http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/michael...-younger-110611

 

Grady Sizemore likely will sign with a high-revenue team that is willing to give him approximately the value of the $9 million club option that the Indians declined.

 

But don’t rule out the Indians just yet.

 

The Indians’ training staff knows Sizemore better than any club’s and could help position him to achieve a better platform for free agency on a one-year deal.

Yup, that Indians' training staff has done wonders for that kid. No way any other franchise could help him miss so many games.

Royals_Report Bob Dutton

by Ken_Rosenthal

#Royals trade OF Melky Cabrera to San Francisco for P Jonathan Sancez and minor-league pitcher Verdugo.

Is that Jonathan Sanchez? The guy who threw the no hitter and who people keep suggesting KW/Coop might trade for?

http://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/133449698.html

 

Twins sending mixed messages about their 2012 payroll

Posted by: Joe Christensen under Major league trades, Target Field, Twins management Updated: November 8, 2011 - 12:03 PM

 

Last week, in an interview with Patrick Reusse and Phil Mackey on 1500ESPN, Twins president Dave St. Peter said the team’s 2012 payroll “will end up at the end of the day being relatively comparable [to last season].”

 

Just so we’re all clear moving forward, the Twins official 25-man Opening Day payroll was $113 million. According to insiders, the team wound up spending closer to $118 million by season’s end, even with the money saved on the Delmon Young and Jim Thome trades. Keep in mind, players collect their salaries on the DL, and their replacements cost money. It adds up, even when the replacements are making the major league minimum ($414,000).

 

When interim GM Terry Ryan was asked about next year’s payroll on Monday, he said, “I think our payroll is going to be south of where we were last year.”

 

How far south?

 

“What was it last year?” Ryan said.

 

A reporter answered that it was $115 million, a common estimate.

 

“I don’t know if that’s accurate, but I think it’s going to be somewhere around $100 [million],” Ryan said.

 

Ryan downplayed the importance of payroll in determining a team’s success, and we all know he won four division titles with significantly less in his first tenure as GM.

 

St. Peter has a slightly different view

 

I caught up with St. Peter after the press conference and asked him about Ryan’s $100 million comment.

 

“Terry and I, frankly, have not had one discussion about our payroll for next year,” St. Peter said. “He’s been privy to it because nothing has changed from what we had been telling Bill [smith]. ... I think it can be a fluid number. I’m hoping we can find a way to inch it forward."

 

"I think it’s also important what Terry said: Nobody here has ever viewed payroll as the end-all," St. Peter added. "Frankly, whether it’s $100 million, $95 million, $105 million, I think we can be successful next year. That’s certainly the belief that we have.”

 

The Twins are trying to draw a line. The Opening Day payroll jumped from $71 million in 2007 -- the final year of Ryan’s first GM tenure -- to $113 million last season. Obviously the jump was made easier because they appear to be printing money at Target Field, but that doesn’t mean they’ll continue to increase spending.

 

St. Peter told Reusse and Mackey last season’s payroll was “frankly, north of where I wanted it to be, or where we thought it should be relative to our percentages of revenue. But we made a decision, obviously, to try to bring back [Carl] Pavano, bring back [Jim] Thome, and I don’t think anybody here regrets that. I think we thought they were the right decisions at the time.”

 

Big difference in revenue sharing

 

On the radio, St. Peter also gave a clear answer to a question many of us have had: How has the team’s revenue sharing picture changed since it left the Metrodome? St. Peter said the Twins were collecting about $20 million in revenue sharing money in their final years at the Metrodome. After a one-year grace period that teams get when they move into a new ballpark, the Twins paid $10 million into the revenue sharing pot this year.

 

That’s a $30 million swing, when comparing the Twins revenues in 2009 and 2011.

 

Bottom line

 

Ryan knows Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau will combine to make $38 million next year (and again in 2013). It’s going to be tough to fill 23 other roster spots for $62 million. By our calculations, even if the Twins let all four of their free agents leave -- Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel, Joe Nathan and Matt Capps -- the Twins would still pay $83 million to return the rest of the club for next year.

 

Maybe Ryan has a few tricks up his sleeve -- such as trading away Pavano, Francisco Liriano, Scott Baker or another medium-salaried player -- but the hunch here is the Opening Day payroll will land closer to $110 million. Every team sets a budget and then builds in flexibility so money can be spent if the right opportunity arises.

 

Maybe the Twins wanted to send a message: The gravy train is over. Yes, they’ve handed out some bloated contracts in recent years (to Mauer, Morneau, Baker, Nick Blackburn, Denard Span and Tsuyoshi Nishioka) but under Ryan, they intend to squeeze value out of every dollar spent.

