Links for Thursday…
- GM John Mozeliak and manager Tony LaRussa both mentioned to MLB.com's Matthew Leach that the Cardinals are not in a rush to add an infielder despite Brendan Ryan's recent wrist surgery.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels knows that it's far from a foregone conclusion that his team will win 87 games again, according to ESPNDallas.com reporter Richard Durrett.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty tells MLB.com's Mark Sheldon that Aroldis Chapman has looked "very impressive" so far.
- Jose Reyes tells Kevin Kernan of the New York Post that he wants to finish his career with the Mets. Reyes says he's not thinking about the $11MM option the Mets have for his services in 2011.
- The Nats outrighted Doug Slaten to Triple A, according to the team's Twitter. They designated him for assignment two days ago.
- The Rockies and Mariners offered Mark McGwire hitting coach positions, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The Mariners made their offer in 2003; the Rockies made theirs a few years ago.
- Victor Martinez tells Alex Speier of WEEI.com that he'd "obviously" like to stay in Boston. The catcher says the negotiations are now under the team's control.
- Carlos Zambrano tells Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald that he would have vetoed a trade had the Cubs approached him about one this offseason.
- Andrew Friedman says he and his front office have assembled "the most talented team in Rays history," according to the Tampa Tribune (via Twitter).
- USA Today's Peter Barzilai looks back at some historically good free agent signings.
- Greg Burke cleared waivers, tweets Dan Hayes of the North County Times. The club placed Burke on unconditional waivers ten days ago.
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti tells ESPN.com's Buster Olney that the club find its fifth starter outside of the organization. "We'd love to have a bona fide No. 5 starter," Colletti said.
- Mariano Rivera tells MLB.com's Brian Hoch that he doesn't know how long he's going to continue playing (Twitter link).
- Rockies manager Jim Tracy told Denver Post readers that he helps Dan O'Dowd make personnel decisions when the GM is looking for input.
- In anticipation of the club's scheduled arbitration hearing with Ryan Theriot, Cubs GM Jim Hendry tells Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times that the arbitration process is sometimes unavoidable.
- The Braves signed 17-year-old infield prospect Alejandro Sanchez Martinez to a seven-year contract out of Spain earlier in the winter, according to David Menayo of Marca.com. Thanks to Nick Collias for the translation.
On Wandy’s arb hearing… I’ve got the Astros with the slight edge, but I’ll take it like it is here. This way I make sure and come out a winner either way 🙂
Ben, you’re missing a pretty important word before “find” in the Colletti bullet. I’m assuming you meant to say “could find” but didn’t know if it was more concrete than that, perhaps “would find”, etc.
Ben, you’re missing a pretty important word before “find” in the Colletti bullet. I’m assuming you meant to say “could find” but didn’t know if it was more concrete than that, perhaps “would find”, etc.
I’m not clear what a bona fide 5 starter is, but I think it’s along the lines of a guy who doesn’t get hurt, but also isn’t very good. We’ve Vicente Padilla. There’s one. Eric Stults was on the DL last year, but other than that there’s another one.
What we need is someone who’s better than a “5”.
yeah, I agree. Haeger, Elbert, McDonald, Stults, Monasterios, Weaver, Ortiz and potentially Troncoso are all in the mix for the #5 spot. That’s a fair amount of depth, and I think 3 or 4 of those guys could beat out just about everybody still out on the market. Elbert and McDonald both have #2 or #3 potential. Haeger could be a big time innings-eater if he can keep his knuckleball working. Stults seems better suited as a spot starter/long relief guy, but he could still probably put up an ERA around 4.75 as a regular starter.
Smoltz or Pedro might be worth consideration for the veteran presence they bring, or possibly Washburn, but nobody else really. Maybe Lowry on a minor league deal. After them, I’d rather give the pitchers mentioned above a shot.
Stults is what you want out of a #5. They generally dont have a great fastball, but at least one good breaking pitch(change for Stults).
