielder with patience.  Crowe can fill that role for Kansas City, allowing them to play David DeJesus in left field.  And Teahen could fill that role that the Indians got from Casey Blake, at a fraction of the price.
  
• Sign Chad Cordero - Cordero is a solid buy low option that would allow the Indians to add to their bullpen, while also giving them a potential trade chip that they could flip if they are out of contention at the deadline.
  
• Trade Kelly Shoppach To The Boston Red Sox For Michael Bowden, Daniel Bard, Joshua Reddick And Oscar Tejeda - Right now, catching is at a premium, and the Indians are going to get some interest in Shoppach, who filled in so well for Victor Martinez.  The problem is, Martinez is going to be back and is going to be healthy next season and the Indians have catcher Carlos Santana in the minors, and is likely going to be ready in 2010 to at least share duty with Martinez.  With that in mind, the time is right to trade Shoppach, and who better than to Boston, for a decent package of prospects to add depth to the minors.  Bowden can at least be a suitable back of the rotation guy, Bard a useful setup man.  Reddick and Tejeda are both raw, but also both highly talented guys with some star potential.  All in all, it’s a nice trade that allows Cleveland to get some good options in a couple of years to work with.
  
• Give Asdrubal Cabrera Another Shot - He was one of the best second baseman in the second half in 2007.  And his minor league numbers still are solid.  Why not?
• Allow Open Competition At First Base - Ryan Garko shouldn’t be an everyday first baseman.  The Indians need to see what guys like Beau Mills, Michael Aubrey, and Matt LaPorta can do at the big league level.  All of those guys can provide much better offensive value than what Garko can provide.

The Arizona Diamondbacks (82-80)

• Sign Mark Grudzielanek For One Year - The Diamondbacks aren’t going to get Orlando Hudson back, and let’s face it, his age, health, and price tag aren’t going to make it a good idea to invest in him long term anyway.  Getting the two draft picks for him are the best way to go.  In return, signing Grudzielanek, who is a capable defender and can bat second would be the way to go.
• Leave Max Scherzer In The Bullpen - Scherzer shouldn’t be in the rotation, as I think that his lack of a third pitch, plus his violent delievery, make him more of a bullpen guy, and one that would be stellar at that.  Having him as a relief ace, and eventually an option at closer, is the way to go.
• Re-Sign Randy Johnson - Might as well finish off that chase for 300, plus get some league average innings as well.
• Play Justin Upton And Eric Byrnes In The Outfield Corners - Byrnes is the easy one:  his contract makes it necessary to play him in order to have any value.  As for Upton, he’s got the most upside of anyone that the Diamondbacks could hope to get in the free agent market.  
• Trade Chad Tracy To Seattle For Miguel Batista And A PTBNL - Batista might be able to harness some of that magic (or whatever it was that made him a competent pitcher) back in Arizona, where he’ll be an easier division and a better defensive club.  As for Tracy, I’m iffy on him long term and think that Connor Jackson should be the everyday first baseman.  So sending him to Seattle, who needs a first baseman, for Batista, cash and a player to be named later is fair.

The Los Angeles Dodgers (84-78)

• Re-Sign Casey Blake - There aren’t any better options out there, so may as well pay the guy you know.
• Play Chin-Lung Hu At Shortstop - Furcal’s injury history makes it problematic for the Dodgers, who like his bat, but are reluctant to give out any huge salaries unless that player is a total badass.  Hu was rushed a bit last season, but is still a stellar defender and has offensive upside.  Play him, as you’ll never know what he can do unless he gets the reps.  
• Trade Andruw Jones To The Cincinnati Reds For A Player To Be Named Later - This is strictly a roster dump, but one that has some potential.  Jones might find himself rejuvinated in Cincinnati’s hitter’s park and so long as the Dodgers are willing to pay a good chunk of his salary, it would make all kinds of sense to the Reds, who lack outfield depth at the moment.  
• Sign Jason Kendall To Backup Russell Martin - Kendall is still a competant catcher and is the best of the catchers that might accept a backup gig.  It would allow Martin to take some days off and hopefully should protect him from wearing down in the second half.
• Do Not Bring Back Takashi Saito - Jonathan Broxton is a more than capable closer, and Saito’s arm has a lot of miles on it.  

