BD Hot Stove: A Jones For Andruw | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: A Jones For Andruw | Baseball Digest

Andruw Jones burst on to the scene for the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series, slugging a pair of home runs in game 1 against the Yankees. He was a mere 20 years old at the time. 15 years later, Jones is looking for a job, but is clearly not the player he once was.

Older, slower, out of a shape, and a bad back…they all contributed to a less than stellar handful of seasons (2008-2010) for the five time All-Star. Even in his last very productive season (2007), when he hit 26 home runs and drove in 94 runs, Jones hit just .222 and struck out 138 times. The drop off in offensive production was dramatic after averaging 46 home runs and 128 RBI the previous two seasons. Jones also won the last of his 10 Gold Gloves in 2007.

With the White Sox last season Jones did show some pop-19 home runs- and drove in 48 runs in 278 at-bats. Despite hitting just .230, he put up a .341 OPS due to 45 walks. The combination is what has some teams still showing interest in the native of Curacao. The Yankees, looking to fill the void left by Marcus Thames and Austin Kearns, are said to be the front-runner for Jones’ services and, in fact, some sources say a contract is imminent. The Yankees would give him outfield time as well as occassional DH duty when the regular DH Jorge Posada gets a day off.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

A once promising career has apparently come to a close. Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche has decided to retire due to lingering shoulder issues. The 32-yr old, who would have made $12M this season, said he would have to have another shoulder surgery to even think about being a starting pitcher again. The Royals released the following statement:

“After a lot of thinking and prioritizing of issues in my life I have decided to retire from baseball. As a competitor my entire life this is the hardest decision that I’ve ever faced, but it’s not fair to me, my family or the Kansas City Royals that I attempt to pitch anymore. I came into this game as a starting pitcher and unfortunately my health, more accurately, my shoulder, has deteriorated to the point where surgery would be the only option and at this stage of my life I would prefer to call it a career rather than to attempt to pitch in relief for the final year of my contract. I can’t thank the Kansas City Royals and their fans enough for my four seasons there and if I have any regret, it’s that we weren’t able to accomplish on the field what the goal was when I signed there.”

The Diamondbacks and shortstop Stephen Drew have agreed on a two year, $13.75M contract with a mutual option for 2013.

According to Jon Heyman, the Yankees are still looking at Freddy Garcia and Kevin Millwood for the number five spot in the rotation and a veteran presence in place of Andy Pettitte.

The Mets are reportedly close to a minor league deal with Scott Hairston.

Newly acquired Rajai Davis has agreed to a two year, $5.25M deal with the Blue Jays. Toronto has added a club option for 2013.

The Dodgers reached an agreement with Marcus Thames on a one year deal. LA is also close to signing Gabe Kapler to a minor league deal.

Several players have avoided arbitration with new contracts (all are for one year): Prince Fielder (MIL, $15.5M), Shin-Soo Choo (CLE, $3.975M), Ryan Ludwick (SD, $6.775M), Heath Bell (SD, $7.5M), Dallas Braden (OAK, $3.35M), Conor Jackson (OAK, $3.32M), Brandon Morrow (TOR, $2.3M), Shawn Camp (TOR, $2.25M), Yunel Escobar (TOR, $2.9M), Manny Parra (MIL, und.), Mike Pelfrey (NYM, $3.925M), Rafael Perez (CLE, $1.33M), Chris Perez (CLE, $2.25M), Felix Pie (BAL, $985K), Armando Galarraga (DET, $2.3M), Anibal Sanchez (FLA, $3.7M), Clay Hensley (FLA, $1.4M), Mike Morse (WAS, und.), Jeff Keppinger (HOU, $2.3M), Clint Barmes (HOU, $3.925M), Tony Pena (CHW, $1.6M), Felipe Paulino (COL, $79OK), Kyle Davies (KC, $3.2M)

BD Hot Stove: Soria-Yes SoriaNO | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Soria-Yes SoriaNO | Baseball Digest

Having lost out in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes and still waiting for Andy Pettitte to make a decision, word is (via Jon Heyman) that the Yankees are considering signing Rafael Soriano to a big money deal to set up Mariano Rivera. Many Yankees fans are clearly in a panic because of the aforementioned missing out and waiting, and say throw caution and much money at the wind, er Soriano.

