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Archives for October 2008

Padres To Explore Peavy Deals With Cubs, Dodgers

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According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Padres intend to explore a possible Jake Peavy trade with the Cubs and Dodgers at next week’s GM meetings.  Apparently Padres GM Kevin Towers would like to exhaust his possibilities with Peavy’s five preferred NL clubs before engaging others.

Rosenthal notes that the Cubs do not have the quality young pitching the Padres crave.  They still have interest in Peavy, especially if they fail to re-sign Ryan Dempster.

The Dodgers aren’t keen on giving up Clayton Kershaw or James McDonald.  Rosenthal believes the Dodgers have enough in-house pitching depth to buy out Brad Penny’s 2009 option.

If Towers moves on to negotiate with the Yankees, Peavy will complicate matters by demanding his contract be supplemented.

What’s Next For Pat Burrell?

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FRIDAY: Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Inquirer says Burrell "reportedly turned down a two-year, $22MM offer" from the Phillies.

THURSDAY: Phillies left fielder Pat Burrell gave a few comments to Bob Ford of the Philadelphia Inquirer last night.  He suggested his future is in the Phillies’ hands, not his.  I’m not sure what that means, since it’s really up to both parties.  Chances are the Phillies will stick to a two-year offer and Burrell will leave.  He earned $14MM in 2008.

Burrell, 32, hit .250/.367/.507 in 645 plate appearances this year.  He hit 33 home runs and drew 102 walks.  Burrell trailed off, hitting .191/.295/.365 over the season’s final two months.  He was a liability in left field, costing the Phillies 20 bases compared to the average left fielder. 

Burrell has his flaws, but he is one of the top OBP/power sources on the free agent market.  Any ideas on potential suitors?  The Angels, Royals, Blue Jays, A’s, Rays, Braves, Mets, Reds, and Giants could be involved depending on the price.

Rays Hope To Talk Contract With Baldelli

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According to MLB.com’s Bill Chastain, Rays executive VP of baseball operations hopes to talk to Rocco Baldelli’s agent about a contract soon.  Baldelli may be viewed as a free agent bargain, but he’s a lifelong Ray with a special relationship to the club.  Dealing with a rare mitochondrial disorder, Baldelli hit .263/.344/.475 in 90 plate appearances and nailed two home runs in the playoffs.

Wily Mo Pena Exercises ’09 Option

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According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, the Nationals declined their $5MM club option on outfielder Wily Mo Pena.  However, Pena exercised his $2MM player option.  2008 was a lost year for Pena due to a rotator cuff injury.  He’ll be 27 in January; he has plenty of time to rediscover his power stroke.  An Austin Kearns trade could clear up playing time for him. 

Offseason Outlook: Tampa Bay Rays

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Next up in our Offseason Outlook series, the Rays.  Their likely 2009 commitments:

C – Dioner Navarro – $413K+
C – Shawn Riggans – $400K
1B – Carlos Pena – $8MM
2B – Akinori Iwamura – $3.25MM
SS – Jason Bartlett – $417K+
3B – Evan Longoria – $550K
IF – Willy Aybar – $402K
IF – Ben Zobrist – $400K
LF – Carl Crawford – $8.25MM
CF – B.J. Upton – $413K
RF – Gabe Gross – $414K+
OF – Fernando Perez – $400K
DH – Jonny Gomes – $1.275MM+

SP – Scott Kazmir – $6MM
SP – James Shields – $1.5MM
SP – Matt Garza – $405K
SP – Andy Sonnanstine – $400K
SP – David Price – $750K

RP – Troy Percival – $4MM
RP – Chad Bradford – $3.5MM
RP – Dan Wheeler – $3.2MM
RP – Trever Miller – $2MM (club option)
RP – Grant Balfour – $500K+
RP – Edwin Jackson – $413K+
RP – J.P. Howell – $400K

Other commitments: Cliff Floyd – $250K, Jeff Niemann – $1.04MM

That’s about $49MM committed, plus arbitration raises to Navarro, Bartlett, Gross, Gomes, Balfour, and Jackson.  Payroll could approach $60MM to bring this group back.  I’m not sure how high the Rays can go, but they started the year at $43.7MM.

The Rays had a middling offense in 2008, but still reached the World Series.  They didn’t hit lefties very well, so it makes sense to acquire a righthanded hitting slugger for right field or DH.  Pat Burrell, Magglio Ordonez, Josh Willingham, and Casey Blake could fit the bill.  Milton Bradley too, if the Rays want to go there.  Matt Holliday is technically available.  The Rays could, of course, expand their search to include lefthanded hitters.

The bullpen could be tweaked, but a major signing is probably unnecessary. 

The Rays are one of the few teams in baseball who can boast of a legitimate starting pitching surplus.  When Jackson and Wade Davis can’t crack your rotation, you’re in good shape.  Trading the arb-eligible Jackson could make sense this winter.  This is entirely speculation, but would Jackson for Ryan Ludwick, Jermaine Dye, or Billy Butler make sense for anyone?

It’s a great time to be a Rays fan – they have a young, affordable, contending club.  Andrew Friedman only needs to tinker this winter.

Burnett Decision Due Monday Before GM Meetings

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to A.J. Burnett’s agent Darek Braunecker, who says his client will make his opt-out decision prior to the start of Monday’s GM meetings.  We all know Burnett is opting out, of course.

Crasnick believes Burnett and Derek Lowe will seek salaries of at least $16MM per year.  He names the Yankees, Mets, Rangers, Red Sox, Orioles and Nationals as potential suitors for Burnett.  The Blue Jays will remain in the mix as well.

Chad Cordero Elects Free Agency

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According to Bill Ladson of MLB.com, Nationals reliever Chad Cordero was outrighted to Triple A today.  He refused the assignment and is now a free agent.  This comes as no surprise, as GM Jim Bowden admitted in July that he would non-tender Cordero.

Cordero, 26, had surgery in July to repair tears in his labrum and biceps tendon.  He hopes to be ready for spring training.

White Sox Decline Options On Griffey, Hall

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According to a press release, the White Sox have officially declined their options on Ken Griffey Jr. and Toby Hall for 2009.

The Sox chose Griffey’s $4MM buyout over his $16MM option (they’ll split the buyout with the Reds).  For Hall, they chose a $150K buyout over his $2.25MM option.  Hall may still be re-signed.

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