RotoFeed

Riggleman To Manage Nationals

Luke Adams — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:08:12 -0800

The Washington Nationals will bring back interim manager Jim Riggleman in 2010, according to Jim Bowden of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Bowden does not have any specific details yet, but says the deal "is done."

Riggleman took over the as the Nationals' skipper halfway through 2009, leading the club, which was 26-61 at that point, to a 33-42 record over the rest of the season.

Riggleman had been considered the favorite to earn the full-time job throughout the search, despite the team considering higher profile candidates, such as Bobby Valentine.

Royals Expected To Sign Betemit

Luke Adams — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:55:41 -0800

Wilson Betemit is likely to sign a minor league contract with the Kansas City Royals, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.

Betemit spent 2009 in the Chicago White Sox organization, after being part of the deal that sent Nick Swisher to New York. Betemit hit .200/.280/.311 in only 20 games for the Sox, but has had some major-league success in the past. As the FOX report points out, Royals GM Dayton Moore was part of the Atlanta Braves organization in 2005 and 2006, when Betemit enjoyed his two most successful seasons with the Braves.

Rosenthal and Morosi speculate that the team might see Betemit as a "low-cost alternative" to the recently departed Mark Teahen.

Odds & Ends: Griffey, Tigers, Torrealba

Luke Adams — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:36:27 -0800

Let's have a look at another handful of late afternoon and early evening links....

In comments relayed by Larry Stone of the Seattle Times, Seattle GM Jack Zduriencik was vague when asked about Ken Griffey Jr.'s playing time in 2010. Griffey and the Mariners reached an agreement earlier today, but it sounds like Junior could have a lesser role next season -- particularly if the team is able to retain Russell Branyan and add another bat or two.
Despite recent rumors about the availability of Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson, the Detroit Tigers don't intend to have a fire sale, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck (via Twitter).
Troy Renck of the Denver Post has additional details on Yorvit Torrealba's possible future with the Colorado Rockies.
After hearing Scott Boras compare Matt Holliday to last winter's big free agent prize, Mark Teixeira, Dave Cameron of FanGraphs takes a detailed look at how the two players' values compare.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets that a few GMs came away from this week's meetings thinking that the market for the elite free agents this year will be "very, very limited."

Wasserman Media Group Clients

Tim Dierkes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:33:20 -0800

Today let's take a look at the Wasserman Media Group's free agent clients. Their best known agent is probably Arn Tellem. Here's the list:

Wilson Betemit
Aaron Boone
Nomar Garciaparra
Jason Giambi
John Grabow
Rich Harden
Shawn Hill
Reed Johnson
Jason Kendall
Hideki Matsui
Jason Michaels
Guillermo Mota
Vicente Padilla
Wily Mo Pena
Joel Pineiro
Matt Treanor
Randy Wolf
Omar Vizquel

WMG is light on regular position players this year, with Matsui and maybe Kendall qualifying. They've got several of the free agent market's top starters in Harden, Pineiro, and Wolf, with Padilla generating interest as well.

Trade Market: Designated Hitters

Tim Dierkes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 08:06:33 -0800

There are plenty of DH candidates on the free agent market, but trades are possible too. Here's our look at the DH landscape...

Milton Bradley, Cubs. The Cubs seem certain to unload Bradley, perhaps on the Rangers, Mets, or Rays (obviously the Mets would have to use Bradley in the outfield). Surely by now you've memorized the fact that he's owed $21MM over the next two seasons.
Luke Scott, Orioles. Scott came up in our left field analysis. He could fit the mold as an arbitration-eligible trade candidate, in the vein of Jeremy Hermida and Mark Teahen.
Travis Hafner, Indians. I'm guessing Hafner can be had; he's owed $40.25MM over the next three seasons. His .272/.355/.470 line this year was a step in the right direction though.
Jack Cust, Athletics. We mentioned Cust in that same left field post, wondering if the A's will tender him a contract next month.
Pat Burrell, Rays. He's been linked to the Cubs in a possible Bradley swap, though the money doesn't match up and the Cubs would have to flip Burrell or else have ghastly outfield corner defense.
Mike Jacobs, Royals. The only reason the Royals would tender Jacobs a contract next month would be to save face for last year's Leo Nunez swap.
David Ortiz, Red Sox. No real indication that he's on the block, but Ortiz is owed $12.5MM next year and slumped to .238/.332/.462 in '09. If only he could have a mulligan on those first two months.

