Epstein, Hoyer To Join Cubs; Byrnes In As Padres’ GM
2:18pm: The deal is done, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (on Twitter). Hoyer will join Epstein in Chicago and Byrnes will become the Padres' new GM.
10:47am: The Red Sox and Cubs are "finalizing" an agreement that would bring longtime Red Sox GM Theo Epstein to Chicago, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. The teams are expected to announce the deal tomorrow, as MLB has told the Cubs they can hold a news conference during the World Series travel day. Brett Jackson, Trey McNutt and Matt Szczur will not join the Red Sox in the trade, but another prospect will, according to Levine.
The Cubs will name Jed Hoyer their GM within a few days, Levine reports (Epstein would be the club's president of baseball operations). However, the Cubs have not officially asked for permission to interview Hoyer. The Padres will make Josh Byrnes their GM and won't demand compensation for losing Hoyer, according to Levine.
Alex Speier of WEEI.com confirms that Epstein is expected to be named the Cubs' president of baseball operations with Hoyer joining him as general manager. Compensation between the Cubs and Red Sox hasn't been finalized yet, Speier reports.
Epstein is "close" to joining the Cubs, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of SI.com confirms that Hoyer is also joining the Cubs and notes that Josh Byrnes is becoming San Diego's GM (Twitter links).
Twins Outright Dinkelman, Dumatrait
The Twins announced that they outrighted utility player Brian Dinkelman and left-hander Phil Dumatrait to Triple-A. They now have 36 players on their 40-man roster.
Dinkelman, 27, made his Major League debut this year, appearing in 23 games and getting regular playing time in September. He played second, left and right and finished the season with a .301/.346/.315 line in 78 plate appearances. In 526 Triple-A plate appearances this year, the 2006 draft pick posted a .243/.316/.324 line.
Dumatrait, 30, appeared in 45 games for the Twins this year, posting a 3.92 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 41 1/3 innings out of the bullpen. MLBTR's Steve Adams noted in early September that the success of Glen Perkins and Brian Duensing's likely move to the 'pen made Dumatrait expendable.
MLB, Union Progressing In CBA Talks
MLB and the MLB Players’ Association are making “significant progress” toward a five-year extension of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. The sides aren’t likely to reach a deal before the weekend, but they could agree to terms before the World Series ends.
MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner confirmed to Strauss that there is “no lack of urgency” when it comes to finalizing a deal. Weiner said no one issue represents an overwhelming obstacle in the negotiations, though many issues have yet to be fully resolved. Strauss heard from another source who says the sides are working out the “nuts and bolts” of a new deal.
Baseball’s current CBA expires on December 11th, but it appears to be in both sides’ best interests to complete a deal by the time free agency begins in early November. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported this week that players and owners remain far apart on the issue of hard slotting for draft bonuses. Rosenthal also said a deal could occur during the World Series.
Offseason Outlook: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays will work within their budget in an attempt to boost their offense, but they don’t intend to sacrifice run prevention along the way.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Ben Zobrist, UT IF: $12.78MM through 2013
- Evan Longoria, 3B: $13.5MM through 2013
- Wade Davis, SP: $11.6MM through 2014
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
- David Price, SP: $5.9MM
- Jeff Niemann, SP: $2.7MM
- Andy Sonnanstine, RP: $1.1MM (non-tender candidate)
- B.J. Upton, OF: $7MM
- J.P. Howell, RP: $1.4MM (non-tender candidate)
- Joel Peralta, RP: $1.8MM
Contract Options
- Kelly Shoppach, C: $3.2MM club option with a $300K buyout (no Elias ranking)
- Kyle Farnsworth, RP: $3.3MM club option with a $650K buyout (Type A)
- James Shields, SP: $7.5MM club option with a $2MM buyout (Type A)
Free Agents
- Casey Kotchman (unranked 1B), Johnny Damon (unranked DH), Juan Cruz (unranked RP)
Andrew Friedman realizes the Rays' offense could be better and he'd like to improve it. But it's not as simple as adding a couple of sluggers. If improving the offense means sacrificing pitching and defense, the Rays may well pass.
The Rays may hold onto their starting pitching depth instead of peddling arms for a power hitting first baseman or DH, even though such restraint would disappoint their possible trade partners. After the Rays were eliminated from the playoffs in early October, Friedman said starting pitching depth is "everything" for his team. His statement won’t prevent other clubs from calling about Tampa's starters, but the success of Matt Moore and Alex Cobb doesn't make James Shields, Jeff Niemann, David Price, Wade Davis and Jeremy Hellickson expendable — far from it. Injuries can strike unexpectedly and the Rays can't afford elite free agent pitchers, so they depend on their ability to develop arms.
This doesn't mean they'll be as quiet on the trade market as they were this summer, however. They could be tempted by an offer for a starter, as they were last offseason when they sent Matt Garza to the Cubs. Perhaps B.J. Upton, the subject of countless trade rumors over the years, will finally be dealt. He boosted his trade value by posting a 1.038 OPS over the course of an impressive final month and would be sure to draw interest if he's available. If the Rays trade Upton, they could move Desmond Jennings to center field and start searching for a left fielder (assuming they view Sam Fuld as a fourth outfielder).
