Heyman On Lee, Lackey, Mets, Nats
Cliff Lee out-pitched C.C. Sabathia last night, there's no question about that. Now, as Jon Heyman of SI.com points out, Lee's value is at an all-time high. The Phillies figure to try to lock Lee up this offseason, but he may cost $100MM or more. After two straight World Series appearances, however, Heyman says the Phillies have the "loot" to reach an agreement with their ace.
Agent Darek Braunecker, can make the argument that Lee has out-pitched Sabathia for the last two years, not just in Game 1. (FanGraphs happens to value Lee's 2008-09 performance a little higher than Sabathia's). But Lee is older than Sabathia and the Phillies have a $9MM option for Lee's services next year, so he doesn't have the negotiating power he would as a free agent.
When Heyman quizzed a couple of other agents about Lee's prospects, they predicted deals worth between $75-100MM. Here are some other rumors from around the league:
- Heyman says it's possible John Lackey will also command $100MM this winter.
- Mets ownership plans to hire another top executive, leading some team officials to suggest the higher-ups are preparing to oust GM Omar Minaya - or at least reduce his power.
- It's getting harder to imagine that the Nats' new manager will be anyone but Jim Riggleman, who took over after the team fired Manny Acta last summer.
Discussion: Pedro Martinez
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel announced this morning that 38-year-old Pedro Martinez will start Game Two of the World Series later this week, giving us all one final chance to experience a Pedro start in the Bronx. It's not crazy to think that that start may be the last of Pedro's Hall of Fame career, however it seems like he'll be back at it again in 2010.
No one asked me, but I believe Pedro's 2000 season (217 IP, 128 H, 284-32 K/BB ratio) is the greatest single season by any pitcher in history. Obviously that Pedro Martinez is long gone, but this year's version was still effective. In nine regular season starts with the Phils, he put up a 3.63 ERA and a stellar 1.6 BB/9 in 44.2 IP. He allowed just two hits and zero runs in his lone playoff start (so far) in 2009.
Pedro made the pro-rated portion of a $2MM base salary in 2009, though he pick up another $300K in performance bonuses. What kind of contract do you see Martinez getting this offseason? Considering the shoulder issues he's had in the past, would it be smart of him to go on the "Roger Clemens plan" and pitch just half the season?
Tell us what you think in the comments.
Odds & Ends: Chapman, Padres, Orioles, Coste
Here's a few links to help you through another baseball-less night…
- Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus tweets that Aroldis Chapman will throw a bullpen at Fenway tomorrow.
- ESPN's Keith Law says that firing VP of scouting and player development Grady Fuson was a good move by new GM Jed Hoyer and the Padres. He notes that San Diego's drafts have been among the worst in the game over the last few years, although they did change course last year.
- Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun says the Orioles need a power hitter at one of the corner infield spots, and mentions that players like Adrian Beltre, Troy Glaus, or Carlos Delgado could represent a decent stop gap.
- Chris Coste became a free agent after being outrighted by the Astros, says Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
- Phil Wood of MASNsports.com has news on a few front office hirings by the Nationals.
- The Phillies added Brett Myers to their World Series roster according to David Murphy of The Philadephia Daily News. The 29-year-old righthander could earn himself a few extra bucks in free agency with a big series.
Odds & Ends: Phillies, Dodgers, Swisher
Thanks to the rain in New York, we're without baseball once again tonight. No need to panic though because we got you covered with links from around the web:
- The Phillies will have the opportunity to repeat as world champions but they're already looking beyond this year, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. Stark compares this Phillies team to the late-90s Yankees and notes that unlike that Yanks lineup, the Phillies position players are all north of 30, with the exception of Shane Victorino. Keeping Cliff Lee and Ryan Howard after their contracts expire (2010 and 2011, respectively) will also be a challenging task. Do you think the Phillies are in position to become the next great baseball dynasty?
- After being fired as the Dodgers' team executive by her estranged husband Frank, Jamie McCourt is now seeking investors to help her buy out her husband and gain sole control of the franchise, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
- Marc Carig of The Star-Ledger quotes Yankees manager Joe Girardi as saying Nick Swisher is "not a platoon player." Despite the November acquisition's recent struggles, it's hard to argue with that statement as Swisher has impressed in pinstripes. Swisher will start in right field over Jerry Hairston Jr. in Game 6 of the ALCS, now slated for 8:20 EST tomorrow night.
Odds & Ends: Duchscherer, Dodgers, Phillies
A few more links to peruse as MLB officials sift through rainy forecasts in NYC…
- According to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle, Oakland GM Billy Beane has touched base with free agent right-hander Justin Duchscherer. It's not yet clear, however, whether the A's will try to retain him. MLBTR profiled the "Duke of Hurl" about a month ago.
- Diamond Leung passes along a nice anecdote involving Dodgers assistant GM Kim Ng and Justin Orenduff, the club's 2004 first-round pick. Orenduff was designated for assignment last year to clear roster space for Manny Ramirez and then retired in March of 2009.
- As noted by Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal, Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. believes putting together a winning organization is about more than simply finding the best talent. "We have guys who, throughout the lineup and in the rotation and the bullpen, are just good guys, winning-type players who believe in each other," said Amaro. "I would put our clubhouse up against any clubhouse I’ve ever been around or may ever be around." It's corny, but you can't argue with the results.
