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Odds & Ends: Mets, Varitek, Crawford, McClendon

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Thursday night links, as the Rangers and Yankees move one win closer to meeting in the ALCS….

  • The Mets will interview three GM candidates in the coming week, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News: Rick Hahn, Allard Baird, and Josh Byrnes.
  • Terry Francona hinted in a WEEI interview that Jason Varitek's time as a Red Sox may be nearing an end, says Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
  • When asked about the possibility of returning to Tampa Bay next year, Carl Crawford replied, "You always keep that little ounce of hope," according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
  • Danny Knobler of CBS Sports (Twitter link) thinks former Pirates manager and current Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon should be getting consideration for managerial openings around the league.

Diamondbacks Notes: Johnson, Parker, Webb

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Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall told fans in an MLB.com chat today that cutting down on strikeouts next year is essential for the D'Backs, whether it be "by new approach or by player personnel moves." Here are a few other Arizona-related items of interest:

  • Pitching will be the main priority this winter, with Hall suggesting the team will "fix the bullpen and add a starter." Hall notes that new GM Kevin Towers is a believer in first improving the back end of the bullpen and eventually working toward the rotation.
  • Arizona plans to have Kelly Johnson in its Opening Day lineup next spring. Johnson, a potential trade candidate, enjoys playing in Arizona, according to Hall.
  • Top prospect Jarrod Parker appears to be recovering nicely from Tommy John surgery, throwing his fastball in the mid-90s in an Instructional League game today. Still, Hall doesn't think Parker will be competing for a rotation spot in the spring; he expects the right-hander to start the season in the minors.
  • Brandon Webb also pitched in Instructional League action today, allowing three hits and a pair of runs in two innings of work, according to the team's official Twitter feed. John Tomase of the Boston Herald writes that 21 teams were in attendance to scout Webb, who will now be shut down until January, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Ramon Hernandez

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Ramon Hernandez was on the wrong side of history last night, as part of a Reds lineup that couldn't scratch out a single hit against Roy Halladay. But on the whole, 2010 has been a successful year for the Cincinnati backstop. Hernandez signed a one-year, $3MM contract with the Reds last winter, which included a vesting option for 2011. The 34-year-old fell short of playing the 120 games needed to guarantee his return to the Reds, so he could be heading to free agency this winter. Let's break down his stock, as the Reds prepare for Friday's game….

The Pros

  • Hernandez posted the best OBP and third-best OPS of his career in 2010. His final totals in 352 plate appearances were .297/.364/.428, which represents his best slash line since 2006.
  • His play behind the plate still appears solid. He threw out more than a third of potential basestealers and allowed just two passed balls over the last two seasons.
  • The Reds have a pre-arbitration catcher in Ryan Hanigan, and, as Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News points out, their minor league system seems to be "catcher-rich." As such, there's a chance the Reds will decide not to offer Hernandez arbitration, in which case he wouldn't cost a draft pick to sign.

The Cons

  • Hernandez split time this year with Hanigan, who earned 58 starts. Given that he'll turn 35 in May, Hernandez's days of playing 120+ games behind the plate might be behind him.
  • In addition to his age, Hernandez's health may be a concern. After undergoing knee surgery in 2009, the veteran spent some time on the disabled list in 2010 with knee soreness.
  • Unlike free agent catchers Victor Martinez and John Buck, Hernandez doesn't hit for much power anymore. He hit just 12 longballs during his two years in Cincinnati.
  • Hernandez projects as a Type A free agent, so if he turns down an arbitration offer from the Reds, clubs may be reluctant to give up a high draft pick to sign him.

The Verdict

Whether or not the Reds offer Hernandez arbitration will play a significant role in what sort of contract he earns this offfseason. If the team makes an arbitration offer, the catcher could very well accept it, knowing that his Type A status might hurt his open market value. Even without an arbitration offer, Hernandez may not do better than a one-year deal, given his age and injury history. While his productive 2010 campaign should earn him a raise on last year's $3MM salary, it appears to be a buyer's market for catchers.

Managerial Notes: Porter, Samuel, Padres

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As Marlins executive Larry Beinfest recently pointed out, it's a good time to be a managerial candidate in the major leagues. Here are the latest updates on the many openings around the game:

What They Were Saying: AL Central GMs

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Ever wonder how Dave Dombrowski was perceived before he ran the Marlins and long before he ran the Tigers? Keep on reading to see how he and the rest of the American League Central General Managers were described when they were hired as GMs for the first time (and click here to read about some top AL East execs):

Chris Antonetti

“Back when he was an unpaid Montreal Expos intern, pocketing 25 cents per ice cream cone sold at Florida State League games, Chris Antonetti understood the value of seeing a plan to its fruition. At least, you'd have to assume he did.

