MLBTR’s Zach Links collected sets of notes from both the AL East and NL East earlier today, and here are some more items from both divisions…
- Red Sox assistant GM Mike Hazen “is a stronger candidate than some realize” to be the team’s next general manager according to “rumors around the majors,” Peter Gammons writes in his latest entry on GammonsDaily.com. Hazen has been an assistant GM with the Sox since 2011 and he has interviewed for GM openings with the Padres and Dodgers in recent years.
- Gammons’ piece is a general overview of the young talent on both the Red Sox roster and in their farm system. While some of Dave Dombrowski’s biggest trades have involved moving prospects for established veterans, Gammons notes that some of those moves were ownership-driven and not necessarily a sign that Dombrowski will again use young players as wholesale trade bait.
- Speaking of rival teams not swinging trades, the Nationals were interested in Jake Arrieta back when he was an Oriole, the Washington Post’s Barry Svrluga tweets. The two sides apparently “had a deal,” according to Svrluga, but it fell through since the “O’s wouldn’t trade with D.C.” This would seem to imply that Baltimore upper management scuttled the deal. The Nats and O’s have never combined on a trade (hat tip to the MLBTR Transaction Tracker) and the two clubs have been involved in a legal dispute over MASN broadcast rights fees. Arrieta was instead dealt to the Cubs in July 2013, a trade that is looking like more and more or a steal for Chicago.
- Nationals righty Aaron Barrett visited Dr. James Andrews in regards to his right elbow injury, MLB.com’s Bill Ladson reports. Barrett went on the 15-day DL with what was called an elbow sprain on August 6 and he was shifted to the 60-day DL last week, though it isn’t yet known if a Tommy John procedure is needed. Barrett has a rather misleading 4.60 ERA in 29 1/3 relief innings for Washington this season, as his peripheral numbers (10.7 K/9, 5.00 K/BB rate, 2.20 FIP) show that he’s pitched much better than his ERA would indicate.
- The Marlins aren’t likely to make any trades before tomorrow’s waiver deadline, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reports. Martin Prado seemingly drew the most interest of any Marlin in August, though the club plans to hang onto most of its core players in order to make a run in 2016. Miami was considering adding an innings-eating arm or two for September though if they do so, it won’t be via a trade.
- The Marlins’ release of veteran utilityman Jeff Baker in July was partially due to some internal problems, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reports. The Marlins “felt [Baker] was spreading negativity in the clubhouse, was a bad influence on a couple of young players and was conveying an anti-front office message.” Jackson notes, however, that Baker was popular with teammates and media members.
As much as I respect Dombrowski, I feel like he needs atleast 2 different minds involved in initial roster moves. Hazen would be a great pick for GM because he knows the system and can provide insight that an outside voice cannot. However, hiring a competent GM and keeping Hazen in the mix somehow would be my preference. The name I have liked the most when it comes up is Eppler. He won’t be a Frank-Wren type “yes man” To Dombroski, he is well versed statistically, and is another outside voice that should value Red Sox prospects appropriately. Some 3 headed monster of Dombrowski, Hazen, and Eppler/Dipoto would make me feel much more comfortable about keeping the key prospects we have.
Baker sitting in dugout: You know when you young guys put together a great team in a couple years, you’re all going to be traded within months.
5 seconds later phone rings in dugout…
Jennings: Baker you’ve been released. Taxi waiting for you outside. Bags already packed.
Man, This Franchise is wreck, complete unhappiness caused by a Greedy Owner.
One of Bud Tribe Boys stealing from American Tax Payer.
“While some of Dave Dombrowski’s biggest trades have involved moving prospects for established veterans, Gammons notes that some of those moves were ownership-driven.”
Not some, almost all of those moves were ownership-driven. It was Dombrowski who had to convince owner Mike Ilitch that it was best to stock up on prospects this year rather than go for it and really damage the future of the Detroit Tigers.