Rockies Leaning Toward Keeping Spilborghs
The Rockies "plan to keep [outfielder Ryan] Spilborghs unless they receive a substantial offer," according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Despite Spilborghs' first-time arbitration-eligibility and Scott Boras representation, and admirers in the Braves and White Sox, the Rockies do not expect to trade him.
Spilborghs, 30, makes for a solid fourth outfielder. He slipped to .241/.310/.395 this year, dragged down by slumps in July and September. He played all three outfield positions, with the most time spent in left field.
With Dexter Fowler, Carlos Gonzalez, and Seth Smith highly likely to stay put, the Rockies will probably have to trade one of Matt Murton, Brad Hawpe, or Spilborghs. Non-tendering Murton is another possibility.
Odds & Ends: Ramirez, Halladay, Tigers
Some links for Sunday….
- Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports (via Twitter) that the Marlins are not talking about trading Hanley Ramirez. No surprise here, but it's nice to have it confirmed. Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel rejects the idea as well, and also notes that the Marlins' payroll will "increase slightly to $40 million." The Marlins were at $36.8MM to open the 2009 season.
- Chad Jennings of the Journal News looks back at a year of Yankees trades.
- Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors looks ahead to an alluring crop of 2011 free agents. Some of them will sign extensions before next offseason, but we'll still see an impressive group hit the market.
- Hissey looks at the decisions that await the Rays this offseason and says this is not the time for the team to trade B.J. Upton.
- Are we heading for an AL East bidding war over Roy Halladay? Anthony McCarron and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News examine the possibilities.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports takes a detailed look at potential trade partners for the Tigers.
- In his latest mailbag, the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes fields Indians-related questions, including one asking which first basemen the team could pursue.
- Offering Orlando Hudson arbitration is a win-win scenario for the Dodgers, according to Jon Weisman's Los Angeles Times blog.
- MLB.com's Tom Singer writes about how it affects free agency when clubs lock up their young players with long-term extensions.
Discussion: Carlos Delgado
The last time Carlos Delgado hit the open market, he signed a $52MM deal with the Florida Marlins. Five offseasons later, Delgado's in line for a considerably smaller deal and the Marlins are expected to spend more conservatively. The Puerto Rican slugger is returning from hip surgery that may limit his ability to play the field. He'll face competition from free agent first basemen and designated hitters, most notably Adam LaRoche, Hideki Matsui and Vladimir Guerrero.
Delgado has been a slightly below average defender in recent years without being a major liability, according to UZR/150. He isn't the offensive force he was in the early part of the decade with the Blue Jays, but he recovered from a tough start to hit 38 homers and post an .871 OPS in his last full season, 2008. This year, he had a .914 OPS before getting hurt in May and he's now just 27 homers away from 500.
So if you cheer for one of the many teams that could use a first baseman or DH, would you want your club to add Delgado? He's never been much of a defender, is returning from hip surgery and turns 38 next season. But he shouldn't be too expensive and he can still hit. The Mariners, Orioles, Braves, Mets and D'Backs are among the teams that could fit. Do you want your team to sign Delgado?
Josh Johnson Won’t Be Traded This Offseason
According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, Marlins GM Michael Hill told 790 The Ticket that Josh Johnson will open next season with the Marlins. The big righty has been involved in his share of trade rumors since the season ended, partly because extension talks aren't progressing and partly because he's an arbitration-eligible Marlin. So will Johnson still be on the Marlins come April?
MLBTR Seeks Comment Moderators
MLBTR is now looking for moderators to read through comments and make sure that they're not in violation of our commenting policy. We're looking for a small group of people to contribute throughout the week. It's not a paid position, but it will keep you connected to the latest trade and free agent rumors.
Cardinals Rumors: Pujols, Holliday, Nady, Beltre
The Cardinals know it will take a lengthy and substantial offer to keep Albert Pujols in St. Louis, but the slugging first baseman would like to see what the Cards do this offseason before beginning serious contract talks, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Agent Dan Lozano says he and his client aren't in a rush to complete a long-term deal. Pujols is under contract for next year and the Cardinals are expected to pick up his $16MM option for 2011.
Week In Review: 11/22/09 – 11/28/09
Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrated this week! Here's your weekly look back at all things Hot Stove from MLBTR:
- The Blue Jays signed not one, but two shortstops this week, inking Alex Gonzalez to a one-year, $2.75MM contract with a $2.5MM club option, and re-signing John McDonald for two years and $3MM total.
- The White Sox also made two signings this week, inking Andruw Jones on a one-year deal for $500K and Omar Vizquel for one year and $1.375MM.
- Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum is sticking to his desire to go year-to-year with the Giants, and will only seek a one-year deal this offseason. Is it possible that Lincecum and his agent could submit a number as ridiculous as $23MM? It's been discussed, believe it or not.
- Onto the Roy Halladay front, the Blue Jays reportedly want a young, controllable arm and bat for their ace, plus prospects. This week we heard that the Cubs are unlikely to deal for Doc for payroll reasons, and that the Dodgers are a long shot as well due to their unwillingness to include Chad Billingsley. The Angels, on the other hand, are resuming their pursuit. Halladay's preferred locations at this point are the Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, and Phillies.
- Sticking with the "ace" topics, the Marlins apparently aren't looking to deal Josh Johnson this offseason. Johnson's under team control for two more years, and can still fetch a haul at the July trade deadline or following the 2010 season.
- Twins fans could be in for the best gift of all this holiday season, as the Twins are looking to finalize a contract extension for 2009 AL MVP Joe Mauer by Christmas. We also heard this week that the Twinkies may be looking at Rich Harden; not surprising really, they'd been connected to him at the August trade deadline.
- One of the more entertaining stories I've seen since joining MLBTR: Jason Grilli signed with… well, someone this week. We just don't know who, aside from the fact that it's not the Yankees.
- We learned the Elias numbers for Type-A free agents this season, conveniently located here for your viewing pleasure.
- This week Tim covered the Rockies in his Offseason Outlook series. He also covered righty relievers in the final installment of his Trade Market series. Here's the recap of the whole thing.
- Ben also made his final installment in the Trades of the Decade series, covering the deal that sent Alex Rodriguez to New York in exchange for Alfonso Soriano. Here's a recap of the whole series, feel free to check it out and discuss.
Rogers On Mauer, Pujols, Vizquel
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says the Twins are "getting serious" about a Joe Mauer extension. The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported earlier in the week that the Twins hope to sign Mauer to an extension by Christmas. As Rogers points out, Mauer's agent, Ron Shapiro, represented Cal Ripken Jr. and Kirby Puckett, so there's hope for Twins fans who dread Mauer's impending free agency. Here are the rest of Rogers' rumors:
- Albert Pujols' representatives told the Cardinals not to worry about a potential extension until they take care of the team's other needs. Pujols is under control through 2011, a year longer than Mauer.
- The White Sox may ask Omar Vizquel to mentor 20-year-old shortstop Eduardo Escobar. Like Vizquel, Escobar is a Venezuelan switch-hitter with a good glove and little power. But White Sox farm director Buddy Bell cautions against making Vizquel comparisons just yet.
No Active Millwood Talk For Brewers
Earlier today, it was reported that the Brewers have inquired about Kevin Millwood's availability. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy says that while that may very well be true, it hasn't been anytime recently. According to McCalvy, Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he hasn't spoken with Brewers GM Doug Melvin in weeks.
Despite a lack of active talks, McCalvy states that the Rangers remain a possible trade target for the Brewers, even if Millwood isn't involved, due to their depth of options at starting pitching. While many teams would like to try to pull Tommy Hunter or Derek Holland away though, the Rangers would be more inclined to deal someone like Brandon McCarthy, writes McCalvy.
Whether or not Milwaukee is a match for Texas is yet to be seen. Texas would like to add a right-handed bat, but the best Milwaukee will be able to offer is Corey Hart, who is coming off a disappointing 2009 season. The Rangers interest in Hart may be dependent on whether or not free agent Marlon Byrd finds himself back in Texas next season.
McCalvy feels that the Rangers are likely to hold onto Millwood this winter and build their rotation around him and Scott Feldman. It's not hard, however, to see the logic behind dealing a 35-year-old coming off his best season since 2005. And, as McCalvy points out, the Brewers have been linked to Millwood in the past.
Pirates Notes: Rule 5, Duke, Yates
Dejan Kovacevic has a new column up focusing on a number of Pirates topics:
- After liking what they've found in Rule 5 Draft picks Evan Meek and Donnie Veal, the Pirates are actively scouting available players and have identified some potential targets to use their #2 pick on in this year's Rule 5 Draft on Dec. 10. Meek posted a 3.45 ERA out of the 'pen for the Buccos in 2009. And, while Kovacevic points out that Veal's numbers this season were ugly, he recently dominated the Arizona Fall League. Veal posted a 2.14 ERA through 21 innings, allowing only a .221 opponent average, striking out 22 and walking seven.
- Last offseason, the Pirates locked up Ryan Doumit, Nate McLouth, and Paul Maholm, but Kovacevic says not to expect any long-term deals this time around. That includes Zach Duke, who will be eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.
- Tyler Yates, who underwent Tommy John surgery back in July, is back to playing pain-free long-toss and is discussing a minor league deal to keep him in the Pirates organization.