The Major League Baseball Off-Season Post Vol. 24 days until Opening Day 2009

[CP1708]

^
You know, I work with an Angels fan and he said something about getting rid of Vlad too. He's obviously in decline, but still a good player to be had. Iwould imagine his value is well below his name at this point though. I don't know what his contract is, but I'd be willing to take a look at him forthe right deal. Not sure what the Angels would have in mind though.

 

[gangsta207therevolution]

Any chance the Whitesox have a payroll over 100 million?

If you can get Matt Cain and prospects for Paul I got to say do it.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat

and i also think it's time for the Angels to part ways with Vlad.

People don't realize how much of a freak Vlad really is, statistically he is like no other player out there and has hitting what he hits.
Once he loses soms MPH on that bat speed his decline is going to happen real fast unless he improves that walk rate.

Also your not at all worried by Matt Holiday's home and away splits?

 

[N41D]

If you can get Matt Cain and prospects for Paul I got to say do it.

Where the hell did you see that trade? Ain't a chance in hell the Giants give up Matt Cain PLUS prospects for Konerko... And thereain't a reason in hell they should give up Cain for anything involving Paul Konerko...

and i also think it's time for the Angels to part ways with Vlad.
I'd pick up his option, let him walk after next year...

 

[paul is on tilt]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat


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[h4]Giants in market for Marlins Dan Uggla?[/h4]
San Francisco, desperate for a proven bat, is expected to pursue one-dimensional second baseman Dan Uggla. The Giants also may kick the tires on first baseman Paul Konerko of the White Sox and Derrek Lee of the Cubs, both of whom have full no-trade clauses. They probably would have to deal a young pitcher--Jonathan Sanchez or Matt Cain. They're considered expendable because lefty Madison Bumgarner is climbing fast. -- Chicago Tribune

Interesting... Sanchez needs to work on his control more. He has stuff to strike you out, he just needs help locating his pitches. I see him as anOliver Perez kind of guy. Until he puts it all together, he's just a talented pitcher with potential

. And Cain's talented and all. His win totalisn't a direct reflection of how he pitched last season. It was basically that he had very little run support. It'd be interesting to see what Sabeanhas because it's been noted that the Giants have been shopping SPs for much needed bats in the middle of our lineup. I wouldn't want Paul Konerkothough. Derrek Lee isn't bad, certainly better than Konerko. Uggla's good with the power but his K's and low AVG worry me.

 

[wildkycat]

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Also your not at all worried by Matt Holiday's home and away splits?

not one bit. it's not like the splits are drastic...

dude's a stud.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Matt Cain needs a dominant off speed pitch. Relying on his fastball is never going to make him an elite pitcher like Lincecum.

Originally Posted by wildKYcat

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Also your not at all worried by Matt Holiday's home and away splits?

not one bit. it's not like the splits are drastic...

dude's a stud.

Uhm I don't know man He goes from slugging a ridiculous .584 to slugging a pedestrian .486 away. And the year before he was even worse. Dude could beanother product of coors feild.

Dude SLGs like Barry Bonds in Coores last year but can't SLG over .500 away SUSPECT.

I guess it won't matter as much in a hitters park like Great American..

 

[cincoseisdos]

Originally Posted by Osh Kosh Bosh

Seriously the Blue Jays should think about Peavy, his mechanics are as much of an injury risk as AJ and will be cheaper.

Does anyone really think Furcal will repeat anything he did this year?

if theres one thing you can count on with furcal, its his consistency

 

[gangsta207therevolution]

I got a question in general

How are 2 guys whom are so similar that they are the first comparison to each other on Baseball ref , same age and all yet dudes come into the thread and implythat lee and Paulie are in 2 different stratospheres.

Lee is the better singles hitter Paulie is the better HR guy, Lee is better on D though. If you had said Lee was better on D I could have lived with that.


Unless he goes to the Giants Paulie will hit 30 hr's and if Mike Lowell is done the Red Sox might not be dumb to trade for him and keep Youk at 3rd.

 

[N41D]

For those of you wondering what it might take to get Jake Peavy...

Ryguy86 (NY): What's an overwhelming package for Jake Peavy?

