Angels To Explore Trading Kendrick In Offseason
2013/09/angels-to-explore-trading-kendrick-in-offseason.htmlThe club came close to dealing Kendrick to the cross-town Dodgers at the trade deadline, which reportedly would have netted a top pitching prospect in Zach Lee. … Over the coming offseason, the Angels will explore the possibility of adding young, starting pitching through a trade of 30-year-old second baseman Howie Kendrick, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Rosenthal On Angels, Gibson, LaRoche, Dodgers
2013/09/rosenthal-on-3.htmlThe Halos nearly traded Howie Kendrick for a package headlined by the Dodgers' Zach Lee in July and they could pursue something similar with teams deep in young starters this offseason, like the Nationals and Mets. … There's still a month to go in the regular season, but the Angels are already scouting pitchers they could go after in free agency or in trades.
East Links: Jeter, Drew, CarGo, Gonzalez, Lester
2013/09/east-links.html"If you’re the GM, it’s your responsibility to make the tough decision for the good of the ballclub.” Here's more notes from around the majors' eastern divisions... … The team sees Gonzalez sliding into the third slot of their 2014 rotation behind Cole Hamels and Cliff Lee
Free Agent Profile: Bronson Arroyo
2013/09/free-agent-profile-bronson-arroyo.htmlHe projects for about 205 innings this year, right around his recent annual average. … In fact, only Cliff Lee and Haren have walked fewer batters per nine innings since 2011.
Quick Hits: Rangers, A’s, Jeter, Nationals, Phillies
2013/09/quick-hits-athletics-jeter-nationals-phillies.htmlHere are more notes from around the Majors. … That might be the case here as well, if only the team would get on with the rebuilding." Instead, the Phils will head into the offseason expecting to keep aging veterans Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Jimmy Rollins and Cliff Lee.
NL East Notes: Braves, Amaro, Choo, Marlins
2013/09/nl-east-notes-braves-amaro-choo-marlins.htmlif the team's $170MM payroll, the presence of Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez and numerous veterans under contract would prevent him from making big moves this winter, and Amaro replied with a simple, "Nope." Martino replied by asking if that meant Amaro was going to be his "usual creative self" and explore "crazy possibilities," and received another one-word answer in response: "Yep." Martino runs through some of Amaro's most recent blockbusters, including the Roy Halladay trade as well as two separate Cliff Lee trades and the signing of Lee as a free agent. … The Braves officially clinched the NL East on Sunday, and MLB.com's Mark Bowman lists 10 reasons that they were able to take their first division title since 2005.
Phillies Not Ruling Out Halladay For 2014
2013/09/phillies-not-ruling-out-halladay-for-2014.htmlThe Phillies already face uncertainty in their rotation beyond aces Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels; Cuban righty Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez projects to occupy one spot but hasn't thrown a Major League pitch before, and Kyle Kendrick saw his own season come to an end due to a shoulder injury. … It's been a forgettable pair of seasons and a sharp fall from his status as arguably the game's best pitcher for Roy Halladay.
East Notes: Kuroda, Lee, Mets, Blue Jays
2013/09/east-notes-kuroda-mets-blue-jays.htmlPhillies pitcher Cliff Lee plans to retire after the 2016 season, Matt Gelb of the Inquirer reports (on Sulia). … Yankees starting pitcher Hiroki Kuroda hasn't decided whether he'll pitch in 2014, Anthony Rieber of New York Newsday reports (via Twitter).
Phillies Notes: Pitching, Kendrick, Ruiz
2013/09/phillies-notes-pitching-kendrick.htmlIf Kendrick returns to the rotation, he and Cuban import Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez would likely slide in behind Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. … The Phillies' pitching staff, once one of the game's best, may require an overhaul, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes.
Tigers Could Listen To Offers For Scherzer This Winter
2013/10/tigers-could-listen-to-offers-for-scherzer-this-winter.htmlAmong the five with SIERAs that best Scherzer, only Cliff Lee topped him in innings pitched. … Fans that are dreaming about a David Price trade after the recent news that he's preparing himself to be moved this offseason can add another name to their wishlists, as Danny Knobler of CBS Sports reports that there's a "very real chance" the Tigers could trade AL Cy Young favorite Max Scherzer this winter.
