Sunday, December 7, 2008

Dye rumor dies

The Chicago White Sox denied the rumor that they are dealing Jermaine Dye to Cincinnati for Homer Bailey.
But Bailey remains an intriguing prospect because of his 95-m.p.h. fastball and Sox general manager Ken Williams' penchant for acquiring top prospects who could benefit from a change of scenery.

That was the case in previous years with Gavin Floyd and Carlos Quentin.
That much may be true, but Williams just dealt Javier Vazquez to Atlanta for prospects, and he acquired Ken Griffey from the Reds last season, then let him go in the offseason. That means it is unlikely that he trades Dye, arguably his most productive right-handed bat over multiple seasons, for another underachieving pitcher with pedigree.

This rumor sounded far-fetched in the first place. Now it's dead.

Sell radio, buy players

The Cincinnati Reds are far from returning to the "Big Red Machine" days of the 1970s, but they're going back to a radio-selling formula from that era that's produced a precision money-maker that could make Cincinnati buyers this offseason.
The Reds' decision to start selling their own advertising for their radio game broadcasts is contributing to an increase in revenue that could translate into a player payroll of around $80 million for the coming season, up from $74.1 million in 2008.
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Reds chief operating officer Phil Castellini said radio revenue is up 30 percent over the previous three years and total corporate sales revenue is up 140 percent over the same period.

"We put 100 percent of that into the team," Castellini said. "So you look at the payroll, which is published every year, and figure it out."
How many teams are taking this approach? It's no YES Network, but when you can spread around some extra cash, good things can happen.

Talking about Willis

Can Dontrelle Willis be the Cliff Lee of 2009? That's what the Detroit Free Press is asking, and it's not implausible.
The winter meetings begin anew tomorrow in Las Vegas, and many in the industry — Dombrowski included — believe this will be a very active week. The Tigers have a limited budget, and they need a catcher, shortstop and closer.

They could trade an expensive veteran to clear payroll, but how realistic would that be? Willis, for example, is due to earn $10 million next year and $12 million in 2010. Is any general manager going to look at Willis’ performance this year — 0-2, 9.38 ERA, too many outings were he could not throw strikes — and ask Dombrowski to send him the bill?

Well, not the entire bill. That’s an important distinction.

The odds do not favor a Willis trade this off-season, but the possibility will linger for a simple reason: Every team in baseball needs pitching.
But, then again, why not? Why wouldn't a contending team take Willis on as a 5th starter? As Detroit to pay a percentage of the bill, and if he rebounds anywhere near his former self, you get a steal. If he doesn't work out, he's just a 5th starter. A midseason trade can bring you another arm, or a minor league call-up might pan out. Willis could become an attractive name to many at this week's winter meetings.

Baltimore balking at pitching

Unbelievable, but the Orioles' rather dire search for starting pitching has them stockpiling their 40-man roster with 28 pitchers!
"Pitching markets are always tough because the supply never comes close to meeting demand," Orioles president Andy MacPhail said. "It seems like it gets to be more and more that way. Starting pitching is probably the hardest commodity to have."
...
Fearful of Burnett's injury history, the Orioles are even hesitant to offer him a guaranteed four years, likely leaving them to pore through other options. They have expressed interest in Paul Byrd, Jon Garland, Mark Hendrickson, Braden Looper and Randy Wolf. They have meetings scheduled with the agents for Kenshin Kawakami and Koji Uehara, and appear to be in decent position to land at least one of the Japanese starters.

And the Orioles, who traditionally have avoided taking chances on pitchers who are health risks, are even considering players such as Bartolo Colon and Matt Clement.

"We're looking at everything," MacPhail said. "We're going to do everything we can to augment our pitching. There's no question it will be difficult. It always is."
Doesn't sound too likely that the Orioles will become an instant challenger in the AL East this year. That said, get your fantasy roster ready almost every turn they take against Baltimore.

Lyon's share not there in Arizona

Brandon Lyon, who saved 26 games for the Diamondbacks in 2008, declined an arbitration offer from the team. He was stellar in April, May and September (2.77, 0.00 and 3.86 ERAs), but he looked gruesome in June, July and August (4.91, 6.52, and 12.27). That's why he lost his closer job late in the year. That's why he likely didn't get the offer he was seeking from Arizona. That's why he'll seek greener pastures.
"I just want to keep my options open," Lyon said. "After making it six years in this game, it's maybe time to explore these options and see what's out there."

Lyon said he has yet to receive a concrete offer from a team but has received interest from "a lot of teams."

The Diamondbacks will receive one compensatory draft pick should Lyon, a Type B free agent, sign elsewhere.

As for the Diamondbacks, Lyon doesn't sound confident about working out a deal.

"I wish we could have worked something out," Lyon said. "It's not looking like anything is going to get done, with the amount they have to spend and the way the economy is."
Lyon makes for a pretty good setup option for an MLB club, and he's a decent backup closer heading into next season. He holds fantasy value for that reason, but a contending team is unlikely to give him a shot unless it's desperate.