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Archives for September 2008

Rockies Need Pitching

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A common theme: The Rockies need pitching.  Troy E. Renck discusses the offseason focus of the team as they look ahead to a rotation anchored by Jeff Francis, Aaron Cook, and Ubaldo Jimenez, and the loss of Brian Fuentes in the bullpen.

"Ownership needs to go beyond anticipating injuries. It needs to expect slumps from at least one key starter and critical reliever, and give general manager Dan O’Dowd money to address those areas. It makes a trade for a frontline starter imperative…"

Renck suggests a trade for Aaron Heilman and being ready to pounce on Chad Cordero if reports suggest he’s healthy. Both could be safety nets for Manny Corpas who will probably have first crack at closing provided he has a strong winter. Heilman, who made $1.2MM avoiding arbitration this year and might benefit from a change of scenery, could also start.

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Price, Reds, Mariners, Cardinals

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Ken Rosenthal says that the Brewers’ decision to start CC Sabathia on three days’ rest could hurt the free-agent hurler right before he hits the open market. And he says David Price, coming out of the bullpen, could do for the Rays this posteason what Francisco Rodriguez did for the Angels in 2002.

Dusty Baker likes the Reds’ chances in 2009. Even though they’ve got nine free agents, Baker likes their "young nucleus" and speed.

Mariners’ watchers are looking forward to the day 19-year old prospects Phillippe Aumont and Michael Pineda join the rotation—but according to that article, they may still have to wait two or three years. Three years seems excessive to me, considering that Aumont already has four pitches and that Pineda, who admittedly is still working on his third pitch, possesses an excellent command of the strike zone.

The Cardinals are dealing with some pitching uncertainty: 40-year old Russ Springer is thinking of retiring, and they’re still waiting for the results of Chris Carpenter’s MRI.

Lou Piniella says every team is built to win the World Series: "some get a chance to, and some don’t."

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.

Francoeur to the Royals?

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Pure speculation here, but the Jeff Francoeur-to-the-Royals rumors continue. Joe Posnanski had a throwaway line in this post about "Jeff Francoeur, who I predict will be a Royal soon." An eagle-eyed reader emailed Atlanta writer David O’Brien to ask if this was supposed to be a joke. O’Brien responded:

"…that’s not tongue-in-cheek by Posnanski. As we’ve mentioned a few times, KC is the one team I wouldn’t be surprised to see Francoeur traded to, simply because of Dayton Moore and his long association with Francoeur. They remain friends who stay in contact, from my understanding. But more importantly, Dayton was here when the Braves drafted and developed Francoeur, and he’s going to have a lot better memory/impression of the player than other teams/GMs who’d just Francoeur on his performance slide and or what they’ve heard from scouts or through the grapevine…"

Another potential factor favoring Francoeur in KC: though the right fielder has never managed to walk a lot in the big leagues (.312 OBP), the Royals don’t seem to value walks at all, anyway.

Francoeur has gone from hometown favorite to disappointment in Atlanta—though to be fair to Frenchy, expectations could not have been higher. Perhaps he’s just another one of those top prospects who never pan out. But maybe the 24-year old would flourish away from an atmosphere that’s  become toxic.

Atlanta obviously has a long shopping list of things they’d like. So any ideas on what the Royals might be willing to part with?

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.

Olney’s Latest: Cardinals, Snell, Milledge, Maine, Fuentes

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Buster Olney’s latest offering is packed full of links:

  • Bernie Miklasz notes that the Cardinals have only three starting pitchers (Adam Wainwright, Todd Wellemeyer, and Joel Pineiro) locked up for next year (he’s not expecting Chris Carpenter to contribute in 2009), and no prospects waiting in the wings. His solution? Pry open owner Bill DeWitt’s wallet, "and please, no el cheapo deals for rehabbing pitchers, medically risky pitchers, broken-down pitchers."
  • The Pirates have it a little bit tougher. According to pitching coach Jeff Andrews, it consists of Paul Maholm and "a blank sheet." Here’s one vote for adding Ian Snell, "on the verge of becoming the best right-handed pitcher to come from Delaware since World War I," according to DelwareBaseball.com, who sponsors his Baseball Reference page.
  • According to GM Jim Bowden, the Nationals will explore ways to upgrade their defense for 2009, including the possibility of moving Lastings Milledge from center field back to a corner spot. Left fielder Elijah Dukes could move to center.
  • Despite going through a difficult divorce, Padres’ owner John Moores is not planning on selling the team—which he bought because of his soon-to-be ex.
  • The Mets seem to be rushing John Maine back from the DL in an attempt to keep their playoff hopes alive.
  • Dave Krieger is amazed that the Rockies aren’t doing anything to try and keep free-agent closer Brian Fuentes.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and Umpbump.

Red Sox Suspend Colon Indefinitely

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When the Red Sox picked up Bartolo Colon in February it was considered a pretty savvy move–low-risk (minor league deal), potentially high-reward (2005 Cy Young winner). But apparently, the hefty hurler didn’t like Boston’s recent decision to have him pitch out of the bullpen. After requesting some time off to return to the Dominican Republic to attend to "personal matters," Colon seems to have decided not to come back. The club is keeping him on the 40-man, but has suspended him indefinitely without pay.

