Fungos 1/25: Colon hates Exercise, Contracts, and more…

Here’s a quick look around nation’s baseball news…

• As I’ve written many times in the Fungos columns, Bartolo Colon is an interesting free agent candidate as he could be a low risk (in terms of dollars invested), high reward candidate. Colon, if healthy, could be a productive middle of the rotation guy as his days as a number one starter are most likely a thing of the past. The issue with Colon has always been his weight and it seems that he has not gotten into shape for this important season. According to Baseball Prospectus (article here), Colon has not fared well in the Dominican League. In his latest start, Colon went five innings giving up four runs while throwing mostly between 88-91 miles per hour. Colon did have four scorless before unraveling in the fifth. The article begs the question as to whether or not his performance and lack of success is a product of getting ready for the season or being out of shape. My guess is the latter as Colon has not learned that he must be conditioned better with a decline in stuff. In years past, he was able to get by on pure stuff. The Kansas City Royals are rumored to be interested despite his lack of success. Colon still is a good risk for some team. Although his velocity is down, it is still at a point where he could get hitters out. If he does sign with K.C., he becomes an instant all-star break trade candidate if he pitches well. Interest has dwindled in Colon for now, but expect him to land somewhere next week.

• A new trend is signing young players to long term contracts. The Rockies signed Troy Tulowitzski to a six year, 31 million dollar contract. Tulowitzski is a great young player, but this a bit much (actually it’s the most money given to a guy with just one major league season completed). Most likely, Tulowitzski will be a star and continue to improve upon his rookie stats, but if the Rockies are wrong or there is injury, they will regret this contract. Mostly likely, it becomes a non-issue. In keeping with the contracts for youngsters, the Yankees’ Robinson Cano is rumored to be offered a four year, 30 million dollar contract. Like the Rockies, it’s a risk to the Yankees. The difference is that Cano has put together two good years, while Tulowitzski has just the one. Cano is definitely the future Yankees third hitter. That future could be before the end of 2008. Locking up young, expected superstars is risky, but it does avoid the arbitration process where things can get ugly. Even the typically cheap Rays, locked up a young player. James Shields signed for four seasons for approximately 11 million dollars. I don’t believe that Shields is a number one or two starter. He does, however, have value in the back of the rotation. Interesting, proactive moves  here.

• The Reds added FCP favorite Jeremy Affeldt (RP, LH) on a one year, three million dollar contract. I’ve said that Affeldt has a great value as a reliever, a role in which he posted his best career statistics. The Reds state that he’ll get a shot at making the rotation where he struggled for years in Kansas City.  The best guess is that the Reds come to their senses and use this guy out of the pen where he can have the most value.

• The Toronto Blue Jays solidified their catching depth by signing Rod Barajas to a one year, 1.2 million dollar contract and an option for 2009. Barajas will initially back up Greg Zaun, but it is not out of the realm of possibility that Barajas could take over the full-time gig. Barajas played sparingly in 2007 and achieved one of his best OPS averages of his career. Expect the Jays to play Barajas one or two games a week initially, and then gradually work into some sort of platoon.

• The Braves locked up closer Rafael Soriano with a two year, 9 million dollar contract. Soriano, with a history of arm problems, is a talented reliever who could be one of the games’ best closers in 2008. It’s somewhat of a risk for the Braves, but with just a two year contract, they should be able to gain enough production to justify the risk. The argument can be made that he will have less wear and tear due to being a full-time closer this season as middle relievers work more often and longer.

• What’s a Fungos column without a spot on Johan Santana? Rumors (and I do stress rumors) have the Mets as the new front-runner with a deal involving prospect Fernando Martinez, Ryan Church, and at least two more prospects not named Carlos Gomez. If the Mets get this done, Omar Minaya gets the GM of the Year award. The Twins would be foolish as this, reportedly, is least attractive trade offer that has been made to them. It’s so bad, that I am just calling this a rumor.

That’s it for today and most likely for the weekend. I’d love to have you all post in the Clubhouse to continue discussions on baseball.

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