Athletics Notes: Colon, Balfour, Crisp, Anderson
2013/10/athletics-notes-colon-balfour-crisp-anderson.htmlCloser Grant Balfour isn't satisfied with only making the playoffs, he told reporters, including MLB.com's Jane Lee. … Earlier today, Bartolo Colon told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he'd like to return to the A's next season and feels that he could pitch another three years in the Majors.
Offseason Outlook: Philadelphia Phillies
2013/10/offseason-outlook-philadelphia-phillies.htmlIn 2013, the Phillies put up about 17.5 WAR as a team, which is around half the total accumulated by the lowest-tallying playoff club (Cleveland). … Guaranteed Contracts Cliff Lee, SP: $62.5MM through 2015 Cole Hamels, SP: $118.5MM through 2018 Ryan Howard, 1B: $85MM through 2016 Chase Utley, 2B: $27MM through 2015 Jonathan Papelbon: $26MM through 2015 Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez: $12MM through 2016 Jimmy Rollins, SS: $11MM through 2014 Mike Adams, RP: $7MM through 2014 Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) Antonio Bastardo, RP (4.054 years of service): $2MM Kyle Kendrick, SP (5.159): $6.6MM John Lannan, SP (5.046, non-tender candidate): $3MM Kevin Frandsen, IF (4.151): $1.3MM Roger Bernadina, OF (4.146, non-tender candidate): $1.3MM John Mayberry Jr., OF (3.095, non-tender candidate): $1.7MM Ben Revere, OF (2.149, Super Two): $1.5MM Casper Wells, OF (3.040, non-tender candidate): $700k Contract Options N/A Free Agents Carlos Ruiz, Roy Halladay ($20MM option did not vest) Ruben Amaro Jr.
AL West Notes: Mariners, Balfour, Tanaka, Astros
2013/10/al-west-notes-mariners-balfour-tanaka-astros.htmlThere's been quite a bit of managerial buzz around the league with the large number of new openings, but all has been fairly quiet on the Mariners front until now. … The Athletics are "almost certain" to let Grant Balfour depart via free agency, writes MLB.com's Jane Lee in her latest Inbox column.
Offseason Outlook: Tampa Bay Rays
2013/10/offseason-outlook-tampa-bay-rays.htmlThe Rays are mostly set around the diamond with Longoria at third, Escobar at short, Zobrist at second, Myers in…… Those deals brought the likes of Wil Myers, Chris Archer, Sam Fuld, Hak-Ju Lee, Brandon Guyer and Jake Odorizzi to Tampa Bay, and it's likely that Price would command an even larger haul of prospects than either Garza or Shields.
Free Agent Profile: Ervin Santana
2013/10/free-agent-profile-ervin-santana.htmlWilson, Yu Darvish, Cliff Lee, John Lackey, CC Sabathia and Burnett have inked free agent deals for five or more seasons. … Since that time, Santana resurfaced as one of the better pitchers in the American League, one of the game's top trade chips at the deadline and of course, one of the most desirable free agents on the market.
Offseason Outlook: Oakland Athletics
2013/10/offseason-outlook-oakland-athletics.html"We won our division doing things a certain way," Beane said (as quoted by MLB.com's Jane Lee). … Guaranteed Contracts Yoenis Cespedes, OF: $21MM through 2015 Alberto Callaspo, 2B/3B: $4.875 through 2014 Arbitration Eligible Players (service time in parentheses) Jed Lowrie, SS (5.111): $4.8MM projected salary Seth Smith, OF/DH (5.119): $4.3MM Brandon Moss, 1B/OF (3.160): $3.8MM John Jaso, C (4.032): $2.2MM Josh Reddick, OF (3.050): $2.2MM Jerry Blevins, RP (4.081): $1.5MM Daric Barton, 1B (4.028): $1.4MM (non-tender candidate) Pat Neshek, RP (5.159): $1.2MM (non-tender candidate) Jesse Chavez, RP (3.108): $600K Scott Sizemore, 2B (3.046): $600K (non-tender candidate) Fernando Rodriguez, RP (2.142 - Super Two): $500K (non-tender candidate) Contract Options Chris Young, OF: $11MM club option ($1.5MM buyout) Kurt Suzuki, C: $8.5MM club option ($650K buyout) Brett Anderson, SP: $8MM club option ($1.5MM buyout) Coco Crisp, OF: $7.5MM club option ($1MM buyout) Free Agents Grant Balfour, Bartolo Colon The Athletics' main objective this offseason should be to figure out a way to beat Justin Verlander in an ALDS Game 5, which is how each of their past two post-season runs have ended.
