On this date last year, the Red Sox and Marlins swapped Dustin Richardson for Andrew Miller, a deal that didn't really work out for either side. Here are some notes from around the league…
- Sosnick Cobbe Sports will represent Korean left-handed pitcher Seung-ho Lee according to the agency's Twitter feed. The 30-year-old is a free agent and looking to join a team in MLB.
- MLB.com's Carrie Muskat reports that the Cubs will hold a private workout session for 26-year-old Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes at some point soon.
- "We're looking to improve the position player side of the roster," said Indians GM Chris Antonetti to Paul Hoynes of The Cleveland Plain Dealer. The team's payroll will jump from $49MM to about $70MM, with much of that going towards arbitration raises.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak told Joe Strauss of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch that the team is projecting Daniel Descalso as their Opening Day second baseman (Twitter link). He added that he "wouldn't mind" a double play combination of Descalso and Tyler Greene.
- Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times reports that Dodgers owner Frank McCourt has asked the U.S. Bankruptcy Court to let him negotiate a sale of the team's television rights, which will increase the sale price of the club. FOX Sports, which holds the clubs television rights, is trying to prevent the move.
DT Flush234
How about a Double Play combo of Furcal and Descalso. Greene has not proven he is ready I like his speed but His hitting needs to improve and so does his defense.
NickinIthaca
When I read the original part about Tyler Greene and Descalso, I immediately started to wonder why Mozeliak would want to re-sign someone with the social anxiety problems that Greene had while with the team before.
And then I realized that it was Khalil Greene I was thinking of….
The_BiRDS
Great story.
cards2WS
He’s 28 and his potential is slipping every year. If we can salvage this player into a decent SS/2B/CF utility it’s a success. Mo’s getting a little ahead of himself. Descalso would be fine with me. Even though I think a Furcal/Barmes infield would be very good, it seems doubtful at this point.
DT Flush234
If furcal doesnt resign Barmes defense is just as good and he can hit.
cards2WS
Barmes defense isn’t as good. He hits better though.
The_BiRDS
If they can make Skip a 2Baseman why cant they do the same with Allen Craig?
cards2WS
Wow think about the arm strength of those two up the middle…
DT Flush234
Descalso is our new Position Player Pitcher.
cards2WS
I bet he top 95…
Ryan Knox
I was hoping for a Furcal / Craig Double Play Combo, but then remembered, LaRussa retired, the days of having outfielders play 2nd base are over, would have been nice though. Craig batting 2nd and playing 2nd base everyday.
Zach
i think they should try to move Craig to second. i know he’s a little big for their but he came up a third basemen so he should be able to field ground balls decently, and then move descalso to SS or sign furcal/Rollins.
Cheeseballs
This is making me believe Shumaker will be gone.
Kendall Adkins
Most likely. He’s set to make about 3 million or so and Descalso is league minimum I would presume. Similar bats, arms, and speed, and Descalso has the better glove. Makes sense.
cards2WS
Shu has the better bat. But, DD has a CANNON. He rockets balls into Albert from third base so powerfully
cards2WS
Had the same thought. I think he’s back though. Not as a starter, but as a 2nd/OF utility. Though, we don’t really need one. If he was right handed life would be so much easier. He’d fit both needs!
The_BiRDS
Yep, Skip hung around cuz LaRussa thought he was pretty
FamousGrouse
From the Bill Shaikin article:
“That likely would be the starting point for any competitive bidding between Fox and Time Warner Cable, which needs a summer team for its new Lakers channel. The essence of McCourt’s request: If there is going to be a bidding war between Fox and Time Warner, let’s have it now.”
I wonder if anything like MASN could be set up for the Dodgers? I think Shaikin is right on the above quote though.
BlueSkyLA
Obviously McCourt is trying to maximize the value of the team for his purposes but I wonder if a rights auction now is a good tactic to accomplish this. A future owner may see more long term value potential in their being able to do this themselves after next year. It’s a bit like painting your house before you put it up for sale. It may show better, but potential buyers may prefer a different color.
Kendall Adkins
I like Descalso at 2nd I guess. Not Greene at short though. I’d like to see Furcal back if we sign Pujols, maybe Reyes if we don’t.
