The Official Hot Stove thread

[Lefty]

• While the Yankees already have rotation issues, it appears their attempt to resign Jon Leiber might be a bit more difficult than previously thought, according to the New York Post.

Free agent pitcher Carl Pavano has already indicated through his agent the Yankees will have to shore up their rotation before they see his signature on a pinstriped contract. Now, the ripple effect of the Mets signing Kris Benson might find its way over to the Bronx.


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Lieber's price may have increased yesterday when the Mets gave Kris Benson a three-year deal worth $22.5 million. The Yankees declined to pick up an $8 million option on Lieber with the hope they could do a two-year deal for around $12 million to $13 million.

In the wake of the Benson signing it may take more to keep Lieber in pinstripes.
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While the names of southpaws like Randy Johnson, Eddie Guardado, Eric Milton, Rheal Cormier, Steve Kline, et al have reportedly drawn the interest of GM Brian Cashman, the name of a former UMass pitcher has surfaced.


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The Yankees also are interested in lefty Ron Villone, a 34-year-old product of Bergen County who turned in a stellar season for the miserable Mariners a year ago. However, the Mariners aren't willing to go above the $2 million a year that the Cubs gave Glendon Rusch yesterday for the versatile Villone.
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As a result of the Yankees' interest in Villone, a name cited in the list above could drop off.


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The Yankees fancy Villone over St. Louis' Steve Kline because they believe Villone is more durable.
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Meanwhile, agent Scott Boras is keeping mum on negotiations for Carlos Beltran — at least as it pertains to the Yankees.


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"They have sworn me to secrecy," Boras said. "Let's just say they are doing what they have to do."
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The New York Post reports Mets GM Omar Minaya is starting to sound like a broken record.


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It's clear there will be changes in Metland. Minaya repeated a comment he made during the recent GM meetings, "Our policy is nobody's untouchable."
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That means Mike Piazza will probably be moving on once a deal can be worked out with an interested team and that also means that Sammy Sosa could wind up at Shea.
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The Palm Beach Post reports the Marlins see the writing on the wall and are preparing for life without free agent Carl Pavano — and they're getting creative in the process.


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Al Leiter, a Weston resident and former Marlin who has announced plans to retire after the 2005 season, received a one-year contract offer from the Marlins, a source with knowledge of the situation confirmed. The Marlins also have talked to Leiter, 39, about doing broadcast work for the team after he retires, the source said.
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"It's somewhat of a long shot, but it wouldn't shock me,'' the source said of Florida's chances of landing Leiter. It's a long shot because the Marlins are competing with the New York Mets and Yankees. Boston and Philadelphia also are expected to pursue him. The Mets bought out Leiter 's $10.2 million option with a goal of re-signing him for less.
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In a surprising turn of events, the Mets could find themselves looking for more than just one arm to replace Al Leiter, the New York Daily News reports.


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"I told my agent that I want to play for a team that really needs me and where I can start regularly," said Jae Weong Seo, who returned to Korea last week for a two-month visit. "It is not very important whether it is in the United States or in Korea. If they really need me, I will consider returning to Korea. I expect the decision will come in December or January."
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Seo apparently is not enthralled with pitching coach Rick Peterson, nor of the Mets plans to supplant him from the rotation in favor of Victor Zambrano.

In other Mets news, free agent outfielder Richard Hidalgo is drawing interest from the Rangers and the Brewers.

 

[Lefty]

By Peter Gammons
Special to ESPN.com



Nov. 24

There were several rumblings throughout baseball this week that the Yankees want to make a Thanksgiving surprise similar to the one that brought Curt Schilling to the Red Sox over Shonda Schilling's cooking. The deal primarily would involve Javier Vazquez and would be enticing to Randy Johnson because the Yankees would guarantee at least one more year on the Hall of Famer's contract.


