Abreu, Sir Sid, Teixeira among first filers
Posted by: Peter Abraham - Posted in Misc on Oct 30, 2008 
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Via the MLBPA, here are the players who filed for free agency today. Keep in mind, this is just procedural. Every eligible player will file at some point. Some of these players have options and are filing provisionally.
Arizona: Cruz, Juan (RP); Eckstein, David (SS)
Atlanta: Norton, Greg (OF); Ohman, Will (RP); Tavarez, Julian (RP)
Baltimore: Millar, Kevin (1B); Payton, Jay (OF)
Boston: Cora, Alex (SS); Ross, Dave (Ca); Varitek, Jason (Ca)
Chicago Cubs: Dempster, Ryan (SP); Edmonds, Jim (OF); Fox, Chad (RP); Howry, Bob (RP)
Chicago White Sox: Crede, Joe (3B); Uribe, Juan (2B)
Cincinnati: Affeldt, Jeremy (RP); Lincoln, Michael (RP)
Cleveland: Donnelly, Brendan (RP)
Detroit Tigers: Garcia, Freddy Antonio (SP); Jones, Todd (RP)
Florida: LoDuca, Paul (Ca)
Houston: Loretta, Mark (2B)
Kansas City: Grudzielanek, Mark (2B)
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Anderson, Garret (OF); Garland, Jon (SP); Teixeira, Mark (1B)
Los Angeles Dodgers: Beimel, Joe (RP); Blake, Casey (3B); Lowe, Derek (SP); Maddux, Greg (SP); Ramirez, Manny (OF)
Milwaukee: Gagne, Eric (RP); Kapler, Gabe (OF); Lamb, Michael (3B); Sheets, Ben (SP); Shouse, Brian (RP)
Minnesota: Guardado, Eddie (RP); Punto, Nick (SS); Reyes, Dennys (RP)
NY Mets: Easley, Damion (2B); Perez, Oliver (SP); Wise, Matt (RP)
NY Yankees: Abreu, Bob (OF); Moeller, Chad (Ca); Ponson, Sidney (SP); Rodriguez, Ivan (Ca)
Oakland: Brown, Emil (OF)
Pittsburgh: Gomez, Chris (3B); Mientkiewicz, Doug (1B)
St. Louis: Izturis, Cesar (SS); LaRue, Jason (Ca); Looper, Braden L. (SP); Lopez, Felipe (2B); Springer, Russ (RP); Villone, Ron (RP)
Seattle: Bloomquist, Willie (OF); Cairo, Miguel (1B); Ibanez, Raul (OF)
Texas: Blalock, Hank (3B); Bradley, Milton (DH); Jennings, Jason (SP); Vazquez, Ramon (3B); Wright, Jamey (RP)
Washington: Wilkerson, Brad (OF)
You think Joe Torre looks at that list and thinks, “Hmm, Miguel Cairo. I need to call Colletti.”
Teixeira.
Jay Payton would be an interesting stop gap.
Jon Garland for the back of the rotation! Stability in our rotation is important so we’re not constantly trying to find spot starters named igawa etc.
Blalock, a free agent? Vinny and Brandon is gonna be happy when they see this.
Also can’t wait to see millar out of baltimore as he continues to only hit xbh’s against us
So I read the previous post about what is usually said, and I laughed because right before that I read an article about the Yankees going after Manny to play RF.
Pete,
Brad Wilkerson was with the Jays, not the Nationals.
Gotta sign Alphabet so Arod has a better 2009
Have all these players already filed for FA or they are the eligible players?
It is a very long list to file in one day
So why hasn’t Giambi filed?!
Katie,
The Yankees probably haven’t declined to exercise the option yet.
Congrats, Phillies. I dine well in your honor.
never mind, I take back what I said about Blalock. He can only become a free agent if his option isn’t pick up.
“Jon Garland for the back of the rotation! Stability in our rotation is important so we’re not constantly trying to find spot starters named igawa etc.”
