Protected List Review: Misogynistic Padres
This kicks off the first of ten Protected List Reviews (in the order that they were received). First up, Tim Nygard’s Misogynistic Padres:
2007 Finish: 8th place
Non-Protectable after 2007:
- Chris Burke, 2B/OF, HOU (Contract Expired)
- Bill Hall, OF, MIL (Contract Expired)
- Luis Castillo, 2B, NYM (Had been traded from the AL)
- Jeff Suppan, P, MIL (Contract Expired)
- Zach Duke, P, PIT (Contract Expired)
Lost during the 2007-08 Offseason:
- Rod Barajas, C, TOR (Signed with AL team)
- Todd Linden, OF, OAK (Signed with AL team)
- Luke Scott, OF, BAL (Traded to AL)
Protected for 2008:
- 2B Chase Utley - $39
- 2B Rickie Weeks - $22
- SS Troy Tulowitzki - $10
- 3B Ryan Braun - $5
- OF Ryan Church - $9
- OF Rick Ankiel - $5
- OF Felix Pie - $5
- P Homer Bailey - $10
- P Jonathan Broxton - $5
- P Yovanni Gallardo - $5
- P Kyle Kendrick - $5
Totals: $120 in Payroll, $140 Available, 13 Players Needed, $10.77 per player (7th-most)
Not Protected:
- C Miguel Montero $4
- 1B Aaron Boone $5
- 3B Andy LaRoche $10
- 3B Scott Spiezio $5
- 3B Greg Dobbs $5
- OF Alejandro de Aza $3
- P Ben Sheets $32
- P Armando Benitez $9
- P Ryan Dempster $6
- P Manny Parra $5
- P Wandy Rodriguez $5
- P Antonio Alfonseca $5
- P Jorge Sosa $5
- P Mark Hendrickson $5
- P Livan Hernandez $2
Review:
A solid list with no player over age 28, though Tim usually likes ‘em young. Given that, one might wonder why prospect Andy LaRoche was not protected. LaRoche is the likely starter at 3B in Los Angeles (but maybe not with “friend of vets” Joe Torre now on the bench). LaRoche is projected in the low $10’s, so he might be able to get him at that price again. At catcher, Miguel Montero proved useful over 2007, with good power, but the batting average kills, and Tim may be able to get him again, possible for less than $4.
On the pitching side, given Tim’s fondness for the Brewers, one might question the decision not to protect Manny Parra. Parra is another heralded arm for the Brew Crew, but where does he fit in the Sheets-Suppan-Bush-Gallardo-Capuano-Villanueva-Vargas rotation? Also, Wandy Rodriguez is getting some good press this offseason as a possible sleeper in Houston (within reason). And Ryan Dempster, former closer for the Cubs, is rumored to be in a four-player battle for the final two rotation spots for 2008, so there’s enough uncertainty to avoid the issue.
Protecting Chase Utley at $39 seems a bit of a stretch, as he may go for a few dollars less this season (or then again not - he’s clearly a “first round” talent and the best 2B in all of baseball). Still, he occupies 15% of Tim’s available salary. Same goes with Rickie Weeks, who needs to bounce-back after injuries and a AAA stint in 2007.
Tulowitzki, Braun, Pie and Ankiel were all acquired in trade during 2007, and Kendrick was picked up in late June. Losing Luke Scott to Baltimore in the Miguel Tejada trade hurt, but with Braun moving to OF this season, it’s a minimal loss. With a solid middle-infield and outfield, and several young (but still unproven) starters, Tim will need to get a frontline starter, closer, and at least one corner man. Fortunately, he tends to subscribe to the “Stars and Scrubs” philosophy more often than not, so expect those rosters spots to be filled capably.
Grade: B
With limited and understandable omissions, and a solid core of offense, Tim did well with the available talent. But protecting 23% of your salary cap at 2B may not be the best strategy. Tim gets a “B” for still having $140 available, but for 13 players. This breaks down to $10.77 per player average - 7th in the league.
Misogynistic Padres: Barajas Signs with Toronto (AL)
Free agent catcher Rod Barajas signed a one-year, $1.2 million contract with a club option for 2009 with the Toronto Blue Jays.
Barajas was removed from the Misogynistic Padres roster, and is no longer eligible for protection for 2008.
