Multiple Teams Interested In Troy Glaus
Multiple American League teams have some interest in Troy Glaus, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Glaus has been on the disabled list since August 18th, but has been hitting well on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Gwinnett.
When Glaus returns from the DL, the Braves plan to give him some playing time at third base and as a pinch-hitter. However, given his defensive limitations, he would make more sense for an AL contender in need of some power at first base or designated hitter. The Red Sox, Rays, Twins, White Sox, and Rangers could all be fits, particularly at Glaus' affordable price – he has about $340K remaining on his $1.75MM deal.
We've yet to hear whether or not Glaus has passed through waivers already in August. Buster Olney of ESPN.com reported earlier in the month that players could not clear waivers while on the disabled list, but Morosi later indicated that, as long as the player exhibited good health, he could be placed on waivers prior to being activated. Given Glaus' .391 average and two homers on his rehab assignment, he appears to be healthy, so that shouldn't be a roadblock.
Brewers Will Prioritize Pitching In Offseason
The Brewers' number one goal this winter will be upgrading their pitching staff, Mark Attanasio told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Specifically, the team hopes to improve their starting rotation, according to the Brewers' owner.
"We know we've got a problem, which is starting pitching," said Attanasio. "We, as an organization, need to face that reality and address it, as opposed to shrink from it or excuse it."
Attanasio goes on to say the free agent market isn't "the perfect answer," and that the team may have to look into trading a position player for pitching. Haudricourt interprets Attanasio's comments to mean the Brewers will explore the possibility of moving Prince Fielder for an impact arm. 2011 is the slugger's final arbitration-eligible season, and GM Doug Melvin has said in the past that he prefers to trade position players in the offseason, when there are more potential suitors.
If the Brewers don't receive any offers they like for Fielder, turning to the free agent market should still be an option. Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe estimates that Milwaukee may clear as much as $47MM off the books this winter, which could make them "huge players" in the Cliff Lee sweepstakes. Cafardo adds that the club also "should be in on Bronson Arroyo," who has an $11MM club option for 2011.
Earlier this month, MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith examined the Brewers' 2011 rotation, touching upon potential trade and free agent options.
Rangers Continue Search For Right-Handed Bat
Teams have just two more days to acquire postseason-eligible players, but the Rangers haven't yet given up their search for a right-handed hitter. Richard Durrett of ESPN.com writes that, after missing out on Manny Ramirez, Jon Daniels and the Rangers continue to "work the phones" in hopes of landing a bat.
Our list of players that we know have cleared waivers is noticeably lacking in right-handed options, with switch-hitters Carlos Beltran and Geoff Blum the only healthy possibilities. Durrett, however, lists a few names he thinks may be available, including Ryan Spilborghs, Reed Johnson, Jeff Francoeur, and Marlon Byrd. It's also possible that the Rangers are the unknown team that won a waiver claim on Mike Napoli, though he would have had to make it past the Tigers and White Sox, among other clubs.
The Rangers were hoping Jorge Cantu would provide the right-handed pop they needed, but the 28-year-old has struggled since Texas acquired him a month ago. Cantu has yet to record a homer or RBI for the Rangers, hitting .226/.281/.283 in 58 plate appearances.
Odds & Ends: Johnson, Figgins, Pineda, Ross
Saturday night links, as Joey Votto, Adam Dunn, and Paul Konerko belt their 32nd home runs…
- Nick Johnson's 2011 option is very unlikely to be exercised, as Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News writes. Heading into the season, controlling Johnson for $5.5MM in 2011 looked reasonable for the Yankees. But a disappointing, injury-plagued season for the 31-year-old means that money could be better spent elsewhere.
- Joe Girardi and Doug Melvin told Chad Jennings of The Journal News and MLB.com's Adam McCalvy, respectively, that they're not expecting their clubs to make any trades.
- Chone Figgins, the subject of a few trade rumors this summer, tells Doug Miller of MLB.com, "I don't want to go anywhere. I chose to come here, because I like the direction and I like the guys that are here."
- The Mariners have shut down pitching prospect Michael Pineda for the year, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Pineda is fine physically and will compete for a spot in the rotation next spring, according to Jack Zduriencik.
