Odds and Ends: Building A Bullpen, GM Gossip
It’s a bit of a slow day for rumors, what with Game 3 of the World Series and all. Nonetheless, here are a few tangential tidbits for the afternoon:
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald notes that the Tampa Bay Rays don’t save their best relievers for the 9th inning; Dave Pinto says it’s "a feather in his cap" that manager Joe Maddon can get his pitchers to excel in such undefined roles. If you can get players to buy into it, it’s a cheap and effective way to build a bullpen — witness the 2007 Indians. If not, it’s a wreck — witness the 2003 Red Sox.
- John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times asks: does former GM Chuck LaMar or current GM Andrew Friedman deserve the credit for Tampa Bay’s success this year?
- Canadian teams are feeling the pinch as the Loonie falls in value, writes Don McGowan. As if the Blue Jays didn’t have enough to worry about!
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.com.
Holliday Derby Begins
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies have made it known to rival executives that left fielder Matt Holliday is available. Renck names the Red Sox, Phillies, Angels, Mets, Royals, and Nationals as potential suitors. I still find the oft-mentioned Red Sox idea to be far-fetched.
The Rockies would prefer to move corner infielder Garrett Atkins, however. The Angels, Twins, and Red Sox are cited as potential fits. However, other teams are surely aware of Atkins’ defensive struggles at third base and questionable hitting away from Coors Field. Renck says the Angels’ interest will depend on their ability to re-sign Mark Teixeira.
Starting pitching seems to be the Rockies’ target return for either player. They’d be giving up one year of Holliday and two of Atkins, plus the likely draft pick compensation.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Manny, Peavy, Cubs
A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…
- Sox and Pinstripes has eight questions the Red Sox must address this offseason including whether or not to re-sign Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
- Dodger Thoughts notes that there is not a lot of substance behind the rumors of the Dodgers offering Manny Ramirez a contract worth $60MM for two years.
- Fanhouse wonders if Ramirez could make more money in the long run if he signs a two-year deal with the Dodgers now.
- Gaslamp Ball wonders if the Padres are not getting the offers they expected for Jake Peavy and are starting to get "cold feet."
- Talking Chop notes that Frank Wren’s public posturing during the Peavy negotiations is in stark contrast to what Braves fans are accustomed.
- Bleed Cubbie Blue projects a Cubs ’09 roster, including Aubrey Huff at first base and Luke Scott in right field.
- The Sports Bank says the biggest need for the White Sox lineup is to add speed. They look at some potential moves and project an ’09 lineup that includes Rafael Furcal and Chone Figgins.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Dallas Morning News: Jon Daniels Q&A
Mike Hindman of the Dallas Morning News recently conducted a Q&A with Rangers GM Jon Daniels. A few highlights:
- Daniels thought the Rangers had a great chance to sign Michael Inoa, as ownership made a budget exception to pursue him.
- Daniels doesn’t seem inclined to trade his top pitching prospects for a young big league starter. He still has certain targets though.
- A contract extension for Josh Hamilton will probably be explored during the first three months of 2009.
- Daniels knows what he wants to do with Milton Bradley, but wouldn’t reveal it.
- He expects to exercise Hank Blalock‘s $6.2MM option for ’09.
- Daniels sees a "good possibility" of making a trade involving one of his four young catchers, but adds that it depends on the market. Daniels wouldn’t be opposed to trading both Gerald Laird and Jarrod Saltalamacchia in separate deals. He also admitted that the Red Sox inquired about catching.
- Daniels will attempt to improve the bullpen via free agency this winter.
Odds and Ends: Yankees, Pena, Epstein
Let’s round ’em up for Friday…
- The Royals claimed 24 year-old righty Jairo Cuevas off waivers from the Braves.
- I recently did a Q&A with a blog called The ‘Burgh Blues.
- Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News expects the Yankees to spend big this winter. Meanwhile, Peter Abraham reminds fans not to panic.
