A-Rod, Partial Cubs Owner?
UPDATE: Boras debunked the report. Well, it was fun to discuss for a few hours.
Deadspin‘s Will Leitch has an article in New York Magazine dissecting the Alex Rodriguez opt-out situation. Leitch, through a source, has a new piece of info for us sure to generate some discussion. He lists the Red Sox and Cubs as the teams most likely to lure A-Rod away from the Yankees, and lays out a unique Cub contract possibility:
Scott Boras knows which [ownership] group is most likely to be awarded the Cubs. The source says Boras has already been in touch with that group about the possibility of a contract that could reach $30 million a year over the next ten years while deferring a certain portion of money toward an eventual stake in the franchise.
David K. Li’s source feels that this might constitute tampering. The group Leitch is likely referring to is the one headed by John Canning, who is currently a part-owner of the Brewers.
Pretty wild stuff. Cubs fans can salivate over a lineup featuring Alfonso Soriano, Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, and A-Rod. Keep all of those guys healthy the next few years and they could have the league’s best offense. Still, ten year contracts are pretty rare and quite risky. It’s tough to project a player more than a few years out, but it’s going to take at least eight years to sign Rodriguez.
The Cubs have roughly $110MM on the books for 2008 (more on that in a separate post). They entered the ’07 season with a payroll right around $100MM. Even in a backloaded deal I’d imagine A-Rod would earn $20MM+ in his first year. So if the Cubs want to go past the $130MM mark, they could have Rodriguez. That’d put the Cubs third in payroll behind only the Yankees and Red Sox.
Lowell Seems Open To Yankees
Rob Bradford of the Boston Herald spoke to Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell recently about his future. Like most players, Lowell has a list of teams he’d consider. We know the Phillies are on that list, but it also appears that Lowell would also entertain jumping over to the Yankees.
As you know, Lowell came up through the Yankee system and made his Major League debut with the club in ’98. The strong support Lowell received while moving up the system has kept them in a positive light in his eyes despite the rivalry. Still, it’s been said that Lowell’s first choice is Boston and he might go for a two-year, $22MM deal.
Lowell is the fairly affordable third base alternative to Alex Rodriguez, should the superstar opt out. It definitely seems possible that the Yankees and Red Sox "swap" third basemen this winter. The difference between the two players so far has been 4.2 wins in A-Rod’s favor, according to Baseball Prospectus.
Yanks Likely To Exercise Abreu’s Option
Bobby Abreu has a $16MM option for the 2008 season with a $2MM buyout attached. Effectively, it’s a $14MM decision for Brian Cashman. Despite an awful start to the season, Abreu has solid counting stats and a .287/.367/.454 line overall. Since June 1st, he’s hitting an elite .320/.398/.548 in 347 ABs. Abreu will turn 34 in March.
According to both Buster Olney and Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, the option is a virtual lock to be picked up. Most teams would be very eager to sign Abreu on a one-year, $14MM deal, and that’s what this amounts to. Abreu would be much easier to trade than Johnny Damon, if Cashman wants to take that route.
Yankees Or Retirement For Pettitte
On September 6th, Jayson Stark mentioned hearing speculation that Andy Pettitte would opt out of his contract after the season and become the best available starter. But even then his source thought Pettitte’s main motivation would be to get more money or years and stay with the Yanks.
It’s clear now that Pettitte has no interest in sparking a bidding war for his services, even if he could. According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, it’s the Yankees or retirement for Pettitte in 2008. It’s kind of like Kenny Rogers‘ situation, only with an added focus on the desires of family. Reading the quotes from Pettitte, it almost seems like he could just exercise the $16MM option rather than opt out to extract a few more million from the Yankees. He just seems like the kind of guy who wouldn’t care.
You know what would be kind of funny? If the Astros somehow convinced him to return, gave him $16MM, and then his elbow blew up. OK, that might not be funny for some people.
Stark’s Latest: Clemens, Pettitte, Lowell
Jayson Stark has a new Rumblings and Grumblings column up at ESPN. Let’s discuss.
- Most folks think Roger Clemens will retire after the season. The "will he, won’t he" storyline is one I won’t mind avoiding this winter. Remember, back in February Roger said he told his son it was "80-20 that I wasn’t going to play." He also said, "I’m not leaving anybody hanging. I don’t want to play." Good riddance.
- Andy Pettitte has a $16MM player option for 2008. This is similar to an out clause, where it’s win-win for the player. He only exercises it if he couldn’t get it on the open market. Pettitte’s the best free agent starting pitcher if he opts out. Stark seems to think he’d decline the option but then just re-up with the Yankees for more money and/or years.
- Word is that Mike Lowell would enjoy playing for the Phillies if the Red Sox don’t re-sign him. Gordon Edes isn’t sure if the Red Sox would offer him three years, and believes another team might go four. A four-year deal would cover his age 34-37 seasons…probably a bad move. Then again, what do I know? I thought he was toast after 2005.
