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Nine Rotations Already Set For 2011

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There are no sure things when it comes to starting pitching, but some teams are better-positioned than others for 2011. These nine clubs don't have to worry about Cliff Lee or any other starters this winter. As long as their pitchers stay healthy, they'll enter 2011 with strong rotations one through five.

These aren't necessarily the best rotations (or else you'd see the Cardinals here), they're the groups that will require the least maintenance this offseason. Also note that all the players below are under team control next year and that some of the teams below (Rays, Braves) have more than five viable options.

Aramis Ramirez “Staying” In Chicago

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Aramis Ramirez will be back in Chicago next year. The third baseman had suggested he might not return, but he told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday that he’s not considering opting out of his contract.

''I'm staying here,'' he said. ''Put it that way.''

Ramirez has a 2011 player option for $14.6MM and the Cubs will have to pay him $2MM more even if they buy him out in 2012. That's a lot of money, likely more than Ramirez would be able to find as a free agent, but the Cubs are getting a player who has recovered from a slow start to hit well in the second half. Ramirez had a .550 OPS heading into July, but has since posted a .940 mark and now has 22 home runs in total.

Odds & Ends: Drew, Blue Jays, Mariners, Reyes

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Links for Monday, 14 years after the Mariners sent David Ortiz to the Twins to complete the Dave Hollins trade. Precisely 346 home runs later, Big Papi is one of the most recognizable players in the game…

  • The Red Sox will probably not have the chance to void J.D. Drew’s deal, as Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains. The Red Sox could be able to sidestep the 2011 portion of the contract depending on injuries, but Drew seems healthy.
  • The D'Backs will interview Angels scouting director Eddie Bane for their GM opening, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
  • The Blue Jays named Jay Sartori assistant GM. The 31-year-old was previously the director of baseball operations for the Nationals and worked in MLB’s labor relations department, advising teams on salary arbitration, among other things.
  • The Mariners fired pro scouting director Carmen Fusco, according to KING 5 Sports. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse confirms the report (on Twitter) and suggests it's a warning shot to GM Jack Zduriencik. The Mariners front office is under scrutiny after trading for Josh Lueke. 
  • Pirates GM Neal Huntington told Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his team “can't throw $55MM at somebody just because it makes [everyone] feel better.” Instead, the team has to be sure the players they pursue fit the team’s needs.
  • Jose Reyes told Newsday's Ken Davidoff that he wants to stay in New York. The Mets can retain their shortstop for $11MM next year or buy him out for $500K.

D’Backs Designate Cesar Valdez For Assignment

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The Diamondbacks designated right-hander Cesar Valdez for assignment to make room for catcher Konrad Schmidt, according to a team press release. Valdez, a 25-year-old righty, struggled through 20 innings for the D'Backs this year in his first season at the major league level. He posted a 5.90 ERA in 97.2 Triple A innings in what was likely the worst minor league season of his pro career. One bright spot for Valdez: 8.5 K/9, a career high.

Schmidt, 26, will make his MLB debut after four minor league seasons. He batted .315/.373/.490 at AA in 440 plate appearances this year. He appeared in five Triple A games a year ago, but has otherwise spent his entire career in the lower minors and at AA.

Reds Designate Enerio Del Rosario For Assignment

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The Reds designated Enerio Del Rosario for assignment to make room for newly-acquired utility man Willie Bloomquist, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon (on Twitter). Del Rosario, 24, pitched 8.2 innings for the Reds this year, striking out three, but allowing 13 hits and four walks.

The Reds signed Del Rosario as an amateur free agent in 2005 and saw him develop into a Florida State League All-Star in 2009. He posted a 3.09 ERA in 64 innings at Triple A this year with 4.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9.

Reds Acquire Willie Bloomquist

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The Reds acquired Willie Bloomquist from Kansas City for a player to be named later or cash, according to a Royals press release. The 32-year-old utility man has played all three outfield positions and all four infield positions this year, so the Reds are getting one of the more versatile players in the game. He hasn't hit much, however, and his season line now sits at .265/.296/.388.

