Discussion: Trade Options For Yankees And Mets
With so many teams maintaining or reducing payroll this winter, the New York Yankees and New York Mets have an opportunity to take advantage, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Although it's possible that the Yankees' and Mets' 2010 payrolls will be below their 2009 figures, Sherman says each team still has money to spend.
Sherman suggests that the two New York franchises could use their financial flexibility to explore the trade market. The Detroit Tigers and Cincinnati Reds are among the clubs reportedly looking to trade. Sherman thinks that the Yankees or Mets are in a position to take on a bad contract from one of these teams (such as Magglio Ordonez, Bronson Arroyo, or Francisco Cordero) if a more desirable piece, like Curtis Granderson or Brandon Phillips, was also included in the package.
One agent tells Sherman that the Mets "are not a destination spot right now, especially if you are a hitter. You would be going to a questionable team playing in a huge park." As such, Sherman implies that if the Mets aren't able to blow away a hitter like Matt Holliday or Jason Bay with a ton of money, the trade market could serve them better.
It's a decent idea in theory, but I'm not sure it's necessarily the right move for either team. For instance, Sherman rightly points out that the Granderson-Ordonez pair will be less expensive next year ($23.5MM) than what the Yanks paid for Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui this year ($26MM). However, he neglects to mention that Damon and Matsui outproduced the two Tigers in 2009, and it's unlikely that the Yankees' pair will cost $26MM again in 2010. Plus, as MLBTR's Mike Axisa tweets, there's no guarantee that taking on a bad contract would reduce the price of a player like Granderson or Phillips.
If you were running the Yankees or Mets, would you be calling up the Reds, Tigers, and other cost-cutting franchises that are looking to deal? Or would you be more inclined to stick to the free agent market?
Odds & Ends: Duke, Hardy, Mets, Angels
Some Saturday evening links…
- Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports write that the Brewers asked the Pirates for Zach Duke or Paul Maholm in exchange for J.J. Hardy. Pittsburgh hoped to land the shortstop in exchange for closer Matt Capps or catcher Ryan Doumit. When the Pirates refused to budge, the Brewers pulled the trigger on the deal with Minnesota for Carlos Gomez.
- Also noted is that the Mets are considering former Indians skipper Eric Wedge as a candidate for their bench coach vacancy. The position could be a stepping stone to the head job as Jerry Manuel is in the final year of his contract. Bob Melvin and former Orioles bench coach Dave Jauss are also in the mix.
- After recently signing GM Tony Reagins to a new contract, the Angels have made a few front office changes, reports Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.
- John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer implores the Reds not to trade Bronson Arroyo or Brandon Phillips to clear payroll.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun suggests that Dan Uggla would make a good fit for the Orioles. Based on conversations that Schmuck has had with beat writer Jeff Zrebiec, it doesn't seem as though the O's front office agrees.
- Marquis Grissom will not return as the Nationals' first base coach, writes MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
Discussion: Fernando Tatis
In 2008, after disappearing from the Major Leagues for some time, Fernando Tatis hooked on with the Mets. Tatis was a pleasant surprise for the orange and blue, posting .297/.369/.484 in 92 games. After the season, the Metropolitans rewarded Tatis with a one-year, $1.7MM deal.
The Dominican utilityman did not perform at quite the same level in '09. In 379 plate appearances, Tatis recorded a less impressive slash line of .282/.339/.438. Defensively, he showed that he is still sharp – whether it be in left field, first base or third base.
Tatis, who turns 35 on New Year's Day, will most likely be taking a pay cut on his next deal. Tatis could be a good fit for the Rangers, who are in need of a right-handed bat. The Mets may also be interested in retaining him for the right price, as he looked strong down the final stretch of the season (.854 OPS in August-October).
How much would you pay for the versatile veteran? Should the Mets make a push for him or look elsewhere? Let's hear your thoughts in the comments section.
Nationals Drawing Interest In Willingham
Washington is drawing strong trade interest in left fielder Josh Willingham, but may not be willing to part with him, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Willingham turned in a slash line of .260/.367/.496 with 24 HRs in 502 plate appearances in 2009.
The post identifies the Braves as a team that likes the 30-year-old, but says that they have concerns about his back and are less than enamored with his defensive play. Willingham, they suggest, might be a better fit in the American League where he can be a DH. Earlier this month, Tim took a look at Willingham and other left fielders that could be dealt.
Mets Rumors: Lackey, Figgins, Delgado, Francoeur
The Mets plan to be serious bidders for the services of John Lackey, writes David Lennon of Newsday. GM Omar Minaya reportedly "received a favorable first impression" from a meeting earlier this week with Lackey's agent, Steve Hilliard. Lennon points out that the Mets successfully zeroed in on free agent closer Francisco Rodriguez last offseason and secured his services for $37MM over three years, short of what some expected.
Here's a look at some of the other tidbits Lennon brings us in this piece:
- If the Mets sign the versatile Chone Figgins, he would be placed in left field. Under that plan, Lennon says the Mets could be stuck with Luis Castillo. As one might expect, the expensive addition of Figgins would rule out outfielders Jason Bay and Matt Holliday.
