Odds & Ends: Towers, Kikuchi, Marlins, Astros
Some links before the playoff baseball begins…
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports that Kevin Towers is at the ALCS. The former Padres GM isn't working yet; instead, he's paddleboarding, golfing and doing pilates.
- The Dodgers don't appear to be going all out for Yusei Kikuchi at this point, but other teams are intensifying their efforts to sign the Japanese teen. As MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports, Derek Holland is helping the Rangers pursue Kikuchi.
- Former Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley tells Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post that he was surprised to be fired, but not as surprised as he was when the Indians fired him after their 1998 ALCS appearance.
- Astros icon Jose Cruz will return to the work for the club's community relations department next year, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
- MLB players will have more time than expected to file a collusion grievance over last year's free agent market, according to the AP (via ESPN).
Odds & Ends: Barajas, Red Sox, Acta, Orioles
Some links to read as we watch a couple mid-season signings dominate Game 2 of the NLCS…
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that the Blue Jays have interest in bringing Rod Barajas back in 2010.
- As Alex Speier of WEEI.com notes, the Red Sox purchased the contract of 22-year-old indy leaguer Reynaldo Rodriguez from the Yuma Scorpions. Rodriguez has yet to establish himself at any one position, though he has been playing first.
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart says Manny Acta appeared to know the Astros from top to bottom after his interview for the team's managerial opening. It's no surprise that Acta knows so much; as MLB.com's Alyson Footer says, he spent 16 years in the Astros' system as a player and manager.
- Acta wasn't the only qualified candidate. Footer says Bob Melvin was also "hugely impressive."
- MLB.com's Spencer Fordin says the O's need an experienced starter and a corner infielder or two this offseason.
Rays Rumors: Zobrist, Iwamura, Kapler
MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez provides the latest on a few Tampa Bay Rays:
- If Ben Zobrist becomes the team's everyday second baseman, the club may decide to bring free agent-to-be Gabe Kapler back as a backup outfielder. Kapler made $1MM this year and hit .239/.329/.439 in 245 trips to the plate.
- If the club keeps Zobrist at second, it appears highly unlikely that the Rays would pick up Akinori Iwamura's $4.25MM option.
- Other club options to watch: Carl Crawford at $10MM, Gregg Zaun at $2MM and Brian Shouse at $1.9MM.
- It's likely that the team will look for affordable late-inning relief help.
Odds & Ends: Pujols, Cubs, Strasburg, Wagner
Another round of links for the afternoon…
- The Cards were surprised to hear that Albert Pujols isn't thinking about a contract extension, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- The Cubs have now asked the Rangers for permission to speak with hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
- First overall pick Stephen Strasburg makes his AFL debut tonight, according to the AP (via ESPN).
- Earlier in the week, the New York Post reported that Billy Wagner was leaning towards retirement. Wagner's agent, Bean Stringfellow, told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports this week that Wagner plans on playing next year.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says there's no question: the Red Sox will enter Spring Training with at least five starters. Even if they pick up Tim Wakefield's option, as expected, they will likely add another arm.
- The Brewers sent cash to the Reds to complete the David Weathers trade, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- Bobby Valentine side-stepped questions about the Marlins on 790 The Ticket this morning, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel.
- USA Today's Bob Nightengale says (via Twitter) that it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Padres hire Jed Hoyer or Jerry DiPoto to be the team's next GM.
Odds & Ends: Padilla, Acta, Gillick, Bradley
More links from around the majors as we await the continuation of the NLCS…
- Vicente Padilla, who starts for the Dodgers this afternoon, tells Ben Bolch of the LA Times that he's not thinking about his next contract. Padilla will be a Type B free agent after the season.
- Manny Acta is interviewing for the Astros managerial opening today, as MLB.com's Alyson Footer notes. Acta has already interviewed for the Cleveland job.
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart would like to see Bob Melvin manage the Astros.
- Longtime MLB GM Pat Gillick tells Yahoo's Tim Brown that he has no interest in becoming the Padres' GM.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin tells Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the team isn't likely to announce its next pitching coach today.
- Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald says the Cubs are still discussing a possible Milton Bradley trade with a number of teams, though no move appears imminent.
- Miles expects the Cubs to lure hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo away from the Rangers.
