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Offseason Outlook: Toronto Blue Jays

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Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Blue Jays.  Their likely commitments for 2010:

C –
C – Raul Chavez – $500K+
1B – Lyle Overbay – $7MM
2B – Aaron Hill – $4MM
SS –
3B – Edwin Encarnacion – $4.75MM
IF – Joe Inglett – $411K
LF – Adam Lind – $412K
CF – Vernon Wells – $12.5MM
RF – Travis Snider – $401K
OF –
DH – Randy Ruiz – $400K
? –

SP – Roy Halladay – $15.75MM
SP – Ricky Romero – $400K
SP – Shaun Marcum – $405K+
SP – Marc Rzepczynski – $400K
SP – Scott Richmond – $402K

Other candidates: Brett Cecil, David Purcey, Brad Mills

Injured:  Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch
 
RP – Scott Downs – $4MM
RP – Jason Frasor – $1.45MM+
RP – Brandon League – $640K+
RP – Jesse Carlson – $409K
RP – Casey Janssen – $414K
RP – Shawn Camp – $750K+
RP – Brian Tallet – $1.015MM+

Non-tender candidates: Jose Bautista, Jeremy Accardo

Other commitments: B.J. Ryan – $10MM

Assuming Bautista and one of Accardo/Tallet are non-tendered, the Blue Jays will have roughly $56MM committed before arbitration raises to Marcum, Frasor, League, Camp, and Chavez.  Add in B.J. Ryan's salary and commitments are in the low $70MM range.  The Jays entered 2009 with an $80.5MM payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.  New GM Alex Anthopoulos might have $10MM to spend, if the team holds payroll steady.

If Anthopoulos looks to contend in 2010, he's got his work cut out for him, especially if payroll isn't increased.  With Rod Barajas and Marco Scutaro eligible for free agency, the team could lose its starters at catcher and shortstop.  The Jays also lack a right fielder if they're unwilling to use Lind and Snider at the corners.

The Jays could attempt to improve upon Barajas behind the plate, though most other free agent catchers are equally questionable.  Arizona's Chris Snyder would be an interesting target, if not for the $11.25MM remaining on his contract.  Blue Jays catcher of the future J.P. Arencibia seemingly needs more seasoning after a .236/.284/.444 Triple A performance.  Barajas hopes to return, but has yet to hold discussions with the Jays.

Shortstop will also be a difficult position to fill.  Scutaro could be seeking $6-7MM annually coming off a career year.  The free agent market is bleak here as well, with J.J. Hardy the obvious trade target.  The Blue Jays might even have the starting pitching depth to pull off a deal with Milwaukee.

As always, outfield and DH options are plentiful on the free agent market.  Anthopoulos can afford to wait until February and hunt for a bargain.

I've been operating under the assumption the Blue Jays will attempt to compete in 2010 and will therefore keep Halladay.  If so, their rotation appears deep.  But is it crazy to think the Jays could trade Doc and put themselves in a better position for 2010?  Perhaps Anthopoulos could build the trade around a Major League-ready catcher or shortstop as well as a high-quality young starting pitcher.

Anthopoulos has admitted his team needs more than tweaking.  Will the Blue Jays commit to a full-scale rebuilding plan?  Will they raise payroll significantly and add players to complement Halladay, Lind, and Hill?  It'd be disappointing to see the Jays choose something in-between.

Offseason Outlook: Toronto Blue Jays

By | at

Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Blue Jays.  Their likely commitments for 2010:

C –
C – Raul Chavez – $500K+
1B – Lyle Overbay – $7MM
2B – Aaron Hill – $4MM
SS –
3B – Edwin Encarnacion – $4.75MM
IF – Joe Inglett – $411K
LF – Adam Lind – $412K
CF – Vernon Wells – $12.5MM
RF – Travis Snider – $401K
OF –
DH – Randy Ruiz – $400K
? –

SP – Roy Halladay – $15.75MM
SP – Ricky Romero – $400K
SP – Shaun Marcum – $405K+
SP – Marc Rzepczynski – $400K
SP – Scott Richmond – $402K

Other candidates: Brett Cecil, David Purcey, Brad Mills

Injured:  Dustin McGowan, Jesse Litsch
 
RP – Scott Downs – $4MM
RP – Jason Frasor – $1.45MM+
RP – Brandon League – $640K+
RP – Jesse Carlson – $409K
RP – Casey Janssen – $414K
RP – Shawn Camp – $750K+
RP – Brian Tallet – $1.015MM+

Non-tender candidates: Jose Bautista, Jeremy Accardo

Other commitments: B.J. Ryan – $10MM

Assuming Bautista and one of Accardo/Tallet are non-tendered, the Blue Jays will have roughly $56MM committed before arbitration raises to Marcum, Frasor, League, Camp, and Chavez.  Add in B.J. Ryan's salary and commitments are in the low $70MM range.  The Jays entered 2009 with an $80.5MM payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts.  New GM Alex Anthopoulos might have $10MM to spend, if the team holds payroll steady.

