Diamond Cutter Scouting Report: Brett Anderson

Anderson has shown signs of brilliance (Kimberly*/Flickr).

Name: Brett Anderson
Number: 49
Position: Starting Pitcher
Born: 2/1/88
Bats: Left
Throws: Left
Height: 6′4″
Weight: 215
Debut: 4/10/09

Scouting Report: We have seen incredible improvement from Anderson over the past two years after showing a lot of growth on the mound. Anderson has always had superb command of his pitches and can work them on either side of the plate. His fastball saw a slight increase hitting as high as 95 mph but sitting more consistently in the low-90’s. What makes him even more effective is the fact that his secondary pitches – a curve, slider and change – can be used as both out pitches or, thanks to his confidence in them, at any point in the count. He has really developed his stuff to the point that he can be dominant on the mound.

At this point last season it was difficult to project where he would fall in the rotation. Originally he looked to be a middle of the rotation guy, but thanks to his improvement in his fastball (and his command being his greatest asset) he now projects as a top of the rotation starter that the Oakland A’s have been looking for.

Hot Stove: Texas Winter Heating Up

While everyone expected the cash-strapped Texas Rangers to be quiet this winter, it appears as if they are being anything but.

After a deal yesterday to send starting pitcher Kevin Millwood to Baltimore for setup man Chris Ray and a player to be named, the Rangers ended up completing a deal to sign free agent starter Rich Harden to a one-year deal that is worth between $7-$8 million (which I discussed yesterday) and a trade with Boston to acquire third baseman Mike Lowell in exchange for catcher/first baseman Max Ramirez.

The moving of Millwood was a strategic one that not only gave them end-game bullpen help with Ray, but also freed up the money they needed to sign the free agent Harden who will now take Millwood’s spot in the rotation.

The Rangers have been very smart this winter in the methodical moves they have made. Now the only question is what their plans are regarding their vacant center field spot with the possible exit of free agent Marlon Byrd. While the possibility of Byrd returning is still an option, the Rangers are definitely going to visit cheaper options that are out there. Their wiggle room isn’t enormous as they have Byrd’s expiring contract (a little over $3 million from 2009) as well as the difference between Millwood’s $12.8 million and Harden’s $7 million plus to work with.

It should be interesting to see how their master plan unfolds the rest of the off season.

Hot Stove: Lindstrom to Houston

Lindstrom looks to close in Houston.

ESPN.com News: “The Houston Astros got hard-throwing reliever Matt Lindstrom from Florida on Wednesday, hoping he can help fill a late-inning hole in their bullpen. Houston sent two low-level minor leaguers and a player to be named to the Marlins.”

Diamond Cutter Spin: With the departure of Jose Valverde from the back end of the Astros bullpen, they were definitely in need of a new closer. Now the only question remains is which Matt Lindstrom will they get? The dominant fire baller who blows hitters away or the guy who allowed 18 earned runs in only 2 1/3 innings during a stretch last season? Here’s my scouting report on Lindstrom…

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on Matt Lindstrom:

Matt Lindstrom has a cannon-loaded arm and has just the make-up you would want in your closer. He has a nice clean delivery which helps him keep control of the strike zone. His best pitch is without question his nuclear fastball that sits between 95-99 mph and will at times hit 100 mph on the radar. It gets on hitters in a hurry with a late explosion that seems have a life of its own as it approaches the plate. He utilizes it best when the blows it by hitters up in the zone where they have little chance to catch up to it. But when hitters are looking fastball, he frustrates them by throwing a hard, slanted slider that sits around 86 mph and darts away from righties. Also mixes in an occasional changeup for good measure. Now that he is the man to shut the door on opponents, he needs to make sure to keep his pitch selection in check and not get too revved up and let his fastball get away from him.

Needless to say Lindstrom ran into some trouble last season and the Astros just need to make sure they have his head clear heading into the season. This is even more important considering how depleted their bullpen is after the loss of Valverde after he declined arbitration and LaTroy Hawkins signing with Milwaukee earlier today.

Hot Stove: Kouz, Wolf, Millwood & Harden

Kouzmanoff has been a hot commodity this winter (San Diego Shooter/Flickr).

