There have been a lot of rumors recently about the Cubbies wanting to make a trade for Marlon Byrd, ideally to be their centerfielder and to help push Felix Pie. Apparently, the deal would be for Matt Murton and possibly for pitching prospect Sean Gallagher.
This deal likely doesn't have much legs on it, if any.
First of all, as good as the Byrdman's seaosn was last year, I doubt he suddenly had a breakout in his early 30's. More than likely, he'll regress to his usual fourth outfielder status come April.
Second, I wouldn't trade Murton for Byrd straight up if I were the Cubs, but if they are willing to do it, I'd pull the trigger. Hell, I'd even include a pair of relievers in the deal for Murton and Gallagher, likely Scott Feldman and Robinson Tejeda. Not only would that give the Cubs more options to sift through, it opens up space on the 40 Man for someone.
However, as promising as the deal seemed, I doubt it will happen.
Complicating things further are the fact that the Padres want Murton as well, though I'm not sure what they would give up in return. San Diego usually tries to pass off their #### on other teams (as the Rangers would find out during the infamous Chris Young deal) and their GM is a very smart man. It's very much likely that somehow or another, Kevin Towers will find a way to make any trade a three trade deal, and in return would somehow find a way to screw over the Rangers by managing to net Murton himself and leaving the Rangers on the short end of the stick.
Possible Draft Pick Compensation?
The Rangers could also find themselves enjoying a beavy of picks in next years draft if all falls right (unlikely, but it's good to hope.)
While none of the Rangers' one year commitments are going to be Type A Picks, there could be several first round sandwich picks, depending on what happens:
Jason Jennings (RHP) - Recovery from a bad year could result in a Type B pick for Texas if he proves to be healthy.
Milton Bradley (RF) - Staying sane and healthy could get him a job as a DH somewhere.
Ben Broussard (1B) - Could be the next Ryan Kelsko, getting the Rangers a solid pick without doing much.
All in all, that's potentially three picks for the Rangers if the rankings fall right, five if somehow or another Jennings and Bradley are able to rate as Type A's.
By the way, a Ranger Report will be filed tonight. Keep your eye on it.
San Diego Padres – Prospect Report
What was generally regarded to be the worst farm system in baseball has taken a huge step forward thanks to a solid draft as well as the Padres have some of their younger talent step up huge. The Padres were also able to add some impressive farm system depth in terms of trades, as well as stepping up and signing some of their draft and follows from the final period. All in all, this system is now in the middle of the pack, and could gain some more additions this year if the free agent compensation awarding falls their way again (A Type B Pick For Ryan #### Kelsko?!)
Padres Top 15
1 – Matt Latos (RHP)
DOB: 2/11/84
Drafted: 11th Round, 2006, Broward Community College (D&F)
2008 Club:Eugene Emeralds (Short Season)
Height/Weight: 6-5/205
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: Latos was oen of the top high school arms in the state of Florida entering the 2006 draft, but what caused him to fall was a two fold attack. One, he was immature and two, his demands were high. As a result, the Padres drafted him in the 11th round, hoping that things could be worked out. After some negotations that were touch and go, Latos signed for $1.25 million, which is what he likely would have gotten had he re-entered the draft. He then proceeded to dominate in the short season leagues, showing that the investment is very much a bargain.
The Good: The arm is still there and still very good, but Latos isn’t the same pitcher he was when he was at Broward Community. He’s better. A power arm, Latos is imposing at 6-foot-5, and is much improved. His fastball clocks in around 96, and his slider is a power pitch with good movement. His changeup, once raw, is much imrpoved and could be a plus pitch in time.
The Bad: Latos is still very raw and needs a lot of polish, so don't expect to see him anytime soon.
Projection: High. Latos is just good. In a system lacking in power arms, Latos is clearly the top pitching prospect and, in my book, the top prospect in all of the system. In time, he could succeed Jake Peavy as the staff ace.
What He Can Be: A top of the rotation starter.
2008 Course Of Action: Latos will begin the season in Low A, where the Padres hope he can continue his progress that he’s shown this season.
2 – Matt Antonelli (2B)
DOB: 4/8/85
Drafted: 1st Round, 2006, Wake Forest
2008 Club: Portland Beavers (Triple A)
Height/Weight: 6-1/195
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: A typical Grady Fuson pick, that of a safe college player that will make it to the show, many viewed this pick to be a stretch, and when Antonelli went homerless in his first year, many wrote him off as a solid hitter with no power. However, Antonelli has taken a giant leap forward and has shown all the tools that could make him a perrenail All Star.
The Good: A great athlete, Antonelli had very good on base skills as well of some speed. He’s got a quick bat that makes solid contact with the ball and has a great eye for pitches, allowing him to accumulate high walk totals. What has begun to manifest itself is Antonelli’s power potential, which should make him a threat to be a 20-20 man. He’s also a solid glove and all in all is the top second base prospect in the minor leagues.
The Bad: He’s still a bit raw and could stand to gain some muscle, but other than that, there’s really no reason to nitpick.
Projection: Low. Antonelli is almost ready for the show, but will be given one more year to develop down in the minors. He should be up by mid-season.
What He Can Be: A Solid Number Two Hitter.
2008 Course Of Action: Antonelli will likely spend the first two months of the season perfecting his glovework as well as prepping for the show before he gets the call in June.
3 – Nick Schmidt (LHP)
DOB: 10/10/85
Drafted: 1st Round, 2007, Arkansas
2008 Club: Lake Elsinore Storm (High A)
Height/Weight: 6-5/230
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: A solid college lefty in a draft class full of them, Schmidt had an excellent junior season, going 11-3 with a 2.69 ERA and 111/51 K/BB ratio in 124 innings of work, was named a second team All-American and was one of the more dominant pitchers in the SEC. He was seen as one of the safest picks in the entire draft, which was perfect for Fuson, as that is virtually his MO. However, Schmidt had to be shut down early into his first pro season due to injury. He should be okay for Spring Training.
The Good: Schmidt is a solid workhorse, pitching in the high 80’s, touching 92 at times and complimenting it well with a good changeup and slider, giving him an effective three pitch mix. He shows solid command and control and has been durable for most of his college career.
The Bad: Schmidt really doesn’t stand out much, as the real knock on him is that he doesn’t blow you away. He’s also very flyball friendly, though Schmidt will benefit greatly from Petco Park.
Projection: Low. Schmidt should have a decent career in the majors and overall looks to be an innings eater in the mold of Joe Blanton. In San Diego, he should be a more than capable Number Three Starter, though at the very least he’d be a decent Four.
What He Can Be: A middle of the rotation innings eater.
2008 Course Of Action: Schmidt will likely be promoted to Lake Elsinore, where he should remain the year as he adjusts to a standard minor league season of work. Depending on the results, seeing Schmidt get promoted to San Antonio isn’t outside of the realm of possibility.
