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Kevin Gregg

Gregg Next Marlin To Go?

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According to MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro, the next likely trade candidate for the Marlins is reliever Kevin Gregg.  Frisaro’s sources say Gregg "will almost certainly be dealt."

Gregg, 30, posted a 3.41 ERA in 68.2 innings this year.  His strikeout rate declined and his walk rate increased to a dangerous 4.85 per nine innings.  Gregg only really struggled in August, however, as he was bothered by a knee injury.  He’ll earn more than $2.5MM in his last year before free agency.

Teams known to be looking for bullpen help include the Indians, Tigers, Twins, Rangers, Mets, Brewers, and Giants.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Johnson, Peavy, Dempster

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Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • It doesn’t seem likely that Randy Johnson re-signs with the Diamondbacks, though Johnson is holding out filing for free agency until the possibility is exhausted.  The D’Backs hope he will take a significant hometown discount; they have roughly $10MM to spend for Johnson and a second baseman.  If a Mark Loretta type takes $2MM, will Johnson take $8MM after earning $15.1MM for a fine ’08 season?
  • The Braves are frustrated with the progress on the Jake Peavy talks, and will explore other options (especially once the free agent market opens Friday).  Rosenthal says the Padres sent revised proposals to the Cubs and Braves yesterday, but those teams intend to stick with their offers.  Will the Padres crack and make a deal before Friday?
  • Rosenthal criticizes the Padres for the classless farewell to Trevor Hoffman.  They pulled their reduced offer, and didn’t agree to the meeting with ownership he requested.
  • Suddenly there may be more solid free agent closers than teams seeking one.  The Mets have their pick.  To me this is a sign that K-Rod will fall short of five years, $75MM.
  • Rosenthal believes Kevin Gregg is next up on the trading block for the Marlins, with Jeremy Hermida another possibility.
  • Casey Blake doesn’t have any geographic leanings regarding his next destination.  His agent feels a three-year deal is reasonable.  The Twins and Indians are among seven teams eyeing Blake.
  • The Cubs offered Ryan Dempster something in the range of Kyle Lohse’s four years, $41MM.  Teams don’t like to use the Carlos Silva deal as a benchmark, because it was such a clear mistake.

Mets Revamping The Bullpen

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The Mets’ primary focus this winter is to completely revamp their bullpen.  Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman outline Plan A: free agents.  Names in the mix: Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, Kerry Wood, Joe Beimel, Juan Cruz, and Chad Cordero.  Sherman figures the Mets are in a good position because most of the other big-market teams aren’t looking for a closer.

Plan B: trades.  The Mets have already discussed Bobby Jenks with the White Sox.  J.J. Putz, Huston Street, and Kevin Gregg are the other names.  It all depends on how much young talent Omar Minaya wants to sacrifice.

As a corollary to Plan B, the Mets want to ship out Pedro Feliciano, Aaron Heilman, and Scott Schoeneweis.  They hope to clear payroll and/or bring in other relievers in these trades.  Davidoff says Heilman has plenty of admirers.

Another note from Sherman – the Mets "could be interested" in Jason Varitek if the price comes down but Varitek doesn’t re-sign with Boston.  In another article, Davidoff lays out Plans A, B, and C for both the Mets and Yankees.

Tigers Rumors: Gregg, Putz, Ordonez

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Tigers beat writer Jon Paul Morosi has been doing a fine job, with new articles here, here, and here.  Let’s discuss.

  • Morosi reasons that the Tigers’ 2009 closer will come from outside of the organization, probably via trade.  His top three candidates: Kevin Gregg, Huston Street, and J.J. Putz.  As a free agent after ’09, Gregg would fit nicely with the Tigers’ long-term plans.  The Tigers and Marlins have matched up often on trades.  However, Morosi notes that Gregg had critical words for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, who would become his teammates again. 
  • Putz would make for a great story, as he grew up in Michigan.
  • As you know, Scott Boras doesn’t see a Magglio Ordonez trade as likely.  Still, Morosi notes that the Angels would be a fine fit if Mark Teixeira leaves – they could fill all of the Tigers’ needs.  Surely Boras would ask for concessions to waive Ordonez’s no-trade clause.

Indians Open To All Options At Closer

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According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Indians GM Mark Shapiro is considering all options for the team’s closer job.

No free agents have been ruled out, even expensive closers like Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes.  The Indians’ #15 pick is protected, if they go that route.  Shapiro admitted to interest in Trevor Hoffman and Kerry Wood, if they are not retained by their old teams.  If the Indians can’t find a closer, they may add a late inning reliever to put in front of Jensen Lewis and Rafael Perez anyway.

