Indians Notes: Free Agent Targets, Marte
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer answers readers' questions in a mailbag piece. Within the article, he provides his opinions on a few Indians-related topics….
- There's "no way" the Indians will sign someone as expensive as Kerry Wood this year.
- If the club is involved in signing free agents at all, Hoynes expects the deals to happen later in the offseason, and at very little cost.
- Hoynes wouldn't be surprised if GM Mark Shapiro targeted one or two inexpensive, low-risk starting pitchers. Hoynes doesn't offer any specific names, though one reader suggests Noah Lowry. Check out MLBTR's free agent list for an idea of what type of reclamation projects the Indians might look at this offseason.
- Hoynes thinks Andy Marte has a decent chance of remaining on the roster through the winter and competing for a spot on the team in the spring
Cafardo On Gonzalez, Nady, Mulder
Nick Cafardo's latest column for the Boston Globe is a lengthy one, and is full of hot stove discussion and speculation. Let's take a look….
- After Ken Rosenthal expressed skepticism about Boston's ability to acquire Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, Cafardo declares that it's the one move the Red Sox have to make to keep up with the Yankees. Although he presents a lengthy argument for why it could work, he never specifically addresses what players the Sox could send to San Diego, which was the sticking point for Rosenthal.
- Xavier Nady would like to return to the Yankees, but doesn't know if they'll want him back. "I know I can go out there and be a productive starting player for someone," Nady says. As Cafardo points out though, after Nady's injury-plagued 2009, many teams would probably prefer to sign him as a fourth outfielder.
- Cafardo thinks the Los Angeles Dodgers should consider signing Pedro Martinez to a half-year deal in 2010, and that Philadelphia could be a good fit for Billy Wagner.
- The Jeremy Hermida acquisition raises questions about Rocco Baldelli's future as a Red Sox. Baldelli says he enjoyed Boston and would love to return, but that the team hasn't informed him of their plans yet.
- "It would be an upset" if Mark Mulder signed anywhere but Milwaukee.
- One baseball official tells Cafardo that the New York Yankees might be a bit reluctant to re-sign Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui because "they’re afraid of sticking with a guy too long. They’d rather get rid of a guy a year sooner, ahead of his decline, than a year later."
Rosenthal On Gonzalez, Beckett, De La Rosa
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up today, in which he discusses a variety of topics from around the league. Let's recap a few of the highlights….
- Although the Boston Red Sox have been the team most frequently linked to Adrian Gonzalez, it's unclear whether they have the pieces to work out a trade. Rosenthal suggests the Padres will want some major-league talent in return, and quotes one baseball executive who says he can't imagine how the Sox get a deal done.
- Rosenthal says the Padres should be more inclined to move closer Heath Bell than Gonzalez.
- When Josh Beckett discusses a contract extension with the Red Sox, Rosenthal advises him to point to the deal A.J. Burnett signed last winter as a starting point, since Beckett's track record is even stronger than Burnett's. He thinks if the Red Sox were to balk at a long-term commitment, plenty of other teams would be interested.
- A source indicates that when Jorge De La Rosa hits free agency in a year, he would like a contract similar to Oliver Perez's three-year, $36MM deal. It's hard to see him demanding that much unless he has a breakout year in 2010, but his impending raise could prompt the Rockies to field trade offers for the lefty.
- Ken Griffey Jr. will likely decide in a couple weeks whether he wants to keep playing.
- According to Rosenthal, "some who know [Matt] Holliday say he would prefer not to play in New York."
- We heard from Troy Renck yesterday that the Rockies were talking to Rafael Betancourt about an extension. Rosenthal reports that Betancourt apparently turned down a two-year deal worth up to about $7MM.
- Rosenthal opines that Garrett Atkins is unlikely to be traded because of his price tag, and will almost certainly be non-tendered.
Odds & Ends: Cubs, Cuddyer, Eyre, Marlins
Let's check out a few Saturday evening links….
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Chicago Cubs seem prepared to part ways with Rich Harden and Reed Johnson.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer isn't a big fan of the Minnesota Twins' decision to exercise Michael Cuddyer's 2011 option.
- Potential free agent Scott Eyre will have surgery on his left elbow, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Zolecki mentions that Raul Ibanez and Brad Lidge will also go under the knife. Eyre and Ibanez should be ready for the start of spring training, but Lidge may need a little more time.
- John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle doesn't think the New York Yankees will be able to hold back on their spending this offseason, and expects them to make a big free agent splash or two.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro projects the Florida Marlins' payroll for 2010.
- We heard earlier today from Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, regarding his club's offseason plans. Dave Rutt at Batter's Box provides an interesting article on the same subject, sharing his own thoughts on how to improve the Jays.
Rockies Negotiating With Betancourt, Won’t Retain Fogg
The Colorado Rockies are attempting to bring back setup man Rafael Betancourt, but will not re-sign righty Josh Fogg, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
Renck doesn't have any specific details on the talks with Betancourt, but writes that the Rockies has approached the reliever about a multi-year deal. Betancourt has a $5.4MM option for 2010. However, we heard previously that the club would like to sign him to a restructured deal that pays him less in 2010, but locks him up past next season.
Fogg, meanwhile, signed a minor-league deal with the Rockies before the season, and earned a mop-up spot in the team's bullpen. He compiled a 3.74 ERA in 24 appearances. According to Renck though, the team told the right-hander that they're "moving in a different direction."