Varitek Exercises Player Option

Tim Dierkes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:47:00 -0800

3:47pm: Varitek exercised his option to return to the Red Sox, writes Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.

9:36am: Jason Varitek must decide on his $3MM option by midnight tonight, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Varitek must choose between his Red Sox ties and more playing time (and perhaps less money) elsewhere. We'll keep you updated.

Nightengale On Holliday, Sheets, Yankees

Tim Dierkes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:34:03 -0800

USA's Today's Bob Nightengale is cranking out the tweets...put this stuff in a column, Bob!

He says the Red Sox met with Scott Boras about Matt Holliday, as a Jason Bay contingency.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Nightengale no one has heard from Ben Sheets or his agent. Back in October, assistant GM Gord Ash told the AP, "There's been once and a while conversations with his agent to remind that we still have that ongoing interest."
Yankees GM Brian Cashman told Nightengale he didn't sit down with a single agent. Seems kind of weird.
Talking to Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik, Nightengale learned that the team is still open to acquiring a DH despite re-signing Ken Griffey Jr.
D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes told Nightengale the Super Two cutoff is two years, 139 days, leaving Mark Reynolds one day shy. That saves the team some bucks. But it looks as though Adam Jones, Mike Fontenot, and Micah Owings will be arbitration-eligible. Are Fontenot and Owings non-tender candidates?

Cardinals Interested In Xavier Nady

Tim Dierkes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:24:43 -0800

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak expressed interest in Xavier Nady and other Scott Boras clients, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Presumably Nady would be a low-rent option for left field. Of course, that's not the lead of Strauss' article - the focus is Matt Holliday and the Cards' attempt to sign him.

Mozeliak met with Boras for an hour Tuesday, but did not make an offer for Holliday. Boras then spoke to the media, disputing the notion that the Cardinals are a mid-market team:

"I don't know what a mid-market franchise is. That's like a midsize aircraft carrier. They all have the potential to have an economic bomb. If you're drawing 3.3 million fans and you're averaging $50 a fan coming in, I just don't know that mid-market term. I'm trying to think if that's part of the laissez-faire system. I don't know."

Boras-speak is always hyperbolic, but he makes this point every year and there's something to it. Baseball teams make a ton of money. The players deserve a lot of it.

Odds & Ends: Gordon, Uribe, D'backs, Igawa

Tim Dierkes — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:09:54 -0800

Links for a busy Wednesday, as writers, agents, and GMs catch their flights out of O'Hare...

