SB Nation - Brendan Donnelly

A Brief Primer on the Rays Off-Season to Date and a Look Forward to the Winter Meetings

R.J. Anderson — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 18:54:22 -0000

The Winter Meetings start tomorrow. Any murmur or misunderstood comment will be amplified and some press members will be used as pawns. Disinformation is going to spread like wildfire. This makes the event more alluring as a spectator sport, but keep in mind 90% of what is talked about will never come to fruition. Now, completely ignoring that, this is the day one open thread. Ideally most of the rumors and discussion will stick to this thread until a recap thread is posted (expect that in the evening) barring something actually occurring or a rumor passing the smell test with flying colors.

This thread is going up about 20 hours early because tomorrow we'll have a very special interview with James Click -- the Rays chief of quantitative analysis and former Baseball Prospectus deity - which should provide entertainment for those willing to accept anything less than rumors in the early AM.

Moving on, let's review the Rays off-season to date in a brief and concise manner which means links.

Transactions

Rays re-sign Gabe Kapler

Akinori Iwamura for Jesse Chavez

Player to be named later for Kelly Shoppach

R.J. Swindle signs minor league deal

Joe Bateman signs minor league deal

Gregg Zaun signs with Milwaukee

Ramon Ramirez is claimed on waivers...

And then released

Milton Bradley

The Burrell-Bradley swap

The clubhouse cancer theory

Rumors and general interest posts

Rays interested in Ivan Rodriguez?

Pirates make Reid Brignac main target?

Why Billy Wagner made no sense for the Rays

Three rules about acquiring relievers

The Rays and the win curve

Kiko Calero

Brendan Donnelly

Kelvim Escobar

Joaquin Benoit

Carl Crawford extension talk

Interviews with Rays personnel

Andrew Friedman

Matt Arnold

Chaim Bloom

Remember that you can also follow the latest Rays rumors, news, and tidbits on Twitter by adding @draysbay, @trancel, @ehahmann, or @freezorilla.

One more note: please, please, post the source of the rumor. And generally speaking, the MLBTR comments section or a random message board post won't pass the smell test.

Kiko Calero is gone

craig — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 18:06:01 -0000

It seems that Kiko Calero's performance last season means he won't be a Marlin in 2010.

Don't look for the Marlins to offer salary arbitration to any of their four free agents -- Kiko Calero, Brendan Donnelly, Ross Gload and Nick Johnson -- at Tuesday's deadline. However, the Marlins remain very much interested in re-signing Gload to a two-year deal similar to the one granted last year to his mirror opposite on the bench, Wes Helms.

The Marlins won't offer arbitration to any of the players. Kiko and NJ especially, they are type B free agents and if the Marlins offered them arbitration, the worse could happen, in the club's eyes, they might take it. Even if they didn't that would mean the Marlins would be awarded a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds of the draft. Wouldn't won't that to happen, those guys cost money in the way of signing bonuses.

The only one we could see back is Gload, don't have a problem with him off the bench, but other clubs can read the stats tables and may offer a better deal. The only thing the Marlins have going for them is that they may be willing to go two years.

Brendan Donnelley: Bullpen Help?

Al — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 18:28:26 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

Could the Cubs find some veteran bullpen help in Brendan Donnelly?

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This MLB.com article mainly talks about how the market for veteran free agents (who aren't in the top rank) has dried up due to teams' budget considerations.

But the article also talks about 38-year-old reliever Brendan Donnelly, who was a key part of the 2002 Angels World Championship team, but declined after that and suffered injuries that led him to have Tommy John surgery before the 2008 season. He pitched briefly (and poorly) for the Indians in 2008, and then threw quite well for the Marlins in the second half of last year (30 games, 25.1 IP, 9 BB, 25 K, 1 HR allowed, 1.78 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 0.6 WAR).

Donnelly is not unfamiliar to the Cubs or Jim Hendry -- he pitched a year in the Cubs' farm system as a kid in 1993 and later, as farm director, Hendry reacquired Donnelly in 2000, when he threw half a season for Iowa, and not very well. But two years later he was in the World Series.

