Yardbarker: Matt Cain

Contracts and Trades in the offseason..

Wed, 08 Oct 2008 20:06:55 -0500

CONTRACT ISSUES

Free agents: Alou, OF; Fernando Tatis, OF; Damion Easley, 2B; Perez, LHP; Martinez, RHP; Hernandez, RHP; Luis Ayala, RHP; Ricardo Rincon, LHP; Matt Wise, RHP.

Eligible for arbitration: Ryan Church, OF; John Maine, RHP; Pedro Feliciano, LHP; Aaron Heilman, RHP; Duaner Sanchez, RHP.

Player options: None

Club options: Delgado, 1B, $12 million, $4 million buyout

Non-tender possibilities: None

Like last season, they have their reasons. Though general manager Omar Minaya's starting lineup is all but set with the exception of 2B and LF. The Starting Rotation might need some retooling and the Bullpen has to get a new look.

Oliver Perez and Pedro Martinez, two significant pieces of this season's rotation, will both hit free agency in the days following the World Series. And the few pitchers waiting in the wings represent a combination of youth and inexperience. It's a combination that the Mets, historically, have tried to avoid.

And so a team that boasted one of baseball's largest payrolls -- roughly $137 million at season's end -- is likely only to add to that figure. Assuming the Mets exercise their $12 million club option on Carlos Delgado's contract, they will shed four significant salaries: those of Martinez, Perez, Moises Alou and Orlando Hernandez. After accounting for increases in other salaries, that's roughly $25 to $30 million off the books.

It's a near certainty that the Mets will reinvest all of it.

Mets have plenty of needs especially in relief, but the rotation could be revamped. The Mets can go out and try to trade for a pitcher like Jake Peavy, Zach Grienke, or a Matt Cain. If the Mets go out and try to get one of these elite young pitchers they will have to use one of their Top Prospects including Fernando Martinez. Even though the Mets think F-Mart has a high ceiling and he is only 19 yrs old, they may make a move here. It is not imposible...

The bullpen needs a obvious facelift. Guys like Aaron Heilman and Scott Schoeneweis should be moved and apparently have some value left. Joey DeMayo on Mike Silva's NY Baseball Digest lastnight suggested that maybe the Mets can make a trade including Aaron Heilman with the Oakland A's for Huston Street. Billy Beane has always made it known that he likes Heilman and would make him a starter in Oaktown. Stay tuned....

The Mets need a closer and everyone in baseball thinks the Mets can go out and get themselves Francisco Rodriguez. If they fall short in the bidding for the record breaking saves leader. They might go out and see if Brian Fuentes will come to NY. They had some interest in him before the trade deadline but the Rockies were still in the range of the playoffs and they did not want to trade him.

Look for the Mets to compliment who ever they get at closer. They will be in the hunt for middle relievers. They need a left hander specialist and I think the Mets should look at Jeremy Affeldt who is a free agent.

Here are his numbers:

		G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Total		74	0	1	1	0	0	0	78.1	78	36	29	9	25	80	3.33	1.31	.260

Considering he pitched in Cincinatti, He might be better suited for Citi-Field.

Other guys I would look at are Juan Cruz. People are saying Juan Cruz, who is he??

Check out his numbers:

		G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Total		57	0	4	0	0	0	0	51.2	34	17	15	5	31	71	2.61	1.26	.192

In only 51.2 innings, he gave up 34 hits and struck out 71...

In speaking of second base, the Mets have many of options here. They have the incumbent Luis Castillo who I would trade for anything, but Joey DeMayo (NY Baseball Digest) has said that the Mets might be able to get a Eric Byrnes from the Arizona Diamondbacks for Castillo since they want to get rid of Byrnes contract and they need a second basemen (2B Hudson will be a free agent) . If that happend, I would be jumping for joy! Byrnes is a high energy player who brings some grit and toughness the Mets lack.

They also have Dan Murphy who can be the second basemen next year. He is currently in the ArizonaFall league trying to get more work at 2B. If that fails, he might be a platoon outfielder in left.

They also can go out and get Orlando Hudson who is a All-Star 2B. He is a switch hitter who can hit and play great defense.

Of Course if the Mets don't make deal for Eric Byrnes they could look at Free Agent Manny Ramirez who always has been high on Omar Minaya's list or they can get themselves a compliment to Murphy like a Free Agent Juan Rivera who is right handed bat that hits lefties.

We will see what goes on, but these are some things to think about....................

