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Archives for October 2012

NL Central Notes: Ludwick, Sanchez, Astros

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As the Cardinals continue to battle the Giants in the NLCS, here's the latest from the NL Central…

  • The Reds probably won't be able to afford Ryan Ludwick if he insists on "market value" for veteran corner outfielders, writes John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer.  That's probably true if Ludwick looks for the deals that Josh Willingham, Jason Kubel or Michael Cuddyer (Fay's comparables) received last winter, but Willingham and Cuddyer were the oldest of the trio, going into their age-33 seasons. Ludwick turns 35 in July, so a three-year deal seems far-fetched to me.
  • The Brewers announced they have purchased the contract of right-hander Jesus Sanchez and added him to their 40-man roster.  The 25-year-old Sanchez posted a combined 1.63 ERA in 52 relief appearances at the Double-A and Triple-A levels last season, plus a 2.91 K/BB ratio and 64 strikeouts in 71 2/3 innings.
  • The Astros won't have their coaching staff finalized for a week or two, GM Jeff Luhnow told reporters, including MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.  Only one or two members of the current Astros' staff is under consideration to return under new manager Bo Porter.  Bench coach Joe Pettini will not be back, reports McTaggart (Twitter link).

Tigers Notes: Leyland, Scherzer, Jackson, Lamont

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Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers, who clinched their 11th American League pennant with today's 8-1 win over the Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS.  It was just the fifth "annihilation" sweep in a seven-game series in baseball history, as the Tigers not only won all four games, but never trailed at any point.  The Detroit victory could also be a good omen for the Cardinals in the NLCS — nine of the Tigers' 10 previous World Series opponents (the Cubs four times, the Cardinals thrice and the Pirates and Reds once each) have been NL Central teams.

Here's the latest from the Motor City as the Tigers look for their first Series win since 1984…

  • GM Dave Drombrowski told reporters (including Chris Iott of MLive.com) that Jim Leyland is welcome back to manage the Tigers in 2013. "He knows that. He's in a situation where we want him back, and I'm sure that he wants to come back," Dombrowski said. "But there's a time and a place for that. It's not right now." Leyland isn't under contract for 2013 but said last week that he wants to manage next season.
  • The contributions of Phil Coke, Austin Jackson and Max Scherzer have made the Tigers the winner of their blockbuster 2009 trade with the Yankees and Diamondbacks, writes Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press.  The D'Backs received Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson while the Yankees received Curtis Granderson, who struggled horribly in the ALCS and wasn't started in Game Four.
  • Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he hasn't been contacted by the Red Sox about the manager's job.  Lamont was Boston's second choice behind Bobby Valentine last winter, and Lamont says that he wishes he'd been hired.  “I don’t know what the record would’ve been,” Lamont said, “but I’m positive it wouldn’t have been as chaotic.”

Alex Rodriguez Plans To Stay With The Yankees

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Alex Rodriguez told reporters (including Peter Botte of the New York Daily News and MLB.com's Bryan Hoch) that he will return to the Yankees in 2013 and he won't waive his no-trade clause.  "I will be back. I have a lot to prove," Rodriguez said. "I’ve never thought about going to another team. My focus is on staying here. Let’s make that very, very clear."  We heard earlier today from USA Today's Bob Nightengale that Rodriguez wouldn't ask for a trade himself, but has told his close friends that he would approve a deal if it was to another large market.

Rodriguez was again out of the starting lineup today, though he entered the game as a pinch-hitter and went 0-for-2 in New York's 8-1 loss to the Tigers that eliminated the Yankees from the postseason.  Rodriguez appeared in just six of the Yankees' nine playoff games, delivering three hits (all singles) and two walks in 27 plate appearances.

This disappointing postseason performance has led to speculation about Rodriguez's future with the Yankees.  The Marlins have been linked to the Miami native, but executives on both sides have denied that talks have taken place.  Beyond Rodriguez's no-trade clause, of course, is the $114MM remaining on his contract through the 2017 season, his age (37), his recent injury history and the fact that Rodriguez posted a .783 OPS in 2012, his career low for a full season. The Yankees would have to eat most, if not all, of Rodriguez's remaining salary unless they got another bad contract back in return. 

NL East Links: Dickey, Nationals, Contracts

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It was on this day in 1997 that the state of Florida got its first taste of the Fall Classic, as the Marlins hosted Game One of the 1997 World Series.  The Marlins got off to a winning start, scoring a 7-4 victory over the Indians and eventally capturing their first title after seven dramatic games.  Here's the latest from around the NL East…

  • "[R.A. Dickey's] situation does not compare to any in baseball history," writes MLB.com's Anthony DiComo, noting Dickey's late-career success, the historical precedent of knuckleballers pitching well past age 40 and the price of high-quality pitching.  Dickey, 38, underwent minor surgery today to correct a torn abdominal muscle, a procedure that won't factor into the Mets' decision about signing Dickey to a multiyear contract.  The Mets hold a $5MM club option on Dickey for 2013, but DiComo thinks that if an extension can't be reached, the Mets could think it better to trade Dickey rather than pick up the option and see him potentially leave after the season.
  • Adam LaRoche's free agency creates some questions surrounding the Nationals' first base and left field situation, writes Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com.  The Nats could let LaRoche go and install Tyler Moore in left or at first, or they could re-sign LaRoche and either keep Moore on the bench or possibly use Michael Morse as trade bait. 
  • Carlos Beltran, his agent Dan Lozano and the Giants have been arguing over how much contact the Giants had with Beltran last winter, a dispute that Matthew Cerrone of Metsblog argues "speaks to the disconnect in language between reality, reporting and how sports fans form opinions about what goes on in the free agent and trade market."  Cerrone uses last offseason's negotiations between the Marlins, Mets and Jose Reyes as an example.

