Bard, Estes Become Free Agents
According to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, catcher Josh Bard and pitcher Shawn Estes have elected free agency and cleared waivers. Both players were expected to join the free agent class, though perhaps not this early.
Bard is interesting – he will be 31 in March, and was injured for much of ’08. In ’07 he hit pretty well away from PETCO.
Additionally, pitcher Dirk Hayhurst was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jays. Hayhurst’s claim to fame is writing a "non-prospect diary" for Baseball America.
Manny Looking For Five Years, $85 Million?
From Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News:
Agent Scott Boras has let it be known through his media outlets that the expectation is for at least five years and $85 million in a deal for Manny Ramirez.
Back on deadline day, Peter Gammons suggested Manny was seeking four years and $100MM. So it seems that Ramirez’s contract may be $17-25MM annually for four or five years (he will be 37 in May). Personally I think he’s more likely to get offers in the three year/$65MM range, though one team will bite the bullet and do four years. Your thoughts?
Ringolsby goes on to say that the Dodgers don’t see Manny as a long-term fit given the five-year demand.
Odds and Ends: Mets, Royals, Sabathia
Links for Monday:
- Brewers owner Mark Attanasio wants to extend GM Doug Melvin beyond 2009.
- Royals GM Dayton Moore recognizes that his team has to win now. "We’re at a point now where you will never, ever hear me say again that we have young players who are improving. You will never, ever hear me say again that we are rebuilding. That stuff is over. I’m sick of all that."
- At Sabernomics, JC Bradbury examines what C.C. Sabathia will command on the market. Conclusion: six years and $144 million. Will any team go that high, though?
- Jim Callis reveals the 2009 MLB amateur draft order. The Nats pick first for having the worst record, and 10th for failing to sign Aaron Crow. The Mariners slot at 2 and 22, though they could lose the 22nd pick if they sign Josh Fields. The Yankees pick 26th and 31st, the latter for missing out on Gerrit Cole.
- Ken Davidoff looks at the Mets’ sunk costs.
- Jon Heyman tackles some Mets issues, too, including their interest in Manny Ramirez, and their thoughts on a few players who might play better outside of New York. The trick, of course, is convincing other GMs that this is the case.
Offseason Outlook: Minnesota Twins
The Twins are next in our Offseason Outlook series. Their likely commitments for 2009:
C – Joe Mauer – $10.5MM
C – Mike Redmond – $950K (club option)
1B – Justin Morneau – $10.6MM
2B – Alexi Casilla – $400K
SS – Brendan Harris – $432K
3B – Brian Buscher – $400K
IF – Matt Tolbert – $400K
IF –
LF – Delmon Young – $700K
CF – Denard Span – $400K
RF – Michael Cuddyer – $6.75MM
OF – Carlos Gomez – $400K
DH – Jason Kubel – $1.3MM+
SP – Scott Baker – $423K
SP – Francisco Liriano – $400K
SP – Kevin Slowey – $400K
SP – Nick Blackburn – $400K
SP – Glen Perkins – $400K
RP – Joe Nathan – $11.25MM
RP – Jesse Crain – $1.7MM
RP – Matt Guerrier – $950K+
RP – Pat Neshek – $435K
RP – Boof Bonser – $433K
RP – Craig Breslow – $400K
RP – Jose Mijares – $400K
Other commitments: Mike Lamb – $3MM
That’s about $54MM committed, plus arbitration raises for Kubel and Guerrier. The Twins were at about $57MM heading into the season, so they won’t have much to spend unless they raise payroll. Payroll had been rising by more than 10% a year until ’08. Maybe the Twins will return to the $70MM range.
The Twins could use more power in the lineup; third base is the most reasonable spot to upgrade. The Twins could consider acquiring Hank Blalock (if he can play third), Melvin Mora, Edwin Encarnacion, Casey Blake, Joe Crede, Adrian Beltre, or Garrett Atkins. Beltre is the best target, given his defensive prowess. We’ll see whether the new Mariners GM has a reasonable asking price for one year of Beltre (ie, no one from the current Twins’ rotation).
Shortstop is another need, and the Twins may be targeting free agent Orlando Cabrera. As I’ve said, I’d rather see them go for broke and sign Rafael Furcal. More likely, they will just bring Nick Punto back. But imagine Furcal and Beltre in ’09 instead of Buscher, Mike Lamb, Harris, Punto, and Adam Everett on the left side of the infield. It’d be a huge improvement, but the Twins would have to be able to handle paying $25MM for their combined salary.
I’d leave the pitching staff alone, as the rotation will ideally feature more Baker, Slowey, Perkins, and Liriano and no Livan Hernandez/Boof Bonser. Bonser could even have positive trade value.
Predicting the Tigers Offseason
Tim has already broken down the Tigers situation, noting that they already have $115 million tied up in players for 2009, not counting arbitration raises. With speculation that the team could reduce their payroll by $40MM from the team’s $137.7MM Opening Day 2008 figure, that could mean some big changes. This is no good for a team that finished in the cellar.
Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press takes a look at the Tigers situation and makes five predictions for what could happen. Let’s take a look at what he’s come up with:
- First, he doesn’t think J.J. Hardy will be manning the six-hole for the Tigers. His name has been bandied about, since Milwaukee has Alcides Escobar in the pipeline. The Brewers would likely require starting pitching in return, which the Tigers don’t have. Morosi finds fault in each of the free agent shortstop options as well.
- Morosi thinks that Jim Leyland wants an experienced catcher for 2009, rather than going with internal option Dusty Ryan from the get-go. He mentions Arizona’s Miguel Montero, and then, of course, moves to Texas and their surplus. Gerald Laird could be a good fit, though it’s not known what the Rangers would want in return.
