Twins Reportedly Make Formal Offer To Yu Darvish
2018/02/twins-rumors-offer-yu-darvish-rays-trades.htmlAfter several months of back and forth negotiations, the Twins have submitted a formal offer to Yu Darvish's camp, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN in the latest episode of his podcast (audio link, Twins talk starting up at the 2:25 mark and running through 11:00). … To that end, while Darvish is the top target for the Twins, Minnesota has also remained in touch with the agents for a number of other free-agent starters, ranging from second-tier names like Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn.
Quick Hits: Aardsma, Coke, Market Analysis
2018/02/quick-hits-aardsma-coke-market-analysis.htmlFormer MLB righty David Aardsma has announced on his podcast that he's officially calling it quits as a ballplayer and joining the Blue Jays front office as coordinator of player development. … Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic again offers some worthwhile perspective in a subscription piece, chiding both the player and team sides for "bickering" over pace-of-play discussions when what's needed is a joint commitment to evolving the game -- and, no doubt, an effort to deal with the dangerous rise in labor tension.
AL Notes: Yanks, Cashman, Rays, Angels, Tribe
2018/01/al-notes-yanks-cashman-rays-angels-tribe.htmlOn the latest edition of his podcast, ESPN's Buster Olney discusses a slew of interesting topics with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, who looks back on his first 20 years on the job and ahead to his future in the position. … Since then, the Yankees have revamped their pro scouting department, created what Cashman believes is an enviable quantitative analysis team, implemented a "second-to-none mental skills program" and tried when possible to copy the performance science methods of European soccer teams and Australian rules football clubs.
Yankees To Sign Wade LeBlanc
2018/01/yankees-to-sign-wade-leblanc.htmlLeBlanc, 33, engineered a return to the majors after spending a season in Japan in 2015 (and then appearing on the MLBTR Podcast). … The Yankees have agreed to a minor-league deal with lefty Wade LeBlanc, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter).
Free Agent Rumors: Moustakas, Cahill, Mets, Dodgers, Hirano, Indians, Twins
2017/12/mlb-free-agent-rumors-mike-moustakas-adrian-gonzalez.htmlDarren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN touched on a number of Twins-related issues in his most recent podcast (audio link, Twins talk beginning at the 3:30 mark). … Like most free agents, Mike Moustakas has been met with an unexpectedly slow market this offseason, writes ESPN's Buster Olney.
Central Notes: Votto, Kinsler, Twins Pitching Targets
2017/11/central-notes-votto-kinsler-twins-pitching-targets.htmlDarren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reports on his podcast (audio link) that the club has engaged the Padres on Brad Hand and the Rays on Alex Colome. … Just in case there was any doubt, MLB.com's Mark Sheldon writes in response to a fan inquiry that there's no indication whatsoever that Reds first baseman Joey Votto will end up being moved this winter.
East Notes: Girardi, Braves, Marlins, Mets/Nats Affiliate
2017/10/east-notes-girardi-braves-marlins-metsnats-affiliate.htmlOn the heels of a rough few days for Girardi, ESPN's Buster Olney says he expects Girardi's time as the Yankees' skipper to conclude at season's end (podcast link). … Braves director of baseball operations Billy Ryan is a candidate to take over as their general manager, along with the previously reported trio of Royals GM Dayton Moore and Nationals assistants Doug Harris and Dan Jennings, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
AL Central Notes: Gibson, Santana, Kipnis, Abreu, Merrifield
2017/09/al-central-notes-gibson-santana-kipnis-abreu-merrifield.htmlAsked by 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson on his latest podcast if Gibson would be tendered a contract this winter (audio link, with Levine joining around the 27-minute mark and discussing Gibson at 37 minutes), Levine replied: "Starting pitching -- and quality starting pitching -- is at a premium. … The 29-year-old former first-rounder limped to a ghastly 6.29 ERA with 5.9 K/9, 4.3 BB/9 and a 51.1 percent ground-ball rate through the season's first half and was even optioned to Triple-A Rochester back in May.
