Blogging About Baseball

According to the media, the most coveted free agents of 2009′s relatively thin market are outfielders Matt Holliday and Jason Bay and pitcher John Lackey. But versatile infielder/outfielder Mark DeRosa might very well be sought by more teams, many of which could contend in 2010.

This past season was a bit of a let down for DeRosa. A Cub’s fan-favorite, DeRosa was surprisingly traded from Chicago to the Cleveland Indians last winter for three minor league pitchers. When Cleveland finally called it a season, he was then sent to St. Louis for future closer Chris Perez. Shortly after coming to the Cardinals, DeRosa partially tore a tendon in his wrist. He spent a stint on the disabled list but fought the injury throughout the remainder of the season.

The surgery to repair DeRosa’s wrist was done shortly after the Cardinal’s quick exit from the post season. While his limited time in St. Louis was mostly uneventful, DeRosa was a valuable asset to a team during its hunt for the National League Central Division championship. He shored up a troubled position and brought leadership to a clubhouse that relied solely on Albert Pujols and Chris Carpenter.

DeRosa’s flexibility and versatility made him a perfect match for Tony LaRussa. And LaRussa and the Cardinals paid dearly to get him. Even as the veteran manager handed the ball to flame-throwing Jason Motte on Opening Day, many fans speculated that the impressive Perez would be the team’s closer before the season ended.

But that was well before Ryan Franklin dominated the job during his All-Star season.

The trade was welcome in St. Louis. The fans knew that third base was a huge issue for the club with Troy Glaus’ return undeterminable. The rumors and call for action began early. DeRosa was wanted by the fans. The front office, knowing that their fans are among the most knowledgeable in baseball, listened.

DeRosa ended his season with a .250 average and 23 homeruns. For the Indians, he hit .270. With the Cardinals that production dropped to .228. While the tendon injury hampered DeRosa’s bat, it didn’t prevent him from playing the field like the veteran he is. His attitude about the situation, upbeat and even apologetic, showed the team and the fans that there was more to the Cardinals than just one or two players.

Any team that lands DeRosa gets a better than average ball player. He’s incredibly versatile, a natural second baseman that can also start at third and play the outfield. He can hit anywhere in the line-up. He will give his manager 100%, no matter what. He’s also a leader.

DeRosa will join any team with the intention of making the best of the situation. He will greet his teammates. He will talk and chat. Then he will lead them onto the field and in the clubhouse. That makes him more valuable than Holliday’s bat or Lackey’s arm.

Written by LS Murphy. Mrs. Murphy is an avid St. Louis Cardinals fan and is a consistent contributor to Cardinal’s Mix. She can also be followed on Twitter.

Two moves that were expected by many occurred today: the Arizona Diamondbacks finally picked up injured pitcher Brandon Webb’s $8.5 million option for 2010 and the Chicago White Sox declined rightfielder Jermaine Dye’s option, officially making him a free agent.

Webb pitched only four innings in 2009 before arthroscopic surgery sidelined him for the rest of the season. The 2006 Cy Young Award winner is worth considerably more than $8.5 million on the open market so pitching-desperate Arizona smartly retained the ace. Webb hasn’t pitched in over eight months.

There’s more than a leery few curiously following the Webb situation. During the 2008 offseason, an insurance company refused to cover a large contract extension offered to Webb, causing many to wonder if there was an underlying injury.

Despite the inherent risk involved with spending such a large sum on a pitcher who just underwent major surgery, the Diamondbacks needed an ace and Webb was the least costly, most logical choice.

It will be an interesting storyline to follow in 2010.

As has been expected since Chicago signed Alex Rios, the club finally cut ties with Jermaine Dye, the latest move in what has already been a busy offseason for the Ozzie Guillen-led American League Central franchise.

Dye, 35, slugged 27 homeruns and 81 RBI during his 2009 campaign. The White Sox buyout the remaining portion of his contract for $950,000.

Losing Dye presents a big loss of power for the White Sox’s offense, one that will almost certainly not be replaced by the addition of Kansas City Royal’s import Mark Teahen. There’s not much on the market in terms of slugging rightfielders and with no apparent internal options, there will be a void in Chicago’s outfield.

Dye will garner a ton of interest on the open market. Since he is a liability in the outfield, I would look for him to go to an American League team.

