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Cafardo On Red Sox, Youkilis, Beckett, Nationals

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In today’s column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wonders what is at the root of the Red Sox’s pitching woes.  Some around baseball feel that the club’s hurlers are missing catcher Jason Varitek.  “He did a lot for that team in terms of getting the staff ready for each team,’’ said an American League GM. “They depended on him like no team depended on a catcher anywhere in baseball, with the possible exception of St. Louis, where Yadier Molina seems to have that effect.’’  Here’s more from Cafardo..

  • An AL GM told Cafardo that there could be a market for embattled Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett, but the club would have to be willing to eat more than half of his contract.  Beckett will earn $15.75MM each year through 2014.
  • If Red Sox Kevin Youkilis can show he’s healthy, there’s a strong third base market out there for Boston. A National League special assignment scout told Cafardo that the Giants and Phillies are looking while the Rays could factor in, even though they say they aren’t in search of an answer at third base.
  • The Nationals would like to deal left-hander John Lannan but teams appear more interested in Chien Ming-Wang. The Nationals also have a good thing going and have created competition on their staff, as Wang and Lannan could push the other five. 
  • One American League GM doesn’t see the Phillies parting with Cole Hamels via trade.  “The [Blue] Jays are looking to do something big,” said an American League GM. “I just don’t see the Phillies bailing out on Hamels. They can still win it.“
  • The Rangers probably won’t let Josh Hamilton leave in free agency, but if he does look elsewhere, the Dodgers could be a fit for him with their new-found dollars.  Signing Hamilton would also allow the club to let Andre Ethier head into the market.

Dodgers Links: MacDougal, Kasten, Dodger Stadium

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Earlier today we learned that the Dodgers signed infielder Aaron Miles to a minor league contract, and tonight Anthony Jackson of ESPN Los Angeles reports (on Twitter) that he can opt-out of the deal on June 30th. Here's the latest from Chavez Ravine…

  • The Dodgers have requested unconditional release waivers on Mike MacDougal, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. The right-hander rejected his minor league assignment and will be released tomorrow if he clears waivers. He was designated for assignment on Thursday.
  • Team president and CEO Stan Kasten held a team meeting yesterday to assure players that the new ownership group is committed to "building a first-class organization," writes Gurnick. Kasten said they aim to acquire players that will improve the club, among other things.
  • “It’s on the list of one million first things,” said Kasten to Tyler Kepner of The New York Times regarding improvements to Dodger Stadium. Ownership wants to upgrade the 50-year-old stadium and recently renovated the team's family room during a road trip.

Olney On Hamels, Victorino, Youkilis, Dodgers

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A look at today's column from Buster Olney of ESPN.com..

  • The Phillies could have an ulterior motive in exploring trade possibilities for left-hander Cole Hamels and center fielder Shane Victorino.  The club could be suggesting that they are willing to trade the two veterans in order to pressure them to come to the negotiating table.  However, it both cases, there appears to be a significant gap to overcome.
  • Olney speculates that the Dodgers could be a good landing spot this summer for Kevin Youkilis if James Loney doesn't turn things around and the club is in search of an upgrade at first.  Youkilis, of course, would have to appear healthy enough to take on for the rest of the season.
  • The Blue Jays don't have a master plan for Vladimir Guerrero as they basically signed him for organizational depth, similar to what the Rays did by signing Hideki Matsui.  If Guerrero shows in Triple-A that he can be a productive player, and a need arises for the Jays, then he could be promoted.  If a need doesn't develop, then the club will allow Guerrero to pursue better opportunities elsewhere. 

Dodgers Sign Aaron Miles

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The Dodgers have signed infielder Aaron Miles to a minor league contract, reports Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times. He is currently working out at the team's Spring Training complex in Arizona. Eric Stephen of True Blue LA first reported the signing (on Twitter).

Miles, 35, hit .275/.314/.346 in 490 plate appearances for the Dodgers last year. Last month we learned that the David Schwartz client aimed to play this season. Miles is a .281/.320/.352 career hitter who has played primarily second base, though he has experience at several other positions as well. The Dodgers are currently without utility man Jerry Hairston Jr., who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury.

Dodgers Links: Ethier, Magic, Parking Lots

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The Dodgers are off to a 20-11 start and lead the NL West by five games over the Giants. The new ownership group officially took control of the team earlier this month, so things are looking good in Chavez Ravine right now. Here's the latest from SoCal…

  • The Dodgers are internally discussing how they'll try to keep Andre Ethier, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Ethier has indicating the willingness to remain with the team long-term following the ownership change.
  • Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times reports that Magic Johnson has the power to veto any developments proposed by Frank McCourt for the Dodger Stadium parking lots. The veto power is extended to "any other action that would have an adverse effect on the fan experience at Dodger Stadium or otherwise be inconsistent with the preferences of a Guggenheim Baseball Management member."
  • MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith recently broke down the Dodgers' 2013 contract issues.

Quick Hits: Indians, Hernandez, Hamilton, Dodgers

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On this day four years ago, the Padres released Jim Edmonds after he hit just .178/.265/.233 through 26 games.  On May 14th, the Cubs picked up the veteran for the prorated portion of the league minimum.  Edmonds proved to be a fantastic bargain as he hit .256/.369/.568 with 19 homers across 85 games.  Here’s a look at tonight’s linkage..

