Links for Sunday….
- The Cardinals are considering Adam Ottavino, their 2006 first-round pick, as an option for the bullpen, writes Derrick Goold. The 24-year-old has improved his delivery and hurled 8.1 innings so far this spring, allowing just one run with five strikeouts, though he also has five walks to go along with them.
- The Brewers will have some decisions to make this week on players such as Jim Edmonds, Matt Treanor, and Scott Schoeneweis, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Each signed a minor league deal with an out clause. McCalvy opines that "it would be a surprise" if Edmonds didn't factor into the Crew's 2010 Major League plans.
- Lynn Henning of the Detroit News thinks that the Tigers will release Dontrelle Willis in the near future.
- Eddie Guardado hasn't officially announced his retirement, but he tells Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas "I think I'm done." Durrett reports that, even if Guardado doesn't pitch again, the lefty would like to stay in baseball in some capacity.
- The Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo has a few interesting notes in his latest column. He names Jake Westbrook as an intriguing trade-deadline pitching option, and says that Mark Mulder could still work toward a comeback this season.
- The Rangers may try to trade for a utility infielder, according to Anthony Andro of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post doesn't think it's a foregone conclusion that Adrian Gonzalez will be playing in Fenway Park by August.
- Heath Bell, another Padre who has been the subject of trade rumors, is staying in San Diego for the time being, according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times. The Bell-to-Minnesota rumors have been swirling lately, following the news of Joe Nathan's season-ending injury.
- For the latest updates on Bell, and the rest of the closing situations around baseball, be sure to follow our @closernews account on Twitter.
I didn’t realize anybody other than a few disillusioned Boston fanboys thought it was a “forgone conclusion” that Adrian Gonzalez will be playing in Fenway by August.
Gonzalez may not be booked for Boston, but does anyone really think that San Diego is best off keeping Gonzalez? I mean, yeah, his an exceptionally valuable asset.
But when you’re a crap team with a developing farm system and one of your best young players belongs as first base, trading away your star first baseman is probably the best route. If they can get a monster haul for him, they could emerge as arguably the best farm system in the game.
Between Castro, Tate, Williams, Darnell, Decker, Pelzer, Poreda, Rincon, Forsythe, Portillo, Cunningham, Sampson, and others, San Diego is really building something.
At his current salary he still puts a lot of latino fans in the seats so from a business perspective he might have some value. I would not want prospects as most often that does not work out. I would want major league ready players with years of team control. The team that provides this to the padres is the team that gets Gonzalez. The padres have some good looking young talent on there team and are heading in the right direction.
At his current salary he still puts a lot of latino fans in the seats so from a business perspective he might have some value. I would not want prospects as most often that does not work out. I would want major league ready players with years of team control. The team that provides this to the padres is the team that gets Gonzalez. The padres have some good looking young talent on there team and are heading in the right direction.
I think that the Padres should keep him as long as they could because they are almost at that level in which they can compete again.
Also emerging stars such as Durango, Blanks, Cabrera, Latos, and Richard.
“I think that the Padres should keep him as long as they could because they are almost at that level in which they can compete again.”
Let’s not kid ourselves here. The Padres are probably years away from competing in NL West. The Dodgers, Rockies, Giants and D-Backs have more talented “core” than the Padres right now. SD should trade A-Gon for the best prospects available.
I just don’t agree with that. They have a better system than the D-Backs and the NL West is not that hard to win. This isn’t the AL East we are talking about.
If they can keep Adrian Gonzalez, they have a good nucleus of players coming up, plenty of good pitching in their system, and a young core. Gonzalez, Blanks, Cabrera, Durango, Gwynn, Darnell, Decker, Pelzer, Rincon, Sampson, Tate, Williams, Poreda, Richard, Gregerson, Latos, Luebke, Fetter, and Adams are all players that they can build around. They are closer than you think and they don’t need to trade Gonzalez.
With Jed Hoyer at the helm they can start drafting much better (Red Sox like) and could end up drafting players who impact their team right away. Trading Adrian Gonzalez is just another way to build. Not necessary though to trade him.
Fair enough with the D-Backs system. It really hurt when Parker got injured. Some of the players you mentioned are still in the low-level minors. By the time they’re gonna up, A-Gon will gonzo. Plus, it was rumored that he’s going for “Teixeira” money.
