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Valentine Withdraws Name From Marlins Search

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Bobby Valentine has once again removed his name from consideration for the Marlins managerial job, reports Tim Kurkjian of ESPN.  Back in June, Valentine seemed to be on the verge of taking over as Florida skipper before talks between the two sides broke down.

The former manager of the Rangers, Mets, and Chiba Lotte Marines said that he has been in contact with the Marlins about the job since the end of the season but decided to go in a different direction.  On Sunday, it was reported that Valentine was the leading candidate for the vacant post in Florida.  Bobby V has also interviewed in Toronto but is considered a longshot.

Manager Roundup: Cubs, Pirates, Brewers, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins

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Rounding up all the latest manager talk by team:

Cubs

Owner Tom Ricketts has met with candidates Mike Quade, Ryne Sandberg, and Eric Wedge, reports Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.  Bob Melvin is expected to meet with Ricketts, and Sullivan hasn't ruled out the Cubs entertaining Joe Girardi after the playoffs.  Sullivan assesses the pros and cons of the five candidates, while Larry Stone of the Seattle Times puts Don Wakamatsu's name in the mix.  Quade is the "surprise heavy favorite" for the job, according to SI's Jon Heyman.

Pirates

They interviewed Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum today, according to MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch.  She notes that the Bucs have also interviewed Wedge, Bo Porter, John Gibbons, Ken Macha, and Jeff Banister.  Heyman adds Juan Samuel to that list, but sees Wedge as the favorite.  The Toronto Sun's Bob Elliott says the Pirates have also interviewed Valentine.

Brewers

Wedge and Tim Wallach have interviewed so far, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  He says they plan to interview about ten people in total, including Melvin.  Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel adds today via Twitter that he believes they've also interviewed Ron Roenicke.  Heyman views Melvin as the favorite here.  Cecil Cooper would like to interview, he told Haudricourt. 

Blue Jays

Beyond long shot Bobby Valentine, who's already interviewed, they're looking at Don Baylor, Brian Butterfield, Samuel, Rob Thomson, Tim Bogar, DeMarlo Hale, and others according to Heyman.  Stone mentions Rick Renteria, Nick Leyva, Ron Roenicke, and Luis Rivera as other candidates.

Mariners

Valentine is a strong candidate, says Heyman.  He says they also have Ted Simmons, Gibbons, Joey Cora, Hale, Bogar, Bryan Price, and many others on their list.  Larry Stone of the Seattle Times has more on this search, while also includes Wedge, Lloyd McClendon, and Cecil Cooper.

Marlins

Earlier this evening Valentine removed his name from consideration for the job, just days after Joe Capozzi's source named him the leading candidate.  Heyman says Porter, Wallach, Tony Pena, and Jim Fregosi are also in the running.  Don't forget Edwin Rodriguez, according to Stone.

Braves

They officially hired Fredi Gonzalez today, signing him through 2013 with a club option for '14.

Mets

Heyman feels that it's tough to guess their candidates until they hire a GM.  Meanwhile, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com tweets that Mets officials aren't concerned with other teams conducting interviews or making hires.  Updated at 6:30pm CST.

Hiroyuki Nakajima Drawing Attention

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5:02pm: Nakajima will be represented by former Boras Corporation agent Tak Sato, MLBTR has learned.  Sato was involved with the Daisuke Matsuzaka deal back in '06.

9:19am: If you look at our posts on the trade and free agent markets for shortstops and second basemen, you'll quickly see that there's not much available this offseason.  We named the Athletics, Mariners, Mets, Nationals, Cardinals, and Dodgers as teams that might be seeking second base help, and the Orioles, Reds, Cardinals, and Giants as clubs that could be looking for a shortstop.  The Twins, Astros, and Padres may need to fill both positions.  That's more than a dozen teams, so demand exceeds the supply for everyday middle infielders.

Japanese shortstop Hiroyuki Nakajima is already generating buzz as one of the more interesting middle infielders potentially available this winter.  FanGraphs' Patrick Newman profiled Nakajima yesterday, noting that the Seibu Lions haven't posted him yet and negotiations to retain him will begin in a week.  Nakajima hit .314/.385/.511 with 20 home runs in 579 plate appearances this year.  Newman considers Nakajima a line drive/gap hitter, and expects him to display less power in the Majors.

