Recycling an older offseason rumor just because they have been raised once again halfway through spring training, I'd really like to see the Reds acquire two players currently being shopped around: Chris Capuano from Milwaukee and Taylor Teagarden from Texas.
Here are two articles written this week about the players' availability:
Teagarden:
According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers don't plan on trading catcher Gerald Laird despite some interested parties. In fact, Laird could catch 100+ games this year despite last year's Jarrod Saltalamacchia acquisition. Salty could take a smaller role with the big club or get some Triple A seasoning. It's easy to forget that he skipped that level.
The Rangers prefer Laird's strong defense and spotty offense to Salty's subpar defense and offensive potential. And it's not fair to write Laird off offensively quite yet; he hit well in a half-season in '06. '07 was his first year catching full-time.
The Rangers have a third future MLB-quality backstop in Taylor Teagarden. They've also got Cristian Santana and Max Ramirez in the organization, two guys who are less certain to become starting catchers in the bigs. Interesting prospects nonetheless. Jon Daniels has an uncommon surplus on his hands.
Capuano:
Capuano to the Red Sox?
Could Chris Capuano be traded to the Red Sox? Eli at MLB Rumors thinks so.
I'd be surprised if the Brewers don't make some sort of deal involving pitching before Opening Day and Capuano might need a change of scenery. Plus, he probably still has more value than Bush or Vargas despite major struggles after May last season and a poor spring training so far.
The Sox have been rumored to be looking for a pitcher, but the buzz is that they are shopping Coco Crisp. Crisp, a center fielder, does not fit with the Brewers.
What do you think Brewer fans, would a couple of prospects be enough for Cappy? Here are the Red Sox top prospects, according to SoxProspects.com.
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Now, what would it take to get these two? Presumably not much, considering their current teams' surplusses at their two positions. The Rangers have an ailing rotation according to this article, which actually suggests them pursuing Capuano:
http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont....46882fb7.html
The Brew Crew on the other hand, is pretty set at all of its positions and rotation, so they presumably would be looking for bullpen help and/or prospects. So here's what I would suggest:
Offer Josh Fogg and Gary Majewski to Texas for Teagarden, who is stuck at third in the organizational depth chart. With Gerald Laird penciled in to start 100+ games this year behind the plate, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia clearly their catcher of the future, Teagarden's future is bleak in Dallas. As the above article suggested, Texas is desperate for some healthy big league arms, particularly after jettisoning Volquez and the injuries to McCarthy, Padilla, and Millwood. Fogg and Majewski would provide them with a "cortisone shot" of healthy arms, at least until their normal pitchers are healthy. Krivsky and Daniels have already struck one deal together (that so far looks good for both sides,) could they make magic together one more time before the season begins? If so, Teagarden would give the Reds a promising catcher for the next six years, at least until Mesoraco is ready... :
Then, I would offer Todd Coffey (and/or Mike Stanton) as well as Juan Francisco for Chris Capuano. Capuano is to the Brewers what Ryan Freel is to the Reds at this point: a superflous player that could benefit from a change in scenery. Coffey could possibly benefit from the change of scenery as well, and in a lot of people's minds, Francisco's value might never be higher than it is now. However Brewers GM Doug Melvin salivates over Francisco-type players: light-tower power guys with no clear defensive position. Just look at recent acquistions Prince Fielder, Ryan Braun, and Matt LaPorta. And don't forget Geoff Jenkins, Jeromy Burnitz, and Matt Stairs. I would then start Capuano as the #5 in the rotation behind Harang, Arroyo, Belisle and Cueto, while beginning the season with Volquez in the 'pen. If Volquez performs and Capuano flops, I would switch them up by Memorial Day. In the meantime, Capuano provides the rotation with a veteran lefty while Volquez gains seasoning and builds confidence in the 'pen. I personally believe Capuano could bounce back and return to 2006 form, but at worst he is a better alternative to Josh Fogg.
Majewski, Coffey, and/or Stanton are all excess parts of a bullpen that is much improved without them. Personally, I would like to see them go north with a pen of Affeldt, Bray, Volquez, Burton, Weathers, and Cordero. If Bray starts on the DL, then let Coutlangous take his place.
Thoughts?