Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Lester, Pudge
Links for Monday…
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel talked to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who said the Yankees have yet to contact him regarding their possible third base need.
- ESPN’s Rob Neyer says the Mets don’t need Pedro Martinez.
- The scouts Buster Olney talked to absolutely adore Stephen Strasburg. One of them said, "Right now, he’s better than A.J. Burnett." There’s no way the Nationals can pass on a talent like this.
- WEEI’s Alex Speier compares Jon Lester‘s record-breaking contract to others given to young pitchers.
- Jim Baumbach of Newsday talked to Mets first baseman Carlos Delgado, who promoted Ivan Rodriguez and noted that assistant GM Tony Bernazard observed the catcher’s four-hit, two home run performance in Puerto Rico Saturday.
- ESPN’s Peter Gammons notes the affordability of Boston’s pitching staff.
Attendance Projected To Be Down 17-20%?
In a blog post this morning, ESPN’s Peter Gammons wrote:
Major League Baseball has warned club business people that attendance is expected to be down 17-20 percent in 2009, and it could be worse, especially with franchises like the Padres, Blue Jays, Tigers, Indians, Astros, Rockies and others that could be seriously impacted by the recession.
MLB’s attendance stayed remarkably steady from 2007 to 2008 – 32,785 per game in ’07 vs. 32,543 per game in ’08. With the average ticket price at $25.40 in ’08, that game could see a total dropoff of around $400MM in ticket revenue.
I am very curious to see how the 2009-10 free agent market shapes up once this lower attendance has been realized.
Twins Still Eyeing Chad Cordero
According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins offered $3MM guaranteed to Eric Gagne before signing Luis Ayala. That would’ve been a mess, given the damage found in Gagne’s shoulder. But perhaps the Twins would’ve balked after giving Gagne a physical.
Christensen adds that the Twins continue to monitor free agent reliever Chad Cordero, who is coming back from shoulder surgery.
Odds & Ends: Bowden, Stanton, Baker
Sunday night linkage…
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Dodgers "will not restructure Juan Pierre's contract to make him go away."
- Murray Chass likes Jim Bowden, while Hal McCoy has a negative recollection.
- ESPN's Peter Gammons wrote about teams clamoring for Marlins prospect Michael Stanton last July.
- Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News talked to Baseball-Reference mastermind Sean Forman.
- Aaron Gleeman analyzes Scott Baker's new extension with the Twins.
- RotoAuthority recently looked at catcher tiers for fantasy baseball drafts.
Kevin Towers – GM Trade History
Brendan Bianowicz is back with another installment of his GM Trade History series. Click here to download the spreadsheet chronicling the moves of Padres GM Kevin Towers.
John Lackey Extension Talks Ongoing
SATURDAY, 10:19pm: DiGiovanna is thinking about five years, $80MM for a possible Lackey extension. Lackey wouldn’t reveal much about the status of the talks, in his quotes to Bill Plunkett of the O.C. Register.
FRIDAY, 8:43pm: According to Giovanna, Lackey is believed to be seeking a deal in the five-year, $75MM range.
FRIDAY, 4:35pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times says Angels GM Tony Reagins is meeting with Lackey’s agent Steve Hilliard today.
WEDNESDAY: Let’s recap what’s gone on with Angels starter John Lackey since the season ended.
- In October, Lackey confirmed that he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing. Later that month the Halos exercised his ’09 option.
- In January, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports was unsure the Angels would be willing to offer Lackey A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM).
- The two sides had not had substantive contract talks as of February 18th, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times. Lackey said "it’s kind of on them" and said that while he’s receptive to staying he values the right to check out free agency.
Today, MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer learned that extension talks are ongoing between the Angels and Lackey’s agent. Lackey noted that "the top guys still got theirs" on the free agent market. He knows he’d be the best available free agent starter after the season, but will allow extension discussions to continue until Opening Day.
Phillies Not In On Will Ohman
MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki talked to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr., who still does not expect to sign a free agent lefty reliever. Amaro’s quote: "I don’t think that one is going to happen."
Zolecki’s source said the Phillies are not on Will Ohman. Presumably Joe Beimel is out of their price range (less than $1MM) as well. The Marlins are known to have a standing offer to Ohman, and the Padres are another possibility. Ohman lost a suitor when the Cardinals signed Dennys Reyes.
Pedro Martinez Unlikely For Orioles
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail, who admitted the team had internal discussions about free agent starter Pedro Martinez. However, Schmuck learned that the O’s are unlikely to sign Martinez and have not been in contact with his agent. Martinez didn’t drum up much interest this winter, and he’s hoping a fine WBC showing will improve his stock. Today in the Dominican Republic’s 3-2 upset loss to the Netherlands, Pedro tossed three scoreless innings with four strikeouts.
Twins Sign Scott Baker To Extension
3:48pm: Christensen adds the annual details: Baker will earn $750K this year, $3MM in ’10, $5MM in ’11, and $6.5MM in ’12. So, $14.5MM for the three arb years.
1:07pm: According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins signed pitcher Scott Baker to a four-year deal with an option for 2013. The deal is worth $15.25MM and the ’13 option is for $9.25MM. The contract includes this year and his three arb years and gives the team an option on one free agent season. Baker’s extension is very similar to Paul Maholm‘s deal, which was signed on January 30th.
The 27 year-old righty posted a fine 3.45 ERA in 28 starts last year. He has the impeccable control many Twins pitchers have displayed over the years.
Padres Seek Bullpen Help
MLB.com’s Corey Brock talked to Padres GM Kevin Towers, who said he’s "actively looking" for relief help. Towers is uncertain how his bullpen will shake out beyond Heath Bell in the ninth, and would like to add someone who can miss bats. Towers doesn’t have much to spend on the free agent market, so a trade may be more likely.
Brock finds Joe Beimel unlikely, but notes that the Padres have expressed interest in Will Ohman. On the trade front, Towers specifically mentioned pitchers who are out of options.