Archives for November 2009

Scutaro Prefers The Dodgers And Red Sox

By Mike Axisa | November 28, 2009 at 1:13pm CDT

1:13pm: In a slight correction to his article, Bastian says that the Mariners and Rangers have contacted the 34-year-old, but not necessarily about playing third base (via Twitter).

11:32am: Free agent Marco Scutaro is said to prefer the Dodgers and Red Sox because they give him the best chance to make the postseason, according to a report by Augusto Cardenas of Diaro Panorama, which was passed along by MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times has a quote from Scutaro on the situation:

"Boston is interested, like the Dodgers, Seattle and Texas,'' Scutaro said. "They have just called to say they have interest, but they haven't made an offer yet.

"The Dodgers want me to play second base, shortstop in Boston, and there are other teams who have called to play third. Although not close the doors, I would rather be between short and second.''

Bastian adds that Scutaro hasn't ruled out a return to Toronto, though the Jays will offer the Type-A free agent arbitration so they can receive two draft picks if he heads elsewhere. Baker mentions that the Mariners and Texas have contacted Scutaro about playing third, which makes you wonder what would happen with Michael Young.

Bud Selig Plans To Step Down After 2012

By Mike Axisa | November 28, 2009 at 10:45am CDT

Sources have indicated to Phil Rogers of The Chicago Tribune that commissioner Bud Selig plans to step down after the 2012 season, when his contract is up. The current CBA expires after the 2011 season, so negotiating the next pact will likely be Selig's last act as baseball's commissioner.

Selig has held his position since 1992, during which time MLB's popularity and revenue have grown to record heights. Some notable changes made during Selig's tenure include realignment and the introduction of the Wild Card, interleague play, revenue sharing, and the implementation of the most stringent drug testing program among the four major North American sports.

Halladay Would Approve Deal To Yankees

By Zachary Links | November 28, 2009 at 8:31am CDT

SATURDAY 8:31am: ESPN's Buster Olney hears that Halladay's preferred destinations are the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, or Phillies.

FRIDAY 7:32pm: Roy Halladay would be willing to waive his no-trade clause to pitch for the Yankees, writes Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun, in an article for Slam Sports.

A major league executive told Elliott that he doesn't know where Halladay might end up, but knows that he has told the Blue Jays that he would agree to be dealt to the Yanks. Doc has used his no-trade clause before to prevent being shipped to the Twins and Rangers.

Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos has said that he would not be against trading a player in the American League East if it were the best deal on the table. Should he make an exception in the case of Halladay?

Discussion: The Trade Of The Decade

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 27, 2009 at 10:50pm CDT

Over the last month or so, we've been taking a look at the decade's biggest trades. Here are some of the moves that defined, enabled and inhibited teams throughout the 2000s.

With just weeks remaining in the decade, it's time to decide: Which one of those trades do you consider the biggest deal of all? The best? The worst?

Odds & Ends: Scutaro, Fielder, Bowden

By Zachary Links | November 27, 2009 at 10:10pm CDT

Some links on this Friday evening:

Daniel Barbarisi of The Providence Journal talks about the Red Sox shortstop search and concludes that Marco Scutaro is their best option. The article mentions a few other possibilities, including Brewers infielder Felipe Lopez. The 30-year-old is coming off of a career year but hasn't played shortstop regularly since 2007, when he posted a UZR/150 of -12.3.
In a column for CBSSports.com, Larry Dobrow lays out his suggestions for the Brewers this winter. Dowbrow urges the club to lay the groundwork for a Prince Fielder deal and cash in their trade chips, Corey Hart and Mat Gamel.
Hey American League fans, ever wonder what Jim Bowden would do if he were your team's GM? Well, wonder no more because with the help of his Amazing Technicolor Dreamtie, he lays out the moves he would make for several AL teams for FOX Sports. Amongst other things, Bowden pushes the Yankees to beat Boston to the punch and deal Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, and Ian Kennedy to the Blue Jays for Roy Halladay.

Red Sox Destined To Sign Scutaro?

By Zachary Links | November 27, 2009 at 9:10pm CDT

The BoSox have "virtually no choice" but to sign free agent Marco Scutaro, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Toronto's signing of Alex Gonzalez means that the 34-year-old is now, by default, their most attractive option. There aren't a ton of quality shortstops available via trade either. Unsurprisingly, we've already heard reports this week of strong interest from both parties.

Signing Scutaro would mean surrendering a high draft pick to Toronto as he is a Type A free agent. It could also mean giving the versatile veteran a three-year offer rather than the two-year pact that Boston would prefer.

