Random Rumors - 3/2

[Andersklasen]

In the heat of the NFL free agency period, we can't forget about the MLB.
Baseball owners and GM's are continuing to attempt to make their respected teams better, and will keep at it right up until the trade deadline in July.
Here are some of the latest rumors floating through the MLB.

Brandon Inge
Inge appears to have lost his starting job in Detroit, but at least one team is apparently trying to land the veteran third baseman.
Joe Torre, the new manger of the Los Angeles Dodgers, is pushing for his team to make a move for Inge. Torre is not convinced that Nomar Garciaparra or Andy LaRoche are cut out to start for the Dodgers in 2008.
The Tigers have been trying to trade Inge for a while, and might be able to finally accomplish this.
Any possible deal is still in the very first stages, as it appears that only one preliminary call has been placed.

Brian Roberts
Roberts, the subject of a possible trade to Chicago, showed off his legs to the Chicago Cubs yesterday.
Roberts, much to the annoyance of Marlins starting pitcher Mark Hendrickson, stole two bases in a 7-5 Spring Training victory over the Marlins.
The Chicago Cubs had two scouts in the stands checking out the Orioles second baseman.
Roberts seems to be warming to the idea of possibly playing for the Cubs, as he was anxious to show off his stuff on Friday.

Miguel Cabrera
The four-time All-Star appears to like Detroit. According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, Cabrera and the Tigers have started to talk about a long term deal.
Heyman doesn't have the specifics of any possible deal, but got Cabrera to admit that a ten-year deal worth about $200 million "sounds good."

Felix Hernandez
No Mariner has gone through arbitration since 2003, when current GM Bill Bavasi was hired.
Bavasi hates the arbitration process, according to John Hickey. Hickey expects a long term deal to be announced by the end of Spring Training regarding Hernandez, the number two pitcher in the Seattle rotation.

Sammy Sosa
According to Bob Dutton, Kansas City has no interest in acquiring free agents at this time, especially Sammy Sosa. Kansas City wants to build for the future with their young team.
This goes against an ESPN Deportes report that says that Royals GM Dayton Moore is interested in picking up Sosa.







http://bleacherreport.com/articles/11532-MLB-Rumor_Winds_Continue_to_Blow_In_MLB-010308#comments

[Korrupt]

Brandon Inge is a borderline starter, and probably is a great super utility man, but if I'm the Dodgers, I just use Andy LaRoche and give him a full time shot to prove he can bring it. If he can't mix in Nomar Garciaparra more and eventually find an alternative later. I'd have to believe that the Giants are discussing both Inge and Joe Crede, and pretty much every third baseman available.

Also, and I'm biased here because I own him in a fantasy league, Cubs outfielder Matt Murton deserves a regular job somewhere, and if it's not going to happen with the Cubs (as it currently appears), the Cubs should look into trading him (not necessarily to the Orioles, since their outfield seems pretty good, too)...

[kfkorn]

I am expecting Brandon Inge to be traded before Opening Day, but agree that he is better as a super utility man as opposed to a starter. I also agree that I think Joe Torre should just go with Andy LaRoche and Nomar Garciaparra. Let LaRoche prove what he can do.

I believe if Inge gets traded, he wants to be traded to a team where he can be the starter, maybe Los Angeles will not be the best fit after-all as that would give them three options at third base.

[Sharky57]

The problem is that LaRoche is hurt and Nomar has been injury prone. They also don't have anyone in the minors to come in temporary basis.