Rodrigo Lopez: Trade Candidate

by Michael DeLuca

Many scoffed when I suggested that Rodrigo Lopez be given an opportunity to join the Philadelphia Phillies rotation. He’s not only gotten that opportunity but he’s excelled in it as well. However, the team did recently sign Pedro Martinez and there will no longer be a spot in the rotation for Lopez. Ken Rosenthal is now suggesting that Lopez’ recent success may actually make him a trade candidate. Says Rosenthal, “Right-hander Rodrigo Lopez, who has made exactly three starts for the Phillies, might actually become a trade candidate once righty Pedro Martinez joins the rotation and/or the club trades for a starting pitcher such as Halladay or Lee. Lopez, 2-0 with a 2.60 ERA, could get moved in an August waiver deal, if not sooner. His $650,000 salary is affordable to all.”

There’s no telling what the Phils may be able to fetch in exchange for Lopez but it is certainly possible that they could exchange him for the right handed bat off the bench they have been seeking all season long. Some possibilities include Detroit’s Ryan Raburn or Minnesota’s Carlos Gomez.

Liriano is Back

The Giants made a big mistake letting Liriano go.

By Kevin Collins

The San Francisco Giants made a huge mistake.  Brian Sabean is a better general manager than that.  On November 14th 2003, Sabean acquired catcher A.J. Pierzynski from Minnesota.  What did the Giants give up?  The future.  Minnesota received Boof Bonser, eventual two time All-Star closer Joe Nathan, and if that was not enough for the Twins, they also received nineteen year old, left handed pitcher Francisco Liriano. 

It took Liriano only two years in the Twins system to get a cup of coffee with the big club, making his Major League debut in September 2005.  In 2006, his full rookie season, Liriano appeared in 28 games, 16 of which were starts.  Liriano finished the season 12-3 with a miniscule ERA of 2.16, making the AL All-Star team in the process and finishing third in the Rookie of the Year voting.