Odds & Ends: Torre, Braves, Blue Jays
In the midst of a tight Dodgers-Phillies game, here are some news tidbits from around the baseball world….
- Before Game Five, Joe Torre said he wants to (and believes he will) be the Dodgers' manager next season, reports Mike Jensen of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Jeff Schultz of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that Frank Wren is in a bit of a Catch-22 when it comes to re-signing Tim Hudson and Adam LaRoche, and/or trading Kenshin Kawakami or Derek Lowe for hitting help.
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that new Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos has spent his first few weeks on the job talking to the team's coaches and players. After talking to pending free agents Marco Scutaro, Rod Barajas and John McDonald, Anthopoulos said he wants to speak to their respective agents in the coming weeks.
- As reported by Kevin Gorman of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Mark Cuban told a group of Pitt students that he won't be buying the Pirates.
- Speaking of Pittsburgh natives looking to be involved in MLB ownership, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan said that Pittsburgh lawyer Check Greenberg's investment team made with members of the Hicks Sports Group on Wednesday to discuss buying the Rangers.
- Tommy Rancel of the DRaysBay blog outlines why he thinks the Rays should look into signing Kelvim Escobar this off-season.
Odds & Ends: Marlins, Miller, McCann
In the wake of the Phillies' bullpen giving us all Mitch Williams flashbacks, here are a few pieces of news….
- Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports that Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria thought about replacing manager Fredi Gonzalez with Bobby Valentine as far back as June.
- Loria, Gonzalez and other members of the Florida front office were in Paris for a short working vacation earlier in the week, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- Spencer also notes that Florida left-hander Andrew Miller (the No. 6 overall pick in the 2006 MLB Draft), is pitching for Mesa of the Arizona Fall League to both get some extra work and to straighten out the kinks in his throwing motion.
- In other AFL news, MLB.com's Jason Beck thinks that Tigers prospect Scott Sizemore's performance in Arizona this winter might help him win a job in Detroit in 2010.
- Atlanta's Brian McCann underwent his second bout of Lazik eye surgery today to try and solve his nagging vision problems, reports Mark Bowman of MLB.com
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier says Red Sox shortstop Jed Lowrie met with doctors on Friday and was told his surgically-repaired wrist should be in top shape for spring training after an off-season conditioning program.
Odds & Ends: Cubs, Nationals, Myers, Hudson
A slew of Thursday night links from around the majors….
- Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (via Twitter) that coveted hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo appears likely to join the Chicago Cubs.
- Byron Kerr of MASN.com doesn't expect Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to name a new manager until at least November. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the team will consider Chip Hale, Bobby Valentine, Bob Melvin, and perhaps Dave Duncan (if he's available), in addition to interim skipper Jim Riggleman.
- Meanwhile, another managerial search continues in Houston. Adam McCalvy of MLB.com writes that candidate Ned Yost thinks he benefited from a year away from a baseball job.
- Todd Zolecki of MLB.com wonders if Brett Myers is done in Philadelphia. Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that even though Myers didn't make the team's NLCS roster, that doesn't necessarily mean the righty won't be back in 2010.
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports that it doesn't sound like Will Clark will be a candidate for the San Francisco Giants' open hitting coach position.
- David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution follows up on the recent Tim Hudson speculation. O'Brien thinks the Braves and Hudson might be able to agree on a three-year deal worth about $27-30MM.
- Eric Byrnes met with Diamondbacks GM Josh Byrnes and manager A.J. Hinch to discuss his future in Arizona, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
Tim Hudson Still Hopes To Remain In Atlanta
2:34pm: O'Brien and MLB.com's Mark Bowman have more comments from Hudson.
WEDNESDAY, 10:38am: O'Brien spoke to Hudson, who termed Rosenthal's portrayal a misunderstanding. Hudson still hopes to work out a multiyear extension with the Braves.
TUESDAY: Braves pitcher Tim Hudson is expected to choose free agency "barring a last-minute, knockout offer from the Braves," according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal says the Braves are likely to exercise their half of Hudson's $12MM mutual option for 2010, but Hudson would rather decline his side and seek a larger guarantee. Hudson is projected to fall just short of Type B status, and if that holds up there would be no point to an arbitration offer.
Back on September 24th, ESPN's Jayson Stark found it "all but certain" that Hudson would return to the Braves next year. Earlier that month Hudson told MLB.com's Mark Bowman he'd be glad if the Braves picked up the option. Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution wrote that Hudson and his wife had "put down roots" in the Atlanta area. What changed in the last few weeks?
I'm not sure Hudson is judging the market correctly. He recovered from August 2008 Tommy John surgery to make seven starts this year, posting a 3.61 ERA. He'd be turning down one year and $12MM for perhaps two years and $16MM guaranteed on the open market (my best guess). On the other hand, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs believes the market will value Hudson more highly than that.
Odds & Ends: Tigers, Clark, Duncan, Beltran
Wait, what do you mean "there are no baseball games tonight?!?"
