On The Block:  Miguel Tejada

I started this week with a shortstop, so it’s only fitting that I end the week with one. 

Why He’s On The Block: Tejada is getting frustrated at the lack of moves that the Orioles have made.  When he signed with the Orioles, he was convinced that ownership was committed to building a winner.  Since then, the Orioles have had a late season collapse, their lights-out closer signing with a division rival, a steroid scandal, and the starter that was supposed to carry them flaming out into a drunken mess.  He’s also used to being in the post-season, as he was an integral part of those dominating Athletics teams that had a stranglehold over the American League West in the early part of the decade.  Also, the Orioles aren’t going to contend anytime soon.  By the time they are, Tejada will be in his decline phase and will have served no purpose for Baltimore.

Negotiable:  Yes.  The Orioles are under no obligation to trade him.  They can name their price.

What He Offers:  Tejada is still young and can help any team in need of a shortstop.  With that in mind, let’s see who could use Tejada:

·          Plus:  Good defender

·          Plus:  Provides power to a lineup. 

·          Plus:  Makes contact.

·          Plus:  Usually manages to get extra bases.

·          Plus:  Hits both left and right handers well.

·          Minus:  Can be terrible on the field.  Had more errors than Soriano last year.

·          Minus: Expensive player.

·          Minus:  Low on base percentage.

·          Minus:  Wasn’t all that much better on the diamond than Edgar Renteria.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  50%-%50% on him going, but to where?  Lots of teams can use a good offensive shortstop.  So let’s see where he could end up.

·          Boston Red Sox – 25%.   Boston still needs a shortstop, as Alex Gonzalez isn’t the long-term answer.  Tejada is still young enough where he could contribute to Boston for years.  Plus, he’s right handed, a plus when playing in Fenway.  Tejada would also benefit from playing with his buddies in the Boston clubhouse, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.  However, Boston would be forced to mortgage the farm for Tejada, and I’m not sure they’re willing to give up Jon Lester, Craig Hansen, and Dustin Pedroia for Tejada.  Still, this is the best fit for him.

·          Houston Astros – 22%.   The Astros almost landed Tejada in the off-season for a pack of Brandon Backe, Adam Everett, and Brad Lidge.  While their interest has almost certainly cooled a bit, they could make a run at Tejada for a package that includes Ezequiel Astacio, Adam Everett, and Chad Qualls, plus pitching prospects Juan Gutierrez and Brian Bogusevic.  It wouldn’t compromise the farm too much, as they would still hold on to their top pitchers in Jason Hirsh, Troy Patton, and Fernando Nieve.  Tejada would protect Lance Berkman in the lineup and provide the Astros with far more punch in their lineup.  Plus, Tejada would be able to take advantage of the left field porch in Minute Maid Park.  He’d do well with the Astros.  And with Leo Mazzone in Baltimore, he’d make be able to help Astacio refine his talent while helping the prospects along.  Everett would do well at shortstop and Qualls would make a fine closer. 

·          Chicago Cubs – 20%.   The Cubs have publicly said that they are backing Ronny Cedeno as their starting shortstop.  But rumor has it that the Cubs aren’t too confident in him and are looking for other options.  Tejada would add an added boost to the Cubbies lineup that they haven’t had since Moises Alou left.  The Cubs reportedly made an offer of Mark Prior and prospects during the off-season.  While Prior is a prime candidate of a person who could use Leo Mazzone’s tutelage, they would have to tack on much more than just prior, like one of their prized young starting pitchers.  That alone would probably scare off the Cubs.

·          Minnesota Twins – 15%.  Minnesota could use Tejada in order to give them that final offensive push that they need.  He would easily be the third or fourth hitter.  But Minnesota has long been shy about giving big contracts.  They would probably shy away from Tejada.

·          Chicago White Sox – 10%.   Tejada would be a upgrade over Juan Uribe.  He would bat fifth after Thome and Konerko, and in the hitters park that is US Cellular, he’d be great.  Again, there is also the matter of what Chicago would have to give up.  In this case, it would have to be their young starter Brandon McCarthy, plus other talent.  Too steep of a price here. 

·          St. Louis Cardinals – 5%.  Tejada would bring some serious thunder into the Cardinals lineup, batting cleanup behind Pujols.  He’d bring the extra offensive push that the Cards lost when they lost Edgar Renteria, plus be in a competitive division, year in and year old, something that Tejada yearns for.  The problem is that this would result in St. Louis having to take on more salary, and with payroll already near $100 million, this is not something they want to do.

