Heyman’s Latest: Lackey, Tigers, Reds
Jon Heyman of SI.com's last few Twitter updates have provided a variety of intriguing information from around the league. Let's check them out….
- The Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners could pursue John Lackey, but won't offer a deal worth up to $100MM. FOX Sports suggested earlier in the week that the Brewers weren't likely to be major players for Lackey, but that wasn't necessarily because the team didn't have the money.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski insisted the team wasn't having a "fire sale," but Heyman suggests that the club might listen to offers for Brandon Inge, along with Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson.
- The Cincinnati Reds could put a few of their top players on the trading block, including Brandon Phillips, Francisco Cordero, and Bronson Arroyo.
- Heyman also cites sources that back up the report we heard earlier tonight: Jim Riggleman will manage the Washington Nationals in 2010.
Brewers Eyeing Starting Pitchers
Regarding the Brewers' search for starting pitching, we heard yesterday that John Lackey is unlikely while Jarrod Washburn and Doug Davis are possibilities. Today, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel has further details.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin didn't seem to rule out Lackey, saying:
"It depends what they’re asking for. I don’t know if it could fit or not. I might have to make some other moves to make it fit."
Haudricourt says Randy Wolf could be a more reasonable target; Melvin met with his agent Arn Tellem at the GM Meetings. Wolf is seeking a multiyear deal. Tellem's agency also represents Joel Pineiro, Rich Harden, and Vicente Padilla, by the way.
Haudricourt adds that Melvin spoke to Steve Canter, who represents Davis. Plus, Scott Boras confirmed the Brewers' interest in Washburn. And what about Braden Looper, who has a $6.5MM mutual option? MLB.com's Adam McCalvy says that's due Saturday.
Another Brewers note: Melvin reiterated that Prince Fielder is not available, and confirmed that he'd like to pursue a long-term extension with his first baseman before the season begins.
Sherman On Lackey, Phillies, Giants
The latest from Joel Sherman of the New York Post…
- The Angels' willingness to let John Lackey leave without a serious offer raises a red flag for at least a few execs with other clubs. With Lackey being the best available free agent starter, it's easy to forget that his 2009 season did not begin until May 16th due to an elbow strain. In 2008, he began on May 14th because of a triceps strain.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports also has a Lackey article, and it takes a different tone. Rosenthal says the Angels would still like to re-sign Lackey, adding that "Plan B could be a renewed effort to trade for Roy Halladay."
- Heyman assesses the Phillies and attempts to douse rumors about them eyeing Chone Figgins and Halladay. He does see the needs as third base, the rotation, and the back of the bullpen. Our own Mike Axisa wondered if my Jose Valverde prediction made sense, because Valverde might prefer to sign somewhere he'll surely close. Maybe a guy like Brandon Lyon fits better. David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News says GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has reached out to at least six free agents, and Murphy provides guesses. Two clubs made trade offers as well.
- A $90MM payroll might keep the Giants out of the Matt Holliday–Jason Bay bidding. Sherman suggests the Giants are not locked into a first base acquisition in the infield – Pablo Sandoval can play both corners, and Freddy Sanchez can even be considered at third base if the Giants pursue another second baseman. Sherman says the Giants are currently looking to re-sign Brad Penny and Bengie Molina. Since he made only six starts for the Giants, you have to look to 2007 as the last time Penny truly had success. Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News believes the Giants will at least offer arbitration to Molina, which I imagine will hurt his market.
Mets Meet With Boras
Mets GM Omar Minaya met with agent Scott Boras last night at the GM Meetings for 45 minutes, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman says Matt Holliday, Alex Cora, Jarrod Washburn, and Rick Ankiel were discussed.
Of course, the Mets' plans extend beyond Boras clients, and Sherman says Bengie Molina sits atop their list of catching targets. The Mets made a play for Molina four years ago. Another target might be Chone Figgins, as suggested by SI's Jon Heyman.
Sherman sums up the Mets' offseason situation:
The Mets' priority list in order is a slugging left fielder, a high-end starting pitcher and a regular catcher. But a Mets executive said that if the club cannot land a significant left fielder they could spend more on a starter such as free agent John Lackey. For now, the Mets more are contemplating a mid-rotation type starter such as Randy Wolf, Joel Pineiro, Jason Marquis and Washburn.
In our recent Top 50 Free Agents list, we predicted the Mets will sign Holliday, Wolf, and Brad Penny. All speculation at the time, and there hasn't been any actual connection to Penny so far.
Yankees Could Keep Pettitte, Damon, Matsui
2:15pm: Just because the Yankees would prefer to keep Damon on a one-year deal doesn't mean that's possible. Speaking to Jon Heyman, Scott Boras compared Damon to Jorge Posada, who got a four-year deal and Derek Jeter, who is expected to receive one, too.
11:49am: Lohud.com's Chad Jennings notes that the October and November performances by Pettitte, Damon, and Matsui won't affect the team's decisions on whether to bring the players back. The quote from Cashman: “What they were when they went into October, that’s what they still are regardless of how well or how poorly they played in October."
