SB Nation User Blog: raygu

MLB Trade Rumors: Dan Uggla to the Dodgers??

raygu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:42:44 -0000

More photos » by Gregory Smith - AP

about 1 month ago: Florida Marlins' Dan Uggla connects with a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at Turner Field in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

Browse more photos »

I caught some of the XM Radio Baseball show yesterday afternoon with Casey Stern and Kevin Kennedy. They were talking about some of the free agents available, and Stern mentioned that he thought Placido Polanco would be a perfect fit in LA.

Kennedy chimed in and said he heard that the Dodgers were interested in trading for the Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla. Now, Kennedy worked for the Dodgers for a number of years managing in their farm system, and he still works in the LA area, so this deal would not surprise me.

Actually, I thought he would be a perfect fit once I heard the Marlins were looking to deal him. The Dodgers lineup, with the exception of their outfield, is lacking HR power. Uggla is a perfect match for the Dodgers as they need a second baseman and they need another power hitter.

Uggla went 31-90-.243-.354-.459-.813 in 2009. He increased his BB% from 12.7% to 14% and lowered his K% from 32.2% to 26.6% in 2009. His BABIP of .277 in 2009 was below his career BABIP of .297, so there is room for a little better average in 2010, and Uggla has increased his walk totals in each of the past 4 seasons (48-69-77-92).

What would the Dodgers have to give up for Uggla? Well, the Red Sox just gave up two pitching prospects I have never heard of for Jeremy Hermida. But since Uggla has more value than Hermida, I guess the Dodgers would have to give up a pitching prospect like Scott Elbert. With the emergence of Chris Withrow, Ethan Martin and Aaron Miller, I have to think that Elbert could be expendable.

Poll

Should the Dodgers deal for Dan Uggla or go after someone with a better glove and higher average?

MLB Trade Rumors: Roy Halladay to Phillies for Cole Hamels??

raygu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:00:42 -0000

by Darren Calabrese - AP

2 months ago: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay works against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

View full size photo »

A friend of mine who is a Phillies fan emailed me today saying he was watching Comcast Sports Nite earlier this evening, and during the show, they were talking about the Phillies interest in Roy Halladay. They mentioned that the Phillies expressed an interest in Halladay and Toronto came back asking for Cole Hamels.

And apparently the Phillies are listening.

This move by the Phillies would surprise me as Hamels is still a very young pitcher, with alot of talent. He just has a bad year for him, but for most pitchers, he had an average year. For the Phillies to deal him, they must feel that he doesn't have the mental toughness anymore.

Hamels dominated in the 2008 season and playoffs. He won the World Series MVP. And now the Phillies are talking about trading him? This tells me two things. One, they really want to get back to the World Series in 2010. The team is built to win now. And two, they don't think Hamels will rebound in 2010, which I am not so sure I agree with based on his peripherals.

Hamels went 10-11 in 2009, with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. In 193 innings, he struck out 168 batters and walked 43 giving up 24 HRs. His K/BB actually increased from 3.70 in 2008 to 3.91 in 2009. His HR/9 was about the same as in 2008 and his HR/FB% dropped from 11.2% to 10.7%, but his BABIP increased from .270 in 2008 to .325 in 2009. His GB%, LD% and FB% were pretty much unchanged from 2008.

Based on his peripherals, one would conclude Hamels was unlucky in 2009, and is a good choice for a bounce back in 2010.

And the Phillies are rumored to be trading him for Roy Halladay. Should the Phils deal Hamels for Halladay, they will be heavy favorites to make the 2010 World Series. But, they may be forced to sign either Lee or Halladay long-term after the 2010 season. That may force the Phillies hand as both Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth are free agents at the end of the 2010 season. Otherwise, the Phils will be left with a rotation of J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and Kyle Drabek.

Poll

Should the Phillies deal Cole Hamels for Roy Halladay?

MLB Trade Rumors: Adrian Beltre to the Phillies??

raygu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 03:41:37 -0000

More photos » by Kevin P. Casey - AP

2 months ago: Seattle Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre awaits a batter during his first baseball game back from an injury, against the Los Angeles Angels on Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2009, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey)

Browse more photos »

I just finished reading Buster Olney's Monday afternoon chat over at ESPN and a chatter asked him the following:

Brian (Ann Arbor)

Buster, Pedro Feliz's option wasn't picked up. Who do you see replacing him: Beltre, Derosa, or is there someone else?

