Weeks to DL. Capellan to MIL. Benitez to FLA.

by Jeff Sackmann on May 31, 2007 10:22 PM CDT in News Comment 12 comments

Thanks, Bill, for the link: there are moves afoot. Rickie Weeks is going on the DL, and Jose Capellan is taking his place on the roster, restoring all that is good and right in Ned Yost's world by giving the Crew the seven relievers they so desperately need.

(Was that sarcasm? Yes, that was sarcasm.)

I'll be interested to see how Capellan is used: he's been stretched out in Nashville, so he could take over the Dessens role (and not pitch for a month?), or he could become the new Chris Spurling, pitching in high-leverage situations for no apparent reason.

The Marlins are also getting a new reliever, as I posted here. Armando Benitez was sent to Florida in exchange for Randy Messenger. At least that round of rumors is finally over. Perhaps Benitez will be more effective than Jorge Julio was...and if not, maybe the Marlins will stop trading for expensive closers just because they are PROVEN MAJOR LEAGUE CLOSERS.

In other news, the Brewers signed a couple of players from last year's draft. Both look promising. First, Lee Haydel:

Haydel initially had committed to Louisiana State, but when the Tigers forced out former head coach Smoke Laval, Haydel switched to Delgado CC. A possible supplemental first-round or second-round pick had he re-entered the draft, Haydel was one of the fastest players available. He can run the 60-yard dash in 6.35 seconds, and was a catalyst in Delgado's run to the Junior College World Series this spring.

Haydel became more attractive as a prospect by improving significantly with the bat. He has grown two inches and added 20 pounds, and he's now 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds. His added strength has helped him at the plate, and he has bat speed. He has improved against offspeed pitches and has hit quality fastballs. He's an above-average center fielder with obvious range, and his solid arm strength is a plus at his position.

The Crew also signed 12th-rounder, right-handed pitcher Chad Robinson. These are the last draft-and-follows the Brewers will ever sign, as the process is being phased out.

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Draft and follow

I am kind of sad the draft and follow is being phased out. I always thought it was a nice setup for both the team and the players. Also, the fact that the crew used it heavily in the past few years didn't hurt. We certainly have gotten some nice talent through draft and follow, most notably Manny Parra, who looks like he might make it after all after several miserable seasons of arm injuries. It will be interesting to see how the crew compensates this draft.

by dixieflatline on May 31, 2007 11:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh and as for the Benitez deal

I don't hate this trade nearly as much as you do assuming the Marlins are getting a good amount of cash in the deal. Messenger has a nice ERA this year but has a 9/12 BB/K ratio and has the tendency to give up the long ball. It is unlikely that he will amount to anything.

Benitez is obviously way past his prime. But he is a fly ball pitcher and in their park he could easily have some success and then be flipped for something useful at the deadline. Teams on the fringes of wild card contention love to give up way too much for guys like him. The potential gain is way more than a guy like Messenger could bring at the deadline.

So I guess I am saying that this is probably a neutral deal for the Fish but Benitez offers higher volatility which teams like the Marlins should embrace.

by dixieflatline on May 31, 2007 11:36 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Capellan

I can't wait to see his agent's quotes, especially if he totally bombs in his first outing (preferably making a blowout into a little less of a blowout).

Also, kudos to Fielder for setting whatever club record for home runs it was (either in a month or in May, I know that much).

And dixieflatline's excellent points aside, at this rate Mike Dejean will have to start skimming the apartment listings in Miami. By the way, this kind of blew my mind but Joe Borowski has one less save than Francisco Cordero this season with an ERA over 6.

by TheJay on Jun 1, 2007 12:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Nelson Cruz Struggling

Here's another move that could be happening in MLB, still probably too soon to say this guy is that bad, but for now it looks like a real good trade for us!

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/baseball/rangers/stories/053107dnsporangbriefs.2d2ac 17.html

by zsattler on Jun 1, 2007 9:23 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

now that's versatility

The other guy who may be sent down is Matt Kata, about whom we learn:

Kata does offer the Rangers more versatility defensively. He can play left base or third base against left-handed pitching, depending on how the Rangers want to align their outfield.

by Zeyes on Jun 1, 2007 4:21 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I saw that too...

and almost posted about it; but i was too tired this morning. hilarious! I heart "Left Base"

by engbjm06 on Jun 1, 2007 5:11 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

So the next move occurs when Dessens.....

is eligible to return.

It seems unlikely that he is better than any of the current group, but the Brewers could go back to 12 arms.

Keep 12 pitchers. Send a position player down or waive one.
Keep 11 pitchers. Send a pitcher down or waive one.

Scenario 1, given Week's status, it seems unlikely that an infielder would get waived. Who has options left in the outfield? Just Gwynn? He would seem to be the odd guy out.

Scenario 2, Dessens is probably gone. I guess Spurling could be sent back down, but does anyone think that Dessens is better?

Interesting choices.

by grant76 on Jun 1, 2007 10:37 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Maybe I'm wrong

but does Hart have an option left? Don't tell Ned.

"C'mon, boys, let's get 'em some RUNS!" --- Daron Sutton, pretty much every game of the 2005 season.

by roguejim on Jun 1, 2007 10:47 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I believe Hart does

and so does Gabe Gross.

by Jeff Sackmann on Jun 1, 2007 1:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wonder

Why there is no list of players who have options left? It should be included in there salary info or something.

by grant76 on Jun 1, 2007 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Dessens

Needs to not show his face around these parts any longer.

by nmc on Jun 1, 2007 2:06 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Spurling has options left

and would probably not pass through waivers given his fairly decent performance of late. What's the deal with his "must be up in the majors by May 15 or can declare free agency" clause, BTW? Is that void by the fact that he was called up, or does it require him to stay on the ML roster for the season once he's up?

by Zeyes on Jun 1, 2007 4:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

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