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I really don't want Russel martin.
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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I really don't want Russel martin.
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More draft picks?
chea
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More draft picks?
chea
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like they said, all this waiting is leading us to believe he's returning to texas
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...n_to_texas_over_yankees_of.html#ixzz17moFLG2W
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like they said, all this waiting is leading us to believe he's returning to texas
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/b...n_to_texas_over_yankees_of.html#ixzz17moFLG2W
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To: Cliff Lee
From: Rob Parker
Re: Signing a free-agent contract with the Texas Rangers
Don't do it.
It will be a huge mistake.
You could wind up like Alex Rodriguez, who eventually regretted signing that history-making $252 million contract with the Rangers in 2000.
Set the New York Yankees and what they have to offer -- including gobs of money, tradition and winning -- aside for a minute and focus on the Rangers.
[h4]Yankees blog[/h4]
Want to get the scoop on everything in pinstripes? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog
Yes, we know the Rangers beat the Yankees in the American League Championship Series and went to the World Series against the San Francisco Giants this fall.
We also know many believe if you stay in Arlington that the Rangers will have a shot at making it to the postseason again.
And that's all good and well.
The problem, however, is money.
It isn't whether the Rangers will have enough money for you. It certainly appears as if they are willing to empty the vault for you, just as they did for A-Rod.
The real problem is whether the Rangers will have enough money to keep the other players around to help you win a World Series. After all, isn't that your goal?
You don't need to be reminded that the Rangers were in bankruptcy before they were sold just recently. Yes, the money disappeared down there quickly. It certainly can happen again.
The last thing you want to do is to commit to a franchise with a champagne taste, but a beer pocketbook.
Pick up your cell phone, call A-Rod and ask him what it's like to make all that big paper and not be able to win anything because there's no help. The A-Rod-led Rangers finished in last place all three years he was there.
It was no fault of his own, though. There just wasn't enough money left to get quality starters to go with all those big bats.
Eventually, the Rangers had to trade A-Rod because they could no longer afford him after three great seasons. Easily, you could see that happen with you and that team. You, too, could wind up with the Yankees after all.
For sure, they have big dreams and high hopes. The Rangers, however, aren't there yet. One season isn't enough of a body of work to commit to the next seven years.
History tells you the Rangers (90-72 in 2010) will be on the outside looking in more often the next few seasons than the other way around.
The warning signs are already there. Vladimir Guerrero had an unbelievable season with the Rangers, was a big reason they came out of nowhere and won the AL West.
Instead of rewarding Guerrero for his season, the Rangers didn't pick up his option for 2011 and parted ways. They only wanted him back at less money. Imagine him not back in that lineup. That's trouble with a capital 'T.'
Indeed, the Rangers were a nice story this past baseball season. And it looks as if they might be able to keep this going for a minute and make a postseason run for years to come. Still, it's a big if.
Enter the Yankees.
There is no guesswork when it comes to pinstripes. The Yankees, year in and year out, will do everything they can to win every season. It's the dream situation.
Not only will you be sure that the Yankees will be able to pay you three years from now, they will also give you the best chance to get that championship ring that has eluded you the last two postseasons.
Without question, many will be disappointed and mad that you decided to go to the biggest stage in sports. They will cry that the rich continue to get richer.
None of that stuff matters. You should make this decision based on common sense and your career long term.
You've been on four teams the last two seasons for a reason. No one wanted to pay you. They knew they couldn't pay you and enough other players to be competitive.
The Rangers are in the same boat, even though aren't acting like it.
Texas is a nice place to visit, but not a place to immortalize a career. It's in Da Bronx, baby.
Pick up that celly again and call Yankees' GM Brian Cashman. Now.
Oh good lord.
- 25,234
- 13,300
- Joined
- May 30, 2006
To: Cliff Lee
From: Rob Parker
Re: Signing a free-agent contract with the Texas Rangers
Don't do it.
It will be a huge mistake.
You could wind up like Alex Rodriguez, who eventually regretted signing that history-making $252 million contract with the Rangers in 2000.
Set the New York Yankees and what they have to offer -- including gobs of money, tradition and winning -- aside for a minute and focus on the Rangers.
[h4]Yankees blog[/h4]
Want to get the scoop on everything in pinstripes? ESPNNewYork.com has you covered. Blog
Yes, we know the Rangers beat the Yankees in the American League Championship Series and went to the World Series against the San Francisco Giants this fall.
We also know many believe if you stay in Arlington that the Rangers will have a shot at making it to the postseason again.
And that's all good and well.
The problem, however, is money.
It isn't whether the Rangers will have enough money for you. It certainly appears as if they are willing to empty the vault for you, just as they did for A-Rod.
The real problem is whether the Rangers will have enough money to keep the other players around to help you win a World Series. After all, isn't that your goal?
You don't need to be reminded that the Rangers were in bankruptcy before they were sold just recently. Yes, the money disappeared down there quickly. It certainly can happen again.
The last thing you want to do is to commit to a franchise with a champagne taste, but a beer pocketbook.
Pick up your cell phone, call A-Rod and ask him what it's like to make all that big paper and not be able to win anything because there's no help. The A-Rod-led Rangers finished in last place all three years he was there.
It was no fault of his own, though. There just wasn't enough money left to get quality starters to go with all those big bats.
Eventually, the Rangers had to trade A-Rod because they could no longer afford him after three great seasons. Easily, you could see that happen with you and that team. You, too, could wind up with the Yankees after all.
For sure, they have big dreams and high hopes. The Rangers, however, aren't there yet. One season isn't enough of a body of work to commit to the next seven years.
History tells you the Rangers (90-72 in 2010) will be on the outside looking in more often the next few seasons than the other way around.
The warning signs are already there. Vladimir Guerrero had an unbelievable season with the Rangers, was a big reason they came out of nowhere and won the AL West.
Instead of rewarding Guerrero for his season, the Rangers didn't pick up his option for 2011 and parted ways. They only wanted him back at less money. Imagine him not back in that lineup. That's trouble with a capital 'T.'
Indeed, the Rangers were a nice story this past baseball season. And it looks as if they might be able to keep this going for a minute and make a postseason run for years to come. Still, it's a big if.
Enter the Yankees.
There is no guesswork when it comes to pinstripes. The Yankees, year in and year out, will do everything they can to win every season. It's the dream situation.
Not only will you be sure that the Yankees will be able to pay you three years from now, they will also give you the best chance to get that championship ring that has eluded you the last two postseasons.
Without question, many will be disappointed and mad that you decided to go to the biggest stage in sports. They will cry that the rich continue to get richer.
None of that stuff matters. You should make this decision based on common sense and your career long term.
You've been on four teams the last two seasons for a reason. No one wanted to pay you. They knew they couldn't pay you and enough other players to be competitive.
The Rangers are in the same boat, even though aren't acting like it.
Texas is a nice place to visit, but not a place to immortalize a career. It's in Da Bronx, baby.
Pick up that celly again and call Yankees' GM Brian Cashman. Now.
Oh good lord.
- 6,996
- 127
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2004
- 6,996
- 127
- Joined
- Jun 10, 2004
http://[h3]
[/h3][h3]Yanks closing in on Martin?[/h3]
11:40AM ET
[h5]Russell Martin | Dodgers | Interested: Red Sox? [/h5]
UPDATE: The Yankees remain aggressive on the trail of Martin, tweets Buster Olney, who adds that it "would not be a surprise if we heard at any time of an agreement."
The Red Sox and Blue Jays are also in on Martin.
...
UPDATE: The Yankees, tweets ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, have stepped up their efforts to land Martin and reiterates that it's a Red Sox versus Yankees situation, though other clubs are interested.
...
No longer wanted in Los Angeles, catcher Russell Martin reportedly is weighing offers from four teams.
Marc Carig of the Star Ledger reports via Twitter that the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays have made offers to Martin, and have been joined by an unidentified fourth club that has proposed a multiyear deal.
Martin became a free agent last week when the Dodgers decided not to tender him a 2011 contract.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney chimed in Thursday morning that the Red Sox can go full bore after Martin now that they have finished all their heavy lifting with the deal for http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5035Carl Crawford. Buster adds that the Red Sox appear to be the front-runner at this point.
The Sox want Martin as a catcher, says Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, not in a utility role.
Ed Price checked in Wednesday to report that the Rockies were the fourth team in the mix.
