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NL East Notes: Wright, Phillies, Fernandez, Gonzalez

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The Phillies, winners of six in a row, are just four games out of the Wild Card race and back at the .500 mark with a 71-71 record. While a sixth consecutive division title remains out of reach, the Phillies have a remote chance at returning to the postseason. Here are the latest notes from the NL East…

  • Despite baseball's investigation into accusations that agents Seth and Sam Levinson helped procure performance-enhancing drugs for players, David Wright doesn't plan on changing agents, according to the New York Daily News.  "I have known these guys since I was 18," Wright said. "The only thing I have to go off of is the way they have represented me the last 12 years (and) the integrity that I have seen firsthand that they have for the game."  The Mets hold a $16MM club option on Wright's deal for 2013 but the club is expected to pursue a contract extension in the near future.
  • Third base is a long-term need for the Phillies and, as Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer notes, there's also uncertainty at the position in the short-term. Kevin Frandsen has a stress fracture in his left fibula, Placido Polanco is out for the season, Michael Martinez doesn't add much offense and Chase Utley has limited experience at third.
  • The Marlins and Phillies are now heading in different directions, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News. While Miami's early-season struggles continued, the Phillies are now "playing clean games" in the view of manager Charlie Manuel.
  • Top Marlins pitching prospect Jose Fernandez has a chance to join Miami's rotation in 2013, Joe Capozzi Palm Beach Post writes. Fernandez, a first round pick in 2011, figures to start next year in Double-A, according to Capozzi.
  • The deal that sent Gio Gonzalez to Washington for Tommy Milone and Derek Norris has proven to be a win-win trade for the Nationals and Athletics, Matthew Leach of MLB.com writes. Gonzalez is a Cy Young candidate with the Nationals and Milone and Norris are contributing to the success of the A's.

Top Free Agent Infielders

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Each year's free agent class has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, last offseason's class featured a pair of elite first basemen and more shortstop depth than usual. FanGraphs unveiled its free agent leaderboards today and they offer a position-by-position look at the upcoming free agent class. 

As Dave Cameron noted on Twitter, this year’s group is especially deep in the outfield. Allow me to add to that observation: it’s especially deep in the outfield and especially shallow on the infield. Here’s a look at the top ten free agent infielders (no designated hitters or catchers) ranked by FanGraphs’ version of wins above replacement. 

  1. Adam LaRoche, Nationals, 3.1 WAR – LaRoche’s contract includes a $10MM mutual option for 2013. He would like to re-sign with the Nationals.
  2. Jeff Keppinger, Rays, 2.0 WAR – Keppinger could be looking at a two-year deal in this market.
  3. Brandon Inge, Athletics, 1.5 WAR – Inge rebounded to put together a solid season after being released by the Tigers earlier in the year.
  4. Marco Scutaro, Giants, 1.5 WAR – Scutaro figures to be in demand this offseason, but he isn’t adding the same offensive value he did a few years ago.
  5. Kevin Youkilis, White Sox, 1.4 WAR – Youkilis’ contract includes a $13MM club option for 2013.
  6. Eric Chavez, Yankees, 1.2 WAR – We’re getting into backup territory here. No disrespect to Chavez, who has had an excellent career and continues to add value, but it’s hard to believe he’s the sixth-best free agent infielder out there.
  7. Mark Reynolds, Orioles, 1.0 WAR – The hot-hitting Reynolds offers more power than any free agent infielder except LaRoche with 21 home runs. The Orioles have an $11MM club option for 2013.
  8. Ronny Cedeno, Mets, 1.0 WAR – One of the top ten free agent infielders available this winter is Cedeno, the Mets' backup shortstop/second baseman.
  9. Scott Rolen, Reds, 0.9 WAR – Once a force on offense and defense, Rolen can no longer be counted on for 100-plus games.
  10. Adam Kennedy, Dodgers, 0.8 WAR – To put 0.8 wins above replacement in context it's the ninth-best total in Kennedy's career. Yet it's enough for him to place among the top ten infielders available.

The contract options for Jhonny Peralta and Robinson Cano figure to be exercised, so those players aren't included above.