A-Rod And The Angels
With the Yankees starting a series in L.A. on Monday, it was only natural for some Alex Rodriguez to the Angels speculation to surface. Indeed, George King of the New York Post and Ben Villa of the L.A. Daily News mention the topic this morning.
King’s not completely sold that the Yankees will abstain from bidding if Rodriguez opts out. As for Scott Boras, he’s not concerned about Brian Cashman’s assertion regarding the opt-out clause.
Still, King notes that the Angels are one of few teams that can afford a $30MM player. And Arte Moreno would love the marketing boost. Moreno said in June that paying A-Rod $25MM+ would be disrespectful to other Angels players, despite the team’s seven-year, $118MM offer to Alfonso Soriano. Most folks believe Moreno is just posturing, and I’m inclined to agree. I think they’ll be involved if Alex opts out.
Villa simply mentions "whispers in the air" about the Angels pursuing Rodriguez this winter.
Don’t forget the Red Sox, who are expected to make a "huge push" for A-Rod if he opts out.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Damon, Glaus, Wells
Ken Rosenthal has a new column up; here are some rumor-related points of interest.
- As you know, it doesn’t make sense for the Yankees to keep both Bobby Abreu and Johnny Damon around for 2008. It’s just not an efficent way to spend $29MM. Rosenthal says Damon would be open to waiving his no-trade clause, if the Yankees struck a deal with a team that fell under his 12-team protection. Damon is apparently open to regular playing time on teams not located on the West Coast. The White Sox, Phillies, Braves, or Astros might make sense, in my opinion. The Yanks’ ability to pull an exercise-and-trade with Abreu’s 2008 option is hindered by his full no-trade protection.
- Rosenthal believes the Blue Jays might aggressively shop Troy Glaus this winter. Glaus surprisingly cleared waivers recently. Glaus is holding all the cards – he has a full no-trade clause and a player option for 2009.
- The Rockies will pass on David Wells, but the Dodgers are still interested. The Rox might still go for Steve Trachsel if they opt for experience over potential.
- Craig Monroe seems to be an option for second-tier clubs, especially if he becomes a free agent. The Giants will pass.
Yanks, Padres Fail To Reach Igawa Deal
Disappointing lefty Kei Igawa will not be traded this season. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees chose not to dump Igawa’s contract on the Padres, and the two sides couldn’t reach an agreement via trade. The Padres had won the claim on Igawa, which shows just how little interest there was around baseball.
As I mentioned a couple days ago, the Yankees don’t really have an opening for Igawa in 2008 if all goes according to plan. Many teams have shown past interest in Igawa, including the Orioles, Mariners, Padres, D’Backs, Dodgers, Mets, Cubs, Braves, Tigers, and Indians. Igawa had expressed a desire to pitch on the West Coast.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Possible Waiver Deals
Ken Rosenthal has a new post up; below are some points of interest for rumor-hounds like us.
- Josh Towers and Steve Trachsel have both cleared waivers. You’ll find their contract info as well as a complete list of those who have cleared waivers here. Rosenthal says the Rockies are monitoring both pitchers; they were forced to start journeyman Tim Harikkala today. The Rox also called the A’s about Chad Gaudin but found the price prohibitive. Another reason a Gaudin trade wouldn’t make sense is that he wouldn’t pass through waivers.
- Towers is attracting multiple suitors. I think he’ll have moderate success in the NL as a #4 starter.
- Mark Loretta and Mike Lamb were both claimed on waivers and then pulled back, so they’re not going anywhere.
- The Yankees have no reason to throw down a chunk of change on a free agent starter this winter. They’re all set for 2008 with a formidable rotation of Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Chien-Ming Wang, Mike Mussina, and Andy Pettitte. I think we’ve learned by now that there’s really no such thing as a surplus of starting pitching, so I imagine the Yanks will only trade Kei Igawa in the right deal. Buster Olney said this morning that there was a 50% chance of Igawa going to the Padres soon. Additionally, it will be nice to have Ian Kennedy around as the sixth starter.
Graziano’s Latest: Andruw, Dunn, Fukudome
Dan Graziano has a new article up regarding the free agent outfielder crop. He spoke to two anonymous GMs. Let’s take a look at some highlights.
- Andruw Jones has an awful .216/.312/.418 line this year. He’s been outdone by Shawn Green, Sammy Sosa, Jose Vidro, and Shannon Stewart in terms of OPS. Nonetheless, Jones isn’t expected to come at a discount. Scott Boras will just play up the defense, the RBIs, the career totals, whatever.
- Graziano says "it’s hard to see" the Reds picking up Adam Dunn‘s $13MM option. This would just be plain dumb on Wayne Krivsky’s part. Given the $0.5MM buyout, it’s basically like signing Dunn to a one-year, $12.5MM deal. How many teams would pass on a huge power bat on a no-risk one-year commitment? If the Reds don’t exercise the option, it will be change for change’s sake. And a bad decision.
- Kosuke Fukudome is the dark horse, a possible impact right fielder from Japan. He will not require a posting fee. Graziano says the Red Sox, Yankees, Cubs, and White Sox are among the teams scouting him. More on Fukudome in a separate post.