Yankees Meet With Rivera
Mark Feinsand has the scoop: Mariano Rivera, his agent, and Brian Cashman have convened at Legends Field in Tampa. Feinsand says a three-year, $40MM offer is expected. Most folks assume there’s no chance the Yanks let Mo walk after A-Rod’s departure.
$13.3MM annually would make Rivera the game’s highest-paid closer. He was already tied for that honor this year with Billy Wagner at $10.5MM.
Cano Not Interested In 3B
A few days ago, I wrote a post outlining the Yankees’ options for third base, piggybacking on Peter Abraham’s. One logical scenario he mentioned was to move Robinson Cano to third base and just acquire a second baseman (Orlando Hudson would’ve been nice).
One problem with this option: Cano is not on board. He said yesterday that he did not want to move back to his old position. Of course, it’s not his decision and if he wants to get paid he’ll do what the Yankees tell him to do. We saw this situation play out most recently with Alfonso Soriano, who didn’t want to play outfield for the Nationals. Still, you’d rather have the player in agreement with the team.
Multiple articles came out today about the Yankees’ third base options, though there wasn’t much we hadn’t already considered in posts or comments here.
Mark Gonzales mentioned Joe Crede, as did many others. But Gonzales also threw Josh Fields‘ name into the mix. That doesn’t seem likely but you never do. Seems like the Yanks would go with Betemit rather than trade for Fields. I like the Crede match, but you have to wonder if the Yanks will take a pass on Boras clients this winter.
The New York Times named Mike Lowell, but most expect him to stay in Boston. They also name Crede, as well as Adrian Beltre and Miguel Cabrera.
Dan Graziano threw in a few fresh names – Brandon Inge, Chone Figgins, and even Derek Jeter.
The Yankees’ Next Third Baseman
Peter Abraham hasn’t taken much time to move on from Alex Rodriguez, already listing out his third base possibilities for the 2008 Yankees.
Abraham starts with the one viable free agent option in Mike Lowell. He adds three trade candidates in Joe Crede, Miguel Cabrera, and Adrian Beltre. And he finishes with two internal candidates in Wilson Betemit and Robinson Cano.
They should all be on the radar although I don’t see the Mariners parting with Beltre. Anyone else we can add to the list?
Among free agents, only Mike Lamb remains as someone who could be league average. The Yanks could always sign Lamb and make their splash elsewhere, like with a Johan Santana trade.
Other trade options on my mind and in the comments of MLBTR readers: Kevin Kouzmanoff, Miguel Tejada, Eric Chavez, Scott Rolen, Chad Tracy, Mark Teahen, Hank Blalock, Garrett Atkins, and Aramis Ramirez. Tejada and Ramirez seem unlikely for various reasons, but this is meant to be an inclusive list.
I like the Crede idea (interesting that he’s a Boras client). He had back surgery in June and hopes to be ready for the start of the season. He’ll be earning around $5MM in a contract year. How about some sort of Crede for Johnny Damon swap?
Alex Rodriguez Opts Out
Let the hot stove insanity begin. Alex Rodriguez has opted out of his contract with the Yankees, according to Scott Boras. The timing is odd – most folks expected A-Rod to wait until the November 10th deadline. Boras must be confident that multiple clubs will turn this into a historic bidding war. The Red Sox will certainly be flush with cash with another World Series win.
The reasoning cited by Boras is suspect – uncertainty over Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada, and Andy Pettitte. Also interesting is that Boras did not communicate the decision to Brian Cashman directly, rather leaving a voicemail for him.
Just yesterday Buster Olney was saying the Yankees were set to offer Rodriguez a five-year, $150MM extension to result in a total of $230MM over eight years. The sides never met and the offer was never officially made. As you know, the party line from the Yankees has been that they would not negotiate with Rodriguez if he opted out and they lost the Texas money. If the Yanks can’t sign Mike Lowell, maybe they’ll attempt to trade for Miguel Cabrera, Garrett Atkins, or Miguel Tejada.
The Rangers save more than $20MM in payments on the contract, increasing their chances of signing Torii Hunter.
Odds and Ends: Hunter, A-Rod, Bedard
Sunday morning minor rumor collection…
- There’s always some skepticism from readers regarding Charley Walters rumors. Nonetheless I’ll report that he names the Nationals, White Sox, Braves, Yankees, and Dodgers as teams that will bid for Torii Hunter. I don’t see the Braves getting involved at $15MM per. And are the Dodgers ready to move Juan Pierre to left field already? The other clubs named seem reasonable.
- As expected, the Cardinals interviewed Chris Antonetti for their open GM position. No doubt it’s an attractive position but you have to wonder what kind of autonomy he’d have with Tony La Russa around.
- Larry LaRue makes the case for the Mariners tendering a contract to Horacio Ramirez. He also notes that Jose Guillen is as good as gone and the Ms won’t consider A-Rod.
