"not worthy of its own thread" offseason thread

[Jocephus]

Danny Duffy underwent surgery Tuesday to remove a loose body from his left elbow.
Duffy is expected to resume his normal offseason regimen in about six weeks and should be 100 percent by the beginning of spring training next February. The 28-year-old left-hander posted a 3.81 ERA, 1.257 WHIP, and 130/41 K/BB ratio across 146 1/3 innings (24 starts) this season for Kansas City. He signed a five-year, $65 million contract extension with the Royals last winter.
Source: Jeffrey Flanagan on Twitter
Oct 3 - 5:46 PM

Blue Jays general manager Ross Atkins confirmed Tuesday that the team already told Jose Bautista they don't intend to exercise their part of his $18 million option for 2018.
It's a foregone conclusion, as the Blue Jays and their fans gave Bautista a nice farewell during their final homestand. The veteran slugger batted just .203/.308/.366 this season and will turn 37 years old in a couple of weeks, but he still plans on playing next season. Given his defensive limitations, interest will likely be limited to AL teams.
Source: Shi Davidi on Twitter
Oct 3 - 3:16 PM

Katie Strang of The Athletic reports that the Tigers will interview Fredi Gonzalez for their managerial vacancy on Thursday.
Joe Frisaro of MLB.com reported on Sunday that the Tigers were seeking permission from the Marlins to speak with Gonzalez, who served as the team's third base coach this season. Gonzalez owns a 710-692 record (.506) over 10 seasons as manager between the Marlins and Braves. Internal candidates Dave Clark, Omar Vizquel and Lloyd McClendon will be considered while Angels bench coach Dino Ebel and Rays third base coach Charlie Montoyo are among some of the other possibilities from outside the organization. Whoever they hire will have to oversee a rebuild in Detroit.
Source: The Athletic
Oct 3 - 12:51 PM

Mike Puma of the New York Post writes that the Mets may first attempt to interview Dodgers bench coach Bob Geren and Astros bench coach Alex Cora for their vacant manager job.
Mets general manager Sandy Alderson will begin interviewing candidates this week and ideally he'd be able to talk to Geren and Cora before they get too busy with their respective duties for the postseason. Puma reported over the weekend that hitting coach Kevin Long and former White Sox manager and Mets third baseman Robin Ventura "stand out as early front runners" for the job, but Joe McEwing and Chip Hale are among the other possible names under consideration.
Source: New York Post
Oct 3 - 9:55 AM

Dan Warthen won't return as Mets pitching coach in 2018.
Also of note, longtime Mets trainer Ray Ramirez is out after the team was plagued by injuries in 2017. Terry Collins has accepted the position of special assistant to general manager Sandy Alderson. Warthen has been the team's pitching coach since 2008 and has earned the vocal praise of members of the pitching staff, but the front office wants a new voice for the role. Warthen has been offered another role in the organization. As the Mets search for a new manager, bench coach Dick Scott, first base coach Tom Goodwin, and bullpen coach Ricky Bones have been given permission to speak to other teams. However, coaches Kevin Long, Pat Roessler, and Glenn Sherlock will return in 2018.
Source: MLBlogs.com
Oct 3 - 9:42 AM

According to Bill Shanks of the Macon Telegraph, the Braves will indeed retain manager Brian Snitker.
This confirms the report from Mark Bowman of MLB.com. According to Shanks, the club is expected to official pick up his 2018 option on Wednesday. There's been speculation in recent weeks that the club could turn to special assistant Bo Porter or coach Ron Washington, but Snitker will get another chance to get things going in the right direction. However, there's expected to be some changes with his coaching staff.
Source: Bill Shaikin on Twitter
Oct 3 - 9:40 AM

Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports that "it’s increasingly likely" Justin Upton will exercise the opt-out clause in his contract and test free agency.
Upton has four years and $88.5 million remaining on his contract, but he's leaning toward taking the chance to do better on the free agent market. He'd be one of the best bats available alongside J.D. Martinez, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas. The 30-year-old posted career-highs in home runs (35), RBI (109), and OPS (.901) this season between the Tigers and Angels. Assuming he opts out, he won't have to worry about a qualifying offer this time around.
Source: Jon Morosi on Twitter
Oct 3 - 9:17 AM

[Farewell Friends]

Ugh. Patrick Wisdom? Really?

Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch said Memphis third baseman Patrick Wisdom, who had 31 homers this season, would be among those strongly considered to be added to the 40-man winter roster, rather than being exposed to the December draft.

Slugging outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who came from Seattle in the Marco Gonzales trade and finished at Memphis, also is likely to be added.

[Fat Strat]

Ugh. Patrick Wisdom? Really?

Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch said Memphis third baseman Patrick Wisdom, who had 31 homers this season, would be among those strongly considered to be added to the 40-man winter roster, rather than being exposed to the December draft.

Slugging outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who came from Seattle in the Marco Gonzales trade and finished at Memphis, also is likely to be added.

Pretty good depth player. Can play defense and provide some pop. I like having useful players available in the minors.

[Farewell Friends]

I just don't see the point in putting him on the 40-man. I mean, maybe the Padres take him just because, but it's hard to see anyone having enough interest to keep him on their roster an entire season.

[CardsofSTL]

I just don't see the point in putting him on the 40-man. I mean, maybe the Padres take him just because, but it's hard to see anyone having enough interest to keep him on their roster an entire season.

Girsch is tired of people questioning his Wisdom.

[Jocephus]

Rangers released DH Prince Fielder.
Fielder's professional baseball career ended in 2016 due to chronic neck issues, so this is really just a paperwork move. He played 12 seasons in the major leagues, batting .283/.382/.506 with 319 home runs and 1,028 RBI in 1,611 games. The 33-year-old is still owed $72 million, with the Tigers covering $18 million of it.
Source: John Blake on Twitter
Oct 4 - 1:04 PM

[MinorLeagueGuy]

Rangers released DH Prince Fielder.
Fielder's professional baseball career ended in 2016 due to chronic neck issues, so this is really just a paperwork move. He played 12 seasons in the major leagues, batting .283/.382/.506 with 319 home runs and 1,028 RBI in 1,611 games. The 33-year-old is still owed $72 million, with the Tigers covering $18 million of it.
Source: John Blake on Twitter
Oct 4 - 1:04 PM

Impact Fat

[Johnconrad]

Ugh. Patrick Wisdom? Really?

Cardinals general manager Michael Girsch said Memphis third baseman Patrick Wisdom, who had 31 homers this season, would be among those strongly considered to be added to the 40-man winter roster, rather than being exposed to the December draft.

Slugging outfielder Tyler O’Neill, who came from Seattle in the Marco Gonzales trade and finished at Memphis, also is likely to be added.

When you can't evaluate talent, this is what you do.

[Fat Strat]

I just don't see the point in putting him on the 40-man. I mean, maybe the Padres take him just because, but it's hard to see anyone having enough interest to keep him on their roster an entire season.

I don't really see it as an issue of someone else wanting him, though I think he could be picked for the same reason that we are keeping him -- depth. Obviously, it depends a lot on who else we need to protect, who we sign, who we dump, etc. If there are legit prospects we are leaving exposed, then sure, I would take them over Wisdom. But, if there's space for him, then I don't see the harm in protecting him. You can always waive him later if you need roster space.

[Hoot45]

I just don't see the point in putting him on the 40-man. I mean, maybe the Padres take him just because, but it's hard to see anyone having enough interest to keep him on their roster an entire season.

I don't really see it as an issue of someone else wanting him, though I think he could be picked for the same reason that we are keeping him -- depth. Obviously, it depends a lot on who else we need to protect, who we sign, who we dump, etc. If there are legit prospects we are leaving exposed, then sure, I would take them over Wisdom. But, if there's space for him, then I don't see the harm in protecting him. You can always waive him later if you need roster space.

Wisdom getting placed on the 40-man is a weird thing to gripe about, assuming there aren't other prospects left exposed as Fat said. Although I do understand the reflex considering the Allen Cordoba situation before.

I think Wisdom's stock is at an all time high right now. He had an impressive Spring Training in 2017, then went on to hit 31 homeruns while leading Memphis to a championship, including a title-clinching bomb in the PCL championship. He's a power hitting 3B with a good glove who finally put it all together this year. Now I'm not saying he should be part of the Cardinals future, but he probably will be a useful chip in a trade.