More Saturday linkage..
- Ty Wigginton of the Orioles will likely see his number of at-bats decrease after the team's signing of Miguel Tejada and Garrett Atkins. Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com says that the 32-year-old could be a trade candidate in Spring Training.
- The sale of the Rangers to Chuck Greenberg's group is complete and an announcement is forthcoming, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
- Phil Wood of MASNSports.com understands the Nats' pursuit of Orlando Hudson, but not their reported interest in Orlando Cabrera. Hudson is reportedly seeking $9MM per season whereas Mike Axisa estimates that Cabrera can be had for $3MM.
- Veteran infielder Mark Loretta is expected to retire this week and take a job with an unspecified major league club, writes Jerry Crasnick of ESPN. The 38-year-old, who spent 2009 with the Dodgers, has a career .754 OPS.
- Brian McTaggart of MLB.com writes that signing Hunter Pence to one-year, $3.5MM deal makes sense for Houston. McTaggart senses that there is some kind of a groundswell of support by Astros fans to lock up the 26-year-old, but the club still has three years of contractual control to make such a deal happen.
- Signing Brad Penny saved money for the Cardinals, writes Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. While it may seem as though Penny's $7.5MM deal is similar to Joel Pineiro's two-year deal that will pay him an average of $8MM per season, the extra year on Pineiro's contract didn't fit into the Cards' budget.
- Due in part to the team's overload of left field options, top Reds prospect Todd Frazier could see some time at shortstop this season, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Frazier played shortstop in his time at Rutgers University but was moved to the outfield as he was considered to be "too big for the spot." GM Walt Jocketty said that there will be open competition for the role of starting shortstop, though Fay says that it will likely go to the light-hitting Paul Janish.
im just not seeing how penny’s deal would “save” the cardinals money…he had a bad year last year and should have been cheaper. Maybe he can bounce back to something remptely close to his 07′ form, which would give the cardinals the best 1-2-3. But more reasonably, a season where he goes 16-10, 3.75ERA seems pretty good.
I completely agree with you. Although I think that a good Brad Penny wont give the Cardinals the best 1-2-3. A few pitchers on the Yankees, Red Sox, White Sox, and Diamondbacks may agree with me as well.
He is far too reliant on his fastball. I wouldn’t expect much.
Maybe Duncan can help him out.
I just have SUCH a good feeling about the 2010 Reds. They were the most injured team in 2009 (believe it or not it wasn’t the Mets) and if they can stay healthy (the old statement about staying healthy) they can win that division. Think about it…Their right handers (Cueto, Harand, Arroyo, Bailey, and a mid-season addition of Volquez) can shut down the Cubs…They can easily match up against the Breweres, Astros, Pirates…The Cards and the Reds are going to be exciting but I really think that with the team and pitching staff (best bullpen in the NL) that the Reds have, they can go along way and win it.Suppose Todd Frazier is the team’s starting shortstop in 2010.Ramon Hernandez – A great defensive catcherJoey Votto – one of the game’s brightest young hittersBrandon Phillips – plays a great defensive and offensive second baseScott Rolen – can certainly hit but plays an exceptional third baseFrazier/Janish plattoon – = one good all around shortstopHeisey – The kid has some pop and should have a season similiar to Hunter Pence’s rookie seasonDrew Stubbs – Really has a bright future…kind of reminds me of Franklin GutierrezJay Bruce – if healthy should put up a line of .265/360./570. with 37 home runs and 109 RBI’sHarangArroyoCueto – Most likely this staff is top 5 in Baseball.BaileyChapman/VolquezMassetHerreraLincolnRhodesFisherBurtonCorderoIf any injuries should occur, You can count on some possitive depth of Taveras/Alonso/Francisco/Leake/Owings/Wood to provide some possitive help for the Reds,They may not have the best player in the game or the best 1-2 punch in the NL but this team has a shot. We’ll see
a shot at the wildcard maybe…their rotation i will admit is very deep, but lacks much else. No ace, no player to rake in wins, lots of injury questionmarks. Lineup is very threatening, but rolen isn’t getting any younger, and that was very clear last season with a huge drop in performance. Votto can have a .320avg 30 HR 100RBI season, thats not far fetched at all, but saying jay bruce is gonna be able to do 37 HR 109 RBI’s is pretty out their.one thing i do envy about the reds is their deep farm system, which just got deeper with Chapman. but i just can’t see them topping the cardinals next season, their the clear favorites hands down. Maybe 3 years from now when chapman is ready and The cardinals ace is gone and a chance pujols as well.
and its pretty wishful thinking if you truly believe chapman will be their opening day. I doubt he will even get a mid-season call up.
Rolen’s numbers improved…The Maturation of Cueto and the return of Volquez plus Arroyo, Harand and full season of Homer Bailey.
In limited at-bats this year Jay Bruce hit 23 home runs. He missed half of the season. The guy can certainly “rake in wins” as can Votto, Phillips, and Stubbs.
Wild Card to say the least.
i was referring to rolen’s numbers just with the reds, not blue jays+reds. il admit jay bruce can still improve, but he still had 350AB’s..for a typical #4/5 hitter, he would only get about 200 more AB’s. Which, not sure if my math is right but puts him in the 30 homer range, not the 40 homer range.
anyone know why they rushed jay bruce to the majors, he is only 22 years old.
