Atomic RoadRunners

In a deal expected to be finalized next week, the Rockies will get Jason Marquis from the Cubs for Luis Vizcaino, according to the Denver Post. The Rockies will also get about $1 million, so they’ll be taking on just under $5 million in acquiring Marquis to join a rotation set to include Aaron Cook, Jeff Francis, Ubaldo Jimenez and either Greg Smith or Jorge De La Rosa. We’re not sure that’s an upgrade at all. The Cubs also probably aren’t getting any better with the deal, but they’re freeing up some money they’ll use to bring in a superior starter. This is a lot more about the Cubs wanting to dump Marquis than it is any desire for Vizcaino. With an open rotation spot, they could well enter the mix for Derek Lowe or Randy Wolf. It seems unlikely that the Jake Peavy talks will be revisited. (Rotoworld)

Marquis, 30, tossed 167 innings of 4.53 ball in 2008. He did roughly the same in ’07. Vizcaino, 34, posted a 5.28 ERA in 46 innings. He dealt with a strained shoulder and later expressed concerns that he didn’t pitch enough. His velocity was up from ’07 and he whiffed more than a batter per inning, but he was done in by walks and home runs. Vizcaino added a DUI to his resume in October. (MLBTradeRumors.com)

Padres agreed to terms with outfielder Jody Gerut on a one-year, $1.775 million contract. Gerut hit .296/.351/.494 in 328 at-bats for the Padres last season after joining the team on a minor league deal. He’s the current favorite to start for the team in center field, and since the Padres have more urgent needs elsewhere, it seems unlikely that he’ll be supplanted. (Rotoworld)

More details from MLB.com:

Gerut’s contract represents a substantial increase from the $700,000 he earned last season after making the team out of Spring Training. He signed a Minor League contract just weeks before the team reported to Peoria, Ariz.

Gerut started the season with the Padres but was optioned to Triple-A Portland on April 5 when Jim Edmonds came off the disabled list. Gerut hit .308 in 27 games with Portland before he was promoted on May 9 after Edmonds was released.

Gerut, in his first Major League action since 2005, quickly became a fixture in center field and showed good defense, especially covering a lot of ground at spacious PETCO Park. He proved more than a capable leadoff hitter as well, hitting .296 in that spot.

Gerut hit a game-winning, two-run home run against Arizona on Aug. 25, but suffered a badly sprained left middle finger attempting to make a sliding catch in the outfield two days later.

Gerut didn’t play in another game for the Padres, missing the final month of the season.

The Marlins and Josh Johnson have reportedly agreed to a $1.4 million contract for 2009. Johnson was eligible for arbitration for the first time. If he hadn’t missed a year following Tommy John surgery, he likely would have commanded at least twice this amount, forcing the Marlins to trade an additional two or three veterans. (Rotoworld)

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports that the Twins have expressed interest in Brandon Lyon. The Twins have been surprisingly quiet in the relief market given their bullpen struggles last season, but Lyon would make some sense as a setup man for Joe Nathan. “We would love to have an experienced setup guy,” general manager Bill Smith said. (Rotoworld)

Razzball’s Grey has yet another colorful profile of an Atomic Roadrunner – this time it’s Brewers’ 3B prospect Mat Gamel, who is hereby compared to Jenny McCarthy and Kenny Mayne.

While regurgigating [sic] Jobacum, I mentioned Gamel is a lot like Ryan Braun. All hit, no field. In Single-A ball in 2007, Gamel made 53 errors in 128 games.  In that post, I said that he plays 3rd like Jenny McCarthy at a celebrity All-Star game, but I think I was overestimating his glove work.  Kenny Mayne might be a better comparison.  Last year Gamel cut his errors to 30, but still led Double-A with the most errors by a third baseman.  Oh Gamel, you’ve done it again!  If he could just get to the big leagues as a third baseman, his bat will be one to own in fantasy.  But can he help your fantasy baseball team in 2009?