Quick Hits: Archer, Cardinals, Shapiro, Free Agents
2017/09/quick-hits-archer-cardinals-shapiro-free-agents.htmlOlney and his ESPN colleague Keith Law also described this concept during a podcast earlier this week. … We sort of jump-started our offseason a little early by opening up opportunities," GM Michael Girsch said.
Twins Notes: Garver, Colon, Enns, Ervin, Rosario
2017/08/twins-notes-garver-colon-enns-ervin-rosario.htmlThe Astros and Mariners have both showed plenty of interest in right-hander Ervin Santana this summer, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reports in his latest podcast (audio link, Twins talk starts up around the 45:00 mark). … The Mets were also pursuing a reunion with Colon, but the veteran righty said some urging from Santana, the Twins superior place in the standings and the opportunity to serve as a mentor for a number of young Twins pitchers all appealed to him.
AL Central Notes: Twins, Bonifacio, Mondesi, Hosmer, Kipnis
2017/04/al-central-notes-twins-bonifacio-mondesi-hosmer-kipnis.htmlTwins vice president and assistant general manager Rob Antony appeared on Darren Wolfson's 1500 ESPN Podcast earlier this week (audio link, with Antony talking Twins aroung the 35:00 mark) and covered a number of topics. … He's pegged mostly as a corner outfielder with a nice hit tool but questionable power and limited defensive prowess.
NL Central Notes: Reds, Wong, Hutchison, Szczur
2017/03/nl-central-notes-reds-wong-hutchison-szczur.htmlIn an appearance on the podcast hosted by C. … Especially for a small-market team, he said, it's necessary to question traditional thinking.
Twins Notes: Napoli, Alvarez, Perkins
2017/02/twins-notes-napoli-alvarez-perkins.html1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson noted in his most recent podcast (audio link, Twins talk around 10:10 mark) that the Twins got the sense they'd have had to blow the Rangers' offer out of the water to convince Napoli to sign in Minnesota -- perhaps a two-year offer worth nearly $10MM annually -- as the veteran slugger was prioritizing contending clubs in free agency. … Both Falvey and Levine know Napoli well from his time with the Indians and Rangers, and the new Twins duo is emphasizing not only on-field production but off-the-field value in all of their decisions.
Latest On Matt Wieters
2017/02/latest-on-matt-wieters.htmlWieters has been tied to the Nationals and the Angels all winter long, it seems, but Chelsea Janes of the Washington Post recently appeared on Olney's Baseball Tonight Podcast (audio link) and explained that the Nats are largely set on Derek Norris entering the season as the starter behind the dish. … The Orioles, as a staff, tied for 18th in overall fastball velocity last season, so it seems somewhat counter-intuitive to point out that higher-velocity arms can lead to dubious framing grades.
Bullpen Rumors: Badenhop, Lefties, Indians, Breslow, Colome, Twins
2017/01/bullpen-rumors-badenhop-lefties-indians-breslow-colome-twins.htmlThe Twins are interested in Joe Smith, reports 1500 ESPN's Darren Wolfson in his latest podcast (audio link, with bullpen talk beginning around 1:02:55). … Among other possibilities, Cleveland is said to be "doing background work" on veteran righty Joe Blanton, though Rosenthal notes that it's far from clear whether the organization will even give out any more MLB deals (which Blanton surely will require).
FA/Trade Notes: Arroyo, Tigers, Martinez, Avila, Dozier
2016/12/fatrade-notes-arroyo-tigers-martinez-avila-dozier.htmlIn the latest edition of his podcast, Bill Ladson of MLB.com spoke with longtime major league starter Bronson Arroyo about whether he'll continue his career. … Arroyo, a free agent, hopes to return for what would be his age-40 season in 2017.