"Because how else would you explain someone who had recently completed the University of Massachusetts sports management graduate program hawking Drumsticks in the 100-degree heat for a little cash on the side?” – Anthony Castrovince, MLB.com,  April 13th, 2010

Dayton Moore

“Now 39, well-dressed, with a graying brush cut, Moore is serious about building a team in the manner of his mentor with the Braves, John Schuerholz, who ideally had three or four homegrown players competing each season for major league roster spots. Moore wants to develop the type of prospects who, if necessary, can be dealt for established major leaguers, as the Braves did last year.” – Richard Sandomir, The New York Times, June 25th, 2006

Bill Smith

“Bill Smith didn't play the game and learn to scout it like [former Twins GM] Terry Ryan. His beginning as a baseball executive began in a non-traditional way. When Smith was finishing at Hamilton College in upstate New York, the winter meetings were being held nearby in Toronto. Professors were skeptical about him skipping his last classes, but he wanted a job in the sport … The son of a Coast Guard officer, a native of New Hampshire, and a French major at Hamilton, Smith fit that bill with a background he called a 'little bit off the wall.'" – Dave Campbell, The Associated Press, September 14th, 2007

Kenny Williams

"Don't expect the 36-year-old Williams – formerly the White Sox' minor-league director – to go into the [approaching team] meetings with a wheel-and-deal mentality … 'I really needed to get a handle on things at the organizational meetings because I've been so absorbed with the minor-league system,' Williams said.” – Scot Gregor, The Chicago Daily Herald, November 2nd, 2000

Dave Dombrowski

“In Montreal, the new boss is the same age or younger than five of his
 Expo players, and folks are more than a trifle puzzled. David Mark Dombrowski is 31.

"Cherub-faced, he looks younger. Buck Rodgers, the Expos' manager, was in Double A ball before his new
 boss was born. More than a few of Dombrowski's fellow general managers in the major leagues could pass for his grandfather. Beaver Cleaver, for crying out loud, is older than Dombrowski.

"So, folks wonder, who is this young whippersnapper and how is it that
 he can become the general manager of a major-league baseball club before his 32nd birthday? Well, it helped Dombrowski that he has an aggressive-but-amicable personality, good baseball acumen and a slick ability to pass himself off as someone who has spent 31 years in administration rather than 31 years on earth. It helped that he was the recipient of a break several years ago from 
the late Bill Veeck.

"And it helped that he was in the right place at the right time, a much-needed antithesis to the drab, ineffective Bill Stoneman, whom he replaced last week as the Expos' man in charge of player-related matters.” – Marty York, The Globe & Mail, July 16, 1988 

Odds & Ends: Halladay, Dodgers, De La Rosa

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Links for Thursday, as we await another day of playoff games. It will be nearly impossible to match the show Roy Halladay put on in his playoff debut last night, but October baseball is always worth following…

  • Former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he was surprised not to see better offers for Halladay when the right-hander was on the market last year. "We kept sitting there saying, ‘This is Roy Freaking Halladay! Do people know?’ Not only will you have him for this year, but you’ll have him for next year."
  • Dodgers executive De Jon Watson told Tom Krasovic of AOL FanHouse that Zach Lee and James Baldwin are two farmhands to watch. The 2010 draftees are impressing their new organization with their play so far. (Baldwin, the son of former MLB pitcher James Baldwin, is an outfielder.)
  • Krasovic also says the Rockies “likely will lose” Jorge de la Rosa to free agency this winter. GM Dan O’Dowd recently said re-signing the left-hander is an offseason priority for the team.
  • The Marlins outrighted Brett Carroll, Hector Luna, Mike Rivera, Taylor Tankersley and Tim Wood, which means those five players are no longer on the team’s 40-man roster.

Mets Rumors: Boras, Hart, Alderson

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It's been another frustrating year for Mets fans, but the organization is looking for a new GM and at least one major agent says the team is capable of much better. Here are the details:

  • The Mets have about seven top GM candidates and a longer list of 30 people they'd consider for the job, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com.
  • The Mets will interview White Sox assistant GM Rick Hahn for their GM vacancy, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.
  • Agent Scott Boras told Dan Martin of the New York Post that the Mets have what it takes to turn the team around. "The issue is transferring the success they enjoy in business and operating revenue issues and getting it to the field," Boras said. "I know they're working hard."
  • Boras said the Mets are a "valid option" for his free agents and added that New York City is "a great place to play."
  • Former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart told Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he has interest in becoming the next Mets GM. Now a senior adviser to the Rangers, Hart does not appear to be a leading candidate for the job, according to Sherman.
  • The Mets "definitely" consider MLB executive Sandy Alderson a GM candidate, according to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com hears that Alderson would not need MLB's permission to take an offer from the Mets (Twitter links).