According to the article, Donnelly wants a major league contract. I'm not sure I would give him that -- and I don't think anyone else will, either. On a minor league deal with a spring training invite? Why not?

The article also has this interesting info on Jim Edmonds:

Paul Cohen, the agent for Edmonds, sat by in disbelief when his client -- who had hit 382 home runs, compiled a career .905 on-base-plus-slugging percentage, won eight Gold Gloves and made four All-Star teams in a fantastic 16-year career -- couldn't get a big league offer.

"And this was after he had hit 20 homers [for San Diego and Chicago] in the last four months of the previous season," Cohen said.

Edmonds didn't want to take a Minor League deal and ended up walking away from the game, presumably for good, although Cohen says Edmonds, "is in the best shape he's been in in 10 years," so never say never.

But for the veterans who might be forced to quit early before the 2010 season, it would serve them well to take a view similar to that of Edmonds when they exit the ballpark for that final time.

"Look, Jim made a lot of money in the game, and when it was his time to step away from the game, he moved on," Cohen said.

"There are no regrets. He's got a great life now."

Sure -- but as for Donnelly, if he wants to play in 2010 and all that's out there is a minor league offer with a spring training invite, I'd take it. And if I were the Cubs, I think I'd give it.

Marlins file for free agency

craig — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 09:55:51 -0000

All of the Marlins eligible for free agency have filed, as expected.

Nick Johnson made an impact with the Marlins. But unless Florida works out a contract with the veteran, those 35 games may be the extent of Johnson's tenure with the organization.

Johnson formally filed for free agency on Friday, along with reliever Kiko Calero, who became a valuable performer in the back end of the bullpen.

The filing period began on Thursday, and now all four of Florida's eligible free agents have placed themselves in position to test the market. Reliever Brendan Donnelly and first baseman Ross Gload filed on Thursday.

By league rule, the Marlins hold exclusive negotiating rights with all four through Nov. 19. If no deal is reached by then, the players can talk with all 30 teams.

Johnson is gone. Donnelly and Calero are probably both looking for multiyear deals, so they may be gone too. I think the Marlins will offer Gload the Wes Helms package, but whether he takes it or not will depend on if he can do better elsewhere.

It's the usual for a Marlins offseason.

Why The Rays Should Target Brendan Donnelly

Tommy Rancel — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 10:00:21 -0000

More photos » by Al Behrman - AP

2 months ago: Florida Marlins reliever Brendan Donnelly pitches against the Cincinnati Reds in the eighth inning of a baseball game, Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, in Cincinnati. Donnelly was the winning pitcher in the game won by Florida 4-3. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)

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Brendan Donnelly was briefly mentioned in the Kelvim Escobar post, but now it's time to make the case for Donnelly on its own. For some reason I confused Donnelly for being an oft-injured reliever. However, he's only been on the DL twice in eight Major League seasons. One of those times, the more serious time, was because of a fractured face he suffered when he was hit by a batted ball. The other occurrence was a calf strain suffered in late 2009 in which he spent 16 days on the DL for the Marlins.

Like other potential target, Kiko Calero, Donnelly went from above average relief pitcher to bouncing around from system to system before landing with the Marlins in 2009. Also like Calero, he experienced some what of a career renaissance with the fish.

After spending the first few months of the season pitching for the Houston Astros Triple-A affiliate, Donnelly made his way to the Marlins and made his debut in early July. From there he went on to give them 25 quality innings down the stretch. Of course 25 innings is a relatively small sample size, but a 2.82 FIP and a 3.32 tRA is encouraging. The 2009 success comes on the heels of an unsuccessful season in 2008 for the Indians. In '08 he made just 15 appearances and allowed 13 earned runs and 10 walks in just 13 innings. However, from 2002-2007, Donnelly was among the better middle relievers in baseball.

	FIP	tRA
2002	2.58	3.56
2003	2.38	2.93
2004	3.07	3.15
2005	4.15	4.72
2006	4.62	4.96
2007	3.09	2.96

Coming mostly as member of the Angels (Red Sox in 2007), his average FIP for those seasons is just over 3.3 with an average tRA of slightly over 3.7. As mentioned above his 2008 for whatever reason was awful, but thanks to a strong showing in his brief 2009 it seems as that 2008 was some what of an aberration.

