Why hasn't JJO been blogging much? Well, in his new-ish post, he tells us:
Sorry I have not blogged much lately. I've been making my calls to players and agents, but I haven't blogged because there really hasn't been any significant news coming out of Union Station.
That doesn't stop us! It doesn't even hope to contain us!
Anyhow, he has some news from Roy:
Oswalt says his back is feeling quite well...He hasn't started throwing yet, but he says that's no big deal because he usually doesn't start throwing until January.
Oh, and Oswalt isn't going out of his way to catch up with Brad Mills:
Also, he has been in touch with new manager Brad Mills, who has called him a couple of times. They both hope to meet at some point, but Oswalt isn't likely to be in Houston until January, he told me today over the phone.
Hm. Yeah, he sounds pumped (referencing JJO's post title.)
Then there's a really weird paragraph on what happened to him after the Jose Cruz "reassignment." I don't get it, but it's pretty typical JJO. Read it, and then let me know what you think.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Justice = Astros County
Got a question in the ol' astroscounty@hotmail.com inbox from Citizen Mark:
Justice's new blog post has a similar feel to your post on McTaggart's "Few Needs" article. Pissed?
There was a flap yesterday over Bill Simmons having the same schtick as a sports blogger (re: Chris Johnson's vanilla name) who had a similar post the previous day.
Simmons denied it, pointing out (rightly so):
Do (you) think after 12 yrs of coming up with my own stuff that a) I need to steal ideas, or b) I'd risk my career like that? Come on.
It's a valid point. Which is why I'm not going to get my hackles up over Justice's post saying that the "Astros Have Few Needs Entering Winter Meetings Headline" was ridiculous. As did Astros County yesterday.
There's not much going on in Astroland, with the Astros being the source of virtually no news, except who's going to take our relievers off our hands, and how bad everyone thinks our farm system is. As pointed out in the Sports by Brooks post, sometimes people have the same ideas. I won't ever read another blogger or journalist's article and pawn it as my own, and I wouldn't expect anybody else to do it either. Oh, I'll use it as material, but I'll always link to the original source.
Justice fleshed his post out better than mine (of course, I have a job, that actually pays money. This...not so much.):
Needs? The Astros might have as many of them as any team in the major leagues. What they don't have is a plan for filling those needs. They'll probably throw some young players onto the big league roster and see what happens. Maybe there'll be some free-agent bargains on the market in late January.
I like the idea of finding out if Chris Johnson and Tommy Manzella can play, but until the starting rotation gets better, the Astros aren't going to come close to contending.
It's not an issue of whether the Astros have needs. It's an issue that they're taking a unique approach to filling those needs. They're not. Glass half full. End of discussion.
Justice's new blog post has a similar feel to your post on McTaggart's "Few Needs" article. Pissed?
There was a flap yesterday over Bill Simmons having the same schtick as a sports blogger (re: Chris Johnson's vanilla name) who had a similar post the previous day.
Simmons denied it, pointing out (rightly so):
Do (you) think after 12 yrs of coming up with my own stuff that a) I need to steal ideas, or b) I'd risk my career like that? Come on.
It's a valid point. Which is why I'm not going to get my hackles up over Justice's post saying that the "Astros Have Few Needs Entering Winter Meetings Headline" was ridiculous. As did Astros County yesterday.
There's not much going on in Astroland, with the Astros being the source of virtually no news, except who's going to take our relievers off our hands, and how bad everyone thinks our farm system is. As pointed out in the Sports by Brooks post, sometimes people have the same ideas. I won't ever read another blogger or journalist's article and pawn it as my own, and I wouldn't expect anybody else to do it either. Oh, I'll use it as material, but I'll always link to the original source.
Justice fleshed his post out better than mine (of course, I have a job, that actually pays money. This...not so much.):
Needs? The Astros might have as many of them as any team in the major leagues. What they don't have is a plan for filling those needs. They'll probably throw some young players onto the big league roster and see what happens. Maybe there'll be some free-agent bargains on the market in late January.
