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Orioles GM Links: Dipoto, Reagins, Levine, Ricciardi

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Here's the latest from Baltimore as the O's look to replace Andy MacPhail…

  • The Diamondbacks have given permission for the Orioles to interview Jerry Dipoto, reports Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.  Dipoto is Arizona's senior VP of scouting and player development and served as the club's interim GM after Josh Byrnes was fired midway through the 2010 season.
  • Dipoto's interview should come this weekend, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.  The Orioles also hope to speak to Al Avila (Tigers), Dan Jennings (Marlins), Tony LaCava (Blue Jays), De Jon Watson and Logan White (both Dodgers), all of whom have been mentioned in connection to the Baltimore job.  Avila could be passed over since "the Orioles want to wrap up this process as soon as possible" and can't wait until the Tigers finish their playoff run.
  • Two names that will apparently not be part of the process, according to Kubatko, are former Angels GM Tony Reagins and Rangers assistant GM Thad Levine.  Both men could still resurface as candidates, Kubatko notes.  Given that Texas is still alive in the postseason, Levine could be facing the same issue as Avila.
  • J.P. Ricciardi is on the "short list of decision-makers" that the Orioles are considering, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.  Since the O's are just starting their search, Olney says it's too early to say if Ricciardi or any others on the short list are favorites for the job.  Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports (via Twitter) that the Mets haven't received requests from any team to interview Ricciardi or Paul DePodesta about a general managing job.
  • No surprise here, but Olney says "it's pretty clear that Buck Showalter will have extensive influence in the selection of the Orioles' GM."

Keith Law On Epstein, Sizemore, Votto, Ricciardi

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ESPN's Keith Law gave his thoughts on a number of prospects during a chat with readers today, and also expounded on a few Major League items.  The highlights…

  • Cubs fans should be excited about Theo Epstein's "ability to turn the Cubs' baseball ops department into a process-oriented, professionally run organization. You can't run a baseball team the way they were run 20 or 30 years ago. It's a business now, one where smart decisions based on sound processes are necessary and innovation is increasingly critical."
  • Law describes Brett Jackson (taken 31st overall by the Cubs in the 2009 amateur draft) as a "non-star prospect" and thinks he would be fair compensation for Epstein.
  • Law doesn't think Grady Sizemore can remain healthy as an everyday center fielder.  The Indians have a $9MM club option on Sizemore next season but will take their time in deciding on it, given that Sizemore just underwent knee surgery.
  • Between Joey Votto and Yonder Alonso, Law would deal Alonso and "look to win" in the remaining two years that Votto is under Reds' control.  Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty recently shot down rumors that the Reds were listening to offers for the reigning NL MVP.
  • Law hears from his sources that J.P. Ricciardi isn't currently on the Orioles' short list of general manager candidates, as was reported on Tuesday by Law's ESPN colleague Buster Olney.  Law worked for the Blue Jays' front office from 2002-06 when Ricciardi was the team's general manager.
  • The Mariners "might have the best rotation in baseball by 2013 or so."
  • If given a choice of signing either Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols to a seven-year contract worth the same money, Law says he would choose the younger Fielder.  "Pujols is the better player right now, but even at his listed age I worry about his durability and potential decline," Law says.
  • Despite Alex Avila's breakout 2011 season, Law said he still prefers Matt Wieters as the better long-term player.

Diamondbacks Release Juan Gutierrez

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The Diamondbacks have released right-hander Juan Gutierrez, the club announced via its official Twitter page.  Gutierrez only pitched in 20 games for the Snakes this season (posting a 5.40 ERA but an impressive 23 strikeouts in 18 1/3 innings) due to elbow and shoulder injuries that eventually required Tommy John surgery in September.

Gutierrez, 28, was part of the trade package that came from Houston to Arizona in December 2009 in exchange for Jose Valverde.  In three years with the D'Backs, Gutierrez appeared in 143 games and posted a 4.62 ERA and an 8.4 K/4 rate, though his effectiveness was undermined by his inability to avoid hits (a 8.9 H/9 rate) and the long ball (a 1.1 HR/9 rate).  Given the long recovery time associated with Tommy John surgery, we might not hear of Gutierrez signing with a new team until the 2012-13 offseason.

Gutierrez would have been eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter.  The righty earned $430.5K with the Diamondbacks last season.

Theo Epstein Links: Compensation, Baker, Quade

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The Red Sox and Cubs began negotiations today about the compensation package required to finalize Theo Epstein's move to Chicago, and WEEI's John Dennis reports that the talks have gotten off to a slow start.  The Cubs just want to send money as compensation, while the Red Sox are looking for prospects instead.  This seemingly represents a shift in Boston's stance from just yesterday, when SI's Jon Heyman reported the Sox preferred cash.

