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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Red Sox, Iwamura, Matsui

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On this date 33 years ago, Bill Campbell became one of the first players to sign a contract with a new team under baseball's new free agency system. After saving 20 games with the Twins in '76, Campbell signed a four-year, $1MM deal with the Red Sox. In his first season in Boston, he would save 31 games and make his only All-Star appearance. As we enter the 34th Hot Stove season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Dodgers Decline Jon Garland’s 2010 Option

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According to Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times, the Dodgers have declined Jon Garland's mutual $10MM option for 2010. The Diamondbacks will pay Garland his $2.5MM buyout, as per the terms of August's trade for Tony Abreu.

Garland made 32+ starts for the eighth straight year, putting up a 4.01 ERA, his lowest since 2005. FanGraphs valued his 2009 performance at $10.6MM, but it's hard to see Garland getting eight figures annually on the open market.

Dodgers Interested In Re-Signing Vicente Padilla

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The Dodgers signed righty Vicente Padilla to a minor league contract on August 19th; he'd been designated for assignment by the Rangers.  Padilla pitched well in 39.3 regular season innings and in two out of three postseason starts.  According to Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti recently expressed interest in re-signing Padilla.  The interest appears mutual.

Padilla's agent Adam Katz downplayed a recent "hunting accident" wherein the pitcher grazed himself in the thigh with a bullet.  Padilla reportedly spent less than an hour being treated in a Nicaraguan hospital.  Colletti told Hernandez he didn't know enough about the matter to determine whether it would affect his interest in re-signing Padilla.  More troubling is Padilla's lengthy history of alcohol problems, but most MLB teams tend to ignore DUIs.

Padilla certainly won't be signing another three-year, $33.75MM deal.  He might be able to get one year and $5-8MM.  Aside from the Dodgers, the Brewers, Mets, and Diamondbacks are three clubs known to be hunting for starting pitching.

Manny Ramirez Rumor Shot Down

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2:21pm: Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says (via Twitter) that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti shot down the rumor below.  By the way, Hernandez just joined Twitter, so get following!

12:16pm: From Bob Keisser of the Long Beach Press-Telegram (hat tip to Diamond Leung):

A baseball insider says the club has been contacted by an American League team that is interested in Manny Ramirez if the team will pay part of his $20 million salary for 2010.  It's a team that plays in a very mediocre division, has a few team officials familiar with Ramirez, and always needs a bump in notoriety.

MLBTR has not referenced a rumor from Keisser in its four-year history, but let's explore this one anyway.

SI's Jon Heyman wrote Wednesday that Manny "is planning to exercise" his $20MM player option.  Manny hit well in 2009, but a 50-game PED suspension marred his season. 

As for Keisser's clues, he appears to be referring to the AL Central.  Did the Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Indians, or Royals express interest in Manny?  Indians GM Mark Shapiro crossed paths with Ramirez.  The Tigers' David Chadd worked for the Red Sox when Manny was there.  Do any of the other teams have officials familiar with the slugger?  In general, do you buy this rumor?

Dodgers Notes: Manny, Schmidt, Offseason

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MLB.com's Ken Gurnick takes a look at what he figures to be an "exciting" offseason for the Dodgers. Let's go over the highlights:

