Mike Jacobs Rumors

Some news and notes from baseball today:

• The Brewers acquired Casey McGehee off of waivers from the Cubs and designated Joe Dillon for assignment.
• Sixteen-year old Ismael Guillon of Venezula signed with the Reds.
• The Royals will continue to pursue Marlins first baseman Mike Jacobs
• How will the Mets handle the free agency of pitchers Pedro Martinez and Oliver Perez?

The Chicago newspapers produced articles here and here looking at various players the Cubs could be interested in acquiring this off season.  The general sentiment seems to be that the Cubs have too many of their own free agents to sign (Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood among others) to be real players in the major free agent market.  Similarly, while the Cubs are considered to be a possibility as a destination for Jake Peavy it seems unlikely considering the Cubs available prospects and financial situation.

However, there is still a litany of players the Cubs could try to acquire either by free agency or trade.  The list of suggested players includes via free agency: Adam Dunn, Rafael Furcal and Brian Fuentes and via trade: Peavy, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Jacobs and Brian Roberts.

Lots going on this past weekend, let's peruse through it.

• Mark Mulder, Mark Prior, Matt Clement and Kevin Correia are all interested in playing for San Diego.
• The Rockies have notified interested clubs that Matt Holliday is available.
• A deal to send Mike Jacobs from Florida to Kansas City fell apart.
• Here is a great piece about new Seattle general manager Jack Zduriencik.
• Kenny Rogers is considering pitching in 2009.
• John Smoltz hopes to pitch by May or June and preferably for the Braves.
• Ned Colletti is disputing earlier reports of a $60M, two year offer made by the Dodgers to Manny Ramirez.

Yesterday, a respected scout offered his take on the many players whom the Marlins could potentially trade this off season in the wake of the 18 arbitration cases that need to be settled.  Today, in his blog, Buster Olney suggested that the Marlins are unlikely to move Dan Uggla but could easily be persuaded to deal Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen or Kevin Gregg.

Mike Berardino of the Florida Sun-Sentinal recently talked with a scout about players on the Marlins roster who are potentially available in trades.  Let's take a look at the review:

• Jeremy Hermida: "No passion for the game"
• Kevin Gregg: "Knee problems you have to worry about...He's not a closer.  Not for me."
• Josh Willingham: "Those back problems are a huge issue."
• Scott Olsen: "I see plenty of upside there."
• Mike Jacobs: "It would help if you could DH him half the time."
• Dan Uggla: "That bat makes up for a lot of other stuff."
• Alfredo Amezaga: "An interesting guy."

Way back on August 26th, Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinal wrote an article about the decisions the Marlins have to make with so many of their young players due for raises in arbitration. We covered it here, linking to Mike's insightful article to give credit.

Yesterday, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post, wrote an obviously similar article (which you can find here) a little more than a week after Berardino's article. Not only was the topic of the article almost identical, much of Capozzi's language is very similar, if not identical.

The similarities go beyond just figures. Take a look for yourself:

1. Berardino writes:

[Kevin] Gregg figures to land in the $4.5 million range, which makes him a likely trade candidate as the Marlins make room for understudy Matt Lindstrom, who won't be eligible for arbitration for at least another year.

Capozzi writes:

Gregg could be in line for about $4 million, despite his recent struggles. But the team might try to trade him, too, and give Matt Lindstrom a shot at the closer's role.

2. Berardino writes:

Lefty Scott Olsen ($2.6 million projected) could wind up making a bit more than [Ricky] Nolasco based on his durability during the two-year period that will be evaluated.

Capozzi writes:

...and Olsen, whose durability could net him $2.5 million.

3. Berardino writes:

Josh Johnson, making a successful return from Tommy John surgery, should experience a more modest pay increase, but he still should reach seven figures for the first time.

Capozzi writes:

Right-hander Josh Johnson could get $1 million through arbitration

4. Berardino writes:

Current Marlins under team control for next season include franchise shortstop Hanley Ramirez ($5.5 million); starters Andrew Miller ($1.575 million), Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad...Sanchez and Volstad should make close to $400,000...Olsen would be a logical trade candidate in that scenario.

Capozzi writes:

Three starting pitchers are under team control next year: left-hander Andrew Miller ($1.57 million) and right-handers Anibal Sanchez and Chris Volstad (each projected to get around $400,000)...That means Olsen could be trade bait.

5. Berardino writes:

Five Marlins can become free agents: reserve outfielder Luis Gonzalez, infielder Wes Helms, backup catcher Paul Lo Duca and lefties Arthur Rhodes and Mark Hendrickson.

Capozzi writes:

Then there are five Marlins who can become free agents: reserve outfielder Luis Gonzalez, backup catcher Paul Lo Duca, infielder Wes Helms, and lefties Arthur Rhodes and Mark Hendrickson.

6. Berardino writes:

[Mike] Jacobs, whose salary could approach $2.5 million off an overall disappointing year, is a trade candidate as the Marlins seek to improve their defense while balancing their books. Corner infielder Jorge Cantu, a second-time arbitration qualifier, is a candidate to replace Jacobs at first, but only if his salary doesn't rise too quickly off this comeback season. If Cantu moves off third, that could open the door for Triple-A third baseman Dallas McPherson, who leads the minors with 40 homers.

Capozzi writes:

The team could move Cantu to first base and give Dallas McPherson a shot at third base, making Jacobs expendable.