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Odds and Ends: Hunter, A-Rod, Bedard

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Sunday morning minor rumor collection…

  • There’s always some skepticism from readers regarding Charley Walters rumors.  Nonetheless I’ll report that he names the Nationals, White Sox, Braves, Yankees, and Dodgers as teams that will bid for Torii Hunter.  I don’t see the Braves getting involved at $15MM per.  And are the Dodgers ready to move Juan Pierre to left field already?  The other clubs named seem reasonable.
  • As expected, the Cardinals interviewed Chris Antonetti for their open GM position.  No doubt it’s an attractive position but you have to wonder what kind of autonomy he’d have with Tony La Russa around.
  • Larry LaRue makes the case for the Mariners tendering a contract to Horacio Ramirez.  He also notes that Jose Guillen is as good as gone and the Ms won’t consider A-Rod.
  • Speaking of that guy, Bill Price suggests the Mets should sign him and move David Wright to first base.  Carlos Delgado I suppose would be a very expensive pinch-hitter in 2008. 
  • Nick Cafardo expects the Orioles to shop Miguel Tejada this winter, which would surprise no one.  But he’s also hearing that Erik Bedard could be available.  Trades of either might be unpopular with the fanbase.  The trade market for starters could be hopping if Johan Santana, Bedard, and C.C. Sabathia are made available.
  • Joel Sherman says Koji Uehara is a free agent, but we have heard differently.  Anyway, the success of Hideki Okajima may create a minor bidding war for Hitoki Iwase.

Should Cards Pursue A.J. Burnett?

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Viva El Birdos has a well thought-out discussion of the prospect of the Cardinals trading Chris Duncan for A.J. Burnett.  I have a few thoughts to add.

In my opinion Burnett effectively has a one-year deal, only worse.  That’s because he has the ability to opt out after the 2008 season.  So one of two things will happen:

1. Burnett is healthy enough to pitch 170+ innings, opts out, and secures a four-year deal somewhere.

2. Burnett is not healthy enough to pitch 150 innings and chooses to accept the $24MM owed to him over the 2009-10 time period (I consider 150-170 innings a gray area).  If a team trades for Burnett, endures an injury-plagued ’08, and is then saddled with further burden, that’s worse than a straight-up one-year commitment like Jon Garland’s. 

My other thought is that Duncan is not a fit for the Jays.  They’re locked in with Lyle Overbay at first and Frank Thomas at DH.  Between Adam Lind, Travis Snider, and Alex Rios, the outfield corners are covered.  The Jays’ biggest need is a shortstop, also a need of the Cardinals.  I suppose Duncan could be part of a three-way deal. 

A takeaway, as noted at VEB, is that Burnett may well be the one available pitcher with #1 potential not named Johan Santana.  Another good point of theirs – he’s probably worth $12 mil as a 165 inning pitcher.

Latest Cardinals Hot Stove: Antonetti, Eckstein, Maroth

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Let’s take a look at what’s going on with the Cardinals.

  • Viva El Birdos has a hunch that Chris Antonetti will be the team’s next GM.
  • According to RotoWorld, the team has released Mike Maroth.  The 30 year-old lefty was terrible with St. Louis, but will probably hook on somewhere for $2-3MM.  He would’ve been non-tendered anyway.
  • Interim GM John Mozeliak recently talked about his dealings with David Eckstein.  No deal is imminent, and he may test the free agent waters.  I don’t see the team going with Brendan Ryan, so look for some trade activity this winter if Eckstein departs. 

Glavine Interested In Cards?

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Sounds like Tom Glavine is considering more options than just the Mets, Braves, and retirement.

According to Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Glavine has interest in finishing his career as a Cardinal.  While he might not be the "ace" the team is looking for, he might be the next best thing.

We also noted earlier this month that the Washington Nationals might be in the mix.

All that said, the Braves are probably still the favorite for Glavine.  David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution recently expressed near certainty that the Braves would sign him.

Odds and Ends: A-Rod, Posada, Cardinals

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A few articles that caught my eye this morning…

  • Scott Boras seemingly scoffs at the idea of Alex Rodriguez being forced by the Yankees to sign in November.  Reggie Jackson, a special adviser to the Yankees, thinks Rodriguez will top $300MM if he leaves.  Jackson takes a subtle shot at A-Rod for his lack of postseason heroics.  Rodriguez’s .279/.361/.483 career postseason line pales in comparison to Reggie’s .278/.354/.527.  Wait, no it doesn’t.
  • Barry Rozner thinks Jerry Reinsdorf could arrange for two blockbusters for his teams, netting Alex Rodriguez for the White Sox and Kobe Bryant for the Bulls.  Rozner thinks the $300 mil would come back five-fold.  Rozner manages to work in a shot at Aramis Ramirez, his second in two weeks.  What did Aramis do to Barry?  Anyway…I don’t consider the White Sox serious contenders for A-Rod. 
  • George King says Joe Torre’s departure is more likely to drive Jorge Posada away than Mariano Rivera. 
  • Bernie Miklasz talks about the Cardinals opening their wallet so far this offseason.  Is there a chance payroll could go past $115MM?

