Yardbarker: Omar Vizquel

The All Compensation Draft Team

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:04:19 -0500

This week was 'Decide Whether You Want to Offer Arbitration' week, which means that if you have a Type-A or Type-B free agent and they decide to leave your comfy confines than you get yourself some bonus picks. Many teams offered arbitration to many a player but the Yankees said screw it we don't need draft picks. So to make them feel stupid let's take a look at who would make up the All Compensation Draft Team in 2009.

Starters

Starting Catcher: Kelly Shoppach for Rheal Cormier [2001 Pick #48]
Starting 1B: Conor Jackson for Greg Colbrunn [2003 Pick #19]
Starting 2B: Brian Roberts for Rafael Palmeiro [1999 Pick #50]
Starting 3B: David Wright for Mike Hampton [2001 Pick #38]
Starting SS: Kelly Johnson for Jose Hernandez [2000 Pick #38]
Starting LF: Johnny Damon for Kurt Stillwell [1992 Pick #35]
Starting CF: Torrii Hunter for John Smiley [1993 Pick #20]
Starting RF: Aaron Rowand for Dave Martinez [1998 Pick #35]

The starters consist of only 1 superstar in David Wright and would have a suspect middle infield with Kelly Johnson forced to patrol short rather than 2nd but the lineup would be deep and the outfield defense would be extraordinary.

Bench

Shannon Stewart for Tom Candiotti [1992 Pick #19]
Jeff Mathis for Mark Petkovsek [2001 Pick #33]
Nick Swisher for Johnny Damon [2002 Pick #16]
Jacoby Elsbury for Orlando Cabrera [2005 Pick #23]
Jarrod Saltalamacchia for Mike Remlinger [2003 Pick #36]

Elsbury obviously would get some PT as he is essentially Johnny Damon in his youth. Mathis and Salty provide depth at catcher. Swisher provides the comedy and Stewart supplies some veteran leadership.

Rotation

#1 Starter: Chris Carpenter for Tom Henke [1993 Pick #15]
#2 Starter: Adam Wainwright for Russ Springer [2000 Pick #29]
#3 Starter: Jeremy Bonderman for Kevin Appier [2001 Pick #26]
#4 Starter: Joe Blanton for Jason Giambi [2002 Pick #24]
#5 Starter: Dustin McGowan for Graeme Lloyd [2000 Pick #33]

The rotation is deep but not spectacular. Chris Carpenter was once the best pitcher in the national league but coming off injuries there would be major question marks about his 2009 production. Adam Wainwright was a staff ace before also getting injured last year. Bonderman has been a solid 2 or 3 starter for years again until he got injured last year. Blanton proved he could be the 4th starter on a World Series Champ. McGowan would be a great #5 starter but again he also got hurt last year.

Bullpen

Closer: Brad Lidge for Darryl Kyle [1998 Pick #17]
Setup Man #1: Joba Chamberlain for Tom Gordon [2006 Pick #41]
Setup Man #2: Huston Street for Miguel Tejada [2004 Pick #40]
Power Mid Relief: Jensen Lewis for Omar Vizquel [2005 Pick #102]
Lefty Specialist: JP Howell for Raul Ibanez [2004 Pick #31]
Young Mid Reliever: Phil Hughes for Andy Pettitte [2004 Pick #23]
Clay Bucholz for Pedro Martinez [2005 Pick #42]

The best part of this All Compensation Team would be its bullpen. Brad Lidge was the best closer in baseball in 2008. Huston Street has been a solid closer for the A's for a few years. Joba is arguably the best setup man in baseball when used as such. Jensen Lewis took over the closer role for the Indians in August and pitched very well. JP Howell was the lefty specialist for the AL champs. And finally Hughes and Bucholz would provide very talented mid-relief that could easily make spot starts if needed.

So what do you think? If this was a team in 2009 what would their record be? Would they have playoff or even World Series Aspirations?