I’m hear to say the Yankees would be better off working a deal with Kansas City for their stud closer, Joakim Soria. You are now saying, “Why would the Royals deal Soria? He’s young, he doesn’t make much money.” And I would have to tend to agree with you, however, he won’t be making little money for long. At least not KC’s version of little money. Also, the Royals aren’t going to be a strong team any time soon, so why hold on to such a valuable commodity? One that will have an impact in 60-65 games.

Soria, who will be 27 in May, is signed through this season with the team holding option on years 2012-2014. The closer made $3M in 2010 and gets a bump to $4M in 2011. After that is when Soria starts to come in to more money. $6M in 2012, $8M in 2013, and $8.75M in the final year of the deal. That is not the kind of money KC likes to pay out. The Yankees, obviously, don’t mind it. Soria has been relatively durable, making over 60 appearances in three of his four big league seasons. He missed part of 2009 with shoulder soreness, but bounced back in fine fashion.

Teams win with starting pitching and any team that has Bruce Chen in it’s rotation is going nowhere fast. With Zack Greinke gone, KC’s starting rotation at the moment is Gil Meche (only 190 IP over the last two years due to injuries), the aforemention mediocre Chen, journeyman Vin Mazzaro, Sean O’Sullivan, and one time prospect Luke Hochever. That’s not an 80 win starting staff.

Let’s start the deal off with Joba Chamberlain. Many of you will scoff or laugh, but hear me out. Chamberlain would be closer to his home, to his father, to his son. The Royals could/should convert Chamberlain back into a starter. One that would no longer have to answer endless “what’s wrong?” questions from the New York media or pitch in front of the scrutiny of an over expectant Yankees Stadium crowd. Still just 25, the right-hander with a multitude of pitches could still be a succesful middle of the rotation starter.

The Yankees would also have to include one of their bigger pitching prospects- A Dellante Betances or Manny Banuelos or Andrew Brackman (the least likely to be dealt) perhaps. Maybe one of the catchers from the multitude the Yankees now possess. Money of course is also always part of the picture and the Yankees could help things along by picking up Meche and the final year of his contract. At best he’s the number five starter. At worst, the Yankees try to swing him somewhere else for a low level prospect. Soria would set up Mariano Rivera, get occassional save opportunities himself and take over when the closer of all closers calls it quits.

Getting back to Rafael Soriano…I’ve said before he’s a great pitcher and would be a great pick up for most teams. But the Yankees are not one of them. To pay closer money for three years for Soriano to be a set up man does not make sense. Soriano is 4 1/2 years older than Soria and had serious elbow issues in 2004 (Tommy John surgery) and 2008. Both injuries occurred after two straight years of heavy workloads. I’m not saying he will have any health issues in 2011, but Soriano has made 141 appearances over the last two seasons, the highest back to back totals of his career.

Right now age and durability makes a Sori deal a better risk than a Soriano signing. Finally, Soriano would also cost the Yankees a draft choice in this June’s amateur draft, which is reportedly loaded with talent, and that is something Yankees GM Brian Cashman, for the moment, refuses to do.

The bottom line is one way or another the Yankees could come up with a deal suitable for KC and comfortable to Cashman.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

The Padres have signed recently acquired Jason Bartlett to a two year contract extension worth $11M. The deal also has a vesting option for 2013.

Pittsburgh proved once again they’ll just about signing anyone by re-signing much traveled Jorge Julio to a minor league deal.

The hip surgery for Mariners closer David Aardsma turned out to be more complicated than originally thought so he may not be ready for opening day after all.

Scott Schoeneweis told the Boston Globe he’s going to try to make a comeback this season.

Time for Yankees to Shop Until They Drop

The time has come for the Yankees to start seriously shopping, if they haven't already, for a starting pitcher. Brian Cashman confirmed to reporters this week that Joba Chamberlain will have his innings monitored for the remainder of the season. Though Cashman would not specify, it's thought that Chamberlain will not exceed 160 innings pitched this season. That leaves him with about 65 for the rest of the year, or approximately as little as 10 starts if he averages 6 innings per start.

