MLB is building momentum toward two 15-team leagues with three five-team divisions per league, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. It doesn't appear that the players’ association will agree to expand the postseason unless owners agree to more balanced schedules and divisions, Stark reports. Here are the rest of his rumors…
- It appears that the Tigers and Rays will pick up their options for Jose Valverde and Kyle Farnsworth, respectively, this offseason.
- Two MLB executives predicted to Stark that Ryan Madson will sign a deal like the one Valverde obtained two winters ago: $14MM over two years plus an option.
- Multiple teams have expressed concerns about Francisco Rodriguez’s off-field “baggage,” though K-Rod stands out as one of the best free agent relievers of the winter.
- Stark hears that MLB has been slow to approve incoming Astros owner Jim Crane in order to apply leverage on Crane so that he’ll agree to move the Astros to the American League. Earlier today, Bob Nightengale of USA Today had a report that conflicts with Stark’s article.
- Friends of Billy Beane say the A’s GM has legitimate interest in the Cubs GM job, though he has an ownership stake and lots of freedom in Oakland.
- Nationals GM Mike Rizzo will interview managerial candidates this offseason before deciding whether Davey Johnson will return as manager in 2012.
- First base doesn’t appear to be a priority for Washington, but Rizzo says "you never want to say never” when it comes to possible offseason moves.
DD has partially redeemed himself with great deadline moves. He will be hated again if he does not pick up Papa Grande’s option.
First all the Head comments on the previous post, and now someone’s got to bring up double-D’s?
Wasn’t even thinking about that.
love the valverde meter!! celebrate good times come on!!!
I just saw “Tigers” and “Kyle Farnsworth” next to each other upon first
glance and I just about punched my computer while screaming “DAMN YOU!
NOT AGAIN!”
Davey Johnson has shown repeatedly in his short tenure he has no idea how to use the bullpen.. Please find a capable manager this off-season Rizzo
It’s funny how according to their respective fans, there’s not one manager in the league that knows how to use a bullpen.
Specific example: Brad Peacock, a BA-top-50 starting-pitcher prospect, was called up a few days ago. He made his debut in relief of Stephen Strasburg, which was the plan; what wasn’t the plan was to have him come in with two men on base with no outs against Matt Kemp, in the middle of an inning. He’d never pitched in relief before, and got shelled.
Each manager has a reason/rationale for how they utilize their pen. What I’m trying to say is there’s no right or wrong answer because there’s a justified argument for sticking with someone or going with whoever they could put in. Obviously results vary, but fans tend to only notice the poor results.
For example, I saw that game on MLB Network. Kemp hit a one hopper to Ian Desmond, who could have easily turned a double play if he hadn’t misplayed it. There would be no talk about this if Desmond didn’t misplay it. But he did, and now Davey Johnson joins 25 other managers in the league as a poor in-game manager.
Well said, that was with one out and that could have been an inning ending double play. I really like Peacock, I think his stuff plays in the major league alot more than Milone’s stuff.
but what he is saying is true…i back him 100%…..always uses slaten in crunch time and always gets burned….burnett does the same thing so if you dont know our bp, then shut up
I agree, he has cost us alot of games this year with the way he misuses the bullpen.
If the Nats are in on Pujols/Fielder, that’s newsworthy. Same club that offered $180MM+ to Texiera.