It's time to trade Jack Wilson

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 19:03:53 -0500

The winter meetings start next Monday, which means that it's time for general managers to start denying their interest in any and all things that are mentioned. Neal Huntington is already in fine form:

General manager Neal Huntington will arrive in Vegas with a fairly defined course of action. ...

Giants Never Fail to Amaze Me, Sign Renteria to $18.5 Million Deal

Thu, 04 Dec 2008 15:24:53 -0500

Instead of getting younger (which would have been prudent for the post-Bonds era), the Giants continue to throw millions at over-priced veterans. First, it was signing a 38-year old Omar Vizquel (though, to the Giants credit, $5 million for a gold glove isn't too much to spend). Then it was the Barry Zito abortion of a signing that paid him $14.5 million in 2008 - nearly $1 million for each of his 17 losses. At the end of the 2007 season, the Giants were so in awe of 30-year old Aaron Rowand's .309-27 HR-89 RBI season with the Phillies (who, by the way, play in a bandbox), they inked him to a 5 year deal worth $60 million. Their reward? A pedestrian line of .271-13 HR-70 RBI. So why should anyone be surprised the San Francisco Giants just brought in 33-year old free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria? It's become the Giants M.O. - sign players based on potential, notoriety, underachievement, and AARP membership. OK - maybe I'm being a little harsh here. It's not like Edgar Renteria is a terrible shortstop - he is a five-time all-star, after all. But still - the Giants - especially the Giants - shouldn't even be touching him when he's carrying an $18.5 million price tag for 2 years. Not when he managed just a .317 OBP last year in Detroit. If you must overspend on a veteran shortstop, at least take a sniff of Orlando Cabrera. At least he'll give you better defense than Renteria...and a better bat...and a better OBP. In fact, he's just better. And should come with a price tag much more attractive than Renteria's. Well, it should have been - but thanks to the Giants' free spending, expect Cabrera to be looking around for a better deal. And people wonder how someone of Matt Cain's caliber can manage to lose 30 games in the past 2 years.

It might hit the fan pretty soon

Mon, 01 Dec 2008 13:22:42 -0500

Man... Nothing's going on.. So let's talk about Josh Barfield and some Carol in HR Person.

Odds, Ends (11.25.08)

Tue, 25 Nov 2008 00:22:10 -0500

I Love the '80s. In efforts to - I don't know - honor the Metrodome the Twins have announced that all Saturday home games in 2009 the Twins will don retro jersey commemorating the initial season indoors. For those that cannot recall the 1982 Dome break-in season, don't worry, you aren't missing much. It was Billy Gardner's first season as the team's manager and his young squad (averaging just 25 years old) finished the 60-102 - a distant 33 games out of the American League West - and the .370 winning percentage easily the worst since the move from the Nation's capital. Even with a new stadium centrally located in Downtown Minneapolis, impervious to the outdoor whether conditions, the team struggled to draw 1 million visitors and finished dead last in attendance in the AL. The roster was constructed with promising yet unproven talent with the likes of Kent Hrbek (22), Tom Brunansky (21), Tim Laudner (24), Gary Geatti (23), Brad Havens (22) and Frank Viola (22). Fans expected and received very little out of them. Still, Hrbek and Geatti displayed power of much older men, slugging .485 and .443 respectively with a combined 48 home runs. Hrbek would experience the first of two voter-inflicted injustices (the later coming in 1984 when he finished second for the AL MVP) being tagged as runner up for the Rookie of the Year while hitting .301/.363/.485 in 532 at-bats while playing for a 100+ loss team. Instead, ballots would be casted for Cal Ripken Jr who would hit .264/.317/.475 in 598 at-bats though playing for a team with 94-wins. The franchise would make several significant personnel moves as well. In April, the Twins packaged 29-year-old Roy Smalley to the Yankees for closer Ron Davis, Paul Boris and future shortstop Greg Gagne. A month later catcher Butch Wynegar was flipped to the Yankees along with Roger Erickson for John Pacella, Larry Milbourne, Pete Filson and cash. Though none of the players gained from the Wynegar transaction amount to anything, moving the opening day catcher made room for minor league slugger Laudner. On the same day, owner Calvin Griffith would ship pitcher Doug Corbett and second baseman Rob Wilfong to California for Brunansky and Mike Walters (along with $400K). In three moves, the Twins had acquired three integral components of the 1987 World Champion team. Maybe that is worth commemorating.

