Latest Peavy Chatter
10:39am: More from Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune. Peavy has a strong preference for the NL, and wants to play for a winner. Axelrod mentioned Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, and St. Louis as cities that fit for Peavy and his family. Because of Peavy’s willingness to pitch in L.A., the Angels were named as a possibility by Axelrod.
8:27am: Let’s catch up on recent Jake Peavy articles. Dan Hayes of the North County Times wrote about Peavy Monday, quoting Padres GM Kevin Towers saying nothing is imminent. Hayes talked to several sources who say Peavy prefers to stay in the National League. The Padres have already approached him with hypothetical trade scenarios (Peavy has to approve any trade).
Regarding that no-trade clause – Peavy’s agent Barry Axelrod is on record saying three AL teams could entice his client. But at the end of the season, Peavy said he wouldn’t accept a deal to the AL. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution spoke to someone claiming to be an old friend of Peavy’s. The friend agrees that Peavy wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause for an AL team, despite his agent’s statement.
The friend gave O’Brien all kinds of info, making the Braves sound like Peavy’s top choice. O’Brien adds that the Braves let Towers know they’re interested. Even if Peavy is picky about his destination, though, there is no reason for Towers to accept a package that does not begin with Jason Heyward or Tommy Hanson. He has plenty of time to explore possible Peavy trades.
The Cardinals may also be in the mix, according to Buster Olney. Olney says that one team, "perhaps the Cardinals," is discussing the idea of adding Khalil Greene to a Peavy deal.
Week in Review: 10/5 – 10/11
Let’s kick things off this afternoon with the week in review…
- Rich Harden doesn’t need surgery, and he also doesn’t need to worry about where he’s pitching next year. The Cubs exercised his $7MM option this week. That one was a no-brainer, good news for Cubs fans.
- Elsewhere in the Midwest, the Twins exercised backup catcher Mike Redmond’s option for $950K. While that’s great news for Twins fans, the bigger story for them is that Delmon Young could be available this offseason. Personally, I think trading a 23-year-old outfielder with that kind of upside would be a colossal mistake. I realize the Twins feel the need to acquire some infield help, but trading a former #1 overall pick after one disappointing season when he’s just 23 holds zero logic in my mind. I still like the Young/Matt Garza trade for Minnesota in the long run.
- Couple of notes on the Brewers’ 1-2 punch, as C.C. Sabathia told reporters he’s open to playing anywhere, and wants to get his free agency over with quickly, and early in the offseason. As for Ben Sheets, despite his elbow injury, he is likely to be wearing a new uniform when 2009 comes around. His injury is apparently not too serious anyway.
- We saw a few different rumblings about a possible Jake Peavy trade. Peavy doesn’t like the idea of a full-scale rebuilding project in San Diego, and an interview with his agent hints that he may be willing to play for the Yankees. If he’d prefer to be somewhere closer to home (Alabama), the Braves could be an interesting suitor.
- Ryan Howard’s name has been tossed around as a potential trade candidate, but he’s likely to remain in place. One slugging first baseman from the NL will be available though, it seems: Tim takes a look at several potential landing sites for Prince Fielder. Trading Fielder is only a good idea if they can get a cheap, young, potential ace in my mind. With Sabathia and Sheets on their way out the door, the Brewers are going to need that offense working on all cylinders.
- For those teams that need power, but lose out on the Fielder sweepstakes (assuming he’s moved that is), there’s still power to be had. Here’s a list of this year’s free agent home run leaders.
- Tim covered his Offseason Outlook for the Twins, White Sox, Cardinals, and Astros.
- Curt Schilling will either pitch for a contender in the second half of 2009 or retire.
