SB Nation Blog: BK

Stark: Junior to Tampa?

BK — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:22:31 -0000

Another trade speculation diary FanPost. I was checking out Jayson Stark's column from today and found this hidden little nugget:

But if you're looking for a destination Griffey could land in next year, once there are no worries about surrendering prospects or picking up a $16-million contract, here's a club we've started to hear some guesswork about: Tampa Bay.

The Trop is an easy commute from Griffey's home in Orlando. It's a fun team on the rise, with a chance to win. And it's an AL team that could mix in some DH-ing opportunities. So why not?

"If I were them, I think it would be a great move," said one veteran baseball man. "You run him out there with his big smile and his sweet swing, and it's a drawing card. And even if he's slipped, you're putting another left-handed bat in the middle of that lineup. Could be scary."

It's hard to argue that Griffey wouldn't be a better fit in Tampa than he is here. Payroll is the biggest concern that they didn't address. He'd make 2.2 million more than their highest-payed player currently, and if signed would account for 16% of their total payroll. Would Tampa be willing to spend that money for this season, let alone his option/buyout for next? Also, what would be a fair return for him from Tampa? They have a system loaded with good prospects, we should be able to fish at least one of them for him, right?

*EDIT*: As sidnancy brought up, the original article was referring to Tampa as a possible destination for 2009. However, why not speculate for this season? The numbers I cited for salary were for a deadline deal this year, so let's see what we've got. Questions to consider:

1. Would Tampa be interested in acquiring Junior before the trade deadline?

2. Would Bob/Walt deal him?

3. Who would be a fair return for Junior from Tampa?]

*EDIT #2*: I found another article from today, this one by Jon Heyman, about Griffey playing in Tampa, this one about a deadline deal. Here's an excerpt:

Griffey, 39, has a no-trade clause but has told intimates that if the Rays stay in the race, he'd consider waiving his veto power to go home. Or close to home, anyway. Tampa is much nearer his Orlando-area residence than any other big-league city. Griffey's tony Isleworth community is about an hour from St. Petersburg, where the Rays play.

The speculation is happening, even by Junior himself. What do you guys think?

Rosenthal: Dunn a good fit for Red Sox

BK — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 15:14:53 -0000

Here's a link to the article itself. The excerpt about Dunn:

The Red Sox did not consider signing Barry Bonds even when they were unsure of David Ortiz's prognosis, and will not consider signing Bonds even if Ortiz is sidelined long-term. One name to remember if Ortiz's wrist problem lingers: Adam Dunn. The Red Sox could explore a trade for the Reds' slugger if the price were right. Dunn, a left-handed hitter like Ortiz, is a free agent at the end of the season. By declining to re-sign him, the Red Sox could collect two draft picks in return . . .

An interesting situation, because Dunn makes sense for Boston, Theo Epstein has no problem pulling the trigger on big deals during the season, and they wouldn't be scared off by the salary. Ken Rosenthal is also one of the more reliable sources when it comes to trade rumors. I'd like to see what RR thinks about this. Questions to consider:

1. Would Bob/Walt pull the trigger on a deal for Dunn if the Reds fall far enough out of contention?

2. Who would we ask for back from the Red Sox? Who would they be willing to give us?

Corey Patterson is a Red once again

BK — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 17:10:56 -0000

From the Fay

Today the Reds placed on the 15-day disabled list IF/OF Ryan Freel (strained right hamstring) and recalled from Class AAA Louisville OF Corey Patterson (#23)...Freel and LHP Kent Mercker (lower back pain) are scheduled to be examined in Cincinnati later this week...Patterson began the season with the Reds and hit .200 in 45g and 29 starts before he was optioned to Louisville last Wednesday to make room on the roster for Andy Phillips...for the Bats Patterson hit safely in 4 of his 5 apps and produced a 2-hit game and two 3-hit games (9-22, .409, 2 2b, 1sb).

Way to give the people what they want, Walt.

