Odds and Ends: Bernazard, Sexson, Rangers
Time for another link roundup.
- I hadn’t realized this – the Royals offered Billy Butler for Yuniesky Betancourt a few years back.
- The Jays acquired pitcher Jonah Bayliss for a player to be named later.
- Buster Olney heard that Brian Sabean doesn’t like the idea of the Giants bringing in Rick Peterson. Wouldn’t be fair to Dave Righetti.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday says Mets VP of Development Tony Bernazard has a bad reputation.
- David Andriesen of the Seattle PI has a source saying the Mariners are not ready to pull the trigger Richie Sexson‘s release. Still seems likely though.
- I did a Q&A on the Rangers with Uwe Blog.
- Speaking of the Rangers, I’m high on Chris Davis as a fantasy baseball pickup.
Possible Replacements For Bavasi In Seattle
John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer is reporting that the Mariners already have a list of names that they are considering to replace the fired Bill Bavasi.
Yesterday, we saw several sources that speculated on the next GM. Hickey spoke with a former GM who came up with a list of eight names that could possibly fill the post.
- Kevin Towers, current San Diego Padres GM: Hickey notes that Towers has stuck with San Diego through a recent front office transition and may prefer to stay with the Pads.
- Brian Cashman, current New York Yankees GM: The M’s wanted to talk to Cashman in ’03 but were rebuked. They may get a better chance this time to land a GM that once said "who wouldn’t want [The Mariners] job."
- Kim Ng, Los Angeles Dodgers assistant GM: Was previously a candidate for the Dodgers job and is considered ready to be a GM.
- Jerry DiPoto, Arizona Diamondbacks director of player personnel
- Tony Bernazard, New York Mets vice president of player development: Previously a candidate for the Pirates job, Hickey wonders if Bernazard might want out with the Mets in flux.
- Chris Antonetti, Cleveland Indians VP of baseball operations: Hickey notes that Antonetti may prefer to stay in Cleveland, having previously turned down an offer from the Pirates to interview for their GM post.
- Mike Rizzo, Washington Nationals assistant GM and VP of baseball operations
- Dave Forst, Oakland Athletics assistant GM
Odds and Ends: Fujikawa, Inge, Haren, Jacque
Today’s collection of links…
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman does not believe Omar Minaya’s job is in jeopardy.
- New blog to check out: NPB Tracker. Patrick’s goal is to provide a reliable source of information on Japanese leagues to an American audience. He’s already got a name for us to watch: reliever Kyuji Fujikawa. He’d like to be posted, but that’s up to the Hanshin Tigers.
- Brandon Inge is up for full-time catching in ’09, even if it’s not his preference.
- The D’Backs discussed an extension with Dan Haren, but talks broke off. They could rekindle. He’s signed cheaply through 2010 already.
- The Tigers would’ve been interested in Barry Bonds if they didn’t have Gary Sheffield, according to Jim Leyland.
- Jacque Jones has cleared waivers but hasn’t decided whether to accept a minor league assignment from the Marlins.
- RotoAuthority looks at Chase Headley from a fantasy perspective.
- Pretty interesting comments from Bill Bavasi on Erik Bedard. Watch video of Bavasi’s press conference here.
Mets Fire Randolph, Peterson
News came over the wire early this morning that the Mets have fired manager Willie Randolph, pitching coach Rick Peterson, and first base coach Tom Nieto. Jerry Manuel becomes the interim manager.
I’ve mentioned before – manager news isn’t really within the scope of this website. But, I figure it’s easier to toss up an item here rather than explain that to well-intentioned emailers all day.
The Mets are 34-35, 6.5 games out of the NL East with about 57% of the season left to go. Baseball Prospectus puts their playoff odds somewhere between 7-19%.
Odds and Ends: Astros, Reds, Mariners, Mets
Light day for baseball today, with only five games on the docket. Perhaps these links can fill the void.
- Despite the recent MLB.com article about the Astros’ hunt for starting pitching, two Houston Chronicle writers (Richard Justice and Brian McTaggart) are wondering whether the ‘Stros should wave the white flag.
- Interesting post from Larry Stone – he quotes John McLaren calling Erik Bedard a "100-pitch pitcher."
- Tim Lincecum on his birthday dinner plans: "Give me McDonald’s or Pizza Hut." Both fine choices.
- Joel Sherman busts out a few speculative paragraphs on potential trades for the Mets if they become sellers.
