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McCourt Fires Back, Vows To Maintain Control

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Dodgers owner Frank McCourt voiced frustration with commissioner Bud Selig and vowed to maintain control of the team at a press conference in New York City this afternoon. McCourt says he and FOX were ready to proceed with a deal worth nearly $300MM only to hear that MLB was vetoing the deal, taking over financial operations and appointing Tom Schieffer as the team trustee. Yet McCourt insists he intends to maintain control of the club.

"Nobody handed the Dodgers to me and nobody's going to take them away,” he said. “I'm not going anywhere."

McCourt says he’s current on all of his payments and has not received any money from MLB, despite a long, public divorce with his wife, Jamie. The Dodgers owner is frustrated not only by Selig’s handling of the proposed deal, but because he hasn't been able to meet with him face to face. 

"I suspect commissioner Selig calls the other 29 owners back when they call," McCourt said.

However, MLB VP Rob Manfred has issued a statement that opposes some of what McCourt said today, according to Bill Shaikin of the LA Times. Manfred says Selig has not vetoed the FOX deal and that McCourt did not ask about Schieffer's role (Twitter links).

Though he admits to having made mistakes and shown poor judgment, McCourt insists that it’s un-American to seize someone else’s property. He asked Dodgers fans for a second chance, insisting that his proposed deal will benefit the Dodgers directly, rather than his personal funds.

“It will give the Dodgers the financial wherewithal to compete at the highest level for years and years to come,” he said. 

McCourt said he hasn’t ruled out legal action against MLB, which took over the Dodgers’ financial operations last week.

Price, Kershaw Likely To Redefine Market

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C.J. Wilson, Mark Buehrle and (possibly) C.C. Sabathia aren’t the only left-handed starters pitching for contracts in 2011. Sure, they’re the ones hitting free agency, but this season is an important one for the bank accounts of David Price and Clayton Kershaw, too.

Price

No, they aren’t eligible for free agency, but they are nearing salary arbitration, their first chance for a major payday since signing seven-figure bonuses as first round picks. Various agents and arbitration experts around MLB say they expect the southpaws to redefine the market for first-time arbitration eligible starters this offseason if they stay healthy and continue pitching well.

To do so, Price and Kershaw will have to pass current record holder Dontrelle Willis and Jered Weaver in the $4.3MM range (though Weaver won’t mind, as his salary will skyrocket well into eight-figure territory this offseason). Price (pictured) and Kershaw will need formidable seasons to have superior numbers to the ones Weaver had after 2009 and justify precedent-setting salaries. So far, so good for the southpaws; both are healthy and off to strong starts.

Click here to view relevant career stats for Weaver, Price and Kershaw.

At this point, Weaver has a distinct edge in stats such as starts, wins, innings and quality starts (vital stats for starters in the arbitration process). Kershaw will be able to catch L.A.’s other ace in every one of those categories except for wins if he continues his current pace. Since Kershaw’s ERA is half a run better and he allows fewer hits while striking out more batters, his representatives at Hendricks Sports should be able to argue convincingly that he has earned a salary north of $4.3MM.

Price, on the other hand, won’t catch Weaver or match Kershaw in starts, innings or quality starts. Like Kershaw, his ERA is considerably better than Weaver’s and unlike Kershaw he has award recognition (a second place finish in the 2010 Cy Young voting) and postseason success (3.93 ERA, 10.8 K/9, 2.0 BB/9 in the playoffs) on his side.

Most importantly, Price is working from a $2MM base salary because of the deal he and agent Bo McKinnis negotiated when Price was the top pick in the nation four years ago. The 25-year-old’s high base salary will provide him with leverage and figures to boost his salary into record territory, well beyond Weaver.

Kershaw and Price should both top Weaver and Willis and establish a new market for elite first-time arbitration eligible pitchers, but how high can they go? Tim Lincecum filed for $13MM as a first-time arbitration eligible pitcher before agreeing to a two-year deal last offseason. He had two Cy Young awards at the time, which makes him a poor point of reference for just about any pitcher. Kershaw and Price can forget about asking for $13MM for now.

