Around the Horn - 3/24

Some crucial injuries have hit late in spring training. Tigers five-tool man Curtis Granderson was hit in the right hand by a pitch from the Phils' Travis Blackley. Granderson suffered a broken finger and is expected to miss 3 weeks. Brandon Inge will take his place in centerfield for the time being.

The good news for the Blue Jays is that Scott Rolen's balky shoulder isn't bothering him. The bad news is that he broke the tip of his middle finger on his throwing hand during a fielding drill yesterday. Rolen could miss 4-5 weeks. Super sub Marco Scutaro will fill in for now.

Brewers left-hander Chris Capuano got some very bad news. He's got a torn UCL in his left shoulder, which means he'll most likely need a second Tommy John surgery.

A sore shoulder will keep the Braves' John Smoltz on the DL to start the season, but he could make his first start on April 6.

While Granderson may be bummed, his new teammate Miguel Cabrera is all smiles. The all-star slugger has reached preliminary agreement with the Tigers on a 7-yr extension worth $152 million.

John Patterson, released by the Washington Nationals last week, has agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers. Imagine that, the Rangers making a good move with pitching.

Shannon Stewart has won the starting left field job for the Blue Jays, which means hard nosed, fan favorite, Reed Johnson is out of a job. The Blue Jays released him over the weekend.

The Twins are close to signing closer Joe Nathan to a 4-year extension. Nathan's agent is meeting with club officials today.

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Trading Places

Spring Training is not only a time for the players to get in shape, but the fans as well. No, we don't mean getting used to hot dogs and beer. It's trying to adjust to seeing certain players in new uniforms.

Troy Percival

Dan Haren

Jim Edmonds

Miguel Cairo

Troy Glaus

Scott Rolen

Erik Bedard

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Yankees vs. Blue Jays - March 4

The Yankees traveled to Dunedin today to take on the Blue Jays at 1:05 pm. Phil Hughes, who threw one inning on Friday against USF, will work in today's game. The Yankees have a "near" regular lineup for the game.

Damon LF
Jeter SS
Abreu DH
Rodriguez 3B
Giambi 1B
Posada C
Duncan RF
Cabrera CF
Castro 2B

In addition to Dr. Phil Good, Kei Igawa (most definitely Dr. Pitch like Crap), Chase Wright, Jeffrey Marquez, Billy Traber, and Heath Phillips are expected to pitch. The Blue Jays lineup looks odd with new additions, David Eckstein and Scott Rolen.

We won't be able to live blog today's game, but we'll give you a full recap afterwards. Both Peter Abraham and Mark Feinsand will have live blogs of the game.

Mariano Rivera got closer to appearing in a Grapefruit game by throwing live batting practice this morning in Tampa.

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Breaking News: Glaus-Rolen Swap Close

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Blue Jays and Cardinals on the verge of swapping their respective third basemen, Troy Glaus and Scott Rolen. Both must pass a physical, which isn't a gimee since Glaus had foot surgery and Rolen had his shoulder carved up.

Both players have waived their no trade clauses, and its expected that the Cards will send along some cash to defer the cost of Rolen's contract.

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Thursday Hot Stove

While Johan Santana is still a Minnesota Twin, Andruw Jones, an Atlanta Brave for 12 years, is now an LA Dodger. Jones agreed to a 2-year, $36.2 million deal, that includes a no-trade clause. Jones' deal makes him the 5th highest player per season. Source

The Astros are on the verge of a major deal- at least that's what they're telling other teams. They've been shopping Chris Burke and Luke Scott, but there are no other details. Source

Anyone who is a regular on this site knows how much we can't stand Tony LaRussa. His words yesterday were another example of why that is. The Cardinals have been trying to deal Scott Rolen for a few reasons- fairly large contract, prone to injury, and his utter distaste for LaRussa. Rolen isn't the 1st player to feel that way about the self-centered jack ass (oops, did we say that out loud?). But this may be the 1st time LaRussa has taken a shot at the player in the press, rather than have one of his cronies from the St. Louis Dispatch do it, which happened with Tino Martinez. Source

As for the rift with Rolen, La Russa said, "I can't remember ever being the combination of mystified and concerned as I am about this situation."

La Russa admitted hostilities began after Rolen expressed unhappiness over the way he was treated while suffering shoulder problems last year but indicated the veteran third-sacker was off-base.

