Transaction Roundup- August 26th- September 1st, 2007

 Chicago Cubs

(8/28) Activated outfielder Alfonso Soriano from the 15-day disabled list.

Colorado Rockies

(8/26) Recalled catcher Chris Iannetta from Triple-A Colorado Springs.

(8/28) Optioned LHP Franklin Morales to Triple-A Colorado Springs .

Detroit Tigers

(8/27) Placed designated hitter Gary Sheffield on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 22, with a sore right shoulder. Placed RHP Jair Jurrjens on the 15-day disabled list with right shoulder inflammation.

Los Angeles Dodgers

(8/29) Claimed RHP Esteban Loaiza off waivers from the Athletics.

Milwaukee Brewers

(8/29) Activated RHP Ben Sheets from the 15-day disabled list.

New York Yankees

(8/28) Recalled RHP Chris Britton from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Philadelphia Phillies

(8/27) Activated second baseman Chase Utley from the 15-day disabled list; Designated third baseman Russell Branyan for assignment.

San Francisco Giants

(8/26) Acquired second baseman Travis Denker from the Dodgers to complete the mark Sweeney trade.

(8/27) Acquired RHP Stephen McFarland from the Pirates to complete the Matt Morris trade.

- Denker is a C-level prospect, a smallish player (5-9, 170) who has faired decently with the bat at lower levels, but lacks the defensive skills to remain in the middle infield. In his second season at High A, the 22 year-old Denker has hit .294/.370/.451. That’s interesting for a second baseman, but with Denker assumed to end up at third base or a corner outfield spot, he faces an uphill climb to have a substantial career.

Toronto Blue Jays

(8/28) signed LHP Joe Kennedy to a minor league contract.

Transaction Roundup- August 25th, 2007

 Baltimore Orioles

Recalled RHP Radhames Liz from Double-A Bowie.

- In his first major league start, Liz showed both his natural talent and his unrefined approach to pitching. Liz has a fastball that can reach 97 MPH with movement, but he relies too heavily on the pitch and can lose command of it. His curveball is promising and can be a plus pitch at times, but his changeup is poor. Liz’s erratic command and lack of a third quality pitch will likely keep him from being a long-term starter. At 24 and with the potential for two plus offerings, the lanky Dominican profiles very well as a reliever.

Florida Marlins

Signed RHP Byung-Hyun Kim for the remainder of the season.

- Kim, to borrow a tired cliche from another sport, “is what he is.” He lacks stamina, losing effectiveness later in games (career line between pitches 76-100: .311/.396/.502) and he gets pasted by lefties (.270/.378/.444). In other words, Kim is woefully miscast as a starting pitcher. But, given the complete lack of alternatives (Ross Wolf? Daniel Barone? Rick Vanden Hurk should be in AA), bringing Kim back for the minimum isn’t a terrible move.

If teams realized Kim’s limitations and used him accordingly, the 28 year-old could resume being a useful big-league reliever, as opposed to an infamous failure.

Pittsburgh Pirates

Placed RHP Salomon Torres on the 15-day disabled list with right medial elbow inflammation; Recalled RHP Romulo Sanchez from Double-A Altoona.

- Torres has been intermittently moody, injured, and mediocre in 2007, hitting too much of the plate while also filing a grievance against the Pirates and claiming the team overextended his first rehab stint to spite him. Torres’ best pitch over the past couple of seasons has been the splitter, but he hasn’t thrown it as well this season, and has consequently seen his GB% slip from 58% in 2006 to 48% in 2007. Torres was worked very hard from 2004-2006, pitching an average of 93.1 innings during that span. With such a heavy workload, it’s possible that Torres simply doesn’t have any tread left on his arm.

Romulo Sanchez seemed like a curious addition to the Pirates 40-man roster last season, as a raw one-pitch thrower who didn’t miss as many bats as his velocity suggested he should. However, Sanchez has made some progress in 2007, reaching AA and posting a 52/17 K/BB ratio in 57.2 IP. Some of the same caveats still apply with the 6-6 righthander- his slider is a fringe pitch and he occasionally pays for his reliance on the fastball (8 HR allowed)- but a 23 year-old with a mid-90’s fastball is worth giving some innings late in a lost season.

San Diego Padres

Placed second baseman Marcus Giles on the 15-day disabled list with a left knee sprain; Recalled infielder Craig Stansberry from Triple-A Portland.

