MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- MLB Trade Rumors Podcast featured host Jeff Todd reviewing the week’s notable transactions and discussing the Rockies’ offseason with Nick Groke of The Denver Post and MLBTR’s 2014-15 Top 50 Free Agents list with Tim Dierkes. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast will drop every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- There were six new Free Agent Profile entries this week (ranking on MLBTR’s 2014-15 Top 50 Free Agents list in parenthesis).
- Tim’s prediction for James Shields (#3) is $95MM over five years.
- Zach Links envisions six years, $132MM for Hanley Ramirez (#4), four years, $70MM for Nelson Cruz (#9), and three years, $21MM for Sergio Romo (#35).
- Steve Adams foresees Francisco Liriano (#15) netting a three-year, $40MM deal.
- Charlie Wilmoth anticipates a two-year contract for Nori Aoki (#40) worth $16MM.
- Tim was the first to report Casey Janssen and Joey Gallo changed representation: Janssen leaving Jim McDowell for ACES and Gallo joining the Wasserman Media Group after being a client of The Legacy Agency.
- MLBTR previewed the Offseason Outlook for the Angels (by Steve), Nationals (by Jeff), Cardinals (by Charlie), and Orioles (by Mark Polishuk).
- MLBTR has made its projected 2015 arbitration salaries available for download in an Excel spreadsheet. The list can also be found in the sidebar under MLBTR Features.
- Brad Johnson asked MLBTR readers where Russell Martin will sign. Nearly 50% of you believe he will be wearing Cubbie blue.
- Steve hosted this week’s live chat.
- Charlie assembled the best of the baseball blogosphere for you in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
AL Notes: Abreu: White Sox, Red Sox, Rays
Jared S. Hopkins of the Chicago Tribune (subscription required) chronicles the travails Jose Abreu underwent in leaving his native Cuba for America. Full details of Abreu’s journey remain a secret (Abreu and his agents have declined to discuss his defection and an interview with Abreu’s mother, to which to she had agreed, was cancelled by one of the slugger’s associates), but Hopkins was able to piece together how Abreu and his brother-in-law took a boat from Cuba to Haiti in August 2013 leaving behind his young son and family, reaching out to the Orioles’ Henry Urrutia for help after leaving Cuba, and living in the Dominican Republic for three months before landing his $68MM contract with the White Sox. The article also delves into the role smugglers and their networks play in ferreting players out of Cuba for promises upward of 30% of the players’ first contract. Abreu is expected to be named the AL Rookie of the Year tomorrow.
In other news about Abreu’s White Sox and the American League:
- Earlier today, we learned the White Sox will meet this week with Pablo Sandoval‘s representatives during the GM Meetings in Phoenix. However, if the right third base upgrade cannot be found, the White Sox are comfortable with a platoon of Conor Gillaspie and Marcus Semien, reports CSNChicago.com’s Dan Hayes. The White Sox also have Matt Davidson on their 40-man roster, but Hayes notes the 23-year-old struggled in a homer-friendly park at Triple-A Charlotte (.199/.283/.362 in 539 plate appearances).
- The free agent expenditures by the Red Sox this offseason could be shaped by who will be available in free agency next winter, writes Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal. With a solid free agent class of starting pitchers and a dearth of third baseman next offseason, MacPherson opines the Red Sox may stretch the budget this year for Sandoval, Chase Headley, or Hanley Ramirez.
- Rays players are rallying around Dave Martinez to replace Joe Maddon as manager, per the Tampa Bay Times’ Marc Topkin.
- Within the same article, Topkin speculates the trade of left-hander Cesar Ramos was the first of what could be several moves by the Rays to create roster spots by dealing players who may be too expensive or no longer fit and receive something in return. Sean Rodriguez (projected by MLBTR’s Matt Swartz to earn $2MM through arbitration) could be one of those moves, according to Topkin.
Minor Moves: Sands, Belnome, De Los Santos
Here are Sunday’s minor moves from around MLB:
- Outfielder Jerry Sands has elected free agency rather than accept his outright assignment to Triple-A by the Rays, tweets Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The 27-year-old played just 12 games for the Rays last season (.190/.227/.333 in 22 plate appearances) before being sidelined by wrist surgery in July.
