Odds & Ends: Jays, Zambrano, Harden
A few more evening links….
- The Blue Jays have some uncertainty at catcher heading into 2010, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. With Rod Barajas poised to test the free agent market, Raul Chavez, Kyle Phillips, J.P. Arencibia, and Brian Jeroloman could all be in the mix for time behind the plate. GM J.P. Ricciardi also tells Bastian that Scott Downs and Jason Frasor could split closing duties in Toronto next year.
- BP's Christina Kahrl at ESPN.com says so many factors stand in the way of trading Carlos Zambrano that the Cubs would probably have to accept "pennies on the dollar" to move him. She figures if they're looking to deal, the Cubs need to hope they receive interest from a starter-hungry team convinced that Big Z could be their missing piece, like perhaps the Mets.
- Rich Harden has been shut down for 2009, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. Has Harden thrown his last pitch for Chicago? He says he'd like to return, but Sullivan suggests that the Cubs likely won't offer more than a one-year deal. Check out Tim's rundown of this year's starting pitching free agent class for an idea of how Harden fits into the market.
- R.J. Anderson at DRays Bay gets involved in the Felix Hernandez chatter by wondering if the Rays might try acquiring the Mariners ace this winter. It seems unlikely, but they apparently made at least one attempt prior to the trade deadline.
- Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune chimes in on Ken Williams' assessment of the 2009 White Sox. Rogers points out that the Chicago GM should be blaming the team's $25MM payroll cut, or even himself for failing to acquire any talent that helped the 2009 team in the Javier Vazquez and Nick Swisher deals.
Odds & Ends: Nationals’ Catcher, Brewers’ GM, Uggla
Some food for thought, even though you shouldn't be snacking so close to bed…
- With Jesus Flores undergoing surgery for a torn labrum, putting his 2010 start date into question, Washington manager Jim Riggleman said the Nationals may have to seek another catcher. According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, Rod Barajas may be a good fit, "because he is an excellent handler of pitchers." Barajas also has a bit of power, and would be a decent fit. Phil Wood of MASN speculates that Brian Schneider could return to Washington, noting that Schneider is "just 32, and would likely have multiple offers", though anyone who has seen Schneider hit this season would assume those offers won't be to play baseball. A shame, since Schneider is one of the best clubhouse guys in the game, has been a tremendous mentor to the younger Mets' players, and will be a tremendous manager if he pursues it.
- Brewers' owner Mark Attanasio strongly denied that General Manager Doug Melvin's job is in jeopardy. "It seems like a cop-out to me to blow everything up and start from scratch," Attanasio told MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. "We've built this team around a good core of players now for five years and we took a step back [this year]. We'd like to take two steps forward next year."
- Dan Uggla is sad that the Marlins are likely going to trade him this offseason.
- Carl Crawford and Pat Burrell "had words" in Tampa Bay clubhouse, and not polite ones like "please" or "thank you."
Will Rod Barajas Return To The Jays In 2010?
Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston doesn't expect Rod Barajas to return to the team next year, according to Shi Davidi of the Canadian Press (via the Toronto Sun). Barajas, who will hit free agency after the season, told reporters he's surprised his manager doesn't expect him back.
"I enjoy it here," Barajas said. "I have fun here and I don't see any reason for someone to make that assumption about me coming back."
Barajas says he wants to re-sign with Toronto after the season. The 34-year-old made $2.5MM this year and figures to be a Type B free agent. The Blue Jays could let him walk and obtain a compensation pick if he rejects arbitration to sign with another club.
Barajas has 16 homers this year, but his OBP is just .270. The Blue Jays have an alternative to Barajas at Triple A with similar on base skills. J.P. Arencibia, a first round pick two years ago, has just a .284 OBP. Like Barajas, he has power. The 23-year-old hit 21 homers and 32 doubles in Triple A this season, so the Jays could rely on him and Raul Chavez next year if Barajas departs.
Rosenthal On Competing In The AL East
When you're in the same division as the Yankees and Red Sox, you only have so many chances to win. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports presents the long-term strategies the Rays and Jays are likely to adopt as they try to compete with their richer division rivals:
- Rosenthal says the Rays would likely trade Carl Crawford if they were in another division.
- They'll listen to offers for him this offseason, but they may decide they need to capitalize on their chance to win now and hold onto Crawford, even if it means they only obtain compensation picks in return.
- Like Crawford, Carlos Pena will be a tough sign when he hits free agency after the 2010 season.
- The Rays were serious about their pursuit of Roy Halladay, Victor Martinez and Cliff Lee because they sense that they can win now.
The Blue Jays, will likely build for the future around their young pitching, plus Adam Lind, Aaron Hill and Travis Snider.
- Rosenthal expects the Jays to trade Roy Halladay after the season.
- He doesn't expect them to re-sign Marco Scutaro (a likely Type A free agent) or Rod Barajas (a likely Type B free agent). Instead they can take compensation picks in next year's draft.
