Archives for June 2011

Dodgers File For Bankruptcy

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2011 at 8:41am CDT

The Dodgers filed for bankruptcy, tweets Richard Sandomir of the New York Times. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times reports that owner Frank McCourt loses the franchise upon filing under MLB rules, but bankruptcy court generally overrides that. This is McCourt's next move as he fights to keep the Dodgers.

McCourt's goal appears to be to have his MLB-rejected Fox deal approved in bankruptcy court, based on this Shaikin tweet. If the team's creditors sign off on the Fox deal, Shaikin says MLB would then have to explain to the bankruptcy court why the deal should be vetoed (Twitter link). Shaikin notes that McCourt says he has $150MM in interim financing to cover the costs of operating the team until then. He'll need almost $30MM to meet the Dodgers' payroll on Thursday. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the union has informed the Dodgers players that they will be paid on time.

Shaikin lists McCourt's largest creditors per the bankruptcy petition: Manny Ramirez ($21MM), Andruw Jones ($11MM), Hiroki Kuroda ($4.5MM), and Rafael Furcal ($3.7MM). Click here to enjoy the full list, on which Kaz Ishii makes an appearance.

Elias Rankings Update

By Tim Dierkes | June 27, 2011 at 7:35am CDT

After the season the Elias Sports Bureau will take all players over the 2010-11 period, divide them into five groups for each league, and rank them based on various statistics. Then each player will be labeled a Type A, B, or none. Those designations and the possible accompanying arbitration offers determine draft pick compensation (click here for a refresher).

Eddie Bajek has reverse-engineered the Elias rankings, and he's providing that information exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors. Here's a look at how the players rank for the period beginning with the 2010 season running through June 25th, 2011. The Google spreadsheet below has separate tabs for each position group and can also be found directly here.

Poll: Jim Riggleman’s Option

By Dan Mennella | June 26, 2011 at 8:11pm CDT

Jim Riggleman's resignation last week has been an interesting study in discourse. Typically, it's advanced metrics that fuel our debates about players, but the recurring talking points with respect to Riggleman's acrimonious departure from Washington have been professionalism and ethics more so than wins and losses.

Riggleman tendered his resignation moments after a galvanizing win for the Nats, when they moved one game over .500 (38-37) with a walk-off victory over the Mariners. Apparently, Riggleman had been angling for Washington to pick up his 2012 club option for a while, but the team was not especially interested in considering that at that juncture.

Jon Heyman of SI.com tweeted that it made no sense for the Nats not to pick up Riggleman's option. The team had played well under him, after all. The Nats, however, merely viewed Riggleman as a place-holder manager until the team was ready to win, wrote Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. After all, Riggleman has just a .445 winning percentage in parts of 12 seasons as a big league manager.

If you were the Nats, would you have exercised Riggleman's option, or would you have allowed him to resign?

Manager Notes: Riggleman, McLaren

By Dan Mennella | June 26, 2011 at 7:09pm CDT

Jim Riggleman's sudden resignation from his post as Nationals manager continues to elicit some interesting responses across the baseball landscape. Here's a couple items of note:

Former Royals and Cardinals skipper Whitey Herzog, who was shocked by Riggleman's decision, shared some interesting opinions with Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Herzog points out that Riggleman carried himself well when he was fired by the Padres and Cubs — the difference now is that Riggleman feels Nationals president Stan Kasten tried to low ball him by paying him less than what most managers are paid.
As for Riggleman's future, Herzog told Hummel: If there's a team looking for a manager, they would be crazy not to hire him.That sentiment seems to be the exception among industry insiders and pundits, but it's worth noting that Herzog gave Riggleman his first coaching job in the bigs, so it seems like there's a personal relationship there.
Interim manager John McLaren, who yielded to new manager Davey Johnson after Sunday's game, will become a West Coast scout for the balance of 2011, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
McLaren considered leaving the Nats when Riggleman resigned, according to Ladson, but he decided to stay at Riggleman's behest and after having productive talks with GM Mike Rizzo.
McLaren admitted he was hurt that he was not allowed to finish out the season as Nats skipper but harbors no ill will after patching things up with the organization.