• There are reports that upwards of eight teams have inquired the Padres about the availability of third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff (.255, 18 HR, 88 RBI). It appears as if the two front runners are the Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants, both of whom are in dire need of a third baseman. Jayson Stark at ESPN.com Tweeted this just a bit ago: “Hearing that Padres offered Kouzmanoff to Giants for Fred Lewis & Kevin Fransden. Asked Twins for Glen Perkins & 2nd player.”

• It appears as if the Texas Rangers are going to be more active than many originally thought. The Rangers just completed a deal in which they sent veteran righty Kevin Millwood (13-10, 3.67 ERA) to Baltimore for setup man Chris Ray (7.27 ERA, 39 K) and a player to be named. This freed up enough money for them to go out and sign one of their main targets, Rich Harden (9-9, 4.09 ERA, 171 K). Reports say the Rangers are closing in on a deal with Harden and something could be done as soon as tonight or tomorrow.

• The Milwaukee Brewers have officially signed left-hander Randy Wolf (11-7, 3.23 ERA) to a three-year, $29.75 million deal. This was a big signing for them as they are very much in need of pitching help and they got one of the stronger arms on the market. And this wasn’t all they did today as the club also came to terms with reliever LaTroy Hawkins (2.13 ERA, 45 K, 19 HD) on a two-year, $7.5 million deal. The Brewers have money and are definitely making the most of it.

Trades and signings are slowly starting to happen more frequently and now that teams have started moving and shaking, I think (and hope) this gets other teams to start pulling the trigger. It always seems to take the first few teams to get the ball rolling.

Hot Stove: Here Come the Mets

Mets' best option is to sign Lackey (Evan Wohrman/Flickr).

With all three of the big name free agents (Holliday, Bay and Lackey) still available, the number of teams linked to having interest in them continues to grow. One of those teams who’s name is now being heard more and more in relation to these three is the New York Mets. I mentioned not to long ago that it was just a matter of time until the Mets started getting more involved this winter as they realize that they have quite a few big holes to fill on their roster. Here’s a few writers who have mentioned them today…

Jon Heyman/SI.com: Jon Heyman of SI.com had this to say on Twitter today, “purse strings opening for Omar? #mets are talking to lackey, holliday and bay with renewed hopes to sign 1 of big 3. molina also.”

Michael Baron/MetsBlog.com: “…as far as getting a guy to build around, i think Holliday is that guy out of the three, and i think they have a realistic shot at signing him, but if they have to make a choice of the three, i have to lean towards pitching and Lackey…”

I have to say I agree with Baron on this one. If the Mets are going to go after one of those three, they need to make sure it’s Lackey. While having Jason Bay or Matt Holliday in their lineup would be great, they have to try to believe that Jose Reyes and Carlos Beltran will have bounce back seasons and that they can piece together a few other free agents to fill in the other holes.

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on John Lackey:

John Lackey has a sound delivery with a loose 3/4 arm action. He possess an 89-92 mph fastball with good late life that cuts in on lefties, a sharp, late-biting slider and a tight sweeping curveball. Has the ability to throw his breaking stuff at any point in the count. Unlike most, he tends to change speeds off his curveball rather than his change. The bottom line on Lackey is that he is a true ace who isn’t flashy, but does his job beautifully.

The funny thing is how little I have heard fans clamoring for their club to sign Lackey. I guess it’s probably due to the fact that Lackey isn’t as exciting as Sabathia was during last year’s free agency, as reliable of a workhorse as Halladay or as sexy as say King Felix would be, but he is a very consistent pitcher who will get the job done. He is an ace pitcher who does exactly what his club needs.

This is exactly why the Mets need him. After all, there’s one thing that will kill all hopes of the Mets this year and that’s if they can’t get solid starting pitching. After Johan Santana on the staff, there is nothing but huge question marks. Signing Lackey would make one of the toughest one-two punches for a pitching staff in baseball.

With a pitcher’s park like Citi Field, they have no other option.

Hot Stove: Josh Johnson Blockbuster?

ESPN Rumor: “ESPNDallas.com’s Richard Durrett reports tonight that the Texas Rangers have offered top prospects Justin Smoak and Neftali Feliz to Florida for right-hander Josh Johnson.”