·          Colorado Rockies – 3%.  The Rockies could use some power to protect Todd Helton.  However, they neither have the payroll, nor the farm system flexibility that other clubs have, which is a shame, as Tejada would be a monster in the National League, especially at Coors Field

·          Philadelphia Phillies - .0000000000000000000000000000000005%.  No reason, I just.felt like tossing this in to amuse a certain Philly fan that reads the blog.

End Result – Traded to the Boston Red Sox after the 2006 Season.

Adam Eaton went down early this week.  He’s going to be out three months.  At first, I was righteously pissed.  We traded for this guy, and now we aren’t going to see him till June?  (Yankee Fans!!!!  I Feel Your Pain!!!!!)   Then I realized that I really didn’t think Eaton would do well in Texas, and I thought that he’d be traded at the deadline. 

In reality, the Ranger rotation gets stronger without Eaton.  Millwood will be Millwood, no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.  Padilla strikes me as a good pitcher that will do well in Texas for years to come.  (He’s already said he wants to be a Ranger long term.)  But move Eaton out and put in Kameron Loe as the third starter and what results is a stronger starting three  rotation.  R.A. Dickey, a knuckleballer, is now the fourth starter, of which I am not to thrilled about having him there for a long period of time.  Do I think he’ll give us his best.  Yes.  Will it work?  Who knows?  At the very least, this means that Ranger fans will see many of the stars of the future in the fifth spot.  Very Houston Astros-esque.

I can understand why Randy Johnson is pissed off.  He still should be shot.  The mother of his love child sounds a little shady wanting money up front instead of directly accepting the actual needs of the daughter in question, Heather.  But still, the girl wants to meet her father and have a relationship.  Like it or not, she is your flesh and blood.  Do the right thing Randy.  Meet the girl.  No matter what excuse you can come up with, She’s still your daughter.

On Friday, March 24, Hee Seop Choi was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox.  It’s a decent, low risk pickup by Beantown and will give them more depth at first base if Lowell continues to flounder.  Choi has a good hitters eye and pretty good plate discipline.  He draws walks and hit surprisingly well at Dodger Stadium.  Still, he’s vulnerable against lefty pitching and is rather slow on the bases.  He’s a great defender and is pretty accurate when making the play.  I like it.

It isn’t officially baseball season until we see the following headline:  Kerry Wood and Mark Prior are on the DL.

Anna Benson is on the market.  Anna, we hardly knew ye...

CLOSER

SALARY RANGE: $5 Million - $7 Million USD per year

OPEN PERIOD: Monday, March 6, 2006 to Monday, March 3, 2006

POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Term appt NTE 3 yrs

DUTY LOCATIONS:   1 vacancy – Atlanta, Georgia

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:  Anyone that can hold a lead in the 9^th.

JOB SUMMARY:

Atlanta Braves
Owning the National League East since 1995

In this position you will serve as the closer for the Atlanta Braves.  You will be involved in keeping the lead long enough to earn the save, or if necessary, be able to work to earn the win.  We are looking for someone with the ability to work under pressure and provide a consistent performance over the course of 162 games, plus playoffs.  Must be able to work consecutive nights if necessary. 

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

·          Must be able to throw 93-95 mph, plus a reasonable breaking ball.

·          Must be able to deal with early playoff exits. 

To say that the Atlanta Braves need a closer is an understatement.  While the Braves have done just fine without a solid closer (look at their past performance.  15 Playoff Appearances and 1 World Series Title), a solid closer helps solidify the bullpen and gives you something to build around.  And last I checked, the only time the Braves had a solid option at closer was 2003-2004, when John Smoltz took over the job.  Look at the Mets, who were without a reliable closer all season last year.  While they did go a respectable 83-79, take a look closer at Braden Looper’s record.  8 Blown Saves.  7 Losses.  They finished 6 games behind the Astros for the Wild Card.  Things don’t get any better when you look with Chris Reitsma now out with injury, leaving Oscar Villarreal and Joey Devine as the only other options.  Will Atlanta magically come up with some solution, like aways.  Probably.  They're still going to win that division.  And they'll still bow out in the Divison Series.

Joe Thiesman has got to be the worst football analyst out there.  Monday Night Football is going to be a disaster.

This has got to be the greatest picture I've seen this week: