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Alex Rodriguez Might Accept Trade

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Alex Rodriguez would welcome a trade from the Yankees under the right circumstances, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Rodriguez won’t ask to be traded, but he has told close friends he won’t block a deal as long as he’s going to a large-market team.

The Marlins, Angels, White Sox and Dodgers could pursue the slumping 37-year-old, Nightengale suggests. Rodriguez can block any trade and has five years and $114MM on his contract, so he won’t be easy to move. At this level, dollars figure in as much as talent. "They're not trades. They're business deals," Brewers GM Doug Melvin noted.

Baseball executives suggested to Nightengale that Rodriguez is worth $7-10MM per season at this stage in his career. Manager Joe Girardi has benched Rodriguez against right-handed pitching, an indication the Yankees doubt his ability to produce. The Yankees and Marlins have reportedly had preliminary discussions about a deal involving Rodriguez, though both sides have publicly denied the reports.

Yankees, Marlins Had Preliminary A-Rod Talks

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THURSDAY: Marlins president David Samson told Joe Frisaro of MLB.com that there have been "no conversations between the Yankees and the Marlins.”

WEDNESDAY: Earlier today, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman shot down a report from Keith Olbermann which indicated that the club has talked with the Marlins about a possible trade involving Alex Rodriguez.  However, Yankees president Randy Levine and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria have in fact had a casual conversation about relocating the embattled third baseman to Miami, a source tells Wallace Matthews and Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. 

It should be noted that the conversation first began in a "joking" fashion according to the report, which would indicate that any talks between the two sides are in an embryonic stage.  However, the source believes that the chat could develop into serious trade talks this winter.  Loria reportedly said, "Alex is Mr. Miami, it would be great if he played here for us."  The Yankees president then responded, "You can have him."

A second source with knowledge of A-Rod's thinking said Miami is likely the only place that he would accept a trade to.  For his part, Levine refused to comment on the conversation with Loria in an interview with ESPN New York's Ian O'Connor and declined to speculate on Rodriguez's future with the Yanks beyond this year.  Rodriguez is owed $114MM over the next five years, not including potential bonuses for home run milestones.

It would not be unprecedented for Yankees brass to conduct business with limited involvement from Cashman.  Two years ago, the club brokered a substantial deal for reliever Rafael Soriano despite the GM's objections.

Olney On Rodriguez, Blue Jays, Ausmus

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Everyone’s talking about Alex Rodriguez these days, but some of the chatter out there can be misleading. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney works his way through some popular theories involving the slumping Yankees slugger, separating myth from reality. Here are Olney’s latest notes…

  • The Yankees will probably talk to the Marlins about a deal involving Rodriguez “just to get rid of an outdated superstar,” Olney writes. Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell could end up going from Miami to New York if the sides complete a trade. The Yankees and Marlins have had preliminary talks about a possible deal.
  • Olney suggests it’d be a clear sign that the Blue Jays don’t view John Farrell as their manager of the future if they’re willing to discuss sending him to the Red Sox. If the Blue Jays aren’t convinced Farrell is their man, they should complete a deal without haggling too much, Olney writes. The Red Sox have begun compensation talks with Toronto, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported yesterday.
  • Brad Ausmus, a candidate for the managerial opening in Boston, did well in his interview, Olney reports.

Offseason Outlook: Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Dodgers will seek pitching in their first offseason under new ownership.

Guaranteed Contracts

Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)

Contract Options

Free Agents

It's not uncommon for incoming ownership groups to gain control of a team and promise to spend. It is uncommon for owners to deliver on these promises with the speed and boldness that Mark Walter, Stan Kasten and Magic Johnson did. Guggenheim Baseball Management has been baseball's most aggressive ownership group since officially purchasing the Dodgers this spring, and it's not particularly close. If the trend of aggressive spending continues in the coming offseason, expect the Dodgers to shift their focus from position players to the starting rotation.