- Joel Sherman examines why the Yankees and Red Sox discarded Carlos Pena in 2006.
- Theo Epstein’s new deal will be made official after the World Series.
- Sox Machine debates whether the White Sox should add a starter this winter.
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire wonders whether the nation’s economy will affect the free agent market.
- Billy Beane, Newt Gingrich, and John Kerry propose a data revolution for our health care system.
Ringolsby’s Latest: Fuentes, Atkins, Holliday
Let’s take a look at the latest column from Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News.
- Rockies "closer of the future" Casey Weathers will miss the ’09 season due to elbow surgery. However, the Rox are still not likely to re-sign Brian Fuentes. Joel Sherman expects Fuentes to sign for three years, $36-39MM. Brad Lidge signed for three years, $37.5MM in July, but that was not on the open market. The Mets will be in on Fuentes.
- The Rockies are expected to trade one of Garrett Atkins or Matt Holliday this winter. The Phillies will inquire on both (they tried to acquire Holliday this summer). Ringolsby says the Red Sox have discussed Holliday internally and considers the Angels a match for Atkins. The Red Sox, however, are set at the corners with Jason Bay and J.D. Drew.
- Brothers Jayson and Laynce Nix are both free agents. Jayson, 26, hit .303/.373/.591 in Triple A. Laynce, 28, hit .284/.348/.539. Jayson plays second base, Laynce plays outfield.
Lowe Too Pricey For Red Sox?
Accordig to Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald, Derek Lowe‘s strong finish to the 2008 season may have priced him out of the Red Sox’s range. McAdam believes Lowe will sign for $14-15MM a year over three or four years. He suggests the Red Sox would’ve been more open to the idea at $10MM or so. The Red Sox are believed to be Lowe’s preferred destination, but Nick Cafardo says a dozen other teams are interested (the Mets among them).
Lowe, a Boras client, was never getting paid less than Carlos Silva on the open market. Silva, a far inferior pitcher, has a $12MM average annual salary. I imagine that once the bar for Jon Garland/Carlos Silva level mediocrity is raised again this year, Lowe will find himself more in the $16-18MM range. And Boras should be able to get that fourth year guaranteed. The Red Sox could handle that.
Massarotti On The Red Sox
Tony Massarotti of the Boston Globe takes a look at the upcoming offseason for the Red Sox.
Massarotti says the Sox have had internal discussions about Mark Teixeira, which is not a surprise. The Red Sox definitely have the money for him. Signing Tex would necessitate trading Mike Lowell and moving Kevin Youkilis to third base. Lowell is owed $24MM over the next two years, and he has no-trade protection. He had hip surgery recently and is expected to be ready for spring training. My guess at possible suitors: the White Sox, Indians, Twins, Angels, Brewers, Reds, Dodgers, and Giants.
I thought the Sox would be players for C.C. Sabathia, but Massarotti suggests that is unlikely. He says Boston officials have concerns about Sabathia’s long-term durability. Massarotti does not see the Red Sox as players for any big name starter.
One other note: the Sox have yet to discuss an extension with Jason Bay‘s agent.
Boras Discusses Varitek
Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe talked to Scott Boras recently about free agent catcher Jason Varitek. As you’d expect, Boras’ spin is heavy on leadership and inherent value, so as to draw attention away from the .313 OBP and .359 SLG. Boras hinted that a multiyear deal would be appropriate.
Calls a great game, can’t hit…that sounds like the mass of freely available backup catchers floating around. To pay Varitek like a starter is to assign a multimillion dollar value to his intangibles. That doesn’t sound like a Theo Epstein approach, especially with his recent quotes about striving for at least league average at every position.
Schilling Rips Manny Again
Curt Schilling apparently ripped former teammate Manny Ramirez on his blog, 38Pitches. The post was removed, but that didn’t stop Evan Brunell from preserving the inflammatory portions. According to Schilling, Ramirez made it clear that if he didn’t get traded he might take the rest of the season off for his knee.