The Florida Marlins (84-77)

• Trade Scott Olsen To Texas For Gerald Laird - The Marlins would be selling high on Olsen, who has seen his velocity and strikeout totals fall, plus gain a catcher that can help their offensive woes at the position, without sacrificing defense.
• Play Dallas McPherson At Third, Move Jorge Cantu To First - McPherson isn’t a great defensive third baseman, but Cantu makes him look like a Gold Glover.  Move Cantu to first, McPherson to third, and bingo, you’ve replaced Mike Jacobs’ power and onbase numbers at a fraction of the cost.
• Do NOT promote Cameron Maybin This Season - Maybin isn’t ready, as his power hasn’t manifested itself complete and he still strikes out a ton.  Leave him in the minors for one more season, then roll the dice in 2010, unless something clicks.
• Trade Kevin Gregg To The Cleveland Indians For Ben Francisco - Gregg will have a lot of appeal for teams wanting a proven closer.  In this case, trading him to Cleveland, who is showing a willingness to trade Ben Francisco, who I think can be an average left fielder, makes tons of sense.  Which sets up the last move…
• Trade Josh Willingham To Tampa Bay For Prospects - Willingham needs to be a DH, as he’s too fragile to play the field.  Trading him to Tampa, who is looking for a young DH, for some prospect depth, is the final move I would make.  Tampa would get their man, and Florida gets some more options to play with in the future.

The St. Louis Cardinals (86-76) [Note:  Slippery When Wet is a nifty album to rock out to when no one is looking...]

• Sign Rafael Furcal - The Cardinals need a shortstop badly, but the options on the market aren’t promising.  How long do you really expect for Orlando Cabrera to remain solid when he’s in his mid-30’s?  And any deal for Cabrera costs the Cardinals their first rounder, which they do need.  So what are they to do?  Sign Furcal, who has good upside, loves the National League, and most importantly, will be cheaper and won’t have any draft pick ramifications like the other options out there.
  
• Make Chris Perez The Closer - The Cardinals have a potential closer in house in Perez, who throws heat, but also lacks control over his stuff.  All in all, he is a good inhouse candidate to at least make a difference.  FInd out what he can do.
  
• Trade Ryan Ludwick To The San Francisco Giants For Jonathan Sanchez - Ludwick had an impressive year last year, but to be honest, I would sell high on him, as his health history hasn’t been great and his year last year was a bit out of line from what he put up in previous seasons.  The Giants are looking for a big bat.  Offer them Ludwick for Sanchez, whose value is down this year.  Hopefully, with work from Dave Duncan, things can work out well.  It also allows St. Louis to move top prospect Colby Rasmus into center and move Rick Ankiel to right field.
  
• Re-Sign Felipe Lopez - Lopez could be the starter at second base, or at the very least a valuable utilityman.
  
• Attempt To Trade Or Cut Adam Kennedy - Kennedy wants out of St. Louis, based on his delusion that he is still an average second baseman.  In the event this delusion persists, see if there is any value out there.  If you can’t get even the shittiest Player To Be Named Later back, cut his whiney ass and move on.

The Toronto Blue Jays (86-76)

• Sign Manny Ramirez - Toronto needs offense more than anything, and the one thing that should be done is to sign the best bat on the market, Manny Ramirez, and employ him as their DH.  Ramirez would bring a power presence to the Jays and should increase their offensive output by at least a run or so.  
• Retain A.J. Burnett - I would also try to get Burnett to remain with Toronto.  While I do think that they probably should quit on Burnett due to his spotty injury history, the Marcum injury and uncertainty on Dustin McGowan make it necessary to retain him, or lose their pitching advantage.
• Move Aaron Hill To Short, Play Iglett At Second - Hill can be a capable shortstop, and with the lack of shortstop prospects in the Jays minors, he fills a need and provides a hell of  alot more upside than John MacDonald and Marco Scutaro.  Joe Inglett didn’t embarress himself and can be a stopgap second baseman until Scott Campbell, a capable second baseman, is ready.
• Leave Travis Snider In The Minors For The Season - I think Snider will eventually force Adam Lind to first base once Lyle Overbay’s contract is up, but with the Ramirez deal and Lind, Wells and Rios all in the outfield, leaving Snider in the minors for just a few months until injury brings up some need for him makes the most sense.
• Have David Purcey In The Opening Day Rotation - I like Purcey and think he’s got the potential to at least be a lefty innings eater.  Having him on the opening day rotation (Halladay, Burnett, Litsch, Purcey, and maybe one of their fifth starter candidates) should help the Jays until McGowan is able to return.