  • No surprise that Gurnick lists Manny Ramirez as the biggest question mark heading into 2010. Manny's 37, and while many feel he's a lock to pick up his $20MM option for 2010, Gurnick cautions not to be too sure. As Gurnick points out, Manny is as unpredictable as they come, as is his agent, Scott Boras. Gurnick reminds us of 2006, when no one thought J.D. Drew would walk away from $33MM guaranteed, but he and Boras did just that, securing more years and more dollars with the Red Sox. Additionally, Manny's told his teammates that the pounding on his legs is getting to him, and that he ought to be a designated hitter.
  • The Dodgers are set to have up to $40MM come off the books this offseason, which should more than cover the arbitration raises due to Andre Ethier, Matt Kemp, James Loney, Russell Martin, Chad Billingsley, Jonathan Broxton, George Sherrill, and Hong-Chih Kuo.
  • Jason Schmidt accounts for $15.5MM of that $40MM sum. Gurnick says that Schmidt is "expected to retire."
  • The Dodgers did extremely well signing Orlando Hudson and Randy Wolf to one-year deals last offseason, but now find themselves right back where they started, writes Gurnick, with second base and starting pitching as the biggest needs.
  • Gurnick lists outfielder Jason Repko as a non-tender candidate.
  • Rather than give the second base job to Blake DeWitt, Gurnick feels that an acquisition for second base is "almost a certainty."

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Red Sox, Rays, Doumit, Gonzalez, Cubs

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On this date two years ago, the Yankees signed Joe Girardi to a three-year deal worth $7.5MM. Two years later, Girardi has the Yankees in the World Series. With the offseason now just days away, many players will be looking for their own new deals. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • The Bottom Line projects the Red Sox 2010 payroll and what they need to do to get back on top.
  • Fire Brand of the American League looks at shortstop options for the Red Sox. 
  • Dodgers Rumors breaks down the Dodgers' 2010 roster and how they may approach free agency.
  • Rays Index projects the Rays 25-man and 40-man rosters as well as the 2010 payroll.
  • New Bucs says it is time for the Pirates to trade Ryan Doumit.
  • Mets Fans Forever speculates on what it might take for the Mets to land Adrian Gonzalez.
  • The Cub Reporter suggests some players for the Cubs to target this offseason, including Kelvim Escobar and Akinori Iwamura.
  • World Series Dreaming doesn't see any major changes coming to the Cubs this off-season.
  • Around the Majors breaks down the free agents at third base.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.

Odds & Ends: Lackey, Rangers, Mets

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With about an hour to go before the start of Game Two, here are some items from around the majors….

  • During an appearance on The Dan Patrick Show today, Dodgers GM Ned Colletti said his club will be focused on finding second base help and starting pitching in the offseason, though Colletti played dumb when asked about the possibility of the Dodgers making a play for free agent starter John Lackey.
  • With the number of open managerial jobs quickly dwindling, some of the rumored candidates for the filled positions are looking at other options.  Former Rockies manager Clint Hurdle (who was up for the Cleveland manager's job that went to Manny Acta) is one of four finalists to be the Rangers' next hitting coach, reports Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News.
  • Along those same lines, Bob Melvin may go from being a candidate to be the next Astros manager to being considered for the Mets bench coaching job, says Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News.  Rubin also reports that the Mets will name Chip Hale as their new third base coach after the World Series is over.
  • According to a team press release, the Pirates have claimed pitcher Justin Thomas off waivers from Seattle.
  • In a chat with MASN's Byron Kerr, Adam Dunn said he feels Washington is an attractive destination for free agents in part because Nationals Park is "a really fair ballpark."

Odds & Ends: Mets, McCourts, Cardinals

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A few more links to peruse, including some fascinating news out of Queens and L.A….

  • Sources have informed SI.com's Jon Heyman that the re-signing of longtime Mets scout Sandy Johnson is an indication of the "diminishing faith" in general manager Omar Minaya.  Johnson was apparently talked into returning because of the stability he brings to the front office.  He had been considering retirement.
  • According to Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times, Frank McCourt revealed in his divorce filing Wednesday that he fired his wife, Jamie, as Dodgers CEO because she had an affair with her personal driver and "undermined the chain of command by not reporting directly to him." This is only going to get uglier and could hurt the stability of the organization as we near the offseason.
  • SB Nation's Viva El Birdos is hosting an ongoing discussion on some of the Cardinals' potential offseason trade chips.  Skip Schumaker, Ryan Ludwick and Mitchell Boggs are among the names being thrown around.

