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That's not even funny, really. More disgraceful and insulting.
Official MLB Offseason Post: Michael Young asks for a trade.
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by proshares,
- Start date
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The Tigers have an owner with tons of money that wants to win. He will pay a lot to field a winner.
Love that they are stocking up on bullpen guys. Power arms all throughout the minors. DD knows how to build a team through pitching.
I expect Porcello to bounce back in a big way and JV and Max to be as good as they were this past year. Andy Oliver is going to be tough to keep out of the rotation. Casey Crosby and Jacob Turner could also land us a huge name in a trade or add a 5th pitcher real soon.
Love that they are stocking up on bullpen guys. Power arms all throughout the minors. DD knows how to build a team through pitching.
I expect Porcello to bounce back in a big way and JV and Max to be as good as they were this past year. Andy Oliver is going to be tough to keep out of the rotation. Casey Crosby and Jacob Turner could also land us a huge name in a trade or add a 5th pitcher real soon.
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The Tigers have an owner with tons of money that wants to win. He will pay a lot to field a winner.
Love that they are stocking up on bullpen guys. Power arms all throughout the minors. DD knows how to build a team through pitching.
I expect Porcello to bounce back in a big way and JV and Max to be as good as they were this past year. Andy Oliver is going to be tough to keep out of the rotation. Casey Crosby and Jacob Turner could also land us a huge name in a trade or add a 5th pitcher real soon.
Love that they are stocking up on bullpen guys. Power arms all throughout the minors. DD knows how to build a team through pitching.
I expect Porcello to bounce back in a big way and JV and Max to be as good as they were this past year. Andy Oliver is going to be tough to keep out of the rotation. Casey Crosby and Jacob Turner could also land us a huge name in a trade or add a 5th pitcher real soon.
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Originally Posted by bbllplaya23
Jeter wants six years, $150 million
and boras isnt his agent?
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Originally Posted by bbllplaya23
Jeter wants six years, $150 million
and boras isnt his agent?
GreenNGold89
formerly bbllplaya23
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Imagine what Jeter would ask for if he had a year like 2009 last year.
I really hope that is a false report.
GreenNGold89
formerly bbllplaya23
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Imagine what Jeter would ask for if he had a year like 2009 last year.
I really hope that is a false report.
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The 6 years / 150 million reports were grossly inaccurate
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The 6 years / 150 million reports were grossly inaccurate
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^Article?
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^Article?
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Thank you sir.
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Thank you sir.
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Jays would be smart to sign Ramirez for several reasons. He'd fill a need for the team, he's likely to play hard if its just a 1-year deal and finally, he'd sell a ton of tickets and merchandise here. $5 mill + incentives would be reasonable but I'm not sure if the Jays are willing to offer that kind of base salary to a guy coming off 2 straight disappointing seasons.
And all this talk about Jeter yet we know there is a 99.9% likelihood he'll retire a Yankee.
And all this talk about Jeter yet we know there is a 99.9% likelihood he'll retire a Yankee.
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Jays would be smart to sign Ramirez for several reasons. He'd fill a need for the team, he's likely to play hard if its just a 1-year deal and finally, he'd sell a ton of tickets and merchandise here. $5 mill + incentives would be reasonable but I'm not sure if the Jays are willing to offer that kind of base salary to a guy coming off 2 straight disappointing seasons.
And all this talk about Jeter yet we know there is a 99.9% likelihood he'll retire a Yankee.
And all this talk about Jeter yet we know there is a 99.9% likelihood he'll retire a Yankee.
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Keith Law's take on Nishioka:
Nishioka has reportedly asked his NPB club, Chiba Lotte Marines, to post him this offseason, and I can see why, as he's coming off a career year driven by an unusual and probably unsustainable spike in his batting average on balls in play. Nishioka has that Ichiro-style, half-out-of-the-box, no-leverage swing, but isn't the same kind of runner Ichiro is and can't use that swing to generate a bunch of extra ground ball hits. He has below-average power and struggles with fastballs over about 92 mph, and he may have to move to second base when he comes over. He has posted very good walk rates in Japan, however, and if that translates over here he can be valuable as an everyday guy on a second-division club.
Not all that promising
Nishioka has reportedly asked his NPB club, Chiba Lotte Marines, to post him this offseason, and I can see why, as he's coming off a career year driven by an unusual and probably unsustainable spike in his batting average on balls in play. Nishioka has that Ichiro-style, half-out-of-the-box, no-leverage swing, but isn't the same kind of runner Ichiro is and can't use that swing to generate a bunch of extra ground ball hits. He has below-average power and struggles with fastballs over about 92 mph, and he may have to move to second base when he comes over. He has posted very good walk rates in Japan, however, and if that translates over here he can be valuable as an everyday guy on a second-division club.
Not all that promising
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Keith Law's take on Nishioka:
Nishioka has reportedly asked his NPB club, Chiba Lotte Marines, to post him this offseason, and I can see why, as he's coming off a career year driven by an unusual and probably unsustainable spike in his batting average on balls in play. Nishioka has that Ichiro-style, half-out-of-the-box, no-leverage swing, but isn't the same kind of runner Ichiro is and can't use that swing to generate a bunch of extra ground ball hits. He has below-average power and struggles with fastballs over about 92 mph, and he may have to move to second base when he comes over. He has posted very good walk rates in Japan, however, and if that translates over here he can be valuable as an everyday guy on a second-division club.
Not all that promising
Nishioka has reportedly asked his NPB club, Chiba Lotte Marines, to post him this offseason, and I can see why, as he's coming off a career year driven by an unusual and probably unsustainable spike in his batting average on balls in play. Nishioka has that Ichiro-style, half-out-of-the-box, no-leverage swing, but isn't the same kind of runner Ichiro is and can't use that swing to generate a bunch of extra ground ball hits. He has below-average power and struggles with fastballs over about 92 mph, and he may have to move to second base when he comes over. He has posted very good walk rates in Japan, however, and if that translates over here he can be valuable as an everyday guy on a second-division club.
Not all that promising
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Javy Vazquez heading to the Marlins on a one-year deal, pending a physical.
Yankees will get a compensatory draft pick.
Yankees will get a compensatory draft pick.
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Javy Vazquez heading to the Marlins on a one-year deal, pending a physical.
Yankees will get a compensatory draft pick.
Yankees will get a compensatory draft pick.
For Vazquez, it's more than location.
Javier Vazquez always has preferred to pitch on the East Coast, to be closer to his homeland of Puerto Rico, to put himself into position to get back with one flight.
Getty ImagesJavier Vazquez hopes to return to his 2009 form.
So the carrot that the Marlins dangled to sign him was significant: He has a full no-trade clause as part of his one-year, $7 million deal, a sign of just how much Florida wanted him. And Vazquez wanted Florida. In fact, he'd received three offers that were greater than the deal he agreed to with the Marlins, and one was for $18 million over two years with an additional $2 million in makable incentives. But this is what Vazquez wanted. The ballpark in Florida is well-suited to his style of pitching, and he has a good relationship with Marlins owner Jeff Loria and GM Larry Beinfest.
If Vazquez is what the Marlins hope he will be in 2011, his return to the National League will help him rediscover his success of the second half of the 2009 season, when he was a dominant force with explosive late life on his fastball for the Atlanta Braves. He racked up 238 strikeouts in 219.1 innings, issuing only 44 walks, and he held hitters to a .216 batting average with runners in scoring position.
But the Marlins are taking a leap of faith that this can happen, because Vazquez was nothing less than awful for the Yankees in 2010. At age 34, that good fastball simply deserted him.
Vazquez's month-by-month fastball velocity of the past two years:
2009
April: 89.2
May: 91.1
June: 90.5
July: 91.1
August: 91.1
September: 90.5
Season: 90.7
2010
April: 88.8
May: 88.8
June: 88.8
July: 88.8
August: 87.9
September: 88.5
Season: 88.6
[h4]Vazquez's fastball[/h4]
Javier Vazquez's heater cooled significantly last season.
[th=""][/th][th=""]2009[/th][th=""]2010[/th]
Pct. in zone 60.5 54.6 Swing-and-miss pct. 18.9 13.3 Strikeout pct. of AB 19.7 12.1 Walk pct. of AB 6.4 13.1 Opponents' BA .265 .256 Opponents' OBP .315 .357
There are other troubling barometers of performance as well, as John Fisher of ESPN Stats & Information writes: "He clearly didn't locate his fastball nearly as well this season. His percent of fastballs in the zone dropped six points, leading to a lot fewer swings-and-misses, a lot fewer strikeouts on his fastball and twice as many walks. So even though the opponents' batting average went down a little bit, their on-base percentage shot up."
