Odds And Ends: Chavez, Arroyo, Thome, Millwood
More links for the morning…
- Eric Chavez told Joe Stiglich of the Oakland Tribune that he would consider extending his career as a DH, even though he'd prefer to play defense, too.
- Does Bronson Arroyo want to go to a contender? No, he'd rather stay in Cincinnati and pitch for the Reds next year, according to Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News.
- Jim Thome wants to play next year and make a run at 600 career homers, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. Thome is just 36 homers away from reaching the milestone.
- Kevin Millwood's $12MM option for 2010 becomes guaranteed if he pitches 19.0 more innings and reaches 180 for the season, so he's only about three starts away.
Rockies Interested In Penny
The Rockies have some interest in Brad Penny, who was just released by the Red Sox, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Renck sees indications that the Rockies have a decent shot at signing Penny, who should clear waivers Monday. At that point, Penny would cost the team less than $100k.
The Rockies, who had some interest in Penny over the winter, need pitching depth now that Aaron Cook appears likely to miss at least two more weeks. The club recently stashed Russ Ortiz in Triple A, so he could provide depth if they don't add Penny.
As Buster Olney pointed out this morning, Penny may embrace the chance to compete in the same division as his former team, the NL West-leading Dodgers.
Olney On Mets, Penny
ESPN.com's Buster Olney says Omar Minaya will keep his job as Mets GM. However, Minaya has developed an uncanny- and unwelcome- knack for turning ordinary events into P.R. disasters. Should the team decide it wants someone else to represent the organization, Minaya suggests seven candidates, some of whom would almost certainly not be available:
- Olney lists A's GM Billy Beane, Brewers GM Doug Melvin, former Mets manager Bobby Valentine, Cardinals manager and free agent-to-be Tony La Russa, former MLB manager Buck Showalter, Phillies exec Pat Gillick and Indians GM Mark Shapiro as candidates the Mets should at least consider inquiring about.
- Brad Penny is a free agent and the A's are looking for veteran pitching. That's one possible match, but Olney has an even better one.
- The Colorado Rockies could use another starter. Not only is Penny affordable, but he's had more success in the NL and it would give him the chance to compete against his former team, the Dodgers. As Olney shows, some bad blood may linger between Penny and the Dodgers.
Phillies Likely Done Dealing
The Phillies are still watching the waiver wire, but GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer that his team has likely made its last trade of the season. Greg Dobbs hurt his calf last week, which weakened the Phillies' bench, but Amaro says the injury is "not serious." Martino suggests the Phillies could call on Andy Tracy, a power-hitting minor leaguer, to complement Dobbs and Matt Stairs.
Nomar Garciaparra has said he'd consider a trade to Philadelphia, so Amaro can explore other options if he decides to look outside of the organization.
Odds And Ends: Oliver, Wolf, Penny
Links for Thursday morning…
- Darren Oliver doesn't know for sure if he'll play again next year, but he tells Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he's leaning towards returning for another season
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post believes the Mets made the wrong choice last winter, when they went after Oliver Perez instead of Randy Wolf, who has quietly out-performed Perez for less money.
- Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wonders if Brad Penny could return to the Marlins, now that the Red Sox released him.
- Padres starter Clayton Richard has been outstanding since joining the Padres in the Jake Peavy trade, as Adam Rosenberg of MLB.com notes.
Red Sox Release Brad Penny
10:54pm: John Tomase of the Boston Herald just spoke with Penny, who asked for and was granted his release Wednesday night from the Red Sox.
“I asked for my release and I got it,” Penny told the Herald after Wednesday's contest. “I enjoyed playing with all of the guys. I played for a great manager on a great team. I had a great time. I enjoyed it. I wish things had worked out better, but that happens.” He's hoping to sign on with another team before the end of August in order to become eligible for postseason play. Obviously he's looking to land with a contender.
10:11pm: Nick Carfado of the Boston Globe suspects the Red Sox may soon cut ties with right-hander Brad Penny. As Carfado reports,
After [Wednesday's] game, the Sox brass, which included owner John Henry, general manager Theo Epstein, director of baseball operations Brian O'Halloran and Terry Francona met with Penny before Francona's post-game press conference. Penny then chatted briefly with Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick and left without speaking.
The Red Sox need a 40-man roster spot for newly acquired reliever Billy Wagner, and Tim Wakefield's fine performance Wednesday night — seven innings, one run, three hits — should have the club feeling confident about dumping a pitcher. The 31-year-old Penny has a 5.61 ERA and 1.53 WHIP in 24 starts this season and has expressed a lack of interest in joining Boston's bullpen corps. It's all specualtion and rumor at this point, but a release or DFAing does make some sense. Keep in mind that he can no longer be traded.
Odds & Ends: Marlins, Rangers, Injuries
Another round of links…
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro takes a more in-depth look at Marlins president Larry Beinfest's comments on the possibility of long-term extensions for pitchers Ricky Nolasco and Josh Johnson. "With a new stadium set to open in 2012," Frisaro writes, "the Marlins are in a better position to sign players to multi-year deals."
- Matthew Pouliot of NBC Sports continues his "Restoring the Rosters" series with a look at the Rangers' potential 25-man roster. Pouliot is now halfway through the interesting collection of columns.
- Bob Harkins, also writing for NBC Sports, suggests the Phillies are a good match for all-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman, who has reportedly been placed on waivers by the Brewers.
- Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post notes, via Twitter, that the payroll "just for Mets players on the DL would be higher than the total budgets of 17 other teams." Tough times in Queens.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith hosted his weekly live chat on MLBTR Tuesday afternoon. If you missed it, we've got it archived for your viewing pleasure.
Hawkins Claimed, Pulled Back
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, reliever LaTroy Hawkins was claimed off waivers by a team Wednesday but has been pulled back by the Astros. It's not clear which club made the attempted claim.
Rosenthal correctly predicted this outcome Wednesday morning and now notes that Hawkins is no longer eligible to be traded this season. The 36-year-old right-hander has a 1.99 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 49 2/3 innings for the 61-64 Astros. He's owed about $1MM for the rest of '09 and is eligible for free agency this winter.
Nats In Search Of Veteran Arm
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals plan to pursue a veteran starter this offseason and hope to sign the hurler to a long-term contract.
Nats general manager Mike Rizzo, manager Jim Riggleman and team president Stan Kasten shared interest in John Smoltz and Vicente Padilla this month before the veterans were scooped up by the Cardinals and Dodgers, respectively. "That's the type of guy we are identifying now," said Riggleman, "people like that over the winter."
The Nats signed 34-year-old right-hander Livan Hernandez on Tuesday night, but may have their sights set higher. Erik Bedard, John Lackey and Rich Harden are among the big-ticket arms that will be available this winter. Of course, those guys will be looking for major contracts, both in money and length, and will have their choice of several interested clubs. A pitcher like Doug Davis or Randy Wolf might present a more realistic fit.
Rockies DFA Matt Murton
According to Doug Miller of MLB.com, the Rockies have designated outfielder Matt Murton for assignment.
The move cleared roster space for reliever Juan Rincon, who was activated from the disabled list Wednesday evening and will add depth to the Rockies' bullpen for the stretch run. Murton, now 27, posted a passable .267/.327/.444 line in 45 at-bats with the Rockies earlier this season and had a .321 batting average with 71 RBI for Triple-A Colorado Springs. With those kind of numbers, he's sure to draw interest from opposing ball clubs.