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Ric
Bayou Bum
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821st Post Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 02:18 pm | |
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THE NEWBERG REPORT
In yesterday's report, aside from the primary focus on Roy Halladay, I listed the names of Shawn Marcum, Zack Greinke, Matt Cain, Zach Duke, Edwin Jackson, Boof Bonser, and Brian Burres as young starting pitchers cited by our local beat writers as possible winter trade targets.
Set all those names aside, even Greinke's, and consider another.
Scott Kazmir.
In November, when the then-23-year-old was headed toward his first arbitration deal, I wrote this: "Eric Hurley, Taylor Teagarden, and Tampa Bay's choice of Joaquin Arias or Omar Poveda. The Rays won't do it. Would you?"
In January, the Rays and Kazmir avoided arbitration by settling on a $3.785 million contract for 2008.
On May 14, with Tampa Bay shockingly clinging to a half-game lead over Boston atop the AL East, the club agreed with Kazmir on a three-year extension with a club option for a fourth season: $6 million in 2009, $8 million in 2010, $12 million in 2011, and $13.5 million in 2012 (or a $2.5 million buyout).
On May 26, I wrote this: "It may not be for a few years, but the Rangers could be in a position some day to do what they were almost able to do with Josh Beckett -- use a deep farm system to come out ahead in an effort to get the best young pitcher (like Beckett, a Texan) available on the trade market. I want that guy here.
"There's no question that if Texas can maintain the horizontal and vertical depth in prospects that it has right now, it will be able to compete with anyone when it comes to loading up for a blockbuster trade. For a guy like Kazmir."
Think the season the Rays have had makes Kazmir untouchable?
Consider this:
Over the same four seasons that Kazmir is guaranteed $28.5 million -- $39.5 million if the Rays pick up the 2012 option -- James Shields is guaranteed just $10.25 million ($15.25 million if the Rays pick up his 2012 option).
Tampa Bay can also control Shields in 2013 ($9 million option, $1.5 million
buyout) and in 2014 ($12 million option, $1 million buyout).
The Rays control Matt Garza over those same four years before he'll have the right to explore free agency. If he continues to pitch the way he has this season, he'll probably earn close what Shields is contracted to earn over those four years.
Edwin Jackson and Andy Sonnanstine have had solid seasons, but even setting those two aside, the Rays have blue-chip starters David Price, Wade Davis, Jeff Niemann, and Jeremy Hellickson all at AA or higher, not to mention Jake McGee, who had Tommy John surgery two months ago but remains a frontline prospect.
And this may surprise you. Since Kazmir's two dominant starts against Texas on May 26 and June 6, after which he stood at 6-1, 1.40 for the season, he's had three quality starts in 13 times out, posting a 3-5, 4.37 mark in that span.
Even with this amazing season, and regardless of how it ends, is it possible that the Rays entertain the idea of moving Kazmir this winter? Unlikely (as is Toronto moving Halladay before he earns 10-5 rights about this time next year), but I'm not sure it can be ruled out.
Now, for the price. Stealing a line from the great Will Carroll: "Trading with the Rays is like buying something for the person who has everything."
They're young, and with very few holes, now or in the foreseeable future.
And they're notoriously difficult to deal with.
But you can be sure that, unlike Kansas City with Greinke, or San Francisco with Cain, or Pittsburgh with Duke, the Rays will eliminate the Yankees and Red Sox from the list of calls to return if they do decide to shop Kazmir.
There's no chance Tampa Bay will trade the 24-year-old to either of the two teams they figure to battle with for playoff position for the next 100 years.
Elvis Andrus, Kasey Kiker, Andrew Laughter, and either Carlos Pimentel or Mitch Moreland.
Wouldja?
Would they?
Last edited on Fri Aug 22nd, 2008 02:19 pm by Ric
____________________
All I ask is a chance to prove
that money can't make me happy.
"There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary. And there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance."
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Ric
Bayou Bum
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822nd Post Sun Aug 24th, 2008 02:42 pm | |
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Per MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, Eric Hurley won’t pitch again this season. Hurley had a 5.47 ERA in five starts for Texas.
