Odds & Ends: Astros, Giants, Nationals
Let's take a look at some early evening links:
- After striking out on Manny Acta, the Astros must continue their search for a skipper. MLB.com's Brian McTaggart reports that the search is now focused on three candidates: former Astros manager Phil Garner, BoSox bench coach Brad Mills and interim manager Dave Clark. One source told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Mills would get the nod and that it would be a "surprise" if Garner were brought back. Another source said that Clark remains a possibility. Houston would like to reach a decision before the start of the World Series (Wednesday), but may even expand their search beyond these three choices.
- Matt Holliday and Jason Bay are both too pricey for the Giants, writes Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle. Holliday is represented by Scott Boras, who compared him to Mark Teixeira in hopes of fetching a deal similar to the eight-year, $180MM contract the first baseman received from the Yankees.
- Johnny Holliday of MASN Sports writes that the Nationals will announce the identity of their manager for 2010 "any day now." Interim skipper Jim Riggleman remains a candidate.
- Cardinals pitching coach Dave Duncan is likely to return in 2010, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Duncan has said that his decision will be dependent on the return of Tony La Russa, who has reportedly agreed to an extension.
Garner, Acta, Mills Or Clark Will Manage Astros
12:55pm: MLB.com's Brian McTaggart says the Astros are still considering Dave Clark.
11:41am: Phil Garner, Manny Acta or Brad Mills will be the next Astros manager, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle. Astros owner Drayton McLane says he expects a decision early next week; for now the club is doing final reference checks for Acta and Mills (none are required for Garner, who already managed the Astros). McLane doesn't expect to interview any more candidates at this point.
This means Jim Fregosi, Bob Melvin, Bobby Valentine and others are no longer in the mix for the job. Acta, who was fired by the Nats this summer, is also a candidate to manage in Cleveland.
Odds & Ends: Mets, Cameron, Valentine
A few news items to think about while we get ready for Game Five of the NLCS….
- MLB.com's Marty Noble agrees with a reader e-mail that a defensively-sound first baseman would do wonders for the Mets' infield defense and overall performance.
- From that same piece, Noble thinks that Mike Cameron would be a good fit with the Mets due to his ability to cover the vast expanses of Citi Field's outfield. Noble isn't as keen on Chone Figgins since he doesn't fit New York's needs.
- MLB.com's Noah Coslov tweets that the Indians will interview Bobby Valentine on Thursday.
- If Manny Acta isn't hired in Cleveland or Houston, The Globe & Mail's Jeff Blair thinks he could land in Toronto.
- Canadian Business Online looks at the best and worst free agent signings from last year and examines which teams got the most value from their rosters in 2009.
Odds & Ends: Yankees, Cardinals, Astros
Here are some links to take you through the end of your workday, instead of, you know, working.
- The Yankees aren't satisfied to simply win the 2009 World Series. They are concurrently planning to take 2010 as well, with Jon Heyman reporting that they are atop Matt Holliday's preferred list of teams, and Lohud.com's Chad Jennings writing that the Yankees should be meeting with Cuban defector Aroldis Chapman soon, though GM Brian Cashman wouldn't confirm it.
- Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes that Jason LaRue would be a good fit for the Cardinals in 2010, and breaks down the other catching candidates as well.
- Manny Acta had his second interview for the Astros' managing job, while Bobby Valentine and Bob Melvin are candidates to take Acta's former position as skipper for Washington.
- Tim Wakefield had successful back surgery for the Red Sox, who have a number of 2010 contract options to consider, include Wakefield's. Alex Speier of WEEI.com runs it down nicely.
- The Rays hired Derek Shelton as their new hitting coach. Shelton had been the hitting coach for Cleveland.
- Former Mets' first base coach Tom Nieto is the new manager for Rochester, Minnesota's Triple-A farm team, among other minor-league hires.
Odds & Ends: Towers, Kikuchi, Marlins, Astros
Some links before the playoff baseball begins…
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports that Kevin Towers is at the ALCS. The former Padres GM isn't working yet; instead, he's paddleboarding, golfing and doing pilates.
- The Dodgers don't appear to be going all out for Yusei Kikuchi at this point, but other teams are intensifying their efforts to sign the Japanese teen. As MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports, Derek Holland is helping the Rangers pursue Kikuchi.
- Former Marlins pitching coach Mark Wiley tells Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post that he was surprised to be fired, but not as surprised as he was when the Indians fired him after their 1998 ALCS appearance.
- Astros icon Jose Cruz will return to the work for the club's community relations department next year, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
- MLB players will have more time than expected to file a collusion grievance over last year's free agent market, according to the AP (via ESPN).
Odds & Ends: Johjima, Rockies, Kikuchi
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- The Hanshin Tigers are interested in Kenji Johjima, according to Kyodo News.
