Odds and Ends: Aurilia, Vazquez, Al Reyes, Varitek
Some random links for today…
- McCovey Chronicles thinks Rich Aurilia would be a nice fit for the ’09 Giants.
- Tyler Kepner of the New York Times says the Yankees never really had to give up on Javier Vazquez.
- The Mets released Al Reyes; he never pitched for them. Reyes had nine saves for the Rays in April of last year, but it’s mostly been downhill since then.
- Jason Varitek does not want to talk about 2009. It’s hard to see the Red Sox offering him more than one year.
- RotoAuthority discusses the fantasy baseball code of honor.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Huff, Hardy, Russ Ortiz
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up.
- Mark Attanasio set a dangerous precedent by firing Ned Yost. Will he interfere with GM Doug Melvin’s plans in the future?
- Rosenthal considers Aubrey Huff a "highly desirable trade commodity" this winter. That begs the question – why did Huff pass through waivers unclaimed in August?
- Trading J.J. Hardy is more likely than moving him to third base. Hardy is under team control for two more seasons. The Jays, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Giants, Dodgers, and Cardinals could be in the market for a shortstop. Demand certainly outstrips supply.
- Rosenthal believes Rafael Furcal would be a nice fit for the Blue Jays. He agrees that GM J.P. Ricciardi is likely to return.
- The Orioles might prefer affordable veterans to A.J. Burnett as they try to improve their pitching staff this winter.
- Russ Ortiz wants to pitch in 2009, and he worked out for ten days a week ago. ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick first reported the workout yesterday. He says the Royals, Astros, Brewers, and Red Sox had scouts at the audition.
Tigers Could Re-Sign Freddy Garcia
With payroll looking tight for 2009, re-signing starter Freddy Garcia at a reasonable price would be a great move for the Tigers. John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press thinks Garcia wants to stay.
His first big league start of the year was excellent – just two hits and one walk in five innings. Garcia averaged 88.8 mph on his fastball, down 2.6 mph from his effective 2005 season. Still, he’d be a fine addition to a questionable ’09 rotation. The Tigers will hopefully use their goodwill to sign him before he hits the open market.
Cain Hopes To Stay
According to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, Giants pitcher Matt Cain doesn’t want to be traded this winter. Baggarly says the Giants don’t want to trade him, but "they will have to keep an open mind to add a power hitter to their offense."
Baggarly cites the Cain-for-Prince Fielder rumor, noting that the Giants want more than that. Cain can be under contract for the next three seasons, so the Giants should demand more than the Orioles received for Erik Bedard. The Brewers could certainly match up, with a possible surplus of young infielders. Chris Davis and Dan Uggla could be other powerful targets for the Giants (not that Davis is available).
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Cards, Sheets, Twins, Pirates, K-Rod, Sabean
A few random notes from around the baseball Blogosphere…
- Rockin’ The Red says one of the priorities for the Cardinals this offseason should be signing a left-handed reliever. They examine the upcoming free agent market and feel Will Ohman and Jeremy Affeldt are the most attractive options.
- Was Watching explores the Yankees "lust" for Ben Sheets and notes that he may be a better option than A.J. Burnett and CC Sabathia.
- Twinkie Town projects the Twins ’09 payroll.
- Where have you gone, Andy Van Slyke? says it is better for the Pirates to wait and add payroll noting that a small increase now will not make the Buccos a contender. They believe it makes more sense to wait until ’10 or ’11.
- One writer at Fanhouse feels Chris Perez could keep the Cardinals from signing Francisco Rodriguez, giving the Cards money to spend on the rest of the bullpen.
- Another writer at Fanhouse wonders why Brian Sabean is going to be back in ’09.
- El Lefty Malo says Brian Sabean’s plan has "more or less worked". The suggestion is that it has only been one year since the rebuilding process began.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Mussina Willing To Return
According to Josh Thomson of The Journal News, Mike Mussina said last night he’d return to the Yankees next year if they’ll have him. Mussina is earning $11MM this year.
Mussina, 40 in December, bounced back from a lousy ’07 to post a 3.57 ERA in 189.1 innings. The difference? More strikeouts and fewer walks despite losing a mile per hour on his fastball. Mussina is throwing more breaking stuff this year, apparently.
I can envision an ’09 Yankees rotation with C.C. Sabathia, Chien-Ming Wang, Joba Chamberlain, and Mussina locked in. Then Phil Hughes and others would battle it out for the fifth starter job.
Adam Kennedy Wants A Trade
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post Dispatch, Cardinals second baseman Adam Kennedy has asked for a trade. Kennedy is unhappy with the uncertainty of his role.