Welcome to Twitter: ESPN's Buster Olney.
ESPN's Keith Law assesses the Mark Teahen, J.J. Hardy, Jeremy Hermida, and Akinori Iwamura trades.
The Royals are committed to Alex Gordon as their third baseman despite acquiring Josh Fields, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Fields instead could play left field in the event David DeJesus is traded. DeJesus' name popped up in our left field trade market post.
Rosenthal and Morosi also note that the Giants are talking with Juan Uribe about a new contract. Uribe was one of the year's best minor league deals. He's represented by Barry Praver.
Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Nationals hired Bryan Minnitti from the Pirates to be their new assistant GM. Jake from New Bucs interviewed the young exec last year.
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic names four relievers who might be of interest to the Diamondbacks: Rafael Betancourt, Mike Gonzalez, LaTroy Hawkins, and Bob Howry.
Joe Pawlikowski of River Ave. Blues has a reality check for fans as we head toward the offseason insanity.
Victor Martinez's agent Alan Nero told WEEI's Rob Bradford there's been "little or no dialogue" in terms of the Red Sox extending his client.
Joel Sherman of the New York Post wonders if the Yankees' championship might enable them to take things more slowly this winter.
Sherman tweets that there is interest in Japan from Kei Igawa, but he doesn't want to go. Igawa posted a 4.15 ERA in 145.3 Triple A innings this year, and still has $8MM remaining on his contract.
Baseball America's Matt Eddy has your minor league transactions. Wilson Valdez and Mike Gosling are among those joining the free agent ranks.
New Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos seems passionate, talking to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. Anthopoulos even gives props to the fine Jays blogs out there.
Padres pitcher Chris Young told Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he understands the business aspect of baseball. With a healthy first half, Young could be a trade candidate.
Grant at McCovey Chronicles says AT&T Park isn't a pitcher's park anymore, and agents know that.

Derek Jeter wins Gold Glove in "most improved" category - assist to Mark Teixeira

Aaron Murray — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 07:56:00 -0800

Derek Jeter won his fourth Gold Glove this week and it wasn't even that bad of a choice by the voters. Unlike '04-'06 when he also won Jeter actually had a positive UZR/150 this year and although there were three AL SS's with better UZR/150 numbers - Cezar Izturis, Elvis Andrus, and Adam Everett - Jeter still wasn't a terrible choice. Izturis and Everett each started in only 107 games this year while Andrus committed twenty-two errors which is hard for some people to overlook. I'd have voted for Andrus this year but at least Jeter wasn't a terrible choice.

If you're discussing the issue with a non UZR lover just point out that Jeter made fewer plays per inning than any SS in the AL. Either opponents just don't hit the ball in his direction or he doesn't get to many of the balls that are hit to the left side. I think we all know which one of those possibilities is more likely.

Fantasy Baseball: Early Mock Draft-Round 1, Pick 2

raygu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 12:00:39 -0800

More photos » by Rob Carr - AP

22 days ago: Los Angeles Dodgers' Matt Kemp (27) watches his solo home run with Philadelphia Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz and umpire Ted Barrett in the fourth inning of Game 4 of the National League Championship baseball series Monday, Oct. 19, 2009, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Rob Carr)

Browse more photos »

After Ian's selection of Hanley Ramirez as the number 1 pick in this mock draft, he leaves me with a very easy decision. So, I am selecting Albert....errr......Matt Kemp. Ian's decision was based on position scarcity at SS, but I will go with Kemp who I think will become a 30-30 hitter in 2010.

I posted several articles on Kemp awhile back, and I am sticking with the Dodgers outfielder who has yet to reach his potential as a hitter. I see more power in him, and can see him becoming the number 1 pick in fantasy drafts come 2011. So, I will be early and take Kemp.

How many 30-30 hitters were there in 2009? One-Ian Kinsler. He went 31-86-31. But, his average was in the low .250's and he drove in only 86 runs. Kemp hit .297 and drove in 101, while hitting 26 HRs and stealing 34 bases.

Should Kemp go 30-100-30 in 2010, he may just be the best player in fantasy baseball.

Poll

Will Kemp go 30-30 in 2010?

Highlight top Reds prospects for '10

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:52:00 -0800

The Reds have a ballpark built for hitting and they have a set of prospects coming up through the system that promise to be productive major leaguers. Our Eric Mack takes a closer look.

Hightlighting top Pirates prospects for '10

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:50:00 -0800

The Pirates keep rebuilding and developing prospects, but they can't seem to arrive and produce at the same time. Our Eric Mack runs through their system for Fantasy help in 2010.

Highlighting top Cardinals prospects for '10

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:27:00 -0800

The Cardinals have notoriously had an underwhelming farm system, but they reaped rewards from the minors last season, graduating a number of rookies to the majors. Our Eric Mack breaks down who might make an impact in 2010.