AL East Notes: Ausmus, A-Rod, Orioles, Red Sox

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Brad Ausmus has a supporter in former teammate Andy Pettitte, who tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that Ausmus would be a "great" choice to manage the Red Sox.  Ausmus is one of four candidates (along with Tim Wallach, DeMarlo Hale and Tony Pena) who have interviewed for the job, though the Sox are also negotiating with the Blue Jays about manager John Farrell.  Here's the latest from around the AL East…

  • Sources familiar with the Dodgers' and Marlins' plans tell Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that neither team has an interest in Alex Rodriguez.  The Miami source said that rumors about talks between the Yankees and Marlins about Rodriguez are "BS. [It's] not happening."
  • The Angels may not be interested in an A-Rod-for-Vernon Wells deal due to the salary differences and the fact that the Angels see prospect Kaleb Cowart as a potential starting third baseman by 2014, opines MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (Twitter links).
  • Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun grades each member of the Orioles' roster.
  • As the Red Sox and Blue Jays continue to negotiate about Farrell, an anonymous AL East GM tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he isn't a fan of manager trades.  "I don't think it's a great practice to deal for managers. I'm surprised the league allows it," says the general manager.  "If the guy doesn't want to be there you just let him go. What's the big deal? You get someone else who does want to be there and who you feel will do a good job."
  • Gerry Hunsicker and Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman talk to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times about Hunsicker's decision to leave the Rays for the Dodgers.
  • From earlier today on MLBTR, I compiled some news about the Blue Jays.

Minor Moves: Accardo, Royals, Green

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The latest minor moves from around MLB…

  • The Athletics announced that Jeremy Accardo has cleared outright waivers and has chosen to become a free agent.  Accardo posted a 4.82 ERA in 37 1/3 innings with the Indians and A's in 2012, with his Oakland experience amounting to just two innings after signing with the club in August.
  • The Royals announced that they re-signed five players to minor league contracts: right-handers Juan Gutierrez and Devon Lowery, catcher Max Ramirez, infielder Matt Fields and outfielder Nick Van Stratten.
  • Infielder Nick Green, who was outrighted to the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate yesterday, has elected free agency, according to MLB.com’s transactions page. Green, 34, appeared in seven games for Miami this past season, playing second base, third base and shortstop.

Dodgers Hire Gerry Hunsicker

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The Dodgers have announced the hiring of Gerry Hunsicker as a senior advisor of baseball operations.  “Gerry brings a wealth of senior level experience and knowledge that will assist baseball operations at all levels,” said GM Ned Colletti.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale describes the hire as a "terrific" one for the Dodgers.  Hunsicker has been working as the Rays' senior VP of baseball operations since 2005, and given how the Dodgers' media release makes special note of Hunsicker's role in expanding Tampa Bay's international scouting presence, it stands to reason he'll perform similar duties in Los Angeles.  The Dodgers have looked to increase their international presence since Guggenheim Media bought the club, as shown as the signings of such notable players as Yasel Puig.

Hunsicker, 62, was general manager of the Astros from 1995 to 2004.  The Astros made five playoff appearances in that stretch, getting as far as the seventh game of the 2004 NLCS.

Quick Hits: Hunter, Leyland, Otani, Astros

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The Angels have offered Torii Hunter a one-year contract at a heavy pay cut from his previous $18MM salary, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported today. Hunter, who’s eligible for free agency this offseason, seeks at least a two-year deal. The Angels are interested in bringing him back, so there’s a potential fit here if the sides can agree on the value and length of the contract. Here are today’s links…

  • Longtime MLB manager Tony La Russa says Jim Leyland of the Tigers seems "as passionate now as he was the first day he managed,”Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports. Leyland, 67, doesn't have a contract for the 2013 season.
  • Shohei Otani throws a slider and a curve to go along with his explosive fastball, Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker writes. The 18-year-old right-hander is one of the top high school pitching prospects to emerge from Japan in years. The Red Sox, Dodgers and Rangers all have some interest in Otani.
  • Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said special assistant Matt Galante was offered the chance to return but will explore other options, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).

Outrighted: Orr, Lerud, Lewis

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We’ll keep track of the day’s outright assignments right here…

  • The Phillies announced that they outrighted infielder Pete Orr and catcher Steven Lerud off of their 40-man roster. Orr, 33, appeared in 35 games for the team, playing second and third base while posting a .772 OPS. Lerud, 28, appeared in three contests this past season. The Phillies now have 37 players on their 40-man.
  • The Mets outrighted outfielder Fred Lewis to the minor leagues, according to the transactions page at CBSSports.com. The seven-year MLB veteran appeared in 18 games for New York this past season, playing all three outfield positions. A Mets official told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that Lewis plans to become a free agent. The 31-year-old hasn't yet filed the formal paperwork, but will become a free agent once he does so.

Blue Jays Claim Tyson Brummett

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The Blue Jays announced that they have claimed right-hander Tyson Brummett off of waivers from the Phillies. Toronto's 40-man roster is full after claiming Brummett, Cory Wade and Scott Cousins.

Brummett made his MLB debut earlier this month, getting two strikeouts against the Nationals. The 28-year-old spent most of the season in the upper minors, posting a 3.20 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 90 innings. He started eight games and pitched out of the bullpen in 36 others this year, pitching at Double-A and Triple-A.

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