Francoeur to the Royals?
Pure speculation here, but the Jeff Francoeur-to-the-Royals rumors continue. Joe Posnanski had a throwaway line in this post about "Jeff Francoeur, who I predict will be a Royal soon." An eagle-eyed reader emailed Atlanta writer David O’Brien to ask if this was supposed to be a joke. O’Brien responded:
"…that’s not tongue-in-cheek by Posnanski. As we’ve mentioned a few times, KC is the one team I wouldn’t be surprised to see Francoeur traded to, simply because of Dayton Moore and his long association with Francoeur. They remain friends who stay in contact, from my understanding. But more importantly, Dayton was here when the Braves drafted and developed Francoeur, and he’s going to have a lot better memory/impression of the player than other teams/GMs who’d just Francoeur on his performance slide and or what they’ve heard from scouts or through the grapevine…"
Another potential factor favoring Francoeur in KC: though the right fielder has never managed to walk a lot in the big leagues (.312 OBP), the Royals don’t seem to value walks at all, anyway.
Francoeur has gone from hometown favorite to disappointment in Atlanta—though to be fair to Frenchy, expectations could not have been higher. Perhaps he’s just another one of those top prospects who never pan out. But maybe the 24-year old would flourish away from an atmosphere that’s become toxic.
Atlanta obviously has a long shopping list of things they’d like. So any ideas on what the Royals might be willing to part with?
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.
GQ’s Chipper Jones Article
Nate Penn of GQ wrote an interesting article on Braves third baseman Chipper Jones. Some highlights:
- Interesting quote regarding tipping pitches: "I would say if you face seven pitchers in a week, four to five of them are doing something that gives them away." Jones says he owned Shane Reynolds for ten years for this reason.
- John Schuerholz treated the subject of re-signing Jones after ’09 delicately. One telling quote: "The reality of our business begs that we recognize the fact that it would be a really unusual development if he were to remain here."
- Chipper wants to play two to four more years, whether in Atlanta or elsewhere.
Offseason Outlook: Atlanta Braves
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Braves. Here’s how they set up for ’09 using internal options only:
C – Brian McCann – $3.5MM
C – Clint Sammons – $400K
1B – Casey Kotchman – $1.45MM+
2B – Kelly Johnson – $430K+
SS – Yunel Escobar – $403K
3B – Chipper Jones – $11MM
IF – Martin Prado -$400K
IF/OF – Omar Infante – $1.4MM+
LF – Matt Diaz – $1.225MM+
CF – Josh Anderson – $400K
RF – Jeff Francoeur – $460K+
OF – Gregor Blanco – $400K
OF – Brandon Jones – $400K
SP – Jair Jurrjens – $400K
SP – Jorge Campillo – $400K
SP – Jo-Jo Reyes – $400K
SP – Charlie Morton – $400K
SP – James Parr – $400K
RP – Rafael Soriano – $6.1MM
RP – Mike Gonzalez – $2.3625MM+
RP – Blaine Boyer – $400K
RP – Jeff Bennett – $400K
RP – Manny Acosta – $400K
RP – Buddy Carlyle – $400K
RP – Jeff Ridgway – $400K
Injured players: Tim Hudson – $13MM, Peter Moylan – $410K, Chuck James – $428K+
Non-tender candidates: Vladimir Nunez, Ruben Gotay
The result: about $48MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Kotchman, Johnson, Infante, Diaz, Francoeur, and Gonzalez. Those will add up, but the Braves should still come in under $60MM for the current players. The team had an opening day payroll of $102.4MM. The Braves are primed to do some serious spending.
The Braves are taking the right approach toward free agents/legends Tom Glavine and John Smoltz. They could help, but the team won’t count on them. I can see incentive-based deals for both.
Manager Bobby Cox expects to add two quality starters, whether via free agency or trade. I would target Derek Lowe due to his strong health record. He might cost $14-15MM per year. After that I’d ink a more affordable veteran like Paul Byrd, Freddy Garcia, or Randy Wolf. That bargain starter may come from Japan, with Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami considered the top names.
