Odds and Ends: Pirates, Royals, Gagne
Links for Wednesday…
- Joe Torre plans to retire as a manager after the 2010 season, learned MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick.
- Braves blog Talking Chop talked to ESPN’s Keith Law about the farm system.
- Baseball America’s Jim Callis spoke to one assistant GM who believes teams will cut back in the international market, partially because they can do so without a major backlash from fans. Callis also has the ’09 draft order at that link.
- Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball looks at the $69MM+ teams spent on first-round draft picks last year.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette says the Pirates have anywhere from $41.75-$75.15MM tied up in Nate McLouth, Paul Maholm, and Ryan Doumit, all of whom were signed this winter. In a blog post, Kovacevic notes how the McLouth talks did a 180 when Frank Coonelly stepped in.
- Alex Speier of WEEI talked to Red Sox execs John Henry and Larry Lucchino about the salary cap idea as well as the team’s offseason.
- Aubrey Huff, a free agent after the season, isn’t worried about the future according to Roch Kubatko of MASN.
- Chris Forsberg of the Boston Globe relays quotes from Jonathan Papelbon about the long-term deal that did not materialize this winter.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star discusses the idea of releasing Mark Teahen and John Buck to sign Orlando Hudson, which some Royals fans are pushing for.
- Pitcher Kevin Correia turned down better deals to sign with his hometown Padres, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock.
- Newly signed Brewers reliever Eric Gagne hopes to atone for his 2008 season, says Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
Nationals Avoid Arb With Josh Willingham
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Nationals avoided arbitration with outfielder Josh Willingham by signing him at $2.95MM for ’09. That’s just a bit under the midpoint of the two filings. This is Willingham’s first arbitration year, so he’s under team control through 2011.
Angels Hope To Start Lackey Extension Talks
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, the Angels plan to contact John Lackey‘s agent to initiate negotiations soon on a long-term extension. Lackey is eligible for free agency after the season.
The pitcher would like to get something done before the season if it’s going to happen. He’s open to re-signing but finds free agency alluring as well. Lackey surely realizes he’d be the best available free agent starter with a strong ’09.
Rangers To Watch Chad Cordero
Anthony Andro of the Dallas Morning News talked to Rangers GM Jon Daniels, who said the team will be represented at Chad Cordero‘s audition this week.
Other teams rumored to have interest at various points: the Royals, Brewers, Marlins, Dodgers, Twins, Angels, Mets, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Nationals, and Tigers. We know the Mets will probably pass.
Bargain Lefty For Phillies?
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick:
There are indications that the Phillies might toss out an all-purpose offer to Will Ohman, Joe Beimel and Dennys Reyes and sign whichever reliever takes it first. A baseball source said it’s unlikely the Phils will offer anything more than a one-year deal in the $750Kto $1MM range.
It’s easy to see why Brian Shouse jumped at $1.55MM from the Rays a week ago. The agents for Darren Oliver and Damaso Marte deserve credit for securing their clients salaries in the $3-4MM range.
Twins, Crede Reach Impasse
According to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins and Joe Crede/Scott Boras have reached an impasse in contract talks. Crede’s been rumored to want a $7MM base salary; I’m guessing the Twins are probably thinking he deserves about half that. Twins players support the idea of a Brian Buscher/Brendan Harris platoon.
Yesterday Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News said the Giants aren’t confident about signing Crede but they do maintain interest.
Frank Thomas Still Looking For Work
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports talked to free agent DH Frank Thomas, who is "a little shocked" at the lack of interest. Thomas says he’s in excellent shape and doesn’t intend to retire. He believes he can hit 35-40 home runs this year and doesn’t want a part-time role. Two unknown teams have at least expressed interest.
I’m guessing Thomas might have to accept a minor league deal. I wonder if the Mariners could be a fit.
Roberts, Orioles Narrowing Gap On Extension?
WEDNESDAY, 7:59am: Schmuck takes a stab at the numbers on a possible Roberts extension:
The Orioles – according to Baltimore Sun reporting – were holding close to a three-year offer worth $30MM until the past few weeks. Though no definite number came out of the Roberts camp, the word on the street was he was looking for closer to $40MM over that term and would look more kindly on a four-year offer. No one would be surprised if the final deal ends up being four years for about $44MM, which would be about the same average annual salary the Orioles gave Nick Markakis.
Markakis, however, is guaranteed almost $15MM per year for his first three free agent seasons.
WEDNESDAY, 10:51am: Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who said he’s "narrowing the gap" with Brian Roberts‘ agent on a possible extension. Spencer Fordin’s source doesn’t believe Roberts’ extension has been held up because of Orlando Hudson‘s free agency. MacPhail said similar things to Roch Kubatko of MASN. Roberts does not want to talk about the topic until Thursday. Perhaps this spring, we’ll be spared the constant Roberts trade rumors.
Braves Avoid Arb With Kelly Johnson
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Braves avoided arbitration with second baseman Kelly Johnson by signing him at $2.825MM for ’09. The base salary is right at the midpoint of the filings, and Johnson can earn a bit more with awards incentives.
Brian Giles Likes Red Sox, Yankees, Angels
Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune talked to Padres outfielder Brian Giles today. At $9MM, Giles is the Padres’ second highest-paid player behind Jake Peavy. He’s a trade candidate this season, though he has full no-trade rights. He carries the baggage of a lawsuit with his former girlfriend as well as an additional $2MM in salary if traded. The Padres exercised his ’09 option on November 7th last year, and I’m guessing they’re already regretting it.
Krasovic learned that Giles’ favored trade destinations would be the Red Sox, Yankees, and Angels. The Yankees and Angels have surpluses in the outfield currently, though Giles would love to stay in California. Giles vetoed a trade to Boston last year due to playing time issues and an expectation that Theo Epstein would’ve traded him after the season.