I like the idea of finding out if Chris Johnson and Tommy Manzella can play, but until the starting rotation gets better, the Astros aren't going to come close to contending.
It's not an issue of whether the Astros have needs. It's an issue that they're taking a unique approach to filling those needs. They're not. Glass half full. End of discussion.
Revisiting: ADHD among MLB players
Rob Neyer has some comments on a story that MLB has approved 108 therapeutic-use exemptions to Major League players for ADHD.
This is up two exemptions from last season.
Now, back on January 10 we took a brief look at drugs used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall, which is apparently an epidemic on college campuses during Finals Week (I made it through finals on Kamel Reds, which I no longer use, and Red Stripe, which I do.) What do these college pups call Adderall? "Scholastic Steroids." Huh.
This is up two exemptions from last season.
Now, back on January 10 we took a brief look at drugs used to treat ADHD, such as Adderall, which is apparently an epidemic on college campuses during Finals Week (I made it through finals on Kamel Reds, which I no longer use, and Red Stripe, which I do.) What do these college pups call Adderall? "Scholastic Steroids." Huh.
Head out to Baytown tomorrow, if you haven't frozen to death
Call ahead to confirm that it's still on, but Chris Sampson will be hosting a clinic for 50 kids from the Baytown YMCA tomorrow from 1pm-2pm.
It's private, but if anybody can get a picture of Sampson with a Proof of Citizenship, you'll get a free prize.
Which reminds me, it's been a while since anybody has submitted a photo. Send in a picture with a Proof of Citizenship and get it posted on Astros County.
It's private, but if anybody can get a picture of Sampson with a Proof of Citizenship, you'll get a free prize.
Which reminds me, it's been a while since anybody has submitted a photo. Send in a picture with a Proof of Citizenship and get it posted on Astros County.
Astros hope that, on the offchance the veterans don't feel like playing, the prospects will.
McTaggart's new article details the impact the front office hopes our prospects can make:
Ricky Bennett drops some philosophy:
"We look at the system from top to bottom and you see bright spots at every level. Throughout the system, you really start to see signs that we're making progress and we're just going to have to keep doing what we've been doing the last couple of years, signing Draft picks and getting them in the system and focusing on individual instruction and getting kids better. We're making progress, but we're not where we need to be. We're going to continue to be aggressive and try to acquire players through trades and the waiver wire and free agency," Bennett said. "But in terms of acquiring players that have an impact on the Major League team, you've got to do that through the Draft. If we continue to Draft the right way and develop the right way, we'll start to see impact players coming through our system. If you look across the league, most important position players were drafted and developed."
On Castro (who apparently is the source of inter-office turmoil about whether he'll open the season on the Astros):
"I don't think any of us know the true answer to when he'll be ready. He's going to get the opportunity. Obviously, he had a good year this past year from a developmental standpoint and we were happy with his progress. He has a good attitude and will continue to get better as he gains experience. He will be in big league camp in 2010 and his play will dictate where he starts the season. If he shows he's ready to handle the Major League job, it's something we'll consider."
On Mier:
"He's a natural leader. Guys gravitate to him, and he enjoys playing the game and understands the game. The leadership is the one thing that stood out for us, other than the physical tools. He's going to be a good player. He'll come into our Minor League camp this spring and we'll let his ability and maturity dictate where he goes. Only time will tell when he's going to be ready at the Major League level."
On Chris Johnson:
"He really made progress the past two months of the season in July and August and didn't fare as well in September when he got an opportunity to play at the Major League level. That doesn't take away from his progress prior to that. He had a good Spring Training last [season] and will be back in big league camp and we'll have to see how he handles it."
Just to point out: Chris Johnson got 22 ABs in a month. 22.