If Anthopoulos looks to contend in 2010, he's got his work cut out for him, especially if payroll isn't increased.  With Rod Barajas and Marco Scutaro eligible for free agency, the team could lose its starters at catcher and shortstop.  The Jays also lack a right fielder if they're unwilling to use Lind and Snider at the corners.

The Jays could attempt to improve upon Barajas behind the plate, though most other free agent catchers are equally questionable.  Arizona's Chris Snyder would be an interesting target, if not for the $11.25MM remaining on his contract.  Blue Jays catcher of the future J.P. Arencibia seemingly needs more seasoning after a .236/.284/.444 Triple A performance.  Barajas hopes to return, but has yet to hold discussions with the Jays.

Shortstop will also be a difficult position to fill.  Scutaro could be seeking $6-7MM annually coming off a career year.  The free agent market is bleak here as well, with J.J. Hardy the obvious trade target.  The Blue Jays might even have the starting pitching depth to pull off a deal with Milwaukee.

As always, outfield and DH options are plentiful on the free agent market.  Anthopoulos can afford to wait until February and hunt for a bargain.

I've been operating under the assumption the Blue Jays will attempt to compete in 2010 and will therefore keep Halladay.  If so, their rotation appears deep.  But is it crazy to think the Jays could trade Doc and put themselves in a better position for 2010?  Perhaps Anthopoulos could build the trade around a Major League-ready catcher or shortstop as well as a high-quality young starting pitcher.

Anthopoulos has admitted his team needs more than tweaking.  Will the Blue Jays commit to a full-scale rebuilding plan?  Will they raise payroll significantly and add players to complement Halladay, Lind, and Hill?  It'd be disappointing to see the Jays choose something in-between.

Odds & Ends: Blue Jays, Rockies, Crede

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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

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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: Thome, Anthopoulos, 2010 Draft

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Here's a few links to check out while the Cardinals try to stave off elimination…

  • Prior to this evening's game, Jim Thome said he would "still love to come back" to the White Sox, according to Chris DeLuca of The Chicago Sun Times. ''I want to come back to the American League,'' said the 39-year-old Thome, who is making $13MM in the final season of the monster six-year, $85MM contract he signed with the Phillies prior to 2003.
  • Ken Fidlin of The Calgary Sun writes that new Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopolous "would do well to foster" what he calls the "Twins Way" in Toronto. He's referring to a "culture of professionalism and attention to detail."
  • Forgive the self-promotion, but if you're looking for a way to keep track of where each team's draft picks go once free agency starts, make sure you check out our 2010 Draft Order Tracker at River Ave. Blues. I'll keep that baby updated all winter as signings are make official, so make sure you check back in often.

Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo

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Links for Friday…

  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
  • The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
  • Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier.  Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
  • NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs.  Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
  • Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
  • Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
  • Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
  • Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer. 
  • In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.

Odds & Ends: Henry, Kikuchi, Accardo

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Links for Friday…

  • MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tells us via Twitter that the Astros released pitchers Chad Paronto and Billy Sadler.
  • The Nationals interviewed longtime Braves scouting director Roy Clark, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
  • The Blue Jays fired J.P. Ricciardi advisor Dick Scott, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
  • Interesting note from WEEI's Alex Speier.  Back in 2002, upon purchasing the Red Sox and selling the Marlins, John Henry attempted to have Josh Beckett and A.J. Burnett transferred to the Sox.
  • NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman says NPB is lobbying Japan's High School Baseball Federation to have Yusei Kikuchi appear in person for meetings with NPB teams but not MLB clubs.  Newman still likes the Rangers as Kikuchi's top suitor, based on reports.
  • Newman also tells us that pitcher Koji Mitsui, who was posted twice last winter but received no bids, has been released and will attempt to sign with an MLB team.
  • Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times has a plan for the Cubs that includes signing Chone Figgins and avoiding long-term free agent deals.
  • Padres exec Paul DePodesta explains the team's recent roster moves.
  • Via Twitter, ESPN's Jorge Arangure Jr. passes along info from Miguel Angel Sano's agent Rob Plummer. 
  • In an MLB.com chat, Blue Jays reliever Jeremy Accardo says that his first choice is to stay with Toronto for his entire career, but his second choice is to pitch on the West Coast.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Bradley, Burrell, M’s, Jays

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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

By | at

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.

Cubs, Rays Talking Milton Bradley

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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.

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