- Cody Ross told Jim Bowden on Fox Sports Radio (Twitter link) that he was "shocked" the Marlins moved him.
- Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer conducts a Q&A with Drew Pomeranz, the Indians' fifth overall pick in this year's draft.
Jermaine Dye Aiming To Return In 2011
With September fast approaching, Jermaine Dye has conceded that he won't be playing major league baseball this season. "This season is over for me," the 36-year-old told MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
As Merkin writes, however, just because Dye didn't play in 2010 doesn't mean that the former White Sox has retired. Dye has stayed in playing shape and will likely try to catch on somewhere this winter.
Dye's inability to secure a contract this season was somewhat surprising. Although UZR rated his 2009 defense as the league's worst among qualified outfielders, the veteran still belted 27 homers and slugged .453 for the Sox. That offensive production could have helped a few clubs this year, but none were willing to meet Dye's reported asking price, either prior to or during the season.
Negotiations Slow Between Uggla, Marlins
Dan Uggla told Jim Bowden on Fox Sports Radio today that negotiations for a contract extension with the Marlins are moving "really slow." Bowden suggests (via Twitter) that Uggla is unsure at the moment whether he and the team will be able to reach an agreement.
Last we heard, the Marlins and Uggla were far apart on both years and money. The 30-year-old is seeking a five-year deal worth close to $60MM, while the Fish were reportedly willing to offer about $30MM over three years. Based on Uggla's comments, it appears the two sides have made little headway toward a compromise.
Even if an extension can't be worked out, Uggla remains under team control next year, his final arbitration-eligible season. The Marlins avoided going to arbitration last winter, signing their second baseman to a $7.8MM contract for 2010. The 30-year-old has responded with perhaps the best year of his career (.284/.368/.515) and will certainly be in line for another raise this offseason.
White Sox, Phillies Eyeing Relief Options
The White Sox and Phillies, having recently placed relief pitchers on the disabled list, are looking into acquiring bullpen help, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The Phillies placed Danys Baez on the 15-day DL Friday, while Matt Thornton and J.J. Putz, and now Erick Threets are out for the Sox.
One team who may match up with both clubs, and the White Sox in particular, is the Toronto Blue Jays. We heard this weekend that Scott Downs, Jason Frasor, Kevin Gregg, and Shawn Camp were all claimed on waivers by unknown teams. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Sox, who have waiver priority over the American League's other contenders, placed claims on one or more of Toronto's arms, though ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Twitter link) doesn't expect the Jays to make any trades.
The Reds may also kick the tires on available bullpen options; Morosi adds in a second tweet that they're open to upgrading their 'pen. George Sherrill and Brian Tallet are among the relievers we know have cleared waivers and can be traded to any club.
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Dobbs, Paulino, Hawpe
Links for Saturday, as Ubaldo Jimenez prepares for his third attempt at his 18th win….
- Alex Speier of WEEI spoke to Red Sox draftees Anthony Ranaudo and Brandon Workman about their down to the wire negotiations.
- Greg Dobbs has cleared waivers and accepted a minor league assignment, tweets Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. The Phillies designated Dobbs for assignment earlier this week.
- After sending Conor Jackson back to the disabled list, the Athletics could use another bat, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal notes that the market for right-handed hitters is fairly thin.
- Despite being suspended 50 games for a drug policy violation, Ronny Paulino could be back with the Marlins next year, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- As Jim Tracy tells Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post, Brad Hawpe's DFA doesn't mean the 31-year-old will never be a Rockie again.
- A few Reds who spoke to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon are hoping Dusty Baker will accept the team's extension offer.
- Recently-acquired Joe Saunders is excited about the future in Arizona, according to Jim Gintonio of the Arizona Republic.
Discussion: The Nationals’ 2011 First Baseman
Adam Dunn's defensive limitations are under scrutiny again today after a pair of plays he failed to make in last night's 1-0 loss to Philadelphia, writes Ben Goessling of MASN.com. It's "no secret," according to Goessling, that as the Nationals decide whether or not to extend Dunn past this season, his defense is one of their primary concerns.