Diamond Cutter Spin: As much as I love Josh Johnson, if the Texas Rangers were to give up those two incredible young players then someone should shake them violently.

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on Josh Johnson:

Johnson has established himself as a rising ace for the Marlins. He is a tall power pitcher who is very imposing on the mound with his 6-7 frame. He has a very smooth, sound delivery and takes advantage of his stature by producing a fantastic downhill angle to the plate which gives the appearance that the pitch is coming down on the hitter.

His pitch arsenal includes both a two and four-seam fastball (sitting between 92-96 mph) which is lively both up and down in the strike zone. Johnson does a great job pitching inside on hitters which helps open up the strike zone for him where many pitchers are affraid to go. His secondary (strikeout) pitch is a power slider that he is able to change the break on depending on if he is facing a lefty or a righty and keeps hitters honest. Also adds a decent changeup as a third pitch.

Johnson has completely recovered from his Tommy John surgery he had a few years ago and established himself as a legitimate star on the mound. The only question now remains how good can he become and what uniform will he be wearing as he realizes his greatness.

This would be a HORRIBLE deal for Texas as both Feliz and Smoak are essentially major league ready and big parts of this team’s future. Here’s my scouting reports on each of them…

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on Neftali Feliz:

Feliz made a big impact in his first season in the majors. He has an incredibly smooth, effortless and clean motion with great mechanics. His fastball has reached triple digits (sits 94-99 mph) with good movement and counters that with two improving secondary pitches including a curveball and changeup that are showing to be at least average. If he can continue to build on his secondary stuff, his projections are off the chart and is a definite ace in the making.

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on Justin Smoak:

What makes this kid so special is his incredible eye at the plate, especially for a power hitter, as he consistently drew more walks than strikeouts each year in college. Smoak also posses a very sweet and fluid swing with the ability to hit productively from both sides of the plate as well as having plus-power to all fields. He has outstanding bat speed and takes healthy cuts which together helps the ball jump off his bat. While he does a great job staying inside the ball, he may need to pull the ball more (something you don’t hear too often with power hitters) rather than trying to force things to other fields. Smoak’s power will translate well to the majors and has the potential to hit 35-40 as well as hit for a high average. He’s a player for the Rangers to start building around.

Needless to say this is way too much for Texas to give up and they would regret this one for years to come.

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report: Curtis Granderson

Granderson is a premier leadoff hitter (Keith Allison/Flickr).

Name: Curtis Granderson
Number: 28
Position: Center Field
Born: 3/16/81
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
Height: 6′1″
Weight: 185
Debut: 9/13/04

Scouting Report: Granderson has made a name for himself as a six-hole hitter in the lead off spot. He has a short, quick stroke and loves fastballs up in the zone. Drives the ball hard very well from left-center on around to right. He struggles mightily versus left handed pitching and tends to have a tough time with breaking stuff. These two items cause him to strikeout way too much, especially for a lead off hitter. He does run very well which helps his lead off spot by stealing bases and stretching hits into an extra base.

Granderson flows so naturally out in center by using his speed to generate good jumps and taking good routes to the ball. Does better going back and side to side than he does coming straight in as he tends to be a little late on balls in front of him as his first instinct is usually to head straight back. He also has a pretty good arm which helps him cut down runners in the gap.

Hot Stove: Rumored 3-Way Deal

FoxSports.com has reported a rumor of a blockbuster three-team deal that would involve some pretty big players between the Yankees, Diamondbacks and Tigers. Here’s a breakdown of what this scenario would see:

• The Yankees would receive Curtis Granderson from the Tigers and one or two prospects from the Diamondbacks.

• The Diamondbacks would get Edwin Jackson from the Tigers and right hander Ian Kennedy from the Yankees.

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on Ian Kennedy:

Kennedy is a young pitching prospect in the Yankees organization who has a lot of potential. He has a four seam (88-94 mph) and two seam (a newer pitch at around 89 mph) fastball, great command of a plus-changeup, as well as a curve and slider. Kennedy is a very intelligent pitcher choosing to set-up hitters and attack their weaknesses rather than try to overpower them. He has great mechanics and uses this and control to his advantage. Kennedy just hasn’t seen his skills translate to success at the big league level yet due to nagging injuries and the fact that the Yankees continue to have a crowded rotation.