Martin's health is a big question for clubs, but Ken Rosenthal tweeted early Wednesday that the 27-year-old resumed running and baseball activities last week "and is even crouching," suggesting the hip fracture he suffered last season is healing well.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]McCutchen due big payday?[/h3]
11:37AM ET
[h5]Andrew McCutchen | Pirates [/h5]
With the Cincinnati Reds handing right fielder Jay Bruce a six-year, $51 million deal last week, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests that Pirates centerfielder could receive a similar deal.
McCutchen, however, is one year further away from free agency than is Bruce this winter, and not eligible for arbitration until after 2012. That status could put off any multi-year extension until at least next winter.
McCutchen could be compared to Bruce when the time comes to talk extension with the Bucs, who say they have not yet approached their young star about the idea. The Pirates could also choose to go the route of a short-term contract extension, the way the Dodgers are handling Matt Kemp, who signed a 2-year, $10.95 million deal before the 2010 season.
The 24-year-old McCutchen hit .286 with 16 home runs and a .365 on-base percentage last season.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Name that Molina in STL?[/h3]
11:21AM ET
[h5]Bengie Molina | Rangers [/h5]
The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in making their catching duties a family affair.
Joe Strauss of the Post Dispatch reports Monday the Redbirds want to acquire two-time Gold Glove catcher Bengie Molina as backup to his younger brother Yadier. Bengie would have to accept reduced playing time and the reduced salary that comes with it.
The Cards are not the only interested club. Troy Renck of the Denver Post wrote last week the Rockies have their sights on Bengie, who began last season in San Francisco before landing in Texas.
The Rockies are looking for some insurance behind Chris Iannetta and Molina, who draws universal praise for his handling of pitchers, would be a solid fit.
Molina said previously that he planned to retire after the World Series, but is now hedging on those plans.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Mets to finalize coaching staff[/h3]
11:05AM ET
[h5]New York Mets [/h5]
The http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/nym/new-york-metsNew York Mets had a relatively uneventful winter meetings, unless you consider the signing of Boof Bonser a seismic event.
There will be some news coming out of Queens this week. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports manager Terry Collins will officially announce his coaching staff in the next few days, naming longtime Triple-A manager Ken Oberkfell as his bench coach, '86 Met Mookie Wilson as first base coach, Dave Hudgens as hitting coach and Jon Debus as bullpen coach.
Rubin says Hudgens was selected from a field of three interviewees for hitting coach, beating out former http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-piratesPittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Don Long, who had been recommended by http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5496Jason Bay, and former Detroit first base coach Andy Van Slyke, who had connections to Collins from his playing days and was endorsed by Tigers manager Jim Leyland.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Olney: McCarthy close to A's deal[/h3]
10:55AM ET
[h5]Brandon McCarthy | Rangers [/h5]
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy is close to a deal with the Oakland Athletics, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
The 27-year-old McCarthy did not pitch in the majors last season and was limited in Triple-A with a stress fracture in his shoulder, but is 20-24 with a 4.56 ERA in five major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers.
http://[h3]Rangers in Beltre chase?[/h3]
10:48AM ET
[h5]Adrian Beltre | Red Sox [/h5]
UPDATE:ESPN's Karl Revech tweets Monday that the Rangers have made an "aggressive play" for Beltre.
--
With Boston no longer is an option for Beltre after the Red Sox traded for Adrian Gonzalez and landed Carl Crawford with a $142 million deal late Wednesday night, the options for Adrian Beltre have dwindled down to nearly nothing, as the Rangers back off, according to Ken Rosenthal.
The Oakland Athletics reportedly withdrew a five-year, $64 million offer to Beltre on Sunday. According to Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle, there's no particular indication that the A's would consider renewing talks unless Beltre's options dwindle to the point that he's a relative bargain.
The chances of a deal with Oakland diminished further with word that the Athletics will use some of its limited free agent dollars on a one-year deal for Hideki Matsui.
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times writes that Beltre will become the Angels' top priority. DiGiovanna says agent Scott Boras is seeking a deal in the five-year, $75-million range. Boras says talks are "moving quickly" and that a decision could be made by the end of this week.
Rosenthal tweeted last week that he is hearing Beltre's asking price is $85 million over five years.
The Chicago White Sox might have been interested, but they are out of the chase after spending their free agent dollars on Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko.
Before the Crawford signing, Boras told Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com that there was a "very active" market for Beltre.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Derrek Lee a target in DC?[/h3]
10:39AM ET
[h5]Derrek Lee | Braves [/h5]
Once it became evident that Adam Dunn would be leaving DC, the Nationals set their sights on free agent Carlos Pena, who was considered a major upgrade defensively at first base.
Jilted once again when Pena signed a one-year deal with the Cubs last week, the Nats are setting their sights on Derrek Lee, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
Lee, who finished last season in Atlanta following a trade with the Cubs, has won three Gold Gloves. That's important to the Nats, who watched shortstop Ian Desmond lead the majors in errors last season with 34. Having Lee scoop up some of those errant throws would do wonders for Desmond's confidence.
Ladson adds that the Nats are also in the mix for Adam LaRoche, but the sides are not close to a deal.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Rays looking at Nick Johnson[/h3]
10:24AM ET
[h5]Nick Johnson | Yankees [/h5]
Nick Johnson was signed by the Yankees last winter to be their everyday designated hitter, but wrist surgery ended his season by early May.
The injury-plagued Johnson is believed to be healthy again and his name has been linked to teams like the Tampa Bay Rays "that really like OBP-type hitters," reports Nick Cafardo in Sunday's Boston Globe.
The Rays are looking for a first baseman to replace the departed Carlos Pena, who signed with the Chicago Cubs.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Hall a fit in Hollywood?[/h3]
10:12AM ET
[h5]Bill Hall | Red Sox [/h5]
The Los Angeles Dodgers officially added Tony Gwynn Jr. as their fourth outfielder over the weekend and are still in pursuit of a starting left fielder.
Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles reports the Dodgers have narrowed their pursuit to four players, including Bill Hall and Scott Podsednik.
Ken Rosenthal writes Monday that the Dodgers are in discussions with Hall, who became a free agent when the Boston Red Sox declined his $9.25 million club option after the season.
Hall would likely the final notable offseason addition for the Dodgers, who are approaching their budget limit after bringing back Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda and signing Jon Garland and Juan Uribe.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]O's still shopping for a 1B[/h3]
9:50AM ET
[h5]Baltimore Orioles [/h5]
Give the http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-orioleshttp://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-oriolesBaltimore Orioles credit for being aggressive in their pursuit of a first baseman.
The Orioles were believed to be an active participant in the http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5007http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5007http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5007Victor Martinez sweepstakes, offering a four, year $48 million offer to the catcher/first baseman who ultimately decided on a trip to Motown. The Orioles then made pitches for Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko, both of whom landed with the White Sox.
Ken Rosenthal writes Monday that the Orioles could now turn their attention to Adam LaRoche, Derrek Lee or Jorge Cantu.
Another possibility would be to play Luke Scott at first base and sign Jim Thome to be their designated hitter.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Garza a relative bargain?[/h3]
9:37AM ET
[h5]Matt Garza | Rays [/h5]
For weeks, we have been analyzing the trade market for Zack Greinke, who will undoubtedly draw plenty of interest once free agent Cliff Lee makes his mind.
Those suitors for Greinke could be just as interested in Tampa Bay's Matt Garza and the reason is money, Ken Rosenthal writes Monday.
Rosental does the math and says Garza figures to earn $24 million to $26 million over the next three years in arbitration. Greinke will earn $27 million over the final two years of his contract before becoming a free agent. The ability to get a pitcher for three years instead of two for comparable dollars will only increase the interest in Garza.
One of those teams could be the Rangers if they lose out on Lee. Texas called the Rays to ask about the availability of Garza and James Shields, reports the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.
Meanwhile, Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, says the Cubs are the most likely destination for Garza.
It's unclear what exactly the Cubs would be sending to Tampa in return for the right-hander, but some of the top regarded prospects in the Cubs' farm system include outfielder Brett Jackson, infielder Josh Vitters, right-hander Jay Jackson, right-handed reliever http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3610Chris Carpenter and shortstop Lee Hak-Ju. Young right-hander Andre Cashner could also be part of such a trade.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune tweeted last week that the Brewers are "rekindling talks" regarding Garza, and that the Brewers may be willing to include center field prospect Lorenzo Cain.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Cutting the cord with Garza?
http://[h3]Waiting on Cliff Lee[/h3]
8:59AM ET
[h5]Cliff Lee | Rangers [/h5]
When will Cliff Lee make up his mind?
