MLB free agents can’t sign with new teams until Saturday at 12:01 a.m., but what happens over the next few days in Orange County could have a big impact on a few team’s off-season plans.
By 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim must decide whether to pick up the $13-million option on right-hander Ervin Santana’s contract. A decision on fellow righty Dan Haren’s $15.5-million option is due by Friday at 9 p.m.
Buying out Santana would set the Angels back $1 million, while Haren’s buyout price is $3.5 million. Both right-handers are coming off disappointing 2012 seasons and it’s believed the Angels are ready to move on from both as they prepare an all-out push to retain Zack Greinke.
The 29-year-old Santana gave up an AL-high 39 home runs a year ago and posted a 5.16 ERA in 178 innings. But he has also been a durable arm throughout his career, averaging 30 starts and 192 innings between 2006-2012.
As for the 32-year-old Haren, he battled a back injury in 2012 and saw his ERA rise from 3.17 in 2011 to 4.33 in 2012. Of equal concern to some is the drop in his average fastball velocity, from 90.5 in 2010 to 88.5 in 2012.
Still, thanks to a relatively thin free agent pitching market, interest in both pitchers, especially on one-year deals, remains high — so much so that Ken Rosenthal says don’t be surprised if both pitchers are traded by the Angels before the option deadlines.
Meanwhile, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com suggests the trade market for Santana isn’t great, making Haren the likelier of the two to be traded.
Who might be interested in them? Oh, just about any team with payroll flexibility in need of an innings-eating starter.
The New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Kansas City Royals, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers and Los Angeles Dodgers certainly fit the bill.
The Tampa Bay Rays face a similar decision with James Shields and his $10.25-million option for next season. It’s expected they’ll pick that up, but as Ben Nicholson-Smith writes, it’s possible the Rays may deal him or the increasingly-expensive David Price for offensive help.
Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles reports the Dodgers have identified Shields as their No. 1 off-season target.
Grant Brisbee of SB Nation weighs the pros and cons of the Rays trading James Shields and figures he’ll end up staying put.
The dominoes will start to fall shortly.
UPDATE 1:11 P.M. ET: The Indians made a pair of announcements Wednesday afternoon. First, the team announced its 2013 coaching staff under new manager Terry Francona.
Of note to Blue Jays fans is Sandy Alomar Jr. returning as the team’s bench coach.
It should be noted however, that this does not necessarily take Alomar out of the running to become the next manager of the Blue Jays.
As is the case with Brian Butterfield in Boston, by taking the position with the Indians Alomar is merely guaranteeing himself employment for 2013 should the Blue Jays hire someone else.
The Indians also picked up the 2013 option on Ubaldo Jimenez, but declined ones for Travis Hafner and Roberto Hernandez.
In Baltimore, the Orioles made a move Wednesday that puts another big bat on the free agent market:
Orioles decline $11 mill option on Mark Reynolds, pick up $1 mill option on Luis Ayala
— DKnobler (@DKnobler) October 31, 2012
AT SPORTSNET.CA:
Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos tells Shi Davidi the Blue Jays’ 2013 payroll will “definitely go up.” Davidi projects it to be in the $90-95 million range.
On Tuesday, the Blue Jays and Ricky Romero revealed the left-hander recently underwent elbow surgery. Romero also added he was initially reluctant to disclose his elbow discomfort with the team.
Even though Brian Butterfield has been hired as the new third base coach in Boston, Davidi writes it doesn’t rule him out as a candidate for the Blue Jays managerial opening. John Farrell acknowledged as much to WEEI.com.
AROUND THE MAJORS:
While the Yankees continue to wait on Mariano Rivera about his plans, Don Martin of the New York Post expects them to take runs at re-signing Russell Martin, Hiroki Kuroda and Andy Pettitte, while possibly targeting free agent outfielder Torii Hunter.
Jon Heyman reports Rafael Soriano will opt out of his contract with the Yankees, setting the stage for talks on a long-term deal.
The Atlanta Braves picked up team options on Tim Hudson, Paul Maholm and to many people’s surprise, Brian McCann.
Drew Sharp suggests the Tigers should go big this off-season by trading for Justin Upton and re-signing Anibal Sanchez.
Now that the White Sox have locked up Jake Peavy, new GM Rick Hahn says he hopes to re-sign Kevin Youkilis, A.J. Pierzynski and Brett Myers.
Brandon League has a new three-year, $22.5-million contract with the L.A. Dodgers. If that seems awfully lucrative to you, you’re not alone:
I know the Dodgers have a lot of money, but this is the baseball equivalent of buying a used diamond encrusted iPhone.
— David Cameron (@DCameronFG) October 31, 2012
ROCKIES SEARCH DOWN TO SIX:
Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post writes the Rockies managerial search will come down to one of six choices: Tom Runnells; Jason Giambi; Walt Weiss; Jerry Manuel; Pete Mackanin; Matt Williams.