With Chien-Ming Wang's shoulder getting no better and Phil Hughes ensconced as the key set up man in the pen, the Yankees are now in desperate need for a starter. Yes, I said desperate, but that doesn't mean make a stupid move to get said starter. Face facts, Sergio Mitre is not the answer. He might have been had Wang been healthy and productive, but neither is the case.

Andy Pettitte is coming off a good start, but as we've seen this season, he's been more often bad than good. Mostly mediocre probably sums it up best. The Yankees cannot just rely on CCSabathia and A.J. Burnett to carry them the rest of the way. The Yankees need to add a starter who can give them some innings and keep them in ball games. Better yet if he can win some games.

The Yankees are reportedly taking a look at Cleveland's Cliff Lee, but Indians want Joba or Hughes, and Cashman isn't going for that. The Reds have Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang, but neither is consistently stellar. I've "pitched" for Harang here, but there's no question his contract is a hang up (or is that a harang up?). The Yankees shouldn't pay out his full $12.5 million for next year.

Roy Halladay? That's just a pipe dream. The Yankees can't mortgage as much of the future as the Blue Jays would like them to. Plus teams like the Phillies have prospects who can make a more immediate impact.

But the name I really am pushing for is a name Ihave not heard mentioned in trade rumors, and I don't even know if he's available. I am talking about Kansas City's Gil Meche. The right-hander, who is currently on the DL with back spasms, has two years remaining on a 5-yrs, $55 million deal. Meche has struggled this season, but threw more than 200 innings in his first two years in KC and had a sub-4.00 ERA, while posting a 23-24 mark.

The Royals have lost 9 straight and are in last place in the AL Central. Things won't be turning around any time soon. Obviously, the Royals want to remain competitive in the coming years, andMeche's contract is not that bad by today's standards. But if the Yankees are willing to pick up the rest of this season and the next two years,Meche may come at a reasonable asking price from KC. Perhaps a package that includes one of the Yankees minor league catchers ( Austin Romine?), Ramiro Pena or Eduardo Nunez, and a minor league pitcher (or two).

Update: Just to clarify, Meche is on the DL and won't be activated until after the trade deadline. Which means the Yankees have to make a trade for a player to be named (Meche) or have the Comish approve it.

Update of the Update: Okay, turns out Meche is actually eligible to come off the DL on Monday, the 27th.

Pen makes a Royal mess

Here's my recap of today's game for Baseball Digest.

Pen makes a Royal mess

Posted using ShareThis

There goes Joba Cottontail

Happy Easter to all those celebrating.

Mark Teixeira is out of the lineup once again today due his sore wrist.

We were listening to WFAN and Richard Neer (miss those 102.7 WNEW-FM days) on our way to the A&P. We would like to say to one caller in particular, "it's only 5 games". Said caller felt that when A-Rod comes back, Johnny Damon should move to center, Xavier Nady to left, and Nick Swisher should be in right field full time. Because, "The bottom of the order is killing us."

The caller seems to forget that the bottom of the order currently consists of Cody Ransom and Brett Gardner. When A-Rod returns, Ransom goes to the bench. If Gardner hits .250 to .270 and draws walks it will be fine. You don't need nine .300 hitters in the lineup.

Now if a caller wants to complain about today's lineup, we're with ya. No Damon or Posada. Which means an easier time for Gil Meche with the 7-8-9-1 combo in the lineup. Why not give Matsui the day off since he's off to a slow start, have Damon in left field, and Posada as your DH? Well, Damon is just 3-27 against Meche.

CF Gardner
SS Jeter
1B Swisher
DH Matsui
C Posada
RF Nady
2B Cano
LF Cabrera
3B Ransom
C Molina


KC's lineup is as follows:

CF Crisp
SS Aviles
LF DeJesus
3B Teahen
1B Jacobs
DH B. Pena
2B Callaspo
C Buck
RF Bloomquist


Joba's got pretty good numbers against the Royals with one start and two relief appearances
7.2 IP 9 H 2 ER 1 BB 8 K

Gil Meche is 3-4, 4.38 in 13 career starts against the Yankees. He pitched very well (a no decision) in his lone start against them last year (6 IP 1 ER).