4 – Chase Headley (3B)
DOB: 5/9/84
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2005, University of Tennessee
2008 Club: Portland Beavers (Triple A)
Height/Weight: 6-2/195
Bats/Throws: S/R
The Skinny: .The Padres traded Josh Barfield to the Indians for Kevin Kouzmanoff mostly to allow Headley time to develop, as long term, he would be their third baseman while Kouzmanoff would be sold off for parts down the road. The plan is working, but not in the way the Padres hoped. While Kouzmanoff has been inconsistent at the major league level, Headley has suddenly started rolling, tearing up the Texas League while hitting for solid power and showing improvement. Suddenly, Kouzmanoff’s spot is looking very much vulnerable.
The Good: Already a highly regarded hitter that worked the count and consistently made contact, Headley suddenly blossomed into his power potential, surpassing his previous years total by July! He’s a solid defender with soft hands and fields the position well. He’s a switch hitter, but he’s managed to improve his performance against left handers where he won’t require a platoon partner.
The Bad: Headley’s arm is a little weaker than expected from the hot corner. He also lacks speed. There is also a worry that his newly found power will be lost at Petco Park, where it’s canyon like dimensions could turn his homers into outs.
Projection: Fair. Headley is near ready and will be ready to take Kouzmanoff’s job sooner instead of later.
What He Can Be: A Solid Third Baseman
2008 Course Of Action: With little left to prove in San Antonio, Headley will enter Spring Training in competition for Kouzmanoff’s job. Should he tear it up, Headley will likely be the starting third baseman while Kouzmanoff could theoretically be moved to left field. More likely, he’s headed to Triple A, where he’ll eventually be called up along with fellow Beaver Matt Antonelli in June.
5 – Andrew Cumberland (SS)
DOB: 1/13/89
Drafted: 1st Round (S), 2007, Florida High School
2008 Club: Eugene Emeralds (Short Season)
Height/Weight: 5-10/170
Bats/Throws: L/R
The Skinny: One of the fastest players in the draft, the Padres took Cumberland on his potential to be a potential impact player, which so far is looking solid after a decent year in the lower minors.
The Good: One of the best athletes in the system, Cumberland should hit for average and draw a fair number of walks, making him an ideal leadoff prospect. He’s got great speed and is able to leg out singles and has great range at shortstop. He’s a decent baserunner and with time could be dangerous.
The Bad: Despite his athleticism, Cumberland is raw in the field. He doesn’t have a strong arm and many feel that eventually he might move to second base or left field. While he’s got solid power potential, it’s of the doubles variety and he won’t be a huge home run threat.
Projection: High. Many feel that Cumberland could eventually be a solid shortstop in the mold of Rafael Furcal, and could be the replacement to Khalil Greene. The lack of an arm is concerning, but it’s possible he could learn to work around it. If so, he would add a hell of a weapon at the top of a Padres’ lineup, though playing half of his games in Petco will sap what power he does have.
What He Can Be: An upper echelon starting shortstop.
2008 Course Of Action: In spite of his excellent numbers, Cumberland will be heading back to short season ball in Eugene, where he’ll undergo some more tuning up.
6 – Will Inman (RHP)
DOB: 2/06/87
Drafted: 3rd Round, 2005, Virginia High School
2008 Club: San Antonio Missions (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-0/200
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: The centerpiece of the Scott Linebrink deal, Inman put up ridiculous numbers in the lower minors and was a strikeout machine until he was promoted to Double A, where he was obliterated by the competition at first, but he settled down and had a respectable turn around. Still, he’s got solid peripherals, and is highly regarded by Kevin Towers, who has a knack for looking for the right kind of player to fit into his team.
The Good: Inman is a curious prospect. His best pitch is a curveball, a slow pitch with good movement. He throws a decent fastball that clocks in the high 80’s, but reaches 92 at times. He’s got a lot of deception in his delivery, which is how he has been able to get so far. He’s a tough competitor and has solid command over his arsenal.
The Bad: Inman is strictly a performance prospect. Scouts have been confused as to how Inman has been as good as he has been in the lower minors because of his lack of dazzling stuff and his lack at projection. The changeup is fringe-average and he’ll need to either junk the pitch and learn something else or find out a different grip of sorts to master it.
Projection: Average. Inman is young and has risen quickly, which make his numbers more impressive when taken into context. He might be able to be a capable starter in spite of his lack of stuff, especially considering his home park in the majors.
What He Can Be: A fifth starter, maybe a fourth if he refines his command.
2008 Course Of Action: Inman will likely be returned to Double A, where he’ll repeat and allow himself to continue developing. It’s not as if the Padres need him this year, as they’ve got a lot of guys already in the major leagues that can provide roughly his performance.
7 – Mitch Canham (C)
DOB: 9/25/84
Drafted: 1st round (S), 2007, Oregon State
2008 Club: Lake Elsinore Storm (High A)
Height/Weight: 6-2/215
Bats/Throws: L/R
The Skinny: Canham finished a successful career with the Beavers and was taken with one of the many Padres’ supplemental round picks. He signed quickly and had some promising stats in his first pro season.
The Good: The bat is what got Canham drafted as high as he was. It’s a solid weapon, and Canham shows the ability to hit for power and hit for a respectable average. He also takes pitches well and draws walks. He was converted to catching in college and still has some rough spots, but he looks like he’ll stick at the position.
The Bad: Again, Canham is still rather raw at catcher, but he’s been trying hard to improve himself at the position. He’ll need to work on his accuracy at throwing out runners, though he’s got a strong arm to be able to nail them with. His speed is non-existent as well.
Projection: Fair. Catham still has some growth left on him and it’s possible that he could move quickly. If the Padres don’t feel that he’s a long term option at catcher, he’s athletic enough to move to a infield or outfield corner.
What He Can Be: A Offensive Catcher
2008 Course Of Action: Canham may be tested by being aggressively promoted to High A ball, maybe even higher if the Padres don’t feel that Josh Bard is the long term answer at catcher.
8 – Cesar Carrillo (RHP)
DOB: 4/29/84
Drafted: 1st Round, 2005, University of Miami
2008 Club: Lake Elsinore Storm (High A)
Height/Weight: 6-3/177
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: Drafted out of Miami, Carrillo is one of the few impact players that is in the minors for the Pads. However, injury cut short his season and the result was Tommy John Surgery for the man they call "King Cesar."
The Good: Carrillo is a power pitcher with plus control and command, and has a power fastball that sits in the low 90s and touches 95-96. He compliments it with a pair of plus off-speed pitches, a hard curveball and change that fades late.
The Bad: Carrillo's mechanics and his heavy college workload are thought to be the reason for the need for Tommy John. As a result, his debut will be pushed back at least for another season.
Projection: Fair. Carrillo needs to get back where he was and hope that his elbow holds up to allow him to build up his durability.
