The Rangers Report – Offseason Edition

Now, after my rant for the day, let's take a look at the Rangers report, shall we...

Dinner At Hicks' House - Not A Good Sign

The past few winters, having dinner with Tom Hicks has always been the symbol of something happening on the horizon.

In 2005, it resulted in John Hart getting fired, eventually clearing the way for Jon Daniels.

In 2006, it resulted in Buck Showalter getting fired, leading to Ron Washington.

In 2007, it could mean Torii Hunter is coming to Texas.

I'm not pleased, as I've made it well known that I think Hunter will eventually be a disaster for the Rangers.  I think he's lost a step defensively, that he's not going to hold up over the course of a full season and will likely be a poor player after the age of 35.

Yet there is talk of a 5 year deal with him.

I'm just hoping that the talk of him going to the White Sox is true.

Centerfield And The 2005 Draft

Speakng of centerfield, watching the Boston Red Sox during the World Series only served to remind several Rangers fans of one of the biggest mistakes in the Rangers’ drafting history.

Namely, that Jacoby Ellsbury should have been a Ranger.

Let’s go back to 2005, when gas was cheaper, the Rangers were coming off of a winning season, when I was dating Sandra Lawson, and when the Rangers were picking #19, and the prospects for a good player were good, especially with all the screwy draft activity going on.  The Blue Jays famously took Ricky Romero at 7, leaving Troy Tulowitzki for the Rockies at 8 (and giving ESPN’s Keith Law a story to tell), while several other teams went in other directions, resulting in Oregon State’s centerfielder dropping to the Rangers.  At the time, Texas was in need of a centerfielder, as Lanyce Nix was beginning to show the signs that he may not be able to last over the course of a full season and the farm system being a lot shallower than it is now.  Taking Ellsbury was a no-brainer and, from many sources within the Ranger organization, that was exactly what they were going to do.

Except for the one guy that had the power to screw it all up.

Tom Hicks, the Rangers’ owner, had apparently taken to John Mayberry Jr., liked his power potential, and when conversing with GM John Hart, told him to draft Mayberry over Ellsbury.  As a result, the selection was made, and Ellsbury fell all the way to the Red Sox at 23.

And the results, well, are what they are.

Ellsbury went through the system quickly and is now going to be player for Boston for the next six years.

Mayberry is struggling in Double A and despite hitting for power, still has a lot of holes in his swing and will likely wind up being a bust.

I know the draft is a crapshoot and hindsight is 20/20.

But damn, this was a mistake back then that is only being magnified now.

Thanks a lot Tom and John.

Gerald Laird To The Mets?  What Would It Take?

Read a note on Newsday saying that the Mets are interested in Gerald Laird to fill their hole at catcher, adding at least a second team to the mix for a potential Laird trade (with the Red Sox being the other.)

Both teams would have to give up talent in order to acquire the young backstop, who had an off year but is still promising and if partnered with a mentor like Jason Varitek in Boston, could be a good catcher for several years. 

But both would require talent to be exchanged back (as draft picks can’t be swapped, which I believe if they could Texas already would have had a deal done). 

But anyways, we already know what the Boston offer would be (Coco Crisp straight up.)  What would it take for the Mets to do an offer?

At the moment, one of the rumors I’ve checked up on over the Internet (Lonestarball.com) has the Mets are apparently dangling Lastings Milledge as a return for Laird.  However, there is a catch. They want the Rangers to include Joaquin Benoit in the deal while they would enclose Ruben Gotay in exchange.

That’s a bit too rich for my blood, but I would be willing to use that deal as a starting point.  Benoit I want to keep.  However, if relief help is what the Mets also want, I wouldn’t be opposed to adding Frank Francisco and Scott Feldman in the deal, which would result in the Mets getting a pair of relievers with a good amount of service time while also filling their catching vacancy.  The Rangers would lose a valuable piece in Francisco, but will be able to fill the vacancy from within, as Luis Mendoza and Armando Galarraga may be near ready, with other mix and match pieces able to be worked out.  And, it would give them a good young player that can man center while allowing David Murphy to be the right fielder and allow the Rangers to use Marlon Byrd as the fourth outfielder.

All in all, should the Rangers go that route, here’s what the lineup would look like:

• Kinsler (2B)
• Cat (1B)
• Young (SS)
• Blalock (3B)
• Botts (DH)
• Milledge (CF)
• Salty (C)
• Murphy (RF)
• Byrd or PTBNL (LF)

Not bad, and it’s a much stronger lineup, though it’s also a very young and cheap lineup.  At this point, Texas does need to see what they’ve got on the team and if several of the players blossom as expected, well, then all is good.

Rangers Steal Pitcher From The Angels

Thanks to a rare screw-up by the Angels, the Rangers have netted themselves a prospect.

Apparently, the Angels were in the process of adding RHP Warner Madrigal to the 40 Man Roster and even made a announcement stating that he was added.

One problem.

They got the date wrong.  And Madrigal was no longer their property, thanks to his 6 Year Free Agent Status.

So, what do the Rangers have here?

They get a poor hitting outfielder that was converted to the mound last year and is looking like a promising relief prospect.  He can throws a mid 90's fastball that reache sin the upper 90's while working on a slider and a changeup.  All in all, he could become an effective setup man or a closer.

Nice job J.D.

Additions To The 40 Man Roster

Well, the 40 Man Roster has been set and for the most part, I was right.

Here are the additions:

• Matt Harrison (LHP) – A solid number four starter, has better stuff than Gabbard and has proven to be more durable.
• Thomas Diamond (RHP) – I wasn’t aware that Diamond wasn’t on the 40 Man Roster.  Well, he’s back…
• Max Ramirez (C) – The booty acquired for Kenny Lofton, giving the Rangers more catching depth.
• Brandon Boggs (CF) – A potential dark horse centerfielder candidate for the Rangers in the next year or so.

Here are the casualties:

• Victor Diaz (RF) – Diaz has legitimate 30 home run power, but the fact that he can’t walk means his fate was sealed.

And, in the event a player needs to be added, here’s who is going to be victimized:

• Bill White (LHP) – White will likely be the first DFA candidate if the Rangers add any more players via trade or free agency.
• Freddy Guzman (CF) – Guzman is an excellent defender, but quite frankly, the Rangers have enough speedy centerfielders already that can’t hit.

