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Tigers Rumors: Rodney, Lyon, Washburn, Polanco

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Following the disappointing finish to the Detroit Tigers' 2009 season, plenty of thoughts have turned to the upcoming winter in Detroit.

  • Steve Kornacki of MLive.com indicates the Tigers will feel the need to re-sign either Brandon Lyon or Fernando Rodney to close games, since the club isn't sure that either Ryan Perry or Cody Satterwhite is ready for that role yet. Kornacki also wonders if the Tigers are confident in Curtis Granderson as an offensive catalyst, or if they might try to deal for a speedster like Carl Crawford or Juan Pierre.
  • MLive.com's Chris Iott takes a stab at what the 2010 roster might look like. He expects the Tigers to part ways with Jarrod Washburn, Placido Polanco, and Rodney, while retaining Lyon for the ninth inning.
  • Detroit squandered their financial advantage over teams like the Minnesota Twins by handing out too many bad contracts, according to Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press. Rosenberg writes that committing big money to players like Dontrelle Willis and Gary Sheffield killed their payroll flexibility and resulted in a subpar offense in 2009. Going forward, Rosenberg hopes the Tigers "show the creative thinking of a good small-market team" when making roster moves.
  • The Detroit Free Press's Drew Sharp agrees that the Tigers have to spend wisely. He warns owner Mike Ilitch against succumbing to the temptation of adding another big name like Crawford. Sharp thinks the team would be better off saving some cash and hoping players like Carlos Guillen and Jeremy Bonderman stay healthy in 2010.

Rosenthal On Pujols, Holliday, DeRosa

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports takes a look at what lies in store for the St. Louis Cardinals this winter. A few of his thoughts:

  • Despite the Cardinals' desire to sign Albert Pujols to a lengthy extension this winter, a reliable source tells Rosenthal that there is virtually no chance a deal happens so quickly.
  • Rosenthal speculates that the Cardinals' chances of retaining Pujols past 2011 aren't great. The first baseman will likely use Alex Rodriguez's $275MM contract as a benchmark, and might want to sign with a club "that would operate with fewer financial restrictions than the Cardinals."
  • Rosenthal suggests attempting to re-sign Matt Holliday, but not exceeding about $90MM over five years to do it. The thinking is that the Cards likely can't afford to commit over $100MM to Holliday and over $200MM to Pujols.
  • An alternative to signing Holliday would be pursuing Jason Bay or bargain-hunting for this offseason's Bobby Abreu.
  • St. Louis should make re-signing Mark DeRosa a priority.

Want to share your own thoughts on the Cardinals' potential offseason moves? Jump into the MLBTR discussion.

Tigers Notes: Rodney, Perry, Polanco

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It took 163 games to determine the AL Central title in 2009.  The Detroit Tigers were, of course, on the losing end.  After leading the Tigers to the 2006 World Series in his first year as their skipper, Jim Leyland has been unable to steer the club back to the postseason.

As Keith Law writes, "This one will be hard to get past."  Along with Baseball Prospectus and the ESPN Insider staff, Law takes a look at this past season and what the Tigs can do to improve in 2010.  An Insider subscription is required to read the article, but here are some of the key tidbits from the piece:

  • Law highlights the team's lack of production at the DH spot as one of its biggest shortcomings.  However, GM Dave Dombrowski recently said that the team is unlikely to employ a full-time DH next season.  If for some reason he has a change of heart, he will find more than a few candidates on the open market.
  • Bullpen staples Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney are headed for free agency.  Law says that Rodney "has the closer's mantle but not closer command."  Ryan Perry should be able to step into that role eventually, but currently lacks the control to do so.  if the youngster is asked to be the fireman and Lyon and Rodney walk, it'll leave a significant void in the 'pen.
  • Christina Kahrl of Baseball Prospectus points out the poor performances of mid-season acquisitions Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff.  After posting a 2.64 ERA, 7.4 H/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 20 starts with Seattle, Washburn recorded a 7.33 ERA, 10.7 H/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in eight starts.  Huff was supposed to strengthen the middle of the Tigers' lineup but instead floundered as he recorded an OPS of .567.
  • Tigers' second baseman Placido Polanco is a free agent after completing a four-year deal worth $4.6MM annually.  The article says that retaining him would require $6-7MM per season, a steep price for a player who is not likely to improve much on his 2009 season in which he hit .285/.331/.396 with 10 HRs.  Polanco, who turns 34 tomorrow, has been a $50MM value over the last three years according to Fangraphs. 
  • When Buster Olney polled six GMs asking if Detroit would keep Polanco, they were split.  Law & Co. think that there's a good chance that Polanco plays elsewhere next season.
  • Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes that 24-year-old Scott Sizemore is ready to take over for Polanco at second base.  Scouts feel that he will become a well-rounded offensive player who should be able to hit ".280-plus with 12-15 home runs, 60 walks and 15-20 stolen bases annually."
  • Because of high-priced commitments to Magglio Ordonez and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers don't have much financial flexibility.  Expect Detroit to find their next closer on the cheap from within the organization.
  • Kahrl closes the piece by saying, "they need a major upgrade at DH or left if they're going to offensively afford themselves a luxury like a plus defender at shortstop."  Dave Dombrowski will have to get creative as he is handcuffed by several bad contracts.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Marlins, Reds

