Odds & Ends: Pedro, Boras, Bonds, Fielding
Links for Friday…
- Which players have the biggest differences in fantasy draft position, comparing Yahoo and ESPN?
- Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram does not find it likely that the Rangers will release Frank Catalanotto and eat the $6MM owed to him.
- Gil LeBreton of the Star-Telegram suggests Rangers GM Jon Daniels will have some tough trade decisions to make as the team inches closer to contention.
- Amy Martinez of the Seattle Times examines the economic impact of Ken Griffey Jr.
- Jose Reyes says Pedro Martinez would like to pitch for the Mets, talking to MLB.com’s Marty Noble.
- Amusing article about Scott Boras by Matt Taibbi in Men’s Journal.
- The Twins again made it clear they’ll pass on Barry Bonds. Three other teams have also publicly rejected his agent’s advances.
- Fielding Bible guru John Dewan says defense is worth roughly half as much as offense.
- Hat tip to Baseball Think Factory’s excellent Baseball Newsstand for several of today’s links.
- Sorry about the three double-posts on the site. I am still waiting for TypePad to fix the issue.
Carlos Gonzalez, Ryan Spilborghs Switched To Boras
Two new names for our Scott Boras client list, courtesy of Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies. Ringolsby says Rockies outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Ryan Spilborghs switched to Boras during the offseason. Jeff Baker is the Rockies’ third pre-arbitration Boras client. None of the three agreed to terms to 2009 contracts, instead forcing the Rockies to renew them. Says Ringolsby:
The Rockies have a very stringent pay scale for pre-arbitration eligible players, and they are consistent with that approach. Boras does not agree with the philosophy and prefers to have his clients not agree to the contract as a matter of principle.
Odds & Ends: Boras, Cordero, NCAA Agents
Some links for your Thursday night viewing pleasure…
- Diamond Leung has some Dodgers notes, including a particularly interesting one regarding Scott Boras. Earlier, Peter Gammons reported that the Dodgers scouting department wouldn’t be touching any Boras clients in the June draft. Leung refutes that, citing Dodgers Assistant General Manager of Scouting Logan White’s statement that the Dodgers will consider Boras clients because "talent comes first."
- The Nationals have been watching Chad Cordero’s auditions, according to Dave Sheinin. Cordero threw 40 pitches "at 70-75 percent effort" the other day. Cordero’s agent, Larry Reynolds, says that he’s on pace to be ready for Opening Day.
- Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News has a good article highlighting Okalahome State University lefty Andy Oliver and his victory in a lawsuit against the NCAA. Oliver challenged the rule that athletes cannot have attorneys participate in direct negotiations with Major League teams prior to being drafted. Oliver was suspended prior to an NCAA Regional in 2008.
- Ringolsby also notes, in the same article, that the Braves have interest in Garret Anderson.
- Tim Hudson got into a heated exchange with a reporter in the clubhouse, regarding the recent Ken Griffey Jr. drama, and had to be separated by a team official, according to the AP.
- Speaking of Griffey, the Mariners will hold a press conference for him this Saturday, Geoff Baker reports.
- Anthony Castrovince reports that Edward Salcedo, a top Dominican prospect who had been tied to the Indians last year, had an investigation launched surrounding his age. There were doubts that he was really 16, which obviously quieted talks.
The Next Boras Crop
With Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez, the Scott Boras Corporation represented a good chunk of top-end free agents in the 2008-09 offseason. Let’s take a look at the top Boras free agents for the winter of 2009-10.
Boras does not have much in the way of catchers, first basemen, second basemen, or shortstops for the next free agent class (another go-round with Jason Varitek and Felipe Lopez, perhaps). He does, however, have the best available third baseman in Adrian Beltre, assuming Chipper Jones does not reach the open market. Beltre will be 31 in 2010, and he has a leg up on Troy Glaus and Melvin Mora. As one commenter pointed out, Boras will also have Joe Crede on the market again.
Boras has a strong group of outfielders heading toward free agency: Matt Holliday, Johnny Damon, Rick Ankiel, and Xavier Nady. Ankiel could conceivably be the best available center fielder, while only Jason Bay can give Holliday a run for his money in left. I’ll assume Manny Ramirez won’t sign a one-year deal.
The starting pitchers of the 2009-10 offseason aren’t terribly impressive, with Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, John Lackey, and Brett Myers projected to head the class. Boras can only contribute Jarrod Washburn and Kevin Millwood (if he tosses fewer than 180 innings this year). Boras is also weak in the pen next winter, with guys like Eric Gagne and Scott Schoeneweis.
Looks like Boras will be focused on Beltre and his outfielders once the 2009 season ends.
Manny Ramirez Rumors: Tuesday
3:07pm: A little bit of info from Colletti, by way of Tony Jackson:
Specifically, I asked him if the club has made any offers beyond the two we already know about…He said no more offers had been made. Dylan Hernandez from the Times then asked, "Has there been a counteroffer?’" and Ned said, "Sort of.” He wouldn’t comment beyond that, but it’s clear he was talking about a proposal that was so far out of the Dodgers’ range as to be unrealistic.
On the Giants side, Henry Schulman makes a clarification:
At the end of this post, I write the Giants "are waiting to see what happens," but I am told that they, too, are continuing a dialog with agent Scott Boras on Manny — on the good ‘ol telephone.
9:34am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman talked to Dodgers GM Ned Colletti, who said:
"We continue to talk. I wouldn’t say we’ve made progress. Hopefully, the conversations will lead to progress."
8:13am: A rumor made the rounds last night that Giants president Larry Baer was to meet with Scott Boras and/or Manny Ramirez in San Francisco. Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle checked into it, and it was bogus. They did not meet.
