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Most of the rumors of the week swirl around Joe Nathan, some speculation regarding unsigned, veteran slugger-types with no discernable defensive position (Jermaine Dye, we love ya buddy!). So we’ll have an abbreviated rumor section and move on to some spring training players.
Joe Nathan - Although as of this writing it is not official that Nathan will go under the knife, it’s unlikely that a second opinion will produce a miracle cure for torn ligaments. The Twins need a closer and there are no obvious candidates. Several of the Twins bullpen candidates have closer experience including Jesse Crain, who is not the same pitcher after his continuing struggles with arm issues and Jose Mijares. Although the Twinkies have used a lefty before as a closer (the recently released Eddie Guardado), it’s against baseball tradition to do so and on top of this Mijares is the only lefty in the bullpen unless Brian Duensing or Glenn Perkins are shifted to the pen (there likely is not room in the rotation for both…or perhaps even for either).
The leading external candidate that has been the topic of actual conversation seems to be Jason Frasor perhaps with Perkins going to the Jays - the Jays had been rumored to have scouted Perkins even before the Nathan diagnosis, and the Twins business side would like to rid themselves of Perkins over a dispute on service time - Le Pohlad est Mort, Vive le Pohlad. The other topics of discussion have been several Florida non-roster invitees, principally Mike MacDougal and Seth McClung. MacDougal saved 20 of 21 for the Nationals last season. He’s no one’s idea of a fine pitcher, but with the exception of his first try at closing in the 2003, he’s been pretty darn efficient.
A dark horse here might be the recently signed Brad Hennessey.(who was just signed this week) As you may recall, Hennessey was forced into an emergency closer role for the Giants a couple of years back and acquitted himself pretty well - 19 saves and a 3.42 ERA. He Didn’t pitch at all last season after elbow trouble in spring training led to his eventual release by the Orioles.
Justin Smoak/Chris Davis - It has been reported in the Dallas papers that the Rangers are trying to figure out what to do with Smoak, their 2008 #1 pick out of Soutch Carolina. Smoak has a brief professional resume with a handful of games played in 2008 (typical since the entry draft is June and minor league seasons end a month before the Major League seasons), 386 at-bats scattered across three levels in 2009. This writer’s opinion is that what little question there was about Davis was resolved upon his return to the big leagues last fall when he batted .318 in September with five home runs. That’s not to say he will not fail (those K’s are still scary), but that he’s almost certain to get a good long run. They both have options and Smoak only bat .244 in triple-A so it’s not as if he’s breaking down the Door.
Jermaine Dye/Braden Looper/Jarrod Washburn et al. - Most of these veterans fall into the same category which is that the only news coming out are probable negatives or minor league offers that are unlikely to be accepted. Arizone is the latest team to decline Dye, Seattle looks unlikely for Washburn and the Dodgers offer to Looper remains unrequited. These types of signing can happen quickly (see Garret Anderson with Los Angeles), but there is no active news.
On to spring training. Cristian Guzman (ss-WAS) left camp temporarily for family reasons, which increases the possibility that Ian Desmond will win his way not only onto the Nats roster, but into the starting shortstop position rather than as a super-utility. This is important because as Guzman returned to his outmaking ways in 2009, Desmond offers the possibility of some speed combined with perhaps double-digits home runs. Desmond is not likely to be wonderful, his minor league record was one of mediocrity until last season where he topped .300 and even dashed off a .354 in 55 games at triple-A. Well worth watching.
Ike Davis (1B-NYM) has had a little run for the Mets who have no obvious quality first baseman with Mike Jacobs pushing Daniel Murphy for the starting gig. Davis is a prospect, but even with his recent show, the Mets have said that the chances are remote for the big, lefty slugging prospect to make the club. Definitely someone to keep in mind for keepers however.
Mike Adams (RP-SD) earned a save on Tuesday. Adams is a great pick-up as a handcuff for Heath Bell who is widely rumored to be heading out of San Diego. Bell has been mentioned by punidts potentially as going to the Twins, but there is no indication the teams have discussed it. As we have said before, Adams save here means nothing, closers pitch earlier in spring games at this point so as to get their work in.
Eric Chavez (1B-OAK). Yes, that Eric Chavez. Chavez cracked a couple of homers on Wednesday leading to further speculation about what role, if any, he will have on the A’s. Since the acquisition of Kevin Kouzmanoff from the Padres in the Scott Hairston deal, there’s no question of his playing third on a regular basis, so any time he spends will likely be at first or DH and this means even further questions about playing time for Jack Cust, Daric Barton and Jake Fox. Even at his prime for all his considerable skills, Chavez wasn;t a plus fantasy player due to low average and lack of support around him and now would be no different. It just makes the other guys, no gourmet treat anyway, even lass palatable for the fantasy owner.
Pete Parise (RP-STL). Keep an eye on Parise. The 25 year-old rightie out of Pittsburgh has recorded a couple of saves for the Redbirds this spring (same caveat as with Mike Adams) but has wowed the Cardinals and the beat writers. He was mainly a hitter in college, so is still learning how to get hitters out. But he’s been on and off a closer in the minors and the Cardinals closing situation is far from settled for the long term anyway.
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