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Let's check out some links as the Twins try to even the score in New York:

  • Brian McTaggart of MLB.com has the latest on the Astros' manager search from GM Ed Wade.
  • Two Marlins coaches declined offers to return to the club next season, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com.  The departures of Bo Porter (third base/outfield) and Steve Porter (bullpen) mean that the Fish now have four spots to fill on their coaching staff after letting pitching coach Mark Wiley and first-base coach Andy Fox walk.  The Marlins also outrighted infielder Andy Gonzalez and right-hander Dallas Trahern to Triple-A New Orleans.
  • ESPN.com's Rob Neyer looks into the postseason success of Wild Cards.
  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer runs down the ex-Reds currently in the playoffs.  Fay says that "you can't really kick the Reds" for letting these players get away.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Tigers, Braves, Reds

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A few more links to cap off the night….

  • GM Ed Wade and the Houston Astros will begin contacting managerial candidates Friday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. McTaggart adds that the team's interview process will get underway next week, as they hope to pare down a 10-name list.
  • Keith Law and ESPN.com take a look at the Tigers' 2009 results and anticipate their offseason moves. Law notes that Detroit is a franchise that doesn't mind avoiding big-name closers, so Ryan Perry could conceivably pitch the ninth inning in 2010 if Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon depart. Law also thinks Scott Sizemore is ready to step in and play second base every day.
  • Like everyone else, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution thinks the Braves need a right-handed power bat next season. O'Brien also suggests that Atlanta would benefit from adding a little speed to their lineup. O'Brien thinks that Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, who can hit home runs and steal bases, will be discussed as a potential target for the Braves.
  • The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay expects the Reds to wait until after St. Louis is out of the playoffs to hire a new pitching coach. Fay speculates that history between Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty and Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan could make Duncan a candidate for the opening.

Discussion: Joel Pineiro

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Poised to start Game 3 of the NLDS for the St. Louis Cardinals on Saturday, attempting to stave off elimination, Joel Pineiro will have his performance under a little extra scrutiny. Pineiro benefits from being part of a weak free agent class for starting pitchers, and is coming off his best season in a Cardinals uniform. A strong playoff showing this weekend could make him even more desirable for potential suitors.

The 31-year-old Pineiro set a career high in innings pitched (214 IP), starting 32 games for the NL Central champs. His 3.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP were significantly lower than his career ratios of 4.39 and 1.34. Plus, he displayed outstanding control (1.1 BB/9), along with an ability to keep the ball in the park (0.5 HR/9).

Pineiro has said he wants to stay in St. Louis, but the Cardinals have a handful of potential free agents to worry about. Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa have expiring contracts, and the Cards also hope to lock up Albert Pujols to a long-term deal. Pineiro's current two-year contract earned him $13MM, and SI.com's Jon Heyman expects the righty to sign for more money this time. Will St. Louis make re-signing their third starter a major priority this winter? Will another club make him a more lucrative offer? If you're a GM, do you trust Pineiro's performance in 2009, a contract year? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments section.

Diamondbacks Rumors: Webb, Byrnes

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Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic spoke to General Managing Partner Ken Kendrick of the Arizona Diamondbacks about the team's future. Here are a few of the highlights:

  • The team has "every intention" of exercising Brandon Webb's $8.5MM option.
  • Like GM Josh Byrnes said earlier in the week, there's no guarantee the team will hang on to outfielder Eric Byrnes just because of his bloated contract. Kendrick said the deal "looks like a mistake."
  • The payroll for 2010 should be in the $75MM-$79MM range, after the team spent $73MM in 2009.
  • Josh Byrnes could then have up to $20MM to address the team's needs in the offseason. Piecoro suggests that might mean looking at "the bullpen, a vacancy in the rotation, and perhaps…a veteran position player."
  • Kendrick sees the bullpen as the main priority when adding new talent this winter.

