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: 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.

MLB Hot Stove: Willingham & Millwood Rumors

Will Willingham be on the move? (Keith Allison/Flickr)

Two new names that have started popping up in trade rumors are that of outfielder Josh Willingham of the Nationals and pitcher Kevin Millwood of the Rangers. Both for different reasons.

First you have Willingham, a talented 30-year old outfielder who never gets any national attention due to the fact that the only two teams he has ever played for are the Marlins and Nationals. But despite playing for the hapless Nationals last season, Willingham put up a .260/.367/.496 line with 24 homers and 61 RBI while constantly playing hard on every play. This is just the type of player that the Seattle Mariners, San Francisco Giants and Atlanta Braves are in the market for. The only question now is whether or not the Nationals are interested in moving him.

On the other hand, the cash-strapped Rangers look to be freeing up some money this off season by possibly moving their ace Kevin Millwood. Millwood had a strong season posting a 13-10 record, 3.67 ERA and 123 strikeouts last season. Thoughts are the Rangers would like to give themselves a little extra money to try to bring in free agent starting pitcher John Lackey to head up their rotation. One team believed to have inquired about the veteran righty was the Milwaukee Brewers who themselves are looking to bolster their rotation.

At this point these rumors are in early stages so it will be interesting to see if anything develops.

[Update 11/30/09 @ 7:32 PM: The Baltimore Orioles have apparently inquired about Kevin Millwood to help bolster their rotation. This would help give the Rangers salary space to go after Lackey as mentioned above or possibly slugger Jermaine Dye.]

Which Way Is Up?

I know this happened last week but I need to address it as it is still bugging me. It’s horrible that I even have to ask this question of a pro sports team’s GM, but does Neal Huntington know the difference between up and down? I ask this because either:

a.) he thinks his explanations are working and believes his team’s fan base is stupid or
b.) he believes his explanations which means he is stupid.

It has to be one or the other. It can’t be anything else. It can’t be…

(click here to continue this article on Baseball Daily Digest)

Santana Now a Met

[Here is a story I just broke in my column on “Twins Killings” over at MVN.com regarding Johan Santana’s trade. I’m actually pretty proud that I reported the story even before ESPN.com…]

It appears as if the Johan Santana sweepstakes have now ended. “USA Today” has reported here that the Twins will send the former two-time Cy Young winner to New York for Carlos Gomez, Phil Humber, Deolis Guerra, and Kevin Mulvey.

The deal is currently pending Santana’s approval and the two sides agreeing on a contract extension.

For those not familiar with the players the Twins will be receiving, here are some brief scouting reports I recently put together on my personal baseball and prospect blog while analyzing the Mets’ farm system:

Deolis Guerra, RHP: Has a very raw talent that will begin to be solidified as he gets older and gets more work in. Large frame at 6’5” and 200 lbs with a mid-90’s fastball, plus change-up, and improving curve. It is crucial the Mets (now Twins) don’t move too fast with this kid and just let him develop as he has all the potential in the world.

Carlos Gomez, OF: Gomez looks to be an offensive threat due to his aggressive hitting approach and lighting quick speed. Incredibly fast and will wreak havoc at the top of the lineup. He has shown a lot of talent in the outfield especially with this strong arm and excellent ability to cover a lot of ground.

Kevin Mulvey, RHP: Mulvey has two solid pitches including a fastball (90-92 mph) and a changeup (82-84 mph which looks the same as his fastball coming out of his hand with very good movement). He also has a curveball and slider but neither are effective enough yet as an out pitch. It’s tough to tell exactly how he will progress, but I see him as a possible middle of the rotation type guy depending on if he can solidify a third pitch.

Stay tuned to “Twins Killings” or here at “The Diamond Cutter” for more as this story develops.

Catch my column “Twins Killings” every day only on the Most Valuable Network.

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