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Archives for March 2010

Odds & Ends: AL East, Mauer, D’Backs, Sheets

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Some links to read with Opening Day just a month away…

Are Mutual Options Baseball’s New Fad?

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One thing that's become abundantly clear over the last two offseasons is that teams are all about mitigating risk. Long-term contracts have disappeared for players considered to be anything less than elite, and older players have a hard time finding guaranteed big league jobs in any capacity. As shorter contracts have become the norm, we've seen more option years included in deals.

Players are generally reluctant to agree to club options because, obviously, they'd like to retain some control of their future. On the other side of the coin, teams don't like giving out player options because of the risk and cost uncertainty. However, we've seen more mutual options given out this offseason than at any point in the recent past. 

With a mutual option, both sides need to agree to continue the relationship for the option to take effect. If either side declines, then the two sides part ways, so no one has a chance to get burned. It's not uncommon to see an arrangement where the player forfeits the buyout if they're the one to decline the option. Looking at our 2011 free agent list, I see no fewer than a dozen players who agreed to mutual options this offseason, including Trevor Hoffman, Vladimir Guerrero, Jon Garland, Russell Branyan, and Nick Johnson.

For all intents and purposes, mutual options are pointless as far as being an actual option. The one benefit they do provide is the guarantee of more money in the form of a buyout. Even better, these buyouts generally do not count against this year's payroll. Think of it as a way of borrowing from the future to help in the present. Whether or not this trend continues remains to be seen, though it certainly seems to have its advantages.

A.J. Pierzynski’s Next Contract

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Look ahead to the catchers who could be free agents after the season, and you'll probably notice Joe Mauer and Victor Martinez. But A.J. Pierzynski will hit the market too and he'll have a case for a multi-year deal if he's as consistent as usual. 

That doesn't mean the White Sox won't bring him back, though. GM Kenny Williams told the Chicago Sun-Times that the team will check in with Pierzynski's representation at some point this season and the catcher has maintained that he would like to re-sign with the White Sox. If not, Tyler Flowers, now 24, could take on a bigger role.

Pierzynski has been remarkably durable and consistent this decade. He averaged 132 games and 12 homers per season from 2001-09, posting a .753 OPS. He's been worth two wins per season more than a replacement level catcher during his White Sox career. That beats Ivan Rodriguez, Jason Kendall and Bengie Molina (though WAR's analysis of catcher defense is incomplete). Those three catchers are also older than Pierzynski, who is just 33, but they all got guaranteed contracts worth $4.5MM or more.

That proves that teams are willing to pay for dependable catchers, even if they're in their mid to late thirties. As a 33-year-old with a history of health and a decent bat, Pierzynski should be in position to command a multi-year deal, even if though it won't approach the one Joe Mauer will sign.

El Duque Wants To Pitch In The Majors Again

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Orlando Hernandez is still working out and throwing because he wants to play in the majors again, according to Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com. El Duque, 44, says he's willing to start or relieve. His agent says several teams are interested, but not quite yet. They'd prefer to wait until after Spring Training to assess their needs.

Hernandez, who signed with the Rangers last year but never made the club, is throwing 82-83 mph, according to Reds scouting director Chris Buckley. Hernandez is focused on returning to the majors for the first time since 2007, but he can see himself working for his agency once he stops pitching.

Hernandez already played a role in recruiting Jose Julio Ruiz for his agency, Legacy Sports. Agent Mike Maulini, who also represents Hernandez, says he's likely to hold an open workout for the many clubs interested in Ruiz soon to "re-establish his market." We heard he was close to signing last month, before he switched agencies.

Heyman On Lee, Reynolds, Mauer

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The Mariners and Cliff Lee will likely wait until the season ends before discussing a deal to keep the lefty in Seattle long-term, but both sides tell Jon Heyman of SI.com that such an agreement is possible. GM Jack Zduriencik said there’s “no doubt” he’d like to have Lee around after he hits free agency this offseason. And Lee can imagine extending his stay in Seattle, too.