Padres Release Cliff Floyd, Shawn Hill

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The San Diego Padres have parted ways with outfielder Cliff Floyd and pitcher Shawn Hill, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. They are the second and third players the Padres waived today, after the team also released righty Cha Seung Baek. Like Baek, Hill had been identified as a non-tender candidate by Tim.

Neither player was a major contributor in San Diego this season. Hill started three games for the club, posting a 1-1 record and a 5.25 ERA. Floyd made 17 plate appearances in 10 games, recording just two singles and a walk.

Odds & Ends: Mauer, Towers, Joba

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Some links to peruse in between innings of the Cards/Dodgers game….

  • Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com writes that Twins catcher Joe Mauer is concerned with "winning, not fame." Mauer's willingness to fly under the radar might be good news for Minnesota fans worried that the batting champ will eventually leave town for a larger market. Of course, I'm sure knocking off the Yankees would help too.
  • No one thinks former Padres' GM Kevin Towers will be out of work for long. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Towers should be the first choice for any team seeking a general manager. The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch adds that he expects Towers to join the Mets' front office, since Omar Minaya's tenuous grasp on his job could result in an eventual promotion for Towers.
  • Joel Pineiro tells MLB.com's Tom Singer that developing a sinker was the key to his 2009 success. Singer points out that Pineiro leads all free agent starters in a handful of categories this year, including baserunners allowed. The 31-year-old righty will get a chance to prove his effectiveness on a bigger stage this weekend against the Dodgers.
  • Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe speculates on Joba Chamberlain's 2010 role, wondering if "the pitcher Red Sox fans love to hate may be no better than a set-up man after all."
  • Baseball America's Aaron Fitt views the settlement between the NCAA and Andy Oliver as a "return to status quo" for the draft's "no agent" rule, but doesn't anticipate it lasting long.
  • We've heard some rumblings that Oakland's David Forst might be in the mix for the Padres' vacant GM spot. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer wonders, if it's true, why the Padres wouldn't just hire the ex-A's assistant GM they already have: Paul DePodesta.

Braves Notes: Jones, Vazquez, Hudson

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The Atlanta Braves went 34-21 in the months of August and September.  Unfortunately for them, their poor play early in the season meant that the playoffs were still out of reach.  While their starting pitching was strong (Derek Lowe's underwhelming year not withstanding), their offense couldn't generate enough support.  Chipper Jones had, arguably, the worst year of his career, posting an OPS of .818 – his lowest in nearly a decade-and-a-half.  Jones' performance was a microcosm of the Braves' season as a whole: certainly not awful, but short of expectations.

Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the Insider Staff broke down the season that was for the Atlanta Braves and what to expect from them this winter.  An ESPN Insider account is required to read the article but here are the highlights for those without:

  • Olney writes that the Braves need a bopper, preferably of the right-handed variety.  The piece suggests Dan Uggla or Miguel Tejada while noting that Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are probably too pricey.  Gary Sheffield is mentioned as a cheaper alternative, but one has to wonder if the Braves are at all interested in reuniting with the outspoken soon-to-be 41-year-old.
  • Atlanta may need a big bat, but they can afford to stand pat when it comes to their rotation.  Javier Vazquez was brilliant this year, posting career bests with an ERA of 2.87 and 9.8 K/9.  With a starting five that also includes Jair Jurrjens, Derek Lowe, Tommy Hanson and Tim Hudson, the Braves are one of the fortunate teams that do not have to sift through this year's pool of free agent starters if they don't want to.  While the Braves may give some thought to moving Lowe, who is owed $15MM in each of the next three seasons, they may not find much of a market for his services.
  • The Braves "face an intriguing decision" when it comes to Hudson's $12MM option.  Hudson missed most of the year after undergoing Tommy John surgery but has looked rather healthy since returning, posting an ERA of 3.61 in seven starts.  A blog post from David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution noted that the Braves could decline the option and be able to sign Hudson for "quite a bit less", as Hudson has just built a home in the area.
  • Shawn Hoffman of Baseball Prospectus concludes the piece by saying, "If the rotation can hold some of its gains, and Chipper Jones can at least maintain his current level, the Braves could be very, very tough."

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