Fair enough with the D-Backs system. It really hurt when Parker got injured. Some of the players you mentioned are still in the low-level minors. By the time they’re gonna up, A-Gon will gonzo. Plus, it was rumored that he’s going for “Teixeira” money.
Right. But the whether the Padres want to spend it or not, they have the money. Hec, as we speak the Twins are spending 180+ million on Mauer.
Right. But the whether the Padres want to spend it or not, they have the money. Hec, as we speak the Twins are spending 180+ million on Mauer.
I just don’t agree with that. They have a better system than the D-Backs and the NL West is not that hard to win. This isn’t the AL East we are talking about.
If they can keep Adrian Gonzalez, they have a good nucleus of players coming up, plenty of good pitching in their system, and a young core. Gonzalez, Blanks, Cabrera, Durango, Gwynn, Darnell, Decker, Pelzer, Rincon, Sampson, Tate, Williams, Poreda, Richard, Gregerson, Latos, Luebke, Fetter, and Adams are all players that they can build around. They are closer than you think and they don’t need to trade Gonzalez.
With Jed Hoyer at the helm they can start drafting much better (Red Sox like) and could end up drafting players who impact their team right away. Trading Adrian Gonzalez is just another way to build. Not necessary though to trade him.
“I think that the Padres should keep him as long as they could because they are almost at that level in which they can compete again.”
Let’s not kid ourselves here. The Padres are probably years away from competing in NL West. The Dodgers, Rockies, Giants and D-Backs have more talented “core” than the Padres right now. SD should trade A-Gon for the best prospects available.
I think that the Padres should keep him as long as they could because they are almost at that level in which they can compete again.
Also emerging stars such as Durango, Blanks, Cabrera, Latos, and Richard.
Gonzalez may not be booked for Boston, but does anyone really think that San Diego is best off keeping Gonzalez? I mean, yeah, his an exceptionally valuable asset.
But when you’re a crap team with a developing farm system and one of your best young players belongs as first base, trading away your star first baseman is probably the best route. If they can get a monster haul for him, they could emerge as arguably the best farm system in the game.
Between Castro, Tate, Williams, Darnell, Decker, Pelzer, Poreda, Rincon, Forsythe, Portillo, Cunningham, Sampson, and others, San Diego is really building something.
I think if A-Gon is having a very good season he will be moved by August — somewhere, but not necessarily Boston. If he’s not, or if he’s injured, and his trade value declines there are few reasons for the Padres to not wait until next year.
I think if A-Gon is having a very good season he will be moved by August — somewhere, but not necessarily Boston. If he’s not, or if he’s injured, and his trade value declines there are few reasons for the Padres to not wait until next year.
its not foregone, but they have been the only team that Adrian actually though he was getting traded to at one point, which means there were already talks and will be talks again. everyone likes to drink the kool-aid and pick on teams like Boston, but lets be real for a second, if Adrian is available by June, there is a very high probability that he is coming to Boston
They are hardly the “only” team. The Mariners almost had him last year. That’s a fact. They quibbled over a 6th player in the deal from Seattle’s end.
Then the Dodgers almost had him in a deal featuring Loney.
Other teams besides the Red Sox have been in and will be in on this guy.
The only team he’s not going to are the Yankees, although I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Yankees facilitate a 3 team deal to make sure he goes somewhere else come the trade deadline while getting themselves a valuable piece.
Wasn’t there a deal in place for the Dodgers as well where they would have acquired him and Bell for something like Loney, Martin, and a bunch of good pieces?
It was Gonzalez and Bell for Loney, Martin, DeJesus Jr., McDonald, and DeWitt. I think that trade would have gotten the Padres nowhere.
I could see the Dodgers trading DeJesus and Lindblom for Sheets and Ellis in July.
It was Gonzalez and Bell for Loney, Martin, DeJesus Jr., McDonald, and DeWitt. I think that trade would have gotten the Padres nowhere.
I could see the Dodgers trading DeJesus and Lindblom for Sheets and Ellis in July.
Wasn’t there a deal in place for the Dodgers as well where they would have acquired him and Bell for something like Loney, Martin, and a bunch of good pieces?
