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Archives for January 2011

Quick Hits: Dodgers, Borders, Marlins, NL Central

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Some links from around the league…

Padres Close To Deal With Gregg Zaun

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The Padres are close to a deal with free agent catcher Gregg Zaun, reports Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Earlier today we learned that San Diego was closing in on a contract with Chad Qualls, so GM Jed Hoyer is close to addressing two issues he recently identified.

Zaun, 40 in April, missed most of the 2010 season after having surgery to repair a damaged labrum in his throwing shoulder. In 117 plate appearances with the Brewers, he hit a solid .265/.350/.392 with two homers and nearly as many walks (11) as strikeouts (12). The switch-hitting catcher has thrown out just 24% of attempted base stealers in his career, even less in recent years, and that doesn't figure to get any better after his recent injury.

The Padres were looking to add some depth behind the plate after parting ways with Yorvit Torrealba. Zaun will likely compete with Rob Johnson and Guillermo Quiroz to serve as Nick Hundley's backup.

Nationals Considering Jerry Hairston Jr.

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With utility player Willie Harris seemingly out of the fold, the Nationals are now considering Jerry Hairston Jr. according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. He adds that Washington had interest in David Eckstein earlier this offseason, but the two sides haven't talked in weeks.

Hairston, 34, hit just .244/.299/.353 in 476 plate appearances for the Padres last season, though he had hit .281/.343/.432 in the two prior seasons. He missed the end of the season because of a fractured tibia, and he also battled elbow issues in 2010. Hairston provides tremendous versatility, with a ton of experience at every position other than pitcher, catcher, and first base.

Braves Claim Anthony Varvaro

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The Braves have claimed Anthony Varvaro off waivers from the Mariners, reports MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Seattle designated the right-hander for assignment to make room on the 40-man roster for Miguel Olivo earlier this month.

Varvaro, 26, made his big league debut this past season, allowing five runs in four innings out of the Mariners' bullpen. The Tommy John surgery survivor pitched to a 4.02 ERA with 10.0 K/9 and 4.8 BB/9 in 65 relief innings at the Double and Triple-A levels in 2010. Baseball America ranked Varvaro as Seattle's 30th best prospect before the 2008 season, noting that he sits in the low-90's with his fastball.

MLB Notes: CBA, Torre

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Here are some quick notes that deal more with the business side of baseball…

  • Bob Baum of the AP writes that Major League Baseball and the players' union will soon begin talks about the next Collective Bargain Agreement. Commissioner Bud Selig said the two sides are "on a constructive path." The current CBA is set to expire in December, and the new deal could feature changes to the draft and Super Two status.
  • Joe Torre said he expects to speak with Selig further about becoming MLB's executive vice president of baseball operations, according to Bill Madden and Teri Thompson of The New York Daily News.

AL West Notes: Holland, Beltre

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Quick notes from the game's only four-team division…

  • Derek Holland told Anthony Andro of The Dallas Morning News that he didn't even know his name popped up in recent trade talks with the Rays."I didn't even hear the Matt Garza stuff," he said. "You have to sit back and just let it go. It's just talk. You don't know if it's going to happen or not. I just try to not worry about those things."
  • ESPN's Buster Olney heard that the Athletics' final offer to Adrian Beltre was $76.8MM spread over six guaranteed years (Insider req'd). Beltre took five years and $80MM guaranteed from the Rangers, though a sixth year vesting option could put another $16MM in his pocket. 

Three Teams Interested In Bobby Crosby

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Three teams are interested in Bobby Crosby, MLBTR has learned. Two American League clubs and one National League club have expressed interest in the 31-year-old. One of the interested teams is eyeing Crosby as a shortstop and the two others view him as a possible utility player.

Crosby is preparing to go to Spring Training and compete for a spot on a 25-man roster; the market for the former Rookie of the Year should become clearer within a week or so.

In 189 plate appearances for Pittsburgh and Arizona last year, Crosby hit .220/.294/.298 and played all four infield positions. The D'Backs released Crosby in August and there hasn't been any hot stove news about him since.

Rays, Blue Jays Have Interest In Jon Rauch

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Jon Rauch has drawn interest from the Rays, Blue Jays and others, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The AL East rivals have also expressed interest in left-hander Brian Fuentes this month. 

Rauch posted a 3.12 ERA with 7.2 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 37.7% ground ball rate in 57 2/3 innings for the Twins last year. Rauch, 32, has always been a fly ball pitcher. The Blue Jays play in homer-friendly Rogers Centre, but could use a dependable arm after losing Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs. Rauch has made 50 appearances or more in each of the last five seasons.

The Orioles and Rockies showed some interest in the 6'11'' right-hander earlier in the offseason, but both clubs have added righty relievers since. MLBTR's Mark Polishuk looked at Rauch's free agent stock in October.

Orioles Sign Kevin Gregg

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The Orioles officially announced that they signed Kevin Gregg to a two-year deal. The contract will pay Gregg $10MM and includes an option, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (all Twitter links). The vesting option would bring the total value of the deal to the $16-20MM range, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Beverly Hills Sports Council represents the right-hander.

Gregg saved 37 games for the Blue Jays in 2010. The 32-year-old posted 8.8 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 along with a 3.51 ERA. Koji Uehara, another candidate to close for Buck Showalter, posted a miniscule 1.0 BB/9 to go along with 11.3 K/9 in 2010.

Jim Johnson, Mike Gonzalez and another former Blue Jay, Jeremy Accardo, will also likely contribute out of the Orioles' 'pen in 2011. Alfredo Simon is currently involved in an investigation into a fatal shooting in the Dominican Republic, so it's not clear whether he'll be able to pitch.

The Blue Jays will obtain a draft pick for losing Gregg, but the Orioles do not have to surrender one. Toronto amateur scouting director Andrew Tinnish now has seven of the top 72 picks in the 2011 draft. 

The Orioles could still use a left-handed reliever and a starter who can eat innings at the back of the team's rotation.

Mets Notes: Igarashi, Capuano, Reyes

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On this date in 2005, the Mets signed Carlos Beltran to a seven-year, $119MM deal. There's just one season left on Beltran's contract, so if he wants to rebuild his value before hitting the market as a 34-year-old, he'll have to perform in 2011. Here are some notes on Beltran's teammates…

  • Ryota Igarashi is currently on outright waivers, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets designated the right-hander for assignment last week. GM Sandy Alderson suggested this week that no team is likely to claim Igarashi and his $1.75MM salary. If he clears waivers, the reliever will battle for a spot on the team as a non-roster invitee.
  • Chris Capuano, whose arrival forced Igarashi off of the team's 40-man roster, has a strange platoon split. As FanGraphs' Dave Allen explains, Capuano induces far more ground balls against lefties than he does against righties.
  • Jose Reyes' agent, Peter Greenberg, repeated to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez this week that his client wants to stay in New York. The sides haven’t made progress on a potential extension for the shortstop, who is on track to hit free agency after 2011.

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