Tigers manager Jim Leyland all but confirmed that Victor Martinez will not return this season, reports James Schmehl of mLive.com. Martinez torn his ACL during an offseason workout, but there was a small possibility that he would return to the team in September. Here's the latest from around the league…
- “I’m not really too worried about that. I like to leave that front-office stuff to my agent,” said Cubs right-hander Jeff Samardzija to ESPN Chicago when asked if any contract extension talks were taking place. The 27-year-old is in the middle of a breakout season while earning $2.64MM.
- Right-hander Tim Stauffer is dealing with shoulder and elbow issues, and Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribute says that the Padres will likely non-tender him after the season. Stauffer has only made one start this year and will earn $3.2MM.
- The Nationals designated Cesar Izturis for assignment earlier today, and manager Davey Johnson told reporters (including Dan Kolko of MASNSports.com) that the club will likely bring him back in September if he isn't claimed off waivers (Twitter link).
- Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com says the Orioles have a difficult decision to make about Mark Reynolds' club option after the season. Baltimore holds an $11MM option ($500K buyout) for the slugger, who has turned it on of late following a slow start.
- The Padres are considering internal options (crosscheckers Bob Filoti and Bill Gasparino) as well as external options (Mets coordinator Ian Levin and crosschecker Steve Barningham) for their scouting director position, reports Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter).
I like Mark Reynolds despite his faults, and would like him back with the O’s next year…but to call it a difficult decision at that price is ridiculous. He isn’t worth anywhere near 11 million a year. Maybe 2 years for that price.
Filotei would be a great choice. Dedicated and encyclopedic knowledge of amateur talent.
Not sure Levin would be a fit for Padres regardless how much his old boss Omar lobbies for him.
I think Rays Scouting Director RJ Harrison, a Southern California native, would be an ideal fit although after being with Tampa for 16 years its not likely he would be making a move. He has history of working with a low budget team with a deep scouting department.
Another person who would do a heck of a job and is familiar with Byrnes is Gus Quattlebaum.
I agree with Perry. Eleven million could be better spent than on a one dimensional player like Reynolds
Gotta let Mark “replacement level” Reynolds walk no matter what the price tag and go after a guy who can do other things besides just throwing sunflower seeds on teammates after they do good stuff. You know like someone who hit, catch, and actually throw a baseball.
If Reynolds was putting up numbers like Adam dunn as a 1 dimensional player? Maybe, but Reynolds isn’t even coming close to that. Reynolds needs to go and Duquette will spend the winter looking for at least 1 corner IF, plus SP.
He’s got his work cut out.
What do you propose Silver?
Thanks to Tim Dierkes in April 2011, he composed a list of possible 2013 free agents.
First basemen
Lance Berkman (36)
Russell Branyan (37)
Jason Giambi (42)
Brad Hawpe (34)
Eric Hinske (35)
Aubrey Huff (36) – $10MM club option with a $2MM buyout
Casey Kotchman (30)
Adam LaRoche (33) – $10MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Carlos Lee (37)
James Loney (29)
Xavier Nady (34)
Mike Napoli (31)
Lyle Overbay (36)
Carlos Pena (35)
Ty Wigginton (35) – $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
There’s no one to write home about in that list
Third basemen
Geoff Blum (39)
Miguel Cairo (39)
Eric Chavez (35)
Mark DeRosa (38)
Brandon Inge (36)
Maicer Izturis (32)
Jose Lopez (29)
Placido Polanco (37) – $5.5MM mutual option with a $1MM buyout
Mark Reynolds (29) – $11MM club option with a $500K buyout
Scott Rolen (38)
Mark Teahen (31)
Miguel Tejada (39)
Ty Wigginton (35) – $4MM club option with a $500K buyout
David Wright (30) – $16MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Kevin Youkilis (34) – $13MM club option with a $1MM buyout
Same for the third basemen. Yes, I like David Wright, but he’s not going anywhere or if he does, it will be at a steep cost.
What I am also concerned about is how 2nd baseman Omar Quintanilla is doing it? He never even sniffed a .300 BA. his whole career and his OBP has jumped to what 35%? I am also on a toot about JC Romero, as well as Showalter’s reluctance to use a back-up catcher more than once a week.
The O’s need a miracle! However, since Peter Angelos keeps his wallet with the money in it at 0 degrees Kelvin or absolute Zero (frozen solid) for you home gamers out there. I don’t see much hope.
Hey Lefty,
doesn’t have to be a FA even, but Youk is a possible low cost fit for either 1b/3b.
I go back to Justin Morneau and a trade with the Twins. he is signed thru 2013 at 14m.
Reynolds is a terrible defender at any position, his offensive numbers (whatever they once were) are on the slide.
Pena is probably going back to TB since he likes that place, but he would probably cost 6-8m (same as Reynolds) has the same miserable OBP, same power, only is one of the better fielding 1b around. A plus any day.
I mentioned Youkilis. Same there, only Youk is a much better fielder at 1b and somewhat at 3b and have a feeling his bat will increase some next year, regardless it won’t be as bad as reynolds and as mentioned.. His glove is better wherever he is at. Cost? Can probably guess Youk will end up in the 5-6m range next season.
IMO? Duquette should target Morneau before Colleti does.
Duquette should get Morneau today! Not tomorrow, not next week, not August 31st. Today. However, that would mean, someone would have have to thaw out his wallet, open it, and then spend the money inside. So as far as I am concerned the O’s are right back where they started, but then again so am I.
He has to clear waivers ATM and not entirely sure he would to fall down to the O’s, though it is possible. he wouldn’t pass through the AL to get to the LAD regardless as am pretty sure Duke would make a claim.
Have to wonder just what the Twins are asking in exchange for him and even if they could get him, what it would take to sign him LT.
I’d love to see morneau on the orioles, he is at least as good of an all around 1b as tex and better than Fielder as he can move more than 2 steps around the bag as his GG proves. he would fix a problem for years to come and give them a lethal bat in the middle of the lineup.. Kind of one of those ‘drool over” players from an oriole fans perspective to me.
He is actually a pretty good defender at first. I’ve been shocked by how much of an improvement he has been defensively.
Reynolds or Youk are good targets for next year. Davis or Betemit are poor options.
Lee would be a bad choice also rabbitov. some may look at his high OBP and production, but the guy can hardly field pickoff throws from the P, he has missed a couple for the marlins even this year and I am talking perfect throws right at him. Much less move around the bag.
Reynolds just scares me. he is always going to strike out 40% of the time and his power is waning. Understand Youk isn’t probably going to be a .400+ OBP guy anymore, but doubt he ever will turn into the “black hole” Reynolds will when he bottoms out and have a feeling it will happen all at once.
Morneau.. Keep repeating it..
I hope Duquette has an active off season and gets creative.