Mike MacDougal Rumors

Odds & Ends: Delgado, Johnson, Igawa

Some links as Hanley Ramirez celebrates his 26th birthday...

• The Mets may have reduced interest in Carlos Delgado, according to Marty Noble of MLB.com. The slugger won't start playing baseball in Puerto Rico until mid-January; no reason was given for the delay.
• The Yankees have about $4MM to spend on a left fielder, according to the New York Daily News.
• Nick Johnson's deal with the Yankees is official, according to MLB.com's Brian Hoch.
• David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution points out (via Twitter) that Troy Glaus will be the Braves' 11th opening day first baseman in 12 seasons if he signs in Atlanta, as expected.
• Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News says (via Twitter) that the Cubs were willing to take on Kei Igawa's salary (two years, $8MM) before the Yanks acquired Javier Vazquez.
• Brandon Morrow tells Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he hopes to start in Toronto.
• Dustin Parkes of Drunk Jays Fans says there's no point thinking of Roy Hallladay as a saint, even if he did buy ad space in the Toronto Sun.
• An unnamed source tells Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that the Dodgers broke even last year. Check out Shaikin's interview with team president Dennis Mannion.
• The Phillies have been in touch with former Nats reliever Mike MacDougal, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. MacDougal's agent says "a good number" of teams are interested, which is what we heard earlier in the week.

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Market For Mike MacDougal

ESPN's Jayson Stark looks at the market for recently non-tendered reliever Mike MacDougal in a Rumor Central post today.  Stark says eight to ten teams are "actively pursuing" MacDougal, with the Phillies most interested.  Stark names the Orioles, Pirates, Cardinals, Mets, and A's as other suitors.

The Nationals had the worst bullpen ERA in baseball in 2009 (5.09), so their decision to non-tender MacDougal isn't a good sign.  The righty, 33 in March, struck out only 34 while walking 38 in 54.3 innings this year.  Despite a 96 mph fastball and a strong groundball rate, MacDougal would be a risky late-inning bullpen addition if he costs several million.

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Odds & Ends: Torrealba, Rangers, Damon

Some evening links...

• Yorvit Torrealba's pending grievance hearing against the Mets will take place Wednesday, writes Jon Heyman of SI.com.  Torrealba contends that back when he was a free agent in 2007, the club falsely created the impression that he was an injury risk.  Interestingly, the article notes that despite this, the Mets could still sign Torrealba this time around if they are unable to sign Bengie Molina.
• The Texas Rangers could sell for as much as $530MM, according to Maury Brown of BizOfBaseball.  Brown indicates that the group led by Jim Crane holds the highest bid at the moment.
• Ken Davidoff of Newsday tweeted earlier today that the signings of Mike Cameron and Hideki Matsui could improve the chances of Johnny Damon returning to the Bronx.  Not just a good point but one that many of us have probably overlooked in the chaos of today.
• All of the player movement of today puts a great deal of pressure on Mets GM Omar Minaya, writes Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post.
• With Lackey and Halladay seemingly off the market, the Yankees can now focus on whittling down a list of available second-tier starters, writes Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger.  Carig suggests that Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer are possibilities.
• Steve Gilbert of MLB.com has a list of possible non-tenders who could land with the D'Backs.  We've heard the other names already, but Gilbert suggests Ryan Church as a fit, noting that Arizona has an uncertain interest level. 
• A person familiar with the Mets' thinking tells Marty Noble of MLB.com that the team has interest in two pitchers: starter Chien-Ming Wang and a lower-profile name in reliever Mike MacDougal.

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Non-Tendered Players

The deadline for teams to offer contract to their players with less than six years of service time is midnight ET tonight, so let's keep track off all the non-tenders here in one post. Make sure you check back in, we'll be updating this post throughout the day.