Weaver, Ortiz and Trancosso wont be starting. Weaver will be the long man in the pen, Ortiz will be DFA’d and Trancosso will be in the pen. Trancosso hasnt started since 05 I believe… he is a reliever, and a really good one at that
I’ve said it before, I want the 5th guy to be inhouse. We shouldnt lose both Haeger and Stults. I think it is more likely that one of them wins the 5th spot, Elbert starts at AAA, Jmac in the pen and Monasterios either offered back to his original team or in the minors… not enough spots for him to stay with us
yeah, I agree. Haeger, Elbert, McDonald, Stults, Monasterios, Weaver, Ortiz and potentially Troncoso are all in the mix for the #5 spot. That’s a fair amount of depth, and I think 3 or 4 of those guys could beat out just about everybody still out on the market. Elbert and McDonald both have #2 or #3 potential. Haeger could be a big time innings-eater if he can keep his knuckleball working. Stults seems better suited as a spot starter/long relief guy, but he could still probably put up an ERA around 4.75 as a regular starter.
Smoltz or Pedro might be worth consideration for the veteran presence they bring, or possibly Washburn, but nobody else really. Maybe Lowry on a minor league deal. After them, I’d rather give the pitchers mentioned above a shot.
I’m not clear what a bona fide 5 starter is, but I think it’s along the lines of a guy who doesn’t get hurt, but also isn’t very good. We’ve Vicente Padilla. There’s one. Eric Stults was on the DL last year, but other than that there’s another one.
What we need is someone who’s better than a “5”.
I can’t help but think that Jo-Jo Reyes would be a great fit as the Dodgers’ fifth starter. His stuff and minor league record lead you to be believe he can be a #3-4 guy but he hasn’t put it together mentally in the majors. Perhaps with a change of scenery going back to his home state he can put together a season where he posts something like 4.30 ERA and ~150 IP in Dodger Stadium.
He is only 25, still making 400K, throws left handed, and shoudn’t cost an arm and a leg in a trade. Even if he was just brought in to compete with McDonald and Stults it would be a smart move.
I can’t help but think that Jo-Jo Reyes would be a great fit as the Dodgers’ fifth starter. His stuff and minor league record lead you to be believe he can be a #3-4 guy but he hasn’t put it together mentally in the majors. Perhaps with a change of scenery going back to his home state he can put together a season where he posts something like 4.30 ERA and ~150 IP in Dodger Stadium.
He is only 25, still making 400K, throws left handed, and shoudn’t cost an arm and a leg in a trade. Even if he was just brought in to compete with McDonald and Stults it would be a smart move.
The dodgers are deep in quanity or short of quality. Last year the dodgers were lucky to
get the type of production they did from the 5th spot. With the loss of Randy Wolf it may be a long season indeed for the boys in blue. Because of McCourts pending divorce there was really nothing that could have been done about resigning Wolf, we will have to hope the staff can come together. Colorado has some good looking young players on there squad and if they get any pitching at all they could take the west.
No offense meant to you in any way mark, but if your season hinges on whether you have Randy Wolf or not then you’re in serious trouble. It’s not like we’re talking about letting Lincecum, Halladay or Santana go……..
No offense meant to you in any way mark, but if your season hinges on whether you have Randy Wolf or not then you’re in serious trouble. It’s not like we’re talking about letting Lincecum, Halladay or Santana go……..
Really though, there’s plenty that could have been done to re-sign Wolf. Offering arbitration would have been a good start. Then, work out a 2-3 year deal Wolf would have come back for probably $8 million a year, which is just about a million more than they are paying Padilla, Carroll, and Ausmus, the latter two who could have easily been replaced far cheaper (DeWitt and Ellis for example).
The dodgers are deep in quanity or short of quality. Last year the dodgers were lucky to
get the type of production they did from the 5th spot. With the loss of Randy Wolf it may be a long season indeed for the boys in blue. Because of McCourts pending divorce there was really nothing that could have been done about resigning Wolf, we will have to hope the staff can come together. Colorado has some good looking young players on there squad and if they get any pitching at all they could take the west.
“Rockies manager Jim Tracy told Denver Post readers that he helps Dan O’Dowd make personnel decisions when the GM is looking for input.”
I wonder if Jim Tracy still asks and answers his own questions….
“Rockies manager Jim Tracy told Denver Post readers that he helps Dan O’Dowd make personnel decisions when the GM is looking for input.”
