Even though Ken Griffey Jr. hit just .249 with 18 HR, will the Mariners attempt to sign him? They will likely need a DH, and it is obvious that the whole city wants him back. Most National League teams are going to stay away with him because his hitting doesn't out weigh his fielding, but American teams should have no problems. I expect the Athletics, Royals, Blue Jays, Indians, and White Sox to show some interest in Griffey.
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According to the NY Post, the Mets may target a second tier pitcher, rather than spend the big bucks on a closer like Francisco Rodriguez. This would suggest that they could be preparing a run for outfielder Manny Ramirez, who dominated NL pitching and is carrying the Dodgers through the playoffs. Wheeler did a great job for the Rays this season saving thirteen games, but he also compiled a 3.12 ERA in 70 games, a very respectable average for pitching in the AL East.
In 53 games for the Dodgers, Ramirez hit .396 with 17 HR with a .489 OBP. He is looking for a deal between 3-5 years, and could probably command 15-20 million dollars annually. While scouts are saying to stay away from Ramirez long term, Minaya is very desperate for a power bat like Ramirez and may take a chance.A
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According to the Boston Globe, Japanese manager Bobby Valentine has sent emails to several Front Office executives hoping to land a managerial job. He has his sights set on the Brewers and Mariners jobs, but would likely take a bench coach job knowing he was in line for the job in a year or so. It seems he would need a season to familiarize himself with the team before taking over managing full time.A
Quinlan to Twins?: Robb Quinlan, who just finished his two year contract with the Angels, may sign with the Twins if he is not tendered a contract by the Angels. He grew up in Minnesota and would fit nicely with the Twins make up.
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According to Joel Sherman of the NY Post, the Yankees have about 90 million dollars available and plan to spend it on the market. Of the pitchers available, they would like to sign two of the top three pitchers: CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, and Derek Lowe. While the list grows if one of those players goes elsewhere, the point is they would like to sign two top of the line pitchers. As for Mike Mussina and Andy Pettitte, they will make the players similar offers and whoever takes it first is the one they are going to go with. Mussina has actually faired better than Pettitte over the past year or so, putting up better numbers and focusing on the Yankees, instead of whether or not to retire.A
Since Pettitte has come back to the Yankees, we've seen nearly a two point drop in K/9, a thirty point increase in AVG, and a full point increase in BB/9. As for Mussina, he returned to 2006 form this year and looked even better. 2007 was a minor hiccup, where he tried to hard to make the adjust to finesse, and it showed. He was trying to strikeout batters a lot more, and it lead to him getting hit a lot harder. While Pettitte is younger and probably has a couple years left, him struggling may put more of a focus on retiring, where as Mussina seems fine with pitching another year or two before hanging it up.A
The third step in the Yankees prospect is to trade a pitching prospect or two for aA solid firstA baseman or corner outfielder. It is possible that the Yankees will trade Phil Hughes, IanA Kennedy, Jeff Marquez, or Dellin Betances in a package for someone likeA Prince Fielder or Derrek Lee, if they do pursue a first baseman. If they want a corner outfielder, they could go after Matt Holliday of the Rockies. Other options include Matt Kemp, Hunter Pence, and Magglio Ordonez, among others.A
It is possible they will go after a high profile outfielder and sign a first baseman like Sean Casey or Tony Clark, opening the way for prospect Juan Miranda, assuming he does well in Triple-A to start next season.
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According to Buster Olney, Arizona Diamondbacks executive Jerry DiPoto is one of the front runners for the Mariners GM job. DiPoto has built a reputation as a great scout, having served for the Red Sox during their first World Series in 2004. He also worked for the Rockies and played a key role in drafting some of the players that helped in their 2007 run to the World Series. He is currently with the Diamondbacks, where we have seen several strong trades as well as several smart draft choices (Upton, Scherzer, Parker). He would make for a great pick, and Olney believes the Mariners would have an easy time recruiting Pat Gillick if DiPoto is picked.A
Kim Ng, the Dodgers Front Office assistant, is also one of the candidates in line for the job. She has built up quite a good resume working for the Dodgers and likely has a GM job in her future. She doesn't nearly have as much experience as DiPoto, but the Mariners are looking for more of an up and comer more than an established executive. Either way, the Mariners will be in good hands.A
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Padres catcher Michael Barrett cleared waivers and opted for free agency, rather than go to the minors. Barrett's best years came with the Cubs, but ended abruptly in 2007 due Barrett's poor relationship with Lou Piniella, and several pitchers in the rotation. He struggled with the Padres, but scouts say he could not find his swing and would rebound in 2008. However, he was hit with a season ending injury and only hit .202 in 30 games.
