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Archives for March 2010

Nationals Notes: GM Mike Rizzo Speaks

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MLB.com's Bill Ladson caught up with Washington GM Mike Rizzo, and the results were quite interesting.

  • Rizzo says that while nothing is imminent, he's never finished improving his team, and talks to "ten general managers per day." In other words, the roster he starts the season with could include players not currently in camp.
  • Rizzo's biggest concern is his team's health, particularly Scott Olsen, Chien-Ming Wang and Cristian Guzman.
  • The plan is not to rush Stephen Strasburg, though it is worth noting that Rizzo didn't explicitly rule out Strasburg starting the year in Washington.
  • Rizzo said the Nationals have begun to "dabble" in contract extension talks with Adam Dunn.

Cubs Reach Agreement With Juan Yasser Serrano

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5:57pm: Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald has some updated information on the signing (in Spanish), thanks to an interview with Serrano's agent, Jaime Torres.

Torres confirms that the deal is for $250K, and Ebro writes that Serrano is actually 22 years old. Contrary to previous reports, Ebro writes that Serrano has passed a "rigorous physical examination." He will report to extended spring training in Arizona before heading to the Cubs' single-A affiliate in Dayton.

12:43pm: The Cubs reached an agreement with Serrano, reports MLB.com's Carrie Muskat.  She notes that the deal is not expected to be finalized for another month, because paperwork must be completed and Serrano must pass his physical.

8:54am: The Cuban baseball news blog cubanballplayers.com reports that right-handed pitching prospect Juan Yasser Serrano "may have signed" a $250K contract with the Cubs.  MLBTR has learned that while Serrano has not signed, the Cubs are in discussions with his representatives. 

Serrano defected from Cuba in April of 2009, but as a reminder of what that term signifies, he was also arrested for attempted illegal departure in January. Upon finally arriving in Miami, he took up with popular Cuban agent Jaime Torres in time to see his name pop up in a few stretch run signing rumors. This winter, Serrano has been connected to at least 10 teams.

When reporting Serrano's defection in April, Jorge Ebro at the Miami-based Nuevo Herald mentioned that the pitcher had been 16 when he appeared in his first Cuban Serie Nacional, in 2006 for the Villa Clara Orangemen. That would make him either 20 or 21 now.

Why Padres Likely Won’t Sign Adrian Gonzalez

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A pair of interesting viewpoints emerged today about the Padres, and why they are likely to trade Adrian Gonzalez, rather than extend his contract.

As Ken Rosenthal puts it in his latest column, regarding Padres fans, "I would want to know just one thing: Why can’t my team sign Adrian Gonzalez if the Twins can sign Joe Mauer?"

Of course, Rosenthal lists the many reasons: attendance is down in San Diego, San Diego is the 28th biggest television market in baseball, and a Gonzalez deal could net a number of prospects in return.

But there is a more ominous reason cited by Rosenthal: there are questions about new ownership's viability. As Rosenthal writes, "Just over a year ago, Moorad’s group reached agreement to gain controlling interest of the club from John Moores over a five-year period. That’s right, the other owners allowed one of their franchises to be purchased on a layaway plan — an unusual arrangement, to say the least."

Jake Peavy also weighed in on the choice by the Padres to deal Gonzalez during an interview with Dan Hayes of the North County Times.

"He's a great player, and at times I think to myself, 'How could they not sign this guy?'" Peavy said of Gonzalez. "A hometown guy playing for his hometown team and being the superstar player he is. At the same time, this is the same organization that let their Hall of Fame closer walk away."

Peavy was referring, of course, to Trevor Hoffman.

If ownership can't afford Gonzalez, of course, that puts them in company with many other small-market teams. But it will be interesting to watch just what San Diego can spend-payroll was less than $44MM last season.

Offseason In Review: Seattle Mariners

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Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Mariners.

Major League Signings

Notable Minor League Signings

Extensions

Trades and Claims

Notable Losses

Summary

The Mariners' offseason kicked off with a big positive on October 19th: they were freed of the $16MM left on Kenji Johjima's contract.  GM Jack Zduriencik went on to remake his team, spending over $51MM on free agent contracts and acquiring Lee, Bradley, League, and Kotchman via trade.

The Mariners spent big on their two extensions, guaranteeing almost $100MM to Felix and Gutierrez.  It's hard to argue with securing one of the best pitchers in baseball.  The Gutierrez extension made me shrug – the savings over going year-to-year probably weren't big.

Most of the free agent spending was used to lock down the left side of the infield with two plus defenders in Figgins and Wilson.  Figgins brings on-base skills as well, and should be worth the commitment.

On a team projected to have one of the worst offenses in the AL, the Griffey signing strikes me as unwise.  Bradley, at least, comes with the promise of his 2007-08 seasons.  By signing Griffey and acquiring Kotchman, the Ms didn't add much hitting at traditionally offensive spots.  Could that $5.8MM have gone toward a more productive free agent bat or two?  Zduriencik got three seasons of League plus a prospect for Morrow; were no interesting hitters being offered?  The Mariners must have decided that Morrow could not provide 25 respectable starts in 2010.

The front end of the Ms rotation, of course, looks fantastic.  Acquiring Lee, who was hardly known to be available, was a huge win for the Mariners.  The rotation lacks depth; Bedard can't be counted on for 100 innings.  The bright side is that projection systems think Ryan Rowland-Smith and Ian Snell can provide over 325 innings of 4.30 ball.  If they stumble, a midseason acquisition may be necessary.

The Mariners have some similarities to their division rival A's – questionable offenses, plus defenses.  It wouldn't be surprising to see a tight AL West race with all four clubs in the mix.

