Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny
Rounding up linkage for Monday…
- The Jays claimed two players off waivers: shortstop Angel Sanchez and pitcher Kelvin Jimenez.
- The Cubs and Nationals swapped minor leaguers. The Cubs sent pitcher Matt Avery to the Nats for another pitcher named Ryan Buchter.
- Good stuff from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick – he surveyed 15 front-office people on the top stories of the offseason.
- One of a million conversations taking place at the GM meetings: Brian Cashman chatting with Walt Jocketty.
- Tony Massarotti’s top five lies told during free agency.
- Ken Davidoff names his top ten GMs.
- Joe Posnanski on the Mike Jacobs–Leo Nunez trade.
- River Ave. Blues explains why the Yankees should offer arbitration to Ivan Rodriguez.
- The official list of the 191 players eligible for free agency.
- The Braves hope to re-sign free agents Will Ohman, Greg Norton, and John Smoltz. The Smoltz situation may not be resolved until January.
- Tracy Ringolsby lists needs for every team.
- The Tigers signed an independent league lefty named Kris Regas to a minor league deal.
- John Shea says the Giants and A’s will consider the big-name free agent sluggers this winter.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers doesn’t see Manny Ramirez signing until Christmas time. He sees the New York and L.A. teams as suitors.
- Joe Sheehan proposes five radical offseason moves.
- The Cubs signed a couple of Korean players: catcher/outfielder Jae-hoon Ha and pitcher Soo-min Jung.
Andruw Wants To Return To Atlanta
Jennifer Brett of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Dodgers outfielder Andruw Jones, who says he’d like to come back and play for the Braves again. It’s unclear from his quote whether Jones is campaigning to return to the Braves in 2009 or after that. It takes two to tango, however, and the Braves are probably looking for an outfielder who is not coming off a historically bad season. The Braves didn’t even offer Jones arbitration last year.
A few weeks ago, Jones said, "I’m an everyday guy or I need to move out." However, he hasn’t formally requested a trade from the Dodgers. The 31 year-old is set to earn a $15MM salary next year. He’ll also receive $2.1MM of his signing bonus in ’09 and another $5MM in ’10.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Ordonez, Yankees, Red Sox
A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…
- MetsBlog says Magglio Ordonez may not be the best option but could be a good backup plan should other scenarios not play out (ie. Manny Ramirez).
- Talking Chop thinks Ordonez is a good fit for the Braves noting that the team has significant money to spend this offseason.
- River Ave. Blues is not excited about the possibility of Ordonez in the Yankees’ outfield, noting that it makes more sense to re-sign Bobby Abreu for less money.
- Was Watching wonders if the Yankees would have to sign C.C. Sabathia in order to trade for Matt Holliday. They feel it would be strange for the Yankees to go after Holliday one year after bowing out of the Johan Santana sweepstakes.
- Over The Monster takes a look at whether the Red Sox should re-sign Jason Varitek and what other options are available.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Yankees, Lowe, D’Backs
Links for Thursday…
- Peter Abraham takes a look at the Yankees’ first base options. The Royals could match up on a trade, if the Yanks are willing to try an unproven player.
- A pair of free agent bargains from Dave Cameron: Randy Johnson and Derek Lowe. What kind of salary will Lowe command?
- Free agent reliever Will Ohman hopes to remain in Atlanta.
- Braves GM Frank Wren has already talked to every team about his needs in left field and the rotation.
- Nick Piecoro looks at the D’Backs’ offseason needs. Will there be room in the budget to make the necessary improvements?
- The A’s have five days to decide on Alan Embree‘s $3MM option, according to Susan Slusser. Embree profiles as a Type B free agent.
- The Padres have ten days to decide between Brian Giles‘ $9MM option and his $3MM buyout. It’s an easy call to exercise the option.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, Teixeira, Peavy
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports posted a new column yesterday; let’s take a look.
- Rosenthal says the "expectation in some baseball circles" is that the Brewers will offer a four-year, $100MM contract to C.C. Sabathia. However, between the Yankees, Angels, and Dodgers he could probably do significantly better.
- Mark Teixeira should draw interest from the Yankees, Red Sox, and Angels. Rosenthal adds that Mike Lowell does not have a no-trade clause (I believe I wrote earlier that he did).
- The Padres and Braves are at an impasse in the Jake Peavy talks, with the Padres seeking five players. The Braves don’t want to surrender Tommy Hanson, as Tom Krasovic reported Saturday.