Wrong. Plenty of other teams have a better shot to get him than the Red Sox. I don’t think the Red Sox will be in on Gonzalez this July because they have Beltre and have no plans to make Youk or Gonzalez the DH. I’m going to take the Dodgers or Mariners.
When or if he becomes a free agent after 2011, I could see the Red Sox making a play but until then, not a chance does he come to the Red Sox.
And by the way. I do like to drink Kool-Aid (as long as it’s the Grape kind) but people don’t necessarily pick on the Red Sox.
Wrong. Plenty of other teams have a better shot to get him than the Red Sox. I don’t think the Red Sox will be in on Gonzalez this July because they have Beltre and have no plans to make Youk or Gonzalez the DH. I’m going to take the Dodgers or Mariners.
When or if he becomes a free agent after 2011, I could see the Red Sox making a play but until then, not a chance does he come to the Red Sox.
And by the way. I do like to drink Kool-Aid (as long as it’s the Grape kind) but people don’t necessarily pick on the Red Sox.
I am right there with you on Boston maybe not getting Gonzalez this summer, but for different reasons.
Epstein I don’t think is going to want to give up 2-3 of his top prospects, in addition to Bucholz, especially after the organizations top positional prospect is probably out for at least a year with a serious health problem and have to fork over Tex money to keep Gonzalez for more than 1-2 years. That is not generally how Boston has operated since Henry& co. has taken over. Wiping out the better organizational prospects, meaning Bucholz, possibly Bard and 1-2 more for somebody that will end up costing 20M @ 8 years or more? Smarter to wait another 2 years and find a fill in after the season. There is probably nobody else in need of a 1B willing to pay that amount anyway, just wait until he becomes a FA and then go after him.
Boston has already given up 2 1st round picks, along with a 2nd round pick in the Martinez deal with the Tribe and now has to deal with an extension in his case, or risk losing him. it’s not worth the loss of developing these talents in Masterson and top prospects like Nick Hagedone that went to the Tribe in that deal for 1 1/2 year rentals sometimes.
its not foregone, but they have been the only team that Adrian actually though he was getting traded to at one point, which means there were already talks and will be talks again. everyone likes to drink the kool-aid and pick on teams like Boston, but lets be real for a second, if Adrian is available by June, there is a very high probability that he is coming to Boston
I wouldn’t say it is a foregone conclusion that Gonzalez is going to the Red Sox. There is the rumor that he almost went to the Mariners. The Red Sox probably will have to trade Buchholz to get him.
There was a rumor last year he almost came to the Dodgers so again it is just a rumor. So many of the boston fans are under the impression that the Padres are going to take there overhyped prospects for Gonzalez. I would imagine he goes to the team with the best offer.
In the end of the day I think that will either be the Mariners, Orioles, or Dodgers.
Liddi, Halman, Triuinfel, Saunders, and Carrera for Gonzalez
Pie, Arietta, and Britton for Gonzalez? Do they need to add Josh Bell in to that trade?
Loney, Lindblom, Robinson, and Miller for Gonzalez?
The Padres won’t want Loney. If they’re trading A-Gon, Blanks will move to 1B.
On the other hand, I don’t get why people like Loney. He’s barely above replacement level.
Good point they will probably move Blanks to first if A-Gon gets traded.
James Loney is actually a really good First Baseman. He hits for Average and plays solid defense. According to UZR, he is an above average defensive players with 1.2.
Average is not the best way to asses a player’s hitting abilities. Compared to other first basemen, he’s not really that good.
He’s ranked 17th in OBP (.357), 24th in ISO (.118) and 23rd in wOBA (.332).
He’s a good fielder though. He’s still young (25) so who knows if hes gonna develop some power.
Good point they will probably move Blanks to first if A-Gon gets traded.
James Loney is actually a really good First Baseman. He hits for Average and plays solid defense. According to UZR, he is an above average defensive players with 1.2.
The Padres won’t want Loney. If they’re trading A-Gon, Blanks will move to 1B.
On the other hand, I don’t get why people like Loney. He’s barely above replacement level.
Frank McCourt will not give Gonzalez his payday so forget about the Dodgers. He made $110 million dollars profit and paid no taxes. We work 40 to 65 hour work week and pay 35% or more of OUR salary for taxes. And he is crying poverty.
