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Archives for September 2011

Marlins, Omar Infante Agree To Extension

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The Marlins have reached an agreement with second baseman Omar Infante on a two-year contract believed to be worth $8MM, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro.  Infante passed his physical Tuesday, tweets Frisaro.

The Marlins acquired Infante in last November's Dan Uggla trade and plugged the 29-year-old Venezuelan in at second base this year. He has a .277/.316/.381 line in 629 plate appearances in his first season for the Marlins and final season before free agent eligibility.

Combine his 2011 performance with his All-Star 2010 campaign and you get a projected Type B ranking. That means the Marlins would have obtained a compensatory pick in next year's draft if Infante had turned down an offer of arbitration to sign with another club as a free agent.

On most nights, this would easily be the biggest Marlins news, but that's not the case tonight. Jack McKeon announced that he won't return as manager in 2012 and the White Sox released Ozzie Guillen, who is expected to sign with Florida. For even more Marlins links click here.

Reds Notes: Cozart, Janish, Cordero

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The Reds' top pick is currently protected, which means there's a good chance they'll be able to sign a Type A free agent this offseason without surrendering a first round pick in 2012 (they'd lose a second rounder instead). Some updates on the Reds, who beat the Mets tonight…

  • John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer explains that the Reds are hoping Zack Cozart emerges as their starting shortstop in 2012. They're likely to have a veteran backing up at short (though it seems unlikely that Edgar Renteria will return), so there's not necessarily room for Paul Janish on next year's club.
  • Reds closer Francisco Cordero told Fay that the Reds called his agent about a new deal and talked to him about the possibility as well. The Reds have a $12MM option for Cordero in 2012, though as MLBTR's Dan Mennella showed this month, the sides could agree to a two-year deal worth a total of $8-10MM instead. GM Walt Jocketty has said that the sides have discussed a deal “quite a bit.”
  • Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News wonders whether Chris Heisey will be a fourth outfielder, the regular center fielder, or the regular left fielder in 2012.

West Notes: Dodgers, Mariners, Padres

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Clayton Kershaw will win the triple crown for NL pitchers and Matt Kemp homered and drove in three tonight in his quest for the batting triple crown. Here are some updates on MLB's West Coast teams…

  • Dodgers owner Frank McCourt could look to attack the credibility of commissioner Bud Selig by claiming that the Marlins and owner Jeffrey Loria have had preferred treatment from MLB, according Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. 
  • Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times shows that the Mariners' owners, many of whom are based out of Japan, are rarely heard from. Team president Chuck Armstrong is accountable for baseball moves, while financial decisions generally occur out of sight.
  • The Mariners may have money to play with this offseason, according to Baker. Depending on the timetable and direction of their rebuilding program, they could spend to varying degrees this winter, so Baker runs through some possibilities.
  • The Padres announced that they extended the contracts of Chris Gwynn, their director of player personnel, and Jaron Madison, their scouting director, through 2013.

White Sox Release Ozzie Guillen From Contract

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The worst-kept secret in Major League Baseball has now become official. Ozzie Guillen will no longer manage the White Sox and it appears that he'll sign a new deal with the Marlins, who would send compensation to Chicago if a deal with Guillen becomes official.

The White Sox announced tonight that they have released Guillen from his contract at his request. He won't be in uniform for the season's final two games, according to the team, which retains rights to compensation if another club hires Guillen to manage in 2012. White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf says he appreciates Guillen's work and wishes him the best.

“We certainly cannot thank Ozzie enough for all he has done during his eight seasons as manager of the Chicago White Sox, highlighted by an unforgettable 2005 World Series championship,” he said. 

The next time Guillen dons a Major League uniform, it will likely be for the Marlins. His deal with Florida is expected to be for three years, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Guillen had one year remaining on his deal in Chicago, where he had managed since 2004.

The White Sox will obtain two minor leaguers as compensation, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. They were hoping for a "decent prospect" from the Marlins, but weren't expecting anyone on Florida's 40-man roster, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).

