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C.C. Sabathia

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Price, Reds, Mariners, Cardinals

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Ken Rosenthal says that the Brewers’ decision to start CC Sabathia on three days’ rest could hurt the free-agent hurler right before he hits the open market. And he says David Price, coming out of the bullpen, could do for the Rays this posteason what Francisco Rodriguez did for the Angels in 2002.

Dusty Baker likes the Reds’ chances in 2009. Even though they’ve got nine free agents, Baker likes their "young nucleus" and speed.

Mariners’ watchers are looking forward to the day 19-year old prospects Phillippe Aumont and Michael Pineda join the rotation—but according to that article, they may still have to wait two or three years. Three years seems excessive to me, considering that Aumont already has four pitches and that Pineda, who admittedly is still working on his third pitch, possesses an excellent command of the strike zone.

The Cardinals are dealing with some pitching uncertainty: 40-year old Russ Springer is thinking of retiring, and they’re still waiting for the results of Chris Carpenter’s MRI.

Lou Piniella says every team is built to win the World Series: "some get a chance to, and some don’t."

Sarah Green writes for the Boston Metro and UmpBump.

Angels Intend To Hold Line On Payroll

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According to Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times, Angels owner Arte Moreno has no intention of increasing 2009 payroll significantly beyond the current $123MM.  Playoff success could add some flexibility, but not enough to retain all of the team’s free agents.

Interestingly, Moreno’s comments did not dispel the C.C. Sabathia speculation:

"We always try to stay very focused on pitching, and right now we think we have a solid one through four.  But do you go out and get a No. 1, or do you look for a 2, 3 or 4? We have a wish list of things we think will improve the team. But what you go after could affect your flexibility."

DiGiovanna says the Angels should have about $87MM committed before dealing with free agents.  So, the Angels might have around $38MM to spend. 

There are scenarios where the Angels could sign two of the big three: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, and C.C. Sabathia.  Their best bet would probably be Tex and Sabathia.  The Angels will have to be careful not to backload too heavily, since they’ll need to spend big bucks to extend Vladimir Guerrero and John Lackey beyond 2009.

Meanwhile, it seems possible free agents such as Garret Anderson, Jon Garland, Juan Rivera, and Darren Oliver move on.

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Floyd, Winn

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

  • Heyman heard recent "scuttlebutt" that C.C. Sabathia does not want to play for the Yankees.  They’re still expected to make a large offer, and Heyman also expects a big play from the Angels.  Sabathia reportedly prefers California but has become more open-minded to other locations.
  • Cliff Floyd plans to play next year, hopefully for the Rays.  The team has a $2.75MM option with a $250K buyout.  He’s worth it.
  • Heyman notes that Randy Winn would’ve made a fine acquisition for another club.  The 34 year-old is hitting .315/.372/.438 in 611 plate appearances.  He’s set to earn $8.25MM in ’09 and can block deals to ten teams.

Rockies Want To Add A Starter This Winter

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Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd says the young kids didn’t come through in 2008, so this winter he may go shopping for an ace.

"One of the bigger holes we still have is a pure No. 1," O’Dowd says. "Whether that can ever be accomplished without developing it ourselves, I still have doubts about. But in light of not having that, I think we obviously need to have another quality pitcher in our rotation, and not somebody that’s a bottom-of-the-rotation guy.

O’Dowd doesn’t make any promises, and speculates that a pitcher could come "through trade, free agents or somebody internally stepping up." There will be a couple of top-of-the-rotation guys available via free agency in CC Sabathia and Ben Sheets, but both may be too expensive for the Rockies. There is lots of speculation that Matt Holliday could be dealt, and he could potentially bring a starting pitcher in a trade. Or the Rockies could dangle Garrett Atkins and hope that Todd Helton is able to return to play first base next season. But leaning too hard on Helton, who has seen his power numbers drop precipitously and who has been out since July 2 with back problems, is a real gamble.

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

Heyman’s Latest: Sabathia, Steinbrenner, Heilman

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Let’s take a look at Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com.

  • Heyman talked to "several baseball people" who believe the Angels will be a player for C.C. Sabathia this winter.  Possibly, but I think re-signing Mark Teixeira will be their top priority.  Heyman spoke to a competing owner who can’t see the Angels doing two $100MM+ deals.
  • Heyman considers Hank Steinbrenner’s recent comments a slap at GM Brian Cashman, but notes that Hal is running the team.
  • The Rockies and D’Backs have inquired about Aaron Heilman in the past; they may view him as a starting candidate.

Odds and Ends: Sabathia, Pavano, Penny, Burnett

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Random links to start the morning…

  • Ben Shpigel says Billy Wagner’s $10.5MM for ’09 is not covered by insurance, making the Mets unlikely suitors for K-Rod (hat tip to MetsBlog).
  • The Padres claimed knuckleballer Charlie Haeger.  You have to like the move; he’s only 24.
  • Ken Davidoff writes about Nationals pitcher Tim Redding, who dreams about returning to the Yankees one day.
  • Davidoff also says that contrary to popular belief, C.C. Sabathia did not buy a home in Southern California.
  • In another post, Davidoff lists the worst trades of ’08.
  • Nats GM Jim Bowden will probably bring in a veteran first baseman next year due to health concerns with Nick Johnson and Dmitri Young.
  • Not much cooking on the Pedro Alvarez front…Bud Selig testified yesterday, and the next part of the hearing isn’t until September 23rd.
  • Andrew Baggarly explains Bengie Molina’s contentious relationship with the Giants.
  • From Saturday: Carl Pavano’s side of the story.  Can Pavano be a useful pitcher next year?
  • Larry Borowsky would like to see the Cardinals enterain an extension for Todd Wellemeyer.  He’s eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
  • Joel Sherman isn’t sure the Yankees will invite Andy Pettitte back next year.
  • Brad Penny says he pitched through a shoulder injury because of uncertainty around his ’09 option.
  • Interesting fact…A.J. Burnett is second in MLB with 3286 pitches thrown (Sabathia jumped into the lead last night).  Many of the ’07 leaders in pitches thrown came down with injuries this year.
  • Michael O’Keefe sits down with agent Scott Boras.
  • ESPN’s Buster Olney notes that the Blue Jays will pursue a shortstop this winter.
  • All you ever wanted to know about Dr. James Andrews.
  • Jed Hoyer explains where Curt Schilling learned his negotiating tactics.