- Speaking of that guy, Bill Price suggests the Mets should sign him and move David Wright to first base. Carlos Delgado I suppose would be a very expensive pinch-hitter in 2008.
- Nick Cafardo expects the Orioles to shop Miguel Tejada this winter, which would surprise no one. But he’s also hearing that Erik Bedard could be available. Trades of either might be unpopular with the fanbase. The trade market for starters could be hopping if Johan Santana, Bedard, and C.C. Sabathia are made available.
- Joel Sherman says Koji Uehara is a free agent, but we have heard differently. Anyway, the success of Hideki Okajima may create a minor bidding war for Hitoki Iwase.
Yankees to Offer Record Setting Deal to A-Rod
Buster Olney‘s got the scoop on Alex Rodriguez:
"The offer could be for something in the range of five years — beyond the three years Rodriguez is already under contract for, from 2008-10 — and perhaps $30 million a year."
If somehow you’re behind in the A-Rod times, catch up here. Since that post, the Yankees have requested a meeting with their third baseman sometime before his deadline (10 days after the end of the World Series) to announce whether he will opt out or not.
If the Yankees make this offer, it would be to retain the talent in light of Brian Cashman’s firm stance that if A-Rod opts out then the Yankees will not negotiate. Also, the offer will prevent $21.3 million still due on A-Rod’s contract in subsidy from the Texas Rangers from slipping away. Whether or not it signifies that other teams would be able to approach this record offer remains up for speculation.
$150MM extension would net A-Rod a colossal $230MM over the next 8 years. That’s up from his current $25.2 million to $28.75 million/year, edging out Roger Clemens‘ $28 million one-year contract.
Odds and Ends: Abreu, Beckett, Helton, Schilling
Friday afternoon rumor tidbits…
- The Indians will probably let Kenny Lofton leave while exercising Joe Borowski’s $4MM option. No big surprise there.
- Nor is it a surprise that the Yankees are heavily leaning towards exercising Bobby Abreu‘s $16MM option.
- From the what might’ve been department: Red Sox owner John Henry was in favor of signing A.J. Burnett instead of trading for Josh Beckett. One could make a solid argument that the Red Sox would be better off if Henry had gotten his wish. Beckett and Julio Lugo combined for 8.6 wins at $14MM this year while Burnett and Hanley Ramirez combined for 14.8 wins at $12.4MM (according to WARP).
- From that same department – Tom Gage notes that the Tigers once nearly acquired Todd Helton for Tony Clark. There were many Clark rumors from 1999-2001 before the Red Sox claimed him off waivers. I heard Buck and McCarver talking recently about how Helton is not a product of his home park. For the record Helton has hit .368/.474/.668 at home in his career and .304/.409/.515 on the road. He probably belongs in the Hall but it would be a lot tighter if his career OPS was .924 instead of 1.014.
- Nick Cafardo makes his case for the Red Sox to re-sign Curt Schilling.
- A scouting look at Hiroki Kuroda, plus other Japanese pitchers who may come over (hat tip to MetsBlog). Jason Churchill estimates a three-year deal for Kuroda at $9-11MM per.
- How would you like to face a 125 mph fastball?
Posada Could Join Mets, Marlins
George King has some Yankee info for us this morning, much of it involving Jorge Posada.
Mark Feinsand noted yesterday that the Yanks plan to offer a three-year, $40MM contract to Posada. King is on board, indicating that he expects a three-year deal in the $39-44MM range for the catcher. I’m sticking to my guns – I think this requires four guaranteed years in the end. But upping the average annual value to arrive at a 3/45 deal seems plausible.
King also mentions that the Mets and Marlins are both likely to be interested in Posada. The Mets are no surprise. But King indicates that the Fish have been "stockpiling dollars," which is news to me. Mostly we’ve been hearing that they want to make a low-level veteran signing or two but don’t figure to be able to afford both Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera for 2008.
Odds and Ends
How about some Odds and Ends to kick off Hump Day?
- Peter Abraham doesn’t think it would make sense for the Twins to acquire Chien-Ming Wang (presumably in a Johan Santana trade). His reasoning: Wang’s sinker would suffer on turf, and his salary is due to climb via arbitration.
- The Indians have decisions due on Kenny Lofton, Trot Nixon, Paul Byrd, Joe Borowski, and Aaron Fultz. The first two will probably be gone.
- My projection for Jeremy Guthrie in 2008 is up over at RotoAuthority.
- Say Anything’s new album came out yesterday. Highly recommended.
- We sold our condo! Literally in less than one week after hiring a real estate agent, we had a contract. Maybe they’re not so bad after all.
Rivera Not Affected By Torre Departure?
Mariano Rivera has changed his tune – now he’s saying Joe Torre’s departure doesn’t have anything to do with his chances of re-signing with the Yankees. That’s cool – most of us can’t picture him in a Phillies uniform anyway.
Several days ago, Rivera apparently said the Yankees were "one of 30 teams" once Torre left. I amended that to "one of 29 teams," assuming Rivera sticks with his statement about the Red Sox.