Buster Olney
(1:30 PM)

Brian: Beltre is a great, great fit -- so long as the price is right. We'll see what Scott Boras asks for ...

I agree with Olney, and Beltre could have a bounce back season hitting in Philly in 2010. He would actually be an upgrade defensively as well. His 2009 season was downright terrible, as he went 8-44-13-.265-.304-.379-.683.

His .683 OPS was the worst of his career, and his OBP was pretty close to being his worst. Beltre's BB% dropped from 8.3% in 2008 to 4.1% in 2009, and he hit alot more ground balls in 2009-45.6% vs 39.8% in 2008. His FB% dropped slightly, but his HR/FB% dropped significantly from 13.8% in 2008 to 5.6% in 2009. Beltre's career average HR/FB% is around 13.1%, so he should rebound in the power category. One can attribute Beltre's drop in power to the surgery he had on his right shoulder in June.

If the price is right, and it very well could be, I could see Beltre playing in Philadelphia in 2010, as this team is built to win now.

Poll

Should the Phillies sign free agent third baseman Adrian Beltre, or go after a closer?

Arizona Fall League: Matt McBride Homers, Aaron Crow Hit Hard Again

raygu — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 02:46:15 -0000

The AFL was back in action on Monday following a day off on Sunday. The Rising Stars game was very exciting for those who watched as the Indian's catching prospect Matt McBride hit a two-run homer off of Nationals pitching prospect Drew Storen.

Let's take a look at the performances from Monday's games:

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-0-4, (.349)

Buster Posey, C, SFG-1-3, BB, K (.224)

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-1-4, K (.167)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-1-4, 2K (.256)

Thomas Neal, 1B, SFG-0-4, RBI, BB (.288)

Hector Gomez, SS, COL-2-3, RS, 2B, HR, RBI (.271)

Starlin Castro, SS, CHC-1-4, RS, SB (.414)

Bryan Peterson, OF, FLA-2-3, BB, RBI (.400)

Jay Buente, RP, FLA-2 Inn, 5 K (3.86)

Matt McBride, C, CLE-2-4, 2 RS, 3B, HR, RBI (.420)

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN-3-4, RS, RBI (.293)

Freddie Freeman, 1B, ATL-0-3, 2 K (.267)

Jonathan Gaston, OF, HOU-1-3, HR, 3 RBI (.226)

Ike Davis, 1B, NYM-2-4, RS, (.339)

Taylor Teagarden, C, TEX-0-3, BB, 2 K (.240)

Aaron Crow, SP, KC-4 Inn, 7 H, 4 ER, 4 K (7.94)

MLB Trade Rumors: Dodgers To Trade One of Their Core??

raygu — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 02:07:33 -0000

More photos » by David J. Phillip - AP

22 days ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' Russell Martin hits an RBI single during the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship baseball series against the Philadelphia Phillies Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

Browse more photos »

In his Sunday morning blog, ESPN's Buster Olney suggests the Dodgers will trade one of their arbitration eligible players this offseason:

Los Angeles is expected to move at least one of its many arbitration-eligible players via trade. You might match Halladay with what the Dodgers have to offer -- Canada native Russell Martin plus others. But remember that Martin's OPS has dropped 162 points during the past two seasons. He also is climbing swiftly up the arbitration ladder; his salary might climb from $3.9 million last season to $6 million next season. In the end, the Dodgers might not get the ace they need.

So, I took a look at the list of arbitration eligible players the Dodgers have this offseason. Here is the list:

Hong-Chih Kuo

There are four players that LA will certainly not trade right now: Kemp, Ethier, Sherrill and Kuo. Kemp and Ethier are obvious, and Sherrill and Kuo are two of the best left-handed relievers in the game, so they aren't going anywhere.

Of the remaining four players, I don't see the Dodgers dealing Broxton or Billingsley. John Perrotto wrote in his Sunday On The Beat article that Billz would be available in a trade this offseason. I just don't see it. I see him just having an off year in 2009 due to his jump in innings pitched in 2008. Broxton was one the best closers in baseball during the regular season, but for the second season in a row, Broxton blew up in the NLCS.