Current manager Jack McKeon won't be back in Florida next year and the Marlins started a complete search for his replacement, even though they already appear to have decided on Guillen. The Marlins interviewed third base coach Joe Espada, hitting coach Eduardo Perez and Nationals coach Bo Porter today for the vacancy.

Guillen leaves the Windy City with a record of 678-617. The White Sox made two playoff appearances under Guillen: they won the World Series in 2005, Guillen's second season, and lost to the Rays in the 2008 ALDS.

Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times, who first reported that Guillen was out as manager, says there will likely be substantive changes to Chicago’s coaching staff. Pitching coach Don Cooper already has a deal on the table to stay in the organization, according to Cowley. Bench coach Joey Cora is expected to join Guillen with the Marlins, according to Morosi (on Twitter). First, Cora will manage Chicago's last two regular season games, according to MLB.com's Scott Merkin (on Twitter).  Tony La Russa and Buddy Bell are expected to be considered for Chicago's managing gig, tweets Morosi.

The White Sox and Marlins discussed a Guillen for Mike Stanton trade last offseason (don't expect a substantive return for the White Sox if the deal goes through). Though they're rare, there is some precedent for player-manager swaps. Following the 2002 season, the Rays sent Randy Winn to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez to compensate the Mariners for losing Lou Piniella.

NL East Notes: Cora, Ankiel, Igarashi, Marlins

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The big off-field news of the night is that the Marlins are working to acquire manager Ozzie Guillen from the White Sox. On the field, the Phillies picked up their 100th win of the season at the expense of the Braves, whose struggles continued. Here are the latest NL East links…

  • Nationals utility player Alex Cora told Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that he intends to continue playing in 2012 and, potentially, beyond. Kilgore notes that teams inquired about Cora's interest in managing last offseason and adds that GM Mike Rizzo has interest in the 35-year-old as a future coach.
  • Rick Ankiel, a free agent after the season, told Bill Ladson of MLB.com that he wants to return to D.C. next year since he believes the organization is headed in the right direction. The Nationals entered the day with 78 wins, the most they've had in any season since 2005.
  • Ryota Igarashi wants to pitch for an MLB team in 2012 and the Mets will release him if they don't reach a deal by a certain date, according to ESPNNewYork.com's Adam Rubin (Twitter links). Rubin doubts that the 32-year-old will return to the Mets in 2012.
  • The Marlins interviewed hitting coach Eduardo Perez along with third base Joe Espada and Nationals coach Bo Porter for their managerial opening today, according to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro (on Twitter). For more on the Marlins, click here.

Marlins Notes: Espada, Vazquez, Nunez

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Jack McKeon won't manage the Marlins in 2012 and the club is already looking to replace the 80-year-old skipper. They interviewed former third base coach Bo Porter for the job and it won't be surprising if Ozzie Guillen becomes available as well. Here are more updates on the Marlins, starting with an item on a possible successor to McKeon:

  • Joe Espada, the Marlins' current third base coach, interviewed for the team's managerial opening, according to Manny Navarro of the Miami Herald. Espada says the Marlins have a "strong foundation" and that his conversation with owner Jeffrey Loria and others went well.
  • Javier Vazquez maintains that he's likely to retire after the season, but he told Navarro that he's not ruling out a return. The durable Puerto Rico native says he hates to determine his future during the season and will have an easier time deciding two or three months from now.
  • He has a case for a one-year deal worth $7MM or more if he decides to play.
  • Leo Nunez, whose real name is Juan Carlos Oviedo, called teammate Edward Mujica to say that he intends to apologize to his teammates for using an assumed name, according to Joe Frisaro of MLB.com. Nunez, 29, hopes to return to the Major Leagues using his real name.
  • The Marlins may consider trading Ricky Nolasco this offseason and earlier today MLBTR's Tim Dierkes explained what that could mean for the team.

