Mark Ellis Rumors

Odds and Ends: Hart, Ellis, Mientkiewicz, Varitek

Today's random links... Ken Rosenthal discusses possible changes at various GM positions. Jon Heyman says Pat Gillick could take a high-ranking role with the Blue Jays if not the Mariners. Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart is interested in the Mariners job. The Mariners hope to have their permanent GM hired by the end of October. A Japanese pitcher invented a new pitch called the shake. Eddie Bajek wonders if Mark Ellis could handle shortstop. It's good to think out of the box given the free agent market at the position. Doug Mientkiewicz would like to spend another season...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Angels, D'Backs, Giambi, Ellis

Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera. Rosenthal doesn't expect any of these four back. Garret Anderson's $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed. John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for '09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that. Several journalists have noted the D'Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season. They're...   Continue Reading

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Odds and Ends: Kielty, Ellis, Bonds, Poreda

Time to for today's link collection. The Twins signed Bobby Kielty to a minor league deal. The former Twin was released by the Red Sox in July. When he's going good, he can hit lefties pretty well. Peter Magowan is glad the Giants didn't successfully pull off an attempted trade for Manny Ramirez before the '07 season. However, as Henry Schulman notes, that might've prevented the Barry Zito contract. The Reds haven't talked to the agents for any of their potential free agents, and no decision has been made on Adam Dunn. Susan Slusser wonders if the D'Backs will try...   Continue Reading

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Ellis Still Talking Extension With A's

According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle: Mark Ellis said that his agent, Jamie Murphy, has had more talks with the A's recently about a possible multiyear contract. We last heard about these talks on June 25th. Ellis would like to reach an agreement before the season ends. The A's already have a wealth of second base prospects - Jemile Weeks, Adrian Cardenas, and Eric Patterson.   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: K-Rod, Maddux, Wolf, Street

Rumor guru Ken Rosenthal is at it again. Angels GM Tony Reagins is doing his due diligence on available hitters. Rosenthal admits his own suggestion of a Mark Teixeira/Will Ohman blockbuster acquisition is unlikely. Rosenthal believes Francisco Rodriguez's expected asking price to be five years, $75MM. The Angels would not bite on that. Greg Maddux only wants to be traded to a West Coast team. He might accept a trade back to the Dodgers, if Ned Colletti and Kevin Towers want to go down that road. The Orioles would trade George Sherrill if someone wants to overpay. Tons of teams...   Continue Reading

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A's Talk Extension With Mark Ellis

According to MLB.com's Mychael Urban, A's second baseman Mark Ellis instructed his agent Jamie Murphy to talk to the team about an extension. Murphy is talking to A's assistant GM David Forst. They haven't discussed money or years yet but both sides would like to reach a resolution before season's end. Ellis, 31, is hitting .261/.349/.432 in 296 plate appearances. In a Free Agent Stock Watch piece, I wrote that Ellis might be this offseason's affordable alternative to Orlando Hudson. Now it looks like he might not make it to the open market.   Continue Reading

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Ellis Still Wants To Stay

More from John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle: Mark Ellis still wants to re-sign with the Athletics in the offseason rather than test free agency, which could be lucrative for him. This remains even after the A's drafted second baseman Jemile Weeks with their first pick in the draft. Says Ellis, "You never know what'll happen in the draft. You need players. Baseball drafts aren't like football or basketball drafts where you see these guys right away." True. If Jemile Weeks comes up in 2-3 years, Ellis could be a trade piece for Beane but that's very conditional and...   Continue Reading

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Mark Ellis: Stay Or Leave?

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reiterates Mark Ellis' desire to stay with the A's beyond 2008 but notes, "Testing free-agent waters might be extremely lucrative for Ellis, who is an elite defensive player." Tim recently sifted through the 2B market and thinks it would take something substantial to acquire Ellis. I don't see the A's, who are 27-23, making any sudden moves - at least not with lower profile quantities like Ellis. Come the off-season Mark Ellis, who turns 31 next week, may be torn between signing for a lot less to stay or following Orlando Hudson who...   Continue Reading

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Free Agent Stock Watch: Mark Ellis

A's second baseman Mark Ellis might be the affordable alternative to Orlando Hudson next winter. In September of last year, the A's chose to exercise Ellis' $5MM option for '08. Ellis, 30, was ranked as the fourth-best defensive second baseman by the Fielding Bible's panel of experts, behind Aaron Hill, Hudson, and Brandon Phillips. The market might undervalue second base defense - Baseball Prospectus' PECOTA projection system values Ellis at about $30MM over the 2009-11 seasons. He seems unlikely to become a $10MM a year player. Ellis also has offensive value. He's good for a .330 OBP and .400 SLG,...   Continue Reading

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Rosenthal's Latest: Thames, Konerko, Ellis, Atkins

Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; let's take a look. Rosenthal dissects the outfield options for the Mets, many of the names we've been speculating. He notes that the Mets' talks for Marcus Thames fizzled during the Winter Meetings. He says Paul Konerko "remains quietly available," and expresses the opinion that the Mets or Yankees could both use him. Rosenthal believes Chicago's biggest need is starting pitching. Rosenthal speculates that six years at $18MM per might be the Rockies' limit for Matt Holliday. Will the Scott Boras client demand full market value? Also, Colorado doesn't seem to have any...   Continue Reading

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A's Not Interested In Pierre

11:50am: Slusser says A's sources are thoroughly denying this rumor. It was fun while it lasted! She is also skeptical of the Mark Ellis rumblings. 8:01am: There's a headline I didn't expect to write, given that the Dodgers' Juan Pierre comes with a $36.5MM commitment over the next four years. Susan Slusser reports that the Athletics have inquired on him, proof that they may be looking to acquire a veteran center fielder. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense on the surface. Either the A's would want the Dodgers to absorb a significant portion of the money, or they'd...   Continue Reading

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White Sox Interested In Mark Ellis

About a week ago, I speculated that the White Sox could go after Oakland second baseman Mark Ellis if their in-house options don't work out. Billy Beane and Kenny Williams have a great relationship. Today, Baseball Prospectus' John Perrotto says the White Sox reportedly have interest in Ellis. If the White Sox are pushing all-in for '08, Ellis makes a lot of sense. The Sox have interesting candidates for second base, but none who could be expected to post a .775 OPS with Gold Glove caliber defense as Ellis can. The 30 year-old will earn $5MM this year before reaching...   Continue Reading

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A's Exercise 2008 Option On Mark Ellis

30 year-old second baseman Mark Ellis has had a solid season, hitting .273/.333/.440 with 19 HR in 568 ABs. He's generally regarded as a fine defender. Today, the A's exercised their $5MM club option on the second baseman for the 2008 season. It's a smart move; the market seems to continually undervalue this position (Brian Roberts signed for $14.3MM over two years). PECOTA actually figures Ellis to be worth a surprising $13.4MM in '08, with much of that value coming from his defense. Billy Beane may still shop Ellis this winter. Baseball Prospectus's Kevin Goldstein feels that the club wouldn't..   Continue Reading

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Rumor Roundup

Another day, another rumor roundup. Let's throw everything fresh into the mill. The Orioles are thinking about taking on one of Philly's huge outfielder contracts, for some reason. I guess this could help next year's push for third place. Baltimore is one of baseball's most baffling teams to me. Abreu rumors have been floating around the Orioles since at least November. The Cubs and Yankees may have something cooking, with Scott Williamson the likely candidate to be dealt. If the reliever market is really so inflated, why don't the Cubs trade Howry and Eyre? The Pirates are offering up all..   Continue Reading

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