12/19: Possible Non-Tenders
Posted by: James
MLB.com has an article that explains the non-tender deadline and outlines a few of the players that could be made available on Tuesday. Of course, this isn't a full list nor is it certain that any or all of these players will actually be non-tendered. Nevertheless, I thought we'd take a look at the relievers and position players that the article mentioned by name.
Relievers:
• RHP Joe Borowski. 35 year old who actually pitched 2 innings for the Yankees way back in 1997. Since then, he was effective for two seasons for the Cubs before getting hurt. Last year, he pitched well in the second half for the Devil Rays but remains an older pitcher who can't seem to strike anyone out anymore - Pass.
• RHP Gil Meche: 27 year old who has posted ERAs of over 5 the past two years in the pitcher's paradise that is SafeCo - Pass.
• RHP Ryan Franklin: 33 years old and habitually ineffective - Pass.
• RHP Dan Kolb. 31 years old and coming off a horrid season in Atlanta. The only team who will probably show interest will be the Brewers, who he starred for during the 2003-2004 seasons. Outside of Milwaukee, I don't see what he offers that someone from the Yankees farm system doesn't offer - Pass.
• RHP Jim Brower. 33 years old and habitually average - Pass.
Position Players:• 3B Russell Branyan. 30 year old with big time power but no ability to make contact (career .232 average) and a poor glove at the infield position - Pass.
• 1B Hee Seop Choi. 26 year old that might have not have any more chances in LA. I sure hope the Yanks show an interest (and so does Steve Lombardi) - Serious candidate for the Yankees.
• CF Corey Patterson. 26 year old former centerfielder of the future for the Cubs. After a couple of seasons where he seemed to be progressing with the bat, injuries started to hit Corey and to date, it seems like he hasn't fully recovered. The guy is a pretty good combination of power and speed (20 HRs/20 SBs in 2004 and 10/10 in every other full season that he's played) but has very little plate recognition (2005: 118 Ks in 451 ABs, 2004: 168Ks in 631 ABs, 2002: 142 Ks in 592 ABs.) In essence, he is Alfonso Soriano-lite without all the hype and the refusal to play in the outfield. In addition to his strikeout problems, he also seems to have issues away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Park, .249/.285/.403 for his career on the road. Still, he is young, fast and can play a good centerfield. As long as the money he wants isn't too much, I would take him over Bubba Crosby any day of the week simply because he offers everything Bubba does but he is still young enough to learn a little bit more about hitting. Honestly, how good would Corey's high-end projection (.266/.320/.452 - his full 2004 numbers) look coming from the #9 spot in the line-up? Worth a look, depending on the price.
Relievers:
• RHP Joe Borowski. 35 year old who actually pitched 2 innings for the Yankees way back in 1997. Since then, he was effective for two seasons for the Cubs before getting hurt. Last year, he pitched well in the second half for the Devil Rays but remains an older pitcher who can't seem to strike anyone out anymore - Pass.
• RHP Gil Meche: 27 year old who has posted ERAs of over 5 the past two years in the pitcher's paradise that is SafeCo - Pass.
• RHP Ryan Franklin: 33 years old and habitually ineffective - Pass.
• RHP Dan Kolb. 31 years old and coming off a horrid season in Atlanta. The only team who will probably show interest will be the Brewers, who he starred for during the 2003-2004 seasons. Outside of Milwaukee, I don't see what he offers that someone from the Yankees farm system doesn't offer - Pass.
• RHP Jim Brower. 33 years old and habitually average - Pass.
Position Players:• 3B Russell Branyan. 30 year old with big time power but no ability to make contact (career .232 average) and a poor glove at the infield position - Pass.
• 1B Hee Seop Choi. 26 year old that might have not have any more chances in LA. I sure hope the Yanks show an interest (and so does Steve Lombardi) - Serious candidate for the Yankees.
• CF Corey Patterson. 26 year old former centerfielder of the future for the Cubs. After a couple of seasons where he seemed to be progressing with the bat, injuries started to hit Corey and to date, it seems like he hasn't fully recovered. The guy is a pretty good combination of power and speed (20 HRs/20 SBs in 2004 and 10/10 in every other full season that he's played) but has very little plate recognition (2005: 118 Ks in 451 ABs, 2004: 168Ks in 631 ABs, 2002: 142 Ks in 592 ABs.) In essence, he is Alfonso Soriano-lite without all the hype and the refusal to play in the outfield. In addition to his strikeout problems, he also seems to have issues away from the friendly confines of Wrigley Park, .249/.285/.403 for his career on the road. Still, he is young, fast and can play a good centerfield. As long as the money he wants isn't too much, I would take him over Bubba Crosby any day of the week simply because he offers everything Bubba does but he is still young enough to learn a little bit more about hitting. Honestly, how good would Corey's high-end projection (.266/.320/.452 - his full 2004 numbers) look coming from the #9 spot in the line-up? Worth a look, depending on the price.
Seamus wrote:
I like Choi too. If we were somehow able to sign a player like that for only a couple years at his age I'd say go for it. He's worth a gamble, considering that with Jason Giambi, we aren't THAT needy at first base. It's gotta be better than nothing.