Prospect Insider - Wrapping Up The Weekend

Wrapping Up The Weekend

By Chris Crawford

By 06-27-2010

It's been a pretty hectic 72 hours at Prospect Insider -- so lets recap what all happened this weekend.

On Friday, Jason wrote out an awesome piece detailing every prospect the M's could be looking at the Cliff Lee contenders and their possible assets.

On Saturday, Jason and I did our podcast where we discussed Lee, Michael Pineda, and Dustin Ackley and that replay can be heard right here or download it at Itunes!

And then either early Sunday or late Saturday -- depending on your neck of the woods -- the M's made a trade for Russell Branyan. Our take on what that deal means and the players Seattle gave up to acquire the left-handed hitter can be found by clicking that pretty little link.

Lost in the shuffle of the weekend though, was the start of Erik Bedard. Bedard went four innings giving up no runs on three hits with eight strikeouts, but most importantly -- no walks.

According to our friend Jason Grey at ESPN.com, Bedard sat 90-92 with the fastball, touching 93, and in the upper-70s with the curveball. Grey said the curveball break was inconsistent, but that he looked pretty darned good otherwise.

Everything looks on track for Bedard to make his debut sometime in July -- we're just not sure if it'll be before the all-star game or not. July 6 appears to be the earliest he might start for the M's, which means he has one more start in the minors, perhaps with Tacoma on July 1.

Fun weekend!

wrapping-up-the-weekend

Comments
The following 34 comment(s) for this article are shown below:

1. By: littlelinny6 on 06-27-2010 21:54:19
Guys, first of all, great podcast. I know you said you will discuss Truinfel in detail next week, is it possible to ask a scout or two about Nate Tenbrink? He is back healthy and seems like he hasn't missed a beat with the stick. Can he play 3B or LF at an average defense level? Thanks again.

2. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-28-2010 00:15:49
Tenbrink has not played enough OF as a pro to say whether he can handle it regularly - 34 games played in the OF since signing, but his bat doesn't profile to play every day anyway.

But he might be a useful fill-in at 3B or in LF for someone. Could be a platoon guy, too.

3. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-28-2010 01:20:03

Great work, you guys, over the last 72 hours.

Jason, do you have any plans for a future article detailing the current West Tenn prospects, and which of them could see promoted to Tacoma next season?

Or an article on possible additions to the 40-man (and subtractions) for next season? We all know Pineda will be added if not included in a trade package, but who else stands to be added and who could be exposed to the Rule 5 draft next December?

I'm seeing a lot of "hey, not bad" numbers from West Tennessee position players- wondering if, IYO, Triunfel, Liddi, Tenbrink and LH-starter Robles stand to go up to Tacoma.

(My best guesses on those four are in order: very possible, doubtful, with a good second half, yeah...and yes, I think so on Robles.)

4. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-28-2010 02:57:06
We'll tackle the rule 5 when it matters, ok? Because right now, it doesn't and so many things will change -- including the 40-man itself -- between now and December.

As far as this season, I mentioned on the Podcast about one or two of those, and as far as hitting Tacoma next season... ? I would think they all go. Tenbrink is too old to leave back if they think he has any sort of value. Triunfel won't head back to West Tenn again barring injury and I think Liddi is doing enough to warrant being sent to AAA in 2011. But he's the toughest decision of the bats and Robles could repeat AA.

5. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-28-2010 03:40:14
We'll tackle the rule 5 when it matters, ok? Because right now, it doesn't and so many things will change -- including the 40-man itself -- between now and December.

Sure, makes sense. No problemo. Just an inquiry. Thanks for the input!

6. By: 01v-dubs on 06-28-2010 07:46:17
Awesome job guys, I really enjoyed the content these past few weeks, Jason, Chris or anyone for that matter have you heard about who the M's are in on in the international FA market this year? I know BA covers it well, but I don't want to waste my money on a subscription there for that purpose alone.

7. By: baseballman on 06-28-2010 11:00:00
Speaking of Triunfel, hes listed as a SS still, is he still playing there? And if so, when are they gonna move him off? If his future is at 3B, when will they start to play him there?

If Liddi is blocking him (I know this isnt the case) and you say Liddi isnt a 3B, then when are they gonna move Liddi? Isnt the time now or coming that these guys should get comfortable playing new positions?

BTW, awesome podcast guys and great work this week, as usual.

