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Leyland Expected Back In Detroit

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There are indications that manager Jim Leyland will sign a new deal with the Tigers, Tom Gage of the Detroit News reports. The decision “has been made” and an announcement could take place as soon as today, Gage writes.

Leyland, who has not confirmed the news, recently said “it will all play out soon enough.” A Tigers player went a bit further, saying “he’s coming back.” GM Dave Dombrowski recently said Leyland would be welcomed back for an eighth season in Detroit. However, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com suggested yesterday that Leyland could choose to retire now that his contract's up. The 67-year-old has said he won’t manage another MLB team.

Though Leyland's Tigers were swept in the World Series, they won their division and the American League pennant. In seven years since Leyland became the Tigers' manager, the team has a 607-528 record.

This post was originally published on October 30th, 2012.

A’s Exercise Balfour’s Option, Decline Drew’s

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The A's announced that they exercised their club option for Grant Balfour and declined their side of Stephen Drew's mutual option (Twitter link). Balfour will earn $4.5MM to return to Oakland in 2013. Drew, whose option was valued at $10MM, will hit free agency and obtain a $1.35MM buyout. 

Balfour appeared in 75 games for the A's this past season, spending much of the year as Bob Melvin's closer. The 34-year-old right-hander collected 24 saves, posting 8.7 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 74 2/3 innings.

Drew, 29, appeared in 39 regular season games for the A's following the midseason trade that sent him from Arizona to Oakland. The shortstop posted a combined batting line of .223/.309/.348 in 327 plate appearances between the two leagues. He projects as one of the top shortstops available in a free agent class that doesn't feature many impact infielders and could even be a fit in Oakland again. Drew will be free to sign with any team starting Saturday.

Blue Jays Notes: Williams, Dempster, Jackson

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Now that they have sent John Farrell to Boston, the Blue Jays are looking for a new manager. In an article at the Globe and Mail, Jeff Blair suggests this might be “the most important managerial hire in club history.” Blair argues that the Blue Jays should consider former catchers such as Sandy Alomar Jr. and Don Wakamatsu. Here are the latest Blue Jays-related links…

  • The Blue Jays obtained permission from the Diamondbacks to speak to third base coach Matt Williams about their managerial opening, Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com reports (on Twitter). Williams has also drawn interest from the Rockies.
  • Free agent starters Ryan Dempster and Edwin Jackson are targets for Toronto, Blair reports. Either right-hander would provide the Blue Jays with some certainty in the middle of a rotation that struggled mightily in 2012 due to injuries and poor performances. Free agents can only sign with their own teams until Saturday.

Twins Decline 2013 Option For Scott Baker

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Scott Baker will hit free agency following a season spent recovering from Tommy John surgery. As expected, the Twins declined their $9.25MM option for the right-hander, Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports.

Baker will be free to sign with any team starting Saturday morning. However, Twins GM Terry Ryan has said the Twins would like to re-sign the 31-year old. Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN reported last week that Baker remains a "high priority" for the Twins. Baker's agent has been in regular communication with the Twins about a deal, perhaps a one or two-year contract with incentives.

P.J. Walters Hits Free Agency

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Right-hander P.J. Walters is a free agent after refusing a minor league assignment from the Twins, according to the transactions page at CBSSports.com. The Twins outrighted the 27-year-old off of their 40-man roster last week.

Walters started 12 games for the Twins this past season, posting a 5.69 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 in 61 2/3 innings. In four seasons with the Twins, Cardinals and Blue Jays, the 2006 draft pick has a 6.39 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9. He has allowed 24 home runs in 112 2/3 career innings.

Phillies Decline Options For Wigginton, Contreras

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The Phillies announced that they declined the contract options for Ty Wigginton and Jose Contreras. Both players obtain $500K buyouts and become free agents.

Contreras, 40, spent most of the 2012 season on the disabled list. He didn't pitch after June 2nd, when the Phillies placed him on the DL with a torn elbow ligament. His option was worth $2.5MM.

Wigginton appeared in 125 games this past season, playing first base, third base and left field. The 35-year-old posted a .235/.314/.375 batting line with 11 home runs in 360 plate appearances. Wigginton's two-year, $8MM contract with the Phillies included a $4MM team option for 2013.

The Phillies exercised the option of catcher Carlos Ruiz earlier today. They have two more days to decide whether to exercise Placido Polanco's option. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. is expected to decline.

Yankees Exercise Options For Aardsma, Cano, Granderson

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The Yankees announced that they have exercised the 2013 options for right-hander David Aardsma, second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder Curtis Granderson.

Cano, 30, will earn $15MM next season. He hit .313/.379/.550 with a career-high 33 homers this season, his third straight year of MVP-caliber performance. Cano is due to become a free agent after next season and we recently heard that agent Scott Boras is seeking a ten-year contract at "top-of-the-market dollars" for the second baseman.

Granderson, 31, will also earn $15MM next year after triggering escalator clauses in his contract with last season's fourth place finish in the MVP voting. He hit .232/.319/.492 with 43 homers in 2012, his second consecutive season with 40+ dingers. GM Brian Cashman recently said he won't trade the outfielder in a reactionary move following his poor postseason showing.

The Yankees signed Aardsma to a one-year contract last offseason with an eye on 2013 since the right-hander was coming off Tommy John surgery. The 30-year-old threw just one inning in September after spending the summer rehabbing. Aardsma will make just $500K next season, with more available in incentives.

John Boggs To Represent Shane Victorino

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MLB agent John Boggs will represent Shane Victorino, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter). The free agent outfielder recently left ACES and had been talking with agents about his representation options.

Victorino posted a .255/.321/.383 batting line with 29 doubles and 11 home runs in 666 plate appearances for the Phillies and Dodgers in 2012. The 31-year-old won't receive a qualifying offer and isn't expected to return to the Dodgers as a free agent. Teams such as the Reds and Braves could be interested, however.

MLBTR's Agency Database offers a complete look at Boggs' client list. Check out the database for up to date information about which agents represent which MLB players.

137 Players Become Free Agents

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137 players became free agents today, the MLB Players Association announced. Josh Hamilton, Zack Greinke and Michael Bourn are among the most prominent free agents of the year.

Teams have exclusive negotiating rights with their own free agents for five days following the completion of the World Series. Free agents can negotiate with all teams beginning at 12:01am EDT this Saturday, November 3rd.

You can view MLBTR's complete list of free agents here. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com has the full MLBPA list of free agents. Be sure to check in this week for MLBTR's upcoming list of top 50 free agents and annual prediction contest. 

Phillies Exercise 2013 Option For Carlos Ruiz

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The Phillies exercised their 2013 option for Carlos Ruiz, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports (on Twitter). As expected, the catcher will earn $5MM in 2013 instead of a $500K buyout.

Ruiz, 33, posted a .325/.394/.540 batting line with a career-high 16 home runs in 421 plate appearances this past season. Exercising the All-Star catcher's option appears to have been an easy decision. All option decisions must be in within three days of the end of the World Series.

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