NL Notes: Mets, Manuel, Wilson, Choo, Abreu
The Pirates' failure to sign Mark Appel with the eighth overall selection in the 2012 draft created a ripple effect where the Mets passed on free agent Michael Bourn and eventually gave playing time to rookie Juan Lagares, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. As compensation for not coming to terms with Appel, the Pirates were awarded the ninth overall pick in this past June's draft, knocking the Mets' choice (11th) out of the protected Top Ten. This was an important considersation for the Mets in deciding to not bid on Bourn, explains Sherman, who cites this as a pefect example of "sometimes the best moves are the ones you don't make." Here's news from other NL teams who aren't neccessarily going to follow that old adage:
- Ex-Phillies manager Charlie Manuel told Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio (via Bowden on Twitter) he wants to continue managing and is open to all opportunities, including the Nationals.
- In that same interview (also from a Bowden tweet), Manuel says the Phillies' plan is to "reload," not "rebuild," needing regular players to fill holes, including adding a starter, and redoing the bullpen.
- Speaking of the Phillies, little has changed with the radio silence regarding their agreement with Cuban right-hander Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, who reported earlier this month the two sides have hit a snag in finalizing their six-year, $48MM deal.
- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly told reporters, including Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, they will have a better idea at the end of today when Brian Wilson will be activated. GM Ned Colletti was a guest of Bowden and Duquette on MLB Network Radio and said the call should be made in "another day or two" (as quoted by Gurnick's colleague, Andrew Simon). Colletti also explained he signed Wilson because he only cost money, not prospects, and there's a familiarity with him from his days as the Giants' closer. "We think it's a very low-risk, high-reward situation," said Colletti. "He wanted to be here. He has a home in L.A. Rivalry and all that aside — we all know what that's all about — he wanted to restart his career and we're going to give him that opportunity here in the near future."
- Four years and $60MM is the guess as to the asking price of Reds centerfielder Shin-Soo Choo in free agency this winter, tweets the Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay. Choo placed fifth in MLBTR's most recent 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings.
- The Pirates have scouted Cuban first baseman Jose Dariel Abreu in three recent international tournaments and will be on hand for his expected September showcase, reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. "We like him," GM Neal Huntington said. "It will be interesting to see where the bidding goes." That bidding could exceed $60MM.
Quick Hits: Jordan, Johnson, Manuel, Soriano, Baez
Let's have a look at a few stray notes before calling it an evening …
- Nationals starter Taylor Jordan will be shut down for the year after throwing a combined 142 innings in his first full year back from Tommy John surgery, reports James Wagner of the Washington Post. (For some reason, we've yet to hear of any outrage over the decision.) The 24-year-old emerged this season and became one of the few nice surprises for the sputtering Nats. With a 3.66 ERA over 51 2/3 innings, Jordan has certainly established himself as a viable rotation option for next year, which could impact the Nationals' off-season shopping plans. While Jordan registered only by 5.1 K/9 (against 1.9 BB/9), his FIP (3.48) and xFIP (3.79) backed up his solid results.
- With Orioles closer Jim Johnson continuing to struggle to finish games, CSN Baltimore's Rich Dubroff writes that he is increasingly becoming a non-tender candidate. Earning $6.5MM this year, Johnson should see a multi-million dollar raise through arbitration if the O's decide to hold onto him. (He does have 39 saves, best in baseball, to go with his league-worst 9 blown.) The team has a younger, cheaper option in Tommy Hunter who could step into the role, though Dubroff wonders if he can take on save chances with the same frequency as has Johnson.
- Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the details of the Phillies' firing of manager Charlie Manuel. The Phils' front office knew it was moving on without Manuel for months, says Gelb, but finally decided to pull the trigger now in order to have a look at his anticipated replacement, Ryne Sandberg.
- While the Yankees' acquisition of Alfonso Soriano drew a lot of criticism at the time, it is hard to complain about the performance he's put up since arriving in the Bronx. Depending upon how one works the statistics, in fact, his recent run is downright historic. In just 19 games with his new/old club, Soriano has racked up an outstanding 1.5 WAR (according to Baseball-Reference). Of course, the naysayers' concerns related more to the rest of the Yankees' team, and its reasonable prospects for the playoffs, than to Soriano himself. Sure enough, New York's playoff odds have continued to fall since the deal was consummated.
