D’Backs Search For Pitching
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic brings home a bunch of Diamondbacks hot stove buzz from the GM Meetings…
- The Diamondbacks would have to give up their second-round pick if they sign a Type A free agent who turned down arbitration. GM Josh Byrnes told Piecoro he'd consider it if the player came at a discount. You can check our free agent list to see all the types.
- Piecoro wouldn't be surprised to see Livan Hernandez return as the D'Backs' fifth starter. He wouldn't be the main rotation pickup; the bigger targets are probably Randy Wolf, Jason Marquis, and Brad Penny.
- Piecoro can't find a team that would be able to send the D'Backs a pitcher for catcher Chris Snyder. The Royals, Mets, Reds, Brewers, and Astros don't fit, in Piecoro's opinion, while the Blue Jays already nixed a deal. The Rays, Nationals, Mariners, and Giants may also be looking for a catcher, but they might not match up either.
- The D'Backs would like to bring back arbitration-eligible infielder Augie Ojeda.
Offseason Outlook: Texas Rangers
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Rangers. Their likely commitments for 2010:
C – Jarrod Saltalamacchia – $411K
C – Taylor Teagarden – $401K
1B – Chris Davis – $407K
2B – Ian Kinsler – $4MM
SS – Elvis Andrus – $400K
3B – Michael Young – $16MM (partially deferred)
IF – Joaquin Arias – $402K
LF – David Murphy – $415K
CF – Josh Hamilton – $555K+
RF – Nelson Cruz – $408K
OF – Brandon Boggs – $409K
OF – Craig Gentry – $400K
DH – Julio Borbon – $400K
SP – Kevin Millwood – $12MM
SP – Scott Feldman – $435K+
SP – Derrek Holland – $400K
SP – Tommy Hunter – $401K
SP – Brandon McCarthy – $650K+
Other rotation candidates: Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison, C.J. Wilson, Dustin Nippert, Guillermo Moscoso, Eric Hurley
RP – Frank Francisco – $1.615MM+
RP – C.J. Wilson – $1.85MM+
RP – Darren O'Day – $406K
RP – Dustin Nippert – $412K+
RP – Neftali Feliz – $400K
RP – Doug Mathis – $400K
RP – Willie Eyre – $410K
Other bullpen candidates: Guillermo Moscoso, Warner Madrigal, Pedro Strop
Other commitments: Frank Catalanotto – $2MM, Vicente Padilla – $1.75MM
That's roughly $44MM committed before arbitration raises to Hamilton, Feldman, McCarthy, Francisco, Wilson, and Nippert. I have German as a non-tender, but you never know. The raises plus money owed to Catalanotto and Padilla should put the Rangers in the low-$60MM range. They entered 2009 with a $68.2MM payroll according to Cot's Baseball Contracts, and MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan says it will be around $68-70MM again despite the team's unsettled ownership. I'd say the Rangers have $10MM to spend at most, but a year ago we learned that Young is really getting about $12MM per year. Factoring that in would give the Rangers another $4MM to work with.
Sullivan wrote a week ago that a right-handed bat is a high priority for Rangers GM Jon Daniels. Re-signing Marlon Byrd would be one solution, while Sullivan suggested Jermaine Dye, Marcus Thames, Vladimir Guerrero, Gary Sheffield, Troy Glaus, and Fernando Tatis could also fit. We listed a bunch of right-handed power options a month ago. We know that Cruz and Hamilton will take two of the Rangers' outfield spots; Daniels could look to improve upon Borbon at DH and/or Murphy at left field.
Cubs switch-hitter Milton Bradley could be the answer, if the Rangers can whittle the $21MM commitment down to $5-6MM. The idea of involving Millwood's contract has already been shot down. The Rangers also may look to acquire a backup catcher, with re-signing Ivan Rodriguez a possibility.
As for the pitching staff, Sullivan considers it the Rangers' "strongest area of depth." As you can see, their rotation is overflowing with candidates, though many are unproven. Sullivan feels that shopping the arbitration-eligible McCarthy would be wise. Should Feliz or Wilson be given the team's fifth starter job, the Rangers would probably look to augment their bullpen with a free agent or two.
Ben Sheets would be a rotation wild card. There's little harm in rekindling discussions with him, since it'd likely be an affordable one-year deal. But we could easily see talents like Feliz and Holland erase rotation concerns in 2010.
The Rangers were not an offensive powerhouse in 2009 – their .320 team OBP ranked 12th in the AL. Subtracting Hank Blalock and giving Davis a shorter leash should help there, as would getting more out of Kinsler, Hamilton, and Saltalamacchia. If a couple young arms break through in 2010, the Rangers should compete. Daniels doesn't have a ton of free cash, but he only needs to make minor additions.
Braves Announce Tim Hudson Extension
1:41pm: O'Brien says Hudson received a three-year, $28MM deal – $9MM annually plus a $1MM buyout on the option.
8:41am: The Braves announced Tim Hudson's extension today, according to Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He says it's a three-year deal worth around $9MM per year, with an option for 2013. Hudson's new deal overwrites the $12MM mutual option he had for 2010.
Yesterday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote, "We've long known that the Braves are going to end up trading either Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez." O'Brien feels that Kenshin Kawakami is another possibility. Bowman suggests that the Yankees or Angels could be suitors for Lowe, should they decide not to sign John Lackey. Vazquez could be extended if Lowe is moved.
Jim Riggleman Named Nationals Manager
THURSDAY, 1:33pm: The Nationals have officially named Riggleman their manager, according to a team press release.
WEDNESDAY, 6:08pm: The Washington Nationals will bring back interim manager Jim Riggleman in 2010, according to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM's MLB Home Plate (via Twitter). Bowden does not have any specific details yet, but says the deal "is done."
Riggleman took over the as the Nationals' skipper halfway through 2009, leading the club, which was 26-61 at that point, to a 33-42 record over the rest of the season.
Riggleman had been considered the favorite to earn the full-time job throughout the search, despite the team considering higher profile candidates, such as Bobby Valentine.
Heyman On Damon, Lackey, Crede
After working the lobby all week at the Chicago GM Meetings, SI's Jon Heyman has the latest hot stove chatter…
- The Giants "appear to have emerged as one potential competitor" for the services of Johnny Damon.
- The Rangers met with John Lackey's agent yesterday, though they're not expected to have that kind of money available. Heyman adds that the Brewers and Mariners haven't ruled out signing the righty.
- Joe Crede is among the third base candidates the Orioles will consider. We heard about Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, and Pedro Feliz earlier today.
- Lefty reliever Mike Gonzalez "appears very popular in the free agent market." If that's true, then the Braves figure to offer arbitration to Gonzalez, a Type A.
- Mets GM Omar Minaya said some teams have shown interest in second baseman Luis Castillo, and Heyman says the Dodgers have spoken to the Mets. Castillo has $12MM coming over the next two years and it might be time to sell relatively high.
Olney On Ausmus, Carroll, Prior, Penny
A few notes from ESPN's Buster Olney…
- Via Twitter, Olney's heard from other teams that the Reds would love to move closer Francisco Cordero. Of course, closers are plentiful and Cordero is set to earn $25MM over the next two years. I mentioned in our Reds Offseason Outlook that the team would have to eat half of that to make him mildly appealing. Similarly, the Indians would definitely listen on Kerry Wood, who is set to earn $20MM over the next two years.
- Olney believes other teams could join the Reds and Tigers in cost-cutting mode. He says the teams with payroll space "will be in position to make some excellent deals."
- Olney finds it unlikely that Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, or John Lackey will receive a $100MM contract.
- Catcher Brad Ausmus on 2010: "I could end up playing if somebody wants me."
- The A's are interested in free agent infielder Jamey Carroll. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse tweets that the Dodgers and at least seven other teams are also interested in Carroll.
- Mark Prior is throwing on flat ground and plans to audition for scouts. Prior, 29, most recently had shoulder surgery in June.
- The Giants are attempting to re-sign Brad Penny, who lost 12 pounds since the end of the season.
