Rizzo Talks Nationals First Base Outlook
For a six minute segment, Nationals Mike Rizzo provided a lot of good hot stove insight to Kevin Kennedy and Jim Duquette on MLB Network/Sirius XM Radio today. We've got Rizzo's full thoughts on Cliff Lee here, but here's what else he had to say:
- Asked about Adam Dunn, Rizzo began his answer by talking about how the Nationals believe "championship teams are built on pitching, defense, speed, and athleticism" – none of which Dunn is known for. The extended comments about the team's philosophy seemed to be prepping fans for Dunn's departure, but then Rizzo added, "We love Adam Dunn. We've certainly had interest throughout the year, and he's a guy that we continue to have communications with."
- Asked about other first base options, Rizzo replied that it's a good year to be looking, with several viable options out there. He added, "As always, we're looking for a guy that plays both sides of the ball, that can produce offensively and play good defense for us also."
- Fittingly, Kennedy then recommended Carlos Pena. Rizzo commented, "We've been Carlos Pena guys here. He fits what we're doing. He's one of a handful of guys that would give us what we're looking for." However, Rizzo then reiterated the the team remains in communication with Dunn, adding "He's been our first choice all along." Pena certainly fits Rizzo's description, while James Loney and Derrek Lee might too.
- Rizzo spoke again about his desire to improve the depth and quality of his rotation, whether via free agency or trade. He noted that he'd like to improve the bullpen as well.
Heyman On Cliff Lee, Mets, Penny
SI's Jon Heyman dishes the latest on the hot stove…
- Heyman provides reasons why he sees the Yankees as the favorite to sign Cliff Lee: their revenue, rotation question marks, and lack of a backup plan chief among them. He also talked to Lee's agent Darek Braunecker about the story about Lee's wife being harassed by Yankees fans at a game. Braunecker said, "That story was blown out of proportion. It's not like she's hypersensitive. She's been with him in Philadelphia and all over, been with him from the get-go. It really was that one time, just a couple clowns…probably intoxicated. I don't know if that will have any bearing on (the decision)."
- Heyman predicts destinations for 15 of the top free agents; nothing crazy.
- Padres GM Jed Hoyer draws praise for being upfront about not being able to sign Adrian Gonzalez.
- New Mets GM Sandy Alderson will be paid close to $3MM, while Paul DePodesta will get close to $1MM. With J.P. Ricciardi, Wayne Krivsky, and Omar Minaya also on the ledger, Heyman figures this is baseball's most expensive front office.
- Heyman feels that the Mets "would likely avoid" allowing Francisco Rodriguez to finish 55 games in 2011, which would trigger his $17.5MM option for '12. He also notes that the Mets "will wait to see Jose Reyes play a large chunk of this coming season before getting serious about a long-term deal." That approach might work, but from Reyes' point of view if he's having a great year and is months away from free agency he might as well go to the open market.
- It's a little early for "best shape of his life" reports, but that's the word on free agent righty Brad Penny. The 32-year-old was limited to nine starts this year due to a lat muscle injury.
Mike Rizzo Comments On Cliff Lee
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo was asked about the Cliff Lee possibility on MLB Network/Sirius XM Radio today with Jim Duquette and Kevin Kennedy. Rizzo's full comments:
Well, Jim, I'd be a fool if I didn't like Cliff Lee or want Cliff Lee on our club. He's the prize pitching guy in this year's free agent market. But again, I'm certainly not going to delude myself to the fact that we have a great chance of landing Cliff Lee. He's going to have enough takers and enough competition for us to pick and choose whatever ballclub he wants to go to. Suffice it to say that I love Cliff Lee, I'd love to have him on our club. He is a No. 1 starter in the Major Leagues.
We have contacted his agent and begun discussions with him, but I'm certainly not going to put all my eggs in the Cliff Lee basket because I think the chances of Cliff wanting to come to the Washington Nationals at this time in our franchise is small.
The Yankees and Rangers are considered the favorites for Lee; Yanks GM Brian Cashman is having a meet-and-greet with Lee in Arkansas today. The Nationals are one other club with both the need and the money for the lefty, however. Would Lee turn down the Nationals' offer if it's the highest? That happened with Mark Teixeira two years ago, but the Nats may be closer to contending now.
Free Agent Stock Watch: J.J. Putz
Adding right-handed reliever J.J. Putz last December for a $3MM guarantee was a brilliant move by White Sox GM Kenny Williams. Putz's stock is back up after a lost 2009; let's take a look.
The Good
- In four of the last five seasons, including last year, Putz struck out more than ten batters per nine innings. His control with the Sox this year returned to an acceptable level, at 2.5 walks per nine. Putz posted a solid 48.5% groundball rate, his best since '06. He had no problems getting left-handed hitters out. His 2.83 ERA was well-deserved.
- Putz has closing experience from 2006-08 with the Mariners. With an average fastball velocity of 94.0, he can be intimidating in the ninth inning.
- He's a Type B free agent, so he won't cost a draft pick to sign regardless of whether the White Sox offer arbitration.
