Odds And Ends: Angels, Red Sox, Heyward
Another round of links…
- Kevin Baxter of the LA Times reports that the Angels don't have a firm payroll for 2010 at this point.
- Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald says Red Sox GM Theo Epstein has made a couple of his best deadline deals the past two seasons. Jason Bay and Victor Martinez have been major contributors ever since arriving in Boston.
- As Baseball America's Conor Glassey notes, the Nationals have a worse record the the Royals, Pirates, or any other team, so they're the favorites to land next year's first overall pick.
- Congrats to Jason Heyward, BA's minor league player of the year.
Nats Look To Add At Least Two Starters For 2010
We knew the Nationals would be looking for a starting pitcher this winter, but Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post now reports that they hope to add at least two starters by next season. One figures to be a "bargain basement" type, perhaps Livan Hernandez. Boswell says the second pitcher will likely be the sort of arm who would fit into the middle of a good team's rotation.
Doug Davis and Jon Garland could both fit for the Nationals, and there are many more names to consider in this year's crop of free agent pitchers. It's a long list, but Nats GM Mike Rizzo says he's "going to get one of them."
Nats Ask Guzman To Move To Second Base
Nats GM Mike Rizzo and manager Jim Riggleman met with Cristian Guzman yesterday to ask the shortstop to move to second base next year, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Guzman, who has never played second base at the major league level, was apparently shocked and didn't give the Nats an answer.
The Nationals hope to improve their defense up the middle, so they're considering the shift. If Guzman agrees to the move, the Nationals would likely be in the market for a shortstop this offseason. They have had interest in Orlando Hudson before, but if Guzman plays second, they would be looking at one of these shortstops. If they decide not to spend on a free agent, they could pursue one via trade (the Brewers and Rays have shortstop depth) or call on prospect Ian Desmond, who impressed in his MLB debut.
Dave Cameron of FanGraphs says moving Guzman doesn't necessarily lower his value. Shortstop is considered the more demanding position, but Guzman could potentially help his team by moving to the right side of the infield.
This reminds me of Michael Young's decision to switch positions earlier in the year. The Rangers are in the pennant race thanks, in part, to Elvis Andrus, so Young's choice helped his club.
Nationals DFA Montz, Claim English
Pete McElroy of MASNSports.com reports that the Nationals have designated catcher Luke Montz for assignment, clearing room on the roster for pitcher Jesse English, who was claimed off waivers from San Francisco. The Giants designated English for assignment earlier this month.
Montz, 26, hit just .181/.288/.313 in 369 plate appearances for Washington's Double- and Triple-A affiliates this year. He had a cup of coffee with the Nats last year and was ranked the club's 29th best prospect before the season by Baseball America. English, a 25-yr old lefty, put up a 4.20 ERA and a 1.25 K/BB ratio in 100.2 IP for San Fran's Double-A affiliate this year. He's never pitched in the majors.
Jorge Sosa Designated For Assignment
Reliever Jorge Sosa was designated for assignment by the Nationals today, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Sosa struggled with control, home runs, and hits in his 22.3 innings for the Nats this year. Ladson learned yesterday that the Nationals intend to revamp their bullpen again for 2010.
Rosenthal On Garcia, Pirates, Papelbon
The latest from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports…
- Rosenthal says Florida's Chris Coghlan deserves the NL Rookie of the Year award. Andrew McCutchen, Garrett Jones, J.A. Happ, Randy Wells, and Tommy Hanson are also in the mix…who do you like?
- For the AL ROY, Rosenthal sticks with his preseason choice of Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus. Jeff Niemann, Andrew Bailey, Nolan Reimold, and Gordon Beckham are other top contenders.
- Rosenthal has a few possible Nationals managerial candidates: Diamondbacks third base coach Chip Hale, Bobby Valentine, and Bob Melvin. It's also possible Jim Riggleman is retained.
- I was not aware of this – Freddy Garcia's deal with the White Sox has a 2010 option with a $1MM base and $2MM in incentives. Garcia has an 89mph fastball these days, but he's posted quality starts in three of four tries (against the Yankees and Red Sox).
- The Pirates would only trade starters Paul Maholm or Zach Duke if they receive "a young major league starter of similar quality, plus another piece." I mentioned that the Bucs look pretty good for 2011, but Rosenthal says team officials are not conceding 2010.
