Poll: Jorge Posada’s Future
The Yankees season came to an end on Thursday night, and along with it may have come the end of Jorge Posada‘s career. Posada’s four-year, $52.4MM contract expires after the season, and so far the only team he’s ever played for has shown little interest in re-signing him.
Although he hit a career worst .235/.315/.398 with 14 homers in 2011, Posada was the team’s best hitter in the postseason, when he picked up six hits and four walks in the five games against the Tigers (.429/.570/571). He was in the lineup all five games because Detroit used four right-handed starters, and the switch-hitter actually handled righties very well this year (.269/.348/.466). It was lefties that gave him trouble (.092/.169/.108).
Despite seeing his playing time dwindle throughout the summer, Posada said in August that he wants to keep playing beyond this year. The Yankees used him almost exclusively at DH this summer, in part because his defensive skills behind the plate have eroded, but also because of long-term concerns about head injuries. Posada did appear in 14 games at first base in 2011 (eleven starts).
As always, the free agent market is flooded with one-dimensional DH types. Posada’s pedigree is on par with anyone’s, but teams have been shying away from overpaying for name value in recent years. His market may not be as robust as he may like, and may even be non-existent.
What will Jorge Posada do this offseason?
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Retire. 67% (10,083)
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Sign with another team. 24% (3,535)
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Re-sign with the Yankees. 9% (1,344)
Total votes: 14,962
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Angels, Prado, Giants
Six years ago today, the White Sox beat the Red Sox by the score of 5-3 in Game Three of the ALDS. The ChiSox swept the ALDS in three games, their first playoff series win since 1917. They went on to beat the Angels in the ALCS before sweeping the Astros to win the World Series, the franchise's first championship since that 1917 season.
You won't have to wait that long for the next edition of BBWI, thankfully. Here is the latest round of links from the baseball corner of the internet…
- Monkey with a Halo breaks down the different types of GMs the Angels can target.
- Red Sox Post listed five candidates to replace Terry Francona as Red Sox manager.
- Royals Review identified Jair Jurrjens as a potential trade target for the Royals.
- South Side Sox looked back at Kenny Williams' decade as GM of the White Sox.
- Capitol Avenue Club tries to figure out what the Braves should do with Martin Prado.
- Pirates Prospects wonders if the Pirates should trade Pedro Alvarez.
- The Beanball looks at the past, present, and future of Cameron Maybin.
- Bay City Ball put together a shopping list for the Giants offseason.
- Giants Nirvana thinks about the Giants and Jimmy Rollins.
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness wonders where the Dodgers will get a big bat form.
- Through The Fence Baseball tries to figure out what the Dodgers will do this offseason.
- Call to the Pen says Adrian Beltre is a luxury the Rangers should be happy to pay for.
- Baltimore Sports & Life collected a series of opinions about the Orioles and Prince Fielder.
- U.S.S. Mariner broke down the Mariners current roster.
- Rant Sports Rockies says the Rockies have some options to improve their rotation.
- BoSox Injection says Red Sox baseball is more than just a game.
- Blogging Mets mused about a modified four-man rotation.
- Orioles Nation conducted a study to determine the accuracy of wins above replacement, or WAR.
- Future Closers identified some ninth inning guys with little to no long-term staying power.
- Yanks Go Yard thinks MLB crossed the line with some of their recent Facebook graphics.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Monfort On Third Base, Pitching, Tracy, O’Dowd
Rockies co-owner Dick Monfort recently conducted a Q&A session with fans over at The Denver Post. Here are the highlights…
- Third base, a right-handed bat, and outfield stability are at "the very top" of the team's "to-do" list this winter, but Monfort cautions that there isn't much third base talent to go around. They still feel Ian Stewart can be their solution at the hot corner.
- Monfort emphasized that the team must develop homegrown pitching because "paying a pitcher $15 million per year when he is in the latter stages of his career is a mistake our club cannot make if we expect to be a competitive team."
- Monfort expressed his pleasure with manager Jim Tracy and GM Dan O'Dowd, noting that they "believe in continuity in our leadership group."
- The Rockies consider themselves to be a mid-market franchise, like the Rangers or Brewers. Monfort is in favor of a ten-team playoff scenario, or as he put it, "anything that helps our club reach the postseason."
