The End Of Morgan Ensberg, Dan Johnson Going To New York, Elijah Dukes' Child Support, Ian Snell Wants Out Of The Steel City, Taking On Keith Law, A Fitting End To Biggio's Career In Houston, and the end of Jeff Allison's comeback...again.

The End Of Ensberg

The career of Morgan Ensberg in Houston is over.

With the acquistion of Ty Wigginton (a great aquisition, more on that tomorrow), the Astros have made it clear it's time to cut bait and designated Ensberg for assignment.  It's a sad end to a player that had promise during Houston's title run in 2005, but a torn ligiment in his shoulder during an accident in 2006 sapped the life out of Ensberg's swing and left him powerless, resulting in the Astros' inevitable collapse in 2006 and a big reason why they were so awful this year.

Will Morgan get another shot?  Probably.  There are teams looking for third base help and the Astros could get some decent roster filler if they can accomodate them, but it's still a #### end to a career for a person who looked like he would be the first stable third baseman for the Astros since Ken Caminetti.

Dan Johnson – Potential Yankee?

Dan Johnson is rumored to be headed to the Yankees at some point before the trade deadline is over.

Of course, this was mentioned by ESPN’s resident Yankee fan, Buster Olney, but I did read an article that the Athletics inquired about Brett Gardner, a outfielder in the Yankees' system, only to be rebuffed by saying he was not available.  Why?  Gardner looks like he's a fourth outfielder and won't be anything special.  He's the return of Bubba Crosby from what I've read and seen of him.

Moving on, why would the Athletics be interested in moving Johnson, a player that has legitimate power, a decent glove, and plays hard?

Aside from the injury history, which is substantial, Johnson is a bit streaky, which is how he went from hitting over .300 to hitting below .250 in a month's time. 

But there's another reason.

One is that Johnson can't be sent down because of the fact that he's out of option and would be lost on waivers.

The other is that Oakland is trying to make room for Daric Barton, a solid young first baseman that brings up memories of John Olerud.  Though Johnson has more power, Barton has a solid bat and does a lot of things well.  Plus, with this season looking lost, Oakland is looking to give their kids a shot and see where they can go from here.\

It's the usual Oakland policy, but should work out well for them.

Personally, I'd move Nick Swisher back for first base myself.

But that's just me.

Dukes May Be In Contempt Of Court

Things don’t seem to be getting easier for Elijah Dukes, who may be held in contempt of court.  Dukes was ordered to pay the first of his court ordered payments for child support from his wife:  $3,300 for his wife's alimony and $2,800 in child support for the three children they had together.  He hasn’t paid a cent yet, though his attorney has said he’d pay by Monday.

If Dukes doesn’t pay by Monday, he could be forced to pay immediately, or possibly face jail time.

I used to wonder if Dukes was maybe, criminally disturbed and needed help to overcome his demons.  I honestly wondered if he was just truly a soul that needed help.

Now I’m wondering if he’s just a ####.

One of your duties as a man is to ensure that your children are cared for.  To not do so makes you a coward in my book.

Ian Snell Wants Out Of Pittsburgh

Ian Snell wants out of Pittsburgh in a bad way, calling out teammates, management, yelling several times that he hates losing and even acting like a spaze when he supposedly trembled his hand and said  "I'm starting to break. I'm getting stressed out. I don't know about these other guys, but I just want to win. I don't want to be called a loser. Man, even my family calls our team losers, and I don't want anyone to say that about our team."

Ooookay.

Snell has a lot of value.  He’s a young pitcher that isn’t eligible for arbitration until next season and he plays well, can dominate, and shows the potential to be a middle of the rotation horse.

He’s just acting like a horse’s ####.

Is it true the Pirates have one of the worst management offices in baseball?  Yes.  Is it true that they’ve been #### in almost every deal they’ve made?  Oh yes.  Is it fair for him to call out teammates?  No.  Like it or not, they’re in the same boat with you and like or not, you have to see them the next day after they read about your antics in the paper.

Snell has been on the block for a while and was most recently offered to the Braves in exchange for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.  In reality, the Pirates have so many other needs, but young pitchers typically can bring oodles back in exchange.

Should the Pirates do a trade, perhaps with the Devil Rays, they could get some quality outfield talent in the process, get Snell out of the National League where he wouldn't come back to hurt them, and be rid of a headache in the process.

It's a mutually beneficial trade, but the con is that the Pirates would be down a starter and the farm system isn't exactly deeply stocked enough where  they could accomodate such a trade.

It's a real catch 22 for them.

Disagreeing With Keith Law…Sort Of…On Brandon Morrow

I usually agree with most of Keith Law’s post.  He’s also the only person on that staff (aside from maybe Tim Krukjin) that knows what he’s talking about.

But I disagree with him as far as the Mariners’ use of Brandon Morrow. 