But what makes no sense is Arizona taking on Vazquez. Wink, wink  we know the Yankees would take on some of the money, but Vazquez has $25M guaranteed in 2006 and 2007. Now, the Diamondbacks likely will be worse than any of Vazquez's Expos teams, so he'll demand a trade at the end of the '05 season. If he has a good year, Arizona will be embarrassed. If he has a bad year, he will be virtually untradable at that price. Then there's the matter of Diamondbacks owner Jeff Moorad being the agent Vazquez fired.


Since the Yankee farm system is thin near the top, one talent solution is for the Diamondbacks to get Tom Gordon and Kenny Lofton, then spin Gordon off to either the Indians or Cubs, two of the richest organizations in young talent, and Lofton to the Phillies or Giants for a third prospect.


The D-Backs have looked at other alternatives, in St. Louis, Anaheim and Los Angeles, to name three. The White Sox were the most aggressive early with Paul Konerko, Jon Garland and minor-league center fielder Brian Anderson, but it is highly unlikely Johnson would go to the South Side of Chicago.


Reading between the lines


Pedro Martinez's open begging to George Steinbrenner is unseemly at best, and  well, to recall Peter Townsend's greatest song ("I see right through your plastic mac")  is such an obvious attempt to get the Red Sox to negotiate against themselves after making an offer than guarantees $27.5M for two years and likely will be moved to three and $39M if he agrees. Martinez was quoted as equating his salary to respect, which is far, far away from the Pedro Martinez values that build schools, churches and housing for his neighbors in Montaguayabo in the Dominican Republic.


As Vazquez makes little sense for the financially bereft Diamondbacks, so New York is the absolute worst idea for Martinez. He is a Hall of Famer, but he is also extremely sensitive, and in New York, once the season starts, he will be simply treated as a mercenary and subject to far greater criticism and scrutiny than he's ever experienced in Boston. But if it's only about money, then agent Fern Cuza can deal with the circumstances.


Boston is assuming Pedro is dead serious, so the Red Sox are proceeding with talks for Carl Pavano, Brad Radke (most likely returning to the Twins), Matt Clement, Jon Lieber, Odalis Perez, Jaret Wright, et al.


With the Martinez and Jason Varitek negotiations (with Scott Boras), the Red Sox are running a feeling off the World Series championship that the Boston franchise is dripping with cash. Then, in the midst of the debates with Boras about franchise worth, etc., ownership announced a ticket-price hike, taking box seats that eight years ago were $22 all the way to $85.

The Sox believe the Varitek negotiations could go all the way to Dec. 19, the date on which a free agent can accept or deny arbitration. For now, Boras isn't budging off five years and something north of an annual average over $10M (Boston is at 4/$36-39M), and isn't tipping his hand on whether or not the Angels are big-time players, which would allow them to trade the moveable contract of Bengie Molina.


And if Boston lost Varitek? Mike Matheny is a free-agent option. The Red Sox called about Paul LoDuca, but Florida has no interest in trading him.

The long offseason


The early signings of mid-level players have reinforced many general managers' notion that the free agent period will extend well into January and perhaps February. On the day pitchers and catchers report, one can see Carlos Beltran standing at the train station humming, "there's a train either way, leaving every day..."


Troy Percival: 2 years, $12 million. Omar Vizquel: 3 years, $12.25 million. Cristian Guzman: 4 years, $16.8 million. Vinny Castilla: 2 years, $6.2 million. &
"I don't blame Armando Benitez and Orlando Cabrera to be asking what they're now asking for," says one GM. "Does that mean they'll get it? We'll see."

Says another GM: "I wouldn't be surprised to see the Tigers extend wildly on Troy Glaus and a Carl Pavano. The mid-market teams (who were the focus of the last collective bargaining agreement) could drive some prices up through the clouds."


