Cubs Rumors: Hendry, Payroll, Ibanez, Roberts
Let’s talk Cubs.
- First things first – the Cubs need to lock in their GM. ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Cubs are currently trying to convince Jim Hendry not to opt out of his contract in December. Olney expects a new long-term agreement.
- Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago-Sun Times talked to Cubs CEO Crane Kenney, who anticipates another payroll bump despite ownership uncertainty. Maybe the $140MM range?
- Lot of talk about the Cubs adding a left-handed hitter for balance, with Kosuke Fukudome looking like a failure. Names suggested by Olney, Wittenmeyer, and Andy Dolan of Desipio.com: Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, David DeJesus, Milton Bradley, and Brian Roberts. Regardless of the path the Cubs take, they seem likely to accept shaky right-field defense in exchange for a middle-of-the-order bat. The Cubs could also consider Aubrey Huff or Adam Dunn, but they’d be even more of a stretch in right.
- Dolan would like to add a more complete shortstop. If the Cubs feel the same, they could again pursue switch-hitter Rafael Furcal and finally move Alfonso Soriano out of the leadoff spot.
- Everyone expects Rich Harden‘s $7MM option to be exercised, setting the ’09 rotation. The Cubs will look at Harden’s shoulder first though. Wittenmeyer recommends an aggressive run at C.C. Sabathia, which seems unlikely.
Fukudome Is Just A Rookie
While Japanese players are eligible for Rookie of the Year honors, they often come with much higher expectations than rookies. As evidence, scapegoat-du-jour Kosuke Fukudome has 3 years, $38MM left on his contract. That is a large commitment to a first year player who struggled more like a traditional rookie than delivering like a high-profile Japanese import.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says what to do with Fukudome is at the top of the Cubs offseason to do list. Says Rogers,
"According to scouts, Fukudome would have no value if Hendry tried to shop him. He isn’t going to go back quietly and resume his career with the Chunichi Dragons, walking away from his deal with the Cubs. That would send a terrible signal as teams around the majors become more aggressive in pursuing players from Asia. One scout interviewed Saturday suggested a course of action that could be tough to swallow.
‘He has to go to the minors,’ the scout said. ‘He has to get rid of all those habits, pulling out on pitches, collapsing. He’ll never hit the way he’s hitting now, and this is a tough place to work out your problems. Always has been.’"
Here we find the expected risk associated with giving large contracts to unproven commodities. It’s obvious Fukudome needs to make adjustments to big league pitching; however, his contract prevents the club from treating him as they should: like a rookie.
Fukudome put up .257-.359-.379 with 10 homeruns, 25 doubles, and an underwhelming 58 RBI. With a career OBP just under .400 in Japan, disappointment lies primarily in his .359 OBP and the inability to adjust and remain the tablesetter he was in May. Fukudome finished with a stat line less than that of a $12.5MM player and more akin to a rookie. As Rogers points out, Jim Hendry might need to treat him like one.
Edmonds Considers Retirement
Jim Edmonds is mulling over retirement, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun Times. The 39 year old is not complaining of breaking down physically and was a starter on the Cubs postseason roster so it’s evident the guy can still play. Still, as many-a-ballplayer considers at his age, Edmonds says, "I’m just trying to figure out what I want to do, what’s best for my family.”
While Edmonds admitted to "soaking it in" during his final games, Wittenmyer writes:
"The Cubs are expected to leave the door open for Edmonds to return but won’t break the bank to keep him off the free-agent market. Whether he returns to Chicago could come down to whether another team goes after him hard, whether a team closer to his Southern California home pursues him or whether he decides to retire."
There are 18 reasons to expect Edmonds to return. Needing only that many homeruns to reach the 400 mark, Edmonds should be motivated to find a full time role with a club this offseason. The outfielder made $8MM with the Cubs this season and while that amount could come down a notch, if Edmonds is healthy and motivated to put up another 20 homerun season then he should find plenty of interest.