What He Can Be: A Middle Of The Rotation Starter
2008 Course Of Action: Carrillo's going to be retained in extended Spring Training in order for him to build up his durability and regain his command and control. After that, he's going to be sent to begin his rehab. Long term, Carrillo won't be a factor for the rotation until next year.
9 – Wade LeBlanc (LHP)
DOB: 8/7/84
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2006, Alabama
2008 Club: Portland Beavers (Triple A)
Height/Weight: 6-3/202
Bats/Throws: L/L
The Skinny: LeBlanc enjoyed success during his career at Alabama and for the most part has done his part in moving quickly through the San Diego farm system. Overall, he’s posted solid numbers after splitting the season between High and Double A.
The Good: LeBlanc has good height and is an aggressive pitcher that goes right after hitters. His fastball touches 90, but most of the time is in the high 90’s and he has a quick delivery. His best pitch is a big sweeping curveball that drops in on batters. He also has a very good pick off move and field shis position well.
The Bad: LeBlanc is strictly a performance prospect, a finesse lefty that has come as far as he has because of his lack of excellent stuff. He also needs another pitch to go into his arsenal.
Projection: Low. LeBlanc is simply an older, taller version of Inman, a polished performance prospect that gets by on his command. The difference is that Inman has done his thing while being essentially rushed while LeBlanc is a meh college pitcher that is doing this. It’s not to say that he can’t be a productive major leaguer, it’s just he doesn’t wow me.
What He Can Be: A fifth starter, maybe a four at Petco.
2008 Course Of Action: LeBlanc will be headed to Portland for more seasoning, but he could be a late in the year option, depending on how he does against more advanced competition.
10 – Kellen Kulbacki (LF)
DOB: 11/21/85
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2007 James Madison University
2008 Club: Lake Elsinore Storm (High A)
Height/Weight: 5-11/205
Bats/Throws: L/L
The Skinny: Kulbacki has put up some insane numbers during his college career, making a name for himself when he batted .464 and lead the nation with 24 homers as a sophomore. He came back down to earth a bit in his junior season, hitting .398 with 19 homers, but was also pitched around more and drew 56 walks. San Diego liked Kulbacki and felt he was a value in the second round, adding another powerful bat into their system.
The Good: Kulbacki has the best pure power potential of any prospect in the system. He has an average arm and is good enough to hold his own in left field. He’s got average plate discipline and has a quick bat and should hit enough not to require a platoon partner. He’s got decent speed as well, but won’t be a stolen base threat in the majors.
The Bad: There are a lot of things that bring Kulbacki’s legendary numbers back down to earth. He played at one of the best hitters parks in the nation and didn’t face much top-level competition in college. Many wonder if his abilities would translate to a wood bat. His range is limited at best, meaning that overall, Kulbacki's bat will have to carry him.
Projection: Average. Kulbacki is compared by many to Brian Giles and many feel that he’s likely to be a big leaguer, making San Diego’s investment in him sensible. He’ll likely lose some of his menace at Petco, but with plenty of hitters parks in the NL, as well as a couple in his own division, he should mash.
What He Can Be: An Adam Dunn like left fielder.
2008 Course Of Action: Kulbacki will likely make his full season debut for High A Lake Elsinore, where the comfy environs of the California League should help him put up insane numbers, but won’t do anything as far as quieting his critics.11 – Kyle Blanks (1B/DH) OB: 9/11/86
D
Drafted: 42nd Round, 2004, New Mexico High School
2008 Club: San Antonio Missions (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-6/281
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Not So Skinny: After an injury plagued full season debut in 2006, Blanks was rather productive this year at Lake Elsinore.
The Good: A remarkable athlete for his size, Blanks is very athletic, with speed on the basepaths, and is a fine defender. He’s got solid power potential and is a skilled hitter with a solid approach to the plate.
The Bad: Blanks has had weight issues throughout his career and it likely will cause his career to be shortened. He’s also had problems staying healthy, which will also play a huge part in his long-term longevity.
Projection: Average. A lot of people in the Padres thought that Blanks reminded them a lot of Pittsburgh Pirates great Dave Parker. He’ll rise as long as he keeps the bulge down, which is not going to be any small feat.
What He Can Be: Mo Vaughn? Just kidding. A DH in the American League.
2008 Course Of Action: Blanks will likely be the Missions’ every day first baseman, but long term, I’m wondering if he’s got a future with the Padres. They may seek to move him soon in order to fill a need, likely another outfielder.
12 – Cedric Hunter (CF)
DOB: 2/10/88
Drafted: 2nd Round, 2006, Georgia High School
2008 Club: Lake Elsinore Storm (High A)
Height/Weight: 6-0/185
Bats/Throws: L/L
The Skinny: Hunter has been promoted aggressively throughout the system, making his full season debut in the Midwestern League before having to be called up to Triple A in an emergency stint for Portland, which he did rather well in.
The Good: Hunter has great hitting tools, showing excellent pitch recognition, a quick bat, and the ability to hit all kinds of pitches to all fields. A stat nerds dream.
The Bad: Hunter had a surprisingly low ceiling, which is odd considering he was drafted out of high school. He also isn’t going to hit for a lot of power and all in all, he’s not going to stay in center, making his long term position tricky.
Projection: High. Hunter will likely end up in right field, but he doesn’t fit the power mold for that position. He could be play everyday, provided you find your power elsewhere in the lineup. He’s also not a leadoff man, meaning that he’s okay as a number two hitter when it’s all said and done.
What He Can Be: An Number Two hitter in a corner outfield spot.
2008 Course Of Action: Hunter is likely going to continue his aggressive promotion to High A, where the Padres will likely keep him in center for the time being.
13 – Nick Hundley (C)
DOB: 8/8/83
Draft: 2nd Round, 2005, University of Arizona
2008 Club: San Antonio Missions (Double A)
Height/Weight: 6-1/210
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: .A decent starting catching candidate, Hundley was rather average this season as the Missions’ starting catcher, hitting .247, but showing some power and a hint of plate discipline as well.
The Good: Hundley is a big, durable catcher with solid arm strength. He controls the running game well, throwing out many would be base thieves and should be able to stand up to the wear and tear of the job. He’s also got some decent power on him as well.
The Bad: He’s got a long swing and will have huge strikeout totals. He’s never going to hit for a high average and is slow on the basepaths. He also has a slow release, which hurts him against base runners at times.
Projection: Average. Hundley could conceivably start for the Padres in a year or two, but while he’s got the better glove, Canham has the better bat, and sooner or later, the offense always wins.
What He Can Be: A starting big league catcher/excellent backup catcher
2008 Course Of Action: Hundley will likely begin the year back in the San Antonio, but should finish in Portland by the end f the season. With Canham in the system, his title of catcher of the future is in doubt.
14 – Will Venable (LF)
DOB: 10/29/82
Draft: 7th Round, 2005, Princeton University
2008 Club: Portland Beavers (Triple A)
Height/Weight: 6-2/205
Bats/Throws: L/L
The Skinny: After a solid year down in Low A, Venable was rushed to High A and Double A, where he performed okay.