From what I've heard, Nakajima is likely to be posted.  That means MLB clubs will bid for the right to negotiate with him.  I agree with Newman and U.S.S. Mariner's Dave Cameron that the posting fee is likely to be $5MM or less.  Cameron hears the Mariners are interested in Nakajima, while MASN's Roch Kubatko reports today that the Orioles are one of many teams that have scouted him.  Given the market for middle infielders, Nakajima should be very popular if the Lions post him.

Odds & Ends: Hahn, Daniels, Edmonds

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Links for Wednesday, in the lull before the Yankees and Rangers face off in Texas on Friday…

  • White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn interviewed for the Mets GM position yesterday, and Kenny Williams told Dan Martin of the New York Post, "I know I'm gonna lose him, and it's gonna be a heavy blow."  Williams explained that Hahn has been picky with previous opportunities.  Josh Byrnes was scheduled to interview for the Mets job today.
  • The Mets won't be plucking Jon Daniels from the Rangers.  Owner Chuck Greenberg told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, "He's not going anywhere" (Twitter links).  Greenberg also spoke to ESPN's Richard Durrett about his desire to retain Cliff Lee, after the lefty's dominant start last night gave the Rangers their first playoff series win.
  • Jim Edmonds told Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, "I'm kind of in wait-and-see mode right now" in terms of playing next year.  Edmonds expressed his desire to land a backup first baseman gig for 2011.
  • Talking about his next contract, Jose Bautista told Morgan Campbell of the Toronto Star, "The differences of $50,000 or $100,000 may not seem huge but it’s actually really stressful when you’re about to commit."  For much more on Bautista's arbitration case, check out Ben Nicholson-Smith's article from earlier today.
  • RotoAuthority explains why Homer Bailey is a fantasy baseball sleeper for next year.

Cardinals Claim Bryan Augenstein

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The Cardinals claimed righty Bryan Augenstein off waivers from the Diamondbacks today, according to the team's Twitter feed.  The 24-year-old spent most of the year at Triple-A, posting a 6.56 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 2.6 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 120.6 innings.  He allowed a whopping 162 hits in that time.

Augenstein didn't improve his stock after Baseball America ranked him 11th among Diamondbacks prospects heading into the season.  Even then, they wrote that in the best case he "profiles as a solid fourth or fifth starter in the Majors."  He works with an 86-89 mph sinker.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Carl Crawford

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After the Rays were eliminated last night, left fielder Carl Crawford told Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune, "I don't want to leave.  Everybody knows that. I like it here, and I've made that known and wish something was able to be worked out."  Crawford added to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times today that it's a "high possibility I probably won't be back next year."  With the Rays lowering payroll, he's out of their price range.  Let's take a closer look at his free agent case.

The Pros

  • Crawford is a well-rounded offensive player.  He hit .307/.356/.495 this year with 19 home runs, showing the best power of his career.  He's a burner on the basepaths, typically good for 50+ steals at a success rate above 80%.
  • He's one of the game's best defensive outfielders in left field.
  • Crawford is a relatively young free agent at 29.  Perhaps he'll age better than most due to his athleticism.

The Cons

  • The contract will be a major commitment - at least five years and more than $15MM per season.  Crawford is the best available position player, and it wouldn't be a shock if bidding reached seven years and nearly $20MM per season.  Most $100MM deals have been regrettable.
  • Signing Crawford will cost a draft pick, as the Rays will offer arbitration and he'll turn it down.
  • Crawford will probably remain in left field.  If his speed slips and his slugging percentage suffers, his power could be below-average for the position.

The Verdict

MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith named a slew of potential Crawford suitors in August, but the Angels, Red Sox, and Tigers are perceived as the early favorites.  Crawford could be the first position player to sign for $100MM+ without a 20 home run season on his resume.

Fredi Gonzalez Named Braves Manager

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The Braves held a farewell press conference on Wednesday for Bobby Cox and they didn't waste much time in naming his successor. Atlanta named Fredi Gonzalez as their new manager in a press conference earlier today.  The former Marlins skipper has been given a contract that runs through 2013 with a club option for 2014.