Vazquez had diminished stuff in 2010, Justin Havens writes.
But the Marlins now plow ahead in what will be a very important season for them, because their on-the-field performance could translate into fan interest as they move into their new ballpark in 2012, and if Vazquez bounces back, their rotation could be pretty good:
1. Josh Johnson
2. Ricky Nolasco
3. Vazquez
4. Anibal Sanchez
5. Chris Volstad (who threw better in the second half of the season)
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions[/h3]
1. Lance Berkman's future could be clarified in the days ahead, Richard Justice writes. Berkman says he found a groove in the postseason, and he's dead-on -- his swing looked much, much better, and he was driving the ball. I don't know whether Berkman will choose another destination, but Oakland probably will be the most aggressive suitor. He would really fit the A's -- he'd be a designated hitter and would add punch to the middle of their order, and they need some veterans.
[h4]Buster's New Book[/h4]
Buster Olney is the author of the book "recipient[/color] of the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYS.
"Surprising and unforgettable." - Mike Krzyzewski
"Olney knows the beating heart of life and the pulse of humanity that makes sports matter." - George F. Will
"A true inspiration." - Pat Summitt
2. Some Rays will accept or reject arbitration this week.
3. A bunch of teams must at least be discussing Derek Jeter, writes Phil Rogers.
4. Victor Martinez will do a lot of his catching against left-handed pitchers, writes John Lowe.
5. The Rockies' general manager will make sure the players are OK, writes Jim Armstrong.
6. The Rangers might want Vladimir Guerrero back, writes Evan Grant.
[h3]From the mailbag[/h3]
LOL to the irony of the 100-pitch count being easy to identify, like "crossing over the State line from Vermont to New Hampshire." Along that border, you'd never know one state from the next if they didn't put up signs. - David, Davis, Calif.
David: As someone who delivered bagels to stores along the Vermont-New Hampshire border years ago, I can report that the border is often fairly prominent -- because the Connecticut River serves as the divider for much of the way. You often have to cross bridges to go from one state to the other.
[h3]Other stuff[/h3]
• Here is video of Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who likely will be in the Twins' middle infield next season.
• The Red Sox's starters need to be better next year, writes John Tomase. No offseason addition will be more important to Boston in 2011 than the issue of whether its rotation -- specifically, Josh Beckett and John Lackey -- can perform more effectively.
• The Cardinals have set a date for a dinner to honor Tony La Russa and a few players.
• The Reds' fans have reason to celebrate at Redsfest this year, and interest is significant.
• Lost again in fantasy football; it looks as though I'll scrape by and make it to the playoffs as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, which means I'll be given point penalties. Just about all my guys are on bad teams, sadly.
And today will be better than yesterday.
The most significant impact of the book "Moneyball" was not about on-base percentage or assessing value, but rather, it shoved whole generations of general managers and managers and would-be executives into a completely different mindset. Rather than simply accept the status quo, two important and linked questions are now routinely asked within organizations:
No. 1: Why do we do this in this manner?
No. 2: Is that the best way to do that?
This kind of evolution of thought has led to an enormous shift in the way young pitchers are handled, as Joba Chamberlain and Stephen Strasburg and Jon Lester and Felix Hernandez and just about all pitchers under 28 will attest (Tim Lincecum is a notable exception).
A graduated workload scale for pitchers in the formative years of their careers has become standard operating procedure for almost all teams. It's a change rooted in the presumption that too many innings at too young an age leads to breakdowns.
Craig Wright has been a pioneer in that kind of thinking, dating back a couple of decades, to his book called "The Diamond Appraised."
So it was with some fascination that I read his view of the current state of pitch counts in the latest annual of "The Hardball Times,"[/color] which is always recommended reading.
Somehow we've reached a place in which it has become common for managers and pitching coaches to reach for the phone as a young hurler's pitch count is approaching 100 in a start, and in watching this in recent years, I've wondered: Where does this number come from? Why should 100 pitches, generally, be the finish line for all pitchers? I mean, is it possible that for one pitcher the number should be 120 and for another it should be 97?
My own belief is that the sport has arrived at that figure for three reasons, none of them really related, and two of the reasons are not very good.
First, teams are working more diligently to protect their assets, and the most valued commodity in the sport now is young pitching.
Second, the number 100 is an easily identifiable place for all involved, like crossing a state line, from Vermont into New Hampshire.
Third, a lot of managers don't want to be second-guessed by the media -- especially after young pitchers get hurt -- so they tend to pull pitchers quickly, to make sure they haven't left themselves vulnerable to criticism.
Wright writes that he mostly agrees with Nolan Ryan's well-known views on pitch counts being overdone: "There are many modern practices in controlling pitcher workloads that I disagree with, and none is bigger than this: I am amazed and dismayed over the crazy practice in the modern game of setting pitch limits right around where the average might normally be and not providing the option for the pitcher to stretch out beyond that. It seems to me that most people involved with this are quite capable of seeing that this is a huge mistake, and that this practice actually creates a lose-lose situation.
"… If you constantly hold a pitcher at, or close to, 100 pitches, that's the kind of pitcher you get: one whose durability is about 100 pitches. And from there the modern plan seems to be to get the pitcher to work as close to that line as many times as you can.
[h4]Buster's New Book[/h4]
Buster Olney is the author of the book "recipient[/color] of the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYS.
"Surprising and unforgettable." - Mike Krzyzewski
"Olney knows the beating heart of life and the pulse of humanity that makes sports matter." - George F. Will
"A true inspiration." - Pat Summitt
"From my research and analysis, that's pretty crazy. On one hand, this practice locks you into a limited durability situation that ends up taking innings away from your best pitchers and instead [gives] them to pitchers who, if not for the need to replace those innings, wouldn't even be good enough to make the roster. Further, the lack of flexibility in this practice makes it harder for the manager to work with his roster in pursuit of a win. With negatives like that, you better be getting something valuable in return. … I think the use of generic guidelines based on pitch counts tends to be ineffective as to appropriate."
While Wright continues to strongly advocate seasonal workloads, he believes that front offices and on-field staffs should be assessing the pitch limits with more flexibility from game to game.
He knows a lot more about this stuff than I do, but I couldn't agree more. You don't train marathoners by having them run a series of only 10Ks and half-marathons. If you want to create pitchers like CC Sabathia who are capable of going 125 pitches -- depending on how many days of rest he has before and after the start in question and depending on how many pitches he's thrown in the last start.
Oakland is developing a young staff now, and while the Athletics do adhere to a graduated scale of innings from season to season, it's pretty clear that Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill are simply limited to 100 pitches from start to start. Most of the time, Anderson approached 110 pitches, as did Cahill.
Justin Verlander has an excellent physique for a pitcher and good mechanics, and as he worked toward his first 200-inning regular season in 2007, Jim Leyland would let him work beyond 110 pitches sometimes, and sometimes up to 120 or beyond.
The sport, as a whole, will never return to the practice of having young pitchers routinely hit 130 pitches. All teams are protecting their best young arms, in one way or another. (The notion that the Texas Rangers, under the guise of Ryan, have eschewed pitch counts and pushed their starters in a way nobody else has is laughably overstated. The Rangers ranked 22nd among 30 teams in innings from their starters, and among the eight teams that made the playoffs, they ranked last in innings generated by starters. Derek Holland, the best of the Rangers' young starters, never threw more than 106 pitches in any outing. Ryan's true impact has been in improving the pitchers' running program.)
But there is a middle ground to be found, as Wright contests, and as club officials and managers and trainers and doctors ask questions, they'll get there.
[h3]The Yanks' moves [/h3]
Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew to Maryland on the day before Thanksgiving to meet with A.J. Burnett -- and while it is not unusual for Cashman to meet with veterans in the offseason, something he learned from Pat Gillick, it is notable because Burnett is coming off a tough second half. The aim of the conversation was to reset and refocus on 2011, and Cashman made it clear to the right-hander that the Yankees believe in his talent.
Meanwhile, it figures to be a very important week in the Cliff Lee bidding.
