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Edwin Jackson Would Like To Return To Nationals

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The Nationals finished the year with the best record in baseball, but their season came a stunning and abrupt end last night thanks to the Cardinals' ninth inning comeback. Following the game, one of the club's impending free agents told Dan Kolko of MASNSports.com that he would like to return to the team in 2013.

"It's definitely a group of guys that I gel with, and I definitely wouldn't mind coming back," said right-hander Edwin Jackson. "If we work something out and I have a chance to come back and do it all over with these guys again, I'd definitely be happy about it. But as far as right now, deal with it when that time comes … Like I always say going into free agency, you're not really sure (of the team's) plans."

Jackson, 29, left Scott Boras for the Legacy Agency back in July and said he's looking for a multiyear contract this offseason. He joined the Nationals on a one-year, $11MM deal late last winter, then pitched to a 4.03 ERA in 189 2/3 innings across 31 starts. It seems likely that Washington will make him a qualify offer so they can receive draft pick compensation if he signs elsewhere. Here is my recent look at Jackson's free agent stock.

Adam LaRoche also reiterated to Kolko that he would like to remain with the team going forward, and that contract talks have not really progressed yet. GM Mike Rizzo acknowledged the preliminary talks and said he likes the way the first baseman fits in the clubhouse. LaRoche will surely decline his half of his $10MM mutual option after hitting .271/.343/.510 with 33 homers this year.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Hamilton, Haren, Felix

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For the first time in baseball history, all four LDS series will go the full five games. The Tigers and Giants advanced to the LCS round yesterday while the Yankees-Orioles and Nationals-Cardinals will sort out their series later today. Here is the latest from around the blogosphere…

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Quick Hits: Phillies, Alomar, Red Sox, White Sox

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Here are some links from around the league as the League Division Series round of the postseason opens…

  • “Center field is something we have to address. That will be one of our priorities," said Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. Salisbury looked at some free agent and trade options who could fit the team's needs.
  • The Indians hired Terry Francona earlier today, and MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports (on Twitter) that interim manager Sandy Alomar Jr. has been offered a spot on the team's coaching staff.
  • Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter) that had the Indians not hired Francona, he would have not taken the Tigers' manager job had they fired Jim Leyland after the season.
  • The Red Sox have not yet begun their search for a new manager after firing Bobby Valentine on Thursday, a source insists to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter).
  • White Sox GM Kenny Williams confirmed to CSNChicago.com that the team's entire coaching staff will return next season.

Royals Rumors: Payroll, Sanchez, Lohse, Trades

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Royals owner David Glass recently said that the team is "committed to improving (their) starting pitching" while also indicating a willingness to operate at a financial loss to be competitive. Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star has the latest on the team…

  • “Our market is what it is,” said GM Dayton Moore. “We’re not going to have a payroll of $100MM. We know that going into it. We embrace who we are … We’ve got to stay consistent with our approach. We’re not going get crazy and go nuts in free agency.”
  • There are indications that the Royals have Anibal Sanchez and Kyle Lohse at the top of their free agent target list. Bringing Zack Greinke back for a second tour of duty is unlikely.
  • The team's list of secondary pitching targets is believed to include Ryan Dempster, Hiroki Kuroda, Shaun Marcum, Carlos Villanueva, and Carlos Zambrano. They will also monitor pitchers who could have club options declined, like Dan Haren and Ervin Santana.
  • “Absolutely … I think any pitcher would be fortunate to pitch here," said right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, an impending free agent the team would like to retain. They are unwilling to go beyond a two-year deal, however.
  • Moore acknowledged that there is a chance of working out a new contract with Guthrie during the exclusive negotiating window prior to free agency.
  • “I wouldn’t say anybody is untouchable,” said Moore with regards to potential trade talks. “You go into any discussion with an open mind. That being said, there are certain positions on the diamond that are very difficult to replace …  You don’t want to compromise in one area just to get strong in another area.”
  • Dutton estimates that the Royals could have $20-23MM to spend this winter while keeping the current roster intact.

Managerial Links: Tracy, Guillen, Lowell, Francona

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The regular season ended two days ago, and we've already had one manager — Bobby Valentine — get fired.  Rumors surrounding the job security of other big league skippers continue to circulate, so we'll round them up here throughout the day with the latest up top…

  • The Rockies will not have a decision on Jim Tracy's future until Monday, report Troy Renck of The Denver Post (Twitter links). The parties will remain in contact, and the big issue is finding a comfort level in all aspects moving forward.
  • Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is in "real jeopardy of losing his job," reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Owner Jeff Loria is always able to change course.
  • “No, I haven’t been contacted," said Mike Lowell when asked if he had been contacted by theMarlins about their manager's position during a recent appearance on The Dan Le Batard Show (audio here). “It would be a very interesting scenario, but I don’t know if this is the time in my life right now.”
  • During an ESPN broadcast last night, Terry Francona said that his only two options right now are to manage the Indians or return to the network for another season according to Nick Camino of WTAM 1100 (on Twitter). Francona interviewed for the Cleveland opening this week.

