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Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Theriot, Padres, Reds, Harper

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Some links on the eve of playoff baseball..

  • The Dodgers have asked Rick Honeycutt to return next season but the pitching coach is weighing his options, tweets Ken Davidoff of Newsday.
  • Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner takes a look at potential second base candidates for the M's in 2011.  Ryan Theriot, who was less-than-stellar for the Cubs and Dodgers this season, is among the players listed.
  • Jerry Hairston Jr. told Jim Bowden of XM Radio (via Twitter) that he wants to return to the Padres in 2011.
  • The Reds could be in position to contend for years to come if they keep their key pieces, writes MLB.com's Mark Sheldon.
  • While the O's projected rotation for 2011 is young, GM Andy MacPhail hasn't ruled out the possibility of bringing a veteran aboard to fill the place of pending free agent Kevin Millwood.
  • The Nats probably won't have Bryce Harper play in the Arizona Fall League this year, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
  • You can expect a busy winter in San Diego, writes Bill Center of the Union-Tribune.
  • Mariners CEO Howard Lincoln and GM Jack Zduriencik sent a letter to fans promising better times ahead.  Larry Stone of The Seattle Times notes that Josh Lueke was omitted from a list of the system's "hard-throwing pitchers".
  • Jim Callis of Baseball America (via Twitter) believes that the Mets should hire Logan White as their next GM.
  • The Pirates have interviewed Eric Wedge for their vacant managerial opening, tweets Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.
  • Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette gives his thoughts on John Russell's tenure as Pirates skipper.

Wright Hopes To Stay With Mets

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Earlier this week, Mets COO Jeff Wilpon caused a bit of a stir when he said that he "couldn't imagine" dealing David Wright, but would be willing to listen if the new GM proposed an idea.  Even though front office changes in Queens could result in a major roster shakeup, the third baseman told Dan Martin of the New York Post that he wants to remain with the Mets.

"Of course I'd love to stay with the team that I grew up rooting for and who drafted and developed me, but as of right now that's not in my control…I hope I remain with the team and I'm part of the solution that gets this thing turned around," Wright told the newspaper in an e-mail.

Wright, who turns 28 in December, is under contract through 2012 with a club option for 2013.  He's slated to earn $14MM in 2011, $15MM in 2012, and $16MM in the club option year which could also be bought out for $1MM.

The five-time All-Star turned in a .283/.354/.503 line with 29 homers in 670 plate appearances this season.

Mets GM Rumors: Jennings, Hart, Hunsicker

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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."

Mets Notes: Ryan, Hahn, Takahashi, Feliciano

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For the first time in six years, the Mets are looking for a new GM.  ESPN's Adam Rubin has the latest.

  • The field of GM candidates has about 32 names.  Five to seven will be interviewed in person (twice), with a resolution hoped for by month's end.  Terry Ryan and Rick Hahn are on the list, reports MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone.  SI's Jon Heyman expects the Mets to consider Josh Byrnes, Sandy Alderson, Gerry Hunsicker, and John Hart as well to head their baseball operations.
  • In the meantime, interim GM John Ricco will begin discussions with free agents Hisanori Takahashi and Pedro Feliciano and also talk about a Jose Reyes extension.  Takahashi can declare free agency on October 31st, so there's slightly increased urgency.  We discussed his situation here.
  • COO Jeff Wilpon told reporters Omar Minaya never asked ownership to eat the contracts of Oliver Perez or Luis Castillo.  Wilpon also said he "can't imagine" trading David Wright, but he'd listen if the new GM proposed something.

Mets Relieve Omar Minaya, Jerry Manuel Of Duties

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The Mets relieved GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel of duties, according to a press release.  Minaya is not a part of the organization at present, but would not rule out a return in a new role.  Assistant GM John Ricco will fill in for Minaya in the interim.  Mets COO Jeff Wilpon had this to say:

"We are extremely disappointed in this year’s results and the failures of the past four seasons.  We need to hire a new General Manager with a fresh perspective who will transform this club into a winner that we want and our fans deserve.  We appreciate all that Omar and Jerry have done for the Organization and thank them for their time and effort.  Changes like these are never easy, especially when you are dealing with people you like and respect."