The Rays, who don't operate with a traditional set payroll, will probably exceed the $42MM they committed to the 2011 club. If they pick up the options for Shields and Farnsworth, as expected, and retain all arbitration eligible players other than non-tender candidates J.P. Howell and Andy Sonnanstine, they'll have committed roughly $44MM, not including minimum salary players. The Rays drew fewer fans than every American League team except the Athletics and owner Stuart Sternberg says the Rays' current stadium situation is "untenable as a model going forward," so it's hard to imagine much of a payroll boost.
Despite these fiscal restraints, this offseason could be less daunting than last winter. At least the Rays won't have to watch their division rivals snap up their best players, as they did a year ago when the Red Sox signed Carl Crawford and the Yankees picked up Rafael Soriano. Meanwhile, replacing Juan Cruz will seem easy after seeing six relievers depart last year. The Rays will add an reliever or two, but the emergence of Brandon Gomes and Jake McGee means Friedman won't face another bullpen overhaul.
As usual, the Rays will build through trades and modest free agent signings while ignoring the top free agent attractions. Their clearest positional weaknesses exist at first base, designated hitter and catcher. Rays backstops combined for a .607 OPS (27th in MLB), so there's room for improvement behind the plate. At $3.2MM, the team will likely decline Kelly Shoppach's option, but they like his defense enough that they could try to re-sign him. They could also pursue a trade for a catcher, such as Chris Iannetta, or hope Robinson Chirinos and Jose Lobaton can adjust to MLB pitching and produce the way they did in the minors. I wonder if the Rays could envision a situation where Jorge Posada joins them as a part-time catcher and designated hitter against right-handers (as Joel Sherman has suggested).
Free agents Johnny Damon and Casey Kotchman could return in 2012. If Kotchman's strong all-around season prices him out of the Rays' budget, they may have to wait until late in the winter and hope to repeat their success with another low-risk deal. The Rays also figure to express interest in affordable first basemen and designated hitters in trade talks.
The Rays strike early when they're interested in extending a player. Price, however, is heading for unchartered territory in arbitration (along with Clayton Kershaw) and seems too expensive for the Rays to keep around long-term. They do have other extension candidates this offseason and while there's no rush to extend Hellickson or Jennings, the Rays are aggressive when it comes to locking up core players early in their careers. Agent Scott Boras would likely advise against a long-term deal for Jennings if it meant capping his earning potential and/or providing Tampa Bay with multiple team options.
Beating the payroll odds is becoming an artform for the low-budget Rays. Alex Rodriguez and Mark Teixeira will combine to out-earn the Tampa Bay roster on their own next year. Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford won't be far behind. Yet the Rays have three postseason berths in the past four seasons — as many as the Yankees and one more than the Red Sox — despite the discrepancy. But unlike the Yankees and Red Sox, the Rays have never won it all. To compete for a title again next year they'll need another successful offseason. Friedman and his front office must find a first baseman and a designated hitter, sort out their catching situation and tinker with the bullpen, all while weighing the risks and benefits of pulling the trigger on a trade.
Quick Hits: Red Sox, Wilson, Johnson, CBA
Links for Wednesday night as the Rangers and Cardinals get the World Series started in St. Louis…
- When Rangers GM Jon Daniels was trying to break into baseball, he applied for an internship with the Red Sox, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Ben Cherington, now Boston's GM-in-waiting, was in charge of hiring a new intern for the Red Sox and he chose Jed Hoyer, now the Padres' GM, over Daniels. “I remember [Daniels'] quick mind and intelligence and I thought he had a resilience about him,” Cherington told Speier.
- The Blue Jays scouted at least eight of C.J. Wilson's starts this season, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun (on Twitter). The Jays could use starting pitching, as I explained earlier in the week, but their scouting trips may simply have been due diligence.
- Kelly Johnson of the Blue Jays chatted with FanGraphs' David Laurila about the challenge of changing leagues and the way he uses stats and video to improve his game.
- ESPN.com's Buster Olney hears that MLB isn't close to adding a slotting system for draft bonuses in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. Executives doubt that Bud Selig would "dig in and fight" for slotting, since it could mean a prolonged dispute.
Orioles GM Rumors: Dipoto, Levine
Arizona's Jerry Dipoto interviewed for the Orioles' GM opening yesterday, and Toronto's Tony LaCava is scheduled for today. The latest:
- Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that Dipoto has a “good shot” at the job (Twitter link).
- The Orioles originally planned to interview at least four candidates, according to Steve Gould of the Baltimore Sun. They've interviewed Dipoto and Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava so far and it would be surprising if they don't interview more people.
- Dipoto will also interview for the Angels job, and Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com expects him to get one of the two GM positions. Kubatko notes that the Orioles are likely to reassign director of player development John Stockstill, replacing him with coordinator of minor league instruction Brian Graham.