As of 12:01am ET, MLB Free Agency Season Arrives. Here's the Complete List

Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:09:46 -0500

As of 12:01am ET, clubs may now negotiate with the 171 players that filed for free agency this year. Big revenue making clubs will undoubtedly throw huge sums of cash at the likes of Manny Ramirez, Mark Teixeira, C.C. Sabathia, and Francisco Rodriguez.Clubs with the most players that filed for FA? For the American League, it's Boston with 9. For the National League, it's 11 for the Mets.Here is your complete listing of all those who filed between Thursday, October 30, and Thursday, November 13, pursuant to Article XX B (2) of the Basic Agreement. The last two that filed on Thursday should be familiar: Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks, and A.J. Burnett of the Blue Jays.AMERICAN LEAGUEBALTIMORE (4) -- Juan Castro, ss; Alex Cintron, ss; Kevin Millar, 1b; Jay Payton, of.BOSTON (9) -- Paul Byrd, rhp; Sean Casey, 1b; Bartolo Colon, rhp; Alex Cora, ss; Mark Kotsay, of; David Ross, c; Curt Schilling, rhp; Mike Timlin, rhp; Jason Varitek, c.CHICAGO (6) -- Orlando Cabrera, ss; Joe Crede, 3b; Ken Griffey Jr., of; Toby Hall, c; Horacio Ramirez, lhp; Juan Uribe, 3b.CLEVELAND (4) -- Brendan Donnelly, rhp; Scott Elarton, rhp; Sal Fasano, c; Juan Rincon, rhp.DETROIT (7) -- Kyle Farnsworth, rhp; Casey Fossum, lhp; Freddy Garcia, rhp; Todd Jones, rhp; Edgar Renteria, ss; Kenny Rogers, lhp; Vance Wilson, c.KANSAS CITY (1) -- Mark Grudzielanek, 2b.LOS ANGELES (6) -- Garret Anderson, of; Jon Garland, rhp; Darren Oliver, lhp; Juan Rivera, of; Francisco Rodriguez, rhp; Mark Teixeira, 1b.MINNESOTA (4) -- Adam Everett, ss; Eddie Guardado, lhp; Nick Punto, ss; Dennys Reyes, lhp.NEW YORK (8) -- Bobby Abreu, of; Jason Giambi, 1b; Chad Moeller, c; Mike Mussina, rhp; Carl Pavano, rhp; Andy Pettitte, lhp; Sidney Ponson, rhp; Ivan Rodriguez, c.OAKLAND (4) -- Emil Brown, of; Alan Embree, lhp; Keith Foulke, rhp; Frank Thomas, dh.SEATTLE (3) -- Willie Bloomquist, of; Miguel Cairo, inf; Raul Ibanez, of.TAMPA BAY (4) -- Rocco Baldelli, dh; Cliff Floyd, dh; Eric Hinske, of; Trever Miller, lhp.TEXAS (4) -- Milton Bradley, dh; Jason Jennings, rhp; Ramon Vazquez, 3b; Jamey Wright, rhp.TORONTO (4) -- A.J. Burnett, rhp; John Parrish, lhp; Brad Wilkerson, of; Gregg Zaun, c.NATIONAL LEAGUEARIZONA (7) -- Tony Clark, 1b; Juan Cruz, rhp; Adam Dunn, of; David Eckstein, ss; Orlando Hudson, 2b; Randy Johnson, lhp; Brandon Lyon, rhp.ATLANTA (8) -- Elmer Dessens, rhp; Tom Glavine, lhp; Mike Hampton, lhp; Jorge Julio, rhp; Greg Norton, of; Will Ohman, lhp; John Smoltz, rhp; Julian Tavarez, rhp.CHICAGO (8) -- Henry Blanco, c; Ryan Dempster, rhp; Jim Edmonds, of; Chad Fox, rhp; Bob