Perrotto’s Latest: GMs, Angels, Offseason Moves
John Perrotto at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up, let’s take a look at what he has to say:
- Perrotto believes that there’s a good chance that the only GM change baseball will see this offseason may be the one we already know about, as Pat Gillick has already announced his retirement. Perrotto cites Assitant GM Ruben Amaro Jr. as a likely replacement. The most likely other change is in Seattle, and cites Dodgers’ Assistant GM Kim Ng as a possible replacement, which would make her the first female general manager in the game’s history. Perrotto believes Cashman and the Yankees will work something out, though notes that if Cashman leaves, he will ascend to the top of both the Mariners’ and Phillies’ lists.
- Angels’ owner Arte Moreno says that the 2009 club will not exceed the current $123MM payroll. This leaves the Angels with hard decisions on Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Garrett Anderson, Juan Rivera, and Jon Garland. Of all those options, I see Teixeira as the top priority, as well as the most likely to return. Garland and Rivera seem like certainties to be gone, with Garland being one of the more appealing starters on the free agent market.
- The Robinson Cano trade rumors continue, as Perrotto expects the Yankees to make a run at Orlando Hudson. Giving up on Cano seems like a mistake to me, but he certainly hasn’t lived up to the expectations he set when he nearly won a batting title in 2006. The Yankees are also not likely to re-sign Jason Giambi or Bobby Abreu.
- The Tigers feel they have a good chance at re-signing Freddy Garcia for 2009. Garcia could potentially be a nice rebound candidate in a rotation that desperately needs help. Perrotto mentions that Detroit has considered Derek Lowe as a possibility, but I don’t see how that could work with the Tigers trying to cut payroll at the same time. One thing seems certain: Kenny Rogers will not be pitching for Detroit in 2009.
- The White Sox have removed the nameplate from Joe Crede’s locker. Doesn’t seem like he’ll be back in 2009, not that that’s necessarily a new revelation.
- The Royals/Jeff Francouer rumors continue in Perrotto’s column. It’s been written all over the site, but doesn’t it seem like the Royals should actually be pursuing people who have a career OBP that isn’t lower than several good hitters’ career average?
- The Giants are willing to trade Matt Cain for a solid power hitter in return. Again, I think keeping a rotation headed by Cain and Tim Lincecum for the next few years is a far better option than trading Cain.
- The Pirates have said that the only guarantee for their rotation next season is Paul Maholm. It’s been a rough season for Ian Snell, but I don’t see why he wouldn’t be guaranteed a spot as well, unless they’re not positive he’ll still be with the club.
- The Mariners will likely non-tender Erik Bedard, completing the downward spiral on what has been one of the worst trades in recent history. Bedard will have shoulder surgery and likely miss a good portion of 2009.
- Speaking of disappointing moves: Both Greg Maddux and Kosuke Fukudome are in danger of being left off their respective teams’ postseason rosters.
Odds and Ends: Cashman, Roberts, Lowe
Rounding up links for Thursday…
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday notes which player moves were entirely Brian Cashman’s, and which came from above.
- Buster Olney wonders if Doug Melvin could replace Cashman as the Yankees’ GM. Olney stresses that it’s pure speculation on his part.
- Viva El Birdos asks what it would take for the Cardinals to acquire Brian Roberts.
- John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press says the Tigers should sign Derek Lowe this winter. Will Lowe get a four year deal?
- Bud Selig tells Ken Rosenthal the Manny Ramirez trade was completed before the deadline. Jerry Crasnick says the Dodgers have not talked to Ramirez about an extension.
- Rays Index explains why the team should not trade Scott Kazmir.
Heyman’s Latest: Hawpe, Pavano, Fuentes, Lowe
Let’s dig into the latest columns from SI.com’s Jon Heyman, found here and here.
- Brad Hawpe had choice words in response to team criticism from Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd.
- Heyman says Carl Pavano tried to "weasel out of" paying his former agent $2MM in commission from his current contract, signed in December of ’04. You get the impression Pavano is not well-liked among members of the media.
