RINGOLSBY: Economy puts a hurt on market

By Tracy Ringolsby, Rocky Mountain News

Published December 4, 2008 at 9:05 p.m.

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Photo by Darren Hauck / Getty Images

CC Sabathia has received offers from the Yankees and Brewers but remains undecided. Many big-name free agents are unsigned because of the economy.

In recent weeks, several agents have downplayed the possible impact of the nation's financial problems on baseball.

Actions, however, speak louder than words, and in this case, the actions are that owners are proceeding with caution this offseason. Whether there is a real concern about finances or merely a convenient excuse for owners to try to save some money, there's no question the free-agent market has been stagnant so far.

With the winter meetings set to open Monday, none of the big-name free agents has signed. In fact, only seven free agents have signed with new teams, and only two of the seven received more than a one-year deal.

Left-hander Jeremy Affeldt signed a two-year, $8 million contract with the Giants, and shortstop Edgar Renteria agreed to a two-year, $18.5 million deal with the Giants.

Meanwhile, CC Sabathia finds himself stuck in limbo, a six-year, $140 million offer from the Yankees and a five-year, $100 million offer to return to Milwaukee.

Sabathia is believed to want to pitch on the West Coast, and there is growing speculation the Giants could make an offer between the two on the table.

The most telling turn of events was the Yankees refusing to offer arbitration to free-agent left-handed pitcher Andy Pettitte and outfielder Bobby Abreu. The Yankees have made it known they want both back, but both made $16 million a year ago.

The Yankees want a significant salary cut for both and know that in arbitration, it's a virtual lock players would receive a token raise, if nothing else.

In Arizona, part of the justification for the acquisition of outfielder Adam Dunn from Cincinnati was the Diamondbacks could offset the loss of prospects because they would receive two of the top 50 picks in June's draft as compensation for losing Dunn to free agency.

Arizona, however, declined to offer Dunn arbitration, meaning they get no draft picks, a move believed to stem from the Diamondbacks not having the budget to add the signing bonuses those players would require.

A similar situation developed in Houston, where the Astros declined arbitration for left-hander Randy Wolf, a late-season addition from the Padres.

Infield chatter

* Free-agent left-hander Randy Johnson, five victories short of 300, has shown interest in the Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants. A native of Walnut Creek, Calif., Johnson is a graduate of Livermore High School.

* The Dodgers have shown interest in right-hander Trevor Hoffman, the game's all-time saves leader, feeling he could provide a positive influence on their young staff.

* Cleveland officials indicate they still have interest in the return of third baseman Casey Blake, but indications are he will wind up with the Twins or the Dodgers, depending on which one ups its offer from two years to three years first.

The rotation

Agent Scott Boras represents five of the 15 Type-A free agents who were offered free agency, meaning the former team gets two top draft picks as compensation if the player signs with another team. The five and the odds they will accept arbitration to remain with the former team by Sunday's deadline:

* Right-hander Derek Lowe, Dodgers. He has multiyear options in several places, including with the Yankees and Phillies.

* Outfielder Manny Ramirez, Dodgers. He pouted his way out of Boston because he wanted a major extension, not the option for $20 million the Red Sox could have exercised for 2009, and the Dodgers have indicated they won't exceed a two-year offer.

* First baseman Mark Teixeira, Angels. Re-signing him is a priority of the Angels, making a return likely.

* Catcher Jason Varitek, Red Sox. He'll return for a one-year deal, although Boras has indicated he would like a multiyear deal.

* Left-hander Odalis Perez, Mets. He has drawn interest from St. Louis, which never has hesitated to deal with Boras clients.

Out in left field

The Hall of Fame ballot this year has fewer names (23) than any in history, but among the 23 is one surefire first-time inductee - outfielder Rickey Henderson.

Henderson is the leadoff hitter against whom all others will be judged. He was the legitimate five-tool player and is the game's all-time career leader in stolen bases and runs.

When he retired, he also was No. 1 in walks, but since has fallen into the No. 2 spot behind Barry Bonds.

Closing statement

The Dodgers' efforts to retain Ramirez and Lowe have taken a back seat to their efforts to stabilize the infield.

