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Discussion: Chone Figgins

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Bill Shaikin of the LA Times notes Chone Figgins' speed and versatility will make him a hot commodity this offseason. Figgins is 31 and leads the AL in runs scored. Shaikin's piece adds that similar players tend to age well.

"One-dimensional sluggers do not, he said. But, barring injury, he said there would be no reason to expect Figgins to slow down dramatically. 'When you're talking about a guy who's already 31 and is still a speed player, you're not going to see a sudden decline," Szymborski said. 'There's no real danger he's going to become Sean Casey on the bases in the next few years.'"

Can the Angels afford to lose Figgins' speed? If not, what might it take to retain him? With a career-high .OBP currently over .400, is he playing over his head in a contract year? Figgins is making $5.775MM this season and currently projects as a Type A free agent.

Olney’s Latest: Jamey Carroll

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Earlier this month, MLBTR listed Jamey Carroll as a potential August trade candidate. Today, Buster Olney wonders why a contender hasn't pried the utility infielder away from the Cleveland Indians. He's owed $600,000 for the rest of the season and stands to become a free agent. Olney writes, 

"The utility infielder is hitting .298 with a .386 on-base percentage, but he has done much of his damage at the plate since the All-Star break: He's batting .348 with an .875 OPS in the second half, and he has been crushing lefties, against whom he has a .484 on-base percentage."

Odds & Ends: Harang, Ichiro, Cubs, Mets, The Draft

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Some odds and ends from around the league:

  • Aaron Harang had to have an emergency appendectomy and will miss the remainder of the season as a result, says Ed Price. Harang will make $10.5MM in 2010 and will pitch for a $12.75MM club option that increases to $13MM if he reaches 210 IP. It's worth noting, if the Reds trade Harang next season, the option increases to $14MM and becomes mutual. Earlier this month, John Fay suggested the Reds don't think their fans will embrace a rebuilding effort, but that the team is hamstrung by too many large contracts that have not worked out.
  • Jon Paul Morosi asks whether or not Ichiro Suzuki is a Hall of Fame lock?
  • Gordon Wittenmyer notes Cubs players feel Lou Piniella, who recently announced his intention to return in 2010, is the right man for the job.
  • Joel Sherman doubts any decisions about bringing back Omar Minaya and Jerry Manuel have been finalized.
  • The New York Times Dan Rosenheck suggests ending the draft, and perhaps an expansion and reform of revenue sharing. The article refers to the current system as a "bargain [that] has distorted the game's economics. Minor leaguers and players with less than three years of service time remain pseudoslaves." Rosenheck writes:

"A study by Erik Manning of Fangraphs.com found that the production of an average No. 1 draft pick during the 1990s was worth $51.5 million on the free-agent market, while the commissioner’s recommendation for their bonuses is $3.6 million. As a result, clubs jealously hoard their prospects, often refusing to trade them even for superstars. The massive profits extracted from these players are divided among overpaid veterans and the owners."

The piece also recommends players from the U.S. be granted the right to choose their employer, "a freedom enjoyed by their Latin American counterparts. This would not necessarily raise salaries over all but would distribute them more evenly, benefiting both the players… and the game."

Rockies To Sign Russ Ortiz

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Thomas Harding of MLB.com reports the Rockies will announce the signing of veteran Russ Ortiz. Along with the signing of Jason Giambi, the Rockies have significantly increased their veteran presence for the stretch run.

Ortiz was released by the Astros after posting a 5.57 ERA in 23 games, 13 starts. After signing with the Yankees and going 2-1 with a 1.59 ERA in Triple A, he opted out when he wasn't promoted. Ortiz wanted to pitch for a contender and signing with the Rox gives him that chance.

Minaya & Manuel To Stay

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In this morning's New York Post, Mets owner Fred Wilpon indicates that despite the Mets underperformance G.M. Omar Minaya will return for 2010. Post columnist Mike Puma quotes Wilpon saying Minaya will "absolutely" be back, adding, "That's a fact." Puma says Minaya will bring manager Jerry Manuel back as well.

Minaya is signed to make $1MM annually through 2012, while Manuel is signed through 2010 with a club option for 2011, making $1.5MM annually.

Stephen Strasburg Rumors: Sunday

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7:10pm: Roch Kubatko at MASN Sports has a source close to the negotiations that says the Nationals' offer is worth $17MM, "with easily attainable incentives that could push it beyond $20MM." There is apparently worry about Strasburg's powerful makeup wearing his arm down, but the Nats "still think he's worth it."

The Nationals front office has reportedly also indicated to Strasburg there's a possibility they choose him again in next year's draft, with his consent.

1:31pm: Harlan now cites an anonymous source, saying that the record-breaking offer the Nationals have offered Strasburg will have to increase, if the fireballer is to sign with Washington.

