Olney On What’s Facing The Yankees And Phillies
We haven't had a World Series rematch since the Yankees and Dodgers squared off in 1977 and then again in 1978, but that doesn't stop ESPN's Buster Olney from looking at what stands in the way of another Yanks-Phils Fall Classic in 2010.
Let's round up some hot stove talk…
- Olney guesses that the Yankees won't tender Chien-Ming Wang a contract, but they may decide to pursue another starter through trade or free agency.
- Given Brad Lidge's awful year, Olney thinks the Phillies "will be diligent in internally identifying a solid Plan B." He notes that there are plenty of pitchers available this offseason with experience closing games.
- The Phillies hold a $5MM option for third baseman Pedro Feliz ($500K buyout), so the team must decide what to do there. He mentions that free agent Adrian Beltre "would be a spectacular fit" for Philadelphia.
- Olney believes it's a lock that the Yankees will offer Andy Pettitte arbitration. Pettitte had just a $5.5MM base salary in 2009, but he brought home over $10MM thanks to incentives. An arbitration case would be based on the actual money earned, so Pettitte could be in line for $12-14MM if he accepts.
Dodgers Decline Jon Garland’s 2010 Option
According to Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times, the Dodgers have declined Jon Garland's mutual $10MM option for 2010. The Diamondbacks will pay Garland his $2.5MM buyout, as per the terms of August's trade for Tony Abreu.
Garland made 32+ starts for the eighth straight year, putting up a 4.01 ERA, his lowest since 2005. FanGraphs valued his 2009 performance at $10.6MM, but it's hard to see Garland getting eight figures annually on the open market.
Odds & Ends: Myers, Lackey, Hardy, Holliday
Here's some Thursday links…
- Brett Myers said it would be "upsetting" to leave Philadelphia, according to FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi. It would make sense for Myers to market himself as a starter this offseason, but Morosi points out that the Phillies already have five starters returning in 2010.
- Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com doesn't see the Orioles opening their wallet for John Lackey. He points out that Jeremy Guthrie's numbers are on par wth Lackey's over the last few years.
- Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press says it wouldn't be surprising to see the Twins pursue J.J. Hardy if Orlando Cabrera departs via free agency. He says Glen Perkins "would seem a likely bet to be included if there were an offer to the Brewers."
- Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog.com wonders if Matt Holliday is worth $17MM per season for six years.
- Tom Singer of MLB.com previews this year's free agent class.
White Sox Re-Sign Mark Kotsay
Joe Cowley of The Chicago Sun Times reports that the White Sox have announced that Mark Kotsay was given a one year, $1.5MM contract to return to the team in 2010. It's essentially the same contract he signed with Boston last January.
Kotsay, acquired from the Red Sox just before the trade deadline, hit .292/.349/.434 in 127 plate appearances with the Pale Hose. He played mostly first base for Chicago, but also saw action in all three outfield spots.
Iwamura Interested In Exploring Long-Term Deal
Just two days after being acquired from Tampa Bay, Akinori Iwamura said he's "interested" in exploring a long-term deal with the Pirates during a conference call, according to Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post Gazette.
"I'm definitely interested in the long term, but I first have to do what I can do. We'll see what happens. Hopefully, we can go to the playoffs next season."
You have to love the optimism.
Yesterday we learned that GM Neal Huntington "has interest in exploring an extension" with his new second baseman at some point, so the first obstacle of getting everyone on-board appears to have been cleared.
Iwamura also indicated during the call that his knee feels good, but is not yet at 100%. He expects to be ready for next year.
Washburn Isn’t Expecting An Offer From Tigers
Soon to be a free agent, lefthander Jarrod Washburn said he "would be surprised" if the Tigers offered him a contract, according to John Lowe of The Detroit Free Press.
"The Tigers have not given me any indication that they would like me back. I haven't heard from them other than to talk about my knee, so I would be surprised if they offer me a contract."
Washburn says that his surgically repaired left knee feels good, and that he "already has regained all of his range of motion in the knee." That injury may be the cause of his poor performance after being acquired from the Mariners at the trade deadline, when he put up a 7.33 ERA after the trade compared to 2.64 before.
On Monday we learned that Washburn originally planned to retire after this season, but his improved performance changed those plans. He also indicated that the Mariners are "definitely toward the top of my list." Washburn does not project to qualify as a Type-A or Type-B free agent, so there's no reason for Detroit to him arbitration after he made $10.35MM in 2009.