On Jordan Lyles:
He's got a chance to be special. He continues to learn. He had a good instructional league and he really took hold of what we were trying to get accomplished with him. He, too, will be challenged this coming spring. Where he ends up, we're not quite sure, but he's going to get the ball and continue to compete and that's the one thing we like about him the most -- he's not afraid to complete."
On C-Lo:
He's very mature for his age [23] and has a ton of experience in international competition. I don't think he's going to be overwhelmed when he's in Spring Training. From an ability standpoint, he has an average to above-average fastball and a very good breaking ball that he's starting to command and gain more confidence in."
Ricky Bennett drops some philosophy:
"We look at the system from top to bottom and you see bright spots at every level. Throughout the system, you really start to see signs that we're making progress and we're just going to have to keep doing what we've been doing the last couple of years, signing Draft picks and getting them in the system and focusing on individual instruction and getting kids better. We're making progress, but we're not where we need to be. We're going to continue to be aggressive and try to acquire players through trades and the waiver wire and free agency," Bennett said. "But in terms of acquiring players that have an impact on the Major League team, you've got to do that through the Draft. If we continue to Draft the right way and develop the right way, we'll start to see impact players coming through our system. If you look across the league, most important position players were drafted and developed."
On Castro (who apparently is the source of inter-office turmoil about whether he'll open the season on the Astros):
"I don't think any of us know the true answer to when he'll be ready. He's going to get the opportunity. Obviously, he had a good year this past year from a developmental standpoint and we were happy with his progress. He has a good attitude and will continue to get better as he gains experience. He will be in big league camp in 2010 and his play will dictate where he starts the season. If he shows he's ready to handle the Major League job, it's something we'll consider."
On Mier:
"He's a natural leader. Guys gravitate to him, and he enjoys playing the game and understands the game. The leadership is the one thing that stood out for us, other than the physical tools. He's going to be a good player. He'll come into our Minor League camp this spring and we'll let his ability and maturity dictate where he goes. Only time will tell when he's going to be ready at the Major League level."
On Chris Johnson:
"He really made progress the past two months of the season in July and August and didn't fare as well in September when he got an opportunity to play at the Major League level. That doesn't take away from his progress prior to that. He had a good Spring Training last [season] and will be back in big league camp and we'll have to see how he handles it."
Just to point out: Chris Johnson got 22 ABs in a month. 22.
On Jordan Lyles:
He's got a chance to be special. He continues to learn. He had a good instructional league and he really took hold of what we were trying to get accomplished with him. He, too, will be challenged this coming spring. Where he ends up, we're not quite sure, but he's going to get the ball and continue to compete and that's the one thing we like about him the most -- he's not afraid to complete."
On C-Lo:
He's very mature for his age [23] and has a ton of experience in international competition. I don't think he's going to be overwhelmed when he's in Spring Training. From an ability standpoint, he has an average to above-average fastball and a very good breaking ball that he's starting to command and gain more confidence in."
J.J. Putz is a "strong possibility" for the Astros
Yahoo Sports' Winter Primer breaks down each NL Central team going into the Winter Meetings. A lot of things we already know, but we do see:
The Astros are seeking a cheaper alternative for Valverde (J.J. Putz is a strong possibility) but are trying to re-sign Hawkins.
The Astros are seeking a cheaper alternative for Valverde (J.J. Putz is a strong possibility) but are trying to re-sign Hawkins.
Once again, LaHawk is Plan B for Colorado
The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck is reporting that, should the Rockies not be able to resign Rafael Betancourt, LaTroy Hawkins and Justin Duchscherer are their top priorities.
Friday, December 4, 2009
The Meat Wagon is in service in the Caribbean
McTaggart tells us that Bogusevic and Wesley Wright have sustained minor injuries in Winter Ball. The extent?
*Wesley Wright took a line drive off the heel, and may be brought back to Houston for examination.
Wade:
"He was due to come back here at some point before Christmas, and we may accelerate that and get him back here and checked out."
