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Cafardo On Red Sox, Ortiz, Saunders, Oswalt

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The Red Sox need a manager with some backbone, background, and one with plenty of experience, writes Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe.  Because the team lacked discipline last season, he writes, Boston isn't the place for a young manager at this time.  Here's more from Cafardo..

  • Orioles GM Dan Duquette met with Fern Cuza, David Ortiz’s agent, at the GM meetings.  Duquette and Cuza have been close over the years and worked together on deals for Cuza client Pedro Martinez.  Cafardo writes that Ortiz would be an intriguing figure at Camden Yards but in a radio interview over the weekend, Duquette said that he was wary of signing a high-priced DH.
  • Whether the Diamondbacks tender Joe Saunders a contract or not, he becomes an interesting possibility for the Red Sox as a back-of-the-rotation starter.  MLBTR projects that Saunders is in line for $8.7MM in arbitration this year and readers' opinions were split on whether or not the hurler would be tendered.
  • Cubs GM Theo Epstein will listen to offers on Matt Garza and just about anyone on his team in order to replentish his farm system.
  • Roy Oswalt’s agent, Bob Garber, spoke to Red Sox GM Ben Cherington last Wednesday.  The Sox could use his leadership in the rotation but the veteran's price could be prohibitive.
  • One scout who watched Yoenis Cespedes work out last week said that the Cuban outfielder has great power but has concerns that he could be prone to striking out frequently.
  • As the Red Sox look for a pitching coach, Dave Wallace is an interesting name to keep in mind.  Wallace served as Boston’s pitching coach before John Farrell.  Minor league pitching coordinator Bob McClure could also be an option, depending on who the team's next manager is.
  • Cafardo opines that the Cubs should give up outfielder Tyler Colvin to the Red Sox to wrap up their Theo Epstein compensation talks.

Added To 40-Man Roster: Giants, Dodgers, Pirates

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Today is the deadline for teams to add players to the 40-man roster to protect them from next month's Rule 5 draft. Here's more on which players need to be protected and here are the details on which players have had their contracts selected to the 40-man roster:

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Outrighted To Triple-A: Dodgers, Cubs, Athletics

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Teams will be adding minor leaguers to their 40-man rosters today in anticipation of next month's Rule 5 Draft. In order to create roster space, some teams will outright players off of the 40-man. Here are the latest outright assignments from around MLB…

  • The Dodgers outrighted John Ely and Carlos Monasterios to Triple-A, reports Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).
  • The Cubs announced Esmailin Caridad, Lou Montanez and Kyle Smit have been outrighted off their 40-man roster.  The Cubs currently have six open spots remaining on their 40-man roster.
  • The A's announced that they outrighted right-hander Evan Scribner and outfielder Cedric Hunter to Triple-A.
  • The Rockies outrighted infielder Andrew Brown off of their roster, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).
  • The Twins announced that they outrighted right-hander David Bromberg off the 40-man roster.
  • The Pirates announced that they outrighted Matt Pagnozzi to Triple-A.
  • The Tigers announced that they outrighted Cale Iorg to Triple-A. The infielder split the 2011 season between Detroit's top two affiliates.
  • The Angels outrighted right-handers Francisco Rodriguez and Loek Van Mil to Triple-A yesterday, according to MLB.com's transactions page. Rodriguez, 28, has appeared in 53 games for the Angels since 2010, posting a 4.43 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 in 61 innings. Van Mil, a 7'1" native of the Netherlands, posted a 2.04 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 66 1/3 innings at Double-A in 2011. The Angels acquired him from the Twins for Brian Fuentes in 2010.

Cubs Notes: Sveum, Fielder, Wood

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Dale Sveum was formally introduced as the Cubs' new manager today.  Here are a few notes from Wrigleyville….

