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Tigers Notes: Leyland, Scherzer, Jackson, Lamont

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Congratulations to the Detroit Tigers, who clinched their 11th American League pennant with today's 8-1 win over the Yankees in Game Four of the ALCS.  It was just the fifth "annihilation" sweep in a seven-game series in baseball history, as the Tigers not only won all four games, but never trailed at any point.  The Detroit victory could also be a good omen for the Cardinals in the NLCS — nine of the Tigers' 10 previous World Series opponents (the Cubs four times, the Cardinals thrice and the Pirates and Reds once each) have been NL Central teams.

Here's the latest from the Motor City as the Tigers look for their first Series win since 1984…

  • GM Dave Drombrowski told reporters (including Chris Iott of MLive.com) that Jim Leyland is welcome back to manage the Tigers in 2013. "He knows that. He's in a situation where we want him back, and I'm sure that he wants to come back," Dombrowski said. "But there's a time and a place for that. It's not right now." Leyland isn't under contract for 2013 but said last week that he wants to manage next season.
  • The contributions of Phil Coke, Austin Jackson and Max Scherzer have made the Tigers the winner of their blockbuster 2009 trade with the Yankees and Diamondbacks, writes Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press.  The D'Backs received Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson while the Yankees received Curtis Granderson, who struggled horribly in the ALCS and wasn't started in Game Four.
  • Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that he hasn't been contacted by the Red Sox about the manager's job.  Lamont was Boston's second choice behind Bobby Valentine last winter, and Lamont says that he wishes he'd been hired.  “I don’t know what the record would’ve been,” Lamont said, “but I’m positive it wouldn’t have been as chaotic.”

Alex Rodriguez Plans To Stay With The Yankees

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Alex Rodriguez told reporters (including Peter Botte of the New York Daily News and MLB.com's Bryan Hoch) that he will return to the Yankees in 2013 and he won't waive his no-trade clause.  "I will be back. I have a lot to prove," Rodriguez said. "I’ve never thought about going to another team. My focus is on staying here. Let’s make that very, very clear."  We heard earlier today from USA Today's Bob Nightengale that Rodriguez wouldn't ask for a trade himself, but has told his close friends that he would approve a deal if it was to another large market.

Rodriguez was again out of the starting lineup today, though he entered the game as a pinch-hitter and went 0-for-2 in New York's 8-1 loss to the Tigers that eliminated the Yankees from the postseason.  Rodriguez appeared in just six of the Yankees' nine playoff games, delivering three hits (all singles) and two walks in 27 plate appearances.

This disappointing postseason performance has led to speculation about Rodriguez's future with the Yankees.  The Marlins have been linked to the Miami native, but executives on both sides have denied that talks have taken place.  Beyond Rodriguez's no-trade clause, of course, is the $114MM remaining on his contract through the 2017 season, his age (37), his recent injury history and the fact that Rodriguez posted a .783 OPS in 2012, his career low for a full season. The Yankees would have to eat most, if not all, of Rodriguez's remaining salary unless they got another bad contract back in return. 

AL East Notes: Ausmus, A-Rod, Orioles, Red Sox

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Brad Ausmus has a supporter in former teammate Andy Pettitte, who tells Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald that Ausmus would be a "great" choice to manage the Red Sox.  Ausmus is one of four candidates (along with Tim Wallach, DeMarlo Hale and Tony Pena) who have interviewed for the job, though the Sox are also negotiating with the Blue Jays about manager John Farrell.  Here's the latest from around the AL East…

  • Sources familiar with the Dodgers' and Marlins' plans tell Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that neither team has an interest in Alex Rodriguez.  The Miami source said that rumors about talks between the Yankees and Marlins about Rodriguez are "BS. [It's] not happening."
  • The Angels may not be interested in an A-Rod-for-Vernon Wells deal due to the salary differences and the fact that the Angels see prospect Kaleb Cowart as a potential starting third baseman by 2014, opines MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (Twitter links).
  • Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun grades each member of the Orioles' roster.
  • As the Red Sox and Blue Jays continue to negotiate about Farrell, an anonymous AL East GM tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that he isn't a fan of manager trades.  "I don't think it's a great practice to deal for managers. I'm surprised the league allows it," says the general manager.  "If the guy doesn't want to be there you just let him go. What's the big deal? You get someone else who does want to be there and who you feel will do a good job."
  • Gerry Hunsicker and Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman talk to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times about Hunsicker's decision to leave the Rays for the Dodgers.
  • From earlier today on MLBTR, I compiled some news about the Blue Jays.

