If he hangs up his spikes, as he is said to be weighing, Red Sox catcher David Ross should have plenty of avenues for non-playing jobs in the game, tweets Jason Mastrodonato of MassLive.com. A former GM tells Mastrodonato that he considers Ross a close friend and would be more than happy to find a position for him.
Here’s more from Boston and the rest of the AL East:
- As the offseason begins for the Red Sox, GM Ben Cherington reiterated that the team needs to add depth in the rotation and in the lineup, as MLB.com’s Ian Browne reports. In particular, the club will emphasize left-handed-hitting options around the diamond.
- Apart from Brett Gardner, the Yankees generally lack attractive veteran contracts that could be dealt in a rebuilding scenario, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. But while that makes little sense, neither would it be beneficial to spend top dollar on the high-end free agent market, argues Sherman. Instead, New York should continue to wield its financial muscle to make more incremental gains that maintain financial and roster flexibility — much as the team did on the trade deadline this year.
- One player who could meet that description is starter Brandon McCarthy. As Roger Rubin of the New York Daily news reports, the big righty is very open to a return to New York but is not exactly waiting with bated breath. “When the phone rings we’ll find out for sure,” said McCarthy, who added that he is willing to be aggressive in selling his services. “You don’t have to be the biggest name to be the first domino to fall,” he said. “You could be at the beginning or the end and at some slot in the middle. I’ve been focused on what I am doing, but soon it could be time to weigh what’s going on. I feel if I got the right offer, I’d be willing to sign early in the process.”
- Yankees manager Joe Girardi says that he needs to see how Alex Rodriguez looks on the field before determining his role next year, as George A. King III of the New York Post reports. But Girardi says that his expectation is that Rodriguez will take a regular role at third: “Do we expect him to be a player on our team? Absolutely. Do we expect him to play third base? Yes. In fairness you have to see where he is at. I can’t tell you what will happen, but we expect him to be our third baseman.”
- For the Rays, manager Joe Maddon hopes to stay on past 2015 but is in no rush to add onto his contract, MLB.com’s Bill Chastain reports. Meanwhile, both utilityman Ben Zobrist and reliever Joel Peralta hope the team will exercise its options over them for the coming year, as Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times writes. That is a foregone conclusion for Zobrist, of course, but Peralta ($2.5MM option with no buyout) is a more difficult call as he enters his age-39 season. His 4.41 ERA over 63 1/3 frames does not look very appealing, but Peralta did post a 3.40 FIP, 3.11 xFIP, and 2.54 SIERA on the back of 10.5 K/9 against 2.1 BB/9.
I would enjoy McCarthy back on a 2 year deal. He and Greene would be a fine 4-5. Tanaka and Pineda are a very strong 1-2 when healthy, and defaulting Sabathia to 3 is just something they have to live with.
What would become of Nova? Is he coming back during spring training or like May-June type of thing ?
He wont be back until mid to late summer at the earliest, best case scenario.
I think you are selling McCarthy short. I think he has at #3 potential. I’d give him a 3 year deal with some injury protection language in the contract just to cover myself if I’m the Yankees.
I’d love to see a starting rotation to begin the 2015 season of: Tanaka #1, Pineda #1A, McCarthy #3, Greene #4 and CC #5. with Nova, Bryan Mitchell and Phelps as insurance.
Re-sign: Headley, and sign free agent J.J. Hardy then fill out the rest of the bench with some of the young guys from the minors like Refsynder or Pirela and Roller or Bird for the infield back ups and possibly Jake Cave as the 4th outfielder.
I’d still like to see them target one of the “Big Three” (Shields, Sherzer, Lester) as insurance against an injury. Pineda is always hurt and Tanaka is a real risk at this point having only played 2 games since his ligament tear.
One player I haven’t heard much about is Martin Prado; why is Headley the favorite to resign to take over for A-Rod at third (assuming, to the contrary of this report, that A-Rod becomes a full time DH) when Prado is a third basemen (playing 113 games there in 2013 for the Dbacks)? He’s also played his share of second base and could be a possibility there, but it seems nobody is talking about where he’ll slot in next year (and I believe he is signed through 2016). I don’t know much about his skill at either of those positions, only that he has played as much of his career in the infield as in the outfield.
