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White Sox Re-Sign Uribe, Out On Tejada

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According to Bruce Levine of ESPN 1000 in Chicago, the White Sox have re-signed shortstop Juan Uribe at one year, $4.5MM.  That represents a 10% discount for the Sox compared to his club option.

Not coincidentally, the Sox no longer have interest in Miguel Tejada after failing to reach an accord with the O’s.  Apparently at some point Kenny Williams offered Gio Gonzalez and Jose Contreras for him and were rejected.  Gio is a pretty solid pitching prospect, and if he offered that package a year ago it may have been reasonable.  Jeff Zrebiec’s report indicates that teams will only turn to Tejada after the dust settles from Alex Rodriguez and Miguel Cabrera.  Zrebiec also adds that O’s president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail met with Phillies GM Pat Gillick yesterday, but it’s not known who was discussed.  One reader emailed me to suggest the Phils have long coveted Erik Bedard.

Ricciardi Willing To Listen On Burnett

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UPDATE, 11-7-07: This isn’t really an update.  Ricciardi kind of clarified his comments, saying that the Jays aren’t shopping Burnett.  But he never said they were in the first place.  He originally said if he was blown away, he’d trade Burnett.  The only people confused were those who didn’t closely read his original comments.

FROM 11-6-07: Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi has said something interesting things to the media in recent times, from lying to the public about B.J. Ryan’s injury to questioning A.J. Burnett’s manliness.  It’s not that his actions and opinions are astounding; it’s just odd to see a GM so publicly frank about things.

Today, Ricciardi was upfront with ESPN about the possibility of trading Burnett.  If he’s blown away by an offer, he’ll trade him.  It’s not really a groundbreaking assertion.  I imagine most GMs feel that way about most players.

In Burnett, another high impact arm enters the trade market.  His opt-out clause after the 2008 season effectively makes his contract worse than a one-year deal, as we discussed here.  Jerry Crasnick says the Cardinals, Phillies, and even Orioles are possible fits.  I could imagine the Braves, Mets, Astros, and Diamondbacks expressing interest as well.  Burnett has no-trade protection against 15 teams, so that might require compensation.  He’ll earn a reasonable $12MM in 2008.   

Orioles Will Listen On Bedard

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New Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirms what we’ve been reading for the past few months: the club will at least listen to offers for ace Erik Bedard.  He adds that the O’s have had preliminary, general extension talks with Bedard.    I imagine that if Bedard is looking for the $18-20MM per year he could get on the open market, the O’s will choose to trade him.  Two years of Bedard is at least as good as one of Johan Santana, and Bedard doesn’t have any no-trade stipulations.  He made just $3.4MM this year.

What are your thoughts on a reasonable package the O’s might get for Bedard?  The typical Matt Kemp/Clayton Kershaw speculation seems to fit here.   

MacPhail also admits that he’d prefer to have flexibility rather than all the long-term contracts the team has committed to.  He expects an active trade market, and you can bet the Orioles will be in the middle.  Miguel Tejada is likely to be dealt, especially if his name is absent from the Mitchell Report.

Rays’ Kazmir May Be Available

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The week in hot stove kicks off with a bang: Joel Sherman of the New York Post has a source saying the Devil Rays might listen to offers for ace lefty Scott Kazmir.  Kazmir turns 24 in January and carries a 3.64 career ERA despite pitching in the AL East.  He’s been particularly tough on the Red Sox (2.66 ERA in 101 innings).  You have to think that if the Yankees are entertaining making an offer for Johan Santana, they’d consider Kazmir as well if the Rays would deal within the division.

Sherman notes that Kazmir is under contract for three years as opposed to just one for Santana, which could equate the two pitchers in the marketplace.  Erik Bedard, under control for two years, has to be in that group of elite, possibly available southpaws as well.  Sherman believes the Rays would seek "multiple high-end pitchers" for Kazmir, who is entering arbitration for the first time this winter.  The Yankees could offer a package starting with Phil Hughes, but the Mets don’t seem to have the goods.  It would take a pitcher of that nature – Hughes, Yovani Gallardo, Clay Buchholz.  Otherwise, why would the Rays consider it? 

Sherman also echoes the surprising notion that Tim Lincecum could be had for the right bat.  He speculates that the Giants could pursue Carl Crawford or Delmon Young as the return.  Hey, our Delmon speculation is catching on!

Sherman indicates that the Twins may be compelled to hold onto Santana, afraid of fan backlash if they also lose Torii Hunter.  Meanwhile, another Santana, Ervin, might be had for a bat if the Angels can’t sign Alex Rodriguez.  Sherman’s sources say any club in the A-Rod sweepstakes will move slowly in the market because his contract would dictate the team’s available budget.

Also notable from Sherman’s rumor-packed column:  teams may wait for the Mitchell Report to come out before engaging in serious talks for Miguel Tejada.  I’ve read speculation that MLB could release this report soon as a way of limiting free agent spending.  Also, isn’t it about time for Jose Canseco’s next book, which supposedly has "other stuff" on Alex Rodriguez?

Rangers Rumors: DeJesus, Lamb, Millar

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Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but he posted this column at night.  Go figure.  He’s got some new info regarding the Rangers.