The Bad
- Putz, 34 in February, hasn't reached 55 innings in a season since '07. His only ailment this year was a knee injury, but he had surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow in June of '09.
- It may have been related to the elbow injury, but Putz walked 5.6 per nine innings from 2008-09. He walked 4.8 per nine over the last two months of this season.
- Potentially, Putz could seek a multiyear deal or a salary matching his '09 base of $5MM.
The Verdict
Closing jobs are hard to come by, but my guess is that Putz will instruct his agent at LSW Baseball to seek such an opportunity first. That could mean the Rays, Blue Jays, Angels, Braves, Marlins, or Diamondbacks. He could also stay close to home and sign with the Tigers, or set up for teams such as the Red Sox, Yankees, Rangers, Cubs, or Cardinals. Two years and $10MM seems plausible.
Rockies Rumors: Vazquez, Catching
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post has the latest Rockies buzz…
- The Rockies are interested in Javier Vazquez. Vazquez joins Jake Westbrook, Jon Garland, and Hiroki Kuroda as pitchers of interest for the team in case they are unable to re-sign Jorge de la Rosa.
- GM Dan O'Dowd described the team's plans at catcher as "a fluid situation," but added, "We are absolutely prepared to give Chris [Iannetta] every opportunity to get over the hump." Re-signing Miguel Olivo hasn't been ruled out, but it sounds like the Rockies will be giving less playing time to Iannetta's catching partner in 2011.
- Notable minor league free agents, from Baseball America's Matt Eddy: Luis Ayala, Brad Eldred, and Kaz Matsui.
Japan Rumors: Nishioka, Kobayashi
The Chiba Lotte Marines will not decide whether to post shortstop Tsuyoshi Nishioka until after Saturday's championship game, tweets Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times. Nishioka would prefer to play for the Dodgers if he's posted, reports Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times. Otherwise, he hopes to land with the Giants, Padres, or Diamondbacks. Of course, Nishioka can't control which team wins the bidding for the right to negotiate with him. The 26-year-old switch-hitter batted .346/.423/.482 this year, and was described as a Chone Figgins/Ryan Theriot type by Patrick Newman of FanGraphs. Hernandez says he'll be represented by Beverly Hills Sports Council if posted.
One Marines player is definitely heading to MLB, tweets Coskrey: free agent reliever Hiroyuki Kobayashi. The 32-year-old righty reliever posted a 2.21 ERA, 7.82 K/9, 2.07 BB/9, and 0.30 HR/9 in 61 innings this year. Kobayashi moved to the bullpen in 2010, reported Newman, so he brings versatility. He will be represented by Octagon, MLBTR has learned.
Cashman Meeting With Cliff Lee In Arkansas
The latest on the Yankees…
- The Yankees are flying into Arkansas personally today to meet with Cliff Lee, MLBTR has learned. Brian Cashman will in attendance, adds Joel Sherman of the New York Post, while Mark Feinsand and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News note that the GM is flying solo for the meet-and-greet.
- Cashman informed Jorge Posada he'll serve as the team's designated hitter next year, report Sherman and his colleague George A. King III. Posada was told to prepare to catch, but the team hopes to find backstops out of Jesus Montero, Francisco Cervelli, and Austin Romine. Posada, who is having knee surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his knee today, is said to be fine with the plan.
- The Post writers add that the Yankees have reached out to the representatives for Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera, in addition to Lee. Add Carl Crawford to that list, based on this tweet from SI's Jon Heyman.
- Sherman polled more than a dozen executives, and the majority expect the Yankees to offer arbitration to Jeter on November 23rd. That'd hurt Jeter's market value if he declines, since he'd then cost a new team a draft pick. On the other hand, Sherman believes that if Jeter accepts arbitration his agent Casey Close would argue for a ridiculous 2011 salary based on special accomplishments.
- Among the organization's 20 minor league free agents on Matt Eddy's list: Jason Hirsh, John Van Benschoten, Robby Hammock, Eric Bruntlett, and Reid Gorecki.
Minor League Free Agents
Baseball America's Matt Eddy lists this offseason's 533 minor league free agents. Tons of familiar names here, take a look.
MLBTR Writers Predict Free Agent Destinations
You've seen my Top 50 Free Agent predictions. Now it's time to add the opinions of our other writers. Below are side-by-side predictions from Steve Adams, Mark Polishuk, Ben Nicholson-Smith, and Mike Axisa for the same 50 free agents.
