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Latest Braves Rumors: Glavine, DeJesus, Dotel

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Here’s a look at the recent dealings and rumors surrounding the Braves.

  • Frank Wren publicly admitted that the Braves would like to add Tom Glavine to their rotation for 2008.  They’re hoping for a hometown discount, which he may be amenable to based on this report.  At the minimum, the Braves will have competition from the Nationals, Cardinals, Astros, and possibly the Mets.
  • Wren also stated that the Braves will look outside the organization for their center fielder.  David O’Brien (linked above) indicates that the Braves won’t make offers to Torii Hunter, Aaron Rowand, or Mike Cameron due to the size of the likely commitments.  Since Cameron would seemingly only take two years, it’s surprising the Braves will pass.  O’Brien says David DeJesus is a reasonable option even though he’s signed for three years, since he’s cheap and trade-able.  A Coco Crisp acquisition would use similar logic.
  • Unless he comes at a discount, it sounds like the Braves will pass on Todd Jones.  Jones had expressed interest in pitching for his hometown team, but Wren stated yesterday that he will not pursue a free agent closer.  There had been speculation yesterday that the Braves were interested in Japanese closer Masahide Kobayashi.  They could still add him as a set-up man.
  • Though the Braves declined his $5.5MM option, Octavio Dotel could still be in the picture.  Most likely, he’ll seek more money and the opportunity to close elsewhere.  It was a mutual option so Dotel would’ve declined it on his end anyway. 

Rosenthal’s Latest: A-Rod, Posada, Cameron

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Ken Rosenthal is back with a column loaded with rumory goodness.  Rosenthal’s column is like a drug.

  • Rosenthal doesn’t think the Red Sox will just ignore the availability of Alex Rodriguez, especially if someone lures Mike Lowell away with a five-year offer.  Rosenthal suggests a shorter term of five-years, $150MM with option years and opt-outs so that A-Rod could have one more payday as he theoretically approaches Hank Aaron’s record.
  • Jorge Posada will receive a "monster offer" from the Mets.  While the Mets can’t move him to DH down the road, they can put him at first base.  I’ve been saying 4/56, but 5/70 isn’t out of the question apparently.  Posada wants a four-year deal, and won’t sign with the Yanks without fielding other offers first.  Apparently the Marlins and Blue Jays are also in on him.
  • The Nationals may be kicking the tires on big names Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, but Jim Bowden is also a big Mike Cameron fan.  The Nats do seem a reasonable fit.
  • The Cubs are also in on Cameron, in addition to Kosuke Fukudome.  Rosenthal suggests the Cubs could put Felix Pie in left if they get Cameron.
  • Scott Boras client Kyle Lohse is looking for 4-5 years, $10-11MM annually.  No surprise there.
  • The Royals are looking to add a starter and a reliever, and maybe a closer if they decide to put Joakim Soria in the rotation.

Royals Interested In Guillen, Jenkins, Hunter

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I was waiting for someone to name a few players of interest to the Royals, and Bob Dutton came through tonight with some names.

Specifically, the team is after a run-producer, ideally a right-handed hitter.  That puts Jose Guillen atop their list.  Dayton Moore might need to go a little north of three years, $30MM to get him.

Failing that, the left-handed hitting Geoff Jenkins is on the radar.  He’d probably go for a one-year, $6-7MM contract in my estimation.

Dutton notes that the Royals have interest in Torii Hunter, but he’s likely to be priced out of their range.

Dutton also hints that Sammy Sosa could be a consideration for the Royals, as he does have pop if nothing else.  They are one of a handful of teams with an open DH spot. 

Padres Rumors: Crisp, Pie, Andruw, Eckstein

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Tom Krasovic continues to set the standard for Padres inside information.  Today’s column is especially delicious for rumor junkies, with tons of new material to chew on.

