Post by IAMCAPER on Jan 20, 2006 8:37:55 GMT -4
Could Kerry Wood be headed to Washington? Get the answer and the hottest rumours Around the Majors, along with the Signing Post and Trading Post in this edition of TSN.ca's Between The Lines.
- According the D.C. Examiner, the Nationals and Cubs are discussing a deal that would send second baseman Jose Vidro and reserve outfielder Ryan Church to the Cubs in exchange for starting pitcher Kerry Wood.
- After making a splash at the winter meetings the Blue Jays don't have any trades looming according to the Toronto Star. "We've exhausted every possible avenue in regards to a trade. We're not ruling it out, but something drastic would have to change for us to say we've got something," GM J.P. Ricciardi told the paper. "Now, we're just sitting back waiting to see what the rest of the winter brings us. We'd like to add that one more bat but, if we can't, we'll have to make do with what we've got."
- The Dallas News reports that Kevin Millwood, the American League's ERA leader in 2005, will visit with Rangers officials on Tuesday.
- Free agent Octavio Dotel is mulling over offers from the Yankees, Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, reports the Newark Star Ledger.
- According to the Palm Beach Post, the Florida Marlins and the agent for left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis have made progress on a one-year contract.
- The Daily Herald reports that while the Cubs are still trying to make a trade for a right fielder, the Cubs have confirmed that they've made an offer to free agent Jacque Jones.
- According to the Houston Chronicle, the Astros are mulling over their pursuit of free agent outfielder Rondell White.
- The Dodgers have backed away from free-agent outfielder Reggie Sanders, reports the Daily News.
- Johnny Damon rejected arbitration, meaning the Red Sox face a Jan. 8 deadline to sign the free agent center fielder or lose their rights to negotiate with him until May 1, reports the Boston Globe.
- Staying with the Red Sox, the Globe reports that the team remains in contact with the agent for Alex Gonzalez. Boston is reportedly one of three teams that have shown interest in the former Marlin.
- The San Diego Union Tribune reports that since Pedro Astacio said no to the Padres' offer of arbitration, the team has had preliminary negotiations with free-agent Brett Tomko.
- The Orioles are still believed to be the front-runner for Florida Marlins free agent Jeff Conine reports the Baltimore Sun.
- The Red Sox are still in the market for a left-handed hitting first baseman to complement Kevin Youkilis. There are indications they have placed Travis Lee at the top of the priority list according to the Boston Herald.
SIGNING POST:
Nomar Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton to the Dodgers: Nomar Garciaparra's recent few seasons somewhat mirror Ken Griffey's in the fact that he is another talented, almost a one-time lock for the Hall of Fame player who has been derailed by injuries over the last few seasons. Nomar has been signed to play first base, and is projected to hit in the middle of the lineup with Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew. While Garciaparra hit nine home runs, his average was only .283 with a .320 on-base percent, which are both considerably lower than his career average of .320 with a .367 on-base. If Garciaparra can stay health - and that's a big if, he could put up solid numbers for Los Angeles.
Kenny Lofton should play on most days, and is pencilled in to be the number two hitter, batting behind the newly acquired Rafael Furcal. Lofton turned back the clock last season, hitting .335 with 22 stolen bases. The 38-year old will be look at to advance Furcal and get on base for the guys hitting behind him. The major question surrounding Lofton is whether or not he will be able to play a full schedule, or a close to full schedule as he only tallied 367 at-bats after splitting time with Jason Michaels and the Phillies.
TRADING POST
Lyle Overbay to the Blue Jays: After making a splash in the free agent market by signing A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan, the Jays acquired first baseman Lyle Overbay and Ty Taubenheim from the Milwaukee Brewers for right-hander Dave Bush, outfielder Gabe Gross and minor-league hurler Zach Jackson.
