Backtobanks

From MLBTR: Free Agents Off On The Wrong Foot By Tim Dierkes [April 29 at 10:04am CST] It's way too early to label the busts of the 2008-09 free agent class. We're only about 12% into the season. But I still want to take a look at the slow starts among the pricier free agents. It doesn't take much to irritate a fanbase, initially. Mark Teixeira, Yankees: .206/.363/.381 in 80 plate appearances. This contract runs through 2016, so it's barely begun. C.C. Sabathia, Yankees: 4.73 ERA in 32.3 innings. So far we haven't seen the expected walk and strikeout rates. This one runs through 2015. A.J. Burnett, Yankees: 5.47 ERA in 24.6 innings. Home runs and walks have been the problem so far. He's signed through 2013. Oliver Perez, Mets: 9.31 ERA in 19.3 innings. Control has been the biggest problem, and there's already talk of moving him to the bullpen. Perez is signed through 2011. Milton Bradley, Cubs: .107/.324/.214 in 37 plate appearances. Bradley has started eight of the Cubs' 19 game so far and isn't off to a good start with the media. He's signed through 2011, unless he spends significant time on the DL this year. Rafael Furcal, Dodgers: .241/.326/.316 in 89 plate appearances. Signed through 2011. Kenshin Kawakami, Braves: 7.06 ERA in 21.6 innings. Kawakami left his pinpoint control in Japan. He's signed through 2011. Kerry Wood, Indians: 6.75 ERA in 8 innings. Vesting option for 2011. Brian Fuentes, Angels: 6.43 ERA in 7 innings. Vesting option for 2011. Pat Burrell, Rays: .238/.364/.317 in 77 plate appearances. Signed through 2010. Damaso Marte, Yankees: 15.19 ERA in 5.3 innings. Signed through 2011. Kyle Farnsworth, Royals: 9.95 ERA in 6.3 innings. Signed through 2010. Randy Johnson, Giants: 6.16 ERA in 19 innings. Signed through 2009. Trevor Hoffman, Brewers: Missed most of April due to oblique injury. Signed through 2009. Ty Wigginton, Orioles: .216/.256/.270 in 78 plate appearances. Signed through 2010. Jason Giambi, A's: .215/.311/.308 in 74 plate appearances. Signed through 2009. Brad Penny, Red Sox: 8.66 ERA in 17.6 innings. Signed through 2009. We'll cut it off here, at the $5MM+ deals.

I'm a big Soto fan, but Soto has been brutal this year. As others have pointed out, he looks like he's hurting. With all of the other injuries, playing Hill instead of Soto is about the only move that Lou can make.

The problem with bringing up Scales for a few games is that it doesn't solve the problem for the rest of the season. You can bet that Bradley and Ramirez will miss many more games over the course of this season in addition to the fact that the team needs a RH bat off the bench. Also for all of the agonizing over losing DeRosa, Tatis compares favorably with DeRosa: DeRosa - 34 yrs old .277/.346/.420/.766 13 HRs 65 RBI making $5.5 million Tatis - 34 yrs old .264/.346/.445/.791 21 HRs 81 RBI making $1.7 million

Fernando Tatis might be an interesting target for the Cubs. His career line is .264/.346/.445/.791 and most of his experience has been at 3B and corner OF. He might be a replacement for DeRosa providing versatility and some power off the bench. His contract is $1.7 million for this year.

I was honestly thinking that could be a possibility. It's very early for both the Cubs, Indians, and DeRosa, but right now his line is .195/.271/.338/.608 plus he is 34 years old. I'm a DeRosa fan, but he isn't the answer right now.

Time to figure out how to get Jake Fox up to back up Ramirez and Lee.

For all of the anxiety about the Cubs' slow start, we aren't alone: NY Yankees 9-8 Tampa Bay 7-11 Detroit 9-8 Minnesota 9-9 Cleveland 6-12 LAA 6-10 Oakland 6-10 NY Mets 8-9 Philidelphia 8-8 Milwaukee 8-9 Houston 6-12 San Francisco 7-8 Arizona 6-10 Colorado 5-11 Most of those teams were mentioned as would-be contenders in some publications. I'm as frustrated as everyone else, but there's a long way to go and things should improve once Lee, Bradley, and Soto start hitting.

I can picture him hopping every time a ball is hit to him at 2B. :grin:

At this point I'd rather get Adrian Gonzalez and send Lee packing. You can probably get him for a package of Soto, Guzman, Marshall, and Vitters.

Done deal unless they want us to include Rich Hill.

From MLBTR: •T.R. Sullivan informs us that the Rangers have designated Travis Metcalf for assignment to make room on their 40-man roster. Not a big name, but he's young, RH, and has played 3B/SS. Very limited sample (80 games): .249/.300/.475/.774 with 11 HRs and 35 RBI in 217 ABs over 2 seasons. At 6'3" he might be able to sub at 1B if necessary. Is there some way we can at least sign him to a minor league deal for added depth at 3B?