Minaya was hired by the Mets six years ago.  He made big trades involving Mike Cameron, Carlos Delgado, John Maine, Angel Pagan, Oliver Perez, Xavier Nady, Heath Bell, Brian Bannister, Lastings Milledge, Johan Santana, and Jeff Francoeur.  Minaya spent big bucks on Pedro Martinez, Carlos Beltran, Billy Wagner, Jason Bay, and Perez as free agents and also extended Santana, Jose Reyes, and David Wright.  The Mets made one playoff appearance under Minaya, in 2006.

Arbitration Eligibles: New York Mets

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The Mets are next in our arbitration eligibles series…

Pelfrey will be tendered a contract after his strong 2010, unless the Boras client signs an extension.  He owns a 4.34 career ERA with 43 wins, which should be enough to get him more than $3MM.  Pagan and Dickey were a couple of bright spots in the Mets' season, and both will be back next year.  In Dickey's case, interest in a multiyear deal appears mutual. 

Green missed most of the season with a torn rib cage muscle and a stress fracture in a rib, so he could be retained for a modest raise on top of this year's $975K salary.  Maine is operating from a $3.3MM base, and made only nine starts for the Mets before succumbing to a shoulder injury that eventually required surgery.  Even at no raise, he's a likely non-tender.  Maine would hit the free agent market before his 30th birthday.

Dickey May Be Open To Multi-Year Deal With Mets

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The Mets expressed a willingness to discuss a multi-year deal with R.A. Dickey early last month, and it appears that the knuckleballer may be open to the possibility as well according to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin. The idea would be to trade long-term security for a lower base salary, giving the team some financial flexibility going forward.

Dickey, 36 at the end of the month, was a revelation for the Mets this year. He made 26 starts (and one relief appearance) after being called up in May, and pitched to a 2.84 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. Arbitration-eligible after the season, Dickey earned just $600K in the big leagues this season. It was the fourth season in a row that he had to settle for a minor league contract.

Within the same piece, Rubin notes that backup catcher Henry Blanco intends to play next season, and that Elmer Dessens will do the same only if he gets a guaranteed big league deal somewhere. The 38-year-old Blanco hit .215/.271/.300 in 144 plate appearances this year while Dessens posted a shiny 2.30 ERA despite unimpressive peripheral stats (3.1 K/9, 3.1 BB/9) in 47 innings of relief.

Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Cubs, Valentine, Dunn

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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.

Poll: The Mets’ Next General Manager

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Yesterday we learned that the Mets would not retain GM Omar Minaya and manager Jerry Manuel beyond this season, unsurprising moves to say the least. Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports that Minaya was told of his fate yesterday, but he wonders if owners Fred and Jeff Wilpon are willing to hire someone that will be brutally honest in his assessments and give him autonomy.

Former Indians and Rangers GM John Hart has been mentioned as a possible replacement for Minaya, and he of course has an impressive track record of rebuilding teams from the ground up through the farm system. Former Met pitcher Jerry Dipoto has also been mentioned as a candidate after losing out on the Diamondbacks job. Sherman also says former Athletics GM Sandy Alderson and current Rays senior vice president of baseball operations Gerry Hunsicker are strong candidates.

Whoever the Mets hire will have their work cut out for them. Manuel and presumably his coaching staff will need to be replaced, and a team that has gone 148-174 over the last two seasons despite over $275MM in combined payroll will need an overhaul. Johan Santana will miss at least part of 2011 after shoulder surgery, and the contracts of Carlos Beltran, Francisco Rodriguez, Luis Castillo, and Oliver Perez ($48MM in salary next year) could prove to be untradeable. Time to vote…

Who should the Mets hire as their next GM?

Click here to vote in the poll, and here to see the results.

Nightengale On D-Backs, Dipoto, Gibson, Managers

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As expected, there has been plenty of talk about change around the Diamondbacks since new GM Kevin Towers took over last week, and that figures to continue on into the offseason. Bob Nightengale of USA Today brings us up to speed with everything going on around the team, plus more. All of the links go to his Twitter feed…

  • Arizona is planning to overhaul their scouting department, and they believe Jerry Dipoto will stay if he isn't offered the Mets GM job.
  • Kirk Gibson is expected to sign a two-year extension to remain on as the D-Backs manager, but the rest of his coaching staff isn't safe. Nightengale says all but two unidentified coaches will be let go. 
  • Nightengale lists the popular new managerial candidates for the winter: Dodgers Triple-A manager Tim Wallach, Padres bench coach Ted Simmons, Angels bench coach Ron Roenicke, Rays bench coach Dave Martinez, and Mets third base coach Chip Hale. As many as ten teams could be looking for new skippers this offseason.
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