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Archives for August 2007

Jose Contreras Clears Waivers

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The trusty Players Who Have Cleared Waivers post has been updated again.  The latest edition: Jose Contreras.

SI.com’s Jon Heyman says Contreras’s last two scoreless outings may put him in a positive light in the eyes of some teams.  Heyman specifically names the Dodgers as a team that might get involved.

Still, it was only two appearances, and Contreras is signed through 2009.  He makes $10MM in each of the ’08 and ’09 seasons.  I imagine the White Sox would have to eat half the contract, or take on a bloated salary in return.  How about Nomar?  Garciaparra’s $8.5MM salary in ’08 could balance out some of Contreras’s.  Nomar could play some third base; Josh Fields could try left field.  Just thinking aloud.  The Dodgers could also consider trying to pass Rafael Furcal through waivers; he makes $13MM in ’08 and currently sports a .707 OPS.

The ugliest contract on the Mariners belongs to Richie Sexson, but the White Sox would have nowhere to play him.  The Braves could try to send Mike Hampton over; would that make sense?  Hampton hasn’t pitched in the bigs since ’05 but expects to be ready for the 2008 season.

Disgruntled Encarnacion Could Be Moved

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Cardinals right fielder Juan Encarnacion is not happy about his recent lack of playing time.  The St. Louis Post-Dispatch mentions that Encarnacion has spoken to his agent about potential trades.  Besides Encarnacion, the Cards have Rick Ankiel, Chris Duncan, Jim Edmonds, Ryan Ludwick, and So Taguchi competing for playing time.  There’s really not a clear choice to demote, either.

The Encarnacion signing back in ’05 has a lot in common with the Cubs’ signing of Jacque Jones.  Both mediocre right fielders signed at about three years, $15MM.  Both signings were of the "well, we gotta sign somebody" variety.  And both signings, by their second year, have come to be viewed mostly as burdens.

Encarnacion makes about $1.45MM more this year plus $6.5MM in ’08.  I imagine such a contract would clear waivers.  Any contenders looking for a mediocre outfielder?  The Twins might make sense.  Viva El Birdos lists the Tigers and Angels as other possibilities.     

Rosenthal’s Latest: Possible Waiver Deals

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Ken Rosenthal has a new post up; below are some points of interest for rumor-hounds like us. 

  • Josh Towers and Steve Trachsel have both cleared waivers.  You’ll find their contract info as well as a complete list of those who have cleared waivers here.  Rosenthal says the Rockies are monitoring both pitchers; they were forced to start journeyman Tim Harikkala today.  The Rox also called the A’s about Chad Gaudin but found the price prohibitive.  Another reason a Gaudin trade wouldn’t make sense is that he wouldn’t pass through waivers. 
  • Towers is attracting multiple suitors.  I think he’ll have moderate success in the NL as a #4 starter.
  • Mark Loretta and Mike Lamb were both claimed on waivers and then pulled back, so they’re not going anywhere. 
  • The Yankees have no reason to throw down a chunk of change on a free agent starter this winter.  They’re all set for 2008 with a formidable rotation of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, and Andy Pettitte.  I think we’ve learned by now that there’s really no such thing as a surplus of starting pitching, so I imagine the Yanks will only trade Kei Igawa in the right deal.  Buster Olney said this morning that there was a 50% chance of Igawa going to the Padres soon.  Additionally, it will be nice to have Ian Kennedy around as the sixth starter.

Fukudome To Have Elbow Surgery

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According to JapanBall.com, Chunichi Dragons outfielder Kosuke Fukudome will have endoscopic surgery to remove bone fragments from his right elbow this week.  The surgery will take place in Los Angeles, perhaps by Dr. Lewis Yocum.

It’s a two-month recovery period, and originally there was a concern that the injury would prevent Fukudome accruing the service time needed to reach free agency after the season.  However, a new rule will still allow free agency.

In talking to Mike Plugh in May, I learned that Fukudome is a fine right fielder with gap power.  Plugh suggested Fukudome might command $12-15MM over three or four years.  Fukudome’s main competition among free agent right fielders will probably be Jermaine Dye.  Whether Bobby Abreu will hit the market this winter is still an open question. 

Graziano’s Latest: Andruw, Dunn, Fukudome

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Dan Graziano has a new article up regarding the free agent outfielder crop.  He spoke to two anonymous GMs.  Let’s take a look at some highlights.

  • Andruw Jones has an awful .216/.312/.418 line this year.  He’s been outdone by Shawn Green, Sammy Sosa, Jose Vidro, and Shannon Stewart in terms of OPS.  Nonetheless, Jones isn’t expected to come at a discount.  Scott Boras will just play up the defense, the RBIs, the career totals, whatever. 
  • Graziano says "it’s hard to see" the Reds picking up Adam Dunn’s $13MM option.  This would just be plain dumb on Wayne Krivsky’s part.  Given the $0.5MM buyout, it’s basically like signing Dunn to a one-year, $12.5MM deal.  How many teams would pass on a huge power bat on a no-risk one-year commitment?  If the Reds don’t exercise the option, it will be change for change’s sake.  And a bad decision.
  • Kosuke Fukudome is the dark horse, a possible impact right fielder from Japan.  He will not require a posting fee.  Graziano says the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, and White Sox are among the teams scouting him.  More on Fukudome in a separate post.

Where’s David Wells Headed?

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Another August, another David Wells trade.  Which teams would consider the 44 year-old southpaw?