Joe Sheehan: A top-15 prospect, top-50, and top-75 guy, at least two of whom can be on the field by June.
... So yeah, Dan Murphy and Aaron Heilman + filler is anywhere close...

You start with Fernando Martinez, Wilmer Flores, and Jon Neise, and that's still probably well short...

How are 2 guys whom are so similar that they are the first comparison to each other on Baseball ref , same age and all yet dudes come into the thread and imply that lee and Paulie are in 2 different stratospheres.
I don't see a huge difference, but there's absolutely no sense in trading Matt Cain or Jonathan Sanchez for either one of them...They're both too old for what the Giants should be looking for, and both of them saw their numbers decline pretty significantly over the last couple ofyears...

If the Giants trade Sanchez or Cain for either one of them, I'm driving to San Francisco and running down Brian Sabean for 715 and all the other Giantsfans...

 

[tylerdub]

Nice to see a baseball thread for all us fans with no teams playing.

So I dont know if this has been brought up, but what is gonna happen with Manny?

Also, on a Cubs note, I hope we bring back basically the same team next year. If we can win 97 games, clinch home field advantage, I will be happy as a clam. Ithink Fukudome is the only piece I would move. Give him a few weeks next season to see if he learned anything and then give him the Jeff Kent treatment.

 

[wildkycat]

Griffey has left knee surgery, performed by Reds' team doctor

Chicago White Sox outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. on Tuesday had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee, which bothered him for most of the 2008 season.

The surgery was performed by Cincinnati Reds' team doctor.

Griffey

This season, Griffey had the knee drained twice while he was with the Reds and once after his trade to the White Sox.

Griffey's knee troubles could be the source of his dip in home runs last season. He hit 30 in 428 at-bats in the 2007 season but just 18 in 528 at-bats in 2008.

"There's no question," Dr. Tim Kremchek said, according to the Cincinnati Enquirer. "It affected that push-off leg. How much I don't know. But he was dealing with it all year. There's not much you can do early in the season."

Griffey will be a free agent this offseason, if as expected, the White Sox decline his $16 million option for the 2009 season. He has said he would like to continue playing next season.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

Griff is sooo fat.

People make fun of Andrew Jones but man Junior gotfat.

 

[wildkycat]

fat?

fat.


Junior's gotten big...gradually, over time...naturally. he'll be 39 soon for crying out loud.

but fat? come on.

 

[osh kosh bosh]

I guess man, maybe I'm just not as enamored with "the kid" as others are. Still you have to agree dudes conditioning has been slacking, andprobably has to do with his rash of injuries later in his career.

 

[wildkycat]

that's fair...but his last major injury, he tore his hamstring...tore it completely off the bone. required a surgery that included 3 screws and was dubbedby the doctor who performed it as "the Griffey surgery."

there are many, many athletes who are in absolutely peak physical condition, but can't stay on the field/court due to injuries.


he's just getting old, hell, he is old.

[Happy Gilmore] He's old. look at him...he's too old! [/Happy Gilmore]

and he's got a lot of miles on that body, roaming the concrete outfield of the Kingdome, diving all over it, crashing into walls (broken wrist.)

 

[atljunkie]

Go Braves.

 

[paul is on tilt]

Originally Posted by Nowitness41Dirk

If the Giants trade Sanchez or Cain for either one of them, I'm driving to San Francisco and running down Brian Sabean for 715 and all the other Giants fans...

Do it! Please!

 

[franchise 55]

^ If you guys are talking about the Lee and Konerko rumors then I agree 100%.

 

[wildkycat]

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[h4]Pads Jake Peavy has interest in Angels?[/h4]
Agent Barry Axelrod made one concrete stipulation to any trade scenarios: "Jake would only approve a trade to a team with a solid chance of winning and a winning tradition. Those teams in the National League may be in locations that are more acceptable, or would be." He said "the ability or opportunity to win is very important to Jake, and hopefully some sort of coincidence with his and his family's lifestyle." Among the cities Axelrod mentioned were Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and St. Louis. Jake Peavy and his wife Katie have three boys, one an infant, and this year moved into a home north of San Diego. Because of Peavy's intention to keep his family in San Diego for at least part of the year, Axelrod acknowledged that the Los Angeles Angels are one AL club that would draw extra consideration. -- San Diego Union-Tribune