The Good: A solid athlete, Venable has a very solid approach to the plate and hits for good contact. He also showed some good power potential as well as decent speed.
The Bad: Because of his commitment to Basketball at Princeton, he’s somewhat raw still. Also, his arm and range limit him strictly to left field.
Projection: Low. Venable is 25 and needs to keep rising if he wants to be a decent prospect for the Padres at some point in the future. He could be an option next year for left field, especially if the Padres decide that Kouzmanoff doesn’t fit in their plans long term.
What He Can Be: An average corner outfielder
2008 Course Of Action: Venable will likely be started in Portland, where San Diego hopes he’ll be able to hold his own throughout the year. However, should he be overwhelmed, the Padres could find themselves having put bump Venable back down to Double A, and his shaky prospect status would take another hit.
15 – Cory Luebke (LHP)
DOB: 3/4/85
Drafted: 1st Round (S), 2007, THE Ohio State University
2008 Club: Eugene Emeralds (Short Season)
Height/Weight: 6-4/200
Bats/Throws: R/L
The Skinny: A late round flier by the Rangers last year, Luebke didn’t sign and instead went back to OSU, where he led the Big 10 Conference in ERA during the regular season. After being selected, Luebke signed quickly and was outstanding in limited action with Short Season Eugene.
The Good: Luebke has average velocity for a left-hander, and throws in the 88-91 mph range. He compliments it with a solid slider and is a groundball demon. His command and control are excellent.
The Bad: His changeup is nothing special and he has limited projection.
Projection: Low. Luebke doesn’t have much projection and really isn’t a power guy, but he should be a serviceable player in time.
What He Can Be: A middle reliever, or a good Lefty Specialist.
2008 Course Of Action: Luebke will likely be splitting the year between Low A and High A, depending on what the Padres have in mind. Long term, the Padres feel that he should give him an excellent reliever that should replace one of their other, more expensive parts in the future.
And, just for fun...
Matt Bush (RHP)
DOB: 2/8/86
Drafted: 1st Overall, 2004, California High School
2008 Club: Rehab, Baby!!!
Height/Weight: 5-10/189
Bats/Throws: R/R
The Skinny: Famously selected by the Padres over Justin Verlander because the Padres were afraid of Verlander’s bonus demands, Bush has had a number of setbacks and hasn’t hit in any level of the organization before the Padres decided to transfer him to the pitching staff. Bush did surprisingly well and was a lot better than anticipated, but unfortunately after his promotion from Rookie Ball, Bush injured his elbow and required Tommy John Surgery. He’ll be out all year.
The Good: Bush made a rapid transition to the mound and showed a great deal of poise while pitching. His fastball touched 98 and he showed an effective curveball and slider while tinkering with a changeup.
The Bad: Aside from having to recover his command and control thanks to the Tommy John, as well as getting his delivery to flow well.
Projection: Average. Bush would have had a lot more value as a pitcher, but still shouldn’t have been drafted Number One overall. The Padres are kicking themselves for blowing this pick. He’s got a long way to go and likely won’t see the big leagues for another three years, making this a long term project, with no end close by.
What He Can Be: Likely A Setup Man, Although It’s Possible That The Padres May See A Little Hoffman In Bush, Judging By Their Similar Backgrounds And Circumstances.
2008 Course Of Action: Bush will spend the season rehabbing and will likely make an appearance at some point in July with the Padres’ Arizona Rookie League Affiliate. A more interesting situation should be if the Padres protect him on the 40 Man roster next year because of the Rule 5 Draft. It’s possible that if he shows enough, he may get taken, resulting in this pick begin a complete and utter disaster. This story just doesn't seem destiend for a happy ending.
Final Notes
The Padres’ system is very much improved, mostly because of the past couple of drafts and the sheer amount of picks available to them. Several players in the system have the potential to be solid contributors in a couple of years, with a couple already beginning to make themselves known in prospect circles. Because of the amount of youth on the Diamondbacks and Rockies, plus the young guns in the Dodgers’ system, San Diego is simply recognizing the writing on the wall that they will have to keep up or join the Giants in the NL West hell. The problem with this system is that there really isn’t a surefire star here aside from Latos and Cumberland, though Antonetti may be an occasional All-Star. All in all, this means that the Padres of the future will be a solid, but very much blue collar team that will fly under the radar of many people, but will surely contend.
Being in third place, especially considering how bleak things were the last time the Rangers Report was posted, is very awesome. Hope it lasts.
Arizona Fall League Breakdown
The Rangers announced their candidates for the Arizona Fall League, which begins play on October 9th. Here’s the list of candidates:
Josh Rupe (RHP) – The organization still feels that Rupe an become a excellent starter with time, but Rupe hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Frankly, this is looking like it’s make or break time for Rupe, else he may risk being traded to a team as a reliever.
Kea Kometani (RHP) – Kometani is another intriguing arm in the Rangers’ system that will be playing in hopes of earning a 40 man spot, as I think he is going to be Rule V eligible this off-season. Kometani was converted to relief this past season and was excellent there. If he can be stretched out to a starter again, that would be even better.
Matt Harrison (LHP) – One of the big prizes in the Mark Teixeira deal, Harrison is regarded to be a good lefty pitcher that can eat up innings and keep his team in games…or a left handed Joe Blanton, to use a comparison. Anyhow, Harrison missed the rest of the season after the trade because of injury, so his assignment means that the Rangers will be looking to see how his recovery has come along.
Danny Ray Herrera (LHP) - A short lefty, Herrera is a quality relief pitching prospect that could be an above average setup man. He got hammered late in the season, so the Rangers are likely sending him to Arizona to work on some things.
Joaquin Arias (SS) - Arias is probably the most disappointing prospect out of all these listed. Once throught to be a superstar, Arias is now being viewed to be a utilityman prospect, not at all what the Rangers hoped he'd be when they selected him over Robinson Cano in the Alex Rodriguez trade.
John Mayberry Jr. (RF) – Mayberry has been brought about very slowly by the Rangers, and he hasn’t nearly shown the progress that many have felt he should have shown by now. While he can hit for power, Mayberry’s
Chris Davis (3B) – Davis has recently been added to the AFL roster, but don’t expect to see too much of him though. As a “taxi squad” member, he is only available to play Wednesday and Saturday.
Taylor Teagarden (C) – Teagarden is likely going to be sent to the AFL to get some work in on his defense. Don’t expect to see too much of him though. As a “taxi squad” member, he is only available to play Wednesday and Saturday.
German Duran (2B) – A prospect that most prospect heads whiffed on (But not me, as I listed Duran on my top 30 Rangers Prospects) Teagarden is likely going to be sent to the AFL to get some work in on his defense. Don’t expect to see too much of him though. As a “taxi squad” member, he is only available to play Wednesday and Saturday.
