Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Holliday, Griffey
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up; let’s take a look.
- "The prevailing opinion around baseball" is that C.C. Sabathia will sign with the Yankees, and C.C.’s friend Jimmy Rollins agrees.
- Matt Holliday "definitely intrigues" the Yankees. But they’d have to give up a lot to get him for one year, and they seem full at the outfield corners.
- Heyman, perhaps sensing a divide that does not exist, says Pat Gillick has relied on scouts rather than stats to make his decisions. Heyman also speaks of "a new hesitancy on the part of some to go for another young Ivy League stat man" at the general manager position.
- Heyman echoes the commonly held sentiment that the White Sox will not re-sign Ken Griffey Jr.
- The Mets are prioritizing catcher, bullpen, rotation, and outfield over second base. They’ve talked about Giants backstop Bengie Molina, owed $6MM in the last year of his deal.
- Heyman believes Boston’s chances of trading Mike Lowell are "practically nil" due to his hip surgery. His sources won’t rule out a run at Mark Teixeira though. In other Boston buzz, Heyman sees Coco Crisp on the trading block and a two-year offer for Jason Varitek.
Odds and Ends: Rivera, Floyd, Peavy
Links for Tuesday…
- The Red Sox added pitcher Virgil Vasquez while losing infielder Gil Velazquez.
- Dave Cameron has another free agent bargain: Juan Rivera.
- The Astros made their first Taiwanese signing: 22 year-old righty reliever Chia-Jen Lo.
- Japanese reliever Ryota Igarashi hopes to try MLB eventually (but not in 2009).
- Viva El Birdos figures the Cardinals will check in on Kenshin Kawakami.
- Bud Selig has praise for Padres owner John Moores.
- Rays Index passes along a report that Cliff Floyd‘s injury could end his career. This could open up some free agent possibilities.
- River Ave. Blues says the latest Jake Peavy news is the nail in the coffin for the Yankees.
- MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince is not a big fan of the rumors.
Orioles May Explore Free Agent Market
Steve Melewski of MASN Online recently spoke to Orioles president Andy MacPhail about the possibility of spending money in free agency. MacPhail is open to a possible big dollar contract, but he leans toward youth:
Whatever the player and the investment, they have to fit into the strategy of what it is we are trying to achieve as an organization. The likelihood of us signing someone who is 35 is not great. If they are younger and can be helpful to us and their career will be longer with us that just a short-term fix, that’s a whole different story.
MacPhail said he wouldn’t rule out any player, but it’s fair to dismiss the recent Manny Ramirez rumor. The Orioles may look to sign Mark Teixeira or A.J. Burnett, who both have local ties. Tex will be 29 in April, and Burnett will be 32 in January.
Marcus Giles: Not Retired
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney:
Joe Bick also represents Marcus Giles, who last played in the majors in 2007, and he says that the second baseman, 30, absolutely is not retired. "He wants to come back and play," Bick said. "I could not be more thrilled with what he’s done over the course of the summer [to re-start his career]…He’s going to set a goal of making an All-Star team." Bick said he’s already had some conversations with some teams.
We haven’t heard much about Giles since April, when he almost signed with the Dodgers. He may have to spend some time in the minors, as he hasn’t put up tolerable numbers since ’06. He’s also not much with the glove, and the free agent market for second basemen is decent.
Tigers May Need To Trade Magglio
Lynn Henning of the Detroit News looks at the Tigers’ offseason situation this morning. The Tigers need help in the bullpen and at shortstop and catcher. They don’t have the payroll room to support this shopping list, so a trade of Magglio Ordonez may be necessary.
Ordonez, 35 in January, hit .317/.376/.494 in 623 plate appearances this year. Assuming 457 plate appearances in 2009, Ordonez is owed $51MM over the next three seasons ($17MM per year on average). That’s about market value. Henning says the Tigers could trade Ordonez mainly for salary relief, or eat money to get better players in return. My guess at possible suitors: the Rays, Reds, and Phillies.
Henning figures that money, as opposed to lost draft picks, might make it difficult for the Tigers to wade into the free agent market to fill their needs.
Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million
Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009. This means they won’t be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players. Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th.
However, Berardino confirms Olney’s note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available. The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa’s August forearm soreness. A thought: why would the Royals consider trading pitching for Jacobs? Berardino names the Mariners and Blue Jays as other interested parties, and considers the Indians a fit. The Giants have also been named as a suitor.
Berardino wonders if the Rangers will pursue Olsen, perhaps offering a catcher. I don’t believe Olsen would succeed in Texas.
