In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney says that even though things aren't going so well for the Royals at the big league level, rival scouts and executives gush about the quality of their farm system. "Our goal is by 2012 and 2013 to have as many homegrown guys playing as we can," said GM Dayton Moore, which Olney likens to the way the Twins and Rays are built.
Here are the rest of his rumors…
- One scout opined that we're likely to see more managerial changes this offseason than ever before. Olney lists 12 teams that could be looking for a new manager this winter, and reminds us that Tony LaRussa, Joe Girardi, and Dusty Baker do not have contracts in place for beyond this season.
- The Nationals are concerned about whether or not Adam Dunn's body will hold up during a three or four-year deal, but Olney spoke to one AL evaluator who pointed out that Dunn's ability to hit homers is gaining more value as time goes on.
- The Diamondbacks have prioritized the acquisition of a closer, hence their request for Joba Chamberlain in a potential Dan Haren trade.
- Olney speculates that Lance Berkman could be a fit for the Rays next year, since they'll need to replace Carlos Pena.
TVReviewsion
What did he say about the fracture in the M’s organization?
Mike Axisa
Nothing more than what’s in this morning’s Odds & Ends post.
TVReviewsion
Cool, thanks.
RBIBaseball
Two things
1) Girardi isn’t going anywhere.
2) D’backs want a closer? Throw in Melancon, who the Yanks have said was their heir to Mo’s throne.
Adam R
Girardi is pretty awful. He doesn’t know how to handle a bullpen. He even blew the All-Star game with an amazing team. Girardi killed the streak.
RBIBaseball
Yeah I agree with that, sometimes he does make stupid mixing and matching choices, he out thinks himself alot. However, when you bring in Thorton to get an out with his nasty numbers you expect Thorton to get an out. Girardi made the right call there, Thorton didn’t perform.
The_Silver_Stacker
they never said that
RBIBaseball
Well, if the Yanks win the World Series, he stays, if they don’t we’ll see.
JB Early
Gee golly, don’t trade Joba. It’s good to keep him around, remind them how NOT to handle a young pitcher. They couldn’t possibly find another guy to run out there to give up big flies & lose games for them.
firealyellon
Dunn is a DH, end of story. He will be a white sock by the wed
souldrummer
That just took a small leap of greater likelihood. For reasons unknown to man, the Washington Nationals may be starting Alberto Gonzalez, utility infielder not so supreme, for his first start at first base today.
Mike G
Any deal for Soria would start with Montero, end of story. Not even Moore is stupid enough to deal for Chamberlain.
jdub220
I don’t think so.Montero is one of the better prospects in baseball, even considering his lack of position.Soria is just a reliever. One of the best in the game, but still a reliever.
Tim Valencia
im surprisedin dont see the yankees proposal of Joba for Haren straight up
jdub220
Because the D’Backs wouldn’t do that. Trading an ace for a reliever… it’s just unintelligent.
Tim Valencia
obviously i was making a small slight at the Yankees fans overvaluing Joba
jdub220
Ah, my bad then. Sarcasm can be missed pretty easily over the internet.
Tim Valencia
no problem, btw sorry about your guys’ season i know us padres fans expected you to do a bit better than us this year.
Mike G
As a Royals fan I’m not trying to overvalue Soria here. Yes he’s “just a reliever.” But he’s also one of the game’s most dominant closers with one of the most club-friendly contracts in all of baseball. If the Yankees were to trade for him, he wouldn’t be a set up guy for too long, probably becoming the heir apparent to the closer role when Mo hangs ’em up. The fact that the Yankees bullpen is their biggest weakness, combined with a heated pennant race with two of the best teams in baseball nipping at their heels, leads me to believe that I could see Cashman would eventually offer Montero in a deal for Soria.
jdub220
No he wouldn’t, unless he’s planning on making Soria a starter.
Sleepykarl
That would be incredible stupid. There is no way he gives up Montero for a setup guy.
IndianaBob
Soria is basically a young cheap version of Mariano Rivera. A lot of non-sabermetric GMs, that overrate the value of a closer, would think he was worth a very good hitting prospect who probably ends up as a 1B or DH. Those GMs would be setting the price.