Olney’s Latest: Rockies, Padres, Braves, Sabathia
Today let’s take a look at Buster Olney’s blog.
- Executives from the Rockies and Padres are telling other clubs that they will not be sellers. They’ve climbed back into the race with the recent D’Backs slump. Popular trade rumor names like Brian Fuentes, Greg Maddux, and Randy Wolf may be off the market.
- Olney runs through some scenarios for Mark Teixeira trades, if Frank Wren and the Braves decide to punt on ’08.
- The Rangers have their eye on C.C. Sabathia – maybe now, maybe after he reaches free agency.
Indians Sign Ensberg
The Indians signed third baseman Morgan Ensberg to a minor league deal today. The 32 year-old hit .203/.263/.243 in 80 plate appearances with the Yankees to earn his release.
Odds and Ends: Fujikawa, Inge, Haren, Jacque
Today’s collection of links…
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman does not believe Omar Minaya’s job is in jeopardy.
- New blog to check out: NPB Tracker. Patrick’s goal is to provide a reliable source of information on Japanese leagues to an American audience. He’s already got a name for us to watch: reliever Kyuji Fujikawa. He’d like to be posted, but that’s up to the Hanshin Tigers.
- Brandon Inge is up for full-time catching in ’09, even if it’s not his preference.
- The D’Backs discussed an extension with Dan Haren, but talks broke off. They could rekindle. He’s signed cheaply through 2010 already.
- The Tigers would’ve been interested in Barry Bonds if they didn’t have Gary Sheffield, according to Jim Leyland.
- Jacque Jones has cleared waivers but hasn’t decided whether to accept a minor league assignment from the Marlins.
- RotoAuthority looks at Chase Headley from a fantasy perspective.
- Pretty interesting comments from Bill Bavasi on Erik Bedard. Watch video of Bavasi’s press conference here.
Tigers Interested In Freddy Garcia
Who said the Tigers were sellers? According to Jon Paul Morosi, they’ve contacted Freddy Garcia‘s agent to express interest. At 6.5 games out, the Tigers have roughly a 15% chance at making the playoffs (not unlike the Mets).
Garcia is coming back from shoulder surgery, and if all goes according to plan he could reach a Major League mound in late August. It’s important that he makes it before September so that he’s playoff-eligible. Morosi notes that Detroit is a good fit for Garcia, given his friendship with Carlos Guillen and the team’s Venezuelan leanings.
On May 16th, Buster Olney said at least seven teams were monitoring Garcia: the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, and Mariners. The Indians also had past interest. We can probably take the Ms off the list now.
Davidoff: Sabathia Not Likely For Yankees
Ken Davidoff provides a reality check to Yankees fans this morning, explaining that Brian Cashman is just lukewarm on C.C. Sabathia (and considers Phil Hughes untouchable). The Yankees will hang around in the talks, but they are not the frontrunner. Peter Abraham says the Yanks have six weeks to make a trade, which could be for a lesser pitcher like Paul Byrd or Randy Wolf.
Davidoff says about 20 teams have expressed interest in Sabathia, including the Yankees and Mets. The Red Sox, Cubs, and Dodgers have also been linked. According to Davidoff, Mark Shapiro will eventually narrow his list to four or five teams and then get serious. The Dodgers are one club that has both the need and the goods to make a deal. Who’s your favorite?
Possibilities For Seattle GM Position
Who’s in the running to replace Bill Bavasi in Seattle long-term?
- Interim GM Lee Pelekoudas is in the running. But as Bavasi’s former righthand man and assistant GM, he’d be an odd choice.
- Tigers assistant GM Al Avila was considered for the Mariners’ job back in ’03 and would love the opportunity.
- Keep in mind that the long-term GM will probably not be hired until after the season. Ken Rosenthal speculates on Brian Cashman, Kevin Towers, A’s assistant GM David Forst, and D’Backs director of player personnel Jerry Dipoto.
- Statistically Speaking discusses the Chris Antonetti possibility (he’s Cleveland’s assistant GM).
- Larry Stone has all sorts of ideas. Aside from those already mentioned here, he tosses out Pat Gillick (unlikely), Gerry Hunsicker, Kim Ng, Dan Evans, Bob Watson, Peter Woodfork, A.J. Hinch, Tony LaCava, Jed Hoyer, Ben Cherington, Jim Duquette, and Paul DePodesta.
A’s Targeting Michel Inoa
Peter Gammons mentioned earlier that signing 16 year-old righty Michel Inoa "would be the equivalent of signing a top 10 draft pick." A’s GM Billy Beane is back in the Dominican Republic as he continues his pursuit. It’s been suggested that the A’s might offer a $4MM bonus. Baseball America’s Ben Badler recently noted that the record for an international amateur signing was Wily Mo Pena‘s $2.44MM in ’99, excluding Cuban defectors.
According to ESPN’s Enrique Rojas on June 12th, all 30 teams have evaluated Inoa. Aside from Beane, Brian Cashman and Kevin Towers have come to the D.R. to see the crown jewel in person. Signings can begin on July 2nd.
Mets Fire Randolph, Peterson
News came over the wire early this morning that the Mets have fired manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson, and first base coach Tom Nieto. Jerry Manuel becomes the interim manager.
I’ve mentioned before – manager news isn’t really within the scope of this website. But, I figure it’s easier to toss up an item here rather than explain that to well-intentioned emailers all day.
The Mets are 34-35, 6.5 games out of the NL East with about 57% of the season left to go. Baseball Prospectus puts their playoff odds somewhere between 7-19%.
Bill Bavasi Fired
4:30pm: Darrin Beene chronicled all of Bavasi’s transactions – check it out here.
2:10pm: The Mariners fired Bill Bavasi today. According to the press release, "Vice President/Associate General Manager Lee Pelekoudas will take over as the interim General Manager." Pelekoudas will be a candidate in the team’s permanent GM search.
I’m not going to list off Bavasi’s mistakes here; we all know he did a poor job. Looking forward, you have to wonder if Pelekoudas will be more willing to trade Erik Bedard than Bavasi would’ve been. He could also move quickly to release Richie Sexson. Geoff Baker believes a housecleaning is much more likely now.
Chien-Ming Wang Injury Repercussions
We don’t cover injuries here at MLBTR. But with Chien-Ming Wang‘s possibly season-ending foot injuries, I’ve already received a boatload of emails from Yankees fans asking what’s next.
The starting pitching market has already changed since our June 4th post – Sidney Ponson has been released, Miguel Batista demoted to the bullpen, and Odalis Perez, Jeremy Bonderman, and Brad Penny are hurt. Plus, the Tigers are coming around.
That leaves plenty of viable names for the Yankees to consider, though. Reasonable acquisition targets include Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Erik Bedard, Derek Lowe, C.C. Sabathia, Randy Wolf, Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and Paul Byrd. Most of these pitchers would probably be an upgrade over the team’s internal options. The Yankees have multiple young pitchers and outfielders considered to be among the top 100 prospects in the game who could be used as trade chips. Freddy Garcia could also be a consideration; he may be back by late August and only costs money.
River Ave. Blues discussed replacement options this morning, but Brian Cashman says "there is no trade market at the moment."