The Houston Astros (86-75)

• Commit To J.R. Towles and Michael Bourn - Towles has the potential to be a starting catcher, while Bourn was traded with the intention of being a starter.  Right now, giving the reps to both is much better than dicking around with lesser options (or playing Darin Erstad, which I fear will happen.)
  
• Re-Sign Randy Wolf And LaTroy Hawkins - Both guys pitched well and both are open to Houston.  By now, Houston should know what they’re getting with both.  Wolf I think can be a suitable fourth or third starter and Hawkins a good 7th inning guy.  Signing both for two years is a sensible option.
  
• Offering Doug Brocail Arbitration, Then Let Him Sign Elsewhere - I wouldn’t gamble on Brocail putting up a season like he did this past year, so get the draft pick and move on.
  
• Sign A.J. Burnett - If I am going to sacrifice a first rounder on the second tier of arms, I would go after Burnett, who offers ace type upside and can comfortable slide in after Roy Oswalt as the number two starter.  
  
• Extend Jose Valverde - Houston fleeced the Diamondbacks with the Valverde trade, and with their closer seeking a long term extension, use something in between of what Brad Lidge recieved and what Brian Fuentes will get as a basis for Valverde.

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Foul Balls - Four Quick Takes On Baseball, Politics, Life

September 2, 2008 at 8:56 pm · Filed under 2008 MLB Draft, AL West, Andy LaRoche, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Casey Blake, Howie Kendrick, Ian Kinsler, Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark Ellis, Oakland Athletics, Politics, Russel Martin, Scott Boras, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers

Here are four quick takes that I’ve been thinking about:

The Dodgers Want To Make Martin A Catcher?  

Seriously, you want to take one of the best hitting catchers in the National League, a catcher that isn’t defensively challenged and is only going to get better, and you want to switch him to third base? 

Third Fucking Base!?

And on top of that, you want to replace his production from behind the plate with none other than…drum roll…Jason Varitek?!

Vartiek who is currently hitting .226/.316./.375 this season, all the while looking older at the plate?  That Jason Varitek?

Gee, I guess it would make sense to trade for a young third baseman that could hit and be tolerable at the hot corner.  Someone like…ANDY LAROCHE!? While LaRoche is hardly setting the world on fire with the Pirates, he is showing favorable stats right now, walking nearly as much as he is striking out, along with some power.  Given time, he should be fairly good.

Why not re-sign your current third baseman, Casey Blake, instead of making the mistake of moving Martin to third, and only creating another hole that you need to fuck around with in order to fill.  Adequate third baseman can be found.  Excellent catchers can’t.

Boras Likely Hoping To Get Alvarez Free Agency

Here’s another thing that has me a bit worked up.

Scott Boras essentially agreed to a deal, got his client $6 million in signing money, and for all intents and purposes, did his job.  Alvarez was happy.  The Pirates were happy.  Major League Baseball was happy.

So how in God’s name is Boras now fighting tooth and nail to get the deal revoked?

Part of the reason is that Boras wants to stick it to Frank Cooley, his nemesis for years at the Major League Front Offices.

The other part of the reason is this:

I think Boras is trying to get Alvarez ruled as a free agent.

It’s happened before, when Boras got several players declared as free agents ruled as free agents back in 1996.

Think about it.

Boras often pushes several of his better clients down in the draft to richer teams to cash in, often times giving an astronomical amount to scare off teams at the top.  It’s happened.  Still does.

I think that Boras was hoping to get Alvarez down to the Orioles, who have paid big money for Boras clients in the recent past, in hopes of getting Alvarez the richest sum in the draft (another reason for the desire for the contract to get renegotiated is to hope that he can one up Buster Posey, who shot down Boras and got the highest bonus available in the draft.). 

It’s likely that Boras wants Alvarez to hit the open market, allowing him to engage the richer teams such as the Red Sox, Yankees, Mets, Angels and Dodgers, and possibly getting other known draft busters like Tampa, Texas, and the Diamondbacks.  Thus, Alvarez would cash in bigger.