Clayton Kershaw - Dodgers (PW)

At a time that the Yankees won't stop talking about the luxury tax, the Red Sox are shedding payroll and the Cubs are re-tooling, the Dodgers are baseball's biggest spenders. They have committed $194MM to next year's team, tops in MLB. Even if you sliced the Dodgers' 2013 commitments in half, their future payroll commitments would rank in the top five.

Like the majority of teams with such extensive payroll commitments, the Dodgers are set at most positions. The timeline for Carl Crawford's return from Tommy John surgery remains unclear, but he's expected to return early in the season, so significant outfield reinforcements seem unnecessary. Shane Victorino doesn't fit in the Dodgers' outfield, since he'll get offers to start elsewhere.

Though the Dodgers also have plenty of infielders, GM Ned Colletti could pursue upgrades at third base or shortstop. It sounds like the club will stick with Hanley Ramirez at short while using Luis Cruz at third base. Cruz posted a .297/.322/.431 batting line in half a season after signing a minor league deal with the Dodgers last winter, but history and batting average on balls in play suggest he'll regress on offense. Alternatively, light-hitting shortstop Dee Gordon could play the more defensively demanding position and the Dodgers could have Ramirez play third. It doesn't sound as though the team has high expectations for Juan Uribe, who remains unproductive two thirds of the way through a three-year, $21MM contract.

In some ways Alex Rodriguez seems like a possible trade target for the Dodgers. The Yankees don't believe in Rodriguez's ability to produce at the plate right now — if they did then he would be in the New York lineup. Though Rodriguez has many doubters, the 37-year-old was an above-average offensive player in 2012. Plus, it's no secret the Dodgers have been willing to take on high-salaried players. I still don’t think it’d be a wise move for the Dodgers to commit significant resources — say more than $30MM — to acquire Rodriguez, who's owed at least $114MM through 2017. There are too many health and performance-related questions surrounding the former first overall pick to justify an intense pursuit. Based on last summer’s reports the Dodgers don’t seem interested.

Colletti will have interest in adding a top-of-the-rotation starter to pair with Clayton Kershaw. Free agent right-hander Zack Greinke could be a target, and though he'd cost more than $100MM he'd be a worthwhile addition for the Dodgers. They have the resources, the need and, thanks to a midseason trade by their American League counterparts, evidence that Greinke can handle the pressure associated with the Los Angeles market.

However, Walter has hinted that the Dodgers don't intend to spend big on pitching, telling Dylan Hernandez that "pitchers break." Perhaps high-priced starters like Greinke and Jake Peavy are off-limits for now. If the Dodgers look to reduce costs, they could pursue trade candidates such as Josh Johnson and James Shields or free agents such as Dan Haren and Hiroki Kuroda. They have a built-in advantage when it comes to Kuroda, who appeared to enjoy pitching in Los Angeles for the first four years of his MLB career. Joe Blanton, one of Colletti's many late-season additions, figures to sign elsewhere when he hits free agency.

One of Josh Beckett, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang and Ted Lilly figures to be traded, according to Hernandez. The Dodgers won’t have trouble generating interest in their veteran starting pitching with teams like the Twins, Royals, Blue Jays, Angels, Cubs and Brewers seeking rotation help. None of these starters would have particularly high trade value, although Capuano and Harang are both coming off of solid seasons. Chad Billingsley might require reconstructive elbow surgery and doesn’t appear to be a trade candidate.

The Dodgers appear to have some interest in right-hander Shohei Otani, a hard-throwing 18-year-old free agent. Though baseball's collective bargaining agreement will prevent Dodgers ownership from spending as aggressively as they otherwise might, they should still pursue top international prospects.

It's only been eight months since Kershaw signed an extension with the Dodgers, yet it's already time to consider a new deal. An extension would cover the left-hander's one remaining season of arbitration eligibility and a number of free agent seasons. The Dodgers would have to pay top dollar for Kershaw, who's coming off of consecutive Cy Young caliber years. He might cost more than $150MM this time, but it'd still be worth it for a large-market team to lock up one of the game's top pitchers through his prime. Not surprisingly, Kershaw would consider a new deal.