How To Use MLBTR

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An explanation of the many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors:

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David Ortiz Talks Red Sox, Free Agency

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David Ortiz will hit free agency this offseason and he’s looking for a multiyear deal. Sound familiar? It should, but this offseason will be different than most for the Red Sox. The team recently freed up approximately $260MM in payroll yet there are numerous questions heading into the 2012-13 offseason. The future of Ortiz, who’s currently sidelined with an Achilles tendon injury, is one of them. Ortiz recently shared his thoughts on the Red Sox and his upcoming appearance on the free agent market with Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. Here are some highlights:

  • Ortiz said he wants to re-sign in Boston, but explained that he expects the Red Sox to win. “We have two wild cards, and we're not even in it,” he said. “You can't let that happen." The team’s current situation is “disgusting” in Ortiz’s view. However, he told Bradford the Red Sox should be better in 2013 since they have payroll flexibility this coming offseason.
  • Ortiz continues seeking a multiyear deal, but he made it clear he’s not looking too far into the future. "The thing is when people talk about me signing a multi-year contract, they make it seem like I'm asking for a four- or five-year deal,” he told Bradford. “A guy like me isn't going to be looking for more than two years in the market.”
  • If the Red Sox front office has questions about potential acquisitions, Ortiz will be “happy to answer" them. He tells free agents that Boston is a good place to play as long as you’re consistent.
  • Ortiz joked that the Red Sox should get three of him if they want to improve.
  • MLBTR's Mark Polishuk recently previewed Ortiz's free agent stock.

LaRoche Hopes To Re-Sign With Nationals

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Nationals first baseman Adam LaRoche told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he’d prefer to re-sign in Washington this coming offseason when his two-year contract expires. LaRoche has yet to talk to the Nationals about his contract, which includes a $10MM mutual option for 2013. He declined to say how he intends to handle his side of the option, but acknowledged he’d “love to stay” in Washington, ideally for more than one year. 

“On the other hand, I’m not going to do something stupid where I turn down what could be two or three more extra years somewhere else,” he added.

The Nationals see LaRoche as a good fit on defense, on offense and off the field, Kilgore writes. The team would like to keep LaRoche, especially for the one year option. However, team executives would understand if the SFX client pursues multiyear opportunities elsewhere. 

If LaRoche returns to Washington in 2013, Michael Morse and Tyler Moore would be candidates for playing time as corner outfielders and Bryce Harper could stay in center field. Otherwise the Nationals could fill first base internally and pursue a free agent center fielder. I discussed LaRoche’s 2013 option two weeks ago, explaining the potential impact of a qualifying offer.

Quick Hits: Orioles, Indians, Free Agents

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The Orioles decided to rely on internal options in the outfield after surveying the market for trade targets, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports (on Twitter). The Orioles had some interest in Juan Pierre, but it appears they’ll rely on players such as Nate McLouth, Chris Davis, Xavier Avery, Endy Chavez and Lew Ford in the outfield with Nick Markakis injured. Here are today’s links…

  • Jim Bowden lists some potential destinations for the offseason’s top free agents at ESPN.com. For example, could the Yankees could be a fit for Josh Hamilton? Could the Dodgers land Zack Greinke? Here’s MLBTR’s list of 2013 free agents.
  • Indians ownership was "unhappy" with the team's second half performance, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. GM Chris Antonetti said "nothing is new" regarding the job security of manager Manny Acta. "I don't think anyone's happy with where we are or how we've played," Antonetti said.
  • MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo offers a report on the latest transactions involving top prospects.

Hanshin Tigers Eyeing Jeff Clement, Mauro Gomez

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The Hanshin Tigers are looking at Jeff Clement and Mauro Gomez for next year, according to a Japanese report passed along by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker (on Twitter). Both players were recently called up to the MLB level after successful minor league seasons. The Tigers are a Nippon Professional Baseball team based in Japan.

Clement has appeared in 12 games for the Pirates since the end of August after posting a .276/.340/.486 batting line with 16 home runs in 459 plate appearances at Triple-A. The CAA Sports client has a .219/.279/.374 batting line in parts of four MLB seasons.

Gomez, who signed with the Red Sox in February, has appeared in 22 games with Boston this year. The 28-year-old corner infielder has a .299/.342/.448 batting line in 73 MLB plate appearances. He spent most of the 2012 season at Triple-A Pawtucket, where he posted a .310/.371/.589 in 426 plate appearances.