*Brian Bogusevic landed awkwardly on first base and may have a meniscus injury, AND may or may not be brought back to Houston for examination.
Wade:
"We thought initially it was a meniscus injury. We're still waiting to find out more, but he's not going back immediately."
*Wesley Wright took a line drive off the heel, and may be brought back to Houston for examination.
Wade:
"He was due to come back here at some point before Christmas, and we may accelerate that and get him back here and checked out."
*Brian Bogusevic landed awkwardly on first base and may have a meniscus injury, AND may or may not be brought back to Houston for examination.
Wade:
"We thought initially it was a meniscus injury. We're still waiting to find out more, but he's not going back immediately."
Bagwell "richly deserves" enshrinement
(Captip to Street.)
In an article on Edgar Martinez' Hall of Fame candidacy, Rob Neyer closes:
I've been going back and forth on Edgar Martinez for years. Today, though, I'm convinced. He belongs. He wasn't nearly as valuable during his career as Frank Thomas or Jeff Bagwell, both of whom richly deserve enshrinement. But he was valuable enough.
Huzzah!
In an article on Edgar Martinez' Hall of Fame candidacy, Rob Neyer closes:
I've been going back and forth on Edgar Martinez for years. Today, though, I'm convinced. He belongs. He wasn't nearly as valuable during his career as Frank Thomas or Jeff Bagwell, both of whom richly deserve enshrinement. But he was valuable enough.
Huzzah!
Tri-City ValleyCats: Wander Alvino
Wander AlvinoHow did he get here?: Signed contract prior to 2006 season
Stats: 5'11", 159 lbs, Throws: Right
Age as of April 1, 2010: 22
Splits!
| Split | IP | ERA/WHIP | K:BB | BAA |
| Season | 71.1 | 5.17/1.42 | 49:29 | .262 |
| vs LHB | 31.2 | 4.26/1.74 | 18:15 | .317 |
| vs RHB | 39.2 | 5.90/1.16 | 31:14 | .215 |
| Home | 44 | 4.09/1.34 | 32:20 | .234 |
| Away | 27.1 | 6.91/1.54 | 17:9 | .306 |
| Bases Empty | 38.2 | x/1.55 | 25:20 | .255 |
| Runners On | 32.2 | x/1.26 | 24:9 | .271 |
| w/RISP | 16 | x/1.56 | 13:8 | .279 |
| June | 10 | 0.90/0.90 | 5:3 | .182 |
| July | 31.1 | 4.02/1.18 | 19:7 | .248 |
| August | 25 | 7.56/1.68 | 24:14 | .275 |
| September | 5 | 9.00/2.60 | 1:6 | .421 |
Season Total
K/9 Rate: 6.2
BB/9 Rate: 3.7
Groundout/Flyout Rate: 0.97
K:BB Ratio: 1.69
This is Alvino's fourth season in the Astros' organization, and his second in the States, pitching mainly as a reliever (1 start, 14 games) in 2008. In 2009, he did post the lowest WHIP of this career, though his K/9 ratio was down for the second straight year, and his BB/9 ratio jumping from 1.5 to 3.7. In Greeneville, Alvino walked seven batters (in 192 faced) all season long. For that to jump to 29 (in 309 BF) is alarming, as is the fact that he gives up more flyball outs than groundouts. His IP jumped 29.1 innings (again, the reliever-starter change will do that), just enough to keep him in the Verducci Zone. Where Alvino needs to work is against LHBs (.317 against, 18K:15BB), and with the bases empty, strangely. Six of the eight homers Alvino allowed came with the bases empty, as well as 20 of his 29 walks.
One of the more preposterous headlines you'll read about the 2010 Astros
Brian McTaggart has a new article, improbably headlined: "Astros have few needs entering Meetings."
Methinks it should read, "Astros have few means entering Meetings."