Farmers only

BK — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 02:26:13 -0000

Cumberland

Triple-A: Rough night for the Bats tonight as they come within 1 out get being no-hit, losing 7-0 to Indianapolis. The story of this game was John Van Benschoten for the Indians, who went 6 2/3 without giving up a hit. The Bats only hit came from Chris Dickerson, who tripled with 2 outs in the 9th to break up the no-no. Matt Maloney started for Louisville, who gave up 4 ER in 4 innings, boosting his ERA up to 7.27. UP NEXT: The Bats take on Indianapolis again tomorrow afternoon for game 2 of 4. Interesting pitching matchup, as Adam Pettyjohn takes on former #1 overall pick Bryan Bullington. Game starts at 2, it's on GameDay Audio, and MiLB.tv.

Double-A: Thrilling walk-off win for the Lookouts tonight, as Chattanooga beats Mobile 8-7. Chattanooga was out to an early lead, but James Avery faltered in the middle innings to allow the BayBears to come back. The Lookouts regained the lead in the 7th, only for Josh Roenicke to blow the save in the 9th by giving up a run. He had two clutch strikeouts to get out of the inning, but this game was all about Shawn Cumberland. He had a two run homer (his 3rd) in the 7th to give the Lookouts the lead, and then hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the 9th. He was 4-5 overall on the evening, to bring his average up to .341. Drew M. Anderson also had 2 hits and a home run. UP NEXT: The Lookouts finish off their series with Mobile at 11:15 AM. Ben Jukich gets the start (the other guy we got for Denorfia). It's on GameDay Audio too.

The minor league report with the name to be determined at a later date

BK — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 15:02:06 -0000

Since boobs didn't do one of these last night, I thought I'd post one of these.

Louisville beat Norfolk yesterday 4-1. Matt Belisle went 7 strong, allowing 1 run, while striking out 8 and only walking 1. Scott Sauerbeck and Marcus McBeth were both perfect in their innings of work, each striking out 1 with McBeth getting his 2nd save of the season. Offensively, Jerry Hairston carried the troops. hitting a 3-run homer in the 5th, his first of the season, while the "grossly underachieving" Jay Bruce went 1-for-4.

Chattanooga won 7-5 against Huntsville. Daryl Thompson pitched well, going 5 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits, 1 run, and striking out 7 with no walks. Danny Ray Herrera hit a rough patch for the first time this season, allowing 4 runs in his inning of work, but the Lookouts got the run support they needed to eke out the win, with Josh Roenicke getting his 2nd save. The offensive attack was balanced, led by Craig Tatum who went 3-5 with a HR, Also with good games were Sean Henry and Cody Strait with two hits apiece, the former hitting his first home run of the season, knocking in 3.

Ouch. Sarasota got destroyed by Lakeland yesterday, losing 17-3. Most of the damage was inflicted on Camilo Vazquez, who gave up 9 ER in his 2 2/3 innings of work. The other 4 pitchers who came in weren't much better, all of them giving up at least one run. The lone bright spot shone in the offense, where Juan Francisco went 2-4 and hit his 3rd HR of the season.

Dayton had an impressive comeback to force extra innings, but Beloit got the best of them in the end, with the Dragons falling 8-6 in 11. The story of this game was Keltavious Jones going 3-5, only a single away from the cycle. Also of note, Todd Frazier hit his 5th homer of the year.

Coming up:

Matt Maloney gets the start for Louisville against Norfolk tonight, game starts at 7:05, on both Gameday Audio and MiLB.tv.

Chattanooga starts at 11:35 in Huntsville, with Ramon Ramirez taking the hill. You can listen to this one for free on Gameday Audio as well.

Sarasota plays at Lakeland at 7:00 tonight, Daniel Guerrero getting the start.

The Dayton Dragons take on Beloit on the road at 7:30.