  • Kevin Towers expects to fill his center field vacancy via trade.  He may first want to wait to see if Mike Cameron accepts the team’s upcoming offer of arbitration.  Cameron is a Type B free agent.  Remember that he will be limited to 137 games in ’07. 
  • As for trade candidates, Coco Crisp is on the radar but the Padres smartly won’t part with Chase Headley. 
  • Krasovic notes that Bud Black’s connection with Angels manager Mike Scioscia could play a role now that Trader Bill Stoneman isn’t the GM.  Reggie Willits or Nathan Haynes might be in play for the Padres.
  • The Padres really seem to like Felix Pie, and could re-open talks that would include Khalil Greene.  They’ve asked about Tony Gwynn Jr. of the Brewers in the past.  And it does sound like the Royals are willing to talk about David DeJesus.
  • Sounds like the Padres will offer Andruw Jones $14-16MM on a one-year contract.  Scott Boras hasn’t seemed open to this with Jones, but time will tell.
  • The Tigers will have competition from the Padres for Geoff Jenkins.  Krasovic envisions a Jenkins/Scott Hairston platoon in left and expects the Friars to make an offer.
  • Two starters will be acquired even after Greg Maddux is retained.  Rehabbing former Mark Prior and Matt Clement would both like to play in San Diego.  There has to be some sort of cosmic rule about having three ex-Cubs in the rotation.  That is not recommended.  Plus the Padres were on Curt Schilling’s list.  And don’t forget the team’s previous trade interest in Josh Towers, who seems likely to be non-tendered and could be solid in PETCO.
  • The Padres could pursue David Eckstein as a second baseman and leadoff man.  But that would seemingly block Matt Antonelli for longer than necessary.  Plus such a switch wouldn’t be in Eckstein’s best interests financially.
  • Towers likes Jason Kendall, perhaps as a backup, but faces opposition in the organization.
  • In another article, Towers lends credence to the theory that the Marlins could sign Alex Rodriguez. 

Rangers Rumors: DeJesus, Lamb, Millar

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Evan Grant writes for the Dallas Morning News, but he posted this column at night.  Go figure.  He’s got some new info regarding the Rangers.

  • As you know, the Rangers have had difficulty finding a long-term center fielder.  That’s the main focus of this offseason.  The team has already shown interest in Torii Hunter and Aaron Rowand, the top center fielders available.  Other free agents such as Andruw Jones and Mike Cameron appear to be in play as well.  Grant’s trade candidates: Coco Crisp, David DeJesus, Mark Kotsay, and Carlos Beltran.  We’ve speculated on DeJesus to Atlanta in the past.  With DeJesus signed cheaply through 2011 and the market at the position robust this winter, it might make sense for Dayton Moore to wait a year to shop him aggressively.
  • Grant adds that Jon Daniels is considering some affordable options for first base.  They’ve already talked to Mike Lamb’s agent and like Kevin Millar as well.  Lamb came up through the Rangers’ system but was traded to the Yankees in ’04.  Millar is under contract for ’08 but it’s in the $3-4MM range and the Orioles should be open to a trade.  Grant says Ben Broussard could pique the Rangers’ interest if he’s non-tendered.
  • Grant concludes with five Rangers whose names will be bandied about in trade talks: Gerald Laird, Vicente Padilla, Joaquin Arias, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nelson Cruz.  Salty’s not being shopped but Grant expects teams to ask.  He proposes some kind of bad contract swap for Padilla – Jason Giambi, Richie Sexson, or Adam Eaton are named.  I still think it’s funny the way Padilla crawled away from the brawl he started this year. 

Odds and Ends: Cook, Benoit, Griffey, Riske

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Some random tidbits that didn’t get their own posts today…

Could Bonds Join Royals, Devil Rays?

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Barry Bonds has a stated desire to win a World Series before his finishes his career.  That doesn’t gel with the idea of joining a last-place team like the Royals or Devil Rays.  However, he may have to decide between non-contenders and retirement.

Last week when the Giants told Bonds he wasn’t welcome in 2008, I analyzed the situations of the 14 American League teams’ DH spots.  The Orioles, Royals, Angels, A’s and Rangers seemed the most likely fits.  I didn’t like the D-Rays for Bonds because they’ve already got all three outfield spots filled and have to find playing time for Jonny Gomes and Rocco Baldelli at DH.