11:10am: Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News also reports that the Yankees have interest in retaining both Damon and Matsui on one-year deals. In another article, Feinsand writes that the Yankees are "intrigued" by John Lackey.
9:20am: After months of talk that the Yankees would only keep one of Johnny Damon and Hideki Matsui, Joel Sherman of the New York Post hears that the World Champions will try to re-sign both players, plus Andy Pettitte. The Yankees are more intent on retaining their own free agents than they are on acquiring Matt Holliday, Jason Bay or John Lackey.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman would prefer to bring all three back on one-year deals to minimize risk. Teams might be reluctant to sign Damon – a Type A free agent – if the Yanks offer arbitration, because they'd lose a draft pick. The Yankees would have to be prepared to pay Damon $15MM or so if they offer arbitration, so they may try to work out a deal in the $10MM range instead.
Heyman On Bradley, Gonzalez, Halladay
Jon Heyman has the latest on Milton Bradley, Roy Halladay, Adrian Gonzalez, and plenty of other big names in his new column. Let's check out some of the highlights….
- Although Texas and Tampa Bay seem like the most likely destinations for Bradley, one GM says the outfielder needs to play in a small market like Kansas City or San Diego.
- If the Rangers were to acquire Bradley, they would probably want the Cubs to pick up about $16MM of the remaining $21MM on his contract.
- People around baseball figure that Halladay is more likely than Gonzalez to be traded this winter. But a rival GM wouldn't be surprised to see both players get traded, since "sometimes new GMs like to put their stamp on a team."
- If the Boston Red Sox are in the Halladay hunt again, don't expect them to give up as much as they would have this summer. One executive believes they offered too much.
- Should the New York Yankees offer John Lackey a deal similar to the one they gave A.J. Burnett last winter, a competing GM thinks it would be enough to land Lackey, given teams' increasing reluctance to hand out long-term contracts.
- The New York Mets are a little wary of Lackey's "alleged arm issues" but could be interested in second-tier free agent starters like Joel Pineiro and Randy Wolf.
- Chone Figgins is a top priority for the Angels early in the offseason. They could attempt to re-sign Vladimir Guerrero later in the winter, but he's not a priority for now.
- The Philadelphia Phillies would like to lock up Cliff Lee to a long-term extension that costs them less than $100MM.
Brewers Unlikely To Be Major Players For Lackey
In their roundup of the talk at the GM meetings, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi at FOX Sports report that the Milwaukee Brewers aren't likely to land John Lackey.
While the report notes that the Brewers need starting pitching, it suggests they're much more likely to pursue lesser free agents such as Jarrod Washburn and Doug Davis.
Milwaukee was in the hunt for C.C. Sabathia last offseason, making him a $100MM offer, and could potentially have the money to go after Lackey. Brewers officials, however, think that the top starting pitching prize in this year's free agent class will want to play in a larger market.
New York Roundup: Mets Sour, Yankees Sweet On Lackey
It wouldn't be the hot stove season without the two New York teams:
- Jon Heyman of SI.com is reporting that the Mets are "concerned about" John Lackey's past injury problems to the point that they won't pursue him. The Yankees, however, are "definitely interested."
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff believes the Mets will "check in on Jason Bay, Matt Holliday, John Lackey; they have to engage, for public relations' sake."
- Barry Bloom of MLB.com reports that Yankees GM Brian Cashman doesn't plan to sign any of his own free agents during his period of exclusive bargaining rights.
Crasnick Polls Baseball Executives
Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com has a fascinating piece up discussing how various baseball executives view the emerging free agent and trade market. Among those polled:
- Of 20 executives, 11 would want Matt Holliday, nine Jason Bay if money or length of deal were not an issue. Despite Holliday being younger, better defensively and having a better career OPS, Bay's success in the pressure cooker of Boston swayed a large number of executives.
- For John Lackey's destination, eight believe it will be the Yankees, four the Mets, three the Angels, and the Dodgers, Astros, Orioles and Brewers getting one vote apiece. One executive abstained. Prices ranged from three years, $36MM to six years, $100MM.
- Andy Pettitte is the overwhelming choice of the Yankees' free agents to return, while one executive thinks it will be both Pettitte and Johnny Damon. Just two of twenty executives think World Series MVP Hideki Matsui will be back in The Bronx.
The entire piece is well worth your time.
Mariner Musings: Lackey, Washburn, Bedard, Branyan
Earlier today we learned that Mariners' GM Jack Zduriencik is looking forward to having Felix Hernandez around for the next two years, but the rumors don't stop there…
- ESPN's Buster Olney writes that the Mariners are a sleeper in the John Lackey sweepstakes.
- Larry LaRue of The News Tribune says the Mariners have interest in bringing Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard back, but they won't overpay.
- MLB.com's Jim Street reports that Russell Branyan's back is feeling good, and he hopes to return to the Emerald City
- Mark Feinsand of The NY Daily News basically got a "no comment" out of Zduriencik when he was asked if he'd have interest in bringing Hideki Matsui to Seattle.