Atomic RoadRunners

Okay, so it’s tough to actually draw a line and say, “from now on, we’re talking about 2009″ during the offseason, since we have free agents, WBRL free agents, arb-eligibles, and protected lists all happening at various times.  For the purposes of atomicroadrunners.com, we’ll use December 1st.

While I’ll be posting individual wrap ups for each player later this offseason, as of December first, the Current Roster has been updated, and the following players are no longer active Atomic Roadrunners:

WBRL Contracts Expired:

• P Brandon Webb
• P John Maine
• 1B Prince Fielder
• SS Jose Reyes
• OF Shane Victorino
• OF Corey Hart
• OF Lastings Milledge

Traded to an AL Team in 2008:

• 1B Mark Teixeira

Traded from an AL Team in 2008:

• 3B Casey Blake
• OF Brandon Moss
• P Joe Blanton

Signed after the August 19, 2008 protection deadline:

• C Pablo Sandoval
• P Luis Ayala
• P Jason Motte

Happy Thanksgiving! While news has slowed due to the holiday weekend and upcoming Winter Meetings (starting December 8th), here’s the latest in nifty bullet-point format:

• Mark Teixeira: Top suitors are the Angels and Red Sox, with the Yankees, Orioles, and Nationals considerably farther behind. Teixeira is a Maryland native, explaining the O’s and Nat’s interest.
• Casey Blake: The Twins look like the top suitor, followed by the Indians. A deal with the Twins looked close to being finalized, but the Twinkies are likely waiting for the arbitration deadline to pass.
• Brandon Phillips: With Chase Utley slated to miss (at a minimum) all of Spring Training, and potentially the first half of the season recovering from hip surgery, Phillips’ value gets a boost, making him a stronger protection.
• Chris Dickerson: The Reds have been mentioned in several trade scenarios, but a few different reports have them chasing after the Rockies’ Willy Taveras, as the Reds aren’t necessarily sold on Dickerson as a center fielder. He probably doesn’t have the bat for a corner, making him a bench option.
• Jason Marquis may be on the market, as the Cubs try to line up cash and roster openings for a run at Jake Peavy. Peavy would give the Cubs a starting rotation of Carlos Zambrano, Peavy, newly re-signed Ryan Dempster, Ted Lilly, and Rich Harden.
• Brandon Moss (knee) should be ready “if not opening day, then soon thereafter,” said GM Neil Huntington. Moss had knee surgery last month and is facing 4-6 months of recovery time. “There’s nothing that tells us he won’t be ready Opening Day,” Huntington said. (Rotoworld)
• Brandon Lyon: The market for free-agent reliever Lyon isn’t likely to be settled until the major free agents find homes. Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Fuentes, along with trade candidate Houston Street are all in greater demand, as well are some of the lefty specialists. Latest rumors had Lyon considering Detroit or returning in a set-up role in Arizona.

Here’s a rundown of Roadrunner rumors during this week’s General Manager Meetings in Dana Point, CA.:

• Brandon Lyon is open to pitching in Colorado.

• According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks haven’t talked contract with Brandon Webb’s agent, Jonathan Maurer, since the team pulled out of a June near-agreement for three years and $54MM. Maurer expects to hear from the D’Backs this winter, but the price has gone up. Webb isn’t looking to set any records, but he’s well under-compensated on his current deal (which runs through 2010). ESPN’s Buster Olney heard a four-year, $80MM extension would probably suffice, but it’s not known whether the D’Backs will do that. Maurer wonders if they’ll look to trade Webb if contract talks break down.

• According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Nationals are preparing to make a significant offer to Mark Teixeira. Olney believes the Angels will make an offer in the $100-120MM range, but that offer will expire soon. If and when Scott Boras passes on that proposal, it might be the Yankees, Red Sox, Nationals, and Orioles competing for Tex.

