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Quick Hits: Shields, Giambi, Sizemore, Beltran

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After one of the greatest, wildest, sloppiest and most exciting games in baseball history, we're going to see a Game Seven tomorrow night.  It will be the first seventh game in the Series since the Angels needed the maximum to beat the Giants in 2002.

As we prepare for the last game of 2011, here are some news items….

  • In an interview with 620-WDAE radio (reported on by Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times), James Shields says he thinks the Rays will pick up his $7MM option for 2012 and he will pitch for the team next season.  The Rays are a near-lock to pick up Shields' option but they could shop the right-hander for a trade this winter.  
  • Smith also notes that Shields' option could be worth as much as $8MM depending on an innings-pitched incentive clause and how Shields fares in AL Cy Young voting.
  • Jason Giambi is considering declining his side of his $1MM mutual option for 2012, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post.  We heard last month that the Rockies were going to pick up their side of the option, so the decision appears to be up to Giambi.
  • If Grady Sizemore had played his exact career with another team and the Indians had a chance to sign him, the Tribe wouldn't even consider the move, argues Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.  That's how Pluto frames the Indians' decision about Sizemore's $9MM option for 2012.
  • The Red Sox and Giants will both be contenders for Carlos Beltran this winter, reports Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (Twitter link).
  • The Angels should rehire former scouting director Eddie Bane, opines Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles.  Bane was fired by then-GM Tony Reagins last year but still has a good relationship with owner Arte Moreno and team president John Carpino.
  • The week's minor league transactions are recapped by Matt Eddy of Baseball America.
  • After getting burned on the Michael Gonzalez and Kevin Gregg signings, "it’s unlikely that the Orioles will spend big money on a closer" this winter, says Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.

Padres Notes: Byrnes, Aristy, Roster Moves

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Happy 48th birthday to Bip Roberts, who joined the Padres via the Rule 5 draft and went on to play seven seasons in San Diego.  Some news from the modern-day Friars…

  • Josh Byrnes' rise from low-paid Indians intern to the Padres' new general manager is profiled by MLB.com's Corey Brock.
  • Prospect Alvaro Aristy, who signed with the Padres in July 2008 for a $1MM bonus, has been discovered to have lied about his age and name, reports Ben Badler of Baseball America.  Aristy's real name is Jorge Leandro Guzman and he is about two and a half years older than his claimed age (16) when he signed with the Padres.  Guzman is now 22 and still a prospect in the club's system.  The Padres were able to recoup about $900K of their bonus from an insurance claim.
  • Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune discusses such topics as the Padres' front office shakeup, how Byrnes has learned from his previous stint as a GM in Arizona and who the Padres might retain on their 40-man roster during his weekly live chat with fans.

David Price Among Those Reaching Super Two Status

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Players with two years and 146 days of Major League service time will qualify for Super Two status, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned.  This was the same cutoff point that was predicted by CAA in April, and as MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote six months ago, it is "a decidedly late cutoff."  In 2010, the cutoff date was two years and 122 days of service, while the 2009 cutoff was two years and 139 days.

Click here to refresh yourself on the details of the Super Two process, but to summarize, Super Two players will earn a fourth year of salary arbitration (as opposed to the usual three) before reaching free agency.  So, all players with less than three years of service time but at least 2.146 (two years, 146 days) of service time quality as Super Twos.

This year's crop of Super Twos includes some of the top young arms in the game — David Price, Rick Porcello, Daniel Bard, Gio Gonzalez, Jordan Zimmermann and Tyler Clippard.  Ryan Roberts is also a Super Two, so he could be in line for an extra payday in the wake of his breakout 2011 season.

Draft/Int’l Spending Cap Discussed In CBA Talks

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A hard slotting system for the amateur draft is no longer the main issue holding up a new collective bargaining agreement, a source tells Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (Twitter link).  Still being discussed, however, are caps on both overall draft spending and for international signings.

Negotiations over the slotting system were thought to be the last obstacle to a new deal between Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association.  Bud Selig has been vocal about limiting draft bonuses as a way of ensuring that richer teams don't have an advantage in selecting amateur players, while the MLBPA has been equally adamant about retaining amateur players' ability to negotiate the best possible contracts.  It has been reported by Buster Olney that MLB could yield on this issue since the league doesn't want to enter protracted labor negotiations.