Agents look at the industry and see a boom. The percentage of revenues spent on player salaries in 2005 will have gone to 50 percent, down 5 percent for the fourth straight season, and a very good indicator considering the owners proposed 55 percent in their salary-cap suggestion in the 1994 negotiations. Boston's ownership has stated that it doesn't want to go over the luxury tax threshold again  as it did in 2004, along with the Yankees and Angels. But staying under that $128 million threshold may be impossible. If the Red Sox go to $140 million, they would have to pay 30 percent on $12 million  as opposed to the 22.5 percent they paid going over last season  because they will be over the threshold for the second year.


If the Brewers give 35-year-old Damian Miller three years and the Nationals go to three on Paul Wilson, why shouldn't Jon Lieber, Matheny, Martinez, Varitek and others shoot for what they believe is fair?


"There may be some bargains when some free agents are left out," says one GM. "But if you want to sign players early, you'll have to do so in a sellers' market. The agents right now can and will set the price."


The Tigers have had to overpay, but Dave Dombrowski is close to having one of the game's best baseball cities back in the high life, again. Detroit's attendance rose from 1.37 million (second worst) in 2003, to 1.92 million in 2004. While the farm system is being reconstructed and Dombrowski has struck gold with signings (Pudge Rodriguez), trades(Carlos Guillen, Jeremy Bonderman) and Rule V thefts (Chris Shelton, Wilfredo Ledesma), for the Tigers to get to the 2.5 million fans requires a few more name player acquisitions.


Dombrowski scored a major coup last month luring scouting director David Chadd away from Boston. Chadd is one of the game's best talent evaluators, and not only is he further empowered in Detroit, he was attracted by the loyalty that most Dombrowski employees feel toward their boss.


Those 119 losses are out of the view of the rearview mirror.


Diamond Notes
How great is this: The producers of "West Wing" are getting several items of interest from the Eastern League champion New Hampshire Fisher Cats for upcoming episodes. Josiah Bartlet (Martin Sheen) is, of course, from a small town in New Hampshire. The only thing wrong is that in the last 40 years, the only states to have produced presidents are Georgia, Arkansas, Texas and California. ... Those who want to put Nomar Garciaparra in a time capsule should note that in the last two seasons  yes, including 2004  he is first among shortstops in OPS and slugging and second in homers, batting average and total bases. If Seattle or Anaheim doesn't swoop in, it's a matter of how much he gets from the Cubs on a one-year make good contract. ... Two different teams rate the best and worst farm systems the same in terms of current talent under the major league level. Best: Minnesota, Oakland, Anaheim and Atlanta. Worst: Philadelphia, Kansas City, the Yankees and St. Louis, although the Cardinals have some high-ceiling prospects like RHP Anthony Reyes and C Daric Barton. ... When having fun with the theatrics surrounding Boras at the GM meetings, the management slams at Boras  that Kevin Millwood turned down a long-term deal with the Phillies and ended up with arbitration and his current lessened market, and that Greg Maddux turned down a long-term offer, took arbitration and settled for less with the Cubs  lampooned the often-exagerrated public dialogue between baseball's No. 1 agent and clubs. In reality, the offers Millwood had were from clubs for whom he didn't want to pitch, and he didn't want to risk staying in Philadelphia too long if certain situations were remedied. As for Maddux, his offers two years ago were from teams for whom he chose not to pitch. At the GM meetings last November, the Red Sox approached Boras on Maddux before the Curt Schilling deal, but Maddux had no interest in Boston, or, really, the American League. ... Calls keep coming to the A's about their three veteran starters, and Billy Beane will continue to stack up the best offers  low cost, low service time, high ceiling  while also trying to quickly resolve his catching issue, which could be done soon.

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

By Peter Gammons
Special to ESPN.com



Nov. 24

There were several rumblings throughout baseball this week that the Yankees want to make a Thanksgiving surprise similar to the one that brought Curt Schilling to the Red Sox over Shonda Schilling's cooking. The deal primarily would involve Javier Vazquez and would be enticing to Randy Johnson because the Yankees would guarantee at least one more year on the Hall of Famer's contract.