Is inking MLBTR's eighth ranked free agent worth the price? Are there better – but perhaps less obvious – options out there for the Red Sox?

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Revenue Sharing, Bullington, Halladay, Mauer

By Cork Gaines | November 27, 2009 at 5:55pm CDT

On this date 18 years ago, Eddie Murray signed a two-year, $7.5MM deal with the Mets, the third of six teams he would play for in 21 seasons. In those two years, he would hit 43 home runs and post seasons of 115 and 111 OPS+. A week into this year's free agency, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

The Biz of Baseball looks at revenue sharing in baseball and why baseball no longer releases revenue sharing figures.
DC Sports Plus evaluates the list of minor league free agent pitchers and who might get shots to stick with a big league club in the Spring.
Royals Authority looks at what the signing of Bryan Bullington could mean for the Royals and whether he can contribute as a big league relief pitcher.
River Ave Blues speculates on what the Yankees and Red Sox would have to give up to land Roy Halladay.
MLB Notebook examines why the Tigers are looking to trade Edwin Jackson.
UmpBump breaks down the Padres off-season needs and what San Diego needs to bring back should Adrian Gonzalez be traded.
Jorge Says No! speculates on an extension that could work for both the Twins and Joe Mauer.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Discussion: Doug Davis

By Mike Axisa | November 27, 2009 at 3:47pm CDT

There's only so many top tier pitchers on the free agent market every year, so naturally many teams will spend the winter sifting through the leftovers after the big market clubs have had their fill. One such pitcher this offseason is the 34-year-old Doug Davis, who once upon a time (2005) was third in the NL with 208 strikeouts.

Davis is the definition of an innings eater, making at least 33 starts in five of the last six years, with the one exception being 2008, when he missed six weeks while getting treatment for thyroid cancer. Aside from taking the ball every five days, the other thing Davis does well is put runners on base. He's had at least a 1.50 WHIP every year since 2006 (he led the big leagues with 103 walks this year), but he gets by because his groundball (1.29 GB/FB) and strikeout (6.67 K/9) rates are passable.

Nothing screams back-end starter in the NL quite like like Doug Davis' resume, though there's still value in his durability and the bulk innings he provides. Davis is a Type-B free agent, though it's unlikely the Diamondbacks will offer him arbitration after he made $8.75MM in 2009. Considering he'll likely get nothing more than a one-year deal, do you see any fits for the lefty? Maybe a return to Milwaukee, or a stint in spacious CitiField?

Odds & Ends: Johnson, Cabrera, Mets, Contreras

By Mike Axisa | November 27, 2009 at 2:22pm CDT

Here's some discount links on Black Friday…

ESPN's Keith Law notes that the Marlins have a history of moving players early, and says that they could land two big league ready players and two Double-A prospects for Josh Johnson.
There's no evidence to suggest that the Red Sox have approached the Tigers about a trade for Miguel Cabrera according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com.
Bob Klapisch of FoxSports.com writes that it'll take more than one offseason to get the Mets back on track.
Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe says that next week's arbitration deadline will have a big impact on the Red Sox, and wonders if GM Theo Epstein has a trade for a shortstop in mind.
MLB.com's Steve Gilbert says a marriage between the Diamondbacks and free agent Nick Johnson seems unlikely because the team has a little more than $10MM to spend and more pressing needs in the rotation.
Jose Contreras met with officials from the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League, according to the AP (via NBCSports.com).
SI.com's Jon Heyman hears that Jermaine Dye would like to go west, and suggests that he could be an alternative righty bat for the Rangers.
Heyman also hears that the Blue Jays like Jesus Montero of the Yankees and Casey Kelly of the Red Sox, referring of course to a potential Roy Halladay trade.
FoxSports.com's Dayn Perry takes a look at some free agents teams should avoid.
R.J. Anderson at FanGraphs chimes on three recent moves: Dallas McPherson to the A's, Tug Hulett to the Red Sox, and Radhames Liz to the Padres.

Cubs Will Shop For An Outfield Bat

By Mike Axisa | November 27, 2009 at 1:20pm CDT

The Cubs plan to search for a centerfielder according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com, however the team must first unload Milton Bradley to see how much financial flexibility they'll have.

One agent who spoke to the team says that balancing out left and righthanded hitters in the lineup is not as much of a priority as last year. The Fox duo mention Curtis Granderson, Scott Podsednik, Rick Ankiel, Coco Crisp, Marlon Byrd, and Mike Cameron as potential targets.

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