MLB Not-olds.

by Allen Chace on Jan 13, 2008 2:58 AM EST in News

Mark Kotsay traded to the Atlanta Braves.
MLBTR notes, wisely, that Billy Beane basically bought Joey Devine for the sum of $5+M. They weren't going to use Kotsay, and from the Braves' standpoint, they picked up a fine defensive CF who probably won't make enough of an argument on offense to stay the starter if one of their prospects is ready early. Also, we lost a potential Crisp trading partner.
Scott Rolen for Troy Glaus?
If I asked one of the GMs involved to answer the question "Why?", they probably wouldn't be able to do it, would they? Glaus gives the Jays (who will have the pitching) the better chance to make some noise in the AL East/Wild Card, especially if the Yankees pitching prospects don't, y'know, cure cancer at some point next season. You don't need to focus on defense (Reed Johnson, McDonald, Wells (I kid because I love.), Rolen) at so many positions.
The Cardinals, of course, are going nowhere with powers such as the Brewers and Cubs! in the NL Central, which will be won by whichever of the Brewers or Cubs manages to finish AT .500 next season. Just wait. In 2009, the "best" NL Central team will finish with 78 wins, with 16-18 coming against Pittsburgh. This might not be statistically possible. They'll find a way regardless.
Rangers sign Eddie Guardado.
I dunno. Low-risk, I guess? He mentions something about proving that he can still pitch at a high level. Mark Loretta (April 17th) agrees.
...that's all that interested me. Yeah, I know. Mike Cameron to the Brewers. The Yankees signed Jason Lane. ...whatever. One thing that was pretty cool, I guess:
Emil Brown signs with the A's. Imagine a world with me for a minute. Imagine that Bonds' legal troubles somehow go away. Imagine a world in which Oakland Coliseum has as its outfielders, for at least one game, Jack Cust, Emil Brown and Barry Lamar Bonds. Could such a trio challenge for worst defensive OF of all-time? Yikes. One can dream, though I'm sure it won't happen even if all those players occupy the roster at the same time.

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Re: MLB Not-olds.

They're trading Glaus because he's poor defensively, and Rolen gives them probably the best infield defensively in all of baseball. It's the kind of infield Carlos Silva could be a bad-ass in front of.

And Rolen has become a cancer in St. Louis.

Basically they're swapping skills: Jays are getting much better defensively and the Cardinals are getting much better offensively.

by future on Jan 13, 2008 1:00 PM EST reply actions

Re: MLB Not-olds.

I'd much rather take my shots with Rolen at the plate than Glaus...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 13, 2008 3:03 PM EST up reply actions

Rolen

If Rolen is healthy, I think he's the more complete hitter than Glaus. Similar power, fewer Ks, better AVG./OBP., more doubles. And getting him out from under La Russa will be huge. He could have a big season.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Jan 13, 2008 3:00 PM EST reply actions

Re: Rolen

Similar power? I think Rolen is in the 15-20 range now, if healthy, whereas Glaus could probably still ding atleast 35 ... 'roids or no 'roids. I'll give you every other point, though...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 13, 2008 4:01 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rolen

Two years ago, when both were healthy, Rolen slugged .518 (albeit with only 22 HRs, but with 48 doubles), to Glaus's .513. I could see him rebounding to 30 dingers this year, especially with Thomas hitting behind him, as opposed to Jim Edmunds.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Jan 13, 2008 4:32 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rolen

Gentlemen (as in not just tommy),

I see your points, but I still think:

A) Toronto's team defense will still be pretty good (non-Eckstein starts), Rolen or no.

B) They're more likely to be lacking in runs than run prevention next season.

C) Troy Glaus is the lesser injury risk (maybe this is just my opinion, it's not like either is a paragon of health), and lesser commitment ($$ and years).

by Allen Chace on Jan 13, 2008 6:46 PM EST up reply actions

Re: Rolen

And of course Glaus can play SS :)...

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 13, 2008 7:47 PM EST up reply actions

Gene Conley

This is a great read about Gene Conley, who was Boston's two-sport athlete back when men were men.

Manny Ramirez is a bad man

by tommy.otm on Jan 13, 2008 3:31 PM EST reply actions

Re: Gene Conley

Thanks for the link, tommy. Great read.

OverTheMonster.com

by Randy Booth on Jan 13, 2008 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

Re: MLB Not-olds.

I'm praying for a Crisp-for-Huston-Street deal... he's a righty closer on a team whose manager seems intent on dismantling it. Guess which team wants a righty eighth-inning guy (and can afford to pay him more than Oakland, who's now giving him barely above minimum salary, can)?

I think I singlehandedly murdered about ten laws of the English language with that sentence...

by Liza on Jan 14, 2008 12:13 AM EST reply actions

Re: MLB Not-olds.

I just don't think Crisp'll be enough to get it done. Whether it is a fair deal or not, I leave to others, but I don't think Beane would do a Crisp-for-Street deal.

And murdering laws of the English language is good for the soul.

by Allen Chace on Jan 14, 2008 12:20 AM EST up reply actions

Re: MLB Not-olds.

Why would the A's take on a higher salary of an offensively mediocre outfielder for a very cheap, very good bullpen arm. We would have to send a Masterson/Lowrie type of prospect along with Crisp.

by Schulz on Jan 14, 2008 1:34 PM EST up reply actions

Re: MLB Not-olds.

Or both.

"You know you're having a bad day when the fifth inning rolls around and they drag the warning track." - Mike Flanagan, Baltimore Orioles pitcher, 1992.

by SoxDevil on Jan 15, 2008 1:43 PM EST up reply actions