The Tigers, Cardinals, Rockies and Padres could improve at short and other teams, like the Yankees, have interest in adding a versatile infielder. Here's a look at some shortstops who may be available between now and the end of the month, sorted according to their 2010 salaries:
- Cristian Guzman, $8MM (free agent after 2010) – Guzman is hitting .294/.343/.369 and has also appeared at second and in right field. He can hit for average and play average defense (according to UZR), but the Nationals would presumably have to eat salary in a trade because there are cheaper options available. Guzman has ten and five rights, so he can veto any deal.
- Jason Bartlett, $4MM (free agent after 2011) – Reid Brignac and Sean Rodriguez can both play short, so the creative Rays could conceivably trade Bartlett. However, he is hitting .231/.314/.335 and UZR suggests his defense is below average, so teams may not consider him an upgrade.
- Stephen Drew, $3.4MM (free agent after 2012) – Drew boasts a .275/.348/.416 line and plays solid defense at short (+3.2 UZR this year). The Tigers are interested.
- Alex Gonzalez, $2.75MM ($2.5MM club option for 2011) – Gonzalez leads all shortstops in homers (Home Run Derby finalist Hanley Ramirez is four shy of Gonzalez's 17) and he has been a sound defender for the Blue Jays. The 33-year-old doesn't get on base much (.296 OBP), but he offers more power than any other available shortstop (.497 slugging percentage). The Blue Jays are open to deals.
- Cesar Izturis, $2.6MM (free agent after 2010) – Izturis is hitting .239/.286/.283, so teams figure to have limited interest in him.
- Ryan Theriot, $2.6MM (free agent after 2012) – The Cubs could part with Theriot, who is hitting .278/.317/.313. To date, we haven't seen a clear indication that the Cubs are shopping the 30-year-old, though they would presumably listen to offers.
- Craig Counsell, $2.1MM (free agent after 2010) – Counsell isn't hitting much (.614 OPS), but he can play short, second and third.
- Jamey Carroll, $1.05MM ($1.8MM in 2011) – His walk rate is at a career high, and he's playing more shortstop than any other position this year. He could be too valuable a utility player to move.
- Yunel Escobar, $435K (free agent after 2013) – Teams are calling about Escobar, though the Braves don't appear to be shopping him. The 27-year-old is still cheap and promising, despite his .238/.334/.284 line this season.
- Ronny Cedeno and Bobby Crosby could be available; Jhonny Peralta played shortstop for years; Alberto Callaspo has some experience at short and Adam Everett is a free agent.
We examined the market for third basemen and catchers earlier in the week.
i’d like to see the mets add guzman to play second.
Nats aren’t going to kick in money for a Guzman trade, methinks. Seems out of character for ownership to basically buy prospects. If they were the type to buy prospects, seems like they’d start with international prospects, knowing what Bryce Harper wants, and signing fourth round aggressive pick Cole first.
Nats aren’t going to kick in money for a Guzman trade, methinks. Seems out of character for ownership to basically buy prospects. If they were the type to buy prospects, seems like they’d start with international prospects, knowing what Bryce Harper wants, and signing fourth round aggressive pick Cole first.
He seems like Luis Castillo two to me.
johnny mac toss in their as well,
What makes you think the Jays want to trade him? He’s a cheap, reliable defender that can fill in on the infield (I never want to see him in LF again), is a great clubhouse personality, and has always been a fan favourite.
2 million and change is cheap? for a guy who plays once a week, can’t pinch run well, and hits like a grandmother?
As sad as it is, yes, that is cheap these days. He’s always been know for his D anyway.
What makes you think the Jays want to trade him? He’s a cheap, reliable defender that can fill in on the infield (I never want to see him in LF again), is a great clubhouse personality, and has always been a fan favourite.
The Cubs would be foolish not to be shopping around Ryan Theriot. He may be the most useless hitter in baseball, yet for some reason he is an everyday player. Hopefully, other teams take note of his Ecksteiness and take him from the North Siders.
Small guy trying to play like a big guy.
Small guy trying to play like a big guy.
The Cubs would be foolish not to be shopping around Ryan Theriot. He may be the most useless hitter in baseball, yet for some reason he is an everyday player. Hopefully, other teams take note of his Ecksteiness and take him from the North Siders.
Craig Counsell’s ability to play every infield spot has got to be really attractive. I’d hate to see him leave Milwaukee though.
