Here’s the latest from Ken Rosenthal, via a trio of videos on FOX Sports:
- Red Sox manager John Farrell, who is battling lymphoma, has completed the first of three rounds of chemotherapy. He’s visiting the Sox each day they’re at Fenway and holding video chats with interim manager Torey Lovullo and his coaching staff when the team is away. New Sox president of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski has not said whether Farrell will return next season, however, regardless of his health.
- Following what’s been a tumultuous month in many team front offices, the Phillies and Reds could be among the next teams to make GM changes, Rosenthal says. There could be up to ten manager changes as well.
- Rosenthal also interviews Mets third baseman David Wright, who recently returned to the lineup after missing almost four months due to a hamstring injury and an ongoing back issue. Wright discusses what it’s like to deal with a lingering condition. Some days are better than others, he says, and a player needs to be honest, because if he tries to play on a bad day, he’ll be hurting his team.
- The Dodgers’ massive $300MM payroll may be a one shot deal. They’re paying a large chunk of change for players who aren’t even on the roster like Matt Kemp, but they were able to acquire additional talent by doing so. This year, they’re paying a 40 percent tax on overages beyond the roughly $189MM soft cap. Next season, the penalty will increase to 50 percent. However, prospects like Corey Seager and Julio Urias are expected to be on hand to reduce the luxury burden.
- Marlins manager Dan Jennings is a potential candidate for the Mariners open GM job. He has past experience working for Seattle as a scout and crosschecker. Most teams allow their employees to interview for promotions with other clubs, but the situation is tricky with Jennings. He’s the Miami manager, but he’s also currently under contract as a GM. As such, it’s not clear if Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria would allow Jennings to interview.
- Sources have told Rosenthal that Padres ownership is “frustrated” with GM A.J. Preller. However, chairman Ron Fowler insists the only frustration is related to the club’s 2015 performance. He believes Preller will be the GM for a long time to come. Preller was originally hired to improve the farm system via the draft and international scouting. Obviously, the club used most of their minor league ammunition in a bold bid for contention this year, but the original plan remains intact.
- Rosenthal’s colleague Jon Paul Morosi hears that the Reds may wish to replace GM Walt Jocketty. His contract expires after the 2016 season. It’s Rosenthal’s opinion that owner Bob Castellini is unlikely to fire Jocketty outright. Instead, they may move him into a consultative role like the Brewers did with Doug Melvin. That would allow the club to then hire a new GM in time for 2016.
I don’t know why “Padres ownership is ‘frustrated’ with GM A.J. Preller”.
His moves are clear as mud to anyone that follows the sport.
Complete opposite of DD in Boston, who says he needs time to evaluate before making changes.
Farrell probably shouldn’t return next season. He has much more important stuff to deal with. And the Sox should probably move in a different direction anyhow now.
If so, I look for him to join the Indians front office.
While it is a very small sample size the Sox have looked like a very different team without Farrell. That said, I seriously doubt the Sox will risk the bad press of firing a guy while he’s under treatment for cancer. My guess is shortly after the World Series, Farrell and the front office will issue a statement saying he’s stepping down for health reasons after some arrangement is made.
I doubt there’s a huge groundswell of support to bring Farrell back next season, but it’s delicate. You can’t tell the press you’re firing a cancer patient. Not good PR.
But teams are allowed to get rid of players who are a “cancer” in the clubhouse, with no fear of public backlash.
Can they technically fire an employee on medical leave? That actually might be a legal issue
If the Padres want to win last thing they should do is fire Aj Preller. Give the man 5 years. You can’t just keep changing things cause nobody will take a job where they know they don’t have job security.
People have jumped on Preller for trading away talent but seem to not realize the only piece that looks like a mistake is Joe Ross at this point. The Nationals rushed Trea Turner’s development. Should have let him finish the year in the minors and call up for spring next year.
He sold high on Wisler, sold high on Rene Rivera, Jesse Hahn, Jace Peterson, and other talent while capitalizing on Max Fried and Burch Smith both who are recovering from TJS.
He didn’t trade Upton or Kennedy but is counting on a QO pick which gives them 5 before the 3rd round. They can even take a chance to draft a difficult talent who is committed to college with 1 of the 3 1sts they’ll have knowing if they don’t they’ll be reimbursed that pick next year.
While the season has been disappointing despite doing better than last years club the Padres are in a good position to replenish the farm the next 2 years.
Jocketty isn’t going anywhere unfortunately