Morisato's Minor League Positiional And Pitching Players Of The Year
Pitcher - Eric Hurley (RHP).
Hurley has done nothing but perform since he began the year and after dominating the Texas League, he was promoted to Oklahoma, where he held his own. Hurley is likely entering his last year on the farm and could be in Arlington as soon as June.
Also Considered...
Omar Poveda (RHP) - The big Venezuelan was the Lumberkings Ace before he was promoted to Bakersfield. All in all, he made great strides and could be on the way up, especially since his stuff has gained velocity.
Kasey ####r (LHP) - Last year's number one pick has done nothing but domiante. While he's been wild at times, he's also been very good. It should be interesting to see what he does in Bakersfield next year.
Zach Philips (LHP) - Another Bakersfield bound lefty, Philips has quietly had an excellent season and helped provide Clinton with another solid lefty in the middle of the rotation.
Brendan Garr (RHP) - Once thought to be an intruiguing arm, Garr is looking more and more like a bonafide closer candidate in the future.
Michael Main (RHP) - Main has been very good and has vaulted himself higher in the eyes of the organization than local boy Blake Beaven.
Positional Player - Chris Davis (3B)
Davis has rapidly turned into Texas' top positional player and power hitter. While the Strikeout totals and defensive errors are a bit of a concern, the power is real and in time, he could turn into a beast at first base.
Also Considered...
Taylor Teagarden (C) - Teagarden lost a year due to Tommy John, but has since returned to show that his Gold Glove defense is still intact. Even better, his bat has come to life and he's shown legitimate power to go with his high walk totals. It could get interesting a can couple of years between Teagarden and Saltalamacchia, a nice problem to have.
John Whittleman (3B) - Another talented third baseman, Whittleman was the Rangers' American Rep in the Future's Game and has made enormous strides with the bat. The power has come in as expected, though it has resulted in a strikeout increase. Still, all in all, Whittleman is looking very different from how he finished a year ago.
German Duran (2B) - A sleeper candidate, Duran has emerged to be one of the most unheralded middle infield prospects in the minor leagues. He's shown good range and solid hands along with a lot of thunder in his bat. Potentially, he's Jeff Kent, but without the stone hands.
Brandon Boggs (CF) - Boggs has also blossomed into a potential centerfielder of the future. While his age somewhat clouds his achievements, his numbers are good and should be taken seriously.
Potential Free Agent Musings
All signs are pointing for Torii Hunter to possibly head to Texas in the future via free agency, especially since he wants a five year deal worth $70 million. While I would be up for potentially sacrificing the second rounder for a need, Hunter isn't it.
Kosuke Fukudome, on the other hand, I'd be very interested in bringing over. The bat is legitimate and he'd be able to play centerfield for a couple of years, until first rounder Julio Borbon is ready, then he'd be able to slide over into a outfield corner. Fukudome would not only allow the Rangers to potentially move into the Asian Market, but also wouldn't cost a second round pick, allowing the Rangers to be able to still splurge in the draft.
Another Option I'd consider is possibly Mike Cameron, who would also be a short term solution that wouldn't break the bank, plus could see his numbers improve leaving Petco Park.
As for current Rangers, Brad Wilkerson and Jamey Wright, I would be okay bringing them back, a different stance then I had a couple of weeks ago. However, I would bring them back only on the condition that Wilkerson plays only first base and that Wright remains in the pen, where he's been...surprisingly competent.
Jason Jennings is done for the year, according to the Astros' offical website. Jennings has sustained damange to his pitching elbow and will undergo surgery in order to repair the damage. He hopes to return sometime next year.
This was a bad trade from the get go and one that the Astros surely regret now.
It's also exposed two things about the Astros, which should have been taken in mind:
The Misguided Concept Of Being In Contention. The Astros fogired that they would be able to contend again this year, after seeing the losses sustained by St. Louis. They did, however, ignore the improvements of both Milwaukee and Chicago and maybe were counting on one last little bit of magic to make the run at the end of the year. They also felt a bit too much faith in their current club, which had holes as of last semester and many of them went untouched in the Astros' attempt to rebuild themselves.
The Misakes In Evaluating Talent And Improvements. The Astros also failed to properly assess their own in house supply of talent. The Astros didn't have the confidence in Andy Pettitte's elbow to hold up and they also didn't value Hirsh highly enough to actually give him a shot in the rotation. They also pinned a great deal of hopes and dreams on Jason Lane and Morgan Ensberg regaining their All-Star forms of 2005, which is rapidly looking to be an anomoly instead of a breakout.
This only adds the icing to the cake of the disaster that is the 2007 Astros season.
The team has virtually self destructed. The bullpen, once a strength, is now visably weakened, despite the re-emergence of Brad Lidge. The lineup, despite the additions of Lee and Pence, hasn't produced much, with Chris Burke's, Brad Ausmus', Adam Everett's and Craig Biggio's amenic bats contributing to a low of the problem.
Hirsh was developed into what Jennings once was, Taveras has established himself as the Rockies' everyday centerfielder and is having a breakout year. Buchholz has been serviceable as a swingman and will likely succeed in that role.
In exchange, the Astros have not only lost a set of valuable players in exchange for a bill of false goods, they've also lost their draft picks thanks to the Lee and Williams signings and weren't even able to sign their top two draft picks. This doesn't supply any talent to an already taxed farm system that is devoid of almost any impact talent whatsoever.
I though that Tim Purpura was a smart man and was willing to give him a shot. Maybe the GM of the team knew more about his own players than I did and he was selling high on a set of questioanble group.
Nearly six months later, this trade stacks up against time.
Adam Dunn's time is running out, Rowand in DC, Jack Wilson heading to Detroit, More Trouble For Matt Bush, and the end of Gerald Laird's Ranger career, all coming up!
Adam Dunn May Be Done In Cincinnati
Adam Dunn may be in his last season with the Reds. It's not because of the strikeouts, or because of the Reds' woes, or even the fact that the Reds want to cut payroll to help supplement other areas of the staff.
It's because of Jay Bruce and Joey Votto.
Bruce is a talented Reds prospect is nearly ready after jumping several levels in the minor leagues and now holding his own in Triple A. He's got power, a solid eye, a capable defender and a good arm, all things that the Reds could use. As far as who he projects to be, Larry Walker is a common comparison.
Josh Hamilton has already established himself as the Reds' centerfielder, with Griffey holding down right field, which leaves left field as the only place for the uber-talented Bruce to start.
First base isn't an option either, beucase of Votto, a solid hitting first baseman that plays better defense than Dunn at first and blocks him.
Without the DH rule, that would render Dunn a very expensive bench player at $12 million.
However, the Reds won't let him leave without them getting something valuable back. It's possible that the Reds could pick up the option and look to trade Dunn this off-season, hopefully for much less than they asked the Angels when they looked into getting him.
