Odds & Ends: Pujols, Holliday, Mauer, Reyes
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- Cardinals chairman Bill DeWitt believes it's possible to negotiate huge deals simultaneously with Albert Pujols and Matt Holliday, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Still, Strauss says the Cards' Monday meeting "touched on contingencies if Holliday defects."
- Joe Mauer "thinks things will work themselves out" regarding his next contract, according to La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
- In a Sunday article, David Waldstein and Michael S. Schmidt of the New York Times dug into the rift between the Mets and Dodgers regarding Jose Reyes' injury.
Odds & Ends: Cards, Red Sox, Jenks
After a great ending to the NLDS in Colorado, we'll be without baseball for a couple days. But not to worry, the links are still coming. Here's another set….
- In their ESPN wrap-up of the St. Louis Cardinals' season, the Baseball Prospectus staff speculates that if Dave Duncan leaves town, his reclamation projects like Joel Pineiro might follow to wherever he lands.
- The BP staff also takes a look at the Boston Red Sox for ESPN, pointing out that it'll be difficult to upgrade the offense in 2010, with the contracts of Mike Lowell and David Ortiz still on the books. Olney suggests that Miguel Tejada could provide solid production for the Sox if Theo Epstein could convince the infielder to sign at a discount for a chance to "win now."
- MLB.com's Scott Merkin writes that, while Bobby Jenks wants to stay in Chicago for 2010 and beyond, the closer isn't happy about the team's comments about his conditioning.
- Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News expects Bruce Bochy and Brian Sabean to sign new contracts that will keep them in San Francisco — "probably within the next couple days."
- The most important "free agents" for the New York Mets to target aren't actually players, according to Ben Shpigel of The New York Times. He wants the team to pursue managerial and front office options like Tony LaRussa and Kevin Towers, but is worried that none will still be available by the time the Mets give up on Jerry Manuel and Omar Minaya.
- Seeing Wilson Betemit mentioned as a minor league free agent prompted Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors to revisit last November's Nick Swisher deal that sent Betemit to Chicago.
- U.S.S. Mariner's Dave Cameron provides an interesting read about putting together a major-league roster.
Odds & Ends: Bradley, Lackey, Padilla
Bonus afternoon links:
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports via Twitter that Tampa Bay "will only consider acquiring [Milton] Bradley if Cubs eat so much [of his] salary [that the] Rays could release him at any time without financial hit."
- John Harper of the New York Daily News wants the Mets to pursue John Lackey as "people around the Angels" view his return as unlikely.
- Vicente Padilla is grateful for the opportunity he has been given with the Dodgers, writes MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. The Dodgers picked up the righty for the prorated portion of the minimum salary after he was released by the Rangers in August.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff brings us a strong quote from Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Carl Pavano: "He took a lot of crap, and so did I…Do I blame him for it? No, I don't. I don't think he laid down on us."
Odds & Ends: Rangers, Hawpe, Griffey, Matsui
Are you over that back-and-forth, edge of your seat Yankees-Twins game yet? If not, here's some links to calm you down…
- Jeff Wilson of The Dallas Morning News provides a quick breakdown of each of the three bidders that are considering purchasing the Rangers. He notes that there is still no timetable for a sale to be complete.
- Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post wonders about Brad Hawpe's future in Colorado after Jim Tracy used three lefthanded pinch hitters during Game Two of the NLDS, none of whom was Hawpe. With several younger, more athletic, and (perhaps most importantly) cheaper outfielders on the roster, Hawpe could be the odd man out.
- When asked if he wanted to play in 2010, Ken Griffey Jr. replied "Um, yeah," according to Phil Rogers of The Chicago Tribune. Junior also qualified that by saying he'll do what's best for his family and for the Mariners.
- Could Hideki Matsui stay in New York next year? Newsday's David Lennon thinks it may be possible, with the Mets instead of the Yankees. The one they call Godzilla has insisted he could play the outfield all season, yet the Yankees have only used him at DH because of his surgically repaired knees. Lennon notes that Matsui has also "told people he would consider trying first base," which would fit great for the team from Flushing.
Odds & Ends: Mauer, Towers, Joba
Some links to peruse in between innings of the Cards/Dodgers game….
- Barry M. Bloom at MLB.com writes that Twins catcher Joe Mauer is concerned with "winning, not fame." Mauer's willingness to fly under the radar might be good news for Minnesota fans worried that the batting champ will eventually leave town for a larger market. Of course, I'm sure knocking off the Yankees would help too.