- Olney wonders if the Royals will dump more players before the December 12th non-tender deadline. I think Mike Jacobs, John Buck, and John Bale fit the bill.
- Olney's heard that the Phillies "will be aggressive in signing a set-up man/closer safety net," with Brad Lidge having flexor tendon surgery.
Phillies’ Third Base Targets
The Phillies have Placido Polanco, Mark DeRosa, and Adrian Beltre on their third base wish list, according to sources speaking to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Salisbury adds that Chone Figgins and Miguel Tejada are also of interest, but to a lesser degree.
Phils GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Salisbury he'd "rather do something early," but doesn't see that happening. DeRosa signed early with the Cubs three years ago, specifically on November 14th. Salisbury debates the merits of Polanco, DeRosa, and Beltre in his column. Which do you prefer? By the way, ESPN's Jayson Stark finds Figgins an unrealistic fit for the Phillies for a variety of reasons.
In other Phillies news, Salisbury notes Korean reports suggesting Chan Ho Park wants to start in 2010. Amaro has heard differently from Park's agent. Starting was a big factor in Park's decision to sign with the Phillies a year ago.
Roy Halladay Rumors: Thursday
The Blue Jays are not resigned to trading ace pitcher Roy Halladay, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News. However, Feinsand believes Halladay "wants out of Toronto," and would require an extension as part of waiving his no-trade clause. As you know, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos won't rule out trading within the division, opening up Yankees and Red Sox speculation.
SI's Jon Heyman says the Yankees will inquire on Halladay; why wouldn't they? Heyman believes Halladay favors a deal to an East Coast team and was willing to go to the Yankees or Red Sox last summer. Since then, the asking price has presumably come down. Heyman also expects the Mets to check in on Doc, but sees them as a long shot.
Feinsand and Heyman also get into the Yankees' other options to add top-level pitching. Feinsand says the Yankees "already have their sights set on signing either Halladay or Cliff Lee if both become free agents after next season," but fear Lee might sign an extension with the Phillies. He says Yankees officials have mixed opinions on whether to pursue John Lackey this winter.
Odds & Ends: Uggla, Granderson, Lackey
Links for Thursday…
- MLBTR will be mentioned on ESPN2's SportsNation program today at 3pm CST, check it out!
- FanGraphs' Dave Cameron thinks the Marlins are shopping Dan Uggla a year late, and believes he'd be expensive enough in 2011 that the Marlins "are really only selling one year of value."
- David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says not to dismiss the Uggla-to-left field rumor, in relation to the Braves.
- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald at the GM Meetings that "one club, I think, changed course a little bit, with more players being available." Silverman figures Epstein was referring to the Reds or Tigers.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post plays around with various Curtis Granderson-Yankees scenarios and effects. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs must pursue Granderson. Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times says the Cubs have yet to pursue him, but "conversations appear inevitable."
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin had a sit-down with John Lackey's agent Steve Hilliard this week, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan sees a three-year deal worth $18-24MM for Marlon Byrd, though he notes the limited demand for center fielders.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman looks at American players who could wind up or remain in Japan in 2010.
- Carl Pavano's agent Tom O'Connell had an excellent first meeting with the Twins Wednesday night, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. In another article, Christensen notes that Glen Perkins settled his service time grievance with the Twins.
Royals, Wilson Betemit Reach Agreement
THURSDAY, 10:09am: Via a press release, the Royals announced they've agreed to a minor league deal with Betemit.
WEDNESDAY, 5:55pm: Wilson Betemit is likely to sign a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
Betemit spent 2009 in the Chicago White Sox organization, after being part of the deal that sent Nick Swisher to New York. Betemit hit .200/.280/.311 in only 20 games for the Sox, but has had some major-league success in the past. As the FOX report points out, Royals GM Dayton Moore was part of the Atlanta Braves organization in 2005 and 2006, when Betemit enjoyed his two most successful seasons with the Braves.
Rosenthal and Morosi speculate that the team might see Betemit as a "low-cost alternative" to the recently departed Mark Teahen.