Playing Prado at 2B, A-Rod at 3B and Beltran at DH would open up a spot in the outfield for either a free agent or trade target. Perhaps someone with some offensive upside that the team desperately needs.
I don’t think they want to cement Prado at 3rd, they want him to give players a day off without using the DH slot in previous years to do that. Prado can give play the corner OF and give Ellsbury and Gardner days off or play RF. Gardner and Ells are a bit injury prone, we need someone to be able to cover for them.
Prado is under contract for 2 more years. I think the Yankees feel comfortable with Prado being their primary 2nd baseman right now. That could of curse change if and when they get a good look at Refsnyder the Yankees 2nd base prospect. If Refsnyder can transfer his Triple A success to the big league club you could very well see the Yankees give Prado a shot at a different position(s).
I like Refsnyder at second, I would give him a shot, Prada is a great back up player at third, second or the outfield. He will get a lot of playing time in that role with the age of A-Rod and Beltran.
Cashman made the right decision trading for Pineda, he can be a #2 and is showing signs of dominance. Tanaka is an ace, and CC can be a solid #3. I like signing Headley, McCarthy, and Robertson along with Shields.
Apparently they’re also discussing a 6man rotation to limit workloads as well. That’d require versatile position players who can perform all year, something they lack. I can also see a catcher being flipped to Chicago for Alexei as well if Hardy isn’t acquired.
While Pineda was very impressive in his 13 starts, relying on him to be the number 2 is a recipe for disaster. The guy can’t stay healthy ever. Until he proves otherwise, they should have a contingency plan that included adding another established starter because that rotation could be a big mess.
I’d agree that Pineda isn’t an established number 2 arm . I disagree with the idea of breaking the bank for a top-three starter. The Yankees can’t put that pitcher in a position to succeed next year. They have to rework the roster.
I said established starter, not necessarily a top 1-3 guy. And that’s with McCarthy presumably in the mix. Who knows what kind of numbers he’ll put up next year. Then there’s Greene who looks solid enough, but needs to get his WHIP down. Not a very bankable rotation.
We actually aren’t disagreeing. I don’t think the Yankees don’t have the roster to contend next year, so I wouldn’t spend much. I’m assuming they have to rely, to an extent, on CC, Pineda, Tanaka, Nova (when he returns) McCarthy (if he’s reasonably priced) and some combination of the rest. Improvement is going to have to come from more quality innings from their top 4. In the absence of a reasonable expectation of that, and coupled with their spotty regular position players, I’m not sure I would go out there and spend a significant amount.
The Yankees were only 5 games out from a wild card spot. With Jeter no longer fielding and batting in the number 2 slot in the lineup everyday, I think we can fill the gap just with Ellsbury and Gardner at the top of the lineup or more likely Gardner then Ellsbury. Beltran should have a better swing if his elbow recovers and we’ll have a whole year of Prado. The Yankees pitching actually held up despite all the injuries.
I agree, most pitchers get injured at one point or another!
I guess Kuroda is retiring?
I see the rotation as Tanaka, Shields, Sabathia, Pineda, and McCarthy next year. Yanks can move Nova, Phelps, and Greene to the pen.
If the Yanks don’t make Headley their priority sign for 3rd base 2015 and beyond, they aren’t serious about rebuilding. A-rod is a DH and utility player.
We also have Prado that can play 3rd. I wouldn’t take Headley on more than a 2 year deal. Preferably a 1 year deal with a club or performance based option for a 2nd year.
I don’t understand the obsession with Headley. He seemed pretty good, but his overall numbers for the year weren’t great, and he’s not a gold glove winner. If not A-Rod, why not put Prado at 3B, someone who is already under contract, the same age, isn’t much worse defensively, and hits much better? I believe Headley also has a troubling injury history with his bad back (one of the reasons teams were scared off from trading for him).
I think they are going to put Prado at 2B.
Yeah I’m sure they are contemplating some combination of Prado and Refsnyder at second. IF Refsnyder can take the job then they can move Prado around the infield and outfield slotting him in at RF and 3b to let Arod and Beltran spend time at DH, as they both need to and will regardless.
Prado can also give rest to Ellsbury and Gardner and left who are both injury prone. A-Rod, Teix and Beltran will be taking most of the DH at bats, Prado saves us from having a utility guy with a below average bat on the roster like most teams have.