Barrett's hitting may not be completely lost, but his defense surely hasn't improved. I'm sure there will be a team willing to take a chance on him, perhaps the Nationals, but he could be on a track to the minors, which would be a shame for the eleven year veteran.
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The Giants are looking for some offensive help, and will try to acquire either a second baseman, most likely Dan Uggla, or a first baseman, probably in the form of Derrek Lee or Paul Konerko. Both first baseman have full no trade clauses, but might be willing to waive the clause because they would be moving closer to home. Because all three of those players had good offensive years, it would cost them a top starter, probably Matt Cain.A
I doubt Lee or Konerko would waive their no-trade clause, considering they both made the playoffs, so Uggla is their best bet. However, I wouldn't put it past the Cubs or White Sox to at least ask their players about waiving the clause.A
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In a recent email to Tigers GM Dave Dombrowksi, I asked where he would like to improve over the offseason. Personally, I think the Tigers have a solid core of middle relievers, but lack the late inning guys to put the game away. With that said, Dombrowski responded through a media assistant: "...pitching (including the bullpen) and defense." The Tigers have a fairly large payroll and may have trouble convincing the owners to throw in more money.A
One step they could make would be to trade either Jeremy Bonderman or Nate Robertson for a pair of prospects with some upside. Both pitchers have failed to take big strides in their pitching and have only hurt the team, especially now with a weaker bullpen. Signing someone like Jon Garland, Ryan Dempster, or Derek Lowe would help the rotation, probably even take some pressure off Justin Verlander.A
As for the bullpen, I would not recommend doing what the Orioles did in 2007, signing the three top relievers based on the previous season. Signing a closer, perhaps Brian Fuentes, and then going after a pair of late inning relievers like Juan Cruz, Will Ohman, or maybe even LaTroy Hawkins would do best. They were interested in Michael Wuertz last year, and could pull off a trade this offseason because the Cubs have a lot of depth.A
The Tigers currently have Brandon Inge behind the plate. Finding a starter would be nice, maybe Jason Kendall, but in terms of finding a defensive savvy catcher, Paul Bako is your guy. He is one of the best defensive catchers in the games, and has a great reputation of handling his pitchers. If the Tigers were to trade Nate Robertson to the Padres, they could possibly land Khalil Greene and a prospect. They could try Greene at shortstop and if he struggles, call up prospect Danny Worth, who is on the fast track to the big leagues (mostly because the Tigers are rushing him).A
The Tigers have a lot of work to do this offseason, especially after finishing in last place when they were predicted to go to the World Series. Dave Dombrowski is smart, and I don't doubt he can make some big steps this offseason to get his team on the right track.A
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According to one NL executive, the Rockies are looking for a closer and a second baseman and may look to trade Matt Holliday (and a prospect or two) to land both of them. "That wouldn't surprise me at all," when asked about the possible swap. Orioles closer George Sherrill was 3-5 with 31 saves and a 4.73 ERA in 57 games for the Orioles. He is up for arbitration while Roberts, who hit .296 with 9 HR and 40 SB will make 8 million dollars. Holliday is making 13 million dollars in 2009, so the contracts would not be that far off if Sherrill was to get somewhere between 2.3-3.0 million dollars.
Several teams are going after Roberts, but if they were able to land Holliday and a prospect while only giving up Roberts and Sherrill (and maybe a prospect), they would be in much better shape for 2009. Not to mention if they went after a second tier pitcher and Mark Teixeira.A
There would obviously be a lot of obstacles, like how many players, cash, and other things like that, but this really isn't out of the realm of possibility.