- Giles sprained his knee on a very late takeout slide from Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz. The injury is just the latest frustration in a season full of them for Brian’s little brother. Just 29, Marcus has seen his production tail off since 2005, and has bottomed out at .229/.300/.322 in 2007. The run suppressing tendencies of Petco Park have done Giles no favors (.224/.295/.307), but he’s been lousy on the road, too (.240/.311/.355). Giles has experienced fairly bad luck on balls put in play, sporting a .276 BABIP despite a very healthy 23% Line Drive Percentage.  It’s reasonable to expect some degree of bounceback in Giles’ performance, something along the lines of what he accomplished in 2006 (.262/.338/.387); his walk and strikeout rates have remained consistent despite the dip in batting average, and his range remains adequate in the field.

San Diego has a $4M club option on Giles for the 2008 season. He’d be worth it, but with Geoff Blum seemingly taking over the job at second, the Padres may opt to let the former Brave go. If he hits the free agent market, Giles could be a nice buy-low canidate.

Transaction Roundup- August 23rd-24th, 2007

 Atlanta Braves

(8/24) Designated RHP Bob Wickman for assignment; Recalled RHP Joey Devine from Triple-A Richmond.

- Wickman was apparently shown the door for his displeasure in being used in a tied game. I’ve never understood why closer usage is so irrational; managers seem afraid to use their best reliever unless they can earn that magic “SV” in the stats column. Why should Wickman be angry about being used in a tied game? A tied game in the late innings qualifies as a crucial situation, token statistic be damned. So Wickman would have been cool with pitching if his team were ahead three runs, but he gets in a huff about pitching a meaningful inning, where the game hinges on his performance? Sorry, I don’t get it.

Frankly, the Braves won’t miss Wickman (3.92 ERA, 0.534 WXRL) all that much. Despite wearing the *Closer* cape, Wickman wasn’t performing as well as Rafael Soriano (3.59 ERA, 2.727 WXRL) or Peter Moylan (2.04 ERA, 2.593 WXRL), and Oscar Villarreal had essentially been as valuable (0.660 WXRL).

As for Devine, it’s time to get an extended look at the 2005 first-round pick. He tore through AA (51/13 K/BB in 35 IP) and continued to perform well at AAA Richmond (23/6 K/BB in 17.2 IP). There seems to be some degree of frustration with Devine because he didn’t come right up and stick, a la Chad Cordero, but the righthander is just about to turn 24 and still possesses low 90’s heat and a plus slider. He should replace Wickman’s performance at the very least, with the potential for more.
 

Boston Red Sox

(8/23) signed infielder Royce Clayton to a minor league contract.

- Whether signed for “veteran depth” or to boost Julio Lugo’s confidence (Clayton is one of the few shortstops incapable of topping Lugo’s 2007 line of .240/.297/.348), Clayton should not play any significant role down the stretch.

Chicago Cubs

(8/23) Acquired outfielder Craig Monroe and cash from the Tigers for a player to be named.

- Monroe is definitely miscast in an everyday role- his career .303 OBP is a testament to that fact- but as a lefty-mashing (.302/.317/.542 in 2007; .277/.321/.501 career) aid to Jacque Jones (.231/.280/.353 career) and the the gimpy Cliff Floyd, Monroe is a reasonable addition. Of course, one could make the argument that Matt Murton (career .310/.384/.469 against southpaws in the majors; .325/.460/.600 at AAA Iowa this year) is competent in that role, but Murton has been struggling this season, and with rosters expanding soon, there’s no harm done.

Detroit Tigers

(8/23) Activated LHP Andrew Miller from the 15-day disabled list and optioned RHP Zach Miner to Triple-A Toledo.

(8/23) Traded OF Craig Monroe to the Cubs for a player to be named later

- In the midst of a division deathmatch with the Indians, one could question the decision to discard Monroe, a limited bit still useful lefty-thumper. The team has called up its best young gun in Maybin with the intention of giving him important at bats, and preferred Marcus Thames to hit lefthanders and help out as an extra outfielder. However, I’m not convinced that it had to be an either/or decision. Rosters expand in the not-too-distant future, meaning the team could have added Maybin to the mix anyway, though I suppose there is something to be said for giving the 20 year-old  2 more weeks to become acclimated to the big leagues.

