Odds & Ends: Mulder, Matsui, Smoltz, Rangers
Some afternoon linkage…
- The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel's Tom Haudricourt tweets that "it would be a huge upset if Mark Mulder doesn't try his comeback attempt in the Brewers' spring camp."
- Meanwhile, Brewers' GM Doug Melvin said the George Kottaras pickup was all about depth, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- NPB Tracker passes along a report that says the Yankees stand to lose at least $15MM in revenue if Hideki Matsui leaves as a free agent.
- The Tigers aren't one of the teams that have expressed interest in John Smoltz, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Yesterday we learned that at least seven teams are interested in the righthander.
- Tom Hicks is trying to put together a group of local businessmen that would allow him to maintain major ownership of the team, says ESPNDallas.com's Richard Durrett. The deadline to submit a bid for the team is Friday, so if you have a couple hundred million bucks burning a hole in your pocket…
- Maury Brown at The Biz of Baseball reports that the Nationals have named Davey Johnson Senior Advisor to GM Mike Rizzo.
- ESPN's Howard Bryant writes about a salary cap, and how baseball doesn't need one.
- Last, but certainly not least, everyone welcome FoxSports.com's Ken Rosenthal to Twitter!
Nationals Targeting Lackey, Not Everett
Add Washington to the list of clubs vying for the services of free-agent starter John Lackey. Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nats are interested in Lackey for the obvious boost he would provide to their National League-worst 5.00 team ERA, but also to serve as a mentor for their young starting corps of Stephen Strasburg, Ross Detwiler and John Lannan.
If nothing else, Washington's pursuit of Lackey is another sign to the rest of baseball (and to other prospective free agents) that the Nats aren't willing to stand pat after posting the worst record in the majors in each of the last two seasons. The Nationals made a strong push for Mark Teixeira last winter before signing Adam Dunn to a two-year/$20MM deal in February. Bringing Lackey into the fold might also help sell some tickets in Washington, as attendance at Nationals Park dropped by over 500K from 2008 to 2009.
Ladson also said that, contrary to a previous report, Washington isn't interested in signing Adam Everett. The defensive specialist's .648 career OPS is apparently the big turn-off for the club, who would prefer to sign someone with more pop if they decide to sign a shortstop at all.
Eight Teams Express Interest In Billy Wagner
Eight clubs have expressed interest in free agent closer Billy Wagner, according to his agent Bean Stringfellow (Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reporting). Stringfellow generously named five of the suitors: the Red Sox, Braves, Nationals, Astros, and Orioles. The agent says Wagner's Type A status hasn't scared teams off, and that of these five only the Red Sox spoke about a non-closing role. Stringfellow expects multiyear offers, though Wagner turns 39 in July.
The FOX authors speculate on possibilities for the remaining three teams by mentioning the Tigers, Cubs, Mariners, Rangers, White Sox, Rays and Marlins.
Washington's interest in Wagner and Mike Gonzalez makes you wonder if they'll tender a contract to their current closer, Mike MacDougal. MacDougal is due a raise on this year's $2.65MM salary. Perhaps they just like him more for a setup role.
Certainly nothing will happen with Wagner until after December 1st, when we learn definitively whether the Red Sox will offer arbitration.
Nats Notes: Guzman, Desmond, Carroll, Dunn
The Nationals are considering a number of options up the middle. Here's the latest:
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson expects the Nationals to try trading Cristian Guzman this offseason. It won't be easy, given his $8MM salary.
- Manager Jim Riggleman likes Ian Desmond, but others within the organization believe the infielder needs more minor league seasoning.
- Could Ronnie Belliard return to play second base? Ladson doubts it.
- Jamey Carroll doesn't seem likely to return to Washington, either. At least nine teams have interest in the 35-year-old.
- The Nats are considering a couple defensive shortstops, too.
- Since 2007, no fielder has cost his team more runs than Adam Dunn, according to Matthew Carruth of FanGraphs. Dunn will make $12MM in 2010 before becoming a free agent. It's hard to imagine him signing with an NL club again after next season.
Nationals Drawing Interest In Willingham
Washington is drawing strong trade interest in left fielder Josh Willingham, but may not be willing to part with him, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Willingham turned in a slash line of .260/.367/.496 with 24 HRs in 502 plate appearances in 2009.