With Kershaw's 2013 salary already determined, the Dodgers have an exceptionally small arbitration class (it looks like Ronald Belisario will fall just short of super two status). Only A.J. Ellis projects as an arb eligible player and he'd probably earn less than $2MM on a one-year deal.

The Dodgers have three club options for 2013 and they can all safely be declined. Juan Rivera no longer looks like a $4MM player; Todd Coffey will miss the beginning of the 2013 season with Tommy John surgery; 36-year-old Matt Treanor struggled at the plate all year, especially down the stretch.

A number of Dodgers relievers are on track to hit free agency this coming offseason, and while prospects such as Chris Reed and Chris Withrow could contribute out of the bullpen by 2013, Colletti might prefer to open the season with more depth. Brandon League has said he’d like to return to Los Angeles, and Randy Choate also seems like a possible fit given his success as a lefty specialist. Though it’s often difficult to endorse multiyear deals for relievers, I don’t think the Dodgers should shy away from their preferred free agent arms. They aim to contend and they need relief help. Spending on relievers won’t prevent them from addressing other needs, so why not?

It’d be hard for the Dodgers to keep adding stars at the rate they were making deals this past summer. In all likelihood they’ve already completed much of their shopping. This winter will probably be about supplementing the pitching staff and answering questions on the left side of the infield. Still, if we’ve learned anything about the Los Angeles ownership group it’s that they aren’t afraid to spend and surprise.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

Arbitration Eligibles: Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Dodgers are next in our 2013 Arbitration Eligibles series, although they have the smallest group of any team.  Matt Swartz's salary projections are below.

  • First time: A.J. Ellis ($1.7MM)
  • Second time: None
  • Third time: None

The Dodgers are a largely veteran club.  Currently it appears that catcher A.J. Ellis will reach Super Two status and reliever Ronald Belisario will not, making Ellis the team's lone arbitration case.

Ellis, 31, ran away with the team's starting catching job with strong on-base skills and better-than-expected pop.  Though the Dodgers took a while to buy into the idea of Ellis' OBP holding up at the Major League level, a multiyear deal could be entertained this winter.  It'd have to be something small and team-friendly, along the lines of contracts signed by Jonathan Lucroy, Nick Hundley, and Carlos Ruiz in recent years.

At any rate, the Dodgers might have a slew of guaranteed contracts on the books, but their arbitration case projects to add less than $2MM.

Matt Swartz's arbitration projections are available exclusively at MLB Trade Rumors.  To read more about his projection model, check out this series of posts.

Quick Hits: Youkilis, Indians, Dodgers, A’s

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The Cardinals took a 2-1 series lead over the Giants in the NLCS after a three-and-a-half hour rain delay brought the game to a halt in the seventh inning.  Meanwhile, the Yankees and Tigers will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to kick off Game 4 of their series due to the threat of storms headed towards Comerica Park.  Here's tonight's look around baseball..

  • Some see the Indians, with new manager Terry Francona in the fold, as a threat to sign Kevin Youkilis, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  The White Sox are expected to decline the veteran's $13MM option for 2013 but would like to have him back in the clubhouse next season.
  • Matt Eddy of Baseball America looks at the best surprises to come from minor league free agents this season.  At the top of the list are Gregor Blanco of the Giants and Miguel Gonzalez of the Orioles.
  • Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) doesn't think that the Dodgers should expect third baseman Luis Cruz to have a repeat of his success next season, but he also doesn't view Alex Rodriguez as a solution either, given his declining slugging percentage dating back to 2007.  As Rodriguez continues to struggle in New York, some have speculated that the spend-happy Dodgers could have interest in him this offseason.
  • Jane Lee of MLB.com previewed the Athletics heading into the 2013 season and notes that the return of Stephen Drew would create heavy competition around him at second and third base.  Drew has a $10MM mutual option for next year.

Nationals Notes: Desmond, Morse, Moore, Jackson

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Yesterday, Nationals manager Davey Johnson said that he wants to return to the club in 2013 and GM Mike Rizzo is eager for him to return as well.  Johnson is likely to be back in Washington as it will just take ownership approval to get a new deal ironed out.  Here's the latest out of Washington, courtesy of MLB.com's Bill Ladson..