But what makes no sense is Arizona taking on Vazquez. Wink, wink  we know the Yankees would take on some of the money, but Vazquez has $25M guaranteed in 2006 and 2007. Now, the Diamondbacks likely will be worse than any of Vazquez's Expos teams, so he'll demand a trade at the end of the '05 season. If he has a good year, Arizona will be embarrassed. If he has a bad year, he will be virtually untradable at that price. Then there's the matter of Diamondbacks owner Jeff Moorad being the agent Vazquez fired.

Heh, thanks, I needed a laugh. The Diamondbacks of the next few years are going to be worse than the Expos of the past few years? Give me a break. There's two reasons why we won't...

1. We actually have a little money to spend. For one, we actually have an owner and are still a mid-sized market with a mid-sized payroll. Plus, bad contracts are starting to come off the books and the Diamondbacks have some cash (but not a lot) to actually make improvements where as the Expos did not.

2. We actually have a farm system. Rank of 2004 Expos system by Baseball America? Dead last. 2003? 29th. The Diamondbacks farm system as of late has been one of the strengths of the organization. It ranked 13th last year, and with strong performances by Jackson and Quinten this year, plus a very strong draft with getting the #1 position player in the draft (although not signed yet), and an absolute steal in Zerengue (ranked 3rd best collegiate hitter in the draft by BA), that ranking will go up.

Not everything is doom and gloom

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Well, the Expos usually won about 70 games a season when Vazquez was there so it wouldn't be completely out of the realm to say that we'll be comparable over the next two years. But to say we'll be far worse is idiotic. And Coyotefan is right, unlike the Expos we have certain pieces in place down the road which the Expos do not which is why they just spent way too muh money on average players like Vinnie Castilla and Cristian Guzman. Gamo must be thinking the new management is going to take a page from the Cleveland Indians book of management and sit back and let the farm system get here before spending money as many sugggested we do. But from all indications that's not going to happen (Clayton rumor, Glaus and Russ Ortiz visits) so may actually be more competitive than Gammons thinks.

Also, anyone who likes the hot stove league should be reading Ken Rosenthal over at Sporting News as often, if not more so than Gammons. For one, he's not a complete homer of a certain team and he has an ear to many MLB teams, including ones that aren't on the East Coast. Second, this offseason he has nailed every offseason manuever before ESPN did such as the Jose Guillen and Jason Kendall trades.

But back to Troy Glaus and Russ Ortiz, I guess this means the writing is on the wall for Sexson. I like Ortiz and he will probably be the inning-eater we have lacked at the middle of our rotation for years, but I don't think he's going to put up great numbers. If he's willing to take a decent contract I'd be okay with it but remember, any pitcher who gets worse under Leo Mazzone and Bobby Cox must have something wrong with them. Glaus is a very talented player and would replace Sexson in every offensive way but with better base running so I wouldn't object to bringing him in. But with Sexson there are injury concerns. Beware, Glaus hasn't played a full year since 2002 and is coming off of a shoulder surgery.

 

[Lefty]

- The Globe is reporting that Pedro is likely gone if rumors of the Yankees offer are true:


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If the Yankees offer Martinez a four-year deal worth $50 million to $60 million (as has been variously reported and refuted), his sensational run with the Sox could be over. The Sox have given every indication they are dead set against bidding higher than their perceived estimate of Martinez's value and appear likely to step aside if the Yankees, Mets, Angels, or Cardinals, among other potential suitors, push the price for the three-time Cy Young Award winner beyond their predetermined range.

Epstein has not commented on Martinez's situation, but some Sox officials privately bristled when they perceived, after they sweetened their initial offer last week, that Martinez had portrayed the Yankees as more interested in him than they may have been to try to drive up Boston's price. The Sox seemed to respond to Martinez's characterization of the Yankees' involvement by presenting him their enhanced offer, which he left on the table.

