According to Pete McElroy of MASN, the Nationals signed righty Kip Wells to a minor league deal. Barry Svrluga of the Washington Post says he can earn $500K if he makes the team. Wells, 32 in April, posted a 6.21 ERA, 7.41 K/9, and 7.17 BB/9 in 37.2 innings for the Royals and Rockies last year while earning $3.1MM. He also tossed 25 innings in the minors for Colorado. He dealt with blood clots in his pitching hand during the season.
Archives for March 2009
Offseason In Review: Atlanta Braves
Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Braves. Here’s what we wrote about them on September 18th. The changes for 2009:
Additions: Derek Lowe, Javier Vazquez, Kenshin Kawakami, Tom Glavine (re-signed), Boone Logan, Eric O’Flaherty, David Ross, Garret Anderson, Greg Norton (re-signed), Brooks Conrad. Midseason: Casey Kotchman, Stephen Marek
Subtractions: Mike Hampton, Will Ohman, Julian Tavarez, Chuck James, John Smoltz, Royce Ring, Ruben Gotay, Brent Lillibridge, Tyler Flowers. Midseason: Mark Teixeira, Mark Kotsay
I’ll kick things off by annoyingly quoting myself from September:
Manager Bobby Cox expects to add two quality starters, whether via free agency or trade. I would target Derek Lowe due to his strong health record. He might cost $14-15MM per year. After that I’d ink a more affordable veteran like Paul Byrd, Freddy Garcia, or Randy Wolf. That bargain starter may come from Japan, with Koji Uehara and Kenshin Kawakami considered the top names.
Granted the market shifted, but the Braves got Lowe at exactly $15MM per and Kawakami at $23MM over three years. On top of that GM Frank Wren added one of the game’s most reliable innings eaters in Javier Vazquez. The Jake Peavy talks didn’t work out, but Wren shifted gears and did a great job bringing in three solid starters as well as Glavine. Throw in Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson, Tim Hudson at midseason, and many others, and Wren turned a deficit into a surplus. The loss of Smoltz was surprising and disappointing but not really a big deal for the 2009 Braves.
The Braves had more drama with the near-Rafael Furcal signing, but they were already respectable in the middle infield. Anderson isn’t spectacular as the left field import, but he’ll help (and isn’t any worse than Ken Griffey Jr.). Presumably the Braves have some cash left over for a possible midseason addition. But using CHONE projections, their lineup projects to score a healthy 4.93 runs per game. The Mets and Phillies tied for second in the league last year with that same figure.
The Braves should have a pretty good defense again; last year’s was rated seventh in the game in The Fielding Bible II. Last year’s bullpen wasn’t great, but more pitchers are healthy this time around. Overall, this looks like a 90 win team to me.
Bottom line: Despite the offseason drama, Wren assembled a deep, revamped rotation to go with an already-above average offense. The Braves should return to their contending ways in ’09.
No Starting Job For Willingham?
Nationals outfielder Josh Willingham hit a respectable .254/.364/.470 last year, which is very similar to his career line. His defense isn’t too bad, either. FanGraphs suggests he was worth $10.3MM last year, and he’ll earn $2.95MM in ’09. All in all, pretty good player. So how come he doesn’t have a starting job?
According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson, Willingham may be the odd man out in the Nationals outfield if everyone is healthy. They’re set to employ an Adam Dunn/Lastings Milledge/Elijah Dukes starting outfield, with Willie Harris and Austin Kearns also looking for playing time out there.
Willingham thinks the situation will work itself out, and he’s smart not to get worked up. Maybe Mike Rizzo can move Nick Johnson and open up first base. Failing that, someone figures to hit the DL sooner or later.
Heyman On Contracts, Loretta, Indians, Lackey
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has a new column up…
- Heyman writes in praise of White Sox GM Ken Williams, who says, "People don’t really understand our way, our method."
- Heyman names his top 13 contracts, from an agent point of view. Barry Meister appears twice, with Edgar Renteria and Kyle Farnsworth. Scott Shapiro and Barry Praver get two mentions (Willy Taveras and Juan Cruz), and Scott Boras has three (Derek Lowe, Mark Teixeira, and Willie Bloomquist).
