National League Rumors

Jacksonville

News out of Jacksonville that Antonio Whang and Jaime Rogers are going to be let go is not surprising.

Coming off a 3 year deal, the 32 year old Whang will be an intriguing option for those looking for corner outfield help. Whang, a lifetime .289 hitter with 329 home runs, could provide a spark for some offense in the league.

After peaking with a 40 homerun campaign in season 11, Rogers decline was already evident until he suffered a ligament strain in his foot toward the end of the season. He should still garner interest from some American League team as a DH, as his potential to return to form is pretty good.

In a move forced by the play of Zues Thurman, Rolando Guerrero is now being actively shopped during the offseason. Guerrero’s appeal is simple as he is a power bat who can more than field his position. Furthermore, Guerrero is entering the last two years of his deal as he is due a shade under 16.5 million over the next two years (8.7 this season, 7.7 in the final year).

Montgomery

As Montgomery management has indicated in this and other venues, they are willing to trade one of the following minor leaguers (Chris Sinclair, Tike Burks, and Richie Washington) for ML help at SS and/or CF. Sinclair was once one of the bright spots from Philly, Burks was the crown jewel of the Portland system at one time, and Washington turned some heads in Montgomery’s rookie ball team last season.

Power hitter Francisco Alvarez will be a free agent and will likely garner some interest. The 33 year old last signed a deal that was in the range of 6 million annually. Alvarez is beginning to show signs of decline but is a very good hitter. He is a type B free agent.

Vancouver

Jalal Priest, second all time in saves, is going to test the FA market. Often inquired about Cody Young may become available if the right offer is made, as the Mounties try to make room for some of their younger arms in their rotation and bullpen.

Tacoma

The Deivis, Deivi Flores and Deivi Sanchez, are potentially available...potentially not (depends on the price and who within the Tacoma front office you talk to). Tacoma is also willing to move one of the following: Red Miller (327k obligation, not the $3mil that appears), Victor Donovan , or Ivan Rivas. Desi Nunez informed the team that he hates Tacoma's weather, but Tacoma might explore trade and sign possibilities. Word is they expect type B level compensation for him.

Among pitchers, solid reliever Roberto Parra (sub 3.00 ERA 3 years in a row) is available.

For everyone, looking for prospects of all types. Somewhat looking for a legit CF prospect 1st and SP 2nd, but open to all.

Trenton

Dennis Barkley informed the team he was going to test the market. The 32 year old second baseman hit .294, hit 22 home runs, stole 27 bases and scored 96 runs. Trenton wants to bring Barkley back and move him to the outfield, but it is unknown how much they will spend to keep him. Trenton is known to be keen on letting Bruce Mercedes be the everyday second baseman, but he has tough shoes to fill taking over for Barkley.

Entering the final year of a monster contract, Carlos Rivera is on the block. Trenton is willing to pay a significant portion of the contract, but they are rumored to be looking for starting pitching prospects in return. If Rivera moves at all, it will likely be mid-way through the season and for a lot less than the ideal package.

Rafael Baerga, fed up with being at AA “too long,” has forced the franchise’s hand. He demanded to be traded, and Trenton has sent out signals they might honor his request. They are thought to be looking for a pitching prospect commensurate with Baerga’s skill level.

With a few young bullpen arms on the horizon, word is out of Trenton that a year after demoting Lonny Aguilar to the set up role, he will indeed enter free agency without an offer from the Titans. Aguilar has 283 lifetime saves, and was locked into a 5 year 25 million dollar deal last time he was a free agent. He should expect to get at least the same sort of deal annually, the question will be over how many years.

American League Rumors

Atlanta Shockers

There are serious doubts around the league that any deal will get done involving Zapata, Koloff, or Morales. Zapata only registered 11 home runs coupled with a .258 average (Zapata’s career average is .286), but is moving into the last year of a contract which will see Zapata earn 5.8 million. If Atlanta wants to move him, it remains to be seen whether Atlanta will continue to cut his checks even if he plays elsewhere. Morales may be even harder to move. Although cheap, Morales registered 16 homers last year on the heels of a season in which he only registered 18. He did improve his average, but the RBI count, among other categories is way down. Koloff’s move to Atlanta from Saint Louis didn’t go so well. Koloff’s home runs, rbi, average, and ops all plunged at a time where he’ll be entering his second time around in arbitration.

Jose Lee is a prime candidate for a bounce back year. With little protection in the Atlanta lineup, he struggled to get 16 home runs last year. In some scouting circles, there is high interest for a young first baseman like Lee…for the right price.

Andres James could garner a lot of attention. James has largely played second in Atlanta, but opposing General Managers can’t help but wonder if there is untapped potential in Center Field from the 25 year old. James is also appealing because he signed to a contract which sees the yearly commitment decrease over the length of the contract. Furthermore, when the current contract expires, James will be 27 years old. How many teams are able to lock up a young centerfield talent for almost the entire length of his prime years?

Looking for a guy who has averaged 31 starts per year? James Rollin might be your guy. The 32 year old righty is 91-75 and due 5.4 million this season and next. If he moves, look for him to be a great back end of the rotation starter on a contender.Kris Post is available. He will likely remain available.

Boston Stranglers

Coach Albert DeSalvo was very disappointed at the way the season ended. "We were leading the battle for the Wildcard spot and completely fell apart. We went 2-8 in our last 10 games, we lost our last 6 games. I questioned everyone on this team's manhood, they played worse than a bunch of Nancy-Boys." 81-81 is not how we wanted to finish.

General Manager Bill Buckner had this to say. "Overall we will be keeping a majority of the Nancy-Boys and try to make men out of them. Hall of Famer Shayne Judd is a free agent and will not be back with the team next season. We need pitching and better defense. Oswaldo Escobar & Ricardo Gonzalez were good pickups for us.We also traded for Felipe Crespo late in the season, he did not perform as we anticipated, but we are sure he will pitch much better next season. Pitching Coach Bill Lee stated, "We found out Crispy was going to Dunkin Donuts for breakfast & lunch, apparently there are no donuts in Cleveland, he just went nuts. He has dropped 15 lbs. since we changed his diet, his pitches have more "pop" and his change up is devastating.

"We are a playoff caliber team and hope to BE a playoff team next season. The AL East is the toughest division in the AL, making the playoffs will not be easy, it is our top priority, stated GM Buckner. "Just about everyone on this team can and will be traded if it improves our club."
Omaha SettlersThe Settlers, resigned to the fact that their second base by committee wasn’t going to work well will let Darrell Joseph, Brandon Glass, Orel Rivers, and Jim Ventura go. Joseph leads the class departing from Omaha as the lefty hit .285 with 19 home runs going into a contract year.Omaha is looking to be an active player in the trade market this offseason looking for a starting catcher and middle relief help. The rumors that RF Donn Neal of 2B/OF prospect Juan Sosa are available appear to be true.

Norfolk Needlefish

The Needlefish were waffling on whether to sign Ralph Lewis to a long-term extension, but ultimately decided on allowing Lewis to file for free agency without much of an offer.

Surprisingly, Norfolk may be dangling some top prospects in an effort to make a preseason deal to bring in a top catcher. After the post season collapse of the bullpen, relief may be a priority for the Needlefish.

Saint Louis Slumpbusters

There wasn’t much time to talk with new GM davecallahan, in between phone calls we got confirmation that they are in win now mode. Give him a call…er…trade chat if you think you got a deal for him.