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Odds & Ends: Padilla, Acta, Gillick, Bradley

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More links from around the majors as we await the continuation of the NLCS…

Latest Rick Peterson Rumors

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MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that Rick Peterson is still the leading candidate to be named Milwaukee's pitching coach, and that Milwaukee likely tops Peterson's destination wish list.

But, as McCalvy put it, "the Brewers are looking at other coaches, and Peterson is reportedly looking at other teams."

Peterson told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel that he was interested in Florida's opening.

"I think they can win and I think they can win very soon," Peterson said. "With their young pitching, obviously you have to keep them healthy and get a little more production out of them. That's pretty much been my track record in my career."

According to McCalvy, Peterson also reached out to the Reds, though he has yet to be formally interviewed by Cincinnati.

Manager Rumors: Astros, Indians

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Teams with managerial openings will be deciding soon who will man their dugouts for the 2010 season. Some rumblings on the candidates….

  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart writes that the Houston Astros' list of candidates features many familiar names, including Bob Melvin, Ned Yost, Manny Acta, and former Astros skipper Phil Garner.
  • Jim Bowden of FOX Sports suggests (via Twitter) that Jim Fregosi is in the mix in Houston too, but McTaggart makes no mention of Fregosi.
  • Although he's likely not an early frontrunner, Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills is excited about being considered by the Astros, according to ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson. He says that he'd "love the opportunity [to manage]."
  • The Cleveland Indians have been granted permission to talk to Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell, writes Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. However, even though MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince thinks that Farrell would be the best fit for the job, it sounds like Farrell wants to stay in Boston. In another Twitter update, FOX's Jim Bowden suggests that Farrell will remain a Red Sox in hopes of replacing Terry Francona down the line.
  • It's not a managerial opening, but the Milwaukee Brewers are searching for a pitching coach. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel thinks Rick Peterson remains the odds-on favorite, though the team continues to conduct other interviews.

Heyman On Abreu, Fielder, Hoyer

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The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…

  • Heyman says the Angels and Bobby Abreu are still far apart on a new contract.  Abreu earned $6MM this year.
  • The Brewers will attempt to sign Prince Fielder to a long-term deal this winter.  Fielder, a Scott Boras client, is signed through 2010 and under team control through 2011.  Given the way teams pay for power, Fielder might expect $20MM+ to buy out free agent years.
  • Heyman sees Red Sox senior VP/assistant GM Jed Hoyer as the favorite for the Padres GM job.   

Odds & Ends: Reds, Brewers, Astros

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Some afternoon links:

  • Dusty Baker's job may not be safe in Cincinnati, writes Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune.  Owner Bob Castellini "reportedly has his eye on the Cardinals tandem of manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan."  Both men could go elsewhere if they so choose.  La Russa's contract expires at the end of the year and Duncan holds an option on a deal he signed around this time last year.
  • Rogers also says that the Brewers are telling teams they don't plan to trade Prince Fielder.  They are, however, looking for pitching in return for J.J. Hardy and Mat Gamel.  Recent comments by GM Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash indicated that Gamel will be on the trading block this winter.
  • Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle implores the Astros to hire Jim Fregosi as their next manager.  However, Justice says that former Nats skipper Manny Acta has the "inside track."
  • Cubs' broadcaster Bob Brenly had "informal talks" with Nationals GM Mike Rizzo earlier this year about their managerial vacancy, writes Dave Van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune.  The former D-Backs skipper said that it was "way too premature" for Washington to make a decision at that point.  Brenly has been interviewed by several teams in recent years, including the Cubs and Brewers.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Brewers, Tigers

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Let's take one more look around the web on this Friday evening:

