In John Perrotto's must-read Sunday column for Baseball Prospectus, Every Given Sunday, he follows-up on some stories that began germinating earlier this week and includes a doozy that will make the Juan Pierre/Nomar Garciaparra over younger & better players debate seem trivial. Here are a few of the nuggets I found interesting.
- Amongst the names the Mets are kicking the tires on to replace/build depth following the Mosies Alou injury and Carlos Delgado hip issue are Marcus Thames and Brandon Inge of Detroit, Orioles' teammates Kevin Millar and Jay Payton and Pirates' 1B/OF Xavier Nady. The Mets have bullpen arms to offer, preferably Scott Schoenweiss or Jorge Sosa. Fantasy Implication: If it is Nady, then Steve Pearce lands on every draftboard as a possible 25 HR hitter.
- Brett Boone is impressing in Nationals' camp to the point of making Ronnie Belliard available in trade. Fantasy Implication: Belliard signed a two-year deal. This would be a bellweather for how much Bowden will ask in a trade for Dmitri Young. Unless Belliard was actually dealt, I won't do anything about Boone.
- Jeff Baker has been so impressive in his move to 2B that the Rockies are likely to trade 2B Marcus Giles at Spring's end. Fantasy Implication: Baker can produce like Ty Wigginton if given the ABs. Value him accordingly.
- Bartolo Colon has surprised enough to make the Red Sox consider starting top pitching prospect Clay Buchholz in AAA. Fantasy Implication: LOL.