Alex Rodriguez Might Accept Trade

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Alex Rodriguez would welcome a trade from the Yankees under the right circumstances, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. Rodriguez won’t ask to be traded, but he has told close friends he won’t block a deal as long as he’s going to a large-market team.

The Marlins, Angels, White Sox and Dodgers could pursue the slumping 37-year-old, Nightengale suggests. Rodriguez can block any trade and has five years and $114MM on his contract, so he won’t be easy to move. At this level, dollars figure in as much as talent. "They're not trades. They're business deals," Brewers GM Doug Melvin noted.

Baseball executives suggested to Nightengale that Rodriguez is worth $7-10MM per season at this stage in his career. Manager Joe Girardi has benched Rodriguez against right-handed pitching, an indication the Yankees doubt his ability to produce. The Yankees and Marlins have reportedly had preliminary discussions about a deal involving Rodriguez, though both sides have publicly denied the reports.

Yankees, Marlins Had Preliminary A-Rod Talks

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THURSDAY: Marlins president David Samson told Joe Frisaro of MLB.com that there have been "no conversations between the Yankees and the Marlins.”

WEDNESDAY: Earlier today, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman shot down a report from Keith Olbermann which indicated that the club has talked with the Marlins about a possible trade involving Alex Rodriguez.  However, Yankees president Randy Levine and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria have in fact had a casual conversation about relocating the embattled third baseman to Miami, a source tells Wallace Matthews and Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. 

It should be noted that the conversation first began in a "joking" fashion according to the report, which would indicate that any talks between the two sides are in an embryonic stage.  However, the source believes that the chat could develop into serious trade talks this winter.  Loria reportedly said, "Alex is Mr. Miami, it would be great if he played here for us."  The Yankees president then responded, "You can have him."

A second source with knowledge of A-Rod's thinking said Miami is likely the only place that he would accept a trade to.  For his part, Levine refused to comment on the conversation with Loria in an interview with ESPN New York's Ian O'Connor and declined to speculate on Rodriguez's future with the Yanks beyond this year.  Rodriguez is owed $114MM over the next five years, not including potential bonuses for home run milestones.

It would not be unprecedented for Yankees brass to conduct business with limited involvement from Cashman.  Two years ago, the club brokered a substantial deal for reliever Rafael Soriano despite the GM's objections.

Olney On Rodriguez, Blue Jays, Ausmus

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Everyone’s talking about Alex Rodriguez these days, but some of the chatter out there can be misleading. ESPN.com’s Buster Olney works his way through some popular theories involving the slumping Yankees slugger, separating myth from reality. Here are Olney’s latest notes…

  • The Yankees will probably talk to the Marlins about a deal involving Rodriguez “just to get rid of an outdated superstar,” Olney writes. Mark Buehrle and Heath Bell could end up going from Miami to New York if the sides complete a trade. The Yankees and Marlins have had preliminary talks about a possible deal.
  • Olney suggests it’d be a clear sign that the Blue Jays don’t view John Farrell as their manager of the future if they’re willing to discuss sending him to the Red Sox. If the Blue Jays aren’t convinced Farrell is their man, they should complete a deal without haggling too much, Olney writes. The Red Sox have begun compensation talks with Toronto, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reported yesterday.
  • Brad Ausmus, a candidate for the managerial opening in Boston, did well in his interview, Olney reports.

Quick Hits: Youkilis, Indians, Dodgers, A’s

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The Cardinals took a 2-1 series lead over the Giants in the NLCS after a three-and-a-half hour rain delay brought the game to a halt in the seventh inning.  Meanwhile, the Yankees and Tigers will have to wait until tomorrow afternoon to kick off Game 4 of their series due to the threat of storms headed towards Comerica Park.  Here's tonight's look around baseball..

  • Some see the Indians, with new manager Terry Francona in the fold, as a threat to sign Kevin Youkilis, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  The White Sox are expected to decline the veteran's $13MM option for 2013 but would like to have him back in the clubhouse next season.
  • Matt Eddy of Baseball America looks at the best surprises to come from minor league free agents this season.  At the top of the list are Gregor Blanco of the Giants and Miguel Gonzalez of the Orioles.
  • Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter) doesn't think that the Dodgers should expect third baseman Luis Cruz to have a repeat of his success next season, but he also doesn't view Alex Rodriguez as a solution either, given his declining slugging percentage dating back to 2007.  As Rodriguez continues to struggle in New York, some have speculated that the spend-happy Dodgers could have interest in him this offseason.
  • Jane Lee of MLB.com previewed the Athletics heading into the 2013 season and notes that the return of Stephen Drew would create heavy competition around him at second and third base.  Drew has a $10MM mutual option for next year.

