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Marlins Notes: Olivo, Rodriguez, Nolasco, Bullpen

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The Heat and the Dolphins may be dominating the headlines in Miami at this time of year, but there's some news out of the Marlins camp as well.

“Pretty Good Chance” Huff Remains In San Francisco

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Aubrey Huff and the Giants probably won't agree on an extension before the team's exclusive negotiating period with free agents ends on Sunday, but Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that there is "mutual interest" between both sides in Huff returning in 2011.

The one-year, $3MM contract that Huff signed with San Francisco last January was roundly criticized, but in the wake of his .891 OPS and his key role in the Giants' World Series title, it's safe to say that Huff and Brian Sabean had the last laugh.  Huff will be looking for a much bigger salary in his new deal, though since he's turning 34 in December, the Giants probably aren't interested in anything longer than a three-year pact at most.  There's also the presence of first base prospect Brandon Belt to consider; the 2009 amateur draft fifth-rounder advanced all the way to Triple-A in his first professional season, posting a 1.075 OPS at high A ball, Double-A and Triple-A Fresno.

Baggarly notes that Huff is looking for new representation.  This is the second time this year that Huff has changed agents, as he moved to SFX's Mark Pieper from ACES in August.  Baggarly says that Huff could also represent himself, which would likely mean "a quicker resolution" to an extension.

Pierzynski Yet To Hear An Offer From White Sox

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In an interview with Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio today, A.J. Pierzynski said that the White Sox have not made him an offer to return to the club in 2011. (Twitter link)  Pierzynski doesn't specify if the club has made any contact with him at all, and it's worth noting that Chicago still has three days left of exclusive negotiating time for pending free agents.  Given that Pierzynski said he would like to keep playing in Chicago "but they are going to have to want him first," however, it seems unlikely that the Sox have opened negotiations.

Pierzynski went into detail about his criteria for a new team (another Twitter link): in order, his new club must be a contender, be willing to give him a starting job, be located close to his home in Florida and along those same lines must also have their spring training camp in Florida and be a "quick flight home."  He says the Marlins, Padres, Rangers, Rays and Red Sox "would all be good fits."  All of these teams except the Rays were mentioned by MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith in his look at potential suitors for Pierzynski.  All make some sense on Pierzynski's checklist, though the Rangers and Padres are in Arizona for spring training and San Diego is a cross-country flight away from his home.

Rockies Decline Option For Miguel Olivo?

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7:49 pm: Dan O'Dowd tells MLB.com's Thomas Harding that a decision hasn't yet been made about Olivo's option.  "We're allowed to take our time and make a decision tomorrow," O'Dowd said.  The Denver Post's Troy Renck tweets Olivo won't be a Rockie in 2011 either way since the option will either be declined or the option will be picked up and then Olivo will be traded.  Renck also tweets that the Rockies may be going right down to the deadline for their decision as part of their efforts to explore all possible trade partners for Olivo.

5:38 pm: The Rockies will not pick up their end of catcher Miguel Olivo's mutual option for 2011, reports Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com (Twitter link).  Olivo's option was worth $2.7MM (up $200K from $2.5MM due to reaching a games-played incentive) but instead Colorado will pay him a $500K buyout.

With Chris Iannetta in the fold and under contract through 2012, Olivo was expendable to the Rockies even though Olivo had a better season last year and usurped much of the playing time behind the plate.  Olivo is likely to seek out a starting job elsewhere, meaning he could be worth a supplementary draft pick to Colorado as a Type B free agent.  Olivo hit .269/.315/.449 in 427 plate appearances in 2010.

