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Orioles Close To Naming Dan Duquette GM

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2011 at 12:41pm CDT

The Orioles are close to naming Dan Duquette as their new GM, reports ESPN's Tim Kurkjian. Duquette interviewed yesterday and is traveling to Baltimore today. According to MASN's Roch Kubatko, the Orioles have yet to officially offer Duquette a contract, but the two sides figure to work out a deal this weekend.

Kurkjian says the Orioles officially offered the position to just one other candidate, Tony LaCava, who turned it down. Allard Baird and De Jon Watson are among those that declined to interview for the position or removed themselves from consideration. Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reported earlier this week that Orioles' owner Peter Angelos would not let LaCava get rid of some long-time front office people, which is why he declined the job.

Duquette served as GM of the Expos from 1991-1994, then held the same position with the Red Sox from 1994-2001. The Red Sox fired Duquette shortly after John Henry's group purchased the team in early 2002. He's since worked with the Israeli Baseball League and the New England Collegiate Baseball League. He also interviewed for the Angels GM job before they hired Jerry Dipoto.

As a GM, Duquette twice traded for Pedro Martinez (once with Montreal and once with Boston), acquired Derek Lowe and Jason Varitek in trade, and signed Manny Ramirez and Johnny Damon as free agents. Before becoming GM of the Expos, he oversaw the team's farm system, which produced Vladimir Guerrero and Cliff Floyd, among others.

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Baltimore Orioles

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NL West Links: Hoyer, Lidge, Dodgers, Alcantara

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2011 at 12:20pm CDT

Earlier this morning we heard that the Giants are open to trading Jonathan Sanchez, so now let's see what else is going on in the NL West…

  • Cubs GM Jed Hoyer told reporters (including Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune) that he wasn't looking to leave the Padres, instead calling it the “perfect storm of opportunities.”
  • Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies speculates (on Twitter) that the Rockies could kick the tires on free agent reliever Brad Lidge. Lidge is from Colorado and lives in Denver during the offseason.
  • Larry Altman of The Daily Breeze reports that Dennis Gilbert has assembled an ownership group and will attempt to purchase the Dodgers. The former White Sox executive made a push to buy the Rangers two years ago.
  • Baseball America's Ben Balder reports that Padres prospect Yoan Alcantara has been caught in an identify fraud investigation. The purported 18-year-old outfielder's real name and age is unknown. Badler says the investigator, who was an outside contractor and not an MLB employee, has been charged with taking a $25K bribe in exchange for helping the player pass the background check.
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Los Angeles Dodgers San Diego Padres Jed Hoyer

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Giants Open To Trading Jonathan Sanchez

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2011 at 10:56am CDT

With a need for offensive upgrades pretty much all over the field, the Giants are open to trading Jonathan Sanchez to free up some money according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Our projections forecast a $5.2MM salary for the southpaw in 2012, his third time through arbitration.

Sanchez, 29 later this month, battled injuries and his usual control problems in 2011. He missed more than two months due to biceps tendinitis and an ankle sprain, and also walked 5.9 batters per nine innings. Among the 145 pitchers who threw at least 100 IP this past season, none had a higher walk rate than Sanchez. On the bright side, he did strike out more than a batter per inning for the third straight season and fourth time in five years.

The Giants have enviable pitching depth, with Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, and Madison Bumgarner fronting a staff that also includes Sanchez, Ryan Vogelsong, Eric Surkamp, and Barry Zito. Their offense will improve next season just because Buster Posey will be back, but they could stand to improve all three outfield spots and the middle infield.

The Mets, Nationals, Blue Jays, and Brewers have all shown varying levels of trade interest in Sanchez in the past. The lefty can become a free agent after next season, but he is a non-tender candidate if the Giants are unable to trade him.