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe believes there’s a small chance the Diamondbacks or Dodgers could be interested.  Wells’ agent, Gregg Clifton, specifically mentioned the Mets, D’Backs, and Dodgers as teams the pitcher would strongly consider.

However, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic indicated Friday that the D’Backs "do not appear to have interest" in Wells.  Similar story for another West team, the Mariners.  Larry Stone of the Seattle Times says the Ms "don’t appear to be interested."  Stone says Wells has a strong preference to stay in the NL.  I don’t blame him.  I wonder if Wells is on Atlanta’s radar.

Cubs Deals For Podsednik, Stewart Dead

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Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports that the Cubs will not be acquiring Scott Podsednik, and in fact chances were slim from the beginning.  I saw a recent poll where the majority of Cubs fans thought the Cubs should trade for an outfielder.  I disagree – I can’t see a waiver acquisition improving upon the in-house options.  The one possible exception I can think of is Matt Stairs.  Regardless of my opinion, the Cubs will apparently go with what they’ve got.

Similarly, the idea of acquiring Shannon Stewart should be dismissed.  According to the Contra Costa Times, Stewart’s continued presence in an A’s uniform means the deadline has passed for a trade.  Joe Stiglich notes that Stewart could net the A’s a high draft pick if he leaves via free agency.

Rosenthal’s Latest Video: Pudge, Bedard, Burrell

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Ken Rosenthal has a new video up; check it out.  Some highlights:

  • Back in April, I made predictions of whether various club options will be exercised for 2008.  My opinion on many of the option decisions has changed since then.  One example is Ivan Rodriguez.  At the time I said his defense and power would justify the $10MM difference between his $13MM option and $3MM buyout.  Currently, Pudge is hitting for his usual decent average but has drawn just five walks in 379 plate appearances.  Rosenthal believes the Tigers might opt for the buyout, especially if Rodriguez tails off as the season wears on.  Maybe so, but at effectively one year, $10MM, they might still go for it.  The other options are limited. 
  • The Orioles’ #1 priority for the offseason is to sign ace Erik Bedard to a long-term contract extension.  But if the two parties aren’t in the same ballpark, they could exact a king’s ransom in a trade.  As I said before, Bedard could be a $20MM+ pitcher if he stays on course through the 2009 season.
  • Pat Burrell cleared waivers, but the Phillies have no intention of trading him given the way he’s been hitting.  Burrell has an absurd .392/.519/.725 line since July 1.  No one has been better in OBP over that time period, and only Hanley Ramirez has a better SLG.  Anyway, I’ve updated the list of players who have cleared waivers.

Random Rumors And Signings

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We have a bunch of rumor-related tidbits today, and for now I’ll put them into one post.

  • There’s a mini-controversy afoot regarding Cubs lefty Will Ohman.  Ohman has indicated that the Cubs have been letting him pitch while hurt, and the Cubs contend that he never visited the trainer.  No matter who you side with, Ohman’s days in the organization are numbered.
  • The Cubs indeed won the Scott Podsednik claim, but the White Sox want a legitimate prospect in return.  I’ve heard Sean Gallagher mentioned.  There’s not much time for posturing here as the teams probably have until today or tomorrow to make a trade.  The White Sox were considered nontendering Pods last offseason, and he didn’t do anything this year that should’ve changed their mind.  Ozzie Guillen even called him "unreliable" publicly.  Kenny Williams should take what he can get and give the playing time to someone else.
  • Casey Fossum’s been released by the Devil Rays; he’ll hook on somewhere.  The little lefty used to throw in the mid-90s with Boston.  Not so much anymore, but he does boast one of the slowest curveballs you’ll find (slower than 50 mph).  Back in ’03, the Red Sox offered him to Toronto for Kelvim Escobar, unwilling to give up Trot Nixon.  He eventually went to Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal and later was traded to the Devil Rays for Jose Cruz Jr.  Fossum’s battled shoulder woes for most of his career, having labrum surgery in ’06.  He’s still only 29.
  • The Rockies signed Elmer Dessens to a minor-league deal.  They might have to throw the 34 year-old into the rotation for lack of better options. 
  • Carlos Silva wants to stay in Minnesota, and would sign at a discount before hitting the open market if the Twins are interested.  Unfortunately, a discount for a Silva-type these days might be three years, $18MM.  Jason Marquis’s contract was something of a benchmark.  If Silva backs it up to two years, $10MM, I can see the Twins going for it. 
  • Victor Zambrano now finds himself toiling for the Pirates’ Triple A affiliate.

Padres Awarded Claim On Kei Igawa

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UPDATE: Buster Olney gives the deal a 50/50 chance and says the deadline is 2pm Tuesday.  The Yanks would target one of the Padres’ many fine relievers.  As expected, the posting fee is a sunk cost and doesn’t factor in here.

The Padres were awarded a waiver claim on Kei Igawa today, a pitcher they pursued in the offseason.  A healthy dose of a National League pitcher’s park may be just what Igawa needs.  As Ken Rosenthal notes, all AL teams as well as clubs like the Dodgers, Rockies, Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, and Braves passed on Igawa.  I’m surprised the Mariners passed, also.

The Yankees and Padres now have 48 hours to work out a trade.  The Yankees could just dump the contract on the Padres, but it’s really not that bad since the posting fee is a sunk cost.  Igawa gets $4MM annually through 2011, which is really cheap if he can be even league average.

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