MLBTR Originals
Here's a look at the original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR writing team this week..
- This week, we announced our first-ever MLBTR free agent prediciton contest. The contest is open now and runs until midnight central time tonight. Get your picks in now for a chance at $1,000 in cash prizes to be distributed among the top five finishers.
- Tim released his own predictions for the Top 50 Free Agents of the 2011 offseason. You can check out the entire list of available free agents here, and you can filter by position and signing team with our free agent tracker here.
- Matt Swartz has developed a very accurate model for MLBTR to project arbitration salaries. There are almost 200 remaining arbitration eligible players and we have projections for all of them.
- MLBTR obtained the official Elias rankings for this offseason and this list includes all unsigned ranked free agents. Eddie Bajek reverse-engineered the Elias rankings for MLBTR and was right on every free agent except for Kelly Johnson and Joel Zumaya.
- Our Offseason Outlook series rolled on with a look at the two-time defending American League champion Texas Rangers. We also gave our take on the 2011 World Champion Cardinals and the Braves.
- Lots of teams including the Red Sox, Twins, Athletics, Cubs, and Pirates could explore the market for right fielders this year, which mostly consists of a variety of free agents.
- Need a refresher on the MLBTR commenting system? We've got you covered.
- Determining an MLB player's representation was once a challenge for baseball fans, but MLBTR's agency database changed everything. We've compiled agency data for nearly 1,500 players, mainly through regular contact with dozens of agencies. Check out MLBTR's agency database today!
- On the first official week of the offseason, Mike Axisa rounded up the best baseball talk from around the web in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- In the last three years, Twitter has become an essential part of MLB coverage. Nearly every baseball writer has a Twitter account, and the majority of news is broken through this medium. If you're not already, follow MLBTradeRumors on Twitter today!
- Did you miss our Wednesday afternoon chat? That's alright, you can check out the transcript right here. If you want to improve your chances of having your question answered by Tim Dierkes or Ben Nicholson-Smith, then take a look at Tim's list of tips.
- Supply always seems to exceed demand for designated hitters. Only 14 jobs exist, which tends to create a late-developing buyers' market. We took a look ahead to this offseason's available and potentially available DHs.
- Want to get in touch with us here at MLBTR? Contacting Tim Dierkes and/or the MLBTR writing team is quite easy. Just use our contact form, and select either "Tips, Rumors, Trades, Signings" or "Business Inquiries." If you'd like a reply, you'll have to put in a valid email address.
Orioles GM Search Notes
Yesterday we learned that the Orioles are close to naming Dan Duquette as their next general manager. O's owner Peter Angelos reportedly wanted to avoid hiring a GM who had recently been fired by another team and Duquette, who was removed as Red Sox GM in March of 2002, fits the bill. Here's the latest from Baltimore..
- Roch Kubatko of MASNSports believes that the new GM needs to increase the club's international presence, stating that "someone needs to build a pipeline to Venezuela."
- The Red Sox likely wouldn't have won two World Series titles if Duquette had remained general manager, in Rob Neyer's mind, but he does point out that a roster largely constructed by Duquette won 93 games the year after his departure. Neyer wonders if anyone can succeed under Angelos.
- Gordon Edes of ESPN Boston runs down some of Duquette's triumphs and failures in his time as GM of the Red Sox from 1994-2002, specifically mentioning his subpar people skills.
- Duquette is meeting with Peter Angelos this morning and it still looks good for him to get the offer, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated.
- According to an industry source, the Orioles did not offer Dan Duquette the GM job during Saturday's meeting, tweets Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun. However, there is still the sense that they will offer Duquette the position.
Rockies Notes: Carroll, Ellis, Prado, Cuddyer
The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent second baseman Jamey Carroll, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. The 37-year-old enjoyed his time in Colorado and has interest in a return. However, the veteran might be too rich for the Rockies' blood. Renck sees Carroll's market value as something around a two-year, $8MM deal, as established by the Marlins' Omar Infante. Here's more from Renck..
- The Rockies' unwillingness to go to that range could also preclude a return for Mark Ellis, which hasn't been ruled out.
- The Braves will reportedly listen on Martin Prado and Renck wonders if Seth Smith would be enough to pry him away from Atlanta. Prado should get about $4.4MM in arbitration and the Braves are in search of a corner bat.
- With the Phillies aggressively pursuing Michael Cuddyer, the Rockies are a longshot to land the free agent.
