Atomic RoadRunners

Casey Blake said Tuesday that his back and ribs are feeling better. The third baseman strained a rib-cage muscle during Monday’s spring game, but he showed up to Dodgers camp on Tuesday and will do some light drills later in the afternoon. Blake, 36, hit .280/.363/.468 with 18 home runs, 25 doubles and 79 RBI last season in 485 at-bats. “I’m going to go out and see what I can do,” said Blake. “It’s one of those things where it’s not going to bother me hitting. We’ll just see how much I can throw with it and how much I can move with it. If it hurts me to do something, then I’m not going to do it.” The last thing the Dodgers need is for the injury to become a hindrance to the 36-year-old third base man throughout the season. (Rotoworld)

Casey Blake left Monday’s game against the Giants with a strained rib-cage muscle. The club will already be without Russell Martin to start the season, but fortunately the injury to Blake is not considered serious. “I don’t think it makes much sense, it being March 8, I don’t want to take a lot of chances,” said Blake. “Plus, I’m an old man. I don’t want it to get worse.” He’s likely day-to-day. (Rotoworld)

Today is the third installment in the 2010 Atomic Roadrunner protected list preview. We’ve already identified six players that are keepers, now we’re moving on to “The Probables” – guys that it makes sense to protect, are generally a good value, but wouldn’t be shielded from expansion, if you know what I mean. The problem is that we need three more guys in that scenario – yikes. Here’s the breakdown:

Casey Blake
2 Years – $5
.280 Average, 84 Runs, 18 HR, 79 RBI, and 3 steals
Blake was acquired from The Pi Train in August specifically for his protectability. Typically a model of consistency, Blake has put up roughly a 80/18/80/.275 season each of the past seven seasons. There are no prospects pushing him, and he just finished the first year of a three-year contract. With the ownership and money issues in the Dodgers’ front office, everyone needs a little stability, even if he is 36 yars old. He will run streaky, however.

Madison Bumgarner
2 Years – $2
0 Wins, 1.80 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, and 10 K’s (in 10 MLB innings)
12 Wins, 1.85 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, and 92 K’s (in 131 High-A and AA innings)
The Giants’ No. 2 prospect behind Posey (below), Bumgarner plowed through Hi-A and AA before getting the call in September. Seeing occasional outings, including one start, Bumgarner impressed, though the loss of velocity as the season progressed was a concern. Still, the 20-year old (yes, 20) is penciled in as the Giants’ No. 5 starter to start 2010.

Mat Latos
2 Years – $5
4 Wins, 4.62 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and 39 K’s (in 50.2 MLB innings)
8 Wins, 1.37 ERA, 0.75 WHIP, and 73 K’s (in 72.1 Low-A and AA innings)
Latos was picked-up mid-season as a great minor league protection candidate, but the Padres inexplicably allowed him to pitch a meaningless game on September 1st, passing the 50-inning rookie threshold, and then promptly shut him down for the season. Often cited as having an attitude problem, Latos reeled off great minor league innings, and having Petco Park as a home can’t hurt either. Decent flyer for $5 – went for $7 in the November experts draft.

Buster Posey
2 Years – $1
.325 Average, 84 Runs, 18 HR, 80 RBI, and 6 steals (combined Hi-A and AAA numbers – only 17 MLB at-bats)
Posey is the heir apparent behind the plate in San Francisco. However, his value and protectability took a hit when the Giants re-signed Bengie Molina to a one-year contract, almost guaranteeing that Posey starts the season in AAA. Still it’s only $1, but it’s also my second catcher position. There’s no doubt Posey will be a star, but he’d be a much better investment if his contract clock hadn’t started last season.

Drew Stubbs
2 Years – $5
.267 Average, 27 Runs, 8 HR, 17 RBI, and 10 steals
Stubbs was a mid-season pickup, and I was planning on possibly protecting him as a minor leaguer. Lo and behold, the former No. 6 overall pick replaced Willy Taveras in centerfield, and amassed 180 at-bats. The good news is that he made enough of an impression that most are projecting him as the starting CF. While there is debate about his power numbers, everyone is in agreement that he’s worth more than $5.