And, here who may be taken in the Rule 5 Draft:

• Jesse Ingram (RHP) - The Former Cal Closer notched up 70 Punchouts this year and is likely Rule 5 Bait.  He never really seemed to establish himself as a dominant closer and has average stuff.  Hopefully, the Rangers will be able to keep him, or that he won't stick.
• Tug Hulett Jr. (INF) - The son of a former Major Leaguer, many feel that he'll be able to eake out a career as a utility guy.  The Rangers didn't add him because they likely felt that he won't be taken.

That's all for now. 

Boston Red Sox – Prospects Report

One of the things that Theo Epstein has always emphasized is the need to have a healthy farm system.  Seeing that he had a natural advantage over much of the rest of baseball thanks to Boston’s financial clout giving him the ability to pay above slot for several impact arms, as well as the willingness to take a chance on talent that falls due to character concerns.  As a result, what Boston has developed is a solid system filled with young, impact talent that could help extend the winning or provide the Red Sox with valuable trade chips.  That was seen down the stretch with contributions from Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester, along with the heroics of Jacoby Ellsbury and Dustin Pedroia, all farm raised Red Sox.  However, in terms of performance, it was also a hard year for some Sox prospects, who took their lumps this year, but overall, a lot of their prospects have done well for themselves.  So, while the overall results may not agree with what some of you may regard, the skill is there for some dominance.

Red Sox Top 15

1 – Clay Buchholz (RHP)

• DOB: 8/14/84
• Drafted: 1st round, 2005, Angelina (Texas) JUCO
• 2008 Club:  Boston Red Sox (MLB)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/190
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  One of the two "Killer B's" duo for the Red Sox, Buchholz is the top prospect in the Red Sox's farm system and went through the season last year with flying colors, the highlights beng when he outdueled Roger Clemens in a rehab start and when he spun a no-hitter against the Orioles.  Even with Curt Schilling back, there's really not a whole lot blocking Buchholz from Boston.
• The Good:  Buchholz has some of the nastiest stuff in the entire minor leagues.  His fastball regularly clocks in the low to mid 90's, but he accompanies the impressive heater with a pair of plus offerings in his curveball and changeup.  He also throws a two seam fastball that has late life as well.  His command and control are outstanding and his delivery brings up no problems.
• The Bad:  Some would like to see him gain weight to build a bit more stamina.  The only real criticism I’ve heard is from Ken Rosenthal, who reported in a column that Buchholz’s fastball has little movement, similar to Josh Beckett, which could result in a possible tendency to give up the long ball.  Kevin Goldstein has mentioned that Buchholz doesn’t use his fastball enough as well.  But really, I’m just nitpicking.
• Projection:  Low.  Buchholz is possibly the best prospect in baseball, if not the best pitching prospect, and likely will be knocking on the door of the big club, much as Phil Hughes did with New York.
• What He Can Be:  A Big League Ace
• 2008 Course Of Action:  There isn't much blocking Buchholz from Boston, but should he not make the team, he'll be waiting for someone to falter.

2 – Jacoby Ellsbury (CF)

• DOB: 9/11/83
• Drafted: 1st Round, 2005, Oregon State
• 2008 Club:  Boston Red Sox (MLB)
• Height/Weight: 6-1/185
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny:  After a solid college career, Ellsbury signed with the Red Sox, who saw him to be the eventual successor to Johnny Damon in centerfield.  Ellsbury has done nothing but hit since then and after making a impression late in the season, he wound up taking over for Coco Crisp in the middle of the playoffs and got national fame for being the guy who swiped the base that won America a free taco, whoot!
• The Good: Ellsbury is the prototypical leadoff centerfielder.  He’s got excellent bat speed and great plate discipline.  He’s got a good eye for pitches and is a solid runner on the bases.  Defensively, he’s got outstanding range and fielding instincts. 
• The Bad:  Ellsbury won’t hit for a lot of power and he’s got a below average arm for center.  Also, while he does draw walks, he doesn’t have the amount of walks that a leadoff hitter usually has.  Hence, there are many that feel that in order for Ellsbury to succeed as a leadoff man, he’s going to have to hit .300 constantly to makeup for the lack of power.
• Projection: Low.  Ellsbury is ready for the job now.  However, Ellsbury doesn’t rank in the high ceilings of talent that some other centerfield prospects (Justin Upton, Andrew McCutchen and Jay Bruce to name a few), so he really is what he is, a safe prospect, a solid big leaguer, but in no ways a superstar.
• What He Can Be: An every day centerfielder that makes a couple of All Star Teams.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  After his monster postseason, it’s going to be hard for the Sox not to have Ellsbury as their opening day centerfielder.  Expect them to shop Coco Crisp heavily. 

3 – Justin Masterson (RHP)

• DOB: 3/22/85
• Drafted: 2nd round, 2006, San Diego State
• 2008 Club:  Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 6-6/250
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny: Masterson was a little-known quantity before his dominated 2005 Cape Cod League.  Since then, he’s been rather solid for the Red Sox and one of the few prospects that hasn’t gotten the #### beat out of him on a regular basis.  Since being acquired, the Red Sox have moved him into a starter, where they have hope that he can be similar to former Red Sox Derek Lowe.
• The Good:  Masterson is has a workhorse’s body and good size.  His huge build helps give his sinking fastball some extra sink, giving it hellacious movement, inducing lots of groundouts and usually clocking in at around 90-92 mph, going as high as 94..  He compliments it with a tight slider.  He rarely yields the long ball and has solid mechanics and control. 
• The Bad:  Masterson is a groundball demon, but isn’t going to strike anyone out.  His changeup is inconsistent, but the most troublesome problem with him is that in the rotation, he loses his stuff over extending innings, with the sinker falling to the high 90’s and his slider losing some of it’s sharpness.  As a result, many feel he may be better off as a long reliever.
• Projection:  Average.  Though still raw, Masterson is coming along well and has moved farther along than expected.  For the moment, Boston is intent on keeping him in the rotation for now.
• What He Can Be:  A rotation workhorse.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Masterson has developed a little quicker than expected, and will likely being the season at Pawtuckett.  I really don’t see him getting a call late in the season, except maybe in September.