Yeah I understand what you are saying. But let’s say he has Ryan Braun at-bats and gets to 600-630. Plus he is still improving as you said……You see thats what i’m saying, I think this whole entire team can only improve except Brandon Phillips. Stubbs, Bruce, Cueto, Bailey, Herrera, Masset…I think that this team will surprise us. I’ll settle for wild card but even that I think is certainly possible. Jock said that Chapman could possibly be on the opening day roster. Although I don’t know how Chaman will do in Spring Training and even if he doesnt, They still have a formidable rotation to say the least. I’m excited for all 30 teams in Major League Baseball and I just think that the Reds are one of the few teams who will have 08′ Rays season or an 09′ Mariners or if Reds fans are lucky, a 69′ Mets season!
“I think this whole entire team can only improve except Brandon Phillips.”arroyo has peaked, arthur rhodes is like 40, rolen is leaving his prime years, can’t see cordero repeating the type of season where he posts a 2.10 era, probably will fall back to his career line(which is still pretty good).ryan braun got 600ish AB’s because a) he has the second biggest offensive threat behind himb) he bats 3rd, not 5th. batting that much lower is about the difference of about 50 at bats threw the course of the season.
Cano bats 7th and had 637.
Just keep an extra eye on the Reds this season…You’ll know what I’m talking about. I really don’t think that Rhodes or Arroyo do worse than they did last season. I think Rolen has a chance to turn a miserable second half of 09′ with the Reds in to a solid season. Francisco Cordero is just a very dependable closer. He will still shut the door day in and day out. The Reds were 57-1 when leading after 8 innings.
actually durable middle of the order batters get nearly 630-700 at bats.
I think he meant a pitcher to rake in wins IMO
If the Reds were smart they would not rush there investment. They will be a very strong team, there is no harm in waiting on Chapman for a year.
Mark Loretta was a solid ball player and always handled himself as a gentleman. Good luck Mark on your new baseball job.
loretta will always be remembered for his clutch GW hit against the cards. hopefully you will be back in dodger blue in some capacity.
Sigh…..Franklin will never live that down.
Veteran infielder Mark Loretta is expected to retire this week and take a job with an unspecified major league club,
i dont get it, is he gonna retire, or is he gonna have a job with a club this week?? he cant do both.
Its probably a front office job, or a managerial job something like that.He’s retiring as a player. Doesn’t mean he cannot do other baseball related jobs.
“Hudson is reportedly seeking $9MM per season”
Never Happening…
he got 8MM last season. technically, he signed for about 3.5MM but got incentives for allstar team, gold glove, etc etc which bumped things up to 8MM, so its not too impossible he can get a similar contract.
key-word seeking. Damon wants 13 mil, that wont happen either. I guess seeking here would mean, if they offer him close to it, he’ll take it.
Good point.
It’s almost Feb – what is he smoking?
The mets have been in contact with the Reds for Arroyo this whole week. The problem is the Reds want Murphy and Pitcher. thats why the mets have interest in Delgado.
Reds already have two stud 1B, one in the majors and another in the minors. Why would they want anything to do with Murphy?
the reds would want to trade Murphy and a prospect or 2 to the A’s for one of there good pitchers. Billy Beane has expressed interest in Murphy for the last 2 offseasons
So basically it will be a 3 team trade
Oakland gets Murphy
Reds get a A’s pitcher not sure who yet
Mets gets Arroyo
but in order for this to happen the mets need to get a first baseman beforehand
there will be more parts in this deal but thats the main structure so far. and this deal is nowhere close to done. just the major structure is set
Since when? Nobody has heard anything about the Mets being in contact with the Reds. If they were to stick Murphy in left it would make sense but the last thing the Reds need is another pitcher…I find this rumor not the easiest to believe. The Mets had interest in Delgado since the begining of Jan. I dont think that trade proposal that you sugesst had happened is the cause of their interest.
No no the mets interest in delgado has nothing to do with the proposed trade. I’m just saying if the mets trade Murphy they will have nobody to play 1st. That’s why I said the mets don’t want this trade to go through until they have another firstbaseman. If you hear nothing about this, it doesn’t mean it’s not happening. A lot of things you don’t hear about until they actually happen. And I said this deal is no where close a might not actually happen. I just heard this from a friend who is close to minaya. I even know about a failed trade reguarding castillo going to washington
Okay I got you now. I wouldn’t have any problem sending Castillo to the Nats…Would you? I still don’t see any sense in this trade at all. The A’s have Chris Carter waiting in the wing at first and is expected to be there on opening day, The Reds don’t need another starting pitcher…They could use a shortstop…And I guess this is a rare win win for the Mets.
I wouldn’t mind castillo getting shipped out of ny. The deal fell apart bc the mets wanted Scott Olsen from the nats. And they said no. The deal reguarding murphy I personally feel something is missing there. A couple of piece. I don’t know honestly if I find out ill post it.
