6-4-2 — an Angels/Dodgers double play blog: Roster Notes

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Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Roster Notes

And now, back to your regularly scheduled player bullets...

Two bullets dodged for the Dodgers, the first one in not acquiring Jim Bowden for their GM, and the second in not acquiring Alfonso Soriano, whom Bowden acquired for the Nats today. An unbelievably stupid move for the Nats, who give up centerfielder Brad Wilkerson, OF/1B Terrmel Sledge, and pitching prospect Armando Galarraga. This isn't just a bad deal, it's a hideous deal; expect both Wilkerson and Sledge to post much better years in the launching pad in Texas. Bowden apparently doesn't know about park effects; I would advise the Dodgers to start making pitcher trades, but there's nothing in the Nats' farm that's worth trading for.
The Yankees, incredibly, offered arbitration to Al Leiter, Bernie Williams, and Ramiro Mendoza; all were expected to decline. Williams may come back in a reserve role.
The Rockies acquired catcher Yorvit Torrealba from the Mariners, for a PTBNL, DFAing Miguel Ojeda to make room. The Rocks also offered Byun-Hyung Kim arbitration, refusing it to catcher Todd Greene, and pitchers Dan Miceli and Jamey Wright.
Jamey Moyer will be a Mariner for another year, to the tune of $5.5M. "There aren't many guys who pitch in their 40s. But the style I have is a little different than the power pitchers that are out there today", Moyer said.
The Cards moved Ray King (who asked for it in October) to the Rockies, for OF Larry Bigbie and INF Aaron Miles.
The Mets and Rangers are discussing a trade that would send Kris Benson to the Rangers, for Laynce Nix and Juan Dominguez.
The A's offered arbitration to Ricardo Rincon, but declined it for 1B Scott Hatteberg, DH Erubiel Durazo, former closer Octavio Dotel, and catcher Alberto Castillo.
The Rangers refused arbitration to Kenny Rogers, OF Richard Hidalgo, C Sandy Alomar Jr., INF Greg Colbrunn, and relievers Doug Brocail and Steve Karsay.
Mike Piazza's career with the Mets is over, as the New York club declined to offer salary arbitration to him or any of their free agents. The Angels, Twins, and Blue Jays are allegedly interested in the former Dodger.
Update: The Giants declined arbitration on former Angel J.T. Snow, and RHP Brett Tomko. According to the MLB.com story, "It's highly probable Snow will retire. He has long indicated his wish to stay in the Bay Area with his family and finally have summers off to enjoy camping."
The Pirates cut ties with Jose Mesa, former Dodger Daryle Ward, Brian Meadows, and Rick White by not offering them arbitration.
The Braves did not offer arbitration to Julio Franco, probably the last remaining player in the majors outside of Jamie Moyer with a birthday before mine. Arbitration was offered to Brian Jordan, Kyle Farnsworth, Rafael Furcal, and Eddie Perez, with the understanding they would decline.
Rotoworld reports the M's declined arbitration to SS Pokey Reese, RHP Shigetoshi Hasegawa, 1B Dave Hansen, RHP Jeff Nelson and C Dan Wilson.
Again with Rotoworld, the Snakes didn't offer arbitration to LHP Shawn Estes, SS Royce Clayton and LHP Buddy Groom.