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Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Nationals, Rasmus

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On this date back in 1988, a hobbling Kirk Gibson pinch hit for reliever Alejandro Pena with two outs in the bottom of the ninth and the Dodgers down by one to the Athletics in Game One of the World Series. Dennis Eckersley, who finished second in the Cy Young voting that year, recorded two quick outs before walking the light hitting Mike Davis (.196/.260/.270 that year) in front of Gibson. You all know what happened next. Gibson battled Eck for six pitches before the Oakland reliever finally hung a slider, a pitch that resulted in one of the most famous home runs in World Series history.

Injuries limited Gibson to just that one plate appearance in the Fall Classic, which the Dodgers went on to win four games to one. Joe Posnanski ranked Jack Buck's and Vin Scully's call of the play the fifth greatest in sports history. These links might not be all-time greats, but they're still the best from the past week of the internet…

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Free Agent Stock Watch: Carl Crawford

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After the Rays were eliminated last night, left fielder Carl Crawford told Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune, "I don't want to leave.  Everybody knows that. I like it here, and I've made that known and wish something was able to be worked out."  Crawford added to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times today that it's a "high possibility I probably won't be back next year."  With the Rays lowering payroll, he's out of their price range.  Let's take a closer look at his free agent case.

The Pros

  • Crawford is a well-rounded offensive player.  He hit .307/.356/.495 this year with 19 home runs, showing the best power of his career.  He's a burner on the basepaths, typically good for 50+ steals at a success rate above 80%.
  • He's one of the game's best defensive outfielders in left field.
  • Crawford is a relatively young free agent at 29.  Perhaps he'll age better than most due to his athleticism.

The Cons

  • The contract will be a major commitment - at least five years and more than $15MM per season.  Crawford is the best available position player, and it wouldn't be a shock if bidding reached seven years and nearly $20MM per season.  Most $100MM deals have been regrettable.
  • Signing Crawford will cost a draft pick, as the Rays will offer arbitration and he'll turn it down.
  • Crawford will probably remain in left field.  If his speed slips and his slugging percentage suffers, his power could be below-average for the position.

The Verdict

MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith named a slew of potential Crawford suitors in August, but the Angels, Red Sox, and Tigers are perceived as the early favorites.  Crawford could be the first position player to sign for $100MM+ without a 20 home run season on his resume.

Odds & Ends: Mets, Varitek, Crawford, McClendon

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Thursday night links, as the Rangers and Yankees move one win closer to meeting in the ALCS….

  • The Mets will interview three GM candidates in the coming week, tweets Andy Martino of the New York Daily News: Rick Hahn, Allard Baird, and Josh Byrnes.
  • Terry Francona hinted in a WEEI interview that Jason Varitek's time as a Red Sox may be nearing an end, says Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
  • When asked about the possibility of returning to Tampa Bay next year, Carl Crawford replied, "You always keep that little ounce of hope," according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
  • Danny Knobler of CBS Sports (Twitter link) thinks former Pirates manager and current Tigers hitting coach Lloyd McClendon should be getting consideration for managerial openings around the league.

Dioner Navarro Leaves Rays

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Before the playoffs began, it seemed unlikely that the Rays would need Dioner Navarro in 2011. The catcher’s chances of returning now appear even slimmer, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Navarro, who wasn’t on the postseason roster for the Division Series, told the Rays he was going home, even though the organization asked him to stay with the team and work out in case of an injury.

Navarro earned $2.1MM this year in his second season as an arbitration eligible player. He spent about a third of the year in the minors, partly because he hit just .194/.270/.258 and partly because of John Jaso’s emergence.

Jaso and Kelly Shoppach (already under contract for 2011) give the Rays two catchers, so they don’t need Navarro. The 26-year-old is just two seasons removed from an All-Star game selection, but he has shown little pop since. 

The Dodgers, Marlins, Reds, Red Sox, Tigers, White Sox and Padres are among the teams that could be looking for catching depth this winter. At this point, Navarro is coming off of a second consecutive disappointing season and appears to be at odds with the Rays, so his trade value has dropped substantially. It appears likely that the Rays will instead non-tender Navarro this offseason.

Mets GM Rumors: Jennings, Hart, Hunsicker

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The Wilpons asked the Marlins for permission to speak to Marlins assistant GM Dan Jennings about their GM opening, tweets ESPN's Jerry Crasnick.  The Miami Herald's Clark Spencer says the Mets asked for permission to speak to Marlins executives Larry Beinfest and Mike Hill as well, but are likely to be denied the chance to speak to any of the three.  It would be odd for the Marlins to allow a division rival the opportunity to swipe a top executive.

