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Archives for September 2013

MLBTR Originals

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A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

Managerial Notes: Girardi, Scioscia, Gardy, Collins

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As regular season finales are being played out across MLB today, rumors have already started to swirl about the fate of several managers. Here's the latest news and notes on that front:

  • Joe Girardi met with reporters today (Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger provides a partial transcript) and admitted he has yet to make up his mind about returning to the Yankees next season. "It comes down to family. They are first," said Girardi. "Whatever is best for the group of us, not one individual, not me or just my wife, or just one of my children, whatever is best for us as a group, that’s what we’ll decide to do. And that’s something I put some thought into, and I’m going to have to think about a lot over the next few days, obviously." Girardi added money will not play a factor in his decision. 
  • Many have speculated Girardi could be the next Cubs manager, if Dale Sveum is fired. Girardi, however, downplayed the connection to his hometown. "I haven’t lived there since 2006. I have a brother still there, a couple brothers there, actually. But my father’s gone. My mother’s gone. So there’s not as much there as there used to be."
  • Davey Johnson told reporters, including MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko, he will not manage in 2014. "I wouldn't know the talent level, wouldn't know the organization," Johnson said. "I wouldn't be a good fit. I never say 'Never' to anything. I'm always open for new challenges. But I don't see that as being a challenge that would get my motor really revved up." 
  • Mike Scioscia told reporters, including Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com, he has not been informed whether he will return as Angels manager. "I'm sure that at some point they're going to let us know," said Scioscia. "It's not an issue. It really isn't. It's going to be addressed at some point. I'm sure it's going to be addressed before February."
  • Darren Wolfson of 1500ESPN.com expects the Twins to sign Ron Gardenhire to a two-year contract and presumes a decision on his fate will be made either tonight or tomorrow (Twitter links). 
  • If not retained by the Twins, Gardenhire could be a possibility to replace Eric Wedge in Seattle, tweets FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal.  In a separate tweet, Rosenthal reports the Mariners will also consider Reds pitching coach Bryan Price and former White Sox bench coach Joey Cora, who played in Seattle from 1995 to 1998.
  • The Mets have issued a press release announcing an 11am (CT) news conference tomorrow featuring GM Sandy Alderson. It is expected the topic will be a new deal for manager Terry Collins. People with direct knowledge of the negotiations tell Andy Martino of the New York Daily News the contract is for two years and about $2MM, with a club option for 2016. 

Giants Extend Hunter Pence

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SUNDAY: The Giants officially announced the extension, which, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, will pay Pence $16MM in 2014 and $18.5MM in each of the remaining four years with no signing bonus.

SATURDAY: The Giants have signed Hunter Pence to a five-year extension, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). San Francisco has guaranteed $90MM and granted a no-trade clause to keep its right fielder from reaching free agency, CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman reports, confirming his earlier tweet. Pence is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.

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The 30-year-old Pence was set to hit the market as one of the top available free agents, but will instead stay in San Francisco for the foreseeable future. With just two games left to play, Pence sports a .282/.339/.481 line to go with 26 long balls and 22 steals. The durable Pence has yet to miss a contest this year, and has never played less than 154 games in a season since establishing himself as a full-timer. In the aggregate, he was worth a career-best 4.2 bWAR and 5.3 fWAR on the season.

With an $18MM average annual value over five years, Pence slots in between two fellow California right-fielders that recently signed up for half-decade stints. Pence's contract bests the extension signed by the Dodgers' Andre Ethier by a mil a year, but falls $5MM per year short of Josh Hamilton's free agent contract with the Angels. 

Coming just one day before the end of the regular season, the Pence contract should function as an important marker on the upcoming free agent market. In particular, with Pence being taken out of the picture for $90MM, Shin-Soo Choo's case for a $100MM+ deal sounds a lot more plausible.  Some questioned Scott Boras' proclamation that Choo, who has never been an All-Star, would be a nine-figure player, but you won't find many people laughing at that notion today. The deal should also help out Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury, who is currently ranked No. 2 on Tim Dierkes' power rankings for 2014 free agents.

For his career, Pence owns a .285/.339/.475 slash line over the course of seven seasons with the Astros, Phillies, and Giants.

Zach Links and Edward Creech contributed to this post.  Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Giants, Tim Lincecum Talking Extension

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SUNDAY: Giants Vice President and Assistant General Manager Bobby Evans told reporters at the news conference announcing Hunter Pence's extension the team wants to re-sign Lincecum. "We've begun those discussions and hopefully there’s an opportunity to bring Timmy back and in short order," Evans said (as quoted by Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com). "That's our hope. We don't intend to wait if Timmy's willing to work with us right now. And that's the impression I'm getting — that they're willing to work with us." 

Lincecum may be willing, but he isn't in a hurry to work out a new deal. "I've still got time to think about this," said Lincecum last night. "It's not a pressing thing for me, and I'll make a decision when the time comes."

