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Boston Says Okie-Dokie To Okajima in 2009

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The Red Sox announced Saturday that reliever Hideki Okajima’s option has officially vested for next season.

Because he pitched in 115 games this season and last, the Red Sox were bound to pick up Okajima’s $1.75 million option for 2009.

Entering Saturday’s doubleheader with Toronto, Okajima, 32, has pitched in 123 games over the past two seasons. This season he’s got a 2.88 ERA with 52 strikeouts in 56.3 innings. Those are impressive numbers, though he’s had a bit of a problem allowing inherited runners to score.

Still, Okajima for $1.75 million is a steal — an absolute no-brainer. Other teams are paying set-up men far more, and have had to hand out long-term contacts, like the Phillies gave to J.C. Romero (three years and $12 million) or the White Sox gave to Scott Linebrink (four years and $19 million).

Oh, and Okajima’s got the absolute greatest theme song.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.

Rockies May Consider Trading Holliday, Atkins

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Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News thinks the Rockies are primed for a major shakeup this winter.  Specifically, GM Dan O’Dowd could move two star players in Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins.

Ringolsby figures the Phillies, Angels, Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox will be the main suitors for Holliday.  The 28 year-old is hitting .311/.403/.492 on the road this year, suggesting he could be a .900 OPS masher in any park. I’m not seeing the fit for the Red Sox, while the Yanks could work Holliday in if they let Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu leave.  The other three teams also make sense in certain scenarios.  But do the Phillies have the top-level pitching needed to acquire Holliday?  It’s been suggested in the past that dark horses such as the Royals or Nationals could enter the mix for the slugger.

Atkins, 28, is hitting .235/.281/.386 away from Coors.  His road OPS was under .800 last year as well, so suitors will be wary.  Ringolsby suggests the Angels, Twins, Red Sox, and Yankees here.  Again I don’t see the fit for Boston.  The Twins would need faith in Atkins’ ability to play third base.  Unlike Holliday, Atkins is under team control through 2010.

Tazawa Headed To MLB

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As expected, amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa has decided to forego Japanese baseball and sign with an MLB team.  The Braves, Tigers, Red Sox, Pirates, Mets, and Yankees are thought to be in on him.  Patrick Newman has a slew of links and videos on Tazawa here.

I am curious what NPB fans think of this development.

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Pavano, Penny, Burnett

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Random links to start the morning…

  • Ben Shpigel says Billy Wagner’s $10.5MM for ’09 is not covered by insurance, making the Mets unlikely suitors for K-Rod (hat tip to MetsBlog).
  • The Padres claimed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.  You have to like the move; he’s only 24.
  • Ken Davidoff writes about Nationals pitcher Tim Redding, who dreams about returning to the Yankees one day.
  • Davidoff also says that contrary to popular belief, C.C. Sabathia did not buy a home in Southern California.
  • In another post, Davidoff lists the worst trades of ’08.
  • Nats GM Jim Bowden will probably bring in a veteran first baseman next year due to health concerns with Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young.
  • Not much cooking on the Pedro Alvarez front…Bud Selig testified yesterday, and the next part of the hearing isn’t until September 23rd.
  • Andrew Baggarly explains Bengie Molina’s contentious relationship with the Giants.
  • From Saturday: Carl Pavano’s side of the story.  Can Pavano be a useful pitcher next year?
  • Larry Borowsky would like to see the Cardinals enterain an extension for Todd Wellemeyer.  He’s eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
  • Joel Sherman isn’t sure the Yankees will invite Andy Pettitte back next year.
  • Brad Penny says he pitched through a shoulder injury because of uncertainty around his ’09 option.
  • Interesting fact…A.J. Burnett is second in MLB with 3286 pitches thrown (Sabathia jumped into the lead last night).  Many of the ’07 leaders in pitches thrown came down with injuries this year.
  • Michael O’Keefe sits down with agent Scott Boras.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney notes that the Blue Jays will pursue a shortstop this winter.
  • All you ever wanted to know about Dr. James Andrews.
  • Jed Hoyer explains where Curt Schilling learned his negotiating tactics.

Padres Were “Livid” When Giles Nixed Trade

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San Diego Union Tribune’s Bill Center talked to Padres manager Bud Black about Brian Giles, who could be a free agent after the season.

And do you pick up Giles $9 million option for 2009 or let him walk into free agency with a $3 million buyout?

“Brian still gets it done,” Padres manager Bud Black said last night after the Brewers snapped a four-game losing streak and inched to within four games of the plummeting Chicago Cubs in the National League Central race.

“Brian is a mainstay player.”

While Black thinks Giles is a mainstay, the Padres front office obviously feels differently. Buster Olney says he heard that "the Padres were livid when Giles vetoed the trade that they pursued with the Red Sox in August."

