12.19.2007

Sunday Transactions: 12/16/2007

The Pittsburgh Pirates sign Brian Rogers to a minor league deal.

Saturday Transactions: 12/15/2007

The Colorado Rockies sign Chris George to a minor league deal.
The Washington Nationals sign Ray King and Pete Orr to minor league deals.

Trade: The St. Louis Cardinals and the San Diego Padres

The St. Louis Cardinals trade Jim Edmonds and cash to the San Diego Padres to David Freese.

Edmonds will start in center for the Fathers. The dimensions of their ballpark shouldn't affect his power numbers, since they are already in decline. He'll help the team with his defense, but they should note he doesn't get the jump on the ball that he used to. The Cardinals are also sending $2 mil for Edmonds contract.

Freese is a marginal prospect who will eventually compete for a back up job. The St. Louis native will rank in the middle of most Cardinal prospect lists.

Friday Transactions: 12/14/2007

The Baltimore Orioles claim Greg Aquino off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers.
The Minnesota Twins sign Mike Lamb to a 2 year contract with an option.
The Pittsburgh Pirates sign T.J. Beam to a minor league deal.
The San Diego Padres sign Shawn Estes and Glendon Rusch to minor league deals.
The Texas Rangers sign Edgardo Alfonso to a minor league deal.
The Toronto Blue Jays sign Sal Fasano to a minor league deal.

Trade: The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Kansas City Royals

The Arizona Diamondbacks trade Alberto Callapso to the Kansas City Royals for Billy Buckner.

Arizona received a potential starter for an already crowded rotation. Buckner will probably start the season in Tucson, waiting for another Randy Johnson back issue. I think once he makes his debut, he'll be up for the season.

Callapso will take over second base for the Royals, once they find a suitor for Mark Grudzielanek. By dealing Callapso, the D'Backs are showing that they want to keep Orlando Hudson past next year.

Trade: The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Oakland Athletics

The Arizona Diamondbacks trade Brett Anderson, Chris Carter, Aaron Cunningham, Dana Eveland, Carlos Gonzalez, and Greg Smith to the Oakland Athletics for Dan Haren and Connor Robertson.

Oakland need to rebuild the farm system and they sent their best piece to Arizona - Dan Haren. The Athletics now have a great outfield prospect in Gonzalez, solid infield prospect Carter, and possible additions to next years rotation in Anderson and Eveland.

Haren will instantly be the #2 pitcher in the desert and will give them the best 1-2 punch in the NL West. Robertson was essentially a throw in.

Trade: The Houston Astros and the Arizona Diamondbacks

The Houston Astros trade Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Jose Valverde.

This deal works pretty well for both teams.

Houston dealt closer Brad Lidge to the Phillies earlier in the off-season, so he needed to find a capable replacement. Valverde should do alright in the Juice Box, since the ballpark formerly known as the BOB is a similar park.

Burke will be used as a backup this season, but could fill in at second if Orlando Hudson leaves after the season. Qualls and Gutierrez should be able to make the bullpen out of the spring.

Thursday N.L. Transactions: 12/13/2007

The Chicago Cubs sign Neal Cotts to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Cincinnati Reds sign Jerry Gil and Brad Salmon to minor league contracts.
The Colorado Rockies sign Kip Wells to a 1 year contract.
The Colorado Rockies sign Sean Barker and Darren Clarke to minor league contracts.
The Colorado Rockies sign Cory Sullivan to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Florida Marlins sign Justin Miller to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Philadelphia Phillies sign Chris Snelling to a 1 year contract to avoid arbitration.
The Washington Nationals sign Willie Harris and Rob Mackowiak to 1 year contracts.
The Washington Nationals sign Jesus Colome to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.

Thursday A.L. Transactions: 12/13/2007

The Baltimore Orioles sign Cory Doyne and Roberto Novoa to minor league contracts.
The Boston Red Sox sign Scott Atchison, Kevin Cash, Keith Ginter, and Joe Thurston to minor league contracts.
The Minnesota Twins sign Adam Everett to a 1 year contract.
The New York Yankees sign Alex Rodriguez to a 10 year contract.
The Oakland Atheltics sign Kiko Calero to a 1 year contract.
The Toronto Blue Jays sign David Eckstein to a 1 year contract.

