Manny Ramirez Rumors: Friday
9:04pm: Tony Jackson of the Los Angeles Daily News spoke with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti on Friday. Jackson asked if there would come a time when the Dodgers will simply have to move on from their pursuit of Manny. Here’s Colletti’s response:
"At some point in time, yes, but I’m not sure when that point in time will come yet. We signed Furcal, we signed Loretta, we signed Ausmus, we signed Casey Blake, we signed Wolf, and we signed Mota. We haven’t been sitting and waiting for one player to sign. We have been active, and we have continued to put a club together. At some point in time, we have to come to a conclusion. But we’re not there yet, and we’re still open-minded.”
8:17pm: A few current Giants offered perspectives Friday on the possibility of having Manny in the clubhouse:
"You’d be an idiot if you didn’t say a guy like Manny Ramirez can’t help your team," center fielder Aaron Rowand said. "But even with that being said, there’s not a guy in here who’s looking at that and hoping and praying. To a man, we’re all confident about what we have right now."
"Manny Ramirez is an unbelievable hitter," said right fielder Randy Winn. "He’s probably the best RBI guy that I’ve ever played against. Of course he’s going to help any team he goes to. But it’s nothing I can focus on because it’s kind of like a trade rumor. It’s probably not going to happen."
4:44pm: Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News has a Manny Ramirez update today, from the Giants’ point of view. Most Giants execs, as well as former owner Peter Magowan, expect Manny to re-sign with the Dodgers. They’ll continue to explore the possibility though.
On the other hand, ESPN’s Jayson Stark talked to one official who regularly speaks with the Giants’ front office. That person thinks new owner Bill Neukom wants to make a splash and said, "I would watch the Giants" in regard to Manny. The official also suggested the Giants may have "more dollars to spend than they’ve been letting on."
Twins CEO: “We’re Not Done”
Twins CEO Jim Pohlad shared some thoughts with a group of reporters, including MLB.com’s Kelly Thesier, on Friday afternoon. It sounds like the club still has a few transactions in mind.
"We’re not done. The season hasn’t started yet," Pohlad said. "Frequently, transactions do occur during Spring Training, so it still could happen. There is nothing from us saying, ‘Don’t go get anyone. We’re done. Go into the season and keep your fingers crossed.’ … We still have room in our payroll, and if there are opportunities [to add a player], we’ll pursue them.
The Twins’ No. 1 target at this point seems to be third baseman Joe Crede. They reached agreement with reliever Luis Ayala earlier today and have also been linked to Jarrod Washburn, though those talks have reportedly fallen through.
O’s Avoid Arb With George Sherrill
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles have agreed to terms with reliever George Sherrill on a one-year, $2.75MM contract.
Sherrill was the club’s last arbitration-eligible player. He requested $3.4MM and the Orioles offered $2.2MM back when figures were due. The left-hander saved 31 games for the O’s last season, but did so while posting a 4.73 ERA. He’ll battle Chris Ray for the closer’s role during spring training.
Boras Pushing Anderson, Pudge To M’s
The Seattle Post-Intelligencer’s John Hickey spoke recently with agent Scott Boras, who pushed Garret Anderson and Ivan Rodriguez as good fits for the Mariners.
”Garret knows the division’s pitching,” Boras said. ”He hits the West well, he’s good for young hitters to be around and it’s a good fit.” Anderson seems to make sense for the M’s, but Pudge isn’t exactly a perfect fit. The club already has catchers Jeff Clement, Kenji Johjima and Rob Johnson on the 40-man roster.
Hot Stove Update: Braden Looper
SI.com’s Jon Heyman believes that, with Randy Wolf headed to the Dodgers, "Braden Looper becomes the top free-agent starter still available." Let’s take a minute to review Looper’s situation.
- Ken Rosenthal wrote Tuesday that the Orioles have serious interest, but Looper has said that he would prefer to stay in the National League.
- The Rockies pulled out of the running on Wednesday.
- The Dodgers are also probably done pursuing him now that Wolf is in the stable.
- The Cubs expressed mild interest back in January, but we haven’t heard much since.
- Same goes for the Pirates.
Looper, a 34-year-old right-hander, went 12-14 with a 4.16 ERA last year for Cardinals. He has a 3.93 career ERA and is a Type B free agent.
White Sox Thinking Long-Term With Youngsters?
MLB.com’s Scott Merkin spoke with White Sox GM Ken Williams on Friday. The general manager hinted that he’s not planning on rushing into long-term contract talks with young players like John Danks, Carlos Quentin or Gavin Floyd.
"You are way, way too far ahead there," Williams told Merkin. "I have to look at how the Dow Jones did today and see the general state of the economy before we start committing large sums of money out there."
Assitant GM Rick Hahn provided a more optimistic outlook, noting that multi-year contract talks don’t typically take place in early February. "Historically, you talk about it in Spring Training, in a more relaxed atmosphere," Hahn said. "There has to be a meeting of the minds, with a willingness also on the part of the player and the agent."
Shawn Hill First To Arbitration
According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Nationals’ Shawn Hill became the first player in the major leagues to go to a salary arbitration hearing this year.
He asked a panel Friday for $775K while the club offered him $500K. A decision will be made on one of the two figures sometime this weekend. Hill, 27, was 1-5 with a 5.83 ERA in 12 starts last season. He hit the disabled list on June 25 with a sore right elbow and finally underwent surgery to repair the issue on September 5.
