Keeping same lineup will get expensive for Halos
Guerrero is working harder to keep his legs strong, perhaps trying to ease the Angels' concerns about signing him long-term. Teixeira, meanwhile, is proving a monster presence in the No. 3 spot, his plate discipline making him a perfect addition to the Angels' aggressive lineup.
Keeping both sluggers would give the Angels a 1-2 combination into the next decade to rival what the Red Sox had with Manny Ramirez and David Ortiz. It also might cost Moreno oh, between $300 million and $400 million combined.
The Angels, who visit the Indians this weekend (MLB on FOX, Saturday, 3:55 p.m. ET), will face a myriad of contractual issues over the next two offseasons, but none bigger than those involving Guerrero and Teixeira.
Teixeira, a free agent after this season, told me recently that he wants a 10-year deal, and he almost certainly will seek an average salary of at least $20 million. Those financial goals, combined with Moreno's stated desire to keep Guerrero, make Teixeira more likely to sign with one of the New York teams or even his hometown Orioles than remain in Anaheim.
The Angels, who hold a $15 million club option on Guerrero for 2009, will resume their attempts to sign their franchise player long-term this season. They likely will do the same with ace right-hander John Lackey, whom they can retain by exercising his $9 million club option, but — like Guerrero — lose to free agency after '09.
Guerrero recently told the Los Angeles Times that he is 33, even though the team's media guide lists him at 32. His slow gait at times gives him an even older appearance, but scouts are noticing the effects of his off-field work with the Angels' training staff.
"He looks way better than he did last year," says one scout who saw Guerrero recently. "His legs are in better shape. He's in better shape. He looks thinner."
On Tuesday night, Guerrero told reporters, "This is the best I've felt all season. I think it's all due to my legs. My strength is back. I've been taking care of my knee, doing my exercises and getting the treatment that I need. It's taken a long time, but I'm glad it's to the point where I feel very strong with my back leg."
The Angels can replace Teixeira more easily than they can Guerrero — their Class AAA first baseman, Kendry Morales, is batting .338 with a .913 OPS, while another minor leaguer at the position, Mark Trumbo, has hit 32 homers — 26 in the hitter-friendly Class A California League and another six at Class AA.
Among the Angels' other potential free agents, closer Francisco Rodriguez almost certainly is a goner. Right-hander Jon Garland, who might not crack the postseason rotation, is likely to want more money than the Angels are willing to pay. Outfielder Juan Rivera might be tempting to keep — particularly if the Angels can move Gary Matthews Jr., who holds a full no-trade clause through next season, but might be willing to leave for a team that would give him more playing time. Matthews is owed $33 million over the next three seasons, but center fielders remain in short supply.
The Angels also face a decision on Garrret Anderson, who is producing his usual strong second half and growing more accepting of the DH's role. There is virtually no chance that the team will exercise Anderson's $14 million option, but it's conceivable that he could return at a lesser salary on top of his $3 million buyout.
D-backs' Dunn: The new Clemente
OK, maybe not, but the Diamondbacks plan to continue using Adam Dunn in right field until Justin Upton comes off the disabled list, then rotate Dunn between right field and first base.
First baseman Chad Tracy would lose at-bats to Dunn under such a scenario, but the D-backs would avoid disrupting Conor Jackson, who leads the team in OPS and has made a successful transition from first base to left field.
For Dunn, who was mostly a left fielder with the Reds, the opportunity to play right field and first base in a pennant race gives him the chance to prove that he is more capable defensively than many executives believe.
More on the trade
The Reds received right-hander Micah Owings, Class AAA catcher/infielder Wilkin Castillo and Class A right-hander Dallas Buck in exchange for less than two months of Dunn, who is set to become a free agent.
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| Adam Dunn may stay in right. (David Zalubowski / Associated Press) |
Owings, suffering from shoulder stiffness, has yet to be officially announced as part of the deal. Castillo, 24, and Buck, 23, were the D-Backs' No. 14 and 17 prospects entering the season, according to Baseball America.