  • Manny Acta confirmed to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that he has been contacted by the Astros regarding their managerial vacancy.  Acta managed the Washington Nationals for two-seasons-and-change, leading them to a 132-198 record in that time.
  • Adam McCalvy of MLB.com spoke to Rick Peterson, who said that Milwaukee is at the "very top" of his list.  McCalvy notes that Peterson wasn't completely out of baseball in 2009 as he was called in to help Scott Kazmir in Tampa Bay.
  • The Tigers have invited all of their coaches back for next season except for one, writes Jason Beck of MLB.com.  First-base coach and outfield instructor Andy Van Slyke has "decided to pursue other opportunities," according to a Tigers press release.
  • Patrick Hayes of MLive.com wants the Tigers to go after Milton Bradley and Justin Duchscherer.  ESPN's Rob Neyer offers up his response.
  • Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a look at top prospects Pedro Alvarez, Brad Lincoln and Jose Tabata as they are named three of the top players in the Double-A Eastern League.
  • Pat Gillick was surprised to hear that Bobby Cox will retire after 2010, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Mat Gamel, Trade Bait?

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Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel is speculating that Mat Gamel might be a candidate to be traded in the offseason based on comments made by Milwaukee general manager Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash during their end-of-season press conference on Wednesday.

The Brewers' management team said that Casey McGehee has "taken the bull by the horns" for the starting third base job next season in the wake of McGehee's .301/.360/.499 performance in 394 plate appearances as a rookie last season.  Gamel, in contrast, posted a .242/.338/.422 line in 148 plate appearances.

Melvin ruled out Gamel moving to the outfield and Ash said that the Brewers will "probably have to be higher risk taking than we have been in the past" in terms of dealing prospects, thus making it appear that Milwaukee will at least listen to offers for their slugging prospect.  Gamel is a year removed from an overall .923 OPS between Double-A Huntsville and Triple-A Nashville in 2008 and is an attractive option for a team looking to shed payroll and give the Brewers one of the starters on their winter wish-list.  An American League destination might be the ideal spot for Gamel, who made seven errors in 61 chances at third base last season.

Brewers Hope To Add Two Starters

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Brewers GM Doug Melvin spoke to reporters today, and Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has quotes.  A few highlights:

  • Melvin feels that re-signing closer Trevor Hoffman early will aid the Brewers in attracting free agent starting pitchers.  Melvin hopes to add two starters.
  • When asked about trading Prince Fielder or Ryan Braun, Melvin responded, "I don't see that happening."  Might as well close the book on those rumors.
  • The Brewers view Rickie Weeks as their starting second baseman, which implies they'll let free agent Felipe Lopez leave. 
  • Melvin told Haudricourt it would "be very difficult" for the Brewers to keep both J.J. Hardy and Alcides Escobar.  Hardy could be a great pickup given the scarcity of shortstops.  Also, Haudricourt thinks Mat Gamel could be available in trade.

Brewers Sign Trevor Hoffman

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WEDNESDAY, 10:51am: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has Hoffman's contract details; the deal was announced by the Brewers today.

MONDAY, 1:50pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says Hoffman's mutual option for 2011 could be worth up to $8.5MM depending on games finished in next year.  The option has a $500K buyout attached, and that "could increase to $1MM if Hoffman finishes 40 games."

10:17am: Closer Trevor Hoffman has agreed to terms with the Brewers on an $8MM contract for 2010, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.  The deal also includes a mutual option for 2011. 

Hoffman, 42 in a week, experienced a resurgence in 2009 despite spending most of April on the DL with an oblique injury.  His strikeout and walk rates actually worsened a bit, but he was able to drastically limit hits and home runs.  The Brewers are betting big bucks that those hit and home run rate reductions are somewhat sustainable.

Hoffman Close To Re-Signing With Brewers

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11:37pm: A bit more detail from SI's Jon Heyman, via Twitter:

Hoffman will be returning to the Brewers. Deal for about $8MM expected to be done within a week.

6:53pm: Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reports that Milwaukee and closer Trevor Hoffman have already begun discussing a return in 2010.  Hoffman, who is coming off of a one-year deal worth $6MM, said that the two sides were "pretty close" to an accord.  MLB.com's Adam McCalvy believes the deal will include some kind of 2011 option.

The likely future-hall-of-famer posted 8.0 K/9 along with an ERA of 1.70 this season – his best ERA since 1998.

Hoffman's deal will likely be a short one as he turns 42 next Tuesday.  If he does re-sign with the Brewers, it will certainly weaken the pool of available closers this winter.

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