A Year Ago At MLBTR
On a slow news day, I thought it might be interesting to look through the MLBTR archives to see what was cooking on the hot stove a year ago.
- A.J. Burnett's agent Darek Braunecker said there would be no contract discussions with the Blue Jays until his client decided whether to opt out. The Jays were said to be preparing a four-year, $54MM offer. Even then it was obvious Burnett would opt out and get significantly more money. He signed in December with the Yankees for five years and $82.5MM.
- The Giants cut ties with Tyler Walker, Brad Hennessey, and Kevin Correia. Several commenters believed they should've retained Correia, who went on to post a 3.91 ERA in 198 innings for the Padres for a mere $1.1MM.
- Jerry DiPoto was said to be among the front-runners for the Mariners GM job. Instead, the Ms chose Jack Zduriencik a few weeks later. Zduriencik acquired Franklin Gutierrez, Russell Branyan, and David Aardsma, among others. DiPoto still works for the Diamondbacks, but Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says not to rule him out for the open Padres GM job.
- Asked about signing with the Mets, free agent Manny Ramirez talked repeatedly about how the ball doesn't carry well at Shea, despite being reminded the Mets were moving into a new stadium in 2009. At that point we were still talking about a four or five-year deal for Manny worth $17-25MM per season. Manny ultimately re-signed with the Dodgers in March for two years and $45MM. His fine season was interrupted by a 50-game PED suspension. Manny must decide next month on his $20MM player option for 2010.
- The Padres still had Kevin Towers and Jake Peavy a year ago. At that time we were trying to decipher which teams Peavy was reportedly willing to play for. After a winter of endless Cubs rumors, Towers struck a deal with the White Sox in May. Peavy vetoed the trade, tore a tendon in his ankle, and later accepted another trade to the Sox at the July trade deadline.
Aaron Boone Likely To Retire
Aaron Boone is likely to retire, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). Boone, 36, worked hard to rehab from March open heart surgery and picked up 14 plate appearances at the end of the season.
Boone would finish with a career line of .263/.326/.425 in 4,329 plate appearances, mostly as a third baseman. He played for the Reds, Yankees, Indians, Marlins, Nationals, and Astros. He's best known for his home run off Tim Wakefield in the 2003 ALCS, which gave the Yanks the AL pennant over the Red Sox. Several months later, Boone's ACL tear prompted the Yankees to acquire Alex Rodriguez.
Tim Hudson Still Hopes To Remain In Atlanta
2:34pm: O'Brien and MLB.com's Mark Bowman have more comments from Hudson.
WEDNESDAY, 10:38am: O'Brien spoke to Hudson, who termed Rosenthal's portrayal a misunderstanding. Hudson still hopes to work out a multiyear extension with the Braves.
TUESDAY: Braves pitcher Tim Hudson is expected to choose free agency "barring a last-minute, knockout offer from the Braves," according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal says the Braves are likely to exercise their half of Hudson's $12MM mutual option for 2010, but Hudson would rather decline his side and seek a larger guarantee. Hudson is projected to fall just short of Type B status, and if that holds up there would be no point to an arbitration offer.
Back on September 24th, ESPN's Jayson Stark found it "all but certain" that Hudson would return to the Braves next year. Earlier that month Hudson told MLB.com's Mark Bowman he'd be glad if the Braves picked up the option. Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that Hudson and his wife had "put down roots" in the Atlanta area. What changed in the last few weeks?
I'm not sure Hudson is judging the market correctly. He recovered from August 2008 Tommy John surgery to make seven starts this year, posting a 3.61 ERA. He'd be turning down one year and $12MM for perhaps two years and $16MM guaranteed on the open market (my best guess). On the other hand, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs believes the market will value Hudson more highly than that.
Discussion: Nick Johnson
Quick: name the OBP leader among this year's free agent class. Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, or Bobby Abreu perhaps? Nope. It's Nick Johnson, who was third in all of baseball this year with a .426 OBP.
The facts about Johnson: he didn't hit for much power this year; in fact, his OBP exceeded his .405 SLG. Aside from his on-base skills, Johnson is best known for his extensive injury history; he missed all of '07 and had only 147 plate appearances in '08 (due to a broken femur and wrist surgery). However, he was able to tally 574 PAs this year, 628 in '06, and 547 in '05. It was Johnson's '05 campaign that prompted former Nationals GM Jim Bowden to give him the three-year, $16.5MM extension that just concluded. The 31-year-old first baseman projects as a Type B free agent, so the Marlins can snag a draft pick if they're willing to offer him arbitration.
Back in July, MLB.com's Bill Ladson wrote that Johnson will seek a two-year deal in free agency. SI's Jon Heyman guessed two years and $16MM a few weeks ago. Aside from the Marlins, the Giants and Rangers were eyeing Johnson as a trade target during the summer. If the Giants non-tender Ryan Garko and want to upgrade on Travis Ishikawa, they could still make sense. Same goes for the Rangers if they don't trust Chris Davis' strong finish or want to incorporate Johnson as the part-time DH. The Mets have a first base opening and Omar Minaya is familiar with Johnson, but Heyman believes the team will avoid injury-prone players. Other possible fits: the Orioles, Braves, Royals, A's, Mariners, and Diamondbacks.
