Yardbarker: Melvin Mora

Veterans Day

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 07:08:49 -0500

Veterans Day was this past Tuesday and with veteran mainstay Pat Burrell likely to leave Philly, unless he accepts a low-ball offer of 2 year $20 million, I wondered who is the longest tenured player of each organization. Therefore, I decided to take a look at each team's roster and identify the ... Click on the URL to see the longest tenured player(s) for each MLB team, plus a little blurb about each of them.

Organizing the Offseason - Possible Targets: Crede, Encarnacion, Mora, Carroll

Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:56:15 -0500

Taking a look at the Cleveland Indians possible offseason targets. Today, finishing the third basemen: Joe Crede, Melvin Mora, Edwin Encarnacion, and the Indians own Jamey Carroll, who just had his 2009 option picked up by the Indians.

Organizing the Offseason - Possible Targets: Atkins, Blake, Blalock; Cantu

Wed, 15 Oct 2008 20:48:08 -0500

We continue our breakdown of the players on the offseason priority char t. Today let's look at the first batch of third baseman, the Indians most pressing need.

Garrett Atkins - Colorado Rockies (Best Case Scenario)
Position: Third Base (Need), B/T: R/R
Age: 28, Height: 6'3, Weight: 210
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

Garrett Atkins was the subject of false speculation earlier in the 2008 year. The Indians need for a third baseman still exists and one of the possible players has somewhat decreased in production. Aaron Laffey should be fine so if Colorado is really still interested in Laffey, it just is a matter of the Indians being open to trading him.

I wouldn't do that though. Let's talk about Atkins. Atkins is the best case scenario out of all the offensive options the Indians have at any position. Atkins will have another year of arbitration after 2009, which makes him a two year plug in. With Wes Hodges coming through, Atkins would be a nice two year fix for this team. They won't have to rush Hodges into the spot and Atkins will hit the cover off the ball as he is in his prime years.

If you are worried about the "Coors Effect" look at this. He does have a way higher career BA at home, but he's hit one more home run away from home than he has at Coors Field. The one thing to worry is the average, but Atkins would need to supply the power.

Atkins' consistent numbers year to year are 30 doubles, 20 home runs, 100 RBI, .320 batting average. His last year was down, but his 2006 and 2007 were outstanding. At least 25 HR, 35 2B, 110 RBI, .300 Average (.329 in 2006), .360 OBP (.409 in 2006!!!).

If he can give the Tribe, 25 HR, a .300 average, at least 100 RBI and a good .340-like OBP.. I think the Indians would take that. The problem is... Can he hit right handers and can he hit away from Coors field? That's the biggest risk thaat the Indians would be taking if they made this deal.

Atkins is not a free agent though. So you would have to swing a deal. He won't cost a whole heck of a lot in arbitration, a good 6-7 million would be a decent price for the Indians.

Casey Blake - Los Angeles Dodgers (Fall Back Option)
Position: Third Base, Utility (Luxury), B/T: R/R
Age: 35, Height: 6'2, Weight: 210
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

We all know Casey Blake by this point. Do we bring him back, do we move on?

All indications are that Casey likes the Dodgers and the Dodgers like Casey. They wouldn't be opposed to bringing him back. Great so they can pay him eight million for the next three years.

Blake would probably want a deal like that. For one maybe two at a cheaper price, the Indians should consider it, because Blake is so versatile, but you have to wonder when age will catch up to Casey and if his great numbers this year were the product of a contract year.

If we pay a decent pitcher (Laffey) and 7 million for next year, maybe 9-10 in 2010 for Atkins.. That is much more of a better move than giving Casey 8 million for three years because of the production.

Blake would be a decent fall back option. We know what he brings to the table, the clubhouse would love to have him back, but I'm sure moving on wouldn't be a bad idea.

Hank Blalock - Texas Rangers (Out of Price Range)
Position: Third and First Base (Need), B/T: L/R
Age: 28, Height: 5'11, Weight: 200
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

Hank Blalock certainly has the power if he's healthy.

The problem is health and that has actually caused a shift to first base. Chris Davis was playing third and Blalock was getting the starts at first down the stretch. If the Indians brought him in, he would have to play third base.

Lately, Blalock's average has gone up, but that is with less games. He will probably hit above .250 in the .270 range. But when he put up his best years, Blalock was nearing 30 home run power. Take in mind he played in Texas.

Blalock will strike out a lot and his OBP in his good years was very good, but you just never know what your going to get this guy. He has an option in 2009 that could be picked up, 6.5 million. At that point we would have to swing a trade.

If he went to Free Agency, I'm not sure how much he would command, but I would guess it would be too much to take a chance on.

Jorge Cantu - Florida Marlins (Outside Possibility)
Position: Third Base, 2B, 3B (Need), B/T: R/R
Age: 26, Height: 6'1, Weight: 200
Statistics at Baseball-Reference.com

What Can-Cantu-Do-For-You?

Jorge Cantu rocked in his first full season for Tampa Bay as the second baseman. He knocked in over 110 runs and hit 28 long balls.

He fell off the map in 2006, spent most of 2007 in the minors for Cincinnati and Tampa Bay and then in 2008, he was reborn as a baseball player.

He switched to third base, hit 29 home runs with a .277 average. His average was down from that career year in 2005. His OBP was up, he walked a whole lot more, but he also struck out a whole lot more.

Cantu made 20 errors at third last year. Way better when you look at the 2005 season when he committed 12 errors in just 62 games at third. He'd be a shaky option defensively, but if he puts up the power numbers, you can't argue with that.