Stars of the Day:
Oklahoma: Bill White / Casey Benjamin, Chris Shelton, Max Ramirez, Travis Metcalf
Frisco: Derek Holland, Clayton Hamilton / Julio Borbon, Elvis Andrus, Chad Tracy, John Whittleman, Manny Pina
Bakersfield: Zach Phillips
Clinton: Tim Murphy / Mitch Moreland, Justin Smoak, Kyle Murphy
Spokane: Justin Miller / Jared Bolden
Arizona: Wilmer Font. Robert Wilkins / Cody Podraza, Clark Murphy
AAA: at Oklahoma 10, Iowa 8
Win: White (4-1, 3.54)
The Redhawks recovered from an early 7-1 deficit and (combined with Albuquerque’s loss) clinched the American South division with the comeback victory. Oklahoma holds a nine-game lead and a tiebreaker over the Isotopes with nine games remaining.
Down 8-6 in the 8th, Max Ramirez (2-4) hit a solo homer. After Travis Metcalf and Ben Harrison walked, Casey Benjamin clubbed a pitch over the left-field wall to regain the lead. Benjamin also hit a two-run shot in the 6th. Travis Metcalf, Ryan Roberts, Nelson Cruz, and Chris Shelton each had two hits. Shelton’s first was his 10th homer.
Reliever Bill White (3.54 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) escaped a bases-loaded jam in the 8th and pitched a perfect 9th. Elizardo Ramirez, “back” from Bakersfield, gave up seven runs (five earned) in 4.2 innings.
AA: Frisco 10, at Midland 1
Win: Holland (3-0, 0.90)
Another day, another terrific start for Derek Holland. Though he walked two batters for the first time since mid-July, he yielded just one run and three hits while striking out five in six innings. Time for another Holland vs. Feliz comparison:
ERA: Holland 2.36, Feliz 2.68
RA: 2.80 to 2.83
Opposing Line: .209/.266/.297 to .198/.289/.277
HR %: 0.5% to 0.4%
BB + HBP %: 7.4% to 11.7%
SO%: 27.0% to 31.1%
Caught stealing: 52% of 25 attempted to 16% of 37 attempted
Grounder %: 49% to 45%
Feliz issues more walks than Holland and doesn’t control the running game but also strikes out more. On the whole, they’ve had pretty similar seasons.
Frisco knocked out 20 hits; everybody had at least one. Elvis Andrus (.293/.348/.370) went 4-6 with three RBI and a double. Julio Borbon (.326/.362/.445) and Chad Tracy (.345/.403/.545) each had three hits, and Borbon included a double and walk. In his second AA game, John Whittleman doubled twice and plated three. Catcher Manny Pina (.276/.295/.345) likewise drove in three with a single, double, and sac fly. Reliever Clayton Hamilton (5.58 ERA) pitched three scoreless frames.
High-A: at Bakersfield 2, Lake Elsinore 12
Loss: Phillips (8-9, 5.67)
The score and “L” suggest a bad outing by Zach Phillips, but in fact he departed after six innings trailing 1-0. Phillips (1.62 WHIP) struck out and walked three, and the run was unearned. Josh Giles (4 ER), Jordan Stewart (3 R, 1 ER), and Ryan Falcon (4 R, 2 ER) each pitched an inning with unfavorable results.
9th-inning RBIs from Ian Gac (.269/.326/.458) and Truan Mehl prevented a second consecutive shutout. Marcus Lemon committed two errors, giving him 40 for the season.
Low-A: at Clinton 5, Kane County 6 (12 innings)
Loss: Castillo (2-4, 5.42)
Justin Smoak (.200/.273/.400) hit his first professional homer in the 10th inning of Clinton’s extra-inning loss. Clinton and Kane Country traded two-run innings in the 10th, but the Lumberkings couldn’t answer the Cougars’ run in the 12th on a wild pitch by Fabio Castillo.
Kyle Murphy (.245/.328/.294) was 5-6 with a game-tying, 8th-inning RBI double. Mitch Moreland had three singles and a double. Engel Beltre went 0-7 with three strikeouts. Tim Murphy (1.80 ERA, 1.30 WHIP) pitched five scoreless innings with five hits, one walk and four strikeouts.