Aaron S.
I’d have to guess that Reyes would be completely out of the question should/once the Cardinals resign Pujols. The team won’t have enough payroll to bring both players in.
Realistically, I think this team is looking at an infield of Pujols, Descalso, Furcal, Freese. Greene seems more of a backup/utility type to me considering he can play all over the infield (aside from first). He might be more valuable in that role at this point.
Kendall Adkins
My opinion exactly.
Mike Eigenbrod
Mozaliek is nuts if the Descalso at second base and Tyler Greene at shortstop combination is doable. Descalso at second, possibly, but Tyler Greene as the everyday shortstop, not what I would want to see up the middle defense for the Cardinals. Better re sign Furcal at shortstop and have Greene there as a backup. Come on Mo, he has not had afull year up with the Cardinals to prove himself.
JohnS
Furcal can barely bat .200…. he has already been forgot about by most.
BoSoxSam
Ahh, Richardson for Miller. The classic Lose-Lose.
DT Flush234
So I would assume that Kozma is going to be the utility Infielder if we don’t resign Furcal.
cjw129
I hope not.. Kozma is absolutly awefull. Well i geuss if we dont resign furcal and Green is at SS with DD at 2nd then kozma i geuss probably would be the utility infielder… that sounds aweful even though i am an advocate of Tyler greene at SS to see if he can finnaly break through and come close to those AAA numbers. personally i would rather see Ryan Jackson as the utility infielder over kozma even if he isn’t ready for the show yet his defense is ready and kozma is just that bad
DT Flush234
Jackson is very good defender his hitting improved and his power has too with 10 home runs in AA. He is having a good offseason in the AFL hitting 328. 1 HR and 8 RBI
NYBravosFan10
Dustin Richardson for Andrew Miller…It’s like someone traded rotten eggs for rotten milk
Dodgersarelife
Frank Mc court you DISGUST ME! you have tarnished a storied franchise with you cheap mannerisms and stingy ideals. You have tarnished the hearts of all dodger fans, and now we sit as if we have been robbed of intelligence. Dodger stadium is devoid of any entusiasm. JUST SELL THE TEAM ALREADY!
~sincerely
Dodger fans across the globe
Craig Cutler
I don’t like our chances to repeat if that is our middle of the field combination.
NathanielS
ditto
Andrew_beavs
Wow, I like Descalso but Just going ahead and plugging in Tyler Greene as our opening day SS?? There are some decent FA options there this year. Tyler Greene just has not proved himself as an every-day player. Bad idea.
slider32
After signing Albert thats all you can afford!
User 4245925809
“the Red Sox and Marlins swapped Dustin Richardson for Andrew Miller, a deal that didn’t really work out for either side. Here are some notes from around the league…”
Mike, Mike… Miller pitched and started several games last year for Boston in the mid summer while their rotation was crippled with injuries, even had a couple nice games in there and Richardson never got a sniff of the marlins/Braves big league staff.
gradylittle
He also showed some strides of improvement, I don’t think that he’s done improving.
mmiller54
Cardinals won’t make the playoffs next year.
cards2WS
Hmmmm… When your done, can I borrow your crystal ball?
Oh and you wouldn’t happen to be a Philly, Brewer, or Brave would you?
The_BiRDS
Really? Last time I checked they won the World Series without Wainwright and I believe the Cardinals get their ACE back next year. Brewers lose Fielder… Cubs still have some cleaning up to do, Reds… well are the Reds, Astros are a minor league team, and the pirates had their run last year for a week. Cardinals Clinch in 2012 with or without Pujols.
JohnOrpheus
So glad Mo is committed to a mediocre middle infield. The Cards wouldn’t be the Cards we know and love without a crappy middle infield. Good to know he’s keeping the identity of the team intact even though TLR’s gone.
The_BiRDS
amen brother.
Ferrariman
i mean, don’t get me wrong, im not keen on the idea of Greene/Descalso either but atleast that combination has some upside unlike Theriot/Schumaker.
Cubs4Ever
The only upside St Louis has is Matt Holiday batting for Pujols