Reds sign Kent Mercker

BK — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:04:33 -0000

Via CTR:

The Reds signed LHP Kent Mercker to a minor league contract with a spring training invite.

Mercker sat out last season after elbow surgery. Mercker, a native of Dublin, Ohio, appeared in 37 games for the Reds in 2006.

Seems a lot like the Hermanson move from last year. Good clubhouse guy, snowball's chance in hell of making the roster.

Trade rumor du jour

BK — Tue, 24 Jul 2007 19:32:13 -0000

This probably has no credence to it. Gregg Doyel said he got an email from some guy who cited a Reds inside source dubbed "RB" (Rob Butcher?) which means this probably isn't going to happen, but here it is.

Kyle Lohse to the Mariners for AAA LHSP Brad Thomas and AA RHRP Chris Jakubauskas.

Now the Lohse to the Mariners for two minor league pitchers makes sense to me. However, looking at both of these guys:

Brad Thomas - 29 years old
5-5, 5.31 ERA in 95 IP; 83-33 K-BB.

Chris Jakubauskas - 28 years old
0-2, 5.00 ERA in 27 IP; 19-9 K-BB.

Look, I'm all about getting prospects back. But two guys over 28 with ERAs over 5? These aren't even prospects!

The source said the deal will be finalized by 7 tonight, but should be nothing to worry about because there's no way Wayne will be this stupid. Right...?

Milton out for the season

BK — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 00:42:54 -0000

Well it looks we don't have to worry about what to do with Milton now. From the Fay:

On Friday, Eric Milton will have season-ending "Tommy John" surgery to repair the torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.

That's it. And most likely, Eric Milton has thrown his last pitch for the Reds. Talk about your all time greatest backfires...

Either way, I wish Uncle Milty well in his rehab, and hope somebody gives him back his stapler (or a minor league contract next year). He was always a decent competitor and I remember reading stories in spring training about how he worked his ass off to pitch for this team, contrary to what his results showed. This team is better off with Homer in the rotation instead of him, and there really was no optimism that he would do well in the bullpen, but Tommy John is still no fun.

Good luck, Milton, and enjoy the 20 million dollars that we gave you to throw batting practice.

R. I. P.

Coffey down, Majewski up

BK — Thu, 24 May 2007 18:42:02 -0000

The Fay:

CINCINNATI - The Cincinnati Reds today recalled from Class AAA Louisville RHP Gary Majewski and optioned to Louisville RHP Todd Coffey.

Majewski has pitched for the Bats all season and went 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in 15 relief appearances (16ip, 14h, 8er, 4bb, 17k, 1hr). International League opponents hit just .233.

On April 20 vs Norfolk, Majewski allowed a season-high 6 earned runs while retiring just 2 batters. His ERA at Louisville without appearance drops to 1.17. He didn't allow a run in 8 games after that April 20 appearance (8.1 innings).

Late last season Majewski was on the 15-day disabled list with inflammation in his right shoulder, and he spent the early part of spring training strengthening that shoulder. He made 2 appearances for the Reds in spring training, on March 26 and March 28, then on March 29 was optioned to Louisville.

He last pitched for the Bats on Tuesday at Columbus (1.1ip, 2k).

Coffey went 1-1 with a 4.94 ERA in 26 relief appearances for the Reds. He is expected to report to Louisville tomorrow.

Salmon and Keppinger back, McBeth on bereavement list

BK — Fri, 18 May 2007 16:29:53 -0000

From C. Trent (from Rob Butcher):

TRANSACTIONS: Today the Reds recalled from Class AAA Louisville RHP Brad Salmon and IF Jeff Keppinger and placed on the bereavement list RHP Marcus McBeth...yesterday, RHP Aaron Harang went on the bereavement list...Salmon wears uniform #53 and Keppinger #27

No details as to why McBeth is out, but it's nice to have Salmon back, and I guess Keppinger might see some time at 3rd again. Disappointing that we don't get Edwin back, I was kind of pulling for this to be the move.