Howry, rhp; Jon Lieber, rhp; Daryle Ward, 1b; Kerry Wood, rhp.CINCINNATI (9) -- Jeremy Affeldt, lhp; Paul Bako, c; Josh Fogg, rhp; Jerry Hairston Jr., of; Mike Lincoln, rhp; Kent Mercker, lhp; Corey Patterson, of; Javier Valentin, c; David Weathers, rhp.COLORADO (6) -- Brian Fuentes, lhp; Matt Herges, rhp; Livan Hernandez, rhp; Adam Melhuse, c; Scott Podsednik, of; Glendon Rusch, lhp.FLORIDA (4) -- Luis Gonzalez, of; Mark Hendrickson, lhp; Paul Lo Duca, c; Arthur Rhodes, lhp,HOUSTON (4) -- Brad Ausmus, c; Doug Brocail, rhp; Mark Loretta, 2b; Randy Wolf, lhp.LOS ANGELES (14) -- Joe Beimel, lhp; Gary Bennett, c; Casey Blake, 3b; Rafael Furcal, ss; Nomar Garciaparra, ss; Jason Johnson, rhp; Jeff Kent, 2b; Derek Lowe, rhp; Greg Maddux, rhp; Pablo Ozuna; Chan Ho Park, rhp; Brad Penny, rhp; Manny Ramirez, of; Mark Sweeney, 1b.MILWAUKEE (10) -- Russell Branyan, 3b; Craig Counsell, 3b; Ray Durham, 2b; Eric Gagne, rhp; Gabe Kapler, of; Mike Lamb, 3b; Guillermo Mota, rhp; CC Sabathia, lhp; Ben Sheets, rhp; Brian Shouse, lhp.NEW YORK (11) -- Moises Alou, of; Tony Armas Jr., rhp; Luis Ayala, rhp; Damion Easley, 2b; Orlando Hernandez, rhp; Pedro Martinez, rhp; Ramon Martinez, 2b; Trot Nixon, of; Oliver Perez, lhp; Ricardo Rincon, lhp; Matt Wise, rhp.PHILADELPHIA (4) -- Pat Burrell, of; Tom Gordon, rhp; Jamie Moyer, lhp; Rudy Seanez, rhp.PITTSBURGH (4) -- Chris Gomez, 3b; Jason Michaels, of; Doug Mientkiewicz, 1b; Luis Rivas, ss..ST. LOUIS (8) -- Juan Encarnacion, of; Jason Isringhausen, rhp; Cesar Izturis, ss; Braden Looper, rhp; Felipe Lopez, 2b; Mark Mulder, lhp; Russ Springer, rhp; Ron Villone, lhp.SAN DIEGO (2) -- Trevor Hoffman, rhp; Mark Prior, rhp.SAN FRANCISCO (2) -- Rich Aurilia, 1b; Omar Vizquel, ss.WASHINGTON (2) -- Aaron Boone, 1b; Odalis Perez, lhp. lhpSource: MLBPA Maury Brown is the Founder and President of the Business of Sports Network, which includes The Biz of Baseball, The Biz of Football, The Biz of Basketball and The Biz of Hockey. He is contributor to Baseball Prospectus, and is available as a freelance writer.Brown's full bio is here. He looks forward to your comments via email and can be contacted through the Business of Sports Network.Don't forget to register and log in on The Biz of Baseball site to get updates via your in-box, and see information only logged in members can see.

Reality Check: Mark Teixiera & Other Free Agents; Our Shortstop

Sat, 08 Nov 2008 18:34:50 -0500

Not that anyone knows or can predict what is going on Mark Teixiera, or any free agent -- but there has been huge talk in these parts (the Washington and Baltimore area) about brighter days ahead.
From the Washington Post: It took two days, but the Nationals and Orioles finally seem to be ...