Will San Diego buy out Giles after this season? If you believe the rumors that the franchise is looking to cut payroll, then it makes sense that they would.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.

Heyman’s Latest: Colletti, Maddux, Burnett

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The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • Dodgers owner Frank McCourt is "fixated" on the team’s recent unsuccessful free agent signings.  You have to wonder if he’ll direct Ned Colletti to exercise caution this winter.  Heyman’s sources say McCourt intends to stick with Colletti for ’09.
  • Greg Maddux is "said by friends to want to return next year."  Tim Keown wrote in April that Maddux told teammates this is his last season.
  • Heyman is now saying Larry Lucchino is likely to remain Red Sox president.
  • Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s suggestion of interest in A.J. Burnett "the clearest example of tampering in recent history."
  • Miguel Olivo has a reputation as a player who does not get along with his manager.

Odds and Ends: Soto, Joba, Colletti, Tazawa

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Let’s dig in with today’s links!

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hendry, Burnett, Laird

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Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports has a new column up.

  • Rosenthal fills us in on Jim Hendry’s contract status: Hendry controls his own fate with an option for ’09.  If the new Cubs ownership doesn’t want to extend him beyond that, he could elect free agency this winter.  Click here to download a spreadsheet of Hendry’s trade history.
  • Teams with third basemen to trade this winter are at an advantage due to the weak free agent market.  Names like Garrett Atkins, Melvin Mora, and Hank Blalock could generate interest.  Blalock is a huge question mark though, and the Rangers still have to decide on his $6.2MM option.  Jorge Cantu, Adrian Beltre, and Kevin Kouzmanoff are other names to watch in my opinion.
  • Rosenthal talked to a rival executive who sees the Red Sox making a "major push" for A.J. Burnett if he opts out.  He can hindle the rigors of pitching in the AL East, and will also draw interest from the Yankees.
  • The Rangers may shop Gerald Laird this winter.  Laird, 29 in November, is under team control through 2010.  The Reds could be a nice match.
  • Marlins infielder Chris Coghlan can play second or third base, giving the Fish flexibility on whether they want to trade Cantu, Mike Jacobs, or Dan Uggla this winter.

Odds and Ends: Eaton, Tazawa, Royals, Jays

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Today’s links…

  • SI.com’s Tom Verducci ranks the five best midseason deals of the past 25 years.
  • Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should stick with Robinson Cano.
  • Pat Gillick says there’s a slight chance the Phils acquire a reliever this month.  He was not able to acquire Kyle Farnsworth in August.
  • MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan doesn’t put much stock in the rumor that Nolan Ryan will clean house in Texas.
  • Phillies GM Pat Gillick admitted signing Adam Eaton was a mistake.  Many MLBTR readers thought so when the signing was finalized in November of ’06.
  • The Red Sox hope to sign a Japanese amateur pitcher named Junichi Tazawa, which may not go over well with Nippon Professional Baseball.
  • Gil Meche, Joakim Soria, and Zack Greinke are pretty much off-limits.  Most other Royals are fair game in trade discussions.  GM Dayton Moore intends to make changes this winter, and may also dive back into the free agent market.
  • The Blue Jays have $15MM to spend, with needs at shortstop, first base/DH, and catcher.  GM J.P. Ricciardi would prefer to fill those holes internally.  Shysterball wonders why Ricciardi is talking about next year.
  • Michael Rosenberg says Ivan Rodriguez is all about the money.

Gammons’ Latest: Martin, Dunn, Quentin

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Here’s the latest blog post from ESPN’s Peter Gammons…

  • Takashi Saito is mentioned as a free agent this winter, but I believe it’s a situation where he can only re-sign, return to Japan, or retire.
  • Gammons heard talk that Russell Martin could be switched permanently to third base.  In that scenario, the Dodgers would sign a pitching-oriented catcher such as Jason Varitek.  Would that be a good move?
  • Adam Dunn knows it’s cliche, but he intends to prioritize winning over money when he hits free agency.
  • The D’Backs were asking a lot for Carlos Quentin last winter, with the White Sox, Red Sox, and Indians interested.  Josh Byrnes was not able to get Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, or Cliff Lee.  Arizona ended up getting Chris Carter from Chicago and flipping him to Oakland in the Dan Haren deal.  Carter mashed 39 home runs in A ball this year.  You can’t say the Diamondbacks gave Quentin away for nothing, since they acquired a crucial component for the Haren trade.
  • A year ago, Yankees GM Brian Cashman asked Joe Torre and his coaches their opinion on a Robinson Cano for Orlando Hudson swap.  Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa were heavily in favor of keeping Cano.
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