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Brian Fuentes

Rockies Won’t Re-Sign Fuentes

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According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Rockies will not be re-signing free agent closer Brian Fuentes.  Fuentes’ likely price tag – three years, $36MM+ – is just too high.  Renck believes Fuentes may even be able to snag four years given the poor market for closers after Francisco Rodriguez.

Fuentes’ agent listed the Mets, Cardinals, and Angels as interested teams.  A meeting with the Mets should come soon.  The best case for the Rockies would be the Cardinals, as the Rockies would receive their #19 pick in next year’s draft.

Cardinals’ Offseason Plans

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Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch explains the Cardinals’ offseason plans.  The areas of concern: middle infield, lefthanded relief, and perhaps the rotation (maybe a swingman type pitcher).  The Cards would also like an impact bat to protect Albert Pujols, but that is of lower priority.

Strauss says the Cardinals will investigate the price for Brian Fuentes and Joe Beimel.  They’ll also consider bringing Edgar Renteria back to St. Louis on a one-year deal worth considerably less than $10MM.  The Cards should have $20MM+ to spend in total.

As for trade chips, young catcher Bryan Anderson could be one.  Second baseman Adam Kennedy wants out, but has negative trade value.  The Cards could also move an outfielder.  Derrick Goold of the P-D suggests possible matches.

Cubs Offseason Targets

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Recently I wrote a Cubs Offseason Outlook, where many reasonable acquisition targets were discussed.  If the Cubs re-sign Ryan Dempster and Kerry Wood, they’ll be limited by payroll unless the salaries of Jason Marquis ($9.875MM) or Derrek Lee ($13MM) are moved.

Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune names his possible Cubs targets: Brian Roberts, Adam Dunn, Jeremy Hermida, Mike Jacobs, Rafael Furcal, Jake Peavy, and Brian Fuentes.  Some fun names in there, many of which could only be added if payroll space is created.  Dunn would be an interesting choice for a regular right fielder, while Jacobs would represent a downgrade at first base.

The Cubs aren’t likely to add Peavy, especially if they re-sign Dempster.  If you’d like to take the speculation to the next level nonetheless, Barry Rozner has ideas at the Daily Herald.  With any trade scenario, it is always important to put yourself in the shoes of the other team and ask if it is truly the best deal for them.

Mets To Explore Trade For Closer

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Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a new article up discussing possibilities for the Mets’ closer vacancy.  He says the Mets will check in on free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, but remain wary of the price.  I’m wondering if K-Rod will have to back off the five year demand if he wants to get multiple serious bidders.  Davidoff says the Mets feel that they have the minor league depth to swing a trade for a closer rather than buy one.

Davidoff goes on to speculate that the Mets could look at J.J. Putz, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Joakim Soria, and Kevin Gregg.  Gregg would be the easiest to acquire.  Not sure why Soria is mentioned here.  The Mets had several young players emerge this year who weren’t necessarily highly touted (Dan Murphy, for example).  Davidoff says the Mets feel they have more such hidden gems to use as trade chips.

Davidoff also tosses out two more free agent possibilities: Jeremy Affeldt and Chad Cordero.  Affeldt is starting to generate buzz as a more affordable closing candidate, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Indians get involved.

Perrotto’s Latest: Red Sox, Mets, Burnett, Blalock

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John Perrotto over at Baseball Prospectus has his weekly column up… let’s take a look at what he has to say:

  • Couple of notes about the Red Sox: Perrotto expects Theo Epstein to re-sign Jason Varitek to a two-year deal in the $16MM range. This seems like drastically overpaying for what Varitek has become, in my opinion, but as Perrotto points out, there’s very little on the free agent market. Epstein will then look to trade for a young catcher who can become the starter in 2010 or 2011. Additionally, he’ll try to move Mike Lowell to open up a spot for either Mark Teixeira or Garrett Atkins, but that won’t be an easy task most likely. On a Manny-related note, Terry Francona said the last couple months of 2008 were the "most fun he’s ever had" in Boston, calling them "tremendous." He didn’t mention Manny specifically, but does he really have to?
  • Perrotto says the Mets have decided to pass on Francisco Rodriguez, and will instead pursue Brian Fuentes, as well as Derek Lowe. The Red Sox may also make a strong pitch for Lowe.
  • The Padres will likely take some gambles on rehabbing pitchers for 2009. Perrotto lists Mark Mulder, Matt Clement, and Mark Prior as candidates.
  • Toronto’s interim president Paul Beeston is making A.J. Burnett the organization’s top priority, and Perrotto feels that Burnett wants to stay. Personally, I’m in the other camp and see Burnett opting out and cashing in on a big payday.
  • The Rangers will almost certainly pick up Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for 2009.

Heyman’s Latest: Manny, Holliday, Peavy

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SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new rumor-packed article up.