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[h4]Twins Delmon Young to Giants?[/h4]http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_10721642

It wouldn't be surprising if the Twins have trade talks about moving outfielder Delmon Young to the San Francisco Giants, from whom they acquired pitchers Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. The Giants' leading home run hitter this season was catcher Bengie Molina with 16. -- Pioneer Press


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[h4]Rays B.J. Upton needs shoulder surgery after playoffs[/h4]http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/article855353.ece

Rays CF B.J. Upton's left shoulder will still require surgery "soon after the season's over," but it's feeling better enough that he's able to take a full swing again, to pull the ball to leftfield again and to hit home runs again -- five in his first 28 at-bats of the postseason. He is the first player, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, to hit at least five homers in the postseason after hitting fewer than 10 in the regular season; he had nine in 531 at-bats. -- St. Petersburg Times


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[h4]Braves going after Pads Jake Peavy[/h4]
The Braves would love to have Jake Peavy, and are exploring what it will take to get the hard-throwing right-hander. Now, I don't know if they discussed with Padres GM Kevin Towers the parameters of a proposal yet; I don't think they have. But they've let Towers know they're interested, and he's made it clear Peavy can be had for the right price. The man is 27 years old, was a unanimous winner of the 2007 NL Cy Young Award, has averaged 192 innings and 194 strikeouts in six full seasons in the majors, and is under contract through 2011. Ace in prime. Plain and simple. Peavy will make $11 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. There's also a big $22-million team option for 2013, with a $4 million buyout. Other teams will surely make strong offers, too. But as I said before, the Braves have a potentially significant advantage in that Peavy is an Alabama boy, born and raised, and he and his wife and kids make their offseason home in 'Bama, not in San Diego. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution


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[h4]Former Mets and A's coach Peterson up for Rangers job[/h4]
Rick Peterson, who oversaw drastic pitching turnarounds with Oakland and the New York Mets, called the thought of taking on a similar challenge with the Rangers "intriguing." Peterson will interview Friday to become the club's eighth pitching coach since 2000. General manager Jon Daniels will also speak with former Rangers coaches Perry Hill (infield instructor) and Jackie Moore (bench coach) this week about rejoining the staff. In addition, former Seattle manager John McLaren (bench coach) and former Oakland coach Brad Fischer (bullpen coach) will be interviewed. The Rangers rank last in the majors with a 5.14 ERA since 2000, and a 5.37 ERA in 2008. -- Dallas Morning News


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[h4]Willie Randolph headed back to Bronx?[/h4]
The Yankees need a third-base coach, and Willie Randolph needs a job. So there is a chance the former Mets manager might return to The Bronx. In a move that shows the honeymoon between Joe Girardi and the Yankees is officially over, Bobby Meacham, a close friend of Girardi's, is out as third-base coach, a move that was announced yesterday. Meacham, who with bullpen coach Mike Harkey lived with Girardi in his Westchester County home during the season, was dismissed, as was special pitching instructor Rich Monteleone. Meacham was informed by GM Brian Cashman. "Joe took it like a pro," Cashman said about dismissing Girardi's friend. "He wants what is best for the team. He understands." Immediately, Randolph and Larry Bowa jumped to the top of the list as possible replacements. -- NY Post


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[h4]Mets David Wright getting ready for '09[/h4]
Losing a playoff berth on the final day of the season for the second straight year doesn't sit well with David Wright. The "bitter taste" of failure, as he described it, is why he's already begun his offseason workout regimen and has watched only about five innings of postseason baseball. "It's going to be a long offseason, no doubt," Wright said. "But when you fail, it pushes you and motivates you to work that much harder to make sure the same thing doesn't happen next year. You try to better yourself as much as possible." -- Newsday

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[h4]Former GM John Hart doesn't get call from Mariners[/h4]
It was confirmed that John Hart, the former general manager of the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers and a member of several lists of potential Mariners candidates, has not been contacted by the team. Hart is a senior adviser to the Rangers, and the Mariners would have had to seek permission from the Rangers to interview him. No such permission has been sought. -- Setatle P-I