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San Francisco Giants Jonathan Sanchez

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Olney’s Latest: Cuddyer, Thome, O’s, Jurrjens

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2011 at 10:28am CDT

In today's Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney explained how Michael Cuddyer's versatility makes him a great fit for many teams, including the Phillies. Last night we learned that Philadelphia is seriously pursuing the long-time Twin. Here's the rest of Olney's hot stove talk…

  • Jim Thome has told friends that he could use the offseason to prepare himself to play first base once or twice a week next year. Thome agreed to a one-year deal to rejoin the Phillies yesterday, and Ryan Howard could miss the start of the season after rupturing his Achillies.
  • Olney knows of about "a dozen assistant-level executives" that have passed on interviewing for the Orioles' still vacant GM job.
  • Rival executives have told Olney that Jair Jurrjens' trade value was probably at its highest this past July (Twitter link). The Braves are reportedly open to moving Jurrjens, as well as Martin Prado.
  • In another tweet, Olney adds that Jurrjens still has plenty of trade value. He figures the right-hander would be among the most coveted free agent starters if he was on the open market.
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Atlanta Braves Jair Jurrjens Jim Thome Michael Cuddyer

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Yankees Will Talk To C.J. Wilson

By Mike Axisa | November 5, 2011 at 8:52am CDT

The Yankees have already re-signed CC Sabathia, but GM Brian Cashman has continued to say that pitching will be his top priority this offseason. He told Dan Martin of The New York Post that although they haven't spoken to C.J. Wilson yet, they will at some point.

“We haven’t talked to him yet, but we will,” said Cashman. “[The Rangers] have won a lot and he’s been a big part of that, so we’ll certainly talk to him.”

“I wouldn’t say [it's a factor]," added Cashman when asked about Wilson's poor postseason showing. "He’s a very talented pitcher, who’s shown he can perform in a hitters’ environment in Texas.”

Cashman acknowledged that Wilson is the best pitcher on the free agent market yesterday, though he also said the price might not be right after bringing back Sabathia. Bob Garber, Wilson's agent, said he and his client will remain open-minded during the free agent process and is willing to talk to New York.

"His body of work speaks for itself,” said Garber. “He’s a No. 1 starter and he’s proven himself on a big stage. There’s no reason he couldn’t do that in New York, so we’re open-minded and that would include the Yankees in the process."

Wilson, 31 later this month, highlights an underwhelming crop of free agent starters after posting back-to-back seasons with 200+ IP and a sub-3.40 ERA. The southpaw recently said there's a "great chance" he remains with the Rangers, but in recent weeks we've heard that the Yankees view him as more of a mid-rotation guy rather than a frontline starter.

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New York Yankees C.J. Wilson

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Quick Hits: Servais, D’Backs, Cubs, Dodgers, Astros

By Mike Axisa | November 4, 2011 at 11:17pm CDT

Some links as Saturday night turns into Sunday morning…

  • The Angels have hired Rangers director of player development Scott Servais to be their assistant GM, reports Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times (on Twitter). MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan first reported that Servais appeared to be leaving Texas. GM Jon Daniels declined to speculate about Servais' replacement, according to Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com (on Twitter).
  • Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers will have more money to work with in 2012, managing partner Ken Kendrick told Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com (Twitter link). The D'Backs won the NL West with payroll of about $55MM this past season.
  • The Cubs have hired Joe Bohringer to be their pro scouting director, reports Bruce Levine of ESPN Chicago. Bohringer had been working as a scout for the Diamondbacks since 2006.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports makes a case for the cash-strapped Dodgers to sign Albert Pujols or Prince Fielder.
  • Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle wonders if Jim Crane would take his time making front office changes once his purchase of the Astros is official.
  • The Brewers have hired Rangers pitching instructor Andy Pratt as a pro scout, reports Jeff Wilson of The Star Telegram (on Twitter).
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Arizona Diamondbacks Chicago Cubs Los Angeles Angels Milwaukee Brewers Texas Rangers

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Phillies In Serious Pursuit Of Michael Cuddyer

By Mike Axisa | November 4, 2011 at 10:16pm CDT

The Phillies agreed to bring Jim Thome back earlier today, and now they're after another player that wore a Twins' uniform in 2011. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports that the Phillies are in serious pursuit of Michael Cuddyer, and his friendship with Thome could work in Philadelphia's favor.

Cuddyer, 33 in March, would help the Phillies in a number of ways. As a right-handed bat, he'd balance out their left-handed heavy lineup. His versatility would also allow him to fill in at first while Ryan Howard is recovering from his ruptured Achillies, platoon with Domonic Brown in the outfield, and even spell Placido Polanco at the hot corner on occasion.