- Heyman writes of "talk at Dodgers camp" about possible Yankee interest in Mark Loretta (you may recall their consideration of him as a first base candidate in 2007). Loretta would have to consent to a trade, and keep in mind Brian Cashman’s comments yesterday.
- The Indians may have sufficient depth in young position players to make a trade for pitching.
- Heyman speaks of optimism for an extension for Angels ace John Lackey, since the team was able to hammer out his ’06 contract with agent Steve Hilliard.
Manny History: Almost A Twin Or Mariner?
I’ve been enjoying the new book Becoming Manny by Jean Rhodes and Shawn Boburg. The book is surprisingly objective for an authorized Manny Ramirez biography.
As you know, Manny was drafted 13th overall in 1991 by the Indians. The Yankees, Braves, Twins, Cardinals, Brewers, Astros, Royals, Padres, Orioles, Phillies, Mariners, and Cubs passed on him. Many teams did not view Manny as a first-round pick, partially because he didn’t speak English well and had not graduated high school. The book also suggests that scouts simply did not enjoy driving out to areas like Washington Heights to watch prospects.
Old school Twins scout Herb Stein recommended Manny, though. From the book:
Stein pushed the Twins to take Manny with their third overall pick. But he was rebuffed by his bosses – a source of bitterness even today. The Twins chose Stanford first baseman David McCarty, who wound up hitting 36 career home runs and batting .242 in eleven major league seasons of part-time duty.
The Mariners also made a run:
Manny was playing a Youth Service League doubleheader. In a late show of interest, the Seattle Mariners’ top scout and assistant to the general manager attended. DeLuca [the scout who signed Manny for Cleveland] felt a wave of panic. After the game, Seattle’s reps talked to [Manny’s coach Mel] Zitter for ten minutes on the right-field line. They passed DeLuca on their way to the parking lot, exchanged greetings and said, "Good luck"- shorthand, DeLuca believed, for, "We’re going to pass on Manny. He’s all yours."
Manny wasn’t even a lock for the Indians. They wanted a pitcher:
Indians general manager Hank Peters and director of player development Dan O’Dowd had been pressuring [scouting director Mickey] White all winter to pursue college pitcher Aaron Sele, a six-three right-hander from Washington State.
Eventually, DeLuca and White were able to convince Indians director of baseball operations John Hart to recommend Ramirez. Sele would go to the Red Sox at #23.
Schneider, Castro Halting Pudge Pursuit
According to Jim Baumbach of Newsday, Mets assistant GM Tony Bernazard told El Nuevo Dia that having two catchers under contract is keeping the team from pursuing Ivan Rodriguez. This does not come as a surprise. The Mets owe Brian Schneider $4.9MM and Ramon Castro $2.5MM, and would reportedly like to move Castro.
How The Top Free Agents Are Faring
It is still very early in spring training, but let’s take a look back at Tim’s top 15 free agents and see how they are performing for their new clubs…
1. C.C. Sabathia (Yankees; 7 yrs/$161MM). Sabathia has made one appearance for his new club going 2 innings, giving up 1 unearned run on 2 hits. He struck out 2 and walked none.
2. Mark Teixeira (Yankees; 8 yrs/$180MM). In 5 games, Teixeira is 7-14 with 2 doubles.
3. Manny Ramirez (Dodgers; 2 yrs/$45MM). Manny will make his spring debut on Thursday.
4. Francisco Rodriguez (Mets; 3 yrs/$37MM). Rodriguez is pitching for Venezuela in the WBC. He has thrown 1 scoreless inning with 2 K’s.
5. A.J. Burnett (Yankees; 5 yrs/$82.5MM). Burnett has made 1 start for the Yankees, pitching 2 scoreless innings, giving up 1 hit.
6. Derek Lowe (Braves; 4 yrs/$60MM). Lowe has looked strong in 2 starts for the Braves, striking out 9 in 6 innings, allowing just 1 run on 5 hits.
