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Mark Ellis

Rosenthal On Iannetta, Athletics, Bautista

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports kicks off his latest column with a look at Alex Rodriguez's $30MM worth of home run incentives.  The chase isn't generating the buzz the Yankees anticipated when they re-signed A-Rod.  On to Rosenthal's rumors…

  • Talks are on again between the Red Sox and Rockies regarding catcher Chris Iannetta.  The Rockies would want to improve their big league club with an in-season deal, so perhaps we'll hear heightened Iannetta buzz during the offseason if Miguel Olivo is retained.
  • The Nationals do not seem to have chosen a course with Adam Dunn in terms of trading or extending him now.
  • The Athletics have no intention of trading Coco Crisp or Mark Ellis, as both players have club options for 2011.
  • Yankees catcher Francisco Cervelli is "a frequent trade target of rival clubs," but the team likes having depth at the catcher position.
  • As part of the Yunel Escobar–Alex Gonzalez talks, the Braves and Blue Jays discussed Jose Bautista.  For now, the Braves still have time to evaluate Nate McLouth's recovery from a concussion.  MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote today that the Braves have considered David DeJesus, Cody Ross, Corey Hart, and Josh Willingham as potential trade targets. 

Odds & Ends: Sheets, Padres, Scutaro, Nationals

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A few links to check out while the Yankees play their first game without George Steinbrenner at the helm since 1972…

  • Susan Slusser of The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the Phillies have had a "top scout" on hand for the A's last four series, though Oakland isn't going to move Mark Ellis and Ben Sheets isn't scheduled to pitch this weekend. 
  • James Schmehl of MLive.com says that Sheets could be a "rather inexpensive" trade option for the Tigers if they're looking to add a starting pitcher. 
  • MLB.com's Corey Brock reports that Padres' GM Jed Hoyer told reporters he would like to make a move to improve the team, not just a cosmetic one (all Twitter links). He says the prices must first come down, and that he has the resources to add multiple pieces.
  • WEEI.com's Rob Bradford says (via Twitter) that the Braves did not talk to the Red Sox about a potential Yunel Escobar–Marco Scutaro deal. He says that the Blue Jays were the only team Atlanta spoke to about an Escobar trade.
  • Nationals' GM Mike Rizzo ranked the team's international free agent signings for MASNSports.com's Ben Goessling.
  • Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times tweets that the Tokyo Giants have a scout attending tonight's Dodgers-Cardinals game. If nothing else, it shows that Japanese teams scour the U.S. for talent just like MLB teams do in Japan.

A’s Likely To Keep Mark Ellis

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There's just a 40% chance the A's make Mark Ellis available, a source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The A's, who already traded infielder Eric Patterson, will choose between Ellis' $6MM option for 2011 and a $500K buyout if he's still in Oakland at the end of the season.

Ellis would probably draw interest if GM Billy Beane made him available. The 33-year-old is hitting .288/.355/.374 this year, and has been an average defender at second base over the course of the past two seasons (according to UZR/150). 

The Red Sox and Phillies have injured second basemen and could have interest in Ellis, who missed time with a hamstring injury early in the year. The Yankees are looking for bench help, but Ellis has $2.75MM remaining on this year's contract and that's a lot of money to spend on a reserve.

Olney’s Latest: Mark Ellis

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Last month, Orlando Hudson signed for a third of what Mark Ellis got back in October. That Ellis signed for more than Hudson shows the unpredictability of the current free agent market. With Hudson expected to be the bellwether, Ellis was considered an affordable alternative. His extension was expected to increase demand for Hudson's glove.

Buster Olney points out just how smart Mark Ellis and his agents look by agreeing to a 2-year $11MM extension with the A's that at the time was considered a mistake by many. Olney notes it wasn't about economic forecasting:

"Ellis said he has been complimented by others for making his deal at just the right time, but he chuckled at that, over the phone. 'We're not going to say we're geniuses or anything like that,' he said. 'I wanted to be here, and they offered me a good deal.'"

This begs the question: Would Billy Beane have been better off waiting? With Oakland's young rotation, Ellis' defense is probably not something they wanted to risk losing.

Odds and Ends: Prior, Mulder, Cameron

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Links for Wednesday…

A’s Chatter: Ellis, Giambi

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A few notes from Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle:

A’s Re-Sign Mark Ellis

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SUNDAY: The A’s reached an agreement with Ellis, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.  He’ll make about $5MM in ’09, $6MM in ’10, and has a $6MM club option for ’11.  There’s also about $2MM in possible incentives.  Olney believes the deal could be worth $18MM with all incentives reached.  Slusser has quotes from the happy second baseman in this morning’s article.

SATURDAY: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney:

Heard this: The Oakland Athletics are moving closer to signing second baseman Mark Ellis — who would be eligible for free agency after the World Series — to a multiyear deal.

Ellis, 31, hit .233/.321/.373 in 507 plate appearances.  He was stellar again defensively, making 26 more plays than the average second baseman.  He missed time for a sore hamstring and a torn labrum in his shoulder (which eventually required surgery last month).  Ellis would’ve been an intriguing alternative to Orlando Hudson, but it looks like he won’t reach the open market.

Odds and Ends: Iguchi, Varitek, Bonds

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Linkage for Thursday…

Olney’s Latest: Sabathia, Ellis, Embree, Giles

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Buster Olney brings the rumors:

  • If the Yankees want CC Sabathia, they will not lose in any bidding war now that a new ballpark puts them in the position to "throw unlimited dollars" at CC. Unless CC wants to play in the NL, or avoid the media circus of New York City, Olney seems convinced the Yankees will land him.
  • The A’s have begun contract negotiations with Mark Ellis. No details yet.
  • Before the trade deadline, no teams expressed interest in Alan Embree and his $2.25MM salary. This could indicate that the A’s will not pick up his $3MM option. The 38 year old lefthander struggled with a 4.96 ERA this season.
  • The Padres are going to pick up Brian Giles $9MM option at the deadline, shortly after the World Series, rather than buy him out for $3MM. This was expected.

A’s Rumors: Ellis, Embree

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More A’s rumors and news, courtesy of Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (here and here).

  • GM Billy Beane is committed to the long-term plan, and is not interested in quick fixes.  He’d like to add a free agent bat, probably an older player on a short-term commitment (Jason Giambi could make sense).
  • Second baseman Mark Ellis had shoulder surgery a few weeks ago.  The uncertainty hurts his free agency prospects, which might give the A’s a better chance to re-sign him.  Ellis is a Beane favorite, and the A’s hope to bring him back.
  • The A’s will decide on Alan Embree’s $3MM option after the World Series.
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