ANYway, there's not much we didn't know already, except for a couple of nuggets:
-Jason Michaels may not be likely to return
-Under "Who They Can or Need to Trade," Kaz Matsui (please, God) and Chris Johnson are listed:
Kazuo Matsui: He's entering the final year of a three-year deal that will pay him $5.5 million next year and certainly won't be returning to the Astros beyond this deal. He hit .250 last season, played in a career-high 132 games and was stellar defensively, but that's a contract the Astros wouldn't mind shedding.
3B Chris Johnson: Once one of their top prospects, Johnson has gotten little chance to prove himself at the Major League level, and the re-signing of Geoff Blum won't exactly open up playing time. And if the Astros re-sign Miguel Tejada, he's going to get the lion's share of time at third. The book is out on whether Johnson can play at the Major League level.
Methinks it should read, "Astros have few means entering Meetings."
ANYway, there's not much we didn't know already, except for a couple of nuggets:
-Jason Michaels may not be likely to return
-Under "Who They Can or Need to Trade," Kaz Matsui (please, God) and Chris Johnson are listed:
Kazuo Matsui: He's entering the final year of a three-year deal that will pay him $5.5 million next year and certainly won't be returning to the Astros beyond this deal. He hit .250 last season, played in a career-high 132 games and was stellar defensively, but that's a contract the Astros wouldn't mind shedding.
3B Chris Johnson: Once one of their top prospects, Johnson has gotten little chance to prove himself at the Major League level, and the re-signing of Geoff Blum won't exactly open up playing time. And if the Astros re-sign Miguel Tejada, he's going to get the lion's share of time at third. The book is out on whether Johnson can play at the Major League level.
Our friends in Canada must not know too much about the Astros
An article in The Star, within a piece on Marco Scutaro signing with Boston, close with where Roy Halladay might be headed:
Toronto's focus going into next week's baseball winter meetings now moves squarely onto pitcher Roy Halladay. The Toronto ace has imposed a deadline of this winter to get a trade done.
The Red Sox are also in the hunt for Halladay, along with the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels and New York Mets. The Houston Astros, who hired Toronto pitching coach Brad Arnsberg in the off-season, might be a dark horse.
Ahahahhahahahahaha
Toronto's focus going into next week's baseball winter meetings now moves squarely onto pitcher Roy Halladay. The Toronto ace has imposed a deadline of this winter to get a trade done.
The Red Sox are also in the hunt for Halladay, along with the New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, Los Angeles Angels and New York Mets. The Houston Astros, who hired Toronto pitching coach Brad Arnsberg in the off-season, might be a dark horse.
Ahahahhahahahahaha
Thursday, December 3, 2009
Zach Levine blinds us with science
Or math. Whatever. Levine's new blog post details the problem of OPS among Astros 3Bs - namely, it was .664, 14th in the NL. Only St. Louis (.661) and Florida (.629) were worse.
Blum struggled after having an outstanding 2008 against right-handed pitching and became primarily responsible for the 14th place finish in the chart at the top. The Astros would need a bounceback (from Blum) even to have a true platoon with Chris Johnson to come out anywhere near average.
Johnson hit .281/.323/.461 in Class AAA last year and finally saw a reversal of his minor league career reverse split. He had an OPS 123 points higher against lefties than against righties, meaning he'd be a decent platoon candidate with Blum whom the Astros tried hard to keep away from left-handed pitching.
If Tejada commands something on the high side of the mid-seven figures, the prudent move might be to spend the money to replace the question mark at the end of their pitching rotation. But no matter which direction they go including external free agent, the production from the third base position looms as a huge mystery facing the 2010 Astros.
Blum struggled after having an outstanding 2008 against right-handed pitching and became primarily responsible for the 14th place finish in the chart at the top. The Astros would need a bounceback (from Blum) even to have a true platoon with Chris Johnson to come out anywhere near average.