Twins, Luis Ayala Reach Agreement
According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins reached an agreement with reliever Luis Ayala today on a one-year, $1.3MM deal. He can earn another $575K in incentives. If met, he’d exceed his ’08 salary of $1.7MM. Ayala was ranked as a Type B free agent after the season, but the Mets did not offer him arbitration.
Ayala, 31, posted a 5.71 ERA in 75.6 innings for the Nationals and Mets last year. He stuck out just 5.95 per nine innings, but showed good control with a 2.85 BB/9. He showed an elevated groundball rate in his short stint with the Mets. FanGraphs valued last year’s performance at $100K.
Remaining Free Agent Starters
19 free agent starters remain, with about a week to go until Spring Training. Let’s take a look.
- Kris Benson (33) – Last we heard from Ken Rosenthal’s source, Benson looked so-so in throwing sessions (he had rotator cuff surgery two years ago). The Dodgers and Cardinals appear to be suitors; the Rangers may be out, having signed Jason Jennings.
- Paul Byrd (38) – The Red Sox will miss out on a supplemental draft pick, as Byrd intends to sit out the first half and then possibly sign with a contender. He’d prefer the Braves, Rays, or Marlins.
- Shawn Chacon (31) – In December, Chacon’s agent said he was drawing interest from a few teams. Chacon was released in June after a physical confrontation with Astros GM Ed Wade.
- Tom Glavine (43) – He wants to return to Atlanta, but may seek a big league deal worth $2-3MM guaranteed. He had minor elbow and shoulder surgeries in August. The Nationals have been kicked around as a distant Plan B, though they just signed Odalis Perez.
- Scott Elarton (33) – He worked out for the Padres, but they declined to sign him. Ditto Steve Trachsel and Brian Lawrence.
- Livan Hernandez (34) – Apparently remains on the Padres’ radar.
- Orlando Hernandez (43) – We learned from Ken Davidoff in November that not only does El Duque want to pitch in ’09 after missing all of ’08, he wants to close.
- Chuck James (27) – James, only 27, was non-tendered by the Braves in December. He had rotator cuff and labrum surgery in September, so he won’t be ready until the second half.
- Jon Lieber (39) – We haven’t heard anything about Lieber all winter. He suggested in June that he was mulling retirement after the season.
- Braden Looper (34) – Despite interest from the Orioles, Looper prefers the NL. If the Dodgers sign Randy Wolf, maybe he’ll turn to the Pirates.
- Rodrigo Lopez (33) – All quiet on the Lopez front; last I checked he was a Scott Boras client. The Braves declined his ’09 option. Lopez had Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery in August of ’07.
- Pedro Martinez (37) – Pedro intends to showcase himself in the World Baseball Classic. The Pirates were involved at one point.
- Mark Mulder (31) – Mulder’s audition was set for early February. The A’s and Brewers were linked to him at one point but subsequent stories made those teams sound less interested.
- Sidney Ponson (32) – Aside from settling his grievance with the Orioles in December, we haven’t heard much about him.
- Kenny Rogers (44) – He’s a candidate to retire.
- Curt Schilling (42) – When last reached in January, Schilling had been working out but hadn’t decided whether to play in ’09. The D’Backs were linked to him around that time.
- Ben Sheets (30) – Sheets had an agreement with the Rangers called off when his physical revealed the possible need for flexor tendon surgery. He’s having the surgery and aiming for a second half return, likely leaving the Brewers without draft pick compensation.
- Kip Wells (32) – He didn’t pitch well with the Rockies or Royals in ’08, and it’s been a quiet winter.
- Randy Wolf (32) – Wolf is expected to sign with the Dodgers soon.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Manny, Braves Howard, Mets, Nomar, Sheets
On this date 51 years ago, the Red Sox signed Ted Williams to a one-year deal for $135K – making him the highest paid player in Major League history. This contract came on the heels of a season in which Williams hit .388-38-87 with a .526 OBP and 233 OPS+. And all of that was at age 38. With one week to go before pitchers and catchers report, several players in the twilight of their career are still looking for contracts of their own. Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- River Ave. Blues says a one-year deal for Manny Ramirez in L.A. would open the door to Manny being Manny in pinstripes next year.
- Feeling Dodger Blue takes a look at options for the Dodgers other than Manny.
- Braves Blast sees Bobby Abreu as a better fit for the Braves than Adam Dunn and a better option than trading for Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher.
- The Phrontiersman argues for trading Ryan Howard.
- UmpBump continues their "Hot Offseason Action" series, this time looking at the Red Sox, their offseason moves and how the roster might look on opening day.
- Mets Geek breaks down the Mets offseason.
- The ‘Ropolitans say the Mets’ bullpen still needs work and wonders why they don’t go after one of the remaining big-name relievers on the market.
- Detroit Tigers Thoughts notes that if Orlando Hudson wants to sign a one-year deal after the June draft, he is more likely to lose his type-A free agent status next season if he signs with an NL club this season.
- Goat Riders of the Apocalypse feels that Nomar Garciaparra would make a nice backup shortstop for the Cubs.
- More Hardball puts together an All-Star squad of players still available on the free agent market.
- MLB Notebook takes a look at which teams might be interested in signing Ben Sheets for the second half.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.