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Odds & Ends: Duke, Hardy, Mets, Angels

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Some Saturday evening links…

  • Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports write that the Brewers asked the Pirates for Zach Duke or Paul Maholm in exchange for J.J. Hardy.  Pittsburgh hoped to land the shortstop in exchange for closer Matt Capps or catcher Ryan Doumit.  When the Pirates refused to budge, the Brewers pulled the trigger on the deal with Minnesota for Carlos Gomez.
  • Also noted is that the Mets are considering former Indians skipper Eric Wedge as a candidate for their bench coach vacancy.  The position could be a stepping stone to the head job as Jerry Manuel is in the final year of his contract.  Bob Melvin and former Orioles bench coach Dave Jauss are also in the mix.
  • After recently signing GM Tony Reagins to a new contract, the Angels have made a few front office changes, reports Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer implores the Reds not to trade Bronson Arroyo or Brandon Phillips to clear payroll.
  • Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun suggests that Dan Uggla would make a good fit for the Orioles.  Based on conversations that Schmuck has had with beat writer Jeff Zrebiec, it doesn't seem as though the O's front office agrees.
  • Marquis Grissom will not return as the Nationals' first base coach, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson.

Olney On Lackey, Astros, Rangers, Doumit, Carroll

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In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes about Michael Bourn, and how he went from hitting .218 with a .273 OBP in the first half of 2008 to hitting .285 with a .354 OBP in 2009 thanks to a suggestion from Astros' coach Dave Clark.

Here's a roundup of Olney's rumors…

  • The Angels last offer to John Lackey was a $72MM package, made earlier this year.
  • Olney's educated guess is that the Mariners are the best bet to sign Lackey, followed in order by the Angels, Brewers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees.
  • Olney hears that the Astros "are cutting payroll, and will have the flexibility to make only minor moves, such as getting a right-handed hitting third baseman, to platoon with Geoff Blum."
  • Tom Hicks is still trying to find a way to hold onto the Rangers, but bids from prospective buyers are due next week.
  • The Pirates "first made it clear" they were willing to deal Ryan Doumit before the trade deadline, while the Dodgers have been having "internal conversations" about bringing Jamey Carroll aboard as a utility infielder.

Curtis Granderson Rumors: Saturday

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Cubs' GM Jim Hendry "absolutely" is interested in offering a prospect-heavy package to the Tigers for Curtis Granderson according to a source close to the team, says Phil Rogers of The Chicago Tribune. Yesterday we heard that the two sides were not yet in trade talks, but Rogers' source says that Hendry and Tigers' GM Dave Dombrowski "spoke about Granderson and other Tigers players during the GM meetings earlier in the week at the O'Hare Hilton."

So far we've heard that the Cubs, Angels, and Yankees have interest in the 28-year-old outfielder. Granderson hit .249/.327/.453 in 710 plate appearances this year, though ESPN's Keith Law says he's become just a platoon player because of his struggles against southpaws.

Curtis Granderson Rumors: Friday

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3:55pm: The Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers tweets that the Cubs are not yet involved in trade talks for Granderson, "but will become aggressive when the Tigers are ready for offers."

9:38am: The Angels and Tigers have discussed a trade for center fielder Curtis Granderson, according to Ken Davidoff of Newsday.  Davidoff says the Halos would use Granderson in left field and either shift Juan Rivera to DH or trade him.  In my opinion, the Angels could fill several needs cheaply for the Tigers with players such as Mike Napoli and Brandon Wood.  Davidoff adds that the Yankees "think very highly" of Granderson and the Cubs are "expected to inquire."  Talking to the Chicago Tribune's Phil Rogers, Baseball America's Jim Callis suggested the Cubs are in the best position of these three suitors to acquire Granderson.

Granderson, 29 in March, hit .249/.327/.453 in 710 plate appearances this year.  His defense is at least respectable.  His contract is reasonable - $25.75MM guaranteed over the next three years.  ESPN's Keith Law, however, considers Granderson a platoon player given his inability to hit lefties.

Dodgers Javier Vazquez Rumor Shot Down

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1:24pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman talked to a team source who said the Dodgers and Braves are not currently having trade discussions.  Bowman believes the Brewers do have interest in Vazquez. 

As for Derek Lowe, Bowman doesn't see the Yankees in the mix but does consider the Angels and Brewers possibilities.

9:16am: Former Reds and Nationals GM Jim Bowden is on Twitter, and last night he floated a couple of Dodgers rumors.  Bowden wrote that the Dodgers are talking with the Braves about pitcher Javier Vazquez and with the Mets about second baseman Luis Castillo.

Vazquez would be an excellent addition to the front of the Dodgers' rotation, and he won't break the bank at $11.5MM in 2010.  However, his no-trade clause specifically allows him to block trades to AL and NL West clubs.  Plus, do the Dodgers have the trade chips the Braves crave? 

At $12MM over the next two years, Castillo is still viewed as a salary dump candidate by most.  Juan Pierre has the Dodgers' obvious bad contract, at $18.5MM over the next two years.  ESPN's Buster Olney says Castillo no longer appears untradeable, and the Mets will probably go after Orlando Hudson if they move him.

Braves Announce Tim Hudson Extension

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1:41pm: O'Brien says Hudson received a three-year, $28MM deal – $9MM annually plus a $1MM buyout on the option.

8:41am: The Braves announced Tim Hudson's extension today, according to Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.  He says it's a three-year deal worth around $9MM per year, with an option for 2013.  Hudson's new deal overwrites the $12MM mutual option he had for 2010.