Harlan's source says the offer has been on the table since last week, and no deal has been agreed upon yet. That, says the source, "should tell you enough."

Harlan writes that everyone involved in the negotiations expects them to go down to the final hours, if not the final minutes.

9:51am: With the deadline to sign at midnight tomorrow, the rumor mill's a-buzz with perspectives on Stephen Strasburg.

  • Maury Brown says it could be about years, not dollars. He writes, "If the Nationals do sign Strasburg, if smart, would be looking to avoid dealing with salary arbitration or possibly the first or second year of free agency eligibility. Look at deals such as Evan Longoria’s, Robinson Cano, or Troy Tulowitzki for examples."
  • Ken Davidoff, like most, has a "hunch" the deal will get done.
  • The AP is reporting that Nats president Stan Kasten acknowledged yesterday a "very real possibility" that the two sides will not reach an agreement.
  • Chico Harlan spoke with Ryan Zimmerman who chimed in: "When it comes down to it, Strasburg has to think about, ‘Can I go to bed if I turn down $15, 16 million dollars—whatever it is—to pass up the opportunity to play for these guys?’ That’s a lot of money. I don’t understand what he thinks will be better next year. If we don’t take him, who’s gonna take him next year? Pittsburgh? San Diego? San Diego is not gonna pay him more. Absolutely his leverage will never be higher."
  • Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post might agree with Zimmerman. Boz asks, "What team will ever be more over a barrel, or have a richer owner, than the worst-in-baseball-again Nats and multi-billionaire owner Ted Lerner?" In the same piece, he adds, "Signing contracts, not blowing them up, is their job and their responsibility — the Nats to their franchise and their fans, Boras to his client. If they don't get a deal done, it's a mammoth failure of adult supervision."
  • Rob Dibble suggests Strasburg will be as hated as his agent if he holds out.

Padres Confident About Signing Tate

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Corey Brock at MLB.com says the Padres are confident they'll sign Donovan Tate, likely close to the midnight (eastern time) deadline tomorrow.

Yesterday, there was a report that the Padres had agreed to a deal for $6.5MM with their first round pick before Pads GM Kevin Towers said it wasn't "a done deal. Still working on it."

Brock notes that Tate is not the only pick that the Padres need to sign. Everett Williams and Keyvius Sampson, their 2nd and 4th rounders respectively, remain unsigned. Williams, says Brock, could be tricky to sign since he was perceived as a first round pick that slid into the second round.

Odds & Ends: Orioles, Angels, Ackley

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Some Sunday morning odds and ends from around the league:

  • The Orioles received first baseman Rhyne Hughes from the Rays to complete the August 7 deal for Gregg Zaun, says Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. The O's also sent more than $300K to the Rays. According to Connolly, the 25-year old Hughes "hit .313 with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 56 games at Triple-A Durham and .252 with 15 homers and 46 RBIs in 58 games at Double-A Montgomery this season. He struck out 149 combined times in 440 at-bats this year."
  • Ed Eagle of MLB.com reports the Angels signed University of Washington quarterback Jake Locker, their tenth round pick. Locker wants to pursue a career in pro-football but views the opportunity with the Angels as a backup plan. According to Eagle, "Locker is considered a potential high-round pick in the 2010 NFL Draft."
  • Larry Stone of the Seattle Times chimes in on the latest with Dustin Ackley and the Seattle Mariners who need to reach an agreement by midnight tomorrow.
  • Miguel Tejada is willing to move to third if it keeps him in Houston, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.

Lackey A Good Fit For Baltimore?

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Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun speculates that pending free agent John Lackey could be a natural fit for the Orioles who are in need of a veteran starter to "help mold a real rotation out of all those promising young arms." This speculation comes on the heels of Lackey's comments from last night's game:

"Honestly they put some pressure on me. They had some traffic on the bases and guys got some hits. I was able to make some big pitches to get out of a couple of innings with no damage, and they've got a nice lineup. They've got some pieces there that are going to be pretty good in the future."

Schmuck does say that he can't imagine the Angels letting Lackey slip away. As it stands, the Angels are waiting until the off season to begin negotiations. In his last 10 starts, Lackey has allowed more than 2 runs only twice with a 66:21 K:BB.

Odds & Ends: Reds, Jays, Buchholz

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A couple odds and ends on a quiet Sunday…

  • MLB.com beat writer Mark Sheldon expects the Reds to "recalibrate their roster some for the second half." They have 13 pitchers on the roster and only want 12, and Dusty Baker has confirmed a position player will be added. Adam Rosales was called up today to fill a roster spot for Jay Bruce who fractured his wrist. Sheldon notes the club is down to five outfielders, if you count Jerry Hairston Jr.
  • The Jays will have two scouts watching Clay Buchholz pitch today. Don't read too much into it. The Jays appear to just be doing their homework, says TV/radio broadcaser Dan Hoard.

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