With the free agency period officially upon us, many of today's links focus on either the top players available or which of those players particular teams will pursue. Let's round 'em up….
- DeMarlo Hale will interview for the Mets managerial opening, reports Maureen Mullen of Comcast SportsNet. Hale was a finalist for the Blue Jays' job before Toronto hired John Farrell.
- Jon Heyman hears that the Pirates are going after players aggressively in the early stages of free agency (Twitter link).
- The Orioles have hired Mark Connor as their pitching coach, according to the Baltimore Sun's Dan Connolly. A former Twins' minor leaguer, Connor was Buck Showalter's pitching coach with the Yankees, D'Backs, and Rangers as well.
- Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe breaks down the top free agents by position and lists some possible destinations.
- In an Insider-only piece, ESPN.com's Keith Law breaks down his top 50 free agents, with Cliff Lee topping the list. Meanwhile, there's no Insider account required for Newsday's Ken Davidoff's top 30 free agents and accompanying predictions.
- The baseball writers at FOX Sports predict the landing spots for some of the best available players, in slideshow form.
- MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan names ten free agents he thinks the Rangers will consider signing.
- Mark Simon of ESPNNewYork proposes some realistic free agent targets for the Mets.
- In his Insider-only ESPN.com blog, Buster Olney identifies a few players who may be hurt by their Type A status this winter.
- There are a few "hot stove myths" to keep in mind as you follow rumors and signings this offseason, writes J.C. Bradbury at Sabernomics.
- Jorge de la Rosa's agent, Bobby Barad, tells Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post that he has already received multiple calls from teams expressing a "sincere interest" in his client.
- The Padres are rebuilding once again, writes Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
The Newsday article links to the mobile page, so expect character errors and rough formatting.
Yeah I saw that I was like what in the world is going on? But it was worth the read because I think Davidoff is pretty close to 100% accurate…
Something that I’ve been thinking…I think Hideki Matsui to the A’s would be an exceptional fit. I think it’s going to happen and would love to see it.
I can’t see the A’s spending $40 mil on Adrian Beltre, Jeter getting $57 million over 3 years, Carl Pavano getting $11 mil a year from Minnesota, Adam Dunn getting only a 2 year for $18 mil total, Olivo going to the Jays, or Manny signing for only $4 million (even though he probably deserves something a lot less than he was making last year). The article is either spot on with some, or so way off from the point.
I just meant Matsui.
Really, I thought it was flat out poor. Pierzynski to the Rockies for 4.5 mil? What? And De La Rosa taking a 2 year, 15 million contract?
‘Rebuilding’ or ‘Retooling’?
I will eat my keyboard if Javvy Vazquez gets 2 years 16 mill. Though I will laugh if Mets give him that deal…
A.Dunn 2 years 19 mill? Really?
He’s a guy who is one year removed from winning 16 and getting 200 K’s. I think 8 mil is good if they’re expecting to put those numbers with a return to the N.L.
Surely, the Nats will not torment him and avoid pitching him in New York.
Yep, horrible Adam Dunn prediction. Not sure where that came from.
Kevin Davidoff thinks Crawford will get 6/96 and Werth will get 5/90? Proof once again that opinions can be wrong.
“Kevin Davidoff thinks Crawford will get 6/96 and Werth will get 5/90? Proof once again that opinions can be wrong.”
That is your opinion.
That’s a cop out. If I say Bill Hall will get 10 years and 300 million it doesn’t matter if it’s opinion, its retarded. This article was all over the place. Are you really trying to argue Crawford will get 16 million a year and Werth will get 18?
No, I just thought that my joke was too good to pass up regardless of the lameness to it. But I do agree with you. Jayson Werth getting any more than 15 a year is absurd. Crawford on the other hand, getting anything less than 16 per year is absurd.
Dunn already has a 3/30 offer on the table, not sure why Davidoff thinks he’d sign for 2/18. Also, he’d be in LF for the Braves but I’d love to have him.
The Diamondbacks probably won’t spend 10 million on anybody let alone a pitcher they don’t need. Davidoff is an idiot.
I’ll say the Angels sign Rafael Soriano and maybe Johnny Damon.
57 Mil seems a stretch for Jeter.
24. Miguel Olivo, C With such a great need for catchers, he’ll get a decent salary. Prediction: Blue Jays @ two years, $7 million.
So one of the better catchers on the open market will land on a team that’s top 3 in catching depth, already has Molina as back-up and Aaron Cibia left with nothing further to prove in AAA. This would also result in the Jays losing their possible supplimental pick, and virtually giving up cash or PTBNL + buyout for nothing.
Bravo, Ken. Bravo.
Is Aaron Cibia meant to be a joke or?
Well, it’s just lingo for Arencibia that most Jays fans have picked up.
Gotcha, hope he gets a chance to play next year. Was a little surprised at how little playing time he received after being called up.
Most people were surprised and disappointed to say the least. I hope there’s nothing more to that than Cito stubbornly sticking with Buck for his 20 homers and a fanatical devotion to those who’ve paid their dues.
The really annoying thing about that is after Buck got his 20 home runs, Arencibia still didn’t play.
Really? It was Cito so I wasn’t expecting him to play much.
That’s our Cito!
Let me fix that for you.