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[h4]Marlins stadium deal in trouble[/h4]
Some stadiums themselves are in jeopardy, opposed by taxpayers and public officials who don't think investments in sports facilities are justified in the current climate. In Florida, construction of a new ballpark for Major League Baseball's Marlins that was supposed to start this fall probably will have to wait for better economic times. Katy Sorensen, one of the commissioners of Florida's Miami-Dade County, said she expects support for the $515 million Marlins ballpark to dissipate. Florida's real-estate market is one of the hotspots in a foreclosure crisis that helped to bring down several major banks and spark a selling frenzy in global markets. Financing for the proposed stadium relies partly on bonds financed with hotel and tourism taxes. Ms. Sorensen said in the current economy it isn't clear whether the county would have enough money to cover the debt. -- Wall Street Journal


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[h4]NBC Sports boss wants to be next MLB Commish?[/h4]
The buzz at the West Street Grill in tony Litchfield, Conn., is that local resident %$%% Ebersol, the uber-chief of NBC Sports & Olympics, would chuck it all to be commissioner of Major League Baseball, the job now held by Bud Selig. Ebersol has been spotted lately in Connecticut for just about the first time since being tied up with the summer Games in Beijing. He's been driving the red retro-Chevy he bought last year for wife Susan Saint James to buy the newspapers each morning. -- NY Post


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[h4]Indians expect Hafner to be ready for opener?[/h4]
The Indians said Travis Hafner underwent successful surgery on his right shoulder Tuesday in Birmingham, Ala. Dr. James Andrews performed the 45-minute arthroscopic surgery, in which Hafner's right shoulder joint was cleaned out. Hafner will begin physical therapy at Progressive Field on Thursday, and according to the Indians, he is expected to make a full recovery by opening day 2009. The Indians open the 2009 season on April 6 in Arlington, Texas. -- News-Herald


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[h4]Tigers won't let exec Avila talk with M's[/h4]
Two names that had been speculated as being part of the Mariners' pool of general manager candidates are off the board. The Mariners asked for permission to interview Al Avila, the Detroit Tigers assistant GM, but were denied by Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski, a Mariners spokesperson confirmed Tuesday. It's not clear when the Mariners made the request. Dombrowski declined to comment, except to tell the Detroit Free Press that "Al is very happy in the Tigers organization." Avila, who has interviewed for at least three other general manager jobs, was a finalist five years ago when the Mariners hired Bill Bavasi. After the 2006 season, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch made an effort to lock up his top executives, including signing Avila to a new deal that runs through 2009. -- Seattle P-I


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[h4]Brewers Maddux to Texas staff?[/h4]
Texas is also considering Andy Hawkins, who replaced Mark Connor in August, and may approach Dave Wallace, now in Seattle's front office. Another option may be Mike Maddux, the brother of Greg Maddux. Maddux is now Milwaukee's pitching coach, but coached for Nolan Ryan-owned Round Rock in 2000. -- Dallas Morning News


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[h4]Cards bring back entire coaching staff[/h4]
The Cardinals have maintained continuity within manager Tony La Russa's coaching staff for at least another season while addressing two defections among general manager John Mozeliak's circle of advisers. The club announced Tuesday the signing of La Russa's entire staff through the 2009 season, the fifth consecutive year the staff has returned intact. A week after announcing pitching coach Dave Duncan's one-year extension with a mutual option for 2010, the Cardinals have similarly retained bench coach Joe Pettini, third-base coach Jose Oquendo, first-base coach Dave McKay, bullpen coach Marty Mason and hitting coach Hal McRae. Assistant hitting coach Mike Aldrete will also return. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch


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[h4]Rockies' Weathers sidelined for 2009 by injury[/h4]
Right-handed reliever Casey Weathers' fast track to the majors has been put on hold. The Rockies' 2007 first-round draft pick was diagnosed with "an acute tear of the ulnar collateral ligament" in his right forearm, minor league director Marc Gustafson said Tuesday. Weathers is expected to require ligament transplant surgery, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, and would miss the 2009 season in a rehabilitation program. Weathers, drafted out of Vanderbilt, was considering getting a second opinion to confirm the diagnosis. -- Rocky Mountain News