Derek Jeter is asking for a package more than double what the Yankees have offered, and in light of this, Thomas McKean of ESPN Stats & Information sent along this note about what $23 million could buy: If New York somehow obliged, which of course seems unlikely, what would the Yankees be paying for based on his 2010 numbers (assuming the new contract is $23 million a year)?
Based on Jeter's 2010 season, they'd be paying $128,491.62 per hit, $146,496.82 per game, $343,283.58 per RBI and $534,883.72 per XBH.
For reference, Alex Rodriguez makes about $234,042.55 per hit, and Mark Teixeira makes about $133,928.57 per hit.
There doesn't have to be a split between Jeter and the Yankees, writes Harvey Araton.
Jeter's image is taking a hit, writes Bob Raissman.
The Yankees went nuclear over four sentences, writes Mike Lupica, within his Sunday column.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions [/h3]
1. The Pirates have money to spend, writes Dejan Kovacevic.
2. The Orioles are willing to spend, writes Peter Schmuck, but it's unclear who is willing to take their money.
3. The Red Sox are playing a different kind of game than the Tigers this winter, writes Nick Cafardo, who figures the Red Sox are saving their money for Adrian Gonzalez.
Losing Victor Martinez will have its benefit for the Red Sox, writes John Tomase.
[h4]MAG IPAD APP FREE FOR INSIDERS[/h4]
The new ESPN The Magazine iPad app includes daily updated content and an iPad-optimized version of each issue of ESPN The Magazine.
The Red Sox have done very well with their sandwich picks.
4. Heard this: It remains more likely that the Padres will keep Adrian Gonzalez into the 2011 season. Gonzalez played the second half of the 2010 season with a shoulder problem, which is why the Padres don't think the surgery that he had will impact his trade value.
5. The Indians are still paying for decisions that haven't worked out, writes Paul Hoynes.
6. The Tigers are still figuring out who will play right field, writes Tom Gage.
[h3]Brent Mayne! [/h3]
Another catching tip from Brent Mayne, about keeping a blocked ball close:
[h3]The mailbag [/h3]
- "Blocking the ball effectively means keeping a bounced pitch in front of your body and making sure the resulting ricochet stays close enough to stop base runners from advancing.
"Let's focus on the second part of the equation -- keeping the ricochet close to your body. To consistently accomplish this, a few things must happen. First, the receiver's body must be square to the incoming bounce. Secondly, the catcher must stop moving by the time he and the ball collide.
"The resulting impact when two moving objects (ball and catcher) bounce off each other is explosive. Conversely, if the catcher is quick enough to be waiting for a wild pitch, the ricochet will be muted.
"Now for the cherry on top. To take your blocking to the next level, EXHALE when you and the ball meet. This will soften your body and further deaden the impact. Is a ball going to bounce farther off a wall or a pillow?"
Just read your entry on Derek Jeter. I'm a huge Orioles fan (can't believe it's been so long since you were at the Sun), and I will grasp at any straw that might mean the team is moving back toward prominence. I think the Orioles could make a significant offer to Jeter -- 4 years, $75M or so -- and have a slim chance of getting him. I'd like to think that even if he turned it down, it might make others take notice of the Birds. And if he did accept, it would be an upgrade for at least one year at short, with the option to move Jeter to another position (with Cal Ripken around the stadium to ease the transition?). Plus, the chance for Jeter to build a winner, by himself, in the Yankees division, might be appealing. -- Robert Workman, Ashburn, Va.
Robert: I always respect a glass-half-full perspective -- we should all live that way -- but I think the odds of Jeter signing with the Orioles are about the same as that of a Cal Ripken comeback. His frustration won't be so great that it would drive him from a place where he's always wanted to play to playing for a second-division team.
[h3]Other stuff [/h3]
• Scott Boras says his loans to a player are partly goodwill.
And undoubtedly, in a lot of cases, the loans are about an agent gaining leverage with the player. It'd be interesting to see how many loans Boras and other agents have given to players who are not their clients -- purely out of goodwill.
The guess here: not very many.
• Gillick deserves enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, writes Bob Ford. Agree completely. He is arguably the most accomplished general manager in the history of the sport.
• Steve Serby did a Q&A with Terry Collins, the Mets' new manager.
• Drayton McLane needs to make a splash to get his asking price for the Astros, writes Richard Justice.
• Tim Lincecum is the winner of the Radbourn Award.
• Vanderbilt's in the market for a football coach, again.
And today will be better than yesterday.
http://[h3][/h3][h3]Boston's bullpen[/h3]
12:08PM ET
[h5]Boston Red Sox [/h5]
Considering the fact that closer Jonathan Papelbon and setup man Daniel Bard are both expected to return for 2011, one might think the Boston Red Sox would allocate their payroll in other areas, such as the everyday lineup. But WEEI.com's Alex Speier wrote Sunday that the club has interest in right-hander Matt Guerrier.
Guerrier is a rare commodity. He's a free agent that qualified for Type-A status, but the Minnesota Twins chose not to offer him arbitration which means the signing club will not lose a draft pick.
This truly free status may make Guerrier among the most sought after relievers on the open market this winter, and could also be targeted by the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox.
Guerrier made $3.15 million last season and depending on the competition could earn a similar salary on a 1-2 year deal or even receive three years guaranteed. He's not likely to be viewed as an option at closer and on a contending tam may be viewed as a 7th-inning arm due to being more of a ground ball guy than a strikeout artist.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Would the Mets deal Reyes?[/h3]
11:04AM ET
[h5]Jose Reyes | Mets [/h5]
There's a new sheriff in town in Queens. Sandy Alderson is calling the shots as the general manager of the New York Mets and he already has hired a number of high-profile deputies, including former GMs Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi.
That calls into question the future of shortstop Jose Reyes, whose $11 million option for 2011 was exercised earlier this month.
The 27-year-old Reyes debuted with the Mets as a teenager and has been with the club since. Over the summer, Reyes stated his desire to finish his career in Queens. But Alderson may have other ideas, such as shopping the infielder at the winter meetings next month.
Henry Schulman tweeted last week that the Mets are willing to move Reyes for the right 3-4 player package that could include prospects.
Andy Martino of the Daily News writes Monday that a Reyes deal is unlikely, but "it is clear that the notion of moving Reyes is not total blasphemy in the Citi Field offices." That could mean the opinions on Reyes vary within the new front office team.
Alderson is reshaping the Mets' franchise to his liking and the beginning of his tenure could be defined on what he does or does not do with Reyes, an exceptionally talented but sometimes inconsistent player.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Mets could trade Reyes in July
http://[h3]Balfour could accept arbitration[/h3]
11:01AM ET
[h5]Grant Balfour | Rays [/h5]
The Tampa Bay Rays are awaiting word on seven free agents who were offered arbitration last week. Most of the players are expected to turn down the offer, but the most likely candidate to accept could be reliever Grant Balfour.
Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times reports that Balfour, who made $2.05 million last season, might jump at the offer because he wants to return. In addition, Balfour is a Type A free agent, a designation that limits his market value.
Balfour is the true definition of a one-inning reliever. He has appeared in 203 games for Tampa Bay in three-plus seasons and logged exactly 203 innings.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Olney: Berkman a fit in Oakland [/h3]
10:46AM ET
[h5]Lance Berkman | Yankees | Interested: Rockies? [/h5]
Lance Berkman would have loved to return to the Houston Astros, the team that drafted him, but any chance of a return to Space City ended when his agent dialed up GM Ed Wade.
"It wasn't a long conversation," Berkman told Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.
The Astros will go with younger players next season, but that doesn?t mean that the 34-year-old Berkman, who finished the year with the New York Yankees, will be out of work.
Berkman is being pursued by at last two clubs right now, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reported last week with the Cubs and A's at the forefront.
Colorado could make some sense, too, as the switch-hitting veteran could serve as the right-handed half of a platoon at first base with http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3709Todd Helton, but Berkman talks as if he's seeking an everyday gig.
The Cardinals, Pirates and Blue Jays also are believed to have kicked the tires on Berkman. Our Buster Olney sees a solid fit by the bay:
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Could Berkman head west?
http://[h3]Francisco staying in Texas?[/h3]
10:28AM ET
[h5]Frank Francisco | Rangers [/h5]
The dreaded Type A free agent designation apparently will keep Frank Francisco in Texas.
