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Odds and Ends: Indians, Rays, Jays

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Time to cobble together today’s links.

Drama Over Pedro Alvarez Contract

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4:51pm: Jim Callis’ analysis is a must-read at Baseball America.  There is a legitimate chance Alvarez is treated as if he didn’t sign, and will become eligible for the ’09 draft.

2:08pm: Jonathan Mayo, Jenifer Langosch, and Kevin Goldstein dig up more details.  Turns out Hosmer turned down $5.5MM prior to the deadline, but agreed to $6MM during an MLB-approved extension.  The Nats may have had an extension for Aaron Crow as well.

THURSDAY, 8:19am: MLB and the Pirates say the grievance is without merit, while Boras says the Bucs violated MLB’s rules and need to "come clean."  Dejan Kovacevic says the sides have not yet discussed the idea of more money, dismissing the idea that Boras demanded another $200K.  An arbitrator will make a binding decision on this case on September 10th.  Most believe Alvarez will remain a Pirate with a $6MM bonus.

By the way, Royals GM Dayton Moore is not concerned about Hosmer’s contract.

WEDNESDAY, 5:07pm: MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo has been digging all day on this topic.  Many questions remain, but it’s a good read.

2:27pm: Baseball America’s Jim Callis offered thoughts on the situation in a chat today.  He heard Hosmer was granted an extension by MLB, and signed a bit after the deadline.  Alvarez may have been granted one as well.  Alvarez apparently took control of the negotiations toward the end, which may be the cause for Boras’ complaint.  A similar situation happened in ’93 with A-Rod, and the grievance didn’t go anywhere.

Also, it should be noted that the Players Association filed the grievance, not Scott Boras.

2:07pm: MLB.com’s Jenifer Langosch talked to a source who said Boras wants another $200K, so that Alvarez’s bonus matches Buster Posey’s.

12:57pm: Turns out Pedro Alvarez has not reported to the Pirates yet for a reason – the Players Association filed a grievance on his behalf today.  They’re saying Alvarez verbally agreed to his $6MM bonus after the midnight deadline on August 15th.  Scott Boras informed the Pirates that Alvarez will not sign the contract unless it is renegotiated at a higher number.  Royals top pick Eric Hosmer may also become tangled up in this mess, since his contract was submitted after Alvarez.

The Pirates issued a statement, showing their displeasure with Boras’ tactics but expressing confidence the grievance will be dropped.  The team also indicates disappointment with Alvarez himself, as he ultimately approved this grievance.  In a way, it seems like Boras is taking a stand in general against the idea of the midnight deadline.

Heyman’s Latest: Lucchino, Manny, Rangers

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I wanted to let the Dunn trade cool off a bit before diving into Jon Heyman’s latest.

  • Heyman "people in high places in baseball" who believe Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino might leave after the season, possibly for the Dodgers.  He’s still butting heads with Theo Epstein apparently.
  • Heyman doesn’t buy the idea that Scott Boras orchestrated Manny Ramirez’s departure from Boston.  He also doesn’t buy the idea of Ramirez playing in New York.
  • Nolan Ryan would like Tom Hicks to sell the Rangers to him, but Hicks has shown no willingness to do so.
  • Players such as George Sherrill, Brian Fuentes, and Raul Ibanez are not expected to clear waivers.  No surprise there.

Odds and Ends: Bay, Clement, Fuentes, Cabrera

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We’ve got plenty of links today.

  • There is speculation that Andruw Jones could be sent back to the minors.
  • Joel Sherman wonders if MLB should’ve gotten involved when Manny Ramirez decided to orchestrate his own exit.  Kind of reminds me of Gary Sheffield intentionally botching plays to force a trade out of Milwaukee in ’92.
  • Gordon Edes stands by his report that Manny pledged to give full effort if the Red Sox dropped his options.  That phone call between Scott Boras and Theo Epstein occurred within an hour of his trade to the Dodgers.
  • Jon Heyman takes us inside the Manny trade.  He says Ramirez signed an agreement in advance that he’d accept a trade to any team if his options were dropped.  Heyman believes Omar Minaya fibbed in saying he had failed trade discussions with Boston.
  • The Red Sox are still waiting to hear whether Joe Borowski will accept their offer of a minor league deal.
  • Dejan Kovacevic gives as inside look at the Jason Bay trade talks here and here.  Did the Rays offer Reid Brignac and Jeff Niemann?  Reports are conflicting.
  • The Cardinals released Matt Clement on Saturday.  Let this serve as another reminder of how hard it is to come back from shoulder surgery.
  • The Cardinals weren’t willing to trade catching prospect Bryan Anderson plus a pitching prospect for Brian Fuentes.  Also, GM John Mozeliak confirmed failed talks for Bay.
  • RotoAuthority takes a look at young pitchers who may face innings caps this year.
  • Another failed deal: Orlando Cabrera to the Orioles in a Brian Roberts deal.
  • Geoff Baker believes that when inside information related to the Blue Jays leaks out, GM J.P. Ricciardi is likely responsible.
  • Please continue to email me if you see a pop-up or full-page ad on MLB Trade Rumors.