Clinton likely will play a best-of-three quarterfinal against Cedar Rapids, which holds a three-game lead for the second-half wild card. Clinton won the division’s first half.
Keisuke Ueno replaced Chris Dennis on the DL.
Short-A: Spokane 2, at Tri-City 5
Loss: Nevarez (4-2, 3.98)
Matt Nevarez suffered no control issues on Saturday, walking one in three innings, but Tri-City collected six hits and four runs (three earned) off him in three innings. Justin Miller (5.40 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) tossed a couple of scoreless innings. Jared Bolden went 2-4 with a double.
Boise’s loss to league doormat Yakima lowered Spokane’s magic number to six. Eugene and 2007 champ Salem-Keizer are deadlocked at 35-30 in the other division.
Rookie: Rangers 12, Mariners 14
Loss: Eppley (2-2, 3.42)
Down 11-3 in the 8th, the Rangers scored nine to take a 12-11 lead. The M’s recovered with three in the 9th to win. Every Ranger had a hit and a run. Clark Murphy drove in five with a single, triple, and his first pro homer. Cody Podraza was 2-4 with a walk and three runs scored. Edgar Martinez, Mike Hollander, and Michael Ortiz contributed two hits apiece.
Wilmer Font rebounded from a disastrous first appearance with two strikeouts in two perfect innings. Robert Wilkins also pitched two scoreless frames. Starter Miguel de los Santos fanned seven in three innings but allowed six earned runs.
Olympics:
Korea completed an undefeated Olympics and took the gold medal with a 3-2 win over Cuba.
Scott Lucas
newbergreport.com
____________________
All I ask is a chance to prove
that money can't make me happy.
"There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary. And there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance."
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Ric
Bayou Bum
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823rd Post Sun Aug 24th, 2008 02:43 pm | |
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scary, huh? Look at some of the scores from the minors above?
Sorta reminds ya of the Big club, doesn't it? :)
____________________
All I ask is a chance to prove
that money can't make me happy.
"There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary. And there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance."
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Dave C
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824th Post Sun Aug 24th, 2008 02:54 pm | |
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THE NEWBERG REPORT
But you can be sure that, unlike Kansas City with Greinke, or San Francisco with Cain, or Pittsburgh with Duke, the Rays will eliminate the Yankees and Red Sox from the list of calls to return if they do decide to shop Kazmir.
There's no chance Tampa Bay will trade the 24-year-old to either of the two teams they figure to battle with for playoff position for the next 100 years.
Yeah, they'll probably trade him to the Angels.
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Mark
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825th Post Sun Aug 24th, 2008 03:58 pm | |
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| Kazmir is a great talent, but he hasn't been all that impressive this season. He struggles to get through five innings in his starts because of high pitch counts, typically about 20 pitches per inning.
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The Sulphur Springs Wildcats are the 2008 4A Div II Texas State Football Champs!!! Go Cats!
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Burley Glen
Whatever...
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826th Post Sun Aug 24th, 2008 08:21 pm | |
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I hate to admit this, but I'm back on the "fire Ron Washington" bandwagon...
I know he can't pitch for those guys, nor really coach the pitchers, but there is just a general sloppiness to the team...somewhere in between Buck and Wash is probably the answer...Grover or Donnie Baylor would be my choice...
I was so bored last night...and that coming from one of the most ardent Ranger fans, and apoligists, in the world...
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I'd rather be wrong because I trusted someone, than because I didn't...
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LEB
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827th Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 03:12 am | |
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Burley Glen wrote: I hate to admit this, but I'm back on the "fire Ron Washington" bandwagon...
I know he can't pitch for those guys, nor really coach the pitchers, but there is just a general sloppiness to the team...somewhere in between Buck and Wash is probably the answer...Grover or Donnie Baylor would be my choice...
I was so bored last night...and that coming from one of the most ardent Ranger fans, and apoligists, in the world...
I just don't know about Wash. I sure like the way they rebounded in May, June and July after a dreadful April. August has been tough but the injuries have caught up with this team. Is he responsible for all the guys on the DL?
