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Odds & Ends: Astros, Brewers, Tigers

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Let's take one more look around the web on this Friday evening:

  • Manny Acta confirmed to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com that he has been contacted by the Astros regarding their managerial vacancy.  Acta managed the Washington Nationals for two-seasons-and-change, leading them to a 132-198 record in that time.
  • Adam McCalvy of MLB.com spoke to Rick Peterson, who said that Milwaukee is at the "very top" of his list.  McCalvy notes that Peterson wasn't completely out of baseball in 2009 as he was called in to help Scott Kazmir in Tampa Bay.
  • The Tigers have invited all of their coaches back for next season except for one, writes Jason Beck of MLB.com.  First-base coach and outfield instructor Andy Van Slyke has "decided to pursue other opportunities," according to a Tigers press release.
  • Patrick Hayes of MLive.com wants the Tigers to go after Milton Bradley and Justin Duchscherer.  ESPN's Rob Neyer offers up his response.
  • Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette takes a look at top prospects Pedro Alvarez, Brad Lincoln and Jose Tabata as they are named three of the top players in the Double-A Eastern League.
  • Pat Gillick was surprised to hear that Bobby Cox will retire after 2010, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.

Tigers Notes: Rodney, Perry, Polanco

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It took 163 games to determine the AL Central title in 2009.  The Detroit Tigers were, of course, on the losing end.  After leading the Tigers to the 2006 World Series in his first year as their skipper, Jim Leyland has been unable to steer the club back to the postseason.

As Keith Law writes, "This one will be hard to get past."  Along with Baseball Prospectus and the ESPN Insider staff, Law takes a look at this past season and what the Tigs can do to improve in 2010.  An Insider subscription is required to read the article, but here are some of the key tidbits from the piece:

  • Law highlights the team's lack of production at the DH spot as one of its biggest shortcomings.  However, GM Dave Dombrowski recently said that the team is unlikely to employ a full-time DH next season.  If for some reason he has a change of heart, he will find more than a few candidates on the open market.
  • Bullpen staples Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney are headed for free agency.  Law says that Rodney "has the closer's mantle but not closer command."  Ryan Perry should be able to step into that role eventually, but currently lacks the control to do so.  if the youngster is asked to be the fireman and Lyon and Rodney walk, it'll leave a significant void in the 'pen.
  • Christina Kahrl of Baseball Prospectus points out the poor performances of mid-season acquisitions Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff.  After posting a 2.64 ERA, 7.4 H/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 20 starts with Seattle, Washburn recorded a 7.33 ERA, 10.7 H/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in eight starts.  Huff was supposed to strengthen the middle of the Tigers' lineup but instead floundered as he recorded an OPS of .567.
  • Tigers' second baseman Placido Polanco is a free agent after completing a four-year deal worth $4.6MM annually.  The article says that retaining him would require $6-7MM per season, a steep price for a player who is not likely to improve much on his 2009 season in which he hit .285/.331/.396 with 10 HRs.  Polanco, who turns 34 tomorrow, has been a $50MM value over the last three years according to Fangraphs. 
  • When Buster Olney polled six GMs asking if Detroit would keep Polanco, they were split.  Law & Co. think that there's a good chance that Polanco plays elsewhere next season.
  • Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes that 24-year-old Scott Sizemore is ready to take over for Polanco at second base.  Scouts feel that he will become a well-rounded offensive player who should be able to hit ".280-plus with 12-15 home runs, 60 walks and 15-20 stolen bases annually."
  • Because of high-priced commitments to Magglio Ordonez and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers don't have much financial flexibility.  Expect Detroit to find their next closer on the cheap from within the organization.
  • Kahrl closes the piece by saying, "they need a major upgrade at DH or left if they're going to offensively afford themselves a luxury like a plus defender at shortstop."  Dave Dombrowski will have to get creative as he is handcuffed by several bad contracts.

Tigers Notes: Rodney, Perry, Polanco

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It took 163 games to determine the AL Central title in 2009.  The Detroit Tigers were, of course, on the losing end.  After leading the Tigers to the 2006 World Series in his first year as their skipper, Jim Leyland has been unable to steer the club back to the postseason.