I suppose my biggest qualm in this whole process is that Sean Casey comes through unscathed. Casey has done nothing in particular to earn hit keep, hitting an incredibly weak .282/.342/.373, yet he continues to receive regular playing time. Why not keep Monroe around as an extra outfielder and work in Thames more at first base? Sure, Thames isn’t lighting the world on fire either, but he’s slugging in excess of .500 and would add punch to Casey’s slap-hitting ways.

On a happier note, Miller is back and reportedly over his hamstring issues. He was shaky in his first start back, but his presence is welcome, given the beatings that the rotation has taken in recent weeks. Miller remains raw but immensely talented. Equipped with a mid-90’s fastball, a sharp slider and groundball tendencies, Miller has a bright future. His control (5.26 BB/9) certainly needs work, though.

Los Angeles Dodgers

(8/24) Signed LHP David Wells for the remainder of 2007; Designated RHP Brett Tomko for assignment.

- Whether Boomer has anything left is an open question. Despite the benefit of pitching home games at Petco, Wells posted a 5.54 ERA and gave up an alarming 156 H in 118.2 IP. Wells posted a 3.91 ERA in spacious Petco and a ghastly 7.99 ERA on the road. If you want to take an optimistic outlook, Wells was tolerable through June (4.48 ERA), but that’s really torturing the numbers. The expiration date on Jumbo’s well-placed junk appears to have passed.

Philadelphia Phillies

(8/24) Optioned LHP Fabio Castro to Triple-A Ottawa and recalled RHP Brian Sanches from Ottawa.

- Castro was wild in his spot start (5 IP 2H 1 ER 4K 6BB), but he did show low-90’s heat and a pretty nasty curveball. One would have to believe that, with Hamels out and the Phillies bullpen not exactly inspiring great confidence, Castro is deserving of a spot on this pitching staff. Here’s hoping that Castro is back in the big league bullpen at some point.

Seattle Mariners

(8/23) Purchased the contract of RHP Rick White from Triple-A Tacoma; optioned LHP John Parrish to Triple-A Tacoma.

- How Rick White keeps ending up in the big leagues is one of life’s great mysteries. After setting fire to everything he touched in Houston (7.67 ERA), White latched on with the Mariners, and here he is. He’ll generate some grounders, but White fools no one and has mediocre control. White is like a pudgy, bearded zombie from a third-rate horror movie- every time you think he’s dead, he returns to terrorize some poor, misguided team.

Transaction Roundup- August 22nd, 2007

Baltimore Orioles

Signed RHP Fernando Cabrera to a minor league contract and assigned him to Triple-A Norfolk.

- The Orioles have long been considered an incompetent organization, but one has to give the team credit for its free-talent acquisitions over the past year. Between Jeremy Guthrie and now Cabrera, the Orioles have acquired two high-ceiling arms from Cleveland for a mere pittance.

Cleveland had clearly grown frustrated with Cabrera’s control issues and inconsistency, but DFA’ing the righthander looks like an overreaction.

In Cabrera, the Orioles have acquired a 25 year-old power arm with 145 strikeouts in 130.1 career innings in the major leagues. With a mid-90’s fastball and a nasty splitter, Cabrera (under control through 2011) is certainly talented enough to become an asset in the Baltimore ‘pen.

Houston Astros

Optioned outfielder Jason Lane to Triple-A Round Rock.

- And with that, Lane might have just seen his last chance pass him by. Lane was essentially an everyday player when Hunter Pence was out, but did himself no favors, drawing some walks but showing a lack of contact ability. Now 30, Lane has likely fallen into the dreaded 4A category: too good for AAA, but not good enough to contribute in the majors.

I still think that Lane could contribute as an extra outfielder. He has had some god awful luck on balls in play the past two seasons (.217 BABIP in 2006; .167 in 2007.) Those numbers are incomprehensibly low, and with even below average luck on balls in play, Lane’s lines the past two seasons wouldn’t be all that different from his performance in 2005 (.267/.316/.499).
 

Los Angeles Angels

Recalled third baseman Brandon Wood from Triple-A Salt Lake.

- The DH spot for the Angels has put up a cumulative line of .252/.297/.376. Though Brandon Wood has not had an especially inspiring season at AAA Salt Lake (.264/.335/.474), one would have to believe that Wood could best that futile DH production.

The Angels are a very good team, but they are in the American League, meaning one bad stretch could doom the team. With Bill Stoneman sitting on his hands at the deadline once again, the Angels will have to look for internal improvements, and there appears to be one right under its collective nose. I don’t buy Brandon Wood, “Top 10 Prospect” (.260/.330/.520 third baseman aren’t that special), but I do believe that his power and decent patience could aid the Halos in their quest to hold off those pythagorean-defying Seattle Mariners.