Presented By:

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:24:00 -0800

Highlighting top Cubs prospects for '10

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:24:00 -0800

The Cubs had a bad year with the big club, but their farm system looks a lot better than it has in years. Our Eric Mack evaluates the top prospects in the organization for Fantasy help in 2010.

Highlighting top Brewers prospects for '10

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 10:13:00 -0800

It was a rebuilding year for the Brewers, who finally made the playoffs in 2008, only to fall back to mediocrity in '09. Our Eric Mack breaks down which prospects might be helpful in their quest to get back into contention in 2010.

Highlighting top Astros prospects for '10

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:17:00 -0800

The Astros curiously selected a slew of high school prospects with their top picks in 2009, signaling an end to their win-now ways. As our Eric Mack writes, they are now a team building for the long term again.

MLB Trade Rumors: Dan Uggla to the Dodgers??

raygu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 09:00:36 -0800

More photos » by Gregory Smith - AP

about 1 month ago: Florida Marlins' Dan Uggla connects with a solo home run against the Atlanta Braves during the fourth inning of a baseball game Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009, at Turner Field in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Gregory Smith)

Browse more photos »

I caught some of the XM Radio Baseball show yesterday afternoon with Casey Stern and Kevin Kennedy. They were talking about some of the free agents available, and Stern mentioned that he thought Placido Polanco would be a perfect fit in LA.

Kennedy chimed in and said he heard that the Dodgers were interested in trading for the Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla. Now, Kennedy worked for the Dodgers for a number of years managing in their farm system, and he still works in the LA area, so this deal would not surprise me.

Actually, I thought he would be a perfect fit once I heard the Marlins were looking to deal him. The Dodgers lineup, with the exception of their outfield, is lacking HR power. Uggla is a perfect match for the Dodgers as they need a second baseman and they need another power hitter.

Uggla went 31-90-.243-.354-.459-.813 in 2009. He increased his BB% from 12.7% to 14% and lowered his K% from 32.2% to 26.6% in 2009. His BABIP of .277 in 2009 was below his career BABIP of .297, so there is room for a little better average in 2010, and Uggla has increased his walk totals in each of the past 4 seasons (48-69-77-92).

What would the Dodgers have to give up for Uggla? Well, the Red Sox just gave up two pitching prospects I have never heard of for Jeremy Hermida. But since Uggla has more value than Hermida, I guess the Dodgers would have to give up a pitching prospect like Scott Elbert. With the emergence of Chris Withrow, Ethan Martin and Aaron Miller, I have to think that Elbert could be expendable.

Poll

Should the Dodgers deal for Dan Uggla or go after someone with a better glove and higher average?

MLB Trade Rumors: Roy Halladay to Phillies for Cole Hamels??

raygu — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 06:00:24 -0800

by Darren Calabrese - AP

2 months ago: Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Roy Halladay works against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning of a baseball game in Toronto on Wednesday, Aug. 19, 2009. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Darren Calabrese)

View full size photo »

A friend of mine who is a Phillies fan emailed me today saying he was watching Comcast Sports Nite earlier this evening, and during the show, they were talking about the Phillies interest in Roy Halladay. They mentioned that the Phillies expressed an interest in Halladay and Toronto came back asking for Cole Hamels.

And apparently the Phillies are listening.

This move by the Phillies would surprise me as Hamels is still a very young pitcher, with alot of talent. He just has a bad year for him, but for most pitchers, he had an average year. For the Phillies to deal him, they must feel that he doesn't have the mental toughness anymore.

Hamels dominated in the 2008 season and playoffs. He won the World Series MVP. And now the Phillies are talking about trading him? This tells me two things. One, they really want to get back to the World Series in 2010. The team is built to win now. And two, they don't think Hamels will rebound in 2010, which I am not so sure I agree with based on his peripherals.