"I think he has put some things in his mind, and I think he needs to understand that our Cardinals have given him a lot since he's gotten there. He's been given a contract, he's been given a couple of World Series, he's been given a world championship, been a part of it, and he's given back some. But he needs to give back more."

As for Rolen's desire to be traded, La Russa said, "The whole idea isn't to please Scott. It's to take care of the St. Louis Cardinals. I don't understand why he can be down on the Cardinals. I don't understand why he can be down on me, to be honest.

"The idea is to accommodate the St. Louis Cardinals, our team, our responsibility to our players and to the competition. So, no, I don't want to accomodate(sic) Scott.

"What I care about is that he re-establish his stature as a major league, productive star. He needs to understand that he has slipped. Not in his play, but just in the way he's perceived in being the Scott they knew for years. It's in his best interests, and I think that means a lot to him. He can play mad every day if he wants to. That's OK."

The Orioles continue to market Brian Roberts and have had extensive talks with the Cubs. It really makes no sense to deal Roberts and hang on to Miguel Tejada. Source

The Rangers acquired 1st Baseman/DH Chris Shelton from the Tigers last night for Freddy Guzman. Shelton burst on to the scene 3 seasons ago, hitting 18 home runs in less than 400 at-bats. But after hitting 10 home runs in April of '06, he faded and was sent to the minors where he played all of this past season. Source

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Tuesday Hot Stove

Ozzie Guillen has never been one to hold his tongue and he's not now concerning Miguel Cabrera. For all those people screaming about Hank Steinbrenner and tampering charges yesterday, we'll do you one better.

Miguel Cabrera wants to return to the Marlins, but if he gets traded he hopes it's to the Chicago White Sox, according to one of his closest friends - White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

"He'd love to play for me,'' Guillen said Monday. "Miguel to me is like my oldest kid. His wife and my wife are best friends.''

"He asks me every day, 'What team will I go to? I say I wish I could tell you where I want you to go,' '' Guillen says, pausing to laugh, '' 'but I'd get in trouble.' Obviously he wants to come to the White Sox because I'm his friend.''

Time for Toupee Selig to step up and shut up the Jackass of Oz, and yes, Prince Hank too. Source

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Sweeny Murti of WFAN reported yesterday that he heard rumblings that the Mets were close on a deal for the O's Erik Bedard. There's been no further info since then. The Dodgers and Mariners have also been showing interest.

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The Brewers and Rangers have both been talking to the Cardinals about Scott Rolen. The Rangers were thought to be offering Hank Blalock as part of a deal, while the Brewers may be dangling left-hander Chris Capuano. Source

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A Dodgers beat writer denied that the team made a 2 year offer to Andruw Jones. Meanwhile GM Ned Colletti has said that Jones and Aaron Rowand are asking for too much money. Rowand and his agent have lumped themselves in with Torii Hunter, but Rowand doesn't have Hunter's resume to demand that kind of cash. The Phillies are thought to be considering overpaying Rowand for a short term contract, possibly 3 years, as opposed to the 5 that Rowand is seeking.

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Danny Haren, the Yankees Plan 'B' and much in demand, has stated he doesn't want to be traded. Haren, who is still under contract for 3 years, may not even be on the table, but Billy Beane is certainly going to listen. Source

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There's another big name left-hander that will be a free agent after the 2008 season, but the Cleveland Indians don't want C.C. Sabathia to hit the open market. The 2 sides are using the winter meetings to discuss a new, long term deal. Source

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The Royals are going hard after Jose Guillen, who apparently will take money over any chance of making the playoffs. Rumor has it a deal would be 3 years, worth $33-$36 million. Source

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The Rangers are considering bringing back Eric Gagne to close. Gagne was with the Rangers last season until being dealt to the Red Sox at the trade deadline. His disastrous time there, unfortunately, didn't prevent the Sox from winning the WS. Source

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The Empty Corner

The "Who's on 1st?" routine that Abbott and Costello perfected, even to the amusement of Charlie Babbitt, fits the Yankees situation right now.

Abbott: Who's on first.

Costello: I don't know.

Abbott: He's on third, we're not talking about him

The Yankees aren't talking about their recent 3rd Baseman, but Brian Cashman and the Tampa contingent are going to have to work fast to figure out who will be manning the hot corner in 2008. The only worthwhile free agents are A-Rod and Mike Lowell. Lowell is coming off a monster regular season, plus a world series MVP. Unlike Scott Brosius with the Yankees in '98-'99, Lowell has done this before, so the Red Sox would be wise to keep him (as you recall Lowell was blocked by Brosius on the Yankees, and subsequently dealt to the Marlins for garbage Ed Yarnall.).

