Latest On Orioles’ GM Search: Avila, Ricciardi
The Orioles are searching for a successor to Andy MacPhail and we learned yesterday that they received permission to interview Diamondbacks executive Jerry Dipoto. Today, they're continuing to reach out to general manager candidates around the league. Here are the latest updates on Baltimore's search:
- The Marlins (Dan Jennings) and Tigers (Al Avila) can prevent top executives from interviewing with the Orioles, as Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun points out. Both Jennings and Avila are on long-term deals, so it's possible that the Orioles would have to offer their teams compensation to complete a deal. The Marlins have denied teams permission to interview Jennings three times before, according to Connolly.
- There's a sense that the Orioles haven't requested permission to speak with Avila or Dodgers executives Logan White and De Jon Watson, according to Connolly (Twitter link).
- Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com hears that the Orioles haven't yet contacted J.P. Ricciardi about their job opening (Twitter link).
- The Orioles received permission to interview Blue Jays assistant GM Tony LaCava, according to Connolly (Twitter links). The interviews for LaCava and Dipoto haven't been set up yet and are expected to take place in Baltimore next week.
- For more on LaCava and Dipoto, check out MLBTR's GM Candidate pieces from earlier in the summer.
- The Orioles contacted the Marlins seeking permission to interview Dan Jennings, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (Twitter links). However, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria is in Europe, so the decision is on hold.
Red Sox Owner On Crawford, Epstein, Lucchino
Red Sox owner John Henry joined 98.5 The Sports Hub this afternoon to deny that Boston's upper management smeared Terry Francona and the Red Sox in the Boston Globe this week. He also discussed a number of Red Sox-related issues. Here are the details:
- Henry says he "personally opposed" the signing of Carl Crawford, but deferred to Boston's baseball operations department. Neither the Crawford signing nor the Adrian Gonzalez deal was a public relations move, according to Henry.
- Henry didn't deny that Theo Epstein has talked to another club, but he declined to comment further until there's something to announce. The Cubs are in the process of making Epstein their GM.
- Though Henry would have liked for Epstein to be Boston's GM for 20 years, he realizes "you don't always get what you want" and that being the GM in Boston comes with an immense amount of pressure.
- Henry expects CEO Larry Lucchino to sign a multiyear extension this offseason. His contract expires this year.
- Henry added that he wants to own the Red Sox for as long as he can.
White Sox Outright Four, Release Pena
The White Sox announced that they outrighted right-handers Kyle Cofield, Josh Kinney and Shane Lindsay and left-hander Leyson Septimo to Triple-A. They also requested unconditional release waivers for right-hander Tony Pena after reinstating him from the 60-day disabled list. All five players will become free agents and the White Sox now have 36 players on their 40-man roster.
Cofield, 24, spent the 2011 season in the upper minors, where he posted a 3.30 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 30 innings. Kinney appeared in 13 games for the White Sox, striking out more than one batter per inning. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted an impressive 2.77 ERA with 9.6 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 61 2/3 innings.
Lindsay, a native of Melbourne, Australia, had a cameo with the White Sox after spending most of the season in the upper minors. He posted a 2.18 ERA in the minors this year despite an alarming walk rate of 7.5 per nine innings. Septimo posted a similarly high walk rate (6.6 BB/9) in 56 innings at Double-A this year. Lastly, Pena, who was traded for Brandon Allen in 2009, appeared in 17 games for the White Sox this season.
Cubs Notes: Epstein, Byrnes, Pena
The Cubs and Red Sox are now discussing compensation for GM Theo Epstein. Here are the latest Cubs-related notes as we await an official announcement about the leadership change…
- There’s a “good chance” that Epstein hires Padres executive Josh Byrnes to work with him in Chicago, according to Tom Krasovic of Inside the Padres (on Twitter). Byrnes, the D’Backs’ former GM, worked with Epstein in Boston.
- Carlos Pena told the Chicago Sun-Times that he's excited to see what the Cubs can do under Epstein. Pena, a free agent after the season, hinted that Epstein's presence makes Chicago an even more desirable place to play.
- Bradley Woodrum of CubsStats.com loves the Epstein hire for the Cubs, but wouldn't trade prospect Brett Jackson for the rights to the new GM.