Martinez initially spurned a two-year proposal worth $25.5 million with a $13 million option for 2007 and $2 million in potential performance bonuses. He also remains unswayed by their latest offer.
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- However, Pedro could also be headed to the Mets, as Omar Minaya is getting serious about pursuing him:


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A Boston Herald report indicated the Mets have interest in Pedro Martinez. In response, one Mets official said about Minaya: "He's not going to leave any stone unturned."
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New York Daily News


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The Mets have joined the table in the hunt for Pedro Martinez [stats, news].

Over the weekend, the Mets conveyed to the free agent that they had significant interest in signing him, multiple baseball sources said yesterday. .
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Other teams contacted Martinez soon after he filed for free agency earlier this month, but the Mets' recent entry introduces a wealthy candidate for Martinez' services in a market that has been slow to develop and has been relatively quiet until the Yankees got into the action last week.
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Like the Yankees, the Mets have yet to make an offer to Martinez, leaving the Red Sox all alone in putting an offer on the table for the right-hander. Skepticism remains in some quarters as to how sincere the attraction is between Martinez and Steinbrenner, but if the Yankees are unable to consummate the trade they are seeking with Arizona for Randy Johnson, their sincerity would quickly be put to the test in the form of an offer to Martinez.

With the cross-borough rival Mets now in the mix, there is no telling how the Yankees will react. But until the existence of a competitive offer is known, it would make little sense to expect the Red Sox to dramatically alter their current one.
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Boston Herald


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According to industry sources, the Mets have not ruled themselves out of the Big Dog Sweepstakes and that means they are very much interested in free agents like Pedro and centerfield kingpin Carlos Beltran.

The big thinking in Metland is that they might as well go after the big names, since they are big market. The Mets have had their eye on Pedro since July and now with Omar Minaya running the show the interest in Martinez has increased.

Over the weekend, according to the Boston Herald, the Mets conveyed to the free agent that they had significant interest in signing him.

Pedro MET-inez makes sense on several levels: Martinez would become the Mets' ace and finally give them a power pitcher. Pedro would welcome a return to the no-DH world of the NL. And Mets fans, who thoroughly despise Yankee fans, would greet him with open arms.
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New York Post


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Clearly, Martinez becoming a Yankee is gaining steam even if many believe it's a ploy on both sides to drive up the price on the Red Sox.
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New York Post


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While the Yankees continue the internal debate about signing Pedro Martinez, the Boston Globe reported on Tuesday that Martinez was extremely impressed by the Yankees during his meeting with George Steinbrenner and other executives in Tampa, Fla.

Martinez also was quoted as saying he had "a very pleasant" encounter with Derek Jeter during his two-hour visit to Legends Field.

The Boston Red Sox have reportedly upped their offer to nearly $40 million for three years, but the Yankees have talked about extending a four-year, $50 million offer.
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NorthJersey.com

- However, it still seems that Pedro is going to stay in Boston at this point:


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Regardless, Martinez appears ticketed for a return to Boston.
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New York Daily News


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Still, the sides continue to discuss terms and length, and a source said that progress has been made and that the Red Sox remain Martinez' preferred destination.

The Red Sox have not guaranteed a third year in their offer to Martinez, but they have sweetened a third option year to the point where it will be easier to attain. The guaranteed portion is believed to have remained at a total of $25.5 million, but the guaranteed annual average value is still not high enough to suit Martinez.

Reports of Martinez seeking a $15 million average annual value, the same that Kevin Brown of the Yankees has, are overstating the case. While Martinez would likely be hard-pressed to walk away from just such an offer, it is not believed to be a figure that he is demanding, asking for or expecting at this point.
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Boston Herald

- Meanwhile, the Orlando Cabrera situation is getting interesting. A day after the Globe reported this,


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The day after Orlando Cabrera beat his world champion teammates to meeting President Bush, Cabrera's agent said the Red Sox had yet to express any interest in re-signing the shortstop.