Offseason Outlook: Houston Astros
Next up in the Offseason Outlook series, the Astros. Their likely 2009 commitments:
C – J.R. Towles – $400K
C – Humberto Quintero – $405K+
1B – Lance Berkman – $14.5MM
2B – Kaz Matsui – $5MM
SS – Miguel Tejada – $13MM
3B – Ty Wigginton – $4.35MM+
IF – Geoff Blum – $1.25MM
IF – David Newhan – $575K+
LF – Carlos Lee – $18.5MM
CF – Michael Bourn – $400K
RF – Hunter Pence – $400K
OF – Darin Erstad – $1.75MM
OF – Reggie Abercrombie – $400K
SP – Roy Oswalt – $14MM
SP – Wandy Rodriguez – $451K+
SP – Brian Moehler – $2.3MM
SP – Brandon Backe – $800K+
SP – Alberto Arias – $400K
RP – Jose Valverde – $4.7MM+
RP – Geoff Geary – $1.125MM+
RP – Tim Byrdak – $400K+
RP – Wesley Wright – $400K
RP – Fernando Nieve – $400K
RP – Chris Sampson – $401K
RP –
That’s roughly $86MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Wigginton, Rodriguez, Backe, Valverde, Geary, and others. Those raises could put the team past $95MM. The Astros began the season at $88.9MM. Fortunately, GM Ed Wade has payroll flexibility this winter.
Wade will begin the offseason by attempting to re-sign Randy Wolf, Doug Brocail, and LaTroy Hawkins. That alone could result in ’09 salaries of $15MM+. Then Wade might replace Quintero with a more established backup catcher, which could cost another million bucks. So we’re looking at something around $110MM to keep the current group intact. It’s hard to see the ‘Stros plunking down an additional $10MM+ on another veteran starter.
It’s possible to envision the pitching staff working out, but the offense is a question mark. Several factors needed for improvement: second-year success for Towles, more Matsui, Lee and Wigginton, and a higher batting average from Pence. Center field seems likely to remain an offensive void.
Astros Rumors: Sabathia, Wolf, Hawkins
Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle has the lowdown on the Astros.
- Again the word "tweak" is thrown around in regard to the Astros’ offseason. So I would not expect a major signing or trade.
- Regarding C.C. Sabathia, owner Drayton McLane said, "That might be way out of our league."
- The Astros will try to re-sign Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins. It would still make sense to sign a starter if Wolf is retained. GM Ed Wade has flexibility to go past last year’s $90MM payroll.
- The ‘Stros will apparently go with internal options in center field. At catcher, they’ll look for someone to complement J.R. Towles. Pretty much all the catchers out there are short-term options anyway.
Odds And Ends: Cardinals, Astros, K-Rod
Links for Saturday…
- It doesn’t sound like Jon Daniels has autonomy in Texas.
- Ian Hunter of Country 103.9 in Ontario recently talked to MLBTR about the Blue Jays. Click here to download the mp3.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty has talked to three or four of the Reds’ nine free agents. John Fay speculates those players are David Weathers, Jerry Hairston Jr., Mike Lincoln, and Jeremy Affeldt.
- The Padres’ grievance against shortstop Khalil Greene won’t be heard until spring. The case of Doyle Alexander may be a precedent; the Yankees were not able to recover any money after Alexander broke a knuckle by attacking a dugout wall in ’82.
- Matthew Leach of MLB.com takes a look at the Redbirds’ upcoming offseason. Leach estimates that after all the contract and arbitration items are settled, the Cards will have around $25MM to look for a middle infielder, a middle reliever, and perhaps a new closer or #4 or #5 type slugger.
- Likewise, earlier this week Astros MLB.com beat writer Alyson Footer reported on GM Ed Wade’s offseason plans. Wade is expected to make some tweaks to the roster, but it’s unlikely he’ll make any major moves. Footer suggests the Astros could look for a couple of rotation arms, and speculates on the possibility of signing Ben Sheets.
- The O.C. Register’s Mark Whicker doesn’t see Francisco Rodriguez coming back to the Angels.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 {at} umpbump {dot} com. Tim Dierkes also contributed to this post.
Odds and Ends: Lowe, Redmond, Timlin
Linkage for Friday…
- River Ave. Blues discovered that Mike Mussina‘s wife may be a bigger factor than we thought in regard to his retirement decision.
- David O’Brien tosses out some names for the Braves to consider: Derek Lowe, Matt Cain, Roy Oswalt, and Josh Willingham. Everyone likes Lowe…Anthony McCarron says the Yankees and Mets should consider him. Those clubs could also enter a bidding war for C.C. Sabathia, says Bob Klapisch. Will C.C.’s postseason record diminish his contract? I don’t think so.