But here’s the thing?  What if Boras is wrong?  What if his decision to challenge the technicality of the draft deadline results in a ruling for next year, meaning Alvarez has to honor his commitment to the Pirates?  What did he gain?  Nothing but bad press, and the unintentional collateral damage of Eric Hosmer, the third overall pick, who is now being restricted by MLB to not play until the mess is sorted out.

Perhaps this is merely nothing but a power struggle, a power play to show that Boras is still a force to be reckoned with, especially since Boras has taken several hard hits.  Alex Rodriguez’s relationship with him is reportedly colder than the North Pole, Kenny Rogers has fired him, and the Danks brothers fired him after it was revealed that Boras shot down an offer in the first round that would have gotten Jordan Danks, the younger brother of John, drafted on the first day. 

Boras’ antics this year may have further reprecussions down the line.  It has now brought attention to Major League Baseball that the draft must be fixed.  Thus, it’s possible that negotiations could be engaged with the union that could result in hard slotting rules, similar to the NBA.  And if you don’t think the players won’t agree with it, don’t be so sure.  Many of the old guard dislike the current bonuses paid to amatuers and could push for a hard bonus cap.

It’s a pity that Boras has felt the need to go this far.  The only real question is why doesn’t Alvarez simply tell Boras to stop, if he was happy with his original contract.  Ultimately, he is the one that will take the brunt of the fire, as JD Drew has in Philadelphia. 

Enough Of The Howie Kendrick Hype As The AL West’s Best Second Baseman

Enough of the hype already.

I’ll admit that Kendrick is an excellent hitting prodigy that will win a could of batting titles when his career is done.

He’s also an injury prone, no power, no on base, no speed second baseman that doesn’t stay on the field long enough to make a difference.

Seriously, this fucking argument continues to be made.

Kinsler, for his defensive faults, is the better second baseman.  Has been since last year, if not before.

Jose Lopez, while streaky, is also more reliable than Kendrick.

Even the remains of Mark Ellis are better than Kendrick.

So how in fucks sake can ESPN pundits and other prospect hounds continue to sing the praises of Kendrick.

When the dude stays upright for more than half a season, call me.  Until then, all hail Kinsler!!!

I Hate Politics

The obsession with politics in the country is frightening.

When you see people yelling and screaming obscenities on TV, language normally reserved for one’s worst enemies, overanalyizing every part of someone’s fast, and attacking the moral and racial character of a person, something is seriously wrong in this country.

I do vote, but I don’t lean either to the left or the right.  I am pro life, I support the right to bear arms, but I also prefer a strong federal government and programs to help the inner cities and urban environments.  I support higher taxes on corporations, but also don’t wish the country devolves into a  welfare state.

I abide by the philosophy of political parties, one of which was voiced by the greatest American in the history of his nation:

“It serves to distract the Public Councils, and enfeeble the Public Administration….agitates the Community with ill-founded jealousies and false alarms; kindles the animosity of one….against another….it opens the door to foreign influence and corruption…thus the policy and the will of one country are subjected to the policy and will of another.”

- George Washington, Farewell Address

When November comes, I will be voting.  But it’s won’t be along party lines.  Rather, it’s which one of the candidates I find least detestible.  Political parties, in my opinion, only serve to lose the message in a hurricane of emotion.

I’m out.

Comments (7)

The Perpetually Updated MLB Trade Weekend Blog - Powered By OCD

July 25, 2008 at 4:45 pm · Filed under AL East, Baseball, Brandon Morrow, Casey Blake, Dunn, Jarrod Washburn, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners, Xavier Nady

The Jarrod Washburn Story Nearing It’s Inevitable Conclusion

Sindey Ponson may not pitch tomorrow, as it looks like the Yankees will merely assume Washburn’s contract obligations and give Seattle virtually nothing in terms of a prospect of consequence.  Overall, this is probably the best Seattle could have hoped for (though I still think that Washburn is worth four outfielder Brett Gardner, whom the Yankees seem to have an unhealthy fetish for.)  Washburn does want a little something-something for waiving his no-trade clause, which is coming from Seattle.  I wonder what it is?

The Cleveland Indians Trade FC Casey Blake To The Los Angeles Dodgers For RHP Jonathan Meloan and C Carlos Santana, Acquire Anthony Reyes In A Seperate Deal.

