Indians Exercise Option On Carmona, Decline On Sizemore
The Indians announced today they've exercised their club option on Fausto Carmona and declined their option on Grady Sizemore.
Carmona would have earned more than the $7MM option price as an arbitration eligible player, and the Indians made the expected choice to retain him.
Sizemore spent his entire career with the Indians, peaking in 2008 with a tenth-place finish in the MVP voting. Due to Sizemore's health concerns, the Indians chose a $500K buyout over a $9MM option for 2012. Sizemore has had several surgeries in recent years but expects to be ready for Spring Training, so he'll be appealing on a one-year deal to many teams.
Pirates Decline Options On Maholm, Snyder, Doumit, Cedeno
The Pirates announced today they've declined club options on Paul Maholm, Chris Snyder, Ryan Doumit, and Ronny Cedeno.
The decision on Cedeno was the Pirates' one unknown. Though a case could be made that the value of Cedeno's ability to play shortstop exceeded the $2.8MM net price of his option, the Pirates will aim higher than his .249/.297/.339 batting line.
For Maholm, the Pirates chose a $750K buyout over his $9.75MM club option. The lefty told Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, "The day I was put on the DL, I realized my time in Pittsburgh was done." Prior to that season-ending stint for a shoulder injury, the 29-year-old posted a 3.66 ERA, 5.4 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 0.61 HR/9, and 49.9% groundball rate in 162 1/3 innings. As one of the ten best starters on the free agent market this winter, he's in line for a multiyear deal.
The Pirates' decisions to pay Snyder a $750K buyout over a $6.75MM option and Doumit a $500K buyout over a $7.25MM option were well-known. Both players have offensive ability, and should be relatively popular on the free agent market. Doumit's defense and durability questions will likely prevent a team from offering a full-time catching job, while Snyder will have to compete for one after missing most of 2011 with a back injury.
Rockies Decline Option On Aaron Cook
The Rockies declined their 2012 option on righty Aaron Cook, tweets Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post. The Rockies will pay Cook a $500K buyout as opposed to the $11MM option. GM Dan O'Dowd says the door is open for Cook to return on a new contract.
With 72 wins, Cook is 14 ahead of Jason Jennings on the team's franchise leaderboard. Cook posted a 6.03 ERA, 4.5 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 0.84 HR/9, and 55.1% groundball rate in 97 innings this year. He signed his extension after the '07 season. Cook battled shoulder, toe, and finger injuries in the following seasons, his innings totals declining each year.
Nationals Exercise Option On Davey Johnson
The Nationals announced today they've exercised Davey Johnson's managerial option for 2012. GM Mike Rizzo said in a statement:
After a series of discussions, it became obvious that the Nationals would be best served if Davey Johnson would continue as manager. Davey’s remarkable connection to the clubhouse and D.C. community during the season’s final three months was well received. His baseball acumen coupled with a proper off-season of planning, including a full regiment of Spring Training, should put our players in a position to succeed in 2012.
Johnson assumed the Nationals' manager job on June 27th, shortly after Jim Riggleman resigned. Johnson, a former infielder, has managed 15 years in the Majors for the Mets, Reds, Orioles, Dodgers, and Nationals. He won the World Series in 1986 and Manager of the Year in '97.
Tony La Russa Retires
Tony La Russa is retiring after 33 seasons as a manager, and he's going out on top. He told reporters his decision today at a press conference, three days after his Cardinals won the World Series. La Russa captured three World Championships in his career and won Manager of the Year four times. He managed the White Sox, Athletics, and Cardinals in a career that began in 1979. Prior to that, La Russa played six seasons in the Majors as a middle infielder.
Free Agent And Trade Market For Center Fielders
The Athletics, Marlins, Mets, Nationals, and Giants are the key teams likely to seek center field help this offseason, and they'll be best served by the trade market.
Starting Center Fielders Available In Free Agency
Coco Crisp is likely to sign a multiyear deal, as he's the one viable everyday center fielder on the free agent market. This was his healthiest year since '07, but if his on-base percentage doesn't bounce back he's not an asset at the top of a batting order.
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets that the Indians are expected to choose a $500K buyout over Grady Sizemore's $9MM club option Monday. That implies that Sizemore has little trade value on a one-year, $8.5MM deal. If nothing else, Sizemore showed some pop in 71 games this year, but his health is a huge concern. Since 2009 Sizemore has missed time due to injuries to his elbow, abdominal wall, and left knee, the last of which required microfracture surgery in June of 2010. He had surgery for a sports hernia this year, and a right knee injury culminated in an October arthroscopy. He's expected to be ready for Spring Training, and a one-year, incentive-laden deal with a base salary around $5MM makes for an intriguing gamble.
Thinking Outside The Box
With so few everyday center fielders available in free agency most years, teams with openings will have to be creative. One option would be to try Endy Chavez as a center field regular; he hasn't filled that role since 2003-04 with the Expos. His career was sidelined by a torn ACL operated on over two years ago, but his half-season with the Rangers this year was promising.
