Phillies Decline Option On Pedro Feliz
Scott Lauber of Wilmington News Journal reports that the Phillies have decided not to pick up Pedro Feliz's $5.5MM option. While it remains possible for Feliz to return to the club, Lauber writes that it is unlikely.
In 625 plate appearances this past season, Feliz turned in a slash line of .266/.308/.386, which meant an OPS of .694 – his worst since 2002. Feliz's calling card is his defensive play at third but his UZR/150 of 5.0 – while still above average – was his worst posting since the stat was first monitored in 2002.
With a number of options available on the free-agent market and the trading block, who should the Phillies get to play third base?
Phillies Notes: Lidge, Happ, Feliz
After falling short in their quest to repeat as world champions, Ruben Amaro Jr. & Co. are charged with the task of putting the organization in position to take the crown in 2010. Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the Insider Staff reviewed the Phillies' '09 campaign and discussed what might be in store for them this winter. An Insider subscription is required, but here are some highlights for those without:
- With $11.5MM committed to Brad Lidge in each of the next two seasons, the Phillies are likely to keep him penciled in as their fireman. However, the club could seek out a veteran set-up man who could step into the closer role if "Lights Out" gets lit up again.
- Using J.A. Happ as the centerpiece, the Phillies could have the goods necessary to snare Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays. Halladay, like Cliff Lee, will be a free agent after 2010. Therefore, the Phillies would have to make sure they can keep at least one of the two pitchers before making such a deal.
- If the Phillies choose not to pick up Pedro Feliz's 2010 option, "don't be surprised" if they pursue free agent Adrian Beltre. Olney recently wrote that the 30-year-old third baseman would be a "spectacular fit" for the club. Dan Uggla is also mentioned as someone who could fill the void. Uggla played a less-than-stellar second base this season but could find himself more comfortable at third.
Red Sox Decline Option On Alex Gonzalez
The Red Sox have declined to pick up Alex Gonzalez's $6MM option, writes Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe. However, the club may still have interest in bringing back the 32-year-old on a lesser salary.
Gonzalez posted .284/.316/.453 in 44 games with the BoSox in 2009. Including his play in Cincinnati, Gonzalez turned in a UZR/150 of 10.5. Fangraphs estimates that his total body of work in '09 was worth $2.4MM.
With Gonzalez eligible for free agency, Boston does not have a full-time shortstop on the roster. GM Theo Epstein "all but acknowledged" that Jed Lowrie's injury history has cast doubt on his ability to handle the brunt of the workload.
Giants May Not Sign Wagner Mateo
Despite reports indicating that the Giants will sign 16-year-old prospect Wagner Mateo, it is "not safe to assume" that they will ink the Dominican outfielder, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. While the Giants made a "strong offer" for the youngster prior to his ill-fated agreement with St. Louis, they are far from reaching an accord and "don't necessarily expect to reach one."
According to Mateo's agent, he recently went to Miami for a consultation regarding his vision. Baggarly writes that, presumably, the purpose of the trip was to undergo laser surgery. In late September Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch penned a strong overview of Mateo's condition and how it led to the voiding of his contract.
Braves Interested In Chapman?
10:07pm: In an e-mail to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, Braves GM Frank Wren denied having any plans to meet with Chapman.
7:37pm: The Atlanta Braves have joined the list of suitors after Cuban pitcher Aroldis Chapman, writes Melissa Segura of SI.com. While an exact date, time and location has not been decided on yet, the two parties are "expected to schedule formal conversations in the coming weeks."
Segura identifies the Orioles, Red Sox, White Sox, Cubs, Yankees, Mets, Athletics and Cardinals as other clubs also believed to be interested in the 21-year-old. Our review of the Chapman sweepstakes cites information that indicates Detroit, Seattle and San Francisco also have some level of interest in signing the lefty.
Odds & Ends: Giants, Cubs, Mets
Some links on this Monday evening…
- The Giants have hired Hensley "Bam Bam" Meulens as their hitting coach, writes Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle. Meulens – who previously held the same position with San Francisco's Triple-A affiliate – recorded an OPS of .641 in his Major League career.
- MLB.com's Chris Haft brings us a look at Bam Bam's resume. Meulens was the only candidate manager Bruce Bochy spoke to before he and GM Brian Sabean made their choice, writes Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News.
- In a radio interview this morning on WGN-AM 720, Cubs owner Tom Ricketts said that he wants the Cubs' payroll to remain in the top three in baseball. Signing John Grabow to a new deal would help towards that goal.
- MLB.com's Mets beat writer Marty Noble answered fan questions in his latest mailbag installment and says that he is not sure that the club wants to rid themselves of John Maine or Fernando Martinez. However, the Mets would be willing to part with them in a deal to acquire a much needed number two starter or power hitter.
- More Mets news from Noble as Jeff Francoeur is expected to be ready in time for spring training after undergoing thumb surgery. Francoeur, who is entering his second year of arbitration, will likely be retained by Omar Minaya & Co. However, it remains a slight possibility that the Mets do not tender the 25-year-old an offer.