4 – Michael Bowden (RHP)

• DOB: 9/9/86
• Drafted: 1st Round, 2005, Illinois High School
• 2008 Club:  Portland Sea Dogs (Double A)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/215
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  Bowden is the other member of Boston's "Killer B's" pitching prospect set.  While he's not nearly as good as Buccholz, Bowden figures to be a solid contributor once he gets to the majors.  He dominated the California league last season, something that is hard to do, but may have been promoted a little too soon after he had trouble in Double A.
• The Good:  Bowden is a good-looking prospect.  He's got a fastball that sits in the 89-92 range and his curveball is a plus offering.  He's got a big frame and maintain his velocity deep into outings.  He's also got outstanding command and control.
• The Bad:  Bowden needs to improve his changeup.  Many also feel his delivery is too complex.  He’s also a little flyball friendly.
• Projection:  Average.  Depending on his changeup, Bowden could rise fast or stay where he's at, but it's not as if he's losing development time by staying in the minors for a couple of years. 
• What He Can Be:  A Middle Of The Rotation Starter.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Bowden isn't as polished as Buchholz, so the Red Sox are taking it slower with him.  Expect him to stay in Double A unless he forces Boston to promote him to Pawtucket.

5 – Jed Lowrie (SS)

• DOB: 4/17/84
• Drafted: 1st Round, 2005, Stanford
• 2008 Club:  Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 6-0/185
• Bats/Throws: S/R
• The Skinny: Lowrie had a tremendous career at Stanford, but struggles during wood bat showcases as an amateur put the fear of god in scouts and the result was that he dropped to the Red Sox.  Lowrie has since enjoyed a breakout season in the high minors last year and should be ready to contribute to a big league club someday soon.
• The Good:  A solid athlete, Lowrie’s trademark was the fact that he had some solid plate discipline and it’s something that’s stayed with him as a pro.  He hits equally well from both sides of the plate.   He also hits for a little power and should contribute something to a major league club lineup near the back end of the order.
• The Bad:  Lowrie isn’t much of a burner, though he could be a 15-15 player as a second baseman.  More concerning is that he’s lacking somewhat defensively.  His arm is only average as is his accuracy, leading to the possibility that he may have to slide over to second base in the future.  His power has also mysteriously disappeared since he signed. He has nothing close to Lillibridge’s speed though, and while stolen bases may be overrated, defense isn’t, and Lowrie is still a bit short there, lacking the first-step quickness needed to project as a player with enough range to stay on the left side of the infield.
• Projection:  Low.  Lowrie’s pretty well developed, though the disappearance of his power is a concern. He looks like more of an offensive second baseman at this point, but the Red Sox will keep him at shortstop for now as Dustin Pedroia has second base locked up for what looks like a long time.
• What He Can Be:  A solid second baseman.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  The fact that Lowrie was shown off during the Arizona Fall League was likely intentional, as the Red Sox are currently set at second and shortstop with Pedroia and Lugo.  So, the Red Sox are hoping that Lowrie will invite some takers and could be flipped for something useful or hope that Lugo continues to build up trade value and they can flip him for Lowrie. 

6 – Jason Place (CF)

• DOB: 5/8/88
• Drafted: 1st round, 2006, South Carolina HS
• 2008 Club: Greenville Drive (Low A)
• Height/Weight: 6-3/205
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  Place is another example of a high risk, high reward player who drew several comparisons to Braves outfielder Jeff Francoeur early on in his high school career.  Place had an impressive short season debut, but his promotion to Low A revealed that he’s still really raw as a player. 
• The Good:  Place has a lot of thunder in his bat and he can put on a show at batting practice or during a game.  He’s got good speed and uses it well, making him a potential 20 steal guy in the majors.  Defensively, Place uses his speed to cover a lot of ground and flashing some solid leather in the outfield.  He’s got a cannon of an arm as well, an edge that he has over Jacoby Ellsbury, though it’s likely that Place will eventually shift to an outfield corner, as his bat fits better in that position.
• The Bad:  Place’s swing is long and despite the fact that the Red Sox have tried to get him to cut down on the strikeouts, chances are he’ll always strike out a lot.  There is a concern as to how Place will adjust to advanced pitchers as he continues to advance.
• Projection:  Very high.  Place’s struggles haven’t hurt his stock any; you have to keep in mind he’s still really young.
• What He Can Be:  An All Star Right Fielder
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Place will likely repeat at Greenville, where the Red Sox hope that his exposure to full season ball wil help him get back on track. 

7 – Ryan Kalish (CF)

• DOB: 10/23/81
• Drafted: 9th Round, 2006, New Jersey High School
• 2008 Club:  Lowell Spinners (SS)
• Height/Weight: 6-1/205
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny:  Another late round pick that fell because of money constraints, Kalish was regarded to be an excellent athlete with a lot of upside that needed to translate his tools into talent.  After holding him back in extended this year, Kalish performed better than expected and was beginning to hit for power and average, while becoming a terror on the basepaths, before a broken hamate bone ended his season.
• The Good:  An excellent athlete with tools galore, Kalish has begun to translate them into performance.  With solid power potential, excellent speed, a good approach to the plate, as well as solid defense, Kalish has a bright future ahead of him.  Some feel he’s a potential leadoff hitter in the future. 
• The Bad:  He’s still really raw, especially on defense, making some wonder if he’s a right fielder in the future.  He also has trouble against lefties and he’s very much a Pedro Serrano type of guy (bat afraid of curve.) 
• Projection:  Very High.  Kalish has loads of potential, but the gap from what he can be and what he is now is just enormous.
• What He Can Be:  An impact centerfielder
• 2008 Course Of Action:  I have Kalish repeating at Lowell, though Boston may feel his performance merits a promotion.  I say, let’s see what he can do over a season and if he continues to hit like he did, promote him.

8 – Lars Anderson (1B)

• DOB: 9/25/87
• Drafted: 18th Round, 2006, California High School
• 2008 Club:  Lancaster Jethawks (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-4/210
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny:  Regarded by many to be a first round talent, Anderson scared off many people because of his bonus demands and scouts were divided on him otherwise.  The Red Sox decided to give him a shot in the 18th, playing him nearly $900,000 and thus far, he’s been raking ever since.
• The Good: A large, powerful slugger with good athleticism, Anderson’s projectable frame gives him one of the highest power ceilings in the system.  His swing is extremely smooth and he displays great hitter's frame and excellent pitch recognition.
• The Bad:  Anderson is only an average first baseman and may be better off as a DH.  He also strikes out a ton.  He’s also a bit of an afternoon delight (power in BP, not as much during the games.)
• Projection:  High.  In spite of his strikeout totals and his defense, he still has a lot of upside and has a lot more to grow. 
• What He Can Be:  A middle of the order first baseman who gets the David Ortiz treatment
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Anderson will likely return to Lancaster, where he should put up some obscene numbers in one of the most hitter friendly parks in the minors.

