Royals May Be Done
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star talked to Royals GM Dayton Moore, who suggested he might not be able to do much more this winter due to payroll limitations. After arbitration raises, the Royals should be close to their $60MM budget. So don’t look for any big free agent signings unless a player is moved to create payroll room.
Dutton says rumors continue to link the Royals to outmakers Jeff Francoeur and Yuniesky Betancourt. Dutton asked Moore why he seemingly ignored his OBP plan for Mike Jacobs, and Moore said he can only take advantage of the players who are available. Joe Posnanski comments on the recent rumors.
Elsewhere, Ken Rosenthal and Keith Law are saying the Royals hope to sign Greinke to a long-term deal. If that fails, the 25 year-old hurler could be available.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Furcal, Bradley, Greinke
Another day, another Ken Rosenthal column.
- The A’s have payroll flexibility, and are expressing "strong interest" in free agent shortstop Rafael Furcal. Bobby Crosby is set to earn $5.25MM in ’09, but it makes sense to upgrade.
- Contrary to previous reports, Rosenthal says the Tigers are not in on Furcal. They’ll also pass on Francisco Rodriguez, which was expected.
- Rosenthal discusses possible fits for Milton Bradley, including the Rays, Rangers, Blue Jays, Mets, Cardinals, and Phillies. It will be hard to overlook the health risk and give Bradley a three-year deal, especially for an NL club.
- Rosenthal confirms interest in Khalil Greene from the Orioles and Reds. The Blue Jays and Tigers have also been mentioned.
- There’s no way the Phillies can afford Manny Ramirez; a look at their ’09 commitments makes that clear.
- The Royals hope to sign Zack Greinke and Alex Gordon to long-term extensions. Rosenthal feels trade discussions could pick up for Greinke if the Royals can’t sign him. Keith Law said the same yesterday.
- The Padres will exercise Brian Giles‘ $9MM option in the next day or two.
Royals Rumors: Francoeur, Butler, Ibanez, Greinke
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star has several Royals rumors this morning…
- Dutton says the Braves appear willing to trade Jeff Francoeur. While no trade talks have taken place, it’s known that Royals GM Dayton Moore is a fan. Dutton speculates that the Royals would not give up Zack Greinke for Francoeur, but may consider offering Luke Hochevar, Danny Cortes, or Mark Teahen.
- The Royals and Mariners discussed a Billy Butler for Yuniesky Betancourt trade before the ’07 season, and Dutton wonders if Seattle’s new GM could reignite those talks.
- Dutton says the Mark Teahen to Cleveland rumor "just won’t die," despite Moore labeling it an "absolute lie" on October 27th. It may be that Teahen is on the Indians’ list but no talks have occurred.
- Will the Royals offer arbitration to second baseman Mark Grudzielanek? He’s a Type B free agent, so it’s under consideration. The risk is that he accepts.
- Another Royals rumor from Ken Davidoff of Newsday: they’ve expressed an interest in bringing Raul Ibanez back to Kansas City. The Mets and Cubs are other known suitors.
- ESPN’s Keith Law says the Royals would like to sign Zack Greinke to a long-term deal, but if that fails they would make him available. Greinke, 25, is under team control for two more seasons.
Braves Rumors: Ludwick, Dempster, Francoeur
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has been churning out rumors in the comments section of his blog.
- He believes the Braves are interested in Ryan Ludwick, but is not sure if they’d give up Kelly Johnson. O’Brien also suggests Rick Ankiel could be available, and that either player would interest Atlanta.
- O’Brien says the Cubs offered three years, $36MM to Ryan Dempster. Most folks think he’ll re-sign, but the Braves have spoken to Dempster’s agent.
- He adds that the Braves will make an offer to Mike Hampton, though Hampton will shop around and may prefer the West Coast. He’s looking for a one-year deal.
- The Royals still love Jeff Francoeur.
Payroll Restrictions May Limit Royals
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star did the math and came to the conclusion that the Royals don’t have much money to spend this winter. I found the same during my Offseason Outlook. If payroll stays around $60MM, there’s probably only room for one second-tier free agent. With that in mind, players like Adam Dunn and Rafael Furcal seem unlikely.
The Royals have all kinds of needs – middle infielder, slugging outfielder, and pitching help. Dayton Moore may have to pursue trades, with David DeJesus one of his better chips. He could also move a first base type, one of Kila Ka’aihue, Billy Butler, and Ryan Shealy.
For a bit more on the Royals, check out a Q&A I did with the Royals on Radio blog.
Olivo Staying With Royals
TUESDAY: The 2010 mutual option is for $3.25MM, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Olivo decided to stay because he was promised the starting catcher job. John Buck is still expected to receive plenty of playing time, and catcher Brayan Pena was added to the 40-man roster.
MONDAY: According to Jesse Spector of the New York Daily News, the catcher Miguel Olivo will remain with the Royals for the 2009 season. Hell yes! The Royals exercised his $2.7MM option, and Olivo chose not to void it. Another mutual option for 2010 was added.