Like my other targets, Donnelly throws a fastball/slider combo. Even though he will occasionally mix in a change up and a split-finger, Donnelly is throwing a fastball or a slider over 80% of the time. While his heater sits around 90, he still throws a hard slider. Over the course of his career his slider has averaged 86.7, but in 2009 it was hitting 88.

Donnelly is a pretty neutral pitcher with a lean towards a flyball tendency (43 FB% to 35 GB%). His swing strike percentage usually tops 10% which is decent for a reliever. The real value of a Donnelly signing lies in his ability to get out right handed batters as well as left handed batters almost equally.

Career	PA	BA	OBP	SLG
vs. RHB	787	0.225	0.286	0.341
vs. LHB	702	0.231	0.323	0.338

It's rare to see a relief pitcher with such equal usage and one that has this much success against both sides of the plate. Donnelly is near death to right handed batters with a career .627 OPS against in 787 plate appearances, but is nearly as effective against lefties with a .662 in 702 PAs. In the small-ish sample size of 2009, the ability to handle both lefties and righties out has not left Donnelly.

2009	PA	BA	OBP	SLG
vs. RHB	55	0.220	0.278	0.340
vs. LHB	49	0.262	0.354	0.357

His career K/9 of 8.7 is solid as are his career K/BB of 2.66 and HR/9 of 0.74. Donnelly isn't flashy or overpowering and maybe that's the reason he's flown under the radar all these years. Regardles off the reason, we do know that for most of his career he has been a good relief pitcher who can get out batters on both sides of the plate.

This probably marks the end of bullpen targets amongst the known soon-to-be free agents, but I'm sure we will take a look at some more as we learn of declined options and non-tenders in the next two months. If the Rays are able to sign a combination of any of the following: Benoit, Calero, Escobar and Donnelly, the bullpen should continue to ball on a budget

Why The Rays Should Target Kelvim Escobar

Tommy Rancel — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 10:01:03 -0000

by Duane Burleson - AP

View full size photo »

It's been beaten into our heads a million times already, but with limited payroll space, the Rays options for potential bullpen replacements is also limited. Over the past few weeks we've covered Joaquin Benoit and Kiko Calero as attractive free agents that fit the Rays profile. We've also identified that profile as some one who is effective, gets strikeouts, has a good contact rate, can get both left handers and right handers out, and most importantly is cheap. Of course asking for all that you are going to get candidates with flaws, but the hope is those flaws won't manifest at least in 2010. Until we get more candidates after the December non-tender deadline, here are two final candidates that I've identified as being targets as soon as free agency starts next month.

Before we look at the difference in each individual's case, here are some similarities: Brendan Donnelly and Kelvim Escobar are former teammates playing on the same Los Angeles Angels team from 2004-2006.This also means that both are former players of Rays manager Joe Maddon from his time with the Angels. The final similarity comes in the form of injury. Both players have battled injuries in the past which is no different from most MLB pitchers as well as the other relievers we've looked at.

We'll finish up with Donnelly in another post, but now more on Escobar...

Kelvim Escobar was a well above average starting pitcher for the Angels from 2004-2007. He finished with an average FIP of 3.4 in those seasons. However, he would miss the entire 2008 Major League season with an injured shoulder, undergoing laburm surgery in July 2008. He started out 2009 on the DL and made three rehab starts in the minors before making his season debut on 6/6/09 pitching five innings of two run ball for the Halos. Unfortunately, a "pinch" in his shoulder landed him back on the DL. The Angels thought it was a temporary setback, but Escobar did not throw a major league pitch for the rest of the season.

It's hard to project the numbers on Escobar because he's split his MLB career as a reliever and a starter. He has made 411 appearances with 209 of them in relief and 202 coming as a starter. He worked as a closer for the Blue Jays in 2002 and then posted 200 innings as a starter for Los Angeles in 2004. Regardless of his role, Escobar has been effective. Here are some of his career numbers...

