Odds & Ends: Webb, Abreu, Indians
Here are some afternoon tidbits:
- The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro, in his latest piece, reiterates that Brandon Webb only wants to discuss his 2010 option. The Diamondbacks are hoping to add a 2011 option to the deal. Webb, however, hopes a healthy 2010 will increase his 2011 value.
- Dave Cameron at Fangraphs breaks down Bobby Abreu's value, and concludes that a two-year, $16MM offer from the Angels is a fair one.
- Both Bobby Valentine and Clint Hurdle refused to comment on Cleveland's managerial search, adding to speculation that both are being considered for the job.
- The Baltimore Sun's Peter Schmuck thinks that Bob Melvin should be Baltimore's next bench coach.
Odds & Ends: Astros, Indians, Reds, O’s, Reyes
Assorted rumblings from around the majors…
- Former MLB manager Ned Yost tells MLB.com's Alyson Footer that he thinks the Astros are just one starter away from having a quite a good rotation. (Footer agrees.) At the moment, the Astros have Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Brian Moehler, Bud Norris and Felipe Paulino.
- As Howard noted earlier, Yost is a candidate to manage the Astros next year.
- Former Nats manager Manny Acta confirmed to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com that he interviewed for Cleveland's managerial opening.
- As Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus notes, Mike Leake will make his unofficial pro debut in the Arizona Fall League today. The Reds chose Leake in the first round of this year's draft.
- If the O's decide to pursue John McDonald, Roch Kubatko of MASN.com expects they'd want him to play a utility role.
- The AP (via ESPN) reports that Jose Reyes should be ready for the 2010 season after undergoing surgery on his right leg in Dallas today.
Odds & Ends: Indians, Dodgers, Blue Jays
Because baseball should be in all four seasons, no matter what Forbes Magazine thinks…
- As Buster Olney first reported on October 3, Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell officially took his name out of the running for next manager of the Cleveland Indians.
- Joe Torre denied that life with the Dodgers is "a living hell", as Peter Gammons told Michael Kay on his radio show Wednesday. Torre did say, however, that he doesn't expect to manage past his 2010 contract.
- Perhaps the phrase will be used instead in the upcoming divorce proceedings between Dodgers owner Frank McCourt and his wife, Jamie. As a source described it to Ken Rosenthal: "They've already 'lawyered' up. They're trashing each other terribly. It's going to be World War III."
- Orlando Hudson is glad the Blue Jays traded him. Considering that he's still playing, and J.P. Ricciardi is out of a job, one can guess Ricciardi feels otherwise.
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, Bell, Acta, Rays
Another October day without baseball? Drown your sorrows in some links…
- Peter Abraham, in his new gig with the Boston Globe, thinks the Red Sox will tread cautiously with Japanese players like Yusei Kikuchi because of the "tug-of-war" they've gone through with Daisuke Matsuzaka concerning his conditioning methods. The Sox are among several teams scheduled to meet with Kikuchi in Japan later this week.
- MLB.com's Corey Brock fields a question about arbitration-eligible closer Heath Bell in his latest inbox. Bell is set for a substantial pay raise after tallying 42 saves in 2009. Should the Padres try to deal him this winter?
- Former Nationals skipper Manny Acta had a phone interview with Indians GM Mark Shapiro last week to discuss the Tribe's managing vacancy, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Acta will also interview Friday for the Astros' opening.
- According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, the Rays have hired former Astros pitching coach Dewey Robinson to their minor league staff.
Yusei Kikuchi To Meet With Seven MLB Teams
NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman has the latest on amateur lefty Yusei Kikuchi, based on reports from Nikkan Sports and Sanspo. Kikuchi still hasn't decided whether to start his career in MLB or NPB, but he's meeting with teams starting Friday. He'll first meet with a dozen NPB teams, followed by seven MLB clubs.
Nikkan's list of MLB suitors: the Giants, Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Rangers, Mariners and Indians. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince confirms the Indians' interest. Newman tells us all about Kikuchi in this post.
Manager Rumors: Astros, Indians
Teams with managerial openings will be deciding soon who will man their dugouts for the 2010 season. Some rumblings on the candidates….
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart writes that the Houston Astros' list of candidates features many familiar names, including Bob Melvin, Ned Yost, Manny Acta, and former Astros skipper Phil Garner.
