BD Hot Stove: Manny Being Unemployed | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: Manny Being Unemployed | Baseball Digest

Times have changed and the once mighty have fallen. A few years ago it was unimaginable to think that Manny Ramirez would still be unemployed as 2010 closed out. But indeed it’s a whole new ball game.

First there was Ramirez’s dispicable behavior that led to his outster in Boston. Then came a 50 game suspension for a failed PED test. Followed up by a lackluster 2010 season with the Dodgers that culiminated in another deal, this time to the Chicago White Sox. His time in Chicago was limited to just 24 games, but he produced only a single home run and 2 RBI in 88 plate appearances. Throw in a bunch of injuries, real or imagined and you can see why Manny won’t be raking in the big bucks this winter.

Ramirez will turn 39 two months into the 2011 season and is looked at as strictly a DH at this point. Despite playing in just 66 games with the Dodgers last season, he still showed he could produce- a .915 OPS, eight home runs, and 40 RBI. But you never know when his desire will wane and whether or not he’ll give up 100% all of the time or only when he feels like it. It’s the reason the season may begin without Ramirez. And maybe that will actually be a good thing for him. (Remember the BD Hot Stove motto: “Let the buyer beware.”)

Rumors, News, and Transactions

The Blue Jays and Octavio Dotel finally made things official last night on a one year, $3.5M contract.

If text messages are any indications, Andy Pettitte may indeed be retiring. That’s the impression that Mark Teixeira got after exchanging texts with the veteran left-hander this off-season. The Yankees 1st baseman was in the Big Apple for a personal appearance and spoke with reporters.

Fox’s Ken Rosenthal was on WFAN in New York this morning and reported that the Angels are still the front-runners to land free agent 3rd baseman Adrian Beltre. Rosenthal also reported in his online column that the Orioles are making a push for 1st baseman Derrek Lee.

MASN.com’s Roch Kubatko hears that the Orioles are very much interested in free agent reliever Grant Balfour.

Royals closer Joakim Soria told a Venezuelan newspaper that he would not block a trade to the Yankees. Soria told Vanguard that his agent, not he, requested a trade clause in his last contract as a strategy going forward. If the Royals were to make a deal with the Yankees, Soria said he would gladly go. Perhaps he’s trying to get something moving ala Zack Greinke.

BD Hot Stove: The Not So Wild West | Baseball Digest

BD Hot Stove: The Not So Wild West | Baseball Digest

The American League western division was for the taking when camps broke out of Arizona and Florida in 2010 and the regular season began. But soon teams fell by the wayside. The Angels were riddled with injuries and players that couldn’t fill the shoes of those who had departed (John Lackey, Chone Figgins), and the Mariners were a woeful excuse of a baseball team. Texas emerged on top, but with Cliff Lee’s departure this off-season, the division is certainly up for grabs again in 2011.

Not as deep in the heart of Texas: Lee was the key to the Rangers sealing up the AL West and their run to the World Series. But with Lee gone, the Rangers don’t have a true number one in their rotation. They did make a low risk/high reward signing Sunday when they came to terms with former Diamondback, Brandon Webb ($3M base). It remains to be seen whether or not Webb will be able to regain his form. The Rangers signed Yorvit Torrealba to shore up the leaky boat situation they had at catcher and kept Matt Treanor to back him up. Jeff Francoeur (KC), Rich Harden (Oak), and Brandon McCarthy (Oak) all signed elsewhere.

In the arms of the Angels: With ace John Lackey’s departure prior to the 2010 season and Nick Adenhart’s tragic death in 2009, the Angels were lacking in quality starters last season. The Halos picked up Dan Haren at the trade deadline and hope someone else will emerge this year in the back end of the rotation. One player who might fit that bill is Hisanori Takahashi, the 35-yr old left-hander LA signed away from the Mets. The Angels did give themselves a shot in the arm, the left one to be exact, by signing stand out set up man/part-time closer Scott Downs to a three year deal. The team also parted company with long time reliever Scot Shields. The Angels will be employing a new DH as well after letting Hideki Matsui walk (to Oakland).