Philadelphia Phillies

Placed LHP Cole Hamels on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 17, with a strained left elbow; Activated outfielder Shane Victorino from the 15-day disabled list.

- An MRI reportedly showed no ligament damage, but the Phillies organization has to be holding its collective breath on this one. Here’s the scoop from Will Carroll, of Baseball Prospectus:

“The Phillies are in the playoff chase, but without Cole Hamels, their task gets a lot tougher. He’ll have an MRI to see how damaged his elbow is, but many of the reports are using some semantic games to minimize the injury, making many wonder if it’s worse than what is currently being reported. Naturally, many of the whispers have turned to the possibility of Tommy John surgery. It doesn’t appear that Hamels is at that stage, though there’s already been some discussion internally on whether he’ll need scoping to get a look at that ligament.”

The Phillies faced an uphill climb to grab a wild-card spot with Hamels, but now the nominal staff ace is Jamie Moyer, and the back of Philly’s rotation ranges from mediocre (Kyle Kendrick) to flammable (J.D. Durbin). And while the bullpen has been functional recently, does anyone really expect the likes of Jose Mesa and Antonio Alfonseca to continue pitching well? If Philadelphia loses Hamels for the duration of the season, you can stick a fork in its playoff chances.

Transaction Roundup- August 21st, 2007

Arizona Diamondbacks

Acquired RHP Emiliano Fruto from the Nationals for first baseman Chris Carter.

- With Conor Jackson, Chad Tracy, and Mark Reynolds all possible options at first base, Carter didn’t figure to have an especially bright future with the Baby Backs.

In exchange for an organizational afterthought, the Diamondbacks received a semi-interesting power arm in Fruto. Stretched out as a starter in his time with the Nationals, Fruto struggled mightily with his command, walking 59 hitters in 87.1 IP with AAA Columbus. The hope is that Fruto, 23, will have an easier time focusing and repeating his delivery in a relief role. Fruto’s scouting report reads quite favorably: a low to mid-90’s fastball, a plus changeup, as well as a curve and a slider. Working in shorter spurts, Fruto should focus on two of those pitches. Fruto’s maturity and work ethic have been questioned, but there’s no denying that he has the talent to turn into an asset in someone’s bullpen.

Atlanta Braves

Placed LHP Chuck James on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to Aug. 17, with tightness in the back of his pitching shoulder; Recalled LHP Jo-Jo Reyes from Triple-A Richmond.

- This likely helps explain why James had  transformed from a competent mid-rotation starter to an unmitigated disaster in August (14.2 IP, 14 ER, 7 HR allowed).

Long-term, Reyes also projects as a mid-to-back of the rotation starter, a pitcher who can miss some bats and generate ground balls but lacks control at times. Reyes has a deceptive motion, throwing in the low 90’s with a good change and a curveball. With stamina issues and ordinary control, Reyes may project better in the long run as a reliever. For what it’s worth, he looked rather overwhelmed in an earlier stint with the Braves, with a 7/15 K/BB ratio and an 8.72 ERA in 21.2 IP.
 

Boston Red Sox

Acquired first baseman Chris Carter from the Nationals to complete the Wily Mo Pena trade.

- At first glance, Chris Carter (.324/.383/.521 at AAA Tucson) looks like an outstanding prospect. That is, until you consider his position (first base), his age (nearly 25), and that Carter has been the beneficiary of some favorable offensive environments. Carter has a solid understanding of the strike zone and some pop, but his bat will have to carry him. With below-average athleticism and a torn labrum in his past, Carter will be relegated to first base or DH, where the offensive standards are quite high. Carter’s best hope at a substantial career is as a righty-thumping half of a first base or DH platoon. He’s not a bad return considering Pena cleared waivers earlier this month, suggesting a general lack of interest.

Houston Astros

Activated outfielder Hunter Pence from the 15-day disabled list. Placed RHP Jason Jennings on the 15-day disabled list with a torn flexor tendon in his right elbow.

- It’s certainly positive news that Houston’s rookie wonderkin is back, but I can’t help but question what the rush is to get Pence back out there. Wrist injuries tend to linger, sapping a player of bat control and power. Houston’s medical staff would know far better than I if Pence has a clean bill of health and risks no further injury, but one would forgive the Astros if they coddled one of the few assets currently in the organization. With a barren farm system, Pence represents the last home-grown jewel that will be mined for quite some time. 