Not a bad haul for the Indians, who get a potential closer in Meloan.  Santana is the other big name prospect that the Indians get.  Santana was just moved to catcher not too long ago, but looks good behind the plate thus far and has a nice swing.  He’s got some power potential in him and overall looks to be quite a solid player. 

As for Blake, the Dodgers get a Four Corner Reserve, as Blake can fill in at first, third, left and right field.  He’s got decent pop, but is probably not all that great of a bet to be a starter, in my opinion.  He’s not that great of a third baseman and the other teams after him, the Rays and the Mets, were going to use him into the outfield.  Honestly, the Dodgers probably could have gotten Hank Blalock for Andy LaRoche alone.  This deal likely spells the end of LaRoche in LA, which is a puzzling affair as the front office never seemed to believe in him. 

The day gets better for the Indians as they get Anthony Reyes, who likely needed to get the hell out of St. Louis.  Reyes has looked good in Triple A, likely because he’s away from Dave Duncan, whom he conflicted with a lot.  If Reyes’ recovery is for real, the Indians have a solid rotation option bought for virtually nothing.  The Cardinals get Luis Perdoma, a minor league reliever, who is okay, but not a closer or even a setup man.  Again, good deal for the Indians, who are now likely to give up on Jeremy Sowers, who’s been awful for nearly three years running.

The New York Yankees Trade For Xavier Nady And Damasto Marte

One of the group of Ian Kennedy, Austin Jackson and Philip Hughes had to have been involved.  There’s no way that the Pirates would have agreed to anything without one of them.   My guess is that an Ian Kennedy Plus Melky Cabrera swap has been agreed to, which would result in Nady playing left field, Johnny Damon playing center, and Bobby Abreu at right. 

Update:  Okay, never mind, I assumed too much that the Yankees would be willing to break up one of their triad of pitchers.  Instead, the deal is Marte and Nady to New York for Outfielder Jose Tabata and Right Handed Pitchers Ross Ohlendorf, Phil Coke and George Kontos.

My first reaction was “That’s Fucking IT?!  WHAT THE FUCK?!:

After some thought and two Bud Lights, I’ve come to the conclusion that, while it’s disappointing, it’s an average haul.

Marte’s value has been depressed thanks to the Washington Nationals, who traded John Rauch for Emilio Bonifacio, a decent prospect, but not an elite one.  That, of course, hindered the value that could be gained on Marte.  We can probably assume that Marte brought the two young pitchers, Kontos and Coke.  Well, young should be used in quotations for Coke, as he’s 26 and still in Double A.  His long term ceiling isn’t great and he likely won’t ever make the majors.  Hell, he’ll probably be playing for the St. Paul Saints next season.  As for Kontos, he’s a middling prospect, possibliy a fifth starter or middle reliever.  In other words, it’s a bag of nothing for a dominant middle reliever.  The Pirates probably should have kept him.

As for Nady, we could probably assume that Tabata and Ohlendorf are the return for him.  Ohlendorf is what he is, a 7th inning reliever that can eat some innings as a two or three inning long reliever.  Tabata is the big prize, so lets go in depth on him.

Tabata ranked Number 4 on the Yankees’ Top Prospect List on Baseball Prospectus.  There is a lot to like on him.  He’s fast, plays a solid right field, and has a good eye for hitting, excellent bat speed, and could become an above average right fielder and leadoff man.  He’s not a bad thing to have.

The problem with Tabata is that he has a history of hand injuries, which have kept him off the field.  He’s also recently begun to struggle in the higher minors and debated about leaving baseball after a particularly tough day.  In other words, there’s questions as to just how stable a prospect he is.

Tabata is a highly regarded prospect, and indeed is worthy of being called one of the top 100 prospects in baseball.  But of the four top Yankee prospects (Hughes, Kennedy, Tabata and Jackson), he was the one they were going to miss the least and may have felt that they sold high on him.

So, in the end, while the Pirates did succeed in getting a top prospect for Nady, he is an unstable one at that.  I think the Pirates may have been better off on calling up the Dodgers and trying to structure a package around Andy LaRoche, who the Dodgers are intent on trading.  Overall, they did okay on the trade, but could have done more, especially on Marte, who could have gotten a better piece had he been sold seperately.

Update - Saturday Morning:  According to the New York Post, the Nady Deal has been changed with the Pirates getting Daniel McCutchen and Jeff Karstens instead.  Tabata and Ohlendorf are still in the deal. 

