Gammons’ Latest: Iglesias, Magglio, Valentine
In his latest blog post at ESPN, Peter Gammons writes that the NL West has quietly become very competitive thanks to three California pitcher's parks that make it such a pitching dominated division. Through the help of scouts and team executives, he points out all the great young talent in the division, highlighted by the likes of Ubaldo Jimenez, Max Scherzer, Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum, Matt Kemp, Justin Upton, Pablo Sandoval, Troy Tulowitzki, and Mark Reynolds.
Here's a roundup of Gammons' rumors…
- Gammons jokes that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti "could be arrested for shoplifting," because in the last two seasons he's acquired Manny Ramirez, Casey Blake, George Sherrill, Jon Garland, Jim Thome, Doug Mientkiewicz, Ronnie Belliard, and Vicente Padilla while paying them approximately $2.7MM combined.
- The Red Sox will get their first look at Cuban shortstop Jose Iglesias, who they signed for $8.5MM back in July, in the Arizona Fall League. Gammons spoke to an NL GM who said he would have given Iglesias $12MM if his team could afford it, because "Our scouts say he's the best defensive shortstop they've ever seen."
- If you're interested, you can see the full Arizona Fall League rosters here.
- Jim Leyland was never told anything about benching Magglio Ordonez so his $18MM option in 2010 wouldn't vest. "He's going to make it," Leyland says. "So anyone who said otherwise has egg on his face. Dave Dombrowski has never even mentioned the vesting option." Ordonez needs just 35 more plate appearances this season to lock in the option.
- Bobby Valentine's name was mentioned by Nationals' ownership during every interview they hosted while searching for a permanent GM, so he might be in the mix for their managerial job.
Rosenthal’s Full Count Video: Figgins, Hanley, Kershaw, Drew
Let's see what FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal has for us in his latest Full Count video…
- Chone Figgins could be one of the most popular free agents this winter. The White Sox have long had interest in him, and his skills as a leadoff hitter will make him attractive to many teams, perhaps even the Yankees.
- Figgins will come cheaper than Matt Holliday or Jason Bay, and the Yanks could easily withstand his lack of power if they put him in left field. Four years younger than Johnny Damon, Figgins and Derek Jeter would make a dynamic 1-2 punch atop the Yankees' lineup.
- Apparently, Hanley Ramirez isn't very popular in the Marlins' clubhouse. The complaints should only go so far though, because he's played hurt this seasons and is on target to play in 150 or more games for the fourth straight year. Hanley's also batting .385 with runners in scoring position this year after hitting just .239 in those spots last year. He's also worked very hard to improve his defense as well.
- The Dodgers did well by adding Jon Garland and Vicente Padilla to their rotation, but one National League GM is worried about Clayton Kershaw because he's approaching 3,000 pitches thrown on the season, which is when you start to worry.
- Maybe it's time to cut J.D. Drew some slack. Sure, he's missed 92 games in three seasons with Boston, but one team official told Rosenthal he'd sign Drew to the same contract (five years, $70MM) again in a second. The Red Sox consider Drew one of the five best right fielders in baseball when you consider on-base percentage, slugging percentage, and defense.
Nats In Search Of Veteran Arm
According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, the Nationals plan to pursue a veteran starter this offseason and hope to sign the hurler to a long-term contract.
Nats general manager Mike Rizzo, manager Jim Riggleman and team president Stan Kasten shared interest in John Smoltz and Vicente Padilla this month before the veterans were scooped up by the Cardinals and Dodgers, respectively. "That's the type of guy we are identifying now," said Riggleman, "people like that over the winter."
The Nats signed 34-year-old right-hander Livan Hernandez on Tuesday night, but may have their sights set higher. Erik Bedard, John Lackey and Rich Harden are among the big-ticket arms that will be available this winter. Of course, those guys will be looking for major contracts, both in money and length, and will have their choice of several interested clubs. A pitcher like Doug Davis or Randy Wolf might present a more realistic fit.
Odds & Ends: Padilla, Riggleman, Cabrera, Twins
Some links to wrap up your Thursday night…
- Scott Miller of CBSSports.com notes that Vicente Padilla brings hefty baggage with him to Los Angeles. He points out that the circumstances are similar to the arrival of one Manny Ramirez last year.
- The Nationals will conduct a search for a permanent manager in the offseason, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Jim Riggleman, the interim manager, will be a candidate for the job.