Lee, Phillies Yet To Talk About Extension
Both the Phillies and ace Cliff Lee have more important things on their mind right now, but in today's blog post at ESPN, Buster Olney mentions that Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, said there have not yet been any discussions about a new deal. When it comes to club options, the $8MM ($1MM buyout) one the team holds on Lee for 2010 is as much of a no-brainer as they come.
Philadelphia acquired Lee at the trade deadline after reaching a stalemate in talks with Toronto about Roy Halladay. Lee was very good after the move, but has been masterful in the postseason, putting up a 0.74 ERA (1.93 FIP) in three starts (24.1 IP).
Odds & Ends: Tigers, Pedro, Rays, Dodgers
Some links to peruse while you eagerly await Game Six of the ALCS…
- Lynn Henning of The Detroit News suggests some salary figures for the Tigers' four key free agents: Fernando Rodney, Brandon Lyon, Placido Polanco, and Adam Everett. He also says there's no way to the team will bring back Aubrey Huff or Jarrod Washburn, nor "is it fathomable that either player will be offered salary arbitration for 2010."
- The Phillies' braintrust has already met about offseason decisions according to Andy Martino of The Philadelphia Inquirer, and a person familiar with the team's thinking tells him that they haven't ruled out offering Pedro Martinez a contract longer than one year.
- Steve Slowinski at DRaysBay.com took a look at the Rays' projected payroll for 2010, and concludes that salary escalations and arbitration raises don't leave the team with too much wiggle room next year, even though they have/will shed some expensive contracts.
- Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti said he "doesn't anticipate any cutbacks in resources" despite the drama between the McCourts, according to the AP (via ESPN).
- Dylan Hernandez of The LA Times says that impending free agents Orlando Hudson and Randy Wolf are expected to "depart to greener pastures."
Odds & Ends: Reds, White Sox, Shimizu
More Thursday linkage…
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon guesses the Reds will buy out Ramon Hernandez's option for $1MM, but then try to re-sign him. Sheldon also runs through the upcoming important hot stove dates.
- White Sox GM Ken Williams wouldn't reveal much about his offseason plans, talking to MLB.com's Scott Merkin. "I'm always looking at all the possibilities," said Williams.
- WEEI's Rob Bradford talked to Tim Wakefield, who is aiming for 200 victories. He's 11 shy, so he could pull it off in 2010. The Sox figure to exercise his $4MM option once again.
- Ryo Shinkawa of NPB Tracker says 33-year-old righty Naoyuki Shimizu has MLB aspirations. Shimizu posted a 4.42 ERA this year in 144.6 innings for the Chiba Lotte Marines, striking out only 88.
- Cot's Baseball Contracts informs us that Ryan Howard will earn $50K for his NLCS MVP award. Tack that on to his $15MM salary.
Odds & Ends: Johjima, Rockies, Kikuchi
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- The Hanshin Tigers are interested in Kenji Johjima, according to Kyodo News.
- The Rockies are expected to re-sign GM Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy this week, according to Patrick Saunders and Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
- Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times says the Dodgers "are mindful that [signing Yusei Kikuchi] could harm the club's long-standing ties in Japan." Kikuchi told Kyodo News that interviewing with 12 NPB and eight MLB clubs made his decision even more difficult. NPB Tracker has more.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says Brad Lidge for Michael Bourn has been "the perfect trade." In that November 2007 deal, the Phillies also received infielder Eric Bruntlett and the Astros also acquired Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo (Geary is now a free agent). I'd say the Astros may ultimately win the deal if Bourn's breakout season holds up, since they gave up one year of Lidge for five of Bourn. But, as Justice noted, the Phillies have a ring.
- Always fun…Dave Cameron's 2010 offseason plan for the Mariners at U.S.S. Mariner. My one beef is the John Danks acquisition…I don't think it fits from Chicago's point of view.
- Viva El Birdos takes a look at the Cardinals' 2010 commitments.
- MLB.com's Mychael Urban discusses Justin Duchscherer's future.
Odds & Ends: Eyre, Rockies, Red Sox
Links for Monday…
- Slate's Craig Fehrman writes about "the sports media's unique mindset toward [online] aggregators" and how MLBTR fits in.
- On his MLB.com blog, Phillies reliever Scott Eyre suggests he and catcher Paul Bako are reconsidering retirement because they're having so much fun.
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told CBSSports.com's Danny Knobler that he offered four players to the Indians for Cliff Lee back in July. Lee instead landed with the Phillies and shut down the Dodgers last night.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star believes it's very difficult for fans and reporters to create realistic trade scenarios. Do you agree?
- The Rockies are "ready to finalize deals with general manager Dan O'Dowd and manager Jim Tracy," according to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies.
- The Yusei Kikuchi talks are moving along, says NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman. U.S.S. Mariner's Jay Yencich gives his scouting report on Kikuchi. In another post, Newman runs down the interested MLB teams. He notes that the Rangers sent pitcher Derek Holland along with Jim Colburn.
- WEEI's Alex Speier passes along a Dale & Holley appearance by ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney guesses the Red Sox might stop at four years for Jason Bay, and their primary competition will come from the Mariners and Giants.
- ESPN's Peter Gammons discusses Jed Lowrie as Boston's short-term answer at shortstop, with Jose Iglesias as the long-term answer.
- Pete Grathoff of the KC Star writes about the 35-year anniversary of Tommy John surgery.