Odds and Ends
Here are some various trade rumors that didn’t quite have enough behind them for individual posts.
- There’s a gossip section in the Boston Herald called Inside Track, written by Gayle Fee, Laura Raposa, and Erin Hayes. They heard that Coco Crisp told fans at the recent Division Champs celebration that he expects to be dealt this winter to make room for Jacoby Ellsbury. By most accounts Crisp has developed into a fine defensive center fielder, and he’s under contract for $4.75MM in ’08, $5.75MM in ’09, and an $8MM club option in ’10. Perhaps Crisp could be used to acquire a third baseman in the event that Mike Lowell leaves and the Red Sox can’t sign A-Rod.
- Phil Wood of the Washington Examiner speculates that the Nationals could get in on Jason Bay. Not the worst idea, but the Nats don’t seem to have the available young pitching for the deal.
- Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution likes the Nate Robertson to Atlanta idea, tossing Joe Blanton and Shaun Marcum into the mix as other options.
- Bob Wickman may quietly retire, bumming out these guys.
- El Lefty Malo dissects recent comments from Giants GM Brian Sabean.
- Peter Abraham suggests the Mets trade Carlos Beltran for pitching.
Andruw Likely Gone
Update: Keith Law just predicted Torii Hunter will make 16MM/year in Texas. That gels with what Andruw’s seeking.
Tim discussed The Andruw Jones Situation recently and whether he’d accept a 1-year deal or a 5-year hometown discount. Now, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution discusses the inevitable departure of Andruw Jones here and here.
Despite Andruw coming off career-worst season of hitting .222 with 26 homeruns and 94 RBIs, Scott Boras has said there’s "no way" he’ll accept a 1-year deal. Instead, he’s seeking a contract at the "fair-market value" of $17-20 million per year. That’s Vernon Wells-esque. And why not? Wells has yet to approach Andruw’s career production. And it’s always easy to forget after 12 years in the bigs that Andruw Jones is only 30.
Jones has three games left on his contract that paid him $75MM over the last 6 years, a real hometown discount. Boras has made it known they have no interest in taking another one.
With the Braves’ desire to re-sign their new-darling Mark Teixeira after next season, who in the interim will command around $12MM in arbitration, along with salary increases for John Smoltz, Tim Hudson and other arbitration eligible players, Boras’ demands seem to indicate the unthinkable: An Atlanta without Andruw.
Posted By: Nat Boyle
The Andruw Jones Situation
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has a thorough dissection of the Andruw Jones situation.
The Braves have yet to speak to Jones, and their intentions for the center field spot in ’08 are anybody’s guess. If the Braves want to go short-term, it appears Andruw would consider a one-year offer. Scott Boras scoffed at the idea a few months ago but Jones had a subpar second half since then. If the Braves still want to lock him up, O’Brien reports that Jones might take a five-year, $75MM pact. I don’t see the Braves doing it.
As for fitting Andruw into the 2008 budget, the team’s president has indicated that payroll is likely to rise next year. It could reach the $90-100MM range. Payroll stood at $87MM on Opening Day.
Here’s the problem: even subtracting Jones’ $13.5MM salary and replacing him internally with, say, Kelly Johnson, the Braves are looking at roughly a $7MM net increase just with current players. Hudson, Smoltz, and Teixeira’s raises will add roughly $17MM to the payroll, plus another several million for arbitration-eligible players. So a $95MM payroll might just buy the Braves their current roster sans Andruw and Octavio Dotel. Trading Edgar Renteria might be a necessity.
Meanwhile, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune has reported that the Padres are mulling a one-year offer to Jones in excess of his current $13.5MM salary. The Nationals and many other clubs could make a similar one-year offer.
Let’s Make A Deal: Edgar Renteria
I’ve been getting a lot of emails about Edgar Renteria. Let’s take a look at the situation.
In my opinion, the Braves need to import one solid, dependable starting pitcher. Free agency presents plenty of options – a few dependable, most not: Matt Clement, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Randy Wolf, Jaret Wright, Jason Jennings, Koji Uehara, Carlos Silva, Livan Hernandez, Tom Glavine.
Same deal with trade options: Carl Pavano, Jose Contreras, Kei Igawa, Matt Morris, Jon Garland, Bronson Arroyo, Nate Robertson, maybe Joe Blanton.
Back to Renteria – can we find a match? The White Sox, Tigers, and A’s might want to import a shortstop (though Renteria for Blanton wouldn’t fly with Oakland). Indeed, the first two connections have already surfaced in print. The Braves offered Renteria and a top pitching prospect to the White Sox for Garland and were denied. And more recently, John Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press connected Renteria with the Tigers for multiple reasons.