I concur… throw in CC and re-sign Andy and now you’re talking. Of course it will come down to 1) Health and 2) whether or not the offense rebounds as they should.
Thanks Mel, I forgot about that.
Katie,
Haha. But then I reread Pete’s thingy. Some are formalities if an option is pending.
So, until we hear otherwise, Blalock is still under control.
I’ve only heard Anderson & Renteria had options declined so far.
Didn’t Griffey Jr. Have his option declined too? That guy could hit back in the day, too old, please don’t get him Yankees.
He would fit in with Seattle.
Hey Pavano, hurry up and file!
Where do you think Pavano ends up?
Katie,
Griffey HATES the Yanks with passion.
I say the Mets. Minya was interested in him during waiver trade month.
mel,
why’s that?
Katie,
Don’t know, but if a guy filed papers for FA and the option is declined then it’s done already.
So Hank files, despite the team option. The big G and little p don’t file, however.
Are they stubborn or in denial that they’re unwanted?
Don’t agree with the need to sign Jon Garland. He has had mediocre career with a typical season of 12-9 with an ERA of 4.47. His ERA was even worse last season (4.90). His strikeout rate is trending down and his walk rate is heading up.
He gives you innings, but not a lot of really good ones. What do you want to pay for that?
Players file before getting an answer on their options. Yankees still have the right to pick up any options OR negotiate new deals with any of their FA in the next 15 days. I’m sure the status of Pettite and Mussina will be decided by then. They’ll also offer arbitration to Arbeu but no one else.
BOTH saucy
CC, Wanger, Pettitte, Garland, and Joba…Not bad. We could do a lot worse. A lot.
Katie, my best guess would be a team like the Pirates. Maybe the Brewers would also take an interest in Pavano. I don’t see him getting a big money contract. So I think he’ll go to a team desperate for lightning in a bottle as they try to establish a starting rotation. The Pirates might even scoop him up to a small contract, let him showcase himself, and then trade him away if he gets his value up for a prospect…
Michael Kay this afternoon said that the big news around town this afternoon was that quite a few people were going to dress up as a “wall” and go over to Abreu’s house and scare the h— out of him. Kay went on to say how poor Abreu was defensively. It is surprising that as a Yankee/Yes commentator during the season, he, together with his colleagues, rarely, if ever, criticized Abreu tho clearly warranted on many an occasion.
Addendum: For Halloween, that is.
“You think Joe Torre looks at that list and thinks, “Hmm, Miguel Cairo. I need to call Colletti.â€
LOL I know a Yankee fan who named her cat Cairo, after Miguel Cairo.
Whatever happened to hmmm? A name change or disappearing act? That guy ruled!
Miguel Cairo? He played for Seattle this year
“LOL I know a Yankee fan who named her cat Cairo, after Miguel Cairo.”
I named a friend’s goldfish Boomer, after David Wells.
The fish was a gift at a party and they decided to have a contest to name it when they couldn’t think of one…
I call my cat Joba sometimes
Okay, so I really believe Angels will only end up with 1 of the top FA, of CC and Texiera.
Honestly, they can have Texiera if that means we get CC.
Housecleaner,
Kay and co. are usually under strict orders not to criticize Yankees players or the organization during YES broadcasts, and if they do they usually have to walk on eggshells about it. But Kay can do as he pleases on his radio show.
And since we’re talking pets, my dog’s name is Mo.
“Miguel Cairo? He played for Seattle this year”
and on a related note, Seattle was awful this year…
I bet they sign Griffey Jr. and some other big bats, all old players though
I’d go after Hank Blalock right now, sign him cheap get him a guaranteed contract. CC is priority # 1, 2 and 3 Blalock is versatile can fill the COF or CIF.
Also on a related note, they didn’t dump Washburn’s salary when they had the chance. Enjoy paying that this year, Seattle.