9 – Nick Hagadone (LHP)

• DOB: 1/01/86
• Drafted: 1st Round (S), 2007, University Of Washington
• 2008 Club:  Lancaster Jethawks (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-5/230
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny:  After spending last year starting behind Tim Lincecum, Hagadone became Washington's Friday night starter to begin the year. He was moved to the bullpen after two starts because of team need and was outstanding for the Huskies, showing the ability to save games and pitch multiple innings.  Boston found themselves without a first rounder this year and selected Hagaone, who has made the selection look smart. 
• The Good:  A big left who is slowly being stretched out again as a starter, Hagadone has a fastball that sits in the low 90’s and tops out at 95 with good movement through the zone.  He also has a hard slider that is a plus pitch, giving him an effective two pitch combo.  He’s also working on a promising changeup and a splitter.  Boston loves his work ethic and his bulldog demeanor on the mound.  All in all, he’s got a good package of tools.
• The Bad:  There are some concerns that he may not be able to maintain his stuff over six or seven innings.  Plus, while the changeup is promising, it’s still a ways off.  There are also concerns about his delivery as well.
• Projection:  Average.  He could have a chance at an effective two-pitch mix, but worst-case scenario, he’d be an excellent setup man or closer with his stuff.
• What He Can Be:  A middle of the rotation horse or a setup man with closer ambitions.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  With his first year in the books, Hagadone will be sent to full season ball to get his feet under him.  Unfortunately, that likely means an assignment to Lancaster, one of the worst hitters parks in the nation that has already claimed one Red Sox prospect (see Bard, Daniel).  There’s also the possibility that he could be assigned to Greenville.  I don’t know, we’ll see.

10 – Oscar Tejeda (SS)

• DOB: 12/12/89
• Signed:  2006, Dominican Republic
• 2008 Club:  Greenville Drive (Low A)
• Height/Weight: 6-1/177
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  The other of the Red Sox’s two big name International Signings, Tejeda has performed just as well, if not better than fellow bonus baby Engel Beltre, since traded to the Rangers.  Tejeda hit well in for the Gulf Coast League Red Sox and the Lowell Spinners and overall, his performance is remarkable considering how old he is.
• The Good:  Though the power isn't there quite yet, it should gradually emerge in time.  He’s got good bat speed, well, speed in general, and has excellent range, good hands, and a strong arm.
• The Bad:  He’s still young, and still has a long way to go in terms of development.  And, as I’ve said, he’s got power potential, and it’s not here yet.  He’s also prone to errors, though that’s mostly because he plays with a flashy, undisciplined style.
• Projection:  Super High.  Tejeda is definitely a high class talent and should develop nicely nto a potential superstar if he keeps this up.  However, what he can be is a long way off from what he is now.
• What He Can Be:  An Above Average Shortstop, Occasional All-Star.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  With Tejeda holding his own against advanced competition, Tejeda will likely head up to full season ball, which should tell us more about him than what we’ve learned in his short-season stints.

11 – Josh Reddick (CF/RF)

• DOB: 2/19/87
• Drafted: 17th Round, 2006, Middle Georgia College
• 2008 Club:  Lowell Spinners (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-2/180
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny: Yet another Red Sox bonus baby, Reddick began the year in Extended spring training before joining Greenville for 94 games, hitting .306/.352/.531 wit 18 homers and 72 RBI’s. 
• The Good: Reddick is a solid hitting prospect, with good hand-eye coordination, bat speed, and raw power allowing him to be able to hit at any level given time.  He’s an excellent athlete that has good speed, a solid arm and is a decent defender. 
• The Bad: Reddick can be overaggressive at the plate and will be taken advantage of as he rises, likely resulting in increased strikeout totals.  He also is more suited to right field than center, as his range is fringy at best in center.
• Projection:  Average.  Reddick is developing on schedule, but needs to make some refinements in his plate discipline in order for him to increase his value in the lineup.  He’ll likely always strikeout a lot, but if he can increase his walk totals and hit for a tolerable average, he should be good.
• What He Can Be: An good corner outfielder.
• 2008 Course Of Action: Reddick was a big surprise and should put up some solid numbers in Lancaster.  However, people are still going to dismiss Reddick’s performance as that of a hitter taking advantage of a hitters park, so it’s likely that there won’t be any reduction of his critics criticisms until he reaches Portland, likely in August. 

12 – Kris Johnson (LHP)

• DOB: 10/14/84
• Drafted: 1st round, 2006, Wichita State
• 2008 Club: Portland Sea Dogs (Double A)
• Height/Weight: 6-4/170
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny: Draft eligible as a sophomore, Johnson was returned for his Junior Year after having to recover from Tommy John surgery, but returned quickly and finished strongly.  Unfortunately, he was them sent to the California League last year and was hammered, though in his defense, Lancaster is a hard park to pitch in.
• The Good: Johnson throws a 89-92 mph sinking fastball and compliments it with a solid curveball.  He also has a very good changeup as well.  His delivery is smooth and he keeps his head on the mound.
• The Bad: Command and control are still off, a typical symptom of TJ Survivors.  He's also inconsistent and there have been questions just to how good he'll be.
• Projection: Average.  Johnson has proven that he can at least last for clear to 150 innings or so, but he needs to gain some consistency on the mound.
• What He Can Be: A Number 4 Starter.
• 2008 Course Of Action: I don't think that Johnson or the Red Sox have any desire to send him back to Lowell, so it's likely to Portland for him.

13 – Brandon Moss (RF)

• DOB:  9/16/83
• Drafted: 8th Round, 2002, Georgia High School
• 2008 Club: Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 6-0/205
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny:  Three years ago, Moss first became a blip on the prospect scene after he destroyed the Sally League and was named league MVP.  After that, Moss faded a bit after he posted a pair of subpar seasons over in Double A Portland.  Since then, Moss has managed to boost his stock back to where he can be considered a prospect again.
• The Good: Moss, an excellent athlete, has very solid power in his swing and could be a 20-30 home run threat once he finishes developing.  He’s got a solid swing and he is able to hit to all fields.  He’s got a cannon of an arm, which works well in right field and has decent speed as well.  Overall, he’s got a decent set of tools.
• The Bad:  Moss’ range is limited, meaning that he’s going to have to play a corner.  Defensively, Moss is only an average defender in right and will need to greatly improve it if he wants to stay there.  Finally, Moss is impatient at the plate, as judged by his almost 2 to 1 ratio of strikeouts to walks.  While many feel that he can maintain a decent average, I think he’ll average about .275 to .280.  Not bad, but not great either.
• Projection:  Low.  Moss should be ready to contribute to a big league squad by June or so.
• What He Can Be:  An average right fielder that hits for power.
• 2008 Course Of Action:  It’s going to be impossible for Moss to find a job in the Red Sox outfield.  He’ll be a traded sometime this fall, making it likely we could see him again.