"So far I like it a lot,'' Lee said. "Obviously, free agency is where you want to be as a player … I'm not going to rule anything out.''

Lee says the Phillies offered him a deal “close” to the three-year $60MM extension they gave Roy Halladay after trading for him. Heyman notes that Zduriencik tried to acquire Halladay before the Phillies did, only to discover that Doc didn’t want to join the Mariners. Here are a couple more rumors from Heyman:
  • Mark Reynolds would like a two-year $18MM deal to cover his first two arbitration years. That's Prince Fielder money, but the D'Backs would prefer to pay him $13MM or so, which would be closer to what Dan Uggla made for the same stretch of his career.
  • There has been no acrimony between the Twins and Joe Mauer. That's a good thing for Twins fans, but other than that we know very little about the negotiations.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Utley, Matsui, Yankees, Lee

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On this date 44-years ago, Marvin Miller was elected as the first full-time president of the Major League Baseball Players' Association by the player representatives. Miller, who was previously the assistant to the president of United Steelworkers, negotiated the first collective bargaining agreement with the owners in 1968. Within his first ten years on the job, Miller was able to get salary arbitration included in the CBA and helped eliminate the reserve clause, ushering in the age of free agency. He is the reason the MLBPA is as powerful as it is today, but Miller has yet to be enshrined in Cooperstown. 

Here's a looking at what's being written around the web…

If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.

Brandon Inge Enters Walk Year

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Take a quick look at Brandon Inge's numbers and he doesn't seem that different from Pedro Feliz. They're both strong defensive third basemen in their early thirties who will give you an OPS close to .700. Feliz signed a $4.5MM deal with the Astros this offseason, but when Inge hits the market next winter, he can hope for a little more.

Granted, Inge strikes out about 30% of the time he steps up to hit. That limited his OBP (.314) and slugging (.406) last year, despite his 27 homers. But Inge saves about ten runs a year with his third base defense, and he can also catch and play all three outfield positions. Plus, Inge will be 33 when he hits free agency, a year younger than Feliz was this winter.

Mark DeRosa's versatility helped him land a two-year deal, even though he'll be 35 this season. Fellow 2011 free agents Feliz and Miguel Tejada are older than Inge and less versatile. There will be other competition, though. Garrett Atkins, Jorge Cantu and Adrian Beltre could all be free agents after the season.

Inge won't be the only Tiger whose contract is coming off the books. Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Johnny Damon, Gerald Laird, Bobby Seay, Adam Everett and maybe even Magglio Ordonez will see their deals expire, too. That means the Tigers will have the flexibility to bring Inge back. Even if they choose not to, he should have other suitors if he is productive in 2010.

Beimel Still Has Offer From Mets

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The Kiko Calero signing doesn't mean the Mets are done adding relievers. They are still interested in signing Joe Beimel to a major league deal, according to Mike Puma of the New York Post. The contract would guarantee the lefty significantly less than the $2MM he earned last year with the Nationals and Rockies.

Beimel logged 55.1 innings between with those teams last year, posting a 3.58 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. If the Mets move on from Beimel, who turns 33 next month, they could pursue Ron Mahay.

Dodgers Remain Interested In Braden Looper

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The Dodgers remain interested in free agent pitcher Braden Looper, but they're not willing to offer him more than a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. They would like to add the 35-year-old righty to the group of starters competing for the final spot in the team's rotation. 

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears that Looper could wait for pitchers to get injured before signing (Twitter link).

Agent Alan Hendricks tells Gurnick that Looper is staying in shape, waiting for an offer he likes. A few months ago Looper said he'd like to play for the Cubs. Since then, he has told the Nationals he's going in a different direction.

Looper made at least 30 starts for the third consecutive season last year, logging 194.2 innings. He struck out 4.6 K/9 with 3.0 BB/9 for a 5.22 ERA.

Odds & Ends: Ruiz, Braves, Offenses, Yankees

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Links for Thursday…

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