Olivo, 30, hit .255/.278/.444 in 306 plate appearances. He continued to show good power against lefties. He threw out 42.4% of baserunners, up from 32.9% in ’07.
Odds and Ends: Pudge, Ohman, Manny
Rounding up linkage for Monday…
- The Jays claimed two players off waivers: shortstop Angel Sanchez and pitcher Kelvin Jimenez.
- The Cubs and Nationals swapped minor leaguers. The Cubs sent pitcher Matt Avery to the Nats for another pitcher named Ryan Buchter.
- Good stuff from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick – he surveyed 15 front-office people on the top stories of the offseason.
- One of a million conversations taking place at the GM meetings: Brian Cashman chatting with Walt Jocketty.
- Tony Massarotti’s top five lies told during free agency.
- Ken Davidoff names his top ten GMs.
- Joe Posnanski on the Mike Jacobs–Leo Nunez trade.
- River Ave. Blues explains why the Yankees should offer arbitration to Ivan Rodriguez.
- The official list of the 191 players eligible for free agency.
- The Braves hope to re-sign free agents Will Ohman, Greg Norton, and John Smoltz. The Smoltz situation may not be resolved until January.
- Tracy Ringolsby lists needs for every team.
- The Tigers signed an independent league lefty named Kris Regas to a minor league deal.
- John Shea says the Giants and A’s will consider the big-name free agent sluggers this winter.
- Padres GM Kevin Towers doesn’t see Manny Ramirez signing until Christmas time. He sees the New York and L.A. teams as suitors.
- Joe Sheehan proposes five radical offseason moves.
- The Cubs signed a couple of Korean players: catcher/outfielder Jae-hoon Ha and pitcher Soo-min Jung.
Odds and Ends: Jacobs, Howard, Renteria
Links for Friday…
- The A’s claimed infielder Joe Dillon off waivers from the Brewers.
- Dave Cameron criticizes the Royals’ acquisition of Mike Jacobs. ESPN’s Keith Law also panned the move, suggesting Jacobs was a non-tender candidate for the Marlins.
- Peter Abraham breaks down the different types of hot stove stories and sources.
- Derrick Goold looks at Ryan Howard‘s arbitration case.
- MLB.com’s Chris Haft talked to various scouts about Matt Cain‘s trade value.
- Edgar Renteria hopes to remain in Detroit, saying "Next year, we are going to win everything."
- ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian names his top ten offseason storylines.
- Ken Davidoff says the Mets were interested in Brad Lidge last year, but the Astros’ asking price was too high.
- Joel Sherman debates the merits of a Luis Castillo–Andruw Jones swap while stressing that no such deal is actually being discussed.
- The 2008 Fielding Bible awards are out.
Royals Acquire Jacobs For Nunez
THURSDAY: It’s official: the Royals have acquired Jacobs for Nunez, according to Dutton. It now seems that the Royals have a surplus of 1B/DH types.
WEDNESDAY, 10:38pm: Joe Frisaro of MLB.com says the deal would be Jacobs for Nunez, and it could be announced this week. Nunez, 25, posted a 2.98 ERA in 48.1 innings. His strikeout rate was weak, but he managed to keep the ball in the yard despite flyball tendencies. He threw quite hard, averaging 94.4 mph on his heater. He missed some time with a strained lat.
Rany Jazayerli considers the Royals acquiring Jacobs a terrible idea, and worries that it could lead to a Billy Butler trade.
8:31pm: Dutton says this evening that the Royals are moving closer to a deal for Jacobs. The Marlins apparently rejected a trade for Rosa, and current discussions involve a ready-now reliever. Dutton believes it could be Leo Nunez or Ramon Ramirez.
9:02am: According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, first baseman Mike Jacobs remains a possible acquisition for the Royals. Jacobs, 28, hit .247/.299/.514 in 519 plate appearances this year. He struggled mightily against lefties this year and in ’06, but handled them in ’07. Trade talks with the Marlins stalled over the health of pitching prospect Carlos Rosa. The Mariners, Blue Jays, and Giants are also in on Jacobs.
It’s surprising to see the Royals apparently willing to give up a prospect for a first baseman – they have a couple of palatable (and cheaper) options in Kila Ka’aihue and Ryan Shealy. Ka’aihue’s minor league equivalent says he could hit .243/.390/.442 in the bigs.
Dutton was the original author of Sunday’s Mark Teahen/Indians rumor, and he wrote today that sources from both clubs gave it to him. Royals GM Dayton Moore says "somebody lied" along the way.
Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million
Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009. This means they won’t be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players. Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th.
However, Berardino confirms Olney’s note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available. The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa’s August forearm soreness. A thought: why would the Royals consider trading pitching for Jacobs? Berardino names the Mariners and Blue Jays as other interested parties, and considers the Indians a fit. The Giants have also been named as a suitor.
Berardino wonders if the Rangers will pursue Olsen, perhaps offering a catcher. I don’t believe Olsen would succeed in Texas.
Expected to remain in Florida: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Alfredo Amezaga. Berardino says the front office is divided on Jeremy Hermida‘s potential. Four teams have asked about Hermida. Josh Willingham may be available, but his back is worrisome.