Bloomquist hits free agency after the season, when his two-year $3.1MM contract expires. He won't be a ranked free agent, so the Royals aren't missing out on the chance to obtain draft pick compensation. Since Bloomquist was acquired in September, he will be ineligible for Cincinnati's postseason roster.

Pirates Claim Chris Leroux, DFA Brian Bass

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The Pirates claimed Chris Leroux off of waivers and designated Brian Bass for assignment, according to the team. Leroux, a 26-year-old right-hander, appeared in 17 games for the Marlins this year. He struck out 18 batters in as many innings, though he also walked 11. The Montrealer posted a 6.28 ERA in three minor league stops this year, but his strikeout (7.2 K/9) and walk (2.5 BB/9) numbers were good.

Bass, a 28-year-old righty, spent most of the season in the bullpen at Triple A Indianapolis, where he had strong numbers. In 69 innings, he posted a 3.26 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9, though he struggled in 7.1 major league innings this year. He cleared waivers when the Pirates designated him for assignment earlier in the season.

Potential Alternatives To Free Agent Starters

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Our list of prospective free agent starters identifies lots of targets for teams looking to fill out their rotations, but there will be many alternatives. That's because some pitchers will be non-tendered and others will become trade targets. Here's a preliminary look at some starters who could be available this offseason, even though they're under team control for 2011.

Trade Candidates

Non-Tender Candidates

Teams With Potential Interest In Cliff Lee

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When it comes to pitching, Cliff Lee will be the prize of the upcoming offseason. Though free agent starters such as Javier Vazquez, Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda would be welcome additions to many MLB rotations, they haven't pitched as well as Lee in recent years. 

After winning the 2008 Cy Young Award, Lee posted a 3.22 ERA in over 230 innings last year, striking out more than four times as many batters as he walked. So far in 2010, the lefty has a 3.28 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 0.7 BB/9 as he closes in on his fifth 200 inning season. Lee, 32, has set himself up for a big free agent payday. Here's a list of teams with possible interest:

  • Yankees – It's long been assumed that the Yankees will offer Lee a massive contract. The Bronx Bombers have outbid others before and their financial might will likely come in to play again. After all, some believe Lee will go to Siberia if that's where the money is. 
  • Tigers – The Tigers have an open rotation spot and money coming off the books. It's a natural fit.
  • Rangers – The Rangers know Lee will be pricey, but they're prepared to bid on him.
  • Nationals - GM Mike Rizzo identified starting pitching as a major need even before Stephen Strasburg underwent Tommy John surgery. The Nationals have been willing to spend on free agents in recent years.
  • Dodgers – Ted Lilly, Vicente Padilla and Hiroki Kuroda hit free agency and the Dodgers have to replace that production somehow.
  • The Twins, Mets, Reds, Brewers and Padres may have interest, depending on how the next few months unfold. Lee could have an extra suitor or two if the Twins lose Carl Pavano, the Mets decide they can spend more than expected, the Reds let Bronson Arroyo walk or the Padres surprise people. At this point, it seems more likely that the Yankees, Tigers and Rangers will be Lee's most serious suitors.

Teams With Potential Interest In Upside Starters

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It's easy to be tempted by talented pitchers like Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, Chien-Ming Wang and Brad Penny. Those starters have all pitched at an elite level in the major leagues, so teams are a little more willing to overlook recent struggles or injuries. As usual, GMs will place calls to high-upside pitchers such as Brandon Webb and Jeff Francis this offseason.

Webb, Francis, Penny, Harden, Wang, Chris Young, Erik Bedard, Pedro Martinez and Justin Duchscherer could all hit free agency this offseason. High-upside arms aren't for everyone, of course, so here's a list of teams that may have interest in this kind of pitcher for their 2011 rotations:

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