Johnson hit .281/.323/.461 in Class AAA last year and finally saw a reversal of his minor league career reverse split. He had an OPS 123 points higher against lefties than against righties, meaning he'd be a decent platoon candidate with Blum whom the Astros tried hard to keep away from left-handed pitching.
If Tejada commands something on the high side of the mid-seven figures, the prudent move might be to spend the money to replace the question mark at the end of their pitching rotation. But no matter which direction they go including external free agent, the production from the third base position looms as a huge mystery facing the 2010 Astros.
Astros sign Ryan Sadowski
Courtesy of minor-leaguer Garrett Broshuis' blog, the Astros have signed former Giants pitcher Ryan Sadowski to a minor-league deal, with an invitation to Big League Spring Training.
Sadowski, a 2003 12th round pick, is 27 years old, and was 2-4 with a 4.45 ERA in six starts this season - his rookie year. His line for the year?
2-4 (6 starts), 28.1IP, 28H/14ER, 17K:17BB, 4.45 ERA/1.59 WHIP.
Are you trying to remember where you have heard his name? It's because he dominated the Astros in G78 on July 3, throwing 7IP, 3H/0ER, 4K:1BB in his second career start. Things got a little bumpy for Sadowski at the end of July, and he was sent down, and then was released on November 23.
Former-teammate Broshuis:
I have no doubt that Dow can pitch again in the big leagues. I'm obviously a bit biased since he's such a great friend, but the guy has the stuff. When he's healthy, I'd pit him against any back of the rotation starter in the big leagues. He's probably not as good as his first two starts, but he's definitely not as bad as his last couple. The truth is somewhere in between. Now he's entering a phase of his career where he is likely to become a journeyman. And this can be difficult.
We also learn that Sadowski is getting married in a couple of weeks. So, congratulations all around!
Sadowski, a 2003 12th round pick, is 27 years old, and was 2-4 with a 4.45 ERA in six starts this season - his rookie year. His line for the year?
2-4 (6 starts), 28.1IP, 28H/14ER, 17K:17BB, 4.45 ERA/1.59 WHIP.
Are you trying to remember where you have heard his name? It's because he dominated the Astros in G78 on July 3, throwing 7IP, 3H/0ER, 4K:1BB in his second career start. Things got a little bumpy for Sadowski at the end of July, and he was sent down, and then was released on November 23.
Former-teammate Broshuis:
I have no doubt that Dow can pitch again in the big leagues. I'm obviously a bit biased since he's such a great friend, but the guy has the stuff. When he's healthy, I'd pit him against any back of the rotation starter in the big leagues. He's probably not as good as his first two starts, but he's definitely not as bad as his last couple. The truth is somewhere in between. Now he's entering a phase of his career where he is likely to become a journeyman. And this can be difficult.
We also learn that Sadowski is getting married in a couple of weeks. So, congratulations all around!
More of the same on the farm system's perception
Baseball America's John Manuel ranks the best and worst farm systems in baseball.
Top five, in order? Rangers, Rays, Giants, Phillies, Indians
Bottom five, in order? Nationals, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and...yep.
Houston has added solid talent in its last two first-rounders, catcher Jason Castro (2008) and Jiovanni Mier (2009), as well as '08 supplemental pick Jordan Lyles, a promising right-hander. But the Astros' system is full of holes -- it hasn't produced a team with a winning record since 2007.
Top five, in order? Rangers, Rays, Giants, Phillies, Indians
Bottom five, in order? Nationals, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Cardinals, and...yep.
Houston has added solid talent in its last two first-rounders, catcher Jason Castro (2008) and Jiovanni Mier (2009), as well as '08 supplemental pick Jordan Lyles, a promising right-hander. But the Astros' system is full of holes -- it hasn't produced a team with a winning record since 2007.
