Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo
Links for Friday…
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
- The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
- Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier. Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
- NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs. Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
- Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
- Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
- Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer.
- In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.
Chone Figgins Too Pricey For White Sox?
Recently, the South Side of Chicago has been identified as a logical destination for Angels third baseman Chone Figgins as he heads into free agency. However, manager Ozzie Guillen doesn't envision the 31-year-old utility player fitting into the White Sox' budget, reports Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times.
Cowley says that in 2010 high-priced pick-up Alex Rios will take over in center field and Carlos Quentin will move from left to right in place of Jermaine Dye, whose $12MM option is not likely to be picked up. This leaves one spot open, which could be solved by signing Figgins or retaining Scott Podsednik, who Guillen would "love" to have back.
Podsednik played a slightly below average left field this season, posting a UZR/150 of -3.4 at the position. Figgins, meanwhile, hasn't played the outfield regularly since 2006.
Can Figgins be had for less than $10MM per year in a depressed economy?
Stark On Braves, Hardy, Uggla
Let's check out the hot stove highlights from Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings column at ESPN.
- The free agent market for super-utility men is strong, with Chone Figgins, Mark DeRosa, and Jerry Hairston Jr. Stark says the Cards will let DeRosa test the market, despite the recent extension chatter. Stark talked to an NL exec who prefers Figgins to DeRosa, which seems logical.
- Stark finds it "all but certain" that the Braves bring Tim Hudson back for 2010, but they won't be shopping Javier Vazquez. He considers the Braves unlikely to re-sign free agent relievers Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. If that's the case, Frank Wren will need to bring in some kind of late-inning arm.
- Expect a strong market for Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy, despite his disappointing '09 season. Which teams do you see in the mix?
- Stark sees the Marlins keeping only one of Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Jorge Cantu, who are all due raises through arbitration.
- Stark says the Astros don't have a shopping list yet for their next manager, but count on GM Ed Wade to be meticulous. The 'Stros prefer someone with experience, leading Stark to join in on the Jim Fregosi speculation.
Cubs Rumors: Soriano, Figgins, Harden
ESPN.com's Buster Olney considers some of the problems the Cubs encountered this season and turns up some rumors along the way. Here they are:
- Alfonso Soriano's contract is about as untradeable as they come, so what should the Cubs do about it? One talent evaluator believes the Cubs should make it clear to Soriano and Milton Bradley that Jake Fox and Micah Hoffpauir will play if either veteran falters.
- Christina Kahrl blames the Cubs for relying on older players to win.
- Could the speedy, versatile Chone Figgins be a fit for the Cubs? Jayson Stark wouldn't be surprised to see Figgins sign a three or four-year deal for $11-12MM per season. It's not known whether the Cubs can afford to take on another big contract.
- The Cubs should have the inside track when Rich Harden hits free agency after the season.
Discussion: Cubs Leadoff Hitter
According to Toni Ginnetti of the Chicago Sun Times, Alfonso Soriano's days leading off firmly in the rearview, says Lou Pineilla. Who can fill his shoes? Ginnetti quotes Pineilla:
"It depends on what the club does over the winter,'' Piniella said of the leadoff role. ''I like [Kosuke] Fukudome at the top of the order, but I don't know about leadoff. He and [Ryan] Theriot are our best options the way we are now.
"But if we got someone who is capable of stealing 30 or 40 bases in the mix, that would change things. If you look at our offense, adding a speed guy and another bat [are priorities].''
The glaring free agent solution is Chone Figgins, but let's hear some creative alternatives. Or perhaps an argument in favor of keeping the Fukudome/Theriot tandem?
Figgins, White Sox A Good Fit?
Chone Figgins seems to be a hot topic this weekend. Mark Saxon of The Orange County Register writes there's a mutual attraction between Figgins and the White Sox.
"The Chicago White Sox have made little effort to hide their high regard for the Angels' leadoff hitter, who is having a career year and is eligible for free agency in November. Along with the New York Yankees, Chicago could be a formidable suitor if the Angels don't sign Figgins in their exclusive 15-day window after the World Series."
Figgins likened Ozzie Guillen's style to that of Mike Scioscia, noting both would play to his strengths as an aggressive leadoff hitter.