On the trade front, the Indians have Huston Street on the radar.  Kevin Gregg could be another consideration.

Marlins Raise Payroll Limit To $40 Million

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked an industry source who says Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has authorized a payroll of up to $40MM for 2009.  This means they won’t be forced to trade any of their 16 arbitration-eligible players.  Greg Cote first suggested this on September 30th, and Buster Olney reiterated it on October 15th.

However, Berardino confirms Olney’s note from Friday: Kevin Gregg, Mike Jacobs, and Scott Olsen are available.  The Marlins discussed sending Jacobs to the Royals for righty Carlos Rosa, but the Fish are worried about Rosa’s August forearm soreness.  A thought: why would the Royals consider trading pitching for Jacobs?  Berardino names the Mariners and Blue Jays as other interested parties, and considers the Indians a fit.  The Giants have also been named as a suitor.

Berardino wonders if the Rangers will pursue Olsen, perhaps offering a catcher.  I don’t believe Olsen would succeed in Texas.

Expected to remain in Florida: Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Alfredo Amezaga.  Berardino says the front office is divided on Jeremy Hermida’s potential.  Four teams have asked about Hermida.  Josh Willingham may be available, but his back is worrisome.

Mets To Explore Trade For Closer

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Ken Davidoff of Newsday has a new article up discussing possibilities for the Mets’ closer vacancy.  He says the Mets will check in on free agents Francisco Rodriguez and Brian Fuentes, but remain wary of the price.  I’m wondering if K-Rod will have to back off the five year demand if he wants to get multiple serious bidders.  Davidoff says the Mets feel that they have the minor league depth to swing a trade for a closer rather than buy one.

Davidoff goes on to speculate that the Mets could look at J.J. Putz, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Joakim Soria, and Kevin Gregg.  Gregg would be the easiest to acquire.  Not sure why Soria is mentioned here.  The Mets had several young players emerge this year who weren’t necessarily highly touted (Dan Murphy, for example).  Davidoff says the Mets feel they have more such hidden gems to use as trade chips.

Davidoff also tosses out two more free agent possibilities: Jeremy Affeldt and Chad Cordero.  Affeldt is starting to generate buzz as a more affordable closing candidate, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Indians get involved.

Jacobs To Royals Fell Through

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Change is brewing in the Marlins front office this offseason. Not only have they decided to increase payroll to $30-35MM but also they are actively shopping Mike Jacobs, Scott Olsen, and Kevin Gregg this offseason; so actively, that a deal with Kansas City fell apart last week according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. The deal collapsed, according to Jackson, due to "a medical issue involving a minor-league pitcher" from Kansas City.

If, or when, Jacobs is dealt, the Marlins feel Gaby Sanchez can take over at first, and Olsen’s spot in the rotation is expected to be occupied by Andrew Miller.

According to Jackson, a number of clubs have inquired about Dan Uggla but Florida seems to be looking for a far greater return for their All Star second baseman. Other names that could wind up on the block are Jeremy Hermida and Josh Willingham who are both arbitration eligible; however, it doesn’t seem likely that the Marlins will move either guy.

Should be a fun ballclub to watch this offseason.

Marlins Will Discuss Jacobs, Olsen, Gregg

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From ESPN’s Buster Olney this morning:

Wrote here recently that the Marlins intend to keep the vast majority of their arbitration-eligible players, including Dan Uggla, unless they are completely overwhelmed by trade offers. Three of the Marlins’ arbitration-eligible players who they are more willing to discuss: first baseman Mike Jacobs, left-hander Scott Olsen and reliever Kevin Gregg.

Olsen looks like a sell-high candidate.  The 24 year-old posted a 4.20 ERA in 201.2 innings this year.  His strikeout rate has declined every year he’s been in the bigs, falling to 5.04 per nine innings this season.  He also benefitted from an abnormally low batting average on balls in play.  Lastly, his average fastball velocity dropped two miles per hour (now a touch below 88). 

Scout’s View Of Marlins Trade Targets

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Mike Berardino of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel talked to a veteran scout this week about the Marlins’ possible trade chips.

The reviews were on the positive side for Scott Olsen, Mike Jacobs, Dan Uggla, and Alfredo Amezaga.  The scout apparently recommended against Jeremy Hermida, Kevin Gregg, and Josh Willingham.  Hermida’s report was particularly damning, with the scout claiming the right fielder has "no passion for the game."

For more on the Fish, check out our Offseason Outlook.

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