In his latest Inside Baseball column, Jon Heyman of Fan Rag looks into the Royals front office. Owner David Glass is “considering a possible two-year extension” for GM Dayton Moore, writes Heyman, even though Moore has “no leverage” given that he’s already under contract for three more seasons. This all arises after Glass declined to allow the Braves to speak with Moore about changing squads. While Moore has expressed gratitude to ownership, his recent comments were interesting, if difficult to interpret with any precision. All told, it seems there could still be some unresolved matters in the Kansas City front office.
Let’s look at a few more items from Heyman of particular relevance to the still-developing hot stove season:
- Top free agent center fielder Lorenzo Cain has drawn some early interest from the Mets and Giants, according to Heyman. As regards the New York organization, this information seems to conflict with recent statements from Mets GM Sandy Alderson — though as ever it’s worth taking things with a grain of salt and acknowledging fluidity this time of year. As for the Giants, we at MLBTR pegged San Francisco as the likeliest landing spot for Cain, though some doubt whether the organization will go over the luxury tax line and sacrifice draft choices to land him. At a minimum, though, the organization would seem to be wise to do some diligence on the possibility.
- The Rangers have “looked into” free agent righties Lance Lynn and Tyler Chatwood, says Heyman. While it’s not clear just how serious the interest is, the link isn’t surprising. Texas clearly needs arms; indeed, MLBTR guessed they’d land Lynn. While Chatwood doesn’t have nearly the track record of results that Lynn does, he is an intriguing option in his own right and shares some of the characteristics of Andrew Cashner — the former Ranger free agent signee who is himself back on the open market.
- Another team with a desire to add several starters (and with reputed interest in Chatwood) is the Orioles. The Baltimore front office met with agents for lefty Jason Vargas during the GM Meetings, Heyman reports. The 34-year-old veteran seems to be a good match for the O’s, as we predicted, since the team needs to find so many rotation innings and can’t afford to make major long-term commitments to multiple starters.
- The Diamondbacks are “open” to bringing back Fernando Rodney, GM Mike Hazen tells Heyman. Arizona is facing a difficult payroll situation but obviously will be looking to maintain and improve upon a Wild Card-winning roster. Though Rodney didn’t dominate last year, he’s still throwing mid-nineties heat and generating quite a few swings and misses — and obviously met with the approval of the D-Backs’ brass in the closer’s role. Beyond improving the pen, the Arizona priority is to improve in the outfield, per the report. That could mean pursuing under-the-radar additions; though Hazen says he’s not ruling out a return for J.D. Martinez, that’d almost certainly require the kind of payroll increase that does not appear to be under consideration.
JoeyPankake
The Giants don’t need to add another speed reliant center fielder on the wrong side of 30. The last decade of Rowand, Pagan, and Span should have made that clear. They shouldn’t be looking at anyone with a QO attached unless they somehow pull off a deal for Stanton, in which case they should just say screw it and go for the 250MM payroll and sign Cain, Fraiser, and some bullpen and bench pieces.
J leathal86
I read that they were being linked to billy Hamilton
moneyman
I agree with you when you say that the Giants shouldn’t be going after the OFers on the wrong side of 30, but, over the last 10 years with the names you mentioned, they have 3 World Series titles! But I think they should get Billy Hamilton as well
kingphilip84
Lorenzo Cain is not a “speed reliant” CF. He is quick, but as far as his bat goes, he has a lot more pop than any of those guys you mentioned. Pagan and Span especially are leadoff type slap hitters. Lorenzo Cain is a drive the gaps and lines hitter, who can go 20/30 if he stays healthy and locked in, not to mention hit around .285-.300. He finished 3rd in the AL MVP vote in 2015. You should research him a bit more because your opinion of him seems a bit off.
That being said, he is over 30 and has had some injury issues in the past. I think it would be a mistake for anyone to sign him to anything longer than a 3 year deal, but someone probably will.
Chasssooo
As a Dodgers fan, I hope the Giants do sign Cain. His best years are behind him.
Kayrall
Cain strikes me as the typical free agent center fielder that signs a sizeable deal then gets moved to a corner after one year.
jbigz12
Cain never hit more than 16hrs so I highly doubt he turns into a 20/30 guy. He has more gap power than the aforementioned players. Speed is a big part of his game. Don’t think speed reliant is a stretch.
rocky7
Cain will be 32 this April.
