Quick Hits: Nunez, Scouts, Pujols, Indians
Links for Sunday evening as the Red Sox beat the Yankees 7-4 in 14 innings. The Rays now sit one game back in the wild-card hunt with a three game set against the Bombers to go..
- Marlins reliever Edward Mujica hopes that the club gives the closer formerly known as Leo Nunez another chance, writes Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel. Nunez, or Juan Carlos Oviedo, is arbitration eligible and it’s unclear whether the club is required to tender him a 2012 contract before the December 12 deadline.
- There's going to be some big name players on the open market this winter but there are also going to be some important scouts available for hire, Bob Nightengale of USA Today notes (on Twitter). Among those available are Gary Hughes (Cubs), Larry Corrigan (Pirates), Bryan Lambe (Mets), Keith Champion (Pirates), and Wayne Krivsky (Mets).
- No one knows for sure if Albert Pujols will wind up with a new club this offseason, but Cubs slugger Carlos Pena believes that he'll stay with the Cardinals, writes Carrie Muskat of MLB.com.
- This season, the Indians drew 1.84MM in 81 home games, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). That figure marks an increase of 450K from last season.
West Notes: Kuroda, Lopez, Sanchez, Harden, Angels
Here are some notes from both divisions out west…
- Dodgers pitcher Hiroki Kuroda shrugged off speculation from the Japanese media that he'll return to Japan to pitch a farewell season with Hiroshima in 2012, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Kuroda put the odds of him pitching in MLB or going home next season at 50-50.
- Expect lots of teams to talk with the agent of Giants reliever Javier Lopez, writes ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The 34-year-old has postseason experience and teams such as the Yankees, Red Sox, Rangers, Brewers, and Cardinals have been after a good matchup lefty this year.
- Giants second baseman Freddy Sanchez expect to be ready for opening day but manager Bruce Bochy and GM Brian Sabean already have discussed the importance of covering themselves with other options at the position, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News.
- Rich Harden would like to return to the Athletics and Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says that’s something that could happen. The injury-prone veteran would likely sign for an inexpensive one-year deal.
- With his strong work down the stretch, Jerome Williams has become the leading in-house candidate to assume one of the spots behind Jered Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana in the Angels' 2012 rotation, writes Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
MLBTR Originals
Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..
- Phillies starter Roy Oswalt is no longer considering retirement after this season, but the Phillies probably won't exercise their end of his $16MM mutual option for 2012. Dan Mennella examined his stock heading into free agency this winter.
- Tim Dierkes writes that Michael Cuddyer could find three years and $30MM on the open market this winter. If the Twins want to hang on to him they might have to offer something in the three-year, $27MM range.
- Howard Megdal wonders if owners and GMs learn from bad contracts.
- We took a look back at four MLBTR polls from the month of February to see how everyone did.
- Francisco Rodriguez is gearing up for his second venture into free agency and he might seek out a one-year deal so that he can hit the open market again next year, writes Dan Mennella.
- Mark Polishuk reviewed Moneyball to see how Michael Lewis' book fits the silver screen.
- On Saturday, Mike Axisa rounded up the best from the web for this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- On Thursday, Ben Nicholson-Smith examined Boston's starting pitching options as they continue their late season slide.
- Our GM Candidates series continued as Ben Nicholson-Smith talked to Matt Klentak who serves as the Orioles' director of baseball operations. You can check out the entire series here.
- If the Giants allow Jeremy Affeldt to hit free agency this offseason instead of picking up the veteran left-hander’s $5MM option for 2012, his job prospects will probably be promising.
- Ben also examined the free agent stock of Cody Ross.
- If you missed out on Tim Dierkes' weekly chat, you can take a look at the transcript right here.
- The Arbitration Eligibles series rolled on with a look at the Rangers, Marlins, and Braves.
- Jonathan Broxton has been sidelined with right arm problems since May 3rd and when he returns there’s a good chance we’ll see a different kind of pitcher. Now, a one-year, incentive-based deal seems likely for the hurler, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
- There have been seventeen $100MM+ contracts signed in free agency and we asked our readers how many they expect to be inked this winter.
- This week we posted a handy list of links to our team Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.