A trade with the Rangers is possible because of the Rangers' needs for a first baseman/outfielder. However, the Rangers won't give up much for a one year rental, unless Dunn consents to an extension, which won't happen with free agent prices skyrocketing. Nor would the Rangers part with valueable prospects in return, in particular Eric Hurley and Taylor Teagarden, two of Texas' top prospects that the Reds would demand in return.
San Francisco may be a fit, as the Giants will need a power source on the team with Bonds not likely to return, however, prospects will be hard to exchange because the Giants have none and they will not consent to trading Jonathan Sanchez, a talented lefty that may be able to start that the Reds would target in return.
Were I to hazard a guess, the best fit for Dunn could be the Yankees, who need a first baseman not named Andy Phillips or god knows what else they've been running out there. They have the prospects to spare for Dunn, as they have several starting pitchers that could succeed in the National League that are of no use to them, and it wouldn't be a long term commitment, as the Yankees would be able to let Dunn go in order to pursue Braves first baseman Mark Teixeira.
Should be an interesting off-season in Cincinnati.
Monroe For Wilson Swap In The Works?
Detroit wants to find an NL club that is willing to take Craig Monroe, who was DFA'd, in parts of keeping him out of the AL.
Pittsburgh has been interested in Monroe in the past and would be willing to trade shortstop Jack Wilson if the Tigers pick up all of the $14.35 million remaining on the final two years of his three-year, $20.2 million contract.
The Tigers inquired about Wilson and nearly had a deal done for him at the deadline before talks fell apart becaue the Pirates asked for...Craig Monroe.
Surely the two clubs could work something out.
Rowand To DC?
Phillies center fielder Aaron Rowand is a free agent after the season, and while he hasn't revealed much on what he's doing after the season, he does like Washington, whom he feels is a up and coming team and will be a contender in a couple of years.
Rowand would be a solid addition to Washington and would be marketed as a face of the franchise and would be a team leader there.
However, I don't see it happening.
Washington is already experiencing a logjam in the outfield, with Wily Mo Pena, Ryan Church, Nook Logan, Austin Kearns and potentially Dmitri Young all vying for playing time.
Furthermore, Rowand will likely recieve more lucrative offers from his three top suitors, the Rangers, the Phillies, and the White Sox (not in that order.)
So as nice an idea it is, it won't happen.
More Trouble For Matt Bush
The Padres have confirmed that Matt Bush,the first overall pick in 2004, will need Tommy John Surgery on his pitching elbow, saying he should be good to go again in a year.
This is only the latest setback for Bush, who has been injury prone and under performed by the Padres, who took him instead of Tigers Ace Justin Verlander (fear of a holdout) and then Florida State shortstop Stephen Drew, who the scouts recommended to take, but were overruled because of cost. Also passed up was Jered Weaver, who fell to the Angels.
Bush was converted in June to pitching and has posted good results until recently, when in his Single-A debut for Fort Wayne, Indana on Thursday, Bush threw a pitch and reportedly ruptured a ligiment in his elbow and left.
It's unfortunate because Bush actually seemed to respond to the change, throwing a upper 90's fastball along with a promising curve.
Oh well.
Gerald Laird Is Available
Gerald Laird, the current Rangers catcher, is likely headed out of Arlington and headed elsewhere.
Laird likely was headed out anyhow, with the Rangers already having highly regarded catching prospect Taylor Teagarden coming on nicely, plus catcher Max Ramirez coming over in the Kenny Lofton deal.
However, with the acquisition of Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Laird's fate was sealed earlier. Salty has a solid bat, but it profiles better at catcher and ultimately, that's where he will remain, as the Rangers have put an emphasis at looking elsewhere for a first baseman. That means that Laird will be out of a job and likely out of Texas.
Laird should be very highly coveted, as there are very few young backstops available on the market. There will likely be interest from several teams, including Detroit, Pittsburgh, the Mets and Yankees, as well as the Cubs, who inquired about Laird shortly after the trade of Teixeira was made.
Okay, time to deal out final grades on the trade deadline for each assignment.
The Pittsburgh Pirates Acquire RHP Matt Morris From The San Francisco Giants For OF Rajai Davis And A Player To Be Named Later
This is probably the most puzzling deal of the deadline. The Pirates really didn’t need Morris, whose production had fallen fast and far as of late and what’s worse is that they’ll be assuming the entire contract remaining on him. Morris adds nothing really to the Pirates rotation except make it a lot more expensive. He’s also going to PNC Park, where he’ll get lit up a lot worse than he did at A####mp;T. As for the Giants, they get a fourth outfielder type in Davis, but the biggest coup is getting Morris’ salary off the books and allowing them to pursue a big bat. So far, the Giants will have a total of $29 million off the books, counting Bonds’ and Morris’ salary. Sexy! The only real criticism is that the Giants could have gotten something of consequence from another team if they had traded him two months earlier…maybe back to the Cardinals for the young Anthony Reyes, who needs to get out of Missouri.
Final Grade: Giants – B, Pirates – D
The Atlanta Braves Acquire LHP Royce Ring From The San Diego Padres For LHP’s Wil Ledezma and Will Startup
The Braves acquire more relief pitching, this time in Ring who may or may not be able to contribute something, but has options available, something Ledezma didn’t. The Padres get a solid lefty reliever in Ledezma, who will benefit from pitching in Petco, and anything from Startup is gravy.
Final Grade: Padres – B, Braves – B-
The Philadelphia Phillies Acquire RHP Julio Mateo From The Mariners For INF Jesus Mechan
What is it with the Phillies and acquiring ####s? Mateo, a known wife beater, should upgrade the pen somewhat. Thank god the Mariners were able to rid themselves of this ####.
Final Grade: Mariners – A+, Phillies – F
The Boston Red Sox Acquire RHP Eric Gagne From The Texas Rangers for LHP Kason Gabbard, OF David Murphy and OF Engel Beltre.
Another upside play here. The Red Sox gain Gagne, who has agreed to setup Jonathan Papelbon. The Rangers gain more parts to possibly rebuild their team from. Murphy can handle center and his bat is okay. He has good plate discipline, but not a lot of power despite his size. We'll see if he's another Rudy Jaramillo reclamation project here. Gabbard is a 4th starter with average stuff, but he does induce ground balls, a plus in Arlington, plus he's left handed. That leaves the Rangers with a lot of starting pitching options, with next year's rotaiton likely consisting of Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, Brandon McCarthy, Gabbard and Kameron Loe, though Eric Hurley may force someone to promote him. The biggest deal is Engle Beltre, one of the top prospects signed out of the Dominican Republic last season who is another toolsy player. He's got a ncie swing, a great arm, and loads of power potential. All in all, it's a good deal for Texas, who got parts for now and for later and could potential have a superstar in Beltre if they develop him right.
The San Diego Padres Acquire 3B Morgan Ensberg From The Houston Astros For PTBNL Or Cash
And this move was for…what? The Astros get to do good on their guy by flipping him elsewhere for a fringe prospect. And the Padres’ bench gets more and more cluttered.