- R.J. Anderson at FanGraphs discusses the success of of Everth Cabrera, whom the Padres swiped from the division-rival Rockies in the Rule V Draft.
- And the Twins signed a German player with a family background in ballet, according to John W. Miller of the Wall Street Journal.
Odds And Ends: Padilla, Strasburg, Gomes
Another round of links…
- Ted Green of the LA Times says Vicente Padilla will be an "angel" with the Dodgers because he has no other choice.
- As Monday night's deadline to sign picks neared, we had no idea whether Stephen Strasburg would sign. Neither did Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, so he wrote this story in case the Nats failed to sign him.
- We've heard lots of talk about Bronson Arroyo and Aaron Harang, but John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer wonders if the Reds could deal Jonny Gomes, who has 15 homers, to a contender.
- Maury Brown of the Biz of Baseball shows how much teams spent on draft picks Monday and argues that the recommended slotting system isn't working as intended.
Odds And Ends: Jeter, Uggla, Cubs, Hall
Links for Thursday morning…
- Derek Jeter, whose contract expires after next season, says he isn't thinking about his next deal or how long he'll keep playing, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel asks: Are the Marlins better off holding onto Dan Uggla after the season and paying him about $7MM in arbitration, or should they trade him?
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry tells Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times that he takes resonsibility for his team's frustrating season.
- Jeff Sackmann of the Hardball Times says Doug Melvin was justified in handing Bill Hall a long-term contract, even though it didn't work out for the Brewers.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports expects Vicente Padilla to be on his best behavior with the Dodgers, who need him badly.
- In his latest roundup of top Rangers prospects at MLB.com, Jamey Newberg notes that it doesn't look like Justin Smoak will reach the majors this year.
- Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles will audition Luke Scott at first base between now and the end of the season.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros won't see their attendance improve if they put another "old, bad, boring" team on the field next year.
Odds & Ends: Tejada, Rays, Yankees
A roundup of links before the evening comes to a close:
- Alyson Footer at MLB.com wonders if Miguel Tejada's suggestion to play third for the Astros in 2010 isn't such a bad idea.
- The father of the Rays' first round pick Levon Washington says the Rays didn't abide by the pre-draft agreement the two sides had come to, says Marc Topkin at the St. Petersburg Times. Washington was reportedly offered $1.1MM. Washington will enter next year's draft.
- Gritty and Clutch examines whether the Yankees got their moneys' worth in payroll this season (h/t River Ave. Blues).
- Matthew Leach at MLB.com gets player and management reaction in the fallout of the Cards' John Smoltz acquisition.
- Kevin Baxter at the L.A. Times says that Vicente Padilla will have to pass a physical before he can join the Dodgers.
Dodgers Sign Vicente Padilla
6:35pm: Jayson Stark at ESPN is reporting that the move is official. Padilla will sign a minor-league deal and make at least one start in the minors before he's called up to the Dodgers' rotation. He'll be owed the prorated portion of the league minimum–around $100k.
It's a cheap way for the Dodgers to add depth, since they'll only be responsible for the pro-rated MLB minimum, with the Rangers paying Padilla the rest of his $12MM salary.
4:36pm: Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times hears that the Dodgers are "very" close to adding Padilla.
12:45pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that the Dodgers are "moving closer" to an agreement with Padilla.
12:19pm: ESPN.com's Jayson Stark hears that Vicente Padilla has become "a consideration" for the Dodgers now that a liner to Hiroki Kuroda's head has further depleted the team's rotation. The Dodgers are talking with Padilla's agent, Paul Kinzer, and we could hear of a deal this afternoon. The Dodgers, who would only be responsible for about $100k if they add Padilla, had uncertain interest as recently as yesterday but they're now considering him.
Dodgers Interested In Padilla?
4:53pm: Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears from an unnamed source that the Dodgers have some interest in Padilla. However, a Dodgers official downplayed the club's interest.
9:38am: A person within the Dodgers front office tells Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times that the team isn't likely to pursue Vicente Padilla, who was just released by the Rangers. Padilla's agent, Paul Kinzer, contacted the Dodgers to let them know his client would "absolutely" like to pitch in Dodger Blue.
Rangers Release Vicente Padilla
The Rangers released struggling righty Vicente Padilla, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Padilla should clear release waivers Wednesday and become a free agent. Any team that signs him will then be responsible for paying him the pro-rated MLB minimum, with the Rangers paying the rest of his $12MM salary. Texas will also be responsible for a $1.75MM buyout after the season.