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Yankees Fail To Sign Gerrit Cole

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FRIDAY: It’s official – Cole did not sign with the Yankees, according to Baseball America’s Jim Callis.  No matter how you spin it, this is an unfortunate development for the Yanks.

THURSDAY: According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, draft pick Gerrit Cole has chosen to attend U.C.L.A. rather than sign with the Yankees.  The 17 year-old did not make the decision because of money or Scott Boras.  He simply talked it over with his family and decided he prefers college.

Cole was drafted 28th overall, so the Yankees will receive an additional pick in that range in ’09 (depending on which other first-rounders do not sign).  The Yanks will have less leverage with that pick, as it will not carry over to 2010 if he does not sign.

Odds and Ends: Kendall, Laird, Giles, Manny

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Today’s linkage…

  • A friend pointed out to me how strange it is that the Twins were willing to take on Jarrod Washburn’s salary and give up Boof Bonser but chose to trade Johan Santana before the season.  If Bill Smith could go back in time, would he still make that deal?
  • A Gary Sheffield acquisition by the Rays is "unlikely but not impossible," according to one Buster Olney source.
  • As expected, Jason Kendall’s option for ’09 vested.  He’s off the list!
  • The Rangers were willing to trade Gerald Laird and a solid prospect to the Marlins for Chris Volstad.
  • The Padres are wavering on Brian Giles’ 2009 option.  Scott Miller also wonders if they’ll be able to take on Trevor Hoffman for another year.
  • Miller says the Marlins had a deal for Manny Ramirez worked out, but the commissioner’s office killed it because the Marlins would’ve been getting draft picks rather than a second player.  Manny would’ve vetoed it anyway.
  • Rob Neyer thinks the Yankees will exceed a $200MM payroll if need be next year.
  • There seems a good chance Randy Johnson pitches next year.
  • Randy Winn and Bengie Molina may be traded this winter.
  • Missed this one from Monday – the White Sox acquired reliever Franklyn German from the Pirates for a player to be named later.

Odds and Ends: Heyman, Vidro, Glavine, Falkenborg

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Let’s round up today’s links.

Draft Roundup: Dykstra, Smoak, Alonso

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Here’s a collection of links involving unsigned first rounders.

Heyman’s Latest: Washburn, Cashman, Garcia, Lofton

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman checks in with a new column.

  • Jarrod Washburn reportedly cleared waivers, though Heyman’s use of the word "reportedly" makes me think the statement came from one of the shaky reports floating about.  We’ll wait for definitive word on that one.
  • Heyman’s sources say the Yankees plan to offer a new contract to GM Brian Cashman after the season.  Hank Steinbrenner has apparently warmed to Cashman.  Additionally, "club higherups" expect Cashman will want to stay rather than jump to the Seattle job.
  • Heyman loves the Freddy Garcia acquisition; he wonders if Garcia will be motivated by Ozzie Guillen’s comments.  The White Sox weren’t interested; Guillen doesn’t think Garcia will be ready for the playoffs.  There’s a chance Garcia could return to the Tigers in ’09.
  • Heyman says it was a 2-2 vote whether to keep Manny Ramirez in Boston – Theo Epstein and Tom Werner advocating a trade, and Larry Lucchino and John Henry preferring to keep him.  Henry changed his mind and the deal was made.  Lucchino recently denied Heyman’s speculation that he might leave after the season.
  • The Rays made an offer to Kenny Lofton in spring and even gave Barry Bonds consideration.  But now a signing of either is "highly unlikely."  Giants GM Brian Sabean thinks the Rays should sign Bonds.
  • Heyman continues to speculate that Jim Bowden could be fired.
  • One GM expects the Padres to pick up Brian Giles’ $9MM option for ’09.  It’s an easy decision since it has a $3MM buyout.  However, Peter Gammons says it will be declined.

Gammons Chat: Lucchino, Lugo, Manny

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The Boston Globe has a Peter Gammons chat transcript up on its blog.  Let’s take a look at his nuggets of rumor wisdom.

  • Gammons heard from someone close to Larry Lucchino that the Red Sox would not let him leave.
  • The Red Sox could try to unload Julio Lugo in the offseason, or convince him to accept a super-utility role.
  • Gammons says neither Hank Steinbrenner nor Brian Cashman have any interest in Manny Ramirez as a winter signing.  He expects the Yankees to chase C.C. Sabathia.
  • Manny apparently wants four years and $100MM, but Gammons expects something more in the three years, low $40MM range.
  • The Red Sox have been looking for a young catcher, and Gammons guesses that Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Mike Napoli could be targets.  Evan Grant suggested today that the Rangers may prefer to deal Salty and keep Gerald Laird.

Hank Willing To Sign Top Starter For ’09

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I am not a fan of the way all of Hank Steinbrenner’s public comments are considered newsworthy.  However, it’s a slow morning so I’ll dutifully link to his comments to the AP yesterday.

Hank seems focused on ’09, which is reasonable given the Yankees’ slim chance of making the playoffs this year.  He expressed his willingness to sign a "top veteran pitcher."  Based on chats with fans, I get the impression they’re expecting C.C. Sabathia or Ben Sheets, plus new contracts for Andy Pettitte and Mike Mussina.  If Brian Cashman sticks around, I think he will have to get on board with this idea.  It also wouldn’t be surprising to see Ian Kennedy traded this winter, if he really is turning into Kei Igawa.

Odds and Ends: Ibanez, Dunn, Blake, Stewart

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Let’s kick off the morning with some random links.

White Sox Not Pursuing Washburn

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TUESDAY, 9:30am: De Luca’s latest article confirms Chicago’s lack of interest in Washburn.  De Luca says Washburn has "passed through waivers," by the way.

MONDAY, 10:22pm: Kenny Williams’ comments to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin seem to indicate a lack of interest in Washburn.

9:48am: According to Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times, the White Sox are pursuing Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn as a replacement for Jose Contreras.  Contreras may be out for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times heard from team sources on Saturday that Washburn cleared waivers.  Based on the Yankees rumors last month, it appears the Mariners are unwilling to unload Washburn solely for salary relief ($10.35MM in ’09).

ESPN’s Buster Olney had a conflicting report in yesterday’s blog.  Olney heard the claiming window remains open on Washburn until 12:30pm CST today, and the White Sox are considering putting one in.  Additionally, Ken Rosenthal said on Saturday that the Yankees will put a claim in for Washburn.  The Yanks have a worse record, so they’d win such a battle.

Olney also mentioned that Paul Byrd might make sense for the Sox.  Byrd has already cleared waivers.  Phil Rogers believes Aaron Poreda could be an option.

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