Grade: Padres – C, Astros – D
The Chicago White Sox Acquire RHP Jon Link From The San Diego Padres For UTIL Rob Mackowiak
What the hell? Mackowiak was worth more than an average reliever in High A. I usually like to give Kenny Williams the benefit of the doubt, as he has done some good deals in the past and usually identifies prospects he feels will turn out well. But they could have gotten something better for Mackowiak, a solid utility guy with some thunder in his bat and his ability to play the infield and outfield corners. Nice job on San Diego getting some bench depth to help for the stretch run.
Final Grades: White Sox – C-, Padres – B+
The New York Yankees Acquire UTIL Wilson Betemit From The Los Angeles Dodgers For RHP Scott Proctor
A Rod Insurance. Pure and simple, though Betemit may finally end Joe Torre's fascination with Miguel Cairo. Betemit has some pop and can capably handle any of the infield positions. The Dodgers could have something with Proctor, who is a capable reliever and setup man, provided Joe Torre has not already destoryed his arm.
Final Grades: Dodgers - B, Yankees - B
The St. Louis Cardinals Acquire RHP Joel Pinero From The Boston Red Sox For PTBNL
Good job by the Cardinals, though I’m not sure what Pinero can do for them. Well, actually, Pinero could develop nicely if he listens to Dave Duncan and might recapture some of his old promise. It’s not a bad idea to give it a shot, especially for a PTBNL that won’t be of any consequence.
Final Grades: Cardinals – B-, Red Sox – C-
The Houston Astros acquire 3B Ty Wigginton from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays for RHP Dan Wheeler.
Not a bad job here by Houston. Wigginton is a above average bat that can produce at third without killing the defense. The Devil Rays enhance their bullpen by acquiring Wheeler, a solid setup man with closing experience that was a part of the first every Devil Ray draft way back when. All in all, this helps both teams.
Final Grades: Astros – B, Devil Rays – B
The Philadelphia Phillies acquire RHP Kyle Lohse from the Cincinnati Reds for LHP Matt Maloney
A decent trade. Lohse should help the Phillies with their current pitching problems and gives them a capable Number Five guy in the back of the rotation. In return, the Reds get a decent prospect in Maloney, who could develop into what Lohse was. Not a bad trade.
Final Grades: Phillies – B, Reds – B
The New York Mets acquire 2B Luis Castillo from the Minnesota Twins for C Drew Butera and OF Dustin Martin
This was a great trade for the Mets, as Castillo can help them now and they’ll be able to reap draft pick compensation from him once he leaves. As for the Twins, nice job on getting organizational filler that will be playing in the American Association in two years.
Final Grades: Mets – A, Twins – F
The Atlanta Braves acquire RHP Octavio Dotel From The Kansas City Royals for RHP Kyle Davies
I don’t get this deal at all. Davies has flopped since coming up the Big Leagues and has struggled against National League lineups. His command is awful and he gets hit hard by opposing hitters. I don’t know what the Hell Kansas City was thinking. They could have gotten OF Wladimir Balentien, a solid prospect that helps them immediately from the Mariners. What were they smoking?! This is yet another reason why the Royals remain the Royals.
Okay, time to play some transactions catchup. Here’s what I’ve got:
The San Diego Padres trade RHP Scott Linebrink to the Milwaukee Brewers for RHP Will Inman, LHP Steve Garrison and LHP Joe Thatcher
This was kind of weird deal considering that neither team needed to upgrade it’s bullpen, as both San Diego and Milwaukee are both pretty good as far as firemen go. In any case, the Brewers did this banking on Mike Maddux’s ability to bring guys back around to form, which is what they’re hoping he’ll do with Linebrink. If they’re successful, then they’ll not only have a solid 7th inning guy to bridge to Francisco Cordero, but they can also reap draft pick compensation rewards, as getting Linebrink back to form will result in him being classified a Type A free agent. And they really didn’t give up a lot to do it. Inman is the biggest part of the deal, but really, he’s kind of a odd prospect, as he’s purely performance and very little as far as stuff. Still, in that wonky stadium, he could succeed and be a 4th man in the rotation. Thatcher will be replacing Linebrink in the bullpen and profiles similarly as such and Garrison is regarded to be a sort of long shot prospect that no one really expect much greatness out of.
Overall, what we have here is a collection of players that have kinda been rendered expendable by each organization, but San Diego comes out a bit ahead because of the salary relief, though I will say this. They could have gotten a whole lot more had they decided to deal Linebrink just a half season earlier.
Overall: Padres - B, Brewers - B-
The Texas Rangers trade CF Kenny Lofton to the Cleveland Indians for C Max Ramirez
This was probably the best the Rangers could do, with the lack of centerfield interest on the market. Nonetheless, they did do well, as Ramirez is a solid young catcher currently hitting .303 with 12 homers, 62 RBI’s and a good strikeout to talk ration (nearly 1 to 1). Ramirez is said to be able to hit pretty well, but he’s raw at catcher, though he’s improved enough where he’ll likely be able to stick. As for the Indians, they gain a versatile corner outfielder with speed and discipline that should make their lineup a little more free swinging. A trade that worked well for both parties.
Overall: Rangers – B, Indians – B
The Chicago White Sox trade 2B Tadahito Iguchi to the Philadelphia Phillies for RHP Michael Dubee
Kind of a disappointing trade for the White Sox. They traded Iguchi, one of their players that did merit interest from around the league for a Low A reliever. It would have been better to hold onto Iguchi and simply reap the Type B draft pick that they would have merited in exchange for him. The deals works well for the Phillies, who get a filler for the moment with Chase Utley out that can hit a bit.
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired shortstop Cesar Izturis and cash considerations from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for a player to be named.
What the hell is this supposed to do?
Izturis has hit .246 with no home runs and 8 RBI's for the Cubs. Jack Wilson, the Pirates' current shortstop, has hit .254 with 4 home runs and 28 RBI's. Both are mostly regarded to be powerless offensive players that are excellent defenders, though Izturis has a bit more speed.
Was this supposed to push Jack Wilson in some way, possibly give him the idea that his job is in danger?
Who knows?
At least he came cheap for the Pirates, unlike the Cubs.
The Cubs gave up Greg Maddux in return for him, a costly price when the Cubs should have pushed for more in return for their Hall of Famer.
Oh well. It's a questionable move on both parts, but I guess it's just Lou Pinella further pushing players he doesn't want out of the clubhouse.
Just in case you're wonder who's already fallen victim...
Matt Murton (LF) - It's almost sad to see what has happened to him. The Pirates should have asked for Murton too, while they were at it.
Jacque Jones (RF) - Chicago ####ked up. They should have sold high this off-season. They didn't. Now they're stuck with him and this situation could get ugly.
Michael Barrett (C) - Barrett has played better since leaving Chicago, even though he's now splitting time on a regular basis with Josh Bard.
