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Archives for September 2010

Nine Rotations Already Set For 2011

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There are no sure things when it comes to starting pitching, but some teams are better-positioned than others for 2011. These nine clubs don't have to worry about Cliff Lee or any other starters this winter. As long as their pitchers stay healthy, they'll enter 2011 with strong rotations one through five.

These aren't necessarily the best rotations (or else you'd see the Cardinals here), they're the groups that will require the least maintenance this offseason. Also note that all the players below are under team control next year and that some of the teams below (Rays, Braves) have more than five viable options.

Aramis Ramirez “Staying” In Chicago

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Aramis Ramirez will be back in Chicago next year. The third baseman had suggested he might not return, but he told Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times on Monday that he’s not considering opting out of his contract.

''I'm staying here,'' he said. ''Put it that way.''

Ramirez has a 2011 player option for $14.6MM and the Cubs will have to pay him $2MM more even if they buy him out in 2012. That's a lot of money, likely more than Ramirez would be able to find as a free agent, but the Cubs are getting a player who has recovered from a slow start to hit well in the second half. Ramirez had a .550 OPS heading into July, but has since posted a .940 mark and now has 22 home runs in total.

Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Mets, Harang,

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Here are some links to check out on a very muggy Monday night in New York..

Poll: Will Boston Re-Sign Beltre?

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Earlier this evening, Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal wondered if Adrian Beltre will figure into Boston's plans this offseason.  The third baseman, who will earn just $10MM for his outstanding play in 2010, is seeking a multi-year commitment in his next deal.  Beltre has exceeded all expectations this year by turning in a .326/.369/.563 slash line with 27 homers and a strong defensive play (15.1 UZR/150) at third.

The Red Sox would obviously love to have Beltre back but he may very well command more money and years on the open market than they would be willing to yield.  Tim Dierkes believes that the Scott Boras client may seek $50MM over four-years at the outset of this offseason.  And, as Ben Nicholson-Smith pointed out, there are plenty of potential suitors who could up the bidding for his services.  If Theo Epstein & Co. feel that Beltre is too rich for their blood, they could turn over the third baseman gig to either Jed Lowrie or Kevin Youkilis (if a new first baseman is found).  Of course, there would still be a void to fill in the absence of the 31-year-old Beltre.

Will Boston re-sign Adrian Beltre?

Click here to take the poll, and here to view the results.

Hisashi Iwakuma Wants To Join MLB

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It seems that Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma wants to try and head to MLB via posting after the season, according to Jason Coskrey of the Japan Times (via Twitter).  According to Patrick Newman in a piece for Fangraphs, the Rakuten Eagles standout is the second best MLB pitching prospect in NPB.

The 29-year-old right-hander is described by Newman as a "fairly standard fastball/slider/forkball" pitcher who can reach 95 mph on the gun but typically stays around 90-91 mph.  Iwakuma has a rather lanky frame, standing at 6"3' and weighing just 170 pounds.

While Rakuten won't be eager to part with their star hurler, he is set to be eligible for international free agency after 2011.  Newman tells MLBTR that the club may find it more palatable to cash in on him rather than lose him for nothing.

Torre Would Support Padilla’s Return

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While Joe Torre's future with the Dodgers is still uncertain, he told the press that he would recommend bringing starter Vicente Padilla back next season, according to Richard Dean in a piece for MLB.com. 

"When we got him about a year ago, there were so many stories that followed him," said the 70-year-old skipper. "But he's been a good teammate.  I don't think there's anybody who doesn't like what he does. It's tough to find stuff like he has. When he gets out there he can still do it. He knows what he's doing. He has not been a [negative] issue baseball-wise. I like him."

Padilla hooked on with the Dodgers with two months remaining in 2009 and re-upped with the club over the winter, signing a one-year, $5.025MM deal.  The soon-to-be 33-year-old was released by Texas who reportedly considered him to be a bad teammate.  Torre's backing suggests that there has been no such issue in Los Angeles.

The righthander missed a great deal of time in 2010, turning in just 16 starts.  In 95 innings of work, he registered a 4.07 ERA with 8.0 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9, numbers that are a step above his career averages.  Padilla was scheduled to return to action yesterday, giving him a chance to audition himself, but will instead be shut down for the year due to a neck injury.  He will be joined in free agency by fellow Dodgers starters Hiroki Kuroda and Ted Lilly.

Wilkin Ramirez To Be Minor League Free Agent

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The Braves have removed Wilkin Ramirez from the 40-man roster, allowing him to qualify for minor league free agency in November, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America.  The Braves acquired Ramirez from the Tigers on July 31st.

In 24 games for Atlanta's Triple-A affiliate, Ramirez hit .253/.351/.458 with four homers.  Heading into this season, Baseball America rated the outfielder as the eighth best prospect in Detroit's system.  The publication said that while he was unpolished, he still possessed "tantalizing five-tool ability".  

The trade deadline deal calls for the Braves to send the Tigers a player to be named later or cash considerations by November 20th.

Odds & Ends: Drew, Blue Jays, Mariners, Reyes

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Links for Monday, 14 years after the Mariners sent David Ortiz to the Twins to complete the Dave Hollins trade. Precisely 346 home runs later, Big Papi is one of the most recognizable players in the game…

  • The Red Sox will probably not have the chance to void J.D. Drew’s deal, as Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains. The Red Sox could be able to sidestep the 2011 portion of the contract depending on injuries, but Drew seems healthy.
  • The D'Backs will interview Angels scouting director Eddie Bane for their GM opening, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
  • The Blue Jays named Jay Sartori assistant GM. The 31-year-old was previously the director of baseball operations for the Nationals and worked in MLB’s labor relations department, advising teams on salary arbitration, among other things.
  • The Mariners fired pro scouting director Carmen Fusco, according to KING 5 Sports. Ed Price of AOL FanHouse confirms the report (on Twitter) and suggests it's a warning shot to GM Jack Zduriencik. The Mariners front office is under scrutiny after trading for Josh Lueke. 
  • Pirates GM Neal Huntington told Chuck Finder of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette that his team “can't throw $55MM at somebody just because it makes [everyone] feel better.” Instead, the team has to be sure the players they pursue fit the team’s needs.
  • Jose Reyes told Newsday's Ken Davidoff that he wants to stay in New York. The Mets can retain their shortstop for $11MM next year or buy him out for $500K.

D’Backs Designate Cesar Valdez For Assignment

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The Diamondbacks designated right-hander Cesar Valdez for assignment to make room for catcher Konrad Schmidt, according to a team press release. Valdez, a 25-year-old righty, struggled through 20 innings for the D'Backs this year in his first season at the major league level. He posted a 5.90 ERA in 97.2 Triple A innings in what was likely the worst minor league season of his pro career. One bright spot for Valdez: 8.5 K/9, a career high.

Schmidt, 26, will make his MLB debut after four minor league seasons. He batted .315/.373/.490 at AA in 440 plate appearances this year. He appeared in five Triple A games a year ago, but has otherwise spent his entire career in the lower minors and at AA.

Reds Designate Enerio Del Rosario For Assignment

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The Reds designated Enerio Del Rosario for assignment to make room for newly-acquired utility man Willie Bloomquist, according to MLB.com's Mark Sheldon (on Twitter). Del Rosario, 24, pitched 8.2 innings for the Reds this year, striking out three, but allowing 13 hits and four walks.

The Reds signed Del Rosario as an amateur free agent in 2005 and saw him develop into a Florida State League All-Star in 2009. He posted a 3.09 ERA in 64 innings at Triple A this year with 4.8 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9.

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