Trades:

• Atomic Roadrunners receives: Dodgers 3B Casey Blake
• The Pi Train receives: Rockies OF Brad Hawpe, Marlins 3B Emilio Bonifacio, Marlins RP Matt Lindstrom

FAAB Acquisitions:

• C/1B Jeff Clement, Pirates ($5 bid, reserve)
• 2B Rusty Ryal, Diamondbacks ($5 bid, active at MI)

Up:

• SP Sean West
• 1B Steve Pearce (to DH)
• OF Matt Diaz (replaces Hawpe)
• RP Nick Masset (replaces Lindstrom)

Moves:

• 3B Casey Blake replaces Bonifacio

Down:

• SP Johnny Cueto

Cut:

• SP Brandon Webb
• OF John Bowker
• SS Alex Cora

Notes:

• Mets SS Alex Cora is out for the year to have surgery on both wrists
• Reds SP Johnny Cueto on the 15-Day DL for a hip pointer

Okay, so it’s tough to actually draw a line and say, “from now on, we’re talking about 2009″ during the offseason, since we have free agents, WBRL free agents, arb-eligibles, and protected lists all happening at various times.  For the purposes of atomicroadrunners.com, we’ll use December 1st.

While I’ll be posting individual wrap ups for each player later this offseason, as of December first, the Current Roster has been updated, and the following players are no longer active Atomic Roadrunners:

WBRL Contracts Expired:

• P Brandon Webb
• P John Maine
• 1B Prince Fielder
• SS Jose Reyes
• OF Shane Victorino
• OF Corey Hart
• OF Lastings Milledge

Traded to an AL Team in 2008:

• 1B Mark Teixeira

Traded from an AL Team in 2008:

• 3B Casey Blake
• OF Brandon Moss
• P Joe Blanton

Signed after the August 19, 2008 protection deadline:

• C Pablo Sandoval
• P Luis Ayala
• P Jason Motte

Happy Thanksgiving! While news has slowed due to the holiday weekend and upcoming Winter Meetings (starting December 8th), here’s the latest in nifty bullet-point format:

• Mark Teixeira: Top suitors are the Angels and Red Sox, with the Yankees, Orioles, and Nationals considerably farther behind. Teixeira is a Maryland native, explaining the O’s and Nat’s interest.
• Casey Blake: The Twins look like the top suitor, followed by the Indians. A deal with the Twins looked close to being finalized, but the Twinkies are likely waiting for the arbitration deadline to pass.
• Brandon Phillips: With Chase Utley slated to miss (at a minimum) all of Spring Training, and potentially the first half of the season recovering from hip surgery, Phillips’ value gets a boost, making him a stronger protection.
• Chris Dickerson: The Reds have been mentioned in several trade scenarios, but a few different reports have them chasing after the Rockies’ Willy Taveras, as the Reds aren’t necessarily sold on Dickerson as a center fielder. He probably doesn’t have the bat for a corner, making him a bench option.
• Jason Marquis may be on the market, as the Cubs try to line up cash and roster openings for a run at Jake Peavy. Peavy would give the Cubs a starting rotation of Carlos Zambrano, Peavy, newly re-signed Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.
• Brandon Moss (knee) should be ready “if not opening day, then soon thereafter,” said GM Neil Huntington. Moss had knee surgery last month and is facing 4-6 months of recovery time. “There’s nothing that tells us he won’t be ready Opening Day,” Huntington said. (Rotoworld)
• Brandon Lyon: The market for free-agent reliever Lyon isn’t likely to be settled until the major free agents find homes. Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, along with trade candidate Houston Street are all in greater demand, as well are some of the lefty specialists. Latest rumors had Lyon considering Detroit or returning in a set-up role in Arizona.

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune’s La Velle E. Neal III has heard that Twins might make a contract proposal to Casey Blake as soon as next week. Blake served brief stints with the Twins in 2000, ‘01 and ‘02 before establishing himself in Cleveland the following season. Now he could return to the team on his biggest contract yet at an age in which he should be entering the twilight of his career (he turned 35 in August). There are several other teams interested, though. (Rotoworld)

The Twins have expressed interest in free agent third baseman Casey Blake. Blake’s agent, Jim McDowell, said six other teams have also called about his client. Blake hit .274 with 21 dingers and 81 RBI in 2008. Minnesota is seeking an upgrade at third base and the Dodgers may want him to return after stabilizing the position after his trade to the NL. His agent is reportedly seeking a three-year deal, so he won’t come cheap. (Rotoworld, Rotowire)

Here’s a rundown of Roadrunner rumors during this week’s General Manager Meetings in Dana Point, CA.:

• Brandon Lyon is open to pitching in Colorado.

