No word yet on the Mariners' next manager, but two rival executives speculated on Monday that the team will choose Red Sox bench coach Brad Mills. Their reasoning: Mills, after working for the Sox, is well-schooled in statistical analysis, and the M's are forming an entire department devoted to sabermetrics. The department will be run by Tony Blengino, a longtime statistical analyst who came over from the Brewers with new GM Jack Zduriencik ...
The Cubs are trying to come to a resolution with free-agent right-hander Ryan Dempster within the next day or two. The two sides spoke again on Monday, but have yet to reach agreement on financial terms. The Cubs are willing to sign Dempster, 31, to a four-year contract. They plan to move on to other free agents if no deal is reached ...
More evidence that the White Sox will make a major play: The team has $92.185 million committed to 11 players for 2009, not including a raise for closer Bobby Jenks, who is eligible for arbitration for the first time. A trade of right-hander Javier Vazquez and/or a veteran hitter such as first baseman Paul Konerko would reduce that payroll number, leaving plenty of flexibility for a team that entered last season with a $121 million payroll ...
The Giants remain interested in right-hander Juan Cruz or another free-agent reliever even after awarding free-agent lefty Jeremy Affeldt a two-year, $8 million contract. Free-agent outfielder Pat Burrell also could attract the Giants' interest, but such a move would require the team to trade another outfielder, most likely Randy Winn. The Phillies gave Burrell parameters for a new contract. The Dodgers could be another possibility for Burrell if they lose Manny Ramirez ...
Don't be surprised if the Reds, after losing Affeldt, fail to re-sign David Weathers, another free-agent reliever. Weathers, according to friends, was upset that the Reds waited until late last week to make him an offer after club officials assured him in September that they wanted him back ...
And finally, the quote of the day comes from White Sox broadcaster Ed Farmer, who reasoned that free-agent left-hander CC Sabathia would not necessarily need to give up hitting if he accepted the Yankees' six-year $140 million offer. "He could buy his own batting cage," Farmer said. "He could buy his own reliever to pitch to him."