- No one thinks former Padres' GM Kevin Towers will be out of work for long. Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Towers should be the first choice for any team seeking a general manager. The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch adds that he expects Towers to join the Mets' front office, since Omar Minaya's tenuous grasp on his job could result in an eventual promotion for Towers.
- Joel Pineiro tells MLB.com's Tom Singer that developing a sinker was the key to his 2009 success. Singer points out that Pineiro leads all free agent starters in a handful of categories this year, including baserunners allowed. The 31-year-old righty will get a chance to prove his effectiveness on a bigger stage this weekend against the Dodgers.
- Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe speculates on Joba Chamberlain's 2010 role, wondering if "the pitcher Red Sox fans love to hate may be no better than a set-up man after all."
- Baseball America's Aaron Fitt views the settlement between the NCAA and Andy Oliver as a "return to status quo" for the draft's "no agent" rule, but doesn't anticipate it lasting long.
- We've heard some rumblings that Oakland's David Forst might be in the mix for the Padres' vacant GM spot. ESPN.com's Rob Neyer wonders, if it's true, why the Padres wouldn't just hire the ex-A's assistant GM they already have: Paul DePodesta.
Heyman On Pavano, Gomez, Nick Johnson
Reggie Jackson tells Jon Heyman of SI.com that Alex Rodriguez will have a big postseason. Jackson says as much every year, but A-Rod did hit well last night – maybe 2009 is his year. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- Like most Yankees people, Jackson is no fan of Carl Pavano.
- Carlos Gomez is hesitant to call the trade that sent him (and others) to Minnesota for Johan Santana fair. But, as Heyman points out, the Twins beat the Mets to the playoffs.
- The Mets will look at free agent first basemen this offseason, but don't expect them to sign Nick Johnson. GM Omar Minaya and the Mets are shying away from injury-prone players. I wonder if that applies to pitchers like Ben Sheets, Rich Harden and Erik Bedard.
Odds & Ends: Mets, Hardy, Hammel
Links for Wednesday…
- The Mets favor Matt Holliday over Jason Bay, according to SI's Jon Heyman.
- Adam Guttridge of The Hardball Times explains why J.J. Hardy is a prime buy-low opportunity.
- Tyler Hissey of Around the Majors notes that Jason Hammel has been a great pickup for the Rockies.
- Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay says the Rays should pursue free agent reliever Joaquin Benoit.
Mets, Red Sox Complete Billy Wagner Trade
The Mets and Red Sox completed the Billy Wagner trade today, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. Hubbuch says the Mets acquired outfielder Chris Carter and first baseman Eddie Lora to finish the deal. The Red Sox had to wait until the offseason to send Carter to the Mets because of a waiver claim made by the Yankees in August.
Wagner pitched well in his time with Boston, posting a 1.72 ERA, 26 strikeouts, and 8 walks in 15.6 innings. He could also have an impact in the playoffs. The Red Sox agreed to decline Wagner's $8MM option for 2010, but the pitcher expects the team to offer arbitration. He told WEEI's Rob Bradford he'll probably turn it down, which would mean a new team will have to surrender a draft pick to sign him.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Halladay, Yankees
Let's take a look around the web after the thrilling conclusion of game #163:
- Vicente Padilla and Ronnie Belliard – acquired (separately) by the Dodgers in August – will start ahead of Chad Billingsley and Orlando Hudson in the postseason, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
- MLB.com's David Ely writes that the Dodgers are in the position they are today in large part because of GM Ned Colletti. The Dodgers agree as they are likely to ink Colletti a new deal soon.
- David Waldstein of the New York Times reports that the Mets will "look into" Roy Halladay if the Blue Jays make him available this winter. However, the article notes that it is unlikely that the Mets have the cash flow to make such a deal or the prospects necessary to entice Toronto.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman deserves credit for the moves he has made, writes Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Halladay, Yankees
Let's take a look around the web after the thrilling conclusion of game #163:
- Vicente Padilla and Ronnie Belliard – acquired (separately) by the Dodgers in August – will start ahead of Chad Billingsley and Orlando Hudson in the postseason, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
- MLB.com's David Ely writes that the Dodgers are in the position they are today in large part because of GM Ned Colletti. The Dodgers agree as they are likely to ink Colletti a new deal soon.
- David Waldstein of the New York Times reports that the Mets will "look into" Roy Halladay if the Blue Jays make him available this winter. However, the article notes that it is unlikely that the Mets have the cash flow to make such a deal or the prospects necessary to entice Toronto.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman deserves credit for the moves he has made, writes Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger.