A.L. Central Today—Winter Meetings Edition, December 6, 2006

ROYALS

Kansas City G.M. Dayton Moore is trying to get things done this week, his first Winter Meetings in charge of an organization, but he is being philosophical.  “We may do a lot, we may do a little bit, we may do nothing. There’s no internal pressure to do something—there’s internal pressure to do the right thing.  We’re asking our fans to continue to be patient,” Moore continued, “but I’m not asking them to be patient with us losing 100 games again next year.  I’m not asking them to accept that, because we’re not going to accept that. I can tell you that right now. I don’t want to ever have a losing season again. Ever. It’s not fun.”” Being cryptic, Moore hinted, “There are a lot of different scenarios; we’ve got a lot of balls in the air, really,” which reminds me of that an old line by Henry Wallace, who said during World War II that “an administrator is someone who tries to keep all the balls in the air without losing his own.”

Most notably and logically, the Royals are pursuing several free agent pitchers, with Gil Meche and Miguel Batista topping the list.  The Star reports that the Royals are among the finalists to sign Miguel Batista with the view that he would close games for them.  The 35-year old Batista, who pitched with the Royals in 2000, is looking for a three-year, $20-$25 million deal.  One report suggests that the Royals are “ready to overpay to try to win” Gill Meche, who is expected to pick up a three-year deal at $10 million per year or a four-year deal totaling $36 million from one of the many teams that are lobbying for his services.  The team is also after others, but Moore wouldn’t name them, saying only that the Royals have had discussions with all their targets.  “Everybody that we are pursuing, we’ve spoken to them,” Moore said. “We wouldn’t pursue them intensely if we didn’t have a comfort level with one, their interest in us, and two, our affection toward them as people that would fit into our clubhouse or our team.”

Perhaps with an eye to the fact that Meche will get too expensive, the Royals have been conducting “heated discussions” with the Baltimore Orioles to acquire starter Rodrigo Lopez.  The Royals are believed to have offered outfielder Reggie Sanders for Lopez, but the Orioles appear to prefer Emil Brown.  “The guys we’re going after,” Moore said, “are guys who can be part of our long-term future. That’s why we think it makes sense.  “We’ve got some guys in our system whom we believe will be able to help us in the next year or two, but we need to mix in some older guys.”

On Wednesday, the Royals concluded a rumored deal with the New York Mets, exchanging promising, but very erratic reliever Ambiorix Burgos for less enchanting but, perhaps, more reliable starter Brian Bannister.  The son of former major league southpaw Floyd Bannister, Bannister won a spot in the Mets rotation out of spring training, but injured and then re-injured his hamstring during the season, finishing with 4.26 ERA and a 22/18 BB/K ratio in 38 innings.  The right-handed Bannister had a reputation as a control pitcher in the minors, where he walked only 155 batters while striking out 473 in 550 innings. 
Scout.com reports that Bannister throws four pitches: an 88-92 mph four-seam fastball, which he can throw faster, but with diminished control when necessary; a true 12-to-6 curveball, which is his out pitch; a change; and a cutter. Bannister, 26, is expected to join the current Royals rotation of Odalis Perez, Luke Hudson and Jorge De La Rosa.

The Royals are also getting calls from other teams.  The club confirmed other clubs have asked about Mitch Maier, who is perhaps an extra wheel in the team’s loaded minor outfield/first base situation, and fleet centerfielder Joey Gathright, who might able to be re-replaced by David DeJesus. 

Longtime prospect Dewon Brazelton signed a minor league contract with the Royals.  He is one of several intriguing non-roster invitees, including LHP Wayne Franklin, RHP Matt Wright, and 1B Graham Koonce, who will join the Royals in their Surprise, Arizona camp spring. 

Finally, Fox Sports Midwest has secured the rights to be the exclusive home of the Royals beginning in 2008.  “Virtually every game” will be on television along with pre- and post-game shows.  The Royals were with Fox from 1997 to 2002.  The Royals Sports Television Network (RSTN), which launched just before the 2003 season, will broadcast games this season with an unchanged schedule but then will “fade away.”

INDIANS

Turning their back on several internal solutions to their bullpen problem by signing three veteran relievers in the last week, the Indians continued on this path on Tuesday by confirming a “strong interest” in free agent closer Eric Gagne. Gagne’s agent, Scott Boras has said he expects his client to sign a one-year contract valued at approximately $6 to $7 million by the end of the meetings. The other players in the Gagne derby seem to be the Red Sox, who have also confirmed that they are pursuing the former-Dodger closer, the Reds, Braves, Giants and Phillies. 