  • Heyman suggests the battle for the three elite free agents – Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, and C.C. Sabathia – will mostly be fought by the New York and Los Angeles clubs.  Heyman talked to one GM who believes the country’s economic situation will not affect the big names but could be bad for the lower-tier guys.
  • Heyman’s potential Manny suitors: the Mets, Yankees, Blue Jays, Orioles, and Phillies.  The Phillies’ interest will depend on whether Pat Burrell stays.  I’m not sure why the Orioles would be in the mix.
  • The Rockies are "very likely" to trade Matt Holliday. The Rox would be willing to sign Holliday for five years and $100MM, but that won’t cut it.  The team’s focus in a trade will be a young starter.  Heyman echoes a Ken Rosenthal thought from a few months ago: surprising small-market teams may enter the Holliday bidding.
  • Heyman has the Mets, Rangers, and Indians as teams looking at Brian Fuentes.  The Mets are the favorite to sign him in the three-year, $36MM range.
  • Jake Peavy has already turned down one American League team.  Heyman believes hes particularly opposed to the Rangers and has mixed feelings about the Yankees.  Peavy is reeling from the Padres’ decision to shop him. 
  • Heyman has unkind words for Luis Gonzalez, who may not be welcomed back to the D’Backs based on his "uneasy relationship" with Stephen Drew and Chris Young.
  • Heyman does not think MLB has any evidence against Nationals GM Jim Bowden in the scout skimming scandal.
  • Heyman gives Ruben Amaro a slight edge over Mike Arbuckle to replace Pat Gillick as Phillies GM.
  • George W. Bush as baseball’s next commissioner?  "Many have long believed" that Bush would like to be Bud Selig’s successor.

Ringolsby’s Latest: Fuentes, Atkins, Holliday

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Let’s take a look at the latest column from Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News.

  • Rockies "closer of the future" Casey Weathers will miss the ’09 season due to elbow surgery.  However, the Rox are still not likely to re-sign Brian Fuentes.  Joel Sherman expects Fuentes to sign for three years, $36-39MM.  Brad Lidge signed for three years, $37.5MM in July, but that was not on the open market.  The Mets will be in on Fuentes.
  • The Rockies are expected to trade one of Garrett Atkins or Matt Holliday this winter.  The Phillies will inquire on both (they tried to acquire Holliday this summer).  Ringolsby says the Red Sox have discussed Holliday internally and considers the Angels a match for Atkins.  The Red Sox, however, are set at the corners with Jason Bay and J.D. Drew.
  • Brothers Jayson and Laynce Nix are both free agents.  Jayson, 26, hit .303/.373/.591 in Triple A.  Laynce, 28, hit .284/.348/.539.  Jayson plays second base, Laynce plays outfield.

Mets Eyeing Lowe, Fuentes

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Joel Sherman of the New York Post talked to an NL executive who has spoken to Mets officials.  That official says the Mets plan to pursue free agent pitchers Derek Lowe and Brian Fuentes this winter.  Sherman believes they will check in on C.C. Sabathia and Francisco Rodriguez, but won’t be willing to match their prices.

Lowe and Fuentes would fill two of the Mets’ three offseason needs for roughly $30MM in ’09 salary.  That could be all of the available money, unless the Mets backload the contracts, raise payroll, or shed salary via trades.  Left field would be the team’s remaining question mark.

Heyman’s Latest: K-Rod, Furcal, Blalock

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Non-Manny notes from Jon Heyman’s latest…

  • The Angels and Mets "appear hesitant" to give Francisco Rodriguez five years.  There’s not an obvious suitor to overpay K-Rod, but the Mets are the closest.
  • Heyman sees Brian Fuentes getting about $11MM per year.  Ken Rosenthal recently suggested even more money.
  • Doug Melvin could become a candidate for the Mariners job if the Brewers aren’t able to extend him.  Doesn’t seem to make sense since Melvin is signed through 2009.
  • Heyman believes Chris Antonetti in Cleveland is contractually guaranteed the GM job in the future.
  • The Dodgers will try to re-sign Rafael Furcal, no surprise there.
  • A scout sang the praises of Hank Blalock’s second-half hitting (.281/.324/.532 after the break).  Blalock may be on the trading block.

Mets Closer Situation

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It’s well-known the Mets plan to add a closer this winter.  Joel Sherman notes that Omar Minaya does not necessarily have to sign Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes – there are many ways to handle the ninth inning beyond signing one of the two proven closers on the market.

Signing K-Rod or Fuentes is the easy route.  Overpay for an established closer who is likely to have a solid 2009, helping fans and media members forget the bullpen woes of 2008.

It’d be bolder to add Kevin Gregg or Huston Street via trade.  Both have had ninth-inning success in the past, but were dethroned this year.  Street is preferable, as he allows fewer walks.  Hopefully Minaya will bring in several arms beyond the veteran closer, and find the next Grant Balfour, Brad Ziegler or Joakim Soria.  Easier said than done, I know.  But how many times have we seen GMs throw money away assembling free agent bullpens?   

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