Craig Counsell’s ability to play every infield spot has got to be really attractive. I’d hate to see him leave Milwaukee though.
If the Royals would be willing to part with Callaspo he could be a very useful player if he was taught plate discipline. As we know, the Royals don’t teach that.
Nic, three things.
Callaspo is not a SS anymore and never should have been tried there to begin with. If you have ever seen him play there in person, which I have, it is painful. Secondly, the Royals didn’t develop Callaspo in their system. Finally, I think that Ben forgot about Mike Aviles.
For the first point, I haven’t seen him play there and I trust you’re correct.
For the second point, I forgot he started with the Dbacks, my bad
I think he did forget Aviles. Aviles is a natural shortstop and isn’t too great a second baseman. I think with a trade and a conversion back to SS he could come close to duplicating his 2008 campaign
That sounds like a plan, Nic.
Nic, three things.
Callaspo is not a SS anymore and never should have been tried there to begin with. If you have ever seen him play there in person, which I have, it is painful. Secondly, the Royals didn’t develop Callaspo in their system. Finally, I think that Ben forgot about Mike Aviles.
If the Royals would be willing to part with Callaspo he could be a very useful player if he was taught plate discipline. As we know, the Royals don’t teach that.
Is there some type of blinding, mystical, magical talent that Ronny Cedeno has that I just don’t see?
I really don’t understand how him and Bobby Crosby are on ANY Major League team, even with the Pirates being as bad as they are. These two seem like Double A guys at BEST.
at least cedeno plays GG defense. and he puts on fake mustaches for the team. thats gotta be worth something.
Didn’t realize his defense was GG, but if that is the case, that helps his case.
I think the guy should just stand in the box, and not be allowed to swing until he gets 2 strikes. Sure, he will strike out a lot, but at least he will get on base more via the walk, of which, seems to be very foreign to him.
Didn’t realize his defense was GG, but if that is the case, that helps his case.
I think the guy should just stand in the box, and not be allowed to swing until he gets 2 strikes. Sure, he will strike out a lot, but at least he will get on base more via the walk, of which, seems to be very foreign to him.
Based on what does Cedeno play Gold Glove defense, his mom? Every single time a ground ball is hit to him he double clutches and sometimes his throws don’t even make it to first. He doesn’t have even have good range to get to balls. He’s just not a very good player.
well i just looked at his UZR this year( i know, it fluctuates a lot from year to year) and it had him at an 8.4. thats pretty solid.
Based on what does Cedeno play Gold Glove defense, his mom? Every single time a ground ball is hit to him he double clutches and sometimes his throws don’t even make it to first. He doesn’t have even have good range to get to balls. He’s just not a very good player.
at least cedeno plays GG defense. and he puts on fake mustaches for the team. thats gotta be worth something.
Only guy I have ever seen get thrown out on a walk. That right there should be all you need to know about his blinding, mystical, magical talent.
Only guy I have ever seen get thrown out on a walk. That right there should be all you need to know about his blinding, mystical, magical talent.
Is there some type of blinding, mystical, magical talent that Ronny Cedeno has that I just don’t see?
I really don’t understand how him and Bobby Crosby are on ANY Major League team, even with the Pirates being as bad as they are. These two seem like Double A guys at BEST.
rays need an impact bat in the outfield correct?ryan ludwick for jason bartlett+alexander colome/matt moore?even i think
this allows them to shop BJ upton if they choose to get his ass outta town. or keep him around and DH ludwick, which would be a bit of a shame sense he is playing GG defense at RF.
Wow. That is a lot to give up for a guy on the downhill of his career. Ludwick was a 2 year window player and that window is about to shut. His ABs are down because his hitting is down. I wouldn’t buy him at that price for sure.
rays need an impact bat in the outfield correct?ryan ludwick for jason bartlett+alexander colome/matt moore?even i think
this allows them to shop BJ upton if they choose to get his ass outta town. or keep him around and DH ludwick, which would be a bit of a shame sense he is playing GG defense at RF.
IDK, but i would LOVE to see the cards get a shortstop that can HIT the ball as well as field. I would take a stellar D man with a so-so average, but Ryans D is not stellar, solid but not stellar, and his average is not even so-so. Ferrariman I would take your trade in a New York Minute.
Pads should target guys like Guzman, Drew, & Gonzalez. They need all the offensive help they can get.