  • As you know, the Rangers have had difficulty finding a long-term center fielder.  That’s the main focus of this offseason.  The team has already shown interest in Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, the top center fielders available.  Other free agents such as Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron appear to be in play as well.  Grant’s trade candidates: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Mark Kotsay, and Carlos Beltran.  We’ve speculated on DeJesus to Atlanta in the past.  With DeJesus signed cheaply through 2011 and the market at the position robust this winter, it might make sense for Dayton Moore to wait a year to shop him aggressively.
  • Grant adds that Jon Daniels is considering some affordable options for first base.  They’ve already talked to Mike Lamb’s agent and like Kevin Millar as well.  Lamb came up through the Rangers’ system but was traded to the Yankees in ’04.  Millar is under contract for ’08 but it’s in the $3-4MM range and the Orioles should be open to a trade.  Grant says Ben Broussard could pique the Rangers’ interest if he’s non-tendered.
  • Grant concludes with five Rangers whose names will be bandied about in trade talks: Gerald Laird, Vicente Padilla, Joaquin Arias, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nelson Cruz.  Salty’s not being shopped but Grant expects teams to ask.  He proposes some kind of bad contract swap for Padilla – Jason Giambi, Richie Sexson, or Adam Eaton are named.  I still think it’s funny the way Padilla crawled away from the brawl he started this year. 

Odds and Ends: Hunter, A-Rod, Bedard

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Sunday morning minor rumor collection…

  • There’s always some skepticism from readers regarding Charley Walters rumors.  Nonetheless I’ll report that he names the Nationals, White Sox, Braves, Yankees, and Dodgers as teams that will bid for Torii Hunter.  I don’t see the Braves getting involved at $15MM per.  And are the Dodgers ready to move Juan Pierre to left field already?  The other clubs named seem reasonable.
  • As expected, the Cardinals interviewed Chris Antonetti for their open GM position.  No doubt it’s an attractive position but you have to wonder what kind of autonomy he’d have with Tony La Russa around.
  • Larry LaRue makes the case for the Mariners tendering a contract to Horacio Ramirez.  He also notes that Jose Guillen is as good as gone and the Ms won’t consider A-Rod.
  • Speaking of that guy, Bill Price suggests the Mets should sign him and move David Wright to first base.  Carlos Delgado I suppose would be a very expensive pinch-hitter in 2008. 
  • Nick Cafardo expects the Orioles to shop Miguel Tejada this winter, which would surprise no one.  But he’s also hearing that Erik Bedard could be available.  Trades of either might be unpopular with the fanbase.  The trade market for starters could be hopping if Johan Santana, Bedard, and C.C. Sabathia are made available.
  • Joel Sherman says Koji Uehara is a free agent, but we have heard differently.  Anyway, the success of Hideki Okajima may create a minor bidding war for Hitoki Iwase.

Needs and Luxuries: Baltimore Orioles

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Here’s a look at Baltimore’s current setup for 2008.

C – Ramon Hernandez
1B – Kevin Millar
2B – Brian Roberts
SS – Miguel Tejada
3B – Melvin Mora
LF – Jay Gibbons
CF – Jay Payton
RF – Nick Markakis
DH – Aubrey Huff

SP – Erik Bedard
SP – Jeremy Guthrie
SP – Daniel Cabrera
SP – Adam Loewen
SP – Brian Burres/Garrett Olson/Hayden Penn

Setup/Closer:  Jamie Walker/Chad Bradford

Needs

Take a look at that starting lineup again.  The Orioles are a train wreck, and need to be blown to smithereens and rebuilt.  Their need is pretty easy to assess – they need cheap, young, talented players.  Sure, all teams need those, but the O’s need to abandon any pretense of winning in 2008. 

The ’07 Orioles were below average in every regard.  The long-term Orioles need corner infielders, a left fielder, and a center fielder at minimum.  If you don’t think they can win in by 2009, then they need middle infielders too.

The O’s need another reliable starter to complement the Bedard-Guthrie tandem.  They need to be patient with Cabrera, who at least set a career high in innings and starts.  They need some homegrown or otherwise cheap relievers with a pulse. 

Most of all, the Orioles need fiscal responsibility.  Hopefully Andy MacPhail will bring it.

Luxuries

The Orioles have frontline talent in Tejada, Bedard, Roberts, Markakis, and Matt Wieters.  The last two are cornerstones.

Tejada is not a part of the long-term future.  Despite signs of decline, he can still be dealt for a nice bevy of young players.  Maybe not a Teixeira-sized bounty, but two quality players.  The Tigers, Phillies, Red Sox, White Sox, Blue Jays, Angels, and half of the NL Central ought to be interested.  Tejada is the team’s most tradeable asset and he absolutely must be cashed in this winter.

The O’s are at a crossroads with Bedard and Roberts.  They’re locked in through 2009, and would have a lot of value on the trade market.  The Orioles have to at least listen on these guys.  Bedard is going to cost a king’s ransom to sign long-term, and Roberts may prefer to leave for a winner.