Francisco was offered arbitration last week and the free agent reliever is expected to accept, reports Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
By accepting arbitration, Francisco would opt for a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with a raise from his 2010 salary of $3.265 million. While other teams have shown interest in Francisco as a closer, clubs have been reluctant to surrender a high draft pick for Type A relievers who aren't established closers.
Francisco was once the closer in Arlington but gave way to http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30149Neftali Feliz and missed part of last season due to injury. But if the Rangers lose http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5353Cliff Lee to the Yankees they may decide to transition Feliz into a starting pitcher which means they need the bullpen depth.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Lee talks heating up?[/h3]
9:55AM ET
[h5]Cliff Lee | Rangers [/h5]
The talks regarding free agent Cliff Lee have been few and far between to date, but ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported Saturday that talks are expected to heat up this coming week.
What exactly that means remains to be seen, but with the winter meetings coming in less than two weeks, executives from interested clubs could try to lay groundwork for finalizing a contract with the left-hander in Lake Buena Vista.
The Yankees and the Rangers are overwhelming favorites to land the ace, but the Nationals are one of as many as three other clubs to have genuine interest, according to Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker.
The Yankees may or may not have offered Lee a six-year deal worth $140 million, according to conflicting reports. Those same reports have Lee holding out for a seventh season guaranteed.
Neither the Yankees nor the Rangers can afford to wait too long on Lee, because they'll need time to put Plan B in motion before it's too late.
Nick Cafardo wrote in Sunday's Boston Globe that if the Rangers fall short on Lee, one of their options might be to put http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30149Neftali Feliz back in the rotation and then sign a closer like Rafael Soriano.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]V-Mart to catch against lefties[/h3]
9:49AM ET
[h5]Victor Martinez | Red Sox [/h5]
p> The Detroit Tigers were able to spend the Thanksgiving weekend celebrating the biggest signing of the offseason to date, agreeing to a four-year, $50 million deal with Victor Martinez.
John Lowe of the Free Press discusses how the Tigers will get the biggest bang for the buck with Martinez. When the Tigers face left-handed starters, manager Jim Leyland plans to get Martinez many of his starts at catcher in place of lefty-swinging Alex Avila. Martinez's .400 average against left-handers was the highest by an everyday AL player against lefties in three years.
Against right-handers, the switch-hitting Martinez will be used primarily as the designated hitter.
There are concerns about the ability of V-Mart to throw out baserunners, but the Tigers seem committed to giving him a significant amount of time behind the plate.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Rangers still interested in Vlad[/h3]
9:32AM ET
[h5]Vladimir Guerrero | Rangers [/h5]
Vladimir Guerrero would prefer that potential employers pay closer attention to his stellar regular season (.300 AVG, 115 RBI) rather than the World Series, when he went 1-for-14 without a home run against the Giants.
The Rangers last week decided to decline Vlad's $9 million option, but still publicly expressed an interest at bringing him back.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers want Vlad to shop around. The team would benefit by getting the truest sense of the market and by obtaining more time to concentrate on re-signing Cliff Lee without having Vlad's deal eating up a notable portion of the payroll.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote earlier this month that the Rangers may use the DH spot as a place to give Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton, and Michael Young a rest, which would push Vlad out the door.
One possible destination could be the Rays since he has ties to Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon from their days with the Angels.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Vazquez gets no-trade clause[/h3]
9:21AM ET
[h5]Javier Vazquez | Yankees [/h5]
Javier Vazquez got just what he wanted from the Florida Marlins, and the Fish were willing to abandon one of their fundamental negotiating principles to do it, reports Juan C. Rodriguez in the Sun-Sentinel.
The Marlins have reached agreement on a one-year deal with Vazquez, several news sources reported Sunday afternoon. The Cubs and Rockies were among those interested in Vazquez's services.
Rodriguez reports that the one-year, $7 million contract includes a no-trade clause. The Marlins have not budged on the no-trade provision in the past, refusing to give one to Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson or John Buck.
Why would the right-hander want just the one year? Most likely so he can reestablish his value and hit the market again next winter when he could be among the top few arms available, despite the fact that next winter's market may be improved.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark mentions that Vazquez had already turned down at least one multi-year offer believed to be worth $20 million over two years.
Vazquez was offered arbitration by the Yankees, which means the club will receive a sandwich-round pick once he signs with a club this winter. The Yankees are not interested in retaining his services, according to multiple reports.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
The value of Vazquez
http://[h3]Dodgers in on Uribe[/h3]
9:08AM ET
[h5]Juan Uribe | Giants [/h5]
The offseason revamping of the Los Angeles Dodgers will include a pitch for free agent shortstop Juan Uribe, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Uribe, who is still on the radar of the San Francisco Giants, would presumably play second base for L.A. but could fill in at shortstop and third base as well. Gurnick says a deal with Uribe could trigger the non-tendering of Ryan Theriot, who was acquired from the Cubs with Ted Lilly and had a solid August but tailed off in September.
GM Ned Colletti already has had a busy offseason, re-signing Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda and landing Jon Garland to a one-year deal for $5 million.
Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers could also use Uribe at third base, enabling them to use Casey Blake as part of a third-base platoon.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Burriss a shortstop option by the bay[/h3]
8:41AM ET
[h5]Emmanuel Burriss | Giants [/h5]
The http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-giantshttp://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-giantsSan Francisco Giants took care of their top offseason priority last week by re-signing http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4479http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4479Aubrey Huff. The focus now shifts to finding a shortstop, where GM Brian Sabean wouldn't mind bringing back http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4657http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4657Juan Uribe.
If Uribe lands elsewhere, the Giants may be willing to hand the job to 25-year-old http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29106Emmanuel Burriss. A National League scout tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Burriss, who has dealt with a pair of foot fractures, is one of the better players in the Dominican winter league.
Retaining Uribe will not be easy. The Dodgers, according to MLB.com, have interest in Uribe, as we've speculated for weeks. Uribe would presumably play second base for L.A. but could fill in at shortstop and third base as well.
There also is speculation the Giants could consider a trade for Jason Bartlett or Marco Scutaro.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Soriano in Rangers' contingency plans[/h3]
8:22AM ET
[h5]Rafael Soriano | Rays | Interested: Rangers? [/h5]
The Rays' Rafael Soriano saw his market value take a quantum leap when he led the American League with 45 saves in his first season as a full-time closer. But this may not be the best time to be a free agent closer since many of the teams normally willing to spend already are set at the position.
Soriano's destination could be influenced by where free agent starter Cliff Lee ends up. Nick Cafardo wrote in Sunday's Boston Globe that if the Rangers fall short on Lee, one of their options might be to put Neftali Feliz back in the rotation and then sign a closer like Soriano.
Other possible destinations for Soriano include the Angels and Diamondbacks.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Giants interested in Jeter?[/h3]
7:58AM ET
[h5]Derek Jeter | Yankees [/h5]
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman clearly has grown frustrated with the Derek Jeter contract talks, daring the 36-year-old free agent shortstop to see what he can get on the open market.
With the negotiations growing testier than anyone imagined, other teams still remain skeptical that Jeter would seriously consider leaving the Bronx. The first step in that process would be to find an interested party, and Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal questions if any are out there.
Costa reports the San Francisco Giants, who have an opening at shortstop, have been in contact with Jeter's agent, Casey Close, who also represents their catcher, Buster Posey. But they are not seriously pursuing him at the moment and are wary about being used as leverage against the Yankees.
The Cardinals, Orioles, Twins and Angels are among other teams that could have interest in Jeter, but Costa said there is no evidence of another club making a bid.
The Thanksgiving weekend saw Close denying a report that his client is seeking a six-year deal for about $25 million annually to return to the Yankees. "The recently rumored terms of our contract proposal are simply inaccurate," Close told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick in an e-mail. Close declined to provide further details on the state of his negotiations with the club.
The two sides remained far apart over the holiday weekend and Bill Madden of the Daily News reports the divide can be pegged to the inflated deal of teammate http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3115Alex Rodriguez.
Sources close to the Jeter camp tell Madden that their starting point was six years, $150 million and that they aren't budging on $25 million per year. That would effectively get Jeter about even in annual average salary to A-Rod, who is in the middle of a 10-year, $275 million deal.
