Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Manny, Peavy, Cubs
A look at what is being written around the Blogosphere…
- Sox and Pinstripes has eight questions the Red Sox must address this offseason including whether or not to re-sign Jason Varitek and Tim Wakefield.
- Dodger Thoughts notes that there is not a lot of substance behind the rumors of the Dodgers offering Manny Ramirez a contract worth $60MM for two years.
- Fanhouse wonders if Ramirez could make more money in the long run if he signs a two-year deal with the Dodgers now.
- Gaslamp Ball wonders if the Padres are not getting the offers they expected for Jake Peavy and are starting to get "cold feet."
- Talking Chop notes that Frank Wren’s public posturing during the Peavy negotiations is in stark contrast to what Braves fans are accustomed.
- Bleed Cubbie Blue projects a Cubs ’09 roster, including Aubrey Huff at first base and Luke Scott in right field.
- The Sports Bank says the biggest need for the White Sox lineup is to add speed. They look at some potential moves and project an ’09 lineup that includes Rafael Furcal and Chone Figgins.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds and Ends: Yankees, Pena, Epstein
Let’s round ’em up for Friday…
- The Royals claimed 24 year-old righty Jairo Cuevas off waivers from the Braves.
- I recently did a Q&A with a blog called The ‘Burgh Blues.
- Mike Lupica of the New York Daily News expects the Yankees to spend big this winter. Meanwhile, Peter Abraham reminds fans not to panic.
- Joel Sherman examines why the Yankees and Red Sox discarded Carlos Pena in 2006.
- Theo Epstein’s new deal will be made official after the World Series.
- Sox Machine debates whether the White Sox should add a starter this winter.
- Former Dodgers GM Fred Claire wonders whether the nation’s economy will affect the free agent market.
- Billy Beane, Newt Gingrich, and John Kerry propose a data revolution for our health care system.
Odds and Ends: Prior, Mulder, Cameron
Links for Wednesday…
- Mark Prior hopes to return to the Padres, according to a blogger who talked to him at a pumpkin patch. That wheelbarrow looks a bit heavy…
- I am still digging through the many applications for the Saturday morning position – thanks for your interest. Tons of great candidates in the mix.
- Viva El Birdos reflects on Mark Mulder‘s time with the Cardinals. Mulder is trying everything he can to get back to his old self.
- Dave Cameron names Mike Cameron the top free agent bargain of last offseason.
- SI.com’s Jon Heyman looks at how the Rays were built.
- Joe Posnanski looks at the divergent paths of the Royals and Rays.
- Sox Machine considers some free agent fits for the White Sox.
- Mets owner Jeff Wilpon spoke about "addition by subtraction" in a recent radio interview.
- I agree with this take on the Mark Ellis signing.
- Patrick Newman believes NPB will eventually soften its stance toward Junichi Tazawa.
- Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald doesn’t like the idea of the Red Sox shifting things around to accomodate Mark Teixeira.
- The Mariners apparently have still not decided on their new GM.
Odds and Ends: Pitt, Manny, White Sox
Links for Friday…
- The Red Sox claimed pitcher Dewon Day off waivers from the White Sox, and also designated pitcher Chris Smith for assignment.
- Jeff Gordon of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch ponders trading Colby Rasmus to get Jake Peavy and Khalil Greene.
- Brad Pitt as Billy Beane in the Moneyball movie? Beane hopes to add offense this winter.
- J.C. Bradbury estimates Manny Ramirez‘s value at $128MM over the next six years. I think Manny and Boras would happily accept such an offer.
- Dave Cameron laments the lack of respect for Ryan Langerhans.
- South Side Sox presents an offseason plan for the White Sox.
- Jacob Jackson at Athletics Nation predicts destinations for his top 12 free agents. My Top 50 will come out after the World Series. I disagree with a few of Jacob’s picks – Derek Lowe and Jason Giambi re-signing and the Cubs signing Adam Dunn.
- I attempted to find some over/undervalued starting pitchers for fantasy baseball over at RotoAuthority.
Odds and Ends: Iguchi, Varitek, Bonds
Linkage for Thursday…
- Tadahito Iguchi will consider playing in the U.S. or Japan, but he wants a starting job. He hit just .232/.292/.306 in 337 plate appearances, hobbled by a shoulder injury.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman said he does not have any side agreements with any of their free agents to decline arbitration if offered. That would’ve been nice for Ivan Rodriguez. River Ave. Blues thinks the Yanks should offer arb to Rodriguez, Bobby Abreu, Mike Mussina, and Damaso Marte.
