Aaron Boone Likely To Retire
Aaron Boone is likely to retire, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (via Twitter). Boone, 36, worked hard to rehab from March open heart surgery and picked up 14 plate appearances at the end of the season.
Boone would finish with a career line of .263/.326/.425 in 4,329 plate appearances, mostly as a third baseman. He played for the Reds, Yankees, Indians, Marlins, Nationals, and Astros. He's best known for his home run off Tim Wakefield in the 2003 ALCS, which gave the Yanks the AL pennant over the Red Sox. Several months later, Boone's ACL tear prompted the Yankees to acquire Alex Rodriguez.
Odds & Ends: Jaramillo, Varitek, D’Backs
Links for Wednesday…
- Longtime Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer from the team and will explore free agency, according to Evan Grant. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune thinks Jaramillo would be a perfect addition to the Cubs.
- According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals re-signed three players eligible for minor league free agency: Scott Thorman, Kelvin Villa, and Carlos Rivas.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says this year's free agent class is pretty darn interesting, even if it lacks top-level talent.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald considers free agent alternatives should the Red Sox fail to sign Jason Bay.
- McAdam's colleague Michael Silverman talked to agent Scott Boras, who had this to say about Jason Varitek's future: "Theo and I will be talking about Tek whenever he deems the time appropriate."
- The Giants don't have much money to spend this winter unless they raise payroll, says Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the Diamondbacks aren't likely to change their core, but the clubhouse could use a dose of veteran leadership.
- The Rays ought to target free agent reliever Kiko Calero, in the opinion of Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay.
- Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff has no control over his future, but wants to stay in San Diego according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Dodgers manager Joe Torre doesn't anticipate working past his current contract, which runs through 2010 (according to the AP).
- Jose Cruz was shocked to be dismissed from his coaching job with the Astros, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.
Odds & Ends: Yankees, Varitek, Sheffield
A few links to browse while we watch to see if the Phillies can finish off the last of the Division Series….
- Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues wonders how Johnny Damon's recent slide and Hideki Matsui's hot streak will affect the New York Yankees' decisions this winter.
- Josh Beckett wants Jason Varitek back in Boston in 2010, according to Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com.
- MLB.com's Kelly Thesier writes that Joe Mauer has spoken to agent Ron Shapiro about his contract status, but that there haven't been any "serious discussions" yet.
- Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports that Gary Sheffield wants to return to Florida. "It would be nice to finish my career with the Marlins," Sheffield said. "This is where I made a name for myself.''
- The Houston Astros aren't handling the managerial interview process well, according to Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle. Justice's pick for the opening, Jim Fregosi, wasn't one of the ten candidates announced by the Astros.
- Chris Ruddick of the Sports Network, via the Miami Herald, speculates on the next moves for St. Louis and Boston. He isn't opposed to letting Tony LaRussa and Matt Holliday walk, and suggests that Jonathan Papelbon could be shopped for a "young bat" this winter.
- The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay writes that former Diamondbacks pitching coach Bryan Pryce is on the Reds' list of candidates for their pitching coach. The Brewers have also expressed interest in Pryce.
- Within a mailbag on MLB.com, Chris Haft writes that players like Matt Holliday and Jason Bay will be out of the San Francisco Giants' price range, and that the team is more likely to acquire a "hard-hitting utilityman."
Odds & Ends: Yankees, Varitek, Sheffield
A few links to browse while we watch to see if the Phillies can finish off the last of the Division Series….
- Benjamin Kabak of River Ave. Blues wonders how Johnny Damon's recent slide and Hideki Matsui's hot streak will affect the New York Yankees' decisions this winter.
- Josh Beckett wants Jason Varitek back in Boston in 2010, according to Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com.
- MLB.com's Kelly Thesier writes that Joe Mauer has spoken to agent Ron Shapiro about his contract status, but that there haven't been any "serious discussions" yet.
- Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald reports that Gary Sheffield wants to return to Florida. "It would be nice to finish my career with the Marlins," Sheffield said. "This is where I made a name for myself.''
- The Houston Astros aren't handling the managerial interview process well, according to Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle. Justice's pick for the opening, Jim Fregosi, wasn't one of the ten candidates announced by the Astros.
- Chris Ruddick of the Sports Network, via the Miami Herald, speculates on the next moves for St. Louis and Boston. He isn't opposed to letting Tony LaRussa and Matt Holliday walk, and suggests that Jonathan Papelbon could be shopped for a "young bat" this winter.