Bill James projects a full-time Mat Gamel in 2009 hitting 18 home runs and over .300 in 150 games.  I think that’s being too conservative on the power, but too generous on the games played.  If Gamel gets a full-time gig out of spring training, I think we could see 27/80/.300 and 40 errors.  The Brewers also realized Gamel’s glove isn’t ready for the majors and now have in place the third base blahtoon of Mike Lamb and Bill Hall.  Gamel is probably destined for the outfield, but the Brewers outfield is a bit crowded right now.  Gamel needs Corey Hart to tongue kiss Casey Kotchman and come down with a bad case of mono for Gamel to see any significant time in the Brewers outfield in 2009.  I’m sure the Brewers want Gamel to play 3rd; I’m almost positive Gamel wants to play 3rd, but inspiration meets perspiration meets no fielding ability, doesn’t add up to a major league 3rd baseman.  Unless the Brewers play Gamel in short left field in front of Braun, the glaring flaw in his defensive game makes him too much of a liability for the Brewers and too much for you, except in deep keeper leagues.

Razzball’s Grey has a blurb (always colorful) about Blake DeWitt being a 2009 Sleeper:

I’m not sure if Jeff Kent will retire. I’m sure his wife doesn’t want him to retire because he seems like he’d be a miserable prick around the house. Why doesn’t this remote work?! She sighs, “You have to turn on the TV first.” Maybe he lands as a DH somewhere in the AL. Either way, Kent prolly won’t be on the Dodgers next year. So that opens 2nd base in 2009 for the Dodgers. This should be filled by Blake DeWitt, no relation to Joyce DeWitt, against righties and Mark Loretta against the occasional lefty. Okay, so what can we expect from Blake DeWitt for 2009 and why is he a fantasy sleeper?

In 2008, Blake DeWitt was rushed to the majors to fill-in at 3rd base prior to the Casey Blake move. He was marginally meh, but never quite eh or feh. He has limited power and speed. Kent could prolly out-homer him even in his 41st year on the planet and Rickey Henderson could still outrun him. Blake’s ideal 2009 has him at about 60/14/75/.275/7. Kelly Johnson just yawned reading those numbers. Now Blake also has corner and middle eligibility (here’s a list of all the players that have multiple position eligiblity for 2009), and there won’t be many 2nd basemen who come as discounted as Blake in 2009 fantasy drafts. Some of the schmohawks I’ve seen drafted before Blake are Mark Loretta, David Eckstein, Nick Punto, Mark Grudzielanek and Marco Scutaro. I just vomited in my mouth writing some of those names. So towards the end of your NL-Only drafts or very deep mixed leagues, Blake DeWitt is a good sleeper name to have stashed away.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the biggest holdup in the Jake Peavy four-team swap appears to be the Cubs’ desire to move Jason Marquis and most of his $9.875 million 2009 salary. The Cubs need to dump some of that cash in order to afford Peavy and a left-handed bat. The club may be open to eating around $4 million of Marquis’ salary, but are struggling to find a taker. The 30-year-old righty went 11-9 last season with a 4.53 ERA, a 1.45 WHIP, and a 91/70 K/BB ratio. (Rotoworld)

The Red Sox have some interest in free agent Brandon Lyon, the Boston Globe reports. Lyon, who was traded from Boston to Arizona in the Curt Schilling deal, would be a setup man with the Red Sox. There’s believed to be at least a little interest in him as a starting pitcher, something that may intrigue him with another closer’s role seemingly out of reach. (Rotoworld)

Today’s free agent signings by the dodgers of 3B Casey Blake and infielder Mark Loretta firm up the role of Blake DeWitt going into 2009. It is now expected that DeWitt will be the “strong” side of a 2B platoon facing righthanders, with Loretta facing lefties, as well as filling in for Casey Blake on occasion (though DeWitt could do that as well). The Dodgers still need to acquire a shortstop, as prospect Ivan DeJesus likely isn’t ready.

Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd said he wants to see Chris Iannetta finish a full season as the team’s primary catcher before talking about a long-term deal. Iannetta outplayed Yorvit Torrealba at the end of last season and the 25-year-old appears ready to excel in full-time duty. He hit .264/.390/.505 with 18 dingers and 65 RBI last season. (Rotowire)

Asked Monday about his starting lineup, Padres manager Bud Black said he sees Jody Gerut in center and Chase Headley in left. That would leave Scott Hairston and Will Venable on the bench. Black also indicated that he was fine with Nick Hundley behind the plate. However, it sounded like he was hoping for upgrades at both shortstop and second base. The current options there are Edgar Gonzalez, Luis Rodriguez and Matt Antonelli. (Rotowire)

The Royals were planning to talk to agent Barry Meister about Brandon Lyon and Kyle Farnsworth. Craig Counsell’s name could also come up, but the bullpen is the Royals’ priority at the moment. Lyon and Farnsworth might both be available on one-year deals. (Rotoworld)

The Rockies have internally discussed acquiring Jason Marquis from the Cubs. Marquis for Willy Taveras might interest the Rockies if the Cubs were willing to eat some salary, but the Cubs would probably just as soon stick with Kosuke Fukudome and Reed Johnson as their center field combination. MLB.com mentions Jeff Baker as a possibility to be involved. However, if the Rockies want Marquis, it shouldn’t cost major league talent. (Rotoworld)

Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein posted his Top 11 (yes eleven) Brewers Prospects article today, and Mat Gamel was ranked third overall. It was a bit of a surprise, as I was expecting “Top Two” status (with Alcides Escobar), but apparently 2008 top draft pick catcher Brett Lawrie was No. 2 overall. Here’s his write-up:

DOB: 7/26/85
Height/Weight: 6-0/195
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: 4th round, 2005, Chipola JC (FL)
2008 Stats:

• .329/.395/.537, .282 EqA at Double-A (127 G);
• .238/.304/.381, .238 EqA at Triple-A (5 G);
• .500/.500/1.000, .450 EqA at MLB (2 G)

Last Year’s Ranking: 7

Year in Review: The top hitter in the minor leagues during the first half of the season finished fifth overall with 281 total bases, despite a severe late-season slump.
The Good: Gamel combines good pitch recognition with the right kind of aggressiveness at the plate, and his quick, quiet swing allows him to hit for both average and good power. He should hit .300 in the big leagues with over 25 home runs annually. He’s a solid athlete who runs well, especially once he gets going.
The Bad: There’s nothing positive to say about Gamel’s defense. After making an eye-popping 53 errors in 2007, he reduced that number to 32 in 2008, but one scout classified the progress as, “putting lipstick on a pig.” From his hands to his instincts to his arm accuracy, everything about him defensively screams for a move to first base or left field. He hit just .189 after the All-Star break, but Milwaukee officials write that off to a sore elbow and show no concerns about his hitting.
Fun Fact: Gamel’s 30 errors at Huntsville came in just 23 games; he had five two-error contests, and one game in which he committed three miscues.
Perfect World Projection: He won’t be a third baseman, but he will be a middle-of-the-order hitter.
Glass Half Empty: His good but not great power makes him merely a solid left fielder, not a star.
Path to the Big Leagues: Milwaukee already had one third baseman of the future flame out defensively, so with Ryan Braun in the outfield and Prince Fielder at first, there is no room at the inn, which is a shame, because what they really do need is a third baseman.
Timetable: There’s some thought of giving Gamel a real shot at the hot corner and just living with the glove as they did with Braun in 2007, but he’s more likely headed to Triple-A for now.

Update (12/10): Minor League Ball’s John Sickels just came out with his preliminary 2009 Brewers rankings, and Gamel is his top Brewers prospect, with Escobar 2nd, and Lawrie 3rd.

1) Matt Gamel, 3B, Grade B+: Bat is very impressive, not sure about where he fits on the roster due to defensive limitations.

Free agent Brandon Lyon has decided to decline the Diamondbacks’ offer of arbitration. Lyon looked like the lone question mark remaining. Of the 24 free agents offered arbitration, it now appears that only Darren Oliver will accept. Lyon stood to make around $4 million or so had he chosen to stay with the Diamondbacks. He’ll probably do about as well elsewhere, but it will be a fully guaranteed contact. The Diamondbacks could have released him in spring training and owed him only a small portion of his awarded salary. (Rotoworld)