This is a much better deal for the Pirates.  McCutchen is a better prsopect than Kontos or Coke, and should be at the most a dependable Number Four starter or so.  Think of a Kyle Lohse type of player, though then again, Lohse has better stuff than McCutchen does, he just doesn’t play up to it.  Karstens is a middle reliever, same as Coke.  All in all, this is probably the best the Pirates could do and for the most part, I like it. 

Takes On The ESPN Live Blog

ESPN’s got the rumor mill blog going, so here are my takes on a few tidbits that are there.

Even with the trading deadline less than a week away, the Reds have had very little action on Adam Dunn. But one club that spoke with the Reds says the Yankees have explored what it would take to plug Dunn into their revolving outfield/DH vacancies. The Reds, however, are continuing to ask teams for one top-of-the-line prospect and one second-tier prospect. And that’s probably more than the Yankees are inclined to give up for Dunn.

Hmmm, interesting offer, but I would wonder what exactly the definition of “elite prospect” the Reds are using.  I’d be tempted to make a play for Dunn if I were Texas, if it were to revolve around a package of, say, Jose Vallejo and Omar Poveda (who is maintaining a decent K to BB ratio, but is struggling because of the California League’s hitter’s paradise), plus a third prospect, I’d be tempted to inquire on Dunn.  Then again, if Dunn’s price is, say, Eric Hurley or Chris Davis, I’d tell Walt Jocketty to fuck off too.  I’m inclinded to believe the Yankees were asked for Phil Hughes, to which they probably scrambled away from as fast as possible.

Another Yankees update: Despite all sorts of reports about the likes of Melky Cabrera and Brett Gardner being included in a deal for Jarrod Washburn, indications are that the Yankees view acquiring Washburn strictly as a good-will mission to take Washburn’s money (over $14 million) off the Mariners’ books. So the Yankees aren’t even willing to offer low-level prospects unless Seattle A) agrees to eat some of the money and/or B) is willing to take Kei Igawa. So far, there’s no sign that the Mariners are interested in either option. The Yankees also have deflected all Scott Boras efforts to extract an extension or relocation bonus if Washburn waves his no-trade clause to the Bronx.

Well, to be honest, Kei Igawa isn’t a bad contract.  His contract is pretty much what you would get out of a fifth starter, and would be an easier contract to shed than Washburn’s.  Hell, the Padres might even be willing to give up something of some value for Igawa, which they were interested in doing last season. 

As for the Yankees, this is typical of them, trying to get something for nothing.  Though Washburn isn’t an elite player, he’s got some value as an innings eater, which should at least count for the Yankees maybe sending off Brett Gardner, a fourth outfielder, in the deal.  The fuckers.

One final bit of comedy: i just love that the Yankees are telling Boras that he gets dick for waiving the no trade clause.  It’s not often someone tells Boras that.

With J.J. Putz back throwing well, the Mariners are contemplating sending down Brandon Morrow and turning him into a starter. 

Good to see the Mariners brain trust finally using some.  Morrow had no business in the majors and should be in Double A right now, preparing to be a starter.  Not serving as a setup man on an irrelevant team thanks to a stupid decision by an incompetant general manager to sacrfice everything in a misguided attempt to contend.  Congradulations Seattle!

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Crazy Trade Idea For Sabathia

July 1, 2008 at 1:13 pm · Filed under AL Central, AL East, AL West, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Eric Bedard, Florida Marlins, Los Angeles Angels, Los Angeles Dodgers, MLB, Matt Murton, NL Central, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners, Tampa Bay Rays, Texas Rangers

There is some thought put into this in terms of players traded, so here me out before I get flamed. 

The Brewers Get:  LHP C.C. Sabathia

The Indians Get:  1B Prince Fielder, SS Alcedes Escobar

Okay, put down the knives!  Let me explain.

The Brewers are nearing arbitration with Fielder, who has shown no interest in a contract extension with Milwaukee.  Complicating matters is Scott Boras, who is likely hard at work on finding vague quotes, Hall of Fame comparisons, and any other things to fill a thick, leather bound tome to be passed around at the 2011 Winter Meetings.