Overbay is really good defensively and should serve as an upgrade for the Jays over Shea Hillenbrand and Eric Hinske in the field. The issue with Overbay might be how much more offense he'll provide than the players he was acquired to replace. After posting a really productive .301 average with a .385 OBP with 53 doubles and 16 home runs in 2004, Overbay slipped to a .276 AVG, .367 OBP with 34 doubles and 19 home runs in 2005. In 2005 Hillenbrand hit .291 AVG, .343 OBP with 36 doubles and 18 home runs.
The Jays are obviously hoping that Overbay can be more like the player in 2004, and feel that his doubles and high on-base percentage will help the offense. The team will also look to see if his power will continue to develop.
David Bush was 5-11 with a 4.49 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for Toronto this year. The young right-hander will have a chance to compete for a back of the rotation starting job.
Gabe Gross played 40 games in Toronto, with one homer and seven RBIs. He spent the rest of the season at triple-A Syracuse, where he hit .300 with six homers and 49 RBI.
Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals: While the Rangers no doubt liked Soriano's offence, they felt that they would be unable to sign him long term at a rate they felt was acceptable, so they sent him to Washington for outfielders Terrmel Sledge, Brad Wilkerson and minor league pitcher Armando Galarraga.
The move for Soriano gives the Nationals a legitimate power and speed combination. The 29-year old hit .268 last season with 36 home runs and 30 steals. The big question is whether or not Soriano can keep his power numbers in RFK Stadium. The Nationals hit the fewest home runs in the majors last year with 117, and only had two-players hit 20 or more. The move to Washington could cost Soriano some home runs, but he could see an increase in stolen bases.
Brad Wilkerson is the key player the Rangers got back in the deal. The 28-year old hit 32 home runs with Montreal in 2004, but his power seemingly left him in 2005 when he only hit 11 out of the park. There should also be some concern as Wilkerson's batting average has dropped from .268 in 2003 to .248 in 2005.
There is little doubt that the move to a hitter's friendly park in Texas will help his power numbers, and it should also be noted that Wilkerson is a good defensive player who has the ability to more than 10 bases.
- According the D.C. Examiner, the Nationals and Cubs are discussing a deal that would send second baseman Jose Vidro and reserve outfielder Ryan Church to the Cubs in exchange for starting pitcher Kerry Wood.
- After making a splash at the winter meetings the Blue Jays don't have any trades looming according to the Toronto Star. "We've exhausted every possible avenue in regards to a trade. We're not ruling it out, but something drastic would have to change for us to say we've got something," GM J.P. Ricciardi told the paper. "Now, we're just sitting back waiting to see what the rest of the winter brings us. We'd like to add that one more bat but, if we can't, we'll have to make do with what we've got."
- The Dallas News reports that Kevin Millwood, the American League's ERA leader in 2005, will visit with Rangers officials on Tuesday.
- Free agent Octavio Dotel is mulling over offers from the Yankees, Mets and St. Louis Cardinals, reports the Newark Star Ledger.
- According to the Palm Beach Post, the Florida Marlins and the agent for left-handed pitcher Dontrelle Willis have made progress on a one-year contract.
- The Daily Herald reports that while the Cubs are still trying to make a trade for a right fielder, the Cubs have confirmed that they've made an offer to free agent Jacque Jones.
- According to the Houston Chronicle, the Astros are mulling over their pursuit of free agent outfielder Rondell White.
- The Dodgers have backed away from free-agent outfielder Reggie Sanders, reports the Daily News.
- Johnny Damon rejected arbitration, meaning the Red Sox face a Jan. 8 deadline to sign the free agent center fielder or lose their rights to negotiate with him until May 1, reports the Boston Globe.
- Staying with the Red Sox, the Globe reports that the team remains in contact with the agent for Alex Gonzalez. Boston is reportedly one of three teams that have shown interest in the former Marlin.
- The San Diego Union Tribune reports that since Pedro Astacio said no to the Padres' offer of arbitration, the team has had preliminary negotiations with free-agent Brett Tomko.