Free Agent Profile: Phil Hughes
2013/10/free-agent-profile-phil-hughes.htmlAmong qualified starters over that same four-year stretch, only Cliff Lee, Tommy Milone and Kevin Slowey have thrown a first-pitch strike at a higher rate than Hughes' 66.7 percent. … Not long ago, the thought of Phil Hughes hitting free agency at age 27 would have come with lofty contract expectations.
Red Sox Notes: Ellsbury, Napoli, Bullpen
2013/10/red-sox-notes-ellsbury-napoli-bullpen.htmlBut when you're around it and you feel the group coming together the way it did, I don't have any doubt it's valuable. … Mike Napoli feels that he's found a home in Boston and told reporters, including ESPNBoston.com's Tony Lee, that he hopes to return to the team in 2014 and beyond.
Free Agent Profile: Justin Morneau
2013/11/free-agent-profile-justin-morneau.htmlMinnesota has no clear replacement waiting in the wings, with Chris Parmelee and Chris Colabello both posting sub-par big league numbers. … On July 7, 2010, Justin Morneau was hitting a ridiculous .345/.437/.618 for the first-place Twins in their inaugural season at Target Field.
Free Agent Profile: Bartolo Colon
2013/11/free-agent-profile-bartolo-colon.htmlOnly Cliff Lee, David Price and Adam Wainwright averaged fewer walks per nine innings this season, and no free agent starter was able to match his precision. … A stem cell injection into Bartolo Colon's right shoulder helped to reinvigorate his career with the Yankees in 2011, but the merits of that procedure were called into question a bit by a 50-game suspension for elevated testosterone levels last August.
AL West Rumors: McCann, Ellsbury, Tanaka, Lowrie
2013/11/al-west-rumors-mccann-ellsbury-tanaka-lowrie.htmlIn an appearance on 95.7 The Game, A's manager Bob Melvin threw cold water on the idea that Jed Lowrie could be traded to the Cardinals, tweets Jane Lee of MLB.com. … The latest out of the AL West..
Minor Moves: Valdez, Diaz, Gonzalez, Souza, McCoy
2013/11/minor-moves-diaz-gonzalez-souza-layne-mccoy.htmlThere are a host of new minor league deals out of Cincinnati, with the Reds inking lefty Lee Hyde, second baseman Rey Navarro, outfielder Mike Wilson, and catchers Rossmel Perez and Max Ramirez. … Here are today's minor moves, all via Matt Eddy of Baseball America (links to Twitter) unless otherwise noted ...
Tender Deadline Notes: Barton, Stewart, Nix, Kelly
2013/12/tender-deadline-notes-barton-stewart-nix-kelly.htmlThe Yanks' signings of Brian McCann and Brendan Ryan don't bode well for Stewart or Nix, particularly given that GM Brian Cashman has said he will tender catcher Francisco Cervelli. … One player who could be non-tendered is Daric Barton, who is the Athletics' longest-tenured player, as MLB.com's Jane Lee points out.
AL West Notes: Rangers, Arencibia, Kazmir, Hughes, Mariners
2013/12/al-west-notes-rangers-arencibia-kazmir-hughes-mariners.htmlMLB.com's Jane Lee provides a summation of the considerations that brought him to Oakland, with Kazmir saying he loves the team and fan base and looks forward to throwing in the Coliseum. … Here's the latest from the American League West: Rangers GM Jon Daniels says the club is still looking for a durable backup catcher, reports T.R.
AL East Notes: Price, Orioles, Axford, Hinske
2013/12/al-east-notes-price-orioles-axford-hinske.htmlInstead, what typically happens looks more like the weak returns various teams have received when they dealt Cliff Lee. … Since 2008, teams that have traded top-of-the-rotation pitchers usually haven't gotten much in return, ESPN's Mike Petriello argues (Insider-only).