While he has expressed excitement to enter free agency as a man in demand, he maintains a preference to remain in Anaheim. Saxon notes that Mike Scioscia "said Figgins' improved discipline, defense and overall hitting in recent seasons have made him an attractive long-term investment" so a three-year deal for the 31-year old might become an expectation. Figgins could aim around $10MM per year.
Rosenthal Chats With Chone Figgins
Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com sat down for a chat with Chone Figgins of the Angels, who you surely know is up for free agency after the season. They spoke about plenty of topics, including his offseason workouts with Juan Pierre and his improved defense, but here's a wrap up of the hot stove talk…
- Figgins gave credit to free agent pickup Bobby Abreu for helping balance out the team's lineup and adding patience. The Halos have scored the second most runs in baseball, 43 more than any team outside of the Bronx.
- When asked what it's like "being a man in demand," in regards to his upcoming free agency, Figgins said "it's fun" and the best part about it is that it never affects him on the field.
- He said he's just "going to have fun on the field," and let all that other stuff happen when it happens.
- Figgins said that no matter where he goes after the season, his game isn't going to change. By no means did he rule out staying with the Anaheim, saying that he loves it there.
Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Pitching, Rays, Padres, DeRosa
Let's see what Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com has for us in his latest Full Count video…
- The free agent market for starting pitching doesn't look very enticing, but the trade market could be intriguing. Toronto will almost certainly field offers for Roy Halladay again, the Cubs could trade Carlos Zambrano, and the Braves could deal Javier Vazquez if they decide to keep Tim Hudson.
- The Astros might finally be ready to move ace Roy Oswalt. While he does have a full no-trade clause, Oswalt has told the club in the past that he'd be willing to consider moves to St. Louis, both Chicago teams, Texas, and Atlanta.
- Tampa Bay moved Scott Kazmir when his value was high, so perhaps it's unlikely they'd move B.J. Upton when his value is low. Regardless, many teams covet the elder Upton brother because at his best he's a righty slugger with superior defense in center field. In his place, the Rays could go in-house with Fernando Perez or Desmond Jennings.
- Keep in mind that if Tampa were to trade an outfielder, they might prefer to deal Carl Crawford. Upton is three years away from free agency; Crawford just one.
- The Padres' recent surge has GM Kevin Towers thinking the team could be a surprise contender next year. The question is this: how low will the team's payroll go? The subtraction of Brian Giles would leave the payroll in the mid-$30MM range, but there are some that believe the team will move either Adrian Gonzalez or Heath Bell and get down into the mid-$20MM range. Ownership has yet to give the front office a firm payroll number for 2010.
- The Cardinals want to re-sign Mark DeRosa, but his offseason wrist surgery changes the equation. DeRosa is fully expected to be ready by the start of Spring Training, but he'll come with some risk. If he was fully healthy, he would be nearly as coveted as Chone Figgins, but supply and demand will work in DeRosa's favor because there are very few quality third baseman available. Plus, he can also play a ton of other positions.
Figgins Not Ruling Out A Return To LA
We've heard rumors that the Yankees, White Sox and Cubs could have interest in Chone Figgins this offseason, but the free agent-to-be tells Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times that other cities don't appeal to him as much as LA does.
"It's a different world than here," Figgins said. "Not to say those places are bad, but here is what my game is all about. The guys they bring in fit the program. You get used to winning and that's a great feeling. It doesn't matter how much money you have there."
However, he doesn't seem inclined to give the Angels a hometown discount, as much as he appears to enjoy playing for them. He will likely have many suitors because of his .400 OBP, versatility and defense (he's a strong defender at third, according to UZR).
Olney On Hardy, Rangers, Figgins
Everyone's predicting the market for Chone Figgins these days and ESPN.com's Buster Olney is no exception. Olney guesses that the Yankees will sign Figgins, who could patrol left field for the Bombers and fill in at other positions when needed. Here are the rest of Olney's rumors:
- Olney points out that J.J. Hardy, whose free agency the Brewers delayed, picked up 130 days of service time on the DL over the years. It all counts, though.
- Olney hears that there are now just three contenders to buy the Rangers.
- One talent evaluator suggests MLB could adopt first and second half winners to lessen the advantage big market teams have.