Sabathia Compensation Situation

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Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer details an interesting arrangement between the Brewers and Indians regarding the player to be named later in the C.C. Sabathia trade (hat tip to Anthony Castrovince).  Hoynes says the Indians get to choose the player if the Brewers make the playoffs; otherwise, the Brewers choose.  The Brewers have roughly a 70-80% chance of making the playoffs, according to Baseball Prospectus.

Hoynes says the candidates include four possible players, with outfielder Michael Brantley and third baseman Taylor Green among them.  Baseball America had Green ranked ahead of Brantley heading into the season, but it seems pretty close.

Sherman’s Latest: Yankees’ Off-Season Plans

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Earlier this week Hank Steinbrenner promised changes this off-season for the Yankees. Today Joel Sherman of the New York Post speculates on what those changes could look like…

  • Sources tell Sherman that Steinbrenner wants to make CC Sabathia the highest paid pitcher ever.
  • Sherman thinks Shane Victorino would be a nice fit for the Yankees in center field.
  • Some Yankees officials are toying with the idea of trading some of their young pitching if the Yankees do land Sabathia and another veteran such as AJ Burnett. Sherman thinks a player like Phil Hughes could be used to land a young center fielder or first baseman such as Joey Votto of the Reds.
  • Sherman feels giving Mark Teixeira a 10-year deal would be a mistake.
  • Sherman also wonders if Robinson Cano should be dangled this off-season in an attempt to land a starting pitcher like Zach Greinke, Chad Billingsley or Matt Cain.
  • Sherman thinks the Yankees should offer Bobby Abreu arbitration in hopes of landing two draft picks, and says if Abreu accepts the arbitration it would not be a terrible thing, but would force somebody else to be moved.

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

Hank Promises Changes

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WEDNESDAY: More on this topic…Hank named Sabathia and Burnett as pitchers of interest.  It’s not surprising to hear those two will be on the Yankees’ radar.

THURSDAY, 3:26pm: Also of note, Ken Davidoff talked to Brian Cashman about nine-figure free agent deals.

8:47am: Not exactly news, but we’ll mention it anyway.  Hank Steinbrenner on 2009:

"There is going to be a lot going on this offseason.  I promise you that."

Previously, Hank mentioned the Yankees’ likely pursuit of veteran pitching.  It would make sense to bring Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte back on reasonable one-year deals if possible, and then break the bank on a third, younger free agent like C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, or A.J. Burnett.  Expect the Yanks to be aggressive in their pursuit of Sabathia.  Some good pitchers will be coming over from Japan, but I’m guessing the Yankees will pass.

The infield remains locked in, with Jorge Posada probably needing some time at DH.  Hideki Matsui may as well, so bringing in a legitimate full-time first baseman makes sense.  If the Yankees can’t get Mark Teixeira, they’ll probably have to turn to the trade market (or consider Adam Dunn as a first baseman).  The trade market may offer Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Adam LaRoche, Mike Jacobs, Todd Helton, and Nick Johnson.

It would not be surprising to see the Yankees let Damaso Marte go and spend some bucks on the bullpen.  Many of the top free agent relievers (Brian Fuentes, Francisco Rodriguez) prefer to close however.  A trade might be ideal here as well (Ron Mahay, Heath Bell, John Grabow, Kevin Gregg).

Stark’s Latest: Teixeira, Lamb, Ibanez, Blake

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Hot stove highlights from Jayson Stark’s latest…

  • Stark sees the Mets picking up Carlos Delgado’s $12MM option for ’09, taking them out of the Mark Teixeira sweepstakes.  He sees the Yankees in the mix for Tex.  Will Teixeira top the $140MM the Rangers offered him?
  • The Yanks will also pursue a top flight starting pitcher, with C.C. Sabathia and Ben Sheets as Plans A and B.
  • Stark does not see the Braves diving into megadeals for Sabathia, Sheets, or A.J. Burnett.  They’ll have payroll room, but could pursue trades or mid-tier free agents.
  • Stark says friends of Tom Glavine and John Smoltz indicate they both want another go at it in ’09.  They’re hoping the Braves will offer low-base incentivized deals.  If the Braves spurn Glavine, I wonder if he’ll sign with the Nationals.
  • Mike Lamb and the Phillies have mutual interest.  A trade might make more sense than awaiting his release, so that he’d be eligible for the postseason roster.
  • A friend of Raul Ibanez says the Mariners are unlikely to convince him to re-sign.  They’ll snag a couple of draft picks if they offer arbitration and he signs elsewhere.  The prospect of losing a draft pick makes Ibanez less attractive to other teams though.
  • The Dodgers are considering re-signing Casey Blake and moving Blake DeWitt to second base.
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