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Archives for April 2010

Indians Not Expected To Lock Up Choo This Season

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The Indians are not expected to sign Shin-Soo Choo to a multi-year deal this season, tweets Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer.  Choo will be arbitration-eligible for the first time after this season.

Last week we learned that talks between Choo and the Tribe were at an impasse.  Cleveland would reportedly like to sign the 27-year-old to a five-year pact with a team option for a sixth year.  One can assume that Choo and his agent Scott Boras, were less than eager to sacrifice years of arbitration and free agency.

Discussion: Chris Snyder

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In November of last year, the Diamondbacks thought they had found a taker for Chris Snyder when they agreed to ship him to Toronto for Lyle Overbay.  However, the Blue Jays got cold feet because of concerns over Snyder's surgically repaired back.  So, the deal was called off and Arizona was stuck paying the catcher $11.25MM over the next two seasons.

This season, the D-Backs say that they plan to give Snyder a healthy dose of playing time at catcher alongside Miguel Montero, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.  GM Josh Byrnes claimed back in February that the club was not looking to deal the 29-year-old.  Recently, however, a report suggested that Byrnes had him on the block – with the Brewers as a potential suitor.

Snyder was linked to the Mets prior to signing Rod Barajas as their primary backstop.  Talks reportedly ended because the Mets wanted Arizona to assume almost all of the $4.75MM Snyder is owed in 2010.

If Snyder can demonstrate that he has truly recovered from his back injury, then Arizona might be able to move the right-handed slugger without eating too much of his salary.  What teams could you see getting in the mix?

Odds & Ends: Rays, Indians, Padres

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Tuesday night links..

  • MLB announced today that the number of foreign-born players on Opening Day rosters has dipped to its lowest level in four years, according to Reuters.  Just 27.7% of players in 2010 were born outside of the United States compared to the league's all-time high of 29.2% in 2005.
  • Rays owner Stu Sternberg believes that his club is built for the long haul, writes MLB.com's Bill Chastain.  It will be interesting to see what happens with Carl Crawford and Carlos Pena, who are in the final year of their contracts.
  • Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer writes that the Indians' farm system is chock full of solid prospects.  Hoynes breaks down the players to watch, from Triple-A to Single-A.
  • Padres prospect Logan Forsythe will be shifting from third base to second base when Double-A San Antonio opens the season, wrote Tom Krasovic a few days ago.  The 23-year-old, who is considered to be one of San Diego's top prospects, is being moved to ease a glut of third basemen in the Padres' system.

MLBPA Threatening To File Grievance

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The Major League Baseball Players Association is thinking about filing a collusion grievance charging owners with conspiring against free agents last winter, according to the Associated Press.  Union head Michael Weiner confirmed to the AP that there is an ongoing investigation.

"We have concerns about the operation of the post-2009 free agent market," Weiner said.  "We have been investigating that market. Our investigation is far along but not yet complete."

Agents for players have claimed that they have received multiple similar offers for free agent clients and have urged the union to speak up on the matter.

The union also alleged misconduct by teams following the 2008 season.  The two sides reached a standstill agreement, giving the players' association more time to decide whether to proceed with a grievance on that matter.

Meanwhile, the MLBPA also announced today that Opening Day salaries are up slightly from last year, according to Tom Singer of MLB.com.  The average player salary is $3.34MM compared to $3.31MM last season.

Twins Sign Jason Repko

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The Twins have signed Jason Repko to play center field for their Triple-A affiliate, according to Joe Christensen of the Star Tribune.  The 29-year-old was cut loose by the Dodgers on Wednesday, a move that saved the club $375K of his $500K salary.

In 2009 the oft-injured Repko hit .277/.329/.471 with 16 HRs for the Dodgers' Triple-A squad while making just 7 plate appearances in the majors.

Pedro Will Start Throwing, Plans To Pitch

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TUESDAY, 7:06pm: Martinez has been linked to the Mariners, Twins, and Dodgers in recent days, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  Cafardo notes that Martinez still harbors bad feelings towards the Dodgers organization.