The Toronto Blue Jays have had a revolving door of ineffective designated hitters the last few years, so they seem like a possible destination.

The Oakland Athletics are also losing just enough salary in free agents to make a Dye signing a possibility. Oakland has a dire need for corner outfield power and with their rotation on the upturn, this could be a good time to make a substantial move. Dye was born in Oakland and played for Oakland from 2000-2004, making him seem like a natural fit with the club.

JUST ANNOUNCED: J.J. Hardy traded to Twins for Carlos Gomez.

It must be nice to be the Boston Red Sox.

But the Florida Marlins? Eh, not so much.

Florida’s room for error is so tremendously small. With baseball’s smallest payroll ($36 million), the club needs production from each and every dollar it spends.

And 2002 first-round pick Jeremy Hermida, the yet-to-bud outfielder with the $4 million price tag, just wasn’t producing enough.

For a team like Boston though, $4 million for a 25-year-old with all the tools to be a star, is change in the couch cushions. It’s a smart investment, even if the player in question proves to be nothing more than a bench or role player.

Yesterday, the Boston Red Sox acquired Hermida and sent minor league lefties Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez to the Marlins.

This is a steal for the Red Sox.

The Red Sox greatly deepened the outfield bench and grabbed a left-handed bench bat that should play well in the friendly confines of Fenway Park. Hermida doesn’t project as a starting outfielder for the team unless Jason Bay is lured away, but he is a great insurance policy for the oft-injured J.D. Drew and Rocco Baldelli.

The fact that the team gave up only two fringe left-handers that have work to do before they break the majors is staggering.

In 2002, Hermida was drafted as the 11th pick. Despite being a high school product, scouts loved his polish. When he hit the High-A Florida State League in 2005, he developed a power stroke that put him on everyone’s big-time prospect list.

In his first extended look in the major leagues in 2006, Hermida failed to tap into that power, hitting five homeruns in half-a-season’s at bats.

His 2007, however, tantalized followers once again. With that sweet left-handed stroke he clubbed 18 homeruns and 32 doubles while batting .296. The campaign included refreshing bumps in his on-base percentage, slugging percentage and walk rate.

He looked like the high-end prospect that took High-A Jupiter and Double-A Carolina by storm. His stock was so high that he was supposedly part of a few deals involving Manny Ramirez in 2008.

Since then, however, Hermida hasn’t produced. His power has been sapped by a lingering oblique injury, causing his slugging percentage to drop over a 100 points over the course of the last two years. His walk rate has been inconsistent. His play in the outfield, which is probably the one gripe that has followed him throughout all stops of his career, has been dismal.

If there was ever a time to “buy low,” in the purest sense of the term, it was now.

Red Sox General Manager Theo Epstein is a smart guy. While Hermida is not the prospect he once was, there were signs of encouragement in 2009. His 11.5% walk rate was the highest he’s posted in his four full seasons. His on-base percentage saw a slight bump. His declining power is still an issue, but it should see a sharp increase simply because of Fenway Park.

Of the two prospects Epstein surrendered to Florida, Hunter Jones is more major league ready. He enjoyed a brief call-up with Boston in 2009, but posted a 9.24 ERA and was sent down after just 12 innings pitched. He did, however, have nine strikeouts.

According to SoxProspects.com, Jones is a:

Big, tough lefty who can go a lot of innings out of the pen. Above average command, deceptive delivery. Goes right at hitters.  Utilizes a 88-91 mph two-seam fastball and a tough slider, which is rather new to his arsenal. Also has a low 80s slider – almost a slurve-type pitch. He has a low 80s circle change that he’s moved in an out of his arsenal.

At 25-years-old, Jones’ considerable minor league success needs to translate to the majors for him to have any value. He could find himself with a Marlin’s bullpen spot in 2010 if he has a successful Spring Training. Otherwise, he’s destined to be minor league filler.

Jose Alvarez, the other chip in the deal, is intriguing. As a 20-year-old, he led the New York Penn League in earned run average (1.52) last year during an All-Star campaign. He possesses a 90 mile-per-hour straight fastball, a swing-and-miss 12-6 curveball, and a slow changeup. Sources tout his curveball as his out-pitch, despite it being in the early stages of development.

He should be sent to Florida’s Double-A club to start the season.

Neither player should prove have any real impact anytime soon.

The same can’t be said for Hermida. It’s tough to be the Marlins.