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Yanks To Let Abreu, Giambi Leave?

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According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post:

The general consensus appears that free agents Bobby Abreu and Jason Giambi will be allowed to leave and that fits a logic: The Yanks are trying to get younger, trying to thin the herd of aging corner outfield/first base/DH types and trying to reduce the payroll where possible.

The Yanks would save more than $25MM by letting the pair leave.  But as Sherman notes, they’d lose a couple of their top OBP guys.  They’d also face a weak free agent market for first basemen, aside from Mark Teixeira.  In the outfield, Xavier Nady could take over in right.  Interesting note from Ken Davidoff – he says Giambi’s legacy to the Yankees may be his generosity toward the support staff. 

Beyond Teixeira, the Yankees could attempt to trade for Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, or Adam LaRoche.  As far as team control, Howard and Fielder have three years, LaRoche one.  It’s tough to see the Phillies or Brewers making a deal without Phil Hughes.  A couple of other possible trade candidates include Garrett Atkins, Lyle Overbay, Nick Johnson, and Todd Helton.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Williams, Tazawa

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Today’s links…

  • Chat today, 2pm CST.
  • Great stuff on the Pedro Alvarez situation from Baseball Prospectus’ Kevin Goldstein.  Goldstein’s source says the union will claim that the Pirates and MLB engaged in a premeditated conspiracy, perhaps designed to take Scott Boras out of the picture by negotiating past midnight.  The article is subscription-only.  At $40 a year, BP is well worth it.
  • It seems that Type B status is slipping away for Tigers reliever Kyle Farnsworth.  Ivan Rodriguez recently fell from A to B, but the Yankees may choose not to offer him arbitration.
  • Baseball America’s Jim Callis says Mariners top draft pick Joshua Fields wants $2MM, while the team is holding firm at $1.5MM.  Fields is advised by Scott Boras.
  • Interesting note from last week…Bernie Williams is training and does not consider himself retired.
  • Patrick Newman discusses the Junichi Tazawa situation in-depth.  He says NPB’s commissioner plans to meet with Bud Selig.  One reason MLB looks extra-appealing to Tazawa: NPB limits draft pick bonuses to $1MM.
  • Geoff Baker discusses Jose Guillen.

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Floyd, Winn

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Here’s a look at the latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman.

  • Heyman heard recent "scuttlebutt" that C.C. Sabathia does not want to play for the Yankees.  They’re still expected to make a large offer, and Heyman also expects a big play from the Angels.  Sabathia reportedly prefers California but has become more open-minded to other locations.
  • Cliff Floyd plans to play next year, hopefully for the Rays.  The team has a $2.75MM option with a $250K buyout.  He’s worth it.
  • Heyman notes that Randy Winn would’ve made a fine acquisition for another club.  The 34 year-old is hitting .315/.372/.438 in 611 plate appearances.  He’s set to earn $8.25MM in ’09 and can block deals to ten teams.

Odds and Ends: LaRoche, Bradley, Burnett

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Digging into today’s random links…

Cafardo’s Latest: Salty, Renteria, Pudge

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Let’s take a look at the latest column from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.

  • The Red Sox are "intrigued" by Rangers catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia (I believe they have been for some time).  Jamey Newberg would like to see Clay Buchholz in a Rangers uniform, but admits the deal would have to be expanded.
  • The Red Sox will not have to pay the $3MM buyout on Edgar Renteria if the Tigers decline his $11MM option for ’09.  The free agent market for shorstops is weak, but the Tigers will probably look elsewhere given Renteria’s .269/.318/.375 showing.
  • Cafardo wonders if Jason Bay or Matt Holliday will be on the Braves’ radar this winter (both are signed through ’09).  You’d have to think the Sox will want to keep Bay.  The Braves will have $30-40MM to spend, and Bobby Cox expects two starting pitchers to be added.
  • Cafardo talked to a scout who feels Ivan Rodriguez still has something left to offer despite his poor performance for the Yankees.  Ideally he’d sign a one-year deal.  It won’t be with the Yankees; Jorge Posada noted that Pudge is "going to have to go somewhere else."

Tazawa Ignites Controversy

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Japanese amateur pitcher Junichi Tazawa is shaking things up – last week he asked the 12 Nippon Professional Baseball teams not to draft him.  He wants to join an MLB team instead.  His decision, coupled with interest from multiple MLB teams, is putting a major strain on MLB-NPB relations.

