Odds & Ends: Gonzalez, Halladay, Rangers
Here's some links to kick off the week…
- Bill Center of The San Diego Union Tribune reports that the Padres haven't contacted John Boggs (Adrian Gonzalez's agent) to discuss a contract extension yet, mentioning that Gonzalez could be an $18-20MM player. FanGraphs valued Adrian's 2009 performance at $28.4MM, tenth best among position players.
- The Toronto Star's Richard Griffin looks at some potential suitors for Roy Halladay, saying that there are ten teams that meet the necessary criteria to make a deal work.
- Meanwhile, Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe touches on two players figured to be tied to the Red Sox this winter: Gonzalez and Halladay.
- T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com writes that the Rangers have plenty of trade fodder thanks to their pitching, and they may be willing to deal someone like Brandon McCarthy.
- Scott Lauber of The News Journal looks at some third base options for the Phillies.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday ranks the ten best general managers, with Billy Beane taking the top spot for the second year in a row.
- John Lowe of The Detroit Free Press takes a look at the key free agents in the AL Central.
- MLBTR's own Cork Gaines analyzes how the Rays have fared in free agency during Andrew Friedman's tenure.
- J.C. Bradbury defends his stance that just because there are more available free agents at a given position, it doesn't mean their prices wil drop.
Phillies Decline Option On Pedro Feliz
Scott Lauber of Wilmington News Journal reports that the Phillies have decided not to pick up Pedro Feliz's $5.5MM option. While it remains possible for Feliz to return to the club, Lauber writes that it is unlikely.
In 625 plate appearances this past season, Feliz turned in a slash line of .266/.308/.386, which meant an OPS of .694 – his worst since 2002. Feliz's calling card is his defensive play at third but his UZR/150 of 5.0 – while still above average – was his worst posting since the stat was first monitored in 2002.
With a number of options available on the free-agent market and the trading block, who should the Phillies get to play third base?
Phillies Notes: Lidge, Happ, Feliz
After falling short in their quest to repeat as world champions, Ruben Amaro Jr. & Co. are charged with the task of putting the organization in position to take the crown in 2010. Buster Olney, Baseball Prospectus and the Insider Staff reviewed the Phillies' '09 campaign and discussed what might be in store for them this winter. An Insider subscription is required, but here are some highlights for those without:
- With $11.5MM committed to Brad Lidge in each of the next two seasons, the Phillies are likely to keep him penciled in as their fireman. However, the club could seek out a veteran set-up man who could step into the closer role if "Lights Out" gets lit up again.
- Using J.A. Happ as the centerpiece, the Phillies could have the goods necessary to snare Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays. Halladay, like Cliff Lee, will be a free agent after 2010. Therefore, the Phillies would have to make sure they can keep at least one of the two pitchers before making such a deal.
- If the Phillies choose not to pick up Pedro Feliz's 2010 option, "don't be surprised" if they pursue free agent Adrian Beltre. Olney recently wrote that the 30-year-old third baseman would be a "spectacular fit" for the club. Dan Uggla is also mentioned as someone who could fill the void. Uggla played a less-than-stellar second base this season but could find himself more comfortable at third.
Odds & Ends: Torre, Figgins, Mora
A few links to browse while we continue the countdown to the GM meetings….
- 2010 may not be Joe Torre's last season in Los Angeles after all, according to T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.
- Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer writes that any Phillies fans expecting the club to go out and land another elite starting pitcher this offseason will be disappointed.
- FOX Sports's Jon Paul Morosi explains why the trade market might be busier than usual this year, and looks at what players could be dealt next.
- MASN's Roch Kubatko examines the Baltimore Orioles' third basemen, past and future. He's skeptical that the Orioles will pursue Chone Figgins this offseason because manager Dave Trembley wants a power hitter at third base. He also wonders if Melvin Mora might end up in Philadelphia.
- Kirk Gibson won't earn a shot at a managerial gig this year, but he may get an opporunity in the not-so-distant future, according to John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.
- The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice is ready to cut ties with Miguel Tejada and hand over the Astros' third base job to Chris Johnson.
- Steve Slowinski at DRays Bay asks what the Rays ought to do with Andy Sonnanstine, and formulates his own solution.
Odds & Ends: Cubs, Cuddyer, Eyre, Marlins
Let's check out a few Saturday evening links….
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune writes that the Chicago Cubs seem prepared to part ways with Rich Harden and Reed Johnson.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer isn't a big fan of the Minnesota Twins' decision to exercise Michael Cuddyer's 2011 option.