Orioles Designate Gregg, Adams For Assignment

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The Orioles announced that they have designated right-hander Kevin Gregg and infielder Ryan Adams for assignment. The moves create 40-man roster space for Endy Chavez and L.J. Hoes, whose contracts were selected from Triple-A Norfolk.

Gregg signed a two-year, $10MM contract with Baltimore after the 2010 season, but he struggled with the Orioles, posting a 4.53 ERA from 2011-12. He appeared in 40 games this year, posting a 4.74 ERA with 7.6 K/9, 4.9 BB/9 and a 47.8 % ground ball rate in 43 2/3 innings. The 34-year-old's contract includes a $6MM team option for 2013 that evidently won't be exercised.

Adams spent the entire 2012 season in the minor leagues. The 25-year-old posted a .225/.317/.348 batting line in 279 plate appearances across three levels this year, playing second and third base. Adams, the Orioles' second round selection in 2006, appeared in 29 games at the MLB level last year.

Phillies Notes: Manuel, Sandberg, Pierre

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Though Charlie Manuel will return to manage the Phillies in 2013, Triple-A manager Ryne Sandberg appears to be a “nearly sure bet” to succeed Manuel at some point, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com writes. Here are the details on the Phillies from Heyman…

  • The Phillies are impressed by Sandberg’s work in the minor leagues, but the 68-year-old Manuel is under contract for 2013. Some insiders say some people in the Phillies organization have been advocating for Sandberg since before the 2011 season. Amaro dismissed that notion, but praised Sandberg. "He's been great. He's done a nice job for us," Amaro said. However, there’s probably “nothing to be done” if another organization looks to hire Sandberg this coming offseason.
  • Amaro told Heyman the Phillies aren’t trading Juan Pierre. The Orioles are interested in Pierre, but Philadelphia is just 5.0 games out of the Wild Card race so they are not inclined to make a trade.

Jhonny Peralta’s 2013 Option

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This coming offseason’s class of free agent shortstops doesn’t have the same star power as the one that featured Jose Reyes and Jimmy Rollins a year ago. Marco Scutaro and Stephen Drew lead a group that includes a number of backups and Alex Gonzalez, who missed the final five months of the 2012 season with a knee injury. In theory, Jhonny Peralta could also hit free agency. But it seems more likely that the Tigers will exercise their $6MM club option and keep Peralta in Detroit for another year. 

Jhonny Peralta - Tigers (PW)

The Tigers don’t have a Jurickson Profar or Manny Machado-type shortstop prospect in the organization, so they’ll need to acquire someone to play the position in 2013. President and GM Dave Dombrowski could explore trades for players such as Elvis Andrus, J.J. Hardy and Yunel Escobar, but the asking prices figure to be high for each player. A weak free agent class and a potentially competitive trade market could improve Peralta’s chances of returning to Detroit.

Peralta hasn't produced on offense the way he did in 2011, the first season of his two-year, $11.25MM contract with Detroit. He has a .251/.311/.404 batting line that's slightly better than average for his position (MLB shortstops are hitting .255/.307/.377). Though Peralta's home run total has dropped from 21 in 2011 to 11 in 2012, he has added 31 doubles and three triples in 502 plate appearances.

While Peralta’s not thought of as an above-average defender, his defense is considered acceptable. He's a decent defensive shortstop even if he's not much fun to watch, according to a pre-season scouting report in The Fielding Bible Volume III. UZR suggests the 30-year-old has played above-average defense since signing his two-year deal with the Tigers. 

Advanced metrics say Peralta's adding value for the Tigers. FanGraphs' version of wins above replacement values Peralta at 2.7 WAR in 2012. Baseball-Reference, on the other hand, suggests Peralta has been worth 1.4 WAR. The metrics agree on this much: he’s a contributor at a premium position. 

Sometime this month Peralta will appear in his 140th game of the season, reaching the threshold for the eighth time in as many seasons since 2005. Injuries can strike at any time, but Peralta’s history of staying healthy compares favorably to that of Drew or Gonzalez. 

If the Tigers were to decline Peralta’s option, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the ACES client sign a two-year contract like the one he signed following the 2010 season. Comparable middle infielders such as Aaron Hill, Mark Ellis and Clint Barmes signed similar contracts a year ago. At this point, however, it doesn't seem likely that Peralta will reach free agency. In a market light on alternatives at shortstop, his $6MM option figures to appeal to the Tigers.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire.

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