Braun: Team More Likely To Sign Reyes Than Fielder
Brewers outfielder Ryan Braun believes that the club is more likely to land Jose Reyes in free agency than re-sign Prince Fielder, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post.
Braun assumes that Fielder will likely command upwards of $150MM this winter whereas Reyes can be had for around $120MM. The four-time All-Star was quick to admit that he's a huge fan of Reyes.
"[Reyes] is dynamic, man — he is one of the most exciting players in the game," the 27-year-old said. "He plays with a lot of energy and a lot of emotion and I enjoy watching him play. He's one of my favorite players to watch. Whenever their games are on, I love watching him, man. He always plays the game the right way. He always plays hard. He runs everything out."
The Brewers can easily make room at shortstop this winter as they hold a $6MM club option on Yuniesky Betancourt's deal with a $2MM buyout.
Yankees Notes: Montero, Cashman, A-Rod, Sabathia
You knew there would be a lot of Yankee news the day after the Bronx Bombers were eliminated from the postseason. Ben Nicholson-Smith already gave us one batch of items out of New York today, and now here are a few more tidbits as the Yanks look ahead to next year…
- Jesus Montero may once again be trade bait this winter, writes John Harper of the New York Daily News. A group of scouts tells Harper that such pitchers as James Shields, Gio Gonzalez, Trevor Cahill, Mat Latos or Matt Cain could potentially be obtained in a deal featuring Montero. Harper also says "the early indications are the Yanks won't go to extremes to sign" C.J. Wilson as a free agent.
- Brian Cashman says that starting pitching is "always, always, always" the club's offseason focus and this year will be no different, reports Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger. Cashman noted, however, that he doesn't expect next year's roster to be drastically different from the 2011 edition.
- With Alex Rodriguez's weak postseason numbers fresh in everyone's mind, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post and Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal both express worry about the six years and $143MM remaining on A-Rod's contract.
- Locking up C.C. Sabathia for more years and more millions could turn the ace into a Rodriguez-esque albatross on the Yankee payroll, warns Johnette Howard of ESPN New York.
- Which of New York's two big free agents is a safer signing: Sabathia or Mets shortstop Jose Reyes? Ken Plutnicki of the New York Times asks the question.
Reyes Expects To Talk Contract With Mets Soon
Jose Reyes told Newsday’s Nick Klopsis that the Mets haven’t started discussing a new contract with him, but the shortstop hinted that he expects dialogue to begin before long.
"They'll probably start up within the next few days," Reyes said. "But right now, everything's quiet."
The Mets have exclusive negotiating rights with the prospective free agent until five days after the World Series ends. They tried discussing a new contract with Reyes during the summer, but postponed contract talks until after the season ended. Reyes maintains that he wants to re-sign with the Mets, who will likely lower their payroll to the $100-$110MM range for next season.
Reyes finished the 2011 season with a .337/.384/.493 line, 31 doubles, 39 stolen bases and a league-leading 16 triples. He solidified his case for a generous free agent contract last month, when he posted an .854 OPS and won the National League batting title.
NL East Notes: Nationals, Santana, Hale
The Phillies will attempt to advance to their fourth consecutive NLCS on Friday, when former teammates Roy Halladay and Chris Carpenter face off in Philadelphia. Until then, we've got some links from the NL East to keep you entertained…
- Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider says the Nationals could have room on their roster for Rick Ankiel next year, though it would probably be as a fourth outfielder. There's "virtually no chance" the Nationals re-sign Laynce Nix and Ankiel, according to Zuckerman. Jonny Gomes could be back, but the out-of-options Roger Bernadina isn't assured of a roster spot going forward.
- The Mets announced that Johan Santana will rest to prepare for the 2012 season instead of playing winter ball or pitching more in the instructional league. GM Sandy Alderson says he's optimistic that Santana will "maintain a Spring Training schedule with all other Mets pitchers next February and will be ready for the start of the 2012 season." The Mets owe the left-hander $24MM in 2012, $25.5MM in 2013 and at least a $5.5MM buyout in 2014.
