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Cubs Rumors: Hendry, Payroll, Ibanez, Roberts

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Let’s talk Cubs.

  • First things first – the Cubs need to lock in their GM.  ESPN’s Buster Olney says the Cubs are currently trying to convince Jim Hendry not to opt out of his contract in December.  Olney expects a new long-term agreement.
  • Gordon Wittenmeyer of the Chicago-Sun Times talked to Cubs CEO Crane Kenney, who anticipates another payroll bump despite ownership uncertainty.  Maybe the $140MM range?
  • Lot of talk about the Cubs adding a left-handed hitter for balance, with Kosuke Fukudome looking like a failure.  Names suggested by Olney, Wittenmeyer, and Andy Dolan of Desipio.com: Raul Ibanez, Bobby Abreu, David DeJesus, Milton Bradley, and Brian Roberts.  Regardless of the path the Cubs take, they seem likely to accept shaky right-field defense in exchange for a middle-of-the-order bat.  The Cubs could also consider Aubrey Huff or Adam Dunn, but they’d be even more of a stretch in right. 
  • Dolan would like to add a more complete shortstop.  If the Cubs feel the same, they could again pursue switch-hitter Rafael Furcal and finally move Alfonso Soriano out of the leadoff spot.
  • Everyone expects Rich Harden’s $7MM option to be exercised, setting the ’09 rotation.  The Cubs will look at Harden’s shoulder first though.  Wittenmeyer recommends an aggressive run at C.C. Sabathia, which seems unlikely.

Rangers Rumors: Blalock, Bradley

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Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News discusses the Rangers’ offseason in a new article, focusing on areas other than pitching (which is top priority).  We tackled the Rangers here.

  • Grant says the Rangers will "almost certainly" exercise Hank Blalock’s $6.2MM option for ’09.  However, the Rangers prefer Chris Davis at first base.  That means Blalock will either DH or be traded.
  • Milton Bradley could be re-signed as DH, but the Rangers still don’t want to give him a multiyear deal given his health history.  Bradley is dead set on multiple years.  When Eddie Bajek last checked, Bradley was right on the border between Type A and B status.
  • The Rangers have a well-known catching surplus.  They’ll explore possible deals for pitching, but this is not top priority.
  • Over at MLB.com, owner Tom Hicks admits trading John Danks was a mistake.  Hicks also mentioned an aversion to high-priced free agent pitching.

Rangers Looking Into Free Agent Market

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Jeff Wilson of the Star Telegram reports the Rangers will be having the first of a series of meetings on October 6th to assess the free agent market. They need starting pitching, a right handed bat, a lefty reliever, and improved defense, leading the majors in errors and unearned runs allowed. 

Nolan Ryan plans to overhaul the attitude of the pitching staff, and the general consensus is that the young pitching staff will be improved next year. Nelson Cruz will be counted on as a right handed power bat, and the Rangers will have an opportunity to re-sign Milton Bradley. C.J. Wilson could become that left handed reliever if Frank Francisco remains the closer.

Wilson’s article provides quotes from Jon Daniels, all of which express confidence in his current team. Still, the Rangers shouldn’t count on simply improving internally if they want to be competitive in 2009, and these meetings will sort out where they feel their priorities are. It’s good to hear they’ll have a plan going into the GM Meetings in November 3rd-6th.

Odds and Ends : Snyder, Ludwick, Bradley

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Reading material for Tuesday…

  • Chris Carpenter is reportedly dealing with a unique and career-threatening nerve injury, which could increase the Cardinals’ need for starting pitching this winter.
  • Viva El Birdos says the Cardinals should offer Ryan Ludwick and others for Matt Cain.  Can’t hurt to ask.
  • The Cubs claimed outfielder Brad Snyder off waivers from the Indians.  He was the 18th overall pick in 2003, but hasn’t produced enough in the minors.
  • Milton Bradley stands to earn another half-million bucks if he can snag seven more plate appearances.  Bradley met with the Rangers a few months ago to discuss a long-term deal, but nothing is close.  Bradley feels the Rangers are dragging their feet, and gives 50-50 odds on a return.  He said he’d quit baseball if he couldn’t find a multiyear deal somewhere.
  • Sam Mellinger reminds Royals fans that their long-term success hinges on the development of in-house youngsters rather than free agent signings.
  • Steven Goldman notes that the Red Sox are far better prepared for the future than the Yankees.

Week in Review: 9/14 – 9/20

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Another week down here at MLBTR, here’s your review!