Discussion: The Angels And Bobby Abreu
Last offseason was hard on aging, positionless players. Just ask Jason Giambi, Luis Gonzalez or Richie Sexson. Even though he was coming off a solid season, Bobby Abreu signed a deal that guaranteed him just $5MM.
He turned out to be a real bargain for the Angels, posting an .825 OPS and stealing 30 bases. Abreu drove in 100 runs for the seventh straight year, played almost every day and drew 94 walks. The Angels had the game's second-best offense, partly because of their right fielder.
Abreu's offensive skills are still there, but he'll be 36 when next season starts and his strong arm doesn't make up for his lack of range in the outfield. He's consistently been a defensive liability in recent years, according to UZR. As a result, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says Abreu straddles the border between outfielder and DH. Cameron and Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors agree: the Angels shouldn't offer much more than the two year $16MM deal Abreu reportedly rejected.
If the Angels offer Abreu arbitration only to see him sign elsewhere, they'd receive a first or second rounder, since Abreu's a Type A free agent. If you're Angels GM Tony Reagins, how much do you offer?
Red Sox Like Buy-Low, High-Upside Starters
John Smoltz and Brad Penny didn't work out for the Red Sox, but the pair of righthanders cost the club a relatively small amount, so they'll consider similar pitchers this offseason. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein tells Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald that he will remain open-minded as he looks for a starter to complement Tim Wakefield.
"We’re probably not going to end up with a front-line free agent starting pitcher with the way we look at the market and the nature of the market these days," Epstein said. "Could we end up with another buy-low, high-upside, low-risk starting pitcher somewhere on the roster? Sure. And if it doesn’t work out, we’ll move on.”
A number of scouts and execs tell McAdam that the Red Sox will likely pursue Rich Harden this offseason (Harden won't cost a draft pick, since he's a Type B free agent). Ben Sheets, Brandon Webb, Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer and Mark Mulder are also possible targets for Epstein and the Red Sox, who have Josh Beckett, Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka in their rotation already.
Odds & Ends: Heyward, Yankees, Astros
Some more afternoon links…
- Jason Heyward – probably the game's best prospect - looks great so far in the Arizona Fall League, according to Jason Grey of ESPN.com.
- MLB.com's Mike Bauman says so far the Yankees' decision to commit hundreds of millions to C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett looks good.
- As Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports, Ned Yost stressed his experience during his interview for the Astros' managerial opening.
- James Schmehl of MLive.com suggests the Tigers should at least consider replacing hitting coach Lloyd McClendon with Rudy Jaramillo or another top batting instructor.
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that the Rangers promoted four members of their front office.
The Red Sox And Takashi Saito
3:23pm: Alex Speier of WEEI.com hears that the Red Sox have not outrighted Saito, though it would not be a surprise to see the club make such a move.
Speier notes that the Red Sox have to release Saito if they don't pick up his option. Since they want the chance to re-sign him this offseason, the Red Sox will likely outright him first if they decide he's not worth $6MM.
2:28pm: The Red Sox have outrighted Takashi Saito, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Now that Saito's off the team's 40-man roster, Cafardo expects the club to turn down its 2010 option for the righty's services. The Red Sox paid Saito $6MM this year and can choose to pay him the same amount next season.
Since Saito has more than three years of service time, he can choose to become a free agent. If he hits the open market, he'll face plenty of competition.
Saito will be 40 next year, but he did strike out 52 batters in 55.2 innings this year. He allowed 50 hits, 25 walks and six homers, so he's easier to hit than he was when he first signed with the Dodgers, but he remains effective.
What To Expect Before The World Series Ends
The hot stove season won't really pick up until next month, but we can still expect some developments soon if last year is any indication. Here's a look at what happened last year between mid-October and the end of the World Series:
- We heard about possible blockbusters, some of which happened (Matt Holliday) and some of which didn't (Prince Fielder, Magglio Ordonez).
- This year's equivalents: Fielder, Felix Hernandez, Roy Halladay and others.
- We saw teams make minor additions. For example, the White Sox signed Jayson Nix.
- The Angels picked up options on Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey.
- Victor Martinez and Carl Crawford are among the players whose 2010 options may be picked up soon.
- Players and teams began hinting at possible matches. A.J. Burnett's agent hinted that the righty would consider joining the Yankees and the Mets' interest in Francisco Rodriguez surfaced.
- Nick Markakis began discussing an extension with the O's. Could we see the Twins start extension talks with Joe Mauer this month?