That was our Cito!
Has a nice ring to it.
Lets not forget they would be paying an additional million than what the option they declined was, and the buyout on top of that.
This guy is a joke.
I hope Tim decides against predicting free agent destinations after last year’s debacle. 🙂
I like to hear that the Pirates are looking to make a splash this offseason in the Free Agent and Trade Markets. I hope Neal can pull off some good trades and I’m hoping they will get quality Free Agents…possibly Javier Vazquez, Kevin Millwood, Derek Lee, Adam Laroche, and Jhonny Damon could be good fits.
An Adam LaRoche reunion might be nice for the Pirates. A better defensive catcher, and perhaps a few starting pitchers-one like John Garland or Jake Westbrook, one major league rehab project, and a minor league free agent type that might break through, but would at least add depth, would help.I’m thinking not so much to try to win the division, or to spend money just to spend money, but to just have a better team around some of the youngsters they are trying to develop. Getting close to .500 would be a huge accomplishment.
Edit: I forgot that the Pirates added Chris Snyder at catcher. Catching is okay for now-they already added a better defensive catcher the end of last year.
Definetely, I mean you need to get to .500 before you can win a division, so I think that’s a good idea, and look at what adding some quality veterans did to help the Reds young guys.
I do not want Adam LaRoche anywhere near the Pirates, though one player I would like for them to bring back is Nady. Adding Westbrook or Garland would be good, as long as they don’t ask for too many years/money. Javier Vazquez might be good too, but I’d only give him one year.
I could see Javier Vasquez making a good comeback with the Pirates. However, his contract would probably be worth no more than $6 million.
No offense, but the Pirates already have 3 Adam Laroche types in Garret Jones, John Bowker, and Jeff Clement, not to mention Brandon Moss in the minors. Each of them is a sub-par fielder. Adding Laroche would be “an entire misallocation of valuable resources” (Private Jackson from Saving Private Ryan).
I would prefer they get a right handed hitter and fielder, like Derek Lee or Miki Napoli, and trade Jones for Starting Pitching.
I do agree, this 2011 team NEEDS to finish close to, if not above, .500! If not, heads are gonna roll!
Edit: heads are gonna roll….. AGAIN! Jeez, How many times have Pirates fans had to say that over the last 19 years?
How many players and their agents will talk to the Pirates just to drive the price up? Probably most of them.
I’d also like to know who the free agents the Pirates are going after. I hope it’s not Jeremy Bonderman, Doug Davis, or David Bush. These are not the starters the Pirates need. As far as free agents go, the Bucs should go after low value, high risk players like Brandon Webb and Chris Young and trade for a proven major league starter like a Matt Garza or Gavin Floyd.
I would absolutely love Mike Napoli on the Pirates, but I don’t think they’d be willing to part with enough prospects to get him.
should the padres go after CY for cheap? or go after another FA pitcher instead, like harang, bonderman?
Well in terms of starting pitching, I wouldnt mind the pirates inquiring on Brandon Webb, Javier Vasquez, Kevin Millwood, Dave Bush, Chris Young, or Aaron Harang. I would love to see the pirates get a buy low oppertunity on 2 of the aforementioned starters.I like the idea of acquiring an upgrade or platoon partner at SS, and know we need a right handed power hitter for 1B or RF. (Preferably 1B) I think potential candidates are Lance Berkman, Mike Napoli, Xavier Nady, and possibly if we run out of options, they may take a chance on Andy Marte. And as far as SS, I wouldnt mind inquiring on Juan Uribe or Edgar Renteria as far as an overpaid veteran presence that could split time with Cedeno at short and also give days off to Pedro and Neil.In recent years we would never be having this conversation, but considering that Coonelly already said we have funds to exceed a 50 mill payroll, that gives us 18-23million dollars to aquire talent. I think it is reasonable to think we can land 4 key free agents with that kind of money. Especially if Huntington finds a pitcher he feels going multiple years on to defer money from 2011’s payroll.All in all, I think we as Pirate fans have quite a bit to look forward to if Neal and Frank follow through. And right now, Id rather have Banister for less money and allocate more to Free Agency than i would having Hurdle and having to settle for third or fourth tier talent.
adrain beltre is going to sign with baltimore or the oakland athletics for 2 yrs or 1 yr, he dosn’t want to play in boston anymore and baltimore wants to get better and i think beltre will go to baltimore for atleast 1 yr worth 6 million, i think thats how much baltimore would give since they trying to make there team better
You’re crazy bro. If beltre come to Baltimore it won’t be one or two years at 6million
I think the BoSox are willing to go 4 years, $44MM on V-Mart, and $45MM for 3 years on Beltre, with a 4th year option, so I don’t agree with the Newsday predictions on those two FA’s. By all accounts, Adrian Beltre LOVED playing in Boston, and we LOVED him. His only other concern would be that his family is on the West Coast. I doubt he’d take a drastically lesser offer from Oakland. Perhaps the Angels could pursuade him to take a discount, but certainly not Baltimore. If Oakland is the only real West coast competitor, Beltre will definitely be back in Red Sox nation next year.
So did anyone see the slideshow? I found those predictions to be pretty viable. I was also wondering if anyone post Keith Law’s list. The forum might be a good place for that.