A "draft cap" would have to be quite high for the MLBPA to consider anything that would limit player salaries.  A compromise could be an adjustable cap based on draft order, which Goldstein reports is also being discussed.  Teams with poor records and high first-round choices would have more money to sign their picks, whereas successful teams picking near the bottom of the first round would have a smaller draft cap under which to operate.

SI.com's Melissa Segura reported earlier today that an international signing cap could be in the range of $2-$2.5MM, though it wasn't certain if this total was for all international signings or just for those from the Dominican Republic. 

Boras Kidding About Reworking Cano’s Contract

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6:32pm: Boras was just joking about a new contract for Cano, the agent tells George A. King III.  "Cash [Brian Cashman] and I have talked three or four times in the last three days. My statements were in jest. Cash always returns my phone calls,'' Boras said. "My conversations with Cash about Robinson have nothing to do with the options. We fully expect the options to be exercised."

9:57am: Agent Scott Boras phoned Yankees GM Brian Cashman to discuss the possibility of re-working Robinson Cano’s contract, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. Boras says he’s hoping to remove the 2012 and 2013 options on the second baseman’s deal and work out a new contract.

"I called Cash to ask about dropping the options and he hasn't returned the call," Boras told King.

The four-year, $30MM extension Cano signed under different representation in 2008 includes a $14MM team option for 2012 and a $15MM team option for 2013 ($2MM buyout). The Yankees are sure to pick up Cano’s 2012 option and it would be a surprise if they don’t exercise his 2013 option a year from now.

While there's no harm in asking to re-structure the deal, the Yankees aren't under any obligation to do so. Unless Boras and Cano prepared to make concessions of their own, the Yankees can keep Cano at a relative bargain for the next two years. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that it's "highly, highly unlikely" that the Yankees will re-work the deal (Twitter link). Boras successfully re-worked Francisco Rodriguez’s contract with the Brewers this summer.

NL East Notes: Wilson, Brown, Mets, Hanley

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Some news from the NL East…

  • "Folks seem to think the Nationals are going to make [a] big play for C.J. Wilson," tweets Jon Heyman from Sports Illustrated.  Heyman thinks the Nats will offer Wilson a contract worth around $75-80MM.  In August, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes thought Wilson could fetch a $100MM deal this winter given the lack of quality starters in the free agent market, but Wilson's postseason struggles will probably prevent him from that nine-figure contract.
  • Dealing Domonic Brown or keeping him in the minors in 2012 would be a short-sighted move for the Phillies, argues CSNPhilly.com's Casey Feeney.
  • "With supply seemingly exceeding demand" on the free agent closer market this winter, the Mets can look beyond the biggest names (Heath Bell, Francisco Rodriguez, Ryan Madson and Jonathan Papelbon) and still find a solid closer at a reasonable price, writes Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.  Rubin also says the Mets are looking for another left-handed reliever to pair with Tim Byrdak, as the club worries that Danny Herrera will become less effective as opponents become more familiar with him.
  • The Marlins haven't discussed moving Hanley Ramirez away from shortstop or asking Ramirez about a position change, club president David Samson tells MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
  • From that same piece, Samson says the Marlins will be "very active" this winter with their expected rise in payroll.  "We're going to be very aggressive, but we're not going to be foolish," Samson said.  "That's the key. When you raise your payroll, you've got to do it smartly, because if you don't, you are losing 90 games at a higher payroll."
  • The Braves haven't yet decided if they will exercise Eric Hinske and Nate McLouth's 2012 options, reports David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  McLouth's $10.65MM option will certainly be bought out for $1.25MM, that's a no-brainer.  As for Hinske, he's a useful reserve — he can play first base and both corner outfield spots, and he had a .754 OPS against right-handed pitching last season.  Hinske's option is worth just $1.5MM so my guess is Atlanta brings back the former AL Rookie of the Year.

Fred Lewis, Chad Reineke Elect Free Agency

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Fred Lewis and Chad Reineke have elected free agency, according to Reds assistant director of media relations Jamie Ramsey.  Both players made their decision earlier in October.

Lewis signed a one-year, $900K deal with Cincinnati in January and looked to add some left-handed hitting depth to the Reds' outfield.  Lewis, however, hit .230/.321/.317 in 210 plate appearances this season, with all but 13 of those PAs coming against right-handed pitching.  He was also caught five times in seven steal attempts and spent time on the DL with an oblique injury.