"Is he disappointed?" Cabrera's agent, Dan Lozano, said last night. "Sure, he's disappointed. But he's a big boy, he understands the business side of it."

Lozano said he twice left messages with the Sox but had yet to hear from them.
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the Red are saying that's simply not true:


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The Sox were surprised that Lozano was quoted as saying team officials had not returned his two phone calls and that he was uncertain what Boston's agenda was in filling its need for a shortstop. Sox officials said Epstein spoke with Lozano during the general managers' meetings in Key Biscayne, Fla., earlier this month and made clear the team's interest in trying to re-sign Cabrera.
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Boston Globe

- The Sox would want Cabs back for a one year deal, but it's unlikely that he would agree to that, according to the Herald:


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It is no wonder they want to keep him, but they have little interest in anything beyond a one-year deal and their fear is that his monetary demands may be too rich for their taste. A one-year arbitration deal would be amenable from the team's perspective but Cabrera and his agents can be expected to make that Plan P or Q in their winter game plan.
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- Meanwhile, Carl Pavano might be making his decision in a few weeks, report the New York Times:


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"It's very possible a deal could be done during the winter meetings," Shapiro said.

Shapiro said he believed the Red Sox could sign Pavano and Pedro Martínez to support Schilling at the front of the rotation. "I got the sense the issue of Pedro is not related to the issue of Carl," Shapiro said. "But the Red Sox are the ones who could answer that."
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The Red Sox are looking to deal Doug Mientkiewitz, says the St. Paul Pioneer Press:


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Word in Boston is that the Red Sox are trying to dump the $4.5 million contract ex-Twin Doug Mientkiewicz has for next season.
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But it's unlikely that he would be replaced by Troy Glaus, who apparently does not want to play first base, say the LA Times:


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Even though several teams, including the New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles, are believed to have expressed interest in acquiring the free-agent third baseman and moving him across the infield, the agent for Glaus said it was unlikely that his client would consent to switching positions.
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- However, the same article continues:


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Seattle, Detroit, Milwaukee and Boston reportedly are interested in Glaus as a third baseman
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- And finally, while the Yankees still would love to have Randy Johnson, the likelihood of that happening appears to be slim:


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Early in the day, sources indicated a deal to move Johnson from Arizona to the Yankees could be consummated as soon as today. By last night, however, other sources said the trade was off because the Yankees were backing away from dealing so many of their prospects, as well as Javier Vazquez, to the Diamondbacks, and also because of the expensive outlay of dollars through 2006 they would have to make to get Johnson to the Big Apple.
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Boston Herald

 

[Lefty]

On Cold Pizza this morning they were saying that the Red Sox and Diamondbacks are in discussion about trading RJ for Arroyo, Lester and another player.

I wonder if RJ would accept a deal to Boston?

 

[Brandon_Webb]

On Cold Pizza this morning they were saying that the Red Sox and Diamondbacks are in discussion about trading RJ for Arroyo, Lester and another player.

I wonder if RJ would accept a deal to Boston?

Holy crap, RJ and Curt re-united. That would be one beastly team.

 

[AZZenny]

He wouldn't be able to stand up in the clubhouse, so I'd bet its not likely. Plus, would he want to go someplace Curt has already totally conquered? But if they could get him, they could happily ignore Pedro. And I like those names a ton better than Vasquez and mishmash.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

RJ to the Sox? If nothing more it drives up the price on the MFY's. Is it just me or is the Penny-Werth-Billingsley-Tifani potential deadline trade looking much better in comparison to the Arroyo and change and Vazquez and change options?

 

[Lefty]

This deal does not make sense for the Red Sox. I think they will sign Pedro, who I think is only 33 years old. It makes more sense to sign Pedro to 3 years than RJ. The fans love Pedro and I think Pedro will stay.