• The Tigers would get right hander Max Scherzer from the Diamondbacks, and center fielder Austin Jackson and left handed relievers Phil Coke and Michael Dunn from the Yankees.

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report on Austin Jackson:

Jackson is another shining star that the Yankees have waiting in the wings. Jackson is a good contact hitter with some good power potential. Needs a little more polishing at the plate to really establish himself (already started this by cutting down his strikeouts). He is a strong athlete who will be a very nice base stealer someday with his plus speed. Also transfers his speed well in the outfield and is also plus defensively.

This would certainly be an interesting move as none of the teams really get “ripped off” at all. Of course as I always say, I hate seeing the Yankees getting stronger.

Hot Stove: Winter Meetings Day One Buzz

Here’s all the latest new, rumors and buzz around the winter meetings:

When will teams learn their lesson with Bradley? (Kimberly*/Flickr)

• In the day’s biggest rumor, FoxSports.com implied the Rays had inquired about Roy Halladay’s availability and that they may even be willing to part with center fielder BJ Upton and prized pitching prospect Wade Davis. While the Rays deny any discussion of these players, it begs the question of it would even be worth it or not. We all know Upton has star potential and Davis has incredible stuff (click here for my scouting report on him from last year) so unless the Rays could guarantee he would sign an extension, I think the price tag may be too high for only one season. Of course this would all be a moot point if it’s a false claim.

• It now looks as if it will be official that Carl Pavano will accept the arbitration offer from the Minnesota Twins and he will return to be part of their rotation in 2010. This will most likely end any effort of theirs to sign free agents Rich Harden or Jarrod Washburn.

• The Milwaukee Brewers appear to be pushing hard to bring lefty Randy Wolf to their rotation. Wolf is the best left hander available this winter which is why the Mets also appear to be sniffing around the veteran.

• A Brad Penny/St. Louis Cardinals partnership looks like it is on the verge of finalizing with a rumored $7.5 million base salary along with an additional $1.5 in incentives. This is an important contract for the rest of the starting pitchers out there as it will most likely set the tone for the rest of the winter in regards to contracts.

• Besides the Rangers and Rays ties to Milton Bradley, according to ESPN.com there are potentially “2 or 3″ other teams who may also be involved in acquiring Bradley. My question is, don’t these teams pay attention to what goes on around the league and what Bradley has done?

• The St. Louis Cardinals appear to be on the verge of Mark DeRosa, Joel Pineiro and Matt Holliday declining their arbitration offers. The Cardinals are still interested in DeRosa, claim to be interested in Holliday and most likely will lose Pineiro due to what he will likely earn in the open market as well as their potential signing of Brad Penny.

More updates tomorrow…

Diamond Cutter Scouting Report: Ryan Theriot

Theriot gives pitchers headaches (Peter J Preston/Flickr).

Name: Ryan Theriot
Number: 2
Position: Shortstop
Born: 12/7/79
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Height: 5′11″
Weight: 175
Debut: 9/13/05

Scouting Report: Theriot is just the kind of pesky hitter you want at the top of your lineup. In fact, he’s a perfect number two hitter as he not only makes pitchers work, he can also play small ball and move runners over. Theriot does a fantastic job working counts, making pitchers work to get him out and constantly draws walks (on-base machine). He is a shining example of a contact hitter and stays inside the ball very well which allows him to drive the ball to right and right center field. He has virtually no power at all but that isn’t his game so it isn’t a big deal. Very speedy on the base paths and a good base stealer. This really helps out the 3-4-5 hitters after him as the pitcher tends to become distracted with him. Then if they focus on the hitter, he’ll steal a base.

Theriot is a steady glove with steady hands at shortstop with a very smooth transition to the ball. Goes up the middle to track down balls in play much better than in the hole on the left side. Has the tendency to not charge in on balls which sometimes comes back to bite him on bad hops. He doesn’t have the best arm in the world but he is accurate on his throws. Not a flashy player at all, just an overall good guy to have on your team.