Carlos Delgado and Ben Broussard

by Adam J. Morris on Mar 2, 2008 12:20 PM CST in News

Buster Olney today talks about Carlos Delgado's health problems, and the fact that the Mets need to find a guy who can play first base on a regular basis, if need be.

He runs down a list of possibilities, but it occurred to me...wouldn't it make sense for the Rangers to talk to the Mets about Ben Broussard?

Broussard has had some nice numbers in the past, but he struggled after going to Seattle, and while he apparently was hurt much of last season, I find it hard to believe he's going to be any more than a decent one-year placeholder for the Rangers.

In the meantime, Jason Botts is getting praise from Ron Washington for the way he's handling first base, and Chris Shelton is still in camp.

If the Rangers could get a decent prospect from the Mets -- not an elite guy, but someone along the lines of Eddie Kunz or someone similar -- for Broussard, wouldn't that seem to be the way to go?

You could have Botts and Shelton play first base, and Shelton could be an emergency third catcher, which would allow you to occasionally DH Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Or you could have Botts play first base, Cat spell him occasionally, and have Kevin Mench hand around as a bench bat. Or Nelson Cruz.

That isn't even getting into the fact that Chris Davis looks like he's going to be ready in a hurry, and could be staking a claim to the first base job in August.

I never got the Broussard fascination that the Rangers have. I think he's an interesting reclamation project, but it seems like there are other guys who the Rangers could slot in just as well.

So if the Rangers could move him to a contender -- like the Mets -- who needs a part-time 1B who could become a full-time 1B, and get a nice prospect, I'd be all for it.

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Broussard

for 16 year old Jefry Marte.

"heres to you brett for making me get all wet" -NYTXFAN

by jparks77 on Mar 2, 2008 12:27 PM CST reply actions

Prospect

Think they'd give up Will Morgan?

by thesplendidsplinter on Mar 2, 2008 12:35 PM CST up reply actions

Morgan

Interesting arm. Could move fast. I'd rather target LHP Nathan Vineyard.

"heres to you brett for making me get all wet" -NYTXFAN

by jparks77 on Mar 2, 2008 12:47 PM CST up reply actions

I'm pretty sure

they won't give up they're 47th pick overall for a backup first baseman. But if we could, JD would be my hero. I think he's like in their top 5.

by thesplendidsplinter on Mar 2, 2008 12:56 PM CST up reply actions

BA

ranks Vineyard 9th in the Mets system.

Regardless, you are right. The Mets probably wouldn't want to part with Vineyard for Broussard.

Back to Kunz. Considering the state of the Mets pen, and the likelihood of Kunz being on the fast track, I doubt they would be willing to trade him either. It would be a steal for us.

Kunz is a stud. Extreme ground ball pitcher who keeps it in the park. Plus slider and plus sinker. Yes please.

"heres to you brett for making me get all wet" -NYTXFAN

by jparks77 on Mar 2, 2008 1:05 PM CST up reply actions

Kunz?

I was talking about Will Morgan. 12 round kid out of Idaho or some school, put up real good numbers last year. Kunz was drafted even higher than Vineyard, and might be in the bigs by the end of this year. Then you're talking Benoit or Wilson.

by thesplendidsplinter on Mar 2, 2008 1:10 PM CST up reply actions

+1

IF WE HAVE EXISTING PLAYERS WHO CAN PLAY FIRST AND GET A PROSPECT IT IS A NO BRAINER.

MUST HAVE HIT THE CAPS LOCK

by rldwb on Mar 2, 2008 12:36 PM CST reply actions

Great Idea

Anything more than a Tug Hullett return is a net gain in my eyes.

I'm still baffled why the Rangers didn't stick Botts at 1b and leave him there about 5 years ago.

Pedro: "I wasn't cockfighting, I just have a wide stance."

by tricer on Mar 2, 2008 12:47 PM CST reply actions

+1

Exactly.

2/26/08 R.I.P. The BGL ... out.

by inactive lsb user on Mar 2, 2008 2:38 PM CST up reply actions

-1

"More than Tug Hulett"???

You're setting the bar a bit high there, no?

The Tuglett is truly a beastly beast, inexplicable amount of hate from Zwyica or no inexplicable amount of hate from Zwyica.

Look out, March. February is engorged and it's poking into you!

by thedirkatron on Mar 3, 2008 1:33 AM CST up reply actions

Great idea

Sure it would make sense to add prospects for average expendable vets.

by Choclate ll on Mar 2, 2008 12:47 PM CST reply actions

Just a hunch

But after the big deal made over Broussard "coming home" and whatnot, I have a hard time believing the Rangers go into the season with anybody other than Broussard at first base.

That's not to say such a deal wouldn't be a smart idea, but Minaya would probably have to make a fairly respectable offer to pique the interest of JD. And I'm not sure I see that happening.

Baseball Time in Arlington

by jamcadbury on Mar 2, 2008 12:54 PM CST reply actions

Byrd != Broussard, Botts, Cruz, Shelton

When you say that the Mets would need to make a "respectable" offer, I assume this is made with regards to the proposed Byrd-for-Murton deal. There is, however, a difference between Byrd and the guys mentioned in the title. Apparently, he is well liked in the clubhouse. 162 games makes for a long season, which only feels longer when the team is not winning a whole bunch. I can see why Daniels wants to hold onto Byrd (unless, of course, the other team is interested in overpaying).