Right now, according to Rosenthal, the trade isn't set until the commissioner's office approves the cash transferred, but more than likely it'll happen.
Barrett is an offensive minded catcher in the middle of a down cycle. His defense isn't great, but it's passable as long as he gets to hit. Barrett will team up with Josh Bard, who is having some trouble adjusting to a full catchers load, similar to what the Padres fielded last year with Mike Piazza, giving the Padres a solid power presence at catcher. The defense won't be great, but it'll be passable, as I said.
As for the Cubbies, the deal isn't so much as about who they're getting back, as Bowen is going to be strictly a defensive catcher, as on who they're getting back in return, Kyler Burke, who was rated to be one of the Padres Top Ten Prospects (though that's not saying much) and has the potential to be a stud right fielder and a middle of the order beast.
Unfortuantely, he's playing in the lowest dredges of Class A ball.
Anyhow, either way, it's probably the best the Cubs could do in terms of trade value for Barrett, as they were pretty much forced to move him due to his deteroirating relationship with staff aces Carlos Zambrano and Rich Hill.
And the Padres, who likely will let Barrett walk and gain the draft pick compensation, will have a stop gap in the meantime that will let them add power to an otherwise powerless lineup.
Why the Angels need to trade Ervin Santana, is Miguel Cabrera the second coming of Mo Vaughn, why Brett Tomko shouldn't have been sent to the rotation, and 2007 Free Agency Bargain Bin Pitchers.
Angels Need To Trade Santana Soon
The Angels would probably be wise to trade Ervin Santana now, as cracks are appearing in his trade value.
Santana is a talented young pitcher that has been shopped often. It's beginning to show why, however?
Outside of Angels Stadium, Santana morphs into Jeff Weaver and gets killed. Take a look at his splits for this season.
Home - 3-1, 2.33 ERA
Away - 0-4, 7.86 ERA
That's horrible. Jeff Weaver horrible. Well, maybe not that bad.
But the fact of the matter is that Santana may not be the young ace in the making that we think he is.
At least, not in the American League.
In the National League, I think Santana could really blossom. With lineups that are less potent, more pitcher friendly stadiums (Busch, Petco, Shea, Dolphin, Turner, and Dodger Stadiums, just to name a few), we could see Santana maintain more of his dominance and be a perennial All-Star. True, he would get killed in other parks (Coors and Minutemaid would be where Santana would probably be in trouble), but overall, a move to the National League would be beneficial.
Where would he fit best?
The Angels want a bat in return for Santana and are probably hoping to cash in on a trade, similar to what Oakland did when they traded Mark Mulder to the Cardinals. I don't think they'll get that much, nor do I think they'll get what they would have last season. However, if the Rockies would be willing to eat enough of Todd Helton's contract, or if the DBacks are willing to part with one of their talented young hitters, or even if Omar Minaya or John Schurholz is willing to part with a regular (Lasting Milledge would probably be enough to get a deal done), I think that the Angels would do well in terms of return on their investment.
The Second Coming Of Mo Vaughn?
You all remember Mo Vaughn, right guys? The Red Sox slugger that practically ate his way out of the league by 30 or so?
Apparently, Miguel Cabrera is following the same route.
Cabrera, according to Baseball Reference.com, was 185 when he entered the league. He has since added on a whopping 55 pounds since then. Several scouts have said that at this point, Cabrera might need to consider another position change, probably first base, or be traded to the American League where he can DH.
First base wouldn't be a bad option for him, where he would rival Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman as the most dangerous first baseman in the league. This would likely interest Omar Minaya, who could replace Carlos Delgado in a few years with Cabrera, giving him a potent offense force in the lineup.
Tomko Heading Back To The Pen
Remember last year, when Brett Tomko talked about how glad he was to be moved into the pen and how he spoke about how he would like to be a closer.
Well, he wasn't glad about being asked to move again.
Tomko walked past reporters without a word after telling a Dodgers public relations official that he didn't have time to talk about it.
And realistically, the Dodgers shouldn't have been putting Tomko out to start to begin with. He was surprisingly capable as a setup man/middle reliever and the fact that the Dodgers sent Chad Billingsley to the bullpen instead of Tomko is just bad roster management.
Hong-Chih Kuo will move into the rotation if his next start at triple-A Las Vegas goes well.
For everyone who wants to take a chance on some of these less than stellar members of a rotation, here's who's available.
Rodrigo Lopez (Rockies) – Lopez was traded in his final year of arbitration to the Rockies, where so far he’s been solid for the Rockies…when healthy. However, there is still enough doubt about Lopez that he belongs down here.
Byung-Hyun Kim (Marlins) – Kim received interest in the fact that he’s a fairly decent, fairly durable pitcher that can function as a fifth starter. He’ll get work this off-season,
Jeff Weaver (Mariners) – It’s starting to get a little old with the bad Weaver. But someone will take a chance on him because of his age, potential, and out of need.
Jaret Wright (Orioles) – It’s over for Wright as any more than a fifth starter, where his durability as well as his ability won’t hurt the team as much. However, expect some team to overpay for his services, as they will see Wright as a reclamation project that could pay big dividends. Hmmm, the Cardinals could come calling.
Wade Miller (Cubs) – The Cubbies took a flyer on Miller and the result was a solid Spring Training and little else.
Kip Wells (Cardinals) – Depending on what the hell happens with this season, Wells could see the interest in him build. How much depends on his performance. People still feel he’s got great stuff, but honestly, Wells seems to almost invent ways to lose games. He will find work, but whether it’s on a major league deal is to be decided.
Odalis Perez (Royals) – [If $9MM club option is declined.] Perez is a average fifth starter that would probably be better suited for the NL than the AL. His stuff is rather mediocre and he seems to get by more on luck than skill. I do expect the Royals to exercise his option, as they really lack any decent options for the rotation, even with Luke Hochevar doing good things in the minors.
Victor Zambrano (Blue Jays) – Zambrano is an average stuff kind of guy that could pull his weight as the fourth man in the rotation. It all depends on how well he bounces back from TJ. So far, the results have been…not pretty.
Eric Milton (Reds) – Yeah, I doubt that there will be much interest in Milton at the moment, considering how badly he’s pitched. in the past few years.
Matt Clement (Red Sox) – Don’t know what happened to Clement. One moment he was awesome, the next moment he was awful and relegated to the bullpen. Clement will find takers thanks to his past history of success, but as to how much those takers are willing to offer is a different matter all together.
John Thomson (Blue Jays) – Thomson, at this point of his career, looks done. I don’t see him getting anything more than a minor league contract, though Ranger Fans should always hold a debt of gratitude toward him. The compensation pick that was received for Thomson was spent on Texas’ top prospect, Eric Hurley.
David Wells (Padres) – At Well’s age and with his current health concerns, he’s likely going to hang it up.
That's all I got, see you next week unless the Fort Worth Star Telegram goes nuts again.
