Subcribe to this Feed
Trade Bait: David Eckstein to the Diamondbacks
Shortstop David Eckstein has been traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for a minor league pitcher.
The Diamondbacks, deperately in need of infield help with Orlando Hudson out for the rest of the season, grabbed David to give the team a boost over Augie Ojeda and Chris Burke. Although he’s played mostly shortstop during his time in the majors, his skills are more suited for second base. Holding a .273/.352/.355 line in 75 games for the Jays this season, Eckstein will be a welcome addition of OBP to the lineup as well.
In return, the Diamondbacks get minor league pitcher Chad Beck. Beck put up good numbers in Single-A South Bend this season, but he struggled mightily as a starter when called up to Advanced-A Visala. He has since switched to relief, posting a 1.37 ERA out of the pen. He supposedly has a 90-94 mph fastball and a pretty good slider. He doesn’t profile as a starter, but he could become a decent middle reliever in time. The Jays had already shown interest in Beck in the past, he was drafted by the team in 2004.
This is a decent trade for both sides. The Diamondbacks get a scrappy infielder with good OBP to replace Hudson on their playoff run. The Blue Jays got what they could for Eckstein, considering they were past the trade deadline and had to deal with waiver wire trade rules.
Astro Sign two to go for it in 2009
The Houston Astros have signed two players to extensions that are going to be critical to their push for a playoff birth in 2009. (Note: Blatant sarcasim is rampant on this site) Darin Erstad and Brian Moehler, two players General Manager Ed Wade picked up off the scrap hearp, will now play for the Astros in 2009.
Erstad, who brings to the park no dicernable ability to the game other than his defense and an occational decent batting average, will get $1.7 million and bonuses.
Moehler has a 9-5 record so far, notable since he hasn’t had a winning record since 2000. Although his H/9 ratio hasn’t been that good this season, his walk rate’s been decent. Brian is a decent 5th starter option. His $2.3 million and bonuses look better than the Erstad signing.
Trade Bait: Phillies Acquire Stairs
In an attempt to bolster their bench with a veteran left-handed bat, the Philadelphia Phillies acquired Matt Stairs from the Toronto Blue Jays for a player to be named later.
Stairs steps in and takes the injured Geoff Jenkins’s spot as a platoon partner for Jayson Werth in right field. Werth, who has only hit .266 against right-handers this season, will probably see additional playing time as Stairs will likely be used less extensively than Jenkins was. Jayson’s .947 OPS since the All-Star break also spells additional playing time for the outfielder.
We’ll note the PTBNL when the name is released, but it is doubtful that he will be much of a prospect at all.
Probably the most interesting aspect about this trade is that the Jays have decided to call up top prospect Travis Snider. Snider has hit .275/23/91 in three stops in the minor leagues this season. He has a world of talent, but his 154 strikeouts in 487 at-bats could spell trouble early on.
Trade Bait: Mark Kotsay is now a Chowda
To further dismantle the Atlanta Braves, GM Frank Wren traded Mark Kotsay to the Boston Red Sox for a minor league outfielder.
Kotsay, who was just discussed here recently, will help out a J.D. Drew-missing outfield. He’s not much of a starter anymore, but he’s a very capable fourth outfielder and a good veteran addition to a playoff chasing Red Sox team.
In return, the Braves get young outfielder Luis Sumoza. Sumoza, who is having the best season of his career so far at Single-A Lowell, has belted 11 homers and 15 doubles in only 193 at-bats. He’s also carried a decent .301 average and a .915 OPS. But his strikeout rate is very alarming (59 K/193 AB), explaining why he’s still only a lower level prospect in the Red Sox organization. Luis also has good speed, stealing 9 bags in 51 games. But he’s still very raw and the Braves will need to be very patient with him, possibly keeping him in High-A ball all next season unless he really breaks out.
Overall, it was a decent trade for both sides as the Red Sox got some badly needed veteran outfield help and the Braves a prospect with good upside if they can fix the holes in his swing.
Trade Bait: Everyday Eddie Returns to the Twins
Everyday Eddie Guardado was once a closer for the Minnesota Twins. He never threw hard, but he closed out games well for the Twinkies. After stops in Seattle, Cincinnati, and most recently with the Texas Rangers, Eddie now returns to the Twins in a trade for a minor league arm.
So far this year he has put up a respectable 3.65 ERA in 49.1 innings for the Rangers. But he has also put up a 2.61 ERA on the road. He helps to solidify a pen on a team that is trying to push away from division rival, the Chicago White Sox.
In return, the Rangers received minor leaguer Mark Hamburger. The righty throws a fastball in the mid-90s and a slider as an off-pitch. Although he has decent movement on his fastball, he also has some trouble controlling it. If the Rangers can smooth out his mechanics and if he develops well, Mark should be a decent reliever for them.