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[h4]Reds OK despite economy[/h4]
The global financial crisis and some financial challenges in Goodyear, Ariz., site of the Reds' future spring training facility, haven't affected the team's baseball operation - at least not yet. "It has not impacted anything we're doing strategically," said %$%% Williams, the director of the baseball business operation. "We're just going through the final budget. Nobody's said you can't hire someone, or you can't travel here. We're making the same baseball decisions." That includes the plans for the new spring training complex in Goodyear, Ariz., to the builders. A public groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for late November. "There are no hurdles left to clear," Williams said. "We're moving forward." -- Cincinnati Enquirer


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[h4]Rays take tarps down for remaining ALCS games and World Series[/h4]
Removing the tarps covering portions of the upper deck and putting some 5,700 more fans in Tropicana Field for any remaining ALCS and possible World Series games will lead to longer lines at the concessions and more crowded hallways and bathrooms. Plus, some of the seats have obstructed views and are on benches and without backs. The Rays initially resisted, saying the building "operates better" with a capacity of about 36,000, but decided, based on the intense demand for tickets and input from fans, that the tradeoff was worth it and they would benefit from the extra support. "We had put the fan experience first," team president Matt Silverman said. "We decided that the priority is to allow as many people as possible to cheer on the Rays and be part of this special season." -- St. Petersburg Times


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[h4]Gonzalez mulls future with Marlins[/h4]
In his final at-bat of 2008, Luis Gonzalez stepped up as a pinch-hitter and tapped a routine groundout to second base in the seventh inning of the Marlins' last game of the year. Even though the five-time All-Star went down quietly, the numbers he's compiled in 18 MLB seasons speak loudly. And indications are the 41-year-old outfielder has every intention to return for a 19th season. The question is: Where? After the World Series, Gonzalez will file for free agency. He certainly would be open to returning to the Marlins, but both sides may end up moving in different directions. Asked if he plans on playing next year, Gonzalez said: "I'd like to. But I'll sit back and see what kind of options I have, and see what's right for myself and my family." -- Marlins.com


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[h4]BoSox Lowell will have hip surgery Monday[/h4]
Red Sox 3B Mike Lowell will have his right hip surgically repaired Monday, the timetable sped up to maximize Lowell's chances of being ready for the start of spring training in February. Lowell was told five days ago by general manager Theo Epstein that there was a 99 percent chance he would not be placed on the World Series roster should the team make it. "Once it was pretty clear that I was a longshot to be on the World Series roster," the decision was made, Lowell said. "I didn't want to drag it out and then see if it would affect me in the latter part of spring training. This allows me to have a full spring training and not be rushed." -- Boston Herald

 

[stringer bell 32]

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by FRANCHISE 55

^ If you guys are talking about the Lee and Konerko rumors then I agree 100%.

Which Lee you guys talkin bout?

 

[wildkycat]

Indians exercise infielder Carroll's $2.5M option for 2009 season

The Indians picked up their $2.5 million option on utility infielder Jamey Carroll.

Carroll hit .277 (96-for-347) with 13 doubles, four triples, one homer and 36 RBIs this season.

He saw more playing time than anticipated because of Asdrubal Cabrera's first-half problems at second base and Andy Marte's offensive struggles at third base after the All-Star break.

If the option had been declined, the Indians would have had to pay Carroll a $150,000 buyout.

 

[scuse7]

Originally Posted by wildKYcat


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[h4]Pads Jake Peavy has interest in Angels?[/h4]
Agent Barry Axelrod made one concrete stipulation to any trade scenarios: "Jake would only approve a trade to a team with a solid chance of winning and a winning tradition. Those teams in the National League may be in locations that are more acceptable, or would be." He said "the ability or opportunity to win is very important to Jake, and hopefully some sort of coincidence with his and his family's lifestyle." Among the cities Axelrod mentioned were Atlanta, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles and St. Louis. Jake Peavy and his wife Katie have three boys, one an infant, and this year moved into a home north of San Diego. Because of Peavy's intention to keep his family in San Diego for at least part of the year, Axelrod acknowledged that the Los Angeles Angels are one AL club that would draw extra consideration. -- San Diego Union-Tribune