MLBTR Originals: 6/19/11 – 6/25/11

By Dan Mennella | June 26, 2011 at 6:09pm CDT

Here's a look back at the original work that was published here at MLBTR last week:

For contenders with deep pockets, there are some intriguing, if highly compensated, players that could probably be had easily, writes Tim Dierkes.
Yunel Escobar's extension with the Jays has its advantages for both the player and team, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Looking for a lefty reliever? Tim has the rundown on which guys might be available.
Finding a backup backstop who can hit is no easy task, as Ben writes.
Pending-free-agent Jamey Carroll spoke with Tim. Carroll is also a trade candidate.
A handful of contenders could use an upgrade at third base. Others need help at shortstop.
In a season of great parity, it's tough to figure how many sellers are out there. Tim considers this question.
Tim conducted his weekly chat with MLBTR's loyal readers.
Ben had a look at how baseball's newest $100MM-plus players are faring so far this season.
Are the Twins playoff contenders? Ben asked that question and set up a poll for your input. The results are interesting.
Carlos Quentin's bounce-back season has him poised to earn a contract extension with the White Sox, writes Mark Polishuk.
Jim Riggleman's departure from the Nats prompted Howard Megdal to examine whether winning managers find new jobs.
The steal-happy Blue Jays are reaping the benefits of their aggressiveness on the basepaths, according to Ben.
Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around the baseball blogosphere. Among the topics: Matt Kemp, Hanley Ramirez, Jeff Francis and Geovany Soto.

Week In Review: 6/19/11 – 6/25/11

By Steve Adams | June 26, 2011 at 5:02pm CDT

The trading deadline is now just a little over a month away, but for now, here's a look back at the last seven days, which were oddly enough headlined by a slew of managerial news:

It began with Edwin Rodriguez stepping down as the Marlins manager. He was eventually replaced by 80-year-old Jack McKeon, who managed the team in their 2003 World Series championship season.
Shockingly, Jim Riggleman resigned from the Nationals just a few days later over a contract dispute, despite having just brought the team to above .500. We saw a wide variety of media reactions, and while John McLaren was selected to manage in the interim, it didn't take long for Davey Johnson to be appointed the new manager.
The Blue Jays made a long-term move when they locked up Yunel Escobar to a deal that will pay him $10MM over the 2012-13 seasons and includes a pair of club options. At that price, Escobar should be a bargain for the Jays.
Phillies' starter Roy Oswalt left his start this week after just two innings, and has said that the back problems he's experiencing could be career-threatening.
The Cardinals will be without Albert Pujols for as many as six weeks after the game's best player fractured a bone in his wrist last weekend. Here's some media reactions to the crushing blow.
Mets fans hoping for a last-minute contract extension for Jose Reyes shouldn't hold their breath; Reyes won't discuss contract issues in-season and will hit the open market.
Yankees fans across town shouldn't get too excited about Reyes either though, as GM Brian Cashman said this week that the superstar won't be coming to the Bronx Bombers.
Francisco Rodriguez, on the other hand, would consider a trade to the Yankees as well as one to the Rays.
The Phillies, Reds, and Mariners have all inquired on Ryan Ludwick.
It sounds like the Giants will have an active month coming up. Their top priority is catching help, and they learned that George Kottaras is available. Beyond that, they're interested in Yorvit Torrealba, and they've also inquired on Mark Ellis for help in the infield.
The Rockies will be eyeing starting pitching at this year's deadline, but they'll have some competition on that front from several other teams, including the Reds.
The Cardinals will be looking for bullpen help, as will the Phillies, according to GM Ruben Amaro Jr.
The Pirates acquired Josh Rodriguez from the Indians, the same player they selected in the Rule 5 Draft only to return him just a few weeks into the season. In other Bucco-related news, GM Neal Huntington is keeping his lips sealed about extension talks for Paul Maholm.
Rangers GM Jon Daniels is scouting Japanese phenom Yu Darvish. There have been reports that the 24-year-old wants to pitch in MLB in 2012, but it would have to happen via the posting system, as he's not a free agent until 2014.
Major League Baseball rejected Frank McCourt's deal with FOX.
I was going to do a quick rundown of picks to sign, but the Rays have so many that they need their own bullet. The club signed both supplemental rounder Brandon Martin (bonus unknown) and second rounder Lenny Linsky (approximately $392K). They also inked first rounder Jake Hager ($963K), as well as supplemental rounders Jeff Ames ($605K) and James Harris ($490K).
Believe it or not, other teams did indeed have early picks (I swear!) and some signed this week. The Cardinals inked first rounder Kolten Wong for $1.3MM, the Angels signed first rounder C.J. Cron for $1.467MM, and the Mets agreed to sign supplemental rounder Michael Fulmer.
Several familiar names were released this week: The Phillies released J.C. Romero, the Indians released Jensen Lewis, the Cardinals released Miguel Batista, and the Padres requested release waivers for Jorge Cantu. To follow all of the week's transactions, use the Transactions tag, follow @mlbtrtrans on Twitter, or use MLBTR's Transaction Tracker.