- The Rockies have long been linked to David Wright but Renck doesn't see him as a likely acquisition either. The Mets will listen on Wright but if they lose Jose Reyes this offseason, the third baseman will be needed as a draw for fans.
- Veteran Kevin Youkilis makes a lot of sense for the Rockies there's mixed opinions on how available he is from AL sources. The Red Sox are left-handed heavy, and Youkilis provides balance to their lineup. Youkilis can play first or third, making him particularly valuable to the Rockies.
- Pitching remains necessary for the Rockies and Wandy Rodriguez is still a trade target. After the Rockies' organizational summit this week in Scottsdale, Arizona, activity will pick up with the focus narrowing on specific pitchers such as Rodriguez, Carl Pavano, Wade Davis, John Danks and Kevin Slowey.
- As the Rockies explore moving closer Huston Street, the Blue Jays and Phillies represent possible matches.
- You can expect the Pirates to pursue former Rockie shortstop Clint Barmes.
- The Mariners could be a fit for 49-year-old Jamie Moyer as he attempts a comeback.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Pettit, Velazquez, Navarro
We'll keep track of the latest outright assignments from around baseball right here..
- According to the Angels' official transactions page, the club outrighted Chris Pettit, Gil Velazquez, and Efren Navarro to the minors on October 28th.
The latest outright assignments from around MLB…
Olney On Reyes, Wright, Cuddyer, Prado
In his Sunday column, ESPN.com's Buster Olney weighs-in on David Wright and other stories from around baseball. Here are some highlights..
- This morning we learned that the Mets will listen on offers for David Wright. With a $15MM salary next year and a $16MM option (which Wright can void if dealt) for 2013, Olney writes that the club's best chance to get value in return for him is to deal him now. Wright will turn 30 next year and while he has been a good solider, he could eventually ask to be sent to a contending team. Instead, the Mets can deal him now and get players to help them win in 2014 or 2015.
- There is sentiment within the Mets' organization that the timing isn't right to build around Jose Reyes, tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com. There are concerns that he's not a fit between his leg injuries and their own timetable for contending.
- One official told Olney that the Phillies' interest in Michael Cuddyer is so ardent that if wants to play with the Phillies, the deal is inevitable as the club will make it happen. The expectation within the industry is that the veteran will get at least a three-year deal.
- The Braves are open to trading Martin Prado this winter and given the attention currently being lavished on Michael Cuddyer in the free agent market, Prado figures to be quite popular. An AL official told Olney that Prado is like a younger version of Cuddyer and might be a better hitter.
- The Diamondbacks continue to negotiate with second baseman Aaron Hill, and there appears to be some momentum toward getting a deal done.
- Dan Duquette is on the verge of becoming the Orioles' next GM but as recently as five days ago, the club had no plans to interview him.
Cafardo On Gonzalez, Rays, Davis, Ortiz
The Cubs and Red Sox are after managers that will take a lot of input from their front offices, writes Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. In fact, the two teams have quite a bit of overlap on their lists. Meanwhile, the Cardinals will also be looking for their next skipper and it'll be interesting to see what type of manager they look for. Cafardo writes that the important thing for the new managers in any of these cities is that they know the ground rules from the start. Here's more from Cafardo's Sunday column..
- A's lefty Gio Gonzalez remains a viable trade option for many teams, including the Red Sox and Marlins. Meanwhile, the Athletics probably aren’t ready to contend. The club appears to be buying time until they can build a new stadium in the San Jose area. Until then, they may be in the mode of developing players and dealing them for players who might emerge a few years from now.
- When all is said and done, the Rays are expected to be willing to deal right-hander Wade Davis this offseason. A major league source says that while Tampa Bay will listen on James Shields, Davis is the pitcher they will likely end up dealing for an outfielder or a catcher.
- Free agent David Ortiz seemed upset that the Red Sox did not re-sign him during the exclusivity period, but it made no sense for the club to do so with the veteran's limited options. While Ortiz wants a three-year deal, the BoSox can wait and survey the market before committing to a multiyear deal for the 36-year-old hitter.
- Red Sox assistant GM Allard Baird removed himself from the Orioles GM search this week and Cafardo wouldn't be shocked to hear of a new title for him within the Sox organization.
- Cafardo envisions Tim Bogar winding up with a significant role with either the Cubs or Red Sox.