Heyman On Manny, Felix, Bay, Washburn

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The latest hot stove notes from SI's Jon Heyman…

  • Manny Ramirez "is planning to exercise" his $20MM player option for 2010.  This was expected but it'd still be interesting to see Manny jump back into free agency, maybe seek two years and $30MM.
  • Heyman echoes what we've read regarding Brandon Webb – the D'Backs will pick up his $8.5MM option for next year, as Webb is not interested in renegotiating.  On a related note, MLB.com's Steve Gilbert looks at some options for the two open spots in Arizona's rotation.
  • The Red Sox "would still love to make a run at Felix Hernandez."  Who wouldn't?  I don't expect Felix trade talks to become reality unless the Mariners try and fail to sign him to an extension first.  Heyman considers Roy Halladay more realistic for the Sox; Doc's price would presumably be slightly lower with the '09 season concluded.  According to Jeff Blair of the Globe and Mail, Halladay, his wife, and his agent had dinner with Jays president and CEO Paul Beeston last week to discuss the future.
  • The Red Sox "were thought to have offered" $15MM to left fielder Jason Bay.  How many years?
  • Heyman says the Mariners and Brewers "are expected to be in the mix" for free agent lefty Jarrod Washburn.  Scott Boras surely knows a move to the NL would help Washburn, who was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin.

Aroldis Chapman Review

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With all the information swirling around about free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman, I thought a summary would be helpful.  Chapman has been declared a free agent and can sign at any time, though a deal is unlikely before the conclusion of the World Series.  One GM told Yahoo's Tim Brown in July, "I'm sure all 30 teams will be interested to some degree."  Nonetheless, let's look at specific suitors.

  • Red Sox:  They've been a top suitor from the start.  Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus says Chapman was scheduled to throw a bullpen at Fenway today but it was cancelled due to inclement weather.  ESPN's Peter Gammons believes Boston's signing of former Chapman teammate Jose Iglesias may impact the pitcher's decision.
  • Yankees: They've also been a top suitor from the start.  ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. said Chapman met with GM Brian Cashman and other Yanks officials at the October 25th playoff game and "had good conversations."  Several reporters see Chapman as another Yankees-Red Sox battle. 
  • Mariners: Add them to the list – our source says they'd like to meet with Chapman in the next week.
  • Cardinals: A scheduled October 26th meeting was cancelled due to the Tony La Russa announcement.  The meeting is expected to be rescheduled.
  • Orioles: They've maintained interest and are pushing for a meeting soon.  In September, president Andy MacPhail admitted interest to MASN's Roch Kubatko, but added, "If some of the big boys are going to go after him, like the Red Sox did with Dice-K, that's not a risk that I would be willing to take."
  • Mets: They met with Chapman on October 23rd.  The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch said the Mets were out after being told Chapman wants up to $60MM to sign.  I'm not so sure the Mets and Chapman actually discussed dollar figures.
  • Tigers: They've confirmed interest.
  • Angels:  Scouting director Eddie Bane admitted interest in July, but noted that Chapman's breaking pitches are not yet effective in talking to Mark Saxon of the OC Register.  Bane more recently told Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times that he'd need to see Chapman throw against live hitters before investing.  Chapman has mentioned L.A. as a place he'd like to visit.
  • White Sox:  Our source said they've expressed interest.
  • Cubs: Our source said they've expressed interest.
  • Athletics:  Named by Arangure Jr. as one of the teams "paying varying degrees of attention to Chapman."  Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle confirmed Oakland's interest but says they haven't met with him.
  • Giants:  Named by Arangure Jr. as one of the teams "paying varying degrees of attention to Chapman."
  • Dodgers: They aren't likely to be serious suitors, according to one of Arangure Jr.'s sources.
  • Blue Jays:  We named the Jays as an interested club, but GM Alex Anthopoulos told reporters that signing Chapman is "not realistic."
  • Astros: Owner Drayton McLane seemingly considers Chapman too pricey, based on his comments to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.
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