- Cubs' shortstop Javier Baez continues to tear the cover off of the ball as he ascends the minor-league ranks, making the 20-year-old a dark-horse candidate to earn a big league roster spot next year. As Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald writes, there are many good reasons (cost, control, and development among them) for the Cubs to be hesitant. Nevertheless, manager Dale Sveum noted, “when you have that kind of numbers and power, sometimes you do force the issue. It’s not in the plans right now, but we’ve all seen it happen.”
Quick Hits: Braun, Phillies, Manuel, Cuba
Can anyone stop the Dodgers? The Chavez Ravine side extended their winning streak to nine games with a 4-0 win over the Phillies tonight. The Dodgers are an incredible 41-8 since June 22 — no team has put together such a 49-game hot streak since the 1944 Cardinals. Here's the latest from around baseball as we head into the weekend…
- Ryan Braun soon plans to admit his PED use and publicly apologize, sources tell USA Today's Bob Nightengale. It will be Braun's first public statement since he was suspended for 65 games (the remainder of the 2013 season) on July 22 for his part in the Biogenesis PED scandal. The Brewers outfielder wants to be "the anti-Alex Rodriguez," sources close to the Brewers slugger say, as Rodriguez is drawing even more scorn for appealing his own 211-game suspension.
- While it seems as if this was always intended to be Charlie Manuel's last season as the Phillies manager, Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer believes Manuel's early departure could've been avoided has GM Ruben Amaro put together a stronger roster.
- In a must-read piece for MLB.com, Jesse Sanchez details the process and risks that modern Cuban players take in both escaping the country and going through the proper channels for a shot at reaching the majors.
- In an Insider-only piece for ESPN, Jim Bowden polled several executives around the league to find two managers and two GMs who could be fired unless their teams have strong finishes to the 2013 season.
Phillies Notes: Manuel, Bullpen, Papelbon
Earlier today, the Phillies fired longtime manager Charlie Manuel and promoted third base coach and Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg to interim manager. Manuel has exactly 1,000 wins in his storied career and is beloved by the players he has guided. He led the Phillies to five straight division titles and captured a World Series championship in 2008. Here's more on Manuel and the rest of the Phils for some Friday reading…
- ESPN's Jayson Stark breaks down the behind-the-scenes details that led up to Manuel's firing, though Stark notes that that Phillies went out of their way to not use the word "fired" despite the fact that Manuel himself said he didn't quit or resign as manager.
- At today's press conference, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. revealed that the Phillies have asked Manuel to remain with the organization in a different role, but Manuel told reporters, including Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, that he needs to take some time away from the club to decide if he wants to remain with the Phils in a different capacity (Twitter link).
- Former Phillie and current Nationals outfielder Jayson Werth spoke with Manuel earlier this season, and Manuel guaranteed that he would be managing somewhere in 2014, Werth told reporters (including Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com). Werth did note that time could impact that thinking. Werth also called Manuel the best manager he's ever had (via Mark Zuckerman of CSN Washington on Twitter).
- In addition to catchers, the bullpen will be a prime area of focus this offseason, Amaro told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Amaro feels that the Phillies have been unfortunate to get some bad years from good relievers in recent years, pointing to Chad Qualls as an example of someone who excelled before and after his time with Philadelphia.
- Asked by Zolecki about Jonathan Papelbon's contract, Amaro said he would make the signing again: "Oh, yeah, I think so," Amaro said. "The choices that we had out there with the people that were available, I'm happy with the decision. I'm not happy with the way we've played."
- Scott Miller of CBS Sports questions the Phillies' lack of direction in light of the team's inactivity at the trade deadline and Amaro's inability to give a hard answer as to what the team was looking for in a permanent managerial replacement. The spotlight is now on Amaro, opines Miller, who notes that while Sandberg could help the club, its real problem is that is simply needs better players.
Phillies Fire Manuel; Name Ryne Sandberg Interim Manager
1:40pm: General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said at today's press conference that Manuel has been asked to remain in the organization in a different capacity (via MLB.com's Todd Zolecki on Twitter).
1:29pm: The Phillies have officially announced that Sandberg will move from third base coach to interim manager. First base coach Juan Samuel will become the third base coach, and assistant hitting coach Wally Joyner will become the team's new first base coach.
1:03pm: Sandberg is the new Phillies manager, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports (on Twitter).
12:58pm: Ryne Sandberg is the most likely candidate to replace Manuel on an interim basis through the end of the season, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki.
12:41pm: The Phillies have called a press conference today that is scheduled for 2:30 ET, and Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly reports that the team will announce a new manager (Twitter link).
