Adam LaRoche Rumors

Braves Rumors: Heyward, Wagner, LaRoche

We've been hearing for a while that the Braves may trade from starting pitching depth to free up money, but what other moves might we see? MLB.com's Mark Bowman has some answers: Braves GM Frank Wren says there are "a lot of trade conversations going on" around the league. The Braves don't seem concerned about finding another outfielder, because they will consider letting top prospect Jason Heyward start the season in the majors. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Braves sign an affordable outfielder, in case they decide to keep Heyward in the minors for a couple months....   Continue Reading

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Atlanta's Offseason Needs

If and when Tim Hudson signs an extension with the Braves, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says GM Frank Wren appears likely to shop Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez. Moving one of the two veterans would create the financial flexibility to allow the Braves to pursue a first baseman, a closer and, possibly, an outfielder. It's a "strong possibility" that Adam LaRoche, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano will all sign elsewhere as free agents. Bowman says the Braves may consider signing Billy Wagner or trading for Matt Capps if they don't retain Gonzalez and Soriano. Jason Heyward looms in the minor leagues....   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Torre, Braves, Blue Jays

In the midst of a tight Dodgers-Phillies game, here are some news tidbits from around the baseball world.... Before Game Five, Joe Torre said he wants to (and believes he will) be the Dodgers' manager next season, reports Mike Jensen of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that Frank Wren is in a bit of a Catch-22 when it comes to re-signing Tim Hudson and Adam LaRoche, and/or trading Kenshin Kawakami or Derek Lowe for hitting help. MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that new Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has spent his first few weeks on...   Continue Reading

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Heyman On Matsui, Bradley, Dye, Chapman

Hideki Matsui is in the final year of a four-year, $52MM extension he signed with the Yankees following the 2005 campaign. At the age of 35, Matsui turned in one of his best seasons in the majors, posting .280/.373/.521 and 28 HRs. However, it doesn't appear that Hideki Matsui is a capable fielder at this stage of his career after all the injuries he has been through. Having not taken the field once all season, Matsui is strictly an American League player. As Tim Dierkes pointed out last week, if Matsui looks to sign elsewhere, he will find himself vying...   Continue Reading

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Fixing The Mets

The New York Post's Joel Sherman offered up some suggestions for shaking things up in the Mets clubhouse this offseason. He worries that Luis Castillo won't be able to replicate his strong 2009 and that Jeff Francoeur (.826 OPS with New York) may not be able to build on his solid second half. Unsurprisingly, his chief concern is the Mets starting rotation. However, Sherman suggests that the Mets first address their other holes before looking at starting pitchers, considering the weak crop available this winter: "Put out strong one-year offers with a 2011 option to a group at each position....   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Webb, Griffey, Hoffman

Links for Monday... The NCAA is cracking down on the adviser/agent distinction for future draftees, presumably in response to the Andy Oliver ruling. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick has the story. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic suggests parameters for a new Brandon Webb contract. Ken Griffey Jr. still isn't talking about 2010, according to Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Brewers GM Doug Melvin shares Trevor Hoffman's interest in a 2010 contract, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Joe Sheehan of Baseball Prospectus says Cubs GM Jim Hendry is "blatantly pandering to the disgruntled fan base" with the Milton...   Continue Reading

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Discussion: Should Atlanta Re-Sign LaRoche?

Adam LaRoche has certainly thrived in his return to Atlanta. He's hitting a ridiculous .356/.429/.638 with the Braves in 2009 - a monstrous second half in his contract year. The Braves will face an interesting decision in what to do with LaRoche this offseason, but according to Carroll Rogers, you can count teammate Chipper Jones among those who want to see LaRoche back with the Braves in 2010 and beyond: "...[Y]ou have the best first baseman that’s going to be on the market in house now. So why not do all you can to lock him up. What else does...   Continue Reading

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Odds & Ends: Reynolds, Gammons, Orioles

Some late night links after Jake Peavy allowed three runs in five innings in his first start for the White Sox... Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic notes that Mark Reynolds is likely to fall short of qualifying as a Super Two, meaning he'll have to wait until after 2010 to become arbitration eligible. He also says that it "does not appear there have been any discussions about a long-term deal with Reynolds, but the club does not seem averse to the idea of an extension." ESPN's Peter Gammons writes about how great Victor Martinez has been for the Red...   Continue Reading

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Stark On Smoltz, Reds, Strasburg, Thome

ESPN.com's Jayson Stark adds the Astros to the list of teams interested in John Smoltz. Here are the rest of his rumors: The Cubs could look for another bat and another starter, but it depends on how healthy Aramis Ramirez, Ted Lilly and Carlos Zambrano are. Stark points out that Aaron Harang's 2011 club option becomes a more expensive $14MM mutual option if he's traded. The Reds haven't seemed willing to take on cash in a trade involving Harang or rotation-mate Bronson Arroyo. The Yanks don't appear to have interest in either Reds starter, or John Smoltz, for that matter....   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal On Bell, Mets, Padilla, Braves

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Dodgers were on the brink of acquiring Heath Bell before the July 31st trade deadline. The Padres will listen to offers for Bell and Adrian Gonzalez again after the season, but they're under less pressure to deal those players with Jake Peavy's contract off the books. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors: The Mets are not considering replacing Omar Minaya with assistant GM John Ricco right now, but we could see Ricco deal with the media more. A pair of NL teams, possibly the Dodgers and Brewers, are "kicking the tires"...   Continue Reading

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