Red Sox, Francona, Epstein Links: Saturday
The Red Sox and manager Terry Francona parted ways following Boston's September collapse yesterday, ending an eight-year run together. Soon after, we learned that White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper was pushing for Francona (after Ozzie Guillen's departure), and that the Red Sox will conduct a thorough search for their next skipper. Let's keep track of the latest regarding the Sox, Francona, and GM Theo Epstein right here throughout the day, with the latest up top…
- Epstein is interested in becoming the Cubs GM, tweets Peter Gammons, and it remains to be seen whether Red Sox owner John Henry can perhaps convince Esptein to stay in Boston as co-CEO and promote assistant GM Ben Cherington. Ben Nicholson-Smith recently interviewed Cherington as part of MLBTR's GM Candidates series, so be sure to check that out to learn more about him.
- After speaking to a few people familiar with the Nationals' thinking, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post doesn't think the Nats will pursue Francona.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post (Twitter link) has spoken to many executives over the last two days who believe Epstein will be granted permission to interview for the Cubs' GM opening, and that he'll end up in Chicago. No one in the Red Sox organization has given a definitive "no" when discussing Epstein to the Cubs, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe notes.
- The White Sox continue to focus on their original short list for managerial candidates, even with Francona now available, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Mike Salk of 710 ESPN Seattle hears that the Red Sox have interest in Mariners manager Eric Wedge, but there is no indication that the Mariners would be willing to let him go (Twitter link).
- Bobby Valentine has support in at least "one important corner" of the Red Sox front office according to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter), and he will presumably be brought in for an interview.
- In another tweet, Olney reminds us that Epstein is the x-factor because he may not be with the team next month as the Cubs GM job continues to loom.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier looked at everything we learned from the Francona situation and the fallout of Boston's collapse in a must-read piece for Red Sox fans.
- The Boston Globe listed five potential candidates for the Sox's now vacant managerial job.
22 Triple-A Players Elect Free Agency
A total of 22 players that finished the year in Triple-A elected free agency after the end of the regular season according to the transaction pages of the Pacific Coast and International Leagues. All but one of those 22 players (Matt Carson, formerly of the Rays) played in the big leagues this season. Here's the full list:
Dusty Brown (Pirates), Travis Buck (Indians), Armando Galarraga (D'Backs), Jay Gibbons (Dodgers), Edgar Gonzalez (Rockies), Steve Holm (Twins), Wil Ledezma (Blue Jays), Andy LaRoche (Athletics), Felipe Lopez (Brewers), Lastings Milledge (White Sox), Pat Misch (Mets), Pat Neshek (Padres), Mike O'Connor (Mets), Matt Palmer (Angels), Felix Pie (Orioles), Brad Snyder (Cubs), Brett Tomko (Rangers), Wyatt Toregas (Pirates), P.J. Walters (Blue Jays), Randy Williams (Red Sox), and Reggie Willits (Angels).
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Francona, Smith, Aceves
Fifty years ago today, Roger Maris broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record by hitting his 61st of the season. Tracy Stallard of the Red Sox gave up the historic blast, a fourth inning solo shot. Three players (Barry Bonds, Mark McGwire, and Sammy Sosa) have since hit more than 61 homers in a season, but Maris' 1961 total is still the AL record for home runs in a season.
Here is the best the baseball blogosphere had to offer during the final week of the 2011 regular season…
- Phoul Ballz interviewed Phillies reliever Justin DeFratus.
- Over The Monster mused about Terry Francona's departure from the Red Sox.
- Joe Blogs wrote about the madness of last Wednesday night.
- Call to the Pen looked at the Orioles' role in the Red Sox's collapse.
- Puckett's Pond put Twins GM Bill Smith on trial.
- Through The Fence Baseball penned an open letter to Marlins management.
- Blogging from the Bleachers expects there to be some rumors about Carlos Zambrano and the Marlins.
- Brotherly Glove recapped Cliff Lee's first full year with the Phillies.
- South Side Sox says Sergio Santos' contract extension is friendly for everyone involved.
- Cracked Bell Sports explains how releasing Danys Baez hurt the Phillies' bullpen.
- The Todd Van Poppel Rookie Card Retirement Plan says they don't want Hideki Matsui on the 2012 Athletics.
- Replacement Level Baseball looked at some of the Athletics' under-the-radar acquisitions.
- Rant Sports Indians explained how expanded playoffs would benefit the Indians.
- Yankees Fans Unite says the Yankees need a productive Alex Rodriguez in the playoffs.
- Bronx Baseball Daily explains why Bartolo Colon isn't the same anymore.
- BoSox injection praised the invaluable arm of Alfredo Aceves.
- Blog Red Machine wrote about the maturation of Jay Bruce.
- Rant Sports Mets wonders if Jose Reyes cost himself money in free agency.
- The Nats Blogs asks whose actions were worse: Reyes' or Adam Dunn's.
- The Beanball explains that spending money doesn't automatically lead to winning.
- Blogging Mets posted a 2011 report card for the Mets.