Yankees Notes: Matsui, Damon, Cano
As if dominating the playoffs wasn't enough, the New York Yankees are now dominating much of the hot stove discussion as well. We took a look at some rumors from the Bronx earlier today. Now John Harper of the New York Daily News offers ten suggestions for building the 2010 Yankees. A few of his ideas….
- Harper suggests offering Hideki Matsui a one-year deal, rather than just letting him walk. He thinks that, after a relatively healthy 2009, the Yankees could use the offensive depth, in case they aren't so lucky in 2010.
- He also would like the team to sign Johnny Damon to a one- or two-year deal, if they can.
- Harper wants to see Joba Chamberlain or Phil Hughes (or both) in the bullpen, with the team pursuing a free agent starter to fill out the back end of the rotation.
- He believes that the Yankees "shouldn't rule out" dealing Robinson Cano, if the right offer arises.
- Harper doesn't expect the team to pursue a starting pitcher as expensive as John Lackey this winter, naming Randy Wolf as a potential target instead. In a separate piece, the NY Daily News's Bill Madden agrees that Lackey is unlikely to become a Yankee. Madden thinks the team could look to the trade market for a starter instead, perhaps making catching prospect Jesus Montero available.
Discussion: J.J. Putz
We learned this week that, as expected, the New York Mets declined J.J. Putz's pricey 2010 option. Now that the righty has filed for free agency, tonight's discussion topic focuses on where he might land.
Putz last signed a contract with the Seattle Mariners, following a strong 2006 campaign as the team's closer. The deal was for $13.1MM over three years (plus incentives), and it looked like the club might have themselves a bargain when Putz posted a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves in 2007. Unfortunately, the next two seasons, one with the Mariners and one with the Mets, were marred by injuries, raising doubts about Putz's current worth.
Given his health problems, it would be very surprising to see Putz regain his 2007 form. However, his value has taken such a hit that teams could view the former closer as a less expensive gamble this offseason.
The Detroit Tigers might be a good fit. They pursued Putz aggressively a year ago and are faced with decisions on whether to bring back Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney. If Putz wanted to stay in the NL East, the Philadelphia Phillies will probably be looking for bullpen options. It's easy to imagine either team, or a handful of others, attempting to sign the 32-year-old to an inexpensive (but incentive-laden) short-term deal.
Where do you see Putz playing in 2010, and what kind of contract do you expect him to sign?
Alex Anthopoulos, Talkin’ Jays Baseball
Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos held a press conference with several reporters this afternoon to discuss the club's offseason strategy. Toronto's FAN 590 has the audio. Here are some of the highlights…
- There is no "defined number" for payroll next season and ownership is prepared to provide funds if the right "baseball opportunity" arises.
- Anthopoulos believes the Jays "can be up there with the Anaheims and the Chicagos, and even the Bostons" with a "sustained model of success" and financial backing from ownership.
- But he thinks building a team through free agency isn't the way to go. Building a core through good drafting and scouting is the strategy Toronto will try to employ.
- Anthopoulos is actively involved in trade talks and with free agents to improve the team, but won't do anything to jeopardize the future makeup of the club.
- He has been aware of the availability of every player that has been traded so far this offseason, and directly involved with talks for some.
- Anthopoulos said he has to be open minded about listening to trades for Roy Halladay this winter, but that Roy is "a guy we want to have here."
- That said, Halladay "wants to win" and the Blue Jays were a 75-win team last year. "We haven't met his criteria for winning… and his timeline for winning might not match ours." A contract extension seems unlikely.
- The Blue Jays are "not actively shopping" any of their current players at this moment.
Trade Reactions: Teahen, Hardy
It's going to be a busy and exciting offseason, and we here at MLBTR will have all of the latest news as it breaks. We'll be tracking all of the winter's trades and constantly updating our list of available free agents, so stay tuned. For now, here are a few reactions from around the baseball world on some of the moves that have already taken place…
- Matt Eddy of Baseball America takes a deeper look at the trade that brought Mark Teahen (and $1MM) to the White Sox. Teahen will start at third base in 2010 with sophomore Gordon Beckham sliding over to second.
- Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reviews the swap that netted the Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy. "The deal has the potential to look very good for the Twins if Hardy can regain his pre-2009 form," writes Christensen, "but that “if” is as big as Hardy’s 6-2, 190-pound frame."
Kurkjian’s Latest: Yankees, Dodgers, Chapman
Tim Kurkjian runs through some of the top storylines to watch this offseason for his latest article on ESPN.com. Here's a breakdown of some of the topics discussed…
- Kurkjian believes the Yankees will let Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui walk this winter and will "consider" free agents Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.
- Kurkjian also thinks Holliday is "perfect for Fenway Park," and someone who will be pursued if the Red Sox aren't able to reach an agreement with Bay.
- The McCourts' divorce could have a serious impact on the way Los Angeles does business this offseason. As Kurkjian writes, "The Dodgers need to acquire at least one topflight starting pitcher, but there is already speculation that they will not have enough money to re-sign left-hander Randy Wolf."
- The Cubs won't be able to trade Milton Bradley without picking up most of the two years, $20MM left on his contact.
- The Yanks are likely to re-sign Andy Pettitte for at least one year.
- Kurkjian spoke to one MLB general manager who thinks Cuban left-hander Aroldis Chapman has "a ways to go before he's ready to pitch in the major leagues, phyiscally and emotionally."
- The Angels are expected to be aggressive in trying to re-sign Chone Figgins, but he'll have plenty of other suitors. Kurkjian lists the White Sox and Orioles as possibilities. We've heard the Cubs might also have interest.