Odds & Ends: Jaramillo, Varitek, D’Backs
Links for Wednesday…
- Longtime Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer from the team and will explore free agency, according to Evan Grant. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune thinks Jaramillo would be a perfect addition to the Cubs.
- According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals re-signed three players eligible for minor league free agency: Scott Thorman, Kelvin Villa, and Carlos Rivas.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says this year's free agent class is pretty darn interesting, even if it lacks top-level talent.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald considers free agent alternatives should the Red Sox fail to sign Jason Bay.
- McAdam's colleague Michael Silverman talked to agent Scott Boras, who had this to say about Jason Varitek's future: "Theo and I will be talking about Tek whenever he deems the time appropriate."
- The Giants don't have much money to spend this winter unless they raise payroll, says Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the Diamondbacks aren't likely to change their core, but the clubhouse could use a dose of veteran leadership.
- The Rays ought to target free agent reliever Kiko Calero, in the opinion of Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay.
- Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff has no control over his future, but wants to stay in San Diego according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Dodgers manager Joe Torre doesn't anticipate working past his current contract, which runs through 2010 (according to the AP).
- Jose Cruz was shocked to be dismissed from his coaching job with the Astros, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.
Offseason Outlook: Cincinnati Reds
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Reds. Their likely commitments for 2010:
C – Ryan Hanigan – $400K
C – Corky Miller – $450K+
1B – Joey Votto – $438K
2B – Brandon Phillips – $6.75MM
SS – Paul Janish – $400K
3B – Scott Rolen – $11MM
IF – Drew Sutton – $400K
LF – Jonny Gomes – $600K+
CF – Drew Stubbs – $400K
RF – Jay Bruce – $418K
OF – Willy Taveras – $4MM
OF – Laynce Nix – $600K+
OF – Chris Dickerson – $400K
SP – Aaron Harang – $12.5MM
SP – Bronson Arroyo – $11MM
SP – Johnny Cueto – $418K
SP – Homer Bailey – $401K
SP – Justin Lehr – $400K
Other candidates: Matt Maloney, Micah Owings
RP – Francisco Cordero – $12MM
RP – Arthur Rhodes – $2MM
RP – Nick Masset – $418K+
RP – Mike Lincoln – $2.5MM
RP – Jared Burton – $420K+
RP – Micah Owings – $420K+
RP – Danny Herrera – $400K
Other commitments: Ramon Hernandez – $1MM buyout
Non-tender candidates: Corky Miller, Bill Bray, Laynce Nix
The Reds have about $70MM committed before arbitration raises to Miller, Gomes, Nix, Masset, Burton, and Owings. We'll allocate another $5MM for those raises, puting the team in the $75MM range. The Reds were at $73.6MM heading into the season, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. Given the lack of payroll space, it's no surprise GM Walt Jocketty told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon his interest in free agents will be minimal this offseason.
The Reds should have a strong defensive infield in 2010, especially if they decide Janish's glovework makes up for his poor hitting.
Between Stubbs and Dickerson, the Reds should have a workable internal solution for center field that does not involve giving 400+ plate appearances to Taveras. Replacing Taveras and getting more out of Bruce and Rolen seems to be the easiest route to an improved offense in 2010.
Jocketty has spoken of his desire to add a "quality RBI man" despite the lack of payroll space. Non-tendering Gomes would make little sense, as he could be that RBI man for a few million bucks (Gomes slugged .541 this year).
Jocketty could also free up cash by trading Harang or Arroyo. A team like the Mets might be interested in assuming one of those contracts if the demand for players is minimal. But it's hard to see how that would improve the Reds, who are not in a position to subtract a starter now that Edinson Volquez is unlikely to contribute in 2010 (Tommy John surgery). The best rotation addition for the buck is probably free agent pitching coach Dave Duncan, but his inclination is to stay in St. Louis.
One pitcher Jocketty could afford to trade is Cordero, given Masset's success in 2009. The Reds' closer has two years and $25MM remaining. The problem is that the Reds would have to assume half his contract to make Cordero mildly appealing.
Jocketty overspent on Taveras and Lincoln a year ago, committing $10.25MM to the pair. Add that to the $11MM the Reds GM took on for Rolen next year, and it's clear the Reds don't have much flexibility this winter. Improvements will have to come from within.
