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Odds & Ends: Giants, Phillies, Hernandez

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Some news and notes from around the majors….

  • Giants blogger Grant of The McCovey Chronicles notes the potential downsides for San Francisco if they were to sign Jason Bay, Jermaine Dye and/or Bengie Molina.
  • With rumors again swirling that the Phillies will make a play for Roy Halladay, Scott Lauber of the News Journal looks at a Baseball America listing of Philadelphia's top prospects, with an eye towards which of these youngsters could head to Toronto in a trade.
  • Speaking of Halladay, The Seattle Times' Larry Stone believes that if the Mariners do decide to move Felix Hernandez, they will do so without being as public as the Blue Jays were about dealing their ace last summer.
  • Dick Kaegel of MLB.com reports that the Royals outrighted pitchers Yasuhiko Yabuta and Lenny DiNardo to Triple-A Omaha, leaving them both eligible for free agency.  Neither move was a surprise, particularly given that Kansas City already declined Yabuta's $4MM option for 2010.
  • Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles signed catcher Michel Hernandez.  The 31-year-old Hernandez will get an invite to spring training to vie for the backup catcher's job.  Hernandez has a .237/.286/.305 career line in 127 plate appearances with Tampa Bay and New York.

Mets Won’t Pursue Varitek

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The Mets won't pursue Jason Varitek if he turns down his player option and becomes a free agent, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post. Two Mets officials tell Sherman that the club wants a catcher who can catch more than 100 games.

They had interest in the veteran catcher last offseason, but now the Mets covet more durable catchers -  Bengie Molina may be a consideration. Molina has caught more games than Varitek over the course of the last three seasons, but Varitek hasn't caught fewer than 100 games since 2001, so it's surprising to see a club question his durability.

As Sherman points out, the Mariners and Nationals could have interest in Varitek if he opts to explore free agency.

Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Phillies, Nationals

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As the immortal Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe puts it, "Standing around an airport hotel lobby at night just in case Scott Boras walks by was not covered in journalism school." Meanwhile, you get to keep up with the latest rumors in the comfort of your own home!

Nationals Notes: MacDougal, Dukes, Flores

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Let's take a look at some Nationals tidbits courtesy of the latest mailbag from MLB.com's Bill Ladson and Phil Wood of MASNsports.com:

  • Mike MacDougal is currently the favorite to be the Nats' closer in 2010.  In 52 appearances last season, the 32-year-old posted an ERA of 3.60 but had as many walks as he did strikeouts.  However, the club could be looking to upgrade as Ladson hears that they are interested in acquiring free agent reliever Mike Gonzalez.  If they ink Gonzalez, Ladson sees the two men sharing the closer role.
  • Don't expect Washington to make a move for free agent right fielder Jermaine Dye, as Elijah Dukes will be allowed to showcase his potential as the starter.
  • The Nationals are not content with Wil Nieves as their starting catcher as they await a clean bill of health for Jesus Flores.  Instead, they would like to get a catcher who can play every day in the event that Flores is not ready for Spring Training or Opening Day.
  • Wood writes that while it is something of a long shot, the Nationals have the cash available this offseason to sign Rich Harden.  While the 27-year-old wouldn't come cheap, he will not require the forfeiture of a draft pick as he is a Type B free agent.

Nationals Decline Option On Austin Kearns

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The Nationals declined their $10MM option on right fielder Austin Kearns, according to the AP.  They'll instead pay a $1MM buyout.  Kearns signed his three-year, $17.5MM deal in January of '07, and gave the Nats one solid year for their money.  He represents the last of the day's multiple obvious option decisions.

Kearns, 29, hit .195/.336/.305 in 211 plate appearances this year.  He missed a chunk of the season due to thumb surgery.  Based on UZR, he still plays a strong right field.

Petit, Slaten Claimed Off Waivers

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According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, right-hander Yusmeiro Petit and left-hander Doug Slaten have been claimed off waivers.

Petit, 24, was scooped up by the Mariners.  He went 3-10 with a 5.82 ERA, 1.52 WHIP and 74/34 K/BB ratio in 17 starts (89 2/3 innings) this season with the D'Backs.  As Piecoro notes, Petit has allowed 1.96 HR/9 through 229 1/3 major league innings, tied for the worst rate in MLB history.