  • Sveum told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he hasn't talked to Cubs management about pursuing Prince Fielder this winter.  "We haven't gotten that far," said Sveum. "'Influence' is probably not the right word. I've been here 24 hours. I don't know how much influence I have."  Sveum did admit that if the Cubs did decide to target Fielder, "I think me being here can only help the process."
  • As Haudricourt notes in his piece, the close relationship between Sveum and Fielder will ensure some talk between the Cubs and the free agent slugger, since Scott Boras (Fielder's agent) will surely initiate contact if the Cubs don't.
  • Theo Epstein wants Kerry Wood to return to the Cubs next season, reports ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine.  "He makes us a better organization," Epstein said. "That's because of what he brings to the clubhouse as well as his leadership so I'd like to get him back in the fold and move forward with him." 

Sherman On Yankees’ Search For Pitching

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A year ago, the Yankees showed their reluctance to bid on non-elite free agent pitchers with substantial asking prices. Unless the current market for pitching changes, GM Brian Cashman may be searching for back-of-the-rotation bargains again. 

“I’d like to do something, but I am not going to do something at the current costs,” Cashman said, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

C.J. Wilson’s agent requested a New York meeting and the Yankees said they’d get back to the free agent left-hander, according to Sherman, Despite the lack of enthusiasm from the team, Wilson tops the Yankees’ list of free agent starters in terms of talent.

The Yankees have “looked into” Matt Garza, but a Cubs official downplayed the likelihood of any deal involving the right-hander, according to Sherman. The Yankees particularly like Gio Gonzalez and the Athletics are open to anything, but GM Billy Beane is asking for an ace return for Gonzalez or Trevor Cahill.

The Yankees like John Danks and the White Sox like many Yankees prospects, particularly Austin Romine. However, Danks is a free agent after 2012 and the Yankees are reluctant to over-spend on a pitcher they’ll have for just one year.

If the Yankees don't make a major acquisition before Spring Training, they could pencil C.C. Sabathia, Ivan Nova, A.J. Burnett and Phil Hughes into four rotation spots. Free agent Freddy Garcia could return on a one-year deal and prospects Manny Banuelos and Dellin Betances may contribute at some point in 2012.

Latest On Boston’s Managerial Search

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The Red Sox met with Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum yesterday to discuss the possibility of managing in 2012. Sveum obtained a job offer later in the day, but it was from the Cubs, not the Red Sox. Boston GM Ben Cherington now seems prepared to expand his managerial search. Here’s the latest…

  • The Red Sox haven't scheduled a formal interview with Valentine or arranged second interviews with other candidates, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. 
  • Cherington and Valentine met early on in the process, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald (Twitter links). Larry Lucchino has also met with Valentine. Silverman reports that Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo will get a second interview for the position.
  • Valentine has met with at least one Red Sox owner and will meet with the others, according to Rosenthal and Morosi (on Twitter). Interest between Valentine and the Red Sox appears mutual, according to ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes (on Twitter).
  • The Red Sox will take a breather before continuing the managerial search, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (on Twitter).
  • Cherington says his bosses did not undercut him during the process, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). "Absolutely not. I don't know where that comes from," he said.
  • The Red Sox haven't ruled out former MLB manager Bobby Valentine, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The FOX reporters say Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont made a strong impression with the Red Sox and note that Lamont's previous managerial experience may play in his favor.
  • "I don't know that that's accurate," said team president Larry Lucchino when asked if their search will consist of more experienced candidates, reports Rosenthal (Twitter links). "We're not in any rush," added Lucchino."[Terry Francona] was hired first week of December."
  • A source tells Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports that the Red Sox aren't out of the running for Sveum just yet, and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that they could still hire from their original group of candidates even if they expand the search (Twitter links).
  • The Red Sox aren't prepared to offer Sveum a managerial position at this time, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. The team expects Sveum to accept the Cubs' offer. 
  • Meanwhile, the Red Sox have been granted extensions to talk to Indians bench coach Sandy Alomar Jr., Blue Jays first base coach Torey Lovullo and Tigers third base coach Gene Lamont, Cherington told reporters. The Red Sox are no longer considering Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin. 
  • Dodgers third base coach Tim Wallach and Rays bench coach Dave Martinez won't be part of Boston's search if the Red Sox do expand their list of candidates, according to WEEI.com's Rob Bradford.
  • Peter Gammons of MLB Network suggests the Red Sox owners are prioritizing experience in the ongoing managerial search. “What a laugh,” Gammons writes after pointing out that all great managers start somewhere (Twitter link).
  • Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald heard earlier on in the process that Ryne Sandberg is a candidate to watch (Twitter link).
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says Boston's decision to decline Terry Francona's options for 2012-13 after their late-season collapse set in motion "a series of unfortunate events."