At this stage, Jeter still has a steep mountain to climb if he wants to better the Yankees' offer of three years for $45 million.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
The Jeter negotiations
http://[h3]Webb a hot target[/h3]
6:57AM ET
[h5]Brandon Webb | Diamondbacks [/h5]
Brandon Webb, despite having missed almost all of the past two seasons, has a handful of clubs interested and that list could grow, tweets ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Crasnick notes that the Dodgers, Pirates, Twins and Rangers have some level of interest in the right-hander and reminds that others could express interest at some point, including the Nationals, Reds and Cardinals.
Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse tweeted Saturday that the Cubs have had talks with Webb's agent, according to sources, and MLB.com reports that the Nationals have had similar negotiations.
The Rockies, tweets Troy Renck, also have interest.
Crasnick added in a second tweet that Webb could become a possibility in Minnesota if the Twins lose Carl Pavano.
The Diamondbacks basically ruled out a return for Webb earlier this month.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Crain's market large[/h3]
6:56AM ET
[h5]Jesse Crain | Twins [/h5]
Jesse Crain could be one of the relievers on the free agent market most impacted by the deal the Detroit Tigers handed to Joaquin Benoit earlier this month. Crain, tweets MLB.com's Peter Gammons, is drawing interest from as many as nine teams, including a few clubs that don't seem like good fits if it's going to take a three-year deal.
Crain, a Type B free agent, has been connected to the Rays, Rockies, Mariners, Orioles, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Nationals and Cubs, says Gammons, and the market could grow to include another half-dozen teams.
Jason Frasor is another similar arm and could command two or three years, but he's a Type A free agent, which could limit the interest level.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Cubs, Nats eyeing Pena[/h3]
6:55AM ET
[h5]Carlos Pena | Rays [/h5]
We've been hearing for months how the free agent exodus out of Tampa Bay will include Carlos Pena.
The Washington Nationals have been linked to Pena since the regular season ended, and Ken Davidoff of New York Newsday tweeted earlier this month that "Competing exec sees #Nationals signing Carlos Pena b/c of emphasis on defense and Rizzo's strong relationship with Boras."
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney wrote that the Nationals are "enthusiastic" about the possibility of adding Pena to their roster. Adam Dunn was offered arbitration but landing Pena certainly eliminates D.C. from Dunn's market.
The Chicago Cubs, however, also have interest and could give the Nationals a run for their money, and if the Rangers strike out on Paul Konerko, Pena could become an option in Arlington, too.
Pena is open to all possibilities, including a return to Tampa.
Pena struggled at the plate this season but still showed power and can still play first base at a high level. His down year may play into the Nationals' hands, as they probably couldn't afford Pena had he put up star-like production in 2010. But what about staying on the Gulf Coast?
John Romano recently wrote in the St. Pete Times that the Rays need to look past his .196 average and bring Pena back. "Pena is exactly the type of player typically on Tampa Bay's radar," Romano writes. "If he had just finished up this wreck of a season in, let's say, Oakland, there would be talk of how nicely he would fit in the Rays lineup because of his talents and relative lack of leverage."
One caveat: Pena's batting average and RBIs have declined each of the past three seasons.
For Vazquez, it's more than location.
Javier Vazquez always has preferred to pitch on the East Coast, to be closer to his homeland of Puerto Rico, to put himself into position to get back with one flight.
Getty ImagesJavier Vazquez hopes to return to his 2009 form.
So the carrot that the Marlins dangled to sign him was significant: He has a full no-trade clause as part of his one-year, $7 million deal, a sign of just how much Florida wanted him. And Vazquez wanted Florida. In fact, he'd received three offers that were greater than the deal he agreed to with the Marlins, and one was for $18 million over two years with an additional $2 million in makable incentives. But this is what Vazquez wanted. The ballpark in Florida is well-suited to his style of pitching, and he has a good relationship with Marlins owner Jeff Loria and GM Larry Beinfest.
If Vazquez is what the Marlins hope he will be in 2011, his return to the National League will help him rediscover his success of the second half of the 2009 season, when he was a dominant force with explosive late life on his fastball for the Atlanta Braves. He racked up 238 strikeouts in 219.1 innings, issuing only 44 walks, and he held hitters to a .216 batting average with runners in scoring position.
But the Marlins are taking a leap of faith that this can happen, because Vazquez was nothing less than awful for the Yankees in 2010. At age 34, that good fastball simply deserted him.
Vazquez's month-by-month fastball velocity of the past two years:
2009
April: 89.2
May: 91.1
June: 90.5
July: 91.1
August: 91.1
September: 90.5
Season: 90.7
2010
April: 88.8
May: 88.8
June: 88.8
July: 88.8
August: 87.9
September: 88.5
Season: 88.6
[h4]Vazquez's fastball[/h4]
Javier Vazquez's heater cooled significantly last season.
[th=""][/th][th=""]2009[/th][th=""]2010[/th]
Pct. in zone 60.5 54.6 Swing-and-miss pct. 18.9 13.3 Strikeout pct. of AB 19.7 12.1 Walk pct. of AB 6.4 13.1 Opponents' BA .265 .256 Opponents' OBP .315 .357
There are other troubling barometers of performance as well, as John Fisher of ESPN Stats & Information writes: "He clearly didn't locate his fastball nearly as well this season. His percent of fastballs in the zone dropped six points, leading to a lot fewer swings-and-misses, a lot fewer strikeouts on his fastball and twice as many walks. So even though the opponents' batting average went down a little bit, their on-base percentage shot up."
Vazquez had diminished stuff in 2010, Justin Havens writes.
But the Marlins now plow ahead in what will be a very important season for them, because their on-the-field performance could translate into fan interest as they move into their new ballpark in 2012, and if Vazquez bounces back, their rotation could be pretty good:
1. Josh Johnson
2. Ricky Nolasco
3. Vazquez
4. Anibal Sanchez
5. Chris Volstad (who threw better in the second half of the season)
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions[/h3]
1. Lance Berkman's future could be clarified in the days ahead, Richard Justice writes. Berkman says he found a groove in the postseason, and he's dead-on -- his swing looked much, much better, and he was driving the ball. I don't know whether Berkman will choose another destination, but Oakland probably will be the most aggressive suitor. He would really fit the A's -- he'd be a designated hitter and would add punch to the middle of their order, and they need some veterans.
[h4]Buster's New Book[/h4]
Buster Olney is the author of the book "recipient[/color] of the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYS.
"Surprising and unforgettable." - Mike Krzyzewski
"Olney knows the beating heart of life and the pulse of humanity that makes sports matter." - George F. Will
"A true inspiration." - Pat Summitt
2. Some Rays will accept or reject arbitration this week.
3. A bunch of teams must at least be discussing Derek Jeter, writes Phil Rogers.
4. Victor Martinez will do a lot of his catching against left-handed pitchers, writes John Lowe.
5. The Rockies' general manager will make sure the players are OK, writes Jim Armstrong.
6. The Rangers might want Vladimir Guerrero back, writes Evan Grant.
[h3]From the mailbag[/h3]
LOL to the irony of the 100-pitch count being easy to identify, like "crossing over the State line from Vermont to New Hampshire." Along that border, you'd never know one state from the next if they didn't put up signs. - David, Davis, Calif.
David: As someone who delivered bagels to stores along the Vermont-New Hampshire border years ago, I can report that the border is often fairly prominent -- because the Connecticut River serves as the divider for much of the way. You often have to cross bridges to go from one state to the other.
[h3]Other stuff[/h3]
• Here is video of Tsuyoshi Nishioka, who likely will be in the Twins' middle infield next season.
• The Red Sox's starters need to be better next year, writes John Tomase. No offseason addition will be more important to Boston in 2011 than the issue of whether its rotation -- specifically, Josh Beckett and John Lackey -- can perform more effectively.
• The Cardinals have set a date for a dinner to honor Tony La Russa and a few players.
• The Reds' fans have reason to celebrate at Redsfest this year, and interest is significant.
• Lost again in fantasy football; it looks as though I'll scrape by and make it to the playoffs as the No. 5 or No. 6 seed, which means I'll be given point penalties. Just about all my guys are on bad teams, sadly.
And today will be better than yesterday.
The most significant impact of the book "Moneyball" was not about on-base percentage or assessing value, but rather, it shoved whole generations of general managers and managers and would-be executives into a completely different mindset. Rather than simply accept the status quo, two important and linked questions are now routinely asked within organizations:
No. 1: Why do we do this in this manner?