Reineke, 29, appeared in just two games with the Reds last season and has seven Major League appearances (five of them starts) to his name over three seasons.  The right-hander re-signed with Cincinnati last year after entering free agency, so don't be surprised to see Reineke ink another minor league deal with the Reds sometime this winter.  Reineke had a 3.84 ERA in 25 games (22 starts) with Triple-A Louisville in 2011.

Manager Notes: Red Sox, Maddon, Martinez, La Russa

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Let's round up some manager links as we wait for Game Six of the World Series…

  • Torey Lovullo and Joe McEwing aren't on Ben Cherington's initial list of interview candidates for the Red Sox manager's job, reports Joe McDonald of ESPN Boston.  "Among those expected to get some consideration" from the Sox include DeMarlo Hale, Sandy Alomar Jr., Ryne Sandberg, Dave Martinez and Pete Mackanin.  McDonald also lists Ken Macha and Terry Pendleton as longer-shot possibilities.
  • Dale Sveum and Tim Wallach are also mentioned as candidates by Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.  Lauber also reports that Rangers pitching coach Mike Maddux "is interested in becoming a manager."
  • "Honestly, I love where I work and who I work with," said Rays manager Joe Maddon when asked by WEEI.com's Rob Bradford about pursuing another manager's job elsewhere. "For me it isn't always about money. I really am humbled by that thought, but at the end of the day I am a Ray and I want to be a Ray."
  • Maddon went on to say that Dave Martinez, his bench coach with the Rays, is "ready in the dugout, for sure," but he could have a tough time adjusting to the media responsibilities that come with being the manager of a big market team, like most people would.
  • In another WEEI.com piece, Alex Speier passed along a quote from Jack Sands, agent for Cardinals manager Tony La Russa, who appeared on the Dennis & Callahan Show last week. “Tony loves Boston,” said Sands. “Many years ago, he was really thinking this might be a place he might like to come to. … When he first came over to St. Louis, he really was an American League guy. He loved the DH. But now, he loves the double switches. We’ve seen what’s happened in the playoffs. He loves working that bullpen. So I seriously doubt that he would come back to the American League at this point.”

Free Agent And Trade Market For Third Basemen

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The Tigers, Angels, Cubs, Marlins and Rockies will likely pursue starting third basemen this offseason and clubs like the Yankees and Braves could be in the market for bench help at the hot corner. Here's a preview of the offseason third base market.

Starting Third Basemen Available In Free Agency

Aramis Ramirez stands out as the top free agent third baseman available. He won't cost a draft pick and, as it turns out, neither will any of the offseason's other free agent third basemen. Wilson Betemit, who posted a .795 OPS in 2011, is another everyday option.

Quality Backups

Eric Chavez, John McDonald, Craig Counsell, Greg Dobbs, Jerry Hairston Jr., Omar Vizquel and Aaron Miles warrant consideration from teams looking for backups. Casey Blake and Mark DeRosa struggled to stay on the field, but both have succeeded in everyday roles before. Kevin Kouzmanoff and Andy LaRoche, two former A's third basemen, should receive interest, if not Major League deals.

Non-Tender Candidates

Ian Stewart, Mike Aviles and Adam Rosales could be cut loose or traded by the December 12th non-tender deadline.

Thinking Outside The Box

Perhaps former shortstops like Orlando Cabrera, Jamey Carroll could play third regularly. There's also Yonder Alonso, who could be available in trades. If you really want to dream, imagine free agent Albert Pujols at third. He played seven games at the hot corner this offseason, but realistically he's a first baseman.

Other Trade Candidates

David Wright and Kevin Youkilis are the biggest names we might see on the trade market. Casey McGehee, Alberto Callaspo and Ty Wigginton could also conceivably be traded. Padres GM Josh Byrnes may entertain offers for Chase Headley and the Orioles' new GM could move Mark Reynolds or Chris Davis. Blake DeWitt and Jeff Baker of the Cubs may also be available. Chone Figgins could likely be had given the Mariners' internal options at third.

Check out the full free agent list, as well as our articles on the markets at catcher, first base, second base and shortstop.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Mitch Stetter

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Here are today's outright assignments…

  • The Brewers announced that they outrighted left-hander Mitch Stetter to Triple-A. Stetter, 30, appeared in 16 games for the Brewers in 2011, but spent most of the season on the disabled list with a left hip injury. He has a 4.08 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 86 innings over the course of five seasons with the Brewers. Milwaukee's 40-man roster now stands at 39.

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