It appears to be down to the http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/tex/texas-rangersTexas Rangers and http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/nyy/new-york-yankeesNew York Yankees, as Lee may be choosing between a seven-year deal from the Yankees worth somewhere in the range of $160 million and a six-year deal from the Rangers that reportedly includes a seventh-year option.
Agent Darek Braunecker has played the game perfectly, getting a share of astronomical offers for his client. Which way Lee decides remains an open question.
"I don't have a feel for it one way or the other. We'll just have to see," Rangers president Nolan Ryan told little opposition on Sunday afternoon.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spent Sunday Christmas shopping, saying he had "no idea" when Lee will make up his mind.
Some believe the longer it takes Lee to make a decision the more likely it is that he'll choose the Rangers. "If it was all about the money, he wouldn't have much of a decision to make," a source told the New York Daily News.
Rangers manager Ron Washington believes Lee will return, while president Nolan Ryan is not expecting a decision until Monday.
The Rangers are hoping that the lack of a state income tax in Texas will play to their advantage, but George King of the New York Post writes Monday that the tax issue will not be a deciding factor.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Papelbon's future in Boston[/h3]
8:44AM ET
[h5]Jonathan Papelbon | Red Sox [/h5]
Before Mariano Rivera re-signed with the New York Yankees, his representatives reached out to the team's archrivals in Boston to drive up the market for the game's best closer.
The Red Sox ultimately made a two-year offer to Rivera, leading to speculation in Boston that the Red Sox were willing to part ways with Jonathan Papelbon. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, however, reports Boston had no plans to non-tender Papelbon and allow the current closer to become a free agent if they landed Rivera.
If Rivera somehow landed in Beantown, Bradford reports the Red Sox still valued the reliever's presence in the back-end of its bullpen next season. In the long term, Boston values the draft picks that might come its way if Papelbon were to sign elsewhere in free agency next winter.
Daniel Bard will be the closer in Fenway Park at some point, and the question is if, not when.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Fuentes on Boston's wish list[/h3]
8:20AM ET
[h5]Brian Fuentes | Twins [/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4731http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4731Brian Fuentes is back on the free agent market, but is unlikely to command anything close to the two-year, $17.5 million deal the left-hander inked with the Angels two years ago.
Fuentes was the Angels' closer in 2009 and most of 2010 before he was dealt in August to the Twins, where he worked primarily as a setup man.
Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reports that the Red Sox, now that they have landed Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, are in hot pursuit of relief pitching. With some of the top relievers off the board, Edes says the Red Sox have focused their attention on Fuentes, Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney hears the Yankees are among the teams interested in the 35-year-old, who would be used as one of the bridges to http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3240http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3240Mariano Rivera. Olney tweeted last week that Fuentes is looking for a deal in the $6-8 million range.
The D-backs were believed to be interested in Fuentes, but that likely ended with the signing of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5640J.J. Putz.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Matsui close to deal with A's[/h3]
7:43AM ET
[h5]Hideki Matsui | Angels [/h5]
The Oakland Athletics are "very close" to a contract with Hideki Matsui that could be announced as soon as Tuesday, reports Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area New Group.
The A's were believed to have offered Matsui, who would replace the departed Jack Cust as the designated hitter, only a one-year deal.
The A's were in hot pursuit of the 36-year-old Matsui once Lance Berkman signed with the Cardinals. Matsui hit .274 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs last season with the Angels.
Susan Slusser of the Chroniclereported Friday that the A's may make Matsui an offer over the weekend, according to the slugger's agent, Arn Tellem.
In an updated post, Slusser reports a deal could be announced as soon as Monday.
Seattle, Texas and Minnesota also were mentioned as possible destinations for Matsui.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Buehrle on the block?[/h3]
6:52AM ET
[h5]Mark Buehrle | White Sox [/h5]
It might be going too far to say that the Chicago White Sox are shopping left-hander Mark Buehrle, but Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Pale Hose will listen to offers for the veteran.
Trading the 31-year-old Buehrle, who is entering the final year of his contract, may be difficult, however, as he will make $14 million next season and has full no-trade rights as a 10-5 player -- 10 years of big-league service, at least five straight with the same club.
Several clubs would certainly consider Buehrle, however, potentially including the St. Louis Cardinals, Buehrle's hometown team. The Yankees or Rangers, whichever loses out on Cliff Lee this month, could become aggressive on the starting pitching trade market.
The White Sox would presumably move Buehrle for two reasons: One, his deal is up at the end of 2011 and they'd like to maximize the return on his, and second, they could use the payroll space, and Buehrle's trade value, to fill other holes on the roster and throughout the organization.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]What the Cards got for Ryan[/h3]
6:50AM ET
[h5]St. Louis Cardinals [/h5]
The St. Louis Cardinals traded Brendan Ryan to Seattle Sunday, pretty much solidifying Ryan Theriot's role for 2011, barring an acquisition of another middle infielder this winter. But what did the Cards get for Ryan?
The Seattle Times reports that the return is Maikel Cleto, a 21-year-old right-hander that came to Seattle in a 3-team trade in 2008. Cleto is well built at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, and brings big-time arm strength to the mound, touching the mid-90s in short stints.
Cleto has had problems missing bats with his secondary stuff, however, which leads most scouts to believe his future is in relief. As a starter he sits in the 90-94 mph range, and touched 98 mph last month in the Arizona Fall League. He spent the 2010 season in Advanced-A High Desert.
But there is some upside to Cleto, who simply need to improve his breaking ball to become more than a one-trick pony, as he does throw strikes and his delivery may allow him to remain a starter if the pitch arsenal is there in a few years.
"At worst he's a guy who could pitch in the seventh inning for you," an American League scout told Rumor Central. "He has projection left and he's still young enough to hope he's more than that, too."
Carl Crawford joining one of the two AL East powerhouses -- days after Adrian Gonzalez did -- may signal it's time for a new playoff format in Major League Baseball.
Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman was joking the other day when he mused that the impossible task of winning the American League East has become more impossible in the aftermath of Boston's acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.
Well, he was sort of joking.
Or maybe he wasn't joking at all.
The New York Yankees will spend more than $200 million in 2011, and the Boston Red Sox won't be far behind. Meanwhile, the Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles will bring knives to the Boston-New York gunfight. Baseball has more parity than it is given credit for, but the Rays, Blue Jays and Orioles are in a special class. Although the Giants, Rangers or almost any other team can go toe to toe with the Red Sox or Yankees in a short series, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Baltimore must do it throughout 162 games to make the playoffs.
The Rays got it done in 2008 and 2010 through extraordinary management and good fortune. But it has been 13 years since the Orioles made the playoffs -- largely through mismanagement -- and 17 years since the Blue Jays appeared in the postseason. The ballpark seats in Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto remain empty during the teams' best seasons partly because few fans buy into the notion that those clubs can sustain success. (There are other factors, of course.)
Imagine selling season tickets for the Rays. Your script would include a recitation of the team's remarkable performances in recent years and the Cy Young worthiness of David Price. But the guy on the other end of the line could respond: What about Crawford? What about Carlos Pena? What about the exodus of the entire bullpen? Do you really expect me to believe they'll contend in 2011?
It's a really tough sell, and the gap between the Red Sox and Yankees and the three other teams is so deep that the disparity becomes part of the decision-making process for the have-nots. If the Jays played in the AL West or AL Central, they might be tempted to overpay for someone like Zack Greinke to load up for a run at the division title. But instead, the team evaluations tilt in the other direction: If the Rays get a really good offer for Matt Garza, they'd be smart to take the deal now, when they know his value is high -- because it's highly unlikely Tampa Bay can keep up with the big-money monsters.
This disparity is why, as baseball executives and union officials negotiate over the expanded playoff field for 2012, they should strongly reconsider blowing up the divisions and taking the teams back to the pre-1969 American League and National League alignments. Let the five best teams in each league qualify for the playoffs. No East, Central or West divisions.
This way, the Orioles, Rays and Jays would compete with the other AL teams for a playoff spot instead of having their postseason chances more directly impacted by the talent acquisitions of the Yankees and Red Sox. The schedules should be balanced so that Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto would have more games against other AL teams rather than opening the year knowing that matchups with Boston and New York would make up one-third of their schedule.
Would it make a difference?
Well, consider how different recent history might look if there were no divisional factions in the past decade. In many years, rival talent evaluators regarded the Toronto Blue Jays as one of the 10 best teams in the majors. In a six-year period, Toronto won 86 games in a season twice and 87 games in a third season -- while playing an unbalanced schedule. Still, the Jays never made the playoffs.
