MY BASEBALL BIAS

Anyone catch the insanity that is happening on the south side of Chicago? First, GM Kenny Williams signed reliever Scott Linebrink to a silly four-year contract worth $19 million. Today, he locked up Octavio Dotel for $11 million over the next two years.

Says Williams:

“If you can assess that he’s going to be healthy and return back to his normal production level, then the money is secondary at that point and we focus on getting the team to be the best we can possibly be,” Williams said during a conference call with Chicago reporters.

Gotta love the “money is secondary at that point” comment. When you hand out a total of $30 million dollars to two relievers over the next four years, saying “money is secondary” is quite the understatement.

I guess Kenny didn’t watch to many late-inning Oriole games last year. Geesh.

Damaso Marte, LHP
Marte’s STATS

From the Beaver County Times:

Multiple clubs are expected to ask Pirates rookie general manager Neal Huntington about left-handed reliever Damaso Marte. The Yankees are right at the front of that, even though they traded Marte to the Pirates in 2001.

The 33 year-old Marte would be a nice addition if the Yankees can swing a trade. Lefties batted only .094 against him in ‘06. He was also 2-0 with a 2.38 ERA in 65 Games last year with the Pirates.

Marte signed on as a free agent with the Yankees in 2000, but was traded away to the Pirates in June 2001 for INF Enrique Wilson. He never pitched a game for the Yankees

The Yankees are reportedly interested in free agent lefty Ron Mahay as well.

It doesn’t look like reliever Kyle Farnsworth is going anywhere:

“I think he’s here to stay,” Cashman said. “I’m not going to guarantee it, but I’m just telling you, I’m getting action on him. I doubt we’re going to move him, because we’re going to need him.”

Obviously Farnsworth has electric stuff, but he’s been to inconsistent and erratic to be the bridge to Mo.

Maybe Joe Girardi will make Farny his pet project. Get in his head a little.

DAVID RISKE, RHP

Riske’s Stats

From ESPN.com:

David Riske, the veteran relief pitcher who compiled a 2.45 ERA in 65 games for the Kansas City Royals last season, is on the verge of agreeing to a multiyear deal with the Milwaukee Brewers, according to a club source.

The Yankees had shown some interest in Riske, but it looks like they’ll now turn their attention to re-signing Luis Vizcaino.

Other relievers that remain on the Yankees radar are lefty-specialist Ron Mahay and LaTroy Hawkins. Don’t count out a minor-league deal for Ron Villone and a “fix-it” plan for Kyle Farnsworth either.

The way it’s shaping up, the ‘08 bullpen could be a revolving door with no true set-up man for Mo Rivera unless Farnsworth miraculously finds his head, or, they call on Joba (highly unlikely).

Below is a list of the top free-agent relievers still on the market (I posted this the other day as well). Highlighted in blue are the guys the Yankees have shown interest in.

Here’s the latest news on a few of these guys:

• Troy Percival and the Rays are close to a two-year deal reports Buster Olney.

• Rockies reliever Matt Herges looks to be headed back to Colorado.

• Peter Abraham reports that the Yankees will continue their pursuit of lefty Roh Mahay and righty Luis Vizcaino. Abraham also mentions that new Yankees pitching coach, Dave Eiland, will try and “fix” Kyle Farnsworth. Ouch.

• The White Sox and Reds have finalized their respective deals for Scott Linebrink and Francisco Cordero. Linebrink receives a 4 year deal worth $19 million and Cordero signed for 4 years and $46 million.

Free agent reliever Scott Linebrink set the market when he signed for 4 years and $19 million with the White Sox. Below is a list of players that are still available, but will probably come at a price. Is there anyone on the list that you think the Yankees should target? What kind of contract do you think they should offer?

Players highlighted in blue are relievers the Yankees have said they have interest in.

DAVID RISKE, RHP
Riske’s Stats

From the Star-Ledger:

The Yankees have “definitely reached out” to free agent right-hander David Riske, said his agent Nez Balelo. Riske, 31, was 1-4 with a 2.45 ERA in 69 2/3 innings with the Kansas City Royals in 2007.

Riske spent the early part of his career with the Indians and has bounced around the last few years with Red Sox, White Sox and Royals.

Career Splits:

• vs RHB: .245 BA
• vs LHB: .211 BA

2007 Splits:

• vs RHB: .265 BA
• vs LHB: .202 BA

The thinking here is if they can’t re-sign Vizcaino, Riske at least comparable. He has shown over his career, however, an increase in walks and a decline in SO’s. I think the Yankees could do better.

KERRY WOOD, RHP

Those rumors of Kerry Wood ending up in the Boston bullpen next season were just that, rumors. Wood re-signed with the Cubs today for 1 year and $4.2 million dollars.

FRANCISCO CORDERO, RHP
Cordero’s Stats

Well, the big ticket free agents are starting to fly off the board. Closer Francisco Cordero signed with the Cincinnati Reds today, agreeing to a four-year, $46 million contract.

The 32 year-old closer was 0-4 with a 2.98 ERA and 44 saves in 51 chance for the Milwaukee Brewers last year.

The Yankees were interested in Corders before agreeing to a three-year, $45 million dollar deal.

Do you think it was important for Cordero to have that extra one million dollars added to his contract?

And another reliever signing for four years. I think both the Reds and White Sox (Linebrink signing) have overpaid in an attempt to remake their respective bullpens.