Milwaukee Needs To Act

Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:05:51 -0500

Milwaukee had a great year making the playoffs for the first time in 26 years, but they face a difficult task this offseason as they must improve their team to compete with the Cubs, Cardinals, and Astros, as well as the Pirates and Reds, who will look more like spoilers if their pitchers come through. They will likely offer Sabathia arbitration, so they can receive two draft picks when he signs elsewhere. They will probably do the same with Sheets, who is a Type B free agent. As for improving their pitching, which looks like Gallardo, Bush, Suppan, and Parra, would defintiely benefit from the addition of one, maybe two pitchers.A

One of those two pitchers could come in the form of a trade involving Prince Fielder. The Giants have reportedly expressed interest in the first baseman, and may be will to trade Matt Cain to bring him in. The Brewers could trade Fielder for Cain and a low level prospect or two. A trade like this would give the Brewers the ace they need while it would give the Giants the power hitter they need.A

As for the infield, moving JJ Hardy to third base makes sense, but the Brewers are known for giving their prospects some time in the minors before they call them up for good. Signing someone like Mark Loretta would give them the third baseman they need for the first month or two of the season, assuming Alcides Escobar is ready to come up. Then they can move Loretta around the infield for the rest of the season. At second, Rickie Weeks had a lot of potential to be a good player, but injuries have held him back. A team like the Athletics, Rockies, or Blue Jays could turn to weeks looking for a bargain and trade a prospect or another struggling player, assuming the salary works out.A

That is isn't all though, they need to determine whether or not they want Mike Cameron again as well as finding a closer or late inning reliever. A Juan Cruz signing is possible.A

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Contracts and Trades in the offseason..

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 20:17:37 -0500

CONTRACT ISSUES

Free agents: Alou, OF; Fernando Tatis, OF; Damion Easley, 2B; Perez, LHP; Martinez, RHP; Hernandez, RHP; Luis Ayala, RHP; Ricardo Rincon, LHP; Matt Wise, RHP.

Eligible for arbitration: Ryan Church, OF; John Maine, RHP; Pedro Feliciano, LHP; Aaron Heilman, RHP; Duaner Sanchez, RHP.

Player options: None

Club options: Delgado, 1B, $12 million, $4 million buyout

Non-tender possibilities: None

It's a near certainty that the Mets will reinvest all of it.

Here are his numbers:

		G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Total		74	0	1	1	0	0	0	78.1	78	36	29	9	25	80	3.33	1.31	.260

Considering he pitched in Cincinatti, He might be better suited for Citi-Field.

Other guys I would look at are Juan Cruz. People are saying Juan Cruz, who is he??

Check out his numbers:

		G	GS	W	L	SV	CG	SHO	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP	BAA
Total		57	0	4	0	0	0	0	51.2	34	17	15	5	31	71	2.61	1.26	.192

Starting Pitching Rumors: Peavy, Greinke, Cain, Jackson

Thu, 02 Oct 2008 01:51:57 -0500

Some Young Starters that might be traded this off-season:

Jake Peavy, Padres: He won the 2007 Cy Young Award and posted a solid 10-11 record with a 2.85 ERA and 166 strikeouts in 173 2/3 innings this season. He is under contract for the next four seasons, at salaries of $8 million, $15 million, $16 million and $17 million (with a $22 million option for 2013). But he has become increasingly vocal in his frustration with the Padres, and with the team reducing its payroll to something in the neighborhood of $50 million this year, Peavy's salary will increasingly become top-heavy within the San Diego budget.

General manager Kevin Towers has been quoted as saying the Padres have no untouchable players, and there are executives who say they think Peavy could be taken for the right package of prospects. Peavy has a full no-trade clause and would have to agree to any deal.

Zack Greinke, Royals: In retrospect, he probably was rushed to the big leagues, and he lost almost a full year while coping with his anxiety problem; at age 24 (he turns 25 in three weeks), Greinke already has four-plus years in the big leagues, leaving him two years away from free agency. Given his talent and his improvement over the past two seasons, he has put himself in position for a huge payday -- maybe the kind of money that the Royals don't typically spend. To put this in perspective, remember that Daisuke Matsuzaka got $52 million at age 26 in a situation when he had no true free-agent leverage.

If Greinke, who went 13-10 with a 3.47 ERA for the Royals this year, has a good season in 2009, he will be in line for a Carlos Zambrano-like $90 million deal. If the Royals want decent return for Greinke in trade, this winter will probably be their last chance to get maximum value; as he drifts closer to free agency, his trade value will decrease.

