The number of players on the disabled list is actually down overall this season, but you'd have a hard time getting the Red Sox, Phillies, and Yankees to take solace in that, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. One theory on the prolonged absences is that players are waiting to make sure they’re 100 percent before they get back on the field at the advice of agents like Scott Boras. "I’ve heard people say that about Boras clients, but I’ve also seen Boras clients who play through all sorts of pain and come back sooner than they’re supposed to," said Boston GM Ben Cherington. “Jason Varitek and Johnny Damon played through anything." Here's more from Cafardo..
- While Roy Oswalt was eager to work out for the Red Sox after turning them down before the season, he would still rather play for the Rangers or Cardinals, a major league source tells Cafardo. As of last week, the Red Sox have not discussed money with him, even though they liked what they saw.
- It's not yet known if Twins outfielder Josh Willingham will be available but he'll be in demand at the trading deadline or when the Twins feel they’re in a sell-off mode. One GM said of Willingham, "Of all the guys out there, he’s one who can significantly impact your offense immediately."
- The Mariners didn’t release Chone Figgins after Miguel Olivo came off the disabled list, but it doesn’t appear that he will be with the club much longer. At some point, a team with a lot of injuries might be willing to take him on if the M's pick up some of the $15MM remaining on his contract.
- The Cubs are willing to eat most of Alfonso Soriano’s $48MM if they can trade him. Unfortunately, Soriano isn't producing. Epstein approached the Red Sox about Soriano before the season and while they were discussing Marlon Byrd, but not since. Even with their outfield injuries, Boston hasn't come calling for the 36-year-old.
- There’s a feeling that Royals outfielder Alex Gordon could be had in a deal, but it would take an overwhelming package involving a front-line starter.
Said it 100 times here over the years.. Hammer Willingham would look awfully sweet in LF at Fenway park. The issue? Where does he go when CC and Ells come back. He’s as bad of a defensive OF as Bay and CC hasn’t got the arm for playing RF.. *IF* they could get him.. Would they force Ells into RF, CC to CF and Hammer to LF with Ross and Sweeney as the backups? What an OF then for the remainder of the year.
Well as a DH playing the occasional outfield can work for the Sox. Boston is already a bit left hand heavy. Doubt Ortiz returns next season.
That would work for next season, it was after late June when CC and Ells get back, plus Ross was thinking about and also? Myself?? Am thinking Ells will be peddled if he he has a strong 2nd half. Boston isn’t going to commit long term to a Boras client, seeking top $$ who has had 2 serious injuries like this when teams would probably pay dearly through trade for a full season of him.
Boston has Jackie bradley maybe 1 and a half season away from playing at the big league level perhaps tearing up high A ball. They should probably seek to get what they can from Ells over the winter.
Ryan Lavarnway will probably be the DH next year.
The Phillies would do quite well to add either Willingham or Gordon to the fold. Especially Gordon assuming he can still play a little 3rd…
If the Orioles are checking on Oswalt they would be wise to stop what they are doing and change direction! Dan Duquette if you read this and you want to add a starting pitcher to the rotation go and find somene else! Make a trade if has to include Jonathan Schoop then it has to include Jonathan Schoop.
Just forget about Oswalt!
The Twins will never sell-off or when I see it happen then I will believe it!
Gordon isn’t going anywhere, but if he does, then I would take him over Willingham.
However, he’s not going anywhere, so why even discuss it.
If Chone Figgins can still play D then I am interested, if he can’t then maybe he should retire.
He can still play defense and he’s fairly versatile. He’s lost a little bit in his step, but still above average in speed. A perfect candidate for a deep bench utility player.
The O’s are overstocked with deep bench utility players. They need a starting 3B. Given that Figgins hit .188 last year with no power and only 11 steals, and is hitting even worse this year, I’m not interested anymore unless it’s for the prorated ML minimum after he gets released.
“They need a starting 3B.”
Boston is a team that *could* help in that area should they move Youk, but hard to picture that with both in the AL East and the O’s (for now at least) ahead of them in the standings.
Yea, I don’t see that happening either, although he’d be a great fit. He’s everything the O’s traditionally are not: patient, good hitter, solid defense at third, fiery clubhouse guy.
VERY hard time giving them solace. Especially how they tortured us and told us injuries were a bad excuse during 06 (Pedro + El Duque) and 09 (Everyone and their mothers).
I doubt that Scott Boras has all that much influence on when his clients come off of the DL. Right within the article it says that Johnny Damon and Jason Varitek would play through anything, so the comment seems contradictory.
The severity of the injury, the success of the rehab, the length of time said player is under contract, the ability to tolerate pain-which happens to be a great deal different for each individual-and the organizational needs play a bigger part in how soon a player returns to action.
Dare I say it’s foolish to return if your injury hasn’t healed. You rarely help the team and you put yourself at risk for worse things to happen to you.
ATTN: Any team in baseball
Re: Alfonso Soriano.
We’re willing to eat 90% of the contract. In addition, you get one free Tony Campana! All we ask in return? A low level A ball prospect from the Dominican with a high upside and predictable control issues!
Act now, and David DeJesus’ wife will wear a bikini and wash your car.