- Former Rangers and Red Sox skipper Kevin Kennedy says that he enjoys his broadcast career but he sometimes gets the itch to return to the dugout. Kennedy says that he would even consider being a bench coach.
- Larry Bowa, currently working as an analyst for MLB Network, also has aspirations of managing in the majors again.
Giants To Re-Sign Javier Lopez
The Giants and Javier Lopez have agreed to a two-year, $8.5MM contract, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The money will be divided evenly in each year as the left-handed reliever will earn $4.25MM in 2012 and '13.
Lopez had a base salary of $2.375MM in 2011 and was two innings short of earning a $25K bonus for reaching 55 innings. In 53 innings of work this year, Lopez registered a 2.72 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9. The 34-year-old was expected to receive plenty of interest on the open market from teams in search of a quality matchup lefty.
The Giants now have to decide on the $5MM option for fellow lefty reliever Jeremy Affeldt. Sabean expects to retain Affeldt even if the club declines his option and renegotiates a new contract. The Giants have until the end of the day Monday to either exercise the option or pay a $500K buyout.
Week In Review: 10/23/11 – 10/29/11
With the 2011 season in the rear view mirror, it's time to turn our attention to what should be a very interesting offseason. Here's a look back at the week that was..
- After an exhaustive search, the Angels decided to name Jerry Dipoto of the Diamondbacks as their next GM. Dipoto's deal is for three guaranteed years followed by two option years. The former Major League reliever was Arizona's senior VP of scouting and player development before landing the Halos job. Dipoto, 43, was the top name on MLBTR's list of GM candidates.
- Even though the two parties reached agreement last week, the Cubs and Red Sox didn't get to announce their new GMs until Tuesday. Theo Epstein will take over as the President of Baseball Operations for the Cubs while the Red Sox will promote Ben Cherington to the position of GM. Epstein will also bring Padres GM Jed Hoyer and assistant GM Jason McLeod aboard.
- The Yankees exercised their 2012 club options on second baseman Robinson Cano and outfielder Nick Swisher. Cano's option is for $14MM and Swisher's is for $10.25MM.
- New Red Sox GM Ben Cherington announced that righty John Lackey will undergo Tommy John surgery. The surgery causes a sixth-year option to vest for Lackey at the league minimum and reduces the average annual value of the contract from $16.5MM to $13.8MM, creating luxury tax savings.
- The Indians are expected to decline their $9MM 2012 option on center fielder Grady Sizemore while exercising their $7MM 2012 option on right-hander Fausto Carmona. Sizemore will earn a $500K buyout.
- The Mets intend to allow other clubs to set the market for Jose Reyes this offseason. Team officials have suggested that the Nats, Marlins, and Angels could bid heavily on the free agent shortstop this offseason.
- Players with two years and 146 days of Major League service time will qualify for Super Two status, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes learned. Top pitchers such as David Price, Rick Porcello, Daniel Bard, and Gio Gonzalez are among those in this year's crop of Super Twos.
- A hard slotting system for the amateur draft is no longer the main issue holding up a new collective bargaining agreement. Still being discussed, however, are caps on both overall draft spending and for international signings.
- While there has been plenty of movement when it comes to top execs in the AL East, that won't be the case in the Bronx. The Yankees have agreed to a three-year extension with GM Brian Cashman.
- The Cardinals officially exercised Adam Wainwright's options for 2012 and 2013 during this year's playoff run. Wainwright, who is working his way back from Tommy John surgery, will earn $21MM over the course of the next two seasons.
- The Blue Jays will discuss the possibility of signing David Ortiz this winter. The slugger knows manager John Farrell from his four seasons as the Red Sox's pitching coaching, and Ortiz is friends with Jose Bautista.
- This week, Jim Thome announced that he intends to keep playing. Next season would mark his 22nd in the Major Leagues.
- It was reported that Yankees GM Cashman would meet with CC Sabathia's agent this weekend in an attempt to complete a new contract extension before the ace left-hander can opt-out of his contract and become a free agent.
- Meanwhile, the Yankees are likely to pick up Nick Swisher's $10.25MM option for 2012 and stay out of the bidding for free agent outfielder Carlos Beltran.
- Based on comments from agent Dave Stewart, if the Dodgers attempt to lock Matt Kemp up to an extension this offseason, they shouldn't expect much of a hometown discount.
