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Molony’s Latest: K-Rod, Helms, Valverde

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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.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Orioles, K-Rod, Bradley

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A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Tigers Offseason Plans

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John Paul Morosi discusses the Tigers’ potential plans for the offseason. They spent roughly $134MM on a fourth place team this season and project at another $130MM next year assuming no free agent signings or extensions. According to Morosi,the Tigers can sustain $110MM payroll based on revenue alone. Owner Mike Ilitch already approved a $40MM payroll increase to make this year’s team, so can they possibly go any higher? It doesn’t seem likely.

Still, Morosi notes that Ilitch wants a World Series and the Tigers need pitching to get it. After Justin Verlander and Armando Galarraga, the Tigers have tied up $29.5MM in 2009 and $34.5 million in 2010 in Jeremy Bonderman, Dontrelle Willis, and Nate Robertson,  none of whom are guarantees to even make the rotation out of spring training. Considering how little these long term signings have contributed, Morosi wonders if spending on more pitching is the best solution.

One expected cost cutting measure would be to decline Edgar Renteria’s $9MM option and try to sign him for less. If they can’t, why not give Ramon Santiago a shot?  That’s a start.

Odds and Ends: Eaton, Tazawa, Royals, Jays

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Today’s links…

  • SI.com’s Tom Verducci ranks the five best midseason deals of the past 25 years.
  • Peter Abraham thinks the Yankees should stick with Robinson Cano.
  • Pat Gillick says there’s a slight chance the Phils acquire a reliever this month.  He was not able to acquire Kyle Farnsworth in August.
  • MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan doesn’t put much stock in the rumor that Nolan Ryan will clean house in Texas.
  • Phillies GM Pat Gillick admitted signing Adam Eaton was a mistake.  Many MLBTR readers thought so when the signing was finalized in November of ’06.
  • The Red Sox hope to sign a Japanese amateur pitcher named Junichi Tazawa, which may not go over well with Nippon Professional Baseball.
  • Gil Meche, Joakim Soria, and Zack Greinke are pretty much off-limits.  Most other Royals are fair game in trade discussions.  GM Dayton Moore intends to make changes this winter, and may also dive back into the free agent market.
  • The Blue Jays have $15MM to spend, with needs at shortstop, first base/DH, and catcher.  GM J.P. Ricciardi would prefer to fill those holes internally.  Shysterball wonders why Ricciardi is talking about next year.
  • Michael Rosenberg says Ivan Rodriguez is all about the money.

Todd Jones’ Tigers Career May Be Over

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According to John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press, Todd Jones may have thrown his last pitch for the Tigers.  The 40 year-old is on the DL with shoulder inflammation and tendinitis, and manager Jim Leyland doesn’t expect him back before the end of the season. 

Jones is a free agent this winter.  He earned $7MM for 41.2 innings of 4.97 ball, walking more batters than he struck out.  Despite the poor season he’ll surely find interest on the market.

Odds and Ends: Ricciardi, Guardado, Alvarez

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Let’s round ’em up…

Kenny Rogers, Others Placed On Waivers

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TUESDAY: Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press says Rogers and other Tigers were placed on waivers Friday.  So we’ll know today who cleared and who was claimed.  Rogers could make sense for a contender like the Mets.  Buster Olney doesn’t seem him getting that far – he guesses the Yankees or Red Sox.

MONDAY: According to Tom Gage of The Detroit News, it may be the end of the line for Tigers lefty Kenny Rogers.  The 43 year-old has a 5.09 ERA in 161 innings, and his walk rate continues to climb after last year’s jump.  He’s owed another $1.58MM this year, plus up to $2MM more in deferred bonus money.  Paul Byrd and Greg Maddux cleared waivers; Rogers probably would as well.  Even if the Tigers don’t move him this month, they don’t seem likely to re-sign him next year.

Baseball Prospectus assigns the Tigers playoff chances at less than 0.2%.  It’s time to focus on 2009.  Peter Gammons suggested the Tigers might trim payroll from the current $137MM range to $100MM.  Problem is, they’ve already got more than $101MM tied up in current players and will be looking for help at shortstop and in the rotation.