Gonzalez, a former third base coach for the Braves, managed the Marlins from 2007 until earlier this season. He led the club to a 276-279 record during his time in Florida, and since his firing has been widely considered the logical successor for Cox in Atlanta. Cox publicly criticized Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria following Gonzalez's dismissal, saying that Florida "lost a good one" in Gonzalez.

Ken Rodriguez of FOX 5 Sports first reported that the Braves reached agreement with Gonzalez to become the team's next manager while MLB.com's Mark Bowman was first to learn that he would be formally introduced following Cox's farewell address.  Contract details were first reported by Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Free Agent Market For Third Basemen

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The Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays, Indians, Tigers, Angels, Athletics, Mariners, Marlins, Cardinals, and Giants may be looking for third base help this winter.  Here's a look at the hot corner free agent market.

The Best Choice By Far

By signing a one-year deal last offseason, Adrian Beltre positioned himself for another big contract.  He hit .321/.365/.553 with his usual stellar defense, so don't be surprised if Scott Boras seeks more than the five years and $64MM Beltre received in 2004.  On top of the contract, signing Beltre will require giving up a draft pick.  The Red Sox hope to re-sign him, but don't expect a discount.

May Not Hit The Open Market

Even coming off a bad year, Aramis Ramirez would be an appealing free agent.  However, the Cubs' third baseman is expected to exercise his $14.6MM player option for 2011.  The Tigers may not pick up Jhonny Peralta's $7MM option, but they expect to retain him and play him at shortstop.

Less-Than-Ideal Starters

Most clubs won't be thrilled to pencil in Jorge Cantu, Pedro Feliz, Brandon Inge, Miguel Tejada, Juan Uribe, Melvin Mora, Nick Punto, or Ty Wigginton as their starter at third base, though many of them played regularly this year.  Inge is looking to re-sign with the Tigers at a fair price, and GM Dave Dombrowski would like to reach an agreement before he hits the open market according to Tom Gage of the Detroit News.  Inge shows pop from time to time, but most of his value is in his defense.

Non-Tender Candidates

Kevin Kouzmanoff, Edwin Encarnacion, and Jose Lopez are the most notable non-tender candidates at third base.  The A's may keep Kouzmanoff for lack of a better option, but Encarnacion and Lopez are likely to join the free agent ranks.  Andy Marte, Andy LaRoche, and Kevin Frandsen could also be cut loose.

Summary

It's Beltre or bust this year if you're looking to sign a free agent third baseman.  Whoever you'd rank behind Beltre, it's a distant second.  Teams that find him too expensive may turn to the trade market.

2011 MLB Free Agent List

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MLBTR maintains a constantly-updated, information-packed free agent list.  The list can always be found on the sidebar under 2011 MLB Free Agent List, or you can just bookmark this link:

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/09/2011-mlb-free-agents.html

Our free agent list contains everything you need for your hot stove discussions.  Players are grouped by position.  The player's 2011 age is included.  Contract options are noted.  Scott Boras clients are bolded.  New free agents are added right away, and signed players are removed.  And exclusively on MLB Trade Rumors, projected Elias Type A and B rankings are included.

Arbitration Eligibles: Arizona Diamondbacks

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Next in our arbitration eligibles series, the Diamondbacks.

The Diamondbacks will be spending significant money on arbitration raises for 2011.  Saunders, Drew, Montero, and Johnson are locks to be tendered contracts.  They're all coming off respectable seasons, though Saunders led MLB with 17 losses and Montero's season was shortened by knee surgery.  Having made $3.7MM in his first arbitration year, Saunders is operating from a high base salary and could land around $5.5MM.  Drew should manage a similar salary.  Johnson, with close to six years service time, could attempt to draw a comparison to Orlando Hudson, who signed for $5MM last winter.

Carrasco pitched decently since coming over via trade from the Pirates.  Given the state of their bullpen I expect him to be tendered a contract, although the White Sox did cut him loose last year coming off a good season.  He has a $950K base salary.  Boyer's best traits are throwing hard and getting groundballs, but he could be non-tendered.  He was designated for assignment in May by former GM Josh Byrnes.

Church turned around his season after coming to Arizona, but I have to think they non-tender him rather than pay him around $1.5MM in 2011.  Ojeda is not an expensive player, but his ugly offensive stats may get him cut too.

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