If in fact this deal does get completed, you, Metsfan2044, were the FIRST to report it! Thats pretty special. The Mets wanted Olsen? Being a New Yorker and a huge Baseball fan, I can honestly say that I dont think Scott Olsen would appreciate the boos he will get if he doesnt pitch well. Which is pretty much every start. I don’t know if this trade will happen but I would be very happy to see Arroyo pitch for the Mets. I think hes done a great job for the Reds though.
Olsen imploding will not be a a pretty sight. I have never liked him. Arroyo on the other hand is a great pitcher. He would be great in New York.
Lol now I feel tons of pressure on me to be right. Well I hope I’m right.
No pressure…in the Mets case I hope you are right. Im 15 sets of Mets tickets and 15 sets of Yankees tickets…I would LOVE to see Arroyo pitch for the Mets!
In what world does OHud think he can get $9 mil?
As long as Jim Hendry is employed, there is always a chance. He will also get a no trade clause without even asking.
The reds will be a very solid team this year i know alot of people said it last year and which they was when healthy.. If o cab can be gotten for 3 million what is the harm of signing him on a one year deal the restrcuted rolen’s contract to give more payroll space and signing chapman doesnt count as this years payroll according to Jocketty and chapmans contract they need to sign either a Lf like nady,dye, or some one else or sign a short stop such as o cab
Agreed…Orlando Cabrera would be the perfect fit for the Reds. Or the O’s
and not the O’s because they still have cesear izturis (sp) for this year and they just sign tejada today
They could platoon the two. The O’s get much offense at all out of Cesar.
you are right on that one lol but im not sure he would want to platoon when knows he can start and much less be playing in the al east even though he has with the red sox i think he would choose reds over the O’s if they both offered
Yeah exactly. I think O Cab would do great on the Reds. Especially with his veteran presence. I don’t think Janish’s glove should net him the starting job. The kid can’t play 20 years in the Majors with a career 220 average.
your exactly right rolen’s presence is a example he did very good with the young players and him and o cab would be great for the young kids and personally janish is nothing but a late defensive sub he cant start and he shouldnt start they would be better off letting the pitcher hitting in from of him if he start and even more so if ownings is starting hah but spandemonium we agree on alot of good things for the reds
yeah you bet. Speaking of Owings, He should turn into a first baseman…The guy can hit!
No need to pull a rick ankiel. Owings can still pitch
haha no maybe our left fielder :p but he is a decent pitcher but it would be scary for a manger facing us is owings is our best pinch hitter and can hit better than alot of postition players in the bigs but they cant really analyze how to pitch him since he doesnt hit but once a game maybe janish and taveras should speak to owings about hitting hahah
a lot of things would have to go amazingly right for the reds and assuming they match up with the cubs enough to reach for the WC is really a stretch. if anyone should bounce back from their 09 season its the cubs, and believe me i hate them so im not just saying that.
heisey is going to hit 322 like pence? or maybe you were referring to the 17 homers. don’t get me wrong he’s hovered near 300 and has been improving in the minors, but asking anyone to step in and hit 320 is absurd.
im hoping for a massive improvement in bruce, hopefully he will start handling lefties a little bit.
…and ive never heard anyone outside the mets organization or fandom say they covet daniel murphy. Giving up something to acquire him? please
Yeah I understand what you are saying. I don’t really get the Murphy Arroyo proposal at all either. I think Heisey will match the OPS of Pence from his rookie season. The 17 homers as well but yeah you are right I think the Reds would take 270. Easily when it comes to Heisey’s average. But think about it, The Reds were the most injured team last year. They are all 1 year older and mature plus they are destined to improve. Like as you said…Jay Bruce and hitting lefties.
Heisey will not get the average pence had homers yeaa probably and bruce i think we be a better fielding version of adam dunn actually maybe a little less power but he is still very very young and could improve to be very good he has the potential the power but he has get working on contact and the cubs i dont think will bounce back as much as you think lee,soriano, a-ram are all getting older soriano is a liability in a way the have a horriable defense in the outfield and have carlos silvia lol i mean cmon
Yeah Paul Janish pretty much sucks. so Cabera could come on and make him suck less.
i love janish defense he great with the glove but the reds are trying to contend now and signing O Cab would benefit there hitting at short his d isnt what it was at once but his offense offsets his declining D but janish d does not really offset his offense because he is almost a automatic out and the left field im fine with cozart,heisley,dickerson,nix or whoever but this we be a special season for the reds IF they stay healthy
I think alot of teams could use a guy like Wiggington. The guy can play anywhere.He’d fit in real in Seattle I think.Any chance BAL would take back Garrett Olson for him? lol
as a cubs fan i’d like to see the cubs try to sign Orlando Cabera, and then they could move theriot to 2nd where he’ll for sure play better….if all he wants is $3mill, i think the cubs could afford that….just give him some of the money you were gonna give ben sheets (ouch! too soon?). but if the cubs make this deal, that seems like a pretty good infield….i may be wrong, but when i read this it was just a thought that came into my mind, not exactly sure how much cash they have to spend. but i if they don’t want to keep waiting till “next year”, then i think there gonna have to make a free agent move before the 2010 season. I don’t know, what do u guys think????