| Rank | Player | Tim Dierkes | Steve Adams | Mark Polishuk | Ben Nicholson-Smith | Mike Axisa |
| 1 | Cliff Lee | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees |
| 2 | Carl Crawford | Angels | Angels | Angels | Angels | Angels |
| 3 | Adrian Beltre | Red Sox | Angels | Red Sox | Red Sox | Angels |
| 4 | Jayson Werth | Red Sox | Red Sox | Tigers | Red Sox | Red Sox |
| 5 | Adam Dunn | Cubs | Tigers | Cubs | Tigers | Tigers |
| 6 | Victor Martinez | Tigers | Tigers | Tigers | Rangers | Orioles |
| 7 | Rafael Soriano | Angels | Angels | Diamondbacks | Angels | Angels |
| 8 | Mariano Rivera | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees |
| 9 | Paul Konerko | White Sox | White Sox | Diamondbacks | White Sox | Diamondbacks |
| 10 | Derek Jeter | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees |
| 11 | Hiroki Kuroda | Pirates | Mets | Orioles | Rangers | Rangers |
| 12 | Jorge De La Rosa | Royals | Pirates | Brewers | Tigers | Brewers |
| 13 | Carl Pavano | Twins | Brewers | Twins | Twins | Rangers |
| 14 | Jake Westbrook | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals |
| 15 | Aubrey Huff | Giants | Giants | Giants | Giants | Cubs |
| 16 | Juan Uribe | Dodgers | Cardinals | Cardinals | Cardinals | Giants |
| 17 | Carlos Pena | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals |
| 18 | Jim Thome | Rays | Twins | Twins | Twins | Twins |
| 19 | Vladimir Guerrero | Rangers | Rangers | Rangers | Rays | Unemployed |
| 20 | Manny Ramirez | Athletics | Blue Jays | Athletics | Athletics | Rangers |
| 21 | Magglio Ordonez | Blue Jays | Tigers | Tigers | Blue Jays | Tigers |
| 22 | Orlando Hudson | Cardinals | Padres | Rockies | Rockies | Cardinals |
| 23 | Derrek Lee | Brewers | Brewers | Orioles | Brewers | Red Sox |
| 24 | Lance Berkman | Diamondbacks | Cubs | Rangers | Mariners | Rockies |
| 25 | Andy Pettitte | Retirement | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees | Yankees |
| 26 | Jon Garland | Rockies | Rockies | Rockies | Orioles | Mets |
| 27 | A.J. Pierzynski | Marlins | Marlins | Marlins | Marlins | Marlins |
| 28 | Miguel Olivo | Rangers | Rangers | Dodgers | White Sox | Dodgers |
| 29 | John Buck | Red Sox | Red Sox | Red Sox | Red Sox | Red Sox |
| 30 | Javier Vazquez | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals | Nationals |
| 31 | Scott Downs | Red Sox | Red Sox | Yankees | Yankees | Red Sox |
| 32 | J.J. Putz | Tigers | Diamondbacks | Dodgers | Dodgers | Diamondbacks |
| 33 | Brian Fuentes | Diamondbacks | Yankees | Braves | Diamondbacks | Phillies |
| 34 | Adam LaRoche | Orioles | Orioles | Brewers | Cubs | Giants |
| 35 | Hisanori Takahashi | Phillies | Phillies | Nationals | Orioles | Mariners |
| 36 | Pat Burrell | Padres | Braves | Mariners | Braves | Braves |
| 37 | Joaquin Benoit | Rays | Rays | Tigers | Red Sox | Rays |
| 38 | Kevin Millwood | Padres | Royals | Pirates | Mariners | Brewers |
| 39 | Kevin Correia | Brewers | Mets | Pirates | Pirates | Brewers |
| 40 | Arthur Rhodes | Reds | Reds | Reds | Reds | Reds |
| 41 | Pedro Feliciano | Phillies | Phillies | Phillies | Phillies | Twins |
| 42 | Grant Balfour | Yankees | Diamondbacks | Diamondbacks | Diamondbacks | Dodgers |
| 43 | Kerry Wood | Cubs | Cubs | Mets | Cubs | Braves |
| 44 | Scott Podsednik | Reds | Dodgers | Giants | Giants | Dodgers |
| 45 | Yorvit Torrealba | Dodgers | Padres | Rangers | Padres | Padres |
| 46 | Hideki Matsui | Mariners | Rays | Mariners | Rangers | Unemployed |
| 47 | Johnny Damon | White Sox | White Sox | White Sox | Royals | Royals |
| 48 | Kevin Gregg | Braves | Blue Jays | Angels | Braves | Cardinals |
| 49 | Koji Uehara | Mets | Tigers | Twins | Twins | Red Sox |
| 50 | Brandon Webb | Nationals | Mariners | Nationals | Rangers | Red Sox |
Red Sox, Pirates Express Interest In Duchscherer
Yesterday it was Jayson Werth; today the Red Sox have expressed interest in free agent righty Justin Duchscherer according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. Bradford adds that Duchscherer "has made it clear to clubs that he is only interested in pursuing opportunities as a starter." The Pirates have also expressed interest, reports Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
We examined Duchscherer's free agent stock here. The 32-year-old righty has made only 32 starts over the past three years due to injuries and clinical depression, but after having both hips and his elbow surgically repaired he remarked to MLB.com's Jane Lee, "I can't imagine what else could go wrong." He should require less than this year's $1.75MM guarantee, I imagine. The Red Sox and Pirates had interest in him a year ago as well.