Peter Abraham of The Journal News had an informative article on the Tazawa situation yesterday.  He says Tazawa’s decision is testing an informal agreement that MLB will not sign Japanese prospects.  Abraham says the Red Sox, Mets, Braves, and Dodgers have scouted Tazawa.  The Tigers, Pirates, Cubs, and Mariners may also be in the mix.  The Red Sox are said to be in the lead.  There’s no posting free for an unsigned player, though Tazawa may want a big league deal.

The Yankees will pass – GM Brian Cashman told Abraham he will honor the gentleman’s agreement between the two leagues.  When the Yanks sent Gene Michael to Japan last week, it was apparently to scout Yu Darvish.  Darvish’s availability this winter will hinge on the whims of the Nippon Ham Fighters.  No one knows whether the Fighters will cash the 22 year-old in now for a possible $60-80MM posting fee.

NPB directors convened to discuss the Tazawa situation last week, and they’re sending a delegation to the U.S. to meet with MLB. Abraham suggests NPB could strike back if Bud Selig doesn’t step in to stop the pursuit of Japanese players before they are drafted.  Abraham speculates Japan could pull out of the World Baseball Classic or even sign an American amateur player as retaliation.  Or, as Patrick Newman suggested to me recently, a team like Softbank could jump in and sign Pedro Alvarez or Aaron Crow.

Davidoff Less Sure Cashman Will Return To Yankees

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Newsday’s Ken Davidoff says he’s still betting that Brian Cashman will return to the Yankees next season, but he’s adjusting his odds.

Will Cashman come back? I’m downgrading my odds of his return from 65-35 to 55-45. I think his season has been very draining for Cashman. While he thought the team might miss the playoffs this year, he fingered the pitching, not the hitting. The fan and media criticism has been strong, and while Hank doesn’t actually do much, comments like the ones he made Thursday put Cashman in a position he knows all too well: Reacting to outrageous comments by people named Steinbrenner.

In other words, it might not be the advisory board, per se, that pushes Cashman out the door. But it might be the Hank chatter.

Davidoff believes the Steinbrenners will ask Cashman to return, and that they will again offer him full autonomy. But that might not be enough. Working for the Steinbrenners obviously requires patience, and Cashman’s patience may be running out.

Davidoff suggests Yankees Vice President of Scouting Damon Oppenheimer or Assistant GM Jean Afterman could replace Cashman. He also says the Yankees "would be foolish not to reach out to Pat Gillick, who worked with the Yankees in his pre-GM days and is retiring from the Phillies" and that "Gerry Hunsicker, currently with the Rays, would be another natural candidate, given his strong work with the Astros."

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.

Hank Steinbrenner Forming Advisory Group

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SATURDAY: Cashman responds to the advisory group comments.  He wouldn’t say whether he wants to return.

THURSDAY: Peter Abraham relays comments Hank Steinbrenner made to the AP today.  Hank will review the entire organization and put together an advisory group for decision-making.  Brian Cashman would still be in charge, but it sounds like too many cooks in the kitchen.  Cashman probably will not want to stay if he loses autonomy.  Speculation is that Cashman could consider the vacancies in Philadelphia or Seattle.

One thing’s for sure – the Yankees are prepared to throw around some cash this winter.  Steinbrenner seemingly has regrets about not acquiring Johan Santana.  As far as the ’09 staff goes, Brian Cashman would have interest if Mike Mussina wants to come back.  Presumably the Yankees would add one or two more free agent starters after Mussina.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hudson, Ordonez, Fielder, Howard

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Let’s swing through Ken Rosenthal’s latest column.

  • Rosenthal names the Mets, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, Indians, Rockies, and Cardinals as speculative fits for free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.  Obviously several of those scenarios would involve shuffling players to other positions or trades.  The Yankees’ infield defense could certainly use the boost.
  • Rosenthal considers Frank Wren’s midseason trip to Japan a sign that he might be active in that market.
  • The Tigers may shop Magglio Ordonez for pitching this winter.  Maggs will need fewer than 500 plate appearances next year to cause his 2010 and 2011 options to vest.  So he’s essentially owed $48MM over three years.
  • Don’t forget two other sluggers who may be available this winter: Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard.  It works well for the Brewers and Phillies, as the free agent market is weak at first base.

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Steinbrenner, Heilman

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Let’s take a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com.

  • Heyman talked to "several baseball people" who believe the Angels will be a player for C.C. Sabathia this winter.  Possibly, but I think re-signing Mark Teixeira will be their top priority.  Heyman spoke to a competing owner who can’t see the Angels doing two $100MM+ deals.
  • Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s recent comments a slap at GM Brian Cashman, but notes that Hal is running the team.
  • The Rockies and D’Backs have inquired about Aaron Heilman in the past; they may view him as a starting candidate.
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