If the divisional format was stripped away, the Rays, Orioles and Jays would more consistently have incentive to make moves to try to contend. If a player like Victor Martinez were assessing offers from Baltimore or Tampa Bay or Toronto, he would feel better about their chances for playing in the postseason.
But annually, the competitive mountain in front of those teams can appear too high to climb.
The Rays have shown that success in the AL East is possible. But none of the teams has demonstrated that it can remain financially or competitively viable on a regular basis while sitting across the table from the two teams with the biggest stacks of chips.
It's time for Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto to get some relief. They should have the same shot at the playoffs as every other team in the AL Central and AL West. Said one official within the division with some frustration: "Maybe we should just let the Red Sox and Yankees have their own division and leave the scraps for the rest of us."
The Orioles have gotten better this winter, but it still may not be enough, Jeff Zrebiec writes. The Rays are still confident, Marc Topkin writes.
The Yankees think it's far from a slam dunk that they'll sign Cliff Lee. One of their executives told a general manager from another team that he figures their chances stand at 50-50 -- and if they lose out, they'll probably pursue bullpen and bench help. The odds are that they won't pursue Greinke because of concern about how he would adapt to the New York market.
The Yankees don't always get their man, writes Ben Shpigel. The Yankees shouldn't act desperate, writes Mike Lupica.
Texas manager Ron Washington thinks the Rangers will re-sign Lee.
[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 took the right angles in going after Crawford, writes Peter Abraham. The signing makes for a full holiday stocking for the Red Sox, writes Dan Shaughnessy.
Crawford is sold on the Red Sox.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions [/h3]
1. Cesar Izturis signed with the O's.
2. Jason Varitek is glad the Red Sox kept him.
3. The Cardinals are pressing to sign Bengie Molina.
4. The Cleveland writers have bestowed some awards.
5. Joey Votto will be with Cincinnati for a long time, Reds owner Bob Castellini said.
6. Kerry Wood is still available, writes Phil Rogers.
7. The White Sox are not shopping Carlos Quentin, GM Kenny Williams says.
8. The Brewers could make a deal for Greinke, writes Tom Haudricourt.
9. George Sherrill passed his physical.
10. This is more of a "dings and dents" item, but Jimmy Rollins had minor surgery.
[h3]From the ol' mailbag [/h3]
I suggest ESPN should host another live show named "The Decision" for Lee. Yankees? or Rangers? Obviously Lee's decision is very important to MLB, and it's very entertaining as well. The money war.
-- Cheng, Taiwan
Cheng: The guess here is that given Lee's personality, there are much greater odds of him making his choice while sitting in a deer stand in Arkansas than in front of a camera.
I think the New York Mets will have a strong interest in Albert Pujols should he become a free agent next year. They have a ton of money coming off the books after this season, and since this looks to be a dismal season in Flushing, they are primed to make a big splash next winter to reinvigorate their fan base and to put people in the seats. They could trade Ike Davis for help in other areas to open first base. What do you think?
-- Scott Hersey in Norwalk, Conn.
Scott: I have heard scouts and executives with other teams suggest the same thing -- that the Mets might be better served to take advantage of Davis' value by trading him for pitching right now because they can more easily find a replacement at first base than they can to dig out the kind of impact young pitching they need. But I tend to doubt that they would move Davis now, because he is cheap and productive and has a nice two-strike approach at the plate.
[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
Your book "How Lucky You Can Be" arrived yesterday, and I read it front to back last night in one sitting. (And I'm not a big reader at all!) I had the extreme fortune of working for two years as an assistant coach from '02-04 at Northern State with Coach Meyer (also living in his basement for my first three months), and so many of the things I read about were things I was fortunate enough to experience firsthand. Many people who saw the ESPYS asked me what it was like to work with him and what kind of person he's like -- I always said he was beyond words and there's really no one I've met like him. I thought you did a great job of portraying the person whom people perceive him to be (the cranky, no-sense-of-humor drill sergeant for a coach) versus the person he really is (giving, funny, selfless).
-- Ryan Solie in Minneapolis
Ryan: Many thanks for the note; he continues to mean a lot to a whole lot of folks. I'll be doing a book signing at the Borders in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, and then coach Don Meyer and I will be doing a signing together at Lipscomb University from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., before the men's game.
[h3]Other stuff [/h3]
• The Dodgers are playing in a first-rate city with second-rate talent, writes T.J. Simers.
• Nick Swisher got married.
• Mets GM Sandy Alderson may wait until spring training to see Oliver Perez, writes Dan Martin.
• Here are winners and losers from the winter meetings, courtesy of Ken Davidoff.
• The Pirates must improve their defense, writes Dejan Kovacevic.
• Harvey Araton writes about two sports writers who passed away this year.
• Dave Niehaus will be honored with a statue, writes Geoff Baker.
• Mark Buehrle did something really nice.
• Vanderbilt football wants to hire an Auburn guy.
And today will be better than yesterday.
[h3][/h3][h3]STRIKE ONE -- MONEY TALKS DEPT.[/h3]
As Jayson Werth, Carl Crawford, Troy Tulowitzki and (very soon) Cliff Lee could gladly attest, it's suddenly snowing dollar bills in this sport.
One minute, everybody in baseball was crying poverty. The next, $100 million contracts started falling out of the sky.
Werth
Do we even need to recap? OK … $126 million for Werth … $142 million for Crawford … $139 million for Tulowitzki.
And right over the horizon, there's another nine-figure bonanza waiting for Lee … and another for Adrian Gonzalez … and maybe, if the Cardinals come to their senses, yet another for Albert Pujols.
So that could be six contracts in one offseason worth more than 100 million bucks. Kinda makes you want to take the kids out in the back yard and teach them how to hit a curveball, doesn't it?
This is historic stuff we're talking about, in case you were wondering. And two of ESPN's awesome Stats and Research geniuses, Mark Simon and Katie Sharp, helped me prove it.
When the Lee deal goes down, that will make four $100 million-plus deals in a single offseason -- tied for the second-most in history, Simon reports. The current leaderboard:
But once the inevitable Gonzalez extension gets figured out, that will tie this winter for No. 1 all time. And if the Cardinals get Pujols done, or there's another stunner involving someone like Carlos Gonzalez, there's a great chance this offseason blows away the record for nine-figure contracts.
• 2000-01 (5): (A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, Mike Hampton, Derek Jeter, Todd Helton)
• 2006-07 (4): (Barry Zito, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Vernon Wells)
• 2007-08 (3): (A-Rod, Miguel Cabrera, Johan Santana)
Down the road, once it's all official, maybe Alan Greenspan or somebody can explain to us beleaguered American taxpayers where all this money came from, when total revenues in the game aren't that different from where they were in previous years. But for now, it's time to work with Little Johnny on his bat speed.
[h3]STRIKE TWO -- LAND OF THE FREE DEPT.[/h3]
All those contract notes above include all players, including extensions for players like Jeter, Wells and Helton who were already under contract to their current teams. So it allowed us to include Tulowitzki's mega-deal and factor that in.
But as you might have noticed, it's been an excellent winter so far to be a free agent, too. So now let's put just this winter's free-agent deals in perspective, thanks to some tremendous research by Sharp.
Lee
We've already seen two players -- Werth and Crawford -- agree to seven-year contracts. If Lee also gets seven years, that will tie the record for most seven-year free-agent deals (or longer) in one offseason. Here's that leaderboard:
Or if we just want to talk dollar signs, this is only the fourth offseason in which at least two free agents signed $100 million contracts (of any length). Here are the other three:
• 2000-01 (3): A-Rod (10 years), Hampton (, Manny (
• 2008-09 (2): CC Sabathia (7), Mark Teixeira (
• 2006-07 (2): Zito (7), Soriano (
• 1998-99 (2): Bernie Williams (7), Kevin Brown (7)
But if we look at dollars and length, and Lee gets seven years, this will tie the A-Rod/Manny/Hampton winter of 2000-01 for most free-agent deals meeting both criteria -- seven guaranteed seasons (or more) and at least $100 million in guarantees. Yikes.
• 2006-07 (3): Zito $126M, Soriano $136M, Lee $100M
• 2000-01 (3): A-Rod $252M, Manny $160M, Hampton $121M
• 2008-09 (2): Sabathia $161M, Teixeira $180M
Since Gonzalez (trade) and Pujols (extension) aren't free agents, there's no chance of anyone else adding his name to this list (no, not even Alfredo Amezaga). But it's still, obviously, been a great winter to be a difference-making player sitting on those free-agent shelves.