	Games	K/9	BB/9	HR/9	FIP
Starter	202	7.4	2.11	0.77	3.83
Reliever	209	9.98	2.27	1.05	3.98

	BA	OBP	SLG	BABIP
Starter	0.256	0.329	0.389	0.304
Reliever	0.243	0.329	0.385	0.307

	BA	OBP	SLG
vs. RHB	0.255	0.321	0.378
vs. LHB	0.253	0.336	0.399

As you can see, he's just a good pitcher. As a starter he allows less home runs and slightly less walks, but as a reliever he strikes out over two and a half more batters per nine. Looking at the second set of statistics, it's amazing to me how similar they are given the two completely different roles. Batters get on-base exactly the same whether he's a starter or a reliever and the slugging is almost identical. The BABIP is almost also similar meaning there isn't much "luck" involved. Of course there's over 1,000 innings difference between the two, but still pretty amazing. Equally impressive is his ability get out hitters regardless of their handedness.

Stuff wise, he throws up to six pitches as a starter: fastball, slider, cutter, curveball, change-up, split finger. However, as a reliever for the Jays in 2002 and 2003, he threw mostly fastballs, curveballs and split fingers with a few change-ups mixed in. It's hard to say what he will throw these days and how hard since he hasn't really thrown in over two seasons. The injury concerns are huge. And Escobar's injury history also includes past elbow problems, but given his past success in either the starter or relievers role and his history with Joe Maddon, he's definitely worth a flier.

Game 158 Recap: Marlins 5, Braves 4

cbwilk — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 02:59:05 -0000

More photos » by Gregory Smith - AP

Javier Vazquez took the loss, allowing 5 runs in 6 innings.

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The Braves fell short in their most important game of the season. Starting pitcher Javier Vazquez unfortunately chose to emulate Tim Hudson's performance from last night, as he allowed 5 runs in 6 innings, taking the loss for the Braves. Florida's starter Ricky Nolasco, on the other hand, pitched his best performance of the season, striking out a career high 16, including striking out 9 consecutive batters at one point, becoming just the 4th player in Major League history to accomplish the feat.

But, as masterful as Nolasco was, he wore down a bit toward the end of the game, as the Braves were able to scratch two unearned runs across the board in the 7th inning on an Adam LaRoche double. A win seemed tantalizingly close as Florida closer Leo Nunez lost control of the strike zone in the 9th, allowing Yunel Escobar to drive in Brian McCann and Omar Infante to drive in Escobar.

Then, with two outs and the bases loaded, Florida manager Fredi Gonzalez opted to bring in super-vet Brendan Donnelly to face Martin Prado. Donnelly needed only one pitch to end the game, but not in a manner anyone could have guessed. Catcher Ronny Paulino lost the ball in the dirt and as it squirted away from him Matt Diaz began down the third base line toward home. But, Diaz showed indecisiveness, ultimately retreating to third base, but not before Paulino could retrieve the ball and throw him out to end the game.

This was a heartbreaking and somewhat baffling loss. The onus has been on the Braves to win at the end of the season and the last two nights they have failed. This loss puts their elimination number at 2, meaning any combination of Rockies wins or Braves losses equaling 2 will eliminate the Braves from winning the Wild Card. The Phillies clinched the Eastern Division tonight, so the Wild Card remains the Braves lone hope, but, as I write this, they lead Milwakee 8 to 4 in the top of the 7th inning in Colorado. If the Rockies hold on to win the game, the Braves elimination number drops to 1, meaning any Braves loss or Rockies win after tonight kills the Braves playoff hopes.

Final - 9.30.2009	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Florida Marlins	0	0	3	0	2	0	0	0	0	5	11	3
Atlanta Braves	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	2	4	6	1
WP: Ricky Nolasco (13 - 9) SV: Brendan Donnelly (2) LP: Javier Vazquez (15 - 10)

Complete Coverage >

Monday's Frosty Mug

KLSnow — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 12:31:45 -0000

More photos » by Pablo Martinez Monsivais - AP

Manny Parra delivers a meatball to the Nationals Sunday.