14 – Daniel Bard (RHP)

• DOB: 6/25/85
• Drafted:  1st Round, 2006, University of North Carolina
• 2008 Club:  Lancaster Jethawks (High A)
• Height/Weight: 6-4/200
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  Bard came into last year's draft with one of the best arms in the draft, but a lack of consistency as far as his performance, plus the salary demands of teammate Andrew Miller resulted in Bard falling until the Red Sox took him toward the end of the first round.  He signed too late to make a pro-debut last year and nearly returned to North Carolina for his senior season before a deal was struck late.  Since then, everything that could go wrong has gone wrong, with Bard getting destroyed in A Ball and having to deal with arm and elbow issues as well.
• The Good:  Bard's got a live arm, one of the best in the draft, and that's even above higher drafted players such as Luke Hochevar and Tim Lincecum.  He's got an easy delivery and throws his plus fastball in the mid 90's, though he can touch 98 and he's got good movement on it.  His slider is also a plus pitch, sitting in the mid to upper 80's.  His circle change and his curveball are decent pitches as well.
• The Bad:  Bard has always been inconsistent since his days in North Carolina.  His command and control are below what he should have as a college pitcher.  Bard's other weapons, though decent, are far from extraordinary, and many people are wondering if Bard's future may be as a reliever, though his fastball and slider have closer potential.  Combined with all of the arm ailments, and he’s going to be trouble.
• Projection: Average.  Bard needs a lot of development time and work for him to have success.  His college numbers are quite average, and while the arm is valuable, it’s going to take some time.  I think long term, you’ll see Bard get moved into the pen.
• What He Can Be:  A Power Closer, A La K-Rod
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Bard will likely return to the California League after some work in extended Spring Training.  The Red Sox are likely going to hope that Bard is able to regroup from his earlier pounding and force a promotion to Double A, like Bowden did.

15 – George Kottaras (C)

• DOB: 5/10/83
• Drafted: 20th round, 2002, Connors State Junior College (Draft And Follow – Padres)
• 2008 Club: Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 6-0/190
• Bats/Throws: L/R
• The Skinny:  Acquired from San Diego for David Wells, Kottaras was one of the few prospects the Padres had that was really any good.  However, Kottaras struggled for much of his time in Boston, but came to life in the second half of last season when he became a monster. 
• The Good: Kottaras is an offensive minded catcher, though many feel that his flaws are correctable.  A natural hitter with good plate discipline, Kottaras has some power that could potentially make him a 20 homer threat.  He’s got a decent arm and has experience catching a knuckleballer.
• The Bad:  Kottaras struggles against lefties last season, but struggled against right handers this season.  Odd.  Despite his arm, he has trouble throwing out base stealers thanks to a slow release.  
• Projection:  Low.  The Red Sox are hoping that Kottaras’ late second half surge is a sign of him turning the corner, but beyond that, there’s not much room to grow left for him.
• What He Can Be:  A starting catcher
• 2008 Course Of Action:  The Red Sox will likely return Kottaras to Triple A, where they hope he can continue his hot hitting ways, but their recent interest in the Rangers’ catching backlog doesn’t speak much in terms of their confidence.

Not Ranked, But May Be Seen In Big Leagues This Year

Chris Carter (1B/LF)

• DOB: 9/16/82
• Drafted: 17th Round, 2004, Stanford (Diamondbacks)
• 2008 Club: Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 5-11/220
• Bats/Throws: L/L
• The Skinny:  A late round pick, Carter bashed his way through the minor leagues, setting impressive power totals everywhere he’s gone.  Unfortunately for him, he had almost no shot of cracking Arizona’s roster, with his positions being occupied by established veterans.  However, Carter had his admirers and was included in the three-way trade that netted the Nationals Wily Mo Pena.
• The Good:  Power is Carter’s best, and really only tool, though he does have decent plate discipline.
• The Bad:  Carter is regarded to be an abysmal defender in left and bad at first base.  He’s probably best suited to be a DH, though with some work in Spring Training, it’s possible that he could be reasonably okay at first if stuck there. 
• Projection:  Low.  Carter was regarded by many to be simply a minor league slugger with no real shot at making an impact on the roster, but Boston has had some scouting coups in the past and are likely banking on Carter to be their regular first baseman next year, allowing Youkilis to move back to third.
• What He Can Be:  A regular first baseman
• 2008 Course Of Action:  It really all depends on what the Red Sox decide to do with Youkilis.  If they decide to move him to third, Carter will likely enter the season as the everyday first baseman.  If they decide to bring back Lowell or chase down Alex Rodriguez, Carter gets screwed over again.

And for Giggles…

Craig Hansen (RHP)

• DOB: 11/15/83
• Drafted: 1st Round, 2005, St. John's University
• 2008 Club: Pawtucket Red Sox (Triple A)
• Height/Weight: 6-6/210
• Bats/Throws: R/R
• The Skinny:  When the Red Sox drafted Hansen, they expected him to be their closer of the future.  Obviously, that forecast has changed, as Papelbon will be the closer while Hansen tries to regain some of his former luster, which he has thanks to a excellent finish to the season.
• The Good:  Despite his stock falling hard, Hansen still has to solid pitches in a fastball that clocks in the mid 90’s and tops out at 98.  His slider has decent movement and gets up to 85.
• The Bad:  The slider is not the plus pitch that it was when Hansen was back at St. John’s.  Part of the reason is the ball.  In the NCAA, the stitches on the ball are higher than in the majors, resulting in some loss of movement.  The bigger problem has been command and confidence, as Hansen tends to get wild and got hammered quite a bit, though oddly enough, he was a lot better on the road than he was at Fenway.
• Projection:  Fair.  I’m not , but I’m really not sure what exactly can be done to fix Hansen, as he was rushed a little bit.
• What He Can Be:  Maybe A Closer, More Likely A Setup Man, Looking Like Neither Will Be With Boston
• 2008 Course Of Action:  Hansen will try to latch on with the Red Sox out of spring training, but long term I think he’s a goner.  Look for him to get moved at the deadline in a deal for a need or for prospects that are a lot farther off.

