Odds & Ends: Valentine, Cook, Mets, Mariners
Wednesday evening linkage..
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel wonders if Bobby Valentine was ever a strong candidate for the Marlins opening this time around.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter) believes that Aaron Cook will be back with the Rockies in 2011.
- Bobby Valentine pulling his name out of contention in Florida could be a sign that things are heating up elsewhere, writes Larry Stone of The Seattle Times.
- Jeff Wilpon would like to hire a GM by the end of the World Series, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times (via Twitter) says it's not impossible that we'll see Eric Wedge and Milton Bradley in the same clubhouse again.
Overbay Prepared To Hit Open Market
Despite a strong finish to the 2010 campaign, first baseman Lyle Overbay is unsure if he has a future with the Blue Jays, writes Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. With changes around the corner in Toronto, Overbay says that he's less-than-thrilled about the prospect of being part of a rebuilding effort.
"The situation has got to be right," the 33-year-old said. "Obviously, it's not going to be a long-term deal. So, if they take a step back, I just don't see myself coming into that. It's not going to help them and it's not going to help me, because I'm not going to be part of the winning part of it."
The Blue Jays have options to turn to if they decide not to retain Overbay, though they all come with question marks. Designated hitter Adam Lind was auditioned at first base this year but GM Alex Anthopoulos admitted that the available sample size (eleven games) was not enough to judge his fielding. Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion are other possible candidates but Bastian writes that Toronto will look out-of-house for a new first baseman in 2011 if they don't hang on to Overbay.
Valentine Withdraws Name From Marlins Search
Bobby Valentine has once again removed his name from consideration for the Marlins managerial job, reports Tim Kurkjian of ESPN. Back in June, Valentine seemed to be on the verge of taking over as Florida skipper before talks between the two sides broke down.
The former manager of the Rangers, Mets, and Chiba Lotte Marines said that he has been in contact with the Marlins about the job since the end of the season but decided to go in a different direction. On Sunday, it was reported that Valentine was the leading candidate for the vacant post in Florida. Bobby V has also interviewed in Toronto but is considered a longshot.
Chipper Jones Plans To Return Next Season
Nearly eight weeks after undergoing reconstructive surgery on his left knee, third baseman Chipper Jones told Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com that his recovery is going well. While the veteran's knee won't heal in time for him to play in the National League Championship Series or the World Series, Jones sounds confident that he'll make it back at some point in 2011.
"I don't want the last memory of me to be laying out behind third base. On top of that, I was playing really well and I was swinging the bat really well. I was healthy and I was running the bases good. My frame of mind was really focused. I just want to keep going," said the 38-year-old.
Jones has two years remaining on his deal and is guaranteed to make $13MM for each of those seasons. The Braves hold a $7MM club option for 2013 but that option will automatically vest if the veteran plays in 123 games in 2012 or averages 127 games over the next two years. The six-time All-Star played in 143 games in 2009 but appeared in just 95 this past season.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Rodriguez, Cubs, Nakajima
Links for Monday evening as the Giants look to shut the door on the Braves in Atlanta..
- The O's might not be able to solidify their coaching staff as soon as they would like to, writes Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.
- Francisco Rodriguez's grievance hearing over being placed on the disqualified list is set for next week but there will not be an immediate decision rendered, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Giants bench coach Ron Wotus is interested in managing the Bucs, writes Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
- According to Shannon Drayer of ESPN Radio, four candidates will interview for the vacant M's managerial job this week, including former Houston skipper Cecil Cooper.
- Cubs pitching coach Larry Rothschild informed the team today that he will pick up his option for 2011, a major league source told ESPN.com's Bruce Levine.
- The Pirates disclosed (via Twitter) that former Blue Jays skipper John Gibbons was in Pittsburgh today to interview for the team's managerial opening.
- Saitama Seibu Lions shortshop Hiroyuki Nakajima is on his way to being posted, according to Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times (via Twitter) who passes along a report from Yahoo Japan (Japanese link). In a piece for Fangraphs, Patrick Newman called the 28-year-old Japan's second-best hitter behind Norichika Aoki of the Yakult Swallows.
- More and more teams are discovering that homegrown starters are crucial to success, says Alex Speier of WEEI.com.
Damon Would “Love” To Sign With Yankees
After being informed by the Tigers that they will look elsewhere to find a designated hitter for 2011, Johnny Damon says that he is very open to another stint with the Yankees, according to George A. King of the New York Post.
"I would love to have that as an option," Damon said. "It would be very exciting to go back there."
According to Damon, Detroit told the 36-year-old slugger that they're in search of a "prototypical DH type like Adam Dunn". The veteran was vocal about enjoying his time with the Tigers and even turned down an opportunity to re-join the Red Sox prior to the waiver trade deadline this year.
