Winter Meetings Preview

Nothing says “Get Away From it All,” than an early-December trip to Indianapolis.  I was going to look up some incredibly enlightening tidbit about ‘Circle City’ (I’m serious), but when I Binged (Google is soooo aught), all I could come up with is that both of the United States Navy ships named the USS Indianapolis were named after the city.  You don’t say!  That is – honest to God – a direct line from the indyindiana.com website.  So, with that work out of the way, let’s tackle some of the issues facing our ever-fearless wheeler and dealer, Dayton Moore, as he joins up with his 29 brethren to make sure that Russell Branyan is left looking for a job deep into March …

Goal #1 – Find a Catcher

The free agency market is less-than-spectacular making a trade the most likely route for Moore to avoid a set-up that calls for John Buck to call pitches 120 times in 2010.  The Royals have two or three actual trade chips – they’ve been more than willing to listen to offers for Alberto Callaspo; are hoping someone will rid them of Jose Guillen; and, could be talked into trading any of their starting arms not named “Greinke.”  But, what is the actual trade market like for catchers??

We just saw Kelly Shoppach take his terrible 2009 to Tampa.  There have been some whispers about Pittsburgh floating Ryan Doumit, but the Pirates are about 27 moves away from competing, making Callaspo and Guillen both non-fits.  A Hochever would fit into their plans, though.  The only other relatively decent option via trade is probably Chris Snyder down in Arizona.  Miguel Montero has taken over the starting slot.  Unfortunately, Snyder is coming off of back surgery and still has more than $11-million left on the final two years of his current contract.  I would doubt that the D’Backs are in a position to eat salary.

I hate to say it, but Moore will have to do something unexpected to improve the spot for 2010.

Goal #2 – Relief Help

How the team could address this issue is impossible to predict.  There are literally a thousand ways the team could go.  Considering that both Kyle Farnsworth and Juan Cruz are still under contract, some of the more attractive names via free agency won’t fit into the squad’s salary structure.  Any trade made in the coming days would probably include a decent major league middle reliever.  If a trade doesn’t materialize, the team would be well-served to wait until the eve of training camp before getting involved with landing extra arms for the ‘pen.

Goal #3 – Find a trading partner to accept Jose Guillen

And, don’t get stuck still owing him the majority of his 2010 salary.  Rather than eating a load of dough, I’d rather the team hold onto Guillen for the first three months of the season, hope he comes out with a contract push, and then pilfer him at the deadline.

Goal #4 – Trade Alberto Callaspo

At the tail end of last season, I would have been against this suggestion.  But, considering that we’ve already seen the best of what Albert has to offer and that there appears to be a decent replacement added in Chris Getz, I can now understand such a decision.  Moore claims that he is not trying to trade Callaspo; only that other teams are interested in him.  That’s code for, “We’re more than willing to flip him.”  Perhaps he brings you a reliever and a decent hitting prospect.

Goal #5 – Bring Back Coco Crisp

Crisp will probably be unwilling to take a deal this early in the process.  That is, unless his agent reads the market and starting outfield jobs dry up quickly.  If Rick Ankiel, Mike Cameron, Marlon Byrd, and Scott Posednik sign in December, the market for Crisp is close to nothing.  Just about his only option would be a return to KC.  I still feel that’s a legitimate scenario – a one-year deal for $5-6-million with incentives.

Goal #6 – Bring in a Starting Pitcher Coming Off Injury

The possibilities are really endless here.  The list is long and full of problems – Erik Bedard, Bartolo Colon, Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, Mark Mulder, Ben Sheets, etc.  Bedard and Harden are easily the most attractive, but a one-year deal with KC will do nothing to help their negotiating power a year from now.  They have a ton of suitors, and thus, the Royals are just window dressing in the chase.  I would only be willing to accept any of the others if they absolutely fell in your lap at a near-zero rate.