Royals interested in Zambrano? http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/11/roya...s-zambrano.html

 

"We would have to be interested. We would have to explore it because that's what you should do. You should explore every opportunity. Carlos Zambrano is a heckuva competitor. Carlos Zambrano has had a lot of success in the major leagues. Carlos Zambrano is actually a very pleasant, easy going, classy person off the field. Sometimes, as with all of us the competitiveness takes over and brings out qualities in us that we are not proud of. Obviously the Cubs grew tired of some of his outbursts but I believe in our coaching staff and we'll always take a chance and a risk on certain players. We'll see how that particular situation unfolds."

 

Haha, I love Dayton Moore

via twitter

 

OverTheBaggy

According to Cincy sports radio reports, #Twins have made calls inquiring about #Red pitcher Johnny Cueto

@hoynsie paul hoynes

Heard Indians had interest in Japanese RHP Shinobu Fukuhara, 34. He's a free agent and played for Hanshin Tigers last season.

 

jonmorosi Jon Morosi

Source: Brian Dinkelman will return to #Twins on minor-league deal. Plays 2B/LF mostly, hit .301 in brief call-up this year.

 

Well we now know who is going to grind us to death next year...

 

jcrasnick Jerry Crasnick

#Jamey Carroll is closing in on a multiyear deal with Twins, sources say. He would be their everyday SS.

 

Ken_Rosenthal Ken Rosenthal

Carroll's total guarantee in two-year deal with #Twins expected to be in $7M range. #MLB

 

jcrasnick Jerry Crasnick

Jamey Carroll's deal with the #Twins is pending completion of a physical exam.

 

JoeCStrib JoeChristensen

#Twins keeping dialogue going with Capps:

jonmorosi Jon Morosi

#Tigers' search for a backup catcher still wide open. Sources say J. Molina, Treanor, Laird, and Ramon Castro are all options.

 

JoeCStrib JoeChristensen

#Twins keeping dialogue going with Capps:

 

Nice. I hope they re-sign him.

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

jamey carroll's final price was $6.75M for 2 yrs. physical with #twins is today. very useful player, but no bargain.

 

Tigers close to acquiring Prado for Delmon Young....ugh! Prado's a real good hitter and would be another good bat in that lineup.

Jerry Crasnick

Roy Oswalt's agent Bob Garber expected to meet with #Royals people today or tomorrow in Milwaukee

11 minutes ago

 

 

Would be a pretty nice get for KC. I like it.

Jerry Crasnick

Roy Oswalt's agent Bob Garber expected to meet with #Royals people today or tomorrow in Milwaukee

11 minutes ago

 

 

Would be a pretty nice get for KC. I like it.

 

That's interesting. Everything I had heard made it sound like Oswalt only wanted to play for a contender or he might retire. I realize the Royals have the best farm system this side of Theo, but they still aren't close to major playoff contenders.

That's interesting. Everything I had heard made it sound like Oswalt only wanted to play for a contender or he might retire. I realize the Royals have the best farm system this side of Theo, but they still aren't close to major playoff contenders.

 

They'd certainly take a big step in that direction if they land Oswalt, especially if they bring in another good starter as well.

hoynsie paul hoynes

ESPN reporting Texas, Yankees, Cubs, Giants, Phillies and Red Sox have interest in Grady Sizemore. #Indians have an interest as well.

 

Tigers close to acquiring Prado for Delmon Young....ugh! Prado's a real good hitter and would be another good bat in that lineup.

.800 OPS's 2008-2010, followed up by a .687 OPS last year.

 

The real "Ugh" should be regarding the fact that the market for Quentin will now be that much smaller.

jcrasnick Jerry Crasnick

Checked with a #Royals person who said the team's interest in Oswalt is "minimal.'' Sounds like a due diligence thing at this point

 

Tigers close to acquiring Prado for Delmon Young....ugh! Prado's a real good hitter and would be another good bat in that lineup.

 

@JonHeyman Jon Heyman

Don't see braves doing prado for delmon straight up. Sounds like bad idea to me.

 

JoeCStrib JoeChristensen

#Twins express interest in Doumit, Willingham:

SI_JonHeyman Jon Heyman

#royals seem focused on bruce chen, who is 24-15 for them last 2 yrs. (thats 24-15 for kc!)

 

JoeCStrib JoeChristensen

#Twins express interest in Doumit, Willingham:

Willingham would be a great fit for that team's needs if they can get the M's back healthy