Winter Meetings Open Thread: Day 2 - Oh Man, Ohman, No!

by gondeee on Dec 4, 2007 9:06 AM EST in Open Threads Comment 8 comments

A scary post last night from David O'Brien who said this about the possibility of acquiring lefty relief:

More realistic targets for the Braves could include Will Ohman of the Cubs, who has a .196 career opponents' average by lefty hitters, but struggled with a 4.95 ERA in 2007. Pittsburgh is shopping Damaso Marte, 32, who had a 2.38 ERA and 51 strikeouts in 45-1/3 innings.

Will Ohman was terrible last year, and it's not like he was a young kid learning to pitch in the majors, he was 29 and had been in the majors for at least part of five seasons. I would think the Cubs would be happy to unload Oh Man.

But, if we must look at a silver lining for him, if we were to get him, it is that, as DOB pointed out, he has a career .196 opponents' average against left-handed hitters, and he also has a career 2.32 road ERA (verses a career 6.63 home ERA). So perhaps pulling him away from the "friendly" confines of Wrigley Field might add more value. We'll see.

With the Royals signing of Jose Guillen, the market seems to be shrinking for Andruw Jones. All rumors point to the Dodgers as the destination for Jones, with only a two or three year contract being offered.

Another byproduct of the Royals signing Jose Guillen is that may make centerfielder David DeJesus more expendable and tradable. There have been some lowly rumors out there that have DeJesus coming to Atlanta in exchange for Chuck James. I would think we would want a bit more in return than just DeJesus if we traded a starting pitcher - especially in this market where starting pitching is so valued and hard to find. Perhaps a lefty reliever like John Bale could be included in that package, though, he's likely not as good as Royce Ring.

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Dejesus for James?

You know, I would not mind dejesus as a bounty for james, but I agree that we could probably get more. We fill a need by dealing from a strength in terms of depth, so that would be a smart trade on out part. My hope is that wren will at least inquire on josh hamilton and bill bray, that is a bounty that fills two needs in one trade and we will be able to have a respectable return for james, even though it would cost us more in get that combo than it would dejesus.

by bravessuperbeast on Dec 4, 2007 9:13 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

It's done apparently

According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000, the Cubs have sent lefty reliever Will Ohman and infielder Omar Infante to the Braves for righty reliever Jose Ascanio.

Mark my words, Jose is a big loss for us...Infante has seniority over Yunel Escobar. Does this mean he will start at short?

He was called O-man for a reason!

by themurph on Dec 4, 2007 10:31 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Utility Man

Infante was a backup for the past few years, but in 2004 he did log 500 AB's for Detroit with average-ish numbers. He should fill the role woodward did in 07 with, at the least, slightly better results.

by mordecai on Dec 4, 2007 10:38 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh man..hahahahaha that's never gonna get old

According to Bruce Levine of ESPN Radio 1000, the Cubs have sent lefty reliever Will Ohman and infielder Omar Infante to the Braves for righty reliever Jose Ascanio.

by mordecai on Dec 4, 2007 10:32 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Seems to be just like Willy Aybar

After a closer look at Omar's last two seasons he has been in a utility role (or injured maybe) so he would probably fill that need for us instead of JC Holt or Lillibridge.

Woodward is one of his comps...ugh

http://www.baseball-reference.com/i/infanom01.shtml

by themurph on Dec 4, 2007 10:37 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Don't know a thing about Ascanio...

... but as a Cubs fan, I'd have taken a used infield rake for Will Ohman, who not only blew various games for the Cubs but bitched and whined when he was sent to AAA last year (and also lied about an injury).

Enjoy him. From a Cubs fan, I say "Good riddance."

Al, visiting from Bleed Cubbie Blue

by Al on Dec 4, 2007 10:55 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Probably.

I think it's safe to say, looking at his splits, that he was misued by the Cubs and a bad fit in Chicago/Wrigley. I think it's a win-now move by the Braves that will only be justified by an NL pennant at the least (we'll call this deal and addemdum to the Tex Trade) and I don't think neither side will be disappointed with what they get.

Come check out my blog 52 Card Pick-up and let me know what you think!

by ejruiz on Dec 4, 2007 4:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Tyler Clippard

Another signing by Jim Bowden that makes their rotation better. This guy was a top prospect for the Yankees at one point and will probably be a #2 for them. He should be better in the NL too.

Jason Bergmann
Tyler Clippard
John Patterson
Joel Hanrahan
Matt Chico/Justin Jones

http://washington.nationals.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071204&content_id=2316936&vkey=ne ws_was&fext=.jsp&c_id=was

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/12/03/AR2007120302283_2.html ---scroll down tot he bottom---

Nationals Note: A source with knowledge of the situation said the Nationals traded reliever Jonathan Albaladejo to the New York Yankees in exchange for right-hander Tyler Clippard, pending physical examinations of both players. The 22-year-old, who went 3-1 with a 6.33 ERA filling in for the Yankees this year, has a 3.52 ERA over five minor league seasons. He should immediately be a contender for Washington's rotation. Bowden did not return messages seeking comment on the deal

by themurph on Dec 4, 2007 10:58 AM EST reply actions 0 recs