- Potential free agent Scott Eyre will have surgery on his left elbow, according to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. Zolecki mentions that Raul Ibanez and Brad Lidge will also go under the knife. Eyre and Ibanez should be ready for the start of spring training, but Lidge may need a little more time.
- John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle doesn't think the New York Yankees will be able to hold back on their spending this offseason, and expects them to make a big free agent splash or two.
- MLB.com's Joe Frisaro projects the Florida Marlins' payroll for 2010.
- We heard earlier today from Toronto Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, regarding his club's offseason plans. Dave Rutt at Batter's Box provides an interesting article on the same subject, sharing his own thoughts on how to improve the Jays.
Phillies Considering Third Base Options
Phillies' GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the team is "actively exploring alternatives" to third baseman Pedro Feliz before deciding whether or not to pick up his option, according to Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer.
"More than anything else, we want to see what options may be out there for us and decide whether picking his option up is best suited for this club to try to move forward," Amaro said.
"He had a solid year for us," Amaro said. "I like the man personally. He's a great person and a great teammate, but I also believe in trying to improve, and sometimes change can be for the better. It doesn't necessarily mean we're going to, but it's just something that we're thinking about."
The Phightin's must decide whether to pick up Feliz's $5MM option or buy him out for $500K by Monday.
There are several third base options on the free agent market that could pique Amaro's interest. Both Adrian Beltre and Chone Figgins would represent a significant offensive upgrade at the position, and according to UZR/150, they'd even provide a defensive boost over Feliz's already sterling glovework. I'm just throwing two names out there, we haven't seen the Phillies connected to either Beltre or Figgins yet.
Phillies Notes: Myers, Stairs, Eyre, Park
4:32pm: MLB.com's Todd Zolecki tweets more info on the Phillies. He says that if Matt Stairs returns, it would be a minor league deal. The team will wait to see how Scott Eyre's elbow surgery turns out. And they've contacted Chan Ho Park's agent about a possible new contract.
1:33pm: Pitcher Brett Myers was told today by Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. that the team will not pursue a new contract with him, according to Jim Salisbury of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Myers told Salisbury he's open to starting or relieving with his new club.
Myers, 29, posted a 4.84 ERA in 70.6 innings this year. The Phillies' Opening Day starter missed time with hip surgery and a back strain. He could be an interesting buy-low opportunity for many teams.
Phillies Exercise Option On Cliff Lee
The Phillies exercised their $9MM option on lefty Cliff Lee, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The move was a no-brainer for the Phils, as Lee posted a 3.22 ERA in 231.6 innings this year and won the Cy Young award in '08. Next on the docket: long-term extension talks. Also, the Phillies must decide on Pedro Feliz's $5.5MM club option by Monday.
Olney On What’s Facing The Yankees And Phillies
We haven't had a World Series rematch since the Yankees and Dodgers squared off in 1977 and then again in 1978, but that doesn't stop ESPN's Buster Olney from looking at what stands in the way of another Yanks-Phils Fall Classic in 2010.
Let's round up some hot stove talk…
- Olney guesses that the Yankees won't tender Chien-Ming Wang a contract, but they may decide to pursue another starter through trade or free agency.
- Given Brad Lidge's awful year, Olney thinks the Phillies "will be diligent in internally identifying a solid Plan B." He notes that there are plenty of pitchers available this offseason with experience closing games.
- The Phillies hold a $5MM option for third baseman Pedro Feliz ($500K buyout), so the team must decide what to do there. He mentions that free agent Adrian Beltre "would be a spectacular fit" for Philadelphia.
- Olney believes it's a lock that the Yankees will offer Andy Pettitte arbitration. Pettitte had just a $5.5MM base salary in 2009, but he brought home over $10MM thanks to incentives. An arbitration case would be based on the actual money earned, so Pettitte could be in line for $12-14MM if he accepts.
Odds & Ends: Myers, Lackey, Hardy, Holliday
Here's some Thursday links…
- Brett Myers said it would be "upsetting" to leave Philadelphia, according to FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi. It would make sense for Myers to market himself as a starter this offseason, but Morosi points out that the Phillies already have five starters returning in 2010.
- Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com doesn't see the Orioles opening their wallet for John Lackey. He points out that Jeremy Guthrie's numbers are on par wth Lackey's over the last few years.
- Charley Walters of The Pioneer Press says it wouldn't be surprising to see the Twins pursue J.J. Hardy if Orlando Cabrera departs via free agency. He says Glen Perkins "would seem a likely bet to be included if there were an offer to the Brewers."
- Matt Cerrone at MetsBlog.com wonders if Matt Holliday is worth $17MM per season for six years.
- Tom Singer of MLB.com previews this year's free agent class.