I wonder if Jim Tracy still asks and answers his own questions….
I’ll be highly disappointed if the Sox don’t extend V-Mart.
I have a feeling you are going to be pretty happy then. Beckett might have to be their first prioity though. They certainly have the money to extend both
I don’t want to get too excited just yet. There is going to be a lot of crap going on next season. I do know, V-Mart is a quality player who seems extremely reasonable though. I really like him as a player and love his personality. I would hate to see him go somewhere else. You are right though, Beckett is probably first priority. Francona and Theo have a pact about pitching above all else.
If you look at their roster, they don’t have players hitting free agency after this season except for those two plus a couple of relievers. Unless they opt out of JD’s contract or let V-Mart go and Beckett walk, they must turn their attention to the two.
youre right about JB and v-mart hitting free agency but what about lowell and ortiz? thats significant $$, enough to sign V-mart, beckett, and probably 1-2 top tier free agents next off-season.
That’s a lot. Maybe just one other top tier free agent. Adam Dunn possibly?
I like that. Beckett, V-Mart, Dunn. That would lock up what is already going on and add that power bat. Move Youk back to 3rd put Dunn on 1st. Though I have a feeling if Ortiz has a decent year, he will be back in Boston next year.
I don’t think Dunn can play first for an AL team. If the Nats played in the AL, he would be their DH..
That’s true, his defense is pretty, sub par. I suppose they could build from within to fill first or third.
I like that. Dunn is one of the best power options on the market in 2011 (next year looks more like a speed/OBP player year) and with ortiz and lowell theoretically gone, that could be a net loss of 25-30 hr (as a conservative estimate). Dunn has a swing built for fenway – lefty who can pull the ball with power and lift the ball to the opposite field. With Ellsbury, Pedy, and V-Mart in front of Dunn, protected by Youk, I could see a massive number of RBIs as well. what type of money do you think would get a deal for Dunn done? At 30, it could be a multiyear deal…
3/42.5MM
Only being 30, wouldn’t you want to lock him up for at least 4? He seems like a healthier player, averages about 150 games per season with average 40 homers/100 RBI every season between 2004 and 2008, hit 38/105 in 2009, in big ballparks too (reds and nationals). Seems like a reasonable bet to be a healthy player for a long time.
Well if his 2010 season is as good as his 2009 season, I’d certainly give him a 4 maybe 5 year deal. But this was really his first season where he hit for a good average and cut down on his K’s. The Red Sox would probably have to see the 09 Adam Dunn rather than the Dunn on his Reds years in order to give him a 4 year deal. Maybe 3/42.5 as I said with a club option. Adam Dunn would do great in Fenway though and especially with the other short AL East porches. Maybe the A’s.
The A’s? And the short porches comment is true. Fenway would play best to his swing though. I would be interested to see what he could do with focusing just on his hitting rather than being gassed from playing below average defense. 45 homers too steep to guess?
It’s Beckett’s silence that makes me nervous. I’m sure I’m getting worked up over nothing though.
I think Beckett will probably leave Boston after this season, and go sign a long-term deal with (1) the Yankees, (2) a team in his home state of Texas (a la Roger Clemens, when he signed with Houston), or (3) a surprise bidder who wants to sign an impact, proven “ace.”
He’s going to be 30 years old next year; the Sox already signed Lackey as a preemptive strike in case Beckett decided to test free agency; the Sox don’t “need” Beckett as much as other teams do because they already have Lester and Lackey signed; and, there will be at least one team willing to hand Beckett a five- or six-year deal for a lot of money. My guess is Theo bows out of the bidding if the duration of the contract gets above four years, or the money gets too big.
The Sox have too many other important pieces to hang onto between 2011-2015 (the years Beckett would likely sign for): Vic Martinez hits free agency in 2011, Papelbon in 2012, Dice-K in 2013, Youklis in 2014, Lester in 2015. That, and the fact that the Sox are deep in pitching and short on impact position players (Ortiz, Scutaro, Lowell, Cameron, Drew, all on the wrong side of 30), suggests to me that Theo will spend his money, if any, elsewhere to find pieces to plug in while the Sox young position players (Westmoreland, Iglesias, Lars) develop into AL East-ready hitters.
