Here’s the latest from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, via a video:
- Some in the media have suggested MLB create an award named after departed Marlins ace Jose Fernandez to honor the player who best exhibits passion for the game, but Rosenthal says the establishment of such an award appears unlikely. MLB feels it already has awards that don’t command enough attention. The league could pay tribute to Fernandez at next year’s All Star Game at Marlins Park, however.
- The Phillies have plenty of financial flexibility next season, but (as has been reported elsewhere) they aren’t likely to sign players to long-term deals this winter. The reason, Rosenthal says, is that don’t want to block any of their better prospects. For a rebuilding team, acquiring veterans in the wrong sorts of situations can have opportunity costs, as Rosenthal points out. He notes, for example, that the Phillies (whose GM, Matt Klentak, previously worked in the Angels organization) could have pursued former Angel Howie Kendrick last offseason. But doing so would have prevented the team from giving playing time to Cesar Hernandez, a younger player who has had a solid season for the Phillies in 2016.
- The Diamondbacks are likely to look for new executives to head their front office this winter, but they could have trouble finding candidates with significant experience. Assuming the team does fire Dave Stewart, they will have dismissed three GMs in six years, also including Josh Byrnes and Kevin Towers. Team president and CEO Derrick Hall has been with the Diamondbacks throughout those firings and recently received a new eight-year contract.
- There have been reports that the White Sox plan to retain manager Robin Ventura, but offering Ventura a new deal might simply be a way for the White Sox to spare him the indignity of firing him. Rosenthal says he is still hearing that Ventura is frustrated with the job.
Fire Stewart and LaRussa!!! Stop the madness!!!
Time for some fresh blood at the Sox executive and management level. How much you try, you can not fix stupid.
I look at the Sox front office like that movie Mr Deeds. Hahn should stay, because like that bald guy said at the end, I think he could do some good given the chance. Reinsdorf and Kenny being there, he’ll never get that chance
I hope the Phillies don’t sign any huge names. I’d be comfortable going into 2017 with a catching tandem of Rupp and Alfaro, first base being Joseph and Knapp, Second being Cesar, Short being Freddy, Third being Franco and the outfield consisting of Odubel, Altherr and say Quinn with Altherr and Galvis being pushed to the bench to make room for Crawford and Williams when they are ready. I wouldn’t mind bringing in say, a sturdy veteran reliever, like Belisle or Dunn, or a back-end of the rotation innings eater, like Fister, but I’m good with filling the remaining roster spots with NRI minor league deals like Frency. Next offseason, we can spend on any positions in which prospects didn’t work out- there’s some more depth next year.
I do believe there is some merit to spending money to add a bat, if it’s done correctly. The Phillies offense the past few seasons has been atrocious, and with mostly young players they seem to press too much, which might hurt their development. Adding a veteran bat might take the pressure off them. Unfortunately there aren’t a lot of bats available free agent-wise, but I think they can make a play for either Bautista or Holliday. Of course for either to come to Philly right now it would have to be strictly for money. Holliday is probably the easier sign because he won’t require multiple years—1 year, $15M-$20M (he’s not worth that, but it might get him)—but Bautista is probably better bet. They got offer him a Cespedes like contract…3 years, $80M with $30M first year and an opt-out. Not exactly a great move, and likely won’t result in a playoff appearance, but it could help the development of the younger players. Thome didn’t put the Phillies over the top, and his contract did cause issues, but the run that followed was excellent.
Put Fernandez in the HOF as a special entry, give him an asterisk or not, but just do it.
I disagree. But I do think he should be recognized at next years All Star Game in Miami
What?! No way!
It was one thing when Clemente was given special entry, he had a long career and was easily a top hitter of his time. As tragic as Fernandez’s death was he was only in the game a few years. I think we can acknowledge his loss without crowing him one of the best ever to play the game.
Clemente would have been a hall of famer regardless. everybody with 3000 hits is in except Rose and Palmeiro. Fernandez doesn’t qualify – didn’t play ten years. The Hall has bent this rule a couple times – for Addie Joss, who also died during a season, and Dizzy Dean, but it would be really hard to do this for a guy who only pitched two years. It opens the door to a bunch of Brandon Webb-types.
HOF? Why? He was a great pitcher for a very short time. Nowhere near HOF caliber, not in any wing of the museum. Yes, his death was tragic, and his career cut way short, but 20 years down the line no one will know who he was. People will visit the HOF and wonder who they heck that guy is, and why someone with so few stats is in the HOF.
And then when they wonder that, they can look up Jose Fernandez and learn about how incredible of a player and person he was and how much love he had for the game, and how he was tragically taken far too early. The man embodied everything that is good about baseball. I think making people wonder about him and thus keeping his memory alive is an argument in favor of his induction.
Oh yeah, Schilling, Mussina, and Kevin Brown would love that… Retiring his number is a great honor in itself. Fernandez was absolutely dominant and such a memorable player, but not for near long enough for the Hall of Fame… Not even close. His talent was HOF caliber, but his career was not. Wish he was still here making his case though…
I agree. Sure he hadn’t been around long, but he dominated from beginning to end in a large sample size. What’s wrong with putting one of the best pitchers of this generation in the hall with an asterisk?
Maybe just maybe it’s Hall that needs to go to. What does he have on the owner that he gets this kind of contract. When he can’t do his job. Ridiculous clean house time to move into this century
Derrick Hall is not the issue. While the on field product has not produced, Hall’s efforts in the community & overall have been outstanding.
There is a reason why he was on the shortlist to be the next commissioner before Manfred took the helm.
THE FANS ARE FRUSTRATED WITH VENTURA AND WILLIAMS AND THINK BOTH MUST GO!
The White Sox have trouble developing position players,they are good at producing quality pitching. They need to sign highly rated Cuban players , Abreu, and Ramirez have been excellent signings. They need to be aggressive and sign Gurriel before Boston or someone else. Adding top foreign talent like Gurriel , signing a quality Catcher ( Wieters or Ramos) , and somehow find a Center or Right fielder that can hit for a high average and I think this team could win it all Burdi and Fullmer will add to the bullpen along with returning injured pieces.
Renteria is the new manager !!
I like it ! Still need more talent.
There is an old saying in plumbing that it rolls downhill. That is the same with a baseball team and that starts with Derrick Hall for the Dbacks. The responsibility for any problems they are facing is on his shoulders. They can’t keep GMs, or Scouts or other FO personnel and just might be a clue that he should look in the mirror to find out why.
Anybody remember what happened when Tony Gwynn passed? MLB completely disregarded him and turned to the Jeter Suck off. Did they ever apologize to the Gwynn Family?
Huge difference. Jose Fernandez was a current star, Gwynn was a retired one. And the MLB didn’t ignore him anyways