Odds & Ends: Jaramillo, Varitek, D’Backs
Links for Wednesday…
- Longtime Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo turned down a one-year offer from the team and will explore free agency, according to Evan Grant. Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune thinks Jaramillo would be a perfect addition to the Cubs.
- According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals re-signed three players eligible for minor league free agency: Scott Thorman, Kelvin Villa, and Carlos Rivas.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says this year's free agent class is pretty darn interesting, even if it lacks top-level talent.
- Sean McAdam of the Boston Herald considers free agent alternatives should the Red Sox fail to sign Jason Bay.
- McAdam's colleague Michael Silverman talked to agent Scott Boras, who had this to say about Jason Varitek's future: "Theo and I will be talking about Tek whenever he deems the time appropriate."
- The Giants don't have much money to spend this winter unless they raise payroll, says Ray Ratto of the San Francisco Chronicle.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says the Diamondbacks aren't likely to change their core, but the clubhouse could use a dose of veteran leadership.
- The Rays ought to target free agent reliever Kiko Calero, in the opinion of Tommy Rancel of DRays Bay.
- Padres third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff has no control over his future, but wants to stay in San Diego according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Dodgers manager Joe Torre doesn't anticipate working past his current contract, which runs through 2010 (according to the AP).
- Jose Cruz was shocked to be dismissed from his coaching job with the Astros, according to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle.
Odds & Ends: Blue Jays, Rockies, Crede
Links for Monday…
- The Astros received permission to interview Red Sox first base coach Tim Bogar for their managerial job, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford. Brad Mills and Manny Acta will also interview, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart (via Twitter). McTaggart adds Bob Melvin, Dave Clark, and Al Pedrique as other candidates, while Alyson Footer adds Ned Yost, Randy Ready, Phil Garner, and Pete Mackanin.
- Nationals scouting director Dana Brown has been hired away by new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
- Rockies owner Dick Monfort told Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post that the team's postseason appearance won't significantly affect payroll. The Rockies have impending free agents in Jason Marquis, Yorvit Torrealba, Rafael Betancourt, and Joe Beimel (among others), and must also decide whether to tender Garrett Atkins a contract. Torrealba and Betancourt have pricey club options.
- Astros catcher J.R. Towles is a potential buy-low candidate for the Rays, says R.J. Anderson of DRays Bay. Towles hit .276/.386/.455 in Triple A this year, but Jason Castro is the Astros' catcher of the future.
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak hopes to take advantage of the exclusive negotiating period for his free agents, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. In a separate article, Joe Strauss of the P-D notes that Rick Ankiel pulled a fast one on the media.
- Joe Crede is optimistic he'll have a quick recovery from his third back surgery, says MLB.com's Scott Merkin. Merkin says the Boras client "spoke more in generalities than about a specific return to Minnesota."
- Jack Morris almost signed with the Yankees in 1996, writes Jack Curry of the New York Times.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports speculates about the Red Sox trading closer Jonathan Papelbon.
Odds & Ends: Padres, Burrell, Upton, Jays
Here's a few links to help you relax before starting the grind tomorrow…
- Dan Hayes of The North County Times says that whoever takes over as GM of the Padres will inherit a favorable situation because the "40-man roster is loaded with affordable, controllable talent" and the team "should have a little spending flexibility this offseason." Plus it's San Diego, which is awesome.
- Marc Topkin of The St. Petersburg Times says that unless the Rays find someone willing to take on the $9MM left on Pat Burrell's contract, he'll be back next year. He also notes that Tampa would need to be "overwhelmed" to trade B.J. Upton, as you could imagine.
- The Blue Jays will hire Nationals scouting director Dana Brown as a special assistant to new GM Alex Anthopoulos, according to Bob Elliot of The Toronto Sun. The Nats will interview Braves director of scouting Roy Clark on Monday according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman, potentially filling Brown's now vacant position.
Odds & Ends: Rays, Joba, Pettitte
A few Sunday links to browse through….
- R.J. Anderson at DRays Bay examines Tampa Bay's 2009 season and their expectations for 2010. He figures that the Rays' most likely spot for improvement is behind the plate, and suggests they possess the chips to deal for a catcher.
- The New York Yankees nearly sent Joba Chamberlain to the minors this summer, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Sherman says that the Yankees will expect Chamberlain (and Phil Hughes) to come to spring training in 2010 prepared to start. But if Joba's struggles continue, he may not merely be moved to the bullpen, but rather sent to the minors.
- Mark Carig of the Star Ledger also looks at the Yankees' 2010 rotation and questions whether Andy Pettitte will be back in the Bronx next season.
- The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch wonders (via Twitter) how much money Matt Holliday cost himself with his poor NLDS, both offensively and defensively. In a second tweet though, Hubbuch concedes that Holliday's bank account probably won't suffer, since the "Cards seem determined to sign him no matter what."
Odds & Ends: Bradley, Lackey, Padilla
Bonus afternoon links:
- Yahoo's Tim Brown reports via Twitter that Tampa Bay "will only consider acquiring [Milton] Bradley if Cubs eat so much [of his] salary [that the] Rays could release him at any time without financial hit."
- John Harper of the New York Daily News wants the Mets to pursue John Lackey as "people around the Angels" view his return as unlikely.
