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Odds and Ends: Renteria, Francoeur, Pedro

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Today’s links…

Odds and Ends: Patterson, Lowry, Alvarez

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Today’s linkage…

Pedro Alvarez Grievance Resolved

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5:47pm: Alvarez’s contract is signed.

3:26pm: MLB just issued a press release…the dispute has been resolved.  Alvarez and Eric Hosmer are free to play ball.

10:06am: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pedro Alvarez and Scott Boras are in downtown Pittsburgh this morning.  The union’s grievance might be dropped today (testimony has been postponed), and Alvarez should take his physical and sign the contract soon.

A few questions to ponder.  If Alvarez wins ROY in 2010, will all be forgiven in Pittsburgh?  And will the Pirates be willing to use their early first-round pick next year on a Boras client?

Odds and Ends : Snyder, Ludwick, Bradley

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Reading material for Tuesday…

  • Chris Carpenter is reportedly dealing with a unique and career-threatening nerve injury, which could increase the Cardinals’ need for starting pitching this winter.
  • Viva El Birdos says the Cardinals should offer Ryan Ludwick and others for Matt Cain.  Can’t hurt to ask.
  • The Cubs claimed outfielder Brad Snyder off waivers from the Indians.  He was the 18th overall pick in 2003, but hasn’t produced enough in the minors.
  • Milton Bradley stands to earn another half-million bucks if he can snag seven more plate appearances.  Bradley met with the Rangers a few months ago to discuss a long-term deal, but nothing is close.  Bradley feels the Rangers are dragging their feet, and gives 50-50 odds on a return.  He said he’d quit baseball if he couldn’t find a multiyear deal somewhere.
  • Sam Mellinger reminds Royals fans that their long-term success hinges on the development of in-house youngsters rather than free agent signings.
  • Steven Goldman notes that the Red Sox are far better prepared for the future than the Yankees.

Odds and Ends: Hawkins, Pettitte, Strasburg

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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.

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Roberts, Cain

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Here’s a look at the latest column from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

  • One "Yankees person" believes it will take "crazy money" to convince C.C. Sabathia to pitch in New York and in the American League.
  • The following three names are being bandied about in the Yankees’ clubhouse for center field next year: Nate McLouth, David DeJesus, and Matt Kemp.  DeJesus seems the most reasonable target, though Robinson Cano could be part of a package for Kemp.  DeJesus, it should be noted, played a poor center field this year according to the plus/minus system.
  • Heyman doesn’t see the Yankees re-signing Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu due to defensive concerns.
  • Heyman says the Brewers’ efforts to acquire Brian Roberts were more under the radar than the Cubs’.  GM Doug Melvin admitted Roberts’ name came up last spring, as the Orioles "were wanting to get [the Brewers] involved."
  • Heyman speculation…could the Giants send Matt Cain and another player to Milwaukee for Prince Fielder, and then sign Sabathia?  Or could the Rockies jump into the bidding for C.C.?

Pedro Alvarez Agrees To New Deal

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1:08pm: Kovacevic has more.  He says talks have begun toward resolving the grievance filed by the players union.  He also indicates Alvarez has yet to take his physical.  Meanwhile the Royals hope this means they can get Eric Hosmer back out on the field soon.

8:42am: Good news for Pirates fans – top draft pick Pedro Alvarez agreed to terms on a new contract with the Pirates.  It’s a four-year Major League deal worth $6.355MM, with a couple of option years after that.  The union’s grievance may no longer be an issue. 

Dejan Kovacevic says that with interest and inflation Alvarez is getting around $5.67MM (less than the $6MM minor league deal he originally signed). On the other hand, Alvarez will now be added to the 40-man roster. 

On deadline day, Alvarez and other players did not receive big league deals partially because the two parties no longer had time to conduct a physical.  I’m wondering if the Pirates and Alvarez met up and did this recently.  And when did they find the time to do this post-deadline renegotiation?  I’m surprised it was allowed.

Week in Review: 9/14 – 9/20

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Another week down here at MLBTR, here’s your review!