Jays Will Watch John Halama Tomorrow
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets that the Blue Jays will watch lefty John Halama pitch in the Dominican Republic tomorrow. Halama hasn't pitched in the big leagues since 2006, so Bastian isn't sure what level of interest the team really has.
The Braves picked Halama up out of an independent league back in June, though he didn't make it out of Triple-A. He is currently pitching in the Dominican Winter League, allowing just four runs and 16 baserunners in 18 IP covering three starts.
Odds & Ends: Lilly, Iwamura, Beckett, Marlins, Dunn, Cubs
Here's some links to check out while waiting for what might be the final start in the great careers of Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez…
- Ted Lilly had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder today, and the Cubs expect to have him back in their rotation "within the month of April," according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Might the Cubbies look for a little extra rotation insurance this offseason?
- MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch mentions that the Pirates "began to show heavy interest" in Akinori Iwamura back in September. GM Neal Huntington confirmed that they had several scouts watch Aki after he came back from his knee injury.
- WEEI.com's Rob Bradford mentions that Josh Beckett "isn’t likely to take a hometown discount" to stay with the Red Sox. Yesterday we learned that the two sides plan to meet in the coming weeks to discuss a contract extension.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro answers some hot stove related questions in his mailbag today. He thinks the Marlins will sign Josh Johnson to an extension this winter, and that they may explore trade possibilites for reliever Renyel Pinto.
- In response to some weekend speculation that Adam Dunn could be a fit in St. Louis if Matt Holliday leaves as a free agent, ESPN's Keith Law says "just doesn't make a lot of sense for the Cardinals to consider it," noting that they'd be looking at a big drop-off by sticking Dunn in left field.
- The Cub Reporter looks at what might happen on Chicago's north side in the coming weeks.
Discussion: Xavier Nady
When the Yankees take the field in Game Six of the World Series tonight, their Opening Day right fielder won't be joining them. Instead, Xavier Nady will be sitting in the dugout, unable to play because of an elbow injury that ended his season in April.
The former Padres' second-round pick came to the plate just 29 times this year before hearing a pop in his throwing elbow. Nady hoped to avoid surgery and went with the rehab approach instead, but he blew out his elbow for good in a late-June rehab game. He underwent his second Tommy John surgery soon thereafter.
Elbow ligament replacement surgery can shelve a pitcher for 12-18 months, but position players could return within 6-9 months. Shin-Soo Choo, for example, underwent Tommy John surgery in September 2007 and was back in the outfield for Cleveland in May of 2008. However, because this is Nady's second time having the procedure, there could be unforseen complications.
Despite missing just about the entire 2009 season, Nady still projects to qualify as a Type-B free agent. He made $6.55MM in his final year of arbitration eligibility this year, and Scott Boras usually takes his clients to free agency. Several teams are going to be looking for right handed pop, including the Braves, so if Nady's elbow is sound there figures to be plenty of suitors.
Of course, any deal would be dependent on his elbow checking out. Assuming it does, what kind of contract do you think Nady could receive this offseason? He's hit .289/.342/.480 over the last four seasons (over 1,600 plate appearances), and will turn 31 in a little over a week. Can he get two or three guaranteed years in a market light on power hitting corner outfielders beyond Matt Holliday and Jason Bay?
Cubs, Jays Talking Bradley For Wells?
12:50pm: According to Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune, a Cubs source "quickly responded to the report by saying the rumor has 'no legs at all,' adding the team has not discussed the possibility of bringing Wells to the North Side."
9:45am: We've heard plenty of talk that the Cubs will try to trade disgrunted outfielder Milton Bradley this offseason, and somewhat surprisingly there's been plenty of interest in his services. Most believe the Cubs might have to take on another bad contract in return, maybe someone like Pat Burrell, but Bob Elliott of The Toronto Sun tosses a new name into the rumor ring: Vernon Wells.
"It's early on, but we think this one has some legs," said one Cubs official. "But they aren't the only team we are talking with."
Wells has hit just .276/.324/.439 since signing his big contract, which still has five years and $107MM left on it (including a still-to-be-paid portion of his signing bonus). Bradley is owed just $21MM over the next two years, and Elliott indicates that the "Cubs' idea is to split the difference on monies owed," which works out to each team absorbing $43MM.
Looking it from the Blue Jays' point of view, they would probably love to go through with this deal because they'd be saving a boatload of cash while picking up the player with a shorter commitment. Things don't appear to add up for the Cubbies, who would be taking on a ton of money while added another long-term, untradeable contract to Alfonso Soriano's. Not sure this one passes the sniff test, but crazier things have happened.