- James Schmehl of MLive.com says that during the Tigers' annual season-ending meeting, GM Dave Dombrowski acknowledged "that payroll limitations this offseason will prevent the Tigers from keeping every free agent." Detroit's double play combo of Placido Polanco and Adam Everett will be free agents, as will their setup man-closer tandem of Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney.
- Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that Braves scouting director Roy Clark "told the Braves on Tuesday that he's leaving the organization to become an assistant general manager with the Nationals." Clark will have a similar role with the Nats, overseeing player development and the scouting department. He had been Atlanta's scouting director since 2000, drafting such players as Brian McCann, Yunel Escobar, and Jason Heyward.
- Cardinals' pitching coach Dave Duncan said he's going to wait and see what manager Tony La Russa does before making a decision about his future, according to FoxSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi.
- In a mailbag at MLB.com, Marty Noble says the Mets are "boxed in" when it comes to Carlos Beltran because not many clubs can assume the $37MM he's owed the next two years, not to mention concerns about his physical condition.
Odds & Ends: Padres, Burrell, Upton, Jays
Here's a few links to help you relax before starting the grind tomorrow…
- Dan Hayes of The North County Times says that whoever takes over as GM of the Padres will inherit a favorable situation because the "40-man roster is loaded with affordable, controllable talent" and the team "should have a little spending flexibility this offseason." Plus it's San Diego, which is awesome.
- Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times says that unless the Rays find someone willing to take on the $9MM left on Pat Burrell's contract, he'll be back next year. He also notes that Tampa would need to be "overwhelmed" to trade B.J. Upton, as you could imagine.
- The Blue Jays will hire Nationals scouting director Dana Brown as a special assistant to new GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to Bob Elliot of The Toronto Sun. The Nats will interview Braves director of scouting Roy Clark on Monday according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, potentially filling Brown's now vacant position.
Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo
Links for Friday…
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
- The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
- Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier. Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs. Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
- Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
- Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
- Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer.
- In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.
Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo
Links for Friday…
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
- The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
- Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier. Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs. Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
- Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
- Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
- Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer.
- In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.
Heyman On Holliday, Giambi, Lackey
The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…
- Heyman says the Braves "may consider going after Matt Holliday." So maybe I shouldn't rule out Holliday and Jason Bay for the Braves' right-handed power bat options.
- Jason Giambi hopes to play another year as a DH. There will be fewer than 11 open DH spots this winter.
- John Lackey wants A.J. Burnett money ($82.5MM over five years) and the Angels aren't confident about re-signing him.
Right-Handed Power Options For Atlanta
It's pretty well-established at this point: the Braves want to add a right-handed power bat at first base or an outfield corner. Let's look at some candidates (assuming Jason Bay and Matt Holliday are too pricey).
- Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution thinks Nelson Cruz's name will come up at the Braves' organizational meetings. Cruz, 29, hit .260/.332/.524 with 33 home runs in 515 plate appearances this year. However, he is under team control through 2013 and the Rangers have given no indication he's available.
- Jonny Gomes slugged .541 this year; he'd fit the bill. He'll become a free agent if the Reds play it cheap and non-tender him.
- Josh Willingham slugged .496 for the Nationals this year. The Nats may consider him a big part of their lineup, but for the right young arm(s) they'd have to listen. He's under team control through 2011.
- Juan Uribe, a free agent, quietly slugged .495 for the Giants. Uribe might be a poor fit with Martin Prado at second base for Atlanta. Miguel Tejada also probably does not make sense positionally.
- Paul Konerko slugged .489 for the White Sox. But the Sox are not in a position to subtract a bat, and Konerko has full no-trade rights.
- Marlon Byrd, a free agent, slugged .479 for the Rangers. He can play any outfield position. Solid player, but Byrd is coming off a career year and the Braves might not prefer doubles power.
- Jake Fox will probably be available this winter. The 27-year-old slugged .468 in 241 plate appearances for the Cubs after a ridiculous .841 mark in Triple A. The Braves could look into other older minor leaguers with power such as Shelley Duncan, Mitch Jones, or Randy Ruiz. Probably wouldn't be a fan-pleaser.
- Free agent Vladimir Guerrero (.460 SLG) would have difficulty playing the outfield full-time.
- Marlins' second baseman Dan Uggla slugged .459 this year and .514 in '08. Uggla's teammate Jorge Cantu could also be available.
- The Tigers could non-tender Marcus Thames, who slugged .453 this year and .516 in '08.
- Free agents Jermaine Dye or Gary Sheffield could come back to Atlanta, if the Braves don't mind sacrificing on defense. Pat Burrell, a player of the same ilk, might be available in trade.
- Xavier Nady is another consideration; he slugged .510 in '08. Mark DeRosa, who the Braves non-tendered in December of 2004, also showed good power last year. Ditto on the '08 power of free agents Troy Glaus and Melvin Mora.
- Magglio Ordonez slugged .494 in '08 and finished strong this year. However he makes $18MM next year and his 2011 option still might vest. Speaking of large contracts, Vernon Wells slugged .496 in '08.
- Jorge Says No wonders if a Corey Hart–Kenshin Kawakami swap would be fair.
- Did we miss anyone? Which right-handed power bat would you like to see the Braves target?