• GM Ruben Amaro Jr. had an informal five-minute talk with Casey Close, who represents Ryan Howard and Joe Blanton.
• Larry LaRue says the Angels are hinting they can afford both Mark Teixeira and C.C. Sabathia.  The Yankees could afford it, too.
• The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs.  Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
• Ken Rosenthal has an Angels update: If they are to sign Mark Teixeira, the Angels would like to do it quickly.  However, it’s Scott Boras’ custom to let the market develop until late December or so.  It’s possible the Angels change gears on November 14th.  There are other big names to pursue, though none fit as perfectly as Tex.

• MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert talked to Brandon Lyon’s agent Barry Meister, who said his client would be open to closing or an eighth inning role.  Lyon would be thrilled to return to the D’Backs, but they don’t figure to match a multiyear offer.  More likely, they offer arbitration but let him leave. Lyon, 29, posted a 4.70 ERA in 59.1 innings this year.  His command was strong, possibly indicating better times ahead.

• In the Cubs’ scramble to land Jake Peavy via trade and to re-sign Ryan Dempster, Ken Rosenthal reports that several players may have to be traded to reduce payroll, including Jason Marquis.
• The Rangers may look at outside options for third base, and they’ve been in touch with Casey Blake’s agent.

Baseball Prospectus recently released the results of the 17th Annual Internet Baseball Awards, and Chipper Jones finished sixth in the balloting for National League MVP. 2008 IBA Cy Young Tim Lincecum placed ninth overall. Below are the results:

Rnk Name                   1    2    3    4    5    6    7    8    9   10       B       P
  1. Albert Pujols       1233   97   38   17    5    7    4    2    2    1    1406   18650
  2. Hanley Ramirez        26  454  191  164  105   76   46   38   14   15    1129    8477
  3. Lance Berkman         14  223  195  167  159   89   74   46   31   26    1024    6853
  4. Chase Utley           21  105  196  155  149  101   85   54   45   16     927    5899
  5. David Wright          10   93  163  152  171  118  104   63   50   28     952    5694
  6. Chipper Jones         14   70  131  128  133  115   81   68   47   28     815    4793
  7. Ryan Howard           53  116   75   80   64   44   38   28   35   24     557    3880
  8. Manny Ramirez         32   63   72   65   79   50   40   42   49   51     543    3205
  9. Tim Lincecum           5   33   61   77   94   61   70   50   44   22     517    2803
 10. Ryan Braun             7   49   61   94   55   53   56   44   37   22     478    2732

 12. Jose Reyes             3   12   35   38   63   68   59   72   58   45     453    2027
 23. Prince Fielder         0    1    5    7    9    9   10    7    4    2      54     268
 24. Brandon Webb           0    1    2    4    6    5    7    8    8    6      47     188
 39. Mark Teixeira          0    0    0    3    1    1    0    0    1    1       7      35
 42. Shane Victorino        0    1    0    1    0    3    0    0    1    0       6      33
 62. Brandon Phillips       0    0    0    0    0    1    1    0    1    2       5      13
 74. Corey Hart             0    0    0    0    1    0    0    0    1    0       2       8
 88. Chris Iannetta         0    0    0    0    0    1    0    0    0    0       1       5
 95. Brandon Lyon           0    0    0    0    0    0    1    0    0    0       1       4
104. Ryan Theriot           0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    0    1       1       1

It seems that I may have placed the vote for Theriot . . .

Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com reports that the Angels “will not engage in protracted negotiations with” Mark Teixeira and “might go in a completely different direction” if they can’t re-sign him by next Thursday. Unfortunately, agent Scott Boras is unlikely to make it a quick process. “In any situation, you get to a point where you have to make a decision and move the business forward,” general manager Tony Reagins said. “In any negotiation, there always comes that point where you have to say, you’re in or you’re out.” (Rotoworld)