Final Thoughts

Though the Farm System has lost some talent in recent years, it’s still very much loaded.  Buchholz, Bowden, Ellsbury, and Tejeda are all talents any team would love to have in their respective systems and there are enough B class prospects that could carve out decent major league careers with the Red Sox or with other teams if they are dealt.  Overall, Boston’s system is a testament to the philosophy that if you throw enough money at high ceiling talents, it’ll pay off in the long run.

Sources, Scouting Reports, and Thanks to:  Kevin Goldstein (Baseball Prospectus), Keith Law (ESPN), Soxprospects.com, B.J. Medrano, Jim Callis And The Rest Of Baseball America, Jonathan Mayo (MLB.com), MiLB.com, Sam Corral and Erica Belmontes, Ernie Carlson, Lonestarball.com, Jamey Newberg (Newbergreport.com), Brewerfan.net and Mike Hindman (Rangers Farm Report)

Before I being, congrats to the Kansas City Royals, as they appear to be getting ready to hire former Nippon Ham Fighters Manager Trey Hillman.  Hillman's a good man and will provide a lot of guidance to those players.

Onto the show!

On The Block - Coco Crisp

This is no longer out of the realm of possibility, as the Crisp himself has expressed a near certainty that he could be dealt. 

The Why:  Because Jacoby Ellsbury is bad ####.

Okay, aside from that.

Really, Ellsbury is ready to play now and the Red Sox don't seem too inclined to have him go into the 2008 Season as a supersub (which he'd still get reasonably playing time spotting Manny and Drew and Crisp).  Plus, Crisp is at the height of his value and would net some quality stuff in return for the Red Sox.

The Rumored Asking Price:  Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......I'd say at least one stud prospect and a couple of B grade prospects, not stars, but good ones.   Or, potentially a third baseman with control left on him and a couple of prospects.  This is guesstimating right now.

Can A Trade Be Done:  Yes.  I should probably eliminate this section.  In all seriousness, Crisp is attractive because of his defense and because of his contract, which pays him $4.75 million in 2008, $5.75 million in 2009 and an $8 million club option for 2010.  That's a sweet deal, especially if you're gunshy about going after some of the centerfielders in the market this year. 

The Good:  Aside from his Gold Glove caliber defense, Crisp has a great deal of talent.  He was probably miscast as the leadoff man last year, but he's got a presence in the back of the order and reasonably could hit in the Number Two Slot if you've got an established leadoff guy already. 

Potential Hang-ups:

• Prospects – It really depends on what you're willing to give up for him.  Boston could easily scare off quite a few teams if they asked for several top prospects, especially in this day and age where prospects are overvalued a bit. Teixiera may have made the market harder for everyone else, as now everyone will be wondering if they could get a bounty of players in exchange for a player again.
• Lack Of Suitors - The quality of a lot of farm systems is down due to graduations or long term need.  As a result, many teams are either set with centerfielders, are playing a guy in center simply because of his contract, or don't have the goods to make a deal.

Potential Suitors – In Alphabetical Order

• Atlanta Braves – This is probably the most obvious one, as Atlanta needs a centerfielder.  Unfortunately, the Bravos are thin in the farm system after dealing prospects
• Florida Marlins – The Marlins could use a centerfielder and have some prospect depth to do it.  The Red Sox could even try to do a deal for Miguel Cabrera, although that likely would result in more being sent back to Florida in return.
• Los Angeles Dodgers - The Dodgers seem to be wanting to build more from other peoples' rosters instead of from their own, which is a shame.  Fortunately, there's a prospect in the Dodgers' minors that would be a solid swap for Crisp, Andy LaRoche, whom the Dodgers seem to have an allergy to playing. 
• Milwaukee Brewers - The Brewers could use a centerfielder and could concievably trade Bill Hall, who'd play third for the Red Sox, along with change elsewhere.
• Minnesota Twins – The Twins need a centerfielder and could part with some of their arms in the minors, but I don't have a feel for how the new regime in Minnesota thinks yet.  Terry Ryan wouldn't deal for anyone, so let's see how things shake out.
• Texas Rangers – Texas could use Crisp, but after restocking the system, I'm not so sure how much they're eager to start spending from it.  It's more likely they stand pat.

If I had To Hazard A Guess...Crisp Stays Put, Leaving Ellsbury to Supersub Duty.

If I Had To Make A Trade...The Boston Red Sox trade CF Coco Crisp to the Minnesota Twins for RHP Matt Garza.

Thoughts?

The Rangers Report

Record As Of Mary May 21, 2007

17-27, Last In The American League West

Changing My Outlook For The Season

This past week’s games has made it clear to me that this team isn’t going to contend for the AL West title this year. 

Why?

Simply put, this team has underperformed, been snakebitten, and is a bit too far back to make a run.  And with the Angels playing solid ball, barring the Angels Team Plane crashing and sending the entire team to the DL, it's going to be hard to make it back to the top of the standings, let alone get to .400.  On top of that, it seems like player after player has been crashing onto the disabled list, with Hank Blalock being the latest in a series of losses to go down. 

So I’m changing my approach on the season.

From this point on, I am declaring the Texas Rangers out of contention for the 2007 season. 

Would it change if a sudden hot streak begun?  No.  The Seattle Mariners beat up on the National League last season and still wound up in last place.  Such numbers would be deceiving and would be counterproductive.

So, what I would do now, were I management, is begin a process of rebuilding from the ground up.  The Texas Rangers organization of 2000-2005 has been built largely on a shaky foundation.   2006 was actually the beginning of a new approach for the Rangers.  Rather than go for buying a championship, Texas focused on the draft for the first time in a long time and came away with several players that look to be solid contributors in the future. 

That’s an excellent start.  But they can’t stop there.

With this being the last year of the draft and follow, the Rangers also need to sign several of those players they drafted as DAF candidates, boosting the stock of talent in the minors and giving the entire system a broader, younger talent base and a stronger foundation to eventually build all the levels of the minors upon.   Neither one of your two upper level clubs need to have journeymen or has beens making up a good portion of the roster. 

Texas also needs to invest heavily in higher quality talent that has fallen in their laps, similar to what the Yankees and the Red Sox have done.  In the long run, spending $10 million on the draft and not spending it on horrid free agent signings pays off a lot more than the later does. 

So that’s the direction I’m going in.  We’ll still be following the big league club at the major league level, but expect to see some more research done on the minors here as well.  All in all, I hope to bring everyone a balanced, interesting, and hopefully, fun read for all of you.

And don’t worry Mariners fans, especially those who felt that I would be spending the rest of the year trading bards with Pirates and Royals fans (though I do like both clubs, oddly enough.)

You all ain’t going anywhere either.