- The Tigers could also look to the Rangers for a shortstop. They have Elvis Andrus and Joaquin Arias in the pipeline, as well as Michael Young, whose five-year, $80MM extension just begins kicking in for 2009. To get a catcher and a shortstop from Texas, I would imagine, wouldn’t happen without the inclusion of Rick Porcello.
- Following in the White Sox footsteps, the Tigers could pick up some free agent parts to fill out their bullpen. Wil Ohman will be a free agent, as will Brandon Lyon. The Yankees could decline Damaso Marte’s option as well. Since the Tigers finished in the bottom 15, they wouldn’t lose a first rounder for signing the probable Type-A.
- Finally, Morosi thinks that the Tigers will shop Magglio Ordonez, but not find the right price. It would, however, server the purpose of reducing payroll and plugging other holes. Leyland says the team would have to be blown away by an offer, though.
Where Will Atlanta Find A Bat?
Mark Bowman of MLB.com has a new mailbag up. The first question leads to a discussion of the Braves adding a bat this off-season. The Braves have $45MM to spend this winter, and could use every penny to fortify their team. While pitching is certainly a concern, the team would like to add a bat. They could use an outfielder or three.
Bowman begins by listing the usual free agent targets: Pat Burrell and Adam Dunn, though he notes that the team isn’t necessarily interested in either. In the Braves offseason outlook, Tim also mentioned free agents Raul Ibanez and Juan Rivera. Given a guess, I’d say the latter ends up in Atlanta. He’s coming off a poor season and could end up being a bargain. Bobby Abreu could be an option, too. He wants multiple years, while the Yankees seem to be content offering him arbitration and allowing him to sign elsewhere.
On the trade front, Bowman gets a little unorthodox. Jason Bay and Matt Holliday get first mention, though they’re quickly written off. It’s unlikely Bay leaves Boston. He’s signed for $7.5MM next year before reaching free agency, and will certainly earn his pay. The Holliday mention is a nonstarter; there’s little chance the Braves will pay a ton in prospects for a guy who will reach free agency next year. I suppose the same goes for Bay, too.
He makes the most compelling case for Xavier Nady, whom the Braves attempted to acquire at the deadline. It appears unlikely, however, that the Yankees would part with the outfielder, who is entering his last year of arbitration. Perhaps if Casey Kotchman were involved, but that’s highly doubtful. If the Braves are intent on acquiring a bat through a trade, it now appears that Delmon Young could be available.
If you’re so inclined, you can check out River Ave. Blues, Joe’s Yankees blog. Today we’re talking Mariano Rivera and CC Sabathia.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, McLouth, Fuentes
Here’s a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal.
- Rosenthal puts odds for various teams to sign C.C. Sabathia, with the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox on top.
- Rosenthal wonders whether the White Sox will consider trading Jermaine Dye for a starting pitcher, moving Carlos Quentin to right field, and acquiring an athletic center fielder somehow. The goal would be a more athletic club. The Sox will also look to add a second baseman, moving Alexei Ramirez to shortstop. I’m not sure if something as long-term as Orlando Hudson makes sense, though.
- The Pirates wouldn’t trade Nate McLouth for Robinson Cano, and won’t trade McLouth at all unless some team overpays.
- If the Orioles don’t reach an extension with Brian Roberts, he’ll go on the trading block.
- Rosenthal sees Brian Fuentes asking for Brad Lidge-type money, three years and at least $37.5MM. Pretty steep, but still half of K-Rod’s price.
- The Rangers "made a big offer" for Zack Greinke in July, and the Braves are also fans. But the Royals will need to be bowled over to move him.
Delmon Young Available?
According to Sid Hartman of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune:
The Twins won’t talk about it, but it’s expected that Delmon Young, the left fielder they obtained from Tampa Bay before this past season, will be made available on the trade market.
It seems an odd time to shop Young, but moving him for a shortstop or third baseman might clear the way for an outfield of Michael Cuddyer, Carlos Gomez, and Denard Span.
Young, 23, hit .290/.336/.405 in 623 plate appearances. He made some progress in his walk rate, and at least slugged .448 after June 1st.
Sheets Done As A Brewer?
Some have suggested Ben Sheets‘ recent elbow injury increases his chances of re-signing with the Brewers, as it may lower his price. Beat writer Tom Haudricourt, however, says he will probably be allowed to leave via free agency. The pitcher won’t rule out a return, but Haudricourt said "Sheets’ red eyes and solemn words told the story."
My guess is that Sheets will look more and more appealing as the offseason progresses and the other big names fall off the board. The numbers are good, and he made 30+ starts for the first time since ’04. Sheets has a muscle tear near the elbow, but will that prevent him from getting a four-year offer?
Sabathia Open To All Teams
All kinds of quotes from C.C. Sabathia this evening, as the Brewers were eliminated by the Phillies. Sources: MLB.com, the AP, and SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
Sabathia will consider all interested teams, and isn’t focused on California:
All those who say I only want to go back to California to play, that’s not true.
Sabathia on New York:
I like it there, but we’ll have to see what direction the teams are going and would my family be uncomfortable being on a whole other coast? We’ll have to see.
He won’t be touring the country, and doesn’t want the process to drag out:
I want to get it done pretty quick. I try to be as less free as possible. All that is is stress, having it drag on through the winter. I can guarantee you I won’t be flying around going to different cities. I’ve pretty much been to every city. I’ve got a lot of friends around the league. They’re going to have to come to me.
Heyman says the Brewers will be in on Sabathia, and are willing to exceed $100MM. Sabathia enjoyed his time in Milwaukee and the NL quite a bit.