Odds & Ends: Hawkins, Uribe, Hill, Hazen
Here's a few links to end the night…
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Astros GM Ed Wade said the team "is talking with LaTroy Hawkins, who wanted to see who the manager was going to be first." Hawkins will be a free agent this offseason for the fourth time in as many years.
- Juan Uribe has informed the Giants that he plans to test the market, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News.
- MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko reports that the Orioles outrighted three players off their 40-man roster, including southpaw Rich Hill. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the Indians outrighted three players as well.
- Tom Krasovic reports that Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen interviewed for a front office position with the Padres. Hazen has held the position with Boston since 2006, and used to play in San Diego's minor league system.
- Here's this week's edition of Baseball America's minor league transactions. Lots of new names hitting the free agent pool, including Jack Taschner and Edgar Gonzalez.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Red Sox, Rays, Doumit, Gonzalez, Cubs
On this date two years ago, the Yankees signed Joe Girardi to a three-year deal worth $7.5MM. Two years later, Girardi has the Yankees in the World Series. With the offseason now just days away, many players will be looking for their own new deals. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- The Bottom Line projects the Red Sox 2010 payroll and what they need to do to get back on top.
- Fire Brand of the American League looks at shortstop options for the Red Sox.
- Dodgers Rumors breaks down the Dodgers' 2010 roster and how they may approach free agency.
- Rays Index projects the Rays 25-man and 40-man rosters as well as the 2010 payroll.
- New Bucs says it is time for the Pirates to trade Ryan Doumit.
- Mets Fans Forever speculates on what it might take for the Mets to land Adrian Gonzalez.
- The Cub Reporter suggests some players for the Cubs to target this offseason, including Kelvim Escobar and Akinori Iwamura.
- World Series Dreaming doesn't see any major changes coming to the Cubs this off-season.
- Around the Majors breaks down the free agents at third base.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Heyman On Pedro, Bay, Matsui
The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…
- The only teams interested in Pedro Martinez this summer were the Rangers, Rays, Cubs, and Phillies (the Brewers bowed out when Pedro was late to a throwing session). Heyman believes interest will pick up this time around, but Martinez may retire if the Phillies win the World Series.
- Heyman believes the Red Sox are willing to offer Jason Bay four years and $60MM; the SI writer finds that "a bit short." We know that geography won't be a factor for Bay, he'd prefer to sign early, and the Red Sox will have a contingency plan in case they can't sign him. Click here to read Bay's comments from yesterday's WEEI chat.
- Hideki Matsui admitted he's comfortable with the Yankees, but said, "I have no idea" when asked if he expects to be back next year. The 35-year-old Matsui hit .274/.367/.509 in 526 plate appearances this year, but did not play in the field. A few weeks ago, Newsday's David Lennon suggested Matsui was eager to get back to left field and would even consider trying first base next year.
Odds & Ends: D’Backs, Iglesias, Moeller
Links for Friday…
- The Diamondbacks are looking to add a veteran setup man or two in free agency, explains MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
- The Boston Herald's Sean McAdam has an in-depth look at Red Sox shortstop prospect Jose Iglesias.
- Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post wonders if the Orioles will pursue Garrett Atkins in free agency, assuming he is released or non-tendered. Renck also notes that if the Mets are to sign Yorvit Torrealba this winter, they'll have to settle their 2007 grievance first.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun finds it "fairly likely" that catcher Chad Moeller will re-sign with the Orioles on a minor league deal, despite the team declining his $850K option.
- Tommy Bennett of Beyond the Boxscore looks at the relationship between the average MLB salary and the GDP.
Discussion: Rich Harden
Rich Harden carries a lot of upside for a Type B free agent. His well-documented injury history will prevent any club from risking offering the right-hander a long-term contract, but a one or two-year deal (perhaps with the second year as a club option, that could become guaranteed if Harden reaches certain performance levels) in the high seven-figure range per season could prove to be a relative bargain. Harden might be amenable to such a deal since it would allow him to cash in on an even bigger contract after the 2011 season when he's just 29 years old.
Harden only pitched past the sixth inning in five of his 26 starts last season as the Cubs wanted to keep him as fresh as possible. The Canadian was skipped for two September starts and spent a month on the disabled list with a strained back, but given the major arm problems that have plagued his career, this actually counts as a fairly healthy showing for the right-hander. Harden recorded an impressive 10.9 K/9 last season, and posted a 2.07 ERA in 25 starts with Chicago and Oakland in 2008.
The Cubs aren't likely to try and re-sign Harden themselves, thus leaving the door open for suitors who are willing to take the risk — and, probably more importantly, also have the financial resources to absorb the loss should Harden not pan out. The Red Sox fit this description to a tee, and unlike last winter's similar buy-low signings of Brad Penny or John Smoltz, Harden has experience pitching in the American League.
What teams do you think will make a play for Harden, and, if your favorite team was the one making the offer, what would be the sort of contract and dollar figure you'd be comfortable seeing Harden in the fold for?