I wouldn’t at all be surprised if Pence struggles in the last 6 weeks of the season, between the wrist and a necessary change of approach at the plate (just a 3.4% walk rate prior to the injury; he’s going to have to learn to be more patient.)

That Jennings is injured should come as no surprise. He was clearly not the same solid mid-rotation starter seen in Colorado, getting cuffed around on a regular basis. To boot, when recently asked by a reporter if he was healthy, Jennings replied, “I don’t know.” In a world where every pitcher “feels great” and is “ready to go”, the comments have to be seen as troubling.

I’m not an especially big fan of Jason Hirsh or Willy Taveras, but one would have to believe that Tim Purpura has a case of buyer’s remorse. Hirsh and Jennings aren’t all that dissimilar in terms of talent, and when service time and cost are taken into consideration, the Jennings acquisition is one that the Astros would like to forget.
 

Washington Nationals

Sent RHP Emiliano Fruto to the Diamondbacks to complete the Wily Mo Pena Trade.

- So, in a series of long-winded moves…

- Traded Jose Vidro to the Mariners for Emiliano Fruto and Chris Snelling

- Traded Chris Snelling to the Athletics for Ryan Langerhans

- Designated Ryan Langerhans for assignment

- Traded Emiliano Fruto to the Diamondbacks in a 3-team deal for Wily Mo Pena

…The Nationals essentially traded Vidro in exchange for Pena. It’s hard not to like that transaction for a rebuilding team. The Nationals have done the right thing so far, penciling Pena into the lineup. In his first 3 games with the Nats, Pena has hit 2 bombs and drawn 3 walks. It’s early, but Pena’s hot start has to be making a good impression on manager Manny Acta.

Transaction Roundup- August 20th, 2007

 Chicago Cubs

Optioned infielder Ronny Cedeno to Triple-A Iowa.

- Cedeno has reached a career crossroads of sorts, having torn the cover off the ball at AAA Iowa in his two stints there (.355/.403/.518 in 2005; .354/.409/.539 in 2007) while looking completely lost at the major league level (.245/.258/.339 in extended playing time in 2006; .118/.143/.255 in 2007.) 24 is awfully young for someone to be labeled a 4A player, but Cedeno’s ordinary minor league numbers prior to the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League (career .274/.327/.393 hitter in the minors) and his failures at the major league level suggest that his Iowa lines are a batting average-driven fluke.

Cincinnati Reds

 Traded first baseman Jeff Conine to the Mets for shortstop Jose Castro and outfielder Sean Henry. Recalled infielder Jorge Cantu from Triple-A Louisville.

- Kudos to the Reds for getting something for Conine. The Reds are out of the race, and it wasn’t as if Conine had been particularly effective (.265/.320/.409 in a bandbox). Getting two young semi-prospects for a month and a half of an okay pinch hitter/platoon player has to be considered a prudent move.

Henry, 22, is an athletic sort with decent power for his frame (5-10, 160). However, Henry whiffs fairly often and does not project to hit with as much thump as he moves up the minor league ladder. Henry was hitting .293/.353/.456 for High-A St. Lucie.

Castro, 20, known as a slick fiedler, was hitting .318/.363/.383 for St. Lucie. Castro has a chance to make it as a defense-minded utility player, but at 5-8 and with no semblance of power, it won’t be an easy ascent.

At one point, Cantu was considered a budding young star, a power-hitting second baseman who hit 28 homers as a 23 year-old.

However, there were two problems with that logic: Cantu never was much of a second baseman, and he never did refine his hacktastic ways. Now 25, Cantu will likely be relegated to facing lefties as Scott Hatteberg’s platoon partner at first base. Lacking the range to play up the middle, Cantu will have to make a living playing the corners, where his bat is nothing special. He doesn’t figure to have a long-term spot with the Reds, unless Edwin Encarnacion draws the ire of Cincinnati brass once again.

Detroit Tigers

Activated RHP Joel Zumaya from the 15-day disabled list; Optioned RHP Aquilino Lopez to Triple-A Toledo.

