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.
iPhone App Now Available
Just in time for the offseason, our iPhone app is now available! It is listed as Baseball Trade Rumors in the app store and costs $2.99. You can search the store or just click this link. The app has been described as "beyond belief" by legendary journalist Peter Gammons.
The bread and butter of the app is the customizable push notifications. By default it sends an alert to your iPhone for all transactions, and you can also add alerts for any combination of players, teams, and leagues you desire. If you want to be the first to know where Cliff Lee is headed, who the Tigers are looking at, or anything else hot stove-related, this app can accommodate you.
The headlines page of the app shows our 25 latest posts, no ads, easily refreshed. Individual posts with hyperlinks can be viewed, of course. You can also leave comments on MLBTradeRumors.com through the app. Check it out today!
Please note: Version 1.0.1 fixed a bug that was affecting iPhone 3G and iPod Touch users. If you have one of these devices and already purchased the app, just take the steps to buy it again and you will be able to download the update for free.
Padres Seek Backup Catcher
The Padres expect to ease catcher Nick Hundley into a bigger role in 2011, but they’ll look to complement him with a backup, according to Dan Hayes of the North County Times. GM Jed Hoyer said the Padres are not looking for someone to play as much as Yorvit Torrealba did in 2010. Instead, the Padres are looking for a catcher who can "play a fair amount” while Hundley starts 95 games, Hoyer says.
Gerald Laird, Bengie Molina, Miguel Olivo, Matt Treanor, Jason Varitek and Gregg Zaun are among the free agent catchers who could be willing to accept part-time jobs, so they could fit in San Diego if their demands fit the Padres' budget. It’s too early to rule out Henry Blanco and Yorvit Torrealba, the two catchers who shared time with Hundley in 2009-10, but A.J. Pierzynski probably isn't a fit. He said he'd like to catch in San Diego, but other teams figure to offer more playing time and more money.
Hundley hits lefties (.672 career OPS) and righties (.708 career OPS) at about the same rate, so the Padres can consider backstops who bat from either side of the plate. Manager Bud Black says the organization believes in Hundley “as a major league catcher” at this point in his career. The 27-year old batted .249/.308/.418 in 307 plate appearances in 2010 and he threw out a career-best 29% of would-be base stealers.
Red Sox Rumors: Crawford, Martinez, Saltalamacchia
The Red Sox may have interest in Cliff Lee, but he's far from the only free agent they'll consider. Here are the details on which teams are interested in Boston's free agents and which players the Red Sox might like to sign:
- Not surprisingly, the Red Sox have also checked in on Carl Crawford, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Six teams including the Red Sox have inquired about Victor Martinez, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
- The Red Sox seem "firmly convinced" that Jarrod Saltalamacchia can be their regular catcher, according to MLB.com's Peter Gammons. Gammons suggests the Red Sox could bring Jason Varitek back to hit against left-handers and mentor Saltalamacchia if Martinez signs elsewhere.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says Boston’s top priority should be keeping Adrian Beltre, since they have the money and the need for the third baseman.
Hoffman Drawing Interest, Undecided On Future
Trevor Hoffman told MLB.com’s Barry Bloom that he wants to test free agency before deciding whether to play in 2011. If he sees an offer he likes, the 43-year-old could return for a 19th season. If not, the all-time saves leader says he’s prepared to retire.
Hoffman has drawn preliminary interest from a number of teams, according to his agent. Rick Thurman, who also represents free agents Brian Fuentes, Arthur Rhodes, Will Ohman, Octavio Dotel and Chan Ho Park, spoke with the D’Backs last Friday about potential fits for their bullpen.
That’s one possible destination for Hoffman, who can envision playing in Arizona under Kevin Towers, the D’Backs GM who ran the Padres when Hoffman pitched in San Diego. Towers repeated that re-building the bullpen is a priority for the D’Backs this offseason, but Hoffman isn't sure how much interest he'll draw.
"I'm coming off a tough year,” Hoffman told MLB.com. “I don't know if people are going to be turned off by that or not. I hope the strong second half I had will compensate."
Hoffman won’t find many closing jobs available outside of Arizona, but there are many potential closers available, as MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes pointed out yesterday. Though he started slowly, Hoffman recovered to pitch considerably better after early May. ESPN.com’s Keith Law warned interested teams about the risks associated with Hoffman earlier today. However, Towers told Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that "you'd be nuts if you didn't at least consider somebody like Trevor Hoffman" (Twitter link).
Free Agent Stock Watch: Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Guerrero made Jon Daniels and the Rangers look pretty smart this year, but he could make another organization look foolish in 2011. That's not to say Guerrero can't repeat his 2010 success, but here are some facts to consider about the likely Hall of Famer:
The Pros
- Guerrero hit .300/.345/.496 with 29 homers in 2010 and finished 9th in the league in homers and total bases.
- He struck out just 60 times in 643 regular season plate appearances.
- He will probably be available on a one-year deal.
- Guerrero is a Type A free agent, but the Rangers, who turned down his option last week, don’t figure to offer arbitration. As long as Texas doesn’t offer arbitration, Guerrero won’t cost a draft pick.
The Cons
- He turns 36 before the season begins.
- As anyone who watched the World Series knows, Guerrero is no longer a legitimate option in the outfield. He played just 18 regular season games in the field and is now a full-time DH.
- He started hot, but posted an OPS over .800 just once from July to October.
- Guerrero has always been a free swinger and he'll always be one. Last year was no exception; he swung at a higher percentage of pitches outside the zone than any qualified hitter in the game.
The Verdict
Guerrero will likely sign a one-year deal given his age and the market for DHs. Many DHs are available for a relatively small number of jobs, so it seems unlikely that any team would offer two years. The Rangers could bring him back and the Rays, Blue Jays, White Sox, Twins, Tigers, A's and Mariners could all be looking for DHs too, so Vlad should have a number of suitors after a successful 2010 campaign. A one-year deal worth $8MM or so seems likely for Guerrero.