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Odds & Ends: Pedro, Boras, Bonds, Fielding

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Links for Friday…

Manny History: Almost A Twin Or Mariner?

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I’ve been enjoying the new book Becoming Manny by Jean Rhodes and Shawn Boburg.  The book is surprisingly objective for an authorized Manny Ramirez biography.

As you know, Manny was drafted 13th overall in 1991 by the Indians.  The Yankees, Braves, Twins, Cardinals, Brewers, Astros, Royals, Padres, Orioles, Phillies, Mariners, and Cubs passed on him.  Many teams did not view Manny as a first-round pick, partially because he didn’t speak English well and had not graduated high school.  The book also suggests that scouts simply did not enjoy driving out to areas like Washington Heights to watch prospects.

Old school Twins scout Herb Stein recommended Manny, though.  From the book:

Stein pushed the Twins to take Manny with their third overall pick.  But he was rebuffed by his bosses – a source of bitterness even today.  The Twins chose Stanford first baseman David McCarty, who wound up hitting 36 career home runs and batting .242 in eleven major league seasons of part-time duty.

The Mariners also made a run:

Manny was playing a Youth Service League doubleheader.  In a late show of interest, the Seattle Mariners’ top scout and assistant to the general manager attended.  DeLuca [the scout who signed Manny for Cleveland] felt a wave of panic.  After the game, Seattle’s reps talked to [Manny’s coach Mel] Zitter for ten minutes on the right-field line.  They passed DeLuca on their way to the parking lot, exchanged greetings and said, "Good luck"-  shorthand, DeLuca believed, for, "We’re going to pass on Manny.  He’s all yours."

Manny wasn’t even a lock for the Indians.  They wanted a pitcher:

Indians general manager Hank Peters and director of player development Dan O’Dowd had been pressuring [scouting director Mickey] White all winter to pursue college pitcher Aaron Sele, a six-three right-hander from Washington State.

Eventually, DeLuca and White were able to convince Indians director of baseball operations John Hart to recommend Ramirez.  Sele would go to the Red Sox at #23.

Twins Still Eyeing Chad Cordero

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According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins offered $3MM guaranteed to Eric Gagne before signing Luis Ayala.  That would’ve been a mess, given the damage found in Gagne’s shoulder.  But perhaps the Twins would’ve balked after giving Gagne a physical.

Christensen adds that the Twins continue to monitor free agent reliever Chad Cordero, who is coming back from shoulder surgery.

Odds & Ends: Bowden, Stanton, Baker

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Sunday night linkage…

Twins Sign 27 Players To 1-Year Deals

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According to Joe Christensen, the Twins have announced they’ve signed the remaining 27 players on their roster to one-year deals. Writes Christensen,

"All 27 of those players, including Francisco Liriano, Glen Perkins, Nick Blackburn and Kevin Slowey, have between zero and three years of major league experience, so their salaries are likely less than $500,000."

Cafardo’s Latest: Mauer, Red Sox, Glavine

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With every Sunday come rumors from the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo:

  • Cafardo asks Tom Glavine whether he’d consider another year if 2009 is a success. Glavine didn’t say no: "I’m not prepared right now to say. It would take a lot of good things to happen this year to consider playing next year. Last year, I didn’t think I’d be sitting here this year, so I guess you never know."
  • Nomar Garciaparra had placed a call to the Red Sox front office inquiring about their potential interest.
  • If he hits free agency, Joe Mauer is expected to receive offers in the $20-25MM range and "The Sox are expected to be front and center." Mauer is signed with the Twins through 2010. He’ll make $10.5MM this year and $12.5MM in 2010.
  • Dusty Baker thinks Barry Bonds would still be a top hitter in the league. Says Baker, "He’s one of those guys that will be able to pick up a bat when he’s an old man and still get a hit."
  • Andruw Jones is 4 for 18 with 10 strikeouts to start spring training.
  • Scouts agree: George Kottaras would clear waivers if designated for assignment, meaning the Red Sox may not have to deal the catching prospect.
  • Cafardo would make the Clay Buchholz-Jarrod Saltalamacchia trade right now.

Twins Sign Scott Baker To Extension

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3:48pm: Christensen adds the annual details: Baker will earn $750K this year, $3MM in ’10, $5MM in ’11, and $6.5MM in ’12.  So, $14.5MM for the three arb years.

1:07pm: According to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the Twins signed pitcher Scott Baker to a four-year deal with an option for 2013.  The deal is worth $15.25MM and the ’13 option is for $9.25MM.  The contract includes this year and his three arb years and gives the team an option on one free agent season.  Baker’s extension is very similar to Paul Maholm’s deal, which was signed on January 30th.

The 27 year-old righty posted a fine 3.45 ERA in 28 starts last year.  He has the impeccable control many Twins pitchers have displayed over the years.

Mauer Extension Talks Soon?

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According to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, representatives for catcher Joe Mauer are expected to meet with Twins GM Bill Smith at some point this week.

Walters suspects that a long-term contract will be the primary issue discussed.  Mauer, 25, can become a free agent after the 2010 season.  This early in the game, though, perhaps the two sides are just feeling each other out and setting initial parameters. 

Mauer has a .317/.399/.457 career line over five MLB seasons.

Barry Bonds Rejections

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Yesterday Bob Nightengale of USA Today talked to Barry Bonds’ agent Jeff Borris, learning that Borris will contact all 30 teams in hopes of landing a job for his client.  Borris is not optimistic.  In case it becomes a trend, we’ll use this post to note which teams have rejected the agent’s overtures.

  • The Nationals will pass – manager Manny Acta told Chico Harlan of the Washington Post that "It’s not a match for us" while choking back laughter.
  • Twins GM Bill Smith to the AP: "I would tell you that I don’t think it’s a very good fit for us right now."
  • Reds manager Dusty Baker to John Fay: "I don’t [see] where. He might be better suited for an American League team."
  • Pirates president Frank Coonelly: "We are not interested in inviting Barry to Spring Training."
  • Nick Cafardo hears that the Red Sox won’t pursue Bonds either.
  • Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports that Angels GM Tony Reagins has no interest in Bonds.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Yankees, Oil Can, Halladay, Mets

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On this date 21 years ago, the Baltimore Orioles traded Ray Knight to the Tigers, only one year after signing the World Series hero as a free agent. The O’s received Mark Thurmond, who would go 1-8 in 1988 with an 85 ERA+. Knight would only play 105 games for the Tigers before retiring. With spring training now in full swing, several veteran free agents are still without contracts or guaranteed jobs and may be on the verge of retirement. Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • More Hardball puts together a 25-man roster of veteran players in camps on minor league deals.
  • 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba spoke with Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch about a number of topics including what the will happen once the current contracts for Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter expire.
  • Sully Baseball makes a case for a team, any team, signing Oil Can Boyd.
  • The Phrontiersman takes a look at the possibility of the Phillies trading for Roy Halladay at some point during the season.
  • Megamets argues for the Mets adding Dennys Reyes, over the other available lefty relievers.
  • The Sports Banter puts together their own list of off-season winners.
  • Midwest Sports Fans project the Twins opening day roster.

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

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