[h3]STRIKE THREE -- IN OTHER NEWS[/h3]
More free-agent fodder …
• Assuming Gonzalez gets his money, the Red Sox will become just the second team in history to give out two $100 million contracts in the same offseason. The other: the 2008-09 Yankees (Sabathia, Teixeira).
Crawford
• Only three players have ever stolen 50 bases in a season for the Red Sox -- Tris Speaker, Tommy Harper and Jacoby Ellsbury (twice). So that means, according to Lee Sinins' fabulous Complete Baseball Encyclopedia, that Crawford has done it more times himself (five) than all Red Sox players in history combined.
• By the way, as recently as 2005, the Red Sox didn't even steal 50 bases as a team all season (45).
• Only six other times in the last half-century have the Red Sox acquired a player who once swiped 50 bases in a season. Here's that list: Rickey Henderson (2002), Willie McGee (1995), Billy Hatcher (1992), Don Baylor (1986), Tommy Harper (1972) and Luis Aparicio (1971).
• According to Baseball-reference.com's fabulous Play Index, Crawford's 62 stolen bases against the Red Sox are the third-most against them in the live-ball era. Only Henderson (87) and Bert Campaneris (63) burgled more than Crawford.
• Meanwhile, Werth had 75 extra-base hits last season. The only players in Nationals/Expos history who have ever had a season with that many extra-base hits: Vladimir Guerrero, Andre Dawson, Andres Galarraga, Alfonso Soriano, Jose Vidro, Adam Dunn and (of course!) Henry Rodriguez.
• Speaking of Dunn, according to the 2011 Bill James Handbook, he has a 43 percent chance of hitting 600 home runs and a 16 percent chance of hitting 700 home runs -- and he's made one All-Star team. Impossible!
• Finally, Carlos Pena batted .196 last year -- and still got a $10 million contract from the Cubs. My buddies at ESPN Stats & Info report -- and this will shock you -- that Pena has just broken the hallowed record for lowest batting average in a season by a player who then went out and got himself signed to a deal worth at least $10M a season. Previous record-holder: Andruw Jones. He got $36.2M for two years from the Dodgers after hitting .222 for the 2007 Braves. Just don't remind Jamie McCourt's psychic.
http://[h3]
[/h3][h3]Yanks closing in on Martin?[/h3]
11:40AM ET
[h5]Russell Martin | Dodgers | Interested: Red Sox? [/h5]
UPDATE: The Yankees remain aggressive on the trail of Martin, tweets Buster Olney, who adds that it "would not be a surprise if we heard at any time of an agreement."
The Red Sox and Blue Jays are also in on Martin.
...
UPDATE: The Yankees, tweets ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney, have stepped up their efforts to land Martin and reiterates that it's a Red Sox versus Yankees situation, though other clubs are interested.
...
No longer wanted in Los Angeles, catcher Russell Martin reportedly is weighing offers from four teams.
Marc Carig of the Star Ledger reports via Twitter that the Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays have made offers to Martin, and have been joined by an unidentified fourth club that has proposed a multiyear deal.
Martin became a free agent last week when the Dodgers decided not to tender him a 2011 contract.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney chimed in Thursday morning that the Red Sox can go full bore after Martin now that they have finished all their heavy lifting with the deal for http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5035Carl Crawford. Buster adds that the Red Sox appear to be the front-runner at this point.
The Sox want Martin as a catcher, says Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com, not in a utility role.
Ed Price checked in Wednesday to report that the Rockies were the fourth team in the mix.
Martin's health is a big question for clubs, but Ken Rosenthal tweeted early Wednesday that the 27-year-old resumed running and baseball activities last week "and is even crouching," suggesting the hip fracture he suffered last season is healing well.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]McCutchen due big payday?[/h3]
11:37AM ET
[h5]Andrew McCutchen | Pirates [/h5]
With the Cincinnati Reds handing right fielder Jay Bruce a six-year, $51 million deal last week, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review suggests that Pirates centerfielder could receive a similar deal.
McCutchen, however, is one year further away from free agency than is Bruce this winter, and not eligible for arbitration until after 2012. That status could put off any multi-year extension until at least next winter.
McCutchen could be compared to Bruce when the time comes to talk extension with the Bucs, who say they have not yet approached their young star about the idea. The Pirates could also choose to go the route of a short-term contract extension, the way the Dodgers are handling Matt Kemp, who signed a 2-year, $10.95 million deal before the 2010 season.
The 24-year-old McCutchen hit .286 with 16 home runs and a .365 on-base percentage last season.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]Name that Molina in STL?[/h3]
11:21AM ET
[h5]Bengie Molina | Rangers [/h5]
The St. Louis Cardinals are interested in making their catching duties a family affair.
Joe Strauss of the Post Dispatch reports Monday the Redbirds want to acquire two-time Gold Glove catcher Bengie Molina as backup to his younger brother Yadier. Bengie would have to accept reduced playing time and the reduced salary that comes with it.
The Cards are not the only interested club. Troy Renck of the Denver Post wrote last week the Rockies have their sights on Bengie, who began last season in San Francisco before landing in Texas.
The Rockies are looking for some insurance behind Chris Iannetta and Molina, who draws universal praise for his handling of pitchers, would be a solid fit.
Molina said previously that he planned to retire after the World Series, but is now hedging on those plans.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Mets to finalize coaching staff[/h3]
11:05AM ET
[h5]New York Mets [/h5]
The http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/nym/new-york-metsNew York Mets had a relatively uneventful winter meetings, unless you consider the signing of Boof Bonser a seismic event.
There will be some news coming out of Queens this week. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports manager Terry Collins will officially announce his coaching staff in the next few days, naming longtime Triple-A manager Ken Oberkfell as his bench coach, '86 Met Mookie Wilson as first base coach, Dave Hudgens as hitting coach and Jon Debus as bullpen coach.
Rubin says Hudgens was selected from a field of three interviewees for hitting coach, beating out former http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/pit/pittsburgh-piratesPittsburgh Pirates hitting coach Don Long, who had been recommended by http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5496Jason Bay, and former Detroit first base coach Andy Van Slyke, who had connections to Collins from his playing days and was endorsed by Tigers manager Jim Leyland.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Olney: McCarthy close to A's deal[/h3]
10:55AM ET
[h5]Brandon McCarthy | Rangers [/h5]
Right-hander Brandon McCarthy is close to a deal with the Oakland Athletics, sources told ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney.
The 27-year-old McCarthy did not pitch in the majors last season and was limited in Triple-A with a stress fracture in his shoulder, but is 20-24 with a 4.56 ERA in five major league seasons with the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers.
http://[h3]Rangers in Beltre chase?[/h3]
10:48AM ET
[h5]Adrian Beltre | Red Sox [/h5]
UPDATE:ESPN's Karl Revech tweets Monday that the Rangers have made an "aggressive play" for Beltre.
--
With Boston no longer is an option for Beltre after the Red Sox traded for Adrian Gonzalez and landed Carl Crawford with a $142 million deal late Wednesday night, the options for Adrian Beltre have dwindled down to nearly nothing, as the Rangers back off, according to Ken Rosenthal.
The Oakland Athletics reportedly withdrew a five-year, $64 million offer to Beltre on Sunday. According to Susan Slusser of the SF Chronicle, there's no particular indication that the A's would consider renewing talks unless Beltre's options dwindle to the point that he's a relative bargain.
The chances of a deal with Oakland diminished further with word that the Athletics will use some of its limited free agent dollars on a one-year deal for Hideki Matsui.
Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times writes that Beltre will become the Angels' top priority. DiGiovanna says agent Scott Boras is seeking a deal in the five-year, $75-million range. Boras says talks are "moving quickly" and that a decision could be made by the end of this week.
Rosenthal tweeted last week that he is hearing Beltre's asking price is $85 million over five years.
The Chicago White Sox might have been interested, but they are out of the chase after spending their free agent dollars on Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko.
Before the Crawford signing, Boras told Joe McDonald of ESPNBoston.com that there was a "very active" market for Beltre.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Derrek Lee a target in DC?[/h3]
10:39AM ET
[h5]Derrek Lee | Braves [/h5]
Once it became evident that Adam Dunn would be leaving DC, the Nationals set their sights on free agent Carlos Pena, who was considered a major upgrade defensively at first base.
Jilted once again when Pena signed a one-year deal with the Cubs last week, the Nats are setting their sights on Derrek Lee, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson.
