Nationals President of Baseball Operations & GM Mike Rizzo admitted that the one thing the club cannot do this offseason is "spend wildly." In DC, Chelsea Janes noted their payroll jumped to $160M in '15 and began the '16 season at $145M. The Nationals’ payroll currently sits around $140M. Rizzo, at the MLB GM meetings in Scottsdale on Tuesday, said, "We would probably have to make some maneuvers to get us in a payroll position where it’s more feasible for us. But we’ve always been given the resources here by ownership to field the best team we can put on the field.” Janes noted those resources are "more limited than they could be" amid the ongoing MASN dispute (WASHINGTON POST, 11/9).
BACK IN THE GAME: In San Diego, Dennis Lin notes this week's MLB GM meetings "provided the first occasion" for Padres Exec VP & GM A.J. Preller to "mingle with all 29 of his peers since his return from suspension." By all appearances, Preller has "not encountered significant roadblocks" since his suspension ended last month. So far, "rumblings that some rivals would avoid dealing with Preller have remained speculation." Marlins President of Baseball Operations Michael Hill said, "In our game, it’s difficult to make trades, so you don’t want to eliminate anyone or a possible source where you can do deals" (SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE, 11/10).
SOFT LINE: In Providence, Tim Britton notes one of the "first steps" for the Red Sox during the offseason is "deciding just how far they're willing to go in terms of payroll" in '17. Red Sox President of Baseball Operations Dave Dombrowski said, "This year is a little bit different than any other year just because we don't know what the basic agreement is at this point." The club opened last season with a $197M payroll, with it moving over the $200M threshold "over the course of the season." The Red Sox have "run Opening Day payrolls that have ranked in the top six in baseball every season" since '03. Red Sox President Sam Kennedy said, "We've never had a mandate from ownership on a hard-and-fast number" (PROVIDENCE JOURNAL, 11/10).
MOVING CHAIRS: In Ft. Worth, Stefan Stevenson notes the Rangers "hope to soon announce how they’ve restructured their front office" in the wake of former Assistant GM Thad Levine leaving for the Twins. Rangers President of Baseball Operations & GM Jon Daniels said that the changes will include Major League Field Coordinator Jayce Tingler "moving into an executive role." Other changes may include "adding more voices to the decision-making process." Daniels "doesn’t expect Levine to poach anyone from the Rangers’ front office" (FT. WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM, 11/10).