The D-backs have traded 10 players in recent deals for Dunn and pitchers Dan Haren and Jon Rauch but stand to replenish their system with nine picks in the first 70 to 75 selections of next year's amateur draft.
The additional draft-pick compensation would come from the expected departures of Dunn, second baseman Hudson and relievers Brandon Lyon and Juan Cruz as free agents.
The D-backs' concern that Dunn might accept salary arbitration is minimal. He is not yet 29,and headed for his fifth straight 40-homer season. In an era of decreased power, he should be in demand.
The Giambi Market
Don't look now, but the Yankees' Jason Giambi could be a free agent in demand. The Yankees are certain to decline Giambi's $22 million option, and several American League clubs in need of power could pursue him on a short-term deal.
Giambi, who turns 38 on Jan. 8, ranks ninth in the American League in OPS, ahead of players such as the Indians' Grady Sizemore, Twins' Justin Morneau and Tigers' Magglio Ordonez.
The Indians are one team likely to consider Giambi — they could sign him to play first base, keep Victor Martinez at catcher and possibly trade catcher Kelly Shoppach for a top-of-the-rotation starter.
The emergence of Shoppach, who ranks fifth among major-league catchers in OPS, increases the Indians' options. If the Indians fill their offensive void at another position — say, by signing Orlando Hudson — they could stay with Shoppach, move Martinez to first and keep Matt LaPorta, their big prize in the CC Sabathia trade, in the outfield.
Other possibilities for Giambi could include the Mariners, Blue Jays and yes, his old team, the A's.
A's Ellis: Going free?
A's second baseman Mark Ellis has postponed further negotiations on a contract extension until the end of the season, increasing the possibility that he will become a free agent.
Ellis, 31, is batting only .234 — 37 points below his career average entering the season. However, he still would be the second-best second baseman on the market, behind the Diamondbacks' Hudson.
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| Mark Ellis may not be back in Oakland. (Harry How / Getty Images) |
The A's want to keep Ellis, but as the team continues to get younger, Ellis might prefer to join a more veteran club with a better chance of winning soon. The D-backs, who are almost certain to lose Hudson, would represent one such possibility.
Twins: Still seeking relief
The Twins, SI.com reported, won the claim to Mariners left-hander Jarrod Washburn — a move that, had it resulted in a trade, would have enabled them to move one of their young starters to the bullpen.
While it's difficult to imagine that the Twins would have absorbed Washburn's entire $10.35 million salary for next season, the Mariners could have included cash in the deal, enabling them to get better prospects in return.
Twins general manager Bill Smith — without addressing the specific issue of Washburn — told FOXSports.com Thursday that he continues to seek bullpen help and acknowledged pursuing "creative" solutions.
"We're looking every day," Smith said. "We've made lots of claims. We've gotten some. We haven't gotten some. If we could make a deal to make our club better, we're going to do that. But we also have to be protective of the future. Scouting and development is our lifeblood."
A's left-hander Alan Embree was among the relievers claimed by the Twins, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. A potential deal collapsed when the A's pulled Embree back.
"There's no question that maybe our bullpen could use a shot in the arm," Smith said. "We're trying to do it. We're trying to be a little bit creative. We just haven't found the right combination."
The Jays: A 2009 surprise?
Speculation persists that Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi will be dismissed at the end of the season, yet the Jays could finish above .500 for the third straight year, no small feat when contending in the AL East. If enough things go right — and granted, we say this every year about Toronto — the team might even contend in 2009.
The Jays should be deep enough in their rotation to withstand the loss of right-hander A.J. Burnett, who is almost certain to opt out of his contract. Their bullpen, which leads the majors in ERA, might be even stronger next season if right-handers Casey Janssen and Jeremy Accardo make successful returns from injuries.
The additional pitching depth could enable the Jays to trade for a hitter, and the team also could find offense in the free-agent market. Such a perspective, if taken by ownership, might not be enough to save Ricciardi, who has failed to build a strong farm system, made a number of questionable decisions and rankled many with his personality. But the Jays' foundation of pitching could be a springboard to a better future.