As Keith Law writes, "This one will be hard to get past."  Along with Baseball Prospectus and the ESPN Insider staff, Law takes a look at this past season and what the Tigs can do to improve in 2010.  An Insider subscription is required to read the article, but here are some of the key tidbits from the piece:

  • Law highlights the team's lack of production at the DH spot as one of its biggest shortcomings.  However, GM Dave Dombrowski recently said that the team is unlikely to employ a full-time DH next season.  If for some reason he has a change of heart, he will find more than a few candidates on the open market.
  • Bullpen staples Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney are headed for free agency.  Law says that Rodney "has the closer's mantle but not closer command."  Ryan Perry should be able to step into that role eventually, but currently lacks the control to do so.  if the youngster is asked to be the fireman and Lyon and Rodney walk, it'll leave a significant void in the 'pen.
  • Christina Kahrl of Baseball Prospectus points out the poor performances of mid-season acquisitions Jarrod Washburn and Aubrey Huff.  After posting a 2.64 ERA, 7.4 H/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 20 starts with Seattle, Washburn recorded a 7.33 ERA, 10.7 H/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in eight starts.  Huff was supposed to strengthen the middle of the Tigers' lineup but instead floundered as he recorded an OPS of .567.
  • Tigers' second baseman Placido Polanco is a free agent after completing a four-year deal worth $4.6MM annually.  The article says that retaining him would require $6-7MM per season, a steep price for a player who is not likely to improve much on his 2009 season in which he hit .285/.331/.396 with 10 HRs.  Polanco, who turns 34 tomorrow, has been a $50MM value over the last three years according to Fangraphs. 
  • When Buster Olney polled six GMs asking if Detroit would keep Polanco, they were split.  Law & Co. think that there's a good chance that Polanco plays elsewhere next season.
  • Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus writes that 24-year-old Scott Sizemore is ready to take over for Polanco at second base.  Scouts feel that he will become a well-rounded offensive player who should be able to hit ".280-plus with 12-15 home runs, 60 walks and 15-20 stolen bases annually."
  • Because of high-priced commitments to Magglio Ordonez and Dontrelle Willis, the Tigers don't have much financial flexibility.  Expect Detroit to find their next closer on the cheap from within the organization.
  • Kahrl closes the piece by saying, "they need a major upgrade at DH or left if they're going to offensively afford themselves a luxury like a plus defender at shortstop."  Dave Dombrowski will have to get creative as he is handcuffed by several bad contracts.

Odds & Ends: Astros, Tigers, Braves, Reds

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A few more links to cap off the night….

  • GM Ed Wade and the Houston Astros will begin contacting managerial candidates Friday, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. McTaggart adds that the team's interview process will get underway next week, as they hope to pare down a 10-name list.
  • Keith Law and ESPN.com take a look at the Tigers' 2009 results and anticipate their offseason moves. Law notes that Detroit is a franchise that doesn't mind avoiding big-name closers, so Ryan Perry could conceivably pitch the ninth inning in 2010 if Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon depart. Law also thinks Scott Sizemore is ready to step in and play second base every day.
  • Like everyone else, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution thinks the Braves need a right-handed power bat next season. O'Brien also suggests that Atlanta would benefit from adding a little speed to their lineup. O'Brien thinks that Rangers outfielder Nelson Cruz, who can hit home runs and steal bases, will be discussed as a potential target for the Braves.
  • The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay expects the Reds to wait until after St. Louis is out of the playoffs to hire a new pitching coach. Fay speculates that history between Cincinnati GM Walt Jocketty and Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan could make Duncan a candidate for the opening.

Odds & Ends: Blue Jays, Braves, Indians, Jenks

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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.

Tigers Rumors: Polanco, Lyon, Rodney

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Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski says this year's club was good, even though it had "shortcomings," according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Here's how the GM plans on improving the Tigers:

  • Dombrowski hasn't been handed a firm 2010 budget yet.
  • He sounded prepared to move on if the club can't complete a reasonable deal with Placido Polanco. The GM says prospect Scott Sizemore is "ready to play."
  • Expect the Tigers to rotate a number of players through the DH spot next year. Looks like Hideki Matsui, Jim Thome, Vladimir Guerrero and other free agent DHs can rule Detroit out for now unless they'd accept a part-time role.
  • It sounds like the Tigers will fill their rotation out from within.
  • The Tigers will emphasize plate discipline at all levels.
  • It looks like Joel Zumaya will be able to throw as hard as ever next year.
  • Brandon Lyon and Fernando Rodney will both be free agents after the postseason, so the Tigers don't have much certainty in the 'pen right now.

Odds & Ends: Red Sox, V-Mart, Nats, Tigers

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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

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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: Sabathia, Leyland, Astros

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Some links to start the day off…

Porcello No Longer With Boras

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Back in 2007, Scott Boras "advised" recent high school graduate Rick Porcello to take a $7MM Major League contract, tying Josh Beckett's record for the biggest guarantee given to a high school player.  Two years later, at age 20, Porcello will start today's crucial one-game playoff against the Twins. 

During that time, according to ESPN's Buster Olney, Porcello dropped Boras for agent Alan Hendricks.  Porcello's contractual status shouldn't be much of a story until after the 2011 season, when he'll first become eligible for arbitration.  As they did with Jeremy Bonderman, the Tigers could attempt to sign Porcello long-term.  But Bonderman had four years of service time under his belt when he signed.  And the Tigers' more pressing issue may be Justin Verlander, who is due another large raise his second time through arbitration.

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