GM/Manager Notes: Mets, Samuel, Gibbons
With several GM and manager positions opening up at the end of the season, teams have begun identifying potential candidates. Let's take a look at who is generating interest..
- The Marlins will not allow the Mets to interview Jennings, a source tells MLB.com's Anthony Dicomo.
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter) hears that Marlins assistant GM Dan Jennings is still in the running for the Mets GM job. Earlier today it was reported that the Mets had asked for permission to talk to Jennings and fellow Marlins execs Larry Beinfest and Mike Hill but are likely to be denied. However, Crasnick tweets that Jennings does not need Florida's permission to interview with several clubs and the Mets are on his list.
- Juan Samuel is getting plenty of attention from teams, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. The former O's interim skipper will "likely interview" for the vacancies in Pittsburgh and Seattle. After Baltimore fired manager Dave Trembley, Samuel led the squad to a 17-34 mark. Samuel could also interview in Toronto as he is close with several members of the Blue Jays organization, including Cito Gaston.
- Speaking of the Blue Jays, former Toronto manager John Gibbons could wind up in Seattle. Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun tweets that the Mariners have asked for and received permission to interview him from the Royals where he is presently the bench coach. The 48-year-old had an even .500 record with Toronto, leading them to a 305-305 record from 2004 through 2008.
Olney On Werth, Damon, Marlins
The playoffs are about to start, but that doesn't mean the rumors ever stop. Here are your latest hot stove notes from ESPN.com’s Buster Olney.
- Jayson Werth may benefit from the anticipated bidding frenzy for Carl Crawford. Teams that miss out on Crawford could go hard after Werth, who’s well-positioned for a big payday no matter what happens with Crawford.
- Some evaluators don’t think Johnny Damon can play full time in the outfield. Olney suggests Oakland or Kansas City could have interest in Damon as a fourth outfielder and part-time DH.
- People in MLB front offices believe that the Marlins aren’t developing quite as much talent as they once did. One talent evaluator suggests the Marlins may have to lock up their current players to remain competitive. Dan Uggla and Ricky Nolasco are both extension candidates, but the Marlins aren’t close to signing either of them.
Mets GM Rumors: Jennings, Hart, Hunsicker
The Wilpons asked the Marlins for permission to speak to Marlins assistant GM Dan Jennings about their GM opening, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer says the Mets asked for permission to speak to Marlins executives Larry Beinfest and Mike Hill as well, but are likely to be denied the chance to speak to any of the three. It would be odd for the Marlins to allow a division rival the opportunity to swipe a top executive.
According to Newsday's David Lennon on Twitter, former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart would be interested in the Mets' opening but could be expensive. Hart remains with the Rangers as a senior advisor in baseball operations. How about a reunion with Gerry Hunsicker, who currently serves as a senior VP with the Rays? He told Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal Saturday that he did not have a burning passion to be a GM again and that "it would have to be a very special situation."
Mike Redmond Retires
Catcher Mike Redmond has retired after 13 big league seasons, he told Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Redmond signed an $850K big league deal with the Indians during the offseason, but was released in July. He plans to look for a new job in baseball.
Redmond batted .287/.342/.358 in 764 career games for the Marlins, Twins, and Indians, catching over 5,300 innings. He earned about $9MM in his career.
Beinfest Talks Offseason Plans
Earlier today, Marlins president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest gave his end-of-season address in which he said that he never felt that his club was playoff-caliber this year. Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has the goods..
- This winter, the Fish hope to improve their bullpen. Beinfest hopes to strike a better balance between lefty and righty arms as he upgrades the quality and depth of the team's relievers. Florida's 'pen turned in a 4.04 ERA this season, 18th in the majors. The Marlins could certainly use someone like Rafael Soriano of the Rays but his expected salary demands will likely be too rich for their blood.
