Links for Saturday…
- The Phillies considered Chad Gaudin according to Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com, but they decided he wasn't enough of an upgrade over what they already have in-house.
- The Twins have informed Jacque Jones that he will not make the team, reports MLB.com's Kelly Thesier. Minnesota brought the long time Twin back on a minor league deal in February.
- On the heels of another strong outing from Tim Stauffer, MLB.com's Corey Brock speculates (via Twitter) that the Padres could receive a mid-level prospect from a team in need of pitching if they opted to trade him. Stauffer's four shutout innings today lowered his spring ERA to a tidy 2.57 with an 11:3 K:BB ratio through 14 innings.
- Jon Paul Morosi tells the great story of Darren Oliver's resurgence after nearly retiring in 2005 and wonders who the next veteran will be to make a similar run.
- Doug Mientkiewicz was told he will not make the Dodgers' Opening Day roster, according to a report from the Associated Press. Mientkiewicz was excused from camp today so he can weigh his options in regards to his future in baseball.
- Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says Mike Lowell's injury "almost kills his trade value, which was already low to begin with." Lowell suffered a knee contusion when he fouled a ball off his left knee Friday.
- Blue Jays' team president and CEO Paul Beeston chatted with fans on the team's official site yesterday. He discussed the latest on Adeiny Hechevarria and the club's policy on long-term contracts, among other topics.
- ESPN's Buster Olney says that some general managers believe the reason there's so little movement on the trade front is because there are still viable alternatives on the free agent market.
- As Joe Christensen of The Star Tribune notes, Joe Mauer's new deal may have turned one of the team's top prospects in a prime piece of trade bait.
- New Padres' GM Jed Hoyer isn't as brash as Kevin Towers used to be, writes Nick Canepa of The San Diego Union-Tribune.
That prospect would be Wilson Ramos and I believe that they can turn him around to acquire Heath Bell.
Why would you trade a top prospect for Heath Bell? Sure, the Twins need a closer in 2010 but Bell has only closed for one season and is hardly a proven commodity. If Ramos is moved it should be for more than that.
hmm or perhaps you go to the red sox who are potentially looking for a starting catcher beyond this year…. sox have a bunch of power arms both in the bigs and on the farm… it could be a win win for both teams, picking someone up like delcarmen, or ramon ramirez…. two team controlled guys who could do a good job before nathan gets back… sox throw in a prospect or 2… could be interesting…. or maybe the twins ante up for bard
Ramos is probably more valuable than Bard anyways.
Ramos is probably more valuable than Bard anyways.
Doubt the sox will trade any prospects till mid season. With Westmoreland sidelined indefinitly, and with guys like Buccholz and Lars Anderson still haveing alot to prove their crop of prospect has takeing a huge hit. Bard, Kelly and Inglesias are untouchable, that leaves Reddick, Kalish, Tazawa, Rizzo and Bowden, Thier Solid prospects but they Don’t set the world on fire.
Any way the sox are still (always looking for relievers) They wouldnt trade ramirez or delcarmen for a catcher who would currently sit 3 on their depth charts with Dusty Brown and Mark Wagner on their 40 man roster. Their #10 and #18 ranked prospects are also catchers. none may be as good Ramos but they do have depth all ready.
“and with guys like Buccholz and Lars Anderson still haveing alot to prove”
I wouldn’t call Buchholz a prospect anymore…he’s a major league starter at this point. And after the way he pitched in the the 2nd half of last season, I woudn’t exactly say he still has “a lot to prove” either..
“And after the way he pitched in the the 2nd half of last season, I woudn’t exactly say he still has “a lot to prove” either..”
So after he’s successful for 92 IP he’s proven himself?
I didn’t say that Buhholz has definitevely “proven himself” – I just said that he doesn’t have a “a lot to prove” – and that’s true in my opinion. Does he still need to show that he can replicate his success from last year at the Major League level and be conistent from year to year? Of course. That doesn’t mean that he’s an “unproven prospect” like Steven was calling him. I would say at this point he is a certified 4-5 Major League starter and I can’t imagine too many teams wouldn’t want him in the back of their rotation RIGHT NOW. Hell, I’m sure he could be the #3 starter on a lot of teams right now. Has he demonstrated that he’s the future ACE of the staff? Of course not. But if he starts out this season much like he finished last then all signs are looking good…
Buccholz had a good half and one hell of a september, he’s 25 and has had a shakey spring training, All i ment is he needs to prove thats who he is. The Sox need buccholz and anderson to perform at high levels if they need to trade for a guy like Adrian Gonzalas with out given up two of the “untouchables” in Kelly, Bard, and Inglasias.
Haveing five top young talents to chose from and guys like reddick, Kalish, Rizzo, Tazawa, bowden, pimentel, exposito, Lin and Doubront to fill out a deal they can pull of a mega deal in which they can chose which talent they can keep to better fill their future needs.
I expect that if they do not have extentions with Beckett and Martinez by the trade deadline they probally would try to exclude guys like Exposito, buccholz and Kelly. in that scenario it would still leave 3 Top Talents and and 8 or 9 leser talents to chose from. 2 top, and 3-4 lesser should be enough to get a star caliber player.
“And after the way he pitched in the the 2nd half of last season, I woudn’t exactly say he still has “a lot to prove” either..”