Offseason Outlook: Cincinnati Reds
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Reds. Their likely commitments for 2010:
C – Ryan Hanigan – $400K
C – Corky Miller – $450K+
1B – Joey Votto – $438K
2B – Brandon Phillips – $6.75MM
SS – Paul Janish – $400K
3B – Scott Rolen – $11MM
IF – Drew Sutton – $400K
LF – Jonny Gomes – $600K+
CF – Drew Stubbs – $400K
RF – Jay Bruce – $418K
OF – Willy Taveras – $4MM
OF – Laynce Nix – $600K+
OF – Chris Dickerson – $400K
SP – Aaron Harang – $12.5MM
SP – Bronson Arroyo – $11MM
SP – Johnny Cueto – $418K
SP – Homer Bailey – $401K
SP – Justin Lehr – $400K
Other candidates: Matt Maloney, Micah Owings
RP – Francisco Cordero – $12MM
RP – Arthur Rhodes – $2MM
RP – Nick Masset – $418K+
RP – Mike Lincoln – $2.5MM
RP – Jared Burton – $420K+
RP – Micah Owings – $420K+
RP – Danny Herrera – $400K
Other commitments: Ramon Hernandez – $1MM buyout
Non-tender candidates: Corky Miller, Bill Bray, Laynce Nix
The Reds have about $70MM committed before arbitration raises to Miller, Gomes, Nix, Masset, Burton, and Owings. We'll allocate another $5MM for those raises, puting the team in the $75MM range. The Reds were at $73.6MM heading into the season, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. Given the lack of payroll space, it's no surprise GM Walt Jocketty told MLB.com's Mark Sheldon his interest in free agents will be minimal this offseason.
The Reds should have a strong defensive infield in 2010, especially if they decide Janish's glovework makes up for his poor hitting.
Between Stubbs and Dickerson, the Reds should have a workable internal solution for center field that does not involve giving 400+ plate appearances to Taveras. Replacing Taveras and getting more out of Bruce and Rolen seems to be the easiest route to an improved offense in 2010.
Jocketty has spoken of his desire to add a "quality RBI man" despite the lack of payroll space. Non-tendering Gomes would make little sense, as he could be that RBI man for a few million bucks (Gomes slugged .541 this year).
Jocketty could also free up cash by trading Harang or Arroyo. A team like the Mets might be interested in assuming one of those contracts if the demand for players is minimal. But it's hard to see how that would improve the Reds, who are not in a position to subtract a starter now that Edinson Volquez is unlikely to contribute in 2010 (Tommy John surgery). The best rotation addition for the buck is probably free agent pitching coach Dave Duncan, but his inclination is to stay in St. Louis.
One pitcher Jocketty could afford to trade is Cordero, given Masset's success in 2009. The Reds' closer has two years and $25MM remaining. The problem is that the Reds would have to assume half his contract to make Cordero mildly appealing.
Jocketty overspent on Taveras and Lincoln a year ago, committing $10.25MM to the pair. Add that to the $11MM the Reds GM took on for Rolen next year, and it's clear the Reds don't have much flexibility this winter. Improvements will have to come from within.
Rockies Rumors: Marquis, Barmes, De La Rosa
More Rockies hot stove info…
- Free agent starter Jason Marquis told MLB.com's Thomas Harding he'd love to return to the Rockies, but "the ball's in their court." Last month, Marquis downplayed an assertion from his friend Jeff Francoeur that the pitcher would love to come to New York. It was a different market, but Marquis' agent snagged his client a three-year, $21MM deal coming off a 6.02 ERA season back in December of '06. 2009 was a typical Marquis season aside from an increased groundball rate.
- We already knew the Rockies had designs on locking up closer Huston Street, who's under team control through 2010. Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says the Rox also intend to approach Clint Barmes and Jorge de la Rosa about extensions. Barmes is under team control through 2011, de la Rosa through 2010.
- Renck believes the Rockies will offer Street "a three-year deal in the neighborhood of $25MM, which might not be enough to sign him but is a good start." Ah, overpaying for saves.
Yusei Kikuchi To Meet With Seven MLB Teams
NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman has the latest on amateur lefty Yusei Kikuchi, based on reports from Nikkan Sports and Sanspo. Kikuchi still hasn't decided whether to start his career in MLB or NPB, but he's meeting with teams starting Friday. He'll first meet with a dozen NPB teams, followed by seven MLB clubs.
Nikkan's list of MLB suitors: the Giants, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Mariners and Indians. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince confirms the Indians' interest. Newman tells us all about Kikuchi in this post.
Discussion: Twins’ Offseason
We'll get into the Twins' Offseason Outlook in a few weeks, but fans are eager to discuss the team's 2010 plans now that they've been eliminated from the playoffs.
Once again the Twins have question marks on the left side of the infield. Joe Crede and Orlando Cabrera are free agents, leaving Brendan Harris and Nick Punto as the main internal options. Adrian Beltre is the most intriguing affordable free agent option at the hot corner. Marco Scutaro is the top available shortstop, though he's coming off a career year. The Twins could also look to the trade market – how about Dan Uggla and J.J. Hardy?
The Twins also must decide whether Delmon Young's final month of the season is a sign of things to come. Another .284/.308/.425 performance won't be acceptable from their left fielder.
MVP frontrunner Joe Mauer is signed through 2010, and one of the Twins' top offseason priorities is to extend their catcher.
As for the rotation, August acquisition Carl Pavano is up for free agency. The Twins should consider re-signing him or someone similar – they have question marks after Scott Baker.
Does it make sense to trade closer Joe Nathan to free up payroll and fill some of these holes? Patrick Reusse of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune thinks so, and his colleague Michael Rand debates the finer points.