- Jim Bowden of FOX Sports suggests (via Twitter) that Jim Fregosi is in the mix in Houston too, but McTaggart makes no mention of Fregosi.
- Although he's likely not an early frontrunner, Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills is excited about being considered by the Astros, according to ESPN.com's Amy K. Nelson. He says that he'd "love the opportunity [to manage]."
- The Cleveland Indians have been granted permission to talk to Red Sox pitching coach John Farrell, writes Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. However, even though MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince thinks that Farrell would be the best fit for the job, it sounds like Farrell wants to stay in Boston. In another Twitter update, FOX's Jim Bowden suggests that Farrell will remain a Red Sox in hopes of replacing Terry Francona down the line.
- It's not a managerial opening, but the Milwaukee Brewers are searching for a pitching coach. Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel thinks Rick Peterson remains the odds-on favorite, though the team continues to conduct other interviews.
Odds & Ends: Blue Jays, Braves, Indians, Jenks
Some more links for the afternoon…
- You heard all about one big trade that the Blue Jays didn't make, but Rob Bradford of WEEI.com hears the Jays were talking about another blockbuster. The Blue Jays made a play for Victor Martinez before the trade deadline this year, with an eye to contention in 2010.
- Rival GMs expect the Braves to pursue a right-handed hitter to play a corner infield or outfield position, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
- The Indians are considering "eight to 10" possible managers, according to the AP (via ESPN). GM Mark Shapiro says he hasn't asked permission to speak with candidates in other organizations. He says MLB experience is "helpful, but not a necessity."
- ESPN.com's Jayson Stark says Bobby Jenks will be tough to trade this offseason. In fact, Jenks is as much a non-tender candidate as he is a trade candidate.
- The Boston Globe reports that the Padres will consider Red Sox execs Jed Hoyer and Ben Cherington "very seriously" for the team's GM vacancy.
- Bill Shaikin of the LA Times wonders if John Lackey might see offers worth $100MM if he pitches well in October.
- Lynn Henning of the Detroit News wonders if the Tigers will consider moving Curtis Granderson this offseason.
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, V-Mart, Nats, Tigers
Some more links before another playoff triple-header…
- If you're rooting for the Red Sox this month, you have more in common with Theo Epstein than you might expect. The Boston GM tells Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe that he spends October "watching the fates unwind." Epstein has assembled a good team, but he sits back and watches this month with an understanding that good teams can't always win it all.
- As WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports, the Red Sox were in talks this summer to acquire Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee from the Indians for a prospect-rich package including Clay Buchholz.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier points out that it would have been hard for the Red Sox to find a more perfect fit than V-Mart.
- The Nats dismissed Jose Cardenal according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Cardenal had been a special advisor to the GM since 2005.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski was upset that Miguel Cabrera got drunk between games last weekend, according to the AP (via ESPN).
Odds & Ends: Red Sox, V-Mart, Nats, Tigers
Some more links before another playoff triple-header…
- If you're rooting for the Red Sox this month, you have more in common with Theo Epstein than you might expect. The Boston GM tells Adam Kilgore of the Boston Globe that he spends October "watching the fates unwind." Epstein has assembled a good team, but he sits back and watches this month with an understanding that good teams can't always win it all.
- As WEEI.com's Rob Bradford reports, the Red Sox were in talks this summer to acquire Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee from the Indians for a prospect-rich package including Clay Buchholz.
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier points out that it would have been hard for the Red Sox to find a more perfect fit than V-Mart.
- The Nats dismissed Jose Cardenal according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Cardenal had been a special advisor to the GM since 2005.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski was upset that Miguel Cabrera got drunk between games last weekend, according to the AP (via ESPN).
Odds & Ends: Rays, Marlins, D’Backs
You thought the season was over? It's just beginning!
- Bobby Cox is stunned that Fredi Gonzalez is on the hot seat in Florida.
- Arizona is replacing third base coach Chip Hale and first base coach Lorenzo Bundy.
- Steve Henderson is out as Tampa Bay hitting coach, while quality assurance coach Todd Greene was also sent packing, since for the 2009 Rays, quality was most certainly not assured.
- Albert Belle doesn't want to manage the Indians, in case they were wondering, which they almost certainly weren't.