However, Buster Olney is intrigued by the idea of Bonds in Tampa Bay.  In Olney’s view, Bonds would basically split time at DH with Baldelli, pushing Gomes out of the starting picture (perhaps he’d be traded).  That’s reasonable if the price is right.  But keep in mind John Shea’s note, that Bonds wouldn’t have gone to St. Petersburg had the Giants moved there in 1993.  Beggars can’t be choosy though. 

Bob Dutton also wrote about the possibility of Bonds joining the Royals next year.  Dutton says the Royals have $30MM coming off the books.  Billy Butler could play maybe 120 games at first base and 40 at DH in ’08.   The heart of this order could put up some runs, though you’d like to see some kind of offense coming out of left field or shortstop:

David DeJesus – CF
Mark Grudzielanek – 2B
Barry Bonds – DH
Billy Butler – 1B
Alex Gordon – 3B
Mark Teahen – RF
John Buck – C
Joey Gathright – LF
Tony Pena Jr. – SS

Needs and Luxuries: Kansas City Royals

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Next up in our Needs and Luxuries series, the Royals.  My projected 2008 setup is below.

C – John Buck
1B – Ross Gload/Billy Butler
2B – Mark Grudzielanek
SS – Tony Pena Jr.
3B – Alex Gordon
LF – Joey Gathright
CF – David DeJesus
RF – Mark Teahen
DH – Billy Butler/Mike Sweeney

SP – Gil Meche
SP – Brian Bannister
SP – Zack Greinke
SP – Kyle Davies
SP – Jorge De La Rosa/Billy Buckner/Luke Hochevar/Luke Hudson

Setup – David Riske
Closer – Joakim Soria

Needs

You have to like what Dayton Moore is doing with this club.  They’re looking to have their best record since ’03 and definitely appear on the way up.  Of course, like any rebuilding team, they have some needs.

One need the Royals have is power.  They’re dead last in the AL with a .392 SLG. To be fair, their stadium is not receptive to the longball.  But the Royals don’t hit for power on the road either.  The good news is that Gordon and Butler both project as 30 home run guys in the near future.  And Buck can hit 20.  The bad news is that Mark Teahen’s ’06 power surge now looks like a mirage and the cupboard is otherwise bare.  I don’t think the next contending Royals team will have its corner outfielders combining for 16 home runs.

The Royals also need an injection of OBP but I’m less worried about that.  Gordon will pick it up, and Emil Brown will hopefully be non-tendered.  I also think Gload should be less of a regular and more of a bench player, so the team needs to decide if Butler can handle first base.

The team’s 4.47 ERA isn’t too bad; it’s barely worse than that of the Yankees.  Of course, most teams need pitching.  The Royals should continue to stock up on young hurlers however possible.  I liked the way Moore turned the Octavio Dotel rental into Davies.  Maybe they can try it again with Milton Bradley, Mike Piazza, Matt Clement, Jon Lieber…I could go on.  Hell, they could just sign Dotel again and flip him. 

Luxuries

Rebuilding teams aren’t known for having surpluses.  That said I do like DeJesus and Riske as candidates to be flipped this winter or at the ’08 trade deadline.  DeJesus is signed reasonably through 2011, while Riske’s ’08 option for around $3MM will certainly be picked up.  Both have their flaws but neither will kill you.  The targets should be more young pitchers and maybe a corner type with pop.  Perhaps Moore could get the Braves interested in DeJesus for Scott Thorman or Kala Kaaihue.  Or if he can do better, fantastic.

Hopefully teams will look at DeJesus and Riske as lower cost alternatives to the free agent center fielders and late inning relievers.

I suppose another luxury could be an excess of first base types lacking the offense for the position, like Gload, Ryan Shealy, and Justin Huber.  But the market for those guys is surely weak.  Maybe a Thorman type would only add to that.

