Red Sox Prepared To Pick Up Ortiz’s Option
David Ortiz hasn’t heard from the Red Sox about an extension, but the team is prepared to pick up the slugger’s 2011 option, a source told Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. Ortiz has said all year that he wants to return to Boston and would like an extension; so far, the Red Sox have not given Big Papi any indication that they’re going to offer a multi-year deal.
The Red Sox can bring the 34-year-old back for $12.5MM by exercising his 2011 option. They’ll surely be tempted to retain Ortiz for another season, since he has 28 homers and .262/.365/.528 line despite another awful start.
Jim Thome, Manny Ramirez, Vladimir Guerrero, Carlos Pena, Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko are just a few of the first base/DH types that will surface in this offseason’s free agent class. The Red Sox would have alternatives if they turn down Ortiz’s option, but they seem ready to spend $12.5MM to keep Big Papi around.
Cafardo On Jeter, Ortiz, Pavano, Kemp
Barring an incredible comeback or collapse, perennial playoff contenders like the Red Sox, Angels, Dodgers, and Cardinals won't be playing meaningful October baseball this year. In his weekly Sunday column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe examines why these clubs have fallen short in 2010. He also shares a few hot stove notes….
- One American League executive calls Derek Jeter a "two-year, $8MM-a-year player on the open market," though the exec acknowledges that the Yankees will pay more than that to keep their long-time shortstop around.
- While David Ortiz believes that he could play first base for a National League team next season, he tells Cafardo that he'd rather stay in Boston and DH.
- Carl Pavano's ideal offseason would see him signing a multi-year deal with the Twins. His agent, Tom O'Connell, says Pavano would "love for something to work out" with Minnesota. When MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at Pavano's impending free agency earlier this week, he concluded that the right-hander might have trouble landing more than a one-year deal.
- Cafardo spoke to Dodgers officials who said they'd be very surprised if the club moved Matt Kemp this winter. One team official told Cafardo, "You never know in trades, but I’d guess we’d have to be pretty overwhelmed to give up on him."
- Fredi Gonzalez is widely considered the favorite to replace Bobby Cox in Atlanta, but the former Marlins skipper should be a candidate for the Cubs and Mariners as well. Jim Hendry and Jack Zduriencik both like Gonzalez's managerial style.
Cafardo’s Latest: Red Sox, Rangers, Angels, Viciedo
Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe breaks down the 2010 Red Sox and what members of the team may not be around for 2011. He says Jayson Werth will be a free agent target and wonders if they're willing to commit three or four years to Adrian Beltre, who is having a monster season. Jacoby Ellsbury and Daisuke Matsuzaka could be trade bait, and then there's the issue of David Ortiz's $12.5MM option.
Let's round up the rest of Cafardo's rumors…
- There have been "minimal, if any" talks between the Sox and Victor Martinez about a new contract.
- Expect Boston to revamp their bullpen, which could mean replacing Hideki Okajima.
- Carfado believes that the Rangers settled ownership situation will help the team down the stretch as the players don't have to deal with any speculation.
- Rafael Soriano and Joaquin Benoit, a pair of offseason pickups that are the Rays' two best relievers, will need to have their workloads monitored down the stretch, particularly Benoit who is coming off major shoulder surgery.
- The Angels have close to $110MM tied up in 2011 payroll counting arbitration raises, which could hinder their pursuit of free agents this winter.
- Kenny Williams says that teams never asked for Dayan Viciedo in a trade because they knew he was unavailable. We heard that Williams was willing to trade him before the deadline.
- A split between the Mariners and manager Don Wakamatsu seems likely this offseason.
Red Sox Rumors: Lowell, Ranaudo, Ortiz
Maybe the Tigers and Rangers want to re-think their respective stances on Mike Lowell. Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston reported yesterday that the two clubs were losing interest in the Red Sox infielder, but Lowell homered three times in a rehab game for the Pawtucket Red Sox tonight. The Rangers are in on Jorge Cantu and others, while the Tigers may not add a bat this week, but Lowell is doing all he can to restore his trade value and his hip to full health. Here are the rest of tonight's Red Sox rumors:
- The Red Sox have yet to begin negotiations with supplemental rounder Anthony Ranaudo, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Experts considered the righty one of the top arms in this year's draft, but his stock dropped due to forearm issues. Ranaudo proved his value with a standout performance in the Cape Cod League this summer, but he and agent Scott Boras have yet to begin negotiating with the Red Sox.