Here's the latest on those talks and a few other Theo-related items…

  • Negotiations between the Cubs and Red Sox "are moving along at a snail's pace," according to Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago.  "There's no such thing as a timetable for these transactions," but there doesn't appear to be anything major that would keep Epstein from eventually joining the Cubs.
  • Also from Levine, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts has presented a list of players to interim GM Randy Bush, scouting director Tim Wilken and director of player personnel Oneri Fleita.  The front office members will report back to Ricketts indicating which of the players they would be comfortable trading to Boston as compensation.
  • "The Red Sox like utilityman Jeff Baker," writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe, though Baker alone wouldn't be suitable compensation.  Cafardo says the Sox would also "love" to send John Lackey to the Cubs but unsurprisingly, "that is also a long shot."  Cafardo lists a few of the Cubs' notable prospects who could conceivably go to the Sox, though I'd personally be surprised if Chicago would part with top minor leaguers like Brett Jackson or Matt Szczur.
  • In addition to taking some Boston front office members with him to Chicago, Epstein may also take some of the Red Sox medical staff, tweets Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe.
  • Mike Quade says he wasn't consulted about the Cubs' pursuit of Epstein, the incumbent manager tells ESPN Chicago, though he has no hard feelings about not being a part of the GM search.
  • With no deal finalized yet, it was "business as usual" for Epstein, pending new Red Sox GM Ben Cherington and other front office staffers today, reports Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston. 
  • Edes notes that the Red Sox gave Jed Hoyer and Josh Byrnes permission to take two front office members each when Hoyer and Byrnes left Boston for the GM jobs in San Diego and Arizona, respectively.  Edes believes Mike Hazen, Boston's vice president of player development and amateur scouting, is "untouchable" both because the Red Sox brass his contribution to the club's minor league system and because the Cubs already have Wilken performing similar duties.

Padres Declining Qualls, Hawpe Options; Undecided On Harang

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The Padres will be declining the $6MM options for Chad Qualls and Brad Hawpe for next season.  GM Jed Hoyer broke the news during a radio appearance on XX1090's The Darren Smith Show (Twitter link from producer Marty Caswell).  Hoyer also said the team was still mulling over whether or not to pick up its side of Aaron Harang's $5MM mutual option for next season.

Qualls will receive a $1.05MM buyout from the Padres but still could be back in San Diego next year, as we've heard the team has an interest in re-signing him at a lower price.  After a disastrous 2010 campaign that saw him lose the closer's job in Arizona and get dealt to Tampa Bay, Qualls rebounded in 2011 to deliver a 3.51 ERA and 2.15 K/BB ratio in 77 games for the Padres.  Qualls had some pretty severe home/away splits (a 2.09 ERA at Petco Park and a 5.05 ERA on the road), so there's a decent chance he'll choose to remain in San Diego.

It was no surprise that the Padres parted ways with Hawpe after the veteran missed most of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June.  Hawpe only hit .231/.301/.344 in 216 plate appearances for San Diego.  Hawpe had a $6MM mutual option for 2012 that the Padres will pay $1MM to buy out.

Harang, like Qualls, underwent a bit of a career revival pitching at Petco Park — a 3.05 ERA in 17 home starts and a 4.70 ERA in 11 road starts for an overall 3.64 ERA for the season.  Harang will turn 34 next year so this could be his last chance at a multiyear deal if another team chooses to ignore his home/away splits.  Harang could decline his half of the mutual option and test the market, though if he doesn't find a multiyear contract, he could lose his chance at coming back to San Diego since the Friars will have their pick of veterans looking for a Petco Park boost.   

Hoyer also addressed recent rumors connecting manager Bud Black to the vacant general manager's job with the Angels, saying that the Halos hadn't asked the Padres for permission to interview Black and that Black is happy in San Diego.  Hoyer also said that the club has made offers to Heath Bell, but didn't confirm Jon Heyman's recent report that the Padres offered their closer a two-year, $14MM contract.  (Both links are to Caswell's Twitter feed.)

Rangers Links: Wilson, Napoli, Cruz

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After allowing six runs in six innings today against the Tigers, C.J. Wilson now has an 8.04 ERA in three postseason starts this year.  Not only did it hurt the Rangers in Game Five of the ALCS, but, as you'll read, Wilson's free agent value will also likely be hurt by his recent struggles.  Here's the latest on the Rangers…