SATURDAY: The Giants locked up Hunter Pence earlier today, but they're not done just yet.  With the outfielder taken care of, the Giants are now discussing a new deal with pitcher Tim Lincecum, a source tells Hank Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter).  As the MLBTR Agency Database shows, both players are represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council.

Lincecum's value obviously isn't where it once was, but he has helped his stock this season with an improved performance over his 2012 effort.  So far in 2013, the 29-year-old has posted a 4.37 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 versus a 5.18 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9 last season.  Meanwhile, his FIP (3.73), xFIP (3.56), and SIERA (3.75) are all better than his 2013 ERA as well as his 2012 marks. 

While The Freak hasn't quite regained his Cy Young form, he has certainly shown that he can be a contributor for the Giants or any club going forward.  A recent MLBTR poll pitting Lincecum against Ubaldo Jimenez showed that most readers would prefer the San Francisco notable over the Indians hurler this winter. 

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Marlins Fire Beinfest; Promote Hill, Jennings

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SUNDAY: The Marlins have officially announced General Manager Michael Hill will replace Beinfest as president of baseball operations and Jennings will take over as GM. The statement also said there will be no further changes meaning David Samson's job as team president is safe. 

FRIDAY 3:25pm: As expected, assistant general manager Dan Jennings will assume Beinfest's duties, according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale (on Twitter). ESPN's Jerry Crasnick adds (also via Twitter) that the Marlins have fired Jim Fleming, who was a special assistant to Beinfest.

3:08pm: Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has fired president of baseball operations Larry Beinfest, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (on Twitter).

There's been a great deal of speculation regarding Beinfest's job security in recent weeks — so much to that Beinfest publicly stated it was taking a toll on him and his family. Beinfest reportedly confronted Loria asking for a firm answer about his future with the organization two weeks ago, but it appears that he didn't receive an answer until now.

Loria's reputation has grown as an owner who is overly active in the team's personnel decisions, and his displeasure with Beinfest has grown accordingly as Beinfest has been increasingly willing to tell Loria when he doesn't approve of those calls. The two clashed over hitting coach Tino Martinez's resignation from the team after allegations that Martinez, who had been hand-picked by Loria, was being abusive with players.

Several executives from around the league feel that Loria "has marginalized the front office" by overstepping his bounds to the point where he was dictating which pitchers started which game of a day-night double-header with the Twins earlier this season (as chronicled in this piece from Spencer). The Marlins' recent extension of Greg Dobbs was reportedly worked out by Loria, who didn't even tell Beinfest or GM Michael Hill that the contract was in the works.

Beinfest took over as president of baseball operations almost six years ago to the day. Under his watch, the Marlins signed Hanley Ramirez to a then-record extension and also signed Josh Johnson and Ricky Nolasco to extensions. Jose Reyes and Mark Buehrle signed the largest free agent deals in Marlins history during Beinfest's tenure, as shown in MLBTR's Transaction Tracker. Notable first-round picks during his time as president of baseball ops include Christian Yelich and Jose Fernandez.

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Raicel Iglesias Detained Trying To Defect From Cuba

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Right-hander Raicel Iglesias has been detained by Cuban authorities for attempting to defect, three sources have told Diario De Cuba (h/t Ben Badler of Baseball America). An employee of the Dirección de Deportes en Nueva Gerona confirmed Iglesias is being detained and will no longer train with the local team.

Diaro De Cuba reports the 23-year-old was hiding in the mountains of Isla de la Juventud until Thursday when he left searching for food and water. The report says Iglesias attempted to leave Cuba September 22 in the area of Punta de Piedra, but failed. Diaro De Cuba quotes Lázaro Ricardo Pérez, an independent journalist, as saying Iglesias was hiding with several individuals, including his brother, and all were dehyrdated. Pérez added rumors of the right-hander's escape became public Tuesday alerting authorities while Iglesias was still in hiding.

Iglesias, who impressed scouts on Cuba's U.S. tour where he hit 92-95 mph on the gun and made batters miss often with his breaking ball, according to Badler, could be released from custody as early as today, but it is not known whether he will face charges.

Blue Jays Likely To Keep Lind, DeRosa, Janssen

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Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos told reporters that there's a "good chance" they'll exercise Adam Lind's option for 2014, according to Shi Davidi of Sportsnet (on Twitter).  Veteran Mark DeRosa is also in good position with his option and Casey Janssen is a lock to have his club option triggered.

It now looks like Lind will get $7MM to stay in Toronto next season rather than getting a $2MM buyout to ply his craft elsewhere.  The Jays also have options on Lind's services for 2015 ($7.5MM) and 2016 ($8MM). In 2013, Lind has hit .287/.356/.497, his best slash line since 2009. 

