SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseb...ack=1&cset=true If the pain in Hermanson's lower back becomes too great, he, at least, would have to be placed on the 15-day disabled list, and it could force the White Sox to look outside for bullpen help. Oakland reliever and former Cubs pitcher Juan Cruz is available, and the Sox have taken a close look at Atlanta's Oscar Villarreal, who could fill the role of the versatile but departed Luis Vizcaino. Borchard, who is 7 for his last 16, has attracted interest from Florida. We talked about Juan Cruz in another thread already. We were also talking about Antonio Osuna but the Sox are apparently looking at his WBC teammate with Mexico, Oscar Villarreal, instead. The Braves just acquired Villarreal along with Lance Cormier from the Diamondbacks in exchange for catcher Johnny Estrada in December. What is Kenny's obsession with ex-Diamondbacks? Very interesting news to say the least. Edited March 18, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Villarreal was awesome in '03. He pitched just over 31 innings the last 2 years. What was wrong with him? Good call by whoever mentioned Cruz the other day. Who does Florida have that could help us? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) Villarreal was awesome in '03. He pitched just over 31 innings the last 2 years. What was wrong with him? Good call by whoever mentioned Cruz the other day. Who does Florida have that could help us? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> That was me. Villarreal's arm is apparently healthy now. He has had injuries to his elbow and shoulder the past two seasons but perhaps he has regained his 2003 form. He's still very young (24) which is nice. He also pitched in the Mexican Pacific League over the winter. Villarreal was supposed to compete with Chris Reitsma for the Braves' closer job but was likely going to be a setup man for them. He was impressing the Braves with his arm before he left to play for Mexico in the WBC. He will earn $462,500 this season. Borchard makes a lot of sense for the Marlins. They have uber-prospect Jeremy Hermida slated for RF, Eric Reed for CF, and a mediocre Chris Aguila for LF. They are going to stink for a few years so why not start Borchard and make Aguila their fourth outfielder? The Marlins know that they would have to trade for Borchard because there's no way he's lasting past the Royals if he goes on waivers. The Marlins have a TON of pitching prospects but not very many, if any, proven relievers. But Matt Herges is a non-roster invitee with the Marlins. Maybe KW wants to reunite Herges with Pierzynski? Sorry, bad joke. Edited March 18, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jordan4life_2007 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Thanks for the info. What do you think it would take to get Villarreal from the Braves? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) Thanks for the info. What do you think it would take to get Villarreal from the Braves? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Their outfield looks set with Jeff Francoeur in RF, Andruw Jones in CF, and a platoon of Ryan Langerhans and Kelly Johnson in LF so I can't see them being interested in Borchard. They also have a younger, better lefty first baseman in Adam LaRoche so I doubt they would want Gload either. My guess would be pitching prospect(s). That's something the Braves always like. Edited March 18, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RME JICO Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 There were about 6-8 relievers that have pitched well in the WBC that are not on MLB rosters. I wonder if the Sox are looking at any of those guys? Most of the announcers for the WBC were surprised at the depth and quality of the bullpens. (KOR, JPN, PR, DOM, VEN) all had pitchers not on MLB rosters. Cuba obviously has a few too, but... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 There were about 6-8 relievers that have pitched well in the WBC that are not on MLB rosters. I wonder if the Sox are looking at any of those guys? Most of the announcers for the WBC were surprised at the depth and quality of the bullpens. (KOR, JPN, PR, DOM, VEN) all had pitchers not on MLB rosters. Cuba obviously has a few too, but... <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I read awhile ago that the Sox would have scouts watching the players in the WBC. Villarreal is pitching for Mexico so I'm sure they have been watching him. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EvilJester99 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 I have always like Juan Cruz... great arm but he reminds me a lot of Marte with the 10 cent head though...and of course RH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 I have always like Juan Cruz... great arm but he reminds me a lot of Marte with the 10 cent head though...and of course RH. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yep, his stuff is great when he actually gets in it the zone but he's worthless when he's not throwing strikes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Nate Bump of FLa is possibility. More than likely, he could be traded for Joe B. straight up. He's a GB pitcher, throws more than an inning [11 of his 31 appearances he threw more than an inning] and would seem to fit in the Vizcaino role. I think he was coming back from surgery in 05. But he threw more than 100 innings for the Marlins back in 03 [in AAA and in the bigs] when Ozzie was there. Someone he'd be familiar with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) I found some good articles on Villarreal. Bob Brenly abused the hell out of this kid when he was with the Diamondbacks in his rookie season. He threw 98 innings as a reliever! :headshake That's apparently the reason why he has had arm problems for the past two seasons. "He throws heavy sinkers and sliders and keeps hitters off-balance with an occasional side-arm delivery." Villarreal hopes injuries are behind him Notes: Hurlers leave impression; Villarreal mows down collegians in exhibition game Scouting Report Assets Has tremendous command over his great slider and quality change-up. He's a tough kid with 90-mph heat. Flaws Doesn't get ahead in the count often enough and pitches poorly with runners aboard. Injuries have slowed his progress. Career potential A healthy Villarreal can be a strong back-of-the-rotation starter. Edited March 18, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 Nate Bump of FLa is possibility. More than likely, he could be traded for Joe B. straight up. He's a GB pitcher, throws more than an inning [11 of his 31 appearances he threw more than an inning] and would seem to fit in the Vizcaino role. I think he was coming back from surgery in 05. But he threw more than 100 innings for the Marlins back in 03 [in AAA and in the bigs] when Ozzie was there. Someone he'd be familiar with. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Yeah, I noticed him too. He's coming back from surgery on his torn labrum. Bump had a 3.57 ERA in 68 innings as a reliever in 2004 and had a 4.03 ERA in 38 innings before going on the DL last July. He would fit the Vizcaino role of eating innings if he could stay healthy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Interesting also that the marlins are looking for someone to replace awol Pokey reese. Pablo Ozuna would have to look nice to them. He'd bring back a better pitcher than Joe B. would. I don't know how much time Ozuna will get with Cintron on board. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) Interesting also that the marlins are looking for someone to replace awol Pokey reese. Pablo Ozuna would have to look nice to them. He'd bring back a better pitcher than Joe B. would. I don't know how much time Ozuna will get with Cintron on board. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basebal...-sports-marlins <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I think Borchard has more trade value than Ozuna. Borchard is 27 year old outfielder with power and the Marlins have a hole in LF (Chris Aguila). They could also use some more pop in their lineup, especially playing in that stadium. Teams might still want to take a chance on him. Ozuna is a 31 year old backup utility guy at best. He is fairly replaceable. Afterall, look at the scrubs that the article mentions as guys that the Marlins could be interested in -- Desi Relaford and Tomas Perez. Edited March 18, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beck72 Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 QUOTE(SSH2005 @ Mar 18, 2006 -> 01:17 PM) I think Borchard has more trade value than Ozuna. Borchard is 27 year old outfielder with power and the Marlins have a hole in LF (Chris Aguila). They could also use some more pop in their lineup, especially playing in that stadium. Teams might still want to take a chance on him. Ozuna is a 31 year old backup utility guy at best. He is fairly replaceable. Afterall, look at the scrubs that the article mentions as guys that the Marlins could be interested in -- Desi Relaford and Tomas Perez. Around the league, Ozuna would probably have more value than Joe B. would though. Joe B. could only play as a starting Of or 4th Ofer for a few teams, like the Marlins. Ozuna could help a lot of teams in case their starting SS got hurt. "Scrubs" like Ozuna and Tomas Perez are still valuable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 (edited) Around the league, Ozuna would probably have more value than Joe B. would though. Joe B. could only play as a starting Of or 4th Ofer for a few teams, like the Marlins. Ozuna could help a lot of teams in case their starting SS got hurt. "Scrubs" like Ozuna and Tomas Perez are still valuable. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Ozuna might have more value than Borchard around the league but I wouldn't put my money on it. I agree that teams need guys like Ozuna but they don't have much trade value. As far as the Marlins go, they are trying to replace Pokey Reese, whom they signed for next to nothing, with one of these guys. How did we originally get Ozuna? He was a non-roster invitee last spring. Just look at who we gave up for a good, young utility guy in Cintron -- Jeff Bajenaru. Keep in mind that Cintron has much more value than guys like Ozuna, Desi Relaford, and Tomas Perez. So if Cintron only netted the Diamondbacks Bajenaru, what are guys like Ozuna, Relaford, and Perez going to be worth? Next to nothing. Meanwhile, the Marlins are so bad right now after trading away all of their talent that Borchard could be starting in their outfield. Edited March 18, 2006 by SSH2005 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GoodAsGould Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 To us Ozuna is more valuable but around the league Joe Borchard is... now thats not saying much because Borchard isnt worth much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanne Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 Geez...does Florida have even one lefty in their bullpen? Hate to say this...but if Borowski didn't make so damn much money...I'd consider him. I know health is an issue with him the last few years. But he might be a mid-season acquisition to look at. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSH2005 Posted March 18, 2006 Author Share Posted March 18, 2006 Geez...does Florida have even one lefty in their bullpen? Hate to say this...but if Borowski didn't make so damn much money...I'd consider him. I know health is an issue with him the last few years. But he might be a mid-season acquisition to look at. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Borowski will only earn up to $1.05 million if he makes 60 appearances next season. I still wouldn't want him though. His smoke and mirrors act is up, just like Hermanson. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bulokis Posted March 18, 2006 Share Posted March 18, 2006 I wouldnt mind Villareal at all. I would think he would be better than what we have in Redding and Montero. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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