There was a rumor last year he almost came to the Dodgers so again it is just a rumor. So many of the boston fans are under the impression that the Padres are going to take there overhyped prospects for Gonzalez. I would imagine he goes to the team with the best offer.
At Least.
At Least.
I wouldn’t say it is a foregone conclusion that Gonzalez is going to the Red Sox. There is the rumor that he almost went to the Mariners. The Red Sox probably will have to trade Buchholz to get him.
Release Willis? Probably not
They might but, it would be if he really is struggling and I’m not talking about a 4 or 5 era I’m talking even worse than that.
They might but, it would be if he really is struggling and I’m not talking about a 4 or 5 era I’m talking even worse than that.
Release Willis? Probably not
Lynn Henning is one of the stupidest writers I’ve ever read. First, if he’s gonna base the release of Dontrelle on velocity, he should probably know that velocity doesn’t necessarily mean effictiveness. Dontrelle has been effective even without an overpowering fastball. I think he should also know that Dontrelle has an ERA of 0.90 in ST, and that by itself coming from Dontrelle warrants a second look. Third, he’s making $12 million this year, and he’s no Gary Sheffield, at least not at this point, he deserves a chance in the Tiger’s rotation. They need a left handed starter, and at this point I feel like it would be a waste of $12 million to not at least give Dontrelle a chance in Detroit this season.
You are absolutley right. Dontrelle could have his comeback season this season and I expect it.
“if he’s gonna base the release of Dontrelle on velocity, he should probably know that velocity doesn’t necessarily mean effictiveness.” <<<< Exactly. Jamie Moyer pretty much throws like 20 MPH while David Purcey throws 100 and can't throw a strike.
This is the year where Dontrelle Willis wins 16+ games.
can we hold you to that prediction spandemonium?
please do.
Lets not get carried away, if Dtrain goes .500 I’ll be content!
“I think he should also know that Dontrelle has an ERA of 0.90 in ST, and that by itself coming from Dontrelle warrants a second look.”
A. It’s 10 innings in ST
B. Over that time he has a K:BB rate of 6:5, so that ERA is misleading
C. I agree they shouldnt release him yet, there’s nothing to gain from dropping him.
Lynn Henning is one of the stupidest writers I’ve ever read. First, if he’s gonna base the release of Dontrelle on velocity, he should probably know that velocity doesn’t necessarily mean effictiveness. Dontrelle has been effective even without an overpowering fastball. I think he should also know that Dontrelle has an ERA of 0.90 in ST, and that by itself coming from Dontrelle warrants a second look. Third, he’s making $12 million this year, and he’s no Gary Sheffield, at least not at this point, he deserves a chance in the Tiger’s rotation. They need a left handed starter, and at this point I feel like it would be a waste of $12 million to not at least give Dontrelle a chance in Detroit this season.
I love the d train and all he is a great person but SPAN i dont think he will win 16+ games i could see like a 12-8 or 13-7 year with a 4.20 era it will probally be lower in the high ‘s like maybe 3.70 but its a little premature to say he will return to his old self this fast for his sake i hope he does i really liked watching him with the marlins , sorry SPAN it wouldn’t let me reply to you so i just posted as a comment
Listen man, even if it was 12-8 or 13-7 with a 3.70 ERA as you said, the Tigers would LOVE that. He has won 1 game over the past two seasons and the Tigers would love nothing more than a healthy, feeling good D-Train. Even if his ERA was in the high 3’s or low 4’s the Tigers would kill for that.
They’d also love it if he won a Nobel Peace Prize but I don’t see that happening either. Willis already had some red flags in Florida. I think it’s far more likely that the best days of Dontrelle Willis are behind him… the second he gets rattled in a game, it’s over for him.
I don’t think his best days are behind him. I just think he needed to improve his emotional state which he has said has improved. When he feels good, he is the last pitcher that batters want to face. And it’s clear that he hasn’t felt good for the past two seasons. He at least deserves a shot to return to being the D-Train.
“When he feels good, he is the last pitcher that batters want to face.”
-What are you talking about? That’s a ridiculous statement.
When he was young and athletic he could repeat his wind up and the deception that came with it; he can no longer do that so as his K rate decrease and his walks increased he became the crappy pitcher he is today.