Matt Cain, Giants: San Francisco GM Brian Sabean is on record as indicating that he isn't going to trade the hard-throwing right-hander, but with the Giants already anchored by Tim Lincecum and in dire need of offensive help, rival executives wonder if Sabean's feelings would change if he had a chance to acquire a premium offensive player in return for Cain, such as Prince Fielder.

When he was offered Alex Rios by the Jays last winter, Sabean considered the proposal for more than a week before turning it down.

Edwin Jackson, Rays: He is certainly not at the level of Peavy, Greinke or Cain, but he has developed into a solid, productive pitcher and could be a good No. 3 for a National League team. Jackson went 14-11 with a 4.42 ERA; he's only 25, and he's expendable for the Rays, who have a deep rotation and have David Price and Jeff Niemann on the rise.

Source: ESPN/Buster Olney

Braves Want Lowe

Wed, 01 Oct 2008 10:33:45 -0500

According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves will pursue a free agent pitcher and their number one target is Derek Lowe. Lowe is one of the best pitchers available and would desperately help the Braves, who may not have Smoltz, Glavine, or Hudson next season. The Braves also have interest in Matt Cain, but will likely target a free agent before trading their youth.A

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Giants Grumblings

Tue, 30 Sep 2008 16:09:50 -0500

A couple Giants rumors coming out today:

- The Giants would like to add an infielder, and may target Marlins third baseman Jorge Cantu. Cantu did very well this season, but he is a big risk because it may have been a fluke. The Giants may also make a push for Dan Uggla, instead spending on someone like Orlando Hudson or Mark Ellis. They have a couple solid prospects, and appear willing to trade them to make long term improvements.A

- The Giants may make a move for CC Sabathia, but will likely target a pitcher like Jon Garland instead. They are reportedly dangling Matt Cain for Prince Fielder, so adding someone like Garland would really help the Giants.

This story was approved by MLB Rumors.

Prince Fielder to be Traded??

Mon, 22 Sep 2008 21:52:56 -0500

It wouldn't be worth reporting this rumor if it wasn't coming from such an important source but ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that the Brewers are interested in trading Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and another player for the Giants' 23-year old, starting pitcher Matt Cain. This report has been mentioned before but Gammons brought it up again on Wednesday night.

Prince Fielder to be Traded?

Sat, 20 Sep 2008 15:14:02 -0500

It wouldn't be worth reporting this rumor if it wasn't coming from such a reputable source, but ESPN's Peter Gammons is reporting that the Brewers are interested in trading Prince Fielder, JJ Hardy and another player for the Giants' 23-year old, starting pitcher Matt Cain. This report has been mentioned before, but Gammons brought it up again during a recent broadcast.

Brewers-Giants trade brewing?

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 07:15:51 -0500

We may be in the heat of the pennant races, but the Giants' hot stove talk appears to be on fire. A lingering rumor was given new life Wednesday night. ESPN's Peter Gammons said the Giants could trade starting pitcher Matt Cain, 23, to the Brewers for first baseman Prince Fielder, 24, shortstop J.J. Hardy, 26, and another player.

MLB Status Check - Week 25

Fri, 19 Sep 2008 06:44:32 -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.

let's hit fast forward!