Kennedy, 32, is hitting .263/.304/.327 in 339 plate appearances. He’s been an asset defensively, making 19 more plays than the average second baseman. He’ll earn $4MM next year. Even with the strong glovework, Kennedy may be difficult to trade.
Offseason Outlook: Detroit Tigers
The Tigers are next in our Offseason Outlook series. Here’s what they have for 2009:
C – Brandon Inge – $6.3MM
C – Dusty Ryan – $400K
1B – Miguel Cabrera – $15MM
2B – Placido Polanco – $4.6MM
SS – Ramon Santiago – $575K+
3B – Carlos Guillen – $10MM
IF – Michael Hollimon – $400K
IF/OF – Ryan Raburn – $400K
LF – Matt Joyce – $400K
CF – Curtis Granderson – $3.5MM
RF – Magglio Ordonez – $18MM
OF – Marcus Thames – $1.275MM+
DH – Gary Sheffield – $14MM
SP – Justin Verlander – $500K+
SP – Jeremy Bonderman – $12.5MM
SP – Armando Galarraga – $400K
SP – Zach Miner – $410K
SP – Nate Robertson – $7MM
RP – Fernando Rodney – $1.7MM+
RP – Gary Glover – $1.075MM+
RP – Bobby Seay – $780K+
RP – Joel Zumaya – $420K+
RP – Aquilino Lopez – $400K
RP – Clay Rapada – $400K
RP – Freddy Dolsi – $400K
Other commitments: Edgar Renteria – $3MM buyout, Rick Porcello – $1.2MM, Dontrelle Willis – $10MM
The Tigers have about $115MM committed for 2009, not including arbitration raises to Santiago, Thames, Rodney, Glover, Seay, Zumaya, and Verlander. So, they should be over $120MM with the current group. The Tigers had an opening day payroll of $137.7MM in 2008. Lynn Henning says to expect a drastic payroll reduction – "perhaps by $40 million or more."
As Henning notes, the Tigers may need to trade Ordonez to slice payroll down to the $100MM range. Maggs is the team’s highest-paid player, and he has a fine .892 OPS. Ordonez essentially comes with a three-year, $48MM contract. Certain teams might find that contract acceptable, but not if the price also includes quality young players. The Braves might be a good match if the Tigers are mainly looking for salary relief.
No team would assume the contracts of Sheffield, Robertson, or Willis, so there’s no point in trading them. Polanco, Bonderman, and Thames probably have trade value, but the Tigers don’t necessarily have ready replacements.
Even if the Tigers move Ordonez’s contract, they won’t have much left over for free agents. It’s hard to picture marquee free agents like Francisco Rodriguez, C.C. Sabathia, or Rafael Furcal being considered if Henning’s report is accurate. They might be able to dig around the bargain bin, re-upping Freddy Garcia and adding a nondescript veteran reliever.
The Tigers can contend in 2009, but it’ll probably require comebacks from current players such as Bonderman, Willis, Verlander, Robertson, Sheffield, Rodney, and Zumaya. The Tigers have one blue-chip prospect in Rick Porcello, who might be able to contribute in the second half.
Padres Rumors: Moores, Giles, Hoffman
MLB.com’s Barry Bloom talked to Padres owner John Moores recently. Highlights:
- Moores doesn’t expect to be out of the picture next year despite his divorce. Word was his wife Becky wanted to gain control of the Padres.
- Moores expects Sandy Alderson and Kevin Towers back in 2009, and Paul DePodesta was recently extended for three more years.
- Moores says it’s "more likely than not" that the Padres exercise Brian Giles‘ $9MM option as opposed to the $3MM buyout. Moores acknowledges that the Padres probably cannot find a player like Giles for $6MM.
- Trevor Hoffman may be the tougher call, as the Padres love him but he may require a multiyear deal.
Odds and Ends: Cashman, Roberts, Lowe
Rounding up links for Thursday…
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday notes which player moves were entirely Brian Cashman’s, and which came from above.
- Buster Olney wonders if Doug Melvin could replace Cashman as the Yankees’ GM. Olney stresses that it’s pure speculation on his part.
- Viva El Birdos asks what it would take for the Cardinals to acquire Brian Roberts.
- John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press says the Tigers should sign Derek Lowe this winter. Will Lowe get a four year deal?
- Bud Selig tells Ken Rosenthal the Manny Ramirez trade was completed before the deadline. Jerry Crasnick says the Dodgers have not talked to Ramirez about an extension.
- Rays Index explains why the team should not trade Scott Kazmir.