Cantu is a possible option, wouldn't be the best, but wouldn't be the worst. He's going into arbitration, not sure what he's due, but once again the deal will need to be involving a trade.

A trade with the stingy Marlins. Ouch...

Cantu might be on the block with Dallas McPherson pining for a big league shot. The Marlins could trade Uggla, move Cantu to second, trade Cantu, or trade Mike Jacobs and move Cantu to first. Who know's really what their plans are, but Cantu would be a possibility for the Indians.

Next: We'll dig into the last batch of third basemen, Joe Crede, Edwin Encarnacion, Melvin Mora, and also look at our own free agent, Jamey Carroll.

Hafner related news today..

Travis Hafner's surgery was a success and he is recovering from the 45 minute proceedure and the Indians expect him to be 100% HEALTHY by the time the 2009 Season gets underway.
The surgery cleaned out the shoulder joint, which was described as "chronic chargers bout about by the grind of baseball." NO structural or nerve damage was found, which is very very good news.
Anthony Castrovince believes Hafner will be healthy for 2009, but will he put up the numbers? I think I'm going to agree with him in saying because of our uncertainty, we need to keep Shoppach, Garko, and Martinez. If we trade someone, it should be an outfielder.
I think anyone would sign up for the 100 RBI. Let's hope so.

Back tomorrow for more.

Konerko to Orioles?

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 10:52:11 -0500

If the Orioles fail to covet Mark Teixiera, it is possible they would pursue Paul Konerko. The White Sox are in the market for an infielder and could target either Brian Roberts or Melvin Mora in a trade. The Orioles pursued Konerko back in 2005 before he resigned with the White Sox, so it is possible they would make the move again. He has two years left on his contract that will give him 24 million dollars, so he is a pretty good bargain if you miss out on Teixiera.

Unloading Konerko would open a spot in the outfield because they would likely move Swisher to first base, his natural position.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Orioles Should Consider Young

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 16:47:00 -0500

The Twins are upset with the performance of Delmon Young and will look to trade him this offseason. Young hit .290 with 10 HR in 152 games, but the Twins were hoping he would be a power hitter, and he has failed to show he can do that. However, I agree with a select few of scouts who think Young is on the verge of stardom. He is getting his timing down, hitting his stride consistently, and it showed in the second half of the season when he hit .300 in the second half of the season.

As for teams that could make a move on him, the Orioles make sense. Acquiring Young would allow the team to dump Melvin Mora, a player the Twins have pursued before. The Orioles have players to fill in in the role, or he could look to the market.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

MLB Fantasy Minute - Week 21

Tue, 26 Aug 2008 06:43:39 -0500

Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon breaks out his famed MLB Fantasy Minute and breaks down the MLB's top five fantasy-related stories. Melvin More seems rejuvenated and is playing out of his mind. Alexei Ramirez is flying under the radar out in Chicago. And we're still - yes, still - keeping an eye on both C.C. Sabathia and Roy Halladay. Mr. Yoon has all if it covered and much more.

Melvin Mora Does it Again!

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 17:17:19 -0500

For the second straight week, the Orioles 3B Melvin Mora is the best hitter over the past week. He scored 10 runs, stole 1 base, hit 4 HRs while knocking in 11 RBIs and hit for a .321 average and a...

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MLB Weekly Sleepers - Week 22

Mon, 25 Aug 2008 06:28:43 -0500

Screaming Sports' Tommy D breaks out another edition of MLB Sleepers and runs down a quick list of potential needles (in a haystack - get it?) for the upcoming week. So, who could surprise some unsuspecting opponents this week? Only one way to find out ... click it.

MLB Status Check - Week 21

Fri, 22 Aug 2008 06:54:43 -0500

Screaming Sports' Billy Smith checks in on some of the mega-hyped offseason stars, as well as the not-so-hyped offseason stars. Who is living up to it? Who isn't? And who is coming out of left field? Billy has all of those answers for you.

VIDEO - Coco Crisp goes over the wall trying to rob a HR

Wed, 20 Aug 2008 23:20:27 -0500

Coco Crisp ran out of real estate as he was trying to rob a Ramon Hernandez home run. Click here for the link to the video to see Crisp go flying over the wall.

Not Your Usual Suspects: MLB Week 20

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 17:51:18 -0500

Top 10 Hitters Taking a commanding lead over this list is Oriole's 3B Melvin Mora who knocked in 17 RBIs with 4 HRs while scoring 11 runs himself. He maintained a batting average of .583 with an OBP...

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Red Sox @ Orioles: Sox begin 9-game road trip with red hot O's

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:09:25 -0500

Jon Lester will attempt to quiet an Orioles offense that has scored a leage best 114 runs this month... get the preview at The Bottom Line.

Inside The Box August 18th Edition

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 09:23:12 -0500

Today's brief has a waiver pickup with an .832 OPS, a Giants pitcher with his eyes on The Count, a player responding to a benching, the new walk-off kings and a lot more.

Only the O’s: 16 runs and a tired bullpen.

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 08:21:52 -0500

There's nothing like an asswhuppin' to make your whole team feel better. Especially on the road. On getaway day. Maybe relax a little, save the bullpen. Unless you're the Orioles, in which case you can win by eight runs and still use five pitchers. Sunday's game in Detroit got off to a terrific start. The O's hung [...]

Fantasy Baseball Cheat Sheet Week 21 Ranks

Mon, 18 Aug 2008 07:53:11 -0500

Similar to having quality starting pitching, understanding hitter trends and setting your lineup with the best hitters is essential to winning in fantasy baseball. Fantasy Baseball Dugout's Week 20 Cheat Sheet is designed to give you a full view of the top hitters, by position, in fantasy baseball. Melvin