Jonathan Papelbon technically holds the record for first time arbitration eligible pitchers with a $6.25MM salary. However, arbitrators treat starters and relievers differently, so Papelbon is hardly a better point of reference than Lincecum. Barring the unexpected, Price and Kershaw will not be able to match Papelbon's $6.25MM salary, according to every agent and arbitration analyst surveyed.

“If you are Kershaw's agent, you not only have to beat Weaver – which I think he can – but you somehow have to justify that Kershaw is almost $2MM better than Weaver,” one said. “That can't happen without a significant market shift.”

Not one person surveyed by MLBTR suggested either Price or Kershaw is headed for $6.25MM in 2012, a strong indication that they' aren't set to shatter Weaver's first year mark by $2MM or more.

The early consensus is that Kershaw’s salary figures to sit in the $5-5.5MM range, while Price’s salary will be near the $6MM mark. Either pitcher could sign an extension, instead of following Weaver’s example and going one year at a time (click here for Tim Dierkes’ take on a possible extension for Price).

If they do go year to year, both Price and Kershaw are on track to shoot past Weaver and into the $5-6MM range. It would establish a new record for first-time arbitration eligible pitchers, re-set the market for baseball’s next generation of aces and prime Kershaw and Price for even bigger paydays in the future.

Photo courtesy Icon SMI.

Red Sox Continue Eyeing Catching Help

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The Red Sox continue to look out for possible catching help and the names on their potential wish list include Bengie Molina, Ivan Rodriguez and Chris Snyder, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Peter Gammons said today on WEEI’s Mut & Merloni show that the Red Sox are prepared to continue with Jason Varitek and Jarrod Saltalamacchia even though they’ve considered other options. 

“I know what they were trying to do. They looked around. They didn’t have money to spend,” Gammons said. “They couldn’t go get Bengie Molina. They weren’t going to spend the money at this point.”

Boston’s interest in Snyder would likely fade if Pittsburgh’s asking price is high and Rosenthal hears that the Pirates are pleased with the catcher’s game calling and receiving ability so far in 2011. He's hitting at a respectable .333/.387/.407 clip so far and Arizona is responsible for $3MM of the $6.5MM remaining on his contract. As a result, it doesn’t appear that the Pirates are intent on moving him.

Gammons noted that the Red Sox don’t feel they have the answer to their catching issues in the minor leagues. That means trade chatter will likely continue until their current catchers start hitting or they make a move.

Yankees Release Jose Ortegano

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WEDNESDAY: The Yankees released Ortegano, tweets Baseball America's Matt Eddy.

SATURDAY: The Yankees have designated Jose Ortegano for assignment according to Chad Jennings of The Journal News. New York claimed the left-hander off waivers from the Braves last month.

Ortegano, 23, is on the minor league disabled list and has not pitched this season. He posted a 5.98 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 131 innings as a starter in Atlanta's system last season, mostly at the Triple-A level. Baseball America ranked him as the 25th best prospect in the Braves' system prior to 2010, noting that his 86-88 mph fastball and ability to locate a curveball and changeup means "his ultimate role may be as a crafty left-handed reliever."

2013 Free Agent Class Analysis

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Our 2013 MLB Free Agent list has just been posted.  Since that post will be a permanent addition to the sidebar, comments on it are closed.  Leave comments here instead!

The 2013 list shows players who are eligible to become free agents after the 2012 season.  My system is to allow a player to only be on one list at a time, so those on the 2011 or 2012 lists are not on the 2013 one.  The 2013 list is for players who are signed through 2012 (some may have '13 options) and also for those who currently have between four and five years of service time.  Part of the latter group will be non-tendered after the '11 season, at which point they'll join the '12 list and be removed from '13.  Now that you're sufficiently confused, let's analyze this group!

Will Join The '13 Group If '12 Options Are Exercised

Yadier Molina, Kelly Shoppach, Edwin Encarnacion, Eric Hinske, Nick Swisher, Brandon Phillips, Marco Scutaro, Grady Sizemore, Bobby Abreu, Chris Carpenter, Ryan Dempster, Octavio Dotel, Jon Rauch, Koji Uehara, Jose Valverde, Jason Frasor, Michael Wuertz, and Arthur Rhodes are among those who may join the '13 free agent class if their '12 options vest or are picked up.