One thing is for sure, he’s no “sloppy joe”….just had to pun that name once.
Looking into the Braves Centerfield Crystal Ball
I recently read an article writen by Colin of Braves Blast discussing the Atlanta Braves centerfield options for 2009. It is an interesting breakdown of the Braves’ in-house options for the position.
Mark Kotsay has manned the position for most of this season, at least when he hasn’t been hurt. I’ve always loved Kotsay’s all out play, he’s one of those true hustlers that you like to watch. But it’s doubtful that his back will ever let him hit for a .800+ OPS again. Anymore, he’s more of a fourth outfielder.
His immediate replacements could inlude Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson. Blanco’s .369 OBP in his rookie year look promising. But can he adjust to major league pitching to keep from hitting below .260 in his sophomore season? Josh Anderson has had a great year at Triple-A Richmond, stealing 41 bases so far. But would Bobby Cox let him steal that much in the majors? Cox isn’t known to let runners steal at will that much. He’s also never been known as an on-base machine, although he’s improved that part of his game, he’ll have to hold a .360 OBP or higher to be of real use in the majors.
Then there’s phenom Jordan Schafer. Many critics are quick to point out that he’s hitting only .269 on the season after his suspension was lifted. But much of that early slump could be connected to the suspension bearing on his mind, as he talks of in an interview with Ben Badler at ProSportsDaily.com. Since June 24th, he’s hit .357/.400/.622 in 105 plate appearances since June 24.
I think that the Braves could leave it up to a spring training battle between Gregor Blanco and Josh Anderson, letting the winner play for the first couple months of the season. This stance would allow the Braves to save money by not resigning Kotsay or some other veteran. It would also leave center wide open for Jordan Schafer to push his way into the spot after a couple months of needed seasoning at Triple-A.
But it wouldn’t surprise me if GM Frank Wren were to kick the tires on someone like Willy Taveras during the off-season. Frank will have a decent amount of cash to spread around and the Rockies have been rumored to want deal him away. It also seems like Wren likes speedy outfielders with very light power, Taveras fits that mold.
Stay in-house Frank.
Misc Notes: Rays vs. White Sox
In what could be a playoff matchup, the Tampa Rays and the Chicago White Sox met for a weekend series that finished out today. But it was today’s game that sparked my interest.
In the bottom of the ninth inning, the Rays sent in Dan Wheeler to close out the game. With two outs and Brian Anderson on second base, Paul Konerko hit a single to left field. Ben Zobrist, who came up as a shortstop, was manning left field and dug the ball up, gunning it home. Although his throw was a little up the line, it was very early all catcher Shawn Riggans had to do was catch the ball as Brian Anderson would have to barrel through him to get to the plate. But Shawn didn’t cradle in the ball and it bounced off towards the first-base side of the plate, allowing Anderson to score.
It was the type of play that Riggans should have had, but it wasn’t a terribly bad play by him. A type of ho-hum, “they all make errors” type of play. But it was after the second replay that I realized the REAL error on the play. Riggans never removed his helmet before the play unfolded. He had plenty of time, but never threw the helmet off, a fundamental aspect that is tought in kids machine pitch ball.
Anyway, the game moved on into extra innings where A.J. Pierzynski got on-base with a base hit up the middle. Carlos Quentin then hit a deep fly over B.J. Upton’s head. Lackidaically, Upton caught it, gliding towards the wall and threw it in. Yet Pierzynski pushed the envelope, he tagged up and took second base. If Upton had put himself in a good defensive position, A.J. wouldn’t have even thought of taking off.
Then, Jermaine Dye hit a grounder to short and A.J. was caught off base and he got caught in a run down. A.J. looked dead until he threw out an elbow into the passing Willy Aybar as he was passing him in the typical run down progress. A.J. then “fell” down and pointed immediately at Aybar. The umpire then called interference on Aybar, allowing A.J. to go to third, although he was already tagged out. Although Aybar should have veered off more to avoid the contact, A.J.’s elbow was intentional, bringing the arguement of Rays’ manager Joe Maddon.
Although it was not the most respectable play, you have to give A.J. some credit for the heads-up play that he had. I liken him to Ty Cobb with his win at all costs mentality.
As for the Rays, I know Maddon is high on fundamentals and this team should and probably will be worn out in practice as their fundamentals were horrible today. Shawn Riggans’ ears alone should be hurting after throwing his helmet off numerous times in drills.
Plight of the Padres
Before the season started the San Diego Padres looked like true contenders in the NL West. But things went down hill fast. Between injuries and players not playing up to expectations, the Padres sank fast to the bottom the NL West and now have the second-worst record in the NL. As the off-season approaches, the Padres have little to look forward to as rumors abound that ownership will possibly cut the team’s payroll from $73.6 million, down to about $40 million. Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune mentions the possible cut in a recent article.
