Angels Rumors: Teixeira, K-Rod, Uggla
The Angels were eliminated, so it’s time to look forward to the offseason. Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times has the latest.
- Mark Teixeira said the right things again, about how his time with the Angels gives him something to think about as a free agent. Joel Sherman believes Tex is a great fit for the Yankees, even if he is the "ultimate Boras client." Sherman figures the Yanks, Red Sox, Orioles, and Angels will compete for Teixeira.
- Francisco Rodriguez‘s first choice is the Angels. Sherman believes the Angels’ apparent willingness to let K-Rod go is a warning sign for other teams like the Mets.
- Garret Anderson will be bought out for $3MM, and didn’t want to discuss whether he’d return after that. Shaikin says Chone Figgins could move to left field if Anderson leaves.
- Shaikin says the Angels have considered acquiring Dan Uggla as a way to compensate if Teixeira leaves. Uggla would probably play third base.
- John Lackey answered in the affirmative when asked whether he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before considering an extension. Lackey’s $9MM option is an easy decision but he is a free agent after the ’09 season.
Odds And Ends: Cardinals, Astros, K-Rod
Links for Saturday…
- It doesn’t sound like Jon Daniels has autonomy in Texas.
- Ian Hunter of Country 103.9 in Ontario recently talked to MLBTR about the Blue Jays. Click here to download the mp3.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty has talked to three or four of the Reds’ nine free agents. John Fay speculates those players are David Weathers, Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Lincoln, and Jeremy Affeldt.
- The Padres’ grievance against shortstop Khalil Greene won’t be heard until spring. The case of Doyle Alexander may be a precedent; the Yankees were not able to recover any money after Alexander broke a knuckle by attacking a dugout wall in ’82.
- Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at the Redbirds’ upcoming offseason. Leach estimates that after all the contract and arbitration items are settled, the Cards will have around $25MM to look for a middle infielder, a middle reliever, and perhaps a new closer or #4 or #5 type slugger.
- Likewise, earlier this week Astros MLB.com beat writer Alyson Footer reported on GM Ed Wade’s offseason plans. Wade is expected to make some tweaks to the roster, but it’s unlikely he’ll make any major moves. Footer suggests the Astros could look for a couple of rotation arms, and speculates on the possibility of signing Ben Sheets.
- The O.C. Register’s Mark Whicker doesn’t see Francisco Rodriguez coming back to the Angels.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 {at} umpbump {dot} com. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Vlad, Cano, Peavy, Hardy
Today we have a fresh column from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Vladimir Guerrero‘s $15MM option for ’09 is a lock, but perhaps the Angels will reconsider extending him beyond that. Some of the money could be used to make Mark Teixeira the next franchise player.
- Rosenthal says "virtually every club with a need at the position" has shown interest in second baseman Robinson Cano. If you give Cano a mulligan for April, he hit .297/.326/.448 in 2008. That seems like a reasonable American League projection going forward. Cano, 26 in a few weeks, is signed through 2011 with two club options beyond that. The Yankees would look for a starting pitcher in return.
- Rosenthal agrees the Padres will explore the trade market for ace Jake Peavy. He expects Kevin Towers to wait until the big-name free agent starters sign, which will accentuate the relative affordability of Peavy’s contract (basically four years, $63MM).
- Rosenthal says Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy knows he is likely to be traded to make room for prospect Alcides Escobar. It’d be a reasonable move, but only if Escobar proves he is a capable replacement.
- Pat Gillick told Rosenthal he will not be returning as Phillies GM next year, despite recent speculation.
Odds and Ends: Cabrera, Sabathia, Gillick
Your hot stove links for Thursday…
- Ken Fidlin of the Toronto Sun thinks the Blue Jays should consider Rafael Furcal. I concur. But even after missing most of ’08, Furcal probably won’t have to take a one-year deal unless he wants to.
- Phillies GM Pat Gillick didn’t rule out the possibility of returning to Toronto as the team president.
- River Ave. Blues doesn’t see the Yankees or Red Sox acquiring Matt Holliday.