Then there’s the veteran riff-raff.  The Orioles have tons of expendable veterans with moderate to questionable trade value: Hernandez, Millar, Mora, Gibbons, Payton, Huff, Walker, and Bradford.  Gibbons and Mora are un-tradeable, but the rest should be swapped out for the most interesting 0-3 players available.  The Orioles must remain open to eating salary if they can in effect purchase some quality prospects.

Orioles Claim Novoa; More Ex-Cubs To Come?

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As far as historians can tell, the Ex-Cub Factor curse was broken in 2001 by the Diamondbacks.  If you’re not familiar, the Ex-Cub Factor says that a team with three or more ex-Cubs cannot win the World Series.  Regardless, the Indians are in decent shape as they have only two (Joe Borowski and Kenny Lofton).  I think the Rockies only have LaTroy Hawkins.

The Chicago Tribune’s Paul Sullivan recently noted that the Orioles are stocking up on ex-Cubs, the latest being nondescript reliever Roberto Novoa.  Former Cubs president and GM Andy MacPhail has already added three to the four that were previously on the roster.

I mention all of this because of Sullivan’s last line, that MacPhail might take a look at free agents Kerry Wood and Michael Barrett this winter.  Wood I can see – he fits in with most teams at the right price as an intriguing yet high-risk swingman.  As for Barrett – perhaps the O’s would pursue him on a bargain one-year deal if they manage to trade Ramon Hernandez.  Hernandez makes $7.5MM in ’08, $8MM in ’09, and probably a $1MM buyout in ’10.  So, $16.5MM over the next two years.  If the O’s pay $5MM or so, teams like the Mets, Yankees, Rockies, or Marlins could be interested.    

Cardinals Have Work To Do

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Joe Strauss has had several insightful articles lately about the future of the Cardinals.  Let’s discuss.

  • The Cardinals have $83.8MM committed to 12 players for 2008.  Even worse, they don’t know what they’re going to get out of Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Chris Carpenter, Juan Encarnacion, and Mark Mulder. They are spending $45MM on those five and may get very little production.
  • Next year’s payroll may approach $115MM on the high end, but that doesn’t mean the Cards have $30MM to burn.  Their 0-3 guys will earn roughly $5MM in aggregate, and the arbitration-eligible group may run another $5MM even if a few are cut loose.  So I’m thinking more like $20MM to burn, and Walt Jocketty will have to stretch that money pretty far.
  • The Cardinals need a power hitter, two starters, and a shortstop.  Tony La Russa, if he returns, won’t be "going young."
  • Joel Pineiro could be one of the starters, but if the Cards view him as a cheap #5 they’re going to be disappointed.  He’ll get paid.
  • An earlier Strauss article has a couple of rumors of note.  We learned that the Cards were fairly close to signing Miguel Batista last winter and almost traded Anthony Reyes to the Phillies this summer.

Here’s what I see happening this winter.  The Cards will fill the rotation spots with one mid-level signing and one cheaper wild card type guy.  I could see a Carlos Silva being paired with a Matt Clement.  Randy Wolf could fill the wild card role if the Dodgers won’t have him back.

It might make sense to fill the shortstop hole and need for a power bat in one fell swoop.  On the surface it seems like Miguel Tejada would fit the bill and Edgar Renteria wouldn’t, though Renteria outslugged Tejada this year.  Regardless I expect the Cardinals to make an aggressive push for one of them (Larry Borowsky of Viva El Birdos got me thinking along these lines).

Could A-Rod Save the O’s?

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Update:  Beat writer Jeff Zrebiec reports that yesterday Miguel Tejada told O’s President of Baseball Operations Andy McPhail, "I don’t care about changing positions if we’re going to be a winner, and I want to be on a team that is going to compete and win."  That is a change of tune from the once stubborn shortstop.  Orioles Manager Dave Trembley also said, "I fully expect that he’ll be a major part of this team next season."

The Orioles pitchers have been going the extra mile to make Alex Rodriguez feel at home in Camden Yards this weekend, writes Peter Schmuck.  Schmuck doesn’t add too much to the notion; however, he does suggest that, for a team at the mercy of indecision – do we sign big names or rebuild from within? – Alex Rodriguez, should he opt out of his contract, is one apparent solution.

The O’s need desperately to revive their franchise and A-Rod could certainly do that.  A new long term contract for Arod will have him chasing baseball’s greatest records with whom he signs.  Meanwhile, Miguel Tejada will either be moved to 3B or another team.  Considering his decline in defense, productivity, and attitude it seems the Orioles should lower their demands and trade him this offseason.  That would open up an obvious hole at shortstop, a spot once celebrated by Cal Ripken, and an opportunity that could entice Rodriguez and save the Orioles.

That said, I’m not sure the O’s could afford a potential $30MM player.  They have a total payroll of $93.5MM in 2007, already up 20% from 2006, and at an all-time high.  If they deal Tejada, it’s probable they swallow some of his $13MM/year.  The departure of Benson and Wright free up another $14MM.  If they could void Jay Gibbons’ contract, they’d be looking in the ballpark of $30MM before arbitration for Erik Bedard and others, various departures, etc.  It seems probable they would have to again increase payroll to afford A-Rod.

Posted by: Nat Boyle

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