ATM report--Free agency rumors

[nyy26wc]

1) According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Phillies free agent possibilities include Rick Reed, John Burkett, David Wells and Ricky Bottalico (with the Yankees and Diamondbacks also interested) and the Braves could be interested in Tino Martinez.

2) According to the Boston Herald, the Redsox are on the verge of signing free agent OF Damon Buford.

3) According to NY Newsday, free agent Chuck Knoblauch's interested in the Braves.

Addition to yesterday's report--I didn't intend to allow Jose Vizcaino's re-signing with the Astros to be reported without adding details on how bad he is. But, then I forgot to go back and add those comments before the report was sent out.

Vizcaino had his typically pathetic year in 2001, hitting .344 SLG, .322 OBA, .666 OPS, 14 RCAA, .324 OWP, 3.74 RC/G, 28 RC in 107 games. It is a sign of terribleness when a player can have a .666 OPS and have that be better than his career average, which is .657, compared to his league average of .763 and positional average of .696. This was the 9th time in the past 10 years that Vizcaino had a double digit negative RCAA, with only a -8 figure in 1998 prevented a 10 year streak, and was his 13th negative figure in his 13 major league seasons. Vizcaino's -166 career RCAA ranks as the 7th worst figure among active players.

[nyy26wc]

1) The Braves re-signed free agent P John Smoltz to a 3 year, $30 million contract, with a team option for 2005.

Smoltz had a 3.36 ERA and 7 RSAA in 36 games in 2001. He has a 3.35 career ERA, compared to his league average of 3.99, and 198 RSAA. While the Braves plan on keeping him in the bullpen, by staying with the Braves, Smoltz remains on the list of pitchers with 350+ career starts who spent their whole careers with one team.

2) The Rangers may move 1B prospect Carlos Pena to RF. The team would like to get Pena into the everyday lineup next season, but prefer not to have him and Rafael Palmeiro share 1B and DH, while they are also looking for a RF.

3) Marlins C Charles Johnson must decide by 5 PM today whether he's going to exercise his contractual option to void the remaining 4 years of his contract and become a free agent.

4) Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty says he still thinks the team has a chance to sign Jason Giambi.

[nyy26wc]

350+ STARTS WHILE SPENDING WHOLE CAREER WITH 1 TEAM

1 Walter Johnson Senators 666
2 Jim Palmer Orioles 521
T3 Bob Feller Indians 484
T3 Ted Lyons Whitesox 484
5 Red Faber Whitesox 483
6 Bob Gibson Cardinals 482
7 Tom Glavine Braves 469
8 Don Drysdale Dodgers 465
9 Whitey Ford Yankees 438
10 Mel Harder Indians 433
11 Carl Hubbell Giants 431
12 Steve Rogers Expos 393
13 Paul Splittorff Royals 392
14 Hooks Dauss Tigers 388
15 Vern Law Pirates 364
16 Tommy Bridges Tigers 362
T17 Mel Stottlemyre Yankees 356
T17 John Smoltz Braves 356
19 Bob Lemon Indians 350

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by nyy26wc


2) According to the Boston Herald, the Redsox are on the verge of signing free agent OF Damon Buford.

[/B]

To all Red Sox fans : HAH-HAH (Best said in a Nelson Muntz voice).

To Dan Duquette, from the Comic Book Guy : Worst GM Ever.

:homer:

[hmrsf]

Originally posted by SmedIndy


To all Red Sox fans : HAH-HAH (Best said in a Nelson Muntz voice).

To Dan Duquette, from the Comic Book Guy : Worst GM Ever.

:homer:

Smedley, you do not play nice. Dumpster Dan is at it again. (Sorry RSF617.....that line is too great not to share.)

[Skipper Steve]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
Cardinals GM Walt Jocketty says he still thinks the team has a chance to sign Jason Giambi.

And the moon is made of cheese.

Originally posted by nyy26wc
The Rangers may move 1B prospect Carlos Pena to RF. The team would like to get Pena into the everyday lineup next season, but prefer not to have him and Rafael Palmeiro share 1B and DH, while they are also looking for a RF.


Pena looks good. Rangers also have a couple of blue chipper at 3B. Given that so many teams seem to have a potential hole at 1B, why not try to move Palmiero in a block-buster.

If I'm the Yanks, I'd take Palmiero over Giambi right now - - in return, I'd offer El Duque, Witasick, and Justice.

[sweaver]

Green cheese, at that.

You really think the Rangers would go for a dump job like that? I give Hart more credit.

[Skipper Steve]

Originally posted by sweaver
You really think the Rangers would go for a dump job like that? I give Hart more credit.

Well, it's not a "worth taking a polaroid" dump. :D

Hart likes power arms in the pen (Witasick), the Rangers really need some starting pitching (Duque) and Justice would give them a bat for RF or, if they need a DH, at least he doesn't totally piss and moan about being DHed. Plus, they need to clear RP to make room for some of that young and cheap talent they have on the corners.

[Duque]

Originally posted by sweaver
I give Hart more credit.

This is the guy who traded Brian Giles for Ricky Rincon, though. And Sean Casey for Dave Burba. Okay, it's not exactly Jeff Bagwell for Larry Andersen, but it's not that far off.

Although from a Yankee standpoint, Skip's move does make more sense. Would save them some money, too (yes, I know, I'm sure that's a big concern for Steinbrenner)

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve
why not try to move Palmiero in a block-buster.

If I'm the Yanks, I'd take Palmiero over Giambi right now - - in return, I'd offer El Duque, Witasick, and Justice. Palmeiro has showed no signs of slowing, granted, but a *blockbuster* for a 37 year old?

Also, explain to me how the three Yankees you mention above equate to a blockbuster. You've got a broken pitcher that might be older than Palmeiro, a broken OF one year his junior and a 29 year odl journeyman pitcher who could not sitck with the A's, Royals, or Padres (three teams who can use help on the hill). I am beginning to think maybe that was a little sarcasm on your part.

[Skipper Steve]

It would be a blockbuster because most baseball fans are familiar with the names Palmeiro, El Duque and Justice.

Broken OF? What's broken? A RP that couldn't stick? Check out his age, and K/IP numbers from last year, and, while I agree that no one knows El Duque's age - - he'd still be a big upgrade for a team that gives Darren Oliver a regular turn.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve
Broken OF? What's broken? Everything. How many games did he play last year? He can't play the OF every day any more. He's a DH at best. If he was so good, you wouldn't want to unload him.


Originally posted by Skipper Steve
A RP that couldn't stick? Check out his age, and K/IP numbers from last year, His numbers did improve last year, but on very limited action compared to the previous two seasons. Again, if he were so good, don't you think one of the prior three teams (four if you include that Yankees dealing him) would have kept him.

Sorry, dude, I don't see how this comes even close to being an even deal for the Rangers. If the Yankees could orchestrate this, then absolutely pull the trigger 'cause it is way losided.

[Skipper Steve]

Justice is still good for 25 HRs, 85 RBI, and a .370 OBA - - it is reasonable to expect that from him. Plus, Texas needs someone to DH. Last year was a nagging groin and legal problems - - no reason to think that carries over to 2002.

On Witasick, learn your history of pitchers. How many teams did Schilling pass through? Happens all the time - - it's rare for a pitcher to star with the team that he first signed with - very rare.

Plus, you forget, Texas would be dealing from a surplus, they gain more than they lose.

[SmedIndy]

I wouldn't touch Witasick with a 10-foot pole, or a cutout of Felix Heredia...

:D

Seriously - guys like Witasick are a dime a dozen, same as in town. You can pick someone similar to him as a six-year FA and not trade away commodities.

It infuriated me to no end when the Cubs actually TRADED for a schlub like David Weathers.

Witasick is a journeyman and may have an occasional good year here and there but he's no reliable commodity.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve
On Witasick, learn your history of pitchers. How many teams did Schilling pass through? Happens all the time - - it's rare for a pitcher to star with the team that he first signed with - very rare.
Disagree on what needs to be learned and I'll leave it at that.

[nyy26wc]

I do not want to propose that we turn this forum into the kind of ridiculous trade proposals that we all hear on talk radio.

The last thing anyone wants to see is people writing that there team trade a mopup reliever, an injury prone .650 OPS infielder and a minor league journeyman for Alex Rodriguez and then have the person not understand there was anything wrong with his proposal.

But, I do have to point out that if you look at what teams get when they trade top players, it's a joke. For example, during the summer of 1997, if anyone proposed that the Cardinals trade T.J. Matthews, Blake Stein and Eric Ludwick to the A's for Mark McGwire, we all would have called him the biggest idiot we've ever seen. But, what happened? The Cardinals made that exact trade.

That wasn't an abberation. That was the norm.

If a team gets 50 cents back on the dollar when trading a star, that's better than par for the course.

In the context of what teams really get when they trade top players, Steve's proposal for Rafael Palmeiro is very fair.

[Skipper Steve]

Originally posted by SmedIndy
I wouldn't touch Witasick with a 10-foot pole, or a cutout of Felix Heredia...Seriously - guys like Witasick are a dime a dozen, same as in town. You can pick someone similar to him as a six-year FA and not trade away commodities.

It infuriated me to no end when the Cubs actually TRADED for a schlub like David Weathers.

Witasick is a journeyman and may have an occasional good year here and there but he's no reliable commodity.

Last year, these were the numbers on Witasick:

.987 hits allowed per IP
1.34 Ks per IP
and a K/BB ratio of 3.2

In 2001, only 22 pitchers had:

STRIKEOUTS/9 IP >= 1
STRIKEOUTS/WALKS >= 3
HITS/9 IP <= 9

Here's the Top 15 based on ERA:

1 Felix Rodriguez
2 Keith Foulke
3 Mariano Rivera
4 Steve Karsay
5 Pedro Martinez
6 Randy Johnson
7 Octavio Dotel
8 Roy Oswalt
9 Kyle Farnsworth
10 Curt Schilling
11 Greg Maddux
12 Mike Mussina
13 Roy Halladay
14 Jay Witasick
15 Al Leiter

Nice company for a dime-a-dozen pitcher - or crap, as Buzz calls him.

[Skipper Steve]

Originally posted by nyy26wc
In the context of what teams really get when they trade top players, Steve's proposal for Rafael Palmeiro is very fair.

Thanks Lee - I'll take the endorsement!

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve
Nice company for a dime-a-dozen pitcher - or crap, as Buzz calls him. I just can't buy into a guy doing something for one year when he has never come close to doing it before. You want to build a bust for him out in the monuments, knock yourself out. I am not sold. He does it again for a couple more years, than I was wrong, but taking his career as a whole, I am not impressed.

Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't he left off the Yankees post season roster for one or more of the series?

[Skipper Steve]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
Correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't he left off the Yankees post season roster for one or more of the series?

That was Wohlers, I believe.

Buzz - - one thing I need to clean-up - - -

when I said "Learn you history of pitchers..........." I was wrong.

Just 'cause we don't agree, doesn't mean I am right or more knowledgable. Misplaced aggression on my part. Sorry.

[BuzzBuzzard]

No sweat, appreciate the clarification.

Back to Witasick. He did pitch in the WS and was damn impressive in striking out all four outs he recorded during his one outing. Of course, that was sandwiched around 10 H and 8 ER, but as I said, all four outs were Ks. :D

[SmedIndy]

Originally posted by Skipper Steve


Last year, these were the numbers on Witasick:

.987 hits allowed per IP
1.34 Ks per IP
and a K/BB ratio of 3.2

In 2001, only 22 pitchers had:

STRIKEOUTS/9 IP >= 1
STRIKEOUTS/WALKS >= 3
HITS/9 IP <= 9


Nice company for a dime-a-dozen pitcher - or crap, as Buzz calls him.

However -

Most of his good work was done in San Diego, and under less stressful situations. He was a mop up man mostly. And you can find effective mop-up men trolling through six year free agents.

Again, it's why it infuriates me when teams like the Cubs trade for David Weathers when they had success picking Todd Van Poppel off the scrap heap.

[sweaver]

Boy, did I stir up a hornet's nest there.

Lee makes a good point about trades. Some are nonsensical at the time and later. Some make sense at the time, no sense later. Some cause an uproar at the time, and end up being lopsided the other way. How would you like to be the guy who traded Christy Mathewson to get Amos Rusie, who never won another major league game? Christy went out and became one of the best ever. I'm sure the Giants fans screamed about getting this unknown college guy.

What I was saying was, if I were the Rangers, I wouldn't do it. I would want a younger pitcher with less injury history than Hernandez. I was suggesting that perhaps more attention was being paid to what the Yankees wanted than what the Rangers would ask for. This is the common call-in show mistake Lee mentions, and I did it myself in younger days.

All told though, I can see Hart making this trade. I would advise him against it, because Justice sure looked washed up in the postseason, and Hernandez may be worn out, but Witasick is a usable arm in spite of his WS blowup.

[nyy26wc]

Every year, plenty of mediocre players have their career year and revert back to their normal form in subsequent years.

A good way to make a bad signing or trade is to locate this year's career year players and then make the mistake that what they did this year is what they'll do next year.

[Yogi#8Fan]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
No sweat, appreciate the clarification.

Back to Witasick. He did pitch in the WS and was damn impressive in striking out all four outs he recorded during his one outing. Of course, that was sandwiched around 10 H and 8 ER, but as I said, all four outs were Ks. :D That's like telling me you've got some brick oven-baked focaccia as a side dish to meatballs w/grandmama's special marinara sauce. The pizza is tasty, but the sauce is what they love and come back for.

[BuzzBuzzard]

Originally posted by Yogi#8Fan
That's like telling me you've got some brick oven-baked focaccia as a side dish to meatballs w/grandmama's special marinara sauce. The pizza is tasty, but the sauce is what they love and come back for. I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that.

[Skipper Steve]

Originally posted by BuzzBuzzard
I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that.

I thought the same thing. Yog, be a good boy and take your meds before you post, huh? ;)