- Red Sox GM Ben Cherington publicly suggested the Red Sox are likely to exercise the Marco Scutaro's option. If the Red Sox don't pick up Scutaro's option, he can remain in Boston for $3MM instead of taking a $1.5MM buyout.
- The Phillies officially declined the 2012 options for right-handers Brad Lidge and Roy Oswalt. Lidge obtains a $1.5MM buyout instead of a $12.5MM salary and Oswalt obtains a $2MM buyout instead of a $16MM salary. The team hasn't ruled out a new deal with either player.
- The Twins declined their club option on reliever Joe Nathan. The option was worth $12.5MM, but the team will pay a $2MM buyout. Nathan's agent Dave Pepe says his client is excited about free agency and seeks a closer job in 2012.
- The Tigers announced that they have exercised their 2012 club option for Jose Valverde. The 33-year-old will earn $9MM next year instead of becoming a free agent.
- Ryan Dempster exercised his $14MM player option for 2012. Dempster hinted at wanting to remain in Chicago beyond next season a few weeks ago.
- The A's released Michael Wuertz to create 40-man roster space for right-hander Evan Scribner and outfielder Cedric Hunter, who were claimed off of waivers from the Padres.
- GM Ed Wade says that Houston is unlikely to be a major player in free agency this offseason.
- As expected, the Rockies and first baseman Jason Giambi each exercised their sides of a $1MM mutual option for 2012. However, the team will decline their end of Aaron Cook's $11MM mutual option.
- Reds players Fred Lewis and Chad Reineke elected free agency.
- The Astros signed right-handers Alberto Arias and Jose Valdez and left-hander Xavier Cedeno to minor league deals after they outrighted the players off of their 40-man roster earlier in October.
- MLBTR learned that the Astros claimed catcher Craig Tatum off of waivers from the Orioles. The 28-year-old has three partial seasons of catching experience at the Major League level and isn't yet eligible for arbitration.
AL East Notes: Jakubauskas, Fox, Yankees, Sabathia
AL East linkage..
- More on Jakubauskas as the pitcher says he'd like to reach a deal with the Orioles and remain in the organization, writes Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com. Catcher/infielder Jake Fox is also expected to refuse his outright assignment and become a free agent.
- Orioles pitcher Chris Jakubauskas refused his outright assignment to Triple-A and elected free agency, tweets Kubatko. Jakubauskas posted a 5.72 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 72 1/3 innings in 2011.
- Over the years, the Yankees scouting department has been charged with looking into major free agents while also identifying key supplemental pieces, writes Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger. Their emphasis on "reclamation projects" has led them to such finds as Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon.
- As the Yankees look ahead to the offseason, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch wonders aloud if any team would bite on a trade for A.J. Burnett. In 190.1 innings this season, Burnett posted a 5.15 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9.
Quick Hits: Padres, Orioles, Wilson, Sizemore
Here are some Quick Hits as the Rangers have evened up the World Series 2-2..
- Even though Padres GM Jed Hoyer and assistant GM Jason McLeod are headed to the Cubs, Baseball America's Jim Callis told Dan Hayes of the North County Times that the club should still be able to maintain their strong farm system.
- When speaking to reporters, Commissioner Bud Selig didn't rule out the possibility of a collective bargaining agreement announcement before the end of the World Series, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Orioles manager Buck Showalter is a big admirer of what the Blue Jays do which leads many to think that Tony LaCava will land the GM job, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. Jerry Dipoto is also in the mix for the job.
- C.J. Wilson is well aware that his scheduled start in Game 5 of the World Series could be his last with the Rangers, but his impending free agency is the furthest thing from Wilson's mind, writes Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest.
- Cubs pitcher Ryan Dempster hopes that Theo Epstein sparks a cultural shift in Chicago, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
- The Indians' biggest need this winter is a productive hitter that they can slide into the middle of the order, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. Preferably, that hitter would play first base, third base, left field, or right field.
- It could be worthwhile for a team such as the Giants to take a one-year flier on center fielder Grady Sizemore, writes John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. Shea also runs down his predictions for many of this winter's top free agents including Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and C.J. Wilson.
- If Cardinals Chairman Bill DeWitt Jr. lets Albert Pujols walk now after his mythical Game 3 performance an angry uprising from St. Louis fans is inevitable, writes Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/cubs/ct-spt-1024-cubs-epstein-dempster–20111024,0,3092647.story