Hamels went 10-11 in 2009, with a 4.32 ERA and a 1.29 WHIP. In 193 innings, he struck out 168 batters and walked 43 giving up 24 HRs. His K/BB actually increased from 3.70 in 2008 to 3.91 in 2009. His HR/9 was about the same as in 2008 and his HR/FB% dropped from 11.2% to 10.7%, but his BABIP increased from .270 in 2008 to .325 in 2009. His GB%, LD% and FB% were pretty much unchanged from 2008.

Based on his peripherals, one would conclude Hamels was unlucky in 2009, and is a good choice for a bounce back in 2010.

And the Phillies are rumored to be trading him for Roy Halladay. Should the Phils deal Hamels for Halladay, they will be heavy favorites to make the 2010 World Series. But, they may be forced to sign either Lee or Halladay long-term after the 2010 season. That may force the Phillies hand as both Jimmy Rollins and Jayson Werth are free agents at the end of the 2010 season. Otherwise, the Phils will be left with a rotation of J.A. Happ, Joe Blanton and Kyle Drabek.

Poll

Should the Phillies deal Cole Hamels for Roy Halladay?

Damon may be done with Yankees

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:55:01 -0800

The New York Yankees were apparently hoping that Johnny Damon (notes) would be basking so much in the glow of being a World Series champion that he would forget about any long-term deal and sign a one- or two-year deal. But his agent is Scott Boras and Boras doesn't forget about such things.

Rumor has it that Boras is comparing Damon to Derek Jeter (notes), according to the New York Post, and wants his client to get a three- or four-year deal for more than the $13 million per year he just made with the team for the last four years.

The Yankees are apparently not ready to shell out that kind of dough for Damon so he may be headed out of the South Bronx for good pretty soon.

Red Sox ready to bid on Matt Holliday?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:52:21 -0800

The Boston Red Sox would love to keep left fielder Jason Bay (notes) in the house and have apparently offered him a four-year, $60 million deal, according to the Boston Globe.

But the Sox are apparently ready to make an offer to Matt Holliday (notes) if Bay shows any resistance or doesn't want to sign for some reason.

Of course Holliday will be looking for more dough than Bay can get, especially since he is represented by Scott Boras, who has a way of making teams separate themselves from their cash.

Figgins on Phillies' front burner

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:41:51 -0800

The National League champion Philadelphia Phillies have a big hole at the hot corner right now since the team declined the $5.5 million option it held on Pedro Feliz (notes) for next season. There are several players the team is interested in to fill the slot (and it could end up being Feliz again in the end), but Sports Illustrated is reporting that Chone Figgins (notes) is at the top of the list.

Along with Jimmy Rollins (notes) and Shane Victorino (notes), that would give the Phils three leadoff-type hitters. Perhaps the team has some triple-steals in its future?

Meanwhile, the team has been rumored to be in the hunt still to bring in Roy Halladay (notes) via trade with the Toronto Blue Jays but MLB.com is reporting that that scenario isn't highly likely. The team still doesn't want to give up all the talent that it wouldn't give up in July when talks broke down with Toronto just before the trading deadline.

One person that definitely won't be involved in that trade is former team ace Cole Hamels (notes), according to the Philadelphia Inquirer. There's a rumor floating around that pretty-boy Hamels, who had a relatively crummy 2009 for the team but GM Ruben Amaro Jr. says he is sticking with Hamels in 2010: "We have no thoughts of trading Cole Hamels," Amaro said. "I don't know where those rumors are coming from, but that's exactly what they are. Cole Hamels is our pitcher and we're keeping him, and I'm glad to have him."

Amaro apparently expects Hamels to bounce back next year. Phillies fans sure hope so because Amaro doesn't want to add a whole lot to the payroll, which is another indicator that Halladay isn't likely to come to Philly: "Our payroll is not a bottomless pit. There are limits. If I can't put together a championship-caliber club at $140 million, then that's my fault," Amaro said.