Agent Scott Boras said in March that Carlos Beltran could play center field effectively, but teams looking to invest in the 34-year-old probably won't count on that. David DeJesus hasn't played 500 innings in center since '08, but Cody Ross tallied over 700 just last year.
Quality Backups
Assuming he doesn't retire, Mike Cameron's batting line with Florida suggests teams will have interest. Rick Ankiel and Nate McLouth are also candidates to get Major League deals to serve as part-time players.
Non-Tender Candidates
The list of center field non-tender candidates is strong. The Mets' Angel Pagan may be deemed unworthy of a $4.7MM arbitration salary, but there's an argument he was worth almost five times that amount in 2010. The Giants' Andres Torres is an even more extreme example; he projects at $2.5MM through arbitration and was arguably worth over ten times that amount last year. If teams have faith in the 2010 seasons of Pagan and Torres, they'll be popular trade targets prior to December 12th. There's also a chance the Dodgers' Tony Gwynn Jr. is cut loose, though he projects to make only $1.1MM through arbitration.
Other Trade Candidates
Extending Matt Kemp is a top priority for Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, and Kemp doesn't want to talk contract during the season. With Kemp entering his walk year, trade rumors will pick up if the extension talks fail. Interest would be immense around the game for the MVP candidate.
Melky Cabrera projects at $4.4MM next year, and a multiyear deal with the Royals looks unlikely. He's a trade candidate this winter coming off a fine offensive season. The Rays' B.J. Upton is a fit for the more defensively-minded club, and he projects at $7.6MM in his last year before free agency. Marlon Byrd, set to earn $6.5MM this year, may be expendable for the Cubs. Denard Span, signed potentially through 2015, was often linked to the Nationals during the summer. Hopefully the dizziness and vertigo he suffered this year are behind him. Mitch Maier, Carlos Gomez, Chris Coghlan, Rajai Davis, and Alex Rios are other names to watch on the center field trade market.
Check out the full free agent list, as well as our articles on the markets at catcher, first base, second base, third base and shortstop.
Offseason Outlook: San Francisco Giants
The Giants want to determine the long-term futures of their top starting pitchers, and support them in 2012 with improved offense at shortstop or in the outfield.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Barry Zito, SP: $46MM through 2013, unless 2014 option vests
- Aubrey Huff, 1B: $12MM through 2012
- Matt Cain, SP: $15MM through 2012
- Brian Wilson, RP: $8.5MM through 2012
- Freddy Sanchez, 2B: $6MM through 2012
Contractual Options
- Jeremy Affeldt, Type B RP: $5MM club option with a $500K buyout
Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries)
- Tim Lincecum, SP: $19.2MM
- Jonathan Sanchez, SP: $5.2MM
- Pablo Sandoval, 3B: $3.2MM
- Jeff Keppinger, 2B: $2.7MM
- Andres Torres, CF: $2.5MM (non-tender candidate)
- Ryan Vogelsong, SP: $2.5MM
- Ramon Ramirez, RP: $2.3MM
- Santiago Casilla, RP: $1.9MM
- Sergio Romo, RP: $1.3MM
- Mike Fontenot, IF: $1.3MM (non-tender candidate)
- Nate Schierholtz, RF: $1.2MM
- Eli Whiteside, C: $700K (non-tender candidate)
- Emmanuel Burriss, IF: $600K (non-tender candidate)
Free Agents
- Carlos Beltran (Type A RF, can't be offered arbitration), Cody Ross (Type B OF), Mark DeRosa (unranked IF/OF), Javier Lopez (Type B RP), Pat Burrell (Type B LF), Orlando Cabrera (unranked IF), Guillermo Mota (unranked RP)
The Giants won a World Series in 2010 based on great pitching, despite a middling offense. The following offseason GM Brian Sabean was not aggressive in pursuing upgrades, and the Giants' offense had little margin for error heading into the 2011 season. Huff and Torres declined markedly this year, while Sandoval and Buster Posey suffered critical injuries. The result was the worst offense in the National League, despite solid midseason additions of Beltran and Keppinger.
It's natural to think Sabean adds a couple of offensive-minded position players this winter, but payroll constraints could get in the way. The team's payroll is expected to remain around $125MM, and the Giants have an expensive and large arbitration class. Lincecum, Sanchez, and Sandoval could total nearly $30MM. Non-tendering or trading other arbitration eligibles like Torres and Fontenot won't make a big difference. Sabean spoke in September about Jonathan Sanchez as a viable candidate for the fifth starter job, but trading him could create much-needed payroll flexibility. Keppinger is another movable piece, if the Giants feel Freddy Sanchez will be healthy for 2012. Declining Affeldt's option or exercising it and trading the lefty could clear some payroll space, but Sabean expects the reliever back next year. Lopez may depart for greener pastures, but he's worthy of an arbitration offer, enabling the Giants to acquire a supplemental draft pick.
