Yankees Contact Cliff Lee’s Agent
As expected, the Yankees moved quickly to contract the representation for Cliff Lee, according to an AP report (via ESPN). A baseball official says that the Yankees told Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, that they will be back in touch later with a contract offer for the left-hander.
The Yankees have long coveted Lee, and are considered one of the front-runners to land the 32-year-old. The Rangers and Nationals are among the other clubs hoping to lock up the prize of the pitching market this winter.
Odds & Ends: Hale, Pirates, O’s, Free Agents
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.
Tigers, Phillies Interested In Eddie Bonine
Having just hit free agency for the first time, Eddie Bonine is drawing interest from the Tigers and Phillies, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Both clubs would be interested in bringing Bonine on board on a minor league deal, according to Morosi. The right-hander became a free agent earlier this week, after being outrighted by the Tigers.
Bonine, 29, has seen big league playing time in each of the last three seasons in Detroit. He received his most significant action in 2010, appearing in 47 games and posting a 4.63 ERA. The righty doesn't have dominant stuff, recording just 26 strikeouts in 68 innings in 2010, but he has exhibited good control throughout his career (2.7 BB/9).
Free Agent Stock Watch: Scott Podsednik
Last week, Scott Podsednik officially declined his half of his mutual option with the Dodgers and elected to become a free agent. Pods has seen time with three different clubs over the past two seasons, and may end up with a fourth within the next few months. While a few years ago, Podsednik may have been a Major League afterthought, he's rebuilt some stock and now joins a fairly weak outfield market. Let's take a look at his position:
The Good
- Podsednik can still run. He may no longer be a 70 stolen base threat, but he's still good for 30-plus swipes per season and will always give pitchers something to think about when he's on base.
- His .300/.347/.397 slash line over the past two seasons is passable for a leadoff hitter who can steal plenty of bases.
- Podsednik makes good contact; he struck out just 15.4% of his plate appearances this year, while the Major League average sat at 20.7%.
- He's a Type B free agent, so he won't cost a draft pick to sign, and likely won't require an overly large salary either.
- He can handle lefties decently, so he doesn't need to be part of a platoon. It's worth noting that what little power he has is against right-handers though; he had just four extra base hits against southpaws in 2010.
The Bad
- It's been awhile since Pods was a defensive asset. While he has good speed still, he's failed to post a positive UZR in left field since 2007, and his arm is considerably below average.
- While he can steal you bases, it's not at an elite rate anymore. Podsednik got caught in nearly 30% of his attempts in 2010, compared to just 16% of the time at his peak in 2004, when he stole 70 with Milwaukee.
- He can hit the occasional home run, but Podsednik isn't a reliable source of power. He's slugged above .400 just twice in his career.
- He may not be the sexiest option, but after Carl Crawford, Podsednik represents one of the best left field options on the market (Johnny Damon and Pat Burrell are others, depending on how many clubs still view them as viable outfielders). That should give him bargaining power and increase the number of suitors.
The Verdict
Podsednik is no longer the terror on the bases he was in his younger days. He'll be 35 next season, but can still steal 30+ bases and get on base well enough to be a club's leadoff hitter. He won't bring power, but he doesn't strike out much and many teams will like his veteran presence. He represents one of the better left field options on the market, thanks to a resurgent 2009-2010 stretch. He declined a $2MM salary with the Dodgers, which means he'll look to best that mark and likely won't have trouble doing so. It's at least possible a team commits two years, but I'd assume most will want to stick to one-year deals, probably with a club option. Podsednik can likely command a salary in the $3MM-$4MM range, and if he can maintain his speed, it wouldn't be a terrible commitment.
Podsednik's nothing too special at this point, but he picked a good time to enter free agency. A weak market and back-to-back solid seasons will earn him a respectable payday.
Week In Review: 10/31/10 – 11/6/10
Free agency officially began this week, which makes for some busy times around MLBTR. Let's take a look back at the last seven days:
- One of the more interesting stories of the week saw the Blue Jays acquire Miguel Olivo from Colorado and immediately decline his 2011 option. Toronto will send a player to be named later or cash to Colorado, and will offer Olivo arbitration. Should Olivo decline, the Blue Jays have essentially purchased a supplemental round draft pick, as Olivo is a Type B free agent.
- It may be the end of the road for Jamie Moyer, who suffered an elbow injury in the Dominican Winter League this week. The 48-year-old lefty has spent a quarter of a century as a major leaguer.
- More manager/front office news this week; the Brewers hired Ron Roenicke, the Marlins will stick with Edwin Rodriguez, Ron Washington received a two-year extension, and the Mets hired J.P. Ricciardi as a special assistant to Sandy Alderson.
