Just thought I'd drop in with a bit of an update out of Chicago. George Ofman of WSCR the Score 670 reported that the Reds either offered or were seeking Cubs pitchers Sergio Mitre and Ricky Nolasco (AA minor leaguer) in a deal for Austin Kearns.
I'll follow this up by saying that Ofman is not the most respected of Cubs journalists out there, but that he has had his scoops from time to time.
From what I've heard, there could be something to this.
It sounds like Casey/Kearns are the two names that have been discussed the most in recent discussions.
I'll leave it at that for now.
The Reds could do worse. Reynel Pinto still interests me, though. Might prefer him to Mitre.
I'm not a system player. I am a system.
That sounds like a challenge. Kind of like, "all you can eat."Originally Posted by M2
Makes all the routine posts.
There are few real prospects I wouldn't prefer to Sergio Mitre. The guy is complete pyrite. Knowing that, the proposed value coming back is pretty isolated to Nolasco. That being the case, I wouldn't move on that trade at all.
"The problem with strikeouts isn't that they hurt your team, it's that they hurt your feelings..." --Rob Neyer
"The single most important thing for a hitter is to get a good pitch to hit. A good hitter can hit a pitch that’s over the plate three times better than a great hitter with a ball in a tough spot.”
--Ted Williams
I've always felt that Mitre got a bad rap in Chicago. He was constantly the 6th/7th man pretty much during the duration of time he spent in Chicago. Typically, he'd only see limited spots of action, then either get tossed back to AAA or left to rot in an overcrowded bullpen to be used sporadically. He has shown his share of flashes, but I do not think he's ever been given a fair chance to crack the rotation and stay in it. Also, using him as a reliever is a hyuuuuuuuuuuuge mistake since his slider typically takes time to get warmed up. He got shellacked in relief appearances this year for a reason.
I think he could make a decent #3/#4 somewhere if given the opportunity.
Mitre was put in the pen because he's got nothing BUT a slider (and an inconsistent one at that). It's the primary reason lefties crush him. If he becomes someone he isn't, he might have a shot at a #3/#4 for someone, but he's not that someone else. He's Sergio Mitre.
"The problem with strikeouts isn't that they hurt your team, it's that they hurt your feelings..." --Rob Neyer
"The single most important thing for a hitter is to get a good pitch to hit. A good hitter can hit a pitch that’s over the plate three times better than a great hitter with a ball in a tough spot.”
--Ted Williams
Care to make a comment on Nolasco ? Mitre may not be great but I can name 4 pitchers on the staff i would rather have mitre than them.
Last edited by Topcat; 12-05-2005 at 10:57 PM.
#1 - His primary pitch is a sinker, not a slider. His slider is the main breaking pitch he uses, but it's nowhere near the quality of his sinker (although it's a good pitch). His problem is that it typically takes him an inning or two before he gets his sinker going. Couple that with the fact that his change is at best a slightly above average pitch (and thus he doesn't always trust it) and you have a guy who is not cut out for middle relief.
#2 - As I mentioned, Dusty Baker has not made Mitre's life easy. He's been buried in middle relief. He would go days between relief appearances on a number of occasions. I feel that his numbers are more reflective of his performances in the minors than in the majors (save for a few games).
Speaking as some one who tracks and compiles minor league statistical information and scouting reports on the Cubs minor leagues, I really like what I see in Mitre. He's competitive, he owns a very good pitch in his sinker, and has a future as a #3 guy in the league if he more consistently trusts his change. Considering the ballpark the Reds play him, I'd have to imagine he would be quite welcome, given the fact that he doesn't give up many HRs.
This is all a moot point anyways if this report from Rotoworld is true...although the source is a bit questionable.
Austin Kearns - OF - Reds
Cubs GM Jim Hendry said today that he hasn't had any discussions with the Reds regarding one of the team's outfielders.
There were radio rumors today about Austin Kearns being offered to the Cubs for Sergio Mitre and another pitcher. This makes it seem as though there were no truth to them. Dec. 5 - 11:16 pm et
Source: cubs.mlb.com
Wow, I live in Chicago and haven't heard this one yet.
*flips on the score.
Paging Big Donkey... Paging Big Donkey...
First time I've checked on here since this story broke. From what I know, there has allegedly been talk between CIN and CHC, but I also got the Hendry bite with the denial of talks between the teams. Not to sound like a doubting Thomas, but you can take a whole lot of quotes this time of year with a grain of salt. Anyway, I'd say this deal probably came up, but I don't know if it went very far. From the standpoint of a Reds fan, I would hope the Reds shoot higher than Mitre as a principal in deal, but I am sure Cubs fans can say the same things about Kearns underachieving Reds fans can say about Mitre. Nolasco's not bad as the secondary guy. Anyway, as far as if a deal would happen, I am somewhere in the middle of two different reports (one saying it's "close" and one saying talks never happened). I would say talks have happened, but "nothing is imminent". How's that Dan-O speak for ya?
I would be dissapointed with that deal, then again I don't know that much about those players, and I still hope for what we saw before that fat retard sat on him.
Here is what BA had to say about Nolasco:
7. RICKY NOLASCO, rhp Age: 23 B-T: R-R Ht: 6-2 Wt.: 200
Drafted: HS—Rialto, Calif., 2001 (4th round) Signed by: Spider Jorgensen
Background: For years, Nolasco had been overshadowed by fellow 2001 Cubs draftees Mark Prior, Andy Sisco and Sergio Mitre, as well as several other young pitchers in the system. Nolasco previously was most notable for being included in a 2003 trade with the Rangers that Rafael Palmeiro vetoed. That all changed in 2005, when he was named Southern League pitcher of the year after leading the league in wins and strikeouts.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Strengths:
Nolasco has above-average pitches with his low-90s fastball and his curveball, and he throws his changeup for strikes. Managers rated his command the best in the Southern League. He has a tremendous feel for pitching.
Weaknesses:
When Nolasco was sent to Triple-A before he was ready in 2004, he didn’t handle it well. He dropped down with his breaking ball, trying to aim it for strikes, and didn’t have the confidence to use his changeup.
The Future:
After spending most of the last two seasons in Double-A, Nolasco will get another shot at Triple-A in 2006. If he passes that test, he’ll get called up later in the year. The Cubs have a number of starting candidates, so he could wind up in the bullpen.
2005 Club (Class) W L ERA G GS CG SV IP H HR BB SO AVG
West Tenn (AA) 14 3 2.89 27 27 1 0 162 151 13 46 173 .245
"I hate to advocate chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone... But they've always worked for me."
-Hunter S. Thompson
I never understood the reds apparent fascination with Mitre. Nolasco is nice, but I dont know... I just feel that a 2-5 5.37ERA 1.41WHIP pitcher doesn't excite me. Even with Nolasco added. Hang on to Kearns, his value may be low.. so let him play and hopefully it rises.
I would be pretty unhappy if this went down.
"I hate to advocate chemicals, alcohol, violence or insanity to anyone... But they've always worked for me."
-Hunter S. Thompson
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