7. Orlando Hudson (Dodgers; 1 yr/$3.38MM). Hudson is 3-16 in 6 games with the Dodgers. He has 4 Ks and a walk.
8. Adam Dunn (Nationals; 2 yrs/$20MM). Dunn is 1-5 with a double in 3 games.
9. Ryan Dempster (Cubs; 4 yrs/$52MM). Dempster has made 3 appearances (2 starts) allowing 5 runs (2 earned) in 8 innings on 7 hits and 2 walks. He has struck out 5.
10. Ben Sheets (Unsigned). Sheets remains unsigned and is currently rehabbing in Texas.
11. Mike Mussina (Retired). Mussina visited with his former Yankees teammates today and told the press that he has "no itch" to pitch again.
12. Raul Ibanez (Phillies; 3 yrs/$31.5MM). Ibanez is hitting .200 (5-25) with 3 doubles in 8 spring games. And I guess it is worth noting that he has not committed an error.
13. Pat Burrell (Rays; 2 yrs/$16MM). Burrell is 4-12 and hit his first home run today, a grand slam. He has driven in 7 and has 6 walks to only 2 strike outs. He even played one game in right field.
14. Bobby Abreu (Angels; 1 yr/$5MM). Abreu is 3-9 with 2 doubles and a walk in 4 games. He has struck out 4 times.
15. Brian Fuentes (Angels; 2 yrs/$17.5MM). Fuentes has made only 1 appearance for the Angels, giving up 2 hits and striking out 1 in 1 scoreless inning.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Yankees Not Likely To Replace A-Rod Through Trade
7:32pm: Marc Carig of the Newark Star-Ledger has another quote from Cashman on why the Yankees will not trade for a replacement.
"With the team not wanting add payroll, not wanting to hurt the farm system and stuff like that, and we’re going to get Alex back, we’re going to go with what we have in camp," Cashman said.
7:08pm: According to an AP article, Brian Cashman spoke about the possibility of finding a replacement for Alex Rodriguez through the trade market saying it is not likely.
"I’m not optimistic about doing anything," Cashman said before the Yankees played Cincinnati on Tuesday night. "I’m not going to be proactive in trying to do something. If something represents itself that makes sense, then maybe it will be different. I think our answer is here in camp."
Cashman added that he has not spoken to any other GM’s about a third baseman but he has heard from the agents representing free agent third basemen.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Pudge To Marlins Not Likely
Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports that a reunion between Ivan Rodriguez and the Marlins is not likely and the biggest factor is playing time.
"Obviously the issue is playing time,” [Scott] Boras said Tuesday, adding he also is talking to teams that might be willing to give Rodriguez, 37, a bigger role than the Marlins are offering.
Capozzi added that the Marlins are offering contract worth less than $1MM that would come with performance incentives. Boras added that the economics of the deal may have also been a hurdle, but that the playing time issue needed to be addressed first.
Yesterday, Pudge said that he would like to play for the Marlins again, while Jon Heyman thinks the Astros are interested and Jim Baumbach reported that the Mets have their eye on the catcher.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Donald Fehr Comments On Idea Of Salary Cap
Barry Bloom reports that Donald Fehr met with the media today and the head of the Player’s Association offered his thoughts on the potential of baseball instituting a salary cap.
"We’ve been down this road before and we saw where this led us," Fehr said during a 25-minute interview with about a half-dozen members of the media. "We spent an awful lot of time after the strike and again in 2002 and 2006, tying revenue sharing to the competitive balance tax and the free-agency system…It’s difficult for me to envision a situation where we’d make a wholesale change in the system. It’s nearly impossible for me believe that the players would be in favor of a salary cap."
These comments come only a few weeks after John Henry and Larry Luccino of the Red Sox made it known that they favor a salary cap in baseball.
Recently, Rays owner Stuart Sternberg said he expects baseball to institute a "much broader salary structure," but that he doesn’t necessarily favor a salary cap, noting that if it comes with a minimum (salary floor) he "can’t afford to run [his] business."
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