- Kubatko hears Rangers executive Thad Levine could be interviewed later, but he'd be surprised if the Orioles hire him (Twitter link). Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun believes Levine will be interviewed if the Orioles haven't hired someone by the end of the World Series. The Rangers' assistant GM is an Alexandria, Virginia native who told MLBTR he "grew up a big Orioles fan."
- Connolly tweets that as of Tuesday evening, the Orioles had not asked permission to talk to Levine, the Dodgers' De Jon Watson or Logan White, or the Angels' Tony Reagins, and the Marlins' Dan Jennings may be denied permission. He also considers the Tigers' Al Avila a longshot.
Minor Moves: Shane Lindsay
We’ll keep track of the day’s minor moves right here…
- Shane Lindsay elected free agency, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. The White Sox had outrighted the right-hander to create roster space last week. Lindsay, a native of Melbourne, Australia, had a cameo with the White Sox this year after spending most of the season in the upper minors. He posted a 2.18 ERA in the minors despite an alarming walk rate of 7.5 per nine innings. Lindsay did strike out 11.5 batters per nine in 70 1/3 combined innings at Double-A and Triple-A.
- Eddy has more on the latest minor transactions from around baseball.
Padres Rumors: Front Office, Lackey, Bell
The latest Padres rumors:
- Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts met with Padres owner Jeff Moorad, Byrnes and Hoyer during the regular season finale, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com.
- Most baseball people expect Hoyer, not Byrnes, to join Epstein in Chicago, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- The Padres have internally discussed the possibility of acquiring John Lackey from the Red Sox if Boston takes on most of the right-hander's salary, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Lackey pitched for the Angels when Padres manager Bud Black was the team's pitching coach.
- When Theo Epstein joins the Cubs, he'll likely bring along someone from the Padres front office, according to Center. GM Jed Hoyer, assistant GM Jason McLeod and senior VP of baseball operations Josh Byrnes are candidates to join Epstein in Chicago.
- Contract talks have begun between the Padres and Heath Bell, tweets Center. The Padres are aiming for a two-year deal with an option, while Bell wants three guaranteed years. He's never had a multiyear deal in his career. Center recently wrote that the Padres are in the two-year, $15-16MM range. If no deal can be worked out, the Padres must decide by November 23rd whether to offer arbitration to the Type A reliever.
- Theo Epstein wouldn't tell the people he'd want to bring to Chicago until he's officially part of the Cubs, a source close to Epstein tells Dan Hayes of the North County Times (Twitter link). The source believes recent rumors are "just speculation." Yesterday, SI's Jon Heyman reported that Epstein is interested in poaching some combination of top Padres executives Jed Hoyer, Jason McLeod, and Josh Byrnes. Today, Heyman writes that Hoyer is "definitely in the mix for a job with the Cubs once Epstein officially goes to Chicago."
- Tom Krasovic thinks that if Hoyer joins the Cubs he'd bring McLeod with him. Byrnes, a favorite of Padres owner Jeff Moorad, would likely become San Diego's GM.
Angels To Interview Ng, Interested In Levine
7:55pm: The Angels will interview Rick Hahn of the White Sox and Tory Hernandez, their own manager of baseball information, along with Oppenheimer, Eppler, Ng and Dipoto, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (Twitter links). The interviews will likely take place in the coming week.
12:18pm: The Angels are also interested in Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine, report Olney and Mark Saxon. Levine has ties to the area, having worked for the Dodgers for a year and earned his MBA from UCLA.
10:59am: The Angels will interview Kim Ng for their GM opening, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Ng currently works for MLB with a focus on international operations. She was previously the Dodgers' assistant general manager for nine years, and interviewed for three GM vacancies during that time. Before that, Ng was assistant GM with the Yankees and also worked for the White Sox and MLB. Ng, who ranked tenth on our list of GM candidates, would be the first female to take on the role.
So far we've heard that Diamondbacks' Jerry Dipoto and the Yankees' Damon Oppenheimer and Billy Eppler will be interviewed for the Angels GM job. Owner Arte Moreno outlined his criteria earlier this month.
NL East Notes: Hanley, Phillies, LaRoche
MLBTR has offseason outlooks for the Nationals, Marlins and Mets with pieces on the Braves and Phillies coming soon. Here’s the latest on the NL East…
- Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen didn't rule out a position change for Hanley Ramirez, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Guillen says he's happy as long as Ramirez is on the field every day.
- One insider told Jon Heyman of SI.com that he could see Jose Reyes ending up with any NL East team. Ramirez has said he'd change positions for Reyes, who is a possible fit in New York and Washington. I can't see Reyes ending up with the Braves.
- Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer points out that the Phillies have some flexibility on their 40-man roster. Phillippe Aumont and Sebastian Valle are locks for 40-man roster spots this offseason, according to Gelb. Jiwan James could be on the bubble and may be exposed during this winter's Rule 5 draft.
- The Nationals didn’t promise Adam LaRoche that he’ll have the starting first base job in 2012, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson (on Twitter). Until Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols sign elsewhere, rumors and speculation will link them to the Nationals, who haven’t been afraid to spend in recent years and aren’t so far away from contending.