Wed, 17 Sep 2008 20:45:33 -0500

Sometimes I wish i could fast forward to 2009, okay... being a total yankee homer, and someone who is about to turn 21 in the beginning of 2009 might have something to do with it being more like all the time... but thats neither here nor there. 2009 means changes and improvements for the yankees who should face a humiliating loss by not makign the postseason for the first time since i was in the first grade. I also WANT the Mets to have some postseason success because i feel like it will kick the Yankees into gear and make them make some noise to get the city's love back, because as the yankees fail and the mets succeed the town is starting to favor the mets again. Can the yankees make a move for a legitimate centerfielder? (there are no free agents i would want, unless the list I'm looking at isn't accurate) maybe even fix two needs if you wanted to commit joba to the Bullpen and get a starter and really pile it on. How about Matt Cain and Aaron Rowand? I dont know what it would take but Aaron isnt a terrible hitter and plays very very hard baseball. Not to mention Cain being a pitcher with GREAT stuff. I'm sure if you kept piling on the players theyd eventually accept. Any giant fans around here??? how about Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Wilson Betemit, David Robertson, and Ian Kennedy?? would you take that for Aaron Rowand and Matt Cain? It would give you a starting 2B or 3B, whichever you choose for him to play. A solid bat that will give you 100RBI and 20-30 HR in LF. A solid relief prospect that has had some success in the bigs as well as a young, great defensive outfielder; and a guy who has dominated as a starting pitcher on the AAA level and is still young. Needless to say i am completely torn about the main starting rotation issue:: is Joba durable enough to last as a starter? I'm leaning towards leaving him in the pen just because our bullpen with Joba in it makes me absolutely giddy because the pen is SO GOOD. He's proven to be an excellent starter but he did get hurt after a few months, which doesnt bode well for his future as a starter. if Joba is less likely to be injured coming out of the bullpen, then thats where he needs to be to always be able to help the yankees win games. Sign Sabbathia and Texeira. Do I need to say why? Sabbathia is a dependable Ace regardless of his girth, and Texeira is a first baseman who can actually produce AND play defense. Something us Yankee fans havent seen since Tino Martinez. Re-sign Mussina. he deserves it. If and only if my trade for Cain and Rowand comes through, re-sign Abreu to DH for the team as well as alleviate the outfield to allow Nady to move to left and Damon to DH occasionally. I do not like Abreu as an everyday outfielder because his range is small and fear of walls is high. However, i do like his baserunning skills and his plate discipline, making him a potentially good guy to have around to DH. If the trade doesnt go through, let Abreu walk; as we would still have Matsui to DH...However, let's assume my plan works... we also need a guy we can count on to pinch hit form the left hand side in the absence of Betemit, so i figured a free agent like Eric Hinske could do the job. this should leave the roster looking like this for opening day:: Damon LF/DH Jeter SS Abreu DH/RF A-Rod 3B Texeira 1B Nady RF/LF Posada C Cano 2B Rowand CF Bench Molina C Ransom IF Gardner OF HInske OF/1B Rotation:: Sabbathia Wang Cain Mussina Hughes Bullpen Rivera Chamberlain Veras Ramirez Bruney Coke Marte

BA Names Holland, Feliz To Minor League All-Star Team

Mon, 08 Sep 2008 14:46:42 -0500

The electrifying young Double-A Frisco tandem of Neftali Feliz and Derek Holland earns huge recognition from industry publication Baseball America.

GameDay #141 at Giants

Sat, 06 Sep 2008 19:41:20 -0500

Pirates (60-80) at Giants (60-80)
9:05--AT&T Park, San Francisco
Paul Maholm (8-8, 3.81) vs. Matt Cain (8-11, 3.69)
[Preview]
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This game is a little more worth watching, pitching matchup-wise. It even starts an hour earlier. Sadly, it's not on TV again. I'll be listening on the way home from Pitt-Buffalo, which starts at 6 (and hopefully goes a little better than last week's quest to pound a MAC team!).
-
Back to baseball. Maholm is coming off a very un-Maholm-like outing, but that was against the Brewers. The Giants should cure that. The problem tonight should be Matt Cain, who is very good but:
a) is not named Tim Lincecum.
b) plays for the Giants (i.e. does not get wins unless he throws shutouts).
--
So we may have our hands full with Cain tonight. Hopefully Paul keeps us in it and no earthquakes screw him up (if Zach Duke did it, you can too Paul!).
-
The Pirates are looking to win their 8th straight at San Francisco.

Fantasy Baseball Five Questions: Pitchers

Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:00:11 -0500

With fantasy baseball nearing a critical point, Screaming Sports' Phil Yoon has decided to examine several puzzling pitching problems. Is Jeff Samardzija the real deal? Has Matt Cain turned a corner? And is it time to give up on Huston Street? He has those answers and more in this latest edition of five questions.

Yardbarker: Matt Cain

Contracts and Trades in the offseason..

Milwaukee Needs To Act

Contracts and Trades in the offseason..

Starting Pitching Rumors: Peavy, Greinke, Cain, Jackson

Braves Want Lowe

Giants Grumblings

Prince Fielder to be Traded??

Prince Fielder to be Traded?

Brewers-Giants trade brewing?

MLB Status Check - Week 25

let's hit fast forward!

BA Names Holland, Feliz To Minor League All-Star Team

GameDay #141 at Giants

Top Five Fantasy Storiesa?"San Francisco Giants

Fantasy Baseball Five Questions: Pitchers