- Walt Jocketty denies Sherman’s report that he wants to clean house.
- RotoAuthority discusses expected win totals for starting pitchers.
Mets Interested In Fuentes
According to the Denver Post and New York Daily News, the Mets have expressed interest in Rockies closer Brian Fuentes. Adam Rubin says nothing is imminent. Troy E. Renck points out that the Rox turned down an offer of Aaron Heilman during the winter.
Fuentes figures to be a hot commodity this summer, so the Rockies may take their time and field offers. The Mets do have a few decent prospects aside from Fernando Martinez.
Mets Acquire Trot Nixon
According to MetsBlog, the Mets have acquired outfielder Trot Nixon from the D’Backs for a player to be named later or cash. The Mets, as you know, are currently weak on corner outfield depth.
Nixon, 34, was hitting .309/.437/.558 in 58 games at hitter-friendly Triple A Tucson. He should probably not go anywhere near a southpaw though.
Odds and Ends: Bradley, Floyd, Threets
Let’s round up some links.
- Juan Rincon rejected the Twins’ Triple A assignment. Anyone want him?
- The Reds received a 23 year-old righty named Henry Arias from the Royals to conclude the March Brad Salmon deal.
- I had forgotten about this…the Royals almost acquired Milton Bradley a year ago for Leo Nunez but the deal was voided.
- Paul Hagen offers some pitching ideas for the Phillies.
- David Cameron explains why the Mariners are so bad.
- The international signing period begins on July 2nd; pitcher Michel Inoa heads the class. It’s been suggested the A’s could offer him $4MM.
- Jon Heyman says this might be Cliff Floyd‘s last season. Floyd has a $2.75MM club option for ’09.
- Howard Megdal considers Scott Schoeneweis and Brian Schneider the Mets’ most tradeable commodities.
- Erick Threets is shocked no team was willing to pick him up and keep him in the Majors. For El Lefty Malo, this serves as a reminder that fans often overvalue their team’s players.
Stark’s Latest: Holliday, Lofton, Hudson, Greinke
Time to delve into Jayson Stark’s latest column for ESPN.
- The Rockies are 9.5 games out, and if they slip further over the next month they may trade Matt Holliday or Garrett Atkins (not both). If so, they’d be flexible on the number and ages of the players they’d want in return. Aaron Cook will not be traded.
- Stark talked to one team official who speculated the Pirates could keep their outfield intact in the name of a run at .500. Presumably they’d be doing this for the fans, but diehards would probably prefer a sweet bounty of young players and a better ’09 draft pick.
- As we’ve discussed here, the Mariners don’t have much to trade. Raul Ibanez has decent value, but Erik Bedard will probably stay put unless a new GM is installed.
- The White Sox "made the most serious run yet" at Kenny Lofton, but he they balked at his $2.5-3MM asking price. Kenny…c’mon. We want to see you in baseball this year.
- Orlando Hudson might’ve signed below-market to play in New York, but the Mets signed Luis Castillo through 2011. How about the other New York team, in the event of a Robinson Cano trade?
- One AL exec believes the Royals would be best served to trade Zack Greinke now, and get an influx of even younger talent.
Odds and Ends: Viciedo, Broussard, Rincon, Threets
Time to round ’em up.
- The A’s are leading the charge for international free agent pitcher Michael Inoa; they could offer him $4MM. All teams have scouted him.
- MLB.com’s Jim Molony names the Astros, Yankees, Cardinals, Angels, Mets, and Pirates as teams considering Cuban defector Dayan Viciedo (assuming he becomes a free agent).
- The Orioles would like to sign Ben Broussard, if he’ll accept a minor league assignment. Broussard if mulling his options and should sign within 24 hours. He could step in if the Orioles trade Kevin Millar.
- Jeff Weaver has been released by the Brewers. Weaver’s lost it; he has a 6.22 ERA in nine Triple A starts.
- The Twins have asked Juan Rincon to accept a minor league assignment. If he refuses, the Twins will be on the hook for his salary and he’ll become a free agent. Rincon’s last decent year was 2006.
- No team was willing to keep lefty reliever Erick Threets in the Majors. He cleared waivers and will head to Triple A as a member of the Giants organization.
- Andy Pettitte wouldn’t commit, but admitted it’d be a "joy and an honor" to pitch at the new Yankee Stadium next year.
- Tigers backup catcher Vance Wilson may retire after a setback in his elbow recovery.