Red Sox Front Office Notes: Epstein, Shipley, Minaya

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Boston’s managerial search includes Bobby Valentine, according to reports today. Here are some notes on changes to the team’s front office…

  • The Red Sox and Cubs won't determine compensation for Theo Epstein until after the Rule 5 draft takes place in early December, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. "It’s very amicable. Lots of jokes about it," Epstein said. "We’ll see if we can get something done after the Rule 5 Draft.” Epstein left the Red Sox for the Cubs after the regular season and compensation has yet to be determined.
  • The Red Sox are expected to remove VP of player personnel and international operations Craig Shipley from his current position, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Shipley, a former MLB player, pushed for the deal that sent Josh Beckett and Mike Lowell to Boston for Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez.
  • The Red Sox may have interest in former Expos and Mets GM Omar Minaya, according to Maureen Mullen of CSNNE.com.

Dale Sveum To Manage Cubs

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1:33pm: The Cubs announced that Sveum will be their next manager. The sides agreed to a three-year deal that includes an option for 2015, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter).

12:12pm: The Cubs will hire Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum to be their next manager, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post (on Twitter). Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times hears that the Cubs may announce their next manager as soon as tomorrow (Twitter link) and suggests it will be Sveum. The Cubs offered the managerial job to Sveum yesterday.

Cubs president of baseball operations Theo Epstein would not confirm that the team offered Sveum the position, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. However, Epstein said the process is in its final inning. “We’ve got to get the 27th out,” he said.

At Least Three Teams In On Albert Pujols

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11:20pm: Jon Heyman of SI.com tweets that the dollar amount on the Marlins' nine-year offer to Pujols is believed to be "well below" what the Cardinals offered prior to the season.

7:56pm: We already know that the Marlins have made Albert Pujols a contract offer and that the Cardinals met with his agent today in Milwaukee, but Yahoo's Tim Brown says those are just two of at least three teams "actively jockeying" for Pujols' services. While Brown is unsure of the identity of the third team, he guesses it could be the Rangers or Cubs.

The list of suitors for Pujols figures to grow before the slugger eventually makes a decision. According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (Twitter link), the Cards plan to stay under the radar in the bidding, and say that nothing is imminent between the two sides (Twitter link).

Quick Hits: Wood, Red Sox, Angels, Lidge, Astros

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Let's round up some links left over from Day Two of the GM meetings in Milwaukee….

  • David Kaplan of CSNChicago reports that Kerry Wood is likely to return to the Cubs rather than retire, and may even sign a multiyear deal.
  • Echoing Larry Lucchino's sentiment from earlier this evening, GM Ben Cherington told reporters, including ESPNBoston's Gordon Edes (Twitter link), that there's "an expectation" the Red Sox will expand their managerial search. Dale Sveum, the only candidate the Sox have interviewed twice, has reportedly been offered the Cubs' position.
  • The Angels promoted Justin Hollander, previously the player development and scouting assistant, to director of baseball operations, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.
  • Brad Lidge's agent, Rex Gary, declined to comment to Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald about which clubs had contacted him about the right-hander. However, Gary continues to say his client is open to any role: "He's listening. We’ll listen to whatever clubs want to outline. He certainly can close, but he's open to any other circumstances that presents an opportunity for him to succeed."
  • The Angels are among the clubs who seem lukewarm about the idea of the Astros' move to the AL West, writes DiGiovanna.
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