The Astros almost got themselves Jason LaRue
The Cardinals have brought back C2 Jason LaRue with a one-year $950,000 deal. But deep within Derrick Goold's article, we learn that LaRue contemplated heading closer to home (LaRue went to Smithson Valley HS in Spring Branch):
LaRue, who turns 36 during the coming spring training, said his preference was to return to the Cardinals. He entertained the possibility of playing closer to his home (read: with the Houston Astros). The Cardinals were more appealing for their place in the standings — this past October was LaRue’s first trip to the postseason in an 11-year career — as well as his familiarity with the position he’s had the past two seasons...
...“I know my role. I’m Yadi’s backup,” LaRue said. “I’ve said this many times and it hasn’t changed: I want to play my last few years on a winning team. I know this organization. I know it’s headed in the right direction. I know it’s going to give me the best chance.”
So does that mean the Astros would give him an opportunity to play on a losing team, headed in the wrong direction?
LaRue, who turns 36 during the coming spring training, said his preference was to return to the Cardinals. He entertained the possibility of playing closer to his home (read: with the Houston Astros). The Cardinals were more appealing for their place in the standings — this past October was LaRue’s first trip to the postseason in an 11-year career — as well as his familiarity with the position he’s had the past two seasons...
...“I know my role. I’m Yadi’s backup,” LaRue said. “I’ve said this many times and it hasn’t changed: I want to play my last few years on a winning team. I know this organization. I know it’s headed in the right direction. I know it’s going to give me the best chance.”
So does that mean the Astros would give him an opportunity to play on a losing team, headed in the wrong direction?
A note on posts regarding non-Astros players
Just as an aside, AC will be linking to reports regarding players not currently on the Astros roster (i.e.: Placido Polanco). The only instances in which this will happen are when there have been reports of interest between the Astros and another player.
Just so you know.
Just so you know.
Eddie's going to have to work faster than that...
That's, of course, if he was really interested in Placido Polanco in the first place. Jon Heyman is giving a captip to WEEI for reporting that the Phillies will sign Polanco for what's believed to be $18 million over three years.
Soriano and Gonzalez decline arbitration
SI's Jon Heyman is reporting that Braves relievers Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez have declined arbitration.
This is newsworthy as Easy Eddie mentioned both by name as being available last night on Astroline.
Both are Type A free agents.
This is newsworthy as Easy Eddie mentioned both by name as being available last night on Astroline.
Both are Type A free agents.
Decent chance we'll be getting Valverde back
That would be one of your all-time backfires, huh? In Buster Olney's new blog post, he hears:
Some agents for the players who were offered arbitration are aggressively calling around to try to find out if they can get better offers for their clients from other teams. "I think a lot of the agents are looking at what happened last year with (Jon) Garland and (Jason) Varitek" -- who both turned down arbitration offers, and wound up taking much less in contracts than they would have gotten through arbitration -- "and they don't want to make the same mistake."
The teams that would be most likely to pay $10 million for a closer like Valverde pretty much already have closers. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels. The Braves just got Billy Wagner. So is Valverde's agent - Bill Rego - one of those who is calling around to see if he can get Valverde more money (or a multi-year deal for comparable money)? If he's smart, he is. And I'm guessing he won't want to make the mistake of declining arbitration if he's only going to get $6 million/year from another team.
Some agents for the players who were offered arbitration are aggressively calling around to try to find out if they can get better offers for their clients from other teams. "I think a lot of the agents are looking at what happened last year with (Jon) Garland and (Jason) Varitek" -- who both turned down arbitration offers, and wound up taking much less in contracts than they would have gotten through arbitration -- "and they don't want to make the same mistake."
The teams that would be most likely to pay $10 million for a closer like Valverde pretty much already have closers. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mets, Angels. The Braves just got Billy Wagner. So is Valverde's agent - Bill Rego - one of those who is calling around to see if he can get Valverde more money (or a multi-year deal for comparable money)? If he's smart, he is. And I'm guessing he won't want to make the mistake of declining arbitration if he's only going to get $6 million/year from another team.
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