No. 2: Is that the best way to do that?
This kind of evolution of thought has led to an enormous shift in the way young pitchers are handled, as Joba Chamberlain and Stephen Strasburg and Jon Lester and Felix Hernandez and just about all pitchers under 28 will attest (Tim Lincecum is a notable exception).
A graduated workload scale for pitchers in the formative years of their careers has become standard operating procedure for almost all teams. It's a change rooted in the presumption that too many innings at too young an age leads to breakdowns.
Craig Wright has been a pioneer in that kind of thinking, dating back a couple of decades, to his book called "The Diamond Appraised."
So it was with some fascination that I read his view of the current state of pitch counts in the latest annual of "The Hardball Times,"[/color] which is always recommended reading.
Somehow we've reached a place in which it has become common for managers and pitching coaches to reach for the phone as a young hurler's pitch count is approaching 100 in a start, and in watching this in recent years, I've wondered: Where does this number come from? Why should 100 pitches, generally, be the finish line for all pitchers? I mean, is it possible that for one pitcher the number should be 120 and for another it should be 97?
My own belief is that the sport has arrived at that figure for three reasons, none of them really related, and two of the reasons are not very good.
First, teams are working more diligently to protect their assets, and the most valued commodity in the sport now is young pitching.
Second, the number 100 is an easily identifiable place for all involved, like crossing a state line, from Vermont into New Hampshire.
Third, a lot of managers don't want to be second-guessed by the media -- especially after young pitchers get hurt -- so they tend to pull pitchers quickly, to make sure they haven't left themselves vulnerable to criticism.
Wright writes that he mostly agrees with Nolan Ryan's well-known views on pitch counts being overdone: "There are many modern practices in controlling pitcher workloads that I disagree with, and none is bigger than this: I am amazed and dismayed over the crazy practice in the modern game of setting pitch limits right around where the average might normally be and not providing the option for the pitcher to stretch out beyond that. It seems to me that most people involved with this are quite capable of seeing that this is a huge mistake, and that this practice actually creates a lose-lose situation.
"… If you constantly hold a pitcher at, or close to, 100 pitches, that's the kind of pitcher you get: one whose durability is about 100 pitches. And from there the modern plan seems to be to get the pitcher to work as close to that line as many times as you can.
[h4]Buster's New Book[/h4]
Buster Olney is the author of the book "recipient[/color] of the Jimmy V Award at the ESPYS.
"Surprising and unforgettable." - Mike Krzyzewski
"Olney knows the beating heart of life and the pulse of humanity that makes sports matter." - George F. Will
"A true inspiration." - Pat Summitt
"From my research and analysis, that's pretty crazy. On one hand, this practice locks you into a limited durability situation that ends up taking innings away from your best pitchers and instead [gives] them to pitchers who, if not for the need to replace those innings, wouldn't even be good enough to make the roster. Further, the lack of flexibility in this practice makes it harder for the manager to work with his roster in pursuit of a win. With negatives like that, you better be getting something valuable in return. … I think the use of generic guidelines based on pitch counts tends to be ineffective as to appropriate."
While Wright continues to strongly advocate seasonal workloads, he believes that front offices and on-field staffs should be assessing the pitch limits with more flexibility from game to game.
He knows a lot more about this stuff than I do, but I couldn't agree more. You don't train marathoners by having them run a series of only 10Ks and half-marathons. If you want to create pitchers like CC Sabathia who are capable of going 125 pitches -- depending on how many days of rest he has before and after the start in question and depending on how many pitches he's thrown in the last start.
Oakland is developing a young staff now, and while the Athletics do adhere to a graduated scale of innings from season to season, it's pretty clear that Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill are simply limited to 100 pitches from start to start. Most of the time, Anderson approached 110 pitches, as did Cahill.
Justin Verlander has an excellent physique for a pitcher and good mechanics, and as he worked toward his first 200-inning regular season in 2007, Jim Leyland would let him work beyond 110 pitches sometimes, and sometimes up to 120 or beyond.
The sport, as a whole, will never return to the practice of having young pitchers routinely hit 130 pitches. All teams are protecting their best young arms, in one way or another. (The notion that the Texas Rangers, under the guise of Ryan, have eschewed pitch counts and pushed their starters in a way nobody else has is laughably overstated. The Rangers ranked 22nd among 30 teams in innings from their starters, and among the eight teams that made the playoffs, they ranked last in innings generated by starters. Derek Holland, the best of the Rangers' young starters, never threw more than 106 pitches in any outing. Ryan's true impact has been in improving the pitchers' running program.)
But there is a middle ground to be found, as Wright contests, and as club officials and managers and trainers and doctors ask questions, they'll get there.
[h3]The Yanks' moves [/h3]
Yankees GM Brian Cashman flew to Maryland on the day before Thanksgiving to meet with A.J. Burnett -- and while it is not unusual for Cashman to meet with veterans in the offseason, something he learned from Pat Gillick, it is notable because Burnett is coming off a tough second half. The aim of the conversation was to reset and refocus on 2011, and Cashman made it clear to the right-hander that the Yankees believe in his talent.
Meanwhile, it figures to be a very important week in the Cliff Lee bidding.
Derek Jeter is asking for a package more than double what the Yankees have offered, and in light of this, Thomas McKean of ESPN Stats & Information sent along this note about what $23 million could buy: If New York somehow obliged, which of course seems unlikely, what would the Yankees be paying for based on his 2010 numbers (assuming the new contract is $23 million a year)?
Based on Jeter's 2010 season, they'd be paying $128,491.62 per hit, $146,496.82 per game, $343,283.58 per RBI and $534,883.72 per XBH.
For reference, Alex Rodriguez makes about $234,042.55 per hit, and Mark Teixeira makes about $133,928.57 per hit.
There doesn't have to be a split between Jeter and the Yankees, writes Harvey Araton.
Jeter's image is taking a hit, writes Bob Raissman.
The Yankees went nuclear over four sentences, writes Mike Lupica, within his Sunday column.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions [/h3]
1. The Pirates have money to spend, writes Dejan Kovacevic.
2. The Orioles are willing to spend, writes Peter Schmuck, but it's unclear who is willing to take their money.
3. The Red Sox are playing a different kind of game than the Tigers this winter, writes Nick Cafardo, who figures the Red Sox are saving their money for Adrian Gonzalez.
Losing Victor Martinez will have its benefit for the Red Sox, writes John Tomase.
[h4]MAG IPAD APP FREE FOR INSIDERS[/h4]
The new ESPN The Magazine iPad app includes daily updated content and an iPad-optimized version of each issue of ESPN The Magazine.
The Red Sox have done very well with their sandwich picks.
4. Heard this: It remains more likely that the Padres will keep Adrian Gonzalez into the 2011 season. Gonzalez played the second half of the 2010 season with a shoulder problem, which is why the Padres don't think the surgery that he had will impact his trade value.
5. The Indians are still paying for decisions that haven't worked out, writes Paul Hoynes.
6. The Tigers are still figuring out who will play right field, writes Tom Gage.
[h3]Brent Mayne! [/h3]
Another catching tip from Brent Mayne, about keeping a blocked ball close:
[h3]The mailbag [/h3]
- "Blocking the ball effectively means keeping a bounced pitch in front of your body and making sure the resulting ricochet stays close enough to stop base runners from advancing.
"Let's focus on the second part of the equation -- keeping the ricochet close to your body. To consistently accomplish this, a few things must happen. First, the receiver's body must be square to the incoming bounce. Secondly, the catcher must stop moving by the time he and the ball collide.
"The resulting impact when two moving objects (ball and catcher) bounce off each other is explosive. Conversely, if the catcher is quick enough to be waiting for a wild pitch, the ricochet will be muted.
"Now for the cherry on top. To take your blocking to the next level, EXHALE when you and the ball meet. This will soften your body and further deaden the impact. Is a ball going to bounce farther off a wall or a pillow?"
Just read your entry on Derek Jeter. I'm a huge Orioles fan (can't believe it's been so long since you were at the Sun), and I will grasp at any straw that might mean the team is moving back toward prominence. I think the Orioles could make a significant offer to Jeter -- 4 years, $75M or so -- and have a slim chance of getting him. I'd like to think that even if he turned it down, it might make others take notice of the Birds. And if he did accept, it would be an upgrade for at least one year at short, with the option to move Jeter to another position (with Cal Ripken around the stadium to ease the transition?). Plus, the chance for Jeter to build a winner, by himself, in the Yankees division, might be appealing. -- Robert Workman, Ashburn, Va.