You can’t call the starting pitching a luxury at present but you have to like the core of Meche, Bannister, and Greinke for the next few seasons.  If Moore gets a third cheap guy to pan out, he can make a big free agent splash for one more veteran arm when the team is ready to contend.

Royals Considering Re-Signing Sweeney

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The Royals are considering re-signing designated hitter and former face of the franchise Mike Sweeney for 2008.  Sweeney, one of baseball’s nice guys, had this to say:

"I think this team is going to turn into a winning team real soon, and I definitely want to be here when it happens. Next year, rather than being tagged with being the $11 million man, I’ll be the guy who is getting $11 over the minimum."

If his back will allow it, Sweeney might try to play another couple of seasons in hopes of reaching the playoffs as a Royal.  He tried yoga last winter and had the usual quotes about feeling great.  In May he even talked about moving back behind the plate for ’08.  But he was again sidelined, this time with a knee injury that required surgery. 

The Royals may try to eke a little bit of defensive value out of young Billy Butler by using him at first base next year.  That’d allow them to sign Sweeney for half a million bucks or so.  It’s not like Butler would be putting in 150 games at first anyway; even 100 healthy games from Sweeney would be a surprise.  There’s a myth that Sweeney hits when he’s out there, but a .252/.329/.423 line in 421 ABs since the start of ’06 says otherwise.  The average DH is hitting .264/.350/.433 this year.  If the Royals retain Sweeney, it’d be purely for his clubhouse qualities. They could easily find a DH to match Sweeney, even by calling up their own free talent guy in Craig Brazell.

Bob Dutton’s article notes that the Royals have a good $30MM to burn this winter, but want to focus on adding a starting pitcher.  Here’s another look at the list.  There are a number of interesting plays the Royals should consider – Freddy Garcia, Matt Clement, Bartolo Colon, Kyle Lohse, and even Curt Schilling (if he’d do Tampa Bay, why not KC.)  If they’re looking to go young as they did with Gil Meche, I could see Lohse or Carlos Silva on a somewhat overpriced three or four-year deal.  Yeah…I think Silva’s getting four years.  And Lohse is represented by Scott Boras.

Odds and Ends

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Some random rumors and links for Tuesday afternoon…

  • The Rockies signed Mark Redman to a minor league contract.  It makes sense to add some depth, but I like the team’s plan of using high-octane arms Ubaldo Jimenez and Franklin Morales instead of the safe veteran options.
  • Rick Sutcliffe’s thoughts on showboating.
  • At one time, it seemed that Jason Jennings would be primed for a big payday this winter.  He still could get a Marquis contract despite his 6.45 ERA in 18 starts.  But prospective buyers have to be concerned that he replied "I don’t know" when asked if he is healthy.  By the way, that link details a failed ballpark marriage proposal that resulted in popcorn being dumped on the guy’s head.  On the Jumbotron.
  • It wouldn’t be the Kansas City Star without an enormous pixellated close-up of the player in question.  This time it’s Mark Grudzielanek, who’s been extended through 2008.  Grudz wouldn’t have reached the 500 PAs needed to guarantee his $4MM option for ’08.
  • The Red Sox still haven’t spoken to Mike Lowell about a contract extension.  He wants to stay, and Nick Cafardo suggests Jermaine Dye could be the comp at two years, $22MM.  That’d be a major concession for Lowell, who’d be the best free agent third baseman unless A-Rod opts out.  One scenario has Kevin Youkilis moving to third base and some sort of league average first baseman stepping in, like the newly acquired Chris Carter.  Another has the Red Sox signing Alex Rodriguez.  The middle ground to those extremes is just to agree on a two-year deal with Lowell.  It’d make sense for the Red Sox to hold off on Lowell until they see what A-Rod does.   
  • The Eric Byrnes contract may serve as a model for Jose Guillen.
  • Tom Koch-Weser of STATS, Inc. has a new WHIFF profile of San Diego’s Chris Young.  A must-read as always.
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