Quick Hits: Capuano, Nunez, Ramirez, Jackson
Some links on this Saturday evening…
- Mets lefty Chris Capuano told Ron Chimelis of The Springfield Republican that he didn't hear anything about a potential trade to the Red Sox until after the deal was dead. "I didn't hear about it until after my start Thursday in St.Louis," said the lefty. "That's when I spoke briefly with (Mets GM) Sandy Alderson, who said there was just some talk that didn't pan out.''
- MLB.com's Peter Gammons reports (on Twitter) that two teams trying to trade for Marlins closer Leo Nunez at the deadline were told no. "Now I know why," said the GM of one of those teams, referring to Nunez's identity scandal. "I admire Larry Beinfest for doing what he did."
- Meanwhile, Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald reports that Nunez came clean about his identity because it was his dying father's last request.
- Third baseman Aramis Ramirez told ESPN 1000 Chicago that he wants to sign with a contender this winter. On Tuesday, the veteran said that he's probably played his last game with the Cubs.
- Cardinals right-hander Edwin Jackson would like to return to the team next season, writes Steve Overbey for MLB.com. However, there might not be a spot for him in the rotation next season if Adam Wainwright returns healthy.
- Darryl Strawberry regrets leaving the Mets for the Dodgers prior to the '91 season and says that impending free agent Jose Reyes should stay in New York, writes Peter Botte of the New York Daily News.
- As ESPN.com's Buster Olney touched on earlier today, the acquisitions of Shaun Marcum and Zack Greinke helped propel the Brewers to the division crown. Outfielder Ryan Braun was quick to say that it was pitching that put the club in this position, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- Questioning the logic of the Diamondbacks' Dan Haren deal from July 2010 seems unfair, writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Piecoro also writes that the club's increased scouting for the 2009 draft proved to be beneficial at the 2010 deadline.
Rosenthal On Darvish, Marlins, White Sox, Astros
Let's take a look at what FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal has for us in his latest edition of Full Count..
- It's expected that C.C. Sabathia will opt out of his deal this offseason, but after that the most coveted pitcher this offseason might not be the Rangers' C.J. Wilson. Rather, some say it could be Japanese hurler Yu Darvish. Darvish is not a free agent, he'll have to be posted by his Japanese club and after that his rights will go to the highest bidder. The process has backfired on MLB teams before, but Darvish is seen as different because he has lived outside of his comfort zone in Japan for virtually all of his life.
- Improbable as it might seen, a rival GM says that there is logic to the Marlins making a run for either Prince Fielder or Albert Pujols this winter. The Fish are moving into a new ballpark but there are still questions about whether they can sustain long-term success. Either slugger would obviously be a major draw in tandem with Mike Stanton and that would surely get fans in the seats.
- If Ozzie Guillen lands with the Marlins and Tony La Russa stays with the Cardinals, the identity of the White Sox's next manager could hinge on the type of team they field in 2012. If they go all in, they'll likely want a veteran manager and if they go with a younger club they'll probably want a younger manager. With Juan Pierre and Mark Buerhle approaching free agency and Carlos Quentin and John Danks as trade candidates, the time is now if the club wants to rebuild.
- Baseball's biggest problem with approving Jim Crane as Astros owner stem from concerns about his past business practices and whether he would make a good long-term owner. Crane's deal with the current owner Drayton McLane expires on November 30th and meanwhile, baseball's labor talks continue. The players are reluctant to go to two additional wild cards unless there are fifteen teams in each league. The easiest way to do that would be to shift the Astros to the American League, but for now the club remains on hold.
Quick Hits: Thome, Indians, Byrdak, Mets
Sunday night linkage..
- It's exceedingly rare for the Mets to grant an in-season extension to anyone, but Tim Byrdak was aggressive and approached the team with the idea, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
- However, it doesn't sound like more extensions with veterans are in the works, Martino tweets. General Manager Sandy Alderson stressed that locking up a lefty reliever was special circumstance.
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti believes that Jim Thome can be a productive player in 2012, should he decide to continue playing, writes Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
- Even though Indians rookie Jason Kipnis appears to have the starting role at second base locked up for next season, he does not plan on thinking that way, writes Bastian.
Marlins Targeting Aramis Ramirez
The Marlins are moving into a brand new retractable ballpark in 2012 and they'll look to make a big splash on the open market this winter, writes Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Cubs third baseman Aramis Ramirez is one of the top free agents who is clearly on the Marlins' radar.
Internally, the club views him as a good fit for a lineup as they look to add an established veteran to a youthful squad. The addition of Ramirez would also give rookie Matt Dominguez more time to develop.
