Some things to read while making an exception.
It's speculation season, but for once today's speculation has nothing to do with Prince Fielder: Ken Rosenthal reported over the weekend that the A's were hoping to win the right to negotiate with Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma, then use their resulting starting pitching surplus to trade for a bat. Rosenthal also mentioned Casey McGehee as someone they might target. The A's reportedly won Iawkuma's negotiating rights, so we'll see what happens.
McGehee, meanwhile, continues to draw poor reviews for his defense: Lee Panas of Tiger Tales averaged out four defensive metrics and ranked McGehee 16th out of 19 third basemen studied.
Elsewhere in speculation: Ken Davidoff of Newsday is predicting the Brewers will end up signing Jorge De La Rosa to a two year, $15 million deal. Color me skeptical.
At least the Brewers shouldn't need to spend money on bullpen help this offseason. Bernie's Crew notes that the Brewers have 13 strong candidates for next season's pen, and that's before factoring in Manny Parra.
It's still a little early for me, but if you're already in the Thanksgiving spirit Reviewing the Brew has a list of five things to be thankful for this offseason.
If Ron Roenicke is one of the things you're thankful for this holiday season, you may have to deliver your thanks outside the organization: Jon Heyman tweeted over the weekend that Mark Attanasio wanted to hire Bobby Valentine but was convinced to hire Roenicke by people outside the front office.
In the minors:
- Jeremy Jeffress was one of the top stories in Saturday's AFL Rising Stars game, pitching a scoreless seventh inning and receiving an ovation after hitting 101 mph on the radar gun. John Steinmiller was there and has more thoughts on the experience.
-
Carson Cistulli of FanGraphs has updated his SCOUT rankings for the AFL and has Brandon Kintzler seventh among pitchers.
There was more Brewer news over the weekend: If you missed it, be sure to check out Noah's Weekend Mug to get up to date.
Around baseball:
Diamondbacks: Removed pitchers Clay Zavada and Leo Rosales from their 40 man roster. Both are now free agents.
Indians: Removed infielder Andy Marte from their 40 man roster, making him a free agent.
Mets: Released pitcher Hisanori Takahashi.
Nationals: Released pitcher Tyler Walker and removed pitchers Scott Olsen and Jesse English from their 40 man roster. All three are now free agents.
Rangers: Removed infielder Esteban German and pitchers Doug Mathis and Brandon McCarthy from their 40 man roster. All three are now free agents.
Red Sox: Exercised pitcher Scott Atchison's option for 2011.
Tigers: Re-signed infielder Jhonny Peralta to a two year, $11.25 million deal with a club option for 2013.
White Sox: Removed catcher Donny Lucy and pitcher Randy Williams from their 40 man roster, making them free agents.
Last week I mentioned a somewhat unique trade: The Blue Jays acquired catcher Miguel Olivo from the Rockies, then immediately declined his 2011 option. Bluebird Banter notes that the Jays will owe the Rockies $25,000 if they decide not to offer arbitration to Olivo, but will send a player to be named instead if they offer him arbitration or re-sign him. If Olivo rejects arbitration and signs with another team the Jays will get a compensation pick in the 2011 draft.
Olivo is just one of many low-OBP catchers that should be available this winter.
Here's today's former Brewer notes:
- Joe Posnanski made a list of nine active baseball players that are certain to make the Hall of Fame, and Trevor Hoffman was one of them.
- Chris Jaffe of The Hardball Times notes that Jeff Suppan has allowed 18 home runs to lead off games in his career, the second most all-time.
- David Pinto of Baseball Musings has resumed his "Players A to Z" series, and covered Bill Hall over the weekend.
On a sad note today, it appears the career of 47 year old Jamie Moyer may have finally reached its conclusion. Moyer left a game Friday in the Dominican Republic with pain in the same elbow that put him on the shelf for a while this season. Moyer is the active leader in career wins (267), innings (4020.1), strikeouts (2405) and hits allowed (4156), and the all time leader in home runs allowed (511).
Dan Uggla will turn 31 in March and will be eligible for free agency following the 2011 season, so it's probably safe to assume he's only going to get one big contract before he retires. With that said, it's hard to believe that contract will be much bigger than the four year, $48 million offer from the Marlins he's reportedly already turned down. Craig Calcaterra notes that the last second baseman to get over $25 million as a free agent was Bret Boone, who signed in 2001.
Elsewhere in surprising contract notes, the Astros have reportedly told Lance Berkman's agent that they're not interested in bringing him back this winter.
The World Series stretched into November again this year, but thankfully weather was not a factor. Cybermetrics has a look at what the weather would have been like if the series had been played in other cities.
Happy birthday over the weekend to:
- 2004-05 Brewer Dave Krynzel, who turned 29 Sunday.
- 2002-03 Brewer Glendon Rusch, who turned 36 Sunday.
- 2003 Brewer Todd Ritchie, who turned 39 Sunday.
- 1961-65 Milwaukee Brave Mack Jones, who would have turned 72 Saturday.
Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to make a left turn.
Drink up.