Charlie Manuel has been managing the Phillies since the beginning of the 2005 season, during which time the team has posted a record of 780-636. From 2007-11, the Phils won five straight division titles under Manuel, and in 2008 they captured a World Series title. The Phillies returned to the Fall Classic in 2009, though they were denied a repeat championship by the Yankees.
Manuel built up an impressive track record as a manager in the minor leagues in the 80s and 90s before taking over as the Indians' hitting coach in the mid- to late-90s. He became the club's manager in 2000 and led the Tribe to an AL Central Division Championship in 2001. In parts of 12 seasons as a big league manager, Manuel has tallied exactly 1,000 victories against 826 losses.
Among current Major League managers, only the Twins' Ron Gardenhire and the Angels' Mike Scioscia have longer tenures than Manuel had with the Phillies until today.
Phillies Release Delmon Young
AUG. 14: The Phillies announced that Young refused an outright assignment to Triple-A and has officially been released.
AUG. 9: The Phillies announced that they have designated Delmon Young for assignment in order to clear a roster spot for Casper Wells, who was claimed off waivers from the White Sox this week.
Young, 27, is hitting .260/.301/.397 in 291 plate appearances for the Phillies this season after signing a small, one-year $750K contract this offseason. That contract contained plenty of performance bonuses, and Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer points out (on Twitter) that Young was just nine plate appearances from earning another $150K — less than the amount they'll owe Wells for the remainder of the season. Young hit lefties reasonably well (.286/.361/.397) but ranked 22nd out of 23 right fielders with at least 500 innings in UZR/150 (-20).
NL East Notes: Nationals, Zimmerman, Halladay, Abreu
While first baseman Freddie Freeman has had an outstanding campaign for the Braves, Mark Bradley of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says that shortstop Andrelton Simmons has been the team's most valuable contributor. While Fangraphs values the two at the same level in terms of WAR, notes Bradley, Baseball Reference pegs Simmons as worth over a win more than Freeman. Regardless, the team will control both players at reasonable rates for the foreseeable future, with Freeman set to reach arbitration for the first time next year and Simmons not arb-eligible until 2016. Here are a few notes from around the rest of the National League East:
- The Esmailyn Gonzalez saga is not yet over for the Nationals, reports the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore. In a lawsuit against the team's insurance company, the Nats have leveled the charge that former big-leaguer Jose Rijo received a $300k kick-back from the ill-fated $1.4MM signing bonus given to the supposedly 16-year-old Gonzalez (who, it was later learned, was actually four years older and named Carlos David Alvarez Lugo).
- More importantly for the team going forward is the long-term defensive position of third baseman Ryan Zimmerman. Once a plus fielder, Zimmerman's throwing has deteriorated to the point that UZR rates him at a troubling 15 runs below average thus far in 2013. With even manager Davey Johnson implying that Zimmerman's "mental" issues could force a move across the diamond, MLB.com's Bill Ladson says he thinks the club could make the shift during the coming off-season.
- In addition to dampening the value of Zimmerman's long-term extension, of course, such a move would have wide-ranging considerations and repercussions for the Nats. In addition to raising the question of what would happen with first baseman Adam LaRoche, who is under contract for next season, the team would have to move rookie Anthony Rendon back to his natural position at third. The resulting void at second would presumably be filled by a free agent or one of the team's less-than-certain internal options (including Danny Espinosa, Steve Lombardozzi, and Jeff Kobernus).
- Roy Halladay could be starting for the Phillies sooner than expected, reports MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says that, if all goes well, Halladay could only take two rehab starts in the minors before rejoining the big club. With Halladay set to become a free agent, it will be fascinating to see how he bounces back from shoulder surgery (and generally poor results over 2012-13) before hitting the open market.
- If and when apparent Cuban defector Jose Dariel Abreu is made a free agent, he is expected to command a substantial contract from a MLB club. Based on scouting reports and other contracts given to international free agents, ESPN's Jim Bowden suggests that the big slugger could land a deal in the six-year, $54MM range. (For a detailed discussion of Abreu's prospect value, check out this recent podcast from Baseball America's Ben Badler and John Manuel.)
- As an "early guess," Bowden places the Marlins atop the list of Abreu pursuers. Reasoning that the club would be willing to overpay for a Cuban star after missing out on Yoenis Cespedes, Bowden writes that Miami is "expected to go all out on Abreu."
- In addition to a host of other possible landing spots, Bowden says that the Nationals could also be in on Abreu. He opines that the club would not find it difficult to deal first baseman Adam LaRoche to clear a spot.