- Zumaya gives a major boost to a pitching staff that sorely needs one. With Kenny Rogers and Andrew Miller ailing, more pressure has been put on a decidedly mediocre relief corps (4.636 team WXRL, 24th in the majors). Zumaya was supposedly clocked in the mid-90’s during his rehab stint. That’s down from his normal flirtation with triple digits, but the Tigers feel he’s sound enough to contribute in an exceedingly close playoiff race.

If Zumaya has a clean bill of health, he needs to be pitching the most important innings for the Tigers. “Veteran moxie” and rugged facial hair be damned, Todd Jones (4.65 ERA, 4.65 K/9) should not be counted upon to get the most crucial outs in a pennant race.

New York Mets

Acquired first baseman Jeff Conine from the Cincinnati Reds for shortstop Jose Castro and Outfielder Sean Henry

- It’s difficult to get worked up about this move, one way or the other. The Mets didn’t give up anything they’re like to miss dearly, but at the same time, Conine doesn’t figure to help a whole lot. He’s batting a feeble .236/.291/.323 away from Great American Ballpark.

Ruben Gotay had been doing a very nice job as a pinch hitter, but his services will be needed in the everyday lineup with Jose Valentin and Damion Easley both on the shelf. That’s where Conine comes in; he figures to be a pinch hitter and perhaps an occasional starter at first base, to spell Carlos Delgado against lefties, whom Delgado is hitting just .257/.307/.372 against in 2007.

Oakland Athletics

Placed outfielder Travis Buck on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to August 18, with a strained left hamstring; Recalled infielder J.J. Furmaniak from Triple-A Sacramento.

- At some point, one has to wonder just what is at the root of Oakland’s astounding injury problems. Is it the training staff’s fault? Are the players injury prone? Is Oakland’s home playing surface conducive to physical problems? Or is it simply bad luck? I don’t know the answer to this question, but with so many key players breaking down physically at some point (Eric Chavez, Bobby Crosby, Mark Kotsay, Nick Swisher, Rich Harden, Buck), I have to believe that this is a very pertinent question.

Buck has had a very solid rookie season, hitting .288/.372/.474. Buck will likely never be a star, as he lacks great power, but he is an important part of the future for a rather punchless lineup that has very little on the prospect horizon, outside of fellow line-drive hitter Daric Barton.

Transaction Roundup- August 17-19th

 Boston Red Sox

Purchased the contract of RHP Clay Buchholz from Triple-A Pawtucket and traded OF Wily Mo Pena and cash to the Nationals for a player to be named later; Recalled OF Jacoby Ellsbury and purchased the contract of C Kevin Cash from Triple-A Pawtucket; Placed C Doug Mirabelli on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right calf; Optioned RHP Clay Buchholz to Triple-A Pawtucket. Purchased the contract of OF Bobby Kielty from Triple-A Pawtucket; Optioned OF Jacoby Ellsbury to Pawtucket.

- The big news here is Bucholz’s solid start with the big club (6 IP, 3 ER, 5K). Given that the top prospect didn’t embarrass himself against the Halos, it seems likely that we will see more of Bucholz later in the season, perhaps in a Joba-like relief role.

Mirabelli was injured near the beginning of the first game of Friday’s doubleheader, meaning Jason Varitek was essentially forced to catch both ends of the twin bill. That Cash was selected over fellow Pawsock George Kottaras gives an indication that the former Padre prospect has fallen into the organizational solider category. Never regarded fondly as a defensive catcher, Kottaras’ bat has also gone stale in AAA (.233/.312/.378).

Pena’s dismissal seemed inevitable. He had fallen out of favor in Boston, and was definitely miscast as an extra outfielder/occasional pinch-hitter. Pena’s spotty playing time did no favors for a player that struggles to make contact in the first place. It’s best for both parties that Pena gets a fresh start in Washington.

Chicago Cubs

Carlos Zambrano and the Cubs have agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $91.5 million, with a player option for a sixth season at $19.25 million

- As with any other human being that throws a baseball for a living, Carlos Zambrano is no sure bet to remain healthy and effective over the next six seasons. As late as June, many fans and analysts were fretting over Zambrano’s lowered arm slot and decreased velocity; Zambrano just didn’t seem to be striding into his pitches like usual. Save for his last two outings, Big Z has been very effective since his early season struggles, showing better oomph on his fastball and a sharper slider.

Still, something about Zambrano just scares the hell out of me. Despite his youth (26), Zambrano has a lot of mileage on his arm, having thrown 200+ innings every year since 2002. Perhaps Zambrano is the sort of durable, innings-eating horse that can stand up to these types of workloads. But the track record of pitchers with such substantial workloads at a young age is not especially promising.