Golden Grady Sizemore

Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:10:23 -0500

For a season that was such a disappointment as a team, individual members of the Cleveland Indians continue to real in awards.A

We documented the new awards to hit Cliff Lee's mantle.A And not long thereafter, Franklin Gutierrez nabbed one of his own.A And now, it's time for another Tribe ...

The Breakdown: Contract Riders...

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 15:51:44 -0500

Now we all know the story of the so called rock 'n' rolla whom has demanded only brown M & M's. And of course that's true. But didja know that ballplayers have their own wacky demands? IT'S TRUE!

Because I typed it in all caps. So shall we look at the facts? Yes. Let's look at the facts.

Catchers
Br... ...

Gold Glove Love

Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:35:10 -0500

Two Philadelphia Phillies players will have 2008 Gold Glove Awards to go along with their World Series championships.

Centerfielder Shane Victorino and shortstop Jimmy Rollins were each awarded the top defensive commendation at their position.

"I can't believe it," Victorino said during a ...

Taking a look at the 2009 Free Agent Market..

Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:34:49 -0500

Here is the complete list from MLBTRADERUMORS.COM :

Catchers
Brad Ausmus (40)
Paul Bako (37)
Rod Barajas (33) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Josh Bard (31)
Michael Barrett (32)
Henry Blanco (37) - $3MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Johnny Estrada (33)
Toby Hall (33) - $2.25MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout
Jason LaRue (35)
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM mutual option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Javier Valentin (33)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38)
First basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) - $12MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)
Daryle Ward (34)
Second basemen
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Jamey Carroll (35) - $2.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.15MM buyout
Craig Counsell (38)
Ray Durham (37)
Damion Easley (39)
David Eckstein (34)
Mark Ellis (32)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Nick Punto (31)
Shortstops
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Orlando Cabrera (34)
Alex Cintron (30)
Alex Cora (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33)
Juan Uribe (30)
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Third basemen
Rich Aurilia (37)
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Aaron Boone (36)
Russell Branyan (33)
Craig Counsell (38)
Joe Crede (31)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Mark Loretta (37)
Fernando Tatis (34)
Ramon Vazquez (32)
Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Carl Crawford (27) - $8.25MM club option for '09 with a $2.5MM buyout
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Craig Monroe (32)
Greg Norton (36)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09
Manny Ramirez (37)
Juan Rivera (30)
Fernando Tatis (34)
Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Willie Bloomquist (31)
Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jerry Hairston Jr. (33)
Gabe Kapler (33)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)
Scott Podsednik (33)
Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Gabe Kapler (33)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Fernando Tatis (34)
Brad Wilkerson (32)
DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37)
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41)
Jose Vidro (34)
Starting pitchers
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33)
Bartolo Colon (36)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Shawn Estes (36)
Josh Fogg (32)
Freddy Garcia (33)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Braden Looper (34)
Rodrigo Lopez (33) - club option for '09
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Sergio Mitre (28)
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Sidney Ponson (32)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
Glendon Rusch (34)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Randy Wolf (32)
Closers
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Eddie Guardado (38)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
Kerry Wood (32)
Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Luis Ayala (31)
Joe Beimel (32)
Joe Borowski (38)
Doug Brocail (42)
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (30)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Casey Fossum (31)
Keith Foulke (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Matt Herges (39)
Bob Howry (35)
Jon Lieber (39)
Jason Johnson (35)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Chan Ho Park (36)
Horacio Ramirez (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Arthur Rhodes (39)
Juan Rincon (30)
Glendon Rusch (34)
Rudy Seanez (40)
Brian Shouse (40)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Timlin (43)
Ron Villone (39)
David Weathers (39)
Kip Wells (32)
Matt Wise (33)
Jamey Wright (34)

Thanks to Tim Dierkes for Compiling this list...