  • The Brewers fired manager Ned Yost on Monday. Yost has taken a lot of criticism, and while I personally don’t feel like it’s a bad move, it seems like an odd time to disrupt the clubhouse, given that the Brewers are right in the wild card race. Perhaps this was intended to spark the Brewers and act as a wakeup call, but they have just two wins since the move.
  • In an attempt to cut payroll, the Tigers may have to move Magglio Ordonez this offseason. Ordonez will make $18MM next year and has options for 2010 and 2011. Anyone else think the Reds should make a serious run at Maggs? A lineup filled with Jay Bruce, Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Edwin Encarnacion, and Ordonez could be extremely potent, to go along with a rotation anchored by Edinson Volquez, Aaron Harang, and Johnny Cueto.
  • Despite their bullpen woes, the Mets are not likely to make a run at either Francisco Rodriguez, or Brian Fuentes either. The Mets’ internal options have been bad, but K-Rod is in for a record-setting deal, and aside from the sheer number of saves, I don’t feel that his numbers stand out to the point where the team that lands him is going to get the full value of that contract. Personally, I think passing is a good decision.
  • Are the Royals currently interested in making a move for Braves’ right fielder Jeff Francoeur? The Royals have very few guys with solid OBPs, and adding Francoeur to the everyday lineup doesn’t seem like the route to go. Still, he has a long-standing relationship with Royals GM Dayton Moore, so it could be a valid possibility. The Royals have said they are willing to part with anyone aside from Zack Greinke, Gil Meche, and Joakim Soria.
  • The Red Sox and Theo Epstein have agreed to a contract extension.
  • Things to think about for in the offseason: Kevin Gregg expects to be traded, Matt Cain wants to stay in San Francisco, Milton Bradley wants a long-term deal and feels he has a 50-50 chance at returning to the Rangers. In the meantime, likely non-tender candidates include both Josh Bard and Erik Bedard.
  • Tim updated the Offseason Outlook series with entries for the Athletics, Braves, and Tigers. He also took a look at the Third Base Market, led by Casey Blake.
  • And for anyone curious about Manny Ramirez’s end in Boston, here’s Curt Schilling’s take on the situation.

Bradley Wants Long Term Contract

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The often, uhm, misunderstood Milton Bradley rarely speaks to the press, but in a recent exchange with Drew Davison of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, the Rangers outfielder outlined how he expects his contract situation to work out this offseason.

Bradley feels his offsensive production this year warrants a long-term deal, something the Rangers haven’t offered him (yet), and as such, he sees the possibility of returning to the team at 50-50.

"I just know I deserve to quit getting [stuck] with these one-year deals. I need to have a long-term contract. I’m not just a rent-a-player for one year. I’m looking for fair value. I’m one of the better hitters in the game, and .320 hitters with .440 on-base percentages don’t grow on trees, so you need to take advantage of it when you got it."

For the record, Rangers assitant general manager Thad Levine told Davison the team will negotiate with Bradley’s agent, but they’ll keep all negotiation discussions internal.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached here: alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com.

Odds and Ends: LaRoche, Bradley, Burnett

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Digging into today’s random links…

Odds and Ends: Alvarez, Orioles, K-Rod, Bradley

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A few more notes from the MLBiverse…

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.

Odds And Ends: Bradley, Rodriguez

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Some links this Saturday morning; I’ll add more to the list as the day’s news progresses.

Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com. Comments? Rumors? alexo05 (at) umpbump (dot) com

Millwood, Padilla, Catalanotto Clear Waivers

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MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan has three more names for the cleared waivers list from the Rangers: Kevin Millwood, Vicente Padilla, and Frank Catalanotto.  These players can now be traded to any team.  Sullivan says the Rangers aren’t looking to sell but are willing to listen.

Millwood, 33, has a 5.24 ERA in 122 innings this year.  He’s been better than that; Millwood has been a victim of an abnormal amount of hits dropping in.  He’s dealt with a groin injury for much of the season, as well as a hamstring issue in spring.  Millwood will earn another $1.6MM this year and $11MM in ’09.  His 2010 salary of $12MM becomes a club option unless he pitches 180 innings in ’09.

Padilla, 31 in September, has a 4.98 ERA in 148.1 innings.  Home runs have been his main problem.  He spent time on the DL with a strained neck.  He’ll earn another $2.1MM this year and $12MM in ’09.  He has a $12MM club option for ’10 with a $1.75MM buyout.

Catalanotto, 34, is hitting .272/.337/.389 in 267 plate appearances.  He’s played first base and left field this year.  He’s not helpful against lefthanded pitching.  His contract is a problem – $765K this year, $4MM in ’09, and a $2MM buyout in ’10.

Sullivan’s article also says the Yankees inquired on Milton Bradley at some point but weren’t offering much.

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