• Rough day for Jose Arredondo.  First it was announced that he would have surgery and miss 2010.  Then right at the deadline, the Angels decided against tendering him an offer.  Matt Brown and Dustin Moseley were given their walking papers as well.
• The Giants non-tendered Ryan Garko.
• Clay Condrey has been non-tendered by the Phillies.
• Josh Whitesell, though not arbitration-eligible, was non-tendered.
• The Indians non-tendered Adam Miller, Anthony Reyes, and Jose Veras.
• The Pirates made Matt Capps and Phil Dumatrait walk the plank.
• Raul Chavez is the only player not brought back by Toronto.
• The Royals have non-tendered John Buck and Josh Anderson.
• Mark Worrell and Jackson Quezada have been non-tendered by the Padres.
• Shawn Riggans was not offered a contract by Tampa Bay.
• Rays have non-tendered Gabe Gross.
• Seattle has non-tendered outfielder Ryan Langerhans.
• Milwaukee will non-tender Mark DiFelice and Mike Rivera.
• The Metropolitans have non-tendered Cory Sullivan, Tim Redding, Jeremy Reed, and Lance Broadway.
• The BoSox did not tender an offer to outfielder Brian Anderson.
• Oakland has parted ways with Jack Cust.
• The Nationals announced that they will not tender a contract to Mike MacDougal.
• Let's welcome D.J. Carrasco to the list.
• The Orioles bid Brian Bass farewell.
• The Cubs will non-tender Neal Cotts.
• Jonny Gomes has been non-tendered by the Reds.
• Raise your hand if you're an arbitration-eligible Marlin who has been tendered an offer.  Not so fast, Alfredo Amezaga.
• Scott Olsen will not be invited back by the Nats.
• The Yankees non-tendered Chien-Ming Wang.
• The Braves gave Kelly Johnson and Ryan Church their walking papers.
• Garrett Atkins has been cut loose.
• Seth McClung tweeted a classy goodbye to the Brewers organization this morning, noting it was not his choice to leave.

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Nationals May Non-Tender Mike MacDougal

ESPN's Jayson Stark tweets that he's hearing there's a good chance the Nationals non-tender reliever Mike MacDougal.  The Nats acquired Brian Bruney yesterday, and will give him a chance to win the closer job.

Non-tendering MacDougal would be wise.  After earning $2.65MM in 2009, his agent can argue for a decent raise on the basis of his 20 saves in 21 opportunities.  Since MacDougal walked 38 and struck out 34 in his 54.3 innings, he's not a good bet to repeat his success in 2010.

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Nationals Notes: MacDougal, Dukes, Flores

Let's take a look at some Nationals tidbits courtesy of the latest mailbag from MLB.com's Bill Ladson and Phil Wood of MASNsports.com:

• Mike MacDougal is currently the favorite to be the Nats' closer in 2010.  In 52 appearances last season, the 32-year-old posted an ERA of 3.60 but had as many walks as he did strikeouts.  However, the club could be looking to upgrade as Ladson hears that they are interested in acquiring free agent reliever Mike Gonzalez.  If they ink Gonzalez, Ladson sees the two men sharing the closer role.
• Don't expect Washington to make a move for free agent right fielder Jermaine Dye, as Elijah Dukes will be allowed to showcase his potential as the starter.
• The Nationals are not content with Wil Nieves as their starting catcher as they await a clean bill of health for Jesus Flores.  Instead, they would like to get a catcher who can play every day in the event that Flores is not ready for Spring Training or Opening Day.
• Wood writes that while it is something of a long shot, the Nationals have the cash available this offseason to sign Rich Harden.  While the 27-year-old wouldn't come cheap, he will not require the forfeiture of a draft pick as he is a Type B free agent.

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Mike Rizzo Chat At The Washington Post

Chico Harlan of the Washington Post chatted with Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, and posted the full Q&A on his blog.  A few hot stove highlights:

• Starter Scott Olsen had surgery in July to repair a small labrum tear in his pitching shoulder.  Having earned $2.8MM this year, the Nats would have to pay him at least $2.24MM in 2010 if they tender him a contract.  Rizzo said he's getting health reports on Olsen daily and the team will use the coming months to decide whether to non-tender him.
• Rizzo says closer Mike MacDougal has "done a great job."  MacDougal represents another of the Nationals' many arbitration cases; he could earn $3MM+ in 2010.
• The Nationals consider Jesus Flores (shoulder surgery) the everyday catcher in 2010, but still may bring in another backstop for insurance.
• Rizzo seems satisfied with Elijah Dukes as the regular right fielder.