Blalock would be a nice pick up. However that would definitely mean Damon or Hedeki goes. No way Damon plays center all year, and we have Nady for RF.
Damn, the Lakers locked up Bynum for the next 4 years.
Katie I want Blalock’s athleticism at 1B, I just mentioned the COF too because he can do that too.
Blalock has never played an outfield spot in his pro career and doesn’t possess the footspeed or arm to do so. Playing third base would be an adventure. Hard to say what he would do at first base, since he only has 34 games at first base. He’s risky at best on defense and on offense, it’s unknown as to whether he can do the job.
BTW to the Nets fans this play alone tells you why Boone should not start over Brook Lopez, Duncan like play drawing the triple team hits the cutter Yi it didn’t count but that’s what he adds basketball IQ.
http://www.huanantiger.com/att.....vSmycs.gif
Hmmmm, was his 34 appearances at first really bad?
GB7 athletically Blalock can man the corner. Getting him adds an insurance player and a trade piece. It’s something we should look into the bat is too talented not too.
Brandon -
I was surpised that Boone started over Lopez. I thought Frank would give Lopez a long look to see what he got. So what, Boone is a 3 year vet, he’s more of a bench player.
Brandon, Blaylock can’t throw from third to first anymore. His shoulder is shot. that’s why he moved to first. He should never play the OF.
I expect Texas to keep him and DH him. Bradley a FA and he wants big money. They should spend it on arms.
Tom – if the Rangers doesn’t resign Bradley, then Blalock will be the DH, while Davis moves back to 1B.
Davis looked good for Texas at 1st.
I think next year with all the draft picks the Yankees may end up with, we should start drafting position players, like a SS and a 1B and then worry about pitching.
Ed, that’s why Frank is a horrible coach.
Tom, he just filed for FA I’m betting Texas lets him go.
Katie I think our pick next year will be a #17-20 so position player this year is definitely the way to go.
Brandon – Daniels still haven’t declined his option yet but so techincally, he’s still with the team.
anybody have any idea what kind of prospect Brandon Laird is? is GB around?
If healthy Blalock is a heckuva talent. I think he’d be excellent at 1B because 1B is a lot like 3B. The problem is Texas has indicated its intention to pick up the option so he’s not available to “go after right now”.
This is just day one of guys filing their papers… things wont get interesting until Nov 15. By then the Yankees should have settled the 2009 status of Pettite and Mussina so they know exactly where they stand.
I think bolstering the bench is also a big deal, so I’d have an interest in guys like Rocco Baldelli and Juan Uribe. Casey Blake could help a good bit at 1B/3B/DH/PH as well, but he may want a full-time job somewhere.
Tom -
http://riveraveblues.com/2007/.....aird-1817/
I mean I’m not saying pitching isn’t important, but in like 3 years Derek Jeter will not be playing short stop for us and in order to get someone homegrown we should get 1 soon and then he has like 3 years to develop.
I’m pretty sure the Nets have a philosophy of not starting rookies. And I don’t think it’s Frank’s choice. I think I remember hearing about that a few years back with Krstic.
Freddy Antonio Garcia……hilarious
Thanks Ed
I love Baldelli but physically he can’t play in the ML, Tampa had to pick thier rest days when they could use him on the field because health wise he can’t hold up if he plays say 3-4 days in a row.
saucY -
Nenad Krstic was a decent player. it’s a shame that he went back to Russia to play ball there.
Seems the RAB guy doesn’t think Laird be anything good.
“Laird is an intriguing guy, but he’d be even more intriguing – and more dangerous – if he batted lefty. He’s going to put up some goofy minor league numbers along the way, and could have a career path similar to Shelley Duncan, although Shelley is a better athlete and defender than Laird ever will be. Laird’s bat is going to determine how far he goes, and luck for him he’s got quite the hit tool. When it comes to 27th round draft picks, Laird is as good as it gets.”