Yeah I agree that’s the best use for him if they can find a semblance of consistency at second and third. It’s okay to know he can play left (pretty well) however if he spends much time there that means the Yankees will be spending slot of time without one of their two best position players which is a whole nother can of worms.
I think he should spend the least amount of time their but if Ells or Gardner need a day off without being DH that’s the best way. If we hold onto Headley and bring up Refsnyder then the infield is set and Prado can just move around wherever.
Wouldn’t Pablo Sandoval be a stronger 3 B option with ARod at DH?
I’d be surprised if Pablo doesn’t return to the Giants. I also think the Yankees would prefer Headley again over Pablo, assuming they were after another 3B, and they should be.
I don’t think the Giants will make a high bid on Sandoval. He put on weight. He won’t stay in shape and he swings at pitches out of the strike zone.
I’m sure other teams/GM’s are aware of this as well. And you’re certainly right about swinging pitches outside of the zone. He led all of baseball in out of zone swing % (48.6%)
Kevin Long might only make that worse.
I hope him and Rob Thompson are gone.
I’m starting to think that the Sox will sign Pablo. Which I don’t want to happen, but Middlebrooks is forcing Larry’s hand and he’ll outbid the Giants.
If Middlebrooks is what many people projected for him, why not give him another year?
Because he’s refusing a team request to play winter ball and people are tired of his poor play and attitude. Why does he deserve another year?
To boost his value in a trade? When I read trade proposals which include him, it usually involves a high return.
Those proposals are laughable then. He has next to no trade value except as a thrown in piece. The Sox aren’t going to put him at the hot corner solely to boost his value. He’s wrecked that and with his problems with the team. He’d need to put up monster numbers to make up for the past two years in any trade situation and if he did that, they probably wouldn’t want to move him.
Middlebrooks has potential to be a decent player but like RevMurph stated, his attitude is awful. It’s like he expects things to be handed to him. The best thing the sox can do is start him in AAA next year to send that big ego of his back down to earth and to allow him to find his swing again. I’d hate to give up on him because he’s the type of guy who the sox would let go and he’d hit like 30 hrs the next season.
Sandoval will totally be another one of those players who comes here and ends up being mediocre after being great somewhere else. People shaped like Sandoval are just waiting for a breakdown.
I hope the Sox stay away from Sandoval. I’d be okay with Headley if the price is decent. Still All these 3B options are likely to be overvalued by the market place. The answer is definitely not Middlebrooks. He’s just fine in Pawtucket as far as I’m concerned. Even with Holt around it just feels like the Sox need to add some veteran leadership and production on the left side of the infield and I could live with Headley.
Just my opinion but I think Cherington is understating the Sox need for starting pitching. They need more than just “depth”. They need to add an ACE and potentially a #2 as well. Right now it looks like their best potential starter is Kelly and he’s probably a #3,
Yeah, they don’t need depth, they need major league starting pitchers. Of which they currently have approximately 2. And that means you’re relying on Joe Kelly and Clay Buchholz, which makes for probably the riskiest and most disaster-prone current rotation in the majors right now.
He has spoken on this a lot and I think he appreciates that viewpoint. The depth point is more about needing to have a deeper roster than just a starting five and 8-man lineup.
I don’t see how the Yankees can materially change their roster. If the older players who performed at lower levels this year continue that trend, it doesn’t matter who they bring in–they will struggle to be a .500 team. That includes Beltran, CC. Tex, and to a lesser extent McCann. A-Rod is in a class by himself. If there is material improvement, then a better result is possible, especially with players returning from injury. But no one knows if those players are capable of better any more. So, I would not spend big in the offseason, but rather would look to be opportunistic. Maybe there will be a reclamation project, or an over-priced player who can be useful, and the Yankees financial resources can absorb it. But I don’t think a 100M contract on anyone is going to do anything to change their destiny
They signed CC and Tex in 2008, and A-Rod the season before and they were all big contributors to a World Series title in 2009. It’s the price you pay when your strategy is predominately free agent signings. As a Yankee fan, i’m fine with that. There are other ways to win, but none offer any greater degree of certainty.
Not to be That Guy but I’m pretty sure it’s ‘bated breath’, ie ‘abated breath’. ‘Baited breath’ is a malapropism and I’m not sure it’s yet received accepted status.