- Vicente Padilla is grateful for the opportunity he has been given with the Dodgers, writes MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. The Dodgers picked up the righty for the prorated portion of the minimum salary after he was released by the Rangers in August.
- Newsday's Ken Davidoff brings us a strong quote from Yankees GM Brian Cashman on Carl Pavano: "He took a lot of crap, and so did I…Do I blame him for it? No, I don't. I don't think he laid down on us."
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M’s, Jays
On this date 43 years ago, Frank Robinson accounted for the only run in game four of the World Series with a home run, completing a four game sweep. It was Robinson's first season with the Orioles, having been traded to Baltimore the previous winter for Jack Baldschun, Milt Pappas and Dick Simpson. With the regular season over, rumors of trades that could impact next season's World Series have already begun. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Jorge Says No! sees the Mariners as a nice fit for Milton Bradley.
- Blue Jay Hunter looks at what it might take for the Blue Jays to land Bradley.
- Trop Talk breaks down the arguments for Bradley, and yet still wants the Rays to stay away.
- Dock of the Rays explains why the Rays are so eager to rid themselves of Pat Burrell.
- Rays Index notes that the Burrell-for-Bradley rumor still has a number of unanswered questions, even if the deal comes down to just money.
- The Rays Party is not thrilled with the idea of the Cubs dumping a player on the Rays because of personality issues.
- Cubs Locker wants Bradley out of town, even if it takes cash and a relief pitcher.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M’s, Jays
On this date 43 years ago, Frank Robinson accounted for the only run in game four of the World Series with a home run, completing a four game sweep. It was Robinson's first season with the Orioles, having been traded to Baltimore the previous winter for Jack Baldschun, Milt Pappas and Dick Simpson. With the regular season over, rumors of trades that could impact next season's World Series have already begun. Let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- Jorge Says No! sees the Mariners as a nice fit for Milton Bradley.
- Blue Jay Hunter looks at what it might take for the Blue Jays to land Bradley.
- Trop Talk breaks down the arguments for Bradley, and yet still wants the Rays to stay away.
- Dock of the Rays explains why the Rays are so eager to rid themselves of Pat Burrell.
- Rays Index notes that the Burrell-for-Bradley rumor still has a number of unanswered questions, even if the deal comes down to just money.
- The Rays Party is not thrilled with the idea of the Cubs dumping a player on the Rays because of personality issues.
- Cubs Locker wants Bradley out of town, even if it takes cash and a relief pitcher.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Rays Unlikely To Acquire Closer
The Rays don't find adding a closer realistic this offseason, executive VP Andrew Friedman told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Friedman's said the Rays are more likely to add two or three late-inning relievers who can handle high-leverage situations. The plan is sure to please the stat-head crowd.
J.P. Howell saved 17 games in 25 opportunities for the Rays this year, but the majority of his blown saves occurred before the ninth inning. I'm not sure which free agent relievers the Rays will target this offseason, but Kiko Calero seems like their type. Between free agents and trade candidates, the market for closers is deep this winter, but the Rays are right not to pay a premium for the closer tag (they did so with Troy Percival back in December of '07).
Additionally, manager Joe Maddon and Friedman said they expected catcher Dioner Navarro and DH Pat Burrell to rebound in 2010. Navarro is on our list of non-tender candidates, so we'll see whether the Rays cut him loose in mid-December.
Cubs, Rays Talking Milton Bradley
FRIDAY: ESPN's Buster Olney says "it's very much a longshot that this deal gets worked out."
THURSDAY: The Cubs are focused on one particular trading partner, as they look to move Milton Bradley. Chris De Luca of the Chicago Sun-Times hears that the Cubs are pushing the Rays to make a quick deal.
De Luca suggests the Rays could send Pat Burrell to the Cubs for Bradley. Burrell has $7MM remaining on his contract and Bradley has $21MM remaining on his, so the Rays would likely want the Cubs to cover a considerable amount of Bradley's contract in any deal.
The Blue Jays and Padres are possible destinations for Bradley, but the Blue Jays have a new GM (Alex Anthopoulos) and the Padres haven't yet named a permanent GM. As De Luca points out, it's doubtful that either club would want to acquire Bradley to kick off a new regime given the outfielder's volatility.
Odds & Ends: Sabathia, Leyland, Astros
Some links to start the day off…
- Marc Carig of the Star Ledger says the Yankees hit the jackpot when they signed C.C. Sabathia to a $161MM deal last offseason.
- As Yankees manager Joe Girardi tells Filip Bondy of the New York Daily News, they acquired the lefty for big games like last night's ALDS opener against the Twins.
- Tigers fans are rightfully frustrated after a devastating week, but Drew Sharp of the Detroit Free Press says firing manager Jim Leyland wouldn't solve a thing.
- Former Astros manager Phil Garner tells Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle that candidates for the Houston managerial job have to be honest with owner Drayton McLane and GM Ed Wade.
- Now that Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez knows his job is secure, he's clearing his head in Georgia for a few days, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- ESPN.com's Rob Neyer agrees with Tyler Hissey: the Rockies deserve a lot of credit for acquiring Jason Hammel.
- Hissey says the Rays appear to have won the deal that sent Delmon Young and Brendan Harris to the Twins for Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza.