Twins-Giants trade

[nyy26wc]

1) The Twins traded C A.J. Pierzynski to the Giants for P Joe Nathan and minor league Ps Boof Bonser and Francisco Liriano.

After -5 RCAA/.763 OPS and 1 RCAA/.773 OPS seasons in his first couple of years as a starter, Pierzynski hit .464 SLG, .360 OBA, .824 OPS, 11 RCAA in 137 games. He has a .788 career OPS, compared to his league average of .764, and 8 RCAA in 430 games.

Bonser, 22, was the Giants 1st round pick in the 2000 draft. In his first time above Hi-A ball (other than 5 G/GS in 2002), he had a 4.00 ERA in 24 starts in AA in 2003 and a 3.13 ERA in 4 starts in AAA.

Liriano, 20, had arm problems and pitched just 2/3 IP in Hi-A in 2003.

This trade opens up the Twins starting C job for top prospect Joe Mauer. Mauer, who turns 21 in the middle of April, was the #1 pick in the entire 2001 draft. In 2003, he had a .807 OPS (.412 SLG, .395 OBA) in 62 games in Hi-A and a .853 OPS (.453 SLG, .400 OBA) in 73 games in AA.

2) The Indians declined their $5 million option for P Danys Baez for 2004.

Baez would be eligible for salary arbitration. But, he's also expected to be nontendered, which would make a free agent on December 20.

3) According to the San Diego Union Tribune, the Padres trade for Pirates C Jason Kendall later in the month, but there are also exploring other options. The team has discussed a Mark Kotsay to the A's for Ramon Hernandez deal, while free agents Benito Santiago and Brad Ausmus have said they are interested in them. The paper also reports the Padres have spoken with free agent Ps Ricardo Rincon, Steve Kline and Mark Guthrie.

4) The Padres claimed minor league OF Henri Stanley off waivers from the Astros.

5) The Devil Rays signed Ps Paul Abbott and John Halama to 1 year, $600,000 contracts.

Abbott pitched in just 17 games over the past couple of years, including a 5.29 ERA/-1 RSAA in 10 games (8 starts) with the 2003 Royals. He has a 4.68 ERA, compared to his league average of 4.59, and -17 RSAA in 142 career games.

After 4.73 ERA/-7 RSAA and 3.56 ERA/6 RSAA seasons, Halama had a 4.22 ERA/0 RSAA in 35 games (13 starts) with the A';s. He has a 4.49 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.68, and -2 RSAA in 171 games.

6) According to the Palm Beach Post, the Marlins have made a 4 year contract offer to 3B Mike Lowell, with a clause that would allow him to become a free agent if construction on a new stadium doesn't start by a specific time. According to Lowell, the only thing he knows about the offer is that clause.

7) Brewers GM Doug Melvin says he's interested in free agent OF Raul Ibanez.

8) According to the LA Times, the Angels are interested in free agent Ps Kelvim Escobar and Andy Pettitte, while they prefer Bartolo Colon. Meanwhile, Garret Anderson has agreed to move from LF to RF, if free agent LF Shannon Stewart is signed.

9) The Marlins signed utilityman Felipe Crespo and Ps Bryce Florie and Delvin James to minor league contracts.

Crespo had -12 RCAA/.710 OPS in 262 games with 3 teams from 1996-2001 (except 1999).

Florie had 4.47 ERA/5 RSAA in 261 games with 4 teams from 1994-2001.

James had 6.55 ERA/-8 RSAA in 8 games with the 2002 Devil Rays.

10) The Padres signed P Joey Hamilton to a minor league contract.

After 5.93 ERA/-18 RSAA and 5.27 ERA/-11 RSAA seasons, Hamilton had a 12.66 ERA/-10 RSAA in 3 games with the Reds. He has a 4.44 career ERA, compared to his league average of 4.30, and -41 RSAA in 242 games.

11) According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel the Marlins have made a 2 year, $15 million offer to C Ivan Rodriguez and a 3 year, $15-18 million offer to 2B Luis Castillo.

[Wolf Hopper]

I still think the Twins need a C to have as a fall back plan. AA is not the big leagues.

[ronh]

According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Danys Baez is not eligible for arbitration.

http://www.cleveland.com/tribe/plain...8922424420.xml

ronh

[Fuzzy Bear]

Originally Posted by Wolf Hopper

I still think the Twins need a C to have as a fall back plan. AA is not the big leagues.

Joe Mauer hit .344 in AA. Perhaps he's ready to be the next Butch Wynegar.

I still think the Twins need a C to have as a fall back plan. AA is not the big leagues


Tell that to those yearly AA wonders, a guy by the name of Pujols or D. Willis. Mauer should be fine; he'll struggle at first, but she should be better than any 2nd or 3rd tier catcher.

[gyb13]

think they could try to pry away one of the backup FL catchers?