- Heyman wonders if Rickie Weeks could be the odd man out in the Milwaukee infield next year.
- The Mets are more likely to pursue Brian Fuentes than Francisco Rodriguez this winter. K-Rod’s agent hinted that his client would be a good fit in L.A. or New York, but the Mets will have to make the rotation their priority.
- Heyman says Derek Lowe prefers the East Coast.
- Heyman figures A.J. Burnett will consider the $24MM remaining on his contract "pocket change," and will surely opt out.
Odds And Ends: Millar, Lowe, Jays, Ibanez, Garciaparra, Posey
A few notes from the MLBiverse…
- Kevin Millar wants to return to the Orioles in ’09. Of course, many feel the O’s will make a run at Mark Teixeira this off-season which would decrease Millar’s chances of re-signing, unless both sides feel he can be a full-time DH. Millar made $2.75MM this season.
- Detroit Tiger Thoughts has made an adjustment to the projected Elias ranking for Derek Lowe. He will indeed be a Type A free agent this off-season.
- The original article is missing from the Toronto Sun, but Sportsnet has the piece in which Paul Godfrey says the Jays are unlikely to include opt-out clauses in any future contracts based on the current situation with AJ Burnett. Some believe Burnett will exercise his opt-out clause and declare himself a free agent this winter.
- Jim Street says the value of Raul Ibanez goes beyond stats…However, it remains to be seen if his value to Seattle will go beyond the two draft picks they would receive for letting him walk this off-season.
- Michael Schwartz says another free agent-to-be, Nomar Garciaparra, has proven his worth to the Dodgers in his new role coming off the bench.
- Even though Brian Sabean went to see Buster Posey play in person, he ruled out any chance of Posey making his major league debut this season.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Heyman’s Latest: Padres, Lowe, Manny, Minaya
Let’s take a look at what SI.com’s Jon Heyman has for us today.
- The Padres might be looking to slash their already-low payroll. With Kevin Towers, Paul DePodesta, and Sandy Alderson on staff, they might be able to do it. The question is of how competitive they’ll be in ’09. For more on the topic, check out our Padres Offseason Outlook.
- Towers thinks that when it comes to free agents, no one does it better than Pat Gillick.
- Will the Dodgers retain Manny Ramirez? Tough to say. Owner Frank McCourt might not want to spend the dough. Then again, with Manny’s jersey going for over $300 at Dodger Stadium — no, that’s not a typo — he might keep him on as an attraction. If only they weren’t so committed to Juan Pierre.
- It doesn’t appear likely Derek Lowe will don Dodger blue next season. He’s had a few rough starts this season, but is still pitching to a 3.69 ERA, and his walks are low. He’ll get a nice contract somewhere, and won’t cost a draft pick.
- The Mets want to extend Omar Minaya’s contract, which expires after the 2009 season.
Perrotto’s Latest: Waivers, Extensions, Garcia, Braves
John Perrotto over at Baseball Prospectus has his Every Given Sunday column up:
- Perrotto lists off several people which he believes are the most likely to be made available if and when they clear waivers. While the list is comprised of a lot of the usual suspects this August (Greg Maddux, Jarrod Washburn, Paul Byrd, Randy Winn), Perrotto lists some other names that we haven’t seen as much: Francisco Cordero, Tyler Walker, Todd Jones, Jose Bautista, and Doug Mientkiewicz. Perrotto also says that he feels Aubrey Huff has the best chance to be traded of any impact bat available.
- Perrotto states that the Rockies would like to sign both Garrett Atkins and Matt Holliday long-term. If unsuccessful, they will both be on the trading block this offseason.
- The Pirates would like to sign Nate McLouth and Ryan Doumit long-term as well, buying out their arbitration years.
- Perrotto lists the Yankees as the front-runners to sign Freddy Garcia. The Mets and Rays are also suitors for Garcia, though I personally don’t think Garcia makes sense for the Rays.
- The Yankees have "little interest" in pursuing Manny Ramirez this offseason, despite possible reports that Manny would like to play for them.