Mets Notes: Reyes, Managers, Valentine, Ricciardi

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The big, if expected, news out of Citi Field today is the Mets exercising their 2011 option on Jose Reyes.  Let's look at some reaction to the move and a few more items concerning the Mets…

  • Though Sandy Alderson is open to the idea of holding onto Reyes and David Wright over the long term, he also "would prefer not to give out many 'second-generation' long-term contracts for six-year free agents," reports MLB.com's Anthony DiComo.  For the record, Wright's contract runs through 2012 and is worth $29MM, plus the Mets have a $16MM club option on the third baseman for 2013.
  • Andy Martino of the New York Daily News gets some thoughts on Reyes from an anonymous scout, executive and rival player.
  • Dave Jauss and Bob Melvin will interview for the manager's job on Thursday, reports Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.  Rubin adds that Wally Backman and Chip Hale are also expected to be interviewed in the near future.  (both Twitter links)
  • Bobby Valentine's chances of managing the Mets are "next to nil," says Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman.  With just the Mets and Pirates (who apparently have their finalists chosen) in the market for a new manager, it appears that Valentine's return to a major league dugout will have to wait until at least partway through the 2011 season.
  • Before becoming a special assistant to Alderson, J.P. Ricciardi was a Red Sox employee for a day, reports WEEI.com's Kirk Minihane.

NL Central Notes: Sandberg, Rasmus, Pirates, Arroyo

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Here are some news items from the National League's middle division…

  • Ryne Sandberg has turned down an offer to return as the Cubs' Triple-A manager, tweets MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, and Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports that Sandberg won't be with the organization at all in 2011.  Sandberg was heavily rumored to take over managing the Cubs after Lou Piniella's retirement, but Chicago instead gave the job to interim manager Mike Quade.
  • A roundtable of Cardinals writers collected by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch discussed the Colby Rasmus trade rumors and the majority don't like the idea.  Comments range from "there would be no logic behind a trade" to "trading Rasmus would be incredibly stupid unless it’s an offer that’s so ridiculously good that it cannot be rejected."
  • Pirates president Frank Coonelly discussed the team's manager search and other topics in a chat with fans on MLB.com.
  • Steven Jackson, Brandon Moss and Justin Thomas can all become minor league free agents after being outrighted to Pittsburgh's Triple-A affiliate, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.  Sean Gallagher, who was also outrighted, can declare free agency on Saturday but Langosch says the Pirates will try to sign the pitcher to a contract before then.
  • Walt Jocketty tells MLB.com's Mark Sheldon that the Reds want to work out a contract extension with Bronson Arroyo before Opening Day.  "I don't want to go into the season negotiating," Sheldon said.  "We'll try to [get it done] before the start of the season."   
  • Steve Dilbeck of the L.A. Times praises Milwaukee's hire of Ron Roenicke as manager.
  • Former Phillies hitting coach Milt Thompson has interviewed for the hitting coach job in Houston, reports MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.

Rays Decline Options On Aybar, Wheeler

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The Rays have declined their 2011 options on utilityman Willy Aybar and reliever Dan Wheeler, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. 

Aybar's option was worth $2.2MM, and he will instead receive a $275K buyout from the Rays.  As Topkin points out, Aybar is still under team control and has two more years of arbitration as a Super Two player.  In three seasons in Tampa Bay, Aybar has a .715 OPS in 1007 plate appearances.  He's filled in at first, second and third, though the vast majority of his plate appearances last year were as a DH or pinch-hitter.

Wheeler will receive a $1MM buyout of his $4MM 2011 option.  The right-hander has pitched very well over the last three seasons in Tampa Bay (203 appearances, 3.24 ERA, 3.06 K/BB ratio, 7.5 K/9) but a set-up man earning $4MM is a luxury for a team that's planning to cut payroll.  Wheeler is also a Type A free agent and thus if he turns down arbitration from the Rays and signs elsewhere, Tampa Bay will receive two high draft picks.

Padres Decline 2011 Option For Chris Young

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The Padres declined Chris Young's 2011 option, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter). We heard last month that the Padres would not pick up his $8.5MM option, so it is no surprise to see the tall right-hander hit free agency officially.

Young experienced shoulder problems all year and appeared in just four games. He logged 20 innings and allowed only two earned runs, but he walked 11. Young has always been hard to hit, but walks have been a problem for him throughout his seven-year career.

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