There's no way we get that for Gaudin at this point. We would be lucky to get Gaudin for Baker straight up. The Rockies will probably also ask a arm and a leg for Patton rights. When teams see rule 5 picks, doing really well they usually don't like to give up there rights. Unless they get a prospect they really like back. I have a feeling if Gaudin is traded, it will probably be for nothing. I really hope I'm wrong though. You never know what GMs think of a deal, but getting Baker (a sub IF with atrocious splits) for a 26 year old pitcher with some success relieving and starting shouldn't be automatically dismissed. It's not like we're asking for Pujols even up for Gaudin. If they won't include Patton's rights or if money is an issue, do what's necessary to get it done (i.e. throw in $1 million).

That doesn't make much sense. If they do trade Gaudin to Colorado, I'd like to get an outfielder, Patton's rights, or both out of the deal. It's just Paul Sullivan speculation, but this is what worried me about that report: If you're going to trade a guy who has put up decent numbers in the majors, can both relieve and start and is just 26, you need to get something for him. That's why I suggested Baker despite his atrocious splits. Baker would fill a role on the Cubs, while it's looking like Gaudin is just blocking Patton.

From MLBTR: •The Rockies are looking for pitching. The top target is Jason Hammel of the Rays, while the Cubs' Chad Gaudin is also on the radar. It's possible Gaudin will clear waivers due to his $2MM salary, though. Gaudin for Baker sounds good to me. If necessary toss in $1 million to make it happen. Clears up the bullpen surplus and gives us the RH backup for Ramirez and Lee.

Unfortunately the Cubs already have Micah Hoffpauir already on the team. Otherwise, I would say cut Gathright (who needs him when Reed is already on the team) and sign Dallas. Or cut the similar player Hoffpauir to sign Dallas. But we know Hendry will not do either to sign Dallas, so this is a moot point. If only he batted RH.

Yeah, he was on my list of trade targets, but I thought we didn't have a chance because the Reds are a divisional rival. So much for that argument. He would look pretty good as a RH bat off the bench, insurance on the left side of the IF, and a possible 3rd choice at 1B. I'm not that enthralled by him unless he can repeat his 07 numbers. The rest of his years aren't very impressive. For a PTBNL, I can't say I would mind it, but I don't know that he'll be all that valuable. Using him in the roles that I mentioned, he seems like a decent option compared to whoever else is out there. Add in the fact that his cost would be a PTNL and it seems like a decent pickup.

Yeah, he was on my list of trade targets, but I thought we didn't have a chance because the Reds are a divisional rival. So much for that argument. He would look pretty good as a RH bat off the bench, insurance on the left side of the IF, and a possible 3rd choice at 1B.

Morgan Ensberg was cut by the Rays. Not a great option, but the price is right.

I know the breakup wasn't pretty, but the Cubs could have used him, especially on these terms.

Wow. I'm not surprised by this. The right moves were made. They probably shouldn't have signed Bako from the beginning to be honest. Eh, didn't hurt that much. Maybe it sparked Koyie to have a good spring training, or something. And I do like the move. Might as well go with the younger Hill. Not only the fact that he's younger, it helps that he's a switch hitter too.

My blog would be named "Smart Trade Ideas".

Got my 5/14 tickets Thursday.

I agree that he's not a great trade target right now, but I figured he would help the team more that Viscaino. Trading Viscaino will involve eating most of his salary and getting a non-prospect.

From Foxsports: •The Rangers are confident they can trade infielder-outfielder Frank Catalanotto if they pay a sizable chunk of his remaining $6 million obligation or accept a comparable salary in return. Viscaino for Catalanotto. Cubs get a versatile player who can basically back up most positions and can be used as a pinch hitter. Unfortunately he bats lefty.

Yeah, I don't really understand wanting to dump Gaudin for nothing either. I don't see how Patton is a better bet to produce than Gaudin. If it was a matter of whether to pay Gaudin ~$3 million or Patton the minimum, then I could see the argument, but we're paying Gaudin either way, so I don't see the problem with keeping him. I wouldn't mind it, however, if Hendry could work out some kind trade to keep Patton. Not giving up too much, but Patton seems to have potential. Is everybody willing to throw Gaudin away for nothing or wanting to dump him for nothing? I feel like I missed something. That's the feeling I got from your posts. Comments like "A god awful pitcher" and "ever since he became a Cub, he's sucked" and "I dislike veteran relievers assured of spots despite horrible performances because of contract situations" don't make me think you see a high return for him. I wouldn't be against trading Gaudin, but I would want something decent for an average 26-year-old reliever/starter who has a little upside. I posted that I thought Hendry ought to be able to get something for Gaudin. If you tie this thread in with the "Trade Targets" thread, maybe Gaudin can get us a decent backup 3B/1B who can pinch hit.