That leaves Russell Martin and James Loney. I have been down on Martin for two years now, so I would be happy if he was dealt as part of a package for an ace starting pitcher. I do like Loney, but the Dodgers need a power hitter at first base, and I could see them packaging him for ace starter as well.

Should LA trade Russell Martin, they could go out and sign Bengie Molina who still can hit for an old catcher. He batted cleanup for the Giants most of the 2009 season. If they decide to package Loney, they could move Casey Blake to first base, and go out and sign Adrian Beltre. Beltre is probably the best fielding third baseman in the game, and can still hit for power and steal a few bags.

Poll

Who gets traded out of LA this offseason?

MLB Trade Rumors: On the Beat with John Perrotto Version

raygu — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 19:27:33 -0000

by Eric Risberg - AP

about 1 month ago: Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Chad Billingsley takes a break on the mound after the San Francisco Giants scored their third run in the fourth inning of a baseball game in San Francisco, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. San Francisco won the game 7-2; Billingsley was the losing pitcher. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg)

View full size photo »

Every Sunday, John Perrotto from Baseball Prospectus puts out an article talking about possible trade rumors and signings, along with analysis of the goings on around baseball. Yesterday's article was chock full of names who could be available in trade talks this offseason, with some suprise names.

Let's take a look after the jump:

Here is a list of names who could be available in trade talks per Perrotto:

Chad Billingsley Kerry Wood

Dave Bush Bobby Jenks

Jeremy Guthrie Pat Burrell

Adrian Gonzalez Nelson Cruz

Heath Bell Ryan Ludwick

Glen Perkins Dan Uggla

Kenshin Kawakami Juan Pierre

Derek Lowe Ryan Doumit

Javier Vazquez Dioner Navarro

Carlos Zambrano Jarrod Saltalamacchia

Matt Capps Geovany Soto

Christian Guzman Elijah Dukes

Corey Hart David Dejesus

Poll

What name on the Perrotto list is most surprising?

Fantasy Baseball: FakeTeams Early Mixed League Mock Draft

raygu — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:41:18 -0000

We have tossed around the idea of doing a two round mock draft here at Fake Teams for about a month now, so Ian and I will document our picks as we go along. Along with each pick, we will provide an explanation as to why we picked the player.

Down the road, we will get Bryan and Jeremy involved in mock drafts as we get closer to the 2010 season. Along with this mock draft, I will participate in several mock drafts over at www.mockdraftcentral.com. The site is good for those who want to see where certain players are being drafted in 2010. The site can also used to test a particular strategy as it gives up to the minute standings based on 2010 projections.

With that said, Ian will be leading us off with the first pick with a short post on Monday. I will follow with a short post on my pick and so on.

Can you guess who he will select with the first pick??

MLB Trade Rumors: Roy Halladay On His Way Out of Toronto?

raygu — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 18:45:46 -0000

More photos » by Fred Thornhill - AP

about 1 month ago: Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Roy Halladay throws against the Seattle Mariners during first-inning AL baseball game action in Toronto, Friday, Sept. 25, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press,Fred Thornhill)

Browse more photos »

There has been 3-4 trades made already this offseason, and the GM meetings haven't even started. With the GM meetings starting tomorrow in Chicago, I expect there to be several more trades made. The one that is most intriguing is whether or not Roy Halladay will be traded this offseason.

Well, new GM Alex Shankapotomous....er Anthopolous...has already made his intentions clear-Halladay wants to win, and Toronto is only a 75 win team, so that doesn't meet Halladay's requirement to play for a winner. And apparently he has been actively involved in trade talks already this offseason. I don't see anyone on the Blue Jays roster who would be more in demand that Roy Halladay, although Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes seems to think he needs to trade for Lyle Overbay of all people. <insert expletives here as I just traded for 1B prospect Brandon Allen in an NL only keeper league>

I expect Halladay to be dealt this offseason, and there will be a number of teams looking at acquiring his services including the Dodgers, Brewers, Phillies, and possibly the Mets and Red Sox. What was J.P. Ricciardi thinking not dealing Halladay at the July 31 trade deadline?