- Sox Machine would like to see the White Sox add a defensive player like Mark Ellis.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if Larry Bowa would campaign for the Yankees to sign Manny Ramirez, if Bowa joins the Yankees first.
- Tonight could be Jason Varitek‘s last game as a member of the Red Sox.
- What might’ve been: the Rockies seriously considered drafting Evan Longoria.
- Murray Chass talked to Barry Bonds‘ agent, Jeff Borris.
Odds and Ends: Gillick, Cashman, Burnett
Links for Tuesday…
- Tim’s chat will be moved to Wednesday at 2pm CST.
- J.C. Bradbury thinks A.J. Burnett would be wise to accept Toronto’s two-year, $30MM extension offer.
- Ken Rosenthal examines the Caucasian-ness of the Red Sox roster, and what it could mean to their free agent targets.
- The AL free agent catchers list is done at Detroit Tigers Thoughts. Eddie has Ivan Rodriguez as the last Type A, though that’s not concrete.
- Sox Machine tries to determine the trade value of the White Sox roster. They consider John Danks, Carlos Quentin, Gordon Beckham, and Aaron Poreda basically untouchable.
- The Tigers will start looking for a new pitching coach today, though the candidates are unknown.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post thinks Brian Cashman should hire soon-to-be-ex-Phillies’ GM Pat Gillick as a consultant. Surprisingly, Sherman never mentions that Gillick worked with the Yankees in the past. He was their scouting director in 1975 and 1976 before moving onto the Blue Jays.
- Craig at Fishstripes looks at the ridiculous Dan Uggla and Scott Olsen for Yorvit Torrealba and a pitching prospect speculation, which appeared on MLB.com.
Week in Review: 10/5 – 10/11
Let’s kick things off this afternoon with the week in review…
- Rich Harden doesn’t need surgery, and he also doesn’t need to worry about where he’s pitching next year. The Cubs exercised his $7MM option this week. That one was a no-brainer, good news for Cubs fans.
- Elsewhere in the Midwest, the Twins exercised backup catcher Mike Redmond’s option for $950K. While that’s great news for Twins fans, the bigger story for them is that Delmon Young could be available this offseason. Personally, I think trading a 23-year-old outfielder with that kind of upside would be a colossal mistake. I realize the Twins feel the need to acquire some infield help, but trading a former #1 overall pick after one disappointing season when he’s just 23 holds zero logic in my mind. I still like the Young/Matt Garza trade for Minnesota in the long run.
- Couple of notes on the Brewers’ 1-2 punch, as C.C. Sabathia told reporters he’s open to playing anywhere, and wants to get his free agency over with quickly, and early in the offseason. As for Ben Sheets, despite his elbow injury, he is likely to be wearing a new uniform when 2009 comes around. His injury is apparently not too serious anyway.
- We saw a few different rumblings about a possible Jake Peavy trade. Peavy doesn’t like the idea of a full-scale rebuilding project in San Diego, and an interview with his agent hints that he may be willing to play for the Yankees. If he’d prefer to be somewhere closer to home (Alabama), the Braves could be an interesting suitor.
- Ryan Howard’s name has been tossed around as a potential trade candidate, but he’s likely to remain in place. One slugging first baseman from the NL will be available though, it seems: Tim takes a look at several potential landing sites for Prince Fielder. Trading Fielder is only a good idea if they can get a cheap, young, potential ace in my mind. With Sabathia and Sheets on their way out the door, the Brewers are going to need that offense working on all cylinders.
- For those teams that need power, but lose out on the Fielder sweepstakes (assuming he’s moved that is), there’s still power to be had. Here’s a list of this year’s free agent home run leaders.
- Tim covered his Offseason Outlook for the Twins, White Sox, Cardinals, and Astros.
- Curt Schilling will either pitch for a contender in the second half of 2009 or retire.
