Many Interested In Managing Cubs
It's barely been 24 hours since Cubs manager Lou Piniella announced his intention to retire after the season, but many potential successors have already indicated that they wouldn't mind replacing him. Here's the latest on some of the candidates GM Jim Hendry could consider after the season:
- Cubs TV announcer and former D'Backs manager Bob Brenly told Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune that he would have interest in the gig, should the Cubs want to discuss anything.
- Cubs bench coach and former Tigers manager Alan Trammell was reluctant to discuss the opening, but told Sullivan that he would revisit it at an "appropriate" time.
- Nationals third base coach Pat Listach told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he doesn't know "anybody on the planet" who wouldn't be interested in managing the Cubs. Listach managed in the Cubs' system for three seasons.
- Joe Torre, who is in the final year of his contract, told the AP that he doesn't expect to manage for a team other than the Dodgers in 2011. However, Torre didn't want to "rule anything out."
- And Ryne Sandberg told ESPN Radio that he is "ready" to manage the Cubs. The Hall of Famer is managing the Cubs' Triple A affiliate.
Poll: Will Jayson Werth Be Traded?
The Phillies continue talking to clubs about Jayson Werth, who is enjoying a fine season in spite of a recent slump. The right fielder is hitting .283/.373/.505 and leads the National League in doubles. He has just $2.85MM remaining on his salary and should bring someone two top picks in the 2011 draft (he will likely be a Type A free agent after the season). Simply put, Werth is available and his numbers and salary intrigue teams.
What team will Jayson Werth be playing for on August 1st?
Click here to take the survey and here to view the results.
Carlos Pena And Jose Bautista
What does last year's American League home run leader have in common with this year's AL home run leader besides a habit of hitting the ball over the fence? They both strike out a lot and walk a lot. They were both born in Santo Domingo. They're both bilingual. And both Carlos Pena and Jose Bautista bounced from organization to organization to organization before finding major league success.
The two sluggers have a lot in common, and while some of their similarities don't have any impact on MLB teams, others do. In fact, we can guess what Bautista might make through arbitration next year by comparing him to Pena.
Like Pena, Bautista is a super two player, meaning he goes to arbitration four times instead of three. After Pena broke out with 46 homers in 2007, he was set to reach arbitration for the third time*. He made $2.8MM in his second arbitration year and was clearly due for a substantial raise after setting a career-high in homers and winning a Silver Slugger in 2007. Ultimately, Pena signed a three-year deal that guaranteed him $6MM for the 2008 season.
Bautista, who has an MLB-leading 26 homers, is headed for his fourth and final arbitration season in 2011. He'll earn $2.4MM this year and, if he keeps hitting like this, will earn substantially more next season. For comparison, Pena's breakout led to a $3.2MM raise. Scott Boras represents Pena, who finished with 20 more homers than Bautista currently has. Even if Bautista continues hitting at an All-Star level, it's hard to imagine him making much more than $6MM next year.
The comparison is imperfect for many reasons, despite the players' similarities. Home run hitters are becoming scarce, Pena's deal was for his third arbitration season and was part of a three-year pact, and Pena had enjoyed more MLB success before his breakout. But it appears that the MLB executives who estimated to Buster Olney that Bautista could earn $10-12MM next year are off the mark. One executive suggested to MLBTR today that Bautista would have a hard time getting much more than $7-8MM in 2011.
So why does this matter? Ask the Blue Jays, who are no doubt wondering how Bautista would fit into their 2011 budget. Or ask the Braves, Giants, Tigers and White Sox, who have all inquired on him. The difference between $6MM and $10-12MM is a big one.
*Pena spent much of 2005-06 in the minors, which slowed his arbitration timeline and path to free agency.
Heyman On Werth, Fielder, Uggla, Mets
The Phillies have asked the Rays about B.J. Upton and Wade Davis, but someone familiar with the trade talks tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that the Phils may attempt to obtain prospects from Tampa Bay and flip them to Houston to acquire Roy Oswalt. Here’s the latest on the Phillies, plus the rest of Heyman’s rumors:
- The Phillies offered Jayson Werth a long-term deal, but he didn’t accept it right away.
- The Blue Jays are looking for middle-infield help, according to Heyman. That’s surprising, since they can retain Aaron Hill through 2014 and Yunel Escobar through 2013. Perhaps the club seeks a versatile depth option.
- Prince Fielder is not likely to be traded, according to Heyman.
- One GM tells Heyman that Dan Uggla does not yet appear to be available.
- The Mets seem to prefer Brett Myers to Ted Lilly. Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Mets maintain interest in Lilly and have cooled on Myers. The reports are not necessarily contradictory, but let’s just say the Mets have some interest in both pitchers.
