Tazawa Ignites Controversy
Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa is shaking things up – last week he asked the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams not to draft him. He wants to join an MLB team instead. His decision, coupled with interest from multiple MLB teams, is putting a major strain on MLB-NPB relations.
Peter Abraham of The Journal News had an informative article on the Tazawa situation yesterday. He says Tazawa’s decision is testing an informal agreement that MLB will not sign Japanese prospects. Abraham says the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, and Dodgers have scouted Tazawa. The Tigers, Pirates, Cubs, and Mariners may also be in the mix. The Red Sox are said to be in the lead. There’s no posting free for an unsigned player, though Tazawa may want a big league deal.
The Yankees will pass – GM Brian Cashman told Abraham he will honor the gentleman’s agreement between the two leagues. When the Yanks sent Gene Michael to Japan last week, it was apparently to scout Yu Darvish. Darvish’s availability this winter will hinge on the whims of the Nippon Ham Fighters. No one knows whether the Fighters will cash the 22 year-old in now for a possible $60-80MM posting fee.
NPB directors convened to discuss the Tazawa situation last week, and they’re sending a delegation to the U.S. to meet with MLB. Abraham suggests NPB could strike back if Bud Selig doesn’t step in to stop the pursuit of Japanese players before they are drafted. Abraham speculates Japan could pull out of the World Baseball Classic or even sign an American amateur player as retaliation. Or, as Patrick Newman suggested to me recently, a team like Softbank could jump in and sign Pedro Alvarez or Aaron Crow.
Week in Review: 9/7 – 9/13
Just a few weeks left in the regular season, but plenty of news here on MLBTR still. Let’s look back at the past week:
- The Mets received terrible news when they learned that their All-Star closer, Billy Wagner, will need Tommy John surgery and miss all of 2009. Wagner does not expect to return to the Mets, and apparently the Mets have already told him his 2010 option will not be exercised. The Mets seem likely to be in the Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes mix. On that note, Fuentes will probably not return to Colorado next season.
- I’m taking this one with a grain of salt, but it sure makes for a headline: Mark McGwire would consider playing again? Big Mac says he can still hit if someone wants him. However, it seems to me there’s another 40-something former slugger with steroid allegations who says the same thing, and no one’s biting on that front…
- Adam Dunn hasn’t heard anything about a possible extension from the Diamondbacks, but he’s not worried about it. He doesn’t sound too pleased with former teammate Bronson Arroyo these days, however…
- Speaking of Dunn, the Reds officially acquired Micah Owings as part of their trade of him this week.
- Tim updated the Offseason Outlook series, with installments for the Nationals, Royals, and Pirates. He also took a look at some of the potential big-name free agents following the 2009 season.
- The Elias Rankings for American League and National League relievers are out.
- Two minor moves: The A’s released designated hitter Mike Sweeney, and the Brewers claimed pitcher Todd Coffey.
Perrotto’s Latest: Royals, Ibanez, Rauch, Gregg
It’s Sunday, which means that John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here’s the highlights…
- Royals GM Dayton Moore will likely make a big splash in the free agent market once again. Two years ago, he signed Gil Meche to a five-year, $55MM deal. Last year, he signed Jose Guillen to a three-year, $36MM contract. This year, his big target appears to be Rafael Furcal, which would allow the Royals to move Mike Aviles to second base. Moore is also believed to be willing to trade anyone on the team with the exceptions of Meche, Zack Greinke, and Joakim Soria.
- Raul Ibanez isn’t likely to be back with the Mariners as a free agent next season. Perrotto feels that Ibanez is a good bet to become the Rays’ designated hitter for 2009.
- The Diamondbacks originally wanted to use Jon Rauch as their closer for 2009 and let Brandon Lyon leave through free agency. Rauch’s recent string of rough outings has them reconsidering that train of thought.
- The Marlins will try to trade Kevin Gregg this offseason, and will likely non-tender him if they don’t find match.
- The Braves are looking to add two starters for the 2009 campaign. General manager Frank Wren has traveled overseas to scout Japanese pitchers Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami already this year.
- The Nationals have a crowded situation at first base with both Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young under contract, but they’ll still be looking to improve at the position in the offseason.
Arnsberg Comments On Burnett
Blue Jays pitching coach Brad Arnsberg was a crucial factor in A.J. Burnett signing with the Blue Jays back in 2005 (that, and the money). Arnsberg had been Burnett’s pitching coach in Florida.
Burnett has two years and $24MM left on his contract, but he has the right to opt out after the season and become a free agent. The FAN 590’s Jerry Howarth recently spoke to Arnsberg about Burnett. Arnsberg’s heart says Burnett will stay in Toronto. Burnett’s wife loves it there. Arnsberg had multiple heart-to-heart conversations with Burnett discussing the pitcher’s future, and leans toward Burnett returning. Arnsberg speculates that it could take another year on the contract to bring him back.
Burnett’s had a fine season, tying his career high with 32 starts. He’s also established a career best with 214 strikeouts. He leads all of MLB with 3388 pitches thrown, but has not reached 120 pitches in any start. He could be looking at four years and $60MM on the free agent market, possibly more.
Would Dodgers Trade For Beltre?
If Casey Blake returns to Cleveland, would the Dodgers be interested in Adrian Beltre? Bill Shaikin of the LA Times points out Beltre still calls Pasadena home.