The Fish may also wind up making inquiries on top free agents Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Jose Reyes. Sources say that the Marlins will also explore signing C.J. Wilson and the left-hander is already being talked about.
MLBTR Originals
Here's a look back at this week's original reporting and analysis from the MLBTR staff..
- Mike Axisa gathered the best from around the web in this week's edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- With a number of closing jobs opening up around baseball, Ryan Madson’s job prospects are promising, writes Ben Nichsolon-Smith.
- Ben also looked at the free agent prospects of Javier Vazquez and revisited the Felipe Paulino for Clint Barmes swap.
- On Wednesday, Tim Dierkes outlined the Ten Best Minor League Deals Of The Year of 2011. It's no surprise that Bartolo Colon of the Yankees tops the list.
- Jacoby Ellsbury is in line for a raise in arbitration this winter, but how much can the 28-year-old expect to come away with?
- We outlined the Angels, Athletics, and Royals in our Arbitration Eligibles series this week. You can check out all of our Arbitration Eligibles posts right here.
- Here are our predictions on the options of 15 relievers coming up this winter.
- Our latest Elias Rankings projections are up, and 26 free agents are in line for Type A status.
- Under GM John Mozeliak, the Cardinals have been the lone team to embrace September extensions, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
- There are a number of potential suitors for Jose Reyes but only four appear to be clear fits. We also previewed the market for third baseman Aramis Ramirez.
- Here's a handy post which outlines the many ways to enjoy MLB Trade Rumors.
- Did you miss our weekly chat? Don't fret, you can check out the transcript right here.
- Tim Dierkes took a look at the ACES agency, which has a strong record of securing multiyear deals.
- Here at MLBTR, we're bringing you closer to this year's GM candidates with a series of pieces. This week we caught up with De Jon Watson and John Coppolella.
Rosenthal On Votto, Epstein, Sabathia, Beinfest
Let's take a look at this week's edition of Full Count from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports..
- The Reds aren't going to shop Joey Votto but they'll at least listen to trade inquiries this winter. Cincinnati could come back with Votto for one more year at $9.5MM and play Yonder Alonso in left field but Votto's salary rises to $17MM in 2013 and Alonso's best position is first base. Reds owner Bob Castellini won't want to trade Votto, just as he didn't want to deal veterans at the deadline. However, the Reds would be looking at much more value for Votto at two years away from free agency rather than one year away.
- The Red Sox will likely avoid a historic collapse but if they don't, all bets are off. Manager Terry Francona is technically unsigned for next season as they hold options on him for the next two seasons. Meanwhile, GM Theo Epstein might want to leave for the Cubs regardless, if the Cubs give him more power in baseball operations. The question still remains whether BoSox owner John Henry would allow him to talk with one year left on his contract.
- It would be interesting to see how the Yankees react if, as expected, C.C. Sabathia opts out of his contract. The Bombers have had contentious negotiations with key players in years past, but Sabathia is different. The hurler is only 31-years-old and coming off of three outstanding years in New York. If the talks to turn ugly, he'll certainly have other options.
- Marlins GM Larry Beinfest has let it be known that he would like a chance at the Cubs position. Rival executives say that Beinfest is unhappy with the recent reassignment of Jim Fleming the increasing involvement of owner Jeffrey Loria. The Cubs' level of interest in Beinfest is currently unknown.
Quick Hits: Astros, Yankees, Mets, Pujols, Fielder
Some links on this Saturday afternoon..
- Astros GM Ed Wade isn't sure yet if pitching coach Doug Brocail will return next year, writes MLB.com's Brian McTaggart. Brocail retired after the 2009 season and was working as a special assistant to Wade this year when he took over as pitching coach when Brad Arnsberg was let go in June.
- Both the Yankees and Mets will have to start making some critical decisions about which prospects they need to protect ahead of the Rule V draft this winter, writes Tim Bontemps of the New York Post. It seems likely that the Mets will roll the dice and leave once-promising right-hander Brad Holt unprotected while the Bombers could leave switch-pitcher Pat Venditte exposed.
- With Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder both hitting the free agent market this winter, the battle between agents Dan Lozano and Scott Boras will be fun to watch, writes Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- Giants managing partner and CEO Bill Neukom wanted the team to take a more patient approach to hitting when he took over but Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle says that never came to be.