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LaTroy Hawkins

Odds & Ends: Pirates, Cubs, Red Sox, Hawkins

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Some more links to read through as we count down the hours until teams can start serious negotiations with all free agents…

  • GM Neal Huntington tells MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch that the Pirates won't be spending big on relievers this year: "Our focus is going to be more on the borderline-type guys that may not get $3-4 million or may not even get a Major League contract," Huntington said.
  • The Cubs probably can't afford Rich Harden or Reed Johnson, according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.
  • Harden and Erik Bedard appear on Jeff Zrebiec's list of ten free agents the O's might target.
  • Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says the O's need at least one middle-of-the-order bat.
  • The Cubs don't intend to pursue Pedro Martinez this offseason, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
  • David Ortiz tells WEEI.com that the Red Sox can always use more power.
  • The Astros have already offered LaTroy Hawkins a contract, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
  • Peter Gammons of ESPN.com shows that the low-budget Marlins have had a lot of recent success because they're well-run.
  • Giants GM Brian Sabean hinted that he could approach ownership with creative offers for big-name free agents, according to MLB.com's Chris Haft.

Odds & Ends: Gordon, Uribe, D’backs, Igawa

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Links for a busy Wednesday, as writers, agents, and GMs catch their flights out of O'Hare…

Olney On Wagner, DeRosa, Betancourt, Wolf

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The free agent rankings are out, so ESPN.com's Buster Olney breaks down the winners and losers. Here are the details from his latest blog post:

  • Billy Wagner is a Type A free agent, so teams will have to surrender a draft pick to sign him if the Red Sox offer arbitration, as expected. This hurts Wagner's value, since he's coming back from Tommy John surgery and teams will hesitate to give up a top pick for an injury risk.
  • Olney wouldn't be surprised to see Mark DeRosa field two and three year offers. The versatile 34-year-old is a Type B free agent, so teams won't have to give up a top pick to sign him.
  • Rafael Betancourt, a Type A free agent, has less leverage with the Rockies than he would have had as a Type B free agent, because few teams would be willing to surrender a top pick to sign the reliever. 
  • Randy Wolf's status as a Type A free agent could chase away some suitors.
  • Other GMs believe the Astros should offer Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins arbitration.
  • If the Giants offer Bengie Molina arbitration, the market for him would diminish.

Odds & Ends: Hawkins, Uribe, Hill, Hazen

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Here's a few links to end the night…

  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Astros GM Ed Wade said the team "is talking with LaTroy Hawkins, who wanted to see who the manager was going to be first." Hawkins will be a free agent this offseason for the fourth time in as many years.
  • Juan Uribe has informed the Giants that he plans to test the market, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News.
  • MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko reports that the Orioles outrighted three players off their 40-man roster, including southpaw Rich Hill. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the Indians outrighted three players as well.
  • Tom Krasovic reports that Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen interviewed for a front office position with the Padres. Hazen has held the position with Boston since 2006, and used to play in San Diego's minor league system.
  • Here's this week's edition of Baseball America's minor league transactions. Lots of new names hitting the free agent pool, including Jack Taschner and Edgar Gonzalez.

Astros Rumors: Valverde, Hawkins, Manager

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The Houston Chronicle's Richard Justice has a five-point plan to solve the Houston Astros' problems — or at least to point the team in the right direction. Here are some of his ideas:

  • Bring Jose Valverde and LaTroy Hawkins back to the bullpen.
  • Focus on pitching and defense, which would mean installing players like shortstop Tommy Manzella, second baseman Edwin Maysonet, and catcher Jason Castro (a 2008 first-round pick) into the 2010 starting lineup.
  • Sign a "reliable" free-agent starting pitcher to add to a rotation led by Roy Oswalt and Wandy Rodriguez. Justice's wishlist includes most of the market's biggest names, such as John Lackey, Ben Sheets, and Rich Harden.
  • Hire Jim Fregosi as the new manager. Justice adds that Manny Acta, Bob Melvin, Don Baylor, and Ned Yost would also be good fits for the opening.

