Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos’ contract expires on October 31, but he doesn’t want his status to be a story, writes John Lott of the National Post. Both Anthopoulos and Rogers Communications have expressed a desire to continue working together. Given Toronto’s success this season, an extension seems like a formality. While Anthopoulos could potentially earn more via free agency, he says “money has never motivated me in the slightest bit.”
Here’s more from the AL East:
- Jeff Samardzija could be on the Yankees radar, writes Brendan Kuty of NJ.com. Kuty is referencing a previous report via CBS Sports’ Jon Heyman. Kuty adds that GM Brian Cashman nearly acquired Samardzija from the Cubs in 2014, but he was outbid by the A’s. New York’s rotation will include Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Luis Severino, and Michael Pineda. Three of those names have battled various ailments while Severino has just 10 major league starts under his belt. Conservatively, the club should probably look to add two starters over the offseason.
- The Red Sox are in a difficult position regarding manager John Farrell and interim manager Torey Lovullo, writes Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe. Lovullo deserves to manage in the majors, but the club has committed to allowing Farrell to return once treatment for his lymphoma is complete. However, there is a chance Farrell may not be healthy enough to take over next year. Ideally, the Red Sox would love to have Lovullo available to step in. The club could opt to deny Lovullo the ability to interview with other clubs, but that’s an uncommon step in today’s game. Usually, off-field personnel are allowed to interview elsewhere if it involves a promotion.
- From Lovullo’s perspective, he hopes to manage again in 2016, writes Jason Mastrodonato of the Boston Herald. He’s happy in Boston, but intends to pursue managerial opportunities elsewhere if necessary. The Red Sox have responded well under Lovullo’s stewardship which should make him a popular target with other clubs.
- The Red Sox have been one of the best teams in the second half of the season, but was it for real, wonders Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The club has a few excellent, young assets like Mookie Betts and Xander Bogaerts. Sherman highlights three big storylines to watch in Boston. Hanley Ramirez is being converted to first base, but he may be traded too. The situation with Farrell shouldn’t be left to linger too long. Lastly, the Red Sox are expected to finally acquire an ace – probably via free agency.
Samardzija is going to cost a lot more than he’s worth
Freakin Shaugnessy. There is no story here, Farrell completed his outpatient chemo a day or two ago, he will be back and they obviously won’t stand it Lovullo’s way.
I thought it was a nice story. The Sox haven’t stood in his way when Lovullo interviewed for those other jobs. I’m thinking DiPototo scoops him up as soon as the season ends. Hope Farrell rebounds STRONG.
Hey, look, I was right. Lovullo signs on as bench coach and Farrell is back. Shaugnessy’s “story” completely put to bed in 24 hours. Shaugnessy is a pot stirrer, there was never a story here to begin with. I always turn the radio or TV when I see him on.
I really don’t understand why Anthopoulos gets so much praise… He traded the farm for a SS who has been legitimately worse than Ryan Goins (not to mention injury-prone) and a SP who is an absolute beast but may very well leave in FA in a month. If the Jays don’t walk away with a WS trophy and/or David Price long-term, this could have been an absolute disaster with Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion really getting up there in age (not to mention Buerhle and Dickey).
If the Yankees want their pitchers to struggle even more next year, they should absolutely sign Jeff Samardzija. Samardzija led baseball in hits allowed, runs allowed and the AL in home runs allowed. Combined that with hitter friendly Yankee Stadium and you have a disaster waiting to happen.
Are the Yankees pitchers struggling heavily? Their numbers seem to be quite good. The issue, as the article references, is their inability to pitch an entire season. Samardzija has shown that he is a great innings eater, even during this year where he has sucked. It the Yankees could get him on a decent deal, I can see them going for it. He is an innings eater with a fair amount of upside and could help their rotation greatly, especially if he rebounds. Obviously there is a fair amount of risk involved, but they are the Yankees, who have no problem swallowing money.
Most Yankees don’t have much problem swallowing anything.
Remember last off season, the Jays acquired through a trade starting rhp marco estrada. He allowed most home-runs in nl last year, and is considered an extreme flyball pitcher. From such poor play in 2014, he was demoted to the brewers pen..
Some pitchers will pitch better knowing theyre in a small ball-park and winning atmosphere. It influences their mentality. Estrada has pitched excellent in small al east parks, and has developed a cutter this year turning it into a key weapon along with his deceptive change-up along with excellent fastball cmd (~83mph).
This scenario could be similar to jeff samardzija pitching in boston or ny.. A winning organization for once could help boost his game.
The Red Sox are in a weird position. How long is Lovullo signed for? I would want to keep him if I were them. I would offer him a big raise to stay for 2016 as bench coach with the possibility of taking over permanently if Ferrell isn’t healthy. No matter what he’ll be wanted when his contract is done if the team doesn’t let him interview this off-season.
Acquiring an ace via Free agency should to be the best option for the Redsox. Such a big market team should take advantage of a free agent class literally flooded with SPing. Sure, the back end of those contracts might be bad, but a team like the Redsox can manage that. It probably beats parting ways with a huge sum of top prospects or an elite young player via the trade route.
Margot, Sandoval, Miley, Marrero for Tyson Ross and James Shields
Huh that’s actually a good idea. Red Sox get two number 2’s/3’s and get rid of most of Sandovals contract and Miley,. Padres get a nice shortshop and stud prospect, a rebound candidate in Sandoval and Miley could ether be a nice number 4 for them or they can trade him. I’m not sure how all the money would work as thats well over a 100 million changing hands.
Exactly, bring Sandoval and Shields back to the divisions where they were above average players. Miley is under control through 2018 at an affordable price. The Sox wouldn’t have to spend money for the “FA ace” and could focus their wallets on the bullpen. Pads fill their SS hole (at least defensively), get some offense back, and great OF prospect to fill J-Up’s void.
Moving to the NL should always make a pitcher better, along with spacious Petco park. James Shields is over the hill.
Maybe for the Sox, but it’s unclear why the Padres would trade ross for one good piece.
They get a starting short stop and a big time prospect in Margot. Also Miley. Ross is no ace and is under control for only two years.
If I’m the Red Sox, I’d pass. I don’t really want Shields instead of Sandoval. I think Shields would have problems in the AL East now and likely wouldn’t serve as a big upgrade to Miley. Take Sandoval and Shields out of the deal, and I’d take it. Not sure if the Padres would though.
Shields pitched in the AL east when the AL East was really good. When the Red Sox and Yankees were the class of baseball. Getting rid of Pablo could open up third for Hanley or Shaw. We don’t need a long term third base man with Devers and Moncada coming up.
No, it’s a pretty bad idea. Shields didn’t have a great season and that was moving to the NL and spacious Petco park, will be 34 next season. He’s as much of a boondoggle as Pablo, except Pablo is younger and hopefully can be salvaged. You’re probably getting no improvement from Miley to Shields.
David Price is the match made in heaven. They’ll have to spend but I think he’ll age well, also, no draft pick attached.
Please let the Yankees sign Samardzija!
Yankees already have 6 options for their rotation next year signing two more guys seems unlikely, especially if one of the guys is as inconsistent as shark.
I don’t know if CC can be counted on as one of your six but certainly see no need for them to waste money on top tier pitching. Maybe find one guy like Pelfrey cheap as a backup and invest the money in Cespedes or Gordon
I don’t see any room for Samardzija in the yanks rotation. There’s admittedly a ton of injury concern, but they already have eight guys for 5 spots.
Tanaka
Pineda
Eovaldi
Severino
Warren
Sabathia
Nova
Whitley
Samardzjia is an upgrade on at least 4 of those maybe more. Plus thats a lot of glass arms.