Cards Hope To Re-Sign Eckstein

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Last we’d heard, David Eckstein was expected to leave the Cardinals and sign with the White Sox, Tigers, or Mets.  However, the Cards’ team spokesman said two days ago when Joel Pineiro was signed that John Mozeliak’s next order of business was to re-sign Eckstein.

Eckstein earned $4.5MM this season in the last year of his three-year deal.  He turns 33 in January, and has averaged 120 games in the last two seasons.  Eckstein has a solid career OBP of .351.  There’s a great point-counterpoint over at Viva El Birdos about whether the Cards should re-sign him.  Their best estimate is that he would earn about $6-7MM per year on a two or three-year deal.  The Cards stand to net some solid draft picks if they let Eckstein walk in favor of Brendan Ryan or an external candidate.   

Odds and Ends: Wakefield, Guillen, Lowell

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Some random rumorage not quite worthy of individual posts…

Cardinals Sign Pineiro For Two Years

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Rather than test the market, Joel Pineiro has come to a two-year agreement with the Cardinals.  I’d mentioned earlier that I thought he was in line for a Jason Marquis 3/21 type deal.  According to Ken Rosenthal, it’s a two-year, $13MM pact. This seems like a solid move by John Mozeliak.  That’s the going rate or even a mild discount for a fourth starter, and Pineiro could be decent.

The Cards now have Adam Wainwright, Braden Looper, and Pineiro locked into the ’08 rotation.  According to Joe Strauss (linked above), the goal remains to acquire a "front-line" starter.  The Cards seemingly have about $20MM to spend this winter, and $5MM or so of that will go to Pineiro (depending on backloading).  Can a front-line starter and a power-hitter/shortstop be had for roughly $15MM total?

It can be done – Edgar Renteria makes a little more than $6MM, leaving maybe $9-11MM to spend on the starter.  Jon Garland and A.J. Burnett each make $12MM, Dontrelle Willis would be more affordable.  Guys like Joe Blanton and Noah Lowry are supercheap.  It just depends on how extensively the Cardinals want to mortgage their future to make a 2008 push.  They’ll either do it by trading good young players or by giving out at least one ill-advised long-term contract. 

Cards Negotiating With Joel Pineiro

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Cardinals interim GM John Mozeliak has already exercised Jason Isringhausen’s option and re-signed Russ Springer.  Next up: hammer out a multiyear pact with Joel Pineiro before he files for free agency.

Pineiro wants to start next year, and the Cardinals are definitely on board with that.  They have roughly $20MM to spend for at least two starters and a shortstop.  Some of that will probably have to come via the trade market. 

I don’t expect Pineiro to come cheap.  He posted a 3.96 ERA in 11 starts for the Cards, his first taste of the National League.  He bears some similarities to fellow future free agent Kyle Lohse, in that they’re relatively young and revived their careers in the NL.  Pineiro was HR-prone as a Cards starter, but he showed a career-low walk rate.

If he were to hit the open market, Pineiro would surely match Jason Marquis’ three-year, $21MM contract.  Wouldn’t surprise me to see him get the 3/25 of an Adam Eaton or Miguel Batista.  Surely Pineiro’s agent, Arn Tellem, is aware of this.  If Pineiro doesn’t test the waters, it would imply that he’s willing to settle for less money to remain a Cardinal.  I don’t see the Cards giving him a three-year deal. 

Random Rumors

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Some random rumors to help you get through your Thursday morning…

  • As you might imagine, the Rangers are keenly watching and hoping Alex Rodriguez opts out of his contract.  That would free up $7MM for them in each of the next three years.  Rangers’ manager Ron Washington’s wish list includes a center fielder, corner outfielder, and first baseman.  The Rangers have been connected to Torii Hunter quite a bit, but they’ll have plenty of competition.
  • Will the exchange rate free up a bunch of money for the Blue Jays?  Perhaps even enough to make a pass at A-Rod?  Hey, fans can dream.  Mine!
  • Something I didn’t mention yesterday – Elijah Dukes is playing winter ball.  The Rays still don’t seem to have any room for him in the outfield or at DH.  Maybe the Marlins will get involved again?  Would Kevin Gregg work?    
  • Gordon Wittenmyer thinks the Cubs should keep Jacque Jones for 2008, which makes sense.  Wittenmyer also believes 22 year-old Felix Pie with 194 big league plate appearances, has proven conclusively that he can’t hit Major League pitching.  His suggestion is to trade Pie now.
  • Larry Borowsky wants the Cardinals to sign Milton Bradley.   
  • Jeff Sackmann recommends against Geoff Jenkins’ $9MM option for ’08, but the decision was tougher than you think.
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