Should Morrow be in the majors at the moment?  No.  But that doesn’t mean he’s irrepariably damaged.  Allowing Morrow to build innings and stamina works out well for him and it allows him to adjust to major league competition.  Plus, he can be optioned back to the minors next year to allow himself to build starter’s innings and eventually allow him to join the Mariners’ rotation in 2009 or so.

But that assessment is ONLY if the Mariners are smart enough to send Morrow down to allow him to develop his breaking stuff, as he’s relying on his fastball too much and his control needs work.

If they continue to see him as a reliever, however, and treat him as such, then yes, I would probably have to change my opinion to Law’s, that the decision to draft Morrow over Tim Lincecum is one of the worst draft decisions in ages.

Biggio To Finish Career As He Begun

Craig Biggio has one more special moment coming up.

Astros ace Roy Oswalt has asked Biggio to be his catcher for a few innings during his final start of the season, likely during the Sept. 28-30 final home series against the Atlanta Braves.  Biggio has agreed provided that the Braves are not in a fierce fight for a playoff spot.

I love the fact that Biggio will finish his career the way he ended it, the same way I remember him when I used to collect his cards during the early 90’s, mostly Donruss and Fleer.

As a catcher.

Biggio will be coming full circle.  And I can’t find a more beautiful and fitting way to end the career of one of my favorite players ever to play the game.

That Jeff Allison Comeback…Never Mind

A couple of weeks ago, I wrote about the potential comeback for Marlins prospect Jeff Allison, who has been had his share of legal issues, due to drugs, criminal behavior, and addiction.

The comeback is over for now.

Allison has been placed back on the major league restricted list because of a legal issue that has come up, likely because of that stolen car charge nearly a year ago.  The Marlins have said that he’s welcome to come back once all legal issues have been resolved. 

Damn.

This has been a hard fall for a kid who was once seen to be the potential ace of a major league staff.

Now all that is gone.

2007 Free Agency – Closers

There are going to be some names on this list if things stay put the way they look right now.  However, there is no clear cut dominating favorite, as many of these closers are either A) Old, B) Injury Prone, or C) Inconsistent. 

•  Mariano Rivera (Yankees) – It’s hard to imagine that Rivera would consider closing for someone else, but he’s apparently ready to make good on his threat if the Yankees won’t sign him.  If he hits the market, Rivera can still be a viable closer, provided that all those innings that Torre used him to cover the deficiencies in the bullpen don’t catch up to him.  However, I doubt New York will let him get away.  As much as the Yankees make of Rivera being sort of expendable, the fact is that there isn’t many pitchers in the system that could replace Rivera.  Proctor is likely going to be a starter at some point, Farnsworth should only be a closer in the NL and J.B. Cox in the system is a setup man.
• Eric Gagne (Rangers) – Okay, everyone in Ranger Nation knows that Gagne is really only a one year wonder with Texas, as he’ll likely strike it rich somewhere else with another team, in spite of his recent comments that he wants to remain in Texas.  Gagne looks all the way back so far and he could be the best free agent closer on the market.
• Francisco Cordero (Brewers) – Coco Cordero was a solid closer with the Rangers, but he fell on hard times after his command left him, which is a shame as he’s actually a very underrated closer.  Cordero brings excellent stuff and is effective as long as his command doesn’t desert him.  After Gagne, Cordero could prove to be very attractive to a team needing a long-term answer at closer, but be careful.  While Gagne has health issues, Cordero still has control issues that have resulted in his new nickname in the state of Texas: Blow-co.
• Jason Isringhausen (Cardinals) – [If $8 million Club Option Declined].  I’m not sure that Isringhausen can last a full season, let alone serve as a closer for a team on a regular basis.  I think he’s likely going to retire, though there’s always the chance that some team will take a chance with him if the price is right (I’m looking at you Florida.) 
• Bob Wickman (Braves) – Wickman is likely going to be a free agent, especially with all of the closers and closer quality arms that Atlanta acquired during the off-season.  Like Isringhausen, I think he’ll also retire or sign with a team willing to take a flier on his. 
• Todd Jones (Tigers) – Everyone knows that Zumaya will be the closer in Detroit comes next year.  Jones is a heart attack closer that really shouldn’t be closing anymore, as he’s quite hittable and makes you nervous when he takes the mound.

Jeff Allison Attempting A Comeback…Again

Jeff Allison, the much-troubled former first-round pick for the Marlins, who I've written about at length in this blog, is attempting another comeback, trying to work his way back into playing shape at the Marlins' spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida.  However, it's unknown where Allison would be assigned, as he's now been out of baseball for almost two years, though any comeback will likely begin at Rookie Ball.

Allison was taken off the restricted list and re-joined the organization for formal workouts June 20.  Allison is currently awaiting trial on felony possession of a stolen vehicle, but has been struggling most often with drugs, specifically the drug Oxy-Contin and Heroin.