- Greg Couch doesn’t want Javier Vazquez pitching for the White Sox again. Maybe Ozzie is right, Vazquez is not a big-game pitcher. But why say that publicly?
- Joe Christensen seems certain the Twins will exercise Mike Redmond‘s $950K option.
- Chris Carpenter‘s shoulder injury is unprecedented among pitchers. Do the Cardinals need to add veteran rotation insurance? Speaking of unprecedented procedures…Takashi Saito had platelet-rich plasma injected into his elbow in July.
- Joe Starkey thinks the Pirates should…non-tender Adam LaRoche?
- Mike Timlin could retire.
- Huge E-Ticket Manny Ramirez feature from Bill Simmons, wherein Scott Boras is blamed for his Boston exit. Good read.
Astros Decline Brocail’s Option
According to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros declined Doug Brocail‘s $3.25MM option for 2009. The Astros are concerned about Brocail’s ailing shoulder. However, they’d like to re-sign him at a lower rate. Brocail seemingly profiles as a Type A free agent, though he might accept arbitration if the Astros offer it. He was disappointed by their decision on his option though.
Brocail, 41, posted a 3.93 ERA in 68.2 innings. His strikeout rate was up significantly from ’07. He struggled in July and August, but pitched well in September.
Hampton Will Consider Astros
MLB.com’s Alyson Footer has some quotes from free-agent-to-be Mike Hampton regarding Houston:
"I’ve always loved this place. Definitely. I’m sure there will be interest on both sides. We’ll see if we can work something out. I’ve always loved it here."
Hampton, 36, showed promise in thirteen starts this year. He could be a useful back of the rotation addition for Houston. Many teams might consider him (Rockies excluded).
Wolf Open To Astros Return
Jose de Jesus Ortiz quotes Astros southpaw and Ed Wade favorite Randy Wolf:
A few weeks ago I had a short conversation with Ed and talked about what I thought of it here and if I’d be open to playing here. Like I’ve said, I think…yes definitely. The geography doesn’t really matter anymore. I think first and foremost I want to be on a winning team and have the best possible chance to be where I’ve never been before, which is the playoffs.
It seems this was a consideration for Wade all along when he made the trade for Wolf. Overall Wolf has a 4.30 ERA in 190.3 innings. He made all his starts and posted a solid 7.6 K/9. Wolf averaged 88.8 mph on his heater, showing more velocity than he had in recent years.
With a fair offer, the Astros might be able to sign Wolf before he hits the open market. He earned $8.5MM this year, hitting all his incentives. It might take three years and $30-35MM to sign him. At the least, the Astros can offer Wolf arbitration and snag a draft pick since he’s a Type B free agent.
Odds and Ends: Hawkins, Pettitte, Strasburg
Rounding up the day’s links…
- Jack Etkin of the Rocky Mountain News talks about the future of Garrett Atkins. We discussed the possibility of an Atkins trade in this post.
- MLB.com’s Jim Molony says the Astros would like to re-sign reliever LaTroy Hawkins. Amazingly, Hawkins has thrown 17 scoreless innings as an Astro.
- This is a popular link lately…Vegas Watch examines April predictions from various analysts. Meanwhile, Scott Long digs in deeper on PECOTA’s American League predictions. Personally I am more interested in the logic behind projections. Did anyone predict Rays starters to post a 3.88 ERA? Did anyone peg Dioner Navarro and Carl Crawford‘s seasons?
- Viva El Birdos hopes the Cardinals do not sign Jon Garland this winter.
- Sam Mellinger wonders how the Royals would replace David DeJesus if they traded him.
- Andy Pettitte remains undecided on 2009. He’s hinted a desire to come back, but it’s unknown whether the Yankees want him. Houston could make sense.
- The Mariners are currently in line to have first crack at drafting Stephen Strasburg. They could even use Erik Bedard‘s money to sign him.
- Javier Valentin hasn’t heard from the Reds regarding 2009.