Odds and Ends: Manny, Laird, Strasburg, Chipper
Let’s gather up today’s linkage.
- Andy Pettitte will probably pitch next year, but Mike Mussina remains an unknown.
- Reader Peter H. reminds us that the Brewers’ playoff berth means the Indians get to choose the player to be named later in the C.C. Sabathia deal.
- Ross Newhan finds it indisputable that the Dodgers and Angels have to re-sign Manny Ramirez and Mark Teixeira at any cost. Manny generated an estimated $7.6MM in extra revenue for the Dodgers. T.J. Simers snagged all kinds of quotes from Manny in recent articles, including one about Red Sox traveling secretary Jack McCormick dissing Manny in front of his teammates prior to the shoving incident.
- Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News names some possible fits for Gerald Laird this winter – the Tigers, Brewers, Reds, and Red Sox.
- The Nationals will pick first in the 2009 draft. Will they go for Stephen Strasburg?
- Kerry Wood felt bad about his three-year, $32.5MM deal, and basically signed a blank check after the ’07 season.
- Ron Villone would like to return to the Cardinals rather than attempt to tie Mike Morgan‘s record of playing for 12 different teams.
- Leo Mazzone or Rick Peterson for next Tigers pitching coach?
- Athletics Nation puts together a plan to compete in ’09 without sacrificing the future.
- Chipper Jones wants to retire a Brave. But if he doesn’t sign an extension beyond ’09 and the Braves want to trade him next summer, he’s got a short list of teams to which he’d accept a trade.
Heyman’s Latest: Gillick, Pedro, Dempster, McLouth
Here’s a look at the latest column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.
- Heyman is hearing "scuttlebutt" that GM Pat Gillick may not leave the Phillies after all.
- Theo Epstein’s new deal is worth about $7MM over three years, which might be highest among GMs.
- Pedro Martinez‘s agent insists Pedro will pitch next year. In May, Martinez said he wanted to pitch two or three more years a couple days after suggesting retirement was an option.
- Moises Alou is undecided on 2009.
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry expects to re-sign Ryan Dempster after the season.
- Heyman says the Yankees "will likely make a big play" for Nate McLouth. The Pirates center fielder is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, meaning he’s under team control for three more seasons. McLouth’s defense does not rate well (-21) under the previously discussed plus/minus system. Carlos Gomez is tops among CFs at +16. Rumored Yankees target Matt Kemp is a +1.
Odds and Ends : Snyder, Ludwick, Bradley
Reading material for Tuesday…
- Chris Carpenter is reportedly dealing with a unique and career-threatening nerve injury, which could increase the Cardinals’ need for starting pitching this winter.
- Viva El Birdos says the Cardinals should offer Ryan Ludwick and others for Matt Cain. Can’t hurt to ask.
- The Cubs claimed outfielder Brad Snyder off waivers from the Indians. He was the 18th overall pick in 2003, but hasn’t produced enough in the minors.
- Milton Bradley stands to earn another half-million bucks if he can snag seven more plate appearances. Bradley met with the Rangers a few months ago to discuss a long-term deal, but nothing is close. Bradley feels the Rangers are dragging their feet, and gives 50-50 odds on a return. He said he’d quit baseball if he couldn’t find a multiyear deal somewhere.
- Sam Mellinger reminds Royals fans that their long-term success hinges on the development of in-house youngsters rather than free agent signings.
- Steven Goldman notes that the Red Sox are far better prepared for the future than the Yankees.
Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Price, Reds, Mariners, Cardinals
Ken Rosenthal says that the Brewers’ decision to start CC Sabathia on three days’ rest could hurt the free-agent hurler right before he hits the open market. And he says David Price, coming out of the bullpen, could do for the Rays this posteason what Francisco Rodriguez did for the Angels in 2002.
Dusty Baker likes the Reds’ chances in 2009. Even though they’ve got nine free agents, Baker likes their "young nucleus" and speed.