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gumpbowl
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828th Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 08:18 pm | |
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| Just heard reported on the radio that Eddie was traded to Minnesota.
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May this be the best day of your life until tomorrow!!!!
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LEB
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829th Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 08:26 pm | |
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gumpbowl wrote: Just heard reported on the radio that Eddie was traded to Minnesota.
Good. Too bad Daniels didn't trade Bradley, Laird or Padilla and get something for them. But they had that dream of making the playoffs and now, after losing 14 of 17 games, that dream is dead.
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gumpbowl
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830th Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 08:27 pm | |
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Texas has traded left-handed reliever Eddie Guardado to his original club, the Minnesota Twins, according to MLB.com and the Dallas Morning News. No word yet on the return.
Because the Twins have acquired the 37-year-old before September, he's eligible to appear for them in the post-season.
More when there's an update to pass along.
Jamey
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May this be the best day of your life until tomorrow!!!!
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Mark
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831st Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 10:43 pm | |
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The player in return is 21 year old RHP Mark Hamburger, who was recently named closer of the year in the Appalachian League. He got over a strikeout per inning this season.
Taking Everyday Eddie's place on the roster will be Bill White. Remember him?
LEB, I disagree about Laird. He is the currently the best catcher in this organization, and he will also be this organization's best catcher going into next spring. If you get overwhelmed with an offer, then sure, trade him. Otherwise, keep him. Prospects are nice, but we still need to field a team.
Bradley has reverted to form. He can't stay on the field because of one injury after another.Last edited on Mon Aug 25th, 2008 10:44 pm by Mark
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The Sulphur Springs Wildcats are the 2008 4A Div II Texas State Football Champs!!! Go Cats!
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Burley Glen
Whatever...
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832nd Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 11:24 pm | |
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Mark wrote: The player in return is 21 year old RHP Mark Hamburger, who was recently named closer of the year in the Appalachian League. He got over a strikeout per inning this season.
Taking Everyday Eddie's place on the roster will be Bill White. Remember him?
LEB, I disagree about Laird. He is the currently the best catcher in this organization, and he will also be this organization's best catcher going into next spring. If you get overwhelmed with an offer, then sure, trade him. Otherwise, keep him. Prospects are nice, but we still need to field a team.
Bradley has reverted to form. He can't stay on the field because of one injury after another.
I agree about Laird...I would keep him and Teagarten and trade the other two...
No LEB, Wash is not responsible for the DL stuff...just don't think this team plays with any kind of focus...
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I'd rather be wrong because I trusted someone, than because I didn't...
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stemyn
Waiting for my tickets
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833rd Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 11:29 pm | |
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I too was just talking to my boss this afternoon saying Washington has to go. They need more of a presence in the lockerroom and on the field.
Also feel Salty will be traded this offseason. Don't know what you might get for him, but Laird needs to have the job next year. Until he proves otherwise, he would be my catcher.
Bradley's day-to-day-itis is annoying. I expect to see a lot more day to day now that the Rangers are out of the race. Which is fine by me. Murphy will be back soon and they have Cruz up. Along with Byrd, Hamilton, and Boggs, gives you 5 players for the 3 outfield positions and DH.
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People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
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Mark
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834th Post Mon Aug 25th, 2008 11:30 pm | |
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I'd be looking to trade Salty, but I'd be wanting to hang on to Ramirez. Ramirez has the most offensive upside of any of the top four catchers here.
Salty has been here for over a season and hasn't shown me a thing from behind the plate or in the batter's box.
ETA: Teagarden may already be Laird's equal behind the plate. He just needs to to develop into something more than an offensive liability.
Last edited on Mon Aug 25th, 2008 11:34 pm by Mark
____________________
The Sulphur Springs Wildcats are the 2008 4A Div II Texas State Football Champs!!! Go Cats!
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Burley Glen
Whatever...
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835th Post Thu Aug 28th, 2008 01:23 am | |
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According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Rangers have scratched Vicente Padilla from Friday’s start in Anaheim , due to inflammation in his neck area. Dustin Nippert will make the start in Padilla’s place.
