Odds and Ends: White Sox, Mackowiak, Garcia, Rays
A gathering of Sunday afternoon links…
- From the What Might’ve Been File – Phil Rogers reminds us that the White Sox offered more than the Cubs did for Kosuke Fukudome.
- The White Sox seem content with the current roster.
- River Ave. Blues doesn’t expect Brian Cashman and the Yankees to pursue an impact player at the trade deadline.
- The Reds signed Rob Mackowiak to a minor league deal.
- Free agent Freddy Garcia is looking to sign before the trade deadline. Garcia says he feels like he has a new shoulder.
- For the first time in their history, the Rays will consider trading for rentals.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Cashman, Fuentes, Braves, Fielder
Time for a new Ken Rosenthal column.
- Rosenthal reminds us that, among other things, Adam Dunn played with a broken hand for a couple of months in ’05. So maybe he does like baseball. It’s not fair to criticize a player’s passion simply because he doesn’t make the right facial expressions or throw tantrums (not saying J.P. Ricciardi did this, but many fans do).
- Mark Teixeira might be looking for eight years and $160MM. Rosenthal says not to count his hometown Orioles out, though they aren’t the most likely suitor.
- Brian Cashman "seems likely to sign a contract extension" with the Yankees. Omar Minaya’s job is safe.
- The Rockies might trade Brian Fuentes even if they’re in contention. Add the Rays to the list of teams interested in him. The Rox still like the Mets’ Aaron Heilman, by the way.
- The Braves are out of the starting pitching market, content with internal options.
- If the Brewers are to shop Prince Fielder, they’ll likely wait until the offseason. Could be a fun rumor to follow this winter.
- Orioles relievers Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford both can be had (both are signed through ’09).
Yanks, Cashman To Talk Extension
According to Ed Price of the Newark Star-Ledger, Hank Steinbrenner will discuss an extension with GM Brian Cashman this week (hat tip to River Avenue Blues). Steinbrenner’s "impression" is that both sides want to continue the relationship.
Possibilities if Cashman wants a change: the opening in Philadelphia, and Seattle if the Mariners fire Bill Bavasi. Bavasi blames himself for putting together the last-place Ms.
Odds and Ends: Royals, Cashman, Tavarez
4:45pm: Updating the Tavarez item – the Boston Herald reports that he’s accepted a minor league assignment in order to buy the Red Sox more time in trading him.
10:38am: Here’s today’s link collection.
- MLB.com’s Dick Kaegel hears the Royals are leaning toward an impact bat in the June draft. Baseball America predicted catcher Buster Posey, while Jonathan Mayo went with first baseman Eric Hosmer. First baseman Justin Smoak is another possibility.
- Paul DePodesta tells a story about the gamesmanship of the draft.
- Hank Steinbrenner says there’s a chance Brian Cashman will be the Yankees’ GM next year, if he wants to be. He might be able to find a better situation. If there’s a new GM, his first task might be negotiating with Scott Boras for Mark Teixeira.
- The Rockies still might have mild interest in Julian Tavarez, who will become a free agent today.
- The Marlins, Rockies, and Rangers were the three clubs interested in Edinson Volquez when he was a kid in the Dominican.
Odds and Ends: Cashman, Matsuo, Durham
Some random links to ponder today…
- Peter Abraham submitted nine reader questions to Yankees GM Brian Cashman. I liked reading about how Cashman deals with agents who lie to him.
- The Red Sox signed free agent Terumasa Matsuo, who was pitching in a Japanese independent league. I have no idea what the 26 year-old pitcher is capable of.
- Tracy Ringolsby says the Giants really want to move Ray Durham and Dave Roberts, and will pick up some salary to do so. Durham makes $7.5MM in ’08. Roberts gets $6.5MM in each of the ’08 and ’09 seasons.
- The Big Lead interviewed ESPN’s Keith Law.
Notes From Hot Stove, Cool Music: Cashman, Santana, Varitek
A few interesting tidbits came about via the Hot Stove, Cool Music charitable event on Saturday. The Boston Herald’s Rob Bradford has the details.
- Brian Cashman admitted that he lost some power when the Hank and Hal regime took over. He no longer has full authority to run everything, a sticking point when he signed on several years ago. It would not be shocking to see Cashman move on when his term ends after the 2008 season. He’s finishing up a three-year, $5.4MM deal.
- For what it’s worth, Theo Epstein seemed to indicate that the dragging Johan Santana talks are not holding up other moves for the Red Sox. But really it’s hard to believe that Coco Crisp‘s situation hasn’t been delayed. Boston already lost the White Sox as a suitor, most likely.
- During Spring Training, Scott Boras plans to begin contract extension talks with the Red Sox for Jason Varitek. Here’s a look at other free agent backstops the Sox could consider after the ’08 season. Kenji Johjima could be an interesting signing.