Twins Notes: Mauer, Crede, Duensing
MLB.com's Kelly Thesier fielded questions from Twins fans in her mailbag today. Here are some of the more noteworthy tidbits:
- While the Twins may raise their payroll to about $85-90MM, most of that increase will go towards retaining their own players and, potentially, an extension for Joe Mauer. Thesier says that as a result, it is not likely to be a busy offseason for the team in terms of acquisitions. However, the team still may have enough space to add an infielder or starting pitcher.
- With that in mind, it is "very unlikely" that the Twins will pursue free agent Chone Figgins. The 31-year-old could possibly receive a deal worth $50MM over five years, which is more than the Twins are willing to spend. Figgins projects as a Type B free agent.
- It is unlikely that the club re-signs Joe Crede, who says his recovery from back surgery is going well. Third baseman Danny Valencia is close to being ready for the majors, making Crede's return less than probable. There is a "small chance" that Crede – who hit .225/.289/.414 with 15 HRs in '09 – could return if he comes at a bargain price.
- Brian Duensing will "more than likely" be a member of Minnesota's rotation in 2010, unless the team signs two starters on the open market. The 26-year-old recorded an ERA of 5.17 in 15 relief appearances but found more success as a starter, posting a 2.73 ERA in nine games. Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey "appear to be locks" in the starting five.
- For more on what lies ahead for the club, take a look at our Twins Offseason Outlook.
Odds & Ends: Astros, Acta, Soria
Let's take one final look around the web as the Yankees and Angels battle in the Bronx:
- Astros General Manager Ed Wade confirmed to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that the club made an offer to Manny Acta to become their next skipper before he took the same position with the Indians. Sources tell McTaggart that Houston offered two years plus a one-year option whereas Cleveland was willing to give Acta three years in addition to a one-year option.
- Striking out on Acta makes this a very bad day for the Astros according to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.
- Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer isn't so sure that the Indians made the right move in tabbing the former Nats skipper as their new manager.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star implores the Royals to put emotion aside and consider dealing closer Joakim Soria. This past season the 25-year-old posted an ERA of 2.21 with 11.7 K/9.
Week In Review: 10/18/09 – 10/24/09
Even though we're still in the postseason, the hot stove is already heating up. Here's a look back at the week that was:
- The Padres hired BoSox assistant General Manager Jed Hoyer as their GM. In an effort to fill the void left by Hoyer's departure, Boston has extended offers to former Padres GM Kevin Towers and ex-Toronto GM J.P. Ricciardi. Earlier this month Towers said that he wasn't sure if he'd want to be an office where he wasn't the GM.
- Multiple teams are in pursuit of troubled Cubs outfielder Milton Bradley. The 31-year-old is owed $21MM over the final two years of his contract.
- After months of speculation, 18-year-old lefty Yusei Kikuchi announced that he would sign with a team in Japan's Nippon Baseball League rather than make the jump to the United States. Eight MLB teams met with the highly-regarded prospect but ultimately the youngster felt that he was better off staying at home.
- Ben Sheets plans to pitch in 2010 and could end up returning to the Brewers. Based on GM Theo Epstein's comments, it appears that the Red Sox will also have interest in the 31-year-old.
- Having missed most of 2009 after undergoing Tommy John surgery, Tim Hudson's 2010 was in limbo as the Braves held a $12MM option on his contract. Rather than pick up the option, the Braves may ink Hudson to a multi-year extension as they have begun talks with the pitcher and his agent.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith kicked off the "Trades of the Decade" series by taking a look at the swaps that landed Dan Haren in Oakland and Erik Bedard in Seattle. There are more to come but you won't see these deals featured as they just missed the cut. With deals of that magnitude on the cutting room floor, this is going to be an exciting series.
- Tim Dierkes brings us a look ahead at the Tampa Bay Rays offseason.
Yusei Kikuchi To Stay In Japan
SUNDAY, 8:52pm: NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman brings us his thoughts on Kikuchi's long-awaited decision. On a human level, Newman is happy to see the youngster stay in Japan as the process appeared to be bringing him a great deal of stress. Dealing with the American media at the age of 18 would require a very thick skin.
SATURDAY, 10:05pm: Highly touted left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi has announced that he will stay in Japan after meeting with eight MLB teams and 12 NPB clubs, according to Kyodo News. Kikuchi chatted with the Red Sox, Dodgers, Rangers, Giants, Indians, Yankees, Mets and Mariners before opting not to make the leap to the United States.
Leading up to his announcement, outlets in Japan claimed that the 18-year-old would state his desire to continue playing baseball in his home country. Earlier this month, Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker compiled a scouting report on the hotly sought-after hurler and noted that his dream is to pitch in the major leagues. We may still see Kikuchi in MLB down the road, but not in 2010.