The post identifies the Braves as a team that likes the 30-year-old, but says that they have concerns about his back and are less than enamored with his defensive play. Willingham, they suggest, might be a better fit in the American League where he can be a DH. Earlier this month, Tim took a look at Willingham and other left fielders that could be dealt.
Nationals Interested In DeRosa, Gonzalez
The Nationals have expressed interest in free agents Mark DeRosa and Mike Gonzalez, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
Washington had the worst bullpen in baseball last year, posting a league worst 5.09 ERA in well over 500 IP. Gonzalez and his 2.42 ERA and 10.9 K/9 would be a welcome addition to the Nats' end-game picture. DeRosa, meanwhile, could be a fit for all 30 clubs given his versatility, though Ladson says the team most likely sees him as a second baseman or leftfielder.
Nationals Looking At Defensive Shortstops
The Washington Nationals are interested in shortstops Alex Gonzalez and Adam Everett, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
With the Nationals tentatively planning to move Cristian Guzman from short to second base, a major league source tells Rosenthal and Morosi that the team is looking to add a strong defensive shortstop. Gonzalez posted a +10.5 UZR/150 in 2009, while Everett's UZR/150 was +13.6.
Gonzalez and Everett could each still re-sign with their respective teams, the Red Sox and Tigers, in which case the Nationals might look elsewhere for middle infield help. In a separate article by MLB.com's Bill Ladson, new manager Jim Riggleman suggests that he wouldn't mind starting 2010 with prospect Ian Desmond at shortstop.
Giants, Orioles Pursuing Dan Uggla
THURSDAY, 9:10pm: Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports say that while the Orioles and Marlins are discussing Uggla, it might not be a match. The Orioles aren't sure how Uggla would produce in the American League, and may be reluctant to give up young talent for two years of his services. Indeed, check out Andy MacPhail's general comments to Jeff Zrebiec:
"I just don't see us giving up a young and talented player for a short-term fix. If we give up a young and talented player and fill a different position that we thought was a greater need going forward, that would be something we'd consider. But I don't see us giving up somebody we see as a core guy for a one- or two-year guy."
Of course, the Marlins didn't get a ton for Josh Willingham and Scott Olsen a year ago, so maybe the price for Uggla will be acceptable.
WEDNESDAY, 3:04pm: MLB.com's Joe Frisaro believes the Nationals will also show interest in Uggla.
1:19pm: The Giants and Orioles are showing the most interest in Dan Uggla, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Those clubs would move Uggla to third base, a position he hasn't played since 2005 in the minors. The writers add that the Red Sox have inquired, with an eye on using Uggla in left field. Uggla played 20 games in the outfield in Double A in '04. Rosenthal and Morosi add that an Uggla trade would compel the Marlins to retain Jorge Cantu.
Uggla, 30 in March, hit .243/.354/.459 in 668 plate appearances this season as the Marlins' second baseman. He's under team control for two more years, but is due a raise on his $5.35MM salary of '09.
Jim Riggleman Named Nationals Manager
THURSDAY, 1:33pm: The Nationals have officially named Riggleman their manager, according to a team press release.
WEDNESDAY, 6:08pm: The Washington Nationals will bring back interim manager Jim Riggleman in 2010, according to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM's MLB Home Plate (via Twitter). Bowden does not have any specific details yet, but says the deal "is done."
Riggleman took over the as the Nationals' skipper halfway through 2009, leading the club, which was 26-61 at that point, to a 33-42 record over the rest of the season.
Riggleman had been considered the favorite to earn the full-time job throughout the search, despite the team considering higher profile candidates, such as Bobby Valentine.
Heyman’s Latest: Lackey, Tigers, Reds
Jon Heyman of SI.com's last few Twitter updates have provided a variety of intriguing information from around the league. Let's check them out….
- The Milwaukee Brewers and Seattle Mariners could pursue John Lackey, but won't offer a deal worth up to $100MM. FOX Sports suggested earlier in the week that the Brewers weren't likely to be major players for Lackey, but that wasn't necessarily because the team didn't have the money.
- Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski insisted the team wasn't having a "fire sale," but Heyman suggests that the club might listen to offers for Brandon Inge, along with Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson.
- The Cincinnati Reds could put a few of their top players on the trading block, including Brandon Phillips, Francisco Cordero, and Bronson Arroyo.
- Heyman also cites sources that back up the report we heard earlier tonight: Jim Riggleman will manage the Washington Nationals in 2010.