Kouzmanoff revisited
The San Diego Padres reportedly are getting a lot of inquiries about third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, perhaps because he would be the most inexpensive option for a team needing a decent third baseman.
The rationale is logical. The money that Chone Figgins and Placido Polanco have commanded may be driving up the price of the other free agent third basemen on the market, including Pedro Feliz, who is high on the Orioles shopping list. Kouzmanoff is eligible for arbitration after three solid run-production years, but still doesn't figure to cost much more than $4 million next year.
Andy MacPhail disputed the notion that the market for third basemen has changed significantly in the past week or two.
"To this point, there hasn't been anything that has evolved that has taken us by surprise,'' he said.
The Padres are believed to have heard from up to eight teams, including the Orioles, Giants and Twins.
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Comments
Alright, Andy.
Get a nice offer out there and grab Kouz before someone else does.
To those of you who are looking for the "stop-gap" third baseman:
- What if Josh Bell gets hurt? What if he turns into a Quad-A player?
- What if Bell ends up not being able to play third base?
- Even if Bell does turn into a productive big league player, having two capable third basemen is a problem every team would love to have.
Posted by: not brooks | December 8, 2009 5:55 PM
The Cubs are close on trade with a 'surprise AL team' for Milton Bradley, tweets Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times ... Wittenmyer reports that the deal is 'three quarters done.' Three teams are involved, but the Rangers and Rays aren't among them."
Please tell me that we're not the "surprise team"...
Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2009 6:17 PM
I won't deny that it would be a surprise.
Posted by: Jonathan | December 8, 2009 6:25 PM
I wouldn't mind if we are the 3rd team as long as the Orioles are not the team that ends up with Milton Bradley!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2009 6:41 PM
I wouldn't mind if we are the 3rd team as long as the Orioles are not the team that ends up with Milton Bradley!
Posted by: Anonymous | December 8, 2009 6:41 PM
More of the same Orioles
"black magic"...feel it NOT happen!!!! Need I say more than Kouzmanoff's on-base pct was between that of Chad Moeller and Cesar Izturis? Ok, I will. His strikeput to walk ratio is 4:1. That incldues over 100 strikeouts!
Posted by: Mike in Austin | December 8, 2009 7:41 PM
More of the same Orioles
"black magic"...feel it NOT happen!!!! Need I say more than Kouzmanoff's on-base pct was between that of Chad Moeller and Cesar Izturis? Ok, I will. His strikeout to walk ratio is 4:1. That incldues over 100 strikeouts!
Posted by: Mike in Austin | December 8, 2009 7:41 PM
More of the same Orioles
"black magic"...feel it NOT happen!!!! Need I say more than Kouzmanoff's on-base pct was between that of Chad Moeller and Cesar Izturis? Ok, I will. His strikeout to walk ratio is 4:1. That incldues over 100 strikeouts!
Posted by: Mike in Austin | December 8, 2009 7:42 PM
What about moving Lou Montenez to 3rd? He was drafted as a SS anyway and he's proven he can hit at the major level. It would be nice to find a place int he lineup for his bat.
Posted by: Oriole Fan | December 8, 2009 8:10 PM
I hate this "stop-gap" measure approach.
Promote Bell and Snyder. Let them grow into their respective positions. I can only tolerate another losing season if we're investing in the future by giving top-line prospects big league experience.
Posted by: Wayne in Sterling | December 8, 2009 8:11 PM
Kouzmanoff's gets off to very slow starts at the beginning of the season, like Mendoza line slow, it would drive most fans nuts! Plus he strikes out a lot. Perhaps a smaller park like Camden Yards would be beneficial? He does have a good glove though. If a deal is made, I hope Kyle Blancs is involved in the deal. the kid hits Monster Home Runs!
Posted by: chris w | December 8, 2009 10:15 PM
It's scary, you would almost think that they have a plan for the offseason. NAAAAHHHH this is the O's they don't plan anything. do they?
Posted by: will a | December 8, 2009 11:40 PM
Lou Montenez to 3rd
Posted by: Harry Nizer | December 8, 2009 11:55 PM
Oriole Fan, thanks for bringing up poor Lou.
I love Lou. (which is why I say move Felix while the stove is hot).
pls no Milton Bradley. If so, hello Nats.
j/k.
kind-of.
Posted by: paulie | December 9, 2009 12:20 AM
I can't see why the Os would spend much on a third baseman with Bell coming up here by next year at the latest.
You won't see Beltre or Kouz, I wouldn't think.They don't want anybody who w/be here for more than a year.I'd just as soon they put Wig. there and spend their resources for pitching, first or short.
Posted by: mikezpen | December 9, 2009 7:18 AM
Kouzmanoff has had serious back issues during his career. Caveat emptor.
Posted by: dzl | December 9, 2009 8:59 AM
Oriole Fan, thanks for bringing up poor Lou.
I love Lou. (which is why I say move Felix while the stove is hot).
pls no Milton Bradley. If so, hello Nats.
j/k.
kind-of.
Posted by: paulie | December 9, 2009 12:20 AM
________________
Seems Lou has an injury prone problem. He's been given chances and usually winds up getting some fluke injury.
I agree with you 100% on NO to Milton Bradley. Who wants a head case.
Posted by: anfaiehpitzblop | December 9, 2009 9:42 AM
Kousmanoff has pop? he just makes outs. 3 year ops 740, while the number 15 ranked 3bman had 790. wigginton will outhit him this year.
Posted by: saj | December 9, 2009 10:42 AM
saj -
.284/.328/.477 is all you need to know. That's Kouz's career triple slash outside of Petco.
Posted by: not brooks | December 10, 2009 12:51 AM
Geez, I wonder now even more than I did back in July...why did Andy unload Georgie for nothing? I mean we get an overweight 3rd. baseman that may or may not ever get to eat all his major league meal money & Johnson...who left unprotected, get's grabbed up by the Giants.
I still have never heard Andy explain why he didn't wait to trade Sherrill at the last minute when teams become more desperate & give up real MLB talent.
Now we need a closer, still have the Cookie Monster & just lost another reliever.
Please explain this one Andy...I'm begging you, please give me 1 rational reason to trade George when you did for who you did.
Posted by: jack | December 11, 2009 5:12 PM