Offseason Outlook: Chicago White Sox
Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the White Sox. Their likely commitments for 2009:
C – A.J. Pierzynski – $6.25MM
C – Toby Hall – $2.25MM (club option, $150K buyout)
1B – Paul Konerko – $12MM
2B – Chris Getz – $400K
SS – Alexei Ramirez – $1.1MM
3B – Josh Fields – $400K
IF –
LF – Carlos Quentin – $400K
CF – Brian Anderson – $400K
RF – Jermaine Dye – $11.5MM
OF – DeWayne Wise – $400K+
OF/1B – Nick Swisher – $5.3MM
DH – Jim Thome – $13MM
SP – Mark Buehrle – $14MM
SP – Javier Vazquez – $11.5MM
SP – John Danks – $400K
SP – Gavin Floyd – $400K
SP – Clayton Richard – $400K
RP – Bobby Jenks – $550K+
RP – Scott Linebrink – $4.5MM
RP – Octavio Dotel – $6MM
RP – Matt Thornton – $1.325MM
RP – Boone Logan – $405K
RP – D.J. Carrasco – $400K+
RP – Ehren Wassermann – $400K
Buyouts: Ken Griffey Jr. – $2MM
Other commitments: Jose Contreras – $10MM, Mike MacDougal – $2.65MM
I’m not sure if any of the $22MM received from the Phillies will go toward Thome’s 2009 salary. I’m also unsure if Chicago’s portion of Junior’s buyout goes toward ’09 payroll. To play it safe I will include all of that. That brings us to $108MM plus arbitration raises, notably to Jenks. So figure a little north of $110MM committed. The Sox began the year with a $121MM payroll, though GM Ken Williams will not necessarily use every last dollar. It seems that the Sox can afford one decent free agent if that’s Williams’ preference.
The Sox have talked about wanting to add speed at the top and bottom of the lineup. A guy with a strong OBP would surely be preferable. Willy Taveras, Juan Pierre, Ichiro Suzuki, Brian Roberts, Orlando Hudson, Chone Figgins, Randy Winn, Cesar Izturis, Bobby Abreu, and Coco Crisp may be available to varying degrees. Roberts would be perfect, but the Orioles may still want young pitching or a shortstop. Winn or Crisp could be easier to acquire. The Angels may prefer to keep Figgins.
There’s talk of moving one of the pricier vets, maneuvering past no-trade clauses. Dye would be appealing to many clubs; Abreu could be signed as a replacement. Another option: shop Jenks. Three years of Jenks is quite valuable, and he’d make an appealing alternative to signing Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes.
At this point we have learned to just sit back and watch Williams work…he has proven he’s unpredictable and very good at his job.
White Sox Looking For Speed
With their season over, it’s time to round up some White Sox rumors.
- Scot Gregor of the Daily Herald says GM Kenny Williams wants to add speed to the top and bottom of his order. Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune hints at the same.
- The speedy and available: Brian Roberts, Ichiro Suzuki (maybe), Coco Crisp, Nick Punto, Willy Taveras, Jerry Hairston Jr., Juan Pierre, Randy Winn, Bobby Abreu, Luis Castillo, Corey Patterson, Julio Lugo, and Cesar Izturis.
- Gonzales says Juan Uribe (free agent) and Toby Hall (club option) would like to return. Ken Griffey Jr. would also be willing to talk.
- Gonzales ponders a veteran shakeup, wondering if the Sox will look to move players with no-trade clauses such as Paul Konerko, Jim Thome, and Javier Vazquez. Chris De Luca sees Nick Swisher staying, but no chance of re-signing Orlando Cabrera.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Sabathia, McLouth, Fuentes
Here’s a look at the latest column from Ken Rosenthal.
- Rosenthal puts odds for various teams to sign C.C. Sabathia, with the Yankees, Angels and Red Sox on top.
- Rosenthal wonders whether the White Sox will consider trading Jermaine Dye for a starting pitcher, moving Carlos Quentin to right field, and acquiring an athletic center fielder somehow. The goal would be a more athletic club. The Sox will also look to add a second baseman, moving Alexei Ramirez to shortstop. I’m not sure if something as long-term as Orlando Hudson makes sense, though.
- The Pirates wouldn’t trade Nate McLouth for Robinson Cano, and won’t trade McLouth at all unless some team overpays.
- If the Orioles don’t reach an extension with Brian Roberts, he’ll go on the trading block.
- Rosenthal sees Brian Fuentes asking for Brad Lidge-type money, three years and at least $37.5MM. Pretty steep, but still half of K-Rod’s price.
- The Rangers "made a big offer" for Zack Greinke in July, and the Braves are also fans. But the Royals will need to be bowled over to move him.