Archives for March 2011

As two of their top starters look to recover from Spring Training setbacks, the Brewers are considering the idea of acquiring a starting pitcher through a trade or waiver claim. However, they say they're more likely to call on an internal candidate, like Wily Peralta, Marco Estrada, Eulogio de la Cruz or Tim Dillard.

It's easy to see why the Brewers aren't eager to spend on a pitcher like Doug Davis or Kevin Millwood. Zack Greinke probably won't be out for long and Shaun Marcum's shoulder stiffness could disappear soon, so investing millions in a pitcher who won't have a job in a few weeks wouldn't make much sense.

But GM Doug Melvin is eyeing pitchers on other teams and surely other GMs are doing the same. Here's a preliminary, speculative list of starting pitchers who could be available this spring:

• Kevin Slowey – The Twins are willing to listen to offers for Slowey. If they trade him, Scott Baker could take the fifth starter's job in Minnesota.
• Glen Perkins* – Perkins is battling for a spot in the Twins' pen, though he started 26 games in 2008 and 17 the following year. Like many Twins pitchers, Perkins limits walks (career 2.3 BB/9) without striking many out (career 4.7 K/9).
• Bartolo Colon/Freddy Garcia – Both non-roster invitees have impressed this spring, so they could end up in the Yankees' rotation, rather than on the trading block.
• Carlos Silva - It has been a frustrating spring for Silva, who could see Randy Wells and Andrew Cashner win the two open spots at the back of the Cubs' rotation. But Silva posted a 4.22 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 113 innings last year, so he could have appeal despite his his $11.5MM salary. Perhaps Todd Wellemeyer could also become trade bait.
• Rodrigo Lopez - Lopez may see Brandon Beachy or Mike Minor win the Braves' last rotation spot, in which case he'd be out of a job. Someone would figure to inquire on Lopez, who logged 200 innings in 2010. Kenshin Kawakami also remains available, but he'll earn $6.67MM in 2011.
• Joe Blanton – Blanton's availability has been well-documented. One obstacle for potentially interested teams: the right-hander's $8.5MM salary in 2011 and 2012.
• John Maine - Esmil Rogers could win the fifth spot in the Rockies' rotation over Maine, who has a June 1st opt-out clause.
• Jo-Jo Reyes* – As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes explained earlier in the month, the out-of-options left-hander is a possible trade candidate.
• Ryan Rowland-Smith* – The former starter is battling for a spot in the Astros' bullpen now that Nelson Figueroa has won their final rotation spot. 
• Jeff Suppan – The Brewers scored six runs in one inning against their former teammate last week. It's pretty difficult to imagine a deal here.
• Under other circumstances, we could consider Tim Wakefield a trade candidate, since he won't necessarily make the Red Sox. It's not easy to imagine Boston trading the knuckleballer, though.

*denotes out of options player.

Like it or not, the best players in the game change teams regularly in today’s game. Take Cliff Lee, who has been traded three times in the past two years. Adrian Beltre, who joined Lee on the free agent market this winter, will play with his third team in as many years in 2011. 

Some players, like Derek Jeter and Todd Helton, seem destined to remain with the organizations that drafted and developed them, but that’s the exception these days, when players at just about every position become available through trades and free agency each winter.

The one exception of the offseason was shortstop. A handful of solid everyday shortstops changed teams, but none of them could be considered elite players. Only one shortstop who switched teams this winter – Juan Uribe – placed among the top 100 position players in WAR last year (3.2). 

Other shortstops, including Jhonny Peralta, Miguel Tejada, Edgar Renteria, Alcides Escobar, Jason Bartlett and J.J. Hardy, changed hands through free agency and trades. The group includes a number of regulars with some impressive career accomplishments, but none of them performed at an elite level in 2010. 

(Jeter, though technically a free agent, did not play at an elite level last year and was never going to sign with a team other than the Yankees even if he had.) 