Yesterday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote, "We've long known that the Braves are going to end up trading either Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez."  O'Brien feels that Kenshin Kawakami is another possibility.  Bowman suggests that the Yankees or Angels could be suitors for Lowe, should they decide not to sign John Lackey.  Vazquez could be extended if Lowe is moved.

Hideki Matsui Reports

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There was a throng of Japanese media at the GM Meetings, seemingly in the hunt for Hideki Matsui news the majority of the time.  NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman has more today, after yesterday's Red Sox report was misinterpreted and repeated around the web…

  • One report has Theo Epstein talking about how David Ortiz is his DH, making Matsui an unlikely match.
  • There's word that the Rays could look into Matsui if they move Pat Burrell.
  • The Angels could make sense, while the Mets would only if they convince themselves Matsui can play the field.
  • Newman likes the White Sox and Orioles as possibilities if the Yankees don't re-sign Matsui.

Odds & Ends: Griffey, Tigers, Torrealba

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Let's have a look at another handful of evening links….

  • MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that new Padres GM Jed Hoyer will sit down with Adrian Gonzalez next week to discuss the first baseman's future.
  • Keith Law of ESPN.com shares his thoughts on the trades that have transpired so far during the hot stove season.
  • Scott Miller of CBS Sports wraps up his observations from the GM meetings, and includes a quote from Angels GM Tony Reagins, saying the team will try their best to retain both John Lackey and Chone Figgins. I think they'd be doing very well if they were able to bring back even one of the two.
  • What do the Cleveland Indians need to do to improve in 2010? The Cleveland Plain Dealer's Paul Hoynes suggests that, considering the team's lack of payroll flexibility, the Indians just have to hope for better performances from many of their players.
  • In comments relayed by Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik was vague when asked about Ken Griffey Jr.'s playing time in 2010. Griffey and the Mariners reached an agreement earlier today, but it sounds like Junior could have a lesser role next season — particularly if the team is able to retain Russell Branyan and add another bat or two.
  • Despite recent rumors about the availability of Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, the Detroit Tigers don't intend to have a fire sale, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (via Twitter).
  • Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune says that if Granderson is available, the Cubs need to pursue him.
  • Troy Renck of the Denver Post has additional details on Yorvit Torrealba's possible future with the Colorado Rockies.
  • After hearing Scott Boras compare Matt Holliday to last winter's big free agent prize, Mark Teixeira, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs takes a detailed look at how the two players' values compare.
  • ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets that a few GMs came away from this week's meetings thinking that the market for the elite free agents this year will be "very, very limited."
  • Ever the optimist, Scott Boras disagrees with this assessment of the market, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today. Boras argues that "we hear this every year" and predicts that the top free agents will still receive "mega-contracts."

Boras Seeking Long-Term Deal For Damon?

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post says Scott Boras "sounded as if he wants a three- or four-year deal for Johnny Damon" in comments made yesterday.  Sherman also questions Boras' willingness to take less than the $13MM salary Damon made the last four years.  Such demands would take the Yanks out of the mix for Damon's services, no matter what Boras says about his client's gene pool.

Boras' Damon comments don't mean much, until one team actually emerges that is willing to guarantee three years.  Last year Boras somehow got us talking about ten years for Mark Teixeira and five for Manny Ramirez, so it's customary to aim higher than reality.  But, Sherman says the Yankees "might not want to offer Damon even a two-year deal," and that does seem possible on the open market.  In a blog post, Sherman recommends a two-year, $26MM agreement between Damon and the Yankees.  He adds that the Yankees do not want to offer arbitration to Damon.

Meanwhile, Sherman tweets a comment from Hideki Matsui's agent Arn Tellem that suggests Matsui wants to play for another three years.  How many contracts that will take, we're not sure yet.  Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News surveyed more than six GMs about Matsui, and all agreed that he cannot play the outfield. 

The Japanese media was all over the GM Meetings in Chicago, and Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker passes along their Matsui rumors.  Specifically, there might be interest from the Red Sox and Angels as a Plan B.  Also, this is weird…the Huffington Post commissioned Tellem to write a sales pitch for Matsui.

Sherman On Lackey, Phillies, Giants

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The latest from Joel Sherman of the New York Post…

  • The Angels' willingness to let John Lackey leave without a serious offer raises a red flag for at least a few execs with other clubs.  With Lackey being the best available free agent starter, it's easy to forget that his 2009 season did not begin until May 16th due to an elbow strain.  In 2008, he began on May 14th because of a triceps strain.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports also has a Lackey article, and it takes a different tone.  Rosenthal says the Angels would still like to re-sign Lackey, adding that "Plan B could be a renewed effort to trade for Roy Halladay."
  • Heyman assesses the Phillies and attempts to douse rumors about them eyeing Chone Figgins and Halladay.  He does see the needs as third base, the rotation, and the back of the bullpen.  Our own Mike Axisa wondered if my Jose Valverde prediction made sense, because Valverde might prefer to sign somewhere he'll surely close.  Maybe a guy like Brandon Lyon fits better.  David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News says GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has reached out to at least six free agents, and Murphy provides guesses.  Two clubs made trade offers as well.
  • A $90MM payroll might keep the Giants out of the Matt Holliday–Jason Bay bidding.  Sherman suggests the Giants are not locked into a first base acquisition in the infield – Pablo Sandoval can play both corners, and Freddy Sanchez can even be considered at third base if the Giants pursue another second baseman.  Sherman says the Giants are currently looking to re-sign Brad Penny and Bengie Molina.  Since he made only six starts for the Giants, you have to look to 2007 as the last time Penny truly had success.   Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News believes the Giants will at least offer arbitration to Molina, which I imagine will hurt his market.
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