Mets Could Sign Wright & Dickey Before World Series

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GM Sandy Alderson recently said that the Mets will make every effort to retain both David Wright and R.A. Dickey beyond next season, and today Mike Puma of The New York Post reports that new deals could happen quickly. His source says it's "conceivable" that both players could have new contract extensions in place, at least in principle, before the World Series.

Alderson has acknowledged that he's had "informal conversations" with Sam and Seth Levinson, Wright's representatives, however Puma hears that the GM has yet to reach out to Dickey's agent Bo McKinnis. While Wright will likely seek a long-term contract in excess of $100MM, a veteran agent told Puma that Dickey is "probably looking at Oliver Perez dollars for sure." That would be three years and $36MM.

The Mets hold club options for the 29-year-old Wright ($16MM) and 37-year-old Dickey ($5MM), though both players can become free agents after 2013. Both options can be torn up or simply guaranteed and blended into new contracts. Alderson has referred to  Wright and Dickey as core pieces of the club has they move forward and continue to rebuild.

Minor Moves: 28 Players Elect Free Agency

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A total of 28 players — all with big league time under their belts — recently elected free agency after finishing the year in Triple-A. Here is the full list, courtesy of the International League and Pacific Coast League transaction pages…

Hamilton Will Give Texas Chance To Match Any Offer

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Josh Hamilton's season came to an unceremonious end last night, as he went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts and a ground ball double play during the Rangers' loss in the AL Wild Card play-in game. After the game, the outfielder told reporters (including Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports) that the odds of him returning to Texas are "50-50," and that he would give the team the chance to match any offer (Twitter links).

"I always would love to stay here," said Hamilton according to Tim MacMahon of ESPN Dallas. "They understand that. They know that. When we talked earlier in the year, we didn't get things worked out, so we said we'd wait until the year was over. They obviously get first shot. I told them they'd get first shot at the end of the year. We'll see what happens."

The 31-year-old Hamilton had a remarkable regular season, hitting .285/.354/.577 with 43 home runs in 636 plate appearances. He avoided the DL for the first time since 2008, though he did battle some sinus and vision problems late in the year. Hamilton seemed to indicate that they were still an issue after last night's game, and he finished the season by going 8-for-35 (.229) with 16 strikeouts and no walks in his final eight games and 35 plate appearances.

The two sides discussed a contract extension during Spring Training and into the regular season, but decided to suspend talks in early-August. Hamilton will be the top hitter on the free agent market this winter, though he will be one of the riskiest big-ticket free agents in history given his off-the-field concerns and injury issues. A long-term contract worth $100MM+ is not unreasonable given his production.

Quick Hits: Feliz, General Managers, Mariners

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The Mariners announced (on Twitter) that long-time vice president of international operations Bob Engle informed the team that he will not sign a new contract when his deal is up on October 31st. Players like Felix Hernandez, Shin-Soo Choo, Michael Pineda, and Asdrubal Cabrera were signed under Engle's watch. Here is the latest from around the league…

  • Rangers GM Jon Daniels told reporters (including Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports) that the team may bring Neftali Feliz back as a reliever next season (Twitter link). Feliz is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and Daniels indicated that they would get him back sooner by moving him back to the bullpen.
  • It appears as though all 30 general managers will retain their jobs this offseason, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Managers and coaches won't be so lucky, however.
  • The Mariners fired scout Patrick Guerrero, reports Baseball America's Ben Badler. Guerrero, who was based in the Dominican Republic, was the club's Latin American coordinator and high-regarded.

Colletti Doesn’t Rule Out Bringing Victorino Back

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It appeared as though Shane Victorino's days with the Dodgers were numbered when they acquired Carl Crawford, but today GM Ned Colletti told Steve Dilbeck of The Los Angeles Times that bringing him back for 2013 has not been ruled out.

“You never know what’s going to happen,” quipped Colletti. “Use your imagination.”

Crawford is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery but is expected to be ready early next season. Matt Kemp had shoulder surgery today and is also expected to be ready in time for Opening Day. Either way, the Dodgers are locked into those two as well as Andre Ethier on big money contracts. There doesn't appear to be a spot for Victorino, who reiterated to Dilbeck that he wants to play everyday.

“I’m not taking a back seat to nobody," he said. "Not in a negative way am I saying that. I still feel like I can play every day and that’s my goal. I don’t know who came up with the mindset that all of a sudden that I’m not an everyday player."

Victorino, 31, hit .245/.316/.351 with the Dodgers and .255/.321/.383 overall this season. He is scheduled to become a free agent for the first time in his career this winter, and he is working to hire a new agent after recently dropping ACES. Victorino could be a more affordable alternative to top outfield free agents Michael Bourn and B.J. Upton.

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