Robert: I always respect a glass-half-full perspective -- we should all live that way -- but I think the odds of Jeter signing with the Orioles are about the same as that of a Cal Ripken comeback. His frustration won't be so great that it would drive him from a place where he's always wanted to play to playing for a second-division team.
[h3]Other stuff [/h3]
• Scott Boras says his loans to a player are partly goodwill.
And undoubtedly, in a lot of cases, the loans are about an agent gaining leverage with the player. It'd be interesting to see how many loans Boras and other agents have given to players who are not their clients -- purely out of goodwill.
The guess here: not very many.
• Gillick deserves enshrinement in the Hall of Fame, writes Bob Ford. Agree completely. He is arguably the most accomplished general manager in the history of the sport.
• Steve Serby did a Q&A with Terry Collins, the Mets' new manager.
• Drayton McLane needs to make a splash to get his asking price for the Astros, writes Richard Justice.
• Tim Lincecum is the winner of the Radbourn Award.
• Vanderbilt's in the market for a football coach, again.
And today will be better than yesterday.
http://[h3][/h3][h3]Boston's bullpen[/h3]
12:08PM ET
[h5]Boston Red Sox [/h5]
Considering the fact that closer Jonathan Papelbon and setup man Daniel Bard are both expected to return for 2011, one might think the Boston Red Sox would allocate their payroll in other areas, such as the everyday lineup. But WEEI.com's Alex Speier wrote Sunday that the club has interest in right-hander Matt Guerrier.
Guerrier is a rare commodity. He's a free agent that qualified for Type-A status, but the Minnesota Twins chose not to offer him arbitration which means the signing club will not lose a draft pick.
This truly free status may make Guerrier among the most sought after relievers on the open market this winter, and could also be targeted by the Tampa Bay Rays, New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox.
Guerrier made $3.15 million last season and depending on the competition could earn a similar salary on a 1-2 year deal or even receive three years guaranteed. He's not likely to be viewed as an option at closer and on a contending tam may be viewed as a 7th-inning arm due to being more of a ground ball guy than a strikeout artist.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Would the Mets deal Reyes?[/h3]
11:04AM ET
[h5]Jose Reyes | Mets [/h5]
There's a new sheriff in town in Queens. Sandy Alderson is calling the shots as the general manager of the New York Mets and he already has hired a number of high-profile deputies, including former GMs Paul DePodesta and J.P. Ricciardi.
That calls into question the future of shortstop Jose Reyes, whose $11 million option for 2011 was exercised earlier this month.
The 27-year-old Reyes debuted with the Mets as a teenager and has been with the club since. Over the summer, Reyes stated his desire to finish his career in Queens. But Alderson may have other ideas, such as shopping the infielder at the winter meetings next month.
Henry Schulman tweeted last week that the Mets are willing to move Reyes for the right 3-4 player package that could include prospects.
Andy Martino of the Daily News writes Monday that a Reyes deal is unlikely, but "it is clear that the notion of moving Reyes is not total blasphemy in the Citi Field offices." That could mean the opinions on Reyes vary within the new front office team.
Alderson is reshaping the Mets' franchise to his liking and the beginning of his tenure could be defined on what he does or does not do with Reyes, an exceptionally talented but sometimes inconsistent player.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Mets could trade Reyes in July
http://[h3]Balfour could accept arbitration[/h3]
11:01AM ET
[h5]Grant Balfour | Rays [/h5]
The Tampa Bay Rays are awaiting word on seven free agents who were offered arbitration last week. Most of the players are expected to turn down the offer, but the most likely candidate to accept could be reliever Grant Balfour.
Marc Topkin of the St. Pete Times reports that Balfour, who made $2.05 million last season, might jump at the offer because he wants to return. In addition, Balfour is a Type A free agent, a designation that limits his market value.
Balfour is the true definition of a one-inning reliever. He has appeared in 203 games for Tampa Bay in three-plus seasons and logged exactly 203 innings.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Olney: Berkman a fit in Oakland [/h3]
10:46AM ET
[h5]Lance Berkman | Yankees | Interested: Rockies? [/h5]
Lance Berkman would have loved to return to the Houston Astros, the team that drafted him, but any chance of a return to Space City ended when his agent dialed up GM Ed Wade.
"It wasn't a long conversation," Berkman told Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle.
The Astros will go with younger players next season, but that doesn?t mean that the 34-year-old Berkman, who finished the year with the New York Yankees, will be out of work.
Berkman is being pursued by at last two clubs right now, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reported last week with the Cubs and A's at the forefront.
Colorado could make some sense, too, as the switch-hitting veteran could serve as the right-handed half of a platoon at first base with http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3709Todd Helton, but Berkman talks as if he's seeking an everyday gig.
The Cardinals, Pirates and Blue Jays also are believed to have kicked the tires on Berkman. Our Buster Olney sees a solid fit by the bay:
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Could Berkman head west?
http://[h3]Francisco staying in Texas?[/h3]
10:28AM ET
[h5]Frank Francisco | Rangers [/h5]
The dreaded Type A free agent designation apparently will keep Frank Francisco in Texas.
Francisco was offered arbitration last week and the free agent reliever is expected to accept, reports Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
By accepting arbitration, Francisco would opt for a one-year, non-guaranteed contract with a raise from his 2010 salary of $3.265 million. While other teams have shown interest in Francisco as a closer, clubs have been reluctant to surrender a high draft pick for Type A relievers who aren't established closers.
Francisco was once the closer in Arlington but gave way to http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30149Neftali Feliz and missed part of last season due to injury. But if the Rangers lose http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5353Cliff Lee to the Yankees they may decide to transition Feliz into a starting pitcher which means they need the bullpen depth.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Lee talks heating up?[/h3]
9:55AM ET
[h5]Cliff Lee | Rangers [/h5]
The talks regarding free agent Cliff Lee have been few and far between to date, but ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney reported Saturday that talks are expected to heat up this coming week.
What exactly that means remains to be seen, but with the winter meetings coming in less than two weeks, executives from interested clubs could try to lay groundwork for finalizing a contract with the left-hander in Lake Buena Vista.
The Yankees and the Rangers are overwhelming favorites to land the ace, but the Nationals are one of as many as three other clubs to have genuine interest, according to Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker.
The Yankees may or may not have offered Lee a six-year deal worth $140 million, according to conflicting reports. Those same reports have Lee holding out for a seventh season guaranteed.
Neither the Yankees nor the Rangers can afford to wait too long on Lee, because they'll need time to put Plan B in motion before it's too late.
Nick Cafardo wrote in Sunday's Boston Globe that if the Rangers fall short on Lee, one of their options might be to put http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=30149Neftali Feliz back in the rotation and then sign a closer like Rafael Soriano.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]V-Mart to catch against lefties[/h3]
9:49AM ET
[h5]Victor Martinez | Red Sox [/h5]
John Lowe of the Free Press discusses how the Tigers will get the biggest bang for the buck with Martinez. When the Tigers face left-handed starters, manager Jim Leyland plans to get Martinez many of his starts at catcher in place of lefty-swinging Alex Avila. Martinez's .400 average against left-handers was the highest by an everyday AL player against lefties in three years.
Against right-handers, the switch-hitting Martinez will be used primarily as the designated hitter.
There are concerns about the ability of V-Mart to throw out baserunners, but the Tigers seem committed to giving him a significant amount of time behind the plate.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Rangers still interested in Vlad[/h3]
9:32AM ET
[h5]Vladimir Guerrero | Rangers [/h5]
Vladimir Guerrero would prefer that potential employers pay closer attention to his stellar regular season (.300 AVG, 115 RBI) rather than the World Series, when he went 1-for-14 without a home run against the Giants.
The Rangers last week decided to decline Vlad's $9 million option, but still publicly expressed an interest at bringing him back.
Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports that the Rangers want Vlad to shop around. The team would benefit by getting the truest sense of the market and by obtaining more time to concentrate on re-signing Cliff Lee without having Vlad's deal eating up a notable portion of the payroll.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe wrote earlier this month that the Rangers may use the DH spot as a place to give Nelson Cruz, Josh Hamilton, and Michael Young a rest, which would push Vlad out the door.