12.13.2007

Wednesday's Transactions: 12/12/2007 Part 3

The San Diego Padres non-tendered Morgan Ensberg, Jack Cassel, Jason Lane, and Ryan Ketchner.
The San Diego Padres sign Tadahito Iguchi to a 1 year deal.
The San Diego Padres sign Jake Peavy to a restructured five-year contract with an additional option.
The San Francisco Giants sign Aaron Rowand to a 5 year deal.
The San Francisco Giants non-tendered Scott Munter.
The Seattle Mariners non-tendered John Parrish.
The Seattle Mariners receive Tug Hulett from the Texas Rangers for Ben Broussard.
The St. Louis Cardinals sign Ron Flores and Mark Johnson to minor league contracts.
The St. Louis Cardinals non-tendered Aaron Miles.
The Texas Rangers sign Milton Bradley to a 1 year contract.
The Texas Rangers non-tendered Akinori Otsuka and Nick Gorneault.
The Texas Rangers receive Ben Broussard From the Seattle Mariners for INF Tug Hulett.
The Washington Nationals sign John Patterson and Luis Ayala to 1 year deals to avoid arbitration.
The Washington Nationals non-tendered Nook Logan and Mike O'Connor.

Wednesday's Transactions: 12/12/2007 Part 2

The Kansas City Royals non-tendered Emil Brown.
The Kansas City Royals sign Brandon Duckworth and Jason Smith to 1 year deals to avoid arbitration.
The Kansas City Royals release Paul Phillips.
The Los Angeles Angels non-tendered Dallas McPherson.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sign Danny Ardoin, Tanyon Sturtze, Brian Shackelford, Brian Falkenborg, Mike Koplove, Greg Jones, John-Ford Griffin, and Angel Chavez to minor league contracts.
The Los Angeles Dodgers sign Andruw Jones to a two-year contract.
The Los Angeles Dodgers non-tendered Mark Hendrickson.
The Milwaukee Brewers non-tendered Kevin Mench.
The New York Mets sign Gustavo Molina, Nate Field, and Raul Casanova to minor league contracts.
The New York Mets non-tendered Ben Johnson, Juan Padilla, and Johnny Estrada.
The New York Yankees non-tendered Bronson Sardinha, T.J. Beam, Matt DeSalvo, and Darrell Rasner.
The Oakland Athletics non-tendered Jose Garcia and Kiko Calero.
The Oakland Athletics sign Lenny DiNardo to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Pittsburgh Pirates non-tendered Brad Eldred and Brian Rogers.
The Pittsburgh Pirates sign Chris Gomez to a 1 year deal.

Wednesday's Transactions: 12/12/2007 Part 1

The Atlanta Braves non-tendered Willie Harris.
The Atlanta Braves lose Seth Greisinger to Yomiuri Giants of Japan.
The Baltimore Orioles receive Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Costanzo from the Houston Astros for Miguel Tejada.
The Baltimore Orioles non-tendered Roberto Novoa and Cory Doyne.
The Baltimore Orioles sign Tike Redman to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Boston Red Sox non-tendered Brendan Donnelly.
The Chicago Cubs non-tendered Mark Prior.
The Chicago White Sox non-tendered Heath Phillips and Andy Gonzalez.
The Cincinnati Reds non-tendered Brad Salmon and Jerry Gil.
The Colorado Rockies non-tendered Darren Clarke and Sean Barker.
The Detroit Tigers non-tendered Chad Durbin.
The Detroit Tigers sign Tim Byrdak to a 1 year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Florida Marlins non-tendered Miguel Olivo.
The Houston Astros receive Miguel Tejada from the Baltimore Orioles for Luke Scott, Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, and Mike Costanzo.
The Houston Astros non-tendered Adam Everett.

12.12.2007

Mound Talk's Top 10 Texas Rangers Prospects

1. Eric Hurley, RHP, AAA.
2. Blake Beaven, RHP, Instuctional League.
3. Kasey Kiker, LHP, A.
4. Elvis Andrus, SS, A+.
5. Matt Harrison, LHP, AA.
6. John Whittleman, 3B, A+.
7. Taylor Teagarden, C, AA.
8. Omar Poveda, RHP, A+.
9. Max Ramirez, C, A+.
10. Michael Main, RHP, A-.