• According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks haven’t talked contract with Brandon Webb’s agent, Jonathan Maurer, since the team pulled out of a June near-agreement for three years and $54MM. Maurer expects to hear from the D’Backs this winter, but the price has gone up. Webb isn’t looking to set any records, but he’s well under-compensated on his current deal (which runs through 2010). ESPN’s Buster Olney heard a four-year, $80MM extension would probably suffice, but it’s not known whether the D’Backs will do that. Maurer wonders if they’ll look to trade Webb if contract talks break down.

• According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Nationals are preparing to make a significant offer to Mark Teixeira. Olney believes the Angels will make an offer in the $100-120MM range, but that offer will expire soon. If and when Scott Boras passes on that proposal, it might be the Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals, and Orioles competing for Tex.

• GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had an informal five-minute talk with Casey Close, who represents Ryan Howard and Joe Blanton.
• Larry LaRue says the Angels are hinting they can afford both Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia.  The Yankees could afford it, too.
• The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs.  Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
• Ken Rosenthal has an Angels update: If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly.  However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so.  It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th.  There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.

• MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert talked to Brandon Lyon’s agent Barry Meister, who said his client would be open to closing or an eighth inning role.  Lyon would be thrilled to return to the D’Backs, but they don’t figure to match a multiyear offer.  More likely, they offer arbitration but let him leave. Lyon, 29, posted a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings this year.  His command was strong, possibly indicating better times ahead.

• In the Cubs’ scramble to land Jake Peavy via trade and to re-sign Ryan Dempster, Ken Rosenthal reports that several players may have to be traded to reduce payroll, including Jason Marquis.
• The Rangers may look at outside options for third base, and they’ve been in touch with Casey Blake’s agent.

Free agent Casey Blake is looking for a three-year deal this winter. He’s viewed as the top third baseman available, though he’s not as good as a healthy Joe Crede. We keep hearing that he came up big for the Dodgers, but he had a .313 OBP and a mere 23 RBI in 58 games for the club. Also, he is 35, and while he’s kept himself in very good shape, he’s a below average defensive third baseman. He may have to settle for something like $14 million for two years. The Indians and Dodgers are interested in having him back. (Rotoworld)

However, general manager Mark Shapiro said Monday that the Indians “have definite interest” in free agent Casey Blake. Cleveland traded Blake to Los Angeles in late July, and Shapiro explained that “we know what he does as a teammate and athlete” despite his not being “at the top of our list.” Blake’s agent said Monday that the Dodgers are also interested in re-signing Blake. (Rotoworld)

Casey Blake, an impending free agent, batted .271/.345/.463 overall between the Indians and Dodgers, including 21 home runs and 81 RBI. Blake wasn’t quite as good as a Dodger (.251/.313/.460), but there’s a chance the club will look to bring him back if the 35-year-old will accept a one-year deal. It’s a thin free agent crop of third basemen, so some team could offer two or even three years this winter. (Rotowire)

Third baseman Casey Blake went 3-for-5 with a home run and a triple in the Dodgers 6-2 win over the Pirates. A night after sitting out with lower back stiffness, Blake helped the Dodgers strike first with a solo home run in the second inning and followed it up with a triple in the third. In the sixth, Blake drove in Russell Martin with a single. Tuesday was his first multi-hit game since Sept. 3. Manny Ramirez added three hits as well as the Dodgers rolled past the Pirates. (Rotoworld)

Casey Blake (back) sat out Monday’s game with a sore back, but manager Joe Torre hopes to have him back in the lineup on Tuesday, the LA Daily News reports. Blake was replaced again by Nomar Garciaparra. Blake is hitting .259/.316/.475 in 170 at-bats with the Dodgers. (Rotowire)

Casey Blake is considered day-to-day after leaving Sunday in the sixth inning with lower back tightness. Nomar Garciaparra will likely start at third base if Blake needs Monday off. He went 1-for-2 but is batting only .154 (4-for-26) over his last eight games. When players have left with back tightness this season, they’ve usually missed more time than their teams have anticipated. Consider Blake, normally a borderline start in mixed leagues, a highly risky play in Fantasy Week 25 (Sept. 15-21). (Rotoworld, CBS Sports)

The Dodgers defeated the Rockies on Saturday and 3B Casey Blake blasted his 20th home run on the year. Blake finished 1-for-4 and is batting .278 on the season. Outside of his daytime struggles, Blake has been a solid slugger with the Dodgers. Consider him a sleeper down the stretch — especially since the contending Dodgers will slot him as an everyday player. (CBS Sports)