Zambrano’s walk rate has never been very impressive (generally over 4 per 9), and his strikeout rate has dipped in 2007 (8.83 K/9 in 2006; 7.45 in 2007). To boot, Zambrano has gradually generated less groundballs (52 GB% in 2005, 49% in 2006, 45.2% in 2007.) Consequently, Zambrano’s home run rate has trended up (0.8 HR/9 in 2005, 0.7 in 2006, 1.07 in 2007.)  Are we already starting to see a decline in performance?

Granted, the Cubs have deep pockets, and the free agent market for starting pitching looks very bleak. But, given the workload that Zambrano has endured at a young age, the not-so-subtle indicators of a physical problem (altered pitching mechanics), and the negative statistical indicators, I would not want to be the GM that signs Zambrano long-term.

Chicago White Sox

White Sox signed outfielder Jermaine Dye to a two-year, $22 million extension with a mutual option for 2010.

- A sour deal from Dye’s perspective, as he likely would have been looking at twice as much money if an extension had been hammered out during the offseason.

Dye figured to see some regression from his .315/.385/.622 campaign in 2006, but his ‘07 season (.242/.306/.485) still has to be considered a disappointment.

It’s somewhat curious to commit to a 33 year old that may well be in decline, but the money is not outrageous by today’s market standards, and it is likely just a 2-year pact. Dye’s very low .256 BABIP and solid 17.5 Line Drive% suggest that Dye should see some bounceback in his performance.

Given the team’s impotent offense and a lack of quality options on the free agent market, this is a reasonable deal for the South Siders.

Detroit Tigers

Purchased the contract of OF Cameron Maybin from Double-A Erie and recalled IF Ramon Santiago from Triple-A Toledo; Designated OF Craig Monroe for assignment; Optioned IF Omar Infante to Toledo.

- Suffice it to say, I didn’t see this one coming. A member of the loaded 2005 outfield draft class, Maybin is immensely talented, but one has to wonder if the 20 year-old is ready for prime time. Between High-A and AA, Maybin showed solid plate discipline and developing power, but he had some contact issues, striking out in about 23% of his at bats. The contact rate suggests that Maybin still has some kinks to work out before he’s a finished product. I’m all for breaking in prospects in a pennant race if they can contribute, but I think Maybin might need a little more seasoning before he can be of significant help to the Tigers.

Monroe is certainly out of place as an everyday outfielder, but it is a little surprising that he was jettisoned. He’s solid against left-handers, and offers some power. His poor plate patience makes him a liability as an everyday player, but there are worse extra outfielders. Given that Jack Wilson and Monroe have cleared waivers, it seems possible that a trade could be on the horizon.

Tampa Bay Devil Rays

Recalled infielder Joel Guzman from Triple-A Durham

- Guzman is example 1A of how a young player can become overrated. Guzman soared up prospect lists on the basis of being a power-hitting shortstop. However, at 6-6, 250, Guzman had no shot at continuing to play in the middle infield and has since shifted way down the defensive spectrum. Guzman’s bat has also sagged, as he never has developed adequate plate discipline. Having hit just .242/.282/.409 with AAA Durham and now playing a premium offensive position, Guzman is just another roster-filler. 

Washington Nationals

Acquired OF Wily Mo Pena and cash from the Red Sox for a player to be named later

- Jim Bowden finally gets his man. The former Reds GM is cornering the market on talented-but-disappointing Cincinnati outfield prospects.

Though Pena has been quite disappointing this season, this is just the sort of move that a non-contender should be making. Pena is still just 25 years old and possesses as much raw power as any player in the game. Even if there’s just an outside shot that Pena develops enough plate discipline to be a, say, .270/.340/.550 type player, it’s well worth taking a flyer on.  Word is that Pena will platoon with Ryan Church in left field, but I hope this isn’t the case. Pena seems like the sort of player that needs regular at-bats to be of any help, and the Nationals are in a situation to give him an everyday job. Going with a Pena/Church/Kearns outfield would be the best use of playing time. Besides, it’s not like you’re doing your team a disservice by cutting Nook Logan’s playing time.

Credit Bowden for acquiring a young, interesting talent on the cheap. With the organization in full rebuilding mode, the Nats should pencil Pena into the everyday lineup and see just what they have.