Flier. Engel Beltre, OF, A-.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Tuesday's Tranactions: 12/11/2007

The Colorado Rockies sign Aaron Cook to a four-year extension with an option to a fifth year.
The Detroit Tigers sign Timo Perez to a minor league contract.
The Milwaukee Brewers outright Laynce Nix to minors.
The Milwaukee Brewers designate Matt Wise for assignment.
The Milwaukee Brewers sign Eric Munson to a one year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Minnesota Twins sign Craig Monroe to a one year deal to avoid arbitration.
The Oakland Athletics designate Jay Marshall for assignment.

Monday's Transactions: 12/10/2007

The Milwaukee Brewers designate Kevin Mench for assignment.
The Milwaukee Brewers sign Eric Gagne to a 1 year deal.
The San Diego Padres sign Randy Wolf to a 1 year deal.
The Washington Nationals sign Paul LoDuca to a 1 year deal.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Seattle Mariners Prospects

1. Jeff Clement, C, MLB.
2. Wladimir Balentien, RF, MLB.
3. Carlos Triunfel, SS, A+.
4. Phillipe Aumont, RHP, HS.
5. Chris Tillman, RHSP, A+.
6. Tony Butler, LHP, A.
7. Matt Tuiasosopo, 3B, AA.
8. Michael Saunders, OF, AA.
9. Matt Mangini, 3B, A+.
10. Greg Halman, OF, A.

Flier. Juan Ramirez, RHSP, A-.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Oakland Athletics Prospects

1. Daric Barton, 1B, MLB.
2. Jermaine Mitchell, OF, A.
3.Trevor Cahill, RHP, A.
4.Luke Appert, OF/DH, AA.
5. Andrew Bailey, RHP, AAA.
6. Kevin Melillo, 2B, MLB.
7. James Simmons, RHP, AA.
8. Myron Leslie, OF, AA.
9. Richie Robnett, OF, AA.
10. Sean Doolittle, 1B, A.

Flier. Matt Sulentic, OF, A.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Los Angeles Angels Prospects

1. Brandon Wood, 3B, MLB.
2. Nick Adenhart, RHP, AA.
3. Hank Conger, C, A.
4. Sean Rodriguez, SS, AA.
5. Jose Arredondo, RHP, AA.
6. Stephen Marek, RHP, A+.
7. Terry Evans, OF, MLB.
8. Chris Pettit, LF, A+.
9. Tommy Mendoza, RHP, A.
10. Darren O’Day, RHP, AA.

Flier. Warner Madrigal, RHP, A.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Minnesota Twins Prospects

1. Tyler Robertson, LHP, A.
2. Anthony Swarzak, RHP, AA.
3. Trevor Plouffe, SS, AA.
4. Jeff Manship, RHP, A+.
5. Eduardo Morlan, RHRP, AA.
6. Chris Parmelee, OF/1B, A.
7. Brian Duensing, LHP, AAA.
8. Danny Valencia, 3B, A+.
9. Ben Revere, OF, R.
10. Erik Lis, OF, A+.

Flier. Joe Benson, OF, A.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information. (Note: This list was released before the Delmon Young/Matt Garza Trade, hence Morlan being listed; they have said everyone moves up one spot with Nick Blackburn in the 10 spot).

Mound Talk's Top 10 Kansas City Royals Prospects

1. Mike Moustakas, SS, R.
2. Luke Hochevar, RHP, MLB.
3. Dan Cortes, RHP, A+.
4. Billy Buckner, RHP, MLB.
5. Blake Wood, RHP, A+.
6. Sam Runion, RHP, R.
7. Danny Duffy, LHP, R.
8. Julio Pimentel, RHP, A+.
9. Carlos Rosa, RHP, AA.
10. Mitch Maier, COF, MLB.

Flier. Adrian Ortiz, OF, R.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Detroit Tigers Prospects

1. Rick Porcello, RHP, HS.
2. Casey Crosby, LHP, HS.
3. Brandon Hamilton, RHP, HS.
4. Jeff Larish, 1B, AA.
5. Cale Iorg, SS, A+.
6. Scott Sizemore, 2B, A.
7. Michael Hollimon, SS, AAA.
8. Clete Thomas, OF, AA.
9. Yorman Barzardo, RHP, MLB.
10. James Skelton, C, A.