Quick Hits: Marlins, Buehrle, Draft

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On this date in 1998, 39-year-old Rickey Henderson stole his 66th base of the season, Mark McGwire hit home runs #67 and 68 and Dennis Eckersley appeared in the final game of his career, breaking Hoyt Wilhelm's all-time appearances record by pitching in his 1071st game. Will today be as eventful? It's doubtful, but there are still 15 games on the schedule. Here are today's links…

  • MLBTR will be holding a free agent prediction contest shortly after the World Series ends.  If your company would like to contribute a cool prize or prizes for the contest, please email mlbtrsponsors@gmail.com. There will be one MLBTR post outlining the prizes, for which each bullet will be for a sponsor and will include one link to a website related to the product contributed. 
  • Bo Porter, the Nationals' third base coach, interviewed for the Marlins' managerial opening today, according to Ben Goessling of MASNsports.com (Twitter link). Porter, who interviewed for the opening last year, has another shot at the job, since Jack McKeon is set to retire.
  • Mark Buehrle told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that the White Sox haven't discussed a new deal with his agent (Twitter links). The left-hander, who hits free agency after the season, confirmed that he's looking to play for a few more years.
  • Though it doesn't appear that commissioner Bud Selig will get draft slotting in the upcoming collective bargaining agreement, it does seem likely that the signing deadline (currently August 15th) will be moved up in 2012, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. Callis' sources say an earlier signing deadline is a "slam dunk."

Ozzie Guillen On Future With White Sox

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Manager Ozzie Guillen met with White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf today, but he says he left the meeting with no resolution about his future, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (Twitter links). Guillen is under contract with the White Sox next year, but he has made it known that he's displeased with his current contract and wants a raise.

"[Bleep] the years. I want more money," he said.

Guillen told Gonzales that he believes GM Kenny Williams would like him to return in 2012, but repeated that he wouldn't return with just one year remaining on his contract. One way or another, Guillen is looking for resolution and it sounds more and more like he's content to leave the White Sox after this season.

"We wish it could be over and we can move on – here or somewhere else," he said.

Marlins manager Jack McKeon announced that he'll retire after the season. Until the Marlins hire a new skipper, Guillen will be linked to the opening in Miami.

Red Sox Don’t Expect To Trade For Starter

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The Red Sox could use pitching depth, but it doesn't appear that they're going to get any. GM Theo Epstein doesn't expect to be able to trade for a starting pitcher before the regular season ends, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (Twitter link).

The Red Sox expressed interest in Chris Capuano this month, but weren't able to work out a deal with the Mets. There aren't many realistic alternatives on the trade market this time of year, so it appears likely that the Red Sox will have to make do with what they have this week, when they wrap up the regular season against the Orioles at Camden Yards.

Boston's lead over the Rays in the Wild Card race has diminished to a single game, which explains Boston's interest in pitchers who would be ineligible for the postseason. Getting there will be enough of a challenge for the Red Sox, who have won just six games this month. Josh Beckett, Erik Bedard and Jon Lester are scheduled to start in Baltimore, but the team could use reinforcements, especially after playing two games, including one 14 inning contest, in the Bronx yesterday.

Jack McKeon To Retire

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Jack McKeon has surprised people before. He led the Marlins to a World Series Championship after the team started 16-22 in 2003 and came out of retirement as an octogenarian earlier this season. This time, he's acting as expected - he says he'll retire once the regular season ends Wednesday, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. 

The longtime manager and GM told Capozzi that he hopes to continue to work for the Marlins in some capacity. He will return to the advisory position he held from 2005 until earlier this season, according to ESPN.com's Jim Bowden (Twitter link). McKeon turns 81 this offseason, but remains remarkably energetic considering his age (he was born in the same year as Earl Weaver, the Hall of Fame skipper who last managed 25 years ago).

The last-place Marlins posted a 39-48 record under McKeon after manager Edwin Rodriguez resigned in June. McKeon told Capozzi that he can see himself managing again seven or eight years from now, health permitting.

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