Joe Nathan Would Consider Trades
Joe Nathan has been a member of the Twins’ bullpen since Minnesota traded for him late in 2003, but he’d consider moving on under the right circumstances. He told Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities that he’d look at possible deals on a case by case basis.
"It's something I would consider," Nathan said, explaining that he’s intrigued by the possibility of pitching in a playoff race. "It's not something I would rule out."
Nathan, 36, has ten and five rights, so he can block any trade. He has a 4.79 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 35 2/3 innings since returning from 2010 Tommy John surgery. The four-time All-Star earns $11.25MM this year and the Twins have a $12.5MM option for his services in 2012 ($2MM buyout).
Given that over $4MM remains on Nathan's contract including the buyout, it seems likely that he would clear waivers if he hasn't already. He doesn't currently project as a ranked free agent, so draft pick compensation doesn't figure to be a factor for the Twins.
Checking In On Colorado’s Offseason Extensions
The Rockies were one of the most aggressive teams in baseball in terms of extensions last offseason. They locked six of their players up on multiyear deals, including two contracts worth $80MM or more.
It’s still too early to say with much authority that the deals failed or succeeded, but Troy Tulowitzki’s contract doesn’t expire until 2020 at the earliest and that’s a long wait, so let's check in on the deals now. The early verdict? Nearly five months into the season, the Rockies’ new deals are going well, largely because their biggest investments are looking good. That in itself doesn't justify the moves, but it's certainly better than the alternative.
Tulowitzki (ten years, $157.75MM), Carlos Gonzalez (seven years, $80MM), Matt Lindstrom (two years, $6.6MM), Jason Hammel (two years, $7.75MM), Rafael Betancourt (two years, $8.02MM) and Matt Belisle (two years, $6.125MM) all signed long-term last winter. Conventional wisdom says multiyear deals for relievers and megadeals for players already under long-term control aren’t the most prudent ways of spending money, especially for a mid-market team. Nevertheless, the Rockies went ahead with the moves and they’re going well so far this year.
It would be hard to argue that Tulowitzki isn’t the best shortstop in the game. Gonzalez has boosted his walk rate, lowered his strikeout rate and, thanks to a recent hot streak that has included seven home runs in 12 days, raised his season line to .289/.360/.523. Betancourt, Belisle and Lindstrom (now on the DL) have each pitched at least 43 2/3 innings with at least 6.2 K/9, no more than 2.3 BB/9 and an ERA of 3.41 or below. Even Hammel, who just lost his rotation spot to Alex White, provided Colorado with three months’ worth of solid starts before faltering in July and August.
The extensions look good so far, despite the Rockies’ disappointing 63-68 record. At this point, that’s all Colorado could hope for. But every player they locked up could have been on the team this year even if GM Dan O’Dowd hadn’t inked them to long-term deals, so the final verdict on the 2010-11 offseason deals will have to wait for another decade or so.
Cardinals Not Likely To Make More Trades
A playoff run appears unlikely for the Cardinals, who trail the Brewers by ten games in the NL Central. Though the Cards haven’t ruled out a late run, they’re also looking ahead to 2012. Cardinals GM John Mozeliak acknowledged to Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he would listen to trade offers for his players, but said he doesn’t expect to make more moves.
“I don't look at doing any additions unless it really makes sense or has impact for future years," Mozeliak said.
Draft pick compensation will also be a factor as St. Louis considers trades, Mozeliak said. He added that the Cardinals would like to see Tyler Greene get more of an opportunity so that they can see whether his minor league success can translate into big league results. The 2005 first rounder has a .336/.424/.623 line with 14 homers and 16 stolen bases in 258 Triple-A plate appearances this year, but he has never hit much in three Major League stints.
Latest On Beane, Cubs
Some baseball people who know Billy Beane well say the longtime Oakland general manager might consider an offer to join the Cubs if they approach him about their vacant GM job, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. The Cubs fired Jim Hendry on Friday and are already considering replacements, possibly Rick Hahn, Josh Byrnes, Andrew Friedman, Ned Colletti and Brian Cashman.
A’s executives are frustrated with the slow pace at which MLB is considering a possible move for the franchise, Slusser reports. There’s concern within the organization that Beane might leave if the A’s don’t get permission to build a stadium in San Jose and the team is sold.
Slusser suggests A’s owner Lew Wolff would grant Beane permission to interview elsewhere if the GM wanted to be considered for other opportunities. Nine years ago, Beane nearly joined the Red Sox, before deciding to stay in Oakland.
Should Beane leave, assistant GM David Forst would be the logical candidate to replace him. Forst, who has declined opportunities to pursue GM jobs elsewhere, currently assumes much of the responsibility in Oakland. His name appeared on MLBTR’s list of GM candidates earlier in the month.
Cubs Interested In Friedman, Colletti, Cashman
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has been gathering information about Rays executive vice president of baseball operations Andrew Friedman and Dodgers general manager Ned Colletti, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. The Cubs, who are on the hunt for a new general manager, also appear to have interest in Rick Hahn of the White Sox and Josh Byrnes of the Padres.
The Cubs are drawn to Colletti, a Chicago native and former Cubs employee, since they believe he could bring Hall of Fame second baseman turned minor league manager Ryne Sandberg back as the team’s Major League skipper. Sandberg has said he’d return to the Cubs now that former GM Jim Hendry has been fired, according to Wittenmyer.
Ricketts has also discussed the possibility of trying to lure Yankees GM Brian Cashman to Chicago along with New York manager Joe Girardi. Cashman’s contract expires after the season, but Girardi, a Peoria, Illinois native, is under contract with the Yankees through 2013.