Quick Hits: Deadline, Reds, Asdrubal, Pirates, Rox

By Steve Adams | June 26, 2011 at 3:54pm CDT

Another assortment of links for your Sunday viewing pleasure…

Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union Tribune opines that Major League Baseball should push the trading deadline back. Sullivan's piece includes quotes from Padres GM Jed Hoyer and Yankees GM Brian Cashman, and is an excellent read. Sullivan reminds us that in 2004, there was a 50-50 split in a GM poll that asked whether they'd prefer to move the deadline to August 15 or keep the status quo.
Reds GM Walt Jocketty is sticking with the combination of Edgar Renteria and Paul Janish in lieu of promoting top prospect Zack Cozart (and presumably making a trade as well), writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Jocketty praises the glove work of Janish and Renteria.
Orlando Cabrera may not be setting the world on fire with the Indians, but Ken Rosenthal's latest column suggests that the move may have a benefit that goes beyond the stat sheet; during Spring Training, O-Cab encouraged Asdrubal Cabrera, saying he shouldn't be afraid to "let it fly" after marveling at the shortstop's power in batting practice. Asdrubal has already belted a career-high 12 homers.
Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazzette writes that Pirates manager Clint Hurdle is working with the front office to re-evaluate the offense. The Bucs have looked outside the organization to make improvements, but other teams weren't ready to deal.
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post looks at the Rockies' need for starting pitching in the wake of Jorge de la Rosa's injury, but says the Rox need something more than a fourth or fifth starter in any trade. He also opines that Clayton Mortensen and Greg Reynolds should get a look before any big moves are made.

NL East Notes: Mets, Fish, Phillies, Johnson

By Steve Adams | June 26, 2011 at 2:18pm CDT

A roundup of NL East-centric links for those who are so inclined…

Steve Popper of NorthJersey.com writes that it's time for the Mets to begin dealing, as pieces like Jose Reyes, and especially Carlos Beltran, can only lose value from here.
Bobby Valentine and Ozzie Guillen top Marlins' owner Jeffery Loria's list of preferred managerial candidates, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post.
As the Phillies and Red Sox get set to square off this week, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo takes a look at some of the high points (rotation, bullpen) and low points (right-handed hitting, plate discipline) for the Phillies. He names Josh Willingham and Beltran as logical targets for the Phils this July, though notes that their payroll constraints may not allow it.
Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post says (via Twitter) that he believes Davey Johnson will be managing the Nationals in 2012.
MLB.com's Bill Ladson tweets that former bench coach and current interim manager John McLaren will be a scout for the Nationals after Johnson takes over. Today is McLaren's last game in uniform.

AL East Notes: Hughes, Montero, Blue Jays, Rays

By Luke Adams 2 | June 26, 2011 at 12:35pm CDT

Just when it seemed like the AL East standings were becoming a little less bunched up, the Red Sox dropped four straight and the Rays won seven of eight. New York, Boston, and Tampa Bay are now separated by just two games, as the Rays look for a sweep in Houston while the Sox hope to avoid one in Pittsburgh. Here are today's links from around the division:

The Yankees will need to add another starting pitcher if they hope to win a championship this season, writes Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News. He notes that starter doesn't necessarily have to come from outside the organization though – it could be Phil Hughes.
Rival evaluators have taken note of Jesus Montero's decline in offensive production this year, says ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider only). According to Olney, it's led to some speculation that the Yankees could push to trade Montero this season "in an effort to recoup some value."
Within Nick Cafardo's Sunday column for the Boston Globe, he writes that Jason Frasor may be the prize of the Blue Jays' bullpen at next month's trade deadline. Cafardo adds that teams figure to inquire on Marc Rzepczynski, but he's the one Jays' reliever who definitely "isn't going anywhere."
DRaysBay's Steve Slowinksi breaks down Andrew Friedman's trade history in a piece for the St. Petersburg Times. Slowinski concludes that Friedman has netted the Rays 20 extra wins while also saving a sizable chunk of salary.

Nationals Hire Davey Johnson As Manager

By Zachary Links | June 26, 2011 at 12:01pm CDT

SUNDAY, 12:01pm: The Nationals have officially announced that Johnson will manage the team for the rest of the season, according to a press release. Johnson also agreed to a three-year consulting contract, so while he won't necessarily manage the team past 2011, he'll remain in the organization and will play a role in the hiring of his successor.

SATURDAY, 11:50am: MLB.com's Bill Ladson reports that the Nationals will announce the hiring today (Twitter link). Interim manager John McLaren is managing the team today according to Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider.

FRIDAY, 10:45pm: Johnson's contract runs through 2013, according to Jon Heyman of SI (via Twitter).

9:47pm: The Nationals will name Davey Johnson as their new manager, a source familiar with the situation tells Nick Friedell of ESPNChicago.com. The 68-year-old will manage the team for the rest of the season and next season, pending league approval.

Johnson's first game as manager will be Sunday afternoon when the Nats wrap up a three-game series with the White Sox, a source told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine. An official announcement could come as soon as tonight.

Johnson, who is a senior adviser with the Nationals, last managed in the majors in 2000 for the Dodgers but served as the skipper for the United States baseball team in 2003. Johnson won a World Series in 1986 as the manager of the New York Mets and has a career MLB managerial record of 1148-888.

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