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Fungos 11/26

November 26th, 2007 · 5 Comments · fungos

A quick round to get your week started…

  • The Reds signed closer Francisco Cordero to a 4 year, 46 million dollar deal. Taking money out of the equation, this is a good signing for the Reds. I like to see teams doing something, anything to help themselves. While the Reds do need a lot of help in other areas, building the back end of the bullpen is a great start.  So far the Reds are currently my favorite as the sleeper team of the National League. Of course, that is subject to change between now and spring training!

  • Freddy Garcia’s name is popping up in many papers, especially in New York for the Mets. GM Omar Minaya has had interest in the past. Garcia won’t be ready until the all-star break so he would seem like a risky pick up. His agent stated that he will field offers, but may hold out until Garcia is done with rehab. Then, he will have some public throwing sessions to generate interest. Garcia is a third starter at his best, so he will help a team if healthy.

  • Reports out of Milwaukee state that they are not interested in signing Eric Gagne (not a bad decision there) and will look to acquire a closer through trade or use someone from their own roster. They could find some luck in a guy like Brian Fuentes who probably needs a change of scenery from Colorado after losing his job to Manny Corpas last season. The Brew Crew need to address this issue so they don’t go from nice story back to the outhouse in one off season. If Turnbow is closing to start the season, the Brewers are in trouble.

  • Reading the Pittsburgh papers shows that the Pirates seem to be open to the idea of trading Jason Bay. As I’ve said before, this would be a tremendous idea. Bay, slightly overrated for the production he gives, would net the Pirates a couple of good, young players. The Dodgers, if they fail to land Miguel Cabrera, would be a nice fit.

  • Ok, so I said something nice about the Pirates, but now I get to bash them a bit. The Pirates are said to be exploring their trading options on pitcher Ian Snell. That would be a bad move. Snell had a stronger year than most think. Although his record was 9-12 last season (wins/losses are the most overrated stat when evaluating a pitcher), his secondary numbers suggest a pitcher close to Roy Oswalt. Hopefully, this is just one of those passing rumors.

  • FCP favorite, Peter Gammons, has reported on his blog that the Twins would require Phil Hughes, Melky Cabrera, and prospect Austin Jackson from the Yankees in exchange for Johan Santana. If that’s true, the Yankees would be foolish not to jump at this. Hughes could be a good pitcher, Jackson is a solid prospect, and Cabrera seems destined to become Roberto Kelly. If I were the Twins, I would hold out for Robinson Cano instead of Cabrera. That would be an interesting deal.

  • The Winter Meetings are coming (December 3rd- 6th). This could be the first year in a while where there will be a few significant trades. With a shallow free agent class, most teams will have to do their improvements through trades. We should be hearing a lot of talk over the next week leading up to the meetings.

  • Final Thought of the day–There are no words to describe the tragic passing of pitcher Joe Kennedy.

That’s it for today. Enjoy the day. Fire back.

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5 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Doug Hill // Nov 26, 2007 at 10:45 pm

    The Yanks better not pass that deal up for Santana. Cordero is great for the Reds and good call on Milwaukee (the good land) taking a look at Fuentes for their closer. However, I must defend the Pirate comments; while Jason Bay has endured prolonged slumps the last two seasons, his overall numbers justify a number one outfielder on many teams. I think Bay is entering the prime of his career and is ready to set career highs this year. I also think Ian Snell has a long way to go before being mentioned with Roy Oswalt, a pitcher who is a top five pitcher in the game, when healthy. Good stuff FCP, can’t wait for more.

  • 2 garmida // Nov 26, 2007 at 11:42 pm

    Good stuff Doug. Thanks for checking in. Don’t get me wrong, Jason Bay is a good player, but trading him could give the Pirates a couple of real good players, especially if they match up with the Dodgers.

    You’re right on Snell. He does have a long way to go, but his numbers last year really look like Roy Oswalt’s. He needs to put together a solid 2008 to show he wasn’t a fluke.

    Thanks for reading, I do appreciate it.

    BTW–Would you give up Cano instead of Melky to get the deal done?

  • 3 athomeatfenway // Nov 27, 2007 at 1:24 pm

    FCP, thanks for the Pirate and Reds developments. It would do many a baseball heart good if either of those two “small” market teams could turn it around, and their fans truly deserve it. Though they be losers, I suspect the owners in Cinn & Pitt are making plenty of money. With regard for Eric Gagne, he is without a doubt a gigantic risk, and any GM taking that bet should push for an incentive based contract. He’s an arsonist.

  • 4 garmida // Nov 27, 2007 at 2:13 pm

    I figured you would say that about Gagne considering his stint in Boston.

    I definitely think the small market teams make more money than they let on. Of course, they would never make as much as the Boston, NY, or LA, but I have to believe there is a profit.

    I really hope some teams turn it around. It’s good for baseball. Thanks for checkin in.

  • 5 Doug Hill // Nov 27, 2007 at 4:50 pm

    Cano is somebody that I would hold on to at all cost, his numbers over his first two seasons are incredible, and he still seems to be improving which is scary.

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