Royals Claim Gaby Hernandez

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Pitcher Gaby Hernandez continues to bounce around, as the Royals claimed him off waivers from the Red Sox today according to a team press release.  The Mariners designated Hernandez for assignment upon signing Ryan Garko.  The Red Sox claimed Hernandez, but then designated him upon claiming Casey Fien.

Hernandez, 24 in May, posted a 5.23 ERA, 6.0 K/9, and 3.0 BB/9 in 146.3 Triple A innings last year.  Heading into the '09 season, Baseball America wrote that Hernandez "flashes three average or better pitches, but he often tries to be so fine that his stuff plays down."  At the time, BA suggested he could still become a No. 4 or No. 5 starter.

Heyman On Adrian, Jeter, Hamilton

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SI's Jon Heyman leads his latest column with a discussion about Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, who he feels is likely to be shopped hard at this year's trade deadline.  I've noted before that Gonzalez's market should not be limited to big-spending clubs, as he's set to earn just $10.25MM for 2010-11.  It's fitting that Heyman believes as many as 10 to 12 teams already inquired, including the Red Sox, Mets, Mariners, and Dodgers.  On to Heyman's other rumors…

  • Heyman spoke to "two executives from competing teams" who believe Derek Jeter "could ask for a six-year deal."  The idea is that a six-year extension would take Jeter to age 42, as Alex Rodriguez's contract does.
  • Heyman notes that Josh Hamilton turned down a four-year, $24MM offer from the Rangers last year.  The security might've made sense for Hamilton given his injury problems.
  • One executive Heyman spoke to believes the availability of decent free agents, perhaps continuing into the season, could reduce trading.

D’Backs, Justin Upton Finalize Multiyear Deal

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Justin Upton and the Diamondbacks finalized a six-year deal that will pay the outfielder $51.25MM.  The extension, which the club is expected to announce tomorrow, begins with the 2010 season and runs through 2015.  SI's Jon Heyman tweeted the year-by-year salary breakdown: $20.75MM for Upton's three arbitration years, and over $14MM for each free agent year. Each year Upton can also choose four teams to which he cannot be traded.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the deal, Ken Davidoff of Newsday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic and SI.com's Jon Heyman tweeted contract details and Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted that the deal was finalized and confirmed financial details.

Though he's only 22, Upton had a breakout 2009 with a .300/.366/.532 line.  Such production at that age brings Hall of Fame comparisons.  Upton would have been arbitration-eligible after the 2010 season, so this deal buys out two free agent seasons. 

A six-year deal in the $50MM range would be a bargain for the D'Backs.  Miguel Cabrera, for example, will be paid about $74MM for the same slice of his career.  Andruw Jones made $57.4MM, and his extension was signed nine years ago.  Nick Markakis, though, will earn about $47MM for the same portion of his career.

Offseason In Review: Oakland Athletics

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Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Athletics.

Major League Signings

Notable Minor League Signings

Extensions

  • Michael Wuertz, RP: two years, $5.25MM.  Includes $3.25MM club option for 2012 with a $250K buyout.

Trades and Claims

Notable Losses

Summary

This was an offseason of risk-taking for GM Billy Beane and company.  Three-year offers to Adrian Beltre and Marco Scutaro were rejected, but the A's succeeded in committing $17.5MM to Sheets, Duchscherer, and Crisp.  The pitchers tallied zero big league innings in 2009, while Crisp managed 49 games.

To be fair, Duchscherer at $2MM isn't a huge risk, even as he begins his season with back and hip pain.  That Casey Close found a $10MM guarantee for Sheets after the pitcher missed all of 2009 due to elbow surgery is surprising.  Perhaps the A's considered overpaying for Sheets their best route to importing an ace for 2010.  There's also the added benefit of trading him midseason if necessary.  The ace alternatives included trading for Roy Halladay, Javier Vazquez, or Cliff Lee, or signing John Lackey.

The A's must love Crisp's defense as much as the Red Sox once did, to make a $5.5MM commitment despite the player's two shoulder surgeries in 2009.  The club option is the silver lining on that contract.  An outfield of Crisp, Rajai Davis, and Ryan Sweeney could be spectacular defensively, and the Taylor-Wallace swap fits this theme.

Beane dealt from an area of strength to get Kouzmanoff, a credible third baseman.  To acquire Fox and Rosales, the cost was mostly the $2.6MM or so lost on Taveras' salary, as the A's can do without Gray, Morla, and Spencer.  Fox is a right-handed Cust without the walks, but at least the A's control the former Cub through 2015 if they choose.  Rosales can theoretically fill a utility infield role that would've cost a million or more to fill in free agency anyway.

The A's will need stellar pitching and defense to win the AL West, because their offense projects to be in the bottom half of the league again.  Even past their expected Opening Day rotation, most A's starters project to post ERAs in the low 4.00s and have the upside for more.  The bullpen could be the league's best once again.  The A's look like they have a shot this year, especially if they have the flexibility to trade for a bat midseason.  I should warn you, though, that I liked the A's heading into 2009 as well.

Red Sox Notes: Ortiz, Victor Martinez

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A few Red Sox bullet points today…

  • David Ortiz told Dennis & Callahan he'd like to play three or four more years, and wants to finish his career with the Red Sox.  In my opinion, for that to happen, Ortiz will need to be willing to go one year at a time and also sign for much less than his $12.5MM 2011 club option.
  • Also on Dennis & Callahan, catcher Victor Martinez said he has not discussed an extension with the Red Sox yet.
  • In an article for Baseball America, Maury Brown notes that the Red Sox exceeded the luxury tax threshold four times but only paid a total of $13.86MM.  Maury's article concerns the luxury tax and revenue sharing in general; check it out.

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