Feeling the pinch of a wild free agent season, Cleveland Indians owner Larry Dolan is having second thoughts about baseball’s new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA).  “It is unfair how it is structured. And it’s something we do have to live with,” Dolan told Yahoo! Sports. “The new CBA is a significant accomplishment in that it’s created labor peace. At the same time, it did not take on some of the ongoing structural issues.” White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is in agreement with Dolan.  “I’m already lamenting it,” Reinsdorf said, expressing fears that low-revenue teams might not be able to afford to sign free agents in the future.  “They still have problems,” said Reinsdorf, acting, perhaps, as a stalking horse for his close friend and ally Commissioner Bud Selig.  “Revenue sharing has helped somewhat, but not enough. We need a system of salary restraint. Until there’s a system of salary restraint, the players are going to get all incremental revenue.” So, why did the owners unanimously approve of the CBA only months ago?  Basically, because The Union made them do it.  “In my view, the cost of making meaningful changes would’ve been extraordinarily high – in the form of a work stoppage,” said Dolan.  There was a general feeling on both sides that this was not the time for a work stoppage,” said Reinsdorf. “I know I’m happy because we kept peace”

TIGERS

After trading for Gary Sheffield, a seventh outfield/DH bat, the Tigers have been looking for a way to alleviate the logjam.  Several teams have inquired about left-fielder Craig Monroe, who will be 30 before the 2007 season, but the Tigers would rather move Marcus Thames, who is one month younger than Monroe.  G.M. Dave Dombrowski swears that the Tigers “love,” however, “Right now, we have a good extra outfielder: Marcus Thames.  He hit 26 home runs. It’s just that we’re a little more right-handed than we’d like.” “But . . . Jim’s happy to have Marcus Thames on his club. We’d prefer to have a left-handed hitter, but we’re not going to take a guy just because he hits left-handed.”

The Baltimore Orioles inquired about Tigers outfielder Craig Monroe, to which the Tigers countered by asking for Nick Markakis.  When each told the other that the player in question was “unavailable” things broke down.  The Tigers, in search of a left-handed bat, asked for Nick Markakis but were told he’s not available, according to a baseball source.  The Orioles may interested in acquiring Thames, but they are not willing to part with the still substantial price tag that Detroit has affixed to the slugger, who hit 20 doubles and 26 homers in just 390 plate appearances.  The Orioles are willing to move left-handed swinger, but oft-injured Jay Gibbons, who might complement the Tigers starboard-tilting lineup. 

The Tigers also met briefly with the Florida Marlins, who believe that youngster Brent Clevlen may be available, but that discussion was not considered serious. 

The team that interests the Tigers the most may be the Tampa Rays, who have been fielding offers on all of their very good young outfielders – Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli, Jonny Gomes and Delmon Young. “The one area where we’re covered is in the outfield,” Rays’ manager Joe Maddon said.  “If something like [a trade] were to happen, we feel that’s the one spot we can handle internally.” One way that they would handle that is by moving their defensively-challenged by very promising young infielder B.J. Upton to centerfield.  The Rays are looking for good young pitching talent to back of their rotation, currently headed by Scott Kazmir.  Dombrowski has maintained that he is not interested in trading any of the four pitchers who started Detroit’s postseason games, which leaves lefty Mike Maroth as trade bait. 

However, Dombrowski is not in a rush to anything.  “It’s not like we’re looking to change anybody that’s in our everyday lineup,” said Dombrowski.  “You can never tell what happens, but I don’t anticipate anybody coming along with what we’ve talked about that would change that mindset. It’s not perfect, but it’s pretty good.  As we sit here now, nothing is close,” said Dombrowski. 

TWINS

Talks between the Twins and Rockies aimed at bringing Jason Jennings to the Twin Cities have broken down.  Apparently, Colorado is unhappy that Minnesota is dragging their feet and that they are unwilling to part with a starter and reliever.  Twins’ G.M. Terry Ryan refuses to be rushed.  “We’re not going to pretend to be somebody we’re not,” said Ryan, who, traditionally, has refrained from making deals during the Winter Meetings.  “Our philosophy has been in place for years, and we’ve been successful. Unfortunately, it doesn’t make big news. You may never see me in the media room.”

A confidante of Twins god/pitcher Johan Santana has suggested that the Twins should extend the contract of their two-time Cy Young Award winner now, rather than wait until next winter.  Santana still has two years remaining on his contract, however, if the Twins wait until after the 2007 season then the 27-year old Santana will opt to play out the final season of his contract and test the free agency waters before the 2009 season. 

The Star-Tribune suggested that Richard Hildalgo should be considered for the Twins’ designated hitter vacancy.  Hildago, 31, once hit 44 home runs and twice posted OPS+ of more than 140 while playing for the Houston Astros, before finally succumbing to the always-fatal Baseball Prospectus cover jinx in 2004.  Allegedly, “scouts” say that he is in excellent shape and is playing well in the Venezuelan winter league.

The Twins have hired Ken Compton to their major league scouting staff.  Compton is the former director of pro scouting with Seattle.