- Check out Tim Dierkes' preview of the Cubs' offseason.
Cubs, Red Sox Discussing Epstein Compensation
1:41pm: The Red Sox are insisting that Epstein cannot bring any of his top assistants with him to Chicago, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com hears that negotiations may continue until Tuesday. MLB teams are prohibited from making major personnel announcements during the World Series, which begins Wednesday, so the Cubs may want to secure Epstein’s services by early next week.
8:00am: The Cubs and Red Sox are discussing compensation for Theo Epstein and Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune hears that the Cubs are insisting on paying cash, while the Red Sox are asking for one or more players. The negotiations could get contentious, but there are no concerns that the deal will fall through, according to Sullivan.
The Red Sox are looking for "something real" in exchange for Epstein, according to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald. However, it seems unlikely that the Cubs will have to part with a Major League player. The quality of the prospects the Red Sox obtain could be tied to how many front office employees Epstein can bring with him to Chicago, according to Nick Cafardo and Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
The Cubs agreed to a five-year deal with Epstein earlier this week. Ben Cherington, Boston's assistant GM, will be promoted to replace Epstein.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Epstein, Votto, Sabathia
Seven years ago today, the Brewers claimed Derrick Turnbow off waivers from the Angels. The then-27-year-old emerged as Milwaukee's closer the next year, saving 39 games with a 1.74 ERA and 64 strikeouts in 67 1/3 innings. Turnbow saved another 24 games the next year, but his 6.84 ERA was a sign of things to come. Extreme control problems doomed the right-hander, and he's been out of baseball since suffering a shoulder injury while in camp with the Marlins last spring.
Here is this week's collection of links from around the baseball blogosphere. Enjoy.
- Rooftop View says Cubs fans have every reason to be excited over Theo Epstein.
- Over The Monster wrote about Epstein's legacy with the Red Sox.
- The Sporting Nerds discussed the recent revelations about the Red Sox's clubhouse culture.
- Camden Crazies says Andy MacPhail's tenure with the Orioles was just okay.
- Brotherly Glove discussed the futures of Ryan Madson and Jimmy Rollins.
- Crashburn Alley says the Phillies biggest need is patience at the plate.
- Rankings Professor lists the top five most likely landing spots for Jose Reyes.
- Jays Journal wonders about the possibility of Joey Votto being traded to the Blue Jays.
- Deep Left Field thinks the Indians should get involved in talks for Votto.
- Capitol Avenue Club doesn't think the Braves need to import any relievers this offseason.
- The Nats Blog lists five reasons why the Nationals won't be in the mix for CC Sabathia.
- Yankees Fans Unite mused about the future of the Yankees rotation.
- The Yankee Analysts asks which pitcher should the Yankees pursue: C.J. Wilson or Yu Darvish? (part one, part two)
- River Ave. Blues explains why the Yankees shouldn't trade Jesus Montero.
- Bluebird Banter questions the Blue Jays' rotation going into next year.
- Royals Reviews reminds us that at some point, Dayton Moore's team must win.
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness says the Dodgers can improve with marginal upgrades.
- Pirates Prospects looked at some free agent catcher options.
- U.S.S. Mariner listed four cheap roster upgrades for the Mariners.
- Colorado Rockies' Analyst wonders if Ian Stewart can have an Alex Gordon-like breakout in 2012.
- Giants Nirvana ponders a Matt Cain extension.
- Beyond The Box Score thinks the Marlins should sign Mike Stanton long-term.
- Rays Insider wonders if it's time for the Rays to extend Matt Joyce.
- DRays Bay wrote about some catching options for the Rays.
- Rays Colored Glasses lists the Rays trade candidates for this offseason.
- Ol' Ball Game explains how the Marlins can contend next year.
- Mets 360 lists five reasons why the Mets should not re-sign Chris Capuano.
- District on Deck assess the Nationals' managerial options.
- The Platoon Advantage looked at the stereotypes of each position.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Twins Outright Rivera, Tolbert, Repko, Slama
The Twins announced that they outrighted catcher Rene Rivera, infielder Matt Tolbert, outfielder Jason Repko and right-hander Anthony Slama to Triple-A Rochester. In corresponding moves, Minnesota reinstated Nick Blackburn and Alexi Casilla from the 60-day disabled list. The Twins' 40-man roster now includes 38 players.