Phillies Will Prioritize Catching This Offseason
The Phillies locked up one 35-year-old last week when they signed Chase Utley to a two-year extension with three vesting options, but they appear set to let Carlos Ruiz test the open market, writes Ryan Lawrence of the Philadelphia Daily News.
Ruiz is hitting .257/.307/.322 with a pair of homers in 203 plate appearances this season. His playing time has been limited by a 25-game suspension he served after testing positive for amphetamines and a hamstring injury that landed him on the disabled list for a month. His 2013 numbers are clearly a far cry from the .325/.394/.540 batting line and 16 homers he posted in 2012.
General manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told Lawrence that catching will be one of his top priorities this offseason, if not his No. 1 priority:
"Catching is going to a very big priority for us – maybe the biggest. There are some players out there. But there's not a lot of catching in the industry. It's going to be a tough decision for us. We might have to look to try to acquire it via trade. Or we could be looking right here at Chooch [Ruiz]."
Ruiz voiced his desire to stay in Philadelphia to Lawrence, calling it his home. He is earning $5MM in 2013 after the club exercised an option at the end of his three-year, $8.85MM extension from the 2010-11 offseason.
As Lawrence notes, Brian McCann will headline this year's crop of free agent catchers. While he would represent a significant upgrade behind the dish, Lawrence writes that McCann is a tough fit in Philadelphia because he is a left-handed bat. The Phillies will routinely deploy Utley, Domonic Brown, Ryan Howard, Ben Revere and Cody Asche in 2014, and adding McCann to that mix would give the Phils six lefties in their everyday lineup.
Injuries to top Phillies prospect Tommy Joseph have increased the need for the team to acquire catching, as Joseph won't be ready for the Majors next spring. He hit just .179/.229/.285 and battled persistent concussion-like symptoms. As Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer pointed out last week, Joseph has had three concussions in his career and may ultimately be forced to change positions.
Phillies Release Laynce Nix
AUGUST 12: Nix was released by the Phillies, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter link).
AUGUST 6: The Phillies have designated outfielder/first baseman Laynce Nix for assignment, activating left fielder Domonic Brown from the seven-day concussion DL.
Nix, 32, is batting .180/.228/.258 in 136 plate appearances this year. The Phillies signed Nix to a two-year, $2.5MM deal in December 2011, hoping for a powerful left-handed hitting reserve to use against right-handed pitching. Nix, older brother of Yankees infielder Jayson, was drafted in the fourth round by the Rangers in 2000. Three quality big leaguers were picked earlier in that round: David DeJesus by the Royals, Cliff Lee by the Expos, and Yadier Molina by the Cardinals.
NL Notes: Cubs, Weiss, Rockies, Manuel
On this date in 1961, 40-year-old Warren Spahn became the 13th pitcher in MLB history to win 300 games as he went the distance in the Milwaukee Braves' 2-1 victory over the Cubs. The complete game was the 317th for the left-hander, who also drove in Milwaukee's first run with a sacrifice fly. Spahn was enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973 with 363 victories, the most by any left-hander and the most by any pitcher who played his entire career in the live ball era. Here's more from this era's National League:
- Cubs catcher Welington Castillo is having a strong season behind the plate and he's showing the club he can be a valuable piece for the future. The same can't be said for the rest of the catchers in the Chicago farm system and the position is thin enough that GM Jed Hoyer said this weekend the front office plans to make acquiring more backstops a priority this winter, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
- Walt Weiss signed only a one-year contract to manage the Rockies this season, but he told the Denver Post's Patrick Saunders he wants to return in 2014. "Yes, sure. I knew it wasn't going to be all fun and games," Weiss said. "I have been through enough Major League seasons to understand that you'll get beat up. But I want to be a part of building something special here. That's what drives me."
- The final weeks of the season provide the Rockies a platform for cold-hard analysis, opines Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies need more talent and Renck names Giancarlo Stanton and Nelson Cruz as aquisitions who could fill the club's void of a right-handed power bat and Jesse Crain should be a free agent priority as a much needed late-inning arm.
- The Phillies need to provide clarity to their managerial situation, according to Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Brookover writes the assumption is Charlie Manuel will step aside for Ryne Sandberg and, if that is the Phillies' desire, the announcement should be made now so Manuel can use the remainder of the season as a well-deseved bow for being the franchise's winningest manager while also giving the players, who will be around when Spring Training opens in February, an idea of what they can expect from their next manager.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.