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Sports blog First and Goal from Second Base suggests it would be best for the Twins to trade Jason Kubel this offseason for a reliever. Kubel is coming off the best year of his career and can be considered one of the best outfield/DH players available this offseason. He hit .272 with 20 HR in 463 ABs this season, setting career highs in HR and RBIs. The average DH hit .256 while the average AL LF hit .267, so several teams would benefit from him.A
While the blog suggests trading him to the Royals, a team like the Cubs would be better, but only if they miss out on their first target. Michael Wuertz struggled with his control but has an excellent slider, and that could entice the Twins. Another possibility is the Rays, who had the third best team ERA in baseball. They have the depth, and could trade someone like Chad Bradford for Kubel, who could play right field.A
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According to the LA Daily News, the Dodgers would like to go forward with Jonathan Broxton as their closer and may trade Takashi Saito. Saito was injured for half the season and the Dodgers are worried that relying on him would only hurt their bullpen. As for possible options, any team eying Francisco Rodriguez or Brian Fuentes could look to him as a fallback. The Cardinals, who struggled without a closer this year, could trade for Saito. He went 4-4 with a 2.49 ERA and 18 SV, but he would hardly cost the Cardinals anything.A
As for other teams that could pursue Saito, the Mets, Indians, Orioles, Rockies, and Red Sox.A
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If the Yankees are looking to add pitching, they may look through trading before spending one hundred million dollars on a pitcher. If the Padres decided to have a fire sale, they could ask Peavy to waive his no trade clause and possibly unload him. Peavy's agent Barry Alexrod hinted that the Yankees were one of Peavy's three teams in the AL that would entice him, so this is very possible. Peavy was 10-11 with a 2.85 ERA for a 99-loss team, so those numbers will obviously look a lot better with a run scoring team. The Padres could land a package that included Robinson Cano, Edwar Ramirez, and minor leaguers like Jeffery Marquez, Austin Jackson, and a low level minor leaguer. That type a move would definitely help the Padres because not only do they land an All-Star second baseman, but they land an excellent reliever in Ramirez with All-Star potential.A
If the Padres can make this kind of trade this offseason, they should not hesitate, it would help them in long run.A
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According to the Columbus Dispatch, the Reds may attempt to pluck a couple of the arbitration eligibles players away from the Marlins. The Marlins have expressed a desire to stay at the same payroll and will have to trade several players to keep it there. Among those names, Josh Willingham and Jeremy Hermida, two players nearing their prime that would really help the Reds. GM Walt Jocketty has always gone after the big deal. He did it with Scott Rolen, Jim Edmonds, Mark McGuire, and Mark Mulder, but also made small moves that turned out to be more significant that the big names. Players like Edgar Renteria, Jason Marquis, and Adam Wainwright all have come over through trades to help the Cardinals achieve their goals.
There are several players around the league that are doing well, but do not have a spot on their team: Shin Soo-Choo, Mike Fontenot, Ryan Spilborghs, to name a few. Going after guys like this along with arbitration eligibles should make the Reds, already stocked with a pair of power hitters and decent pitching, to the playoffs.
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In a recent interview with the Los Angeles Times, Andruw Jones said that if he is not starting, he wants to be traded: "I'm an everyday guy or I need to move out." Jones struggled mightily for the Dodgers in nearly a half of a season, hitting .158 with 3 HR in 75 games. He hit just .222 last season, and is starting to get hit with major injuries. If the Dodgers were to trade Jones, they would have to take on nearly his entire salary. Jones is set to make 15 million dollars next year, and he could be traded with prospects for a similar salary player. They could try and acquire Magglio Ordonez if they want another outfielder. He is making 18 million dollars and has two club options remaining. If the Dodgers are able to resign Manny Ramirez, they could pursue Placido Polanco, who could take over at second base. Either deal would help the Dodgers.
The Dodgers, like any team, like depth off the bench. Joe Torre would find a way to rotate five possible starters into playing if necessary. It is possible they will trade Juan Pierre to Reds for a pitcher, while possibly trading Matt Kemp for Robinson Cano. Ideas have been discussed, but Ned Colletti might be hesitant to make a move knowing he is walking on a tight rope.
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According to a source close to Darren Braunecker, the agent of A.J. Burnett, they plan to let the market set the value of his pitcher, considering he is the next best pitcher behind CC Sabathia. The Yankees are believed to be interested, and rumors are swirling that they are more interested in him than Sabathia because of Burnett's competitive mindset. CC Sabathia is a great pitcher, but Yankee officials are concerned that he might be "too laid back" for the Yankees.
Anyways, the Blue Jays believe they can sign the pitcher, who was 38-26 with a 3.93 ERA in three seasons with the Jays. The Red Sox, Orioles, Braves, and Dodgers are among many teams interested in the pitcher, who is expected to get a five year deal worth about 15-17 million dollars annually. If the Yankees want him, they will get him. Money is no object, they have a new stadium, and the offense and bullpen to back him.
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