Four AL East teams can be found amongst the top eight in ESPN's Future Power Rankings, which measure how well-positioned teams are for success over the next five years. The list can be found in two parts (ESPN Insider subscription required).
Here's the latest from the AL East…
- Larry Lucchino discussed his team's turbulent season both on and off the field in a radio interview on WEEI's Dennis & Callahan show (WEEI.com's Morley Quatroche has a partial transcript) and the Red Sox president didn't rule out making large changes in the offseason. "I think we’ll examine all options, absolutely,” Lucchino said. “It’s not a question of fine tuning. It’s a question of looking back to the fundamental things….do we have the right kind of system in place? You need to build it all on pitching and we will focus heavily on that, but we’ll look at everything. We’ll look under every rock.”
- With Josh Beckett a sure bet to pass through waivers, the Nationals could be a good trade partner for the Red Sox, opines Fangraphs' Dave Cameron. Beckett could give the Nats an experienced arm in the rotation once Stephen Strasburg is shut down. Cameron thinks, however, that the Red Sox would only be able to move Beckett if they agree to eat at least $20MM of the approximately $36MM owed to the right-hander through the 2014 season.
- Derek Jeter is a good bet to finish in the top six of AL MVP voting this season, which ESPN New York's Wallace Matthews points out will earn Jeter an extra $2MM if he picks up his 2014 player option with the Yankees. That option is worth $8MM, though incentives could push the value to $14MM.
- "No chance. No chance. Nada. Zero. No, not a chance," is how Jeter described his interest in someday becoming a manager, reports CSN Chicago's Jeremy Lynn.
- J.J. Hardy "makes a ton of sense" as a trade target for the Diamondbacks this winter, writes Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. The Orioles could unload Hardy to make room for Manny Machado at his natural shortstop position, while the D'Backs pick up Hardy as a "stopgap" for the next two seasons until prospect Chris Owings is ready for the majors. Arizona GM Kevin Towers said yesterday that his team would likely pursue a shortstop via the trade market in the offseason as the D'Backs look to replace Stephen Drew.
If only four players went to Pesky’s funeral, you’re doing it wrong, Lucchino.
Imagine many of the former players he knew better and played while he was actually with the team more were there and even then…
This story is yet another example of how awful the media in NE and nation is.. Just looking for the most useless story, twisting it into nothing and sticking it into print..
Edit. Poof! it’s gone
I hate when politics are brought into a baseball discussion. We may as well include religion and our personal relations into the mix, and alienate everyone who comes here to escape from the stresses of daily life.
Ur right.. I get so tired of the junk going on here and hot air from sports writers.. Took it to the political level..
Was my fault there.
You won me back over with the Usual Suspects reference, so all is forgiven ;)
And I agree… As has been said before – the 24 hour news cycle has really diminished the quality of reporting in and out of the sports world. And when things are going bad in NYC or Beantown, the press really begins to cry wolf.
But would the Orioles trade Hardy? Its all well and good that they could put Machado at SS, but that still leaves a gaping hole at 3B.
i think they make a run at David Wright…they have the money…they are right next to VA ( where DW grew up ), and they have a half-decent chance of being competitive for DW’s prime years…
in a word: no
I bet Wright would benefit from hitting at Camden Yards. Going from Citi Field’ he’d get a real boost. That said, the Os won’t pay what he’d command. They are in the mode of casting a very wide net and finding scouting gems, not using up a large chunk of resources on premiums.
werent they trying to offer mark texiera a ton of money…also jayson werth…also adrian beltre…the O’s for years have been trying to land a big free-agent…tack on the fact that Wright grew up a few miles from the DMV area…hmmmm
If and only if they do go after DW I bet they move Machado to 2B to fix that hole.
I would trade Hardy if the Os got back either a quality MLB-ready 3B, or, a package of young pitching prospect(s) that has at least one player Duquette covets. That said, that doesn’t sound like a “stopgap” type of trade to me. What the DBacks don’t realize is that Hardy ended a long carousel of subpar SSs for the Os. Hardy’s glove is valued way more than the bat by Showalter, and he makes the pitchers better. If he turns in a good offensive year, that’s a bonus. Its hard for me to imagine they’d subtract from that, without a good reason to. If the DBacks think they can get him for a couple C prospects, it’s a non-starter. That said, looking at Hardy’s numbers this year, I can nderstand why they might think they can trade for him cheaply.
Swapping out Strasburg for Beckett to make their first playoff run in DC? Ouch.
Considering Beckett alone has 2 series rings, and the rest of the Nats 40 man roster only has 4, I’d say they could do worse for their first playoff push…
I’m wondering if there is a potential Beckett/Bay swap to be had. Bay did really well in Fenway and obviously needs out of NY. A fresh clubhouse for Beckett can’t make him much worse and the Mets do need another SP for next season. Straight trade with the Sox kicking in 5M?
I’d prefer to release Bay and not deal with Beckett. Bay can’t play baseball.
Red Sox don’t exactly need Bay do they? I would think they would want pitching back in return or prospects.
oof no thanks
I like Alfonso Soriano, but he has proven he is not a winner, so he can stay in Chicago. I would love The Giants to get Carlos Marmol.
Not surprised that Jeter might not want to manage—he’s set for life if he’s managed his earnings properly. His career earnings will be at least $253M.
@tao_1977:disqus – I don’t see Wright getting to free agency; I see him getting a long-term extension this offseason while the option is picked up…allowing him to pretty much spend the rest of his career as a Met, and perhaps be the second player to have his number retired by the Mets. The Mets are now free of payroll constraints.
Despite his frequent tendency to pop up every other at-bat, there is absolutely no reason to trade J.J. Hardy. Let Machado play 3rd, he appears to be very comfortable there. Hardy is one of the, if not THE, best defensive SS in the game today. Brendan Ryan is up there too.
Why would the Orioles trade J.J. Hardy? They’re a competitive team now. Hardy can hit 30 homers easily when he’s healthy and he’s an elite defender. Also, the Orioles signed him to a team-friendly contract. I wouldn’t be shocked if they extended him in fact. Manny Machado is adjusting well to third base too. There is no reason to trade Hardy
I think Hardy/Machado hold down that side of the infield for 3 years. But they have so many 1b/of types that one will go to replace Roberts.