Odds and Ends: Lieber, Tavarez, Oswalt
We’ve got mostly smaller stuff today, so let’s kick it off with an odds and ends.
- The Mets designated Claudio Vargas for assignment. I’m a bit surprised, I think he’s still a useful pitcher.
- Pitcher Jon Lieber may retire after the season. 130+ wins, that’s a nice career.
- With Tom Gordon‘s shoulder barking, the Phillies’ desire to add a reliever has intensified. Here’s a look at the relief market.
- When a 2.93 ERA is considered underperforming, expectations were never reasonable. Anyone else get the impression that if Johan Santana‘s record was 10-3 instead of 7-6, there wouldn’t even be a discussion? Joel Sherman believes the Yankees (if under Brian Cashman) would not go six or seven years to sign C.C. Sabathia in light of the Barry Zito and Santana deals. He wonders whether Sabathia could be lured with a shorter term and higher average annual value.
- Julian Tavarez chose to become a free agent, surprising the Brewers.
- Roy Oswalt reminds us that he has a no-trade clause and hasn’t been approached by management about any deals.
- The Adam Dunn-J.P. Ricciardi saga continues.
- I chatted with Ryan Henning about the Twins recently.
- T.J. Simers and Ned Colletti argue about the GM’s trading track record.
- The Pirates are looking for pitching. Brett Tomko anyone? Anyone?
- Evan Grant discusses the Rangers’ trade options in his mailbag.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Cashman, Fuentes, Braves, Fielder
Time for a new Ken Rosenthal column.
- Rosenthal reminds us that, among other things, Adam Dunn played with a broken hand for a couple of months in ’05. So maybe he does like baseball. It’s not fair to criticize a player’s passion simply because he doesn’t make the right facial expressions or throw tantrums (not saying J.P. Ricciardi did this, but many fans do).
- Mark Teixeira might be looking for eight years and $160MM. Rosenthal says not to count his hometown Orioles out, though they aren’t the most likely suitor.
- Brian Cashman "seems likely to sign a contract extension" with the Yankees. Omar Minaya’s job is safe.
- The Rockies might trade Brian Fuentes even if they’re in contention. Add the Rays to the list of teams interested in him. The Rox still like the Mets’ Aaron Heilman, by the way.
- The Braves are out of the starting pitching market, content with internal options.
- If the Brewers are to shop Prince Fielder, they’ll likely wait until the offseason. Could be a fun rumor to follow this winter.
- Orioles relievers Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford both can be had (both are signed through ’09).
Heyman’s Latest: Garcia, Ricciardi, Sabathia
Here’s a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column.
- At last count, our Freddy Garcia list included the Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Yankees, White Sox, Rangers, Indians, Mariners, Tigers, and Rays. Heyman adds the Astros, and we also have rumblings about the Cubs. Although a few may have dropped out, that’s a dozen suitors.
- Heyman suggests Cito Gaston’s hiring was not J.P. Ricciardi’s decision. Ricciardi may not last past this season.
- Heyman’s source says C.C. Sabathia "is believed to be interested in a ‘Johan Santana contract.’" Santana received six years and $137.5MM with a club option, full no-trade clause, and deferred money.
- Heyman believes the relief market is limited, naming a handful of these pitchers.
A’s, Four Others Interested In Fuentes
At third place and seven games out, the Rockies are not a lock to become sellers. If they do throw in the towel, closer Brian Fuentes figures to become a hot commodity.
Back on June 15th, multiple sources reported the Mets’ interest in Fuentes. The Yankees have liked him for years. The Red Sox and Phillies have been known Fuentes fans for a while now also. Yesterday, Joel Sherman of the New York Post added one more suitor: the A’s. Ken Rosenthal recently suggested the A’s could be buyers, perhaps chasing big fish like Matt Holliday, Jason Bay, or C.C. Sabathia. The A’s are just three games out of the wild card behind the Rays.
Is Moises Alou Finished?
Mets outfielder Moises Alou is on his third DL stint, and it’s only June. No one expected much more than 100 games from him, but this is getting silly.
Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post talked to Mets manager Jerry Manuel, who hinted that Alou could consider retirement. But, as Hubbuch notes, players don’t typically abandon millions of dollars. So look for Alou to consider retirement in the offseason. It’s a shame his body has broken down; the man can still hit.
Odds and Ends: Bedard, Griffey, Minaya
A very nutritious Odds and Ends for lunch:
- Mariners fans are coming to grips with the lapse in judgment that was the Erik Bedard trade. Prospect Insider’s Jason A. Churchill takes a look at the possible market for Bedard.
- Ken Griffey Jr. told the New York Times that he doesn’t know where all those Tampa Bay Rays rumors are coming from. “I haven’t even thought about Tampa Bay or any other team. My focus is on what is going to happen tonight — not the what-ifs.”
- The Mets hired former Reds GM Wayne Krivsky as a special assistant to GM Omar Minaya. The news comes in the heels of escalating rumors that Minaya is on the hot seat.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com.
Bernazard Next In Line For Mets GM Job?
We’ve read conflicting reports on Omar Minaya’s job security. Adam Rubin believes he’s on the hot seat. What’s more, Rubin’s sources say VP Tony Bernazard might be next in line. Bernazard seems to have a bad reputation, but no one is sure exactly why. Another candidate to replace Minaya might be Wayne Krivsky, who will join the Mets as a scout (hat tip to MetsBlog).
Rubin admits that Minaya "doesn’t appear on life support just yet." But a GM without job security can often lead to a short-term approach.
Phone Interview With MetsBlog
Recently I chatted about the Mets with Matthew Cerrone and Ted Berg of MetsBlog/SNY. Click below to hear it.
Stark’s Latest: Sabathia, Bedard, Phillies, Freel
It’s Thursday, and you know what that means. Time for another installment of Jayson Stark’s Rumblings and Grumblings at ESPN.com.
- Stark runs through a laundry list of candidates for the Mariners’ and Mets’ manager and GM vacancies.
- The Indians will not be giving a negotiation window for a team hoping to sign C.C. Sabathia while acquiring him.
- Erik Bedard is "now officially on the market." Bedard’s value has diminished since the Mariners acquired him, however.
- The Phillies have already inquired on Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Bronson Arroyo, and Jarrod Washburn. Stark sees Bedard joining that group, but believes it’d require Carlos Carrasco and Antonio Bastardo.
- Ryan Freel is drawing strong interest; Stark names the Phillies, Braves, Mets, and Marlins as suitors.
- Ken Griffey Jr. apparently still wants to finish his career in Seattle.
- Stark agrees with Ken Rosenthal – Mark Teixeira is not available. Nor is Ben Sheets, by the way.
- The Marlins are looking for center field, catcher, and bullpen help. Stark believes they’d be willing to give up a near-arb Josh Willingham type for players with less service time.
- The Yankees seem open to bringing back Jason Giambi next year, after they buy out his option. Giambi is currently third in the AL in OPS at .979.
Molony’s Latest: Minaya, Oswalt, Arroyo, Redding
MLB.com’s Jim Molony tackles the hot stove in today’s article.
- Molony says Omar Minaya is on the hot seat, though others feel his job is relatively safe.
- Roy Oswalt is not available, but he was recently scouted by the Angels, Braves, Mets, and Phillies.
- The Yanks have scouted C.C. Sabathia and Bronson Arroyo but haven’t made any offers. I just don’t see how Arroyo could be effective back in the American League.
- The Phillies are still looking for a lefty reliever. Looking at my Trade Market post, Alan Embree, George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, Eddie Guardado, Damaso Marte, John Grabow, Ron Mahay, or Jeremy Affeldt could fit the bill. It still doesn’t seem like a pressing need to me, though.
- Molony speculates that Tim Redding could be a popular name on the trade market. Redding has a 4.10 ERA, but it’s propped up by a .258 BABIP (as a team, the Nationals have a .307 BABIP).