He hasn’t ever hit 20 homers so “if” he can be a 20/30 type buy is not accurate as he has never been as far as the 20 part, and if the ball is indeed juiced and will be remedied this coming year he will more than likely not ever approach 20 home runs in the future.
Your comment about his worth tied to “if he stays healthy”, and “if he remains motivated” certainly is interesting concerning his age, his reliance on a speed game, and whether or not he’ll be motivated while being paid $Millions to play a game.
Finally, its 2017 and his finishing 3rd in what will be 3 seasons ago in 2015 is irrelevant to potential suitors for this season.
Just my opinion.
kingphilip84
I guess saying 20 dingers was a stretch. My main issue was in my interpretation of the “speed reliant” label. Angel Pagan and Denard Span are guys with basically 0 pop. Lorenzo Cain isn’t a little slap hitter was my main point. He can rip it. He does steal bases, but he doesn’t have blinding speed like Jarod Dyson or guys like Span/Pagan. I do think he could hit 20, Kauffman is notoriously not a hitters’ park. Not saying he will, but in the right situation he could. I was just using his 3rd place MVP finish to illustrate that he is well rounded and not just a guy out there whose only way to get on base is infield singles.
And I took no offense at what anyone here has said. I love talking baseball.
jbigz12
Not sure Cain has more pop than than Aaron Rowand did either. If anything they’d be equal. Don’t really see anything wrong with what he said there. Definitely not enough to jump down his throat about Lorenzo Cain. Cain has had 2 great seasons, his MVP year and last year. Other than that he hasn’t exactly been a stud.
rocky7
Which is why I said what I said.
I never meant to sound like I “jumped down his throat”.
Jus try opinion.
jbigz12
Not your comment. The guy who blasted him for putting Cain in the same sentence as Rowand span Etc
jimmyz
I know he’s over 30 as well but Jarrod Dyson makes a lot of sense for San Fran to me. He wont break the bank and he’s probably going to get a two or three year deal which for SF makes him a complimentary piece to add to their core (Posey, Bumgardner, Crawford, Belt, Panik, Cueto, Smardzija, Melancon) to compete for another couple years before selling off some pieces to better prepare for the future.
Speaking purely about free agents I could see them in on Carlos Gomez or maybe Cameron Maybin and also giving Austin Jackson, Ben Revere, or Leonys Martin an incentive laden minor league deal with a Spring Training invite as insurance. Can’t really see them spending big to improve the outfield.
J leathal86
As a orioles fan I wouldn’t mind Vargas maybe a 2 year 20 mill deal and adding Chatwood to like a 3 for 30 deal and then maybe grabbing a Cashner on a 2 for 20 deal all of a sudden you have bundy gausman Chatwood Vargas and Cashner not to bad
WhiteSox4ever
Sounds pretty good
jdgoat
Idk as of now that’s probably 4 fourth/fifth slot starting pitchers. And none of them are better than a three. Baltimore really needs at least one of the guys you mentioned plus darvish/otani/Arrieta if they want to compete
jbigz12
Vargas threw a horrible second half and is a fly ball pitcher. If there’s one terrible fit for Camden yards, it’d be him. Only plus side to him is that he limits his walks so we won’t have to see any more ubaldo or Miley type starts out of him. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him be the left handed equivalent to hellickson. Chatwood has a great ground ball rate but he’s another shaky control guy. I know chat gets a lot of love around the board here, and he is probably the most intriguing out of that trio though he could also very easily be a disaster. Let’s hope bundy and Gausman take a leap forward. We need that.
Zepp
He would be an upgrade over MIley as far as quality outings. While Miley at times has great stuff it is a lot of work on the catcher because you have no idea where its going.
jbigz12
An upgrade over Miley isn’t really saying much. Control was never really a Miley issue until this year though. I think some other team will tinker with him and get his control back. My guess is he’ll be an okay back end starter somewhere in the NL as he used to be. Though if Vargas throws like he did in second half that’s not going to be an upgrade at all. Vargas is almost 35 years old and is coming off a 2nd half tank job. He has a solid career of being a back end starter but he could easily be a guy who is hitting the steep decline stage in his career. I’d be surprised if he got more than a 1 year deal this offseason. id prefer we bring Tillman back and work on him over Vargas. Not buying into the notion we need a left handed starter. It’d be nice to have one but I don’t think we need the wrong one.
kgmkpmrgkmegrkmegrm
“Closer Jesus Colome would bring back a haul, if the Rays would consider trading him.”