8. By: baseballman on 06-28-2010 11:08:30
Sorry for the double post, but JAC did you see what Sherman said today in the Post? He said the Mets would not need a window to negotiate a long term deal with Lee and would still Mejia without that window.

9. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-28-2010 11:24:01
He's wrong, but Mejia is hurt right now anyway. Might just be typical stiffness, but until that is hashed out with mucho confidence, he's not part of any deal for Lee.

And yes, Triunfel is still playing SS. He's played 2B and 3B already in the past, including in the Fall League two years in a row.

Typically clubs wait until they are 100% sure that player cannot play that position before moving him off. If Triunfel and Liddi were 23 or 24, it would have happened already. But they are both young for the league and level.

I don't expect to see Triunfel playing SS everyday once Ackley is sent to Tacoma, however, and maybe not much again after that as long as he's in the org.

Liddi probably starts splitting time between 3B and 1B this summer, I'd like to see him try both corner outfield spots, too.

10. By: dewey on 06-28-2010 14:52:15
Jack says we arent deviating from our plans we want these guys to learn how to win! If this is the case im on board but when he trades Lee in the next 3 weeks what is he gonna say then ? Lee is one of our 2 best pitchers and who better to teach guys how to win them him? I smell Bavasi coming here somewhere!

11. By: Jason A. Churchill on 06-28-2010 15:17:03
He's saying, "Bedard is back soon and while Bedard is not Lee, he's also not Ryan Rowland-Smith."

12. By: littlelinny6 on 06-28-2010 15:20:03
Jason,
Is there any scenario you see both the M's and Bedard exercising his $8 million option for 2011? That would solve our #2 starter hole left by Lee (assuming Bedard is healthy--a big assumption), but is that realistic? If he comes back throwing aces I'd think he would decline the option and try to get more money on the market, and if he sucks the M's won't exercise the options.

13. By: bcsimons on 06-28-2010 15:52:04
I just saw on lookout landing that Rafael DePaula now has a new identity which makes him a year older. What do you think of this?

14. By: FelixElRey on 06-28-2010 17:30:59
So, this "mystery team" over at MLB traderumors...Jason, do you agree with Price that the Cardinals are it? While we obviously need offense, I'd hate to pass up on a potential ace in the process, and I would think Jack would agree. I just hope the recent draft pick signing thing isn't too much of a hurdle.

15. By: southpaw360 on 06-28-2010 17:31:02
Would this trade make sense for both teams involved? Seattle trades Cliff Lee, Russell Branyan and David Aardsma or Brandon League and cash. The Los Angeles Dodgers trade James Loney, Devaris Gordon, Scott Elbert, Ethan Martin and Kenley Jansen. Maybe I'm in a fantasy world here but that trade makes alot of sense to me.

16. By: Blowgun7 on 06-28-2010 17:53:12
Not gonna happen southpaw.

I'd trade Lee and Aardsma for Gordon and Martin though. Not sure if LA would do it.

Mejia by the way has issues with his rotator cuff. I wouldn't go anywhere near him at this point.

17. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-28-2010 18:56:39

Rocketdawg31's .02 on various subjects:

I agree with Blowgun- that trade never happens. And I don't think the Dodgers go for even the Lee/Aardsma for Gordon/Martin one.

They love Dee Gordon. He's right up there with Clayton Kershaw and Loney as Dodger property that just isn't going to change addresses unless it's a seeming whopper deal that favors them.

As far as DePaula goes...well, it may affect his money, but the age discrepancy itself isn't exactly "Rollie Sheldon" territory...I don't think it hinders his signing, in the end.

However, now that a case is being made of it, we probably have to wait 'til the investigation's over to find out if he'll be Mariner property or not.

And I don't think the Cardinals offer up that prospect for a rental- in August, or ever. But if they do, yeah, he's an absolutely worthy centerpiece to a deal.

18. By: DMac33 on 06-28-2010 19:39:02
One thing to keep in mind about St. Louis and their current situation ... they have some significant money issues this off-season and they could be a club that looks at this season as being their "last chance" with this current core before there's at least some form of a minor blowup.

19. By: DMac33 on 06-28-2010 19:39:02
One thing to keep in mind about St. Louis and their current situation ... they have some significant money issues this off-season and they could be a club that looks at this season as being their "last chance" with this current core before there's at least some form of a minor blowup.

20. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-28-2010 19:48:21

Texas Ranger-caliber money issues, or "attendance is down all throughout MLB" issues?