I read today Tampa is going to discuss a contract with Baldelli, and he said he loves playing there because they understand him and he knows teams wouldn’t have stuck with him during his illness and even now.
I like him too as a bench player, but it is highly unlikely the yankees go after him.
Katie
October 30th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
I think next year with all the draft picks the Yankees may end up with, we should start drafting position players, like a SS and a 1B and then worry about pitching.
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Less than 300 innings isn’t much to go on. As a ba kup choice, perhaps, but, I’m not pinning the season on him, and not for the cost. Davis is not a good third baseman…he’s worse than Blalock was. If Texas keeps Bradley, then they’ll have to move Blalock or let him go.
As far as drafting 1st basemen and shortstops, NYY has been doing that.
saucy no he just sucks, enough excuses has been made for Frank he has a very talented basketball team inherited and has under achieved w/ them. You give Byron Scott or Rick Adelman or Terry Porter that same talent I guarantee you the Nets wouldn’t be just a .500 team.
This year he still has Carter, you have Devin Harris who w/ poorer talent in Dallas pushed that team to becom a 50 win team, you have a talented SG/SF/PF in Yi that plays like he has some black in him. Seriously a big that can shoot and take it to the rim like that reminds me of Dirk, and a talented rookie big w/ IQ in Lopez, the bench has Hayes/CDR/Dooling and Boone/Williams/Swift, there is no excuse.
Agreed Ed. I think they kind of gave up on him with his rough return from injury.
“Laird is an intriguing guy, but he’d be even more intriguing – and more dangerous – if he batted lefty. He’s going to put up some goofy minor league numbers along the way, and could have a career path similar to Shelley Duncan, although Shelley is a better athlete and defender than Laird ever will be. Laird’s bat is going to determine how far he goes, and luck for him he’s got quite the hit tool. When it comes to 27th round draft picks, Laird is as good as it gets.â€
What a horrible write up, who wrote this ? GB7 must be going nuts reading that.
GreenBeret7, I know the Yankees have been drafting them, but I’m talking about taking 1 with a better projection to make it to the big leagues.
No offense, Alberto Gonzalez was not very good. He played good defense, but I don’t think we can afford any more players on our team that just play good Defense.
On the report on Laird, techinally it was written towards the end of last year.
GB what is your take on Laird?
Gonzo went to the NL and ripped it up over there to a tune of .347/.407/.531 thank god we got Jhonny Nunez for him.
“Gonzo went to the NL and ripped it up over there to a tune of .347/.407/.531 thank god we got Jhonny Nunez for him.”
so people were made for the NL. see Will Nieves.
Gabe Kapler for 4th OFer?
He can play all 3 spots. Kills lhp
Alberto Gonzalez never looked comfortable to me. He looked comfortable in Washington, maybe less pressure
update….
“so people were made for the NL. see Will Nieves.”
Hence Thank God we got Nunez for him.
Can Wily-Mo be taught how to hit properly?
I just remember his tape measure shots a few years ago and thought he would be an interesting project. But I guess we already have a project in Shelley.
Anyways…another vote to keep Abreu.
Wow ESPN is getting ahead of itself here
http://scores.espn.go.com/mlb/scoreboard.
Willy Mo has other issues.
It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds this offseason. I hope C- Money has some tricks up his sleeve to make sure we can contend next year.
Goodnight all.
Tom
October 30th, 2008 at 9:46 pm
anybody have any idea what kind of prospect Brandon Laird is? is GB around?
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Laird was moved from third base to first base early last year. For a young kid, he knows how to hit. He’s lot a strict pull hitter, but, he’s definately got power and he hits for average without striking out that much.