There is roster crunch in the near future, and I don't see how Botts and Cruz can expect to stay on this team by the start of the season. Sure, a trade could happen during the ten-day period after being DFA'ed, but this is not a given. By making a trade with the Mets, this provides some relief to the roster crunch. Of Cruz and Broussard, I'd rather have Cruz as there are not many young COF'ers in the farm system. I know that there are a ton of questions surrounding Cruz (probably more than Broussard), but he is more valuable to the Rangers when thinking beyond 2008.

by Excel Hearts Choi on Mar 2, 2008 1:14 PM CST up reply actions

The Mets want right-handed bench bats

and that's what Broussard would be until Delgado gets injured. So he'd be mostly useless to them unless this injury is indeed serious.

The article is EPSN Insider, so I can't read it. Is the implication that Delgado is definitely going to miss a large part of the season?

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by a bebop a rebop on Mar 2, 2008 12:58 PM CST reply actions

unclear wording

I mean Broussard would be a bench bat, and as a lefty, he'd be a poor fit for the team unless Delgado's out.

Glenallen Hill Secrets

by a bebop a rebop on Mar 2, 2008 12:59 PM CST up reply actions

Olney says

The Mets are saying that Carlos Delgado's injury is not a big deal, that the test he flew back to New York for was precautionary. But let's keep it real: If you are 35 years old and possess a body that would not be predisposed to a long shelf life and you are coming off a year in which you struggled so badly that you were often a drag on the team's offense and really labored to get comfortable at the plate, any injury that requires you to get on a plane has the potential to be serious -- especially when it occurs before you even start playing games on a daily basis.

And keep in mind that the Mets don't really have a Plan B at first base on their roster. When Delgado was out of the lineup Saturday, utilityman Marlon Anderson started in his place -- and collided with Ryan Church, with both players getting injured.

So while GM Omar Minaya may speak confidently about Delgado's injury, this will be a warning siren for the Mets, at the very least. They need to add someone who could play first base on a regular basis, if necessary, and there are no shortage of interesting candidates.

by Adam J. Morris on Mar 2, 2008 1:00 PM CST up reply actions

Minaya

Do you think the Mets would be getting weary of trading prospects, after how much Santana drained their system? Or would this be a good time to take advantage because they are pushing in all their chips?

by thesplendidsplinter on Mar 2, 2008 1:03 PM CST up reply actions

Well

I'd definitely support trading Broussard for anything above minor league fodder, just not sure the Mets are a great fit.

Glenallen Hill Secrets

by a bebop a rebop on Mar 2, 2008 1:11 PM CST up reply actions

i agree completely

broussard's not going to be apart of anything that we have past this year the way davis is playing; even if he was here, I'd still rather see what shelton could do first.

by MayurP on Mar 2, 2008 1:00 PM CST reply actions

Disagree

Keep him here, he'll go back to his Cleveland days...

Then, because you think we aren't going anywhere this year, we will get more for him at the deadline than right now...

"I think it's clear that he (Michael Young) made sure that the story (CJ's) got out. " - mjh

by Longhorn on Mar 2, 2008 1:13 PM CST reply actions

That's a great point

You only move him to the Mets if they overpay - if they don't, then hold on to him and hope he has a good first half - then you should be able to really capitalize on him...

"I don't need to go to the minor leagues to learn plate discipline" - Pete Incaviglia

by USNA93 on Mar 2, 2008 4:36 PM CST up reply actions

I don't think

that the Mets would give up anything of value for Ben...

Klesko is still a free agent I believe...

Milton Bradley + Frankie Francisco = team chemistry

by miles on Mar 2, 2008 2:05 PM CST reply actions

Klesko

Ryan Klesko is 36, hit just 6 HR last year, and posted an OPS+ of 92.

Believe it or not, Ben Broussard >>>> Klesko.

"The only thing Gerald Laird can beat me at is number of glazed donuts eaten in 10 minutes" - Miles

by LSJ on Mar 2, 2008 9:43 PM CST up reply actions

broussard is expendable?

first ive heard of it.

by DShep on Mar 2, 2008 2:18 PM CST reply actions

Free agency and Arbitration...

If my memory serves me correct, Ben Broussard becomes a free agent after the year. I don't know if he'd qualify as a Type B free agent (that would be based on last year's numbers and this ones). Also, if the Rangers plan to offer him arbitration, I guess there's a chance he'd accept, and Texas wouldn't be getting any draft pick compensation. But it just gives you something to think about.
...................................................
According to the links below, Broussard would have been a Type B free agent based on 2005-2006 (46th, with a cutoff at 57) and would have missed using 2006-2007 stats:

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2006-10-31-elias-rankings.htm#nl

http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/al/2007-10-31-elias-rankings-complete_N.htm

Suggestion for LSB Poll: Is it safe to pencil in German Duran between Hugh Duffy and Leo Durocher in the Hall of Fame?

by YourNameHere on Mar 2, 2008 2:26 PM CST reply actions

Pass

I don't feel getting a middling prospect is worth it. Who knows what kind of offensive output Broussard will give, but I don't care to watch Botts on any regular basis at first.

That having been said, if Davis keeps progressing, I'd sell Broussard to the highest bidder in July.

by Randy Richardson on Mar 2, 2008 3:23 PM CST reply actions

question

who thinks that broussard plays a full year here?

anyone?

by knockoutking24 on Mar 2, 2008 5:18 PM CST reply actions

to get the best bang for your buck...

...why wouldn't you wait until the Mets really need him. Like when Delgado gets so injured he can't play more than a couple of games a week? Right now, he'd only an insurance plan for the Mets. Those tend to come at a lower cost to NY than uninsured emergency repairs, don't they?

Obama - ??? 2008 : He's not Hillary

by RangerMoto on Mar 2, 2008 5:37 PM CST reply actions

Starting with the trading deadline deals last year, I've generally really liked what Daniels has done, but adding Broussard was simply a bad move for several reasons.

by Darrell McKown on Mar 2, 2008 7:35 PM CST reply actions