The 29 year old third basemen is in the midst of this third consecutive 25 homerun season despite a torn ligament in his left thumb. Writes Shaikin:
"Beltre wouldn’t mind staying in Seattle, but the Mariners need to hire a general manager and get on with rebuilding. Assuming they do, Beltre would love to come back to the Dodgers. ‘If I’m available, I’d be happy to,’ he said. ‘I don’t know what is going to happen. I’d be more than happy to come back to L.A. It’s not under my control.’"
Still, the Mariners don’t have many trade pieces, need to rebuild, and third base will be in high demand this offseason so Beltre won’t come cheap. The Dodgers have given up a lot recently to acquire Manny Ramirez and Greg Maddux and may rather work hard to sign Casey Blake before other teams have a chance. Other options for the Dodgers might be to move Blake Dewitt to third, or pursuing Joe Crede or other less desirable free agents this offseason.
Cardinals To Be Aggressive This Offseason
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis-Dispatch reports Cardinals owner John Mozeliak has vowed to be aggressive this offseason.
"Last year, I thought the only way we could improve was through addition by subtraction," Mozeliak said, referring to trades that sent away disenchanted third baseman Scott Rolen and center fielder Jim Edmonds. "This year is different. I think we will identify holes and aggressively pursue closing them in a number of ways."
Jason Isringhausen, Kyle Lohse, Braden Looper, and Russ Springer will free up some payroll. In fact, over $40MM will be pared from the payroll. The Cardinals need a left handed reliever, a starting pitcher, and an impact bat.
It will be interesting to see if the Cardinals wind up in an arms race with the Astros.
Tigers Could Deal Ordonez?
Last week, John Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press contemplated the Tigers’ offseason plans. Their payroll projects at $130MM assuming no free agent signings or extensions; however, according to Morosi the Tigers’ revenue can only sustain $110MM. Owner Mike Ilitch wants a World Series but spending more doesn’t seem likely without shaking things up.
Morosi thinks the Tigers might have to trade Magglio Ordonez:
"They need a shortstop who covers more ground than Edgar Renteria. They need a closer, unless they are comfortable with Fernando Rodney (36 innings, 25 walks) protecting leads in the ninth inning. They need one more setup man, because of the uncertainty surrounding Joel Zumaya’s health. They also need to improve their rotation."
Have fun with that one. Magglio is set to make $18MM in ’09, followed by team options of $18MM and $15MM in ’10 and ’11, so any realistic trades need to be with teams that can shoulder that contract.
Despite a disappointing campaign, offense is still the one area of depth for the Tigers so this move would make sense.
Royals To Look Outside for 2009 Help
Royals manager Trey Hillman told MLB.com that when it comes to improving the team for next year, he won’t be looking for much help from the farm system:
Hillman said Kansas City doesn’t "have a plethora of talent at our Triple-A level," so the Royals will "have to try to improve possibly in the free-agent market as much as we can and continue to evaluate what we have and go from there."
In his Royals’ Offseason Outlook, Tim suggested that with the right additions, they could be a sleeper. What could those additions be?
Rany Jazayerli, in a very detailed post, is actually rather bullish on the much-maligned back of the rotation. Rather than make significant changes there, he’d like to see the Royals trade a good pitching prospect "to get a legitimate, long-term solution in centerfield or behind the plate."
And hiring a hitting coach who preaches patience wouldn’t hurt, either.
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and Umpbump.
Boston Says Okie-Dokie To Okajima in 2009
The Red Sox announced Saturday that reliever Hideki Okajima’s option has officially vested for next season.
Because he pitched in 115 games this season and last, the Red Sox were bound to pick up Okajima’s $1.75 million option for 2009.
Entering Saturday’s doubleheader with Toronto, Okajima, 32, has pitched in 123 games over the past two seasons. This season he’s got a 2.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 56.3 innings. Those are impressive numbers, though he’s had a bit of a problem allowing inherited runners to score.
Still, Okajima for $1.75 million is a steal — an absolute no-brainer. Other teams are paying set-up men far more, and have had to hand out long-term contacts, like the Phillies gave to J.C. Romero (three years and $12 million) or the White Sox gave to Scott Linebrink (four years and $19 million).
Oh, and Okajima’s got the absolute greatest theme song.
Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.
Rockies Want To Add A Starter This Winter
Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd says the young kids didn’t come through in 2008, so this winter he may go shopping for an ace.
"One of the bigger holes we still have is a pure No. 1," O’Dowd says. "Whether that can ever be accomplished without developing it ourselves, I still have doubts about. But in light of not having that, I think we obviously need to have another quality pitcher in our rotation, and not somebody that’s a bottom-of-the-rotation guy.
O’Dowd doesn’t make any promises, and speculates that a pitcher could come "through trade, free agents or somebody internally stepping up." There will be a couple of top-of-the-rotation guys available via free agency in CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, but both may be too expensive for the Rockies. There is lots of speculation that Matt Holliday could be dealt, and he could potentially bring a starting pitcher in a trade. Or the Rockies could dangle Garrett Atkins and hope that Todd Helton is able to return to play first base next season. But leaning too hard on Helton, who has seen his power numbers drop precipitously and who has been out since July 2 with back problems, is a real gamble.
Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. He can be reached here.