Boston’s television announcers, Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy, doubted last night that Colon would’ve been of much use coming out of the bullpen (it would take him a long time to get warm; he’d probably have to come in at the start of the inning) and didn’t see him fitting on the playoff roster. So in that sense, Colon’s decision is unsurprising. But having done a decent amount to re-establish at least minimal value this season—a 3.92 ERA in 39 innings while displaying a genial, just-trying-to-help-the-ballclub attitude—it seems strange that he’d bolt now if he was planning on pitching next year.

Boston has no plans to replace Colon, and currently have no one else who needs the roster spot.

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.

Rays’ Long Term Plans Not Altered By Surprising Season

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Tampa Bay Senior VP Gerry Hunsicker called in to Eric Sanlnocencio’s Baseball Digest Daily internet radio show, some highlights:

On working with Executive VP of Baseball Operations, Andrew Friedman on personnel decisions and player acquisitions:

Work hand in hand, whilst allowing him to have space and the ability to make decisions.

Has the team’s success this year alter the long term plan?

Players might have changed, but the plan itself hasn’t changed. They wanted to form a core group of young, talented players, that would be the foundation. Also build a sound team of scouts and player development system.

"We’ve always had the commitment from [Rays owner] Stu Sternberg that if and when the opportunities presented themselves, and it made good sound, both business and baseball sense, to increase the payroll, that he would be there for us. And so far that has happened."

On the the Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza for Delmon Young trade:

It came together rather quickly. Bill Smith had taken over as Twins GM over Terry Ryan. That usually means is more difficult to trade. New man trying to get a handle. Smith was with the Twins for a while. Good knowledge with what he had and he wanted to do. The Rays was set on acquiring both players and thus were able to give up Young.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Bradley Wants Long Term Contract

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The often, uhm, misunderstood Milton Bradley rarely speaks to the press, but in a recent exchange with Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers outfielder outlined how he expects his contract situation to work out this offseason.

Bradley feels his offsensive production this year warrants a long-term deal, something the Rangers haven’t offered him (yet), and as such, he sees the possibility of returning to the team at 50-50.

"I just know I deserve to quit getting [stuck] with these one-year deals. I need to have a long-term contract. I’m not just a rent-a-player for one year. I’m looking for fair value. I’m one of the better hitters in the game, and .320 hitters with .440 on-base percentages don’t grow on trees, so you need to take advantage of it when you got it."

For the record, Rangers assitant general manager Thad Levine told Davison the team will negotiate with Bradley’s agent, but they’ll keep all negotiation discussions internal.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Orioles To Explore Extensions For Roberts, Markakis

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In what the Baltimore Sun is calling a pivotal offseason, Orioles president of baseball operations, Andy MacPhail, said the team will initiate contract extension talks with the agents of second baseman Brian Roberts and outfielder Nick Markakis.

Roberts is eligible for free-agency after next season, and the Orioles had brief discussions with Jamie Murphy, Markakis’ agent, during the All-Star game, but talks quickly ceased due to neither party being able to reach any common ground.

Roberts has been linked to several trade talks in the past, but he made no secret of the fact that he’d like to stay with the O’s:

"I’ve always enjoyed Baltimore. I like playing here," Roberts told the Sun. "It’s something that we’ll have to sit down and look at this winter. If the opportunity arises, I’ll sit down with the Orioles or my agent or my family or whoever and try to figure out the best thing to do. I just have trouble looking at it right now. I’m just trying to finish the season, and there’s nothing really on the table to talk about it. But I enjoy being here. It’s something that I’d definitely consider."

Markakis is considered the cornerstone of the Orioles’ rebuilding plans.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Jays Will Attempt To Retain Burnett

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4:19pm: Jays pitcher Shaun Marcum needs Tommy John surgery, which seemingly would increase the need to keep Burnett.

10:51am: More on the Burnett topic from Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail.  Blair says Burnett will be able to exercise his out clause after the World Series.  Blair talked to an exec who thinks Burnett will require $15-18MM over four years.

10:28am: According to the Toronto Star, by way of Drunk Jays Fans, the Blue Jays will try to sweeten A.J. Burnett’s deal to get him to stay.  Certainly the two years and $24MM remaining on his contract won’t cut it.  Here’s what GM J.P. Ricciardi said:

"We would think about adding some years.  But we’re not going to get in a bidding war.  We’d love to have him stay but if someone wants to blow him out of the water, that won’t be us."

It seems that the Jays would have to add two years, maybe three.  And with Carlos Silva now averaging $12MM per year, the Jays would probably have to offer a $15MM salary.  Burnett is the only pitcher to receive an opt-out clause; it’ll take a lot to keep him off the market.

GQ’s Chipper Jones Article

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Nate Penn of GQ wrote an interesting article on Braves third baseman Chipper Jones.  Some highlights:

  • Interesting quote regarding tipping pitches: "I would say if you face seven pitchers in a week, four to five of them are doing something that gives them away."  Jones says he owned Shane Reynolds for ten years for this reason.
  • John Schuerholz treated the subject of re-signing Jones after ’09 delicately.  One telling quote: "The reality of our business begs that we recognize the fact that it would be a really unusual development if he were to remain here."
  • Chipper wants to play two to four more years, whether in Atlanta or elsewhere.

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