In case it wasn’t already challenging enough to find top shortstops, some of the best ones around signed extensions that should keep them off of the market. Troy Tulowitzki signed a surprising nine-figure extension that will keep him in Denver for the next decade. Later in the offseason, the White Sox locked Alexei Ramirez up to a four-year deal, delaying his free agency by at least two years.

Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers signed Stephen Drew (pictured) to a two-year extension after a year in which he posted an .810 OPS and a second consecutive above-average UZR/150 (10.0 in ’10). However, Drew’s deal is unlike the others in that it won’t necessarily postpone his free agency.

If the D’Backs fall out of contention early again this summer, teams could inquire on Drew. Similarly, Jose Reyes could become available within a few months, so the market for shortstops could finally develop by the trade deadline. Given that elite shortstops are one of baseball’s most valuable, elusive commodities, expect the D’Backs and Mets to ask for multiple quality players in return for Drew and Reyes if they make them available.

Photo courtesy Icon SMI.

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Contracts are an obsession at MLB Trade Rumors, but have you ever seen an actual one?  We got our hands on a real Uniform Player's Contract, with the identifying details removed.  If you ever wanted to know which other sports a baseball player is banned from playing, how many uniforms the club must furnish, or the maximum amount of life insurance coverage allowed, this is for you.  Click here to access the PDF file.

Kendrys Morales, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Billy Butler, Geovany Soto, Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, Johnny Cueto, and Phil Hughes were among the players who were arbitration eligible for the first time in 2011.  Several of the biggest names signed multiyear extensions, while other top players signed one-year deals in the $3-4MM range.  For most players, arbitration eligibility is their first shot at a million-dollar salary.  Let's go around the diamond and look at the potential notable first-timers for 2012.  I've included some potential Super Twos, based on the possibility of the cutoff being in the range of two years and 120 days.

Catchers

Nick Hundley leads this small group, which also includes John Baker.  Hundley may set a career-high for playing time this year, and he has extra financial incentive to produce.

First Basemen

Not much here aside from Oakland's Daric Barton.  His agent at Legacy Sports Group faces the tough task of getting the arbitration system to properly value walks.

Second Basemen

Gordon Beckham of the White Sox might be the most interesting name here, if service time of 2.123 results in Super Two status.  Sean Rodriguez, Mike Aviles, and Blake DeWitt should also be arbitration eligible after the season.

Shortstops

The Rangers' Elvis Andrus heads the first-time arbitration eligible shortstops.  Offensively, his agent's pitch might be based on runs scored and stolen bases.  Jed Lowrie and Paul Janish also should be arbitration eligible.

Third Basemen

Casey McGehee and Pablo Sandoval top the list of first-timers at the hot corner.  Their cases figure to be linked, as they currently have very similar career home run and RBI numbers.

Outfielders

It's time for the Pirates to consider an extension for Andrew McCutchen, who will be arbitration eligible after the season after adding to his already impressive numbers.  Colby Rasmus and Brett Gardner are also in line for arbitration paydays, with Travis Snider a potential Super Two at a projected 2.126.  Chris Coghlan, Will Venable, Seth Smith, and Dexter Fowler are a few of the other arbitration eligible outfielders.

Starting Pitchers

Many of the game's best young starters will be arbitration eligible after the 2011 season, if they're not extended first.  Clayton Kershaw, Clay Buchholz, Max Scherzer, Trevor Cahill, Jaime Garcia, and Gio Gonzalez are the headliners, but don't forget J.A. Happ, Brett Cecil, Randy Wells, Justin Masterson, Jordan Zimmermann, Clayton Richard, Jeff Niemann, Homer Bailey, and Phil Coke.  Three who have a chance at Super Two, especially if the cutoff keeps decreasing: Tommy Hanson (2.120), Derek Holland (2.120), and Ian Kennedy (2.124).    

Relievers

Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Luke Gregerson, Tyler Clippard, Evan Meek, and Sergio Romo are the top relievers who project to be first-time arbitration eligible after 2011.  Plenty more are in the mix, including Kevin Jepsen, Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs (2.125), Joe Thatcher, Tony Sipp, Ryan Perry, Jose Mijares, and David Robertson.