- Within the same tweet, Topkin reports the Rays have outrighted infielder Vince Belnome to Triple-A. The 26-year-old was designated for assignment, along with Sands, last Monday. Belnome, who made his MLB debut with the Rays in 2014 with 14 plate appearances in four games, has spent the past three seasons in Triple-A, but posted his worst slash at that level this year (.245/.358/.383 in 492 plate appearances).
- The Brewers have released left-hander Miguel De Los Santos, according to the team’s transactions page. The Brewers claimed the 26-year-old off waivers from the Rangers two years ago, but he never threw a pitch for the organization because of shoulder surgery and visa issues. Baseball America ranked De Los Santos 29th among Texas prospects before the 2012 season with the best changeup in the Rangers’ system.
- Eric Stults (Padres), Donn Roach (Padres), Rob Scahill (Rockies), and Roger Kieschnick (Angels) are the players remaining in DFA limbo, per MLBTR’s DFA Tracker.
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the past seven days as the San Francisco Giants celebrated their third World Championship in the last five years:
- Tim Dierkes unveiled the ninth annual MLBTR Top 50 Free Agents list and he included his predictions as to where each player will land.
- Where do you think these top 50 free agents will sign? Match your insight against the MLBTR staff and fellow MLBTR readers by entering the fourth annual MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest. You must have a Facebook account to register and the deadline to save your final picks is this Friday (November 7) at 11:59 PM (CT).
- MLB Trade Rumors Podcast featured host Jeff Todd recapping the week’s notable transactions and guests reliever Burke Badenhop discussing his upcoming free agency and Charlie Wilmoth of MLBTR and Bucs Dugout previewing the Pirates’ offseason. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast will drop every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- Tim was the first to report the Brewers exercised Yovani Gallardo‘s $13MM club option and the White Sox declined the $4MM option on Felipe Paulino.
- There were six installments of MLBTR’s Free Agent Profile series this week.
- Prior to agreeing to a two-year, $18MM deal to remain with the Red Sox, Steve Adams predicted Koji Uehara would sign a one year, $11MM contract.
- On the subject of right-handed relievers, Steve feels the market for Pat Neshek is two years and $10MM.
- Zach Links estimates a two-year pact for Edinson Volquez worth $18MM.
- Jeff expects Jake Peavy will garner $28MM over two years and paydays of three years and $30MM for both Jason Hammel and Jed Lowrie.
- The Offseason Outlook series continued with the forecast for the Tigers (by Zach) and A’s (by Steve).
- Zach learned left-hander Brad Mills decided to sign a minor league deal with the A’s, after drawing interest from a number of clubs, because he felt Oakland presented the best opportunity to make a MLB roster.
- Jeff asked MLBTR readers which team will spend the most in free agency. You believe the Cubs (30%), Red Sox (22%), and the Yankees (16%) will be the market’s most active.
- Steve hosted the weekly live chat.
- Mark Polishuk gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
Indians Notes: Francona, Free Agency, Lindor
The Indians should be poised to contend for the AL Central title next year because the Tigers and Royals are going to take a hit in free agency, opines Paul Hoynes of the Northeast Ohio Media Group in the latest edition of his “Hey, Hoynsie” column. Free agency won’t damage the White Sox, Hoynes adds, but they are in need of pitching to complement their power while the Twins are still putting together the pieces after four consecutive seasons of at least 92 losses.
Here’s more on the Indians from Hoynes:
- Manager Terry Francona had clauses inserted into his contract when he was hired by the Indians allowing him to leave if President Mark Shapiro or GM Chris Antonetti are fired. Would Francona ever follow Joe Maddon’s lead? Hoynes notes Andrew Friedman left the Rays voluntarily and isn’t sure whether such a departure by either Shapiro or Antonetti would trigger Francona’s opt-out.
- The Indians will not be bidding on the premier bats available in free agency (e.g. Pablo Sandoval (#5 on MLBTR’s 2014-2015 Top 50 Free Agents list), Victor Martinez (#6), Russell Martin (#8), and Nelson Cruz (#9), according to Hoynes, who sees the club setting their sights on the likes of Michael Morse (#28) and Ryan Ludwick (unranked) once other moves are made.
- Jose Ramirez will be the Indians’ 2015 Opening Day shortstop, Francisco Lindor is probably ticketed for Triple-A, and Zach Walters, acquired in the Asdrubal Cabrera trade, will have to make the team as a bench player.
- The Indians are not in the position of needing to trade their core players, so Hoynes would be surprised if Corey Kluber, Yan Gomes, or Michael Brantley are dealt this winter.
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- MLB Trade Rumors Podcast featured host Jeff Todd and Angels assistant GM Matt Klentak discussing the team’s offseason and a conversation with Tim Dierkes on the upcoming qualifying offer decisions and whether this will be the year a QO is finally accepted. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast will be released every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- If you like Neapolitan ice cream, you’ll love the new Trade Rumors app, which combines content from MLBTR and sister sites Hoops Rumors and Pro Football Rumors. The Trade Rumors app, which is free and available for iOS and Android devices, can be customized to include any of the 92 MLB, NBA, and NFL teams, as well as any of the thousands of players in our archives.
- Tim anticipates Andrew Miller will become the first non-closer reliever since Scott Linebrink seven years ago to secure a four-year contract on the open market. The pact, according to Tim, will be worth $32MM.
- Tim is less bullish on Alex Rios: one-year, $8.5MM.
- Jeff envisions Rafael Soriano will have to settle for two years and $12MM after an up-and-down 2014.
- Steve Adams foresees a two-year deal worth $30MM for Adam LaRoche.
- MLBTR presented the Offseason Outlook for the Pirates (by Charlie Wilmoth), Rays (by Zach Links), Yankees (by Mark Polishuk), Mariners and Indians (both by Steve).
- Brad Johnson asked MLBTR readers whether Joe Maddon will manage in 2015. Only 25% of you believe he will sit out the season.
- Steve hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
- Zach put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
NL Notes: Sandoval, Sabean, Martin, Stanton
The World Series continues in San Francisco tonight as the Legend of Panda continues to grow. Here’s the latest on Pablo Sandoval and the rest of the National League:
- Without an obvious internal replacement at third base, it’s hard to imagine the Giants will let Sandoval leave even if he asks for a deal similar to the one Hunter Pence received, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Pence netted a five-year, $90MM deal from the Giants and they have shown a willingness to pay big dollars in order to keep their most identifiable players.
- The San Francisco Chronicle’s Henry Schulman also isn’t as quick to dismiss Sandoval returning to San Francisco tweeting money flows more freely when a franchise reaches the World Series.
- Tyler Kepner of the New York Times profiles Giants GM Brian Sabean, who answers those who label him as espousing an “old school” philosophy. “When they hear ‘old school,’ they don’t understand that ‘old school’ is trying to get any and every edge,” Sabean told Kepner. “We’re all looking for the misfit toys. We’re all looking for the guys we can plug in that were overlooked because sometimes, you know what, that’s what you’re down to because your payroll’s your payroll. There’s not enough players to go around, so you better be creative.“
- The Pirates have a delicate balancing act in weighing whether to re-sign Russell Martin, opines Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. The Pirates’ dilemma is whether a small-market team should make the financial commitment to retain a signature player and a clubhouse leader or avoid the risk of extending a catcher who might decline significantly over the course of his next contract.
- Marlins slugger Giancarlo Stanton provided reporters, including Yahoo! Sports’ Tim Brown, with an update on his recovery from being hit in the face with a pitch in September. “I feel great,” Stanton said after being honored as the NL recipient of the Hank Aaron Award. “It’s a lot better than I thought it was going to be.” Stanton did acknowledge he feels an occasional jab of pain when he chews food and has yet to swing a bat. When he does, will likely wear a face guard.
Jesus Guzman Signs With Hiroshima Carp
First baseman Jesus Guzman has signed a one-year, $1MM contract with the Hiroshima Carp of Japan’s NPB, per the Japan Times. Guzman, who earned $1.3MM in 2014, can increase his base salary with performance-based incentives.
Guzman was outrighted by the Astros earlier this month; but, instead, elected free agency. In a Twitter conversation with the Houston Chronicle’s Evan Drellich, Rod Blunck of Octagon, Guzman’s agency, respected how Astros GM Jeff Luhnow and AGM David Stearns handled the situation by acting now rather than wait until the December 2 deadline to tender arbitration-eligible players a contract. Guzman was to enter his second year of arbitration eligibility as a Super Two player.
The 30-year-old showed promise in a breakthrough 2011 season hitting .312/.369/.478 in 271 trips to the plate for the Padres, but he has seen his numbers decline steadily since culminating in a .188/.272/.248 line (184 plate appearances) for Houston this past year. Guzman has been much more productive during his nine-year minor league career slashing .306/.375/.481.