Flier. Jonah Nickerson, RHSP, A.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Cleveland Indians Prospects

1. Adam Miller, RHP, AAA.
2. Beau Mills, 3B, A+.
3. Wes Hodges, 3B, A+.
4. Chuck Lofgren, LHP, AAA.
5. Aaron Laffey, LHP, MLB.
6. Jensen Lewis, RHP, MLB.
7. Nick Weglarz, LF, A.
8. Trevor Crowe, CF, AA.
9. Josh Rodriguez, SS, A+.
10. Jordan Brown, DH, AA.

Flier. Michael Finocchi, RHRP, AA.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Chicago White Sox Prospects

1. Faustino de los Santos, RHP, A+.
2. Gio Gonzalez, LHP, AA.
3. Aaron Poreda, LHP, R.
4. Jack Egbert, RHP, AA.
5. John Shelby, CF, A.
6. Ryan Sweeney, OF, MLB.
7. Jose Martinez, OF, R.
8. Lance Broadway, RHP, MLB.
9. Brian Omogrosso, RHP, A+.
10. Kyle McCulloch, RHP, AA.

Flier. Micah Schnurstein, 1B, A+.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 San Francisco Giants Prospects

1. Angel Villalona, 3B, A-.
2. Madison Bumgarner, LHP, HS.
3. Tim Alderson, RHP, R.
4. Wendell Fairley, CF, HS.
5. Nick Noonan, 2B, R.
6. Nate Schierholtz, OF, MLB.
7. John Bowker, RF, AA.
8. Henry Sosa, RHP, A+.
9. Emmanuel Burriss, SS, A+.
10. Sergio Romo, RHP, A+.

Flier. Andy D’Allessio, 1B, A-.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 San Diego Padres Prospects

1. Matt Antonelli, 2B, AA.
2. Will Inman, RHP, AA.
3. Chase Headley, 3B, AA.
4. Kyle Blanks, 1B, A+.
5. Chad Huffman, LF, AA.
6. Wade Leblanc, LHP, AA.
7. Mat Latos, RHP, A-.
8. Yefri Carvajal, COF, A-.
9. Will Venable, LF, AA.
10. Cedric Hunter, OF, A.

Flier. Nick Schmidt, LHRP, NCAA.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Los Angeles Dodgers Prospects

1. Clayton Kershaw, LHP, AA.
2. Andy LaRoche, 3B, MLB.
3. Jon Meloan, RHP, MLB.
4. Scott Elbert, LHP, AA.
5. James McDonald, RHP, AA.
6. Chin-Lung Hu, 2B/SS, MLB.
7. Josh Bell, 3B, A+.
8. Delwyn Young, RF, MLB.
9. Xavier Paul, RF, AA.
10. Chris Withrow, RHP, GCL.

FLIER. Andrew Lambo, 1B/OF, GCL.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Colorado Rockies

1. Franklin Morales, LHP, MLB.
2. Casey Weathers, RHP, A.
3. Ian Stewart, 3B, MLB.
4. Greg Reynolds, RHP, AA.
5. Juan Morillo, RHP, MLB.
6. Dexter Fowler, CF, A+.
7. Chris Nelson, SS, A+.
8. Joe Koshansky, 1B, MLB.
9. Brandon Hynick, RHSP, A+.
10. Hector Gomez, SS, A.

FLIER. Eric Young Jr., 2B, A+.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Arizona Diamondbacks

1. Max Scherzer, RHP, AA.
2. Carlos Gonzalez, OF, AAA.
3. Brett Anderson, LHP, A+.
4. Jarrod Parker, RHP, HS.
5. Aaron Cunningham, OF, AA.
6. Gerardo Parra, OF, A+.
7. Emilio Bonifacio, 2B, MLB.
8. Esmerling Vasquez, RHP, AA.
9. Greg Smith, LHP, AA.
10. Brooks Brown, RHP, AA.

Flier. Wesley Roemer, RHP, A-.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

Mound Talk's Top 10 Cardinals

1. Colby Rasmus, CF, AA.
2. Chris Perez, RHP, AAA.
3. Bryan Anderson, C, AA.
4. Jaime Garcia, LHP, AA.
5. Adam Ottavino, RHP, A+.
6. Tyler Herron, RHP, A.
7. Mitch Boggs, RHP, AA.
8. Peter Kozma, SS, A-.
9. Clayton Mortenson, RHP, A.
10. Kenny Maiques, RHP, A.

