September 2008

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Offseason Outlook: Cleveland Indians

The Indians are next in our Offseason Outlook series. Their likely commitments for 2009: C - Victor Martinez - $5.7MM C - Kelly Shoppach - $404K+ 1B - Ryan Garko - $420K 2B - Asdrubal Cabrera - $400K SS - Jhonny Peralta - $3.4MM 3B - Andy Marte - $400K IF - Jamey Carroll - $2.5MM club option or $150K buyout LF - Shin-Soo Choo - $400K CF - Grady Sizemore - $4.6MM RF - Franklin Gutierrez - $405K OF - David Dellucci - $4MM OF - Ben Francisco - $400K DH - Travis Hafner - $11.5MM SP - Cliff...   Continue Reading

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Padres Likely To Exercise Giles' Option

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the Padres are leaning toward exercising right fielder Brian Giles' $9MM option as opposed to the $3MM buyout. It's been odd to see the Padres waver on this decision. Giles hit .306/.398/.456 this year, his OBP ranking sixth in the league. His defense was also a major plus. Given the impending non-tender for Josh Bard, the Padres can probably retain both Giles and Trevor Hoffman without going too far past a $50MM payroll. Still, it'll be a shame if the Padres reduce payroll to that level.   Continue Reading

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Cashman Signs Extension With Yankees

8:39pm: The extension runs through 2011. Cashman looks forward to the challenge. 4:16pm: Kat O'Brien of Newsday is reporting that Brian Cashman and the Yankees have reached an agreement on a three-year extension. Brian Cashman has agreed to return as the Yankees general manager on a three-year contract, Newsday has learned. Cashman deliberated over the decision about whether it was time to move on after 11 seasons as GM, but gave the Yankees an affirmative answer this afternoon. In the end, a Yankees source said, it came down to what was best for his family. The new contract will be...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Byrnes, Teixeira, Swisher

Random links for Tuesday... SI.com's Jon Heyman notes that a Cy Young award for Johan Santana would lock in his 2014 option at $25MM. Mark Healey of Gotham Baseball wonders if the Mets might end up signing Ivan Rodriguez. The Jays officially received Fabio Castro to complete the Matt Stairs deal. Buster Olney had this one in August. Bummer to see Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos stepping down from blogging. He's been my favorite Cardinals writer. Nick Piecoro wonders if Eric Byrnes could be traded for another bad contract player like Luis Castillo. The Red Sox treated Mark Teixeira...   Continue Reading

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MLBTR Chat Transcript

Click here to read today's chat transcript.   Continue Reading

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Maddux Trade Completed

According to MLB.com's Corey Brock, the Dodgers' playoff berth resulted in the Padres receiving better prospects from the August Greg Maddux trade. Brock says the Padres received southpaw Michael Watt and righty Eduardo Perez from the Dodgers. Paul DePodesta describes the prospects on his blog.   Continue Reading

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Indians Leaning Toward Brantley In C.C. Deal

According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Indians made decide on the final player in the C.C. Sabathia trade today. Hoynes says the Indians are leaning toward outfielder Michael Brantley over third baseman Taylor Green. Hoynes reminds us that the Indians have already received Matt LaPorta, Zach Jackson, and Rob Bryson from the Brewers.   Continue Reading

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Braves May Have $45MM To Spend

TUESDAY: Dave O'Brien rattles off a few more pitchers of interest for the Braves: Matt Cain, Ryan Dempster, and Brad Penny. MONDAY: In our Braves Offseason Outlook, we suggested the Braves might have $40MM to spend this winter even if they hold payroll steady. Instead, GM Frank Wren revealed today that payroll will increase beyond last year's $102.4MM. MLB.com's Mark Bowman estimates Wren will have $45MM to work with. As you know, the Braves intend to add two veteran starters as well as a slugging outfielder. They'll also attempt to re-sign John Smoltz, Tom Glavine, and Mike Hampton. We covered...   Continue Reading

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Yankees Rumors: Jeter, Sabathia, Hudson

Let's talk Yankees. Ken Davidoff makes recommendations for the '09 Yankees. He would sign Derek Lowe and Andy Pettitte, and offer arbitration to Damaso Marte and Bobby Abreu. Jim Baumbach explains a tricky situation coming up: re-signing Derek Jeter. Peter Abraham takes a look at various free agents on the minds' of Yankees fans. Tyler Kepner of the New York Times says first priority for the Yankees is to re-sign Brian Cashman. I imagine they already have a Plan B in place, but recent reports lean toward Cashman returning. Kepner says the Indians were aggressive in pursuing a deadline deal...   Continue Reading

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A's Rumors: Ellis, Embree

More A's rumors and news, courtesy of Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (here and here). GM Billy Beane is committed to the long-term plan, and is not interested in quick fixes. He'd like to add a free agent bat, probably an older player on a short-term commitment (Jason Giambi could make sense). Second baseman Mark Ellis had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago. The uncertainty hurts his free agency prospects, which might give the A's a better chance to re-sign him. Ellis is a Beane favorite, and the A's hope to bring him back. The A's will decide...   Continue Reading

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