SoxxoS
10-30-2003, 12:28 AM
There was a whole article on ESPN insider, but I am unable to post that...Commentary by Jerry Crasnick.
Not in any order-
1. LaTroy Hawkins. Has eletric stuff. Probably best suited for what he did in Minnesota...be a set up man.
2. Mike Cameron. Cameron stunk offensively at Safeco Field, but he wasn't alone: Even Edgar Martinez hit .248 at home and .339 on the road this season. True, Cameron is a strikeout machine. But he steals bases and will get on-base at a .350 clip or thereabouts. He might thrive in a different park.
3.Kelvim Escobar. Escobar, a groundball pitcher, was 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA on grass this season, and 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA on turf. Most of the carnage was inflicted at SkyDome in Toronto. You have to figure he'll be better post-rug.
4. Shannon Stewart.He's not real good defensively," said an AL assistant GM. "He can't throw at all. He runs pretty well, but he doesn't steal bases anymore. And I'm not sure how much teams will pay for a corner guy who doesn't hit home runs."
5. Luis Castillo.But Castillo did hit .314 with an on-base percentage of .381, and he's a terrific defensive second baseman. While Boston's Todd Walker should also generate interest, Castillo is more the classic middle infield solution, with his ability to bat leadoff, score 100 runs and turn a double play. Suceeded in only 21 of 40 SB attempts.
6. Miguel Batista. (I like this guy a lot) Teams value Batista for his versatility and resilient arm. He's a serviceable fourth or fifth starter and capable of pitching middle or long relief. "He'll do anything you ask," said a scout. "If you don't think Millwood is a No. 1 or 2, why pay him $10-12 million when you can get this guy for $5 million?"
7. Our own Flash Gordon.He's one curveball away from his elbow popping," said a scout. That's the cynical viewpoint. The good news is, Gordon is four years removed from his last Tommy John surgery and looking like a man who's anxious to close again. He pitched three days in a row on two occasions, once in August and September, and closed with a rush: Opponents batted .182 against him after the All-Star break.
8. John Thomson. Thomson's fastball can be pretty straight, but baseball people will always be intrigued by a 6-3, 200-pounder who throws 90-plus. "Stuff-wise, there's a lot to like," said an AL executive.
9. Shigotoshi Hasegawa.Hasegawa converted 16 of 17 save opportunities as Kaz Sasaki's fill-in last year in Seattle. Although he has setup man's stuff, he's shown he has the fortitude to close games.
10. Raul Ibanez.One American League front-office man estimates that Ibañez will get two years and $8 million, or even three and $13 million if the bidding gets hot. Reggie Sanders still looks like a one-year rental, even after hitting 31 homers in Pittsburgh, and Ibañez is more attractive than Jose Guillen, who can't shake a reputation for being immature and a problem in the clubhouse. "Guillen is a Grade A knucklehead," said another AL executive.
11. Joe Randa.Randa is a solid, professional guy who (pause for cliché) is great in the clubhouse. It's no wonder the Royals want to keep him. In five years with Kansas City, Randa has averaged 85 RBI a year. He closed with a rush last year, hitting .344 after the All-Star break. He turns 34 in December and might be a tick below average in the field, but he benefits from the fact that third base is a position of need for so many clubs.
12. Brian Anderson. (NO!)One AL stat-cruncher dissected Anderson's numbers this year, concluded that his 3.78 ERA was an aberration and predicted he'll be more in line with his career ERA of 4.58 next season. A National League scout, in contrast, called Anderson a "poor man's Jamie Moyer."
Not in any order-
1. LaTroy Hawkins. Has eletric stuff. Probably best suited for what he did in Minnesota...be a set up man.
2. Mike Cameron. Cameron stunk offensively at Safeco Field, but he wasn't alone: Even Edgar Martinez hit .248 at home and .339 on the road this season. True, Cameron is a strikeout machine. But he steals bases and will get on-base at a .350 clip or thereabouts. He might thrive in a different park.
3.Kelvim Escobar. Escobar, a groundball pitcher, was 8-2 with a 2.84 ERA on grass this season, and 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA on turf. Most of the carnage was inflicted at SkyDome in Toronto. You have to figure he'll be better post-rug.
4. Shannon Stewart.He's not real good defensively," said an AL assistant GM. "He can't throw at all. He runs pretty well, but he doesn't steal bases anymore. And I'm not sure how much teams will pay for a corner guy who doesn't hit home runs."
5. Luis Castillo.But Castillo did hit .314 with an on-base percentage of .381, and he's a terrific defensive second baseman. While Boston's Todd Walker should also generate interest, Castillo is more the classic middle infield solution, with his ability to bat leadoff, score 100 runs and turn a double play. Suceeded in only 21 of 40 SB attempts.
6. Miguel Batista. (I like this guy a lot) Teams value Batista for his versatility and resilient arm. He's a serviceable fourth or fifth starter and capable of pitching middle or long relief. "He'll do anything you ask," said a scout. "If you don't think Millwood is a No. 1 or 2, why pay him $10-12 million when you can get this guy for $5 million?"
7. Our own Flash Gordon.He's one curveball away from his elbow popping," said a scout. That's the cynical viewpoint. The good news is, Gordon is four years removed from his last Tommy John surgery and looking like a man who's anxious to close again. He pitched three days in a row on two occasions, once in August and September, and closed with a rush: Opponents batted .182 against him after the All-Star break.
8. John Thomson. Thomson's fastball can be pretty straight, but baseball people will always be intrigued by a 6-3, 200-pounder who throws 90-plus. "Stuff-wise, there's a lot to like," said an AL executive.
9. Shigotoshi Hasegawa.Hasegawa converted 16 of 17 save opportunities as Kaz Sasaki's fill-in last year in Seattle. Although he has setup man's stuff, he's shown he has the fortitude to close games.
10. Raul Ibanez.One American League front-office man estimates that Ibañez will get two years and $8 million, or even three and $13 million if the bidding gets hot. Reggie Sanders still looks like a one-year rental, even after hitting 31 homers in Pittsburgh, and Ibañez is more attractive than Jose Guillen, who can't shake a reputation for being immature and a problem in the clubhouse. "Guillen is a Grade A knucklehead," said another AL executive.
11. Joe Randa.Randa is a solid, professional guy who (pause for cliché) is great in the clubhouse. It's no wonder the Royals want to keep him. In five years with Kansas City, Randa has averaged 85 RBI a year. He closed with a rush last year, hitting .344 after the All-Star break. He turns 34 in December and might be a tick below average in the field, but he benefits from the fact that third base is a position of need for so many clubs.
12. Brian Anderson. (NO!)One AL stat-cruncher dissected Anderson's numbers this year, concluded that his 3.78 ERA was an aberration and predicted he'll be more in line with his career ERA of 4.58 next season. A National League scout, in contrast, called Anderson a "poor man's Jamie Moyer."