- The Mariners are down to 10-12 names in their GM seach, before conducting a single interview.
- David Steele of the Baltimore Sun wants the Orioles to give Daniel Cabrera one more chance. Cabrera is arbitration-eligible and should earn at least $3MM in 2009.
- Jim Baumbach of Newsday looks at free agent considerations for the Yankees and Mets.
- Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle says there are indications the Giants will gauge C.C. Sabathia‘s interest in signing with them. I would be surprised to see the Giants win the bidding.
- Angels owner Arte Moreno seems willing to stretch payroll past $124MM for the right players. The Angels’ postseason performance will be a big factor.
- Central Maine Sports Blog talked to Gary Carter, Buster Olney, Brad Wilkerson, and others about the Montreal Expos.
Odds and Ends: Manny, Laird, Strasburg, Chipper
Let’s gather up today’s linkage.
- Andy Pettitte will probably pitch next year, but Mike Mussina remains an unknown.
- Reader Peter H. reminds us that the Brewers’ playoff berth means the Indians get to choose the player to be named later in the C.C. Sabathia deal.
- Ross Newhan finds it indisputable that the Dodgers and Angels have to re-sign Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira at any cost. Manny generated an estimated $7.6MM in extra revenue for the Dodgers. T.J. Simers snagged all kinds of quotes from Manny in recent articles, including one about Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick dissing Manny in front of his teammates prior to the shoving incident.
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News names some possible fits for Gerald Laird this winter – the Tigers, Brewers, Reds, and Red Sox.
- The Nationals will pick first in the 2009 draft. Will they go for Stephen Strasburg?
- Kerry Wood felt bad about his three-year, $32.5MM deal, and basically signed a blank check after the ’07 season.
- Ron Villone would like to return to the Cardinals rather than attempt to tie Mike Morgan‘s record of playing for 12 different teams.
- Leo Mazzone or Rick Peterson for next Tigers pitching coach?
- Athletics Nation puts together a plan to compete in ’09 without sacrificing the future.
- Chipper Jones wants to retire a Brave. But if he doesn’t sign an extension beyond ’09 and the Braves want to trade him next summer, he’s got a short list of teams to which he’d accept a trade.
Perrotto’s Latest: GMs, Angels, Offseason Moves
John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up, let’s take a look at what he has to say:
- Perrotto believes that there’s a good chance that the only GM change baseball will see this offseason may be the one we already know about, as Pat Gillick has already announced his retirement. Perrotto cites Assitant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. as a likely replacement. The most likely other change is in Seattle, and cites Dodgers’ Assistant GM Kim Ng as a possible replacement, which would make her the first female general manager in the game’s history. Perrotto believes Cashman and the Yankees will work something out, though notes that if Cashman leaves, he will ascend to the top of both the Mariners’ and Phillies’ lists.
- Angels’ owner Arte Moreno says that the 2009 club will not exceed the current $123MM payroll. This leaves the Angels with hard decisions on Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Garrett Anderson, Juan Rivera, and Jon Garland. Of all those options, I see Teixeira as the top priority, as well as the most likely to return. Garland and Rivera seem like certainties to be gone, with Garland being one of the more appealing starters on the free agent market.
- The Robinson Cano trade rumors continue, as Perrotto expects the Yankees to make a run at Orlando Hudson. Giving up on Cano seems like a mistake to me, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to the expectations he set when he nearly won a batting title in 2006. The Yankees are also not likely to re-sign Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu.
- The Tigers feel they have a good chance at re-signing Freddy Garcia for 2009. Garcia could potentially be a nice rebound candidate in a rotation that desperately needs help. Perrotto mentions that Detroit has considered Derek Lowe as a possibility, but I don’t see how that could work with the Tigers trying to cut payroll at the same time. One thing seems certain: Kenny Rogers will not be pitching for Detroit in 2009.
- The White Sox have removed the nameplate from Joe Crede’s locker. Doesn’t seem like he’ll be back in 2009, not that that’s necessarily a new revelation.