- David Ortiz told WEEI's Big Show that he wants to re-sign in Boston after the season, but not just on a one-year deal. Designated hitters Hideki Matsui and Vladimir Guerrero signed one-year deals last winter, but Ortiz doesn't believe they're great comps for him. Big Papi would prefer the security of a multi-year deal, but he won't have complete say in the matter; the Red Sox hold a $12.5MM option for his services in 2011.
Red Sox May Still Covet Adrian Gonzalez
Adrian Gonzalez was supposed to be the biggest trade chip at the 2010 deadline, but the 51-37 Padres aren’t about to sell. That doesn’t mean Boston’s interest in the Padres slugger has faded, however. A baseball source tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that the Red Sox still like Gonzalez.
"If they could get Gonzalez [before next season], that would solve everything," the WEEI source said. "And I think that's their Plan A. But the way things are going that might be pie in the sky type of thinking."
Gonzalez is hitting .301/.397/.533 and no Padres regular has an OPS within 170 points of that, so A-Gon isn't going anywhere yet. The Padres can keep the 28-year-old for $5.5MM next year, before he hits free agency. For now, Gonzalez says he doesn’t want to go anywhere.
"It's just a relief not to be in trade rumors and be in first place, more than anything,” Gonzalez said.
The Red Sox have a club option of their own coming up. Bradford says it “seems very unlikely” that Boston will pick up David Ortiz’s $12.5MM option for 2011 and notes that the sides haven’t made major progress on contract talks about an alternate deal. Big Papi appears to want a multi-year contract and believes he’ll stay in Boston.
Odds & Ends: Pirates, Brewers, Harper, Ortiz
Links for Tuesday, as the National League wins an All-Star Game for the first time since Fred McGriff was their cleanup hitter…
- The Pirates signed 16-year-old Belarusian right-hander Aleksey Lukashevich, according to Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. As Finder explains, the Pirates have gone all over the world to sign international free agents recently.
- MLBPA executive director Michael Weiner told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the players' association will consider changes to the revenue sharing process when the current collective bargaining agreement expires after the 2011 season.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he isn't actively shopping his players and won't dismiss manager Ken Macha tomorrow.
- Bryce Harper won the Golden Spikes award as the country's top amateur player, writes MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo.
- David Ortiz told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he expects to return to Boston next year. The Red Sox have a $12.5MM option for the Home Run Derby champion, but we know that Big Papi would like to sign a multi-year deal.
- Not only does Torii Hunter want a power bat, he is gently encouraging Carl Crawford to sign in Anaheim after the season, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs continues ranking baseball's best trade chips, including Miguel Montero (found among the 41st-45th most valuable players) and Josh Hamilton (found among the 36th-40th most valuable players).
David Ortiz Wants Multiyear Deal?
Prior to his Home Run Derby victory last night, Red Sox designated hitter David Ortiz implied he wants a multiyear deal. Talking to ESPN's Gordon Edes, Ortiz said:
"I don't want one year. Why should I return for one year and go through the same [stuff] I'm going through now, just because it's my last year? No. I like to be left alone when I'm playing baseball. I know how to clean my [stuff] up."
Even with Ortiz's strong production since May, it's difficult to envision the Red Sox offering two guaranteed years. The first order of business will be his $12.5MM option for 2011, which will almost surely be declined. I don't think he'll reach a $10MM base salary again. It's well-known Ortiz wants to remain in Boston, so perhaps he'll be amenable to a lower salary and a second-year option similar to that given to Jason Varitek before the '09 season. The Red Sox might prefer flexibility with their DH spot for 2012, however.
Ortiz Would Like To Remain In Boston
David Ortiz envisions himself wearing a Red Sox uniform past this season, and hopes the team feels the same way, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe. Ortiz is in the final year of a $52MM contract, with the Sox holding an $12.5MM option for 2011.
"I want to stay here in Boston and always have a home here, go back and forth when I do retire," said Ortiz. "The people here have been good to me and I’ve tried to be good to them."
Ortiz's $12.5MM option for next season looks a little pricey when taking into account the present-day value of designated hitters. Hideki Matsui ($6.5MM) and Vladimir Guerrero ($5MM) are among the DHs that received one-year contracts last winter for approximately half of Ortiz's 2011 price tag. And while Ortiz has recovered from a slow start to put up impressive numbers (.262/.382/.552), the free agent market this winter will be flush with similar players, including Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko, Derrek Lee, Adam LaRoche, and Carlos Pena.
