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Odds and Ends: Hudson, Cano, Mariners GM

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Links for Wednesday…

  • ESPN’s Jayson Stark reminds us that Manny Ramirez could’ve been traded to the Phillies in July.  But the Phils wouldn’t offer Lou Marson, didn’t like the idea of Manny in right field, and were concerned about Ramirez’s hustle.
  • Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog gives his early sense of the team’s offseason approach.  He doesn’t seem them splurging on one of the big free agent names.
  • MLB.com’s Marty Noble heard Orlando Hudson "yearns to play for the Mets" (hat tip to MetsBlog).
  • Jamey Newberg believes in the Rangers’ plan.
  • Joel Sherman of the New York Post doesn’t believe Robinson Cano will be traded, because the Yankees are valuing him as if 2008 did not occur.  He names Fausto Carmona as an example of a pitcher the Yanks would not accept for Cano.
  • Sherman also notes that Bobby Abreu and the ivy-covered brick wall at Wrigley might not be the best match.
  • The Mariners will interview five people for their GM vacancy this week: Peter Woodfork (D’Backs), Jerry DiPoto (D’Backs), Tony Bernazard (Mets), Kim Ng (Dodgers), and Tony LaCava (Blue Jays).
  • The Angels signed Korean pitcher Jang Pil-Joong, who just finished serving in the army.
  • I did a couple of interviews recently: over the phone with MLB Interviews and over email with Pinstripes Published.

Yankees Rumors: Jeter, Sabathia, Hudson

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Let’s talk Yankees.

  • Ken Davidoff makes recommendations for the ’09 Yankees.  He would sign Derek Lowe and Andy Pettitte, and offer arbitration to Damaso Marte and Bobby Abreu.
  • Jim Baumbach explains a tricky situation coming up: re-signing Derek Jeter.
  • Peter Abraham takes a look at various free agents on the minds’ of Yankees fans.
  • Tyler Kepner of the New York Times says first priority for the Yankees is to re-sign Brian Cashman.  I imagine they already have a Plan B in place, but recent reports lean toward Cashman returning.
  • Kepner says the Indians were aggressive in pursuing a deadline deal involving Phil Hughes and C.C. Sabathia.  Now, Kepner says the Yankees are skeptical they’ll be able to sign Sabathia.  For Plan B, the Yanks seem to prefer pitchers with American League experience.  They’ll probably stand pat on the bullpen, though a decision must be made on Damaso Marte’s option.
  • If the Yankees can engineer a Robinson Cano–Matt Kemp swap (unlikely), they could then sign free agents Mark Teixeira and Orlando Hudson.  The right-side infield defense would be drastically improved.
  • Bill Madden of the New York Daily News is more pessimistic – he doesn’t see the team’s internal center field options working out, nor does he consider the free agent signings wise.

Perrotto’s Latest: GMs, Angels, Offseason Moves

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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.

Heyman’s Latest: Epstein, Cano, Hudson

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Highlights from Jon Heyman’s latest column at SI.com:

  • Brewers owner Mark Attanasio reportedly made the decision to fire Ned Yost, but GM Doug Melvin’s power is not diminished.
  • Theo Epstein’s new agreement is for three years.
  • Heyman notes "talk lately that the Yankees might consider trading Robinson Cano."  Apparently Cano still has good trade value and the Yankees could fill multiple needs in a deal.  Heyman says the Dodgers are interested.  Cano was subject of an odd Dodgers rumor back in July.  The Yanks would be interested in Orlando Hudson if they were to trade Cano.
  • Alex Rodriguez patched things up with Scott Boras, who he considers "a good guy."

Rosenthal’s Latest: Hudson, Ordonez, Fielder, Howard

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Let’s swing through Ken Rosenthal’s latest column.

  • Rosenthal names the Mets, Yankees, Rangers, White Sox, Indians, Rockies, and Cardinals as speculative fits for free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson.  Obviously several of those scenarios would involve shuffling players to other positions or trades.  The Yankees’ infield defense could certainly use the boost.
  • Rosenthal considers Frank Wren’s midseason trip to Japan a sign that he might be active in that market.
  • The Tigers may shop Magglio Ordonez for pitching this winter.  Maggs will need fewer than 500 plate appearances next year to cause his 2010 and 2011 options to vest.  So he’s essentially owed $48MM over three years.
  • Don’t forget two other sluggers who may be available this winter: Prince Fielder and Ryan Howard.  It works well for the Brewers and Phillies, as the free agent market is weak at first base.

A Tale Of Two Second Basemen: Hudson, Castillo

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Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, via MetsBlog, notes that the Mets are looking to shop Luis Castillo this off-season. This comes just one year after the team signed him to a four-year, $25MM deal. His aching knees have limited him to just over 300 plate appearances this year. It’s not clear who would want Castillo, nor how much salary the Mets would need to eat.

One speculated target is Orlando Hudson, who sits atop an uninspiring class of free agent second basemen. He’ll be in high demand, of course. The Arizona Republic’s Nick Piecoro talks about Hudson’s fate. He doesn’t seem optimistic that Hudson will return to the Diamondbacks next season. He talks about the team’s options, including moving Mark Reynolds to second and signing a third baseman, or acquiring a second baseman in a trade, possibly Mark Ellis or Robinson Cano.