The Other Blue Jays Trade Candidates
Roy Halladay's on the block, but the Blue Jays could deal a number of players, so Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports breaks down the rest of the team's trade candidates:
- Marco Scutaro – The Mariners and Red Sox are following Scutaro, who makes just $1.1MM. The Blue Jays will have every reason to ask for a lot in return, because Scutaro profiles as a Type A free agent. The Jays can obtain a first rounder and a sandwich pick for losing Scutaro if they offer him arbitration, so they figure to demand a lot.
- Jason Frasor – Most contenders have at least some interest in Frasor, who becomes a free agent after next year.
- Scott Downs – A solid late-inning reliever, Downs also becomes a free agent after 2010.
- Rod Barajas – A free agent-to-be, Barajas could draw interest from the Cubs.
- Scott Rolen – A number of contenders would love to add Rolen's bat and glove, but he's out of reach for some teams because his contract pays him $11MM this year and as much in 2010.
But remember, the Jays believe they can contend next year, especially if Halladay's around, so there's no guarantee any of these players will be traded.
Blue Jays Exercise Option On Barajas
According to the AP, the Blue Jays exercised their 2009 option on catcher Rod Barajas. The Jays chose the $2.5MM option over the $500K buyout, as expected.
Barajas, 33, hit .249/.294/.410 in 377 plate appearances. Month to month, it was an erratic season.
Odds And Ends: Cuban, Zaun, Hall, Mariners
Saturday morning linkage:
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry didn’t consult the prospective new owners before picking up Rich Harden‘s option, and that’s fine by Mark Cuban.
- The Blue Jays are expected to pick up Rod Barajas‘ option; there’s still a possibility that Gregg Zaun will return. The 37-year old Zaun is eligible to become a free agent.
- Speaking of catchers, Sox Machine analyzes the pros/cons of the White Sox keeping or moving backup catcher Toby Hall.
- The Yankees are correctly focusing on their rotation and will sign one or two free agent pitchers, thinks the LoHud Journal News’ Peter Abraham, which in turn may prohibit them from going after Mark Teixeira.
- A’s assistant GM David Forst will not interview with the Mariners for their vacant GM position.
Alejandro A. Leal writes for UmpBump.com and can be reached hre: alexo05 *at* umpbump *dot* com.
Blue Jays To Retain Barajas, Not Zaun
According to Robert MacLeod of The Globe and Mail, the Blue Jays plan to exercise Rod Barajas‘ option while allowing Gregg Zaun to leave as a free agent.
Barajas has a $2.4MM option with a $500K buyout, so it’s a net cost of $2.1MM. He’s hitting .249/.294/.410 in 377 plate appearances, fluctuating quite a bit month-to-month. Meanwhile Zaun is hitting .222/.332/.344 in 262 PAs while earning $3.75MM. At this point he does not qualify as a Type B free agent, so there’s no point in offering arbitration.
Yankees Looking At Catchers
Dan Graziano of the Newark Star-Ledger says the Yankees have inquired on four catchers: Gerald Laird, Paul Lo Duca, Miguel Olivo, and Rod Barajas.
- Laird, 28, is expected to rejoin the Rangers Saturday after his hamstring injury. He’s a Boras client with a $1.6MM salary this year. He’s under team control through 2010, and Ken Rosenthal says the Rangers want young pitching for him.
- Lo Duca, 36, will be a free agent after the season. He’s got about $1.9MM left on his contract this year. He understands that he’s a strong trade candidate.
- Olivo, 30, is splitting time with John Buck in Kansas City. Olivo has hit lefties quite well. He has a $2.7MM club option for ’09. Rosenthal says the Royals are "aggressively shopping" him.
- Barajas, 32, is slumping currently. He has a $2.5MM club option for ’09. Eddie Bajek took a stab at projecting the Elias rankings for catchers, and Barajas seems to be right on the border of Type B status. However, he might choose to accept an offer of arbitration. Peter Abraham says that the Blue Jays might be reluctant to trade within the division.
Odds And Ends: Thomas, Jays, Myers, Nomo
Expect another one of these today. There’s lots of little stuff, but not much in the way of substantive rumors.
- The Mariners were one of four teams contacted by Frank Thomas’s agent. The A’s were obviously another. So who were the other two?
- With 24-year-old backstop Robinzon Diaz mashing in AAA, the Jays might look to spin off either Gregg Zaun or Rod Barajas come July.
- 39-year-old southpaw Mike Myers requested and was granted his unconditional release from the Dodgers.
- After DFAing him on Sunday, the Royals have placed Hideo Nomo on release waivers. If unclaimed by noon on Tuesday, he’ll become a free agent.
- Curtis Granderson says his allergies are killing him. I can empathize. Fret not, Curtis. If you’re like me, you’ll be in the clear next week.
Posted by Joe Pawlikowski.