He hit 23 homers in a tough league for power hitters and in a tough hitter’s park (Joe Riley Park) in Charleston. Right now, he’s hitting high line drives all over the park, not high bombs like Rodriguez, and that’s fine with me. Montero can hit bombs, too, but, he gets a little more air under the ball. Defensively, he improved on a daily basis….range and a strong accurate arm. Once he gets the knack of digging throws out of the dirt down better, and improves his footwork, he’ll be just fine…he’s close, considering there was really nobody to teach him and work on a daily basis with him. There are only three coaches in Charleston…a pitching coach, hitting coach and Torre Tyson, the manager. Look for Tyson to move up the list as up and coming managers. The lower minors really need and infield and outfield coach. Tyson works those spots as best he can. Hard worker and good with the kids, and he keeps them on a fairly tight leash. The good part is that he’s only about 32-33 years old. He was brought up by Girardi late this year to work with the younger players in NY.
Katie
October 30th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
GreenBeret7, I know the Yankees have been drafting them, but I’m talking about taking 1 with a better projection to make it to the big leagues.
No offense, Alberto Gonzalez was not very good. He played good defense, but I don’t think we can afford any more players on our team that just play good Defense.
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The Yankees didn’t draft Gonzales…he was part of the Randy Johnson trade. He’s now with Washington.
Brandon (TEIX IS NOT WORTH IT, GET CC !)…”Don’t trade Robi !”
October 30th, 2008 at 9:57 pm
“Laird is an intriguing guy, but he’d be even more intriguing – and more dangerous – if he batted lefty. He’s going to put up some goofy minor league numbers along the way, and could have a career path similar to Shelley Duncan, although Shelley is a better athlete and defender than Laird ever will be. Laird’s bat is going to determine how far he goes, and luck for him he’s got quite the hit tool. When it comes to 27th round draft picks, Laird is as good as it gets.â€
What a horrible write up, who wrote this ? GB7 must be going nuts reading that.
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Odd that this clown considers it lucky for Laird that he can hit, but, he’s not good. He had to be grading his defense while playing 3rd base. That’s why he was moved. I’d love to read his take on Brad Suttle’s defense at third base. One other thing about Laird…he can run a bit. He is one that can play a corner outfield spot if necessary.
Brandon, never said I endorsed Frank. I thought he was Kidd’s guy after chasing Scott out of town? He seems like he knows what he’s talking about in interviews and such, but beyond that I don’t know much.
That write up on Laird is a year old now, and I’d love to know what part of it is was untrue back then that makes it so horrible. He’s made some major improvements this year, specifically on the defensive side of the ball, but the kid’s value lies in his bat.
It’s funny, people on this board complain all the time about Yankees’ prospects being over-hyped, but then when they see something that says someone isn’t the next Albert Pujols, they freak.
GB, Thank you.
Catfight weeeeow !
No problem, Tom. Laird was definately out of position, although he was drafted as a 3rd baseman, as was Suttle.
Looks like Boras submits all his clients at once.
i think laird will turn out more of a poor man’s butler
Joe from Long Island
October 30th, 2008 at 8:45 pm
CC, Wanger, Pettitte, Garland, and Joba…Not bad. We could do a lot worse. A lot.
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we have pitchers that can put up garlands numbers,garret anderson is too old,payto has a terrible obp.pass on them all.
going to be very interesting trying to fill fb and cf.
i don’t see us getting ant decent fb or cf without trading hughes and some A list prospects.
maybe we can get a good enough fb and cf using B prospects.
what about shifting cano to first,jeter to second and get a ss???? and maybe trading for a cf,sign sabathia and another pitcher,any thoughts???
too bad we cant trade our draft picks for players.
I would love to see the Yankees get Manny to play RF and I think it would be a great move. Anytime you can get the 2nd best right handed hitter of his time for 1 or 2 draft picks its worth it. Abreu is a very good player, but Manny is on another level.
As shown by his performance down the stretch and in the playoffs this year, the man has not lost anything in term of ability. With his “relaxed” attitude, maybe he can even help A-rod loosen up.
Granted he is not a great fit positionally, but if he is looked for 4 years and Texiera 7…
do not sign abreu