Expected to remain in Florida: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Alfredo Amezaga. Berardino says the front office is divided on Jeremy Hermida‘s potential. Four teams have asked about Hermida. Josh Willingham may be available, but his back is worrisome.
White Sox Offseason Possibilities
I did a White Sox Offseason Outlook earlier this month, rattling off available speedy players and also suggesting a Bobby Jenks trade be explored. Today, Chicago Tribune beat writer Mark Gonzales offers his take on the Sox.
Gonzales sees Juan Uribe and Toby Hall as two players the White Sox hope to re-sign, with Hall at a lower salary than his $2.25MM option. Orlando Cabrera, Ken Griffey Jr., and Joe Crede will be gone. Cabrera is good for two draft picks if the Sox offer arbitration and he signs elsewhere.
Gonzales wonders if a Paul Konerko for Chone Figgins trade could take shape, but only if the White Sox add players. Konerko is owed $24MM for 2009-10, with full no-trade rights. Figgins should earn $5MM+ in ’09 before he hits free agency for the first time. It may be hard to get the Angels interested – Figgins fits their club, and they’ll try to re-sign Mark Teixeira. Kendry Morales may be the backup plan at first.
Gonzales sees the Rockies as another potential trade partner for Sox GM Ken Williams, naming Garrett Atkins and Willy Taveras as potential matches. Taveras may be had for a song, but Atkins should require young pitching.
A few free agents to consider: Orlando Hudson, Dennys Reyes, and Alex Cora.
Cubs Offseason Targets
Recently I wrote a Cubs Offseason Outlook, where many reasonable acquisition targets were discussed. If the Cubs re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, they’ll be limited by payroll unless the salaries of Jason Marquis ($9.875MM) or Derrek Lee ($13MM) are moved.
Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune names his possible Cubs targets: Brian Roberts, Adam Dunn, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Jacobs, Rafael Furcal, Jake Peavy, and Brian Fuentes. Some fun names in there, many of which could only be added if payroll space is created. Dunn would be an interesting choice for a regular right fielder, while Jacobs would represent a downgrade at first base.
The Cubs aren’t likely to add Peavy, especially if they re-sign Dempster. If you’d like to take the speculation to the next level nonetheless, Barry Rozner has ideas at the Daily Herald. With any trade scenario, it is always important to put yourself in the shoes of the other team and ask if it is truly the best deal for them.
Mets To Explore Trade For Closer
Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a new article up discussing possibilities for the Mets’ closer vacancy. He says the Mets will check in on free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, but remain wary of the price. I’m wondering if K-Rod will have to back off the five year demand if he wants to get multiple serious bidders. Davidoff says the Mets feel that they have the minor league depth to swing a trade for a closer rather than buy one.
Davidoff goes on to speculate that the Mets could look at J.J. Putz, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Joakim Soria, and Kevin Gregg. Gregg would be the easiest to acquire. Not sure why Soria is mentioned here. The Mets had several young players emerge this year who weren’t necessarily highly touted (Dan Murphy, for example). Davidoff says the Mets feel they have more such hidden gems to use as trade chips.
Davidoff also tosses out two more free agent possibilities: Jeremy Affeldt and Chad Cordero. Affeldt is starting to generate buzz as a more affordable closing candidate, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Indians get involved.
Free Agent Situation For Peavy?
Interesting article from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune last night. Krasovic talked to Jake Peavy‘s agent, Barry Axelrod. Given Peavy’s full no-trade clause and below-market contract, Axelrod thinks it’s fair to compare this to a free agent situation. If trade talks stretch into the offseason, C.C. Sabathia‘s new deal could come into play.
First things first, Peavy will need to be granted full no-trade powers upon any trade. But if he considers a trade outside of his five preferred teams, Sabathia’s salary will be relevant. Axelrod is implying that Peavy could accept a trade outside of his comfort zone, for the right price:
"If it is someplace where Jake is being asked to make massive change and someplace he may not really want to go, it may take more enticement to get him to agree."
Maybe this brings teams like the Yankees, Red Sox, and Mets into play. But if Peavy requires $20MM+ per year and a package of top prospects, he loses much of his appeal.
I imagine Axelrod’s goal is still to get Peavy to one of his five teams. But each scenario is flawed in some way, and Peavy might have to stay put unless he expands his options or three-team deals emerge. Axelrod’s comments may also serve to motivate a team like the Braves to try to get something done before open season on free agents begins.