And here, I thought it was “baited breath and tackle…:
Baited breath is what the cat has after a few too many fish snacks
You’re right. Thanks for the heads up, we’ll get that edited.
David Ross would be a good guy to work with young catchers if nothing else. His defense and game-calling is top-notch.
The sox need a top starting pitcher and a potential #2-3 pitcher. Lester fits this mold but I believe the sox will go after Shields because the contract will be a little less then what Lester wants. For the #2 spot, Liriano could fit this role if he stays healthy. He’s more of a #3 starter but with this market, he may turn out to be a great option. The Sox also have the prospects to acquire a starter but it would all depend on the asking price and who’s available. For their batting order, a few outfielders will be traded away. They need to somehow acquire a third basemen because it’s been disastrous for them the past few years.Sandoval looks like a good fit but it’s unknown whether he can play in Boston. If they fix the SP and 3B issue, this team could contend for a wildcard next year.
I honestly don’t see Peralta returning to the Rays next season. He was hardly used this season, and has had a downward track since he was resigned.
I think folks need to stop calling Brian Mccann a disaster or even a disappontment. He hit more homeruns than last year, more RBIs, more doubles. He was never an offensive powerhouse, but rather a catcher with considerable pitch framing abilities and a stellar reputation for game-calling. Not only that, he got a lot of big hits in big situations. The rotation lost 4 of 5 starters and McCann didnt miss a beat, leading this patchwork group to one of the better ERAs in the American League. Beyond that, he also threw out baserunners at a high rate. In my opinion, he was a great signing and had a good year. Next year may be even better now that he is used to playing here and went through the classic “new team slump.”
Yanks should go all out after McCarthy he wants to be a Yankee. They need to land JJ Hardie for SS. and sign Shields. If they can do that they will be well on their way for next year, oh and sign Robby to close.
We MUST trade Sabathia and get Lester
1. Jon Lester
2. Masahiro Tanaka
3. Michael Pineda
4. Brandon McCarthy
5. Shawn Greene (When Nova returns, put him in the number 5 spot and if Greene is doing good, move him to the bullpen)
I’m sorry for the people that support CC and hope he can make a comeback, but with a 5.28 ERA in 8 starts after a season with a 4.78 ERA he must go to a pitchers park like AT&T Park
Everyone would want to trade a pitcher with a 5.28 ERA. The problem is, no one else wants a pitcher with a 5.28 ERA either.
Oh man, please don’t trade Brett Gardner. Just don’t
Brian McCann C
Mark Texiera 1B
Martin Prado 2B
Hanley Ramirez SS
Alex Rodriguez 3B
Brett Gardner LF
Jacoby Ellsbury CF
Michael Cuddyer RF
Carlos Beltran DH
Max Scherzer
Masaheiro Tanaka
Michael Pineda
C.C. Sabathia
Shane Green
Brendan Ryan IF
Francisco Cervelli C
Zelous Wheeler IF/OF
Robbie Grossman OF
CP Dellin Betances
SU Francisco Rodriguez
SU Andrew Miller
MR Adam Warren
MR Preston Claiborne
MR Matt Thornton
LR David Phelps
Trade Ivan Nova to Houston for Robbie Grossman
With A-Rods contract back on the books, I don’t see this team shelling out over 200M on Ramirez and Scherzer. If they do this, they’ll go way over the tax threshold.
Good point . I didn’t this of that. So say they don’t sign Scherzer a more low cost yet quality option could be Ervin Santana or Justin masterson
Arod needs to be traded because the Yankees dont want to deal with his money problem and they dont want to deal with him
A-Roid needs to just go away. He has become a total joke. If the Yankees were smart they would stay as far away from him as they can. With the circus that he pushed about his suspension and the things he said about the Yankees, just let him go.
What the Bombers need to do is sign Scherzer, or Lester or Shields, resign McCarthy,and either pray that Tanaka/Pineda are healthy, or chase Santana or Volquez. Dump Sabathia or move him to the bullpen, and use Nova in the minors until fully healthy and switch Greene to the bullpen for Nova. A realistic lineup would be —
1.Tanaka 2.Scherzer/Lester/Shields 3. McCarthy/Pineda 4.Pineda/McCarthy
5. Greene/Nova————————Yes?/No?