Brewers owner Mark Attanasio outlined a composed and orderly search for his organization’s next general manager, as MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy reports. Attanasio says that he won’t be in a rush to make a decision, and will pursue a “corporate”-style process, though he hopes to install a new GM before the Winter Meetings. “The process needs to be exhaustive, so as a result, there is no timetable for the process,” he explained. Per Attanasio, the organization is likely to go with a “younger person” as its chief baseball decisionmaker, and he’ll consider candidates from inside and outside not only the organization but also the game of baseball. (He called it “unlikely, but possible” that the team would ultimately go with an “outside the box” choice.) The owner added that he is open minded about what kind of contention timeline the organization will pursue, saying he would “like to see it more in the two to three years” range but noting that “we don’t want to do something halfway.”
- Giants GM Bobby Evans talked about the team’s second base questions, as Carl Seward of the Bay Area News Group reports (links to Twitter). Joe Panik is at least a week away from beginning baseball activity, increasing the urgency of an addition. While Evans confirmed interest in Chase Utley of the Phillies, he indicated that the asking price remains above his comfort level. San Francisco is looking at multiple options to add depth up the middle, per the GM.
- The Cubs will utilize Addison Russell as the team’s primary shortstop, manager Joe Maddon told the press today, including Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (Twitter links). Starlin Castro appears ticketed for more of a utility role and could line up at second against lefties. Looking ahead, Maddon said that Russell is “absolutely” the shortstop of the future. Of course, the 25-year-old Castro is under team control through 2020 (the final year through an option), and he’s lined up to be the subject of immense offseason trade speculation.
- The Marlins feel good about the health of young ace Jose Fernandez, as Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. The diagnosis of a biceps strain was “great news,” said Fernandez, who added that he has felt no pain since. He added that he has every hope and intention of returning to pitch again this season.
At this point is there really any benefit to bringing Fernandez back this year? Might as well use extreme caution, seeing as how the Marlins are playing for absolutely nothing.
The Marlins are playing for the #1 pick!
Its only been 2 games, but it seems like the Phillies have come back down to earth. 23 runs allowed in the past 2 games, and the 2nd game isnt even half way over.
The Two Batting Practice pitchers are always hit Hard ! Both will out of Big Leagues next year .
I don’t like when teams close off their GM candidates, by doing that they might scare away a guy who could fot well and succeed but may not be what they thought they initially wanted.
At this point when teams mention “young analytical” I don’t know what process that is…it seems almost cookie cutter to me with not much deviance…even down to the sports shirt without a tie and slicked hair. I get the analytics approach, but he’s gonna need to have his own ideas because that market has some big boats fishing in it
I wonder if Darwin Barney is available? I doubt the Dodgers would make a trade to help the Giants but he would seem like a perfect candidate to fill in at second.. He was always excellent with the glove and he is not completely lost with the bat (but close to it).. The Yankees might also be willing to give up Ryan.. I am sure Refsnyder will be back up when rosters expand making Ryan expendable..
Gordon Beckham may be your man. He has a pulse and would cost you a bag of balls.
It’s the White Sox…it might cost them a set of balls actually
The Dodgers like signing ex Giants, not the other way around. But then again, Colletti is no longer the GM, so I guess anything goes.
They already have a great defender who is lost at the plate in Ehire Adrianza.