I don’t think his best days are behind him. I just think he needed to improve his emotional state which he has said has improved. When he feels good, he is the last pitcher that batters want to face. And it’s clear that he hasn’t felt good for the past two seasons. He at least deserves a shot to return to being the D-Train.
Dontrelle Willis has won more than 16 games only once in his career (2005).
The last time he was good was in 2006. His era/fip for the past years:
2005 – 2.63 era/ 2.99 fip
2006 – 3.87 era/ 4.31 fip
2007 – 5.17 era/ 5.13 fip
2008 – 9.38 era/ 8.30 fip (24.0 IP)
2009 – 7.49 era/ 6.22 fip (33.2 IP)
Well, it doesn’t hurt to be optimistic I guess.
But In 2007 he was at least pitching. no 9.38 or 7.49 in 2007.
But In 2007 he was at least pitching. no 9.38 or 7.49 in 2007.
Dontrelle Willis has won more than 16 games only once in his career (2005).
The last time he was good was in 2006. His era/fip for the past years:
2005 – 2.63 era/ 2.99 fip
2006 – 3.87 era/ 4.31 fip
2007 – 5.17 era/ 5.13 fip
2008 – 9.38 era/ 8.30 fip (24.0 IP)
2009 – 7.49 era/ 6.22 fip (33.2 IP)
Well, it doesn’t hurt to be optimistic I guess.
I agree with you they really need to him to bounce back and pitch good and i think he will this season he dominated spring training and he’s been looking pretty sharp
I agree with you they really need to him to bounce back and pitch good and i think he will this season he dominated spring training and he’s been looking pretty sharp
put ottavino in the bullpen?? wow we really need to get a bullpen arm. this is just getting downright dissapointing.
put ottavino in the bullpen?? wow we really need to get a bullpen arm. this is just getting downright dissapointing.
Joe Beimel?
Ottavino wasn’t drafted for nothing, At least give him a chance to start and put McClellan and Garcia in the pen.
Rich Hill should get the 5th spot though.
Joe Beimel?
Ottavino wasn’t drafted for nothing, At least give him a chance to start and put McClellan and Garcia in the pen.
Rich Hill should get the 5th spot though.
Not sure why Ottavino being in the mix for the bullpen is “downright disappointing” to you. He is a first round talent that has struggled with control and health in his career so far. Options like Adam Ottavino are why the Cardinals wisely avoided wasting money on a veteran for the bullpen. Veteran relievers are typically inconsistent from year to year, unless they are elite closers. No one that was available to the Cardinals at a decent price was worth the money this offseason.
The Cardinals have a lot of guys capable of pitching in the RH reliever role this year spread between the majors and Memphis. The list includes pitchers like McClellan, Motte, Hawksworth, Boggs, Ottavino, Parise, Sanchez, Salas, Samuel, Kinney, and maybe even a guy like Lance Lynn. The Cardinals only need three of those guys to pan out as relievers in 2010 to complement Ryan Franklin and they’ll be fine. The best way to construct a bullpen is to have a lot of options and go with the hot hand throughout the season IMO. No need for a mediocre veteran just to have some name recognition while pitching the 7th inning.
On the A-Gon situation:
Clearly this guy Sherman needs to get a clue. There’s still alot of retard Boston fans out there who think that come June-July, the Sox will trade Varitek, Lowrie, Lowell and some low-level prospect for Adrian. Other than that, most people have realized that there’s still a decent chance he winds up in Boston, but there’s alos a decent chance he inds up somewhere like Seattle, LA, or Baltimore. My idea of a fair trade for Gonzalez coming to Boston is:
SD:
Clay Buccholz/Casey Kelly
Stolmy Pimentel
Ryan Kalish/Josh Reddick
Che-Hsuan Li
Luis Exposito/Ryan Lavarnway
Derrik Gibson
Boston:
Adrian Gonzalez
Low Level Prospect*
* denotes a slim possibility
I wasn’t aware that anyone thought it would be a foregone conclusion that the sox would pick up Gonzalez before the trade deadline. Last I heard, the sox didn’t even inquire about him this winter. Barring a severe injury, a lucky trade, or such poor offense that would lead to the release of either Beltre, Youk, or Papi, there’s really no place for Gonzalez on the Sox right now. But I like the way you’re thinking….