A career .272/.343/.451 hitter, Cuddyer pounded lefties to the tune of .311/.403/.589 in 2011. He's a Type-A free agent and the Twins will certainly offer him arbitration, so the Phillies would have to surrender their first round pick to Minnesota if an agreement is reached.

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Philadelphia Phillies Michael Cuddyer

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Jurrjens Talks Stall Between Royals And Braves

By Mike Axisa | November 4, 2011 at 7:48pm CDT

Yesterday we learned that the Braves are open to moving Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado, and that they've already had trade talks with the Royals. Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star reports that talks have stalled however, likely because Kansas City does not want to include top prospect Wil Myers in the deal.

Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal Constitution says (on Twitter) that Atlanta is not actively shopping Jurrjens and Prado, but they will listen to offers for any player on their roster without ten-and-five no-trade protection. Dutton says the Braves offered the Royals a two-for-two deal: Jurrjens and Prado for Myers and Lorenzo Cain. Kansas City is open to moving Cain, he added. That deal would add close to $10MM to the Royals' payroll next season, eating up a big chunk of what they have available to spend this offseason according to Dutton. The Braves are trying to unload some salary, which they managed to do earlier in the week by trading Derek Lowe to the Indians.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports notes (on Twitter) that it shouldn't be tough for Atlanta to find a taker for Prado if they're really motivated to move him. The Blue Jays, Tigers, Twins, Cardinals, and Dodgers could all use an upgrade at second base. Troy Renck of The Denver Post speculates (on Twitter) that the Rockies could get involved, possibly using Dexter Fowler or Charlie Blackmon as trade bait. Both outfielders are from Georgia.

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Atlanta Braves Kansas City Royals Jair Jurrjens Lorenzo Cain Martin Prado

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Twins Notes: Doumit, Barmes, Krivsky

By Mike Axisa | November 4, 2011 at 6:56pm CDT

The Twins started their offseason by claiming a pair of pitchers off waivers earlier this week. Let's round up the latest from Minnesota…

  • There has been no early contact between the Twins and free agents Ryan Doumit and Clint Barmes, reports Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN Twin Cities (on Twitter). Ben Nicholson-Smith said a major expenditure at shortstop is unlikely in his Offseason Outlook, but he did mention that they need help at backup catcher.
  • The Twins hope to finalize an agreement with Wayne Krivsky that would make him GM Bill Smith's special assistant, according to Joe Christensen of The Star Tribune. His focus would be on pro scouting. Krivsky worked with the organization as Terry Ryan's assistant GM before becoming GM of the Reds in 2005.
  • Earlier today we learned that the Twins denied the Orioles permission to interview VP of player personnel Mike Radcliff for their still vacant GM job.
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Minnesota Twins Clint Barmes Ryan Doumit Wayne Krivsky

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Phillies Agree To Sign Jim Thome

By Mike Axisa | November 4, 2011 at 5:56pm CDT

5068016  Angels v Phillies

Jim Thome to going back to his old stomping grounds. The Phillies have agreed to a one-year contract with the slugger, reports MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com says the deal is worth $1.25MM (on Twitter). The contract is still pending a physical, which will take place on Saturday.

Thome, 41, let reporters know that he planned to play next season a few weeks ago. He hit .256/.361/.477 with 15 homers in 324 plate appearances for the Twins and Indians last season, though he did not play the field except for one nostalgic pitch spent at third base. The Phillies could be without Ryan Howard for an extended period of time in 2012 because of a ruptured Achillies, but Thome has not played first base regularly since 2005, his last stint with Philadelphia.

If unable to play the field, Thome would still give the team a powerful left-handed bat off the bench and DH option during interleague play. His leadership and clubhouse skills are highly regarded as well. Thome hit .260/.386/.543 with the Phillies from 2003-2006, swatting 96 of his 605 career home runs for the Fightin's.

The free agent market still offers plenty of big bat/DH types, as our Free Agent Tracker shows. If you're participating in our Free Agent Prediction Contest, unfortunately you will not get a freebie for Thome; he did not crack Tim Dierkes' list of the top 50 free agents. All submissions are due by Sunday night.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

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Philadelphia Phillies Transactions Jim Thome

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