Tags: Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions
Misogynistic Padres: Hendrickson Now Marlins Ace (NL)
Free agent pitcher Mark Hendrickson has signed a contract with the Florida Marlins for the 2008 season, and immediately becomes one of the Marlins’ top starters.
The Misogynistic Padres retain the rights to Hendrickson, who will be protectable for 2008 at 2 years and $5.
Tags: Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions
Stanimals: Mike Cameron Signs with Brewers (NL)
Free agent OF Mike Cameron signed a one-year deal (with a 2009 club option) with the Milwaukee Brewers. Cameron will miss the first 25 games of 2008, as he serves a suspension under the terms of baseball’s drug-testing program (non-performance-enhancing).
Stanimals retains the rights to Cameron, and can protect him for 2008 with a 2-year contract and a $22 salary.
Also affected by the signing is Misogynistic Padres, whose Rookie-of-the-Year 3B Ryan Braun will likely be moved to LF, and CF Bill Hall (also a Misogynistic Padre in 2007) will move to 3B, greatly improving the Brewers’ defense.
Tags: Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions, Stanimals
Misogynistic Padres: Linden Signs with Oakland (AL)
Outfielder Todd Linden, who had been with the Giants and Marlins in 2007, signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland A’s, who extended him an invitation to Spring Training.
Linden was removed from the Misogynistic Padres roster, and is no longer eligible for protection for 2008.
Tags: Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions
Non-Tender Day: Meet the New Free Agents
With yesterday’s tender deadline, the following players are now free agents:
- The Pi Train:
- C - Johnny Estrada
- OF - Willie Harris
- X-Men:
- P - Mark Prior
- Atomic Roadrunners:
- 3B - Morgan Ensberg
- Cover Zero:
- SS - Adam Everett
- OF -Kevin Mench
- Misogynistic Padres
- Mark Hendrickson
- Uncle Lester:
- C - Miguel Olivo
- Stanimals:
- OF - Nook Logan
Tags: Atomic Roadrunners, Cover Zero, Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions, Stanimals, The Pi Train, Uncle Lester, X-Men
Big Deal: Tejada to Houston for 5 guys
Baltimore Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada was traded to Houston in exchange for five guys. Pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton, and Dennis Safarte, 3B Mike Costanzo (aquired from Philly in the Lidge trade) and OF Luke Scott.
WBRL Impact:
- Goodfellas loses Matt Albers
- Cover Zero loses Troy Patton
- Misogynistic Padres loses Luke Scott
- Cover Zero might also have SS Adam Everett traded or non-tendered, as Tejada takes his position.
Tags: Cover Zero, Goodfellas, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions
Misogynistic Padres: Boone signs with Nationals (NL)
Free-agent Aaron Boone signed a one-year, $1 million contract to be a reserve infielder for the Washington Nationals.
Boone remains protectable for 2008 for the Misogynistic Padres at 2 years and $5.
Tags: Free Agents, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions
Big Deal: Dontrelle and Miguel traded to the AL
In a 6-for-2 deal, the Detroit Tigers have acquired Marlins 3B Miguel Cabrera (The Pi Train) and P Dontrelle Willis (Goodfellas) in exchange for young CF Cameron Maybin, P Andrew Miller, and four prospects.
WBRL Impact:
- The Pi Train can no longer protect Cabrera for 2008, and he has been removed from The Pi Train roster.
- Goodfellas can no longer protect Willis for 2008, and he has been removed from the Goodfellas roster.
- Reports indicate that Marlins 2B Dan Uggla (Stanimals) will likely be moved to replace Cabrera at third base.
- Maybin will likely immediately slot into CF, de-valuing current CF Alejandro De Aza (Misogynistic Padres)
Tags: Goodfellas, Misogynistic Padres, MLB Transactions, Stanimals, The Pi Train
Misogynistic Padres: Nygard returns team name to roots
In what has become an annual tradition, owner Tim Nygard has announced that his team name for the upcoming 2008. This year’s name will be “Misogynistic Padres”, harkening back to the days of yore (specifically 1994-2001). The actual rundown:
- 1992-1993 - Misogynistic Tendencies
- 1994-2001 - Misogynistic Padres
- 2002-2003 - Rocky Mountain Spotted ERAs
- 2004 - Coalition of the Clueless
- 2005 - Privatize This!
- 2006 - More Cowbell
- 2007 - Scooter’s Slamma Song Stylings
- 2008 - Misogynistic Padres