According to Newsday's David Lennon on Twitter, former Rangers and Indians GM John Hart would be interested in the Mets' opening but could be expensive.  Hart remains with the Rangers as a senior advisor in baseball operations.  How about a reunion with Gerry Hunsicker, who currently serves as a senior VP with the Rays?  He told Mike Sielski of the Wall Street Journal Saturday that he did not have a burning passion to be a GM again and that "it would have to be a very special situation."

Heyman On Pena, Reyes, Blue Jays

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Three American League GMs told Jon Heyman of SI.com that they believe their team's stars deserve to win the MVP. Miguel Cabrera, Josh Hamilton and Robinson Cano all have strong cases for the award, but if Heyman had asked Theo Epstein or Alex Anthopoulos, there's a good chance he would have heard Adrian Beltre or Jose Bautista mentioned, too. Here are Heyman's latest rumors:

  • The Rays hope to re-sign Carlos Pena this offseason, though it looks like Carl Crawford and Rafael Soriano will sign elsewhere. Crawford recently told Yahoo’s Jeff Passan that he’s open to signing anywhere and indicated that he realizes he isn’t likely to return to Tampa Bay.
  • Jose Reyes would like to sign long-term in New York. It looks like he’ll be negotiating his deal with a new general manager; Heyman reported earlier today that Omar Minaya will not be the Mets GM for long.
  • Speaking of GMs, Heyman adds Blue Jays exec Tony LaCava to his list of potential GM candidates. Heyman reports that the Blue Jays have about 14-15 managerial candidates, including Bob Melvin, Don Baylor, Yankees coach Rob Thomson and Brian Butterfield.

Odds & Ends: Darvish, Feliciano, D’Backs, Blue Jays

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As the Padres face a big uphill battle in San Francisco this weekend, we look at some news items….

Scott Boras To Represent Rafael Soriano

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Agent Scott Boras has added another one of the offseason's most intriguing free agents to his client list. Rafael Soriano hired Boras to represent him, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.

As Boras recently pointed out to Jon Heyman of SI.com, Soriano is “one of the top closers in the game.” The 30-year-old leads the American League in saves (44) and has a 1.76 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 63 appearances. MLBTR's Luke Adams recently pointed out that Soriano has set himself up for a multi-year deal, possibly even a three-year contract.

Boras, who has negotiated massive free agent deals for the likes of Matt Holliday, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez, recently added Jayson Werth to his list of clients. Soriano, Werth, Adrian Beltre and Carlos Pena highlight Boras' free agents this offseason.

The Rays' chances of re-signing Soriano seem slim, but they could obtain two picks in next year's draft if Soriano turns down arbitration and signs elsewhere. Soriano, a projected Type A free agent, could theoretically accept an arb offer, as he did a year ago, but that probably won't concern the Rays. Soriano seems unlikely to accept arbitration and the Rays could trade him if he does, just as Atlanta did last offseason.

Rosenthal On Red Sox, Yankees, Garza

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The Red Sox will "explore their options" with Adrian Beltre, Victor Martinez, and David Ortiz, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.  They're also "already checking into" Carl Crawford and Jayson Werth, possibly with the idea of moving Jacoby Ellsbury back to center field and making Mike Cameron a pricey fourth outfielder.  Rosenthal's other musings…

  • Rosenthal's quick math suggests the Yankees would have to stay out of the Crawford/Werth derby – barring a payroll increase –  if they sign Mariano Rivera, Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, and Cliff Lee.
  • Rosenthal finds the offseason trade market for starting pitching unimpressive.  Though Matt Garza is "drawing long looks" from other teams, the Rays are more likely to trade a starter after the 2011 season.  As for Royals ace Zack Greinke, the team might be inclined to let him rebuild value in the first half.  Earlier this month, MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith named five other starters who might be available this winter.
  • John Hart, Stan Kasten, or Sandy Alderson could be a fit for the Mets if they look to add an experienced executive above Omar Minaya, speculates Rosenthal.  Rosenthal's source does not see Kasten replacing Bob Dupuy as baseball's second in command.
  • Felipe Lopez wouldn't net the Red Sox a draft pick if his next deal is of the minor league variety, notes Rosenthal.

Odds & Ends: Webb, Pirates, Ozzie, Pena, Mets, Lopez

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Some links to check out after the Rangers clinched their first AL West title since 1999…

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