El Guapo's Ghost Rambles on about the Red Sox

OLD BASEBALL TRANSACTIONS AND COMMENTS
Part 1

Pat Hentgen, RHP, Blue Jays – signed a one-year $2.2 million contract. Hentgen at age 35 is not the pitcher he once was. He was effective in the second half of 2003 posting an ERA of 3.10 with an improving walk rate. 150-175 innings out of Hentgen is reasonable for 2004 as is his $2.2 million salary. But why ink him so early? Why not wait until the non-tenders hit the market, possibly bringing down the price for Hentgen type pitchers.

Ted Lilly, LHP traded from Oaktown to Toronto for OF, Bobby Keilty. The deal is a win-win. Both teams dealt from a position of depth to fill a hole. The A's get a cheap good outfielder who is patient and will probably be a productive hitter that is needed in Oaktown. A Nixon like late development for Keilty would not come as a surprise. ). Lilly finally seemed to reach his potential in 2003 throwing 178 innings with his best K and K/BB rates for his career. Lilly was particularly effective in the second half with a 3.45 ERA. Keeping the ball down and reducing the number of dingers will have a great impact on Lilly's performance. At age 27, Lilly could show improvement next season even pitching home games in a less friendly pitching park and a poorer defense in Toronto.

Jose Vizcaino, UTIL, signed for $1.2 million for one-year and Brad Ausmus, C, signed for $4 million over two years. For an organization that is always crying poor, this is borderline criminal. If the front office uses these two foolish signings as a reason for not offering Pettitte a competitive offer, Astros fans should boycott next season. Vizcaino and Ausmus are fungible commodities. Both could be had a much more reasonable rates. Utility infielders go for 600K and no hit catchers for 500K. The Astros wasted $3.6 million over the next two seasons. Since you are wasting money just as fast as Enron, how about 50K my way for consulting fees?

Deivi Cruz, UTIL, Baltimore – O’s will not exercise the contract option. The O’s a leader in fiscal responsibility?

Kerry Lightenberg, RHP, O’s – did not pickup his $1.2 million option. This is the correct move for a rebuilding club wanting to allocate their resources in a more productive manner. A contending team might have other thoughts. Lightenberg kills RHB 206/230/362 in 2003 and from 00-02 211/248/333. Lightenberg can be a valuable middle/ROOGY for a club throwing 50-60 innings.

Mike Timlin, RHP, Sox - signed a $2.5 million one-year contract with an option. See above but the Sox paid more for a better pitcher.

AJ Pierzynski was dealt to S.F. to take over for the ageless, free agent, Benito Santiago behind the plate. The Giants get a 26 year old Catcher that appears to be hitting (pun intended) his stride at the plate. Even though his OBP is tied to his AVG, AJ gets on base at a respectful level for a Catcher. He could be developing a power stroke that one would expect from a 6-3, 220 ballplayer. AJ SLG in 2003 was at a career high of 464. If he can near that SLG in PacBell, it would be a great accomplishment. Overall, this is a nice pickup for the Giants who had a couple of bucks to spend. In return, the Twins receive Joe Nathan and two minor league pitchers. As usual, the Twins needs to cut expected payroll for the upcoming season. They not only have depth but inexpensive, talented catching options (Joe Mauer and part-timer Matt LeCory) in the system which made trading AJ and his salary an easy decision for Terry Ryan. The Twins receive a pitcher that may have found a home as a setup guy in the pen. Prior to this season, Nathan has floated between the rotation and the pen without much success. In 2003, Nathan posted an impressive 9.46 K/9 and 2.52 K/BB rates. RHB hit 136/211/256 and LHB did much better 276/385/378 against Joe in 2003. Joe's career splits are similar. Joe will not be as dominate as LaTroy Hawkins but should be effective as a setup guy for the Twins. Most importantly for the Twins, Joe Nathan should not make much more than the minimum next season. There is no such thing as a pitching prospect so I rarely devote key strokes to them.

John Halama and Paul Abbott, pitching place holders, Tampa – each signed a one-year deal worth 600K. Both pitchers are former Sweet Lou guys from Seattle who are on the club to suck up innings this season.

Ben Jacobs of Universal Baseball Blog said it best about Raul Ibanez signing a three year contract with Seattle.

Doug Pappas of Baseball Prospectus explains the Danys Baez situation.

Mario Ramos, LHP, claimed off waivers by Oakland from Texas. If memory serves, Ramos was originally A’s property and was sent to Texas as a part of the Carlos Pena deal who was part of the Jeff Weaver-Ted Lilly trade, right? Anyway, Ramos is back to the organization where he has been successful sporting an ERA of 3.07 in Midland and 3.14 in Sac-town in 2001. He seemed to be on the fast track to Oakland with his high 80’s heat and low 70’s change up. The A’s are hoping they can get Ramos back on that track again. Ramos is the usual A’s low risk-high reward transaction.

Tino Martinez, 1b, and $7 million traded to Tampa for Evan Rust and a PTNL. The D-Rays are paying $1.5 million for a 35 year-old first baseman that hit 272/339/459 over the last three seasons. Tino is worth about half of that figure. Numerous alternatives will hit the market shortly after the non-tenders. Plus, the D-Rays give up two other players. Unless Tino - being some kind of hometown hero - increases attendance at the Trop, the D-Rays got hosed.

Kelvim Escobar, RHP, Anaheim - signed for $18.75 over three years. Escobar is an enigma. Even though Escobar is entering his prime years, it is difficult to justify a three year commitment to a player lacking consistency. It is a medium risk – high reward acquisition.

Derek Lee, 1b trade to the Cubs from Miami for Hee Seop Choi, 1b and a PTNL. Right here is a big DLee fan – gold glover with good power and patience – Cubbie fans should be happy, but given the situation the Marlins won this deal. In this market, a good cheap player, Choi, is worth more than a very good expensive player, Lee. Choi was undervalued by the Cubs. For information on Choi’s potential check out Aaron Gleeman.