Wittenmyer hears from associates of Friedman that the Rays executive isn’t likely to leave Tampa Bay for Chicago.
Quick Hits: White Sox, Rangers, Kazmir, Rockies
MLBTR extends condolences to the family and friends of former Major League pitcher and executive Mike Flanagan, who was died at age 59, according to the Orioles. Flanagan, the 1979 AL Cy Young Award winner, was the Orioles' GM from 2002-07 and later became a broadcaster for the club. Here are this evening’s links…
- Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com wonders if the White Sox could still sell. Now 63-64, Chicago trails Detroit by 6.5 games in the AL Central.
- Rangers starter C.J. Wilson told T.R. Sullivan and Louie Horvath of MLB.com that now is not the time to look ahead to the offseason, when he'll hit free agency and be in position to sign a lucrative contract. MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes suggested yesterday that Wilson could obtain a $100MM deal.
- Evan Rich of the Cornell Daily Sun interviewed Cornell graduate Jon Daniels about his current role as Rangers GM and how he got there.
- Scott Kazmir intends to pitch in winter ball, according to ESPN.com’s Buster Olney (on Twitter).
- The Rockies won't acquire Wandy Rodriguez, but they will continue to look for pitching, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).
Waiver Rumors: Thome, Bell, White Sox, Wright
The waiver wire is heating up with one week remaining for teams to trade for postseason reinforcements. Here’s a refresher on how August trades work and here are the latest rumors…
- The Indians placed a claim on Jim Thome, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (on Twitter). However, the White Sox, who have a worse record than Cleveland, also placed a claim, so they would have priority over the Indians.
- It appears unlikely that the Giants, who won the claim on Heath Bell, will complete a trade for the reliever, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (on Twitter).
- Though the Padres would find if difficult to accept a weak offer for Bell, it might beat the alternative of keeping him and potentially paying him big money in 2012, Ken Rosenthal writes at FOX Sports.
- The White Sox placed John Danks, Gavin Floyd, Paul Konerko and Matt Thornton on waivers, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
- The Giants are a fit for the recently waived Ramon Hernandez, but the catcher will likely be a Type A free agent so a different team could claim him for draft picks, ESPN.com's Buster Olney notes (on Twitter).
- Hoynes suggests the Indians likely claimed one of Thome and Jason Kubel (Twitter link). Unknown teams claimed both Twins sluggers this week.
- The Rockies were one of the teams that put in a claim on David Wright this month, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Though it's unclear which team won the claim, it probably doesn't matter at the moment, since the Mets aren't trading their third baseman. As Renck points out, it's a reminder that the Rockies will be interested if the Mets ever make Wright available.
Cubs Considering Hahn, Byrnes For GM Job
Rick Hahn and Josh Byrnes are candidates for the Cubs’ GM opening, Jon Heyman of SI.com reports (Twitter link). Brian Cashman of the Yankees, Billy Beane of the Athletics, Theo Epstein of the Red Sox and Andrew Friedman of the Rays are long shots for the job, Heyman reports.
Hahn, the assistant GM for the White Sox, placed second on MLBTR’s list of GM candidates. Byrnes, Arizona’s GM from 2005-10, is now the Padres’ senior VP of baseball operations. MLBTR’s Transaction Tracker has a full log of his activity as D’Backs GM. Both Hahn and Byrnes interviewed for the Mets last offseason before Sandy Alderson got the job.
Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts has said he's looking for someone with a commitment to player development, a strong analytical background and a track record of success. The Cubs fired longtime GM Jim Hendry last Friday.
AL East Notes: Red Sox, Yankees, Maddon
Links from the AL East before some of the division's top pitchers – Josh Beckett, C.C. Sabathia and Ricky Romero – start for their respective teams…
- Red Sox owner John Henry told John Tomase of the Boston Herald that chatter about GM Theo Epstein and the Cubs shows "how highly regarded Theo is by the media and baseball in general.”
- Prospective free agent David Ortiz tells Yahoo’s Jeff Passan that his ability to tune criticism out helps him perform on the field. “I’m not a five-tool player. I may be a two-tool player. But one of them tools is this one right here,” he said, pointing to his head.
- Bartolo Colon has slowed down, so the Yankees figure to rely on Phil Hughes and Ivan Nova more than ever, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes.
- MLB players consider Joe Maddon of the Rays the manager they'd most like to play for, according to a recent Sports Illustrated poll. Red Sox manager Terry Francona placed second in the poll and Yankees manager Joe Girardi placed seventh. Having a popular manager in place no doubt helps teams trying to attract free agents or sign players to long-term extensions.
Berkman Plans To Play In 2012, Prefers St. Louis
Lance Berkman recently suggested that he’ll be prepared to walk away from the game after the season if he doesn’t see contract offers he likes as a free agent. But he said today that he intends to play in 2012 and that the Cardinals would be his “first choice,” according to Matthew Leach of MLB.com.
"I'm sure I'll play next year somewhere," he said. "Hopefully it will be here [in St. Louis], but part of that is not up to me.”
Berkman explained that St. Louis appeals to him because the Cardinals have a “great group of guys” and aren’t rebuilding. The 35-year-old signed a one-year, $8MM deal with the Cards last offseason. He has a .291/.404/.576 line with 29 home runs this year and projects as a Type A free agent, according to our latest rankings.
Last week Berkman told Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch that he'd prefer to land in one of "three or four" destinations. The Astros, who traded Berkman to the Yankees last summer, wouldn't be a fit for him anymore.