MONDAY, 2:30pm: Pedro Martinez plans to pitch in 2010 and will start throwing this week, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Pedro will work towards a midseason signing like the one the Phillies added him on last summer. He says he can be ready soon.

“I’m in good shape, real good – it doesn’t take me that long to get ready,’’ he said.

He would prefer to pitch for a contender, on or near the East coast in the National League. Right now, the Phillies sound like a fit, given their interest in pitching. A few days ago, I wrote that Pedro could help somebody in 2010. He pitched well last year, but it wasn't until a month after he signed that Pedro appeared in the majors.

Odds & Ends: Beckett, Lind, Cardinals

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Why isn't there more baseball today?  Links for Tuesday…

Yokohama BayStars Sign Tomo Ohka

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The Yokohama BayStars signed pitcher Tomo Ohka, according to a Sanspo report passed along by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman on Twitter.  Newman notes that Ohka began his career with the BayStars.  The Red Sox purchased Ohka's contract from the team in '98 and started him at Double A the following year.

Ohka, 34, posted a 5.96 ERA, 3.9 K/9, and 2.4 BB/9 in 71 innings for the Indians last year, allowing 18 home runs.  Ohka had signed with a Mexican League team in March, but was quickly released.

I profiled Ohka in December of '06, back when he was holding out for a three-year deal.  He's an interesting character.

Blocked Prospects: Wilson Ramos

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Twins catching prospect Wilson Ramos, according to Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus, became "one of the better trade chips in baseball" when Joe Mauer signed his eight-year extension.  Goldstein ranked Ramos #65 overall among prospects.  Baseball America put him at #58, while ESPN's Keith Law has him at #42.

In their 2010 Handbook, Baseball America wrote that Ramos is "almost big league-ready and has significant upside."  All three outlets consider him an aggressive but above-average hitter with a cannon for an arm.  Though Ramos missed almost three months with injuries in '09, he hit .317/.341/.454 at Double A and played well in winter ball.

Asked what the Twins should do with Ramos, Law recently said, "Trade him. And I don't mean for Heath Bell."  Austin Jackson, Tim Alderson, Carlos Carrasco, and Jason Donald, Chris Perez, and Aaron Poreda are examples of prospects ranked in the #40-60 range on 2009 prospect lists who were recently traded for veterans.  Each deal had its own nuances and additional parts, but the prospects named were typically headliners.  They were used to acquire Curtis Granderson, Freddy Sanchez, Cliff Lee, Mark DeRosa, and Jake Peavy, veterans with varying contract situations. 

Clearly Ramos can help bring in a major piece for the Twins.  As Law indicates, it's not worth spending that chip on a reliever.  A third baseman or an ace starting pitcher would make more sense, but at this point I can't find an appropriate name for the Twins to pursue.  They may choose to let Ramos spend all of 2010 at Triple A and evaluate their needs in the offseason.

2011 Contract Issues: Los Angeles Angels

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The Angels face only one option situation for 2011.  Closer Brian Fuentes' $9MM option will vest if he finishes 55 games in 2010.  The 34-year-old lefty has one of nine vesting options to watch this season.  A game finished is given to the last non-starting pitcher of record for each team; Fuentes finished 57 last year despite a mediocre season.  The Angels can turn to Fernando Rodney in the ninth inning if Fuentes falters, and Fuentes' agent won't have a case for a grievance.

After the season the Angels will have Hideki Matsui and Scot Shields eligible for free agency.  Kendry Morales will enter his first arbitration year.  Jered Weaver, Joe Saunders, Erick Aybar, Howie Kendrick, and Jeff Mathis will enter their second; Mike Napoli his third.  It should also be noted that Scott Kazmir's salary will increase by $4MM in 2011 and Ervin Santana gets a $2MM bump.  Fortunately, the Angels will no longer be paying Justin Speier in 2011.

Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the information.

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