Finally, I think there’s something to Beckett’s silence. Vic Martinez is out there openly campaigning to stay on the Red Sox — Vic’s never won anything, and he sees this as his best opportunity to stay in one place for a long time and win a ring. Beckett’s already got two rings; he doesn’t need the Red Sox like Vic does…
They’ll get him. Vic’s basically telegraphing that he’ll take a discount to sign a long-term deal with the Red Sox. Boston’s just waiting to see what the Twinkies do with Mauer. Vic’s ready to sign on the dotted line right now.
If Jose Reyes stays healthy, the Mets will most certainly pick up his option.
Washburn seems like a really good fit now, he shouldn’t disappoint if hes not expected to be anything but a innings eater.
I agree. He’d be good in the NL West.
Good? Probably not.
Aroldis Chapman is the next Brien Taylor
How so??
Brien Taylor was a bust b/c of his own stupid actions.. not talent.
Chapman, while talented, may be a bust and never throw a pitch in the bigs, but theres nothing to support the idea that he is immature.
I dont see how the two are related.
Well…it’s not like Jocketty will say Chapman has looked bad…
Idk if anyone has said anything good about the reds this off season unless your a reds fan.. as long as they can stay healthy the reds will compete for the division i promise.. with or with out chapman in the rotation if there no more than 5 back from all star break they wil be just fine thats when they hope to get volquez back and if not this year… Next years top 4 in rotation Volquez, Cueto, Bailey, Chapman… if that doesnt WOW you then idk what will… Great job walt you actually put a team together the right way unlike the yanks who buy a new line up and rotation every year!!
Agreed.
I think the Reds are pretty underrated. I think they’ll finish ahead of the cubs in the NL Central, and possibly make a play for the WC.
For the first two months of the season, you are on the money.
I personally think that the Rangers will win the AL West. I know the work that Jack Z has done is great and the A’s have improved majorly. I think the Rangers are just a really impressive team. Derek Holland is the key.
Agree that the Rangers are better than the overhyped Mariners. I can’t wait until the end of the season and pull up these posts with fans gushing for love and Jack Z’s moves.
Jack Z gets so much love on this site because of his use of “new age metrics.”
It doesn’t really matter who you have catching fly balls, if you cannot hit, you rarely win.
Well I think that at the end of the day, it was a great Mariners off season but the great thing about Baseball is there are 6 months of Baseball to play! There are always surprises. There are always great stories of the year. That was the off-season, Let’s get this season started!!!!! Spring Training is finally here!!!!!!!!!!!!
Funny how all non-Reds fans this Chapman will be a bust. More like “hoping” he will be a bust when in fact GM Walt Jocketty, pitching coach Bryan Price and Manager Dusty Baker all say he’s already got a great fastball, very good slider and very good splitfinger. So the people that are professionals and know what they’re talking about say Chapman is a rare find and quite impressive. I don’t care what the hacks on here say.
Those three you mentioned are supposed to say that. In an alternate reality:
Dusty Baker was later quoted as saying “He sucks major (expletive). He has a nice fastball, but secondary pitches are average at best. I’m not even going to get a chance to blow his arm out this season”
Somewhere, Mark Prior is heard weeping.
You Reds fans better hope that Dusty is gone before this kid makes the majors or he will blow him up like he always has. I agree that the Reds are a team on the rise, but not this year.
and yeaa they are on the rise and yes this year but the question is wether bring baker back after the season or not
You do not want to bring Baker back. As a Cubs fan, I know what I’m talking about. He blew out Wood and Prior’s arms and he will do the same to your guys. As for 2010, I still think the Cardinals (unfortunately) are the class of the division. But your Reds should compete starting in 2011, if guys like Volquez are healthy.
i love baker’s track record but im with you i dont want him back either he pretty much ruined aaron harang and the cards will always be good with carp and wainwright heading the roation and the big boys holliday and albert but i think they might be able to win wild IF healthy but volquez wont be back till august 🙁
i love baker’s track record but im with you i dont want him back either he pretty much ruined aaron harang and the cards will always be good with carp and wainwright heading the roation and the big boys holliday and albert but i think they might be able to win wild IF healthy but volquez wont be back till august 🙁