Yankees Notes: Rodriguez, Cashman, Ibanez, Swisher

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Here's a look at the latest on the Yankees as they look to stave off elimination in Detroit tonight..

  • It wouldn't be surprising to see the Yankees shop Alex Rodriguez this offseason given his struggles, but Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com notes that there would be several hurdles for the club to clear first.  Chief among them is Rodriguez's veto power and a friend of the veteran told Heyman that he will "never leave" New York.  A report from earlier this evening indicated that Rodriguez would give Miami consideration if the opportunity arose according to a source familiar with his thinking.
  • Prior to tonight's game, Rodriguez told reporters that he "loves" the Yankees organization, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
  • While Yankees president Randy Levine and Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria have reportedly kicked around the idea of a deal involving Rodriguez, GM Brian Cashman made it clear that he has had no such discussion with the Marlins, tweets Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
  • Raul Ibanez and Hiroki Kuroda are among those who have boosted their free agent stock with strong performances during the regular season and playoffs, Heyman writes.  Meanwhile, a Jayson Werth-type deal for Nick Swisher can now be ruled out as the slugger has been unable to show that he can perform consistently in the postseason.

Quick Hits: Yankees, Orioles, Scutaro, McCann

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The Yankees are not talking about a potential Alex Rodriguez trade with the Marlins, according to GM Brian Cashman. Cashman said Keith Olbermann’s report about trade talks is "not true," according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. It’d be an unusual time to discuss a trade, as the Yankees are still in the playoffs and the Marlins have uncertainty in their front office. On to today’s links…

  • Orioles executive vice president Dan Duquette said Jim Thome "did a nice job" in Baltimore and "added a real veteran presence,” Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. Thome sounds undecided about his next step, but he could re-sign with Baltimore this coming offseason. Making room for him on the roster could require some creativity on the part of Duquette and manager Buck Showalter.
  • Baseball executives Brian Sabean (Giants GM), Dan O'Dowd (Rockies GM) and J.P. Ricciardi (Mets special assistant) agree that Marco Scutaro is a talented played with toughness, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. The Giants infielder stayed in the game to deliver a key hit after being knocked down by Matt Holliday’s overly aggressive slide in the second game of the NLCS.
  • Brian McCann could miss the beginning of the 2013 season to recover from shoulder surgery, so the $12MM club option on his contract presents the Braves with a quandary, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes. McCann doesn’t have much to worry about in Olney’s estimation. Either the Braves bring the 28-year-old back or he hits free agency and draws interest from many teams, especially AL clubs looking at him as a catcher/DH.
  • It's too soon to know if the Braves will pick up the option, but MLB.com's Mark Bowman would guess that McCann will be back.

Carroll, Paulino, Eveland, Thomas Hit Free Agency

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We'll track the day's minor moves here…

  • Outfielder Brett Carroll and catcher Carlos Maldonado also elected free agency, Matt Eddy reports (on Twitter). Carroll appeared in five games for the Nationals this past season and Maldonado appeared in four.
  • Catcher Rob Johnson is a free agent after being removed from the Mets' 40-man roster, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports. Johnson, 30, appeared in 17 games for the Mets this year plus 45 contests for their Triple-A affiliate. 
  • Orioles catcher Ronny Paulino and left-hander Dana Eveland also elected free agency, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (Twitter links). Eveland appeared in 14 games for the Orioles, posting a 4.73 ERA, and Paulino appeared in 20 games.
  • Yankees left-hander Justin Thomas also elected free agency, according to Eddy. The Yankees outrighted Thomas to Triple-A earlier in the month.
  • Blue Jays reliever Juan Abreu has also elected free agency, Eddy reports. Abreu posted a 6.80 ERA in 42 minor league relief outings this past season.
  • The Brewers announced that Livan Hernandez and Yorvit Torrealba elected free agency after refusing outright assignments to Triple-A. The moves are procedural, as Hernandez and Torrealba were expected to hit free agency.
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