Jul

Nick Cafardo on aging stars, Josh Byrnes, Joe Torre, Adrian Gonzalez, Joakim Soria, Livan Hernandez, Matt Stairs

By Allan

Here’s are a few highlights from Sunday’s article from Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe

Cafardo wonders how to handle the contracts of Prince Fielder, Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols as they all approach free agency. Fielder is approaching free agency soon, his weight is a big issue especially if you’re a GM and you need to valuate a 7 or 8 year contract. The consensus is “buyer beware” with Fielder, but that hasn’t stopped the White Sox or Angels. Carfardo says that a team needing a splash could give Fielder a Mark Teixeira deal and the Washington Nationals and Baltimore Orioles could be in the market for the pudgy first baseman in the off season.

Jeter is a free agent after this season, and he’s 36-years-old. Cafardo wonders if you pay the Yankee icon $25-$30 million each for the next five years? The same goes for Pujols. He’s been great for his first 10 years, but do you pay him $30 million per year for the next 10?

Former Arizona Diamondbacks’ GM Josh Byrnes has received “15 job offers” according to a close friend of Cafardo.

It would make perfect sense for Joe Torre to manage the Chicago Cubs next year. He wraps up his current three-year deal with the Dodgers after this season.

Adrian Gonzalez 2011 option has gone from $5.5 million to $6.2 million because of escalators triggered from 2008-2010. Still a bargain.

Cafardo reminds us that the Yankees may be interested in Kansas City Royals closer Joakim Soria as a setup guy, and a catching prospect Jesus Montero would be a good fit for the Royals.

Washington Nationals right-handed pitcher Livan Hernandez could be a half-year solution some teams may begin to consider.

Ben Sheets of the Oakland Athletics was placed on the disabled list, lessening the likelihood that he’ll be dealt.

Baltimore Orioles closer Mike Gonzalez could be a target of the Boston Red Sox.

Cafardo wonders if Red Sox infielder Jed Lowrie could be traded to the San Diego Padres for a pitcher.

Look for Padres owner Jeff Moorad to pull the trigger on an Adrian Gonzalez deal this winter.

Cafardo says it’ll be interesting to see what the Marlins do with second baseman Dan Uggla. Uggla has one more year of arbitration eligibility. Uggla has drawn a lot of interest from a lot of teams, and some think he could move to left field.

San Diego Padres outfielder/pinch hitter Matt Stairs thought he was going to retire after last year. He enjoys San Diego. Maybe he’ll be back for another season.