To put it bluntly, this division is Angels, Athletics, and everyone else.

And the Athletics might not even keep the team together that much longer either.

So I’ll be watching the playoffs with the rest of you in October.

Third Base Options

The Rangers are looking into possibly trading for a third baseman (though why, for gods sake, would they, when a tandem of Ramon Vasquez and Travis Metcalf would be just fine).  Options at the moment are slim, but there are some options out there.  Here's who the Rangers are eyeing.

• Morgan Ensberg (Astros) - Ensberg is better than how he's been playing and it could be that he needs a change of scenery to help matters.  Houston certainly would be willing to deal him for a useful player, though I'm not sure what both teams would be able to match up with in terms of a trade.
• Edwin Encarnacion (Reds) - The Former Ranger has been on the chopping block for some time.  The Reds may want to deal him in exchange for a bullpen arm (Scott Feldman anyone?)
• Aaron Flippin Boone (Marlins) - The Former Red Sox killer has been mashing in a backup role and word is that the Marlins would prefer to deal him than to allow him to make all of his contract incentives and bust their budget.  However, there isn't much to line up in terms of a deal, unless the Rangers are willing to give Kevin Mahar a shot and trade Kenny Lofton to the Marlins.
• Tony Clark (Diamondbacks) - Clark is sitting in Arizona in a bench role and it's possible that he could be amendable to a trade if he is willing to switch to third.

Mark Teixeira Trade Rumors

Here are a pair of Big Tex trade rumors that are being tossed around as we speak:

• Texas Trades Mark Teixeira to the Baltimore Orioles for RF Nick Markakis and prospect - As badass as Nick Markakis is, I would hold off on this trade because of the fact that A) The Orioles don't have any real prospects worth a #### and B) Peter Angelos would #### it all up.
• Texas Trades Mark Teixeira To The Boston Red Sox For LHP Jon Lester and CF Jacoby Ellsbury or 1B Kevin Youkilis.  This is a better trade option as Lester is a solid young pitcher and Ellsbury is a legitimate centerfielder and leadoff man.  I would sweeten the deal if possible with the Red Sox in order to get them to include Youkilis in the deal, however, though I would let them known that stud prospect Eric Hurley is untouchable.

That's all for now, have a good week everyone!

Why Coco Crisp is not long in Boston, why J.P. Riccardi is a horrible GM that should have been fired a long time ago, 2007 Free Agent Pitchers (Part 1 of 3) and the Royals' Rookie Closer.

Coco Not Long In Beantown

Tired of Coco Crisp yet Boston?

Don't worry.  He won't be there for long.

Simply put, for two reasons:

1. Andruw Jones is a free agent after this season
2. Jacoby Ellsbury has reached Triple A

Crisp has long been seen as a stopgap for Ellsbury, who is an OBP machine in the minors and looks to be the second coming of Johnny Damon in the Red Sox system.  He's a excellent centerfielder with speed, plate discipline, and insticts in the outfield.  And at this point in time, there's going to be a desire to see him sooner rather than later in Crisp continues to struggle.

As for Jones, Jones was pursued by Boston last season and was almost dealt for until the Red Sox balked at the Braves' demand for Jon Lester to be included in the deal.  With Jones nearing Free Agency and the Braves not likely to bring him back, he would be a excellent addition in the short term for the Red Sox, who could play him in center for one year while Ellsbury remains in Triple A for one more year.  Afterward, the Red Sox would allow Manny Ramirez to leave, then promote Ellsbury to center while allowing Jones to slide over to left field, where the overall Boston Defense would improve.  Jones would also serve as protection for Ortiz in the lineup, as his bat is just as potent as Ramirez'

Crisp in the meantime, would be quite attractive as a trade chip to teams needing a centerfielder and would net another prospect for the Red Sox, who need a third baseman who can succeed Mike Lowell. 

It's not a trade rumor, it's simply an obersvation that bears watching.

J.P. Ricciardi - A Disaster That Walks Like A Man

Apologies to the Daily Show for the tagline, but it fits Toronto's hapless GM.  For some reason or another, ownership is steadfastly standing by their GM, even though he's probably done far more harm to the organization than good, in terms of his wheeling and dealing.

Let's rewind a bit.  The Blue Jays dominated the American League in the early 90's, winning the World Series in 1992 and 1993, but had to jetison most of the team because of the strike and a decline in fan base.  The team worked itself back to try and rebuild itself from within, but the process cost then GM Gord Ash his job.  Ricciardi, then one of Billy Beane's lieutenants in Oakland, had made a name for himself as Oakland's director of personnel and was given the job.

Since then, Ricciardi has made some severely questionable decisions, in terms of the talent brought in and given away.  Here are the players Toronto has brought in that have made any sort of impact that are still on the roster:

• B.J. Ryan (LHP) - The O's former closer had an All Star caliber season before his Tommy John procedure cost him his season and Ricciardi's credability.
• Troy Glaus (3B) - Obtained in a trade with Arizona and probably one of the few trades where Toronto may have gotten the better deal.
• Lyle Overbay (1B) - Brought in to counterbalance Glaus.  A minor deal, really.
• A.J. Burnett (RHP) -

And here's who's gone, by trade or by free agency:

• Michael Young (SS) - Traded for Esteban Loaiza.  Loaiza was average in Toronto and left via free agency.  Despite his slump, he's done far better than any of the Toronto Shortstops they've fielded.
• Ted Lilly (LHP) - This capable lefty wasn't shown enough love to stay with the Jays.  Now he's knocking them down in Chicago.
• Felipe Lopez (SS/2B) - Traded to Cincinatti, I wonder how Toronto would be fared with a infield combination of Young and Lopez instead of what they're running out right now.
• Orlando Hudson (2B) - A smooth second baseman, Hudson has a decent bat that provides depth to the lineup.  The DBacks send their thank yous.
• Miguel Batista (RHP) - Oooh, another starting pitcher that's far better than what Toronto has right now.
• Dave Bush (RHP) - Milwaukee says Thanks Again.
• Carlos Delgado (1B) - A face of the franchise, Delgado was simply allowed to walk.  Terrible.
• Justin Speier (RHP) - A solid relief pitcher that helped cement the bullpen.  He was also allowed to walk and all the Jays got was the Angels' second round draft pick.
• Chris Carpenter (RHP) - Drafted by the organization and was let go.  Found stardom in St. Louis.
• Kelvim Escobar (RHP) - Another player allowed to leave, became a solid starter for the Angels.
• Cory Lidle (RHP) - The late Corey Lidle had success in the Blue Jays and then was also allowed to leave.
• Mark Hendrickson (RHP) - Traded to Tampa Bay, Hendrickson is actually a decent starter, who Toronto could use right now.