Disclaimer: Alfonso Soriano is no longer able to hit for much power, field or run. Alfonso Soriano is microchipped, housebroken and gets along well with other awful contracts.
There is no warranty or return policy.
Watch him pick dandelions in left field for your ballclub today!
Re: Alfonso Soriano
Seemed like a good deal until I saw him play yesterday.
But, he’s the Cubs hottest hitter…
Yeesh.
Willingham’s career .262 BA would nearly lead the M’s club if they chose to pick him up and I think Wells+ would be used as adequate bait.
I personally like Wells, but I think he may have a bit of a behavioral problem. When he was traded from Detroit, a lot of fans said how good he was, but Leyland didn’t like him and I get the same feeling from how and when he’s played by Wedge. Doubt he’ll get much playing time with the M’s if he stays and it’s too bad any way you look at it.
I hate to say it, but the Braves might pursue Figgins if the Ms eat enough of the contract.
The Pirates can probably offer James McDonald for Alex Gordon, buy low sell high but I don’t think it would be a great deal from a Pirates perspective. I’m still not sold on Gordon, fact is he only had one good season and his BABIP was inflated. Buy low sell high is an interesting theory but it doesn’t always work. Sometimes it’s best to just acquire good talent that is performing well. I’ve wanted Billy Butler for years if he can play an adequate 1B.
I don’t think McDonald is going anywhere for anybody with the way he is pitching. Butler is not too good defensively. Willingham actually interests me more unless he turns into Casey McGehee upon arrival. Willingham in left and batting 5th behind Alvarez would look really, really good right about now. It would also ease the pressure on Tabata and Presley to get their acts together.
Roy Oswalt is the opposite of what we need right now. Not only is he getting older (and would have to start mid-season, which he’s never done, so who knows what that would do to his performance), be it’s become perfectly clear that he’s a huge prima donna. The last thing the Sox need in the clubhouse is another guy who thinks it’s just all about himself.
Yeah, total prima donna. What gives him the gall to want to stay close to his family? I mean, who does he think he is?
I don’t have a problem with that, but why even try out for the Sox then? And if that’s what he really wants, why hasn’t he made a fair deal with Texas yet?
Leverage?
Hence, my point. He’s not just some family guy who wants to pitch near home so there’s no point painting him in that light.
Because Texas wants a reliever/spot starter and he wants to (and should) start. And he may be willing to go more places now (hence him trying out for Boston) because he wouldn’t have to be away from his family as long, and his kids are either out of school or will be soon, so his family could even come with him at this point.
Take it for what it’s worth but this post does say that he was eager to work out for Boston.
I guess I’m just tired of him. He toyed with my emotions too much in the offseason. I get enough of that from my social life 😛
The Phils aren’t giving up Worley or May or so on to get a 3B.
Willingham can also play 1B and Catch.
Willingham has trouble catching in LF. What makes you think he can catch at catcher?
I doubt the Twins will trade Josh. Maybe in two years when his contract is expiring, but I doubt they do it on the first year of his contract. Josh has struggled the past week, but he can hit for power anywhere (including Target Field), which is what the team needs.
I would hate to see Hammer go but he may be our best player to trade if they’re looking to fetch a solid SP prospect who is close. The way things have gone this year, I think everyone is for sale (except Mauer) for the right price.
Either him, Morneau, or Span are our best bets to get a decent pitching prospect. It would be sad to see Justin go, but his value will probably be the highest at the deadline if he keeps on hitting more homers and stays healthy.
“… if the M’s pick up some of the $15MM remaining on his contract.”
Wait, what?
Teams might be interested in Figgins if the Mariner’s chip in a few bucks to off-set his $15m? The article implies that the Mariners would eat just a bit of the contract and teams would be jumping on the deal. WRONG.
Figgins won’t be moved now until he is released.
Over the past 2.5 years the guy has posted a 230/303/286 line. He’s got 55 steals to go along with 21 CS (horrible %). He’s (-18) runs on defense and a total of (-1) WAR overall. The scary thing is that those numbers represent something that Figgins would love to reach today. He’s only getting worse (180/245/290 in 2012).
When the M’s signed Figgins they were getting:
— Great glove at 3rd base (he was coming off double digit +UZR ratings for the previous two years)
— Someone who could get on base (posted an OBP of 390 or higher in 2 of the previous 3 years)
— Someone who could steal bases (averaged 36 over the previous 3 years)
Now Figgins can’t field his position, he can’t get on base, and his baserunning is inefficient. The M’s totally screwed up here by not unloading Figgins earlier when he had value. They stubbornly held onto him with the pipe dream that he would turn things around. Now they are stuck with him until the release is issued.
Chase headley anyone?
Come to Cincinnati Josh. We’ll give the Twins Mike Leake, Nick Masset, Bill Bray and Ryan Ludwick.
Adam Lind might be the answer for some offense help for the Mariners by packaging Chone Figgins to a National League team that can use him as a pinch runner in a three way trade sending a minor league player or two plus Casper Wells to the Blue Jays as it would make sense for change of scenery for each of those players, especially w/ the Mariners and Blue Jays hanging on in the division races/wild card respectively.