Matsuzaka Remains In Boston’s 2011 Plans

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Physical conditioning and improved secondary pitches have placed Daisuke Matsuzaka firmly in Boston’s projected 2011 rotation. A Red Sox source told Alex Speier of WEEI.com that Matsuzaka is “very much” a part of the organization’s plans going forward. The Red Sox won’t try to trade the pitcher, partly because they saw improvement over the course of the 2010 season.

"To look where we were with him in March, and where we are now, I think we feel a lot better about it now,” GM Theo Epstein said.” Along the way there’s been consistent velocity that we hadn’t seen the last couple years, and some improvement in the secondary stuff, even as recently as his last couple starts, so again more positive signs to take into the winter."

Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, John Lackey, Josh Beckett, Tim Wakefield and Felix Doubront give Boston more rotation depth than most teams, but the organization expects to rely on seven or eight starters over the course of a full season, so Matsuzaka is likely staying put.

Peter Gammons suggested on WEEI last week that the Red Sox could flip Matsuzaka to the Mets for Carlos Beltran, but the Red Sox appear to have little interest in Beltran, according to Speier.

Third Base Options For The Indians

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Indians GM Chris Antonetti told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that finding a third baseman will be one of his main jobs this winter. Here’s a look at needs, options and possible solutions for the Tribe:

The Goal

It would make sense to sign someone who can play third for a year while Jared Goedert and Lonnie Chisenhall develop into major league regulars. Goedert, 25, batted .283/.358/.532 with 27 homers in the upper minors this year. Chisenhall, who turned 22 this week, had a strong season at Double-A, but likely needs seasoning. 

Antonetti told Hoynes that he’d like to see improved infield defense next year, so free agents who can hold their own at the hot corner will appeal to Cleveland's front office.

The Options

Jayson Nix, Cord Phelps, Luis Valbuena and Andy Marte are internal options for the Indians, but none of the four have guarantees and it seems more likely that the Indians will add someone from outside the organization.

Adrian Beltre is a fantastic defender, but he has set himself up for a long-term deal and the Indians are probably not looking to make a long-term commitment to a third baseman given their minor league depth at the position.

Lots of other third basemen hit free agency this winter; the Indians could approach Jorge Cantu, Melvin Mora, Miguel Tejada, Brandon Inge or Juan Uribe about a deal. All of those players should draw interest from multiple teams – Inge has discussed a deal with the Tigers – but there should be plenty of alternatives.

Joe Crede has a reputation as a good defender and could look to return next year after sitting out the 2010 season. Felipe Lopez and Pedro Feliz could also be considerations for the Tribe, but, like Crede, both come with question marks.

Kevin Kouzmanoff, Jose Lopez and Edwin Encarnacion are all non-tender candidates and could be available via trade or, by December, free agency.

A Possible Solution

The Indians have lots of choice, but here’s one solution I’d like to see: longtime Indian Omar Vizquel paired with Edwin Encarnacion (if he’s non-tendered). Vizquel, a switch-hitter who handles right-handers better than left-handers, could face tough righties and be a late-game defensive replacement at third and short. Encarnacion, who mashes lefties, could start against all southpaws and lots of right-handers. 

The Indians may not have the chance to sign either player and even if they’re both available, there are surer ways for Antonetti to improve his infield defense than combining a 44-year-old with someone who has played below average defense in every season of his career (Encarnacion’s career UZR/150 is -11.7).

But Vizquel can still get on base (.341 OBP in 2010) and play all around the infield and Encarnacion definitely has power. It’s one fun option to think about, even if the Jays decide Encarnacion is worth $5-6MM in arbitration and Vizquel re-signs with the White Sox.

Dioner Navarro Leaves Rays

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Before the playoffs began, it seemed unlikely that the Rays would need Dioner Navarro in 2011. The catcher’s chances of returning now appear even slimmer, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Navarro, who wasn’t on the postseason roster for the Division Series, told the Rays he was going home, even though the organization asked him to stay with the team and work out in case of an injury.

Navarro earned $2.1MM this year in his second season as an arbitration eligible player. He spent about a third of the year in the minors, partly because he hit just .194/.270/.258 and partly because of John Jaso’s emergence.

Jaso and Kelly Shoppach (already under contract for 2011) give the Rays two catchers, so they don’t need Navarro. The 26-year-old is just two seasons removed from an All-Star game selection, but he has shown little pop since. 

The Dodgers, Marlins, Reds, Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox and Padres are among the teams that could be looking for catching depth this winter. At this point, Navarro is coming off of a second consecutive disappointing season and appears to be at odds with the Rays, so his trade value has dropped substantially. It appears likely that the Rays will instead non-tender Navarro this offseason.

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