Mariners’ watchers are looking forward to the day 19-year old prospects Phillippe Aumont and Michael Pineda join the rotation—but according to that article, they may still have to wait two or three years. Three years seems excessive to me, considering that Aumont already has four pitches and that Pineda, who admittedly is still working on his third pitch, possesses an excellent command of the strike zone.
The Cardinals are dealing with some pitching uncertainty: 40-year old Russ Springer is thinking of retiring, and they’re still waiting for the results of Chris Carpenter‘s MRI.
Lou Piniella says every team is built to win the World Series: "some get a chance to, and some don’t."
Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.
Odds and Ends: Lee, Rogers, Beltre, Darvish
Today’s random linkage…
- The Indians signed 21 year-old pitcher Chen-Chang Lee out of Taiwan. Anthony Castrovince has the scouting report. East Windup Chronicle says the bonus is in the $350-400K range.
- Kenny Rogers suggested Jim Leyland remove him from the rotation. Rogers still thinks he can pitch effectively next year at 44, however.
- Geoff Baker notes an extra benefit to delaying Adrian Beltre‘s surgery – the playing time could nudge him toward Type A status when he reaches free agency after the ’09 season.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday says Yu Darvish will probably not be posted this winter but could be after the ’09 season. Davidoff says the Giants, Orioles, and D’Backs have been heavily scouting Japan this year.
- The Cubs are looking at contract extensions for Lou Piniella and Jim Hendry, according to Gordon Wittenmeyer.
Odds and Ends: LaRoche, Bradley, Burnett
Digging into today’s random links…
- Joel Sherman looks at what went wrong for the Yankees this year. Did they fall too in love with their farm system?
- At least six teams have called the Pirates about third baseman Andy LaRoche in recent weeks. If LaRoche pans out and Pedro Alvarez comes aboard, the Bucs could have a surplus at some point.
- Craig Harris examines the rise of D’Backs GM Josh Byrnes.
- Eddie Bajek updated the Elias rankings for the AL 1B/OF/DH category. They’re fluctuating wildly. Eddie also did catchers for both leagues; Ivan Rodriguez is headed into Type B territory. Gregg Zaun lost Type B status.
- Mike Hindman conducted a roundtable asking what kind of contract the Rangers should offer Milton Bradley.
- 29 teams passed on Rays reliever Grant Balfour last spring. Now he has a 1.62 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 50 innings. Balfour’s been through a lot.
- Joe McDonald and Sean McAdam don’t see the Red Sox signing A.J. Burnett (or any big-name free agent starter).
- Padres CEO Sandy Alderson scoffed at the idea of a $40MM payroll for ’09. I never heard that figure tossed around; Buster Olney suggested the $50MM range.
- Maury Brown heard a rumor that Thomas Ricketts won the bid for the Cubs.
Molony’s Latest: K-Rod, Helms, Valverde
Let’s dig into the latest blog post from MLB.com’s Jim Molony.
- Molony believes the Mets, Cardinals, Rays, Tigers, Indians, and Cubs are considering signing Francisco Rodriguez this winter. I think K-Rod’s demands could cause a nice ripple effect for Brian Fuentes, the second-best closer on the market. Regarding Molony’s six teams, a strong case can be made against several of them signing Rodriguez. The Rays and Indians will probably take a careful approach to free agency, while the Tigers may not have room in the budget. The Cubs seem likely to bring Kerry Wood back.
- Also on the topic of K-Rod, ESPN’s Andrew Marchand (via MetsBlog) quotes the pitcher’s agent naming the Cardinals, Tigers, Dodgers, Angels, and Mets as the five likely serious suitors. They’re looking for 5/75.
- Wes Helms would like to return to the Marlins next year. Molony believes the Marlins may want to retain Helms or Luis Gonzalez but perhaps not both.
- The Astros would prefer an extension for closer Jose Valverde rather than a likely eight figure arbitration reward. Valverde, 29, could reasonably demand more than $50MM in a multiyear extension.