Like the Josh Hamilton story, this could have a happy ending, though it would take a lot longer than Hamilton due to the development time needed on pitchers.  However, I'm a little more skeptical on Allison, mostly because we've heard this story again and we've seen it end in collosal failure.

I do with him the best.  I really do.

I'm just a bit more jaded about him.

Not All Lost In Cincinnati

Despite General Manager Wayne Krivsky taking a virtuall wrecking ball to the Reds, when realistically, there was enough of a solid foundation built and in place that only some minor tweeking to repair, he has managed to assemble enough of a young foundation to work on.

Consider the fact that while most of the team blows, Cincinnati does have two young starters in Aaron Harang and Broson Arroyo, a potential closer in Marcus McBeth, a pair of young stud positional players in Brandon Phillips and Josh Hamilton, and finally, a pair of superstar caliber prospects in Jay Bruce and Homer Bailey, respectively.

That's not bad, especially when you consider the potential impact of Bruce, who many feel is the second coming of Larry Walker.

There's a lot more to be done.  Krivsky made a huge, potentially fatal mistake in trading away Felipe Lopez, Austin Kearns, and others for relievers, what is now regarded to be his big weakness (so if you got a reliever, give him a call) and he's grown visibily impatient with Adam Dunn due to his strikeouts, and his first draft pick, Drew Stubbs, is struggling mightily in Low A.

But for now, there is some comfort in knowing there's enough of a young core to identify and grown around in the future.

Key Piece Of The Abreu Deal Might Be Done With Baseball

Earlier this week, there was news that Phillies outfielder C.J. Henry was no longer is going to play baseball and planned to leave the Phillies organization soon.  The news is premature, as Henry has cooled the fires down somewhat, but has admitted that he might join his younger brother Xavier on a college basketball team in 2008-09 if baseball hasn't worked out.

So far, it's looking that way.

Henry was drafted more on the basis of his gifts than his actual abilties.  Henry was thought to eventually be a future version of Gary Sheffield with his extreme power potential and speed.  Unfortunately, Henry's swing is long and he has struggled to hit advanced pitching.  He's inadequate as a defender and is now on this third position change, now playing left field.

Should Henry opt out, his original contract provides for eight semesters of tuition at $15,000 per semester under baseball scholarship's plan.  Henry's basketball prowess is still said to be high and he would essentially be able to name his program and try and join as a walk on.

Just another reason to blame Pat Gillick for not getting enough in return for Abreu.

The End Of An Era In Houston, The Heir To Joe Torre Is Becoming Clearer, More Trouble For A Marlins Prospect and Free Agent Rumblings & Grumblings.

End Of An Era In Houston

His statue is outside of Minute Maid Park

His trade is regarded as one of the biggest mistakes ever made by an organization.

And this week, the era of Jeff Bagwell ended not with a ####, but a whisper, when the Astros were declined his $18 million option for 2007, giving him a $7 million buyout as a parting gift.   Luckily for the Astros, Bagwell, a constant team guy and one of the best ballplayers to grace the franchise, understood the business side of baseball, and had no hard feelings.

Since 1991, Bagwell and close friend and teammate Craig Biggio have worked in tandem to establish a professional tone in the Houston clubhouse, grinding from spring training to the end of the season, disdaining excuses and showing teammates the meaning of the word "accountable."   The two have always been synonymous with the Astros and for the first time in over a decade, the Astros are now facing the fact that the faces of the franchise will be gone.  Bagwell will likely retire and Biggio is entering what is likely his final season.

The Astros are at a crossroads, as they are developing a different roster and attempting to create a club with the chance of leapfrogging the Cardinals for the division.  However, you can’t help but feel that a part of the soul of that clubhouse has just left with Bagwell.

Maybe the Astros can find a new set of constants in Lance Berkman and Chris Burke? 

Or maybe Bagwell and Biggio are a case of once in a generation teammates, and there’s no duplicating what they have done for the Astros.

But one thing is for sure.

It’s a brave new world for the Astros.

Mattingly Promoted To Bench Coach

In another sign that Joe Girardi won’t get the Yankees job, Don Mattingly was promoted to bench coach by the New York Yankees on Wednesday, in a move made to make him the definite successor to Joe Torre after the 2007 season.  Mattingly, who spent the last three years as the Yankees' hitting coach, succeeds Lee Mazzilli, whose contract was not renewed.  Mattingly is reportedly favored by General Manager Brian Cashman to succeed Torre, and is a key reason why Lou Pinella was not wanted by the Yankees GM.