- Meanwhile, Florida wants to name their next manager and solidify their coaching staff as soon as possible. According to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro, Beinfest told reporters that the club has a short list of about four or five managers. The Marlins have not yet asked clubs for permission to speak to prospective candidates. A few weeks ago we heard that Bobby Valentine was still in the mix though some reports say that doesn't seem to be the case. The only coach who is certain to return is Randy St. Claire as he is under contract for 2011 and will return.
- Beinfest told reporters that the club did not make the strides defensively that he had hoped they would. The president of baseball operations wondered aloud if the team would have to make acquisitions to improve their fielding.
Odds & Ends: Marlins, Orioles, Matsuzaka, Mariners
A few links to check out as the Padres live to fight another day…
- The Marlins told interim manager Edwin Rodriguez that he will be evaluated after the season and there is no managerial commitment for 2011 yet, according to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post (Twitter links).
- Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun says that the Orioles brain trust and new manager Buck Showalter have already had "extensive conversations" about the direction they want to go this offseason.
- ESPNBoston.com's Gordon Edes hears that Daisuke Matsuzaka would be willing to waive his no trade clause if it sent him to the West Coast. John Hickey of AOL Fanhouse says the Mariners might be willing to discuss a trade with the Sox, as long as the price is low (both Twitter links).
- The Phillies have asked their entire coaching staff to return for the 2011 season, writes MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. It's no sure thing they'll all return though; GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said he's had at least one inquiry on a coach for a managerial opening.
- Josh Byrnes told Ken Rosenthal (Twitter links)that he'd be interested in returning to a GM role if the situation was right. Rosenthal didn't ask him about the Mets, as Omar Minaya is technically still their GM.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes that Jeremy Guthrie has graduated to being a "go-to starter" and shouldn't be traded by the Orioles.
- Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh-Post Gazette says that Pirates team president Frank Coonelly and owner Bob Nutting will soon decide the fate of GM Neal Huntington and other baseball personnel, and that Huntington will have input into the future of manager John Russell if he's retained. Both are under contract through next season, but Huntington's job appears to be safer. The GM was non-committal when discussing Russell during an interview Thursday night.
- Adrian Beltre has put himself into a real nice position heading into free agency, writes Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. The third baseman said that he "will give everyone a chance" when it comes to listening to contract offers, but ultimately he will do what's best for him and his family.
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider req'd) that he is not looking to trade Matt Kemp, but he will certainly listen to any offers that come his way. "But there's not going to be any shopping on our part," said Colletti. He expressed a similar sentiment about the team's other "core younger guys."
- Even though he is on his way out as Blue Jays manager, Cito Gaston told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that he feels the team will need some veteran relievers next season. Jason Frasor, Scott Downs, and Kevin Gregg could all depart via free agency this winter.
Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Cubs, Valentine, Dunn
Ken Rosenthal's weekly Full Count video is up over at FOX Sports; here are your highlights:
- The Cubs would be taking a risk if they choose to wait for the Yankees' season to end to interview Joe Girardi for their managerial opening. Given that six to ten managerial openings may arise, other candidates such as Eric Wedge and Bob Melvin (who's interviewing today), as well as their internal candidates (Mike Quade and Ryne Sandberg) could find work elsewhere.
- Boston pitching coach John Farrell's contractual clause that prevents him from interviewing for managerial openings expires this offseason. Rosenthal says he's likely to interview with at least one club. He turned down a chance to interview with the Mariners years ago, but may be a fit once again.
- Seattle, meanwhile, is also looking at Ted Simmons, Joey Cora, and others. They ultimately may prefer someone with more experience than Farrell.
- Unsurprisingly, the Mets will hire a new GM before a new manager. Bobby Valentine could indeed return, but everyone involved would need to determine exactly what his responsibilities would be. Wally Backman could also be a candidate to manage the Mets, but his managerial experience comes in A-ball. If hired, the team would need to put a strong coaching staff in place around him.