In my own speculation, I can see the D’backs going for a one-year stopgap like Mark Grudzielanek or Ray Durham, rather than trading away even more of their farm for a longer-term solution. The Yankees would likely ask the moon for Cano, despite his disappointing season. Ellis does sound intriguing, though. Billy Beane and Josh Byrnes hooked up successfully this past off-season in the Dan Haren trade.

Gammons’ Latest: Martin, Dunn, Quentin

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Here’s the latest blog post from ESPN’s Peter Gammons…

  • Takashi Saito is mentioned as a free agent this winter, but I believe it’s a situation where he can only re-sign, return to Japan, or retire.
  • Gammons heard talk that Russell Martin could be switched permanently to third base.  In that scenario, the Dodgers would sign a pitching-oriented catcher such as Jason Varitek.  Would that be a good move?
  • Adam Dunn knows it’s cliche, but he intends to prioritize winning over money when he hits free agency.
  • The D’Backs were asking a lot for Carlos Quentin last winter, with the White Sox, Red Sox, and Indians interested.  Josh Byrnes was not able to get Michael Bowden, Jed Lowrie, or Cliff Lee.  Arizona ended up getting Chris Carter from Chicago and flipping him to Oakland in the Dan Haren deal.  Carter mashed 39 home runs in A ball this year.  You can’t say the Diamondbacks gave Quentin away for nothing, since they acquired a crucial component for the Haren trade.
  • A year ago, Yankees GM Brian Cashman asked Joe Torre and his coaches their opinion on a Robinson Cano for Orlando Hudson swap.  Don Mattingly and Larry Bowa were heavily in favor of keeping Cano.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Angels, D’Backs, Giambi, Ellis

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Here is the latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.

  • Many important Angels will reach free agency this winter: Mark Teixeira, Francisco Rodriguez, Jon Garland, and Juan Rivera.  Rosenthal doesn’t expect any of these four back.  Garret Anderson’s $14MM option will not be exercised, but he could be re-signed.  John Lackey and Vladimir Guerrero both have reasonable club options for ’09, but the Halos need to plan beyond that.
  • Several journalists have noted the D’Backs may restock the farm system if they let Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, Brandon Lyon, and Juan Cruz depart as free agents after the season.  They’re not worried about Dunn accepting an offer of arbitration. Why would he want a one-year deal?
  • Rosenthal guesses the Indians, Mariners, Blue Jays, and A’s might have interest in Jason Giambi this winter.  Giambi’s .398 OBP ranks 7th in the AL.  The leader: fellow free agent Milton Bradley at a staggering .446.
  • Mark Ellis surprisingly postponed negotiations with the A’s on an extension.  It had been said Ellis wanted to figure out a contract before season’s end.  He’s the affordable free agent alternative to Hudson.
  • The Twins are trying to get creative to find bullpen help.  GM Bill Smith says he’s made many waiver claims and won some.
  • Rosenthal says "speculation persists" that J.P. Ricciardi will be canned after the season.
  • The Tigers aren’t considering trading Magglio Ordonez, but Nate Robertson could be moved this winter.  Robertson seems due for a move back to the NL.  He earns $7MM in ’09 and $10MM in ’10.
  • The Reds are being questioned for holding on to relievers David Weathers and Jeremy Affeldt.

Odds and Ends: Kielty, Ellis, Bonds, Poreda

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Time to for today’s link collection.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Giles, Dodgers, Indians, Fielder

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Ken Rosenthal has a new Full Count video up over at FOX Sports. Here’s the highlights:

  • The Red Sox wanted to use Brian Giles in right field against certain right-handers, and shift J.D. Drew over to center field for those games. Giles blocked the trade for family reasons, according to Rosenthal, despite the chance at an increased pay day and an opportunity to play in the postseason.
  • Rosenthal says that while the Dodgers are under pressure to re-sign Manny Ramirez, there may be more pressure to sign Casey Blake after this season. Rosenthal points out that Blake is batting .333 in his first 16 games in Dodger blue, and the Dodgers traded away their best young third baseman in Andy LaRoche in order to get Manny. The Dodgers aren’t sold on Blake DeWitt as a long-term option.
  • Rosenthal feels that the Brewers are now less likely to shop Prince Fielder in the offseason, though he points out they could fetch quite a nice haul of Major-League-ready talent if they shopped Fielder as an alternative to Mark Teixeira. Rosenthal feels that J.J. Hardy is a much better bet to be shopped though, as Alcides Escobar could be used to replace him in 2009.
  • Rosenthal wonders if, given Kelly Shoppach’s emergence, the Indians could try to trade him for a top-end starter. Rosenthal offers two scenarios for Cleveland: Trade Shoppach and sign Jason Giambi, or keep Shoppach, sign Orlando Hudson, move Victor Martinez to first base. Both scenarios have the same goal of adding offense and allowing Matt LaPorta to remain in the outfield.
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