The Blue Jays designated outfielder David Dellucci for assignment to make room for Joe Inglett, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Dellucci, 35, started the year with the Indians, before the Jays signed him. He only managed one hit as a Blue Jay in 25 at bats.
David Dellucci
Blue Jays DFA Russ Adams
The Blue Jays have designated Russ Adams for assignment to make room for David Dellucci, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Adams, 28, has been a major disappointment in Toronto since the Blue Jays took him in the first round of the 2002 draft. The converted infielder picked up four hits in 20 at bats, hitting almost exclusively against righties.
The Jays signed Dellucci last month after the Indians released him. It's a minor move, but a clear improvement for the Jays.
Blue Jays Agree To Sign David Dellucci
ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the Blue Jays have agreed to sign David Dellucci. The Indians released Dellucci last Monday after he started the season hitting .275/.333/.350. He will report to Triple A and will likely be promoted to the majors soon. The Blue Jays, who obtain Dellucci for the major league minimum, will probably use him as a left fielder and DH against right-handed pitching.
The Rangers also offered Dellucci a minor league deal.
Dellucci Would Return To Rangers
According to ESPN.com's Buster Olney, the recently-released David Dellucci is interested in playing for the Texas Rangers again. He could return to Texas, where he played two seasons, if they offer him the major league minimum. The Indians are paying the rest of his salary.
The Blue Jays have also expressed interest in Dellucci, according to Olney's sources.
Indians Release David Dellucci
As MLB.com's Noah Coslov reports, the Indians released David Dellucci. He was designated for assignment last week. The $11.5MM contract he signed before the 2007 season never paid off for the Indians.
David Dellucci Designated For Assignment
According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians designated outfielder David Dellucci for assignment. The Indians will have to eat the remaining $2.8MM or so on his contract.
Dellucci, 35, hit .275/.333/.350 in 45 plate appearances for the Indians this year. He was coming off a couple of strong seasons for the Rangers and Phillies when he signed a three-year, $11.5MM deal with the Indians in November of 2006. However, the contract has been a flop.
Shapiro, Minaya Met Yesterday
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer writes that phone buddies Mark Shapiro and Omar Minaya met in person yesterday evening. Any chance the Indians and Mets could match up for a trade?
We know the Mets may be looking to move Jorge Sosa and/or Scott Schoeneweis. The Indians are currently trying to decide whether to give their last bullpen spot to Tom Mastny, Jorge Julio, or Scott Elarton; not sure if either Met pitcher would help.
The Mets are known to be looking for outfield assistance. The Indians have two out of options outfielders: Shin-Soo Choo and Franklin Gutierrez. Choo is recovering from Tommy John surgery and may have to join the South Korean army. Gutierrez is the frontrunner to start in right field. Theoretically the Tribe could part with half of their left field platoon – David Dellucci or Jason Michaels. Dellucci is shaking off a sore forearm currently.
The Mets could also use another starter; Cliff Lee or Jeremy Sowers might be available.
Ocker On Blake, Marte, Dellucci, Borowski And Lee
Sheldon Ocker of the Akron Beacon Journal does some speculating on the Indians’ third base, left field, and closer situations.
- Casey Blake’s contract expires at the end of the season, and at age 35, Ocker doesn’t believe that Indians’ GM Mark Shapiro will re-up for him. Ocker points to two reasons why Andy Marte probably won’t work out as the in-house solution to Blake’s potential absence: he could be lost on waivers if he doesn’t make the team as a utility man coming out of Spring Training, and he shows no sign of figuring things out and becoming an impact player. Check out his Dominican Winter League performance if you need further proof that the 24 year-old Marte is regressing: .198/.213/.260 with seven errors. Small sample size? Yes, but wowza!
- Who from the available 2009 free agent list could be had to man third base? Could Asdrubal Cabrera be shifted to shortstop, and Jhonny Peralta moved to third? If so, who could move in to play second in place of Cabrera?
- Ocker also speculates that Shapiro will allow Jason Michaels of the Michaels/David Dellucci platoon walk unless their productivity rises substantially. Michaels is slated to make $2.15MM this season, and the club has an option for $2.6MM in 2009. What about Ben Francisco? Could he be an option to take over for Michaels in the platoon?
- This could also be Joe Borowski’s last year as closer in Cleveland, Ocker says. Borowski will be 37 in 2009, and it has long been speculated that Borowski is on the cusp of losing his job. Ocker points out that it is always tough to find a closer on the free agent market, but remarks that it’s "questionable" that the role could be filled in-house. I still don’t understand the reluctance to place Rafael Betancourt in the role. Anyone?
- Finally, Ocker wonders how Cliff Lee would handle losing the number five slot in the rotation to Aaron Laffey or Jeremy Sowers. Relying on Lee’s response to last year’s demotion — which was one of surprise at a player with a multi-year contract being sent to the minors ($3.75MM this year) — Ocker says that Lee has a sense of entitlement regarding the number five slot. Ocker says that is "fine as long as he holds up his end of the bargain."
Lots of signings
Adam Eaton is going to the Phillies for $24M over three years. It’s an interesting harbinger of the contracts to come–that isn’t far out of line of all the $21/3 contracts that have been signed in the last couple of years. Eaton is a bit of an injury risk, I suppose, but there’s nothing else keeping his value down. Aside from the obvious cases–Barry Zito, Andy Pettitte, and Jason Schmidt–the only pitchers on the market who may get bigger deals that Eaton are Gil Meche and Ted Lilly. It would be fascinating if the market for pitching remained as people predicted, while the market for hitters exploded.
David Dellucci signed a similarly sane deal to go to Cleveland: he’s getting $11.5M over three years. Given Casey Blake’s versatility, Eric Wedge can play the hot hand with a number of players, including Dellucci, Blake, Jason Michaels, Shin-Soo Choo, and Ryan Garko.
It looks like it’ll be Gregg Zaun, and not Rod Barajas, who serves as the Blue Jays catcher next year. Apparently the Barajas talks hit a snag, and Zaun stepped right back in. That means Barajas may be headed to one of Zaun’s earlier targets: San Francisco, or a backup job in New York or Boston.
Speaking of catchers, I’m sure you’re all relieved to know that Chad Moeller found a job for 2007. He got a major-league deal to join the Cincinnati Reds, which is Wayne Krivsky’s way of saying, "Jason LaRue, you suck!" Interesting how Brewers backup catchers stick around in the division: if Gary Bennett stays with the Cardinals, two of the worst backup catchers in baseball will be former Brewers in the NL Central.
By Jeff Sackmann
Lieber Rocked In Philly
In case you forgot, there is an actual baseball game going on today. Jon Lieber has been taken out of today’s game after just four and two-thirds innings, but not because of an impending deal. He was yanked because the Marlins destroyed him with eleven hits and nine earned runs. Looks like Lieber’s staying put.
At this point, if David Dellucci or Pat Burrell is pulled from the game, it may just be to rest them because it’s become a blowout. With Burrell, I think there’s little sense of urgency because his contract would probably pass through waivers.
UPDATE: My knowledgable colleague Matthew Pouliot of RotoWorld reminds me that Burrell has a no-trade clause, so he has the option of rejecting any waiver claim made on him. Todd Zolecki of the Philadelphia Inquirer recently discussed this very topic in regards to Burrell and Mike Lieberthal.
