Notes from around MLB:
Sources close to the Mike Lowell negotiations told the Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo that Lowell would need a third year guaranteed and if he gets it he is likely to take a “hometown discount”.
According to Cafardo the market for Lowell hasn’t been as hot as expected as Phillies GM Pat Gillick stated that he will not devote a lot of his resources toward a third baseman but will earmark the money toward pitching. Yankees GM Brian Cashman expects Lowell to stay put.
With Curt Schilling in the fold Cafardo says the Twins and A’s are interested in some of Boston young pitching talent. The Twins may dangle Johan Santana while the A’s are reported willing to move Dan Haren if the right package comes along.
Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee Tuesday. The Sox says the surgery won’t interfere with his off season training program.
Despite knee and shoulder injuries Ortiz played 149 games hitting a career high .332 with 35 HR’s and 117 RBI. He also played 14 post season games hitting .370 with 3 HR’s and 10 RBI in helping the Red Sox win their second World Series title in four seasons.
Washington Nationals 3B Ryan Zimmerman broke a bone in his left wrist last weekend while swinging a bat and will have surgery today. The recovery is expected to take four to six weeks making him available for spring training in February.
Zimmerman led the Nationals with 24 HR’s and 91 RBI while hitting .266 in his second major league season.
Baseball could have limited use of instant replay come 2009. The general managers voted to 25-5 on the measure, which would limit the use of replay to ‘boundary calls’, whether potential home runs are fair or foul, whether a ball went over the fence and fan interference on home run balls.
Five general managers — Dan O’Dowd of the Rockies, Josh Byrnes of the Diamondbacks, Jim Bowden of the Nationals, John Mozeliak of the Cardinals and Billy Beane of the A’s were in charge of the recommendation.
Next step is to get the go-ahead from commissioner Bud Selig and then draft a detailed replay proposal for a vote at the winter meetings in Nashville in December. If voted in replay would not be implemented for 2008.
Put A.J. Burnett into the mix of players who could be traded in the off season. The Toronto Blue Jays are willing to entertain offers for the right hander they signed as a free agent after the 2005 season. Burnett has an opt out clause in his contract after 2008 and can become a free agent much like J.D. Drew and Alex Rodriguez did. Jays GM J.P. Riccardi has to decide if it’s worth the gamble to hold on to him and take the chance of him staying for two more season vs. Burnett opting out. Burnett was a member of 2003 Florida Marlins along with Red Sox pitcher Josh Beckett and free agent 3B Mike Lowell who won the World Series that season over the New York Yankees.
Speaking of the Marlins GM Larry Beinfest is willing to talk about deals involving 3B Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis. The pair are both arbitration eligible and the Marlins are never one to pay a player a lot of money. I’d imagine if the Sox don’t get a new deal done with Lowell that Cabrera would be option. But in order to get the 24 year old the Sox will have to be willing to part with some top prospects which could include pitcher Clay Buchholz and Jon Lester as well as infielder Jed Lowrie and outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury.
The Yankees are possibly interested in Cabrera as well to replace Rodriguez at third but they too would have to willing to part with someone like Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy plus others.
Other players who could possibly be traded in the off season include: Orioles SS Miguel Tejada, Rockies 3B Garrett Atkins and P Brian Fuentes, White Sox 3B Joe Crede and Red Sox CF Coco Crisp.
