Okay, it'd probably be technically incorrect to call this "hot stove" chatter since we're just one game into the World Series. But it is apparent that, even though the season hasn't officially ended, many teams' offseason machinations are already well underway. So just for the sport of it, here are some notable whispers, rumors, and links from around the web this afternoon . . .
CNNSI's Jon Heyman reports that the Dodgers might be willing to meet free-agent-to-be Manny Ramirez's salary demands -- perhaps even paying him the top annual salary in the game -- but appear reluctant to give the slugger the long-term commitment he is seeking:
One person who's spoken to Dodgers people suggested that the team is considering proposing a contract that may come close to matching Alex Rodriguez's record $27.5-million average annual salary but on a much shorter term, perhaps only two years. That person hinted he could see the Dodgers even exceeding A-Rod's salary, as long as the length of the deal was to their liking.
Two years? Can't wait to hear what Scott Boras has to say about that.
The New York Post's George King says the Yankees are considering pursuing Mike Cameron if the Brewers decline to pick up the 35-year-old center fielder's option. Cameron still has an outstanding glove and decent power (23 homers in '08), but he whiffed 142 times last season and doesn't hit for a high average. Wonder if this means they've officially given up on Melky Cabrera as an everyday option.
Dustin Pedroia ranks sixth on Bill James's list of the top 25 young players in baseball. The Marlins' Hanley Ramirez -- Pedroia's double play partner for a time in the Red Sox farm system -- ranks second, behind the Brewers' Prince Fielder. I might take Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria over all of them.
Unfortunately, his column his Insider-only, so I can't link to it, but ESPN.com's Keith Law makes a very convincing argument that the apparent asking price for Padres ace Jake Peavy is way too high. Check it out if you're a subscriber. It convinced me that the Red Sox should stay out of the bidding. For what it's worth, Braves GM Frank Wren, whose team was expected to be one of Peavy's main suitors, says he's hanging on to his top prospects.
NESN analyst and former Oakland A's skipper Ken Macha is one of three candidates for the Brewers' managerial opening, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Here's hoping Macha's personality comes through better in an interview than it does on television.
Scott Boras uses proposals for two year contracts as toilet paper.
So does this mean that the Buzz web page will be updated soon?
Count me in on to be huddled up by the hot stove right now! Interesting info here. I too would pick Longoria, he's way more complete than Hanley. I also expected Fielder to be behind Pedroia, not even close to #1.
Funny point about Macha's TV chops. An autistic groundhog would be more engaging, but y'never know, maybe TBS will pick him up.
Some great stuff here, thanks.
" the Dodgers might be willing to meet free-agent-to-be Manny Ramirez's salary demands -- perhaps even paying him the top annual salary in the game"
Wonder if Torre would stick around if the Dodgers gave Manny the moon. Joe thought, when he left NY, that he was leaving the aggravations BEHIND him.
Sox need to get Pink Hat poster boy to learn to hit, get Ortiz, Lowell and Lowrie back to being healthy, sign some good hitters who understand the OBP part of the game and pick up some quality bullpen arms and they will be fine.
dude, spring for the $2.50 a month and get ESPN-Insider. i bet you can even expense it.
I assume this garbage about Manny comes from Scott Borass, not the Dodgers. There is no way they are going to blow $30 million/season on him, even if it was for one year. The Dodgers need a lot more than Manny. Let no one forget that three years ago the Sox offered Manny on waivers and NO ONE wanted him. He is 35 years old, can't field and has demonstrated that he will behave like a petulant child. The one thing that was proven this year is that the Sox suspicions that he was dogging it whenever he was annoyed were correct. Good luck to whatever suckers sign him.
The validity of Bill James rankings is demonstrated by his placement of Prince "spaghetti" Fielder at the top of his list. The best crack I have heard about Fielder was this, I forgot who made it, "the guy is gonna eat himself out of the league in three years." If you built a team based on James rankings you would have the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Rock, Finn's not saying he can't read it, he's saying he can't post a link to it for others to go to because they couldn't read it if they dont have Insider. He wouldn't be able to tell you what Law is arguing or know that it's convincing if he couldn't read it.
duh, rock, he can't post it because most people reading this don't get insider and they'd be taken to a ... ugh, i don't have the energy for this..
Glad you've come to your senses on Jake Peavy.
Hey Capt. Rock Obvious , he couldn't link US - the readers - to it. He clearly had access to it, as he summed it up, then suggested it to US.
Man I can't wait for November 15....This is going to be one major league off season! 4 of the largest markets pissed off because they didn't make it to the world series...If i were the Sox I'ld tell Boras to suck an egg! Then I would devalue every player he has on the market including Varitek,pay back for the Manny fiasco!! This guy is ruining baseball!!! He and his cronies are the folks who are driving up the cost of the game so that you and I can't afford to go to a game,screw him and his clients.We have a great farm system and really don't need his veteran cast offs,or players who are jumping ship mid contract so that Greedy Scott can make more money...boston fans know that we don't need another Boras free agent ,we have 3 top of the rotation starters already to make the jump in Masterson,Bowden and Buccholtz,as far as everyday players wait until Yamiaco Navarro,Josh Reddick,or Lars Anderson make it to the show!!! All we really need is a Catcher who can hit his weight and throw out at least 40% of the would be base thiefs!!! Sorry Tek but your time is fading,we are an appreciative lot so if you want to stay here cool beans but don't try and hold up the Front Office for manny money....Well until you can afford the subscription to Buster Olney or Keith Law's blogs make up stuff thats what they do...
I'll take Hanley over Longoria anytime.
Texiera would be a great fit in Boston, but if Boston had Lowell in the ALCS, the Red Sox would be playing still (Sox would have won game 2). Manny will do great things in L.A. and Torre is thrilled to have him. NOW WHO WANTS ANDREW JONES?!? YANKEES????
Rock - you're a genius in the world of small-minded trolls, but in this world, you just missed the point. He obviously has read the article and has access, just can't LINK to it because it is an insider article, so everyone else would have to pay the $2.50 to read it. Read before you attack and make yourself look ridiculous.
It is simply disgusting to see that even though Manny left almost 3 months ago, there are still people crying about it. Look, I'm a Boston fan, but this whining about Manny is becoming hatred already. I remember when he said early this year that him and Ortiz were going to be taken care of contract wise by Boston, but apparently management thinks that overpaying for average talent is better than getting good talent necesary for all the special situations, remember 2004, and 2007, but management might think that they can play better ball than the players. Manny in 2004 was put on waivers, nobody took him, how would you feel if you were that good and your team does that to you, I don't see that happening to other Sox players, hmmm, he might be in the minority, but hey you know what he does then, wins the World Series MVP award that same year and grabbing the 2004 championship. Boston probably saw in 2007 its last championship in the coming years, and you better pray hard for another one, because of the Yankees team retooling prowess. I just hope that Boston grows some day to be more greatful about the special even though different players that have come by its doors: Ruth, Garciaparra, Clemens, Manny, Ortiz? Boston is still my team, but the Rays won thanks to their players in clutch situations. They humbled us with their play and lower payroll. Let's learn the lesson.
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