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[h4]Braves going after Pads Jake Peavy[/h4]
The Braves would love to have Jake Peavy, and are exploring what it will take to get the hard-throwing right-hander. Now, I don't know if they discussed with Padres GM Kevin Towers the parameters of a proposal yet; I don't think they have. But they've let Towers know they're interested, and he's made it clear Peavy can be had for the right price. The man is 27 years old, was a unanimous winner of the 2007 NL Cy Young Award, has averaged 192 innings and 194 strikeouts in six full seasons in the majors, and is under contract through 2011. Ace in prime. Plain and simple. Peavy will make $11 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. There's also a big $22-million team option for 2013, with a $4 million buyout. Other teams will surely make strong offers, too. But as I said before, the Braves have a potentially significant advantage in that Peavy is an Alabama boy, born and raised, and he and his wife and kids make their offseason home in 'Bama, not in San Diego. -- Atlanta Journal-Constitution


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I swear if the Angels somehow get ahold of Peavy. It's over.

Lackey
Weaver
Ervin Santana
Joe Saunders
Peavy

I am serious as ever about the Yankees dealing for Peavy. He is the player we NEED to be after the most. His contract is perfect for a great pitcher. Cheapcompared to market value. I would not be opposed to dealing Cano at all. And even young pitching. I am not a believer in Hughes or Kennedy. I would say Kennedyhas become a solid AAA picther. Hughes has a straight 93 MPH fastball doing nothin'. We need pithcing and its the only way we can content. Go get DerekLowe and Jake Peavy.

Cashman needs to make some moves that pay off. He has barely done anything great.

 

[wildkycat]

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[h4]Yankees to talk about CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira in Florida[/h4]
Will CC Sabathia be fitted for pinstripes? How about Mark Teixeira? Will Robinson Cano be sent packing? These are some of the questions the Yankees will discuss in Tampa, as the front office gathers at Steinbrenner Field for its annual organizational meetings. Among those to attend are co-chairmen Hank and Hal Steinbrenner, president Randy Levine, COO Lonn Trost and GM Brian Cashman. San Diego's Jake Peavy might also be available in a trade, although the Yankees would likely have to deal Cano with prospects for the talented 27-year-old righthander. The Yankees will also have to address first base and center field, although the free agent market is thin at first beyond Teixeira and virtually nonexistent in center field. -- NY Daily News

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[h4]Tonight could be end for Red Sox Jason Varitek[/h4]http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/articles/2008/10/16/tonight_could_be_end_for_varitek/

Jason Varitek wouldn't acknowledge it yesterday, but tonight's game at Fenway Park could be the team captain's last in a Red Sox uniform. Given a contract that expires after this season, and a markedly poor offensive year, there could be a parting of the ways between Varitek and the only major league team he has played for. Asked if he had thought about that possibility, Varitek said, "That's totally irrelevant now to what this team is facing. Sorry about that." -- Boston Globe


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[h4]Griffey Jr. could take less to stay with ChiSox[/h4]
Ken Griffey, 38, ranks fifth on major league baseball's career home run list with 611. The Sox hold a $16.5 million option but are expected to give Griffey a $4 million buyout, which they will split with Cincinnati. But Goldberg stressed that Griffey enjoyed his time with the Sox even though they were eliminated in the American League Division Series by Tampa Bay, and he might be amenable to playing for less money. "Junior loved the dynamics of the White Sox, from Kenny to Ozzie Guillen to some of the coaches," Goldeberg said. "We'll see what happens." -- Chicago Tribune


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[h4]Sveum hoping to hear from Brewers soon[/h4]http://www.jsonline.com/story/index.aspx?id=806770
Dale Sveum said Wednesday he hopes to hear in the near future if he will be the choice to manage the Milwaukee Brewers in 2009 and beyond. Sveum had dinner Monday evening in the Phoenix area with general manager Doug Melvin and assistant Gord Ash, in what amounted to an informal interview for the job. Sveum served as interim manager for the final 12 games of the regular season as well as the National League Division Series against Philadelphia after Ned Yost was fired. "There were a lot of questions asked," said Sveum, who served on the coaching staff for three years before getting the emergency managerial assignment. "We talked about a lot of things. Talking baseball is right up my alley, so I wasn't uncomfortable at all. Basically, we were getting to know each other, too." -- Milwaukee Journal Sentinel