White Sox And Tigers Have Inquired On Bautista
The White Sox and Tigers have inquired on Jose Bautista, as have the Braves and the Giants, according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan (via Twitter). The White Sox are pursuing sluggers including Adam Dunn and Prince Fielder, so their interest comes as no surprise. The Tigers could be eyeing Bautista (who can play third base) partly because of Brandon Inge's fractured hand.
Buster Olney reported today that the Blue Jays are demanding elite young players for Bautista, who leads the major leagues with 26 home runs. The right fielder-third baseman has just less than $1MM remaining on his contract this year, though he'll get a substantial raise through arbitration in 2011, his last season before hitting free agency.
Giants Interested In Bautista, Hart, DeJesus
The Giants are interested in MLB home run leader Jose Bautista, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter). ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported today that the Blue Jays are asking for elite young players in exchange for Bautista, but the Giants must be getting used to such demands, since they're eyeing other top hitters.
The Giants remain interested in Corey Hart and David DeJesus, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Adam Dunn and Jorge Cantu are also on the team's radar.
Cantu has drawn interest from the Rangers and Angels; the Nationals are reluctant to trade Dunn; the Brewers want Jonathan Sanchez or Madison Bumgarner for Hart; and the Royals have a steep asking price for DeJesus but teams are still interested. None of those bats will come cheap and the Giants know that better than anyone. They're presumably willing to give up talent to improve an offensive attack that ranks ninth in the NL.
The Braves, Padres, White Sox, Rays and Rangers are among the teams that could also be bidding for hitters, so the price could remain high until the July 31st deadline.
Pedro Won’t Pitch In 2010, Could Return In 2011
Pedro Martinez won't pitch in 2010, but may return in 2011, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald also reported the news.
Agent Fernando Cuza told Rojas that Pedro wants to spend more time with his family in the Dominican Republic at this point. It's not a retirement, since Pedro may pitch in 2011. Rojas reports that a number of teams had interest in Pedro, including the Phillies.
The three-time Cy Young Award winner posted a 3.63 ERA in nine second-half starts for the Phillies last year with 7.5 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9. This season, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is eyeing another top starter, Roy Oswalt, but running into some obstacles in pursuit of the Astros ace.
Oswalt’s Demands Slowing Trade Talks
Roy Oswalt is making the most of his no-trade clause and it's slowing the Phillies down as they attempt to acquire him. Two people familiar with the discussions tell ESPN.com's Jayson Stark that Oswalt is asking that his 2012 option be picked up by any team that trades for him. The Phillies don't mind the idea of paying Oswalt $6MM this year and $16MM next year, but they are not comfortable guaranteeing the right-hander $16MM in 2012.
J.A. Happ would likely head to Houston in an Oswalt trade, probably along with some prospects from the lower minors. For now, the Phillies are pursuing Dan Haren and Ben Sheets, but are not actively pursuing Jeremy Guthrie, Fausto Carmona or Ricky Nolasco.
The Phillies are talking to a number of teams about Jayson Werth, but are demanding a lot in return. They asked the Rays for B.J. Upton or Wade Davis, and GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is not willing to take on any of the $2.8MM remaining on Werth's deal.
Jensen Lewis Optioned To Triple A
WEDNESDAY: Lewis was optioned to Triple A Columbus, tweets MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince. Castrovince explained yesterday that the move was a procedural one.
TUESDAY: The Indians designated righty Jensen Lewis for assignment to make room for Asdrubal Cabrera, according to the team. Lewis, 26, posted a 4.18 ERA in 22 relief appearances for the Indians this year, with 6.1 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9. The 2005 third-rounder picked up 23.2 innings in total this season, his fourth in the Indians' 'pen.
But teams salivating over Lewis in a thin relief market should check themselves. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince reports that Lewis will not be placed on outright waivers and was DFA'd as a technicality (Twitter link).
Cabrera, who broke out for the Indians last season, is returning from a fractured left forearm and will play in the majors for the first time since May 17th. Grady Sizemore, Shin-Soo Choo and Kerry Wood have all missed time due to injuries as well.
Haren Would Consider Trades
Dan Haren told Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com that he would accept a trade under the right circumstances. As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported this weekend, Haren can veto deals to 12 teams, thanks to a clause in his contract. Haren does have his preferences, though he would consider trades.
“I was born and raised on the West Coast,” he said. “Obviously staying on the West Coast would be nice. If I went to the East, if a trade came with a team on my no-trade [list], I would have to consider it.”
Haren realizes his unspectacular 2010 numbers and substantial (but team-friendly) contract may make it tricky for the Diamondbacks to complete a trade. The D’Backs have not received concrete offers for Haren, though the Phillies appear to be discussing a deal for a top pitcher.
Haren has a 4.60 ERA this season, with 8.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9. He is set to earn $12.75MM in each of the next two seasons, and his team will have the option of paying him $15.5MM in 2013 or buying him out for $3.5MM.