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Some things to read while streamlining tech support.

There was a brief period of time this weekend where it looked like I'd be writing about a three game winning streak this morning and wondering if the Brewers could get back to .500 later today. Then, Bad Manny showed up and ruined all of that. 63% of the voters in the poll at that link think Parra will never be a productive major league pitcher. I went the other way, because Parra is still pretty young and could put it together, but it seems clear he's unlikely to develop consistency anytime soon.

The Brewers still have a pretty good chance to earn a series victory in Washington, as Yovani Gallardo takes the mound today. He needs 29 more strikeouts this season to become just the fourth Brewer ever to reach 200. He also needs two more wins to become just the third Brewer since the 2000 season to win 13 games.

If you missed it yesterday, and the site stats would suggest you did, TheJay and I both had notes on Prince Fielder: I took a look at the historical significance of Fielder's walks and TheJay speculated on Fielder's potential performance in the Midwest League. Of course after we spent half the day talking about him he went 0-for-4, just the second time in his last 14 games where he's failed to earn his way on base.

The Brewers open a three game series with the Reds tomorrow, and both teams will enter play with their rotation in a state of upheaval. For the Brewers, Jeff Suppan and Dave Bush will start on Tuesday and Thursday, respectively, making their returns from the DL. The Reds, meanwhile, have yet to name a starter for Wednesday, but it won't be Aaron Harang, who underwent an emergency appendectomy over the weekend and could miss the rest of the season. Kip Wells is the likely candidate to replace him.

A quick side note: Is there such a thing as a non-emergency appendectomy? Why would a surgeon remove your appendix if it wasn't an urgent situation?

Roguejim has a look at the latest Elias rankings, with the Brewers still projected to have one Type A free agent and four Type B's. Felipe Lopez's recent play, though, has pushed him up to the edge of Type A status.

In the minors:

The Timber Rattlers drew 5459 fans to yesterday's game and set a new franchise record for single season attendance. With Brett Lawrie bobblehead day still remaining on their schedule, the Rattlers could surpass 250,000 fans this season.
The Rattlers also have (or, in the case of Brett Lawrie, had) two of the 50 youngest players in Low A ball, according to Project Prospect. Efrain Nieves is the other one.
What the Timber Rattlers don't have, though, is one of the Best Team Names in the Minors, at least according to Wezen-ball. The Brevard County Manatees do, though.

With back to back wins on Friday and Saturday, CoolStandings had upgraded the Brewer playoff chances to 1.8%, but they fell back to .7% with the loss yesterday. If that stat wasn't enough for you, Tyler Maas has ~~ten~~ nine signs your team is falling out of playoff contention.

Around baseball:

Astros: Signed Armando Benitez to a minor league deal.
Cardinals: Placed Kyle Lohse on the DL with a strained groin.
Mariners: Released reliever Luis Pena.
Marlins: Placed Brendan Donnelly on the DL with a calf strain.
Mets: Designated infielder Andy Green for assignment.
Phillies: Placed third baseman Greg Dobbs on the DL with a strained calf.
Red Sox: Designated reliever Fernando Cabrera for assignment.
Rockies: Placed Aaron Cook on the DL with shoulder soreness and signed Russ Ortiz and Jason Giambi.

Albert Pujols is batting just .279 since the All Star Game, and (gasp!) his OPS over that time is under 1.000. Clearly, without question, we should abolish the Home Run Derby.

If you're looking to read some in-depth analysis to get your brain working on Monday morning, then reading the Mug was clearly the wrong decision. Instead, you should check out Baseball Analysts' look at batters' decisions to swing at 3-2 pitches, and the possibility they're doing it too often.

On this day in 1993, Kevin Reimer went 6-for-6 as the Brewers beat the A's 7-6 in 13 innings. Reimer also drew an intentional walk to reach base a seventh time.

Happy birthday today to Everett Stull, who appeared in 22 games as a Brewer in 2000 and 2002 and turns 38 today. Happy belated birthdays to Mark DiFelice (33) and Zach Braddock (22), who celebrated their birthdays yesterday.