I like a Robertson for Renteria swap. The Braves get two below-market price years of Robertson, who could be quite solid in the NL and is only 30 years old. Renteria meanwhile is signed cheaply for $9MM in ’08 with an $11MM club option ($3MM buyout) for ’09. Better yet, the Red Sox are chipping in towards next year’s salary and would cover the buyout. Everybody wins and even Carlos Guillen is happy.
The Braves would then move Yunel Escobar to shortstop and play Kelly Johnson every day at second base. That’s not much of a loss and Robertson would really solidify the staff if healthy. You may recall Keith Law opining in July that Escobar did have the glove to play short and could be a respectable hitter.
The Blue Jays, Royals, A’s, Cubs, Astros, Cardinals, and Giants may also be in the market for a shortstop. Shaun Marcum, Joe Blanton, Wandy Rodriguez, Anthony Reyes, Sean Marshall, and Noah Lowry could conceivably be available from those clubs. Marcum’s a long shot and as I said above I don’t see Renteria for Blanton happening.
Anyone have any other reasonable trade scenarios for Renteria?
Andruw Wants To Stay…Sort Of
I’d take it with a grain of salt, but Braves center fielder Andruw Jones had this to say yesterday regarding his future:
"If they want me here, I’ll be here. It just depends on what the Braves want to do. We’ll have to see what happens. Hopefully, they’ll come up with something. Maybe it will happen, maybe it won’t."
I don’t know about you, but that’s not entirely convincing. I do believe that Jones will wait to see what Atlanta offers before testing the free agent waters. Jones made $13.5MM this year and was awful. Both parties might be amenable to a one-year, $14-15MM deal. Scott Boras typically encourages his clients to declare free agency, though, and if Andruw does that he’ll probably find a better offer elsewhere.
Glavine In ’08 – Undecided
I just read seven articles about Tom Glavine, all brought about by yesterday’s New York Post exclusive from Kevin Kernan. As Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog notes, it doesn’t seem necessary to worry about Glavine’s future until after the playoffs. Nonetheless, here’s where we stand this morning.
- Mark Hale of the New York Post says the Mets are again interested in signing Glavine if he decides to pitch. Unlike Kernan’s story yesterday, Hale does not say that Glavine would decline his likely $13MM player option to sign for $12MM. If he pitches – if – it will again come down to the Mets or Braves. The Mets are the favorite. Omar Minaya will wait for Glavine to come to him.
- Joel Sherman, also for the New York Post, writes that Glavine was exactly what the Braves needed this year. He thinks the Braves would’ve been in first right now if they’d signed Glavine for the discounted $10MM or whatever. I agree – Glavine is in general worth about six wins over replacement in a single season, and the Braves have had plenty of replacement level-pitching this year.
- Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News tosses in the idea of a Roger Clemens "family plan" for Glavine in ’08, where he’s only required to be with the team on days he pitches.
- David Lennon of Newsday spoke to a Mets official who feels it’s unlikely any extension gets done before the offseason.
- Don Burke of the Newark Star-Ledger says nothing’s really changed in the Glavine situation. He also gently chides the Post yesterday for their "breathless" headline.
- Glavine spoke to Steve Popper of the Bergen Record in double negatives just to increase confusion.
- Ben Shpigel of the New York Times thinks Omar Minaya would be inclined to decline Glavine’s $13MM option and negotiate something at a lower price. But everything I’ve read has called it a player option, so I’m not sure if Minaya can do that. Shpigel thinks that if Glavine pitches, it will "almost certainly be with the Mets." He also notes Shawn Green musing on his future. Green’s $10MM option for ’08 will be bought out for $2MM, and the outfielder doesn’t want a utility role if he plays next year.
Glavine Likely To Pitch For Mets In ’08
The New York Posts’s Kevin Kernan has an exclusive report today on Tom Glavine. He’s got many quotes from Glavine indicating that the 41 year-old southpaw will play another season and stay with the Mets. Glavine’s family is encouraging him to play again. He can also aim to improve his standing in career wins from 21st to 16th.
According to Kernan, Glavine will likely decline his player option and instead ink a new one-year pact for around $12MM. That is curious to me because the player option is likely to reach $13MM if Glavine reaches 200 innings this year.
Kernan adds that the Braves could still try to lure Glavine back but it seems unlikely given the price. However with the new ownership and the clear need for one good starter, the possibility can’t be eliminated. If such a scenario does occur, the Mets could always make a similar offer to Curt Schilling.
Mailbag: Braves Starting Pitching For ’08
As always, you can hit up the MLBTR mailbag at mlbtraderumors@gmail.com. September and October are good months for mailbag questions given the relative hot stove inactivity.