- The Rockies are expected to re-sign GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy this week, according to Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
- Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers "are mindful that [signing Yusei Kikuchi] could harm the club's long-standing ties in Japan." Kikuchi told Kyodo News that interviewing with 12 NPB and eight MLB clubs made his decision even more difficult. NPB Tracker has more.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Brad Lidge for Michael Bourn has been "the perfect trade." In that November 2007 deal, the Phillies also received infielder Eric Bruntlett and the Astros also acquired Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo (Geary is now a free agent). I'd say the Astros may ultimately win the deal if Bourn's breakout season holds up, since they gave up one year of Lidge for five of Bourn. But, as Justice noted, the Phillies have a ring.
- Always fun…Dave Cameron's 2010 offseason plan for the Mariners at U.S.S. Mariner. My one beef is the John Danks acquisition…I don't think it fits from Chicago's point of view.
- Viva El Birdos takes a look at the Cardinals' 2010 commitments.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban discusses Justin Duchscherer's future.
Odds & Ends: Pirates, Rockies, Brewers
What, two playoff games isn't enough baseball for you? Us either…
- Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com discusses the many problems with the Pirates. She doesn't think any of the traded Pirates are coming back, and addresses the improvement Pittsburgh needs to make in the starting rotation and up the middle.
- MLB.com's Thomas Harding dissects the state of the Rockies, position-by-position.
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says there will be no pitching coach hiring announced today for the Brewers, in case you were staying up late waiting for that announcement.
- Boston Red Sox coaches Brad Mills and Tim Bogar interviewed for the Houston managerial vacancy.
Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Orioles, Garner
Apparently Sunday afternoons in October are a slow time for baseball news. Who knew? Here's some links to tide you over for now…
- Viva El Birdos takes a look at the 2010 rotation options for the Cardinals, both internal and external. Could Kyle McClellan or Blake Hawksworth succeed in the rotation?
- Roch Kubatko isn't sure that the Orioles are in the market for a left-handed reliever at all, though he does mention that they're expected to re-sign Mark Hendrickson.
- Brian McTaggart from MLB.com held a Q&A session with Astros managerial candidate Phil Garner. Garner managed the Astros from 2004-2007.
- Adam Rubin expects the Brewers to hire Rick Peterson as their new pitching coach. General manager Doug Melvin recently flew to New Jersey to meet with Peterson, and as Rubin points out: "How often does a GM fly halfway across the country to interview a pitching coach? Isn’t it usually the other way around?"
- Bill Madden of the New York Daily News reports that Tony Bernazard is close to signing on with Scott Boras, stating that Boras likely sees Bernazard's rapport with Latin players as a valuable asset in recruiting new clients.
- J.J. Cooper at Baseball America ranks the Top 10 Independent League prospects, with Reynaldo Rodriguez ranking number one. The Red Sox purchased Rodriguez's contract last week.
Odds & Ends: Strasburg, Astros, Reds
A few more items before the Angels and Yankees get underway in a cold and rainy New York City…
- Dave Perkin of Baseball America dissects Stephen Strasburg's impressive Arizona Fall League debut. The 21-year-old right-hander, who signed a record rookie deal in August, threw 3 1/3 innings and induced eight groundball outs against the Scottsdale Scorpions on Friday evening.
- Phillies bench coach Pete Mackanin found time between NLCS games to interview Saturday for the Astros' managing vacancy. He later addressed the media, including MLB.com's Alyson Footer. "I think I have a wealth of experience after 40 years in baseball to draw on," said Mackanin. "…There's a good core of people [in Houston]."
- According to C. Trent Rosecrans of CNATI.com, the Reds have named Bryan Price as their new pitching coach. Dick Pole's contract was not renewed after the Cincinnati pitching staff posted a 4.18 ERA in the 2009 regular season.
Odds & Ends: Bucs, Duchscherer, Astros
A fresh batch of links for Saturday afternoon…
- Perry Hill left his post as Pirates first base coach Saturday and, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, expressed unhappiness with the team's aggressive trading on his way out. The Pirates got rid of three-fourths of their infield (Jack Wilson, Freddy Sanchez and Adam LaRoche) during the year.
- According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, the A's have not touched base with soon-to-be free agent Justin Duchscherer since the end of the season. GM Billy Beane plans to engage in some kind of discussions with the right-hander and his agent "soon." We profiled "The Duke of Hurl" about a month ago.
- Former Astros manager Phil Garner interviewed for the club's managing vacancy on Saturday afternoon, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). He was the seventh of 10 candidates to interview for the gig.
- Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star reports that the Royals have retained minor league right-hander Jairo Cuevas. The 25-year-old was eligible for free agency.