By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Dan Bickley of the Arizona Republic, Luis Gonzalez wants to finish his career with the Diamondbacks. Money is not an issue for him. If the D’Backs can add Gonzo for $1MM or so, why not?
Gonzalez, 41, hit .261/.336/.413 in 387 plate appearances this year. He allowed 11 more bases than the average left fielder in his 503.2 innings there, according to the plus/minus system.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Dodgers. Their likely 2009 commitments are below. Remember, this is not a projection of the actual ’09 roster. I use only internal candidates here as a way of showing depth and needs.
C – Russell Martin – $500K+
C – Danny Ardoin – $400K
1B – James Loney – $411K
2B – Blake DeWitt – $400K
SS – Chin-Lung Hu – $400K
3B –
IF – Tony Abreu – $400K
IF –
LF – Juan Pierre – $10MM
CF – Matt Kemp – $406K
RF – Andre Ethier – $425K+
OF – Andruw Jones – $15MM
OF – Delwyn Young – $400K
SP – Chad Billingsley – $415K
SP – Hiroki Kuroda – $10MM
SP – Clayton Kershaw – $400K
SP – Jason Schmidt – $12MM
SP – James McDonald – $400K
RP – Takashi Saito – $2MM+
RP – Jonathan Broxton – $454K+
RP – Hong-Chih Kuo – $400K
RP – Cory Wade – $400K
RP – Scott Proctor – $1.115MM+
RP – Ramon Troncoso – $400K
RP – Yhency Brazoban – $540K+
Buyouts: Brad Penny – $2MM, Gary Bennett – $50K
That’s about $59MM committed, plus arbitration raises for Martin, Ethier, Saito, Broxton, Proctor, and Brazoban. A few of those guys figure to be non-tendered (Berroa for sure), but raises could push the Dodgers close to $70MM. The Dodgers entered the ’08 season with a $118MM payroll, so theoretically Ned Colletti could have $48MM to spend (more than any team, as far as I can tell). Makes sense, since the Dodgers have the most free agents.
First issue: Manny Ramirez. I can’t see the Dodgers (or any team, really) stretching beyond four years, $85MM or so. Just a few months ago I wouldn’t have thought Manny could get four years. Will Scott Boras ultimately be reasonable, or will he stick to the "iconic" talk and aim for a contract well beyond $100MM?
As far as clearing the salaries of Pierre or Jones, I don’t see it happening. Of course, it’s worth exploring what, if any, bad contracts might be offered in return. Elsewhere on the trade front, dealing Martin seems unlikely. Any replacement would be a downgrade.
The Dodgers need to address the left side of their infield; it could be considered more crucial than the Manny situation. Interest is mutual with Rafael Furcal, and he’s the best available option. A return of Adrian Beltre would be intriguing at third base; otherwise options like Casey Blake and Joe Crede can be considered.
It’s unclear whether Penny will be back, but Derek Lowe is expected to sign elsewhere. The Dodgers may have two open rotation spots. The big names are legitimate options – Jake Peavy and C.C. Sabathia. The Dodgers will have the money for Sabathia, especially if Manny signs elsewhere. The Dodgers may not get either ace, but they seem likely to sign a veteran starter (Randy Johnson could work).
The back end of the bullpen looks pretty good (Broxton/Kuo/Wade). Colletti will still probably consider signing Joe Beimel and/or Chan Ho Park, or other veterans of that nature.
Bottom line – it should be a very active offseason for the Dodgers.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Links for Wednesday…
By Tim Dierkes | at
Another day, another batch of Jake Peavy links.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune talked to Cubs GM Jim Hendry, while Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times chatted with manager Lou Piniella. Both said the Cubs are looking to add lefthanded hitting. De Luca believes Brian Roberts and Raul Ibanez remain on Hendry’s radar.
I mentioned most of the feasible names in the Cubs Offseason Outlook. Since right field is difficult to play at Wrigley field, players such as Milton Bradley and Ibanez are a questionable fit. I believe the ideal acquisition would be Brian Giles, but he’d have to be willing to waive his no-trade clause.
Sullivan mentions an idea that is popular with Cubs fans: trading first baseman Derek Lee. Freeing up first base would expand the Cubs’ options greatly. Lee is owed $26MM over the next two seasons and has a full no-trade clause. He hit .291/.361/.462 in 698 plate appearances, down significantly from ’07. Lee’s ’08 performance was right around league average for his position. His defense was a bit above-average this year.
I think Lee has positive trade value, especially in a weak first baseman market. The Yankees and Giants could be fits, though I wouldn’t expect them to give up anything spectacular (especially since a concession would have to be made for Lee to waive his no-trade). Randy Winn could be a match for the Cubs.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Eddie Bajek at Detroit Tigers Thoughts has Elias projections for American League second basemen, third basemen, and shortstops.
By Tim Dierkes | at
6:33pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock talked to Boggs, who says Prior is interested in returning to the Padres. He could be a low-cost option for them, but it’s unknown whether they’re interested. Prior is currently playing catch (well, maybe not right this second).
10:24am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Mark Prior, who had a second, less-invasive surgery on his right shoulder earlier this year, is in the midst of a throwing program and should be ready for the start of the 2009 season, said his agent, John Boggs. Prior is expected to file for free agency. "He said he feels good, that his shoulder has never felt better," said Boggs.
Prior, 28, was originally targeting May for his Padres debut. Then it was pushed to June, and then his season ended with more surgery. Last winter, at least ten teams contacted Boggs about Prior. Aside from the Padres, the most aggressive were the Astros, Cardinals, Mets, and Rangers.
By Tim Dierkes | at
5:00pm: Jocketty told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon that he hasn’t heard back from Weathers’ or Hairston’s people in about a week since making the offers.
1:01pm: According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds made contract offers to David Weathers and Jerry Hairston Jr. Both are eligible for free agency. Weathers would probably serve as the seventh inning guy, while Hairston might handle center field duties. Weathers seems to profile as a Type B free agent, while Hairston is neither A nor B.
Fay believes GM Walt Jocketty will also attempt to re-sign relievers Mike Lincoln and Jeremy Affeldt. Affeldt had pretty big demands at the outset of the last offseason (four or five years), but ended up signing for one year.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to ESPN’s Andrew Marchand (via MetsBlog):
An executive with knowledge of the Mets thinking says the Mets plan to be in on the Francisco Rodriguez sweepstakes, but are "unlikely" to bid on C.C. Sabathia.
So far, the Mets seem like the most reasonable candidate to give K-Rod a record-breaking contract. Maybe they won’t meet the 5/75 demand, but it’s hard to see other teams coming close.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Links for Tuesday…
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