  • A strong postseason could put Wilson in line for a five or six-year contract worth between $85-$100MM this winter, an agent tells ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter link).  A weak postseason performance, however, could limit Wilson to a deal of five years and $60-$65MM.  In August, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes noted that Wilson could crack the $100MM club due to the lack of ace pitchers on the free agent market this winter.
  • GM Jon Daniels today spoke to reporters, including Jeff Caplan of ESPN Dallas, about Wilson's impending free agency.  While the Rangers haven't yet begun negotiations, Daniels said the front office staff has "spent a lot of time talking about it and preparing for it. We just don't want it to be a distraction any more than it is, naturally."
  • Daniels described the market value for Wilson as being "probably bigger than we would like and probably right about what he would like.  We're not even really spending too much time on that right now. Obviously, it's going to be a top priority for us."
  • The Rangers couldn't acquire Mike Napoli directly from the Angels since Los Angeles wasn't going to deal Napoli within the division, reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (Twitter link).  Once Napoli was dealt to Toronto in the Vernon Wells trade, the Rangers "pounced" to acquire Napoli for Frank Francisco and the rest is history.
  • You can't blame former Mets general manager Steve Phillips for trading away Nelson Cruz in 2000, writes MetsBlog.com's Matthew Cerrone.  The Mets originally signed Cruz as an amateur free agent in 1998, when Cruz was 17, and then dealt him to Oakland two years later.
  • As reported earlier today by ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews, the Rangers are planning to make C.C. Sabathia a contract offer this winter, provided that Sabathia opts out of his contract with the Yankees.

Rangers Preparing To Bid For C.C. Sabathia

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The Rangers are planning to extend an offer to possible free agent C.C. Sabathia, a source tells Wallace Matthews of ESPN New York.  Texas will "throw a boatload of money" at Sabathia, according to Matthews' source, though this unidentified person believes Sabathia will ultimately remain with the Yankees.

Sabathia can opt out of the four years and $92MM remaining on his Yankee contract and is widely expected to do so in search of a longer-term and more expensive deal.  It has also been expected that Sabathia will sign a new contract to stay in New York due to both his love of the city and the Yankees' need for a top-flight starter, but given the number of high-payroll teams looking for pitching, Sabathia will certainly get plenty of attention on the open market.  Beyond the Rangers and Yankees, it wouldn't be surprising to see teams like the Marlins, Nationals or Red Sox check in on the big southpaw.

As Matthews notes, Sabathia fits Nolan Ryan's preferred model of an inning-eating "workhorse pitcher" and would be a more-than-fine replacement for C.J. Wilson, who could leave via free agency himself this winter.  Sabathia would give Texas the unquestioned ace pitcher the club has lacked since Cliff Lee departed to Philadelphia last offseason.

AL East Notes: Ortiz, Cherington, Swisher, Rays

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The Red Sox' reputation may have been damaged in recent weeks, but Shi Davidi of Rogers Sportsnet writes that Boston isn't going to suddenly stop being a major force in the AL East.  Some other notes from around the division….

  • David Ortiz wouldn't be a fit with the Yankees, writes Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.  Ortiz called the Yankee organization "a great situation" earlier today, but Feinsand points out that Ortiz wouldn't be willing to come to New York only as a part-time designated hitter.  The Yankees still need to give some DH at-bats to Alex Rodriguez and Jesus Montero, so Ortiz wouldn't be able to play every day.
  • Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd, who worked with incoming Red Sox GM Ben Cherington in Cleveland, praised Cherington's humility and experience to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
  • Josh Beckett may not be a popular figure in Boston right now, but Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe thinks the Red Sox would be foolish to trade the right-hander given the club's need for pitching.
  • Mike Axisa of the River Ave Blues blog thinks that Nick Swisher's $10.25MM option for next season is an obvious pickup for the Yankees, even if New York picks up the option with the intent of trading Swisher elsewhere.
  • The Rays want to add a big hitter this winter, but won't do so at the expense of their core of pitching and defense, reports MLB.com's Bill Chastain.  "If you add offense, more than likely you're detracting from the defense," said Andrew Friedman.  "So we're not going to do things where it's a net neutral move, or even to where we take a step back."
  • Rays owner Stuart Sternberg has been open about how critical a new stadium is to his franchise's future in the Tampa Bay area, but Fangraphs' Alex Remington gives several reasons why the Rays won't be leaving Tampa and/or Tropicana Field anytime soon.
  • Joe Jordan, formerly the Orioles' director of amateur scouting, talks to MASNsports.com's Steve Melewski about his seven years in Baltimore.  Jordan was hired yesterday as the Phillies' new director of player development.
  • Unsurprisingly, the Orioles are holding off on any coaching and front office staffing decisions until their new head of baseball operations is hired, reports Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Reegie Corona

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The Astros outrighted three players to Triple-A earlier today. Here are the rest of the day's outrights…

  • The Yankees reinstated Reegie Corona from the 60-day disabled list and outrighted him to Triple-A, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (on Twitter). Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues predicted earlier in the week that the Yankees would likely remove Corona from their 40-man roster. The 24-year-old infielder has a .259/.333/.344 line in seven seasons as a minor leaguer, but he spent 2011 on the disabled list.