Cubs and Rangers still talking about Milton Bradley trade

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:36:51 -0800

It's not looking like tons of teams want to take disgruntled outfielder Milton Bradley (notes) off of the hands of the Chicago Cubs right now, but the Texas Rangers apparently remain interested, according to the Chicago Tribune.

The two sides are still talking about a potential deal and Cubs GM Jim Hendry apparently would like to get an agreement before the winter meetings that start Dec. 7.

Bradley, of course, left the Rangers at the start of last year when he took the Cubs' three-year, $30 million deal over the offer of $6 million for one year from the Rangers.

Two other possible destinations for Bradley are apparently the New York Mets and Tampa Bay Rays. Hendry would reportedly love to get his hands on Mets second baseman Luis Castillo (notes) who has two years and $12 million left on his contract. Mets ownership, though, apparently isn't hugely interested in bringing in Bradley.

The Rays also tried to get Bradley last off-season so Hendry is hoping they've still got some interest.

Reds prepping to trade Phillips, Arroyo, Harang?

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:33:24 -0800

The Cincinnati Reds have got some cash problems (don't we all?) and they'd like to apparently trade off some of their higher-priced players to help alleviate the problem, according to FanHouse.

The Reds shelled out $71 million for its players this past season and the rumor is that the team needs to bring that down to around $65 million. Reds GM Walt Jocketty isn't hiding this fact, either: "We're going to probably have less to spend this year than we have in the past," he said. "It just depends on how [ticket] sales go this off-season."

Attendance at the Great American Ballpark dropped by more than 15 percent from 2008 to 2009. The candidates to get chucked over the side in Cincinnati appear to be second baseman Brandon Phillips (notes), who will make a little less than $7 million next year; pitcher Aaron Harang (notes), who makes $12.5 million next year; and pitcher Bronson Arroyo (notes), who will make $12.25 million next season.

Tigers listening to offers for Edwin Jackson

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 05:29:59 -0800

Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Edwin Jackson (notes) won 13 games in 2009 and had a 3.62 ERA in 33 starts. But the Tigers may end up trading him away, anyway, according to FOXSports.

Financial hard times of the region, in particular the massive hit automakers have taken, have the Tigers considering some trades of their bigger names and Jackson seems to be the first one on the list that they'll look into ditching for younger, cheaper players.

"We're all aware that the economy is not the same all over the country," said Detroit GM Dave Dombrowski. "We've been hit hard in our area."

RotoFeed

Riggleman To Manage Nationals

Royals Expected To Sign Betemit

Odds & Ends: Griffey, Tigers, Torrealba

Top Stories Section

Wasserman Media Group Clients

Trade Market: Designated Hitters

Varitek Exercises Player Option

Nightengale On Holliday, Sheets, Yankees

Cardinals Interested In Xavier Nady

Odds & Ends: Gordon, Uribe, D'backs, Igawa

Derek Jeter wins Gold Glove in "most improved" category - assist to Mark Teixeira

Fantasy Baseball: Early Mock Draft-Round 1, Pick 2

Will Kemp go 30-30 in 2010?

Highlight top Reds prospects for '10

Hightlighting top Pirates prospects for '10

Highlighting top Cardinals prospects for '10

Presented By:

Highlighting top Cubs prospects for '10

Highlighting top Brewers prospects for '10

Highlighting top Astros prospects for '10

MLB Trade Rumors: Dan Uggla to the Dodgers??

Should the Dodgers deal for Dan Uggla or go after someone with a better glove and higher average?

MLB Trade Rumors: Roy Halladay to Phillies for Cole Hamels??

Should the Phillies deal Cole Hamels for Roy Halladay?

Damon may be done with Yankees

Red Sox ready to bid on Matt Holliday?

Figgins on Phillies' front burner

Cubs and Rangers still talking about Milton Bradley trade

Reds prepping to trade Phillips, Arroyo, Harang?

Tigers listening to offers for Edwin Jackson