- The Rakuten Golden Eagles posted Hisashi Iwakuma this week, and are hoping for a $16MM-$17MM posting fee. Bidding has reportedly closed, and the Mariners may be the favorites.
- Jay Bruce and Chris Perez are among the bigger names of players who reached Super Two status this week.
- The Astros won't pursue bringing Lance Berkman back to Houston.
- San Francisco is likely to retain Aubrey Huff but unlikely to try to move Barry Zito.
- The White Sox are looking to extend John Danks but haven't made an offer to A.J. Pierzynski. They also announced Omar Vizquel will be back on a one-year, $1.75MM deal.
- Sticking in the AL Central, the Tigers and Jhonny Peralta are nearing completion on a new two-year, $11.25MM contract to keep the infielder in Detroit.
- The Nationals are looking to make a splash this offseason, and we heard earlier today that Cliff Lee will listen to their pitch. They also released Tyler Walker this week.
- It's a bit out of the ordinary for them, but the Pirates are planning on pursuing free agent starting pitching to strengthen their rotation.
- The Yankees will be all over Cliff Lee, we know that much. We learned this week though, that Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth are not in their offseason plans.
- The Marlins offered Dan Uggla a four-year deal, beginning with an $8MM salary in 2011, but the second baseman is looking for five years.
- Hisanori Takahashi will seek a three-year deal worth $4MM or $5MM annually.
- World Series MVP Edgar Renteria may have had his option declined (no surprise there), but he also announced this week that he does intend to play in 2011. Obviously, he'll be taking a pay cut.
- The Padres exercised Adrian Gonzalez's 2011 option, but GM Jed Hoyer said he'll listen to offers on his first baseman as well as All-Star closer Heath Bell.
- The Pads declined their 2011 option on Chris Young. Yorvit Torrealba declined his half of his mutual option with San Diego as well. Ditto for Jon Garland.
- Tons more option news this week; we'll try to list them all here. The Red Sox picked up David Ortiz's option and announced they'd do the same with Scott Atchison, while declining their options on Felipe Lopez and Bill Hall. Adrian Beltre declined his player option.
- The A's picked up Coco Crisp's option as well as their option on Mark Ellis.
- The Braves picked up options on Alex Gonzalez and Omar Infante, while declining options for Rick Ankiel and Kyle Farnsworth.
- The Rockies declined their option on Octavio Dotel and their option on Jeff Francis.
- The Reds exercised Bronson Arroyo's option, while we learned in this piece that they'll do the same with Jonny Gomes, but not Orlando Cabrera or Aaron Harang.
- Milwaukee declined options on Gregg Zaun, Trevor Hoffman, and Doug Davis.
- Arizona declined its option on Adam LaRoche, as did the Nationals with Adam Kennedy, the Orioles with Mark Hendrickson, the Blue Jays with Kevin Gregg, and the Rangers with Vladimir Guerrero.
- The Rays declined options on Dan Wheeler and Willy Aybar, while the Mariners declined options on Erik Bedard, Russell Branyan, and Jose Lopez.
- The Mets picked up their 2011 option on Jose Reyes, and Aramis Ramirez exercised his player option.
- Scott Podsednik declined his side of his mutual option with the Dodgers and hit free agency.
- In addition to all of the options that were declined, several other names were added to the free agent list after being outrighted by their teams, including Casey Kotchman, former top prospect Andy Marte, and Scott Olsen of the Nationals. Check out the Transactions section for all of the news from the week — dozens of minor moves took place.
Cardinals Rumors: Westbrook, Rhodes, Hudson
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talks free agency and trades in his latest column, suggesting that GM John Mozeliak will attempt to fill the Cardinals' holes with a mix of both approaches. Here are the other notes of interest from Strauss:
- No deal with Jake Westbrook is imminent, according to Mozeliak, but "sources familiar with talks" are optimistic about the negotiations. The two sides are currently discussing a two-year contract, perhaps with an option for a third year, Strauss says.
- The Cardinals are reluctant to sign Type A free agents and surrender high draft picks, which may prevent them from pursuing a player like Arthur Rhodes.
- With Jason LaRue retired and Matt Pagnozzi outrighted, the Cards will be in the market for a backup catcher. I don't think we can look at the backup from solely a catch-and-throw standpoint," Mozeliak said. "We need to consider offense, too."
- "Strong sentiment exists" to acquire a veteran third baseman as insurance for the oft-injured David Freese.
- Mozeliak sounds more likely to seek middle infield help through trades than free agency. According to Strauss, however, Orlando Hudson is a free agent who has received "internal support" as a second base target.