- Rosenthal's source describes a Jonathan Papelbon trade as "pretty unrealistic." Jayson Stark's sources had a similar opinion.
- Rosenthal rattles off the teams that have had past interest in Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, who is getting pricey: the Orioles, Twins, Giants, D'Backs, Dodgers, and Cardinals.
Nationals Aim To Improve Bullpen
As the worst team in baseball, the Nationals have many potential ways to improve for 2010. We've already heard about their craving for better middle infield defense and a veteran starting pitcher. Today MLB.com's Bill Ladson learned of GM Mike Rizzo's plan to revamp the team's bullpen for next year.
Rizzo considers the bullpen a "major point of emphasis for the offseason." Ladson notes the fine work of Sean Burnett and Tyler Clippard in 2009, but doesn't dig deeply into the Nats' plan for closer Mike MacDougal. It's been a strange year for MacDougal, who has 14 saves in 15 tries despite striking out only 25 and walking 32 in 44.6 innings. He did pitch legitimately well in August. MacDougal is under team control for 2010 as an arbitration-eligible player. Jeff Euston of Cot's Baseball Contracts suggested to me that he is in line for at least $3MM if the Nats tender him a contract.
Aside from the holdovers, Ladson believes Drew Storen could help the 2010 club. Storen was drafted tenth overall by the Nats in June and is on the fast track to the Majors.
Regarding the free agent market, I can't see why the Nationals would spend significant money. This year the Nats waited until March and signed Joe Beimel for a reasonable $2MM.
Nats Hope To Improve Middle Infield Defense
Amid concerns that Cristian Guzman's defensive abilities are fading, the Nationals will look for improved defense up the middle in 2010, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. The Nats would apparently "love" to sign Orlando Hudson, who will be a free agent after the season. But, after last offseason, they realize he may choose to sign elsewhere, so they have a second option in mind.
The team is "seriously thinking" about moving Guzman to second base, where he has yet to play a game at the major league level. This would enable the Nats to upgrade defensively over Guzman, who has been a slightly below average defender every year since 2005, according to UZR/150.
Marco Scutaro and Alex Gonzalez (team option) are among the better defensive shortstops who could be available on the open market and J.J. Hardy could be available in a trade. Alternatively, the Nats could try prospect Ian Desmond at short.
Odds & Ends: Ohlendorf, Nationals, Maine
Some links on another slow Sunday afternoon…
- Tyler Kepner from the New York Times takes a look back at the trade that sent Damaso Marte and Xavier Nady from the Pirates to the Yankees. Kepner says that Ross Ohlendorf alone is making the trade "look like a steal."
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson answers some questions about the Nationals offseason and how the club can improve in his latest MLB.com Inbox. Ladson answers questions about Livan Hernandez's future, Justin Maxwell's value, and if the Nats should look at trading for Dan Uggla.
- John Maine wants to pitch again in 2009 and end his season on a high note. When asked about the possibility of the Mets not offering him a contract for the 2010 season, Maine said he's not worrying about it; he wants to be in New York, but it's out of his control.
Odds & Ends: Orioles, Ayala, Kata, Nationals
Another round of links on me…
- Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun says it's time for Andy MacPhail to use some of his minor league inventory to land the Orioles a middle of the order hitter, while possibly gambling on a high quality free agent pitcher with an injury history. Personally, I don't think making moves like that will do much to improve the O's chances of competing in the AL East. They're on the right track now, with an impressive core of young talent highlighted by Nick Markakis, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, Nolan Reimold, Brian Matusz, and Chris Tillman. Patience.
- According to Juan C. Rodriguez of The Sun Sentinel, veteran reliever Luis Ayala has elected to become a free agent. The Marlins designated him for assignment last week.
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tweets that the Astros outrighted infielder Matt Kata off the 40-man roster. I sure hope he wasn't waiting on that September callup.
- The Nationals have fired director of player development Bobby Williams, reports Chico Harlan of The Washinton Post. Williams had a long standing relationship with previous GM Jim Bowden, and his firing represents the first significant front office move made by new permanent GM Mike Rizzo.
- Are you a draft nut like me, but struggling to find ways to pass the time until next June? Then check out this NPB Draft projection by Patrick at NPB Tracker. High school pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, who has drawn interest from several MLB clubs, is the consensus top talent this year.