Oh, and long before he threw the banana, Orlando Hernandez had everyone doing The El Duque.

Drink up.

Brendan Donnelly to the DL

craig — Sun, 23 Aug 2009 06:28:38 -0000

In last night's game Brendan Donnelly was removed due to injury and unsurprisingly he is headed to the DL.

Not wanting to chance further injury, the Marlins are placing veteran reliever Brendan Donnelly on the 15-day disabled list.

The 38-year-old right-hander strained his right calf while fielding a bunt in Florida's 4-3 loss to the Braves at Turner Field on Saturday night.

First off the calf is a very complex muscle and if he has indeed badly strained it, it might take some time to recover. But being a complex muscle it may be that he recovers fairly quickly if it isn't serious. Another way to say that is once a complex muscle tightens up, it doesn't necessarily mean there is an injury per se. Though there is no way proceed at the given moment. Just that you need a day or two to get it to relax. But the Marlins don't have the luxury of waiting around to see if it is really a medical problem or just a use problem. The Marlins are already short handed as it is and there is noway they are going with 11 position players and 11 pitchers. So Donnelly to the DL.

Joe Frisaro speculates the Marlins might bring turn Cristhian Martinez around and bring him back up.

A likely choice is Double-A Jacksonville right-hander Cristhian Martinez, who was optioned on Aug. 20. Martinez is eligible to return because it is a DL situation. Normally, a player must wait 10 days after being optioned to be recalled.

Bringing up a reliever to replace Donnelly sounds about right, since once Donnelly is on the DL it is fifteen days before he can return. Fredi, no matter how much he doesn't like it, is used to managing a short bench. No need to add a short pen into the equation.

Martinez, since being sent down, hasn't thrown a pitch in a live game so he seems like the most likely candidate to be recalled. However, they could rush the Hopper back. We will know later today.

Josh Johnson befuddles Rockies bats, rally cut short against the Marlins bullpen in 6-5 loss

Rox Girl — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 02:19:29 -0000

More photos » by Alan Diaz - AP

4 months ago: Colorado Rockies catcher Chris Iannetta, left, talks to pitcher Jason Hammel, right, after he walked Florida Marlins' Josh Johnson in the second inning of a baseball game in Miami, Friday, Aug. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

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So remember way back in the day when the Rockies were getting lots of hits and beating up on teams? That seems like forever ago, doesn't it? Alright, so Friday night we got reason number 29 that the Rockies should be grateful that most of their remaining games are where it's high and or dry. The Florida Marlins Josh Johnson flirted with a no hitter before Garrett Atkins broke it up in the seventh inning with a solo home run (HR number 8 on the season for Atkins). Johnson finished with one hit and one run allowed, striking out eleven Rockies in the process. Rockies hitters struck out a total of 14 times, and walked four times.

Rockies starter Jason Hammel wasn't remotely close to as effective as Johnson. Lacking fastball command, Hammel allowed six hits and walked four, giving up three runs in four innings before giving way to Adam Eaton. Eaton allowed two more runs on a Dan Uggla home run in the bottom half of the seventh to give the Marlins breathing room, and Joe Beimel allowed one run in the eighth. While it didn't look like it while Johnson was pitching, it turned out that the Marlins needed each of those runs.

The Rockies rallied when Troy Tulowitzki led off with a triple against Brendan Donnelly in the top of the ninth inning and after a Brad Hawpe strikeout, scored on a Wes Helms error on an Atkins ground ball to third. Atkins advanced on an Ian Stewart bloop single, chasing Donnelly. Marlins closer Leo Nunez came in and struck out Dexter Fowler. Chris Iannetta then hit a three run blast (his 14th home run of the season) with the aid of some wind, but the rally was cut short when Todd Helton flied to center for the final out.

64 - 52

Games Back: 5.5

Streak: Lost 1

Games Left: 46

With the Giants losing, the Rockies continue to hold their 1.5 game edge in the wild card standings, but the Marlins closed to within two games with the win.

via www.fangraphs.com

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