- The Mets also announced that bench coach Ken Oberkfell, third base Coach Chip Hale, first base coach Mookie Wilson and bullpen coach Jon Debus won't be back in 2012. The A's signed Hale to be manager Bob Melvin's bench coach for the next two years.
Rockies Rumors: Stewart, Wright, Headley, Alvarez
The Rockies pick tenth in next year's draft, a pick that will be protected if they sign a Type A free agent who turned down arbitration this offseason. The latest on the team, from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post:
- Kevin Kouzmanoff is unlikely to return to the Rockies next year. MLBTR reported yesterday that the team is in the process of outrighting the third baseman. Ian Stewart will get another shot at the third base job if he "makes baseball his first priority from the start of the winter until the end of it," GM Dan O'Dowd told Renck. The Rockies will need to make a decision on Stewart by the December 12th non-tender deadline though. Tendering him a contract probably means paying him around $2.2MM again.
- Opposing executives expect O'Dowd to aggressively pursue Mets third baseman David Wright. Otherwise Renck expects the Rockies to cast a wide net, including the Padres' Chase Headley and the Pirates' Pedro Alvarez but not free agent Aramis Ramirez. I have a hard time imagining the Padres sending Headley to their division rival; the two teams haven't matched up for an offseason trade since the Rockies' inaugural season.
- The Rockies are looking to trade Ty Wigginton even it means eating some of the $4.5MM owed to him.
- Renck reiterates that the Rockies seek an innings eater this offseason.
Quick Hits: Mets, Rockies, La Russa, Vizquel
Links for Sunday..
- Mets lefties Pat Misch and Mike O'Connor declared minor league free agency, writes Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. O'Connor posted an ugly 5.22 ERA but strong 9.8 K/9 in 60 1/3 innings at Triple-A, while Misch posted a 4.00 ERA, 6.0 K/9, and 2.6 BB/9 in 141 2/3 innings.
- The Rockies will look to bolster their rotation this winter, writes Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post. General Manager Dan O'Dowd says that he'll especially be looking for an innings eater.
- Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter) believes that Tony La Russa can have the White Sox job if he really wants it, though that is a big if. Heyman also tweets that he doesn't see Francona coming to the South Side of Chicago.
- Shortstop Omar Vizquel talked with Edgar Leal Suarez of La Verdad (Spanish link, translation provided by Nick Collias) about the 2011 campaign and his future plans. The veteran reiterated that he hopes to continue playing next season and will evaluate his opportunities after the World Series.
- David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (via Twitter) expects the Braves to go target shortstops, corner outfielders, and utility infielders this winter.
- Yankees left-hander C.C. Sabathia is expected to opt-out of his contract but earlier today he confessed that New York is the best place to play baseball, tweets David Waldstein of the New York Times.
22 Triple-A Players Elect Free Agency
A total of 22 players that finished the year in Triple-A elected free agency after the end of the regular season according to the transaction pages of the Pacific Coast and International Leagues. All but one of those 22 players (Matt Carson, formerly of the Rays) played in the big leagues this season. Here's the full list:
Dusty Brown (Pirates), Travis Buck (Indians), Armando Galarraga (D'Backs), Jay Gibbons (Dodgers), Edgar Gonzalez (Rockies), Steve Holm (Twins), Wil Ledezma (Blue Jays), Andy LaRoche (Athletics), Felipe Lopez (Brewers), Lastings Milledge (White Sox), Pat Misch (Mets), Pat Neshek (Padres), Mike O'Connor (Mets), Matt Palmer (Angels), Felix Pie (Orioles), Brad Snyder (Cubs), Brett Tomko (Rangers), Wyatt Toregas (Pirates), P.J. Walters (Blue Jays), Randy Williams (Red Sox), and Reggie Willits (Angels).