One possible destination could be the Rays since he has ties to Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon from their days with the Angels.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Vazquez gets no-trade clause[/h3]
9:21AM ET
[h5]Javier Vazquez | Yankees [/h5]
Javier Vazquez got just what he wanted from the Florida Marlins, and the Fish were willing to abandon one of their fundamental negotiating principles to do it, reports Juan C. Rodriguez in the Sun-Sentinel.
The Marlins have reached agreement on a one-year deal with Vazquez, several news sources reported Sunday afternoon. The Cubs and Rockies were among those interested in Vazquez's services.
Rodriguez reports that the one-year, $7 million contract includes a no-trade clause. The Marlins have not budged on the no-trade provision in the past, refusing to give one to Hanley Ramirez, Josh Johnson or John Buck.
Why would the right-hander want just the one year? Most likely so he can reestablish his value and hit the market again next winter when he could be among the top few arms available, despite the fact that next winter's market may be improved.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark mentions that Vazquez had already turned down at least one multi-year offer believed to be worth $20 million over two years.
Vazquez was offered arbitration by the Yankees, which means the club will receive a sandwich-round pick once he signs with a club this winter. The Yankees are not interested in retaining his services, according to multiple reports.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
The value of Vazquez
http://[h3]Dodgers in on Uribe[/h3]
9:08AM ET
[h5]Juan Uribe | Giants [/h5]
The offseason revamping of the Los Angeles Dodgers will include a pitch for free agent shortstop Juan Uribe, reports Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
Uribe, who is still on the radar of the San Francisco Giants, would presumably play second base for L.A. but could fill in at shortstop and third base as well. Gurnick says a deal with Uribe could trigger the non-tendering of Ryan Theriot, who was acquired from the Cubs with Ted Lilly and had a solid August but tailed off in September.
GM Ned Colletti already has had a busy offseason, re-signing Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda and landing Jon Garland to a one-year deal for $5 million.
Ken Rosenthal says the Dodgers could also use Uribe at third base, enabling them to use Casey Blake as part of a third-base platoon.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Burriss a shortstop option by the bay[/h3]
8:41AM ET
[h5]Emmanuel Burriss | Giants [/h5]
The http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-giantshttp://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/sf/san-francisco-giantsSan Francisco Giants took care of their top offseason priority last week by re-signing http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4479http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4479Aubrey Huff. The focus now shifts to finding a shortstop, where GM Brian Sabean wouldn't mind bringing back http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4657http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4657Juan Uribe.
If Uribe lands elsewhere, the Giants may be willing to hand the job to 25-year-old http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=29106Emmanuel Burriss. A National League scout tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that Burriss, who has dealt with a pair of foot fractures, is one of the better players in the Dominican winter league.
Retaining Uribe will not be easy. The Dodgers, according to MLB.com, have interest in Uribe, as we've speculated for weeks. Uribe would presumably play second base for L.A. but could fill in at shortstop and third base as well.
There also is speculation the Giants could consider a trade for Jason Bartlett or Marco Scutaro.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Soriano in Rangers' contingency plans[/h3]
8:22AM ET
[h5]Rafael Soriano | Rays | Interested: Rangers? [/h5]
The Rays' Rafael Soriano saw his market value take a quantum leap when he led the American League with 45 saves in his first season as a full-time closer. But this may not be the best time to be a free agent closer since many of the teams normally willing to spend already are set at the position.
Soriano's destination could be influenced by where free agent starter Cliff Lee ends up. Nick Cafardo wrote in Sunday's Boston Globe that if the Rangers fall short on Lee, one of their options might be to put Neftali Feliz back in the rotation and then sign a closer like Soriano.
Other possible destinations for Soriano include the Angels and Diamondbacks.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Giants interested in Jeter?[/h3]
7:58AM ET
[h5]Derek Jeter | Yankees [/h5]
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman clearly has grown frustrated with the Derek Jeter contract talks, daring the 36-year-old free agent shortstop to see what he can get on the open market.
With the negotiations growing testier than anyone imagined, other teams still remain skeptical that Jeter would seriously consider leaving the Bronx. The first step in that process would be to find an interested party, and Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal questions if any are out there.
Costa reports the San Francisco Giants, who have an opening at shortstop, have been in contact with Jeter's agent, Casey Close, who also represents their catcher, Buster Posey. But they are not seriously pursuing him at the moment and are wary about being used as leverage against the Yankees.
The Cardinals, Orioles, Twins and Angels are among other teams that could have interest in Jeter, but Costa said there is no evidence of another club making a bid.
The Thanksgiving weekend saw Close denying a report that his client is seeking a six-year deal for about $25 million annually to return to the Yankees. "The recently rumored terms of our contract proposal are simply inaccurate," Close told ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick in an e-mail. Close declined to provide further details on the state of his negotiations with the club.
The two sides remained far apart over the holiday weekend and Bill Madden of the Daily News reports the divide can be pegged to the inflated deal of teammate http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3115Alex Rodriguez.
Sources close to the Jeter camp tell Madden that their starting point was six years, $150 million and that they aren't budging on $25 million per year. That would effectively get Jeter about even in annual average salary to A-Rod, who is in the middle of a 10-year, $275 million deal.
At this stage, Jeter still has a steep mountain to climb if he wants to better the Yankees' offer of three years for $45 million.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
The Jeter negotiations
http://[h3]Webb a hot target[/h3]
6:57AM ET
[h5]Brandon Webb | Diamondbacks [/h5]
Brandon Webb, despite having missed almost all of the past two seasons, has a handful of clubs interested and that list could grow, tweets ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick.
Crasnick notes that the Dodgers, Pirates, Twins and Rangers have some level of interest in the right-hander and reminds that others could express interest at some point, including the Nationals, Reds and Cardinals.
Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse tweeted Saturday that the Cubs have had talks with Webb's agent, according to sources, and MLB.com reports that the Nationals have had similar negotiations.
The Rockies, tweets Troy Renck, also have interest.
Crasnick added in a second tweet that Webb could become a possibility in Minnesota if the Twins lose Carl Pavano.
The Diamondbacks basically ruled out a return for Webb earlier this month.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Crain's market large[/h3]
6:56AM ET
[h5]Jesse Crain | Twins [/h5]
Jesse Crain could be one of the relievers on the free agent market most impacted by the deal the Detroit Tigers handed to Joaquin Benoit earlier this month. Crain, tweets MLB.com's Peter Gammons, is drawing interest from as many as nine teams, including a few clubs that don't seem like good fits if it's going to take a three-year deal.
Crain, a Type B free agent, has been connected to the Rays, Rockies, Mariners, Orioles, Diamondbacks, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Nationals and Cubs, says Gammons, and the market could grow to include another half-dozen teams.
Jason Frasor is another similar arm and could command two or three years, but he's a Type A free agent, which could limit the interest level.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Cubs, Nats eyeing Pena[/h3]
6:55AM ET
[h5]Carlos Pena | Rays [/h5]
We've been hearing for months how the free agent exodus out of Tampa Bay will include Carlos Pena.
The Washington Nationals have been linked to Pena since the regular season ended, and Ken Davidoff of New York Newsday tweeted earlier this month that "Competing exec sees #Nationals signing Carlos Pena b/c of emphasis on defense and Rizzo's strong relationship with Boras."
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney wrote that the Nationals are "enthusiastic" about the possibility of adding Pena to their roster. Adam Dunn was offered arbitration but landing Pena certainly eliminates D.C. from Dunn's market.
The Chicago Cubs, however, also have interest and could give the Nationals a run for their money, and if the Rangers strike out on Paul Konerko, Pena could become an option in Arlington, too.
Pena is open to all possibilities, including a return to Tampa.
Pena struggled at the plate this season but still showed power and can still play first base at a high level. His down year may play into the Nationals' hands, as they probably couldn't afford Pena had he put up star-like production in 2010. But what about staying on the Gulf Coast?
John Romano recently wrote in the St. Pete Times that the Rays need to look past his .196 average and bring Pena back. "Pena is exactly the type of player typically on Tampa Bay's radar," Romano writes. "If he had just finished up this wreck of a season in, let's say, Oakland, there would be talk of how nicely he would fit in the Rays lineup because of his talents and relative lack of leverage."
One caveat: Pena's batting average and RBIs have declined each of the past three seasons.