  • Indians manager Manny Acta said that Roberto Hernandez’s camp initially believed that his visa issues would’ve been resolved by now, tweets MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.  Hernandez remains in the Dominican Republic.
  • Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton doesn’t believe that his past troubles will make his free agency “complicated,” writes Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.  The soon-to-be 31-year-old added that his relationship with the club his deep and one that he hopes to extend.
  • In order to keep the Dodgers fan base on board, Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times implores the new ownership group to be forthcoming from this point forward.  Dilbeck notes that while Magic Johnson’s ownership stake is known to be roughly 3%, the rest of the breakdown is still under wraps.

2013 Contract Issues: Los Angeles Dodgers

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The Dodgers are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (5)

  • Andre Ethier - The Dodgers would like to sign Ethier long-term, but it might require a $100MM commitment.
  • James Loney - Loney doesn't hit much relative to other first basemen, so the Dodgers may let him walk in an attempt to improve their offense.
  • Adam Kennedy - The 36-year-old will have to provide some offense to go along with his defensive versatility.
  • Jamey Wright - Teams always need middle relievers, though Wright turns 38 this offseason.
  • Bobby Abreu - Five games into Abreu's Dodgers career it's too early to know if he'll return in 2013.

Contract Options (3)

  • Juan Rivera: $4MM club option with a $500K buyout. The Dodgers don't seem to trust Rivera against right-handed pitching, and given his struggles their hesitation is justified. $4MM is expensive for a platoon bat with little defensive value.
  • Todd Coffey: $2.5MM club option with a $300K buyout. Coffey spent much of April on the disabled list, but he could earn a place in the Dodgers' 2013 'pen with a strong finish.
  • Matt Treanor: $950K club option with a $150K buyout. The Dodgers may prefer to make Tim Federowicz their backup and save a little money.

Arbitration Eligible (2)

Recently hired director of baseball contracts Alex Tamin will likely be up against one of the smallest arbitration classes in the game next offseason. Two players are eligible for the first time and that's it.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Dodgers have a $105MM payroll this year, and they've already committed $103MM to next year's team, not including arbitration eligible players. It's a good thing new ownership expects payroll to rise, because the Dodgers are getting expensive.

No In-Season Talks For Kershaw, Dodgers

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The Dodgers don’t have plans to discuss a long-term contract extension with defending NL Cy Young Award winner Clayton Kershaw — at least for now. GM Ned Colletti told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that "nothing will happen” during the season (Twitter link).

Kershaw recently signed a two-year, $19MM deal that covers his first two arbitration seasons (2012-13). The 24-year-old Hendricks Sports client will be eligible for arbitration one more time following the 2013 season and eligible for free agency following the 2014 season. Guggenheim Baseball Management recently gained control of the Dodgers and may look to extend the left-hander’s stay in Los Angeles with a long-term extension. Kershaw figures to set ask for a $100MM contract if he has another strong season.

Rosenthal On Ethier, Santana, Blue Jays, D’Backs

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Here's the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…

  • Impending free agent Andre Ethier is "the first opportunity for the Dodgers’ new ownership to make a statement in the post-McCourt era," and while Ethier has let it be known that he's willing to negotiate a new deal during the season, Rosenthal thinks Stan Kasten would prefer to see Ethier perform well and stay healthy for the entire 2012 season before offering him a contract extension.  Rosenthal predicts Ethier will look for a deal similar to Jayson Werth's seven-year, $126MM contract with the Nationals, and given the lack of proven power bats on the market, Ethier "probably can name his price" this winter if he keeps producing.
  • Johan Santana's hefty contract and no-trade clause will make it hard for the Mets to move him without eating a lot of money in a deal.  Rosenthal thinks it makes more sense for the Mets to just hang on to Santana, who can be a valuable mentor to the team's young pitchers.
  • The Blue Jays are unlikely to trade either J.P. Arencibia or Travis d'Arnaud before the end of the season, as the Jays like Arencibia's game-calling and d'Arnaud's overall potential.  Rosenthal cites the Diamondbacks as one of several teams interested in Toronto's catchers, which follows up on his report in March that the Snakes were looking at Arencibia.  Arizona's interest would seem to indicate that the D'Backs are preparing a backup plan should they not be able to re-sign Miguel Montero.
  • It "does not appear out of the question" that the Rockies will make changes to the coaching staff given the team's pitching woes, defensive struggles and overall poor start.
  • A scout tells Rosenthal that Andy Pettitte "does not look close to ready" and will need several more minor league starts before he's ready to return to the Yankees.

West Links: Abreu, Ishikawa, Trumbo

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Here's the latest out of baseball's two West divisions…

  • Bobby Abreu had other offers before choosing to sign with the Dodgers, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). He liked the idea of returning to the NL and knows manager Don Mattingly from his time with the Yankees.
  • The Giants offered Travis Ishikawa a minor league contract to return during the offseason, but he signed with the Brewers because they offered a better opportunity to Hank Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle. Mat Gamel's injury opened the door for Ishikawa to play everyday.
  • Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports speculates (on Twitter) that Mark Trumbo of the Angels would be a good fit for the Blue Jays. He says it's hard to see Toronto trading a reliever while Sergio Santos is still on the DL, however.
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