What would it take to land Halladay this offseason? Certainly less that what the price was on July 31st. Could the Dodgers deal Chad Billingsley straight up for Halladay? Or would it require a couple prospects like Chris Withrow and Josh Lindblom? Could Milwaukee deal third base prospect Mat Gamel in return for Halladay? Or will the Phillies part with outfield prospect Michael Taylor or Domonic Brown. Could the Red Sox package Michael Bowden and Josh Reddick for Halladay?

Poll

Which rumored deal has the best chance of actually happening?

Arizona Fall League: Rising Stars Game

raygu — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 15:14:24 -0000

I did not get a chance to watch the Rising Stars game last night as I attended a Dark Star Orchestra (Dead cover band) concert in Philadelphia. As it turns out, both were good shows. Funny, I wore my Dodgers long sleeve T to the show, how Phillies fans still talk junk after getting their asses handed to them by the Yankees in the World Series.

Back to the Rising Stars game. The AFL East squad jumped all over Braves pitching prospect Mike Minor scoring 7 runs on 7 hits and a walk in 2/3rds of an inning, but the West team came roaring back and got to Nats prospect, and future closer, Drew Storen for 2 runs in bottom of the 8th to overcome the early 7 runs deficit to win 8-7.

Let's take a look at the top performances in the game after the jump:

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-2-3, RS, RBI

Bryan Peterson, OF, FLA-1-2, SB

Starlin Castro, SS, CHC-2-3, RS

Brandon Snyder, 1B, BAL-1-4, BB, K

Grant Desme, OF, OAK-1-3, RS, RBI

Brandon Allen, 1B, ARI-1-4, HR, 3 RBI

Buster Posey-1-2, RS

Chase D'Arnaud, 2B, PIT-2-3

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-1-4, RS, 2B

Drew Storen, RP, WAS-Inn, 2 H, 2 ER, HR

Dustin Ackley, OF, SEA-0-1, RS, BB

Chris Heisey, OF, CIN-2-3, 2 RS, 2B, HR, 2 RBI

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN-3-4, RS, 2B, 2 RBI

Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC-1-3, RS

Jordan Danks, OF, CHW-0-5, 2 K

Matt McBride-1-2, GW HR, 2 RBI

Carlos Triunfel, SS, SEA-1-2, HR, RBI

Mike Minor, SP, ATL-0.2, 7 H, 7 R, 6 ER

Arizona Fall League: Friday's Roundup

raygu — Sat, 07 Nov 2009 02:52:35 -0000

Let's see how some of MLB's top prospects performed the day before the Rising Stars game after the jump:

Chase D'arnaud-2B, PIT-1-3, RS, RBI, SB (.261)

Jose Tabata, OF, PIT-1-4, RBI (.366)

Cole Gillespie, OF, ARI-1-4, RBI (.327)

Domonic Brown, OF, PHI-0-4, RBI, BB, 2 K (.256)

Willin Rosario, C, COL-2-4, 2 RS, HR, RBI (.303)

Thomas Neal, 1B, SFG-2-5, RS, 2B, SB, RBI (.313)

Donald Veal, SP, PIT-4 Inn, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 5 K (0.56 ERA)

Starlin Castro, SS, CHC-2-6, (.424)

Matt Dominguez, 3B, FLA-2-3, 2 2B, 2 RS, 4 RBI, BB (.174)

Bryan Peterson, OF, FLA-3-6, RBI (.388)

Hank Conger, C, LAA-2-4, 3 RS, 2B, RBI, BB (.226)

Mike Moustakas, 3B, KC-1-4, RS, HR, RBI (.268)

Dustin Ackley, OF, SEA-1-4, RS, 2B, RBI (.295)

Jordan Danks, OF, CHW-2-4, RS, 2B (.343)

Casper Wells, OF, DET-2-4, RS, 2B, 2 RBI (.358)

Carlos Triunfel, SS, SEA-0-4 (.111)

Yonder Alonso, 1B, CIN-0-3, BB, K (.259)

Chris Heisey, OF, CIN-1-4, hr, 2 rbi (.358)

Brandon Hicks, SS, ATL-0-4 (.293)

Brandon Snyder, 1B, BAL-0-3, BB, K (.355)

Danny Espinosa, SS-1-4, RS, 2B (.350)

Chris Marrero, 1B, WAS- 0-4, 2 K (.348)

Grant Desme, OF, OAK 0-4,3 K (.354)