Yankees vs. Meche

Cabrera 3-10 1 HR 4 RBI
Cano 4-12
Damon 3-27
Jeter 11-32 (.344) 5 RBI
Matsui 5-23 (.217) 2 HR 5 RBI
Molina 2-11
Nady 3-7 1 HR 2 RBI
Posada 6-16 2 HR 4 RBI
Swisher 4-19 4 RBI 7 BB
Teixeira 6-23 (.261)

Meche has to be ecstatic that A-Rod isn't available. The career numbers - 13-31 (.419) 5 HR 10 RBI

Yankees and Royals set for 3 in KC

The Yankees have to be feeling a whole lot better about themselves this morning after yesterday's 11-2 smack down against the Orioles. The Yankees have moved on to Kansas City, MO now to play the Royals for a 3-game weekend series.

This is the first home series for the Royals, who took two of three in Chicago from the White Sox. The Royals got outstanding pitching in the series from Gil Meche, who will face the Yankees Sunday, Zack Greinke, and Kyle Davies. The three combined to allow just one earned run in 21 innings and struck out 20 batters.

Probable Pitchers:

Friday (4:10 pm EDT): Andy Pettitte vs. Sidney Ponson
Saturday (7:00 pmEDT): CC Sabathia (0-1, 12.46) vs. Horacio Ramirez
Sunday (2:00 pm EDT): Joba Chamberlain vs. Gil Meche (0-0, 1.29)

Notes

The Yankees were 5-2 losers in the Royals home opener last season. The teams split the 10 games played with the season opening series being the only one played in Kansas City.

Robinson Cano has a 14-game hitting streak dating back to last season. His 4 runs scored yesterday were a career high. Cano's new found patience is already paying dividends at the plate. He has three straight multi-hit games to start the season and has also walked three times. It took him 19 games to reach that total last season.

Nick Swisher tied a career high with 5 RBI yesterday. Joe Girardi said he expects Swisher to get three starts a week.

Ramiro Pena picked up his career hit in first career at-bat on Thursday. The Yankees retrieved the baseball, and true to big league tradition, Johnny Damon switched baseballs and threw it in the crowd as Pena watched from first base.


The Yankees face their former teammate Sidney Ponson today, which means Derek Jeter and Damon must be salivating. The captain is 29-77 (.377) against Ponson with 5 home runs, while Damon is a .346 hitter.

The rest of the squad against Ponson:

Mark Teixeira 8-15 (.533)
Jorge Posada 16-52 (.302) 1 HR
Hideki Matsui 9-27 (.333) 2 HR
Robinson Cano 2-7 1 HR

The Rotations - AL Central

Tigers

Guaranteed Spots: Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman

The final spot in the rotation will belong to Jeremy Bonderman, though it might have not been a given if the Tigers had some competition for Bonderman. The right-hander wore down at the end of last season going 1-8, 8.23 over his final 10 starts. That was after a 10-1, 3.53 start.

The Tigers gave up prospect Andrew Miller as part of the Miguel Cabrera-Willis deal, but Willis should have an immediate impact on the rotation.

Verlander is the stud/workhorse of the rotation. Robertson just got himself a new deal will give the Tigers many solid starts. Kenny Rogers is 43 and must prove he can stay healthy. The Tigers can plug in Zach Miner for some spot starts.

The Tigers staff could be anywhere from very good to good enough.

Indians

Guaranteed Spots: C.C. Sabthia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd

Sabathia had to be keeping a close eye on the Johan Santana contract negotiations, and although GM Mark Shapiro said he would not trade his big left-hander before the season is over, anything is possible.

Carmona went from closer bust in ’06 to 19 wins as a start last season. He showed poise during the first round playoff win against the Yankees in the ALDS.