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[h4]Manny Ramirez won't say he loves playing for Dodgers[/h4]
Manny Ramirez would reveal little of his plans, would not declare undying love to Los Angeles. "I don't know what I'm going to do," Manny said. "I'll go home and relax and see what happens. "I'm happy I came. I erased the past and now I'm moving on. We'll see what happens." If the Dodgers hope to recapture any their unexpected late-season magic, they absolutely should re-sign him. Particularly after getting his past two months on Boston's dime, yet history says it won't happen. Not with Scott Boras as Manny's agent. Not with Frank McCourt's near invisible record of pursuing highly sought (read: expensive) free agents. To agree to his trade to Los Angeles, the Red Sox had to waive the next two years of his contract at $20 million per. Boras doesn't orchestrate amove like that without having something up his sleeve. Without being certain there is a lengthy contract out there to be had. It's assumed he wants at least a five-year deal for the 36-year-old Manny, but this is Boras, so you figure he'll probably try for six. -- LA Daily News


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[h4]Twins expected to reach deal on extension for Gardenhire[/h4]
The Twins in the next few days are expected to wrap up negotiations with manager Ron Gardenhire on a contract extension and sign the coaching staff for at least one more year, according to a person with knowledge of the talks.Gardenhire, whose current contract expires following the 2009 season, arrived in Fort Myers, Fla., on Wednesday as the club prepares for its annual organizational meetings that start later this week. He usually attends the meetings to offer input and to work with prospects who are participating in the fall instructional league, which runs until Saturday. -- Star Tribune


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[h4]Peavy to the Dodgers?[/h4]
A longtime nemesis of the Dodgers has emerged as a candidate to be the top-of-the-rotation arm to replace Derek Lowe if he leaves the club this winter in free agency as expected. Jake Peavy has told the San Diego Padres that the Dodgers are among the five teams he would consider as potential trade destinations, according to Peavy's agent, Barry Axelrod. Peavy, who has a full no-trade clause in a contract that was extended in December, is owed $11 million in 2009, $15 million in 2010, $16 million in 2011 and $17 million in 2012. He has a $22-million team option for 2013 that could be bought out for $4 million. Axelrod said Padres General Manager Kevin Towers told him late in the season that the team was looking to rebuild and that could benefit from unloading Peavy's contract. Axelrod said he recently gave Towers a list of teams to which Peavy might consent to being traded. On that list were the Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and St. Louis Cardinals. -- LA Times


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[h4]Dodgers Maddux to retire?[/h4]
The 42-year-old Dodgers pitcher Greg Maddux, who took to relief for the playoffs well enough to pitch four innings without allowing an earned run, asked plate umpire Mike Winters for the ball when he left the mound after his second inning of action Wednesday night. He wouldn't say if he did that because he believed it was for the last time. "It might," he said. "I don't know what will happen. I'll go back to Vegas, figure out what happened this year and see what happens." -- Dodgers.com


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[h4]Cards claim lefty from Nats[/h4]
The Cardinals took an incremental step toward revamping the left side of their bullpen Wednesday by claiming reliever Charlie Manning off waivers from the Washington Nationals. Manning, 29, was a minor-league nomad before the Nationals afforded him 57 appearances this year. Manning responded with a 1-3 record and 5.14 ERA but caught the Cardinals' attention with his success against lefthanded hitters. Manning allowed an overall average of only .224 but was even tougher on lefties, allowing them just a .203 mark. -- St. Louis Post-Dispatch


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[h4]Yanks have to decide on Joba's future?[/h4]
The Yankees must also decide what to do with Joba Chamberlain next season, especially after he failed to reach his innings limit in 2008. Cashman has said recently that Chamberlain will be a starter, but it's unlikely that the Yankees would allow him to throw 200 innings. -- NY Daily News


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[h4]Dodgers want Rafael Furcal back?[/h4]
What happened on this night didn't temper Rafael Furcal's desire to be back with the Dodgers next season. Furcal will be a free agent this winter. "Really, I want to come back," he said. "I love it here. I love the city. I love my teammates." General Manager Ned Colletti said the feeling was mutual. "We would like to have Raffy back," Colletti said. -- LA Times