- The Orioles are still believed to be the front-runner for Florida Marlins free agent Jeff Conine reports the Baltimore Sun.
- The Red Sox are still in the market for a left-handed hitting first baseman to complement Kevin Youkilis. There are indications they have placed Travis Lee at the top of the priority list according to the Boston Herald.
SIGNING POST:
Nomar Garciaparra and Kenny Lofton to the Dodgers: Nomar Garciaparra's recent few seasons somewhat mirror Ken Griffey's in the fact that he is another talented, almost a one-time lock for the Hall of Fame player who has been derailed by injuries over the last few seasons. Nomar has been signed to play first base, and is projected to hit in the middle of the lineup with Jeff Kent and J.D. Drew. While Garciaparra hit nine home runs, his average was only .283 with a .320 on-base percent, which are both considerably lower than his career average of .320 with a .367 on-base. If Garciaparra can stay health - and that's a big if, he could put up solid numbers for Los Angeles.
Kenny Lofton should play on most days, and is pencilled in to be the number two hitter, batting behind the newly acquired Rafael Furcal. Lofton turned back the clock last season, hitting .335 with 22 stolen bases. The 38-year old will be look at to advance Furcal and get on base for the guys hitting behind him. The major question surrounding Lofton is whether or not he will be able to play a full schedule, or a close to full schedule as he only tallied 367 at-bats after splitting time with Jason Michaels and the Phillies.
TRADING POST
Lyle Overbay to the Blue Jays: After making a splash in the free agent market by signing A.J. Burnett and B.J. Ryan, the Jays acquired first baseman Lyle Overbay and Ty Taubenheim from the Milwaukee Brewers for right-hander Dave Bush, outfielder Gabe Gross and minor-league hurler Zach Jackson.
Overbay is really good defensively and should serve as an upgrade for the Jays over Shea Hillenbrand and Eric Hinske in the field. The issue with Overbay might be how much more offense he'll provide than the players he was acquired to replace. After posting a really productive .301 average with a .385 OBP with 53 doubles and 16 home runs in 2004, Overbay slipped to a .276 AVG, .367 OBP with 34 doubles and 19 home runs in 2005. In 2005 Hillenbrand hit .291 AVG, .343 OBP with 36 doubles and 18 home runs.
The Jays are obviously hoping that Overbay can be more like the player in 2004, and feel that his doubles and high on-base percentage will help the offense. The team will also look to see if his power will continue to develop.
David Bush was 5-11 with a 4.49 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) for Toronto this year. The young right-hander will have a chance to compete for a back of the rotation starting job.
Gabe Gross played 40 games in Toronto, with one homer and seven RBIs. He spent the rest of the season at triple-A Syracuse, where he hit .300 with six homers and 49 RBI.
Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals: While the Rangers no doubt liked Soriano's offence, they felt that they would be unable to sign him long term at a rate they felt was acceptable, so they sent him to Washington for outfielders Terrmel Sledge, Brad Wilkerson and minor league pitcher Armando Galarraga.
The move for Soriano gives the Nationals a legitimate power and speed combination. The 29-year old hit .268 last season with 36 home runs and 30 steals. The big question is whether or not Soriano can keep his power numbers in RFK Stadium. The Nationals hit the fewest home runs in the majors last year with 117, and only had two-players hit 20 or more. The move to Washington could cost Soriano some home runs, but he could see an increase in stolen bases.
Brad Wilkerson is the key player the Rangers got back in the deal. The 28-year old hit 32 home runs with Montreal in 2004, but his power seemingly left him in 2005 when he only hit 11 out of the park. There should also be some concern as Wilkerson's batting average has dropped from .268 in 2003 to .248 in 2005.
There is little doubt that the move to a hitter's friendly park in Texas will help his power numbers, and it should also be noted that Wilkerson is a good defensive player who has the ability to more than 10 bases.