Dunn's prowess at the plate is undisputed; with 31 home runs and a slash line of .266/.354/.557 this year, The 30-year-old is poised to match or top last year's .267/.398/.529, 38-homer campaign. And his defense at first base has actually improved, according to UZR. Playing the infield on a full-time basis for the first time this season, Dunn's UZR/150 is only slightly below average, at -1.3. Still, UZR is a statistic best evaluated over multiple seasons, and Dunn's career numbers aren't flattering.
It could cost Washington in excess of $40MM to lock up Dunn to a multi-year extension, and it's unclear whether they'd want to commit that money to a player some observers feel is more suited to DHing. Additionally, Dunn projects as a Type A free agent and could net the Nats compensation picks if he signs elsewhere. As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes noted, the club figures to offer Dunn arbitration even if they think he may accept, since they could live with having him for one year at around $15MM.
Goessling indicates that the Nats would have some interest in Carlos Pena, who will also be a free agent this winter. Pena isn't as dangerous offensively as Dunn, but he has a similar power stroke and is more adept in the field. Other above-average defensive players available this offseason in an overcrowded first base market include Derrek Lee and Lyle Overbay. Both players have struggled offensively at times this year, but are still helping their teams defensively.
Will concerns about Dunn's defense mean the Nats let him walk this winter? How much money and how many years would you commit to the slugger if you were running the organization? Or would you elect to pursue another corner infielder instead?
The Giants’ 2011 Rotation
Of all the 2011 rotations we've examined to date, no team's starting five appears more locked in than that of the San Francisco Giants. Their current rotation has been both healthy and effective, and all five starters are under team control for at least two more years.
Last year's ace, Tim Lincecum, actually has the worst ERA (3.62) among Giants' starters, and his slight dip in velocity and decline in production is a little worrisome. Still, he's striking out more than a batter per inning, and should be fine if he's healthy. Lincecum will make $13MM next season and then will be eligible for arbitration twice more, as a Super Two. He'll be expensive by the time he hits free agency, but San Francisco is one team that can afford the cost.
Behind him, Matt Cain is locked up through 2012 on an affordable contract, and Barry Zito, while not quite as affordable, has at least been effective this year (3.56 ERA). He'll make $18.5MM in 2011 and is under contract through 2013. At the fourth spot in the rotation, Jonathan Sanchez has two more years of arbitration eligibility remaining. He's enjoying a successful 2010 (3.47 ERA, 9.4 K/9) and will be in line for a solid raise next year, but since he's only earning $2.1MM this season, his price tag won't be exorbitant.
While the aforementioned four have been rotation mainstays for some time, the team's fifth starter, Madison Bumgarner is a newcomer. Having just turned 21 this month, the left-hander has already showed that he deserves a starting spot in 2011. In 11 starts this year, he's recorded a 3.20 ERA and displayed outstanding control (2.3 BB/9). Barring a setback or injury, Bumgarner figures to round out the club's 2011 rotation.
Just because the team's rotation appears set now, however, doesn't mean there won't be changes. While Sanchez has been the subject of a few trade rumors, it's unlikely any of San Francisco's starting pitchers will be dealt. But injuries are impossible to predict, and as we've seen in their dogged pursuit of outfield bats this summer, the Giants are a club that values depth.
The team's top pitching prospect, 2009 first-rounder Zach Wheeler, is still in A ball, meaning he's probably at least a year or two away yet. The Giants' higher levels of the minors aren't exactly flush with young major-league-ready arms, but players like Clayton Tanner and Henry Sosa could be ready to contribute at the big-league level next year, if they're needed. Neither prospect, of course, is in the same league as Bumgarner: the 22-year-old Tanner has seen his strikeout rate decline significantly at Double-A Richmond, and may need another year of minor-league seasoning, while Sosa, 25, has pitched primarily out of the bullpen for the first time this year at Triple-A Fresno.
With few viable insurance starters in the Giants' minor league system, the team could look to the free agent market this winter. They likely won't be targeting any elite pitchers or even mid-rotation starters, but one or two journeymen on minor league contracts could be useful if the club is bit by the injury bug in 2011. Until then, the Giants and their fans should enjoy a group of arms that may not come cheap, but has fewer question marks than virtually every rotation in the league.