“Mark is a priority, and we have a high level of interest,” general manager Tony Reagins said. “He’s a talented ballplayer. The way he goes about his business was impressive. Being able to see him every day was eye-opening, really, and we think he adds to what we want to do.” Teixeira hit .358 with 13 home runs in 193 at-bats with the Angels. His monster numbers after his trade from Atlanta probably have more to do with him historically playing well in the second half than anything else. No matter where he signs, he’ll enter 2009 as a top-three Fantasy 1B and a likely third-round draft pick. (CBS Sports)

Mark Teixeira has officially filed for free agency. He’ll be the big tuna on the free-agent market this winter, while plenty of teams with large payrolls will be ready to open up the checkbook for the slugging first baseman. It’s believed that he’ll command as much as $20 million per season, so Teixera will have limited options. (Rotowire)

Mark Teixeira went 3-for-3 with a sac fly, a walk and three runs scored Friday against the Red Sox. His sac fly off Jonathan Papelbon tied it in the eighth. Teixeira’s first postseason series has been a big success so far, but he’s just not getting much help. He’s 5-for-7 so far. (Rotoworld)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira was 0-for-1 with a walk before leaving Friday’s game against the Rangers. According to The Sports Xchange, Teixeira has reached base safely in 48 of the 52 games he has played with the Angels, scored 39 runs and driven in 42. Teixeira’s monster numbers with the Angels probably have more to do with him historically playing well in the second half than anything else. He’s a free agent in the offseason, but no matter where he signs, he’ll enter 2009 as a top-three Fantasy 1B and a likely third-round draft pick. (CBS Sports)

Mark Teixeira went 4-for-5 and homered with two outs in the eighth inning to help the Angels to a comeback victory Wednesday night. Teixeira is hitting a robust .309 with 33 homers and 120 RBI. If the Angels and fantasy owners can afford him, keep him. (Rotowire)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira hit a two-run home run in the first inning Sunday at Texas — his 12th for the Angels and 32nd of the season. He finished 1-for-3.Teixeira has three home runs in his last seven games, is having his usual monster second half and is clearly an elite Fantasy 1B. Start him in all leagues. (CBS Sports)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira hit a two-run homer off A’s RP Brad Ziegler in the ninth inning to give Los Angeles a 2-1 lead. Teixeira’s drive over the right-field fence was the first home run allowed by Ziegler as a professional since Aug. 17, 2005, for Double-A Midland at Arkansas. Teixeira, who has 31 homers, had two doubles earlier in the game to up his count to 37. Teixeira also knocked in the Angels’ only two runs in the game. Teixeira has been the Angels’ best offensive player since coming to the club, and this month is no different. Teixeira has 12 RBI in just 13 games this month. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira reached the 30-homer mark for the fifth straight season with a leadoff shot in the sixth inning Sunday against the Mariners. It was his 200th career home run and 10th home run since joining the Angels in a July 29 trade with Atlanta. He finished 1-for-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Teixeira is having his usual monster second half and is clearly an elite Fantasy 1B. Start him in all leagues. Given his relative age and health, he should start more than most Angels over the final two weeks. (CBS Sports)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira, who had missed the last two games with an illness, returned to the lineup Friday against the Mariners. He went 0-for-4. Teixeira is having his usual monster second half and is clearly an elite Fantasy 1B. Start him in all leagues. (CBS Sports)

Angels 1B Mark Teixeira sat out his second straight game because of illness Thursday against the Mariners. Teixeira should be fine for the weekend. He’s having his usual monster second half and is clearly an elite Fantasy 1B. Start him in all leagues. (CBS Sports)

Mark Teixeira sat out Wednesday’s win over the Yankees because of an infection and a temperature, the Associated Press reports. This isn’t anything serious, and now that the Angels already have the division wrapped up, there’s no need to push Teixeira until he’s fully healthy. “I started running a fever last night, so they got me on antibiotics to make sure it doesn’t get worse,” Teixeira told MLB.com. “You know how you feel when you have a fever and your body is achy and you don’t feel right.” He’ll probably return on Thursday. (Rotowire, CBS Sports)