Week in Review: 8/17 – 8/23

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Another week in the books, and we keep seeing big names moved after the July 31 non-waiver deadline. Let’s look back on the past week:

  • The Dodgers acquired Greg Maddux from the Padres for two minor league players to be named later. Nice acquisition to bolster their rotation, and does anyone want to place bets on how excited 20-year-old Clayton Kershaw is to get tips from Maddux every day for the rest of the season?
  • The Pirates are exploring the idea of trading Jack Wilson this offseason more and more. Given the slim free agent market for shortstops, he would likely gather a lot of interest.
  • Nate Robertson’s struggles this season have lost him his spot in the rotation, but have they also lost him a spot with the Tigers after 2008?
  • Orlando Hernandez needs surgery on his foot, and that could likely mean that El Duque’s career would be over.
  • Lots of speculation lately about where Ben Sheets is going to land after 2008. And while there’s no way to tell right now, Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman have stepped up and said they would like the Astros front office to go out and sign him in the offseason.
  • A lot of minor-league deals signed this week: Kip Wells signed with Kansas City, the Mets added Al Reyes, the Astros signed Jose Castillo, the Red Sox signed Dave Ross, and the Braves took a flyer on Rodrigo Lopez following his Tommy John surgery last year. The Jays made a trade to acquire Jose Bautista for a PTBNL as well.
  • The Rangers would like Milton Bradley back in 2009, and the feeling is mutual, though negotiations will wait until after the season. Similarly, Frank Thomas would prefer to stay with the A’s in 2009.
  • Eric Gagne, David Riske, and David Weathers all cleared waivers this week. The first two make sense to me, but given Weathers’ success this year, his affordable contract for the rest of the season, and all of the teams desperately seeking bullpen help, it seems strange that no one would place a claim on him. Here’s an updated list of all the players who have been confirmed to have cleared waivers this year.

Perrotto’s Latest: Reds, Dempster, Silva, Lugo

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John Perrotto’s Every Given Sunday column is up over at Baseball Prospectus. For those without a BP subscription, here’s the highlights:

  • Perrotto believes that Reds owner Bob Castellini will give Walt Jocketty the go-ahead to dive into the free agent market this season in an attempt to contend in 2009. The Reds like their young core, and feel a solid bat or two can help them contend in NL Central immediately.
  • Jed Lowrie’s play since taking over for the injured Julio Lugo has convinced the Red Sox that he can be the everyday shortstop. They’ll look to move Lugo (and his contract) this offseason.
  • There’s been a lot of talk about teams looking for corner outfield help, but don’t expect the Tigers to jump into that category. They’re convinced that rookie Matt Joyce can be their everyday left fielder next season. Joyce already has 12 home runs this season in just 183 ABs.
  • Despite a great season, the Cubs may be hesistant to re-sign Ryan Dempster to a long-term deal because they already have Rich Harden, Carlos Zambrano, Ted Lilly, and Jason Marquis signed for 2009.
  • I apologize in advance to Mets fans for what I’m about to write: Perrotto feels that the Mets could make a push to trade for Carlos Silva in the offseason, in the hope that a reunion with his close friend and former teammate Johan Santana can revitalize him.
  • The Pirates are almost certain to trade Jack Wilson before the 2009 season begins.
  • Another name for teams seeking starting pitching: The Marlins are likely to trade Scott Olsen this offseason to help keep their payroll down.

Pondering Robertson’s Future With The Tigers

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As it stands, Jim Leyland’s decision to drop Nate Robertson from the Tigers’ rotation and send him to the bullpen is a strategic move to help the club now, but its impossible to look at the situation without an eye on 2009.

Robertson acknowledged to reporters that his offseason plans will have to accommodate some kind of adjustment to his mechanics, pitching repertoire, or workout regimen. The slider is his signature pitch, but it hasn’t been as effective this year, causing his ERA to hover around 6.04, the highest its been since his rookie season with Florida.

The Tigers also have to consider the financial repercussions of having a multi-million dollar reliever if he’s unable to rebound to form and reclaim his spot on the rotation. Robertson is scheduled to make $7MM (before incentives) in 2009, the second year of his 3-year contract with the Tigs, $10MM in 2010.

Its possible the club decides to trade Robertson in the offseason as a salary dump.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? Email me: alexo (at) umpbump (dot) com.

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