I think RJ to the Cardinals or Angels will happen.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Gammons is saying that the Cardinals and Red Sox do not have the starting pitching the D-Backs want and that the Vazquez deal is likely. Rumor has it we should look for Vazquez, Tom Gordon or another starter yet to be acquired by Yankees, 3B prospect Eric Duncan, and a boatload of cash to come here if this turns out to be true. If we acquire Gordon, we will flip him to the Cubs or some other team in need of a closer. If we get another starter, we'll likely keep him to put into our own rotation.

My question is: Why don't we ask for Kenny Lofton also and turn him around for Marlon Byrd (a much rumored trade) and get younger and cheaper? Oh yeah, we're supposed to compete in '05?

 

[CatBoxBackFan]

Randy Johnson: Trade Talk With Boston
RotoWire.com Staff - RotoWire.com
Wednesday, December 1, 2004

Update: The Red Sox and Diamondbacks have held numerous discussions involving Johnson in the last five days, the Providence Journal reports. Arizona is looking for a package that would include Bronson Arroyo, pitching prospect Jon Lester and at least one other top prospect.

Recommendation: A trade for Johnson, who may request an extension past 2005 in exchange for approving a trade to Boston, would likely preclude the Red Sox from re-signing Pedro Martinez, who has received a three-year offer from the Mets.

 

[Kolo]

If Gammons is right, and we're able to get Vasquez, Duncan (the Yankees' number one prospect, according to Baseball America), Gordon and $12 million (which means Vasquez costs $21 million for three years, a damn good price), I'd be thrilled. Flash Gordon would fetch us several young arms, I would think.

 

[Lefty]

From ESPN.com Insider:

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Dec. 1 - A source in the Arizona organization tells ESPN's Peter Gammons the Red Sox don't have the starting pitcher the Diamondbacks want, and neither do the Cardinals, leaving the Yankees as the only legitimate suitor for the Big Unit. The same source says Johnson will be traded to New York sometime next week. Arizona either wants the Yankees to go outside their organization to acquire another starting pitcher to include in the deal or agree to send Tom Gordon along with Javier Vazquez, 3B prospect Eric Duncan and approximately $4 million a year of Vazquez's contract.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

If Gammons is right, and we're able to get Vasquez, Duncan (the Yankees' number one prospect, according to Baseball America), Gordon and $12 million (which means Vasquez costs $21 million for three years, a damn good price), I'd be thrilled. Flash Gordon would fetch us several young arms, I would think.

Yep, especially with the Cubs and Indians staring at a whole season of Bob Wickman and Ryan Dempster closing out games.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The internet people seem to think this trade is imminent. However, there are things we should be aware of.

1. Vazquez lost his control and subsequently his ability to prevent runners from coming home in the second half of last season. D-Back doctors better make sure he is going to be healthy before they finalize any deal. It also could have been a mechanical flaw but they better make damn sure before trading away RJ for him.

2. Guess who Vazquez's former agent was? That's right, the one and only Jeff Moorad. Apparently they didn't part on good terms either as Vazquez simply fired him. If the D-Backs struggle this year, the talking heads say that Vazquez may give Moorad the boot again. But this time it will be by demenading a trade to a different boss instead of hiring a new agent.

 

[Kolo]

In other news:

Luis Terrero - OF - ARZ


Luis Terrero went 4-for-4 with a triple and an RBI yesterday to raise his DWL average to .256.
Terrero, never known for his patience, has actually walked 14 times in 78 at-bats, giving him a nice .402 OBP. The Diamondbacks will try to re-sign Steve Finley, but if they fail, Terrero could be the team's Opening Day center fielder.

 

[SweetD]

In other news:

Luis Terrero - OF - ARZ


Luis Terrero went 4-for-4 with a triple and an RBI yesterday to raise his DWL average to .256.
Terrero, never known for his patience, has actually walked 14 times in 78 at-bats, giving him a nice .402 OBP. The Diamondbacks will try to re-sign Steve Finley, but if they fail, Terrero could be the team's Opening Day center fielder.