- The Royals/Jeff Francouer rumors continue in Perrotto’s column. It’s been written all over the site, but doesn’t it seem like the Royals should actually be pursuing people who have a career OBP that isn’t lower than several good hitters’ career average?
- The Giants are willing to trade Matt Cain for a solid power hitter in return. Again, I think keeping a rotation headed by Cain and Tim Lincecum for the next few years is a far better option than trading Cain.
- The Pirates have said that the only guarantee for their rotation next season is Paul Maholm. It’s been a rough season for Ian Snell, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot as well, unless they’re not positive he’ll still be with the club.
- The Mariners will likely non-tender Erik Bedard, completing the downward spiral on what has been one of the worst trades in recent history. Bedard will have shoulder surgery and likely miss a good portion of 2009.
- Speaking of disappointing moves: Both Greg Maddux and Kosuke Fukudome are in danger of being left off their respective teams’ postseason rosters.
Angels Intend To Hold Line On Payroll
According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, Angels owner Arte Moreno has no intention of increasing 2009 payroll significantly beyond the current $123MM. Playoff success could add some flexibility, but not enough to retain all of the team’s free agents.
Interestingly, Moreno’s comments did not dispel the C.C. Sabathia speculation:
"We always try to stay very focused on pitching, and right now we think we have a solid one through four. But do you go out and get a No. 1, or do you look for a 2, 3 or 4? We have a wish list of things we think will improve the team. But what you go after could affect your flexibility."
DiGiovanna says the Angels should have about $87MM committed before dealing with free agents. So, the Angels might have around $38MM to spend.
There are scenarios where the Angels could sign two of the big three: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, and C.C. Sabathia. Their best bet would probably be Tex and Sabathia. The Angels will have to be careful not to backload too heavily, since they’ll need to spend big bucks to extend Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey beyond 2009.
Meanwhile, it seems possible free agents such as Garret Anderson, Jon Garland, Juan Rivera, and Darren Oliver move on.
Mets Likely To Pass On K-Rod?
Newsday’s Ken Davidoff spoke to a "person informed of the Mets’ thinking," and learned that they will not be signing free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez. This is not because of the $10.5MM owed to Billy Wagner next year – that’s a sunk cost. It’s just that the Mets would rather try internal options than hand out another record-breaking contract. Davidoff does not expect the Mets to pursue Brian Fuentes either. He sees the Mets re-signing Luis Ayala and then focusing on starting pitching.
Davidoff examines the likelihood of the Angels, Cardinals, or Tigers signing Rodriguez. He seems to consider the Cards the favorite. The Cardinals may entertain re-signing Jason Isringhausen, but that wouldn’t take them out of the market for a closer.
A closer vacancy and a ton of money…not many teams fit that description. Will K-Rod have a disappointing winter?
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Floyd, Winn
Here’s a look at the latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- Heyman heard recent "scuttlebutt" that C.C. Sabathia does not want to play for the Yankees. They’re still expected to make a large offer, and Heyman also expects a big play from the Angels. Sabathia reportedly prefers California but has become more open-minded to other locations.
- Cliff Floyd plans to play next year, hopefully for the Rays. The team has a $2.75MM option with a $250K buyout. He’s worth it.
- Heyman notes that Randy Winn would’ve made a fine acquisition for another club. The 34 year-old is hitting .315/.372/.438 in 611 plate appearances. He’s set to earn $8.25MM in ’09 and can block deals to ten teams.
Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Steinbrenner, Heilman
Let’s take a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com.
- Heyman talked to "several baseball people" who believe the Angels will be a player for C.C. Sabathia this winter. Possibly, but I think re-signing Mark Teixeira will be their top priority. Heyman spoke to a competing owner who can’t see the Angels doing two $100MM+ deals.
- Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s recent comments a slap at GM Brian Cashman, but notes that Hal is running the team.
- The Rockies and D’Backs have inquired about Aaron Heilman in the past; they may view him as a starting candidate.