Olney On Mauer, Morneau, Wright, Royals
Twins GM Bill Smith told ESPN.com’s Buster Olney that Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau are totally committed to arriving at Spring Training in top physical form. The Twins’ chances in 2012 revolve around Mauer, who had knee surgery in December, and Morneau, who is recovering from concussion symptoms. Here are the rest of Olney’s notes from around MLB…
- Mauer has discussed a ‘rigorous’ training program with the Twins’ staff.
- The Twins will also have to restructure their bullpen and decide how Tsuyoshi Nishioka fits into their plans this offseason.
- The Mets are expected to listen to offers for David Wright, who would presumably draw interest from the Rockies and Angels, among others.
- Rival teams are in awe of the Royals’ collection of promising position players, Olney writes. Kansas City is still waiting for its pitching prospects to develop.
AL East Notes: Robertson, Granderson, Aviles
A few items of note out of the AL East, where the Yankees lead the Red Sox by 2 1/2 games through Thursday's action …
- Yankees setup man David Robertson has pitched so well this season that Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders whether we're watching the development of Mariano Rivera's heir apparent as New York's closer. Rivera is under contract through next season.
- Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson is in the thick of MVP talks because of his stellar season, writes Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com, but he's also an affable, charitable, humble and highly intelligent person. He's the Yankees' player rep for the MLBPA and is one of two league-wide reps along with Craig Counsell of the Brewers. Crasnick's piece is an excellent read.
- Not much was thought of it when the Red Sox acquired Mike Aviles from the Royals, but the utility infielder is preparing himself for what could be an important postseason role, writes Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. Aviles isn't a prototypical burner but is an efficient basestealer, according to Bradford, and could pinch-run in the postseason in a big spot — a la Dave Roberts in 2004.
NL Central Notes: Astros Sale, Mills, Cubs GM
A couple notes regarding the Astros and Cubs, residents of the NL Central (for now).
- MLB commissioner Bud Selig has already asked prospective Astros owner Jim Crane to move the team to the AL West if he's approved as owner, a source tells Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. Crane's purchase of the Astros could still be approved even if he doesn't consent to the league switch, according to the source.
- Houston second-year manager Brad Mills wants to remain with the Astros to see their young players mature and lead the team back to relevance, writes McTaggart. "When you have such a change like we've had, you'd like to see that through," Mills said. The Astros picked up Mills' 2012 option last season, and they hold an option on him for 2013.
- The Cubs GM vacancy is a hot topic these days, so Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune has written up a power rankings of potential candidates. Leading the way is Andrew Friedman of the Rays.
Francisco Cordero’s 2012 Option
Even at a cursory glance, Reds closer Francisco Cordero's $12MM 2012 club option stands out as one of the likeliest to be declined. That's not a jab at Cordero or the season he's put together; in fact, he's quietly enjoying a campaign that ranks among his finest: 31 saves, a 2.34 ERA and 0.96 WHIP entering Thursday's action.
Cordero will turn 37 next May, however, which represents the greatest obstacle to his hefty option being exercised. And although his surface stats indicate he's still plugging along in prime form, the peripherals suggest things aren't so rosy.
Cordero's strikeout rate has dipped each of the past four seasons, all the way down to a single-season career low of 5.69 K/9 in 2011. He's managed to limit his walks to a respectable 2.48 BB/9, and his groundball rate has spiked up to nearly 52 percent, but if you put all of this in the xFIP blender, it churns out an ugly 3.91 figure. SIERA is a bit kinder at 3.49, but either number still suggests the ERA may be a product of some good fortune.
For his part, Cordero seems to be angling for a new deal with the Reds, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, implicitly conceding that the option is likely a no-go:
“I want to stay here,” he said, “whether they pick up the option or try to work something out. They’ve got a decision to make. I’m willing to negotiate a new deal.”
Between his age, subtle decline, and the wealth of closers on the free-agent market this offseason, Cordero and his representatives at Proformance won't have much negotiating leverage, whether that be with the Reds or another team. Considering he'll be shopping his services for his ages 37 and 38 seasons, he'd do well to get a two-year deal with a total value in the $8-10MM range, although I could just as easily see him settling for one year in in a buyer's market.