- Valentine is still a candidate for the Marlins' managerial opening, as is interim manager Edwin Rodriguez, Jim Fregosi, Tim Wallach, Bo Porter, and Simmons.
- There's still a chance that the Nationals could sign Adam Dunn to an extension, and the two sides will speak at least once more before the slugger hits the open market. At this point Dunn would require a deal at market value to return, which Rosenthal suggests could be four years, $60MM. As bad as his defense is, several metrics rate him better than Ryan Howard and Miguel Cabrera with the glove.
The Marlins’ Offer To Dan Uggla
Dan Uggla and the Marlins have interest in working out a long-term deal, but according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald, Uggla's representation is asking for more than twice as much as the Marlins are offering; Uggla would like a five-year $58MM deal, but the Marlins are offering "in the range of three years and $24MM."
If the Marlins go to arbitration with Uggla this offseason, he should earn $10MM easily. He earns a $7.8MM salary this year and seems destined for another big raise given his offensive stats (32 homers, 100 RBI and counting). In a sense, a $10MM salary in 2011 is a given. On top of that, the Marlins are effectively offering a two-year $14MM deal.
Sure, it'd be nice for the Marlins if Uggla, one of the best second basemen in the game, wants to stay in Florida so badly that he'll take a paycut to do so. But Uggla could pocket $10MM in 2011 and hit the open market 13 months from now in search of $40-50MM more. Most second basemen don't hit 30 homers with the same consistency Uggla does, so he'll have no trouble finding multi-year offers if he hits the market next winter.
The Marlins' offer does not appear to be worth taking, but the sides have six months before the 2011 season, so the team's proposal is by no means final. And if he's discouraged by the Marlins' offer, Uggla can look across the locker room to teammate Josh Johnson, who signed an extension last offseason after it seemed unlikely that he and the Marlins would agree on a multi-year deal.
Arbitration Eligibles: Florida Marlins
The Marlins come next in our arbitration eligibles series…
- First time: Andrew Miller, Mike Rivera, Burke Badenhop, Brett Carroll
- Second time: Leo Nunez, Anibal Sanchez, Ronny Paulino, Jose Veras, Clay Hensley
- Third time: Dan Uggla, Ricky Nolasco
Uggla and Nolasco are the Marlins' two big names. Under new representation, Uggla is reportedly seeking five years and $58MM against a Marlins' offer of roughly three years and less than $30MM. Uggla could get over $10MM through arbitration, and his free agent years are worth more, so the Marlins will have to do better. Talks with Nolasco have a similar theme. He might be better off going through arbitration, where a $6MM salary seems possible.
Nunez, Sanchez, Hensley, and Badenhop also seem like locks to be tendered contracts. With 55 saves to his name Nunez could jump past $4MM and become a trade candidate. Sanchez sports 30 wins and a 3.76 ERA in 471 innings and will be building upon a $1.25MM base and a strong platform year.
Miller, once a highly-touted prospect, has struggled badly with his control and could be on the bubble. If the Fish tender him a contract in December, they'll be faced with his out-of-options status next spring. Rivera, Carroll, Paulino, and Veras may be expendable. Paulino probably sealed his fate when he snagged a 50-game PED suspension in August.
Odds & Ends: Pirates, Marlins, Rangers
Six years ago today, the Rockies signed righty Jhoulys Chacin as an amateur free agent out of Venezuela. This year as a rookie, Chacin has a 3.26 ERA in 132.3 innings. Links for Monday…
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington indicated a preference to sign a free agent pitcher to a multiyear deal, in comments made to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
- The Marlins are considering a slight payroll bump for 2011 to the $48-50MM range, reports MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.
- The Rangers signed a 20-year extension with Fox Sports Southwest worth $3 billion, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
- The Brewers' trade return on a one-year rental of Prince Fielder may be disappointing, suggests Dave Cameron of FanGraphs. In a U.S.S. Mariner post, Cameron explains why he doesn't find Fielder a good fit in Seattle.