Lee, who finished last season in Atlanta following a trade with the Cubs, has won three Gold Gloves. That's important to the Nats, who watched shortstop Ian Desmond lead the majors in errors last season with 34. Having Lee scoop up some of those errant throws would do wonders for Desmond's confidence.
Ladson adds that the Nats are also in the mix for Adam LaRoche, but the sides are not close to a deal.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Rays looking at Nick Johnson[/h3]
10:24AM ET
[h5]Nick Johnson | Yankees [/h5]
Nick Johnson was signed by the Yankees last winter to be their everyday designated hitter, but wrist surgery ended his season by early May.
The injury-plagued Johnson is believed to be healthy again and his name has been linked to teams like the Tampa Bay Rays "that really like OBP-type hitters," reports Nick Cafardo in Sunday's Boston Globe.
The Rays are looking for a first baseman to replace the departed Carlos Pena, who signed with the Chicago Cubs.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Hall a fit in Hollywood?[/h3]
10:12AM ET
[h5]Bill Hall | Red Sox [/h5]
The Los Angeles Dodgers officially added Tony Gwynn Jr. as their fourth outfielder over the weekend and are still in pursuit of a starting left fielder.
Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles reports the Dodgers have narrowed their pursuit to four players, including Bill Hall and Scott Podsednik.
Ken Rosenthal writes Monday that the Dodgers are in discussions with Hall, who became a free agent when the Boston Red Sox declined his $9.25 million club option after the season.
Hall would likely the final notable offseason addition for the Dodgers, who are approaching their budget limit after bringing back Ted Lilly and Hiroki Kuroda and signing Jon Garland and Juan Uribe.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]O's still shopping for a 1B[/h3]
9:50AM ET
[h5]Baltimore Orioles [/h5]
Give the http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-orioleshttp://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/bal/baltimore-oriolesBaltimore Orioles credit for being aggressive in their pursuit of a first baseman.
The Orioles were believed to be an active participant in the http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5007http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5007http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5007Victor Martinez sweepstakes, offering a four, year $48 million offer to the catcher/first baseman who ultimately decided on a trip to Motown. The Orioles then made pitches for Adam Dunn and Paul Konerko, both of whom landed with the White Sox.
Ken Rosenthal writes Monday that the Orioles could now turn their attention to Adam LaRoche, Derrek Lee or Jorge Cantu.
Another possibility would be to play Luke Scott at first base and sign Jim Thome to be their designated hitter.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Garza a relative bargain?[/h3]
9:37AM ET
[h5]Matt Garza | Rays [/h5]
For weeks, we have been analyzing the trade market for Zack Greinke, who will undoubtedly draw plenty of interest once free agent Cliff Lee makes his mind.
Those suitors for Greinke could be just as interested in Tampa Bay's Matt Garza and the reason is money, Ken Rosenthal writes Monday.
Rosental does the math and says Garza figures to earn $24 million to $26 million over the next three years in arbitration. Greinke will earn $27 million over the final two years of his contract before becoming a free agent. The ability to get a pitcher for three years instead of two for comparable dollars will only increase the interest in Garza.
One of those teams could be the Rangers if they lose out on Lee. Texas called the Rays to ask about the availability of Garza and James Shields, reports the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo.
Meanwhile, Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, says the Cubs are the most likely destination for Garza.
It's unclear what exactly the Cubs would be sending to Tampa in return for the right-hander, but some of the top regarded prospects in the Cubs' farm system include outfielder Brett Jackson, infielder Josh Vitters, right-hander Jay Jackson, right-handed reliever http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3610Chris Carpenter and shortstop Lee Hak-Ju. Young right-hander Andre Cashner could also be part of such a trade.
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune tweeted last week that the Brewers are "rekindling talks" regarding Garza, and that the Brewers may be willing to include center field prospect Lorenzo Cain.
- Doug Mittler
[h5]Buster Olney[/h5]
Cutting the cord with Garza?
http://[h3]Waiting on Cliff Lee[/h3]
8:59AM ET
[h5]Cliff Lee | Rangers [/h5]
When will Cliff Lee make up his mind?
It appears to be down to the http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/tex/texas-rangersTexas Rangers and http://espn.go.com/mlb/team/_/name/nyy/new-york-yankeesNew York Yankees, as Lee may be choosing between a seven-year deal from the Yankees worth somewhere in the range of $160 million and a six-year deal from the Rangers that reportedly includes a seventh-year option.
Agent Darek Braunecker has played the game perfectly, getting a share of astronomical offers for his client. Which way Lee decides remains an open question.
"I don't have a feel for it one way or the other. We'll just have to see," Rangers president Nolan Ryan told little opposition on Sunday afternoon.
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman spent Sunday Christmas shopping, saying he had "no idea" when Lee will make up his mind.
Some believe the longer it takes Lee to make a decision the more likely it is that he'll choose the Rangers. "If it was all about the money, he wouldn't have much of a decision to make," a source told the New York Daily News.
Rangers manager Ron Washington believes Lee will return, while president Nolan Ryan is not expecting a decision until Monday.
The Rangers are hoping that the lack of a state income tax in Texas will play to their advantage, but George King of the New York Post writes Monday that the tax issue will not be a deciding factor.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Papelbon's future in Boston[/h3]
8:44AM ET
[h5]Jonathan Papelbon | Red Sox [/h5]
Before Mariano Rivera re-signed with the New York Yankees, his representatives reached out to the team's archrivals in Boston to drive up the market for the game's best closer.
The Red Sox ultimately made a two-year offer to Rivera, leading to speculation in Boston that the Red Sox were willing to part ways with Jonathan Papelbon. Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, however, reports Boston had no plans to non-tender Papelbon and allow the current closer to become a free agent if they landed Rivera.
If Rivera somehow landed in Beantown, Bradford reports the Red Sox still valued the reliever's presence in the back-end of its bullpen next season. In the long term, Boston values the draft picks that might come its way if Papelbon were to sign elsewhere in free agency next winter.
Daniel Bard will be the closer in Fenway Park at some point, and the question is if, not when.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Fuentes on Boston's wish list[/h3]
8:20AM ET
[h5]Brian Fuentes | Twins [/h5]
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4731http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=4731Brian Fuentes is back on the free agent market, but is unlikely to command anything close to the two-year, $17.5 million deal the left-hander inked with the Angels two years ago.
Fuentes was the Angels' closer in 2009 and most of 2010 before he was dealt in August to the Twins, where he worked primarily as a setup man.
Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reports that the Red Sox, now that they have landed Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford, are in hot pursuit of relief pitching. With some of the top relievers off the board, Edes says the Red Sox have focused their attention on Fuentes, Jesse Crain and Matt Guerrier.
ESPN The Magazine's Buster Olney hears the Yankees are among the teams interested in the 35-year-old, who would be used as one of the bridges to http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3240http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=3240Mariano Rivera. Olney tweeted last week that Fuentes is looking for a deal in the $6-8 million range.
The D-backs were believed to be interested in Fuentes, but that likely ended with the signing of http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=5640J.J. Putz.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Matsui close to deal with A's[/h3]
7:43AM ET
[h5]Hideki Matsui | Angels [/h5]
The Oakland Athletics are "very close" to a contract with Hideki Matsui that could be announced as soon as Tuesday, reports Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area New Group.
The A's were believed to have offered Matsui, who would replace the departed Jack Cust as the designated hitter, only a one-year deal.
The A's were in hot pursuit of the 36-year-old Matsui once Lance Berkman signed with the Cardinals. Matsui hit .274 with 21 homers and 84 RBIs last season with the Angels.
Susan Slusser of the Chroniclereported Friday that the A's may make Matsui an offer over the weekend, according to the slugger's agent, Arn Tellem.
In an updated post, Slusser reports a deal could be announced as soon as Monday.
Seattle, Texas and Minnesota also were mentioned as possible destinations for Matsui.
- Doug Mittler
http://[h3]Buehrle on the block?[/h3]
6:52AM ET
[h5]Mark Buehrle | White Sox [/h5]
It might be going too far to say that the Chicago White Sox are shopping left-hander Mark Buehrle, but Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports that the Pale Hose will listen to offers for the veteran.
Trading the 31-year-old Buehrle, who is entering the final year of his contract, may be difficult, however, as he will make $14 million next season and has full no-trade rights as a 10-5 player -- 10 years of big-league service, at least five straight with the same club.
Several clubs would certainly consider Buehrle, however, potentially including the St. Louis Cardinals, Buehrle's hometown team. The Yankees or Rangers, whichever loses out on Cliff Lee this month, could become aggressive on the starting pitching trade market.
