Mark Shapiro Rumors

Just a few days after signing Francisco Rodriguez to a three year $37M deal, the Mets have acquired JJ Putz from the Mariners in a three team, 12 player deal that also includes the Indians. As part of the deal, New York sent Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Mike Carp and three minor leaguers to Seattle for Putz, Jeremy Reed and Sean Green. Additionally, the Mariners received Franklin Gutierrez from the Indians while Cleveland received Luis Valbuena from the Mariners and Joe Smith from the Mets.

The Indians had been rumored to be interested in acquiring Putz themselves, but have since come to terms with Kerry Wood. Once their closer situation was resolved, Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro noted that the team was dealing from a position of strength with regard to trading Gutierrez.

Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times is reporting that the three minor leagues the Mariners received are pitchers Maikel Cleto and Jason Vargas and outfielder Ezequiel Carrera.

Jayson Stark of espn.com has put together a comprehensive article evaluating the off season needs and plans of attack for ALL 30 major league teams. Here are some of the highlights:

• The Braves may go after AJ Burnett whether they trade for Jake Peavy or not. Either way, they're not likely to do anything about Burnett until the Peavy situation is resolved. If the Braves trade Yunel Escobar for Peavy, that'll open up another hole they may try to fill via free agency.
• If the Brewers are unable to sign CC Sabathia, and that seems to be the likely scenario, the team will likely go the opposite direction in terms of free agency and look to unload an infielder (JJ Hardy, Rickie Weeks or Prince Fielder) and/or Mike Cameron to fill their own holes.
• The Diamondbacks are not expected to be involved in the free agent market much at all. The Dbacks didn't sign a free agent at all last off season.
• On the Padres: "the Padres will be mostly chasing pitchers who have always wanted to pitch in the most pitcher-friendly ballpark on earth, live in Del Mar and not care how many digits are on their paycheck. There must be a few people left like that, right?"
• Trying to figure out what the Red Sox will do is a challenge. After they either sign Jason Varitek or acquire another catcher (perhaps a trade with Texas?), anything from standing pat to signing Mark Teixeira or Burnett and everything in between is possible.
• On the Yankees needs: "Three starting pitchers, a run-producing bat and possibly a catcher if Jorge Posada has any setbacks.
• The Orioles are expected to make runs at Burnett and Teixeira. Major runs.
• On the Indians: General manager Mark Shapiro once said the best approach to the free-agent market is "to avoid it."
• On the Tigers: "They're not in the mood to bump the payroll north of where it was last year ($138 million)." Translation: little action in the free agency market.
• The Angels have plenty of decisions to make regarding free agents, but it all starts withe Teixeira. If he stays, that's likely their winter. If he goes, they'll move on to Sabathia and/or Francisco Rodriguez. "If the Angels were at the craps table in Vegas," says one scout, "they'd be the high rollers."
• On the Rangers needs: "Starting pitching. And also starting pitching. In addition to starting pitching." The Rangers have plenty of talented catchers to trade and will likely try to trade them to bolster their pitching.

Here are some news and notes from around baseball:

• The Mariners will interview five candidates for their open general manager position this week: Peter Woodfork, the Diamondbacks assistant general manager; Jerry DiPoto, the Diamondbacks director of player personnel; Tony Bernazard, vice president of player development for the Mets; Kim Ng, Dodgers assistant general manager; and Tony LaCava, assistant general manager for the Blue Jays.
• Joel Sherman feels that the Yankees are valuing Robinson Cano as if his disappointing 2008 season didn't happen and thus won't trade him because his current market value does not match theirs. Sounds similar to when the Yankees were possibly overvaluing Phil Hughes and Ian Kennedy. Kennedy also doesn't think that Bobby Abreu would be a good fit for the Cubs as has been recently rumored.
• Orlando Hudson would like to play for the Mets in 2009. Hudson signing with the Mets has been a rumored item as many people think the Mets will try to move Luis Castillo this off season.
• Cleveland general manager Mark Shapiro spoke to the media today and gave some insight into the possible directions the Indians will take during the 2009 off season.
• Jayson Stark breaks down how a Manny-to-Philadelphia trade broke down this past July and Manny Ramirez ended up in Los Angeles.
• Paul DePodesta breaks down how the Padres evaluate pitching prospects.

General manager Mark Shapiro recently noted that only two position players, Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner, will have a starting job in 2009.  Shaprio continued to say that the Indians two biggest needs for 2009 are an infielder and a closer.  Prospect Andy Marte has not been very effective for the Indians since Casey Blake was traded and the Indians will be looking to upgrade at third base, an area expected to be thin in the free agent pool this off season. 

Jhonny Peralta could possibly be moved to first base allowing Asdrubal Cabrera to move to shortstop.  Ryan Garko and Victor Martinez are also possibilities at first base.  Shapiro plans to look for an infielder at first, second, or third, allowing him to get the best value in the market this off season.