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Odds & Ends: DeRosa, Bruney, Cooper

Let's kick it off today with some odds and ends.

• RotoAuthority discusses responding to lame trade offers in your fantasy league.
• Reliever Mike MacDougal will join the Nationals tomorrow, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.  Who knows, he could be closing for them by next week.
• Talking to Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune, Cubs GM Jim Hendry defended the Mark DeRosa trade.  Here is my problem with it: it was a financially-motivated deal made by a big-market team, and did not bring back players who could help in 2009.
• According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the White Sox acquired journeyman minor league infielder Anderson Machado from the Pirates for a player to be named later.
• Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the Jody Gerut for Tony Gwynn Jr. swap.  DePodesta's third bullet point, money, had to be the overriding factor given Gwynn's negligible value around the league.
• Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle sees Bobby Crosby as perhaps a more pressing trade situation for the A's than Matt Holliday.
• Dr. James Andrews found no structural damage in Brian Bruney's elbow, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  Given the uncertainty, though, a bullpen acquisition would still make sense.
• It looks like the writing is on the wall for Astros manager Cecil Cooper.  Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle lists his offenses.
• Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch is skeptical the Cardinals will make a big move.
• Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus agrees that the Pirates are the favorite for Dominican talent Miguel Angel Sano, and says the Rays, Cubs, A's, Blue Jays, Yankees, Rangers, and Twins are also after him.  It's speculated by McDaniel and elsewhere that the Pirates could budget less toward their fourth overall pick in June to compensate for Sano.  John Perrotto of Inside Pittsburgh Sports says they like Kyle Gibson, Aaron Crow, Bobby Borchering, and Wil Myers.  Tanner Scheppers did not give the Bucs permission to redraft him.

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Odds & Ends: Braves, Peavy, Mets, Sabathia

Links for Tuesday...

• MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that Mike MacDougal left the Nationals' Triple A club via an out clause, but could remain with the organization if they decide to promote him to the Majors.
• Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution speculates on some outfield options for the Braves.
• According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, Chris Duffy accepted the Brewers' assignment to Triple A.  Duffy was designated for assignment on May 22nd.
• For some reason, Scott Boras weighed in on the Padres' attempt to trade Jake Peavy (talking to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune).  Boras suggested it might be a breach of contract, but Peavy's agent Barry Axelrod isn't as offended.  Barry Rozner of the Daily Herald has more from Axelrod, who said, "the entire process was unfair."
• Howard Megdal of SNY campaigns for the Mets to acquire a passable shortstop, while retaining Ramon Castro and Brian Schneider as catchers.
• MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo looks at the middle infielders in the upcoming draft.  And MLB.com's Lisa Winston has a column on Grant Green.
• Talking to Jack Curry of the New York Times, C.C. Sabathia wondered about his six-year old son's possible high school future in New Jersey.  Sabathia can choose to opt out of his contract after the 2011 season.  Is this anything?  The kid will be going to high school in eight years or so, so the contract will be up regardless.  More telling might be Sabathia's comments to Jayson Stark earlier this month.

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Odds & Ends: MacDougal, Maddon, Brazell

Memorial Day linkage...

• MLB.com's Bill Ladson says it's decision time for Mike MacDougal and the Nationals.
• Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune transcribed comments made by White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf to ESPN 1000's Chuck Swirsky.  Reinsdorf said the Sox are moving on from the Jake Peavy deal and also implied that no one is untouchable.
• Joe Maddon's three-year extension with the Rays is official.
• Craig Brazell agreed to a deal with the Hanshin Tigers, according to reports gathered by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker.  Brazell had been playing for the St. Paul Saints after nothing materialized from an Orioles spring training invite.
• Murray Chass talks about Jeff Moorad's path to becoming part-owner of the Padres.
• Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic writes about the D'Backs, who have seven of the first 64 draft picks.
• Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has an interesting article about minor league free agents.

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