Odds & Ends: Bay, Rangers, Mariners
As we look forward to the inevitable battle of the bullpens in Game Two, here are a few newsbits from everywhere but Yankee Stadium in the MLB universe…
- R.J. Anderson of Fangraphs believes that the Red Sox will be making a mistake if they sign Jason Bay to the four-year/$60MM contract that Jon Heyman reported (via Twitter) the club is willing to offer.
- Rangers officials met Thursday with Dennis Gilbert, the lead man of an investment group interested in buying the club, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.
- The Mariners outrighted Bryan LaHair, Randy Messenger, Marwin Vega and Cesar Jimenez to Triple-A Tacoma, with Jimenez's assignment coming after the southpaw was activated from the 60-day disabled list. Left-hander Justin Thomas was claimed off waivers by Pittsburgh.
- MLB.com's Jen Langosch breaks down the Thomas signing for the Pirates, and notes that the Bucs still have one more 40-man roster spot to decide on before November 20.
Commissioner’s Office Says Rodriguez To Red Sox, Not Royals
3:04pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier writes, “According to a major-league source, the MLB Commissioner’s Office has ruled that the Red Sox still possess the rights to Reynaldo Rodriguez, a first baseman whom they acquired from the Yuma Scorpions of the independent Golden Baseball League earlier this month.”
According to Speier’s source, the Red Sox went through proper channels to acquire Rodriguez, and the player himself claims he hadn’t reached an agreement with Kansas City.
10:46am: The Royals have signed a prospect whose contract the Red Sox appeared to have purchased. Baseball America’s Matt Eddy reports that the Royals signed first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez. The 22-year-old, who has been playing in Colombian leagues, projects as a corner outfielder, if you ask Baseball America’s J.J. Cooper.
Earlier in the month, Baseball America named Rodriguez the best independent league prospect around. The Royals also signed Adam Frost, a 22-year-old infielder who had been playing in Winnipeg. BA named Frost the second-best indy league prospect, highlighting his speed and gap power.
Top Royals prospect Aaron Crow is no stranger to independent ball (he pitched for the Fort Worth Cats this year) and, as ESPN.com’s Jason Grey notes, many believe Crow could climb quickly through the minors.
Bay Open-Minded As Free Agency Nears
Jason Bay is keeping his options open as he approaches free agency. In a chat with fans on WEEI.com, Bay said he is open-minded about where and when he signs.
"The window for my career doesn’t last forever," Bay said. "So limiting myself to one geographical spot really has no bearing on my decision."
The 31-year-old outfielder said he understands he may not sign a deal right away, though he would prefer to sign soon. Bay repeated that he enjoyed playing for the Red Sox under Terry Francona, so a return to Fenway seems like a real possibility.
Jon Heyman of SI.com wrote today that the Red Sox may be willing to offer Bay close to $15MM per year for four years. Heyman guesses that the Giants and Mets may bid even more.
Bay's agent, Joe Urbon, told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com earlier in the week that his client is the "most complete" free agent out there. Advanced defensive metrics suggest that's not the case, but Bay's .921 OPS makes him one of the offseason's most coveted free agents.
Odds & Ends: Bay, Damon, Josh Johnson
More links for Thursday…
- Jon Heyman of SI.com suggests (via Twitter) that the Red Sox might be willing to offer Jason Bay $60MM over four years. Heyman can see the Giants and, possibly, the Mets bidding more than that for the Canadian left fielder.
- ESPN.com's Keith Law can imagine some team signing Johnny Damon to a three-year deal this offseason, but cautions that it's riskly to sign a player in decline to a long-term pact.
- Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald had an interesting line at the end of his article yesterday - the Marlins are "preparing a multi-year offer for Josh Johnson." Earlier in the month, Ken Rosenthal said signing Johnson was the team's top offseason priority.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro presents some of the options the Marlins are considering for their coaching vacancies. The team may hire longtime big leaguer Jamie Quirk.
- Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors is unimpressed with this year's class of free agent first basemen. Adam LaRoche should be productive next year and the Mariners will likely want to bring Russell Branyan back if he's not too pricey, but there's no Mark Teixeira around this year.
- Hissey responds to the Josh Johnson chatter, arguing that he's an elite pitcher worth investing in. He suggests a four-year $48MM deal would be fair for both sides. What kind of contract would you offer Johnson?
Aroldis Chapman And The Red Sox
Aroldis Chapman's agent told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe that his client was impressed with the Red Sox after visiting with the team yesterday. Edwin Mejia, who represents the 21-year-old lefty, said the visit with Red Sox executives and an unknown player was a "very good" one. But the Red Sox are far from the only team interested.
"I'd say ten teams have said they want to meet with us," Mejia told the Globe. "It's no secret who he is and what he can do."
Tim recently counted 12 teams with some interest, so Mejia may be getting more calls in the near future. ESPN.com's Peter Gammons believes the Red Sox may have an advantage over other bidders for Chapman; they signed shortstop Jose Iglesias, a former teammate of Chapman's, to an $8.5MM deal this summer.