If you haven’t done so already, be sure to check out Tim Dierkes’ list of the top 50 free agents for the upcoming offseason. The list includes Tim’s predictions for each player, and we’d like you to join us in predicting the destinations for the top 50 free agents. You can make your picks here. Now for this afternoon’s links…
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears Rick Ankiel is open to giving pitching another shot. The Cardinals could be among the teams willing to give Ankiel another chance on the mound. Ankiel pitched for the Cardinals from 1999-2004, putting together a strong season as a 20-year-old in 2000. He returned to the big leagues as a hitter in 2007.
- The Cubs have been in contact with Ryan Dempster’s agent about the possibility of a contract, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The Cubs traded the LSW baseball client to the Rangers midseason and he’s now a free agent (he can't sign with a team other than Texas until Saturday).
- Catcher J.R. Towles left Hendricks Sports for agent Burton Rocks, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Our Agency Database has current information on the agents of most MLB players.
- Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com hears word that Michael Bourn could be looking for as much as $100MM in free agency. The Phillies would probably be reluctant to spend that kind of money on a 30-year-old player who relies heavily on his legs, Salisbury writes.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports previews the destinations for a number of the offseason’s top free agents.
sourbob
I still remember seeing Ankiel’s first home start in AAA Memphis. He struck out 16 in 6 innings with a 12-6 curveball that positively EMBARRASSED the other team. He looked like he was going to be another Steve Carlton.
cards2WS
It would truly be exciting to see him come back as a pitcher. I hope it happens.
ssjchaseutley
Stop it, there’s only one Steve Carlton.
Lucas Croxdale
I respect Ankiel more than a lot of Big Leaguers. He has that 6th tool of heart. He has been plagued by injuries and freak stuff that couldn’t happen to anyone else. But He keeps on trying and pushing as hard as he possibly can.
Brv Rocks
Any team that gives Michael Bourn 100M is nuts.
rundmc1981
I’d like to see how big Boras’ Book is making this case to a team.
Shane McMahon
you mean his book of “inflated numbers and what-ifs”?
rundmc1981
No, I’m referring to a book that the Boras Corp sometimes puts together to shop their clients. Most recently, he put together a 73-page binder selling Prince Fielder to DET. Google it.
Shane McMahon
I know….I was being sarcastic about Boras’s books for his clients….the one’s that state all the great things his clients have done in the past, will do in the future, the impact they’ll have on ticket and merchandise sales, etc. etc.
My point being Bourn isn’t a game changer….maybe a nice piece….but not a superstar that Boras will try to sell everyone on.
rundmc1981
Sarcasm reads well on the internet among strangers.
tomymogo
Specially with his second half numbers. From the Braves stand point I would offer 4 years 40-48 million, if that’s not enough, then let the other teams over spend and sign Pagan or Victorino.
rundmc1981
Pagan will be re-signed by a wealthy SF team that is convinced he’s a part of their winning formula. I like Pagan, but I’d rather have Victorino considering his sustained success and he’s a winner. Both are older and shouldn’t fetch more than 3 guaranteed years by any team with a shot at the playoffs.
Matthew Wilson
What does ‘he’s a winner’ even mean? Wouldn’t Pagan be considered a ‘winner’ as well since he just helped a team win a World Series? As a Braves fan, I’d rather go with Pagan, and I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that he signs with the Giants. They have the advantage on him, but if another team offers more money I doubt he’d be willing to give the Giants a discount. There are other contenders out there who can use him….
rundmc1981
They’re both relatively the same age and I like Victorino’s track record. You’re getting guy that will give you a 3.0+ WAR with about the same speed, leadership, and a good bit more power than the Pagan Angel. Plus, coming off the WS win Pagan could be looking for a major payday, while Victorino just wants to start and get a multi-year deal. I’d rather play with Victorino than play against him. Let SF overpay Pagan.
wade3061
Regardless of whether Ankiel decides to pitch again or not, I would buy a ticket to see him do it. He was exciting to watch pitch, just as he is exciting to watch throw to home on a sacrifice fly.
Ausome7
Wouldn’t be surprised to see the tigers go after Bourn he’s a X10 Berry and if they give him more years he can eventually be a cf since Ajax is a boras client now
EightMileCats
Tigers and Boras have a decent relationship. I don’t think Bourne is really a good fit.
I think the Tigers will try to keep
Sanchez… And if they fail, you may see them check in on Torii
Hunter or Victorino
Matthew Wilson
It would be a shame to see Jackson or Bourn in a corner outfield spot though…..
Defiancy 2
In the modern era has a player ever gone from being a pitcher to a position player, back to a pitcher? And I’m not talking about guys who sometimes did one or the other but who exclusively either pitched or played a position.
Bobby Sweet
Michael Bourn unlikely for the Phillies? Better change my pick!
rundmc1981
I see PHI’s want for him being greater than Boras’ assertion to Bourn that a team will pay him $100 million when there’s be no precedence of that ever happening. He’s 30 years old and no Ricky Henderson.
briankoke
I wouldn’t give Bourne half of what he’s reportedly seeking.
Defiancy 2
Well to be fair Bourne is probably hard to catch right now, especially with the whole Treadstone/Blackbriar affair still pretty recent.
tomymogo
I love Bourn but a 739 OPS + 29 net steals at age 30 don’t = 100 million
I know defense is important and he covers a lot of room, but he isn’t perfect, I saw quite a few balls where he looked really bad going back and his arm is average at best.
Defiancy 2
You do understand he was head and shoulders the best defensive OF this year right? He may not be “perfect” but no one is.
Jimcass134
You do realize legs are the first to go? When his speed declines so does his production.
Defiancy 2
And this has what to do with his defensive value this year?
Jimcass134
Aren’t free agent contracts about what that player can do for your team next year? So when his speed diminishes so does he range in the outfield. So his defensive value this year doesn’t really amount to a whole lot. Especially when he’s looking for a mega contract that would span over multiple years.
tomymogo
I’m a numbers guy normally. I know fan graph’s rates him as the best fielder with an UZR/150 of 22.5.
I would really like to see how they compute this number because my eyes are telling me he wasn’t that good. Heyward on the other hand was something to watch, covered tons of ground, great arm, robbed home runs, etc
Matthew Wilson
He was outstanding in CF. He didn’t rob any homers, but nobody covered more ground than Bourn this past year. His arm IS average, but his range and instincts more than make up for that.
matthew07
Cubs and Dempster reunion? Oy!
Goat_Rider
I really don’t want to see this. That break-up was way too sour. If he comes back and struggles on what is bound to be a bad team, there may be some ugly boos destined his way.
matthew07
Agreed. I think having Dempster back is just asking for big trouble.
avschamps
They will only do this as a one year deal and only if there is a huge discussion he may be traded AGAIN at deadline time.
AndreTheGiantKiller
If he can make it back as a pitcher he’d actually have a lot of value. He’d be a possible bullpen arm and bat off the bench in one guy. Awesome.
Shane McMahon
Good luck with that Mr. Bourn…..$100 million for a slap hitter…..lol
Fishman27
The phillies better not pay bourn 100million instead of upton pagan or bourn i would trade amount and de frautes to the angels for bourjos hes young an has a ton of upside then i sign youk to play third and either let ruf and brown play ir sign melky cabrera