1/4/11

Cutnpaste: - Tim Redding, Lasto, F-Mart, Wilmer Flores, and Lee Mazzilli

Tim Redding:

The Dodgers signed another pitcher Monday. Nope, he is not left-handed. He’s not even a reliever, really. It’s Tim Redding, who turns 33 in February, a journeyman who last pitched in the majors with the New York Mets in 2009. This is one of those take-a-flier signings; little risk, possible reward, some insurance. The Dodgers signed him to a minor-league contract with an invite to their major-league camp. The Dodgers made a similar deal earlier with Dana Eveland, who’s at least left-handed. The Dodgers’ bullpen remains devoid of a second left-hander after Hong Chih-Kuo, and they are in serious need of a situational lefty. Left-handed, free-agent relievers are in short supply, and a wholly unimpressive group (ex-Dodgers Joe Beimel, Will Ohman, Dennys Reyes, or 40-year-old Ron Mahay). - benmaller  



Lasto:

Apparently Lastings Milledge is available. Non-tendered by the non-serious Pirates, looking to extend their streak of losing seasons to a truly stupefying 19, LMillz is now a free agent. How the mighty fall. Seems like it was not that long ago that WFAN loudmouths were speculating that the Red Sox might want Milledge in a trade for another current free agent, Manny Ramirez. Milledge was a fan favorite for a while with the Mets and was once one of the jewels of the farm system. His major league career has been less than impressive. Still, Milledge is just 25, and has never even been paid $500,000 in a year. In other words, he might be very, very inexpensive.

- realdirtymets.  



F-Mart:

Fernando Martinez - There may be an easy solution to Martinez's injury problems: stop letting him play the outfield. Martinez has plenty of bat speed, amazingly strong wrists, good balance through his swing and a lower body that stays synchronized well with his upper body. He's not patient but he is a 22-year-old who has flashed the ability to hit the crap out of the ball in Triple-A. Martinez isn't a terrible contact hitter either. Arthritic knees aren't supposed to plague guys Martinez's age. He's not a center fielder and he probably shouldn't even be tried at a corner. Stick him at first base and let him hit. He's really good at that. -

projectprospect.  



Wilmer Flores:

Soon-to-be-former-shortstop – The best hitting prospect in the Mets system, Flores doesn’t turn 20 until August 2011. He hit .300 after a promotion to the Florida State League this year, where he was easily the youngest player; most of the pitchers were four or five years older. Baseball America ranked him the #88 best prospect in baseball last offseason, but that’s going to jump up after this year. -

bleacherreport.  



Lee Mazzilli:

Another “Moneyball” player before its time. Produced an .811 OPS from 1978 to 1980, .374 OBP, and hit a dramatic homer in the All Star Game. Better known for returning in 1986, and becoming a pinch hitting extraordinaire off the bench. Great story of local boy who becomes a star, gets traded, and comes back at the tail end of his career to win a championship. Don’t forget he produced Ron Darling and Walt Terrell, who ultimately was flipped for Howard Johnson. - link  

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