DeRosa's $750K option was expected to be triggered, but he could opt to retire rather than return.  The 38-year-old, who has a .229/.322/.398 slash line on the year, has earned nearly $30MM over the course of his career.  Meanwhile, Janssen's $4MM option is a slam dunk after turning in a 2.56 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 56 relief appearances.

Anthopoulos also expressed confidence that the Blue Jays' rotation can turn things around with "a starter or two" added this offseason, Davidi tweets.

East Notes: Oliver, Davis, Roberts, Mets, Nats

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This is the end of the line for Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte, but 2013 will also mark the final season for Blue Jays reliever Darren Oliver.  After 20 seasons, more than 1,900 innings and two near-retirements, the 42-year-old is ready to walk away from the game, writes Evan Peaslee of MLB.com.  Here's more out of the AL and NL East..

  • Slugger Chris Davis says that he's eager to sign a long-term extension with the Orioles, tweets Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.  Davis, who owns a .286/.369/.634 slash line on the season, avoided his first go-round in arbitration last winter by agreeing to a $3.3MM, one-year deal. 
  • Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts says that he understands if the club opts not to bring him back for next season, writes Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com.  Roberts, who has been with the organization since 1999, has a has a .265/.341/.429 slash line with six homers over his last 41 games.
  • OF all the Mets' free agents, LaTroy Hawkins is the most likely to return, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
  • Matt Williams refuses to comment on the possibility of him managing the Nationals, but people around him are more than happy to discuss his credentials, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.  
  • Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says that the next manager of the club will have some input on the roster, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com.  In addition to Williams, bench coach Randy Knorr and third base coach Trent Jewett are considered strong candidates for the job.
  • Wally Backman, who was long rumored to be in line for the Mets' managerial job if Terry Collins was fired, is unlikely to join the coaching staff in 2014, tweets Andy Martino of the Daily News.  General Manager Sandy Alderson previously said that Backman would likely be offered a position inside the organization if Collins was brought back.

Yankees Notes: Cano, Rivera, Pettitte

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Robinson Cano absolutely wants to stay in New York, but he's following a script to create the illusion that he has no problem with bolting this winter, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post.  Of course, that doesn't mean that the second baseman is staying put if there is a far more lucrative offer out there for him.  However, the free-spending Dodgers might be on the verge of being maxed out, the Cubs aren't spending yet, the Angels are still reeling from the Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton signings, and Sherman hears that it won't be the Nats or Tigers with the winning bid.  For now, despite their crowded middle infield, Sherman sees the Rangers as the team to watch.  Here's more out of New York..

  • There's a pretty wide gap between the Yankees and Cano at the starting point of negotiations as Cano's reps want to use Alex Rodriguez's $300MM+ deal as a starting point while the Yankees see David Wright (eight-year, $138MM extension) as a good comp, writes Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.
  • Cano says that he's not ready to start talking about his free agency, writes Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.  "I know a lot of things are going to come out and say, 'A source, friends of Robbie's and this,' but I know what we're doing and what we're not doing," Cano said over the weekend. "I just want to go on vacation, sit down and enjoy, not be watching the news and everything. Then you're going to go crazy."
  • The retirements of Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte underscore the importance of a strong farm system, writes Bill Madden of the New York Daily News.  While other clubs, like the Red Sox, have tons of young talent, Madden fears that the Yanks' system is lacking.

Phillies Notes: Pitching, Kendrick, Ruiz

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The Phillies' pitching staff, once one of the game's best, may require an overhaul, Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer writes. The club has used ten starters this season, which is the major league average, according to Gelb.  However, stats such as the team's 4.29 ERA, good for second-to-last in the NL, indicate an inability to cope with even "an average amount of uncertainty" in the rotation. "Long guys, swing men, depth in the bullpen and depth in the triple-A level are a need," manager Ryne Sandberg commented. "That is very evident right now." More Sunday morning Phillies links:

  • While Gelb highlights uncertainty in the rotation as a prime contributor to the Phillies' disappointing 2013 campaign, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says the club plans to tender Kyle Kendrick a contract in the offseason, meaning that four of the team's five rotation slots may already be filled. If Kendrick returns to the rotation, he and Cuban import Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez would likely slide in behind Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. "I don't know why people are asking about that," Amaro said of speculation on whether Kendrick will be tendered a contract, according to an article by Todd Zolecki of MLB.com. "We will."
  • There appears to be mutual interest in catcher Carlos Ruiz returning to the club next year, according to Zolecki's piece. "I think mutually we would like to continue the relationship," Amaro said. "At some point we'll get together, negotiate, and see where it goes." Ruiz says he's happy in Philadelphia, but added that he plans to test the market if a deal isn't done before the World Series.
  • Despite the Phillies' pitching woes, offense is also a need for a club that entered its final two games of the season averaging 3.75 runs per game, Zolecki writes on his blog.

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