21. By: southpaw360 on 06-28-2010 20:24:44
The Dodgers may love Gordon but he was included in their proposed Cliff Lee deal last summer. You have to give to get. That being said my trade thought wasn't very well thought out I guess.

22. By: bobbysee1 on 06-28-2010 20:36:41
Jason,

Is Chavez any better than Balentine at this point in their respective careers?

23. By: Blowgun7 on 06-28-2010 21:58:09
Michael Pineda is good.

24. By: mykillmagnum on 06-28-2010 22:09:20
Hey jason,

Heard you on kjr today, you were saying that the mystery team could be the braves or cincy ( I think that's what you were saying ) what kind of package could we expect from either team? I know with cincy alonso and fransico probably would be two players, but who else? Homer bailey? What about the braves? I don't know what you think about yunel escobar? Could he be part of there package? Is he even worth going after?

25. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-28-2010 22:24:43

Heh, heh. I just had a cuh-RAZY thought regarding the Braves being "the mystery team".

The Braves have long been known to favor players with regional ties, and recently re-acquired first baseman Russell Branyan is from Georgia.

Cliff Lee is also a Southerner, albeit from Arkansas.

And we all know who mans first base for Atlanta currently.

Of course, "pipe dream trades" such as this can be argued to not even be worth posting...but, man, wouldn't it be great to see Jason Heyward in Mariner togs?

26. By: The Great Pumpkin on 06-28-2010 22:34:40
I think the Braves are happy sticking with Glaus at 1B, and keeping Heyward around for awhile. And I would say that post was definetely not worth posting.

27. By: rocketdawg31 on 06-28-2010 22:38:05

Fair enough, Great Pumpkin. I definitely had some reservations on posting it, but chose to for the gosh-darn heck of it.

Sloooow day in the world of sports...certainly hope that Zduriencik's not looking at his cellphone and going "why aren't you ringing?!"

28. By: dawgncarolina on 06-28-2010 23:28:21
Arkansas is a lonnnnnnnng way from Atlanta

29. By: safecochatter on 06-29-2010 02:01:06
mystery team could be the Braves.this is Bobby Cox last year ...right? they just might want to give Bobby one more good shot at a championship. kind of a thank you for his years of service. and if it was the braves,the mets would be put in position to over pay. i like that..

30. By: dewey on 06-29-2010 06:42:37
Do we really expect anything out of Bedard? When he was healthy he was a 5 inning 100 pitch guy who was a little over 500 here.The back to back years of shoulder surgerys are a major thing you dont see many guys come back normal from that and to boot he isnt the toughest guy ive ever seen wear a Mariner uniform.Just a thought?

31. By: Edman on 06-29-2010 11:33:24
Nobody know what to expect, dewey. But, if he's pitching well, wouldn't you want 5 innings of competative baseball from him, rather than Ryan searving up BP fastballs?

BTW, I did some research on the "5 inning" tag that got put on Bedard. In his last two years in Baltimore, when he put up close to 200 IP, if memory serves Me correctly, he averaged more than 6 innings a game. Injuries affected him in Seattle. And no, he's not a Cliff Lee in regard to endurance. But, who is? There aren't a lot of them around baseball. And, I don't think anyone expects him to be.

Isn't a tough guy? You go through that kind of surgery, deal with the pain involved, then go call him a pussy.

32. By: safecochatter on 06-29-2010 12:01:04
Mets Omar Minaya's comment in the ny post... �We�re not about one prospect only,� obviously referring to Jenrry Mejia's shoulder problem. so sounds like the mets might be putting a package together without Mejia. does a package of Martinez,Havens,and Tejada sound fair for both teams? or maybe Matinez,Havens,and Thole?

33. By: Galway on 06-29-2010 12:47:13
As a NYer I really wish they were better, but the Mets prospects really are overrated. I believe you can get more elsewhere.

34. By: dewey on 06-30-2010 15:35:48
Edman who called him a pussy? You did i said he isnt the toughest guy ive seen wear a mariner uniform Go crawl back under that rock there our alot of people who talk here and you rip everyone i and others here really dont need your shit! Last time i checked we our all fans i dont think you have ever mahaged our played Major league baseball as none of us have so backoff . No one knows it all its about opinions not you ripping everyone SO PUT A CORK IN THAT BLOW HOLE OF YOUR PLEASE.

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