Ed Wade On Biggio, Bagwell, Matsui, ‘Pen

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Astros GM Ed Wade told Houston Chronicle readers that he doesn't expect Craig Biggio or Jeff Bagwell to become the team's next manager. Here are the details from Wade's online chat with fans:

  • The Astros are looking for an experienced manager who relates well with players.
  • Wade expects Kaz Matsui to be the team's everyday second baseman next year. 
  • Expect the Astros to be younger next year.
  • Wade says he'd "love" to have LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde back next year, but doesn't say whether he thinks the club has a realistic shot at re-signing either free agent-to-be.
  • The Astros will probably be working with less than the $107MM they spent this year.

Hawkins Willing To Return To Astros

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Ever since being acquired just before the 2008 trade deadline, LaTroy Hawkins hasn't just been one of the most effective relievers in the Astros' bullpen, he's been one of the most effective relievers in baseball period. His 1.77 ERA in 81.1 IP since the trade is second only to Jeremy Affeldt's 1.74 mark among pitchers with at least as many innings pitched.

According to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart, Hawkins would like to return to Houston next year, but doesn't seem to be in a rush to get anything done.

"I'll just sit and wait," he said. "I'm not in a hurry, and they're probably not in a hurry, either. I'm not going anywhere. I'll be four hours away from here in Prosper, Texas. Chilling."

Hawkins re-signed with Houston last offseason for $3.5MM with another $600K in performance bonuses. Any chance he gets a multi-year deal this offseason, maybe something similar to Affeldt's two year, $8MM contract?

Astros Unlikely To Be Significant Players in Free Agency

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Richard Justice of The Houston Chronicle writes that the Astros are "unlikely to be significant players in free agency this winter." The team is trying to lower payroll and get younger, something signing free agents generally won't accomplish. Justice does say that the club would like to retain relievers LaTroy Hawkins and Jose Valverde, both of whom will be free agents after this year.

Houston started the season with close to a $103MM payroll according to Cot's, but they could shed $17.75MM by letting Miguel Tejada, Mike Hampton, and Darin Erstad walk as free agents. However, a significant chunk of those savings will probably end up being redistributed to Wandy Rodriguez and Hunter Pence, both of whom should receive big raises in arbitration (Pence will likely qualify as a Super Two).

In their effort to incorporate more youth into their lineup, Justice says we could see third baseman Chris Johnson, shortstop Tommy Manzella, second baseman Edwin Maysonet, and catcher Jason Castro in the Opening Day lineup next year. The team will also probably ask reliever Wesley Wright to come to camp next year prepared to compete for a rotation spot.

Hawkins Claimed, Pulled Back

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According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, reliever LaTroy Hawkins was claimed off waivers by a team Wednesday but has been pulled back by the Astros.  It's not clear which club made the attempted claim. 

Rosenthal correctly predicted this outcome Wednesday morning and now notes that Hawkins is no longer eligible to be traded this season.  The 36-year-old right-hander has a 1.99 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 49 2/3 innings for the 61-64 Astros.  He's owed about $1MM for the rest of '09 and is eligible for free agency this winter.

Rosenthal On Wagner, Rays, Hawkins

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears from one GM who believes Billy Wagner's best financial move may be to accept arbitration after the season. The Red Sox have the right to offer Wagner arbitration, but they'd have to offer over $8MM, so they could choose not to. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:

  • Jeff Niemann and Jason Hammel have performed well for their respective clubs, so the Rays' decision to trade Hammel worked out for everyone.
  • A number of teams are sure to claim LaTroy Hawkins by noon CST today, when his waivers expire, but it's likely the Astros will pull him back. Rosenthal hears that Hawkins is open to returning to the Astros after the season.
  • Rangers GM Jon Daniels estimates that three quarters of MLB players hit waivers in August, so don't fret about this news if you're a Brewers fan, but Trevor Hoffman, Mike Cameron, Craig Counsell, Jason Kendall, Braden Looper and Felipe Lopez have all been placed on waivers, according to Rosenthal's source. The Brewers say they don't intend on becoming sellers.
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