Ouch, that a lot of talent to let go, especially when you consider that many of these players would have helped Toronto compete in the short and long term and may have severely affected the race of the AL East and the American League as a whole.

But, the counterarguement is that in Oakland, the team has found ways of competeing in spite of losses of talent, for the draft pick compensation would result in high quality players that would help the big league club contribute immediately.  Such a strategy would work for Toronto, right?

Not exactly.

Here's the rundown of Ricciardi's drafts, which have been focused mostly on college players, and the players that have Toronto has passed on that have become productive major leaguers.  It should be noted that the two franchise cornerstone players, Vernon Wells and Roy Halladay, were not drafted by Ricciardi, but rather by the previous regime. 

• 2002 - Russ Adams.  Passed On:  Scott Kazmir (Mets), Nick Swisher (Oakland), Cole Hamels (Philly), Jeff Francouer (Atlanta), Joe Blanton (Oakland), Matt Cain (Giants).
• 2003 - Aaron Hill.  Passed On:  Chad Cordero (Nationals), Brandon Wood (Angels), Chad Billingsley (Dodgers)
• 2004 - David Purcey, Zach Johnson.  Passed On:  Josh Fields (White Sox), Philip Hughes (Yankees), Eric Hurley (Rangers), Huston Street (Oakland)
• 2005 - Ricky Romero.  Passed On:  Troy Tulowitzki, Mike Pelfrey, Cameron Maybin, Andrew McCutcheon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Matt Garza,
• 2006 - Travis Snyder. 

Of all of these drafts, the Jays have let better players fall past them in order to draft college talent that they figured would have less of a change of a bust potential.  Of all of Ricciardi's drafts, only Snyder looks like he'll become anything special and allow Hamels and Cain to slip past them, along with Street, Garza and others, make Ricciardi's draft decisions look questionable at best.

Typically, it takes 5 years for it to see i####eneral Manager is working out or not for a franchise, as that is how long it takes for the talent development department for the team in order to bring up the fruits of the draft to the big league club.  Toronto hasn't done that and has hemmoraged more talent away from the club than it has to brought into it.  Toronto has misjudged their own free agent decisions, either by time, evaluation or money and the result has been a loss of players that the Jays had to keep around if they wanted to remain competitive.  I know Toronto isn't made of money like their other AL Rivals, but there is a point in time where you need to hold onto your own homegrown players, otherwise the drain on your club can become overpowering. 

2007 Free Agency - Starting Pitchers (Fours And Fives)

Continuing the look at free agency after this season, here is a look at starting pitching, namely back of the rotation starters.  This market looks rather pathetic, but there are a few attractive options that could work for a team in need of a fourth starter.

• Kenny Rogers (Tigers) – There’s going to be the usual health questions with Rogers, considering he’s now in his early 40’s and nearing retirement.  His stuff is very much diminished and he gets by more on deception than by pure raw stuff.  However, he’d be a suitable fourth starter for any team willing to pay for his services.  Unless he’s totally soured on management, I can see him taking a one year deal to finish his career in Texas, where it all started.
• Joe Kennedy (Athletics) – Kennedy will be hitting the free agent market at the right time.  He's a left hander with decent stuff that has seen his career turn around since he left Colorado.  Kennedy is off to a solid starter and a good season will net him a 3 year, $33 million deal from somebody.
• Kris Benson (Orioles) – [If $7.5MM club option is declined.]  I don’t expect Benson to return to the Orioles, as his tenure with Baltimore has pretty much been a disappointment all around, though to be fair, he was a relatively cheap date as far as what was given up (Jorge Julio and a John Maine that would have floundered in Baltimore).  Realistically, I expect Benson to take a incentive laden one year deal in order to boost his value once again.  Realistically, Benson is still young enough where he could afford to go that route and still obtain a multiple year deal afterwards, but you get the feeling that his stock has fallen so far that people regard him as one of the biggest over hyped talents in the past decade.  I think he’d be a decent three in the National League, but don’t hold me to that.
• Jon Lieber (Phillies) – Lieber is nearing the end of his career and is not going to be in line for a huge payday.  However, a one year deal isn’t out of the question, as teams are always willing to pay for talent.  Hey, Chan #### Park got an offer and he has worse stuff that Lieber does.  Lieber outmaneuvers hitters rather than blowing them away and may be able to put up roughly league average numbers in the right situation.  It’s not with the Phillies, so a team with a big ballpark may be the best thing for him. 
• Tomo Ohka (Blue Jays) – Millhouse’s favorite player will re-enter the free agent market after this year.  Ohka’s not a bad pitcher, as he’s reasonably durable and gets by with a lot of deception.  However, he’s a fighter and is willing to give you six innings of work unless he absolutely can’t go.  He’d be a valuable fourth or fifth starter on a National League team.
• Kyle Lohse (Reds) – The talking heads and pundits always talk about how Kyle Lohse has underachieved and should be a number two starter with his stuff.  The fact of the matter is that he’s strictly a number four with maybe ambitions of being a three.  However, he’s done fairly well since moving to the NL, so it’s possible that he may have just been a poor fit for the AL style of play.  Anyhow, if he continues to do fairly well, he’ll get well compensated for it by a team seeking pitching depth, possibly with a 3 year, $30 million deal.  Lohse features a fastball that clocks in the low 90’s and couples this with a slider that reaches the mid 80’s.  He’s also got a serviceable changeup that he has some command over, but not enough to make it a plus pitch.  The one thing Lohse does have going for him is that he’s fairly durable.
• Josh Fogg (Rockies) – About the only thing that Fogg offers is that he’s able to log in innings.  While there is some value to that, I’m not sure how great that serves a team when the offense is sputtering and they need a dominant pitching performance to win.

Joakim Soria – Another Rule V Pick Done Good (So Far…)

The Royals have made a move that is paying off big dividends so far.

And that is using a Rule V pick instead of just letting him gather dust, they took a chance on Soria when Octavio Dotel went down and he has delievered, posting a record of 1-1 with a 2.87 ERA and 6 saves in 7 opportunities.  Soria was a former San Diego Padres prospect that went unprotected and was picked by Kansas City, who saw the need for a solid pitching prospect.  So far, the result has been spectacular and it doesn't look like Soria will be headed by to the San Diego system anytime soon, if ever.

That's my time everyone.  Have a great weekend.