So then you start looking around at 2009 prospective free agents, who might get dealt for the '08 season is over. And then you keep looking at what other options are out there besides the instant incumbent, Wilson Betemit.

Miguel Cabrera, Florida
Big bat, big appetite. Since he made a major splash as a rookie, the Marlins' Cabrera has had an expanding offensive game and waistline. The latter is the bigger concern. He's been moody, temperamental, and lazy. And he's only 24. Girardi had him for one year, so he knows whether or not he can get Cabrera to focus or not. While a huge asset with the bat, he is a great liability with the glove. He'd be better off at 1st Base or DH. If the Yankees acquired him, it would probably make more sense to move him to 1st and let Betemit, and, maybe, Andy Phillips split time at 3rd. Peter Gammons reported today that the Marlins have made him available in trade talks.
Our take - great bat, but acting like Manny without Manny's resume. The bigger issue is the young pitching prospects the Marlins will demand back from the Yankees. We've already seen you can't win with a big hitting 3rd Baseman and no pitching. Pass

Chone Figgins, LAA
There have been rumors over the last 2 years about the Angels gauging interest in Figgins around the league. Whether or not it's true remains to be seen. What is true is that Figgins will be expendable if the Angels sign A-Rod. It's been reported that the Angels already haven spoken to Scott Boras. Figgins, who underwent surgery to remove the hamate bone in his left wrist, started out slowly last year due to injuries and finished the same way because of the hamate injury. But in between he was torrid.

Figgins would give the Yankees another lead off man at the bottom of the order, or he could truly lead off if the Yankees move Johnny Damon. Also has the ability to fill in spots in the outfield. Figgins will still be just 30 in January and has averaged 47 steals the last 4 years. Signed thru 2009.
Our take - Definitely worth negotiating. Figgins could give the Yankees additional opportunity to play small ball. Go for it.

Joe Crede
Crede is coming off back surgery, which caused him to miss all but 47 games this past season. Crede had a career year the prior season, belting 30 home runs to go with 94 RBI and a .283 average. His 3 year average (2003-2005) of .251-21-69 is probably closer to his norm. Crede doesn't walk much and is certainly no threat to steal. His big asset is his glove, which is gold glove caliber. Becomes a free agent after the 2008 season.
Our take - Tread cautiously. Might be worth it if the price is right (aka low). Tough to tell if he'll return to '06 form or be damaged goods. Maybe

Scott Rolen
Rolen has been beset by injuries 2 of the last 3 years. Underwent surgery in September to clean out a bothersome left shoulder. As good as it gets in the field. Can be expected to put up a .280-25-95, if healthy. He'll turn 33 as the '08 season begins and is signed through 2010 (about 11 mill per year).
Our take - Definitely worth talking to the Cards about. Now that Larry Bowa is out of pinstripes, you don't have to worry about the clash that helped drive Rolen out of Philly. Though 3 years older than Crede, he still is the better overall player. Again the price would have to be right, though this time it has more to do with money exchange (take my Igawa, please). Go for it.

Troy Glaus
Forget it, the free agent to be (after '08) is on a division rival. Won't happen.

Hank Blalock
Another player that will be a free agent, though there is a team option for the following year, after the '08 season. Blalock missed most the '07 season due to thoracic outlet syndrome, which affects the nerves that pass through the shoulder into the neck. Blalock had a rib removed from his upper chest to alleviate the condition. Average 29 HR-97 RBI from 2003 to 2005, before a drop off to 16-89 in '06. Should bounce back well this year. However, he's a much better hitter at hitter friendly Ameriquest park (.303) than he is on the road (.243). Has a very good glove and a strong arm.
Our Take - Combine the career road average with a .226 average against left-handers, and we say forget it. Pass

Pedro Feliz - the free agent averaged 21 HR, 84 RBI the last 4 years, but is a .250 hitters with
a .720 OPS Pass

Alex Rodriguez - You just never know.


So there you have it. Now obviously, the Yankees don't need to get 1 person to replace all of those HRs and RBI. With more production from 1st Base and DH, it can certainly balance out the offense. It also shows the importance of re-signing Jorge Posada. Ultimately this team will still only get its far as its pitching, and that's where the Yankees need to focus more of their money and attention.

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