In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe looks at players who are candidates to be put on waivers. Big names (and contracts) such as Jayson Werth, Alfonso Soriano, and Vernon Wells top the list but, of course, being put on waivers hardly guarantees a player's exit from his respective team. Here's more from Cafardo..
- Michael Bourn could be a free agent target of the Phillies after dealing Shane Victorino. Other likely targets could be Jacoby Ellsbury of the Red Sox, Denard Span of the Twins, or the Angels’ Peter Bourjos. John Mayberry Jr. is getting a chance but the Phillies seek a dynamic player.
- Ellsbury was upset that his name was included in trade rumors with the Rangers, according to a source. Ellsbury is said to like playing for Bobby Valentine and the feeling is that he'd like to remain with the Red Sox.
- The White Sox like Kevin Youkilis, but probably not enough to pick up his $13MM option for 2013, according to one club official. The White Sox are content with him as a rental as they didn’t give up much to get him.
- The Red Sox and Rangers discussed Ellsbury and others before the deadline but Josh Hamilton's name never came up in talks.
- The Brewers' interest in catcher Kelly Shoppach was considerable after they had designated George Kottaras for assignment. The Red Sox pushed fellow catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and will offer him around again if Ryan Lavarnway shows he can handle the staff and hits well.
- The Astros could be the one and only managerial opening for the coming season, unless the Phillies part ways with Charlie Manuel.
“The Astros could be the one and only managerial opening for the coming season”
Bobby Valentine?
Also: DDJ, Jed Lowrie and Stephen Drew going anywhere on waivers would be odd.
I don’t think that they’ll have an opening; they’ll clamor to get Francona or Varitek in there immediately.
Just a quick question for you and off topic..
How have you liked seeing Shoppach behind the plate the last 2 games and him K’ing 4 times total, including 3 times last night when Lavarnway should have been behind the dish and someone (anyone) else DH.
Only way for Lavarnway to get broken in is for him to get regular AB’s and the only way for him to get used to the staff is for him to catch games.
It drives me crazy. Valentine’s decision making–whether it’s bullpen management, the lineup, or managing personalities in the clubhouse–has been consistently bad all season.
Had the same thoughts last night when Mauer stepped to the plate. Aceves had nothing. Why he didn’t bring in breslow was a strange non move at best. He is acting a lot like Francona now.
Is it the afraid of the New England media aspect of being micro managed from the papers?
I still say the only manager since Ralph Houk in Boston who wasn’t afraid of them was Joe Morgan.. Those 2 would make any managerial changes and tell the papers/media like it is.. Houk because he had decades of experience as a winner and Morgan because he just knew better and held the media in contempt.
It has never been more obvious that Cafardo just makes stuff up to fill his columns. There is zero chance the Brewers were interested in Shoppach, as anyone familiar with the Brewers system (as opposed to just seeing that they DFA’d a catcher) would tell you.
Our Backup (Maldonado) would start over half the catchers in the Majors…
How would the Phillies get Jacoby Ellsbury when he is under contract with the Red Sox for one more season? I doubt the Phillies are going to trade for him there farm system isn’t in the best of shape.
Red Sox have Jackie Bradley Jr knocking on the door. They should trade Ellsbury and get some value for him before he walks away at the end of the season. They can’t demand top prospects because its his last ARB year and he’ll be expensive.
About time they admitted Salty needs to go for prospects, or something of use. He does not fit into long term plans in Boston.
This is one time hope Cafardo actually has something correct.
Bourn in PHI? In an attempt to go younger they sign a speedster who’s almost 30? I guess that is younger when you’re standing between Juan Pierre and Charlie Manuel.
You don’t get younger through free agency, you get better. To get younger you make trades for arbitration guys or bring in your own prospects. Philies are in contention mode next season, Bourn makes plenty of sense.
It’s too early to be making decision about Youkilis’ option unless the White Sox know for a fact Morel is healthy.
I agree Cafardo is talking out of his but there is no way the White Sox have made a decision one way or another and Morel hasn’t even shown he can be a good major leaguer he has mostly looked like crap
Theres 13 million reasons Jerry won’t pick up Youk’s option.
His option isn’t 13 million and you can resign him without picking it up
$13M Team Option, $1M Buyout. So, how exactly is it NOT 13 million? baseball-reference.com/players/y/youklke01.shtml#c…
$13M Team Option, $1M Buyout. So, how exactly is it NOT 13 million?
Bourn to Philly LOL…
Well it surely won’t be penny pinching Atlanta. LOL…
Atlanta will make him a decent offer but be out bid by at least three teams. Two of which will be Philly and the Nats. That’s my prediction.
I think Atlanta will make a legit offer- they’ll have the budget for it if they don’t go for anyone else, and their team is good enough as is- just needs the pitching to be healthier/better next year to be a WS contender- they’ll be 90 wins this year with the pitching going haywire.
I would like to see the Braves try to dump Uggla though. Pastornicky or Prado to 2nd, Fransisco to 3rd would be better.
Red Sox “offering him (Saltalamacchia) around again”? When has the FO offered him around before? And, to whom?
Look, I am not a Charlie Manuel devotee, but does that comment not seem a bit irresponsible? I mean you could say the same thing about any manager on any team. I am probably thinking too much, but that seems rather random to throw Manuel in there when there are no real rumors of his demise.
For $1MM the Son can buy out Youkilis then resign him to a more reasonable contract.
times up for Charlie bring on Sandberg
Will Bourn sign for less than $10M/year? If not, I don’t see how the Phillies can afford to sign him.