And in Detroit ...
The Tigers have not even discussed the possibility of trading right fielder Magglio Ordonez, who could earn $48 million over the next three seasons if he plays enough in '08 and/or '09 to vest his club options for '10 and '11.
A teardown in Detroit appears unlikely — too many Tigers are signed long-term — but left-hander Nate Robertson certainly is a candidate to be moved.
The expected return of Dontrelle Willis, possible re-signing of Freddy Garcia and emergences of Armando Galarraga and even Zach Miner all make Robertson expendable.
If Robertson rebounds in the final two months, the $17 million he is owed over the next two seasons will look much less burdensome.
Twins' span: Making an impression
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| Denard Span is making an impact for the Twins. (Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images) |
Leave it to the Twins to find an internal replacement for right fielder Michael Cuddyer, who went on the disabled list in late June with a hand injury and recently suffered a broken left foot that likely will force him to miss the rest of the regular season.
Denard Span, the Twins' first-round pick in 2002, failed to beat out Carlos Gomez for the center-field job in spring training but finally appears to be settling in with the club.
"When we sent him out in spring training, one of the things Gardy and I told him is that when you walk out that door, you could be mad at the world, feeling sorry for yourself," recalled Smith, the Twins' GM. "But if you think we're making a mistake, show us.
"He spoke up right there. He said, 'I want to say some things, but when I walk out that door, I'll be all business. I want to show you I'm ready to play here.'"
Span did just that, spending most of April with the Twins after Cuddyer's first trip to the DL, then batting .340 in 39 games at Class AAA. His major-league batting/on-base/slugging line in 198 plate appearances this season: .308-.391-.444.
Around the horn
Yet another sign that the Astros are delusional: After the Mets were awarded a claim on reliever Doug Brocail, the Astros declined to engage in trade discussions about the veteran right-hander, saying they were still trying to win. The Astros, after winning eight straight, remain 12 games out in the NL Central, 7 1/2 games back in the wild-card race. They hold a club option on Brocail for next season ...
CC Sabathia's 7-0 record and 1.55 ERA in eight starts with the Brewers should only increase his appeal to National League clubs as a free agent. Sabathia has faced only two of the league's top six offenses, but even the best NL lineups are weaker than the most formidable in the AL. Imagine Sabathia in a pitcher's park such as Dodger Stadium — assuming, of course, that the Dodgers are willing to spend the money, and that they do not re-sign Manny Ramirez ...
Reality has set in for Cubs right fielder Kosuke Fukudome. Defense is his best skill; offensively, he profiles more as a center fielder than as a corner outfielder. The Cubs could move Fukudome to center next season and try to obtain an athletic, slugging right fielder. Or, they could simply attempt to land a full-time center fielder. Fukudome is better in right than he is in center, and right is difficult to play at Wrigley Field ...
One thing to keep in mind when considering the AL East race: The Rays face a more difficult schedule than the Red Sox, playing 17 of their final 24 games on the road. The Rays' only home games during that stretch are against two contenders, the Red Sox and Twins. The Red Sox, meanwhile, play only nine road games after Aug. 28. The Rays' 45-17 record at home is tied with the Cubs for the best in the majors. The Red Sox are next at 42-16.
Strange but true dept.: The Phillies' Ryan Howard leads all first basemen with 14 errors but ranks a respectable 12th among statistical qualifiers at the position, according to Bill James Online's plus-minus rating system. Howard, whose defense is a source of frustration for Phillies' officials, is actually showing improvement in the plus-minus rankings. He was 20th in 2007 and 25th in '06 ...
The sorry Reds acquired five players for Dunn and Ken Griffey Jr., but some rival executives are wondering why they haven't traded potential free-agent relievers, such as right-hander David Weathers and left-hander Jeremy Affeldt. The designation of catcher David Ross for assignment also qualified as a curious move, considering his .381 on-base percentage in 173 plate appearances. The Reds could have parted with another catcher or first baseman Andy Phillips instead.
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