Boras Speaks

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Super agent Scott Boras called Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette recently; here are a few highlights.

  • Boras wouldn’t address Pedro Alvarez specifically, but talked at length about how his elite draft picks have become successful investments for teams.  Boras referenced Mark Teixeira and the Drew brothers, who received deals in the $7-10MM range.
  • Boras client Xavier Nady might want to stay in Pittsburgh beyond the ’09 season, but the team has never broached an extension.

Manny To Meet With Boras

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Earlier this week, ESPN’s Buster Olney reported that he heard a rumor that Manny Ramirez switched agents, from Scott Boras to Legacy Sports Group.

Now the Boston Globe reports Manny is set to meet with Boras this weekend. "We’ll have a discussion about Manny’s future," Boras told the Globe.

So it looks like Manny and Boras are still together. Thank goodness. If those two crazy kids can’t make it work, what hope is there for the rest of us?

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. He can be reached here.

Odds and Ends: Lowe, Arroyo, Chacon

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Here’s today’s link roundup.

Strasburg To Be Advised By Boras?

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From Buster Olney’s blog today:

Heard this: Stephen Strasburg, the hard-throwing right-hander at San Diego State who is expected to be among the very top picks in the 2009 draft, has selected Scott Boras to be his advisor.

Dave Cameron wrote about Strasburg at FanGraphs on Friday.  If the season ended today, the first four picks in ’09 would go to the Mariners, Rockies, Nationals, and Royals.  None of these clubs seem particularly Boras-phobic, and the Mariners and Royals are on good terms with him.  I wouldn’t expect Strasburg to drop much for financial reasons, but it’s way too early to call anything.

Locking Up Young Stars: Martin, Kendrick, Kotchman, Pedroia, Uggla

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Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times takes a look at the spate of recent long-term deals for young stars.  Talking to different players and agents, Shaikin found no consensus on whether such contracts are a good idea.

  • Some folks (including Shaikin and Pat Gillick, apparently) believe it’s wise for richer clubs to go year-to-year to avoid getting stuck with a bad contract.  I’m sure teams have done comprehensive studies on these types of contracts, but my guess is that flops are few are far between.  I can only think of a handful (Angel Berroa, Eric Hinske come to mind).  As Scott Boras says, teams usually choose players who will succeed.
  • Boras advises his clients to go year to year and maximize their total earnings.  He suggests young players signing long-term are getting "30 cents on the dollar."  Paul Cohen, author of the Troy Tulowitzki and Evan Longoria contracts, preaches security over maximum earnings.
  • Ned Colletti revealed that he has twice approached catcher Russell Martin about an extension, and has been denied.  Martin will be arbitration-eligible after this season and should add an extra zero to his $500,000 salary, at least. 
  • Angels second baseman Howie Kendrick would consider a long-term offer, and GM Tony Reagins isn’t opposed to long-term deals for young players.
  • First baseman Casey Kotchman is a year-to-year guy.  He astutely notes that in most professions employees aren’t even guaranteed one year.
  • Jumping over to the Boston Herald – the Red Sox have twice approached Dustin Pedroia about a deal.  Pedroia is amenable to the idea. 
  • It’s not known if the Marlins are planning to buy out Dan Uggla’s arbitration years, but he seems open to it.

Odds and Ends: Hosmer, Fossum, Garza

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Some random tidbits for today…

  • USA Today has an in-depth look at high school first baseman Eric Hosmer, who will likely be advised by Scott Boras.  He’s a likely top-ten pick this June unless his asking price causes him to drop.  Baseball America looks at another first-round first baseman, Yonder Alonso.  Here’s a reminder of which teams pick when.
  • The Tigers inked oft-injured pitcher Casey Fossum, who is not likely to help them at the big league level this year.
  • Rays Index wonders whether the Rays might seek compensation from the Twins for Matt Garza’s injury.
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