Offseason Outlook: Kansas City Royals

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The Royals' offseason revolves around their search for top-of-the-rotation pitching.

Guaranteed Contracts

Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)

Free Agents

For the Royals to continue their turnaround and post a winning record in 2012, they must acquire starting pitching this offseason. It's never easy to obtain front-end starters, but the Royals' strong, young core of position players and relievers will allow them to focus on adding to their rotation in the coming months.

The Royals finished next-to-last among Major League teams in rotation ERA in 2011 (4.82), only leading the Orioles. Their starters were also among the bottom ten teams in strikeout rate (5.9 K/9), walk rate (3.1 BB/9) and innings pitched. They need help and the farm system hasn't produced pitchers as prolifically as it has churned out position players.

Kansas City won 71 games on one of MLB's lowest payrolls last year: $38MM. It will be hard to avoid a more expensive 2012 team. If the Royals offer contracts to all their arbitration eligible players except Chris Getz and Brayan Pena, they'll have committed about $31.5MM in payroll before accounting for their many minimum salary players. They spent $75MM as recently as 2010, so GM Dayton Moore should be able to make competitive free agent offers if necessary, especially since Gil Meche chose not to accept the final $12MM on his contract.

Moore has said he'll look internally first, then to the trade market and finally at free agents as he searches for rotation help. It's possible Aaron Crow or Everett Teaford could transition to the rotation and join starters Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino and Danny Duffy. 

The trade market may feature pitchers such as James Shields, Gio Gonzalez, Jason Vargas and Wandy Rodriguez. The Braves, Moore's former team, have impressive pitching depth and Mike Minor and Jair Jurrjens could be linked to the Royals, who have said they'll trade prospects for pitchers. Minor leaguers Mike Montgomery and Jake Odorizzi could join the rotation in 2012, while John Lamb will spend much of the year recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Two of the Royals' most effective and reliable starters, Jeff Francis and Bruce Chen, are eligible for free agency and could re-sign in Kansas City. It makes sense for the Royals to offer arbitration to Chen, a Type B free agent. If he accepts, they have a solid starter for a few million on a one-year deal. If he declines and signs elsewhere, the Royals obtain a supplementary first-round pick in 2012.

The free agent market also offers front-end pitchers, but it's hard to imagine C.C. Sabathia or C.J. Wilson leaving their current teams for Kansas City. Free agent Edwin Jackson would instantly become the Royals' top starter and they could theoretically add an ace by winning the bidding for Yu Darvish. Realistically, it would be problematic for the small-market Royals to fit an elite free agent into the budget, so Moore's reluctance to build through free agency makes sense.

Joakim Soria struggled at times last year and the Royals' bullpen wasn't overwhelming, but there's reason for optimism. Soria, Greg Holland, Blake Wood, Tim Collins and Louis Coleman provide manager Ned Yost with many viable options. That doesn't include possible starters Crow and Teaford or Rule 5 acquisition Nathan Adcock. Next year's bullpen appears to be in place, though the Royals could trade some relief depth to obtain the starting pitching they need.

Few teams integrated as many rookie position players as the Royals in 2011, as Eric Hosmer, Salvador Perez, Johnny Giavotella and Mike Moustakas established themselves as starters. Even so, Kansas City finished sixth in the American League in runs scored (730). Every Royals regular is under team control next year, so Moore can build his bench and consider extensions. 

Chris Getz could provide the Royals with depth behind Giavotella, but at $1.2MM, Getz would cost three times as much as Yamaico Navarro and has become a non-tender candidate. The same can be said for Brayan Pena, now that 24-year-old Manny Pina is a legitimate option behind the plate. The Royals could also non-tender Pena and seek a more established backup, such as Kelly Shoppach, Jose Molina or Ivan Rodriguez. Handing over the catching duties to Perez and Pina would show a level of confidence teams rarely display with rookie backstops. Perez and Pina have just 43 combined games of MLB experience, so I believe it would be too much to ask them to hit, catch and help develop a young pitching staff without the support of a more experienced catcher.

Melky Cabrera and Jeff Francoeur, two of Moore's best free agent acquisitions, will join Alex Gordon in next year's outfield. It's possible that the Royals will discuss an extension with Gordon — MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has suggested a four-year deal for less than $30MM could work for both sides — and they might even look to extend Cabrera. However, it wouldn't be surprising if outfield prospect Wil Myers reached the Majors in 2012, so the Royals may not want to lock up their entire outfield, despite its impressive production in 2011.

The Royals are better-positioned than most of baseball's 90-loss teams. They have no bad contracts on the books and many promising prospects in the minor leagues. Their young position players are proving themselves at the Major League level and their bullpen features intriguing, effective arms. Dayton Moore's next challenge, the search for a front-of-the-rotation starter or two, will define Kansas City's offseason and shape the team's chances in 2012.

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