Westbrook is what he is. He’ll lose nearly as many games as he wins, but he should give you 200 innings. Byrd was busted for HGH use, and then made lame excuses for it. How that will impact his 2008 season remains to be seen. A guy with no great stuff, Byrd has managed to win 97 big league games.

The final spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Cliff Lee was 5-8, 6.29 in an injury plagued season. The left-hander won 32 games the prior 2 years and has the inside track for the final spot.

Jeremy Sowers was 7-4, 3.57 in 14 rookie starts in ’06, but was awful (1-6, 6.42) in 13 starts last year. Adam Miller has been highly touted since being drafted out of high school in 2003. He spent the full season at Triple-A last year (5-4, 4.82, 68 Ks in 65.1 IP) and, if healthy, should compete for the last spot.

Twins

Guaranteed Spots: Scott Baker

With Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza gone, the starting rotation is wide open for the Twins. Scott Baker went 9-9, 4.26 and threw 143.2 innings, to bounce back from a terrible 2006 season, to be the only guaranteed spot. Boof Bonser (8-12, 5.10) would be next on that list.

Francisco Liriano missed last season with Tommy John surgery, but says he ready for spring training. That doesn’t mean he’ll be ready to pitch at the major league level when teams break camp.

Kevin Slowey showed some of his promise in 13 appearances, 11 as a starter (4-1, 4.72) for the Twins, and a stellar 10-5, 1.89 mark at Triple-A.

Of the prospects acquired for Santana, only Phil Humber has a shot at making the rotation during the grapefruit league. GM Bill Smith may still be looking to add a veteran presence before the team heads to Minnesota.

Update - 4:40 pm 2/12 - The Twins have agreed to terms with free agent Livan Hernandez on 1-year, $5 million deal. Hernandez can earn another $2 million in incentives.

Royals

Guaranteed Spots: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke

Meche showed last year that he was well worth the big contract the Royals gave him prior to the 2007 season.

The Mets had to be kicking themselves for dealing Bannister for hard throwing, wild reliever, Armando Burgoix. Bannister put up very good numbers, 12-9, 3.87, in holding batters to a .249 average of 165 innings (27 starts).

Greinke started to blossom last season into the pitcher the Royals had always expected him to be. After starting the season in the rotation, Greinke was moved to the bullpen where he excelled. The Royals moved him back into the rotation late in the season and his promise continued. Overall he put together a fine season (7-7, 3.69), including a 2.42 ERA in the 2^nd half.

Brett Tomko (4-12, 5.55) was pretty much guaranteed the 4^th spot by new manager Trey Hillman, despite the fact that Tomko, in a word, stinks.

Hillman would like to have one left-hander added to that mix and either Jorge De la Rosa (8-12, 5.82) or John Bale (1-1, 4.05, 42K’s in 40 innings of relief) could fit the bill.

Kyle Davies (3-7, 6.66) continued his struggles after being acquired from the Braves and will probably start the season in Triple-A unless he puts together a big spring.

Ranking the Rotations

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. Twins
4. Royals

The Rotations - AL Central

Tigers

Guaranteed Spots: Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman

The final spot in the rotation will belong to Jeremy Bonderman, though it might have not been a given if the Tigers had some competition for Bonderman. The right-hander wore down at the end of last season going 1-8, 8.23 over his final 10 starts. That was after a 10-1, 3.53 start.

The Tigers gave up prospect Andrew Miller as part of the Miguel Cabrera-Willis deal, but Willis should have an immediate impact on the rotation.

Verlander is the stud/workhorse of the rotation. Robertson just got himself a new deal will give the Tigers many solid starts. Kenny Rogers is 43 and must prove he can stay healthy. The Tigers can plug in Zach Miner for some spot starts.

The Tigers staff could be anywhere from very good to good enough.

Indians

Guaranteed Spots: C.C. Sabthia, Fausto Carmona, Jake Westbrook, Paul Byrd

Sabathia had to be keeping a close eye on the Johan Santana contract negotiations, and although GM Mark Shapiro said he would not trade his big left-hander before the season is over, anything is possible.

Carmona went from closer bust in ’06 to 19 wins as a start last season. He showed poise during the first round playoff win against the Yankees in the ALDS.