The truth is less exciting:
So calm down, folks. Nothing has changed. The Dodgers and Boras continue to talk, often, while the Giants are waiting to see what happens.
Jeff Zrebiec Talks To Andy MacPhail
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun talked to Orioles president Andy MacPhail recently. A few hot stove highlights:
- MacPhail doesn’t feel misled by Mark Teixeira and Scott Boras, but notes that there was never any engagement from them after the Orioles made their offer.
- The Orioles’ philosophy is to "grow the arms and buy the bats." With Chris Tillman, Brian Matusz, and Jake Arrieta in the system, it seems to be going according to plan.
- MacPhail says owner Peter Angelos is not meddling, in fact "there is nothing further from the truth."
- Of course, MacPhail would like to sign Brian Roberts to an extension while maintaining financial flexibility.
Chass On Griffey, Burrell, Orlando Cabrera
The latest from Murray Chass, who seems to be doing just fine without being employed by a newspaper…
- MLB "negotiated a new line of credit for $125MM, from which clubs can borrow." I’d like to learn more about the topic – which teams are borrowing, if any?
- Ken Griffey Jr.‘s agent Brian Goldberg does not think the economy is a factor in his client remaining unsigned. Goldberg said, "Junior’s salary expectations have been modest from the beginning. He’s realistic." Perhaps Griffey is not seeking $5-6MM after all? Goldberg says he continues to talk to the same four teams about Griffey.
- Scott Boras says Pat Burrell "took a bad deal" when he signed for two years and $16MM on January 5th. Boras says Burrell’s contract froze the market for corner outfielders.
- One additional possible explanation for Orlando Cabrera remaining unsigned: a baseball person described him as a "very caustic guy in the locker room." Cabrera’s Type A status is probably the larger issue.
Stark On Andruw, Swisher, Hudson, Pedro
The latest from ESPN’s Jayson Stark…
- Stark looks at all the factors influencing this year’s slow-moving free agent market, talking to all sorts of anonymous execs. It’s a good read.
- Among all the teams, the Phillies have added the most to their payroll this winter ($30MM+). Only ten teams raised payroll this year. The Phils are still looking at the same cast of righthanded bench bats, and are also looking to sign a reliever for one year. Names of interest: Joe Borowski, Rudy Seanez, Will Ohman, Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, and Randy Flores. Stark notes that Flores is out until June due to shoulder surgery.
- Andruw Jones is looking for a team that will give him playing time. One of Stark’s sources says Braves manager Bobby Cox is "lobbying harder for Jones than the rest of the baseball operation."
- The Braves are the top suitor for Nick Swisher, but their suggestion that the Yankees eat some of Swisher’s contract was shot down.
- Stark has heard that Angels owner Arte Moreno is ticked at Scott Boras and Mark Teixeira for the way they handled negotiations.
- Stark received conflicting answers on whether the Elias formulas "can be changed without a special negotiation." It figures that the players union would push to eliminate the Jason Varitek/Juan Cruz/Orlando Cabrera situations we saw this winter. The D’Backs may have interest in re-signing Cruz, but don’t look for a Cabrera-White Sox reunion.
- The Yankees and Mets have not pursued Orlando Hudson, despite Hudson’s statements of their interest. Stark sees a one-year deal with the Nationals or Dodgers in his future.
- One assistant GM doesn’t think the WBC will be a good gauge for Pedro Martinez‘s abilities, since he’ll be doing short stints.
- Stark has details on Eddie Guardado‘s contract, which has interesting provisions if he is to be traded.
Stark On Greinke, Manny, Dunn, Swisher
The latest from ESPN’s Jayson Stark…
- The Cubs’ ownership situation is not close to the finish line, which is one reason the team won’t be acquiring Jake Peavy anytime soon.
- One source of Stark’s suggested Zack Greinke nearly left his current agent John Courtright of SFX for Scott Boras, a whisper I’d heard as well. But now Greinke is happy with his contract and agent.
- Free agents such as Manny Ramirez and Ivan Rodriguez could reasonably wait until March to sign. Not a bad thing for this website!
- Adam Dunn would like Manny to sign earlier, as he’s waiting to see what the Dodgers (his preferred team) do. The Nationals have been Dunn’s most aggressive suitor, the Orioles have mild interest, and the Braves have backed off.
- Stark questions the idea of talks for Manny heating up lately, since the Mets, Yankees, and Angels are out and the Giants are only conditionally interested.
- When Alex Rodriguez was a free agent last winter, Joe Torre advised the Dodgers against signing him.
- The Phillies would like to move Geoff Jenkins for a right-handed hitting outfielder, but Jenkins is paid too much. Jay Payton and Emil Brown are not on the Phillies’ radar; they still like Nomar Garciaparra.
- The Yankees are apparently "softening to the idea of trading Nick Swisher," with the Braves the top suitor.
Odds and Ends: Sherrill, Kubel, Teahen
Links for Wednesday…
- T.R. Sullivan examines the Rangers’ interest level in 25 free agents.
- An article about Nate Silver of Baseball Prospectus.
- Rany Jazayerli suggests the Jeremy Bonderman contract might have been a model for Zack Greinke‘s deal.
- George Sherrill‘s arbitration hearing is set for February 19th. The Orioles are at $2.2MM while Sherrill requested $3.4MM, putting the midpoint at $2.8MM.
- Jack Marshall discusses the ethics of Scott Boras.
- Barry Bloom looks at the remaining free agent starting pitchers and possible suitors.
- Dave Cameron questions the Twins’ recent Jason Kubel contract.
- Sam Mellinger talks about the Mark Teahen second base experiment.
- Will Clark is set to join the Giants’ front office.