Shortstop Rafael Furcal and third baseman Blake are free agents. If the Dodgers can re-sign Blake - and it appears to be between the Dodgers and Brewers - then Blake DeWitt can stay at second base and finding a shortstop becomes the priority. If Blake, 35, opts to sign elsewhere, however, DeWitt moves to third and the Dodgers are faced with voids at second and short.

MILE HIGH WATCH

* The Rockies would like to add a young right-handed-hitting outfielder, and one could become available - Minnesota's Delmon Young.

Young doesn't fit into Minnesota's projected outfield for next year. And the Twins, who are looking for bullpen depth with setup man Pat Neshek expected to miss the season recovering from arm surgery, have made inquiries about Rockies right-hander Huston Street.

Young, 23, hit .290 with 10 home runs and 14 stolen bases for the Twins last season after being acquired in a major offseason trade from Tampa Bay. Manager Ron Gardenhire recently said his Opening Day outfield most likely would be Denard Span, Carlos Gomez and Michael Cuddyer.

* The odds are better than 50-50 that third baseman Garrett Atkins will be in a Rockies uniform come spring training.

After moving Matt Holliday, the Rockies' demands in a trade for Atkins have become more specific. And so far, teams have been reluctant to get involved in serious conversations involving a proven starting pitcher capable of moving into the No. 3 spot, or higher, in the rotation.

What's more, while doctors have said Todd Helton's back surgery was a success, the true test won't come until the first baseman is put through a daily grind to see how his back responds. And that won't be until the final weeks of spring training, at the earliest.

And, with the trade of Holliday, Atkins' right-handed bat in the middle of the lineup could prove critical in keeping Troy Tulowitzki from having too much pressure as the only right-handed-hitting threat in a run-producing spot.

With Atkins two years removed from free agency, that adds up to the Rockies reconsidering the possibility of moving him.

Atkins provides an alternative at first base if Helton continues to have physical problems, or even a day or two a week to help protect Helton from injury, in addition to playing third base. The presence of Ian Stewart to take over at third is a key reason the Rockies felt they could move Atkins, but they are convinced Stewart has the athleticism to move to left field.

• December 5, 2008

  8:35 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jonkk writes:

  That's *Oliver* Perez, Mets free agent.

• December 5, 2008

  1:12 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  dabumster writes:

  I would think the right handed bat of Chris Iannetta might fit in the middle of the order rather well... but I do agree that trading Atkins away before they know about Helton's back may be a bit of a unnecessary risk especially since the market for Garrett seems a bit underwhelming at this point.

• December 6, 2008

  5:40 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

  Agreed with bumster...Ianetta may be a nice fit in the middle of the order....

  I do hope the Rox hang on to Atkins, and not look to move him before the year is over.....

  Street for Young is an intriguing deal.....Perhaps the Rox may want to ponder that one...However, I thought Gonzalez was the right handed hitting outfielder that the Rox were going to use to replace Holliday.....Guess I was wrong on that assumption....

• December 6, 2008

  5:55 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  ColoradoSportsFaninTexas writes:

  jonkk..

  I admit that I am not all that familiar with Oliver Perez.....Would he be a good fit in the Rockies rotation, and worth pursuing???

• December 6, 2008

  9:37 a.m.

  Suggest removal

  jonkk writes:

  Oliver Perez is the Jekyll/Hyde poster boy. He gets lots of strike outs and gives up lots of walks. He's either very hot or very cold. Dominating or horrific. In seven seasons he's had an ERA under 3.50 once and a WHIP under 1.30 once (both in 2004). Under 4.00 three times and under 1.40 three times, all in 2002, 04 and 07.

  That's nearly an every-other-year pattern, so maybe he'll have his next "good" season in 2009....

• December 6, 2008

  10:15 p.m.

  Suggest removal

  CSUGrad69 writes:

  Todd Helton should retire either voluntarily or as physically unable to perform. I have never believed that Atkins was the person for 3rd base and would be better at first base. Ian Stewart should be given every oportunity at 3rd base. It is past time to move Helton, one way or the other. Baseball is a business and there is little room for sentiment in the present environment.

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