Still, even if the club declines his option, Ortiz is optimistic that he and the Sox can work something out: "Hopefully, it gets done…. I think I will be here. I may look crazy, but I'm not stupid. I don't see myself playing nowhere else and that's important to me."
The 34-year-old said earlier this year that he'd like to play for two or three more years, so if the Red Sox are interested in bringing him back, Ortiz will likely look to finish his career in Boston.
Odds & Ends: Pirates, Cardinals, Padres, Oswalt
Some links for Thursday, a day that has even the most intense baseball fans wondering about LeBron James' decision…
- MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch reviews all of the players Pirates' GM Neal Huntington has acquired after they were designated for assignment by another team. The best of the lot: Delwyn Young.
- Tony LaRussa is happy with the Cardinals' recent bullpen additions, according to MLB.com's Matthew Leach. St. Louis added Mike MacDougal today and Renyel Pinto about two weeks ago.
- Padres GM Jed Hoyer confirmed to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio that the Padres have payroll flexibility and would like to add a well-rounded hitter and a starting pitcher (all Twitter links).
- Peter Gammons notes a Corey Hart–Mike Minor rumor (via Twitter). The Braves are interested in Hart and other right-handed hitting outfielders, but Hart tells MLB.com's Adam McCalvy that he wants to stay in Milwaukee.
- The Mets, Phillies, Rays and Dodgers are among the teams watching Roy Oswalt today, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (Twitter link).
- Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog hears that the Mets, Phillies and Rangers are among the many teams eyeing Ben Sheets.
- Yahoo's Steve Henson dials the clock back to 1999 and takes a look at the little league team that included Stephen Strasburg and Mike Leake.
- Cubs draftee Matt Szczur has a deal that will give him an additional $500K if he gives up football, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America.
- Jamey Newberg says the Rangers should seriously consider trading Chris Davis or Justin Smoak if there's a real chance to improve the club.
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports that the D'Backs will listen to offers for Dan Haren, but will likely have to be blown away to deal him (Twitter link).
- Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun asks Orioles fans: should the O's have any untouchable players in trade talks this year?
- Billy Wagner repeated something he said earlier in the year, telling Ray Parrillo of the Philadelphia Inquirer that he intends to retire after 2010.
- Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer says the Phillies – like every other team in baseball – would be better with Cliff Lee.
- David Ortiz tells John Tomase of the Boston Herald that he hopes to talk to the Red Sox about staying in Boston after this season. The Red Sox hold a $12.5MM option for Big Papi in 2011.
Odds & Ends: A’s, Reds, Murton, Maya, Chipper
Links for Tuesday, as Andy Pettitte and Tim Lincecum celebrate birthdays…
- A's assistant GM David Forst tells MLB.com's Jane Lee that the club would like to add depth to its lineup, even after the Conor Jackson trade (Twitter link).
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty tells John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer that the club would consider trading for or signing a reliever.
- The Hanshin Tigers will pick up Matt Murton's option for 2011, according to Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker (via Twitter). Jack Moore of FanGraphs recently updated us on Murton's success in Japan.
- Ben Badler of Baseball America hears that the Mariners will likely sign right-hander Jose Torres for $800K (Twitter link).
- MLBTR has an internship opportunity for a limited number of regular readers. Any skilled and experienced writers with an eye for detail should describe their experience as writers and editors in a couple sentences and e-mail mlbtrintern@gmail.com by the end of the day.
- Yunesky Maya was already unblocked, but he can sign with anyone now that he has been cleared by the FAC office, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNdeportes.com (link in Spanish).
- Chipper Jones could announce that he will retire after the season, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Scott Ostler of the San Francisco Chronicle says Nationals GM Mike Rizzo misread Stephen Strasburg and should have called him up early on in the season.
- From what Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog gathers, the Mets and Mariners have talked a lot about Cliff Lee.
- Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik declined to comment on whether the team would trade Lee now, according to Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com.
- Jay Greenberg of the New York Post says the Mets seem likely to keep relying on R.A. Dickey and Hisanori Takahashi, as tempting as Roy Oswalt may be.
- Buck Showalter and Phil Garner both told MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli that the O's have yet to contact them about managing the club.
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times suggests the Cubs could benefit from becoming sellers. – it just wouldn't be an easy sell to the fan base.
- David Ortiz tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he misses Manny Ramirez, though the two didn't socialize much beyond the ballpark.