Jeff Allison Is In Trouble Again

Jeff Allison, the 2003 First Round Pick of the Florida Marlins’ trobuled prospect, is in trouble again.  He faces three felony charges, one count for heroin possession and two for possession of stolen vehicles, stemming from separate incidents last week in North Carolina.  Allison has also has been charged with possession of drugparaphernalia and resisting a public officer, both misdemeanors, in connection with an Oct. 25 incident.  Police said Allison was spotted driving a 2002 Dodge Ram truck that had been reported stolen when he was pulled over.  Allison also faces a Dec. 4 court date in neighboring High Point, N.C., on a separate charge of felony possession of a stolen vehicle. That alleged incident took place a day earlier, police said, and involved a 2001 Chevrolet Astro van reported stolen from the parking lot of a lighting company.Under North Carolina law, Allison could serve more than four years in jail if convicted on all charges. However, his lack of a prior felony conviction makes him eligible to enter a court-ordered drug-treatment program; if he completes it the charges could be dismissed.   The pitcher suffered a near-fatal heroin overdose in July 2004 and reportedly was found unconscious by Medford, Mass., police in August.  Allison, a former high school star in the Boston area, has failed at least one drug test for marijuana and has sought treatment for OxyContin dependency.   He has not pitched professionally since August 2005, and was recently placed on the restricted list by the Marlins. Allison has made just 20 starts over the past four years. He spent the 2005 season at Class A Greensboro, going 5-4, 4.18.

This is just another twist in the sad story of Jeff Allison, who was thought to be the next Josh Beckett for the Marlins, as he was easily the best high school pitcher in 2003.  However, his problems has destroyed his future in Major League Baseball and, if he’s remains free, he’ll likely have to spend years in the indy leagues to even get another shot.  The Marlisn retain his rights, but the organization is extremely doubtful on whether or not he’ll ever pitch for them again.  When ased if the Marlins have given up hope on him, they had only this to say:

"You could probably say that."

Free Agency Rumblings And Grumblings

·          Daisuke Matsuzaka is going to have a lot less teams chasing after him.  The Mariners, as reported, are dropping out of the running and both Los Angeles clubs are going to bail as well.  That just leaves the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Cubs, and possibly the Red Sox to make a pitch for the young talent.  If I had to make a predication, I would say the Rangers, not out of bias, but because Rangers owner Tom Hicks is crazy enough to go over the top in terms of a bid (Alex Rodriguez anyone?)

·          Look for the White Sox to be active this winter.  The Sox want to move one of their five starters to allow Brandon McCarthy to enter the rotation, with Freddy Garcia or Javier Vasquez being the likely victims, as Jon Garland was their ace down the stretch last year.  Garcia has said he wouldn’t mind going to New York and the Mets could offer Aaron Heilman in return to help bridge the gap to Bobby Jenks.  One problem:  Heilman wants to start and dislikes coming out of the bullpen.

·          The White Sox could also deal McCarthy as well.  Left field (and centerfield for that matter) were offensive wastelands for the White Sox.  Kenny Williams loves Devil Rays slugger Carl Crawford, one of the most desirable players in baseball, thanks to his extremely club friendly contract.  Offering McCarthy in return for Crawford would be just the thing to pry the talented young slugger from the D-Rays.

·          Alfonso Soriano apparently wants Carlos Beltran money, $119 million over 7 years.  However, it doesn’t look like it will be with any of the New York Teams, as the Yankees have a surplus of outfielders and the Mets need starting pitching.  The White Sox could get involved, as Soriano can function as a leadoff man and play a solid left field.  The Cubs are strongly considering pursing Soriano to play centerfield, while the Orioles, desperate to make a splash, are reportedly using Miguel Tejada to try and get Soriano’s ear.  Soriano will get his money, it just depends where.

·          As mentioned in The Rangers Report, Gary Matthews Jr. is rapidly beginning to price himself out of the Texas Rangers’ reach, as he’s attracting interest from the Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Angels and Dodgers, the San Francisco Giants, and the Chicago Cubs, to name a few.

·          As expected, Aramis Ramirez opted out of his contract and, despite news that the Cubs are close to re-singing the talented third baseman, all three teams in Southern California, the Dodgers, Angels and Padres, are reportedly in pursuit as well.  Ramirez is reportedly the Angels’ number one off-season priority.

One of the trickest things in player development is choosing the players that you are sure that will not only help you win a championship (or at the very least become excellent trade bait), but will also have a minimum of issues for you to deal with.

Unfortunately, you have cases of talented young men with all the talent in the world losing it all.  Such is the case with Florida Marlins pitching prospect Jeff Allison. 

Allison was a star high school pitcher from Peabody, Massachusetts (I pretty sure I ####ked that up and I'm sorry all people from MASS) who was seen as a future ace in the making.  He had a fastball in the mid ninties and one of the filthiest curves ever seen in a young prospect.  He thew a two-hitter once and dominated the local competition.  Scouts also loved his competitive nature on the mound, drawing comparisons to Roger Clemens.  He was even made Baseball America's 2003 High School Player Of The Year.