Lingering Off-Season Issues
By
Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com
As busy as the off-season has been, an unusually large number of issues remain unresolved, raising the possibility of a volatile spring.
So much talk, so many possibilities, so many loose ends.
Alfonso Soriano. The Nationals want to move Soriano to the outfield; Soriano intends to stay at second base. A trade is possible, but a more logical solution would be a juicy long-term contract that would entice Soriano, a potential free agent, to change positions. The idea that Soriano's value is highest as a second baseman no longer is valid. Soriano has committed a major-league high 105 errors at second over the last five seasons; Jeff Kent and Ray Durham are next with 59 each, according to STATS Inc.
Manny Ramirez. All indications are that Ramirez is staying put, but the return of general manager Theo Epstein adds fresh intrigue. Epstein A.) craves roster flexibility B.) tried to trade Ramirez last summer and C.) placed him on waivers in 2003, inviting any team to assume his contract for the $1 waiver price. It would be difficult to move a contract as complex as Ramirez's in the middle of a season, but why not take one more shot before spring training? Remember, two years ago the Yankees didn't acquire Alex Rodriguez until Feb. 16.
Boomer Wells. Red Sox Distraction No. 2. Wells wants to be traded to a west-coast team, and his first choice is to return to the Padres, who currently project Chris Young and Woody Williams as their Nos. 2 and 3 starters. The Red Sox want no part of an exchange for Williams, and their need for outfielder Dave Roberts was eliminated by their trade for Coco Crisp. Not to worry — the Dodgers, Angels, Giants and Mariners all could use Wells, too.
Will Roger Clemens be back in Houston this season? We still don't know.
Roger Clemens. When the Astros declined to offer Clemens salary arbitration, it prevented them from re-signing him as a free agent until May 1. Clemens likely will continue his flirtations with the Rangers and possibly the Yankees, if only to drive up the price for Astros owner Drayton McLane. The best bet is that he goes back to the Astros for a salary similar to the $18 million he earned last season — not bad for a five-month gig.
Jeff Bagwell. The Astros are trying to collect a $15.6 million disability claim on Bagwell, who wants to prove that he can still play first base with his twice-surgically repaired right shoulder. The logical solution would be to trade Bagwell to an American League team that could use him as a DH, but the Astros received a lukewarm response when they made informal inquiries to the Angels, Red Sox and other clubs. If the Astros get their money, they could take another run at Tejada or pursue other deals at the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
Miguel Tejada and Javy Lopez. Tejada is content for the moment, but Lopez — displaced at catcher by free agent Ramon Hernandez — wants the Orioles to either give him a three-year extension or trade him. Club officials gladly would have obliged the latter request, clearing Lopez's $8.5 million salary and signing free agent Mike Piazza to play a similar role for much less; Lopez and Piazza had almost identical offensive numbers last season. Alas, no team would bite.
Reds general manager. New Reds owner Bob Castellini made his first curious move by hiring former Expos and Orioles GM Jim Beattie as a consultant and naming him a candidate to be G.M. The Reds need to do better than Beattie, whose low-key, deliberate style is too similar to that of Dan O'Brien's. A bold, dynamic leader is required to perform the necessary overhaul, and though the timing of O'Brien's firing was unusual — it's too close to the start of the season for a new GM to hire his or her own people — Castellini does not lack for quality candidates.
The Phillies. New GM Pat Gillick says openly that his team isn't good enough; the question is whether he can improve it by the start of the season. A number of rival executives anticipate Gillick making a splash, but the Phillies' inflexible roster and weak farm system is working against him.
The Braves. Still without a closer, they likely will trade for another reliever, probably a hard-throwing youngster, by Opening Day.
Remaining free agents. Outfielder Sammy Sosa appears headed to the Nationals. Catcher Mike Piazza could end up with the Padres. The wait continues for right-hander Jeff Weaver and catcher Bengie Molina, both of whom could play significant roles for contenders.
The market for Weaver remains unclear. The Orioles backed off after acquiring right-hander Kris Benson. The Indians were interested only if they traded right-hander Jake Westbrook earlier in the off-season. The Mets can't be ruled out, but don't seem especially eager. If Weaver ends up accepting a one-year deal, his decision to reject the Dodgers' offer of a one-year contract through arbitration will appear short-sighted. He could have remained in a comfort zone pitching for his hometown team.
Molina is threatening to sit out rather than accept a one-year, $4 million contract from the Blue Jays or a similar offer from another club. It's difficult to believe he would actually follow through with that plan, but taking time off from catching would save wear-and-tear on his body, enabling him to get into excellent shape and come back stronger. Then again, teams might not consider him as desirable if he was away from the game for even half a season.
Remaining chips. The list of players who could be moved between now and July 31 includes A's left-hander Barry Zito, White Sox right-hander Jose Contreras and Pirates right-hander Kip Wells. Others who are expendable: Cubs second baseman Todd Walker, Reds outfielder Austin Kearns and Devil Rays shortstop Julio Lugo and D.H. Aubrey Huff.
Ken Rosenthal is the senior baseball writer for FOXSports.com.