As for Cordero's potential suitors, it's too soon to start guessing about the closer carousel, but I think the Reds could find a home for him. They're still undecided about Aroldis Chapman's role, and Nick Masset and Logan Ondrusek profile more as workhorse setup types.
Quick Hits: MVP, V-Mart, Wang, Bullpens
A few stray items of note on this Thursday evening …
- MVP voters who omit pitchers from their ballots should be recused from voting, opines Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com. Voting rules stipulate that all players, including pitchers and DHs, be considered for the MVP, so Justin Verlander and Roy Halladay are legitimate candidates, explains Ringolsby.
- The Tigers' signing of Victor Martinez to a four-year contract is proving to be one of the better moves of the offseason, opines Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com.
- Nationals righty Chien-Ming Wang has been durable upon returning to the big leagues after missing two-plus years to injury, but he has trouble warming up his surgically repaired right shoulder before starts, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Because of this, Wang, a free agent at season's end, has been struggling early in his starts before settling in.
- Each of the eight likely playoff teams boasts a strong relief tandem, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Half of them were formed in the past year: Last offseason, the Diamondbacks traded for David Hernandez and signed J.J. Putz, and the Tigers signed Joaquin Benoit. In July, the Brewers traded for Francisco Rodriguez and the Rangers acquired Mike Adams.
Giants Place Tejada, Rowand On Release Waivers
The Giants have placed infielder Miguel Tejada and outfielder Aaron Rowand on waivers for the purpose of their unconditional releases, tweets Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.
Both Tejada and Rowand were designated for assignment on Aug. 31, so it appears GM Brian Sabean could not trade either player, as Schulman notes.
Tejada, 37, hit .239/.270/.326 in 343 plate appearances with San Francisco after signing a one-year, $6.5MM contract in November 2010. Rowand, 34, hit .233/.274/.347 in 351 PAs. The Giants had to eat the balance of his 2011 salary plus the $12MM he's owed for 2012.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Blake Davis
The latest players to get outrighted to Triple-A…
- The Orioles outrighted Blake Davis to their Triple-A roster after the infielder cleared waivers, according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun. Davis, 27, appeared in 25 games for the Orioles this year, posting a .254/.323/.390 line in 65 plate appearances. He played short, second and third in the Major Leagues and also appeared in the outfield at Triple-A.
NL East Notes: Marlins, Rodriguez, Davis
Links from the NL East, as the Mets and Braves start the first of two games at Citi Field…
- There is a sense that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria and president David Samson will be taking on bigger roles in making player personnel decisions, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (on Twitter). That would mean less autonomy for president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest and general manager Michael Hill, who are nominally in charge of baseball moves.
- Ivan Rodriguez will be a backup catcher for the Nationals for the rest of the season, but he says he'd like to play four more years in the Major Leagues, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- Mets first baseman Ike Davis told ESPNNewYork’s Adam Rubin that he won’t have surgery to help repair the left ankle sprain that has sidelined him since May (Twitter link).
- Click here to read about the Braves' starting pitching depth and how it could affect their offseason.
Marlins Release Alfredo Amezaga
The Marlins released Alfredo Amezaga, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter). They had designated the 33-year-old utility player for assignment on Monday.
The Marlins acquired Amezaga from the Rockies for minor league infielder Jesus Merchan last month. In 87 plate appearances for Colorado and Florida this season, Amezaga has a .182/.247/.195 line. He has appeared at second, short, third and both corner outfield positions. In parts of nine big league seasons, Amezaga has a .247/.307/.333 career line.
Jason Isringhausen Plans To Pitch In 2012
Jason Isringhausen told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that he intends to pitch next year. The 39-year-old right-hander, who picked up his 300th career save this summer, hits free agency after the season.
Isringhausen has turned in a solid year for the Mets after signing a minor league deal last offseason. He has a 4.05 ERA with 8.5 K/9, 4.6 BB/9 and a 39.1% ground ball rate in 46 2/3 innings. Isringhausen didn't pitch in MLB last year, but his average fastball still reaches 90.6 mph. However, as Rubin notes, Isringhausen has a herniated disc that is pinching a nerve and leading to discomfort in his right foot, so he won't pitch for several days. He won't be tied to draft pick compensation after the season, as our latest projections show.
Isringhausen said last month that he isn't going to return to MLB for $500K. Check out CloserNews.com for everything you need to know about fantasy closers.