The trade rumors of Brian Giles to the Boston Red Sox brings some possible credibility to the payroll rumors as Giles is currently their largest annual contract. Set to make $9 million in 2009, dropping Giles would be a big step towards the rumored $40 million. GM Kevin Towers might also be looking for a relatively cheap shortstop in order to unload Khalil Greene’s 2009 salary of $6.5 million.
Possibly one of the more intriguing plot lines to come out of this may be the free agency of Trevor Hoffman. If the Padres elect not to bring the future Hall-of-Fame closer back for next year they will probably be hammered by the media and fans. That is, if they cannot convince him to retire after the season.
I can see them sticking with Josh Bard behind the plate and letting Michael Barrett walk, all the while hoping that Nick Hundley will develop with another season at Triple-A. Adrian Gonzalez isn’t going anywhere. Tadahito Iguchi and his $3.5 million salary are gone, but Matt Antonetti is showing that he’s not ready for the majors, pushing the Padres to go with Edgar Gonzalez by default, or picking up some other second baseman up off the free agent scrap heap. Kevin Kouzmanoff could be dealt for a true rightfielder during the off-season. But third will definately be manned by him or Chase Headley.
Scott Hairston has started to show some of the hitting ability that scouts have talked about for years. The two-headed platoon of him and Jody Gerut in center has worked very well this season. But if Kouz is dealt, the outfield corners will have to be filled.
The top of the starting rotation will look good with Jake Peavy and Chris Young, but it gets ugly after that. Towers and friends will have to get creative to fill at least the #3 and #4 spots decently.
The pen will look good, especially if Hoffman returns. These are the Padres, they seem to love to make relievers excel.
This may be an intriguing off-season for the Padres as they try to field a decent team, while dismantling what they have. Good luck Kevin Towers.
Trade Bait: Bautista to the Jays
In an effort to….um…..to….possibly get a little closer to the unreachable AL Wild Card, the Toronto Blue Jays traded for the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jose Bautista. Bautista was pushed to a bench role when Andy LaRoche was picked up in the Manny Ramirez/Jason Bay trade at the deadline. He will essentially take over third base for the Jays since there is no timeline for the return of Scott Rolen.
Jose also gives the Blue Jays a much needed bat to combat left-handed pitching. The Jays have been pathetic against left-handers this season, posting a .355 slugging percentage against southpaws. What little hitting success Bautista seemingly has had this season has been his ability to hit lefties, putting up a .910 OPS against them.
Although he came up as a third baseman, Bautista can play multiple positions giving the Jays added flexibility.
At this point, Bautista is essentially a utility player, much like Marco Scutaro, John McDonald, and Joe Inglett, players that are already on the Jays’ roster. His addition will not be much of a boost, except possibly against left-handers. Hopefully (and likely), the player to be named later will be mediocre at best. It’s a trade that doesn’t make too much sense for the Jays, who are highly unlikely to challenge for a Wild Card birth. But with as much as Rolen gets hurt, insurance against future injuries (Rolen’s signed through 2010) doesn’t hurt.
Rookies to Look For: Chris Davis
When the Texas Rangers traded Mark Teixeira to the Atlanta Braves at the 2007 trade deadline it left a large hole at first base for the team. But Jon Daniels knew that it wouldn’t be long before that hole would be filled, and filled well for the team had an up and coming corner infielder by the name of Chris Davis coming through the system.
Davis was drafted in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. Although he had pitched in college, slinging a low-90s fastball towards the plate, it was clear that his bat would be what would get him to the majors. The team stuck him at the hot corner and let him progress through the minors.
In 2007, Chris hit .297 with 36 home runs and 118 RBIs for High-A and Double-A. It really put him on the map for those who hadn’t already known of him. His stint at Double-A really stood out as he hit 12 homers in only 109 at-bats, posting a 1.059 OPS.
But it was clear that third base was not going to be his long term position as scout after scout said that he would not be able to hold down the position in the majors. A move was in the works and in 2008 he was pushed to first base where he could concentrate more on developing his bat, becoming an offensive powerhouse.
He continued to rake this season at Double-A, hitting to the tune of a .994 OPS before being called to Triple-A. The onslaught carried over to Triple-A as he posted a .527 slugging percentage during his short stay. Daniels couldn’t hold back any longer, he called up Chris to fill the hole at first base.
Although his plate discipline is still suspect, he’s slugged twelve home runs in only 182 at-bats and knocked in 36 RBIs in only 46 games. If he can further hone his hitting skills and reduce his strikeouts, Davis will soon be yet another power bat for pitchers to be afraid of as the Rangers’ lineup keeps getting better and better.