Slaten, who turns 30 in February, was claimed by the Nationals.  He allowed five earned runs and 11 total baserunners in 6 1/3 innings with the Diamondbacks in '09, but posted a 3.09 ERA and a 40/15 K/BB ratio in 43 2/3 innings at Triple-A Reno.  He hasn't been the same since undergoing knee surgery at the end of 2007.

Odds & Ends: Mariners, Riggleman, Crisp, ‘Stros

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A few leftovers as the Phillies and Yankees do battle in Game 6…

  • According to ESPN.com's Jorge Arangure, recently-defected Cuban first baseman Jose Julio Ruiz has impressed scouts in workouts the past two weeks.  The Red Sox and Tigers are known to have some level of interest.
  • Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner thinks the M's should "kick the tires" on several undervalued starters this offseason.  He lists Ben Sheets, Rich Harden, Carl Pavano and Randy Johnson, among others, as possible targets.
  • MASN's Byron Kerr spoke Wednesday with Jim Riggleman, who's hoping to be named the Nationals' permanent manager shortly after the World Series ends.  He went 33-42 as Washington's interim skipper last season.
  • According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals have shown "little inclination" that they plan to pick up Coco Crisp's 2010 option worth $8MM.
  • Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle lays out some advice for Astros owner Drayton McLane, including this nugget: "Give GM Ed Wade a five-year extension and give him the freedom to reshape the roster and the organization. If there's any doubt he knows what he's doing, check out the 2008-2009 Phillies. Ed Wade acquired the core of those teams."

Odds & Ends: Lilly, Iwamura, Beckett, Marlins, Dunn, Cubs

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Here's some links to check out while waiting for what might be the final start in the great careers of Andy Pettitte and Pedro Martinez…

  • Ted Lilly had arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder today, and the Cubs expect to have him back in their rotation "within the month of April," according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat. Might the Cubbies look for a little extra rotation insurance this offseason?
  • MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch mentions that the Pirates "began to show heavy interest" in Akinori Iwamura back in September. GM Neal Huntington confirmed that they had several scouts watch Aki after he came back from his knee injury.
  • WEEI.com's Rob Bradford mentions that Josh Beckett "isn’t likely to take a hometown discount" to stay with the Red Sox. Yesterday we learned that the two sides plan to meet in the coming weeks to discuss a contract extension.  
  • MLB.com's Joe Frisaro answers some hot stove related questions in his mailbag today. He thinks the Marlins will sign Josh Johnson to an extension this winter, and that they may explore trade possibilites for reliever Renyel Pinto.
  • In response to some weekend speculation that Adam Dunn could be a fit in St. Louis if Matt Holliday leaves as a free agent, ESPN's Keith Law says "just doesn't make a lot of sense for the Cardinals to consider it," noting that they'd be looking at a big drop-off by sticking Dunn in left field.
  • The Cub Reporter looks at what might happen on Chicago's north side in the coming weeks.

Discussion: Livan Hernandez

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According to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com's Twitter page, "Livan Hernandez's agent says his client 'would be interested in returning to the Nationals.'"

Hernandez's agent said the Nationals also like Hernandez.

It does raise the question: should they?

Hernandez got off to a strong start with the Mets in 2009, but was released after tossing 135 innings with a 5.47 ERA. Picked up by Washington, his ERA was only slightly better, at 5.36.

Over the past two seasons, Hernandez has thrown 363 2/3 innings- and has a 5.74 ERA to show for it.

On the plus side, he eats innings- hit-filled, run-scoring innings.

So would you bring him in? Is the ability to stay healthy valuable enough to make up for his performance?

Odds & Ends: Orioles, Rangers, Nationals

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Let us entertain you between World Series games…

  • Pitcher Rich Hill, outfielder Jeff Fiorentino and catcher Guillermo Rodriguez all rejected a minor league assignment by the Orioles and elected free agency instead. Alfredo Simon, who was also removed from the 40-man roster last week, accepted an assignment to Triple-A Norfolk. Hill could draw some interest this winter.
  • MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reports that former Colorado manager Clint Hurdle is likely to be the next hitting coach of the Rangers.
  • Don Mattingly passed on a chance to interview for Washington's managerial opening, according to Alden Gonzalez and Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
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