  • The Nationals had preliminary talks about a contract extension with Ian Desmond earlier this season, a source told Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  Ladson adds that it would not be a surprise to see the Nats and the shortstop start up talks again this winter.  Recently, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post suggested that Desmond could be in line for a six-year, $45MM deal.
  • A source indicated that opposing teams have expressed interest in Tyler Moore.  The Nats may also look at trading Michael Morse.  Both players are best suited for first base and their fit in Washington will hinge largely on what happens with LaRoche.  As it stands now, both players figure to be involved in left field alongside Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth.
  • The source told Ladson that there could be a possible domino effect if Adam LaRoche isn't re-signed this winter.  Ryan Zimmerman could potentially be moved to first base while Anthony Rendon would be given a chance to start at third.
  • The same source quantified the odds of Edwin Jackson returning to the Nats at 50/50 as it seems doubtful that Rizzo would give the pitcher a long-term deal.
  • It's almost a given that John Lannan will be non-tendered this offseason, according to a baseball source.  Lannan earned $5MM in 2012 and spent the bulk of the year in Triple-A.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Tufts, Green, Murphy

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Let's keep track of the day's outright assignments right here as clubs get their 40-man rosters in shape prior to the offseason…

  • The Rangers announced that right-hander Tyler Tufts was outrighted to Triple-A Round Rock after being activated from the 15-day disabled list.  Tufts appeared in 19 minor league games last season before undergoing stomach surgery.  The move leaves Texas with 39 players on their 40-man roster.
  • The Marlins have outrighted infielder Nick Green to Triple-A according to Clark Spencer of The Miami Herland (on Twitter). The 34-year-old Green hit .174/.208/.304 in 24 plate appearances for Miami this season and is a .236/.303/.347 career hitter in the big leagues.
  • The Marlins have also outrighted utility man Donnie Murphy to Triple-A according to Spencer. Murphy, 29, hit .216/.281/.379 in 129 plate appearances for the Fish this year. He's a .205/.270/.373 career hitter in the show.
  • The Marlins have also outrighted infielder Gil Velazquez to Triple-A according to Spencer. The 33-year-old hit .232/.246/.250 in 57 plate appearances for Miami this year.

Latest On Red Sox Managerial Search

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The Red Sox have begun talks with the Blue Jays in an effort to work out compensation for manager John Farrell, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (via Twitter).  General Manager Ben Cherington is set to meet with Orioles third base coach DeMarlo Hale tomorrow but there is currently nobody scheduled to interview after that.

Boston has long been linked to Farrell but the skipper said in an interview late last week that he is happy in Toronto and has yet to speak with Cherington & Co. regarding their vacancy.  Meanwhile, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulous has said repeatedly that the club's policy precludes personnel from leaving for a lateral move.  While Farrell is said to be at or near the top of the Red Sox's list, Padres special assistant Brad Ausmus and Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach have also been linked to the position.

Yankees Notes: Rodriguez, Cashman, Ibanez, Swisher

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Here's a look at the latest on the Yankees as they look to stave off elimination in Detroit tonight..

  • It wouldn't be surprising to see the Yankees shop Alex Rodriguez this offseason given his struggles, but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com notes that there would be several hurdles for the club to clear first.  Chief among them is Rodriguez's veto power and a friend of the veteran told Heyman that he will "never leave" New York.  A report from earlier this evening indicated that Rodriguez would give Miami consideration if the opportunity arose according to a source familiar with his thinking.
  • Prior to tonight's game, Rodriguez told reporters that he "loves" the Yankees organization, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
  • While Yankees president Randy Levine and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria have reportedly kicked around the idea of a deal involving Rodriguez, GM Brian Cashman made it clear that he has had no such discussion with the Marlins, tweets Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
  • Raul Ibanez and Hiroki Kuroda are among those who have boosted their free agent stock with strong performances during the regular season and playoffs, Heyman writes.  Meanwhile, a Jayson Werth-type deal for Nick Swisher can now be ruled out as the slugger has been unable to show that he can perform consistently in the postseason.

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