Cliff Lee Will Listen To Nationals’ Pitch
This winter's battle for Cliff Lee's services is widely viewed as a two-team race between the Yankees and Rangers, but those aren't the only clubs with a strong interest in the left-hander. MLB.com's Bill Ladson says the Nationals, who are hoping to land a front-line starting pitcher this offseason, will receive an audience with Lee.
Washington is a team Lee "has to learn more about," according to Ladson's source, so it's possible the Nationals could become a dark horse candidate to sign Lee after the 32-year-old hears what they have to say. Still, as Ladson notes, the Nats may be more inclined to trade for a starter rather than signing one of the top free agent arms. Here's what GM Mike Rizzo said in September when he discussed the team's desire for a top starter:
"We need a front-of-the-rotation guy to put everybody in their proper place in the rotation. That's the number one priority going into the offseason. We definitely have depth – prospect wise – to pull off a deal for a pitcher."
For a primer on the starting pitching available this winter besides Lee, check out our posts on the free agent market for righties and lefties, and the trade market for righties and lefties.
New York Notes: Lee, Backman, Garland, Balfour
Let's check out the latest rumblings out of the Big Apple….
- Like Bill Madden of the New York Daily News did yesterday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post examines the Yankees' backup plan if they're unable to land Cliff Lee.
- When Sherman polled eight executives about Lee's destination, six predicted the left-hander would end up in a Yankees uniform – the Rangers got the other two votes. One AL exec's thoughts: "Lee is all about the money. His agent is all about the money. And the Yanks have the most money."
- ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link) expects the Red Sox to get involved in the Lee sweepstakes, perhaps in an attempt to drive the price up for the Yankees.
- Wally Backman told Peter Botte of the New York Daily News that his three-hour interview with Sandy Alderson for the Mets' managerial opening "went very well."
- Dan Martin of the New York Post names Jon Garland and Grant Balfour as a couple possible free agent targets for the Mets.
- A pair of Star-Ledger writers, Marc Carig and Andy McCullough, preview the offseason for the Yankees and Mets respectively.
Athletics Win Hisashi Iwakuma Bid?
SUNDAY, 10:00pm: Iwakuma's agent Don Nomura tweeted about the Athletics winning the bidding, it appears.
SUNDAY, 8:55am: NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman passes on a pair of Japanese reports suggesting that Rakuten will accept the top bid for Iwakuma, which could be higher than $16MM (Twitter links).
SATURDAY, 1:48pm: Rosenthal writes that the A's "are believed to have made a strong push" for Iwakuma. He speculates that if the Brewers are willing to part with Casey McGehee, they could potentially match up for a trade with Oakland given their need for pitching.
1:07pm: Rosenthal says that the Athletics also bid on Iwakuma (Twitter link) with the idea trading one of the excess starters for a bat if they landed him. The FoxSports.com scribe adds that the Rangers may have bid too low.
12:11pm: FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal tweets that the Rangers may be the high bidder for Japanese righty Hisashi Iwakuma. Last night we heard that the Mariners were the favorite to land him. In a second tweet, Rosenthal says that Texas definitely submitted a bid, but there's no guarantee that the Rakuten Golden Eagles will accept the high bid. They were seeking $16MM-17MM in the posting process.
The Rangers had tremendous success bringing Colby Lewis over from Japan last year, so it makes sense that they'd explore that avenue again. Iwakuma is widely considered to be the second best starting pitcher in Japan behind Yu Darvish.
The bidding closed last night, and reports out of Japan indicated that Seattle submitted a bid of $13MM. Iwakuma was also said to prefer the West Coast.
Nationals Offered Dunn Three-Year Deal
The Nationals have had a three-year contract offer on the table to Adam Dunn for the last three months, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Now that the Nats' exclusivity window has closed, Dunn is free to negotiate with any club, but it doesn't appear that the Nats will add the fourth year that the slugger is seeking. A person "familiar with Dunn's thinking" tells Ladson that there's less than a 50/50 chance the first baseman returns to Washington.
Reports throughout the year have gone back and forth on the likelihood of Dunn playing for the Nats in 2011. In August, it appeared certain he was headed for the open market, while in September, Dunn seemed optimistic about working something out with the team. Now, it appears that the length of the deal is the primary sticking point.
Ladson says not to expect the Nationals to wait too long on Dunn now that they're allowed to negotiate with other free agents. There are other first base options that interest the club, including Carlos Pena, Aubrey Huff, and Adam LaRoche, so they won't want to miss out on the opportunity to pursue those players.