Inside Dish

[DBAHO]

Sum Houston starters could be on the market soon, any1 want Redding or Robertson?

 

If the Astros sign RHP Roger Clemens, their next move could be to trade either RHP Tim Redding or LHP Jeriome Robertson for a setup man. Redding could fill that role, but he might view it as a demotion after starting 32 games in 2003. Giving up Robertson may not be as painful as it first would appear. Yes, he won 15 games as a rookie last season, but his run support would have ranked as the second-highest in the N.L. if he hadn't fallen 1 1/3 innings short of the qualifying total. Robertson also allowed a whopping 250 baserunners in 160 2/3 innings and finished with a 5.10 ERA.

 

 

 

The Mariners gained offense but lost speed and defense by replacing CF Mike Cameron, 3B Jeff Cirillo and SS Carlos Guillen with LF Raul Ibanez, 3B Scott Spiezio and SS Rich Aurilia. The loss of Cirillo, who hit .249 and .205 in his two years in Seattle, is a big plus, but Guillen, 28, is four years younger than Aurilia, and Guillen's on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS) has improved from .689 to .719 to .753 the past two seasons while Aurilia's has gone from .941 to .718 to .735.

 

 

Free-agent RHP Jeff Nelson could be the next addition to the Marlins' bullpen, joining the pitcher he was traded for last season, closer RHP Armando Benitez. Nelson has made 714 career appearances, none in the National League.

 

 

The Twins are interested in closer RHP Ugueth Urbina, but only if his price drops and/or they clear money by trading OF Jacque Jones. They also are considering low-budget starting RHPs Pedro Astacio, Scott Erickson and John Burkett.

 

 

If the Royals' bullpen is the best in the A.L. Central, the Indians' isn't far behind. RHPs Bob Wickman, David Riske, Jose Jimenez and Bob Howry and LHP Scott Stewart all have closing experience. Wickman, coming off elbow surgery, is the only one older than 30. Indians G.M. Mark Shapiro says he probably called Expos G.M. Omar Minaya 20 times about trading for Stewart before finally landing him.

 

 

Reds G.M. Dan O'Brien on the Dodgers' pursuit of OF Adam Dunn: "A number of clubs have talked to us about a number of our players. Every club is aware of the fact that we're looking for starting pitching. If we can't satisfy that particular need, the likelihood of a trade isn't very good." Translation: The Reds were not satisfied with the Dodgers' offer of Class AAA RHP Joel Hanrahan.

 

 

Sandy Alderson, executive V.P. of baseball operations, faces an uncertain future in the commissioner's office, prompting speculation that Bud Selig might steer him to the Dodgers to become team president under prospective owner Frank McCourt. Alderson then would hire his former Oakland protege, A's G.M. Billy Beane, to replace Dan Evans. Corey Busch, head of McCourt's transition team, also looms as a candidate for team president.

 

 

The market for C Ivan Rodriguez remains unclear, with the Tigers one of the few teams expressing definite interest. The Orioles will create friction if they sign Rodriguez, which would all but force newly acquired C Javy Lopez to be the primary DH because he isn't as good a catcher as Rodriguez. First base no longer is an option for Lopez because Rafael Palmeiro was signed; Lopez never has played that position anyway. The Cubs would rather sign RHP Greg Maddux than Rodriguez if they can get a bargain. The Dodgers, paralyzed by their uncertain ownership situation, would prefer a pure No. 4 hitter.