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Archives for October 2008

Cubs Rumors: Fukudome, Dempster, Wood

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Let’s check in on the Cubs’ offseason plans.

  • Cubs manager Lou Piniella says the Cubs will move Kosuke Fukudome to center field to platoon with Reed Johnson.  This move implies Jim Edmonds won’t be back.  Technically Edmonds could play right field, but he also needs a platoon partner.
  • The Cubs figure to be in the market for a lefthanded hitting right fielder.  Piniella expects the team to fill their holes via trade.  Brian Giles, Randy Winn, and Jeremy Hermida could fit the bill.
  • Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reminds fans that Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee have no-trade clauses, and does not believe either will be traded.
  • Ken Rosenthal figures the Cubs will re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood.  However, he wonders if a three-year offer from another team could entice Wood.  Rosenthal says the Mets like Wood but can’t take on that kind of risk.

Odds and Ends: Myers, Crede, Giants

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Links for Wednesday…

Yankees Rumors: Mussina, Giambi, Teixeira

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George King of the New York Post has a handful of Yankees rumors this morning.

  • Mike Mussina’s agent, Arn Tellem, will travel to his client’s Pennsylvania home this week to talk about the pitcher’s future.  The general vibe is that Moose will retire, but he may file for free agency after the World Series to keep his options open.  I imagine the Yankees would like to resolve this quickly.  Currently, GM Brian Cashman is not counting on Mussina.
  • Tellem told King that Jason Giambi would like to stay in New York if they’ll have him.  While it may not be the ideal solution, 30 home run bats are rare and it’s worth considering.
  • King says the Yankees "haven’t been wild" so far about chasing Mark Teixeira.  Tex hasn’t even filed for free agency yet, so there’s still plenty of time to get wild.
  • The Yankees are counting on a healthy Jorge Posada behind the dish in ’09.

Will Anderson Remain An Angel?

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Yesterday, the Angels decided to buy out left fielder Garret Anderson’s $14MM ’09 option for $3MM.  Anderson’s friends told the L.A. Times he prefers to stay in Anaheim, but the Angels may not have a spot for him.  Said GM Tony Reagins:

He still wants to play. He still thinks he can play a significant role, as far as getting 500 or 600 at-bats. We just need to determine whether we have that place for him.

The quote seems to imply that the Angels may not view Anderson as an everyday player anymore.  He hit .293/.325/.433 in 593 plate appearances this year, spending significant time at DH.  The Angels have more pressing concerns this winter, and they’ll deal with those first.  Waiting around for the Halos could be a risky move for Anderson.

Weathers Willing To Play Anywhere

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John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer has the latest on Reds reliever David Weathers, who is eligible for free agency.  Weathers says he’s talked to the Reds about coming back, but hasn’t discussed dollars.  Weathers considered his two-year, $5MM deal to be below-market.  He wanted to stay in Cincinnati at that time (December of ’06), but now he’s open to any team.

Weathers, 39, posted solid ERAs in recent years despite shaky peripheral stats. It should be noted that he cleared waivers in August, implying the contenders looking for bullpen help didn’t think too highly of him.  He apparently rates as a Type B free agent, but it’s not known whether the Reds will offer him arbitration.

Brewers To Listen On Fielder

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According to George King and Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post, the Brewers have informed teams they’ll listen to offers for first baseman Prince Fielder.  Fielder, 24, hit .276/.372/.507 in 694 plate appearances this year.  He’s under team control for three more years; his salary will increase drastically as he goes through the arbitration process for the first time this offseason.

The article’s authors do not see the Yankees as suitors for Fielder, due to his defense and the team’s long-term desire to move Derek Jeter to first base after the 2010 season.  The Jeter logic seems a little shaky, since Fielder is only under team control through 2011.

I discussed six possible Fielder suitors earlier this month.  The question is, who’s willing to give up good young pitching?

Angels Exercise Guerrero, Lackey Options; Decline Anderson

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According to a press release from the club, the Angels exercised their 2009 options on Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey and declined their option on Garret Anderson.  Nothing unexpected here.

Guerrero will earn $15MM, while Lackey is also a bargain at $9MM.  The Angels chose Anderson’s $3MM buyout over his $14MM option, but they could still re-sign him.

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