John P. writes:
What do you see the Braves doing about finding some starting pitching next season? The gaping hole this year can’t be allowed to continue. Do they have anyone left in the minors? We all know about the free agent situation this winter, or lack thereof.
First let’s talk about who’s under contract and locked in for the ’08 rotation.
There’s Mike Hampton, who will earn a whopping $15MM in ’08 (all of it paid by the Braves unfortunately). The 35 year-old southpaw had Tommy John surgery but hopes to be ready by Spring Training. The Braves might be able to pencil him into the #5 slot if he impresses in winter ball. But they can’t really count on him for anything.
Tim Hudson‘s signed at $13MM for ’08. His excellent ’07 season has been a huge surprise to me. Even with some mild regression Hudson should be quite good.
John Smoltz is locked in at $14MM. Wow, this is shaping up to be a pricey rotation. Smoltz will be 41 next season and spent time on the DL this year with shoulder inflammation. It”s hard to argue with results but you have to be a little concerned that he can keep doing this for another two years.
Chuck James is the #3, and he’s nice and cheap still. He had a DL stint this year with a tired arm/tight shoulder.
That’s where it starts getting iffy. Other pitchers given starts by Atlanta this year: Buddy Carlyle, Kyle Davies, Lance Cormier, Jo-Jo Reyes, Mark Redman, and Anthony Lerew. Of those who remain with the team there are none you feel comfortable penciling in as the #4 (which could become the #3 if Smoltz or James return to the DL in ’08). Carlyle, Cormier, and Reyes have not been effective in the bigs. Davies and Redman are with other teams and Lerew went down with TJ surgery. Of the group, Reyes seems most likely to contribute. Matt Harrison was the team’s best pitching prospect, and he’s gone to Texas in the Teixeira deal.
Bottom line: the Braves need to come up with one starter to bridge the gap between Smoltz-Hudson-James and the fifth guy.
Free agency does present options. Tom Glavine could finish his career in Atlanta. John Schuerholz could make an injury play like Matt Clement, Bartolo Colon, Freddy Garcia, Randy Wolf, Jaret Wright, or Jason Jennings. They could hit up Japan for Koji Uehara. They’ve had interest in Carlos Silva and Livan Hernandez in the past.
The Braves could reignite trade talks for Bronson Arroyo, Jon Garland, Carl Pavano, or Jose Contreras. Edgar Renteria could be the best trading chip, though he doesn’t work for all those teams. Unfortunately the Braves don’t have much to deal beyond Renteria. The Braves liked Kei Igawa last winter, and could engage the Yankees on that topic. The Yankees don’t really seem to have a place for Igawa in their 2008 rotation.
If you’re a Braves fan, you shouldn’t be terribly concerned. The Braves need one starter, and Schuerholz could go in a million different directions.
Renck’s Latest Rockie Rumors
Rockies beat reporter Troy E. Renck had the scoop on all kinds of Rockie rumors yesterday; I’m just now getting to it. Let’s look at some highlights from his column.
- Renck suggests the Rox take a look at Bob Wickman. Meanwhile, the Phillies actually inquired but aren’t expected to work out a deal. The Indians will take a pass.
- Renck mentions that the Rockies have "long coveted" catcher Paul Lo Duca. Lo Duca should be there for the signing this winter.
- The Rockies will have around $45MM tied up in Todd Helton, Matt Holliday, Garrett Atkins, Brad Hawpe, Brian Fuentes, and Aaron Cook for 2008. Even if the team raises its $55MM payroll, someone has to go. By the way, locking up Holliday long-term will cost a king’s ransom. He’s a Scott Boras client.
- Given the burden of Todd Helton‘s contract and his no-trade clause, he may be immovable. But a .400 OBP is still valuable any way you slice it, so perhaps the Red Sox or Angels will get re-engaged. Renck believes Atkins and Fuentes are the main trading chips to clear payroll though. The Angels and Twins could still use Atkins while the Phils, Red Sox, and Yankees have inquired on Fuentes in the past. Atkins for a Kevin Slowey or Scott Baker just makes too much sense.
Bob Wickman DFA’d By Braves
Wondering where all the posts have been lately? Like many in Illinois, my power has been out for a couple of days. I’m back in business, trying to catch up.
We’ll start with Bob Wickman. He’s been designated for assignment. Sometime during the next ten days, he’ll be traded or claimed off waivers. The move was brought about both by Wickman’s mediocre pitching and attitude towards pitching in non-save situations. This year, his control slipped and has luck on hits allowed ran out simultaneously. The result? Too many baserunners for a late-inning reliever. My guess is that the 38 year-old will retire now or after the season.
Rafael Soriano has been decent aside from home runs allowed, and he’ll have first crack at ninth inning duties until Octavio Dotel returns.