- The Mets could be keeping tabs on Carlos Delgado as part of their plan to ink Figgins. The 37-year-old, if deemed healthy, would be a reasonably priced solution at first base.
- Although Minaya wouldn't rule out an extension for Jeff Francoeur, Lennon says it is not likely to happen.
Olney On Lackey, Astros, Rangers, Doumit, Carroll
In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney writes about Michael Bourn, and how he went from hitting .218 with a .273 OBP in the first half of 2008 to hitting .285 with a .354 OBP in 2009 thanks to a suggestion from Astros' coach Dave Clark.
Here's a roundup of Olney's rumors…
- The Angels last offer to John Lackey was a $72MM package, made earlier this year.
- Olney's educated guess is that the Mariners are the best bet to sign Lackey, followed in order by the Angels, Brewers, Mets, Red Sox, and Yankees.
- Olney hears that the Astros "are cutting payroll, and will have the flexibility to make only minor moves, such as getting a right-handed hitting third baseman, to platoon with Geoff Blum."
- Tom Hicks is still trying to find a way to hold onto the Rangers, but bids from prospective buyers are due next week.
- The Pirates "first made it clear" they were willing to deal Ryan Doumit before the trade deadline, while the Dodgers have been having "internal conversations" about bringing Jamey Carroll aboard as a utility infielder.
Mets Rumors: Delgado, Francoeur, Non-Tenders
The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch has some good Mets info this afternoon, though it is unfortunately broken up into three tweets.
- Hubbuch learned that Mets GM Omar Minaya intends to watch Carlos Delgado in winter ball next month. Delgado could probably be re-signed cheaply after hip surgery limited the 37-year-old to 112 plate appearances this year.
- Cross Jeff Francoeur off the list of non-tender candidates – Minaya said Francoeur will be back and also mentioned that an extension is a possibility. Mets fans – do you believe Francoeur's 308 plate appearances with the club represent a reformed hitter?
- Hubbuch says Mets officials "plan to look hard" at the group of non-tendered players. Those additional free agents will be known on December 12th. Here are our candidates.
Dodgers Javier Vazquez Rumor Shot Down
1:24pm: MLB.com's Mark Bowman talked to a team source who said the Dodgers and Braves are not currently having trade discussions. Bowman believes the Brewers do have interest in Vazquez.
As for Derek Lowe, Bowman doesn't see the Yankees in the mix but does consider the Angels and Brewers possibilities.
9:16am: Former Reds and Nationals GM Jim Bowden is on Twitter, and last night he floated a couple of Dodgers rumors. Bowden wrote that the Dodgers are talking with the Braves about pitcher Javier Vazquez and with the Mets about second baseman Luis Castillo.
Vazquez would be an excellent addition to the front of the Dodgers' rotation, and he won't break the bank at $11.5MM in 2010. However, his no-trade clause specifically allows him to block trades to AL and NL West clubs. Plus, do the Dodgers have the trade chips the Braves crave?
At $12MM over the next two years, Castillo is still viewed as a salary dump candidate by most. Juan Pierre has the Dodgers' obvious bad contract, at $18.5MM over the next two years. ESPN's Buster Olney says Castillo no longer appears untradeable, and the Mets will probably go after Orlando Hudson if they move him.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Figgins, Halladay, Uggla
On this date 31 years ago, Red Sox free agent pitcher Luis Tiant signed a two-year, $875K contract with the Yankees. After eight seasons and 122 wins with Boston, Tiant would go 21-17 with the Yankees before finishing his career with the Pirates and Angels. With this year's free agents looking for new homes, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- UmpBump attempts to determine how much Chone Figgins is worth.
- The Phrontiersman warns that giving up Cole Hamels is too much for Roy Halladay.
- We Should Be GMs analyzes the Phillies roster and suggests some names to fill the holes.
- Camden Crazies looks at what Dan Uggla would mean for the O's and what he might cost.
- Twins Overlook looks back at the Johan Santana trade and compares the pieces that are left and what the Twins could have gotten from the Red Sox or Yankees.
- Nick's Twins Blog thinks Adrian Beltre is the missing piece to the Twins infield.
- Dock of the Rays likes the idea of swapping Pat Burrell for Milton Bradley and wonders if throwing in Andy Sonnanstine can entice the Cubs to add more money.
- Feeling Dodgers Blue says L.A. needs two pitchers and breaks down the pros and cons of the available talent.
- Dodgers Rumors feels Brandon Phillips would fit nicely at second base for the Dodgers.
- Blogging Mets breaks down the Mets' needs and is not very optimistic.
- The Pinstriper projects the Yankees 25-man roster for next season.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Red Sox, Mets Express Interest In John Lackey
The Red Sox expressed preliminary interest in free agent starter John Lackey this week at the GM Meetings, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Additionally, David Lennon of Newsday says Mets GM Omar Minaya spoke to Lackey's agent on the phone. There's no cost to express interest, so why not?
The Mariners, Rangers, Brewers, and Yankees have been linked to Lackey in various reports. Earlier this week, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick polled 20 baseball people, and the Yankees, Mets, and Angels were seen as the most likely to sign him. Lackey's agent told Brewers GM Doug Melvin that his client is open to any club.