Alderson On Mets, Reyes, Payroll, Madoff
Mets GM Sandy Alderson gave an end-of-the-year review today at Citi Field and, unsurprisingly, most of the talk was about Jose Reyes' future. Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger has the full transcript of Alderson's remarks, but here are some of the highlights…
- Alderson expects to be in contact with Reyes' representation within the next couple of days, though he is very doubtful that they could agree to an extension during the Mets' exclusive negotiating window. "If history is any guide, most players who get to this point don’t see any reason to make a decision within the next 30 days, that close to free agency," Alderson said.
- If Reyes doesn't return, Alderson didn't rule out the possibility of going after another major free agent, noting that "it's a fluid market."
- Alderson has a "choking point" in mind as to how much the Mets are willing to spend to retain Reyes' services. The GM noted, however, that this figure could rise depending on how the rest of the market for Reyes plays out.
- The Mets' 2012 payroll will in the range of $100-110MM, though this could obviously be boosted should Reyes be re-signed.
- The Bernie Madoff scandal and its financial fallout "has a lingering effect" on the Wilpons, Alderson believes. The Wilpons received a favorable court ruling yesterday, which Alderson said provides a better outlook for both ownership and the club itself.
- The Mets' defense "needs to be improved dramatically." Alderson also wants to improve the bullpen and figures he'll probably spend more on relievers than he did last winter.
- In response to a question about who New York's center fielder will be next year, Alderson spoke of the need for improved outfield defense and didn't mention Angel Pagan. McCullough figures this is a sign that Pagan will be non-tendered, as "the new front office has not been impressed with his play."
Jose Reyes’ Final Month: Part Two
About a month ago, I explained that each player to sign a free agent contract worth more than $100MM since the 2007-08 offseason capped his walk year with a healthy, productive final month. At the time, Jose Reyes was returning from an extended stint on the disabled list – his second trip to the DL of the season – and his free agent value was far from finalized.
“For Reyes to join Carl Crawford in the $100MM club,” I wrote at the time, “he’ll probably have to show interested teams that he has recovered from the left hamstring issue that sidelined him for the past three weeks. No matter what Reyes does, he won’t silence questions about his ability to stay healthy for an entire season. But if the 28-year-old can finish 2011 with one more month of electrifying play, he’ll have a stronger case for a contract worth $100MM or more.”
Whether or not you agree with Reyes’ decision to leave today’s game after raising his league-high average to .337 with a bunt single, there’s no denying that his final month has been statistically strong and, just as importantly, healthy. Reyes has appeared in 25 of the Mets’ 28 games and has a line of .340/.411/.443 for the month with four stolen bases in as many attempts and a pair of home runs (both homers came yesterday).
His season line sits at .337/.384/.493 and he has a league-leading 16 triples to go along with 31 doubles and 39 stolen bases. He's sixth among NL position players in FanGraphs' wins above replacement and there's a good chance he'll win the batting title over Ryan Braun.
Some teams will shy away from Reyes because of his injury history, but plenty of potential suitors are still out there. Will he obtain $100MM? Recent history says he has done his part. Now it’s up to team owners to make their offers.
Rockies Rumors: Street, Ellis, Wright, Cuddyer
The Rockies conclude their season this afternoon in San Francisco, with Drew Pomeranz opposing Eric Surkamp. The latest on the team from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post:
- Rafael Betancourt would be fine with closing next year for the Rockies, and the team likes what he's done recently in the role. Renck reiterates that opposing executives expect the Rockies to shop Huston Street this winter. Street has $8MM left on his contract for next year, assuming his club declines a 2013 option. The free agent market offers closers such as Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon, and Ryan Madson, but those three will require multiyear deals.
- The Rockies would like to retain second baseman Mark Ellis on a one-year deal in the $3MM range, writes Renck. However, Omar Infante's new two-year, $8MM contract could decrease Colorado's chances of pulling off such a deal.
- David Wright will be a Rockies target this winter if the Mets show an inclination to move him. Wright is owed $15MM in 2012, and can void a '13 club option if dealt. Wright, 28, has a .253/.344/.426 line heading into today's action. He missed two months this year due to a back injury.
- Michael Cuddyer is a potential outfield target for Colorado, writes Renck, and signing him might mean trading Seth Smith.