An A for Effort: Oakland hung tough for quite a while in the west last year and has been very busy this off-season. In addition to signing Matsui, Harden, and McCarthy, the A’s also dealt for outfielders David DeJesus (KC) and Josh Willingham (FLA), brought back 2nd baseman Mark Ellis, and signed reliever Fernando Cabrera to a minor league deal. Gone are Jack Cust, Vin Mazzaro, Edwin Encarncion, Eric Chavez, and Ben Sheets.

The Rhyme of the Mediocre Mariner: Seattle has had high expectations the last couple of years and very poor results. Outside of Felix Hernandez, Ichiro, and Franklin Gutierrez, there aren’t many holdovers on the roster to get excited about. Bringing in Jack Cust as the new bat isn’t going to change that. Seattle is reportedly shopping closer David Aardsma and already dealt away infielder Jose Lopez. Starter Ryan Rowland-Smith (Hou), like much of the team, had a disappointing 2010 and left via free agency. The only other notable signing for Seattle was the retention of Erik Bedard. Yes, it will be another rough year to be a Mariners fan.

Rumors, News, and Transactions

The Blue Jays are reportedly close to inking reliever Octavio Dotel to a one year deal. Dotel could either serve as a set up man or closer.

The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo hears that Carl Pavano is holding out for a three year deal.

The Phillies re-upped with reliever J.C. Romero; terms are reportedly one year at $1.1M.

The Brewers have come to terms with reliever Takashi Saito on a one year, $3M deal.

White Sox Ink Dotel

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Chicago White Sox have attempted to strengthen their bridge to Bobby Jenks by signing Octavio Dotel to a 2-year deal. The 34-yr old will reportedly make $11 million.

The signing means the White Sox have invested $30 million in the pen for Dotel and Scott Linebrink.

White Sox Ink Dotel

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Chicago White Sox have attempted to strengthen their bridge to Bobby Jenks by signing Octavio Dotel to a 2-year deal. The 34-yr old will reportedly make $11 million.

The signing means the White Sox have invested $30 million in the pen for Dotel and Scott Linebrink.

Braves Fall Short of Acquiring Dotel

Update- This deal did not go through, hitting a last minute snag. Octavio Dotel is still available.

The Braves are making a serious push for the NL East. With the Mark Teixeira deal nearly official, the Braves have also picked up closer Octavio Dotel from the Royals for Kyle Davies.

Source

Braves Fall Short of Acquiring Dotel

Update- This deal did not go through, hitting a last minute snag. Octavio Dotel is still available.

The Braves are making a serious push for the NL East. With the Mark Teixeira deal nearly official, the Braves have also picked up closer Octavio Dotel from the Royals for Kyle Davies.

Source

Saturday in the Park Trade Rumors

Talks between the Angels and Rangers over Mark Teixeira have apparently fallen through. While the teams appeared to have agreed on Casey Kotchman and Joe Saunders, the Rangers wanted another high level prospect (e.g. Brandon Wood), while the Angels wanted to add a mid-level prospect. The Braves are now the clear front-runners. Source

The Yankees remain in the hunt for bullpen help. They're in the mix for the very popular Royals closer, Octavio Dotel, and also have asked the Nationals about setup man Jon Rauch. But because they're offering only midrange prospects (or questionable veterans such as Proctor and Farnsworth), it's more likely they'll have to set their sights on some of the lower-level available relievers (i.e. Qualls, Wheeler). Source

The Mets may turn their attention to the Twins' Luis Castillo to fill the void at 2nd Base created by the injury to Jose Valentin. The Mets like Ruben Gotay, but would like to upgrade defensively. Source

Saturday in the Park Trade Rumors

Talks between the Angels and Rangers over Mark Teixeira have apparently fallen through. While the teams appeared to have agreed on Casey Kotchman and Joe Saunders, the Rangers wanted another high level prospect (e.g. Brandon Wood), while the Angels wanted to add a mid-level prospect. The Braves are now the clear front-runners. Source

The Yankees remain in the hunt for bullpen help. They're in the mix for the very popular Royals closer, Octavio Dotel, and also have asked the Nationals about setup man Jon Rauch. But because they're offering only midrange prospects (or questionable veterans such as Proctor and Farnsworth), it's more likely they'll have to set their sights on some of the lower-level available relievers (i.e. Qualls, Wheeler). Source

The Mets may turn their attention to the Twins' Luis Castillo to fill the void at 2nd Base created by the injury to Jose Valentin. The Mets like Ruben Gotay, but would like to upgrade defensively. Source