The White Sox would presumably move Buehrle for two reasons: One, his deal is up at the end of 2011 and they'd like to maximize the return on his, and second, they could use the payroll space, and Buehrle's trade value, to fill other holes on the roster and throughout the organization.
- Jason A. Churchill
http://[h3]What the Cards got for Ryan[/h3]
6:50AM ET
[h5]St. Louis Cardinals [/h5]
The St. Louis Cardinals traded Brendan Ryan to Seattle Sunday, pretty much solidifying Ryan Theriot's role for 2011, barring an acquisition of another middle infielder this winter. But what did the Cards get for Ryan?
The Seattle Times reports that the return is Maikel Cleto, a 21-year-old right-hander that came to Seattle in a 3-team trade in 2008. Cleto is well built at 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, and brings big-time arm strength to the mound, touching the mid-90s in short stints.
Cleto has had problems missing bats with his secondary stuff, however, which leads most scouts to believe his future is in relief. As a starter he sits in the 90-94 mph range, and touched 98 mph last month in the Arizona Fall League. He spent the 2010 season in Advanced-A High Desert.
But there is some upside to Cleto, who simply need to improve his breaking ball to become more than a one-trick pony, as he does throw strikes and his delivery may allow him to remain a starter if the pitch arsenal is there in a few years.
"At worst he's a guy who could pitch in the seventh inning for you," an American League scout told Rumor Central. "He has projection left and he's still young enough to hope he's more than that, too."
Carl Crawford joining one of the two AL East powerhouses -- days after Adrian Gonzalez did -- may signal it's time for a new playoff format in Major League Baseball.
Tampa Bay Rays general manager Andrew Friedman was joking the other day when he mused that the impossible task of winning the American League East has become more impossible in the aftermath of Boston's acquisition of Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford.
Well, he was sort of joking.
Or maybe he wasn't joking at all.
The New York Yankees will spend more than $200 million in 2011, and the Boston Red Sox won't be far behind. Meanwhile, the Rays, Toronto Blue Jays and Baltimore Orioles will bring knives to the Boston-New York gunfight. Baseball has more parity than it is given credit for, but the Rays, Blue Jays and Orioles are in a special class. Although the Giants, Rangers or almost any other team can go toe to toe with the Red Sox or Yankees in a short series, Tampa Bay, Toronto and Baltimore must do it throughout 162 games to make the playoffs.
The Rays got it done in 2008 and 2010 through extraordinary management and good fortune. But it has been 13 years since the Orioles made the playoffs -- largely through mismanagement -- and 17 years since the Blue Jays appeared in the postseason. The ballpark seats in Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto remain empty during the teams' best seasons partly because few fans buy into the notion that those clubs can sustain success. (There are other factors, of course.)
Imagine selling season tickets for the Rays. Your script would include a recitation of the team's remarkable performances in recent years and the Cy Young worthiness of David Price. But the guy on the other end of the line could respond: What about Crawford? What about Carlos Pena? What about the exodus of the entire bullpen? Do you really expect me to believe they'll contend in 2011?
It's a really tough sell, and the gap between the Red Sox and Yankees and the three other teams is so deep that the disparity becomes part of the decision-making process for the have-nots. If the Jays played in the AL West or AL Central, they might be tempted to overpay for someone like Zack Greinke to load up for a run at the division title. But instead, the team evaluations tilt in the other direction: If the Rays get a really good offer for Matt Garza, they'd be smart to take the deal now, when they know his value is high -- because it's highly unlikely Tampa Bay can keep up with the big-money monsters.
This disparity is why, as baseball executives and union officials negotiate over the expanded playoff field for 2012, they should strongly reconsider blowing up the divisions and taking the teams back to the pre-1969 American League and National League alignments. Let the five best teams in each league qualify for the playoffs. No East, Central or West divisions.
This way, the Orioles, Rays and Jays would compete with the other AL teams for a playoff spot instead of having their postseason chances more directly impacted by the talent acquisitions of the Yankees and Red Sox. The schedules should be balanced so that Baltimore, Tampa Bay and Toronto would have more games against other AL teams rather than opening the year knowing that matchups with Boston and New York would make up one-third of their schedule.
Would it make a difference?
Well, consider how different recent history might look if there were no divisional factions in the past decade. In many years, rival talent evaluators regarded the Toronto Blue Jays as one of the 10 best teams in the majors. In a six-year period, Toronto won 86 games in a season twice and 87 games in a third season -- while playing an unbalanced schedule. Still, the Jays never made the playoffs.
If the divisional format was stripped away, the Rays, Orioles and Jays would more consistently have incentive to make moves to try to contend. If a player like Victor Martinez were assessing offers from Baltimore or Tampa Bay or Toronto, he would feel better about their chances for playing in the postseason.
But annually, the competitive mountain in front of those teams can appear too high to climb.
The Rays have shown that success in the AL East is possible. But none of the teams has demonstrated that it can remain financially or competitively viable on a regular basis while sitting across the table from the two teams with the biggest stacks of chips.
It's time for Tampa Bay, Baltimore and Toronto to get some relief. They should have the same shot at the playoffs as every other team in the AL Central and AL West. Said one official within the division with some frustration: "Maybe we should just let the Red Sox and Yankees have their own division and leave the scraps for the rest of us."
The Orioles have gotten better this winter, but it still may not be enough, Jeff Zrebiec writes. The Rays are still confident, Marc Topkin writes.
The Yankees think it's far from a slam dunk that they'll sign Cliff Lee. One of their executives told a general manager from another team that he figures their chances stand at 50-50 -- and if they lose out, they'll probably pursue bullpen and bench help. The odds are that they won't pursue Greinke because of concern about how he would adapt to the New York market.
The Yankees don't always get their man, writes Ben Shpigel. The Yankees shouldn't act desperate, writes Mike Lupica.
Texas manager Ron Washington thinks the Rangers will re-sign Lee.
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The Red Sox took the right angles in going after Crawford, writes Peter Abraham. The signing makes for a full holiday stocking for the Red Sox, writes Dan Shaughnessy.
Crawford is sold on the Red Sox.
[h3]Moves, deals and decisions [/h3]
1. Cesar Izturis signed with the O's.
2. Jason Varitek is glad the Red Sox kept him.
3. The Cardinals are pressing to sign Bengie Molina.
4. The Cleveland writers have bestowed some awards.
5. Joey Votto will be with Cincinnati for a long time, Reds owner Bob Castellini said.
6. Kerry Wood is still available, writes Phil Rogers.
7. The White Sox are not shopping Carlos Quentin, GM Kenny Williams says.
8. The Brewers could make a deal for Greinke, writes Tom Haudricourt.
9. George Sherrill passed his physical.
10. This is more of a "dings and dents" item, but Jimmy Rollins had minor surgery.
[h3]From the ol' mailbag [/h3]
I suggest ESPN should host another live show named "The Decision" for Lee. Yankees? or Rangers? Obviously Lee's decision is very important to MLB, and it's very entertaining as well. The money war.
-- Cheng, Taiwan
Cheng: The guess here is that given Lee's personality, there are much greater odds of him making his choice while sitting in a deer stand in Arkansas than in front of a camera.
I think the New York Mets will have a strong interest in Albert Pujols should he become a free agent next year. They have a ton of money coming off the books after this season, and since this looks to be a dismal season in Flushing, they are primed to make a big splash next winter to reinvigorate their fan base and to put people in the seats. They could trade Ike Davis for help in other areas to open first base. What do you think?
-- Scott Hersey in Norwalk, Conn.
Scott: I have heard scouts and executives with other teams suggest the same thing -- that the Mets might be better served to take advantage of Davis' value by trading him for pitching right now because they can more easily find a replacement at first base than they can to dig out the kind of impact young pitching they need. But I tend to doubt that they would move Davis now, because he is cheap and productive and has a nice two-strike approach at the plate.
[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
Your book "How Lucky You Can Be" arrived yesterday, and I read it front to back last night in one sitting. (And I'm not a big reader at all!) I had the extreme fortune of working for two years as an assistant coach from '02-04 at Northern State with Coach Meyer (also living in his basement for my first three months), and so many of the things I read about were things I was fortunate enough to experience firsthand. Many people who saw the ESPYS asked me what it was like to work with him and what kind of person he's like -- I always said he was beyond words and there's really no one I've met like him. I thought you did a great job of portraying the person whom people perceive him to be (the cranky, no-sense-of-humor drill sergeant for a coach) versus the person he really is (giving, funny, selfless).