Rivera, 28, played in 45 games for the Twins, but posted just a .412 OPS. Tolbert appeared at short, second and third and was similarly punchless at the plate, posting a .518 OPS in 226 plate appearances. Repko played all three outfield positions for the second consecutive season and contributed a .555 OPS in 144 plate appearances. Slama appeared in two games for the Twins, but spent most of the season pitching out of the bullpen at Triple-A.
MLBTR's Tim Dierkes identified Repko and Tolbert as non-tender candidates earlier in the month.
Heyman On Pujols, Fielder, Mets, White Sox
Albert Pujols' impressive postseason performance has increased his free agent stock, Jon Heyman writes at SI.com. Some say the Cardinals won't improve their offer from nine-years and a bit more than $200MM, but their postseason success may help their chances of re-signing the three-time MVP. Here are the details and more of Heyman's notes from around the league:
- MLB executives tell Heyman that they expect Pujols to sign for more than Prince Fielder despite Fielder's youth (he's four years younger than Pujols).
- Heyman's sources generally expect Pujols to stay in St. Louis, but predicting Fielder's next team is much more difficult.
- Some of Heyman's sources expect Fielder to sign a deal similar to Adrian Gonzalez's seven-year, $154MM extension. I don't think it's a great comp, since Gonzalez didn't sign his deal on the open market.
- Heyman reports (on Twitter) that the Mets have hired former A's manager Bob Geren as their bench coach. Interestingly, the A's hired manager Bob Melvin after a stint with the Mets.
- The White Sox didn't seriously consider anyone other than Robin Ventura once they decided they wanted the former third baseman to be their next manager.
- Francisco Rodriguez told Heyman that he'd like a three-year deal.
- The Pirates are looking for starting pitching. It appears that they'll decline Paul Maholm's option for 2012.
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Quick Hits: McCourt, Maholm, Mariners, Axford
Another night, another pair of exciting LCS games. The Tigers succeeded in stretching the ALCS to a sixth game while the Brewers evened the NLCS at 2-2 with the Cardinals.
Here's the latest from around the majors….
- Frank McCourt's decision to take the Dodgers into bankruptcy means he could become the rare pro sports owner to sell his team and have no profits to show for it, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
- The Pirates haven't yet declined Paul Maholm's $9.75MM option for 2012 yet, and MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch explains that the Bucs are trying to find a trade partner who "A) thinks $9.75 million is a fair cost for Maholm and B) doesn’t want to take the risk of letting Maholm go into the free agent market."
- Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times examines the Mariners' franchise value and how it may impact the club's payroll in the coming seasons.
- The Mariners erred not once, not twice, but thrice in not keeping Ramon Santiago, writes Larry Larue of the Tacoma News Tribune.
- John Axford was released without fanfare by the Yankees after the 2007 season, long before Axford rose to prominence as the Brewers' closer. Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal looks back at the circumstances behind Axford's release.
- The Giants won't be able to afford the likes of Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, Jose Reyes or C.C. Sabathia this winter, but MLB.com's Chris Haft believes the club "will make a genuine offer to re-sign Carlos Beltran." Beltran, for his part, said last month that he was open to returning to San Francisco if the team added more offense to the lineup.
- The week's minor league transactions are compiled by Baseball America's Matt Eddy.
- Diamondbacks CEO and president Derrick Hall predicts a "relatively quiet offseason" for his team since most of the major pieces are already in place. Hall also discusses Aaron Hill, Willie Bloomquist and several other topics in his monthly chat with fans on MLB.com.
- Baseball America's Jim Callis profiles Sean Buckley, the Reds' sixth-round pick in the June amateur draft and the son of Chris Buckley, Cincinnati's senior director of amateur scouting.
- A multiyear extension for Jacoby Ellsbury, moving Daniel Bard to the starting rotation and a possible run at Jose Reyes are a few of the suggestions made by Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston that would help the Red Sox put their catastrophic month behind them and focus on returning to the playoffs next year.
- Writing for Baseball Prospectus, Rany Jazayerli breaks down how just a year of age difference between teenage prospects reveals huge differences in projected production. "At least when it comes to high school hitters, young draft picks are a MASSIVE market inefficiency," Jazayerli writes.