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Jorge De La Rosa Enters Walk Year

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Between big league stops with the Brewers, Royals, and Rockies, lefty Jorge de la Rosa has managed to rack up more than five years of service time.  It follows that he'll be eligible for free agency after this season, at age 29.

De La Rosa's overall work for the Rockies last year was solid – 4.38 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 4.0 BB/9.  His control needs polish, but an under-30 southpaw averaging 93 mph and a strikeout per inning should be a hot commodity on the free agent market.

Will De La Rosa join a 2011 free agent market that's projected to include Josh Beckett, Cliff Lee, Ted Lilly, Javier Vazquez, and Brandon Webb?  Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd had discussions this offseason with De La Rosa's agent Bobby Barrett, but O'Dowd told Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post:

"We were just light years apart on where they saw him at this stage of his career and what our risk tolerance was.  That's not something we think is out of our reach. It's just that we would be a lot more comfortable seeing it again."

Armstrong says the Rockies' offer was in the three-year, $11MM range.  The offer seems pretty light, since the arbitration-eligible De La Rosa commanded half of that amount in 2010 alone.  However, De La Rosa feels gratitiude for the opportunity the Rockies provided him, and he wants to return.  As O'Dowd notes, a huge 2010 for De La Rosa is a double-edged sword in that it'll help the Rockies now but make retaining him "somewhat problematic."

Odds & Ends: Chapman, Upton, Mets, Gallardo

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Some links as Spring Training games get started…

Discussion: Joe Beimel And Ron Mahay

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A look at the remaining 2010 free agents reveals only a handful of left-handed relievers still available. Of the small group, two names stand out as more reliable options than the rest: Joe Beimel and Ron Mahay.

The 32-year-old Beimel has been one of the more consistent lefties in the majors over the last few seasons, posting a 3.17 ERA in 287 relief appearances since 2006. Mahay, 38, has been nearly as effective, compiling a 3.50 ERA in 234 games over the same period. Both pitchers, however, showed warning signs in 2009: Beimel was tough on left-handed hitters, but walked more righties than he struck out, while batters hit nearly .300 against Mahay.

So where might these veteran relievers land? The Mets have been connected to both recently and seem like favorites to sign at least one of the two, but they've yet to compromise on a price with either pitcher. The Phillies had some interest in Mahay earlier in the offseason, and could still use another left-handed arm in their bullpen, but there haven't been any reports linking the two sides since January.

Do you see Beimel and Mahay exercising a little more patience, perhaps in hopes that a few spring injuries force a team to meet their demands? Or will they have to lower their expectations and sign cheap ($1MM or less) one-year deals, or even minor league contracts?

Adrian Gonzalez Will Ask For A Massive Contract

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The agent for Adrian Gonzalez told Tim Sullivan of the San Diego Union-Tribune that he sees Mark Teixeira as a fair comparable for his client. John Boggs, who represents Gonzalez, told Padres GM Jed Hoyer the same thing and that basically ended their conversation.

Teixeira signed a $180MM deal with the Yankees last offseason as a 28-year-old. Gonzalez won't be a free agent until after the 2011 season if the Padres pick up his $5.6MM option, but his agent is thinking big already.

“You always shoot high and adjust to the marketplace,” Boggs said of Gonzalez, who will presumably be 29 by the time he hits the market.

Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that while Gonzalez is seeking Teixeira money, the Padres believe a five-year $90MM deal would be more appropriate (Twitter link).

Padres CEO Jeff Moorad said last month that the Padres have doubts that they can keep their first baseman long-term. Gonzalez recently said he expects to be paid what he deserves on his next contract. That doesn't mean the Padres won't extend him, but a deal seems unlikely given that Gonzalez would be a tremendously attractive commodity on the trade market.

The Dodgers, Mariners, Mets, White Sox and Red Sox are among the teams that have been connected to Gonzalez in recent months.

Guillen: White Sox Will Keep Beckham Around

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The White Sox plan on keeping Gordon Beckham around for a while, according to White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen. He told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune not to overreact when Beckham's name comes up in trade rumblings.

"We plan to have Gordon for a long time," Guillen said. "I don't see why people talk about it."

Here's the main reason: Beckham is one of the game's most valuable young players. He posted an .808 OPS as a 22-year-old in his rookie season last year, playing respectable defense at third, a position he'd barely played as a pro.

But Beckham's performance is only part of the reason the White Sox like the idea of keeping him around. He probably won't be arbitration-eligible until after 2012 or eligible for free-agency until after 2015, so the White Sox figure to get a lot of relatively cheap production from Beckham.

Offseason In Review: Los Angeles Angels

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

Major League Signings

  • Bobby Abreu, RF: two years, $19MM.  Includes $9MM option for 2012 with a $1MM buyout; can vest based on plate appearances.
  • Joel Pineiro, SP: two years, $16MM.
  • Fernando Rodney, RP: two years, $11MM.
  • Hideki Matsui, DH: one year, $6MM.
  • Total spend: $52MM.

Minor League Signings

Extensions

Trades and Claims

Notable Losses

Summary

My first reaction after reviewing the Angels' offseason is that this wasn't a great way to spend $52MM.  GM Tony Reagins appears to have overpaid several of his free agent signings.

