Daily Archives: November 26, 2007
In a report from Yahoo! Japan, Japanese free-agent RHP Hiroki Kuroda met with the Mariners this past weekend, and is believed to be seeking a 
four-year, $45 million contract.
…thanks to MLB Trade Rumors for the link, and translation…
Mark Hale, in the New York Post, recently wrote that the Mets have had interest in Kuroda.
The following day in Newsday, David Lennon noted that the Mets had been scouting Kuroda, while playing in the Asia Series in Japan.
Recently at Prospect Insider, Jason A. Churchill offered up a very detailed and complete scouting report on the 32–year-old Kuroda, writing…
“Kuroda is the class of the three free agents and will get the most interest but he profiles as a No. 3 at best…He’s slow to the plate but has a relatively compact and clean delivery that gives his fastball some late life…Considering the domestic market, Kuroda, even at 33 years old, could command a contract in the $9-11 million range, for at least three years.”
At Mike Pagliarulo’s Dugout Central, Will Hoover projects that Kuroda would likely have a mid-5.00 ERA, through 160 or so innings, during roughly 30 starts for a major-league team.
With regards to potentially switching and pitching from relief for the Red Sox, Hoover says, “They already have similar production at a cheaper price in the form of Julian Tavarez.”
Last week, in the Rocky Mountain News, Tracy Ringolsby wrote that the Giants are ‘looking to move’ C Bengie Molina, who is due $6 million in each of the next two seasons, after which he will be a free 
agent.
In a weekend report for FOXSports.com, Ken Rosenthal writes that the Mets ‘inquired about’ Molina, ‘and they could attempt to revive the talks by offering newly acquired Johnny Estrada and perhaps another player.’
However, according to Rosenthal, ‘it is unclear whether the Giants want to trade Molina.’
Last season, in 134 games for the Giants, the 33–year-old Molina hit .276 with 19 HR and 81 RBI, while throwing out 30 percent of runners who attempted to steal against him.
He has $12 million and two years remaining on his current deal.
…the Mets do not want to part with one of their best prospects to get O’s C Ramon Hernandez or Rangers C Gerald Laird, which is what it will cost…at least as of now…however, if the Mets can spin estrada and a lesser prospect to the Giants to get molina, while picking up all of his salary, that would be a nice move…
By the way, Rosenthal also provides tidbits on the Reds and Ryan Freel; the market for Aaron Rowand and Andruw Jones; and Miguel Cabrera; and Randy Wolf, who is drawing interest from the Padres, Phillies and Astros.
…it appears that it will be, more or less, non-stop Johan Santana talk from now through the end of next week - and understandably so…
…first off, several people i have e-mailed asking about santana’s no-trade protection…from what i understand, he has full no-trade protection through the start of next season, but it does not extend in to 2008, because he did not finish in the top three during last year’s cy-young race…so, like several reports suggest, if he intends filibuster a trade by demanding a contract extension from his new team, it’s feasible that the Twins just wait, have him for opening day, then look to move at will during the middle of next season, i would think…
At any rate, over the weekend, according to Newsday, citing ‘a source,’ the Yankees plan to make a ‘good, strong offer,’ while they believe they have ‘more to offer the Twins in a trade than anybody else does.’
…well, that may be, but will they actually do it…i mean, i keep reading that the Yankees can offer Phil Hughes and Melky Cabrera, but will they…personally, i still get no sense that they’ll trade away melky, and not because of any rumor or suggestion, but because they are unlikely to bet on Johnny Damon in center all season, and so who will play in his place…
Lastly, also over the weekend, ESPN.com’s Peter Gammons said that the Twins want Hughes, Cabrera and Austin Jackson, while Santana is seeking at least six years and $150 million.
However, at his blog for ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes:
“I’d be shocked if they seriously considered that trade…Even beyond the question of swapping promising young players like Hughes and Cabrera and Jackson, how much money does it save them to have cheap players on their roster? How much will it cost them to replace a Cabrera or Jackson? Without either Cabrera or Jackson, the Yankees might have to sign a veteran center fielder in his place in a year or two…And it’s possible that within three or four years, as Santana gets older and Hughes progresses, that Hughes might become something close to what Santana will be then. And you could say the same for Clay Buchholz.”
…exactly…on the other hand, i sense that the Mets are prepared to pull any trigger, not including David Wright or Jose Reyes in the gun…which is why i keep saying, it’s not so much about whether the Mets can top each team’s best package, it’s about who, besides the Mets, is willing to overpay in a trade to get him, knowing they can, but may not, re-sign santana to an extension…
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