So after he’s successful for 92 IP he’s proven himself?
“and with guys like Buccholz and Lars Anderson still haveing alot to prove”
I wouldn’t call Buchholz a prospect anymore…he’s a major league starter at this point. And after the way he pitched in the the 2nd half of last season, I woudn’t exactly say he still has “a lot to prove” either..
Doubt the sox will trade any prospects till mid season. With Westmoreland sidelined indefinitly, and with guys like Buccholz and Lars Anderson still haveing alot to prove their crop of prospect has takeing a huge hit. Bard, Kelly and Inglesias are untouchable, that leaves Reddick, Kalish, Tazawa, Rizzo and Bowden, Thier Solid prospects but they Don’t set the world on fire.
Any way the sox are still (always looking for relievers) They wouldnt trade ramirez or delcarmen for a catcher who would currently sit 3 on their depth charts with Dusty Brown and Mark Wagner on their 40 man roster. Their #10 and #18 ranked prospects are also catchers. none may be as good Ramos but they do have depth all ready.
hmm or perhaps you go to the red sox who are potentially looking for a starting catcher beyond this year…. sox have a bunch of power arms both in the bigs and on the farm… it could be a win win for both teams, picking someone up like delcarmen, or ramon ramirez…. two team controlled guys who could do a good job before nathan gets back… sox throw in a prospect or 2… could be interesting…. or maybe the twins ante up for bard
Ramos reminds of me Miguel Olivo in the sense that as a prospect me may yield more in trade value than on-field value. Don’t see why the Twins wouldn’t turn him into 2 arms for the pen or possibly one really good arm for the pen
Someone at Fangraphs brought up a good point. If they’re stuck with Lowell, they might as well use him, specifically as a platoon at 1B.
Why at 1B? Platoon at DH makes much more sense.
True…especially because Papi isn’t looking too good so far, and I don’t except him to blossom this year either. His best years are way behind him now.
True…especially because Papi isn’t looking too good so far, and I don’t except him to blossom this year either. His best years are way behind him now.
Why at 1B? Platoon at DH makes much more sense.
Someone at Fangraphs brought up a good point. If they’re stuck with Lowell, they might as well use him, specifically as a platoon at 1B.
Nice article on Oliver. It’s amazing what adding one pitch can do to you. He went from being a has been to a terrific member of the Angels bullpen. Wish him well in Texas (except when he plays the Angels).
Nice article on Oliver. It’s amazing what adding one pitch can do to you. He went from being a has been to a terrific member of the Angels bullpen. Wish him well in Texas (except when he plays the Angels).
Considering the lack of 3B alternatives out there, I hope Doug signs a minor league contract with the Twins, Cards, Brewers, Astros, or the multiple other teams that don’t have a legitimate backup at 3B. Unfortunately, Doug was hurt last year, but still has some baseball left in him.
Considering the lack of 3B alternatives out there, I hope Doug signs a minor league contract with the Twins, Cards, Brewers, Astros, or the multiple other teams that don’t have a legitimate backup at 3B. Unfortunately, Doug was hurt last year, but still has some baseball left in him.
Should teams try to intice un imployed SP to relieveing dutie, Given the current SP Market could Guys like Pedro, Colon, Backe, Hampton, etc. take incentive laiden contracts to be middle relief/spot starers. It would probally be the last time any one would see these guys pitching past the sixth inning ever again.
Hampton- out for the season (labrum)
Backe- out for the season (rotator cuff)
Colon- walked away from the Red Sox when they told him he was going to the bullpen; he also disappeared last year as well
Pedro- incentives? He wanted 5m back in January from the Phillies for a full season.
These guys barely (if ever) relieved, you cant waste a roster spot on someone who may not be able to pitch back to back days; or commit that much to someone who is old/broken down
Hampton- out for the season (labrum)
Backe- out for the season (rotator cuff)
Colon- walked away from the Red Sox when they told him he was going to the bullpen; he also disappeared last year as well
Pedro- incentives? He wanted 5m back in January from the Phillies for a full season.
These guys barely (if ever) relieved, you cant waste a roster spot on someone who may not be able to pitch back to back days; or commit that much to someone who is old/broken down
Should teams try to intice un imployed SP to relieveing dutie, Given the current SP Market could Guys like Pedro, Colon, Backe, Hampton, etc. take incentive laiden contracts to be middle relief/spot starers. It would probally be the last time any one would see these guys pitching past the sixth inning ever again.
Why would all the teams that passed on getting someone like Yusmeiro Petit or Gaby Hernandez for free trade a mid-level prospect for Tim Stauffer?
Why would all the teams that passed on getting someone like Yusmeiro Petit or Gaby Hernandez for free trade a mid-level prospect for Tim Stauffer?
I suppose whatever the question is, the answer isn’t Dougie Eyechart, but getting released in favor of Garrett Anderson would have to hurt your feelings.
I really hope the Twins don’t trade Ramos for a reliever (Bell or otherwise). There is no reason to trade for a “proven closer.” Losing Nathan hurts, but having Ramos at AAA and getting 30 saves from Matt Guerrier or Jon Rauch is better than 30+ saves from Heath Bell.
Gee Buster, you sure are great at pointing out the obvious.