- We Should Be GMs handed out Phillies' team awards.
- Bleacher GM looked at the MVP and Cy Young races.
- Twin Cities Baseball tried to predict the next Hall of Fame class.
- The Hardball Times reviewed Moneyball.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Quick Hits: Red Sox, Homegrown Players, GMs
Some links for Friday night, since we all need something to do now that the Yankees and Tigers have been rained out…
- Mike Salk of 710 ESPN Seattle hears that Don Wakamatsu's name "has been floated" in Boston as a potential replacement for the departed Terry Francona (Twitter link).
- Meanwhile, Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino told WEEI.com's Alex Speier that they have not yet started the process of finding a new manager. GM Theo Epstein says they will prioritize thoroughness rather than a speedy resolution.
- Baseball America's Ben Badler looked at how much production each of the eight playoff teams have gotten from homegrown players this season. Unsurprisingly, the Rays top the list.
- Within his end of season awards column, SI.com's Jon Heyman says that Dave Dombrowski of the Tigers and Kevin Towers of the Diamondbacks are the GMs of the Year for the AL and NL, respectively.
West Links: Maybin, Scioscia, Athletics
It's been a busy day for baseball's west coast teams. Angels GM Tony Reagins resigned, we learned that Dodgers star Matt Kemp won't talk about an extension until next season, and the Athletics swung a minor deal. Let's round up some other news from the two west divisions…
- Dan Hayes of The North County Times hears that contract extension talks between Cameron Maybin and the Padres have "slowed significantly." We heard that the two sides had mututal interest in an extension earlier this month. (Twitter link)
- "I do not believe so," said Angels president John Carpino when asked if manager Mike Scioscia could be promoted to GM after Reagins' resignation by Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times (Twitter link). "That would probably be a question for Mike."
- Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times lists some GM candidates for the Angels. Here is MLBTR's list of the game's top 20 GM candidates.
- The Athletics announced in a press release that the contracts of bench coach Joel Skinner, pitching coach Ron Romanick, and hitting coach Gerald Perry will not be renewed. Interim manager Bob Melvin signed a three-year extension recently, and he'll likely be able to bring in his own people.
NL East Links: Rollins, Lowe, Heyward, Nats
The National League portion of the playoffs don't start until tomorrow, but there's plenty of news coming out of Senior Circuit. Let's round up some links from the NL East…
- "That's a tough call, a tough call" joked Jimmy Rollins of the Phillies when asked by Newsday's David Lennon if he would play in New York (Twitter link). Rollins will become a free agent after the season, like Mets shortstop Jose Reyes.
- Braves GM Frank Wren told Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Derek Lowe is not projected to have a spot in the rotation next year (Twitter link). The bullpen or a trade are options. Lowe is owed $15MM next year, the final one on his contract.
- Wren also said that Jason Heyward is not guaranteed to start in right field next year, but the GM told MLB.com's Mark Bowman that the Braves have never talked about trading the 22-year-old (Twitter link).
- Mark Zuckerman of CSNWashington.com looked at five issues the Nationals must deal with this offseason, including settling on a manager.
The Latest On Terry Francona
As we learned last night and early this morning, the Red Sox and long-time manager Terry Francona are parting ways. Let's round up the latest on both the man and the team…
- White Sox pitching coach Don Cooper is pushing for Francona, reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Cooper recently received a contract extension despite Ozzie Guillen's departure.
- "I'm not sure how much support there was from ownership, and I don't know that I felt real comfortable," said Francona during his press conference according to Mike Silverman of The Boston Herald (Twitter link).
- GM Theo Epstein acknowledged that he, John Henry, Tom Werner, Larry Lucchino and Ben Cherington met with Francona today to discuss the 2011 season. "We all plan on taking some time to process the thoughts expressed in the meeting," Epstein said in a statement. "There are no immediate plans for an announcement.”
- Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal says that Francona and owners John Henry and Tom Werner all left Fenway Park after a 10am ET meeting this morning without making a comment. The meeting was held to discuss the team's future, and no official announcement has been made about Francona.
- Mike Lynch of WCTB TV in Boston reports that Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told management that Francona wasn't working out six weeks ago because of a "lack of urgency." Francona was voted out 3-0 a few weeks later.
- Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe says this is a truly mutual split, however (Twitter link). Francona would have been willing to stay on if some issues were worked out.
- There's a non-zero chance that Francona lands with the White Sox, but Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter) that they won't pay big money for a manager unless it's Tony LaRussa.
- In another tweet, Knobler says that an Epstein-Francona package seemed possible for the Cubs at one point, but he doesn't think it's likely now.
- Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun doesn't see Francona managing the Orioles next year for several reasons.