- The Twins would still like to add a late-inning reliever this season to boost their bullpen as the AL Central race winds down.
- The Braves’ top priority this offseason is pursuing a front-line starter, Perrotto says. He lists possible candidates as: C.C. Sabathia, Ben Sheets, Ryan Dempster, Derek Lowe, and Jon Garland. Seems a bit odd to consider the last three "front-line," though Dempster has certainly been impressive this season.
Odds and Ends: Happ, Igawa, Hawkins, Lowe
Rounding up rumors and links from the weekend…
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Mariners are asking the Mets for Jon Niese for Raul Ibanez. Not likely.
- ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Braves would require Conor Jackson from the D’Backs in a Mark Teixeira deal, but Arizona is not biting.
- Another quick hit from Olney: the White Sox are surveying the relief market in the wake of Scott Linebrink‘s shoulder injury.
- Several readers have written in about Phillies’ lefty J.A. Happ being pulled early from a Triple A start (2.2 scoreless innings) with no sign of injury. Something to keep an eye on, as the Phillies hunt for a lefty reliever on the trade market. UPDATE: Happ may be getting the call to replace Adam Eaton.
- Even on the DL, Phil Hughes has been in high demand.
- The White Sox let Esteban Loaiza go.
- No team claimed Kei Igawa off waivers. Also, the Yankees designated LaTroy Hawkins for assignment.
- Ned Colletti on the possibility of trading Derek Lowe: "No."
- Jim Bowden and Chad Cordero patched things up, making a re-signing possible this winter.
- The emergence of Jeff Samardzija this weekend may make Scott Eyre or Jon Lieber expendable.
- At least 20 teams have called about one of the Rangers’ catchers.
- Jamey Newberg wrote a few days ago that most likely the only way Kevin Millwood can lock in his $12MM for 2010 will be to pitch 180 innings next year.
Dodgers Interested In Cano?
FRIDAY: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says this rumor was "shot down by those in the know."
THURSDAY: George King of the New York Post has a zinger of a rumor this morning:
Dodgers have an interest in Robinson Cano and might be willing to deal Derek Lowe and outfielder Matt Kemp, but the Yankees aren’t inclined to part with the red-hot second baseman unless there is a front-of-the-rotation-type starter coming to The Bronx. Lowe, who has the stomach for big games and has AL East experience with the Red Sox, doesn’t fit that bill.
If Lowe isn’t a frontline starter, he has to be considered a strong #2. Anyway, I’m not sure exactly what to make of this rumor. The idea of the Dodgers trading Lowe and Kemp for Cano – is that speculation or inside information?
Yankees execs meet today to discuss their deadline plan. Brian Cashman is sticking to his guns about holding on to his best young players.
Uribe-Cora Trade Not Happening
8:48pm: Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Red Sox backed away from a potential Uribe deal, opting to stick with Cora as Jed Lowrie‘s backup.
4:31pm: Ken Rosenthal has further details on Danny Knobler’s report of Boston’s trade talks for Juan Uribe.
Rosenthal says a Juan Uribe–Alex Cora swap between the Red and White Sox could happen, with the teams splitting the salary difference. Then he lays this idea on us:
One scenario would be for the White Sox to use Cora at least part-time at second, move rookie Alexei Ramirez to short and trade shortstop Orlando Cabrera, possibly to the Dodgers for right-hander Derek Lowe.
Hard to say if this scenario has actually been discussed between Kenny Williams and Ned Colletti. But Rosenthal says the Dodgers are aggressively shopping Lowe, which I didn’t see coming.
Yankees Scouting Dodgers
Here’s one I missed from this morning. According to George King of the New York Post:
Yankee scout Rick Williams is following the Dodgers, who will entertain offers for right-hander Derek Lowe if he will bring L.A. a much-needed bat.
Hard to think of a good match there. Plus, why would the Dodgers trade Lowe when they’re a half-game out? Even if Lowe walks after the season he’s good for two draft picks.