Flier. Kyle McClellan, RHP, AA.

Check out Mound Talk for scouting reports and more baseball information.

12.04.2007

Trade: The Florida Marlins and the Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers received Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera for 6 players: P Andrew Miller, OF Cameron Maybin, C Mike Rabelo, P Burke Badenhop, P Eulogio de la Cruz, and P Dallas Trahern.

The Marlins cleaned up on this deal and filled holes - they wanted pitching and a catcher, but also got the centerfielder they've been looking for since they traded Juan Pierre. Miller, Maybin, and Rabelo should start the season in the majors, with de la Cruz as a possibility in the bullpen.

The Tigers locked up one of the top young hitters in the game with this deal. This was what they needed to return to the post-season. If you've read my column at Tailgate Crashers, you know I don't care for Willis. He's an incredibly nice guy, but his pitching relies on his deceptive delivery. I think he'll have a solid year since most AL hitters haven't faced him, but I don't think he will be a long term option for the Tigers.

The ballpark factor for all players shouldn't change, as Detroit and Florida have similar ballparks that favor pitchers.

Baseball America's Top 10 Los Angeles Dodgers

1. Clayton, Kershaw, LHP
2. Andy LaRoche, 3B
3. Chin-Lung Hu, SS
4. Scott Elbert, LHP
5. Blake DeWitt, 3B
6. Chris Withrow, RHP
7. James McDonald, RHP
8. Jonathan Meloan, RHP
9. Delwyn Young, OF
10. Pedro Baez, 3B

Check out Baseball America's information here.

John Sickels' Top 10 Los Angeles Angels

1. Brandon Wood, 3B
2. Nick Adenhart, RHP
3. Hank Conger, C
4. Jordan Walden, RHP
5. Sean O'Sullivan, RHP
6. Sean Rodriguez, SS
7. Chris Pettit, OF
8. Trevor Bell, RHP
9. Stephen Marek, RHP
10. Jeremy Haynes, RHP

Be sure to check out John's blog at Minor League Ball.

12.01.2007

John Sickels' Top 10 Houston Astros

1. Troy Patton, LHP
2. J.R. Towles, C
3. Felipe Paulino, RHP
4. Bud Norris, RHP
5. Mike Costanzo, 3B
6. Michael Bourn, OF
7. Mitch Einertson, OF
8. Juan Gutierrez, RHP
9. Brad James, RHP
10. Sam Gervacio, RHP

Be sure to check out John's blog at Minor League Ball.

MiLB's Top 50 Prospects

1. Jay Bruce
2. Evan Longoria
3. Cameron Maybin
4. Clayton Kershaw
5. Joba Chamberlain
6. Clay Buchholz
7. Colby Rasmus
8. Andrew McCutchen
9. Homer Bailey
10. Adam Miller
11. David Price
12. Wade Davis
13. Jacoby Ellsbury
14. Rick Porcello
15. Travis Snider
16. Franklin Morales
17. Fernando Martinez
18. Nick Adenhart
19. Brandon Wood
20. Jacob McGee
21. Matt Wieters
22. Mike Moustakas
23. Carlos Gonzalez
24. Gio Gonzalez
25. Eric Hurley
26. Ian Kennedy
27. Matt Antonelli
28. Carlos Carrasco
29. Chase Headley
30. Josh Vitters
31. Chris Marrero
32. Reid Brignac
33. Andy LaRoche
34. Joey Votto
35. Max Scherzer
36. Scott Elbert
37. Ross Detwiler
38. Elvis Andrus
39. Chris Volstad
40. Luke Hochevar
41. Ian Stewart
42. Alcides Escobar
43. Jeremy Jeffress
44. Tyler Colvin
45. Radhames Liz
46. Jeff Clement
47. Johnny Cueto
48. Carlos Triunfel
49. Austin Jackson
50. Dexter Fowler

I'm not a big fan of this list - Jay Bruce is a nice prospect, but I don't think he's the best prospect in baseball. The fans voted for the 1-10 prospects. I'd stick with Baseball America or John Sickels for a more accurate list.