Sabean's initial offseason focus is clear, as he told reporters, "Our pitching’s going to get expensive, that’s the punch line and we have to take care of that first." Cain is locked in at $15MM next year, but it's clear Sabean views extending him as a pressing concern. Any years added beyond 2012 will surely be north of $15MM, so Cain's situation affects the Giants' ability to sign big multiyear free agent deals.
Lincecum's salary is an unknown, but with a historic arbitration case on the horizon, the Giants can expect $18-20MM for 2012. Lincecum's 2013 salary projects as even more, and knocking a few million off per year with a multiyear deal would create cost certainty. If Lincecum drives a hard bargain, his two arbitration years might cost the team $40MM as part of a multiyear deal. Adding another six free agent years at $22MM per season would result in a contract worth more than $170MM, the largest ever for a pitcher. I'm not sure the Giants should take that plunge.
The Giants are interested in re-signing Beltran, and you have to wonder if there is an element of saving face since they surrendered top prospect Zack Wheeler for a couple months of Beltran in the July trade. Sabean's comments imply a greater focus on a leadoff hitter/center fielder. Coco Crisp would probably require a two-year deal, and he posted just a .314 on-base percentage this year. Grady Sizemore and David DeJesus are one-year deal options, though their ability to play center field every day is in question. The best free agent fit might be Jimmy Rollins, an Oakland native who could fill the team's shortstop and leadoff void while also improving the defense. The idea of signing Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols seems silly, having discussed the Giants' payroll and priorities.
The Giants project to have at least one more year of elite pitching, so it's up to the game's longest-tenured GM to assemble a passable offense. Sabean appears to be up against budget limitations, though he has mentioned the possibility of asking ownership for additional money toward adding a specific player. That request makes sense, with the window on Cain and Lincecum potentially closing.
Yankees Aim To Sign Sabathia Before Opt-Out Date
9:07pm: The Yankees are "close to completing" a new offer for Sabathia, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times.
9:36am: If the World Series ends tonight, Yankees ace C.C. Sabathia could opt out of his contract as early as tomorrow. The Yankees, however, hope to quickly take Sabathia off the market by signing him before he opts out, according to George A. King III of the New York Post.
Yankees' brass is currently meeting in Tampa. King says they are "believed to be OK with a five or six-year deal for an obvious raise over his $23MM a year," but they don't want to go to seven or eight years. If they propose something like six years and $150MM, that might be enough to prevent Sabathia from exploring the open market. I think it's possible he could find something like seven years at a $24MM salary on the open market, but there's no guarantee. Now, if the Yankees won't guarantee a sixth year, I think C.C. is going to have to explore the market. Guaranteeing a sixth year from the start would give the Yankees a good chance of keeping Sabathia off the market, in my opinion.
In a poll of almost 8,000 MLBTR readers earlier this month, opinions were divided on the expected total of Sabathia's new deal. 18% of those polled predicted a contract in the $121-130MM range, while 14% saw a deal exceeding $170MM. For MLBTR's full archive of Sabathia rumors, click here. Click here for a look at all the available starting pitchers on the free agent market.
Dodgers Bankruptcy Trial Delayed
5:01pm: MLB is in talks with McCourt to try to make him sell the team, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Bill Shaikin of the LA Times confirms that McCourt and MLB discussed a settlement yesterday (Twitter link).
12:52pm: Settlement talks are expected to take place before the new trial date, reports Shaikin.
10:59am: The Dodgers bankruptcy trial has been delayed, reports Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times. The trial initially had been scheduled for October 31st through November 4th, but for unknown reasons it has been moved to November 29th through December 2nd. Baseball's Winter Meetings take place from December 5-8, so as Shaikin notes, there's no way current owner Frank McCourt could be replaced that quickly after the trial even if MLB succeeds in ousting him. Shaikin explains the focus of the bankruptcy hearing: "Can McCourt sell the Dodgers' television rights, over the objections of Fox Sports and Major League Baseball, and can the commissioner get the judge to order the Dodgers sold?"
My Dodgers Offseason Outlook was published on Tuesday, check it out.
Angels GM News: Levine, Evans, Eppler, Oppenheimer
The latest on the Angels' GM opening…
- The Angels are expected to obtain permission from the Rangers to interview assistant GM Thad Levine once the World Series ends, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times.
- Former Dodgers GM Dan Evans will interview for the job Thursday or Friday, according to DiGiovanna (on Twitter).
- DiGiovanna points out that Rays executive VP of baseball operations hasn't pulled himself out of the running for the job.
- Yankees draft guru Damon Oppenheimer will not be called back for a second interview, tweets SI's Jon Heyman, but director of professional scouting Billy Eppler will speak to the Angels again.
- Kim Ng will interview for the position today, tweets Heyman.
- Omar Minaya, Andrew Friedman, Jerry Dipoto, and Rick Hahn still appear to be under consideration, while Thad Levine and Dan Evans could also interview.