Not a bad idea from Heyman. It’d be a great deal for the Rays if they could trade him for a setup man to help bridge the gap to Alex Colome in the 9th
ray_derek
That’s Heyman for you…Jesus, you said it man.
Thronson5
Nothing to do with this post but all day I kept hearing the Dodgers were trading Joc Pederson. Anyone know if there’s anything to this rumor and who they are trying to trade him for? He involved in Stanton talks? Again, I’m sorry that this has nothing to do with this thread but just been looking for where this rumor came from but can’t seem to find anything but saw people talking about it all over Instagram today.
J leathal86
I would trade britton for him and a farm pitcher
Blue_Painted_Dreams_LA
Just a clear rule of thumb concerning the Dodgers, which I’ve followed since new FO has taken hold, if you continually hear a trade rumor it’s almost non existent. The Dodgers aren’t trading Pederson unless someone overpays. Nobody is going to overpay, because he is at his lowest value. If they trade Grandal they get a little to RH especially in trading Pederson. I just don’t see it happening as no one knows how far along Toles will be and it’s clear Verdugo still has maturing to do.
timtim007
If the DBacks haven’t “ruled out” a reunion with JD Martinez, I am sure, or at least assume it is not at Boras’s ridiculous asking price of $210 million.
Phillies2017
Can we talk about the fact that not one MLB FA has signed yet and its November 17th!
By now we’re usually right in the swing of things and we’ve seen one major trade and a ton of minor league signings.
OverUnderDone
Stanton. And Otani.
Big dogs eat first.
Coast1
Ohtani might not be posted until December and might not sign until January. Stanton might not be traded at all. If no one gets signed until those two eat, we might be waiting a long time.
stl_cards16 2
Nah. Things usually don’t get moving along much until the Winter Meetings. December and early January is when you see most signings and trades. This is a typical off-season.
jleve618
Last year evolved extremely quickly from what I remember.
melfman1
“The Yankees now have five known managerial candidates – Rob Thompson, Aaron Boone, Eric Wedge, Hensley Meulens and Aaron Boone.”
Huh? By my math, that would be 4!
agentx
You’re right. I think the fifth candidate is… Aaron Boone.
Kris Higdon
No, he is the dark horse 6th candidate
brownbomber
No its 5, you obviously didnt count Aaron Boone
padam
Depends on which Aaron Boone you’re talking about…
lesterdnightfly
What are those so-called unresolved issues in the Royals’ FO re: Dayton Moore? From the cited article:
“I would want to work here for as long as Mr. Glass wants me here,” he said. “I don’t see any deviation from that.” … “From our early part of this process on, it was very clear in my conversations with Mr. Glass that he wanted us here in Kansas City,” Moore said. … “Kansas City is where we want to be. I’m very much at peace with how everything turned out. I’m very glad that the speculation is behind us.”
I don’t see any ambivalence on Moore’s or Glass’s part, With the hiring of Alex Anthopoulos, can’t the Dayton Moore/Braves rumors end once and for all?
jd396
If Glass didn’t allow the interview with the Braves and Moore obviously wasn’t overwhelmed with interest in taking over as ringmaster of the excrement show in Atlanta… and Glass is already talking about an extension three years before it matters… I think Heyman is trying a little too hard.
lesterdnightfly
True, but the “unresolved issues” thing seems to be from Jeff’s take on Heyman’s story.
The only thing unresolved (aside from the multitude of questions about the Braves) is a possible extension for Moore. To imply some kind of greater issue is a curious slant to take….
kenttwerker
I️ didn’t get this part either. Seemed pretty clear that he didn’t want the Atlanta gig to me and was referring to his owner so he didn’t look like he bad guy.
jd396
I’ve always gotten the sense that the Royals ownership is pretty well hands-off. Seems like Glass gives Moore his budget which just is what it is with KC’s revenue, and checks in two or three times a year to see how things are doing.
Gideon Hays
San Francisco is where outfielders go to die.
sacball
Duggar should be in the bigs by mid-year, G’s should try to get Dyson on a one year deal…no to Cain and hell no to Hamilton
padam
“As regards the New York organization,…”
Ouch. That hurt.