- The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay writes that former Diamondbacks pitching coach Bryan Pryce is on the Reds' list of candidates for their pitching coach. The Brewers have also expressed interest in Pryce.
- Within a mailbag on MLB.com, Chris Haft writes that players like Matt Holliday and Jason Bay will be out of the San Francisco Giants' price range, and that the team is more likely to acquire a "hard-hitting utilityman."
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, Rockies, Crede
Links for Monday…
- The Astros received permission to interview Red Sox first base coach Tim Bogar for their managerial job, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. Brad Mills and Manny Acta will also interview, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (via Twitter). McTaggart adds Bob Melvin, Dave Clark, and Al Pedrique as other candidates, while Alyson Footer adds Ned Yost, Randy Ready, Phil Garner, and Pete Mackanin.
- Nationals scouting director Dana Brown has been hired away by new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- Rockies owner Dick Monfort told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post that the team's postseason appearance won't significantly affect payroll. The Rockies have impending free agents in Jason Marquis, Yorvit Torrealba, Rafael Betancourt, and Joe Beimel (among others), and must also decide whether to tender Garrett Atkins a contract. Torrealba and Betancourt have pricey club options.
- Astros catcher J.R. Towles is a potential buy-low candidate for the Rays, says R.J. Anderson of DRays Bay. Towles hit .276/.386/.455 in Triple A this year, but Jason Castro is the Astros' catcher of the future.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak hopes to take advantage of the exclusive negotiating period for his free agents, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In a separate article, Joe Strauss of the P-D notes that Rick Ankiel pulled a fast one on the media.
- Joe Crede is optimistic he'll have a quick recovery from his third back surgery, says MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Merkin says the Boras client "spoke more in generalities than about a specific return to Minnesota."
- Jack Morris almost signed with the Yankees in 1996, writes Jack Curry of the New York Times.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports speculates about the Red Sox trading closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Astros Rumors: Valverde, Hawkins, Manager
The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice has a five-point plan to solve the Houston Astros' problems — or at least to point the team in the right direction. Here are some of his ideas:
- Bring Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins back to the bullpen.
- Focus on pitching and defense, which would mean installing players like shortstop Tommy Manzella, second baseman Edwin Maysonet, and catcher Jason Castro (a 2008 first-round pick) into the 2010 starting lineup.
- Sign a "reliable" free-agent starting pitcher to add to a rotation led by Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. Justice's wishlist includes most of the market's biggest names, such as John Lackey, Ben Sheets, and Rich Harden.
- Hire Jim Fregosi as the new manager. Justice adds that Manny Acta, Bob Melvin, Don Baylor, and Ned Yost would also be good fits for the opening.
Odds & Ends: Reds, Brewers, Astros
Some afternoon links:
- Dusty Baker's job may not be safe in Cincinnati, writes Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune. Owner Bob Castellini "reportedly has his eye on the Cardinals tandem of manager Tony La Russa and pitching coach Dave Duncan." Both men could go elsewhere if they so choose. La Russa's contract expires at the end of the year and Duncan holds an option on a deal he signed around this time last year.
- Rogers also says that the Brewers are telling teams they don't plan to trade Prince Fielder. They are, however, looking for pitching in return for J.J. Hardy and Mat Gamel. Recent comments by GM Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash indicated that Gamel will be on the trading block this winter.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle implores the Astros to hire Jim Fregosi as their next manager. However, Justice says that former Nats skipper Manny Acta has the "inside track."
- Cubs' broadcaster Bob Brenly had "informal talks" with Nationals GM Mike Rizzo earlier this year about their managerial vacancy, writes Dave Van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune. The former D-Backs skipper said that it was "way too premature" for Washington to make a decision at that point. Brenly has been interviewed by several teams in recent years, including the Cubs and Brewers.
Odds & Ends: Astros, Brewers, Tigers
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.
Odds & Ends: Astros, Marlins, Reds
Let's check out some links as the Twins try to even the score in New York:
- Brian McTaggart of MLB.com has the latest on the Astros' manager search from GM Ed Wade.
- Two Marlins coaches declined offers to return to the club next season, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. The departures of Bo Porter (third base/outfield) and Steve Porter (bullpen) mean that the Fish now have four spots to fill on their coaching staff after letting pitching coach Mark Wiley and first-base coach Andy Fox walk. The Marlins also outrighted infielder Andy Gonzalez and right-hander Dallas Trahern to Triple-A New Orleans.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer looks into the postseason success of Wild Cards.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer runs down the ex-Reds currently in the playoffs. Fay says that "you can't really kick the Reds" for letting these players get away.