Not sure the Dbacks are trying to bring back Finley although I wish they would.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

Angels just signed some Cuban 1B slugger named Kendy Morales who's supposed to be near MLB-ready. Either him or Casey Kotchman will be likely be available this winter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1936419

 

[Phill11]

Angels just signed some Cuban 1B slugger named Kendy Morales who's supposed to be near MLB-ready. Either him or Casey Kotchman will be likely be available this winter.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1936419

I'd be all for a deal like this:

1 or two of the below:
Casey Kotchman
Dallas McPherson
Kendy Morales

1 Of The Below:
John Lackey
Jarrod Washburn

1 or two Of The Below:
Alberto Callaspo
Maicer Izturis
Brandon Wood

I'd even be willing to add a minor prospect of ours.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

I'd be all for a deal like this:

1 or two of the below:
Casey Kotchman
Dallas McPherson
Kendy Morales

1 Of The Below:
John Lackey
Jarrod Washburn

1 or two Of The Below:
Alberto Callaspo
Maicer Izturis
Brandon Wood

I'd even be willing to add a minor prospect of ours.

I think you're on the right track, but I'm telling you it's going to be a bitch dealing with Anaheim. Yeah, they have some of the best prospects in baseball but they hate trading them because it gives them flexibility once they reach the bigs. When they won the Series in '02 their big midseason trade acquisition was Alex Ochoa. They didn't get anybody last year for the stretch run even though they were wracked with injuries. I should know I've been a fan of the team since I was born.

Last summer they supposedly offered only Washburn and Kotchman for RJ. I think they'll increase the deal this winter, most likely adding a player like Chone Figgins or one of their propsect pitchers if they sign Carlos Beltran or Pavano. It's very doubtful they trade McPherson though considering they let Troy Glaus walk.

 

[Phill11]

I think you're on the right track, but I'm telling you it's going to be a bitch dealing with Anaheim. Yeah, they have some of the best prospects in baseball but they hate trading them because it gives them flexibility once they reach the bigs. When they won the Series in '02 their big midseason trade acquisition was Alex Ochoa. They didn't get anybody last year for the stretch run even though they were wracked with injuries. I should know I've been a fan of the team since I was born.

Last summer they supposedly offered only Washburn and Kotchman for RJ. I think they'll increase the deal this winter, most likely adding a player like Chone Figgins or one of their propsect pitchers if they sign Carlos Beltran or Pavano. It's very doubtful they trade McPherson though considering they let Troy Glaus walk.

That is very true. If Glaus goes cheap, I'd like to see us for him. I'd rather see Tracy in RF, than at 3B anyways.

It will be a pain to get even 2 prospects for RJ from Anaheim. Any minor prospect we could add to sweeten the deal like Dustin Nippert (He's not that good, but he's good enough so ANA wants him)

 

[coyoteshockeyfan]

That is very true. If Glaus goes cheap, I'd like to see us for him. I'd rather see Tracy in RF, than at 3B anyways.

It will be a pain to get even 2 prospects for RJ from Anaheim. Any minor prospect we could add to sweeten the deal like Dustin Nippert (He's not that good, but he's good enough so ANA wants him)

The thought of trading Nippert just made me cringe.

 

[MaoTosiFanClub]

The thought of trading Nippert just made me cringe.

Realistically, Nippert won't be 100% until 2007 so it's not likely he would be included in any trade nor would most teams even want him. I read on BA that Nippert gave up zero HRs last year in the Texas League. Very impressive.

Phil - Tracy would laughed off the field if he tried to play RF. David Ortiz could go from 1st to 3rd on Tracy's arm. I think we need to get used to the fact that the DBacks organization for whatever reason (lack of power) does not seem to like Chad Tracy.

 

[boondockdrunk]

There is news that the yankees are close to sign Eric Milton.... I think that after they sign him they might then deal Javier Vasquez (with cash to help pay his bogus salary), Eric Milton, and a prospect (not like Duncan or Navarro sadly). What do you guys think?