Coppolella On Swanson, Free Agency, Manager
2016/09/coppolella-on-swanson-free-agency-manager.htmlBraves GM John Coppolella was a guest on Buster Olney's podcast at ESPN.com today (audio link) and discussed a number of topics, including the timing of Dansby Swanson's promotion, his expectations for free agency, what to expect from SunTrust Park, the health of prospect Ozzie Albies and the team's managerial vacancy heading into the offseason. … They have been somewhat force-fed into opportunities because of guys getting hurt and/or traded.
AL East Notes: Moncada, A-Rod, Yankees, Rays, Sanchez
2016/08/yankees-wont-release-alex-rodriguez.htmlCashman appeared on yesterday's Baseball Tonight podcast with ESPN's Buster Olney (audio link) and discussed the Yankees' decision to act as sellers at this year's deadline as well as the prospects he picked up in trades of Andrew Miller and Carlos Beltran leading up to the non-waiver trade deadline. … If you take that out, it's simply do you let him start to a point where he either fatigues and…
Orioles’ Hunter Harvey To Undergo Tommy John Surgery
2016/07/hunter-harvey-tommy-john-orioles.htmlOrioles top pitching prospect Hunter Harvey will undergo Tommy John surgery, general manager Dan Duquette revealed on today's Baseball Tonight Podcast with ESPN's Buster Olney (audio link). … Harvey was selected with the No.
Giants Prioritizing Relief Additions
2016/07/giants-prioritizing-relief-additions.htmlGiants GM Bobby Evans suggested yesterday that his organization is looking hard at relievers, in an appearance on the podcast of ESPN.com's Buster Olney (audio link). … Perhaps unsurprisingly, then, the organization is said to be "blanketing" the market for bullpen arms, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (Twitter link).
West Notes: Bregman, Jansen, Pomeranz, Rockies
2016/07/alex-bregman-rumor-promotion-astros.htmlThere's been "no sign so far" that the Rockies and manager Walt Weiss are discussing an extension, per Nick Groke and Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post in their midseason Rockies podcast. … Pomeranz said that Green appreciated how straightforward he was and gave him a chance to earn that job.
AL Notes: Yankees, Red Sox, Davis, Norris, Avila
2016/07/al-notes-yankees-red-sox-davis-norris-avila.htmlYankees GM Brian Cashman discussed his team's oft-debated trade deadline stance in an appearance on the podcast of ESPN.com's Buster Olney (audio link). … He said that the club is "open to everything and anything" over the month to come, noting that he'd raise any interest in the organization's major league assets with ownership.
AL Central Notes: Indians, Sox, Bruce, Rodon, Buxton
2016/06/white-sox-jay-bruce-trade-rumor.htmlIndians president of baseball operations Chris Antonetti joined ESPN's Buster Olney on his podcast on Tuesday (audio link) and discussed a number of topics, including the recent suspension of Marlon Byrd, the breakout of super utilityman Jose Ramirez, Michael Brantley's shoulder rehab, the upcoming amateur draft and the club's financial flexibility as the trade deadline approaches. … "I don't expect that we'll be limited," said Antonetti.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Glasnow, Goldschmidt, Harper
2016/05/baseball-blogs-weigh-in-glasnow-goldschmidt-harper.htmlNatsGM has a podcast interview with FiveThirtyEight writer Ben Lindbergh, the author of "The Only Rule Is It Has To Work," which details the experience Lindbergh and Baseball Prospectus' Sam Miller had running the baseball operations of an independent league team last year. … Jays From The Couch highlights what has gone wrong offensively for Blue Jays catcher Russell Martin this year and provides an answer regarding whether panic is in order.
Notes On Tim Lincecum Showcase
2016/05/notes-on-tim-lincecum-showcase.htmlSteve Adams and I chatted about Lincecum on today's MLBTR podcast, which obviously occurred before he took the mound. … “To be honest with you I’d rather start, but I know I need to get timing with others hitters in…