Also, Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that outfielder Jason Ellison cleared outright waivers and accepted a reassignment to Oklahoma .
Jamey
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I'd rather be wrong because I trusted someone, than because I didn't...
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Burley Glen
Whatever...
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836th Post Thu Aug 28th, 2008 02:24 am | |
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| Harrison may be the real deal...
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I'd rather be wrong because I trusted someone, than because I didn't...
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Burley Glen
Whatever...
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837th Post Thu Aug 28th, 2008 03:41 am | |
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I know it's a minor victory, but this is the first sweep ever of the Royals at KC...
Frankie Franc looked REALLY good as the new closer!
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I'd rather be wrong because I trusted someone, than because I didn't...
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stemyn
Waiting for my tickets
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838th Post Thu Aug 28th, 2008 05:45 am | |
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Burley Glen wrote: According to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com, the Rangers have scratched Vicente Padilla from Friday’s start in Anaheim , due to inflammation in his neck area.
This evidently has hit a nerve with Evan Grant. He has some good comments on the DMN Blog. Besides the DL, Padilla has missed 2 other starts. This will make scratches from Boston, Tampa Bay and Angels. His starts since the All Star game will be Detroit, Cleveland, and Seattle.
He also said he was in the clubhouse playing an animated game of dominoes. He wants to know why he is not on the DL.
Some good points.
____________________
People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring. ~Rogers Hornsby
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LEB
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839th Post Thu Aug 28th, 2008 01:09 pm | |
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Padilla and Bradley were guys one would believe had some value before the trade deadline. I thought then they should have been traded.
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Ric
Bayou Bum
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840th Post Sat Aug 30th, 2008 04:38 pm | |
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THE NEWBERG REPORT
Lots to get to but I'm short on time this morning.
Vicente Padilla got through a side session yesterday without neck or shoulder problems, but he's still headed for the disabled list -- with soreness in his left hamstring. Kameron Loe will come back from Oklahoma, which he can do before the requisite 10 days since it's to replace a player going onto the disabled list.
Since his 9.1 scoreless innings in two big league appearances earlier this month, Loe has pitched once for the RedHawks, blanking Round Rock on two hits in three innings. He's dealing right now.
Luis Mendoza was recalled yesterday, with Bill White briefly optioned to Bakersfield. The Blaze season ends Monday, after which White can come right back to an expanded big league roster.
Spokane outfielder Mike Bianucci, the Rangers' eighth-round pick in June out of Auburn, was having a sensational rookie season (.316/.386/.535) before breaking his hand while diving for a catch on Thursday.
Pittsburgh recalled righthander Jesse Chavez, whom Texas traded to the Pirates at the 2006 trade deadline for righthander Kip Wells. He debuted with a perfect ninth in a 2-0 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday.
On the same day that the Rangers traded Chavez for Wells, they also traded Joselo Diaz to Kansas City for Matt Stairs. Toronto traded Stairs to Philadelphia yesterday, and the player that the Jays are getting in return is evidently lefthander Fabio Castro, the former Rangers Rule 5 pick who didn't survive the 2006 season in Texas. Castro had gone 8-2, 4.40 for AA Reading and 0-2, 8.10 for AAA Lehigh Valley before Philadelphia recalled him on Thursday.
If you didn't get last night's report on Max's and my experience at the Frisco-Corpus Christi game (lots of imbedded photos has apparently caused some servers to block it) and want to give it a read, you can check it out at http://newberg.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/08/first_pitch.html
Finally, having been pulled into this Facebook thing, I've set up a Blog Community for the Newberg Report. If you're a Facebooker and want to join the community, go to
http://apps.facebook.com/blognetworks/blogpage.php?blogid=33983 and sign up.
Not sure what we'll be able to do with this, but we'll figure something out.
When I next get the chance to write a lengthy report, I'll talk about my next starting pitcher trade target (we've already discussed Zack Greinke, Roy Halladay, and Scott Kazmir) and chime in on an even bigger issue.
____________________
All I ask is a chance to prove
that money can't make me happy.
"There are 108 beads in a Catholic rosary. And there are 108 stitches in a baseball. When I learned that, I gave Jesus a chance."
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