- Scott Boras is reportedly pitching Jason Varitek as the Tigers’ next catcher.
- Rosenthal suggests that Manny Ramirez‘s defense may keep NL teams away.
Smoltz To Take Clemens Approach?
SUNDAY: Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reminds Braves fans of the plan for Smoltz. He will continue to rehab (sans progress reports for the media). If Smoltz is willing and able to pitch, the Braves want him back.
SATURDAY: Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News talked to John Smoltz‘s agent, Keith Grunewald. Smoltz, of course, would love to finish his career in Atlanta. The Braves figure to make an effort to re-sign him, but it’s not a lock. Smoltz could be ready in May or June following shoulder surgery, and could sign late with a contender as Roger Clemens did a few years ago. It’s not known whether he’ll start or relieve.
Jake Peavy Rumors: Sunday
Jake Peavy, on the block:
- According to Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union Tribune, the Braves have told the Padres they will not deal Tommy Hanson in a package for Jake Peavy. This despite heavy scouting of Hanson by the Padres in recent days. MLBTR touched on this topic on Friday, but it seems the Braves are standing pat that even Peavy won’t loosen their grip on their prospects. If the Padres are putting something together with the Braves, it’s not likely to be structured around Hanson, or Jair Jurrjens, Jason Heyward and Julio Teheran for that matter. As MLBTR noted before, it could all be speculation from rival GMs.
- Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune brings us information from Baseball America: Peavy would waive his no trade clause to play for the Cubs. While Rogers notes there’s not much of a fit he suggests a package that includes a swap of Adrian Gonzalez and Derrek Lee. Intriguing, but far fetched.
Peavy Rumors: Friday
As Kevin Towers and Barry Axelrod intended, things are slowing down on the Jake Peavy front. The Braves, considered the favorite, got the word out yesterday through the AP that they do not want to trade top prospects. Of course, that may have been a strategic move.
- Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren today. Wren says there are players he will not trade under any circumstances, and O’Brien believes three of those are Tommy Hanson, Jason Heyward, and Julio Teheran. Freddie Freeman, Jordan Schafer, and Gorkys Hernandez are close to untouchable, according to O’Brien.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney wonders if the Braves may have enough quality young players to pull off a Peavy deal without surrendering Heyward, Hanson, or Jair Jurrjens.
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains that the Cardinals do not have what the Padres are looking for in a Peavy trade.
- MLB.com’s Corey Brock says not to expect movement on a Peavy deal for the next week or so, as Towers takes a step back and conferences with the pitcher. Towers wants to figure out which teams he can engage before the November 3-6 GM meetings. Peavy’s five preferred clubs are known publicly, so perhaps Towers hopes to expand that list.
- Jason Rosenberg analyzes the MLB.com report over at his blog.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Manny, Peavy, Cubs
A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…
- Sox and Pinstripes has eight questions the Red Sox must address this offseason including whether or not to re-sign Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
- Dodger Thoughts notes that there is not a lot of substance behind the rumors of the Dodgers offering Manny Ramirez a contract worth $60MM for two years.
- Fanhouse wonders if Ramirez could make more money in the long run if he signs a two-year deal with the Dodgers now.
- Gaslamp Ball wonders if the Padres are not getting the offers they expected for Jake Peavy and are starting to get "cold feet."
- Talking Chop notes that Frank Wren’s public posturing during the Peavy negotiations is in stark contrast to what Braves fans are accustomed.
- Bleed Cubbie Blue projects a Cubs ’09 roster, including Aubrey Huff at first base and Luke Scott in right field.
- The Sports Bank says the biggest need for the White Sox lineup is to add speed. They look at some potential moves and project an ’09 lineup that includes Rafael Furcal and Chone Figgins.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Yankees, Pena, Epstein
Let’s round ’em up for Friday…
- The Royals claimed 24 year-old righty Jairo Cuevas off waivers from the Braves.
- I recently did a Q&A with a blog called The ‘Burgh Blues.
- Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News expects the Yankees to spend big this winter. Meanwhile, Peter Abraham reminds fans not to panic.
- Joel Sherman examines why the Yankees and Red Sox discarded Carlos Pena in 2006.
- Theo Epstein’s new deal will be made official after the World Series.
- Sox Machine debates whether the White Sox should add a starter this winter.
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire wonders whether the nation’s economy will affect the free agent market.
- Billy Beane, Newt Gingrich, and John Kerry propose a data revolution for our health care system.