Like many November deals in recent years, the Abreu contract looked OK at the time and worse as the offseason developed.  There's a very good chance his 2012 option vests and this becomes a three-year, $27MM deal for a questionable defender who turns 36 in March.  CHONE projects a .273/.368/.415 line, not unlike what Johnny Damon should do for one year and $8MM.  Matsui's deal looks a little high, but not excessive.

Rodney was brought in to assume an eighth inning role, and was paid on the strength of his 37 saves rather than his skills.  At least he can help prevent Brian Fuentes' $9MM option for 2011 from vesting, as that requires 55 games finished.

I liked the Pineiro move; Reagins did not panic when Lackey left.  Pineiro is unlikely to match Lackey, but it's still a positive signing.  Reagins also gets a thumbs-up for locking up Maicer Izturis for three years and getting something mildly useful back for Matthews.

Even without Lackey, the Angels have a good shot at improving upon last year's 4.44 rotation ERA.  Ervin Santana and Scott Kazmir are somewhat unpredictable, but have ace potential.  The Angels had the second-best offense in the AL last year, and CHONE predicts a dropoff to more of a middle of the pack performance.  At this point there is no clear AL West favorite, but the Halos remain a respectable contender despite a few questionable free agent contracts.

The Giants’ Offer To Adam LaRoche

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Adam LaRoche turned down a deal from the Giants, but he tells Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic that it's not the deal everyone thinks he turned down. When LaRoche signed a one-year $6MM deal with the D'Backs, he and his agent were criticized for turning down a two-year $17.5MM deal from the Giants. But LaRoche says their offer wasn't that simple.

"It actually wasn't a two-year deal," he said. "It was two years with three or four year options. It wasn't a two-year $17 or $18MM. It came across that that's what it was, but that wasn't what it was."

LaRoche says he and his agent, Mike Milchin, didn't hear back from the Giants after making a counter-offer. He could face a similar situation next winter if he or the D'Backs decide not to pick up the $7.5MM mutual option on his contract, but says he isn't worried about it.

"I'll play a year and start over, see what happens," LaRoche said.

Which Overpaid Veterans Could Be Released?

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The Diamondbacks released Eric Byrnes, owed $11MM, in January of this year.  In March of 2009, the Giants released outfielder Dave Roberts and ate $6.5MM in salary.  Soon after, the Tigers cut Gary Sheffield despite $14MM left on his contract.  In '08, the Orioles cut Jay Gibbons and assumed his remaining $11.9MM.  That same month, the Astros released pitcher Woody Williams despite his $6.5MM commitment.  Which well-paid veterans might be on the chopping block for 2010?  My entirely speculative list follows.

  • Eric Chavez, Athletics: one year, $15MM.  Even as a utility man, Chavez is a tough fit on an A's roster that includes an out of options Jake Fox.  Chavez retiring might make this situation easier on everyone. 
  • Jeff Suppan, Brewers: one year, $14.5MM.  For the first time in his Brewers career, Suppan is battling for a rotation spot.
  • Carlos Silva, Cubs: two years, $25MM.  Though the Cubs are only on the hook for $16MM of Silva's contract, it still may make sense to cut him if he shows nothing in Spring Training. 
  • Jose Guillen, Royals: one year, $12MM.  Coming off ankle and back surgery, Guillen is slated to be the Royals' full-time DH.  CHONE projects him to hit just .254/.309/.398 in 2010.
  • Dontrelle Willis, Tigers: one year, $12MM.  Willis is in good spirits as he tries to return from anxiety and command issues and earn a rotation spot.

Baldelli To Serve As Special Assistant For Rays

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Rocco Baldelli will return to the Rays with a special assistant role, working with minor leaguers and other young players, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.  Baldelli is "not ready to retire," but has a shoulder issue currently.  Topkin notes that Rays exec Andrew Friedman didn't make the deal with the idea that Baldelli would later play for the Rays, but said "anything's possible."

Baldelli, 28, signed a $500K deal with the Red Sox in January of '09 and hit .253/.311/.433 in 164 plate appearances.  He dealt with foot, hamstring, and hip injuries, but also has a type of channelopathy, which has caused muscle fatigue.

Cubs In No Rush To Add Bullpen Help

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TUESDAY, 9:09am: Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune says the Cubs "are not interested in any of the remaining free agent relievers."  They'll look within for their open bullpen spots, and manager Lou Piniella wouldn't rule out using '08 first rounder Andrew Cashner.

SUNDAY, 10:17am: Injury issues in the Cubs' bullpen won't prompt the club to rush out and acquire a veteran reliever, according to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Cubs officials say they still intend to scout opposing players and consider possible trades through March, but that nagging injuries to Angel Guzman and Jeff Gray won't accelerate their pursuit of bullpen help.

Having lost Kevin Gregg via free agency and having handed Carlos Marmol the ninth-inning role, the Cubs are looking for someone to step up and take over as their primary setup man. Guzman and Gray are two candidates, but are suffering from a sore shoulder and strained groin, respectively.

In addition to exploring the trade market, the Cubs could still add a free agent pitcher. Kiko Calero remains the most intriguing right-handed arm available and has been linked to the team a few times this winter. The Cubs were concerned, however, that Calero could have health questions of his own, given his past shoulder injuries.

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