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR the last seven days:
- MLB Trade Rumors Podcast featured host Jeff Todd discussing the Diamondbacks with Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and which options will be exercised and which will be declined with Steve Adams. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast will be released every Thursday afternoon and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- In the wake of the Dodgers hiring Andrew Friedman away from the Rays, Tampa Bay owner Stuart Sternberg told Zach Links he does not plan on changing his no-contract policy for the upper levels of the franchise’s front office. “That’s our policy, for better or for worse. There are positives with it and negatives with it,” Sternberg said. “I put my reputation in their hands and they in mine as well and we have a real level of trust. When it comes to the contract that’s what it’s really all about and it was never really a consideration with Andrew.”
- MLBTR’s 2014-2015 Free Agent Tracker is now available with the start of free agency just a World Series away. It can be found in the Tools drop down menu at the top of the page or in the sidebar under MLBTR Features.
- Speaking of free agents, there were six installments of MLBTR’s Free Agent Profile series this week.
- Tim Dierkes imagines a four-year deal for Ervin Santana worth $56MM.
- Jeff projects two years and $22MM for Michael Morse.
- Same terms for Michael Cuddyer, according to Zach.
- Zach predicts a three-year pact earning $27MM for Asdrubal Cabrera.
- Steve expects Melky Cabrera will sign a five-year, $66.25MM contract while Nick Markakis will collect $48MM over four years.
- MLBTR previewed the Offseason Outlook for the Brewers (by Charlie Wilmoth), Reds (also by Charlie), Blue Jays (by Mark Polishuk), Padres (by Zach), Mets and Braves (both by Jeff).
- Steve pitted right-handed starters Ervin Santana and Brandon McCarthy in the latest Free Agent Faceoff. More than 57% of you would prefer to sign McCarthy.
- Jeff analyzed the trade candidacy of the Braves’ Evan Gattis.
- Steve hosted this week’s chat.
- Zach compiled the latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
NL Notes: Posey, Cabrera, Phillies, Braves, Grandal
With Derek Jeter‘s retirement and the Giants playing in their third World Series in five years, Buster Posey should be the next face of baseball. That’s the theme of separate articles by ESPN’s Jayson Stark and the New York Post’s Joel Sherman. Starks believes Posey is comparable to Jeter in making his team a perennial World Series contender with an understated, but intently competitive manner, the flowing awards and accolades, and his ability to move merchandise. Sherman theorizes Posey hasn’t already assumed Jeter’s mantle because of the position he plays, the market in which he plays, and a lack of a seminal playoff moment.
Here’s more news and notes from the National League:
- It will be tough for other teams to copy “the Giants Way” because the Giants themselves can’t explain their success, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. “That’s a tough question to answer,” General Manager Brian Sabean said. “Things develop over time.” Time has been on the Giants’ side, notes Shaikin, as Sabean is the longest-tenured GM in baseball and his top lieutenants (Dick Tidrow and Bobby Evans, who told Shaikin he has never been interviewed for a GM opening) have been with the organization for two decades.
- Earlier today, MLBTR’s Zach Links predicted Nationals infielder Asdrubal Cabrera will land a three-year, $27MM contract in free agency. CSNWashington’s Mark Zuckerman posits Cabrera’s best days are possibly behind him, so the Nationals’ interest will be based on whether there are better options available either via free agency or on the trade market.
- The Phillies should have at least $20MM in payroll space this offseason which should be enough for a major signing or a few mid-level signings, provided they are committed to winning in 2015, according to CSNPhilly.com’s Corey Seidman. A.J. Burnett declining his $12.75 option and dealing Antonio Bastardo and/or Domonic Brown could increase that amount, Seidman adds.
- Braves President John Schuerholz indicated to Jim Bowden of SiriusXM (on Twitter) the club’s first choice to be their full-time GM is John Hart; however, he will not force the timeline.
- The first home run of the Dominican Winter League was hit by the Padres‘ Yasmani Grandal. Now a full season away from his 50-game suspension for an elevated testosterone level and knee surgery and possessing excellent plate discipline (13.1% walk rate in 2014), Grandal can become a breakout offensive force for the Padres in 2015, opines the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Dennis Lin.
- The Dodgers are in good hands with Andrew Friedman aboard, writes Peter Gammons for Gammons Daily.