Damon was unable to turn in a repeat of his 2009 performance for Detroit, hitting .271/.355/.401 with eight homers in 145 games.
Rhodes, Gomes Want To Return To Reds
Both reliever Arthur Rhodes and left fielder Jonny Gomes would like to return to the Reds in 2011, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
Rhodes, 40, is coming off of a two-year, $4MM deal. The veteran turned in one of his best seasons to date, recording a 2.29 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in a career-high 69 apperances. After earning his first career All-Star nod, the lefty told the Reds that he would "love to come back". Rhodes has yet to receive an indication from the Reds one way or another.
Gomes' future is also up in the air as Cincinnati holds a $1.75MM club option on his contract. While his service time dictates that he would be arbitration-eligible this winter, Gomes' deal calls for him to be released if his option is not exercised. The soon-to-be 30-year-old didn't re-up with the Reds until just before Spring Training last year and says that he's prepared for that scenario again this year. He earned $800K in 2010 as he hit .266/.327/.431 with 18 HRs in 148 games. The Reds have until two weeks after the World Series to decide on Gomes' option but like Rhodes, the outfielder has yet to hear anything from the club.
GM/Manager Notes: Mets, Samuel, Gibbons
With several GM and manager positions opening up at the end of the season, teams have begun identifying potential candidates. Let's take a look at who is generating interest..
- The Marlins will not allow the Mets to interview Jennings, a source tells MLB.com's Anthony Dicomo.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter) hears that Marlins assistant GM Dan Jennings is still in the running for the Mets GM job. Earlier today it was reported that the Mets had asked for permission to talk to Jennings and fellow Marlins execs Larry Beinfest and Mike Hill but are likely to be denied. However, Crasnick tweets that Jennings does not need Florida's permission to interview with several clubs and the Mets are on his list.
- Juan Samuel is getting plenty of attention from teams, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. The former O's interim skipper will "likely interview" for the vacancies in Pittsburgh and Seattle. After Baltimore fired manager Dave Trembley, Samuel led the squad to a 17-34 mark. Samuel could also interview in Toronto as he is close with several members of the Blue Jays organization, including Cito Gaston.
- Speaking of the Blue Jays, former Toronto manager John Gibbons could wind up in Seattle. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun tweets that the Mariners have asked for and received permission to interview him from the Royals where he is presently the bench coach. The 48-year-old had an even .500 record with Toronto, leading them to a 305-305 record from 2004 through 2008.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Theriot, Padres, Reds, Harper
Some links on the eve of playoff baseball..
- The Dodgers have asked Rick Honeycutt to return next season but the pitching coach is weighing his options, tweets Ken Davidoff of Newsday.
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner takes a look at potential second base candidates for the M's in 2011. Ryan Theriot, who was less-than-stellar for the Cubs and Dodgers this season, is among the players listed.
- Jerry Hairston Jr. told Jim Bowden of XM Radio (via Twitter) that he wants to return to the Padres in 2011.
- The Reds could be in position to contend for years to come if they keep their key pieces, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
- While the O's projected rotation for 2011 is young, GM Andy MacPhail hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing a veteran aboard to fill the place of pending free agent Kevin Millwood.
- The Nats probably won't have Bryce Harper play in the Arizona Fall League this year, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
- You can expect a busy winter in San Diego, writes Bill Center of the Union-Tribune.
- Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and GM Jack Zduriencik sent a letter to fans promising better times ahead. Larry Stone of The Seattle Times notes that Josh Lueke was omitted from a list of the system's "hard-throwing pitchers".
- Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter) believes that the Mets should hire Logan White as their next GM.
- The Pirates have interviewed Eric Wedge for their vacant managerial opening, tweets Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
- Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gives his thoughts on John Russell's tenure as Pirates skipper.
Poll: Will The Jays Re-Sign Buck?
This season, John Buck was afforded a fresh start in Toronto and churned out his best offensive season to date. The 30-year-old catcher hit .281/.314/.489 with 20 homers in 118 games. After being non-tendered by the Royals in 2009, Buck made his first All-Star team in 2010. All in all, a solid year for a guy making $2MM on a one year deal.
However, with J.P Arencibia waiting in the wings, some have wondered if there's room for Buck on the Blue Jays in 2011. Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos said that while he will explore bringing back Buck, the veteran backstop has earned a long-term contract and a starting job. The question is: Will Buck get that opportunity in Toronto? Arencibia had a stellar year in Triple-A, posting a slash line of .301/.359/.626 with 32 homers in 104 games. With numbers like those, one has to wonder if the 24-year-old's learning curve will be steep enough to justify retaining a player who is six years his senior.
Will the Blue Jays re-sign Buck?