-- Ryan Solie in Minneapolis
Ryan: Many thanks for the note; he continues to mean a lot to a whole lot of folks. I'll be doing a book signing at the Borders in Mt. Kisco, N.Y., from 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday, and then coach Don Meyer and I will be doing a signing together at Lipscomb University from 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday in Nashville, Tenn., before the men's game.
[h3]Other stuff [/h3]
• The Dodgers are playing in a first-rate city with second-rate talent, writes T.J. Simers.
• Nick Swisher got married.
• Mets GM Sandy Alderson may wait until spring training to see Oliver Perez, writes Dan Martin.
• Here are winners and losers from the winter meetings, courtesy of Ken Davidoff.
• The Pirates must improve their defense, writes Dejan Kovacevic.
• Harvey Araton writes about two sports writers who passed away this year.
• Dave Niehaus will be honored with a statue, writes Geoff Baker.
• Mark Buehrle did something really nice.
• Vanderbilt football wants to hire an Auburn guy.
And today will be better than yesterday.
[h3][/h3][h3]STRIKE ONE -- MONEY TALKS DEPT.[/h3]
As Jayson Werth, Carl Crawford, Troy Tulowitzki and (very soon) Cliff Lee could gladly attest, it's suddenly snowing dollar bills in this sport.
One minute, everybody in baseball was crying poverty. The next, $100 million contracts started falling out of the sky.
Werth
Do we even need to recap? OK … $126 million for Werth … $142 million for Crawford … $139 million for Tulowitzki.
And right over the horizon, there's another nine-figure bonanza waiting for Lee … and another for Adrian Gonzalez … and maybe, if the Cardinals come to their senses, yet another for Albert Pujols.
So that could be six contracts in one offseason worth more than 100 million bucks. Kinda makes you want to take the kids out in the back yard and teach them how to hit a curveball, doesn't it?
This is historic stuff we're talking about, in case you were wondering. And two of ESPN's awesome Stats and Research geniuses, Mark Simon and Katie Sharp, helped me prove it.
When the Lee deal goes down, that will make four $100 million-plus deals in a single offseason -- tied for the second-most in history, Simon reports. The current leaderboard:
But once the inevitable Gonzalez extension gets figured out, that will tie this winter for No. 1 all time. And if the Cardinals get Pujols done, or there's another stunner involving someone like Carlos Gonzalez, there's a great chance this offseason blows away the record for nine-figure contracts.
• 2000-01 (5): (A-Rod, Manny Ramirez, Mike Hampton, Derek Jeter, Todd Helton)
• 2006-07 (4): (Barry Zito, Alfonso Soriano, Carlos Lee, Vernon Wells)
• 2007-08 (3): (A-Rod, Miguel Cabrera, Johan Santana)
Down the road, once it's all official, maybe Alan Greenspan or somebody can explain to us beleaguered American taxpayers where all this money came from, when total revenues in the game aren't that different from where they were in previous years. But for now, it's time to work with Little Johnny on his bat speed.
[h3]STRIKE TWO -- LAND OF THE FREE DEPT.[/h3]
All those contract notes above include all players, including extensions for players like Jeter, Wells and Helton who were already under contract to their current teams. So it allowed us to include Tulowitzki's mega-deal and factor that in.
But as you might have noticed, it's been an excellent winter so far to be a free agent, too. So now let's put just this winter's free-agent deals in perspective, thanks to some tremendous research by Sharp.
Lee
We've already seen two players -- Werth and Crawford -- agree to seven-year contracts. If Lee also gets seven years, that will tie the record for most seven-year free-agent deals (or longer) in one offseason. Here's that leaderboard:
Or if we just want to talk dollar signs, this is only the fourth offseason in which at least two free agents signed $100 million contracts (of any length). Here are the other three:
• 2000-01 (3): A-Rod (10 years), Hampton (, Manny (
• 2008-09 (2): CC Sabathia (7), Mark Teixeira (
• 2006-07 (2): Zito (7), Soriano (
• 1998-99 (2): Bernie Williams (7), Kevin Brown (7)
But if we look at dollars and length, and Lee gets seven years, this will tie the A-Rod/Manny/Hampton winter of 2000-01 for most free-agent deals meeting both criteria -- seven guaranteed seasons (or more) and at least $100 million in guarantees. Yikes.
• 2006-07 (3): Zito $126M, Soriano $136M, Lee $100M
• 2000-01 (3): A-Rod $252M, Manny $160M, Hampton $121M
• 2008-09 (2): Sabathia $161M, Teixeira $180M
Since Gonzalez (trade) and Pujols (extension) aren't free agents, there's no chance of anyone else adding his name to this list (no, not even Alfredo Amezaga). But it's still, obviously, been a great winter to be a difference-making player sitting on those free-agent shelves.
[h3]STRIKE THREE -- IN OTHER NEWS[/h3]
More free-agent fodder …
• Assuming Gonzalez gets his money, the Red Sox will become just the second team in history to give out two $100 million contracts in the same offseason. The other: the 2008-09 Yankees (Sabathia, Teixeira).
Crawford
• Only three players have ever stolen 50 bases in a season for the Red Sox -- Tris Speaker, Tommy Harper and Jacoby Ellsbury (twice). So that means, according to Lee Sinins' fabulous Complete Baseball Encyclopedia, that Crawford has done it more times himself (five) than all Red Sox players in history combined.
• By the way, as recently as 2005, the Red Sox didn't even steal 50 bases as a team all season (45).
• Only six other times in the last half-century have the Red Sox acquired a player who once swiped 50 bases in a season. Here's that list: Rickey Henderson (2002), Willie McGee (1995), Billy Hatcher (1992), Don Baylor (1986), Tommy Harper (1972) and Luis Aparicio (1971).
• According to Baseball-reference.com's fabulous Play Index, Crawford's 62 stolen bases against the Red Sox are the third-most against them in the live-ball era. Only Henderson (87) and Bert Campaneris (63) burgled more than Crawford.
• Meanwhile, Werth had 75 extra-base hits last season. The only players in Nationals/Expos history who have ever had a season with that many extra-base hits: Vladimir Guerrero, Andre Dawson, Andres Galarraga, Alfonso Soriano, Jose Vidro, Adam Dunn and (of course!) Henry Rodriguez.
• Speaking of Dunn, according to the 2011 Bill James Handbook, he has a 43 percent chance of hitting 600 home runs and a 16 percent chance of hitting 700 home runs -- and he's made one All-Star team. Impossible!
• Finally, Carlos Pena batted .196 last year -- and still got a $10 million contract from the Cubs. My buddies at ESPN Stats & Info report -- and this will shock you -- that Pena has just broken the hallowed record for lowest batting average in a season by a player who then went out and got himself signed to a deal worth at least $10M a season. Previous record-holder: Andruw Jones. He got $36.2M for two years from the Dodgers after hitting .222 for the 2007 Braves. Just don't remind Jamie McCourt's psychic.
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Nope^
But I don't think you can put too much into "reports" all over the internet because we know how quick they change.
I just want this circus to end, lets get a confirmation...Lee to the Yankees...that's all I want to see roll across my tv screen.
But I don't think you can put too much into "reports" all over the internet because we know how quick they change.
I just want this circus to end, lets get a confirmation...Lee to the Yankees...that's all I want to see roll across my tv screen.
- 20,619
- 1,615
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2007
Nope^
But I don't think you can put too much into "reports" all over the internet because we know how quick they change.
I just want this circus to end, lets get a confirmation...Lee to the Yankees...that's all I want to see roll across my tv screen.
But I don't think you can put too much into "reports" all over the internet because we know how quick they change.
I just want this circus to end, lets get a confirmation...Lee to the Yankees...that's all I want to see roll across my tv screen.
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Easy....................The only New York sports update I wanna see on my TV screen is "Melo to the Knicks"
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Easy....................The only New York sports update I wanna see on my TV screen is "Melo to the Knicks"
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You gotta wait till the summer for that most likely.
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You gotta wait till the summer for that most likely.
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You would think that woulda broke by now if it were true...
- 25,234
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You would think that woulda broke by now if it were true...
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I know. Im hoping his comments will force Denver's hand in trading him. But IDK.
But back to baseball, Im surprised it taking this long for Lee to make his decision. But the longer it goes the worse its looking for the Yanks. I mean if it was about money he woulda been signed the day Texas was eliminated. But we will see. The Yankees have a way of getting their man