  • The Brewers fired manager Ned Yost on Monday. Yost has taken a lot of criticism, and while I personally don’t feel like it’s a bad move, it seems like an odd time to disrupt the clubhouse, given that the Brewers are right in the wild card race. Perhaps this was intended to spark the Brewers and act as a wakeup call, but they have just two wins since the move.
  • In an attempt to cut payroll, the Tigers may have to move Magglio Ordonez this offseason. Ordonez will make $18MM next year and has options for 2010 and 2011. Anyone else think the Reds should make a serious run at Maggs? A lineup filled with Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Edwin Encarnacion, and Ordonez could be extremely potent, to go along with a rotation anchored by Edinson Volquez, Aaron Harang, and Johnny Cueto.
  • Despite their bullpen woes, the Mets are not likely to make a run at either Francisco Rodriguez, or Brian Fuentes either. The Mets’ internal options have been bad, but K-Rod is in for a record-setting deal, and aside from the sheer number of saves, I don’t feel that his numbers stand out to the point where the team that lands him is going to get the full value of that contract. Personally, I think passing is a good decision.
  • Are the Royals currently interested in making a move for Braves’ right fielder Jeff Francoeur? The Royals have very few guys with solid OBPs, and adding Francoeur to the everyday lineup doesn’t seem like the route to go. Still, he has a long-standing relationship with Royals GM Dayton Moore, so it could be a valid possibility. The Royals have said they are willing to part with anyone aside from Zack Greinke, Gil Meche, and Joakim Soria.
  • The Red Sox and Theo Epstein have agreed to a contract extension.
  • Things to think about for in the offseason: Kevin Gregg expects to be traded, Matt Cain wants to stay in San Francisco, Milton Bradley wants a long-term deal and feels he has a 50-50 chance at returning to the Rangers. In the meantime, likely non-tender candidates include both Josh Bard and Erik Bedard.
  • Tim updated the Offseason Outlook series with entries for the Athletics, Braves, and Tigers. He also took a look at the Third Base Market, led by Casey Blake.
  • And for anyone curious about Manny Ramirez’s end in Boston, here’s Curt Schilling’s take on the situation.

Francoeur to the Royals?

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Pure speculation here, but the Jeff Francoeur-to-the-Royals rumors continue. Joe Posnanski had a throwaway line in this post about "Jeff Francoeur, who I predict will be a Royal soon." An eagle-eyed reader emailed Atlanta writer David O’Brien to ask if this was supposed to be a joke. O’Brien responded:

"…that’s not tongue-in-cheek by Posnanski. As we’ve mentioned a few times, KC is the one team I wouldn’t be surprised to see Francoeur traded to, simply because of Dayton Moore and his long association with Francoeur. They remain friends who stay in contact, from my understanding. But more importantly, Dayton was here when the Braves drafted and developed Francoeur, and he’s going to have a lot better memory/impression of the player than other teams/GMs who’d just Francoeur on his performance slide and or what they’ve heard from scouts or through the grapevine…"

Another potential factor favoring Francoeur in KC: though the right fielder has never managed to walk a lot in the big leagues (.312 OBP), the Royals don’t seem to value walks at all, anyway.

Francoeur has gone from hometown favorite to disappointment in Atlanta—though to be fair to Frenchy, expectations could not have been higher. Perhaps he’s just another one of those top prospects who never pan out. But maybe the 24-year old would flourish away from an atmosphere that’s  become toxic.

Atlanta obviously has a long shopping list of things they’d like. So any ideas on what the Royals might be willing to part with?

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Huff, Hardy, Russ Ortiz

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has a new column up.

  • Mark Attanasio set a dangerous precedent by firing Ned Yost.  Will he interfere with GM Doug Melvin’s plans in the future?
  • Rosenthal considers Aubrey Huff a "highly desirable trade commodity" this winter.  That begs the question – why did Huff pass through waivers unclaimed in August?
  • Trading J.J. Hardy is more likely than moving him to third base.  Hardy is under team control for two more seasons.  The Jays, Tigers, Royals, Twins, Giants, Dodgers, and Cardinals could be in the market for a shortstop.  Demand certainly outstrips supply.
  • Rosenthal believes Rafael Furcal would be a nice fit for the Blue Jays.  He agrees that GM J.P. Ricciardi is likely to return.
  • The Orioles might prefer affordable veterans to A.J. Burnett as they try to improve their pitching staff this winter.
  • Russ Ortiz wants to pitch in 2009, and he worked out for ten days a week ago.  ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick first reported the workout yesterday.  He says the Royals, Astros, Brewers, and Red Sox had scouts at the audition. 
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