That strategy would leave money for a quality left field bat – perhaps Adam Dunn, Pat Burrell, Raul Ibanez, Brian Giles, or Juan Rivera. It would also be wise to add a stopgap center fielder in the Mark Kotsay/Randy Winn mold.
On the trade side, the Braves may be willing to move Johnson and/or Francoeur. The trade market for starters may include Tim Redding, Andy Sonnanstine, Edwin Jackson, Ian Snell, Nate Robertson, Jarrod Washburn, Justin Duchscherer, and Boof Bonser. See any matches there? The Braves would be selling low on Francoeur. Would swapping him for Brian Bannister make sense?
Frank Wren has a challenging offseason ahead of him; he’ll attempt to revamp the rotation and outfield.
Cafardo’s Latest: Salty, Renteria, Pudge
Let’s take a look at the latest column from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
- The Red Sox are "intrigued" by Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (I believe they have been for some time). Jamey Newberg would like to see Clay Buchholz in a Rangers uniform, but admits the deal would have to be expanded.
- The Red Sox will not have to pay the $3MM buyout on Edgar Renteria if the Tigers decline his $11MM option for ’09. The free agent market for shorstops is weak, but the Tigers will probably look elsewhere given Renteria’s .269/.318/.375 showing.
- Cafardo wonders if Jason Bay or Matt Holliday will be on the Braves’ radar this winter (both are signed through ’09). You’d have to think the Sox will want to keep Bay. The Braves will have $30-40MM to spend, and Bobby Cox expects two starting pitchers to be added.
- Cafardo talked to a scout who feels Ivan Rodriguez still has something left to offer despite his poor performance for the Yankees. Ideally he’d sign a one-year deal. It won’t be with the Yankees; Jorge Posada noted that Pudge is "going to have to go somewhere else."
Tazawa Ignites Controversy
Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa is shaking things up – last week he asked the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams not to draft him. He wants to join an MLB team instead. His decision, coupled with interest from multiple MLB teams, is putting a major strain on MLB-NPB relations.
Peter Abraham of The Journal News had an informative article on the Tazawa situation yesterday. He says Tazawa’s decision is testing an informal agreement that MLB will not sign Japanese prospects. Abraham says the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, and Dodgers have scouted Tazawa. The Tigers, Pirates, Cubs, and Mariners may also be in the mix. The Red Sox are said to be in the lead. There’s no posting free for an unsigned player, though Tazawa may want a big league deal.
The Yankees will pass – GM Brian Cashman told Abraham he will honor the gentleman’s agreement between the two leagues. When the Yanks sent Gene Michael to Japan last week, it was apparently to scout Yu Darvish. Darvish’s availability this winter will hinge on the whims of the Nippon Ham Fighters. No one knows whether the Fighters will cash the 22 year-old in now for a possible $60-80MM posting fee.
NPB directors convened to discuss the Tazawa situation last week, and they’re sending a delegation to the U.S. to meet with MLB. Abraham suggests NPB could strike back if Bud Selig doesn’t step in to stop the pursuit of Japanese players before they are drafted. Abraham speculates Japan could pull out of the World Baseball Classic or even sign an American amateur player as retaliation. Or, as Patrick Newman suggested to me recently, a team like Softbank could jump in and sign Pedro Alvarez or Aaron Crow.
Perrotto’s Latest: Royals, Ibanez, Rauch, Gregg
It’s Sunday, which means that John Perrotto has his Every Given Sunday column up over at Baseball Prospectus. Here’s the highlights…
- Royals GM Dayton Moore will likely make a big splash in the free agent market once again. Two years ago, he signed Gil Meche to a five-year, $55MM deal. Last year, he signed Jose Guillen to a three-year, $36MM contract. This year, his big target appears to be Rafael Furcal, which would allow the Royals to move Mike Aviles to second base. Moore is also believed to be willing to trade anyone on the team with the exceptions of Meche, Zack Greinke, and Joakim Soria.
- Raul Ibanez isn’t likely to be back with the Mariners as a free agent next season. Perrotto feels that Ibanez is a good bet to become the Rays’ designated hitter for 2009.
