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Possible Manny Destinations

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Manny Ramirez ranked fourth in all of baseball with a .430 OBP, and second with a .601 SLG.  This makes him a very attractive free agent, and he won’t require the massive term of a Mark Teixeira.  However it’s possible questions about Ramirez’s Boston departure will limit suitors.

Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire tried to determine possible destinations for Manny next year, talking to an MLB manager, a leading agent, and a national baseball writer.  The results of this survey:

  • All three mentioned the Mets.  On Monday, SI.com’s Jon Heyman wrote the Mets appear "disinclined" to go after Ramirez.  Yesterday, however, Heyman said on WFAN that Manny was a "real option" and the Mets are "thinking about it."
  • The agent named the Giants and Phillies as other possibilities.  The Phils had interest in Manny this summer, but didn’t make the best offer.  They could give Pat Burrell’s money to Ramirez, but it could cost an additional $10MM.  Meanwhile Giants GM Brian Sabean says Fred Lewis is his left fielder.
  • The agent and the writer both expect the Dodgers to make a play to re-sign Ramirez.  GM Ned Colletti says he’ll give it a shot, but will the Dodgers pay top dollar?  Question for commenters – can you think of any other reasonable destinations for Ramirez?

Odds and Ends: Byrnes, Teixeira, Swisher

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Random links for Tuesday…

Heyman’s Latest: Gillick, Pedro, Dempster, McLouth

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

  • Heyman is hearing "scuttlebutt" that GM Pat Gillick may not leave the Phillies after all.
  • Theo Epstein’s new deal is worth about $7MM over three years, which might be highest among GMs.
  • Pedro Martinez’s agent insists Pedro will pitch next year.  In May, Martinez said he wanted to pitch two or three more years a couple days after suggesting retirement was an option.
  • Moises Alou is undecided on 2009.
  • Cubs GM Jim Hendry expects to re-sign Ryan Dempster after the season.
  • Heyman says the Yankees "will likely make a big play" for Nate McLouth.  The Pirates center fielder is arbitration-eligible for the first time this winter, meaning he’s under team control for three more seasons.  McLouth’s defense does not rate well (-21) under the previously discussed plus/minus system.  Carlos Gomez is tops among CFs at +16.  Rumored Yankees target Matt Kemp is a +1.

Phillies Payroll Situation

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We’ll get into this more when we do an offseason outlook for the Phillies in a few weeks.  But Jim Salisbury’s column on the team’s ’09 payroll commitments deserves an early look.

Salisbury computes that the Phillies will have over $100MM committed just to retain current under-contract and arb-eligible players.  Ryan Howard, Cole Hamels, and others will receive large raises. 

Jamie Moyer and Pat Burrell are free agents.  Moyer seems likely to re-sign for $8-10MM, but Burrell is a question mark.  The Phillies don’t like the idea of giving Burrell a third year, which he could easily find on the open market.

Burrell may leave, but Salisbury doesn’t see the Phillies bringing in Manny Ramirez, Matt Holliday, Raul Ibanez, or Milton Bradley to replace him for various reasons.  Magglio Ordonez might be available, but he’s basically under contract for three years at $48MM.  And the Phils would have to send useful players to Detroit.  More affordable options the Phillies can consider include Casey Blake and Juan Rivera.

Salisbury also says the Phillies need to add a setup man this winter.  With Brian Fuentes intent on closing, they’ll need to dig through a lesser tier of free agent relievers.

Eyre Hopes To Return To Phillies

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According to Scott Lauber of The News Journal, lefty Scott Eyre would like to return to the Phillies next year.  Eyre is a free agent after the season.  He told Lauber he’d be up for a one-year deal to stay.

Eyre, 36, has tossed 11 strong innings for the Phillies since coming over in a trade with the Cubs.  Eyre has shown he can still be effective when healthy.  He’s earning $3.8MM this year.  If he’ll take a one-year deal, the Phils might as well do it.  It beats giving three years to Damaso Marte.

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.

Rockies May Consider Trading Holliday, Atkins

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Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News thinks the Rockies are primed for a major shakeup this winter.  Specifically, GM Dan O’Dowd could move two star players in Matt Holliday and Garrett Atkins.

Ringolsby figures the Phillies, Angels, Rays, Yankees, and Red Sox will be the main suitors for Holliday.  The 28 year-old is hitting .311/.403/.492 on the road this year, suggesting he could be a .900 OPS masher in any park. I’m not seeing the fit for the Red Sox, while the Yanks could work Holliday in if they let Jason Giambi and Bobby Abreu leave.  The other three teams also make sense in certain scenarios.  But do the Phillies have the top-level pitching needed to acquire Holliday?  It’s been suggested in the past that dark horses such as the Royals or Nationals could enter the mix for the slugger.

Atkins, 28, is hitting .235/.281/.386 away from Coors.  His road OPS was under .800 last year as well, so suitors will be wary.  Ringolsby suggests the Angels, Twins, Red Sox, and Yankees here.  Again I don’t see the fit for Boston.  The Twins would need faith in Atkins’ ability to play third base.  Unlike Holliday, Atkins is under team control through 2010.

Fuentes Unlikely To Re-Sign With Rockies

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Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post takes a look at Brian Fuentes’ impending free agency.  The 33 year-old closer would prefer to return to the Rockies, but he hasn’t heard from the team and expects to explore the open market. 

Renck says Fuentes’ agent views Brad Lidge as a comparable.  Lidge signed a three-year, $37.5MM extension in July.  He’s a bit younger than Fuentes, but the comparision seems reasonable.  Fuentes is in a great position this winter as the best alternative to Francisco Rodriguez, who will receive a record-breaking deal for a reliever.

Fuentes intends to sign with a team that will allow him to close, and has a slight preference for the West Coast.  Both L.A. teams could consider him, though both have good internal options.  Fuentes also acknowledged that Billy Wagner’s injury could affect his situation.

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Orioles, K-Rod, Bradley

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A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds And Ends: Rogers, Myers, Hosmer, Reynolds, Dunn

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Here’s some loose change found underneath the cushions of the hot stove couch:

  • Kenny Rogers was scratched from his start and Buster Olney wonders if Rogers will retire after this season.
  • Philly Inquirer columnist Bob Ford says the Phillies didn’t do enough to improve the team before the trade deadline. Umpbump thinks Brett Myers has been a great trade deadline pickup – and the Phils didn’t have to surrender a thing.
  • The Royals are hoping the contract issues surrounding first baseman first round draft pick Eric Hosmer are resolved in time for him to participate in the Arizona Instructional League. Hosmer remains in limbo as a result of a grievance filed by the players’ union. The central issue is whether the Hosmer and Pirates draft pick Pedro Alvarez agreed to terms prior to the 11 p.m. deadline on Aug. 15.
  • Right-hander Greg Reynolds was officially added to the Rockies roster on Friday. His addition was delayed because he started Monday and needed the off time before he could be used in a game. The Rockies are unbelievably only five games back in the NL West.
  • Adam Dunn says winning will be his number one priority when he signs with a new team this winter. Sorry, Pirates fans.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com and can be reached here.

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