Giants Positional Post-Mortem: Shortstop

Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:37:15 -0500

In the winter of 2007-08, the Giants took a look at the shortstop options in their system, on the free agent market, and on the trade market and, beholding the destitution they saw before them, decided to re-sign Omar Vizquel for one year and pray that the 41-year-old Gold Glover had one more year left [...]

Renteria to San Diego?

Tue, 02 Sep 2008 18:18:53 -0500

Edgar Renteria has an eleven million dollar club option with a three million dollar buyout for 2009. However, because the Red Sox traded him, they are responsible for the three million dollars assuming the Tigers opt to release him. At this point, that seems likely. Renteria is hitting .266 with 9 HR in 122 games, .24 points lower than his career average. A change of scenery will probably do Renteria well, considering the low morale in Detroit this year. Detroit has prospect Danny Worth, who should be ready to play in the majors by the end of 2009.

With that said, the Padres make for a good suitor for Renteria. His price will be fairly low, and the Padres are in need of a shortstop. While they could keep Khalil Greene in reserve at shortstop and second base, they could also trade him for a prospect for the future. The Giants are also a possibility, who have an option on Omar Vizquel.

A...Winning...Streak?

Mon, 01 Sep 2008 21:08:07 -0500

Okay, so two games isn't really a winning streak, but i'll take anything at this point.

For those who haven't noticed, Andre Ethier is playing great since he took over regular playing duties from Juan Pierre. On August 11th, Joe Torre named Andre the starting right fielder. Since then, all Ethier has done is put up a line of .286/.337/.636/.973. And while the power numbers are bound to come down to reality a little bit, the chances of Juan Pierre ever putting up a line like that is about the same as a quadrapelgic Nigerian midget genie falling out of the sky and granting me 3 wishes. Slim.

In other news, Jeff Kent is going to have surgery on his knee.

"Second baseman Jeff Kent will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday, but the Dodgers actually expect him back before September is over, at least in a pinch-hitting role."

The article also mentions that Chin Lung Hu is being called up as a response. Not that it really matters anyway, since rosters expand today.

As far as Kent goes, it sucks to lose his bat to injury, but the dude was basically a DH that was forced to play in the field. And other than an extremely hot bat for a few weeks, he generally stunk it up offensively this year too. So while it could be a pretty big blow, if the Dodgers manage to insert a superior defender who can contribute a decent offensive punch, they may not miss Kent as much as people think. Well, at least the pitching staff won't.

In that same article, there's also a bit of potentially disasterous news:

"So the front office spent part of Sunday trying to make a waiver deal for a middle infielder. One intriguing fit could be San Francisco's Omar Vizquel, particularly because of Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti's relationship with San Francisco GM Brian Sabean. Colletti was Sabean's assistant for 12 years."

WHAT THE FUCK?! Did I take a DeLorean back to 1999 or something? Jesus, my head just exploded. Okay, it doesn't even confirm that the Dodgers are pursuing him, but the guy has an OPS of fucking .466, so please allow me a little time for overreaction here. Plus, you have to take the rumor somewhat seriously, especially when you consider that Vizquel is the exact type of guy that Uncle Ned loves to acquire.

There's also good and bad news regarding the guys coming back to the team for September.

"The Dodgers will recall pitchers Eric Stults and James McDonald and outfielder Jason Repko from Triple-A Las Vegas on Monday, when rosters expand to 40.

In addition, outfielders Andruw Jones and Delwyn Young and pitcher Scott Proctor will return from Minor League rehab assignments and are expected to be activated off the 15-day disabled list."

I think they just forgot to mention Clayton Kershaw, who is still scheduled to make his start on Tuesday.

Anyway, so besides Kershaw, the good news is that I finally get to see what James McDonald can do on the major league level. The bad news is that now Torre has the temptation of an activated Andruw Jones and Scott Proctor sitting in the dugout again. Seriously though, if Jones ever gets another start in center field on this team, I just may drown in my own tears. I equate it to what happens everytime I see Mark Sweeney stepping up to the plate to pinch hit with runners on 2nd and 3rd: a little piece of my soul dies.