- The Diamondbacks originally wanted to use Jon Rauch as their closer for 2009 and let Brandon Lyon leave through free agency. Rauch’s recent string of rough outings has them reconsidering that train of thought.
- The Marlins will try to trade Kevin Gregg this offseason, and will likely non-tender him if they don’t find match.
- The Braves are looking to add two starters for the 2009 campaign. General manager Frank Wren has traveled overseas to scout Japanese pitchers Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami already this year.
- The Nationals have a crowded situation at first base with both Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young under contract, but they’ll still be looking to improve at the position in the offseason.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Hudson, Ordonez, Fielder, Howard
Let’s swing through Ken Rosenthal’s latest column.
- Rosenthal names the Mets, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, Indians, Rockies, and Cardinals as speculative fits for free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Obviously several of those scenarios would involve shuffling players to other positions or trades. The Yankees’ infield defense could certainly use the boost.
- Rosenthal considers Frank Wren’s midseason trip to Japan a sign that he might be active in that market.
- The Tigers may shop Magglio Ordonez for pitching this winter. Maggs will need fewer than 500 plate appearances next year to cause his 2010 and 2011 options to vest. So he’s essentially owed $48MM over three years.
- Don’t forget two other sluggers who may be available this winter: Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard. It works well for the Brewers and Phillies, as the free agent market is weak at first base.
Odds and Ends: Ellis, Patterson, Sweeney
Rounding up today’s links…
- Willie Bloomquist may have played his last game with the Mariners.
- The Rays feel they can be consistent contenders with a new stadium, as they could raise their payroll to the $80MM range.
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire takes a look at the free agent market.
- Athletics Nation notes the price on second baseman Mark Ellis has dropped.
- MLB.com’s Mark Bowman explains the Braves’ working agreement with the Hanshin Tigers. The Tigers don’t have any of the big name free agents, but Frank Wren could still consider adding Koji Uehara or Kenshin Kawakami to his rotation.
- The Padres added pitcher Scott Patterson, formerly of the Yankees. Paul DePodesta weighs in on Patterson and Charlie Haeger.
- Mike Sweeney hopes to sign with another club for the final few weeks of the season.
- Andrew Baggarly would be surprised to see the Giants trade Randy Winn this winter.
- Mike Hindman on Michael Young‘s huge contract extension, which kicks in next year. Click here to see the reaction from MLBTR readers at the time of the signing.
Tazawa Headed To MLB
As expected, amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has decided to forego Japanese baseball and sign with an MLB team. The Braves, Tigers, Red Sox, Pirates, Mets, and Yankees are thought to be in on him. Patrick Newman has a slew of links and videos on Tazawa here.
I am curious what NPB fans think of this development.
Odds and Ends: Pettitte, Hampton, Tazawa, Blalock
Let’s round ’em up…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- Andy Pettitte seems to want to play next year, but Peter Abraham believes he may have to take a pay cut.
- Gerry Fraley writes about the Rockies and Mike Hampton. It’s safe to rule out a return to Colorado for Hampton, who is currently auditioning for his next team.
- The Royals dismissed their scouting director Deric Ladnier, offering him another position in the organization. Craig Brown reflects on Ladnier’s tenure.
- More Royals linkage: Rany Jazayerli defends the Gil Meche signing and implores the team to lock up Zack Greinke this winter. Jazayerli would also like the team to pick up knuckleballer Charlie Haeger, recently designated for assignment by the White Sox.
- Patrick Newman continues to update us on Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa, who is coveted by several MLB teams. If Tazawa starts a trend, an interesting debate could follow. Newman also has a running list of Japanese free agents for this winter.
- Bobby Valentine may be clashing with his boss over in Japan.
- Will the Rangers cut Hank Blalock loose, or exercise his $6.2MM option? Blalock’s ability to play third base remains a question mark, but he will try to improve his arm strength this winter.
- Neither the Pirates nor Pedro Alvarez‘s people will be present at today’s hearing. ESPN’s Buster Olney says Alvarez can’t win – he’s either villified in Pittsburgh or forced into next year’s draft. In the latter case, Alvarez could lose money down the line.