Complicating matters is the fact that Brewers already have a stable of potential replacements in the organization.  Ryan Braun isn’t great out in left field, and could be moved to first if need be.  Even if you’re not thrilled about that option, you have two first baseman types in the minors.  The first, Matt Gamel, shows great pop, but is a terrible third baseman that will need to move to first eventually.  The other, left fielder Matt LaPorta, is ready to play in the majors now, and could be promoted to fill in Fielder’s current role.

As for the Indians, they would gain a solid run producer for the next three years, allowing them to replace Ryan Garko at first with Fielder.  The inclusion of Escobar, an all glove, some bat shortstop, would allow the Indians to move Jhonny Peralta to third base, preparing them for the depature of Casey Blake.

If the Indians really want to be sticklers, a Player To Be Named could be added in there, but not much else.  In fact, this may be the best they could do.  Of the teams six games or so from their division lead, we can eliminate the three NL Central Teams (White Sox, Tigers and Twins) because of the unlikelyhood of the Indians dealing within the division, plus because of the states of the White Sox and Tigers’ farm systems.  On that note, we can also eliminate the New York Teams and Giants, though if the Giants offered up Matt Cain, I’m sure the Indians would listen.

That leaves Boston, Oakland, Both LA Teams, Texas, Milwaukee, The Phillies, Marlins, Cubs, Cardinals and Diamondbacks.  11 teams.  From that bunch, the Angels, Marlins and Athletics can be eliminated (all three are looking for offense.)  Arizona seems more likely to add an impact bat instead of a pitcher as well, plus they themselves have enough depth in the major league rotation with Webb/Haren/Johnson/Owings/Davis.   The team on that list with arguably the best farm system, the Rangers, are also likely out.  If the Rangers make a move, it would be for more prospects or for an established pitcher that is under club control for several years (there’s an arguement for a Matt Cain trade here.) 

That leaves six teams:

1. Boston - The top contender remaining with a good farm system now that Texas is eliminated under this scenario.  You could begin around Michael Bowden, Boston’s top pitching prospect now named Clay Buchholz, and work from there.  I’d push for Jason Place, a slugging centerfielder who will likely have to move to right field as he develops.  You could try to ask for Jed Lowrie, though I don’t think that the Red Sox would be willing to do it.  Asking for Brandon Moss might work, though he’s a bit stretched as an everyday player.  All in all, Boston has the best package of talent available, should they choose to deal.  They may just choose to stand pat and allow Bartolo Colon and Buchholz to help them down the stretch, which would be a big blow to any Indians chance for a deal.
2. Dodgers - Hard to see a fit here, considering that Clayton Kershaw is likely to be blocked from being a part of a deal.  The Dodgers could try to put together a package around Matt Kemp, who could play right for the Indians right now.  They have enough lower level prospects to offer to make a potential three for one deal, which would be a solid one, especially if one of the prospects was their catching jewel, Carlos Santana.
3. Brewers - Already stated.
4. Phillies - Philly has relatively few prospects to deal.  They could offer Carlos Carrasco, their top pitcher, and Adrian Cardenas, their top positional prospect (slugging second baseman).  Aside from that, there’s not a whole lot to work for, and besides, the Phillies are more likely to go after a pitcher that is more controllable for more years, such as Eric Bedard, who could perhaps come cheaper.
5. Cubs - The Cubs have little to work with in terms of impact prospects, as they’ve done a rather poor job of stocking their organization in the past few years.  Donald Veal has the Dontrelle Willis starting kit, he just lacks command.  From there, Jose Ceda could be ready to close next year.  After that, what the hell else can you do?  You could try and toss in Tyler Colvin and Matt Murton, both outfielders, and maybe a PTBNL, but beyond that, you might be better waiting for other stuff to open up.
6. Cardinals - St. Louis wouldn’t mind another top starting pitcher to go with Adam Wainwright, and they do have some prospect depth to deal from.  They could offer their top prospect, Colby Rasmus, a centerfielder with star potential, as well as Chris Duncan, and their top catching prospect Brian Anderson.  Beyond that, there’s not much more you could offer of interest.  The Redbird’s system is deeper, but lacks a lot of upside.

So there you have it.  Fielder and change might be enough to convince the Indians to go for it.  In fact, Fielder alone would be better than any draft pick that the Indians could make (their history isn’t very promising, I’ll discuss that at a later date.)    If you wanted quantity over quality, you could go with the Cubs offer.  However, more likely, the Indians will go with the best offer, which may be more or less than what I’ve put out.

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