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Archives for October 2008

Colletti: No Offer To Manny Yet

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SATURDAY: Dodgers GM Ned Colletti says both reports about the Dodgers preparing or offering a two-year deal to Ramirez in the $55-60MM range are fiction.  Colletti says the Dodgers haven’t even discussed the length or salary of their offer internally.

Colletti plans to meet with Scott Boras in the near future, and both Ramirez and Derek Lowe will be discussed.  Colletti’s heard Lowe wants to move to the East Coast, however.

FRIDAY: According to Bart Hubbuch, George King, and Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Dodgers offered Manny Ramirez a two-year, $60MM contract.  Their sources believe this offer was made to appease fans, as it has no chance of being accepted.  Still, $30MM a year is nothing to sneeze at.

ESPN’s Buster Olney notes that the highest-paid outfielder in the game in 2008 (present-day value) was Torii Hunter at just $18MM.  He considers it "a little nuts" to be talking about paying Manny A-Rod money.

Elias Projections: NL Infielders

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Eddie Bajek at Detroit Tigers Thoughts has his projections of the Elias rankings for National League second basemen, third basemen, and shortstops.

  • Type A: Orlando Hudson.  Hudson will surely be offered arbitration from the D’Backs, and will likely decline in search of a multiyear deal.  The D’Backs could snag a first-round pick if the Cardinals, White Sox, or Mets sign him (among others).
  • Tybe B: Jeff Kent, Casey Blake, Mark Loretta.  Blake seems likely to get an arb offer and turn it down, resulting in a supplemental draft pick for the Dodgers if he leaves Los Angeles.
  • Neither: Rafael Furcal, Ray Durham, Omar Vizquel, Felipe Lopez, and many more.  Furcal, the best available shortstop, carries no draft pick compensation penalty (nor do the Type Bs).

Mulder, Prior, Clement, Correia Prefer San Diego

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Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune writes that Petco Park remains the preferred choice of free agent pitchers returning from injury.  In particular, the agents for Mark Mulder, Mark Prior, Matt Clement, and Kevin Correia admit their clients have San Diego at the top of their list.  If the Padres trade Jake Peavy, they’ll have all kinds of uncertainty in the rotation and some payroll to play with.

A few more names from the injury bargain bin: Kris Benson, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Mike Hampton, Jason Jennings, Pedro Martinez, Sergio Mitre, Carl Pavano, and Brad Penny.

Blue Jays Rumors: Burnett, Manny, Ryan

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10:07pm: Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution heard the Blue Jays will make Burnett a "take it or leave it" offer of four years, $54MM ($13.5MM per year).  Burnett’s agent hasn’t heard that, and Ricciardi says there’s no offer on the table currently.  Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail says the Jays have indicated privately they’ll do a three-year, $48MM deal ($16MM per year).  On the open market, Burnett can probably get four or five years at a higher salary.

10:06am: A little more on Ricciardi’s talks with Burnett’s agent.  Here, Ricciardi says talks have been "very productive."  But here, Ricciardi says they’re "not going bad, they’re not going good.  They’re fine."

8:42am: Talking to Cathal Kelly at the Toronto Star, Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi gives the standard line of being willing to trade any player if it makes the team better. Beyond that, he gave some quotes about his offseason plans.

  • Ricciardi says payroll will be $100MM, which should mean $15MM+ to spend after A.J. Burnett leaves for greener pastures.  Ricciardi may allow for uncertainty in the rotation and spend that money on a slugger.  He likes Manny Ramirez, but doesn’t sound optimistic on signing him.
  • Burnett hasn’t officially decided whether to opt out, but…c’mon.  The Jays’ exclusive window to talk to him will depend on when he opts out.  Burnett’s agent set salary expectations at more than Derek Lowe, less than C.C. Sabathia.
  • Ricciardi says trading B.J. Ryan is not a priority for the Jays at present.
  • To sum it all up: Burnett is a long shot, he won’t be replaced with another free agent starter, Manny is unlikely, Marco Scutaro is the shortstop, and Ryan is probably staying put.  If all of those things hold true, it may be difficult to improve in 2008.  On the other hand, full seasons of Vernon Wells, Adam Lind, Aaron Hill, Travis Snider, and a free agent hitter could result in a decent offense.

Preliminary Talks For Markakis Extension

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Steve Melewski of MASN Online spoke to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who said he’s had preliminary contract extension talks with Nick Markakis’ agent.  Dollar figures have not yet been exchanged.  MacPhail added that there are no hard feelings from Markakis’ renewal last year.  Locking up Markakis is an offseason priority for the Orioles.  They’ll try to buy out all three arbitration years as well as some free agent years.

In March, players such as Prince Fielder, Cole Hamels, and Markakis were renewed at $700K or less.  Fielder and Hamels publicly expressed displeasure.   Young players who may be renewed next March include Hunter Pence, James Loney, Yunel Escobar, Jeremy Guthrie, Joba Chamberlain, and Tim Lincecum.

Peavy Rumors: Friday

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As Kevin Towers and Barry Axelrod intended, things are slowing down on the Jake Peavy front.  The Braves, considered the favorite, got the word out yesterday through the AP that they do not want to trade top prospects.  Of course, that may have been a strategic move.

  • Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren today.  Wren says there are players he will not trade under any circumstances, and O’Brien believes three of those are Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward, and Julio Teheran.  Freddie Freeman, Jordan Schafer, and Gorkys Hernandez are close to untouchable, according to O’Brien.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney wonders if the Braves may have enough quality young players to pull off a Peavy deal without surrendering Heyward, Hanson, or Jair Jurrjens.
  • Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains that the Cardinals do not have what the Padres are looking for in a Peavy trade.
  • MLB.com’s Corey Brock says not to expect movement on a Peavy deal for the next week or so, as Towers takes a step back and conferences with the pitcher.  Towers wants to figure out which teams he can engage before the November 3-6 GM meetings.  Peavy’s five preferred clubs are known publicly, so perhaps Towers hopes to expand that list.
  • Jason Rosenberg analyzes the MLB.com report over at his blog.

Jays Add Loewen, Bullington

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3:01pm: Loewen is a Blue Jay, according to the Globe and Mail. The Jays also claimed Bryan Bullington off waivers from the Indians.  Loewen talked to Kubatko today about his tough decision.

1:57pm: It sounds like Gaston’s pitch worked – Orioles president Andy MacPhail expects Loewen to sign with the Blue Jays.  It’s not about money, but rather Loewen’s lifelong dream to play ball in Canada.

FRIDAY, 10:02am: Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun says Jays manager Cito Gaston called Loewen to sell him on the organization.  Elliott says the Mariners and Orioles also want to sign the converted outfielder.  Roch Kubatko is convinced Loewen will re-sign with Baltimore.

THURSDAY: Loewen cleared waivers; he’s now a free agent.  He’s receiving more interest than anticipated.

TUESDAY: According to Roch Kubatko at  MASN Online, the Orioles released Adam Loewen yesterday.  Loewen was chosen fourth overall in the 2002 draft.

Loewen reached the Majors and tallied 164 innings, but elbow problems prompted him to reinvent himself as an outfielder this summer.  According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles hope Loewen will clear waivers today so they can sign him to a minor league deal.  He is out of options, but the Orioles want to be able to send him to the minors.  If claimed, Loewen would need to remain on the 40-man roster and would earn $700K.  Orioles GM Andy MacPhail doesn’t expect that to happen, nor does he expect Loewen to ink a minor league deal with another club.

Heyman’s Latest: Manny, Holliday, Peavy

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new rumor-packed article up.

  • Heyman suggests the battle for the three elite free agents – Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and C.C. Sabathia – will mostly be fought by the New York and Los Angeles clubs.  Heyman talked to one GM who believes the country’s economic situation will not affect the big names but could be bad for the lower-tier guys.
  • Heyman’s potential Manny suitors: the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Phillies.  The Phillies’ interest will depend on whether Pat Burrell stays.  I’m not sure why the Orioles would be in the mix.
  • The Rockies are "very likely" to trade Matt Holliday. The Rox would be willing to sign Holliday for five years and $100MM, but that won’t cut it.  The team’s focus in a trade will be a young starter.  Heyman echoes a Ken Rosenthal thought from a few months ago: surprising small-market teams may enter the Holliday bidding.
  • Heyman has the Mets, Rangers, and Indians as teams looking at Brian Fuentes.  The Mets are the favorite to sign him in the three-year, $36MM range.
  • Jake Peavy has already turned down one American League team.  Heyman believes hes particularly opposed to the Rangers and has mixed feelings about the Yankees.  Peavy is reeling from the Padres’ decision to shop him. 
  • Heyman has unkind words for Luis Gonzalez, who may not be welcomed back to the D’Backs based on his "uneasy relationship" with Stephen Drew and Chris Young.
  • Heyman does not think MLB has any evidence against Nationals GM Jim Bowden in the scout skimming scandal.
  • Heyman gives Ruben Amaro a slight edge over Mike Arbuckle to replace Pat Gillick as Phillies GM.
  • George W. Bush as baseball’s next commissioner?  "Many have long believed" that Bush would like to be Bud Selig’s successor.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Manny, Peavy, Cubs

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A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…

  • Sox and Pinstripes has eight questions the Red Sox must address this offseason including whether or not to re-sign Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
  • Dodger Thoughts notes that there is not a lot of substance behind the rumors of the Dodgers offering Manny Ramirez a contract worth $60MM for two years.
  • Fanhouse wonders if Ramirez could make more money in the long run if he signs a two-year deal with the Dodgers now.
  • Gaslamp Ball wonders if the Padres are not getting the offers they expected for Jake Peavy and are starting to get "cold feet."
  • Talking Chop notes that Frank Wren’s public posturing during the Peavy negotiations is in stark contrast to what Braves fans are accustomed.
  • Bleed Cubbie Blue projects a Cubs ’09 roster, including Aubrey Huff at first base and Luke Scott in right field.
  • The Sports Bank says the biggest need for the White Sox lineup is to add speed. They look at some potential moves and project an ’09 lineup that includes Rafael Furcal and Chone Figgins.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Dallas Morning News: Jon Daniels Q&A

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Mike Hindman of the Dallas Morning News recently conducted a Q&A with Rangers GM Jon Daniels.  A few highlights:

  • Daniels thought the Rangers had a great chance to sign Michael Inoa, as ownership made a budget exception to pursue him.
  • Daniels doesn’t seem inclined to trade his top pitching prospects for a young big league starter.  He still has certain targets though.
  • A contract extension for Josh Hamilton will probably be explored during the first three months of 2009.
  • Daniels knows what he wants to do with Milton Bradley, but wouldn’t reveal it.
  • He expects to exercise Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for ’09.
  • Daniels sees a "good possibility" of making a trade involving one of his four young catchers, but adds that it depends on the market.  Daniels wouldn’t be opposed to trading both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia in separate deals.  He also admitted that the Red Sox inquired about catching. 
  • Daniels will attempt to improve the bullpen via free agency this winter.

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