Westbrook is what he is. He’ll lose nearly as many games as he wins, but he should give you 200 innings. Byrd was busted for HGH use, and then made lame excuses for it. How that will impact his 2008 season remains to be seen. A guy with no great stuff, Byrd has managed to win 97 big league games.

The final spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Cliff Lee was 5-8, 6.29 in an injury plagued season. The left-hander won 32 games the prior 2 years and has the inside track for the final spot.

Jeremy Sowers was 7-4, 3.57 in 14 rookie starts in ’06, but was awful (1-6, 6.42) in 13 starts last year. Adam Miller has been highly touted since being drafted out of high school in 2003. He spent the full season at Triple-A last year (5-4, 4.82, 68 Ks in 65.1 IP) and, if healthy, should compete for the last spot.

Twins

Guaranteed Spots: Scott Baker

With Johan Santana, Carlos Silva and Matt Garza gone, the starting rotation is wide open for the Twins. Scott Baker went 9-9, 4.26 and threw 143.2 innings, to bounce back from a terrible 2006 season, to be the only guaranteed spot. Boof Bonser (8-12, 5.10) would be next on that list.

Francisco Liriano missed last season with Tommy John surgery, but says he ready for spring training. That doesn’t mean he’ll be ready to pitch at the major league level when teams break camp.

Kevin Slowey showed some of his promise in 13 appearances, 11 as a starter (4-1, 4.72) for the Twins, and a stellar 10-5, 1.89 mark at Triple-A.

Of the prospects acquired for Santana, only Phil Humber has a shot at making the rotation during the grapefruit league. GM Bill Smith may still be looking to add a veteran presence before the team heads to Minnesota.

Update - 4:40 pm 2/12 - The Twins have agreed to terms with free agent Livan Hernandez on 1-year, $5 million deal. Hernandez can earn another $2 million in incentives.

Royals

Guaranteed Spots: Gil Meche, Brian Bannister, Zack Greinke

Meche showed last year that he was well worth the big contract the Royals gave him prior to the 2007 season.

The Mets had to be kicking themselves for dealing Bannister for hard throwing, wild reliever, Armando Burgoix. Bannister put up very good numbers, 12-9, 3.87, in holding batters to a .249 average of 165 innings (27 starts).

Greinke started to blossom last season into the pitcher the Royals had always expected him to be. After starting the season in the rotation, Greinke was moved to the bullpen where he excelled. The Royals moved him back into the rotation late in the season and his promise continued. Overall he put together a fine season (7-7, 3.69), including a 2.42 ERA in the 2^nd half.

Brett Tomko (4-12, 5.55) was pretty much guaranteed the 4^th spot by new manager Trey Hillman, despite the fact that Tomko, in a word, stinks.

Hillman would like to have one left-hander added to that mix and either Jorge De la Rosa (8-12, 5.82) or John Bale (1-1, 4.05, 42K’s in 40 innings of relief) could fit the bill.

Kyle Davies (3-7, 6.66) continued his struggles after being acquired from the Braves and will probably start the season in Triple-A unless he puts together a big spring.

Ranking the Rotations

1. Tigers
2. Indians
3. Twins
4. Royals

Tonight's Lineup (7/25)

Mussina vs. Meche


Yankees

Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Andy Phillips 1B
Melky Cabrera CF


Royals

David DeJesus CF
Esteban German 2B
Mark Teahen RF
Billy Butler DH
Ross Gload 1B
Reggie Sanders LF
Alex Gordon 3B
John Buck C
Tony Pena Jr. SS

Tonight's Lineup (7/25)

Mussina vs. Meche


Yankees

Johnny Damon LF
Derek Jeter SS
Bobby Abreu RF
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Hideki Matsui DH
Jorge Posada C
Robinson Cano 2B
Andy Phillips 1B
Melky Cabrera CF


Royals

David DeJesus CF
Esteban German 2B
Mark Teahen RF
Billy Butler DH
Ross Gload 1B
Reggie Sanders LF
Alex Gordon 3B
John Buck C
Tony Pena Jr. SS