On The '13 List In Name Only

Players such as Brian McCann, Ian Kinsler, David Wright, Kevin Youkilis, Fausto Carmona, Gavin Floyd, Dan Haren, Tim Hudson, Brett Myers, James Shields, J.J. Putz, and Joakim Soria are among those with reasonable '13 options who will be removed from the list if they are exercised.

Non-Tender Candidates

Several players currently on the '13 list stand a decent chance of being non-tendered after the '11 season, making them free agents.  Kevin Kouzmanoff, James Loney, Jack Cust, Mike Napoli, and Joe Saunders are candidates.

Youth Is Served

Free agents who will be under 30 for the '13 season: Miguel Montero, James Loney, Howie Kendrick, Erick Aybar, Mark Reynolds, Delmon Young, B.J. Upton, Matt Cain, Matt Kemp, John Danks, Scott Feldman, Zack Greinke, Cole Hamels, Francisco Liriano, Brandon McCarthy, Anibal Sanchez, Leo Nunez, Huston Street, Carlos Villanueva, and J.P. Howell.  It's not easy to accrue six years service time before you turn 30.  Young will turn 27 in September of 2012, which is impressive.

$100MM Contracts Coming?

As always, we must note that many of the players currently on the '13 list will not make it to free agency after the '12 season, because they'll be locked up beforehand.  However, players such as Cain, Danks, Greinke, Hamels, Stephen Drew, Josh Hamilton, Matt Kemp, Andre Ethier, and Jered Weaver could be in line for $100MM+ free agent contracts depending on how their '11 and '12 seasons go.

So Much Starting Pitching

This group will thin out before the '12 season ends, of course.  But imagine a free agent class with Cain, Danks, Greinke, Hamels, Weaver, Liriano, Jeremy Guthrie, Shaun Marcum, Anibal Sanchez, Jonathan Sanchez, Ervin Santana, Jake Peavy, and plenty of solid innings eaters.  There is something to be said for a team sitting out the upcoming offseason and trying to snag pitching in the following one.

Finally Over    

After the 2012 season, the contracts of Carlos Lee, Aaron Rowand, and Carlos Zambrano are finally up.  Fans of the Cubs and Giants will still be waiting for the Alfonso Soriano and Barry Zito deals to expire, though.

2013 MLB Free Agents

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MLBTR's up-to-date list of 2013 MLB free agents is below. These are players who are currently free agents. The player's 2013 age is in parentheses.  If you have any corrections or omissions, please contact us. To see who represents these players, check out our agency database.

Updated 8-30-13

Catchers
Rod Barajas (37)
Ramon Hernandez (38)
Matt Treanor (37)

First basemen
Brad Hawpe (34)
Eric Hinske (35)
Aubrey Huff (36)
Ty Wigginton (35) 

Second basemen
Willie Harris (35)
Orlando Hudson (35)
Brandon Inge (36)
Adam Kennedy (37)
Freddy Sanchez (34)
Ryan Theriot (33)

Shortstops
Jason Bartlett (33)
Luis Cruz (29)
Alex Gonzalez (36)
Elliot Johnson (29) 

Third basemen
Luis Cruz (29)
Chone Figgins (35)
Orlando Hudson (35)
Brandon Inge (36)
Adam Kennedy (37)
Scott Rolen (38)
Ty Wigginton (35) 

Left fielders
Bobby Abreu (39)
Jason Bay (34)
Brennan Boesch (28)
Johnny Damon (39)
Chone Figgins (35)
Laynce Nix (32)
Scott Podsednik (37)

Center fielders
Rick Ankiel (34)
Scott Podsednik (37)
Grady Sizemore (30)
Dewayne Wise (35) 

Right fielders
Rick Ankiel (34)
Brennan Boesch (28)
Brad Hawpe (34) 
Laynce Nix (32)

Designated hitters
Bobby Abreu (39)
Johnny Damon (39)
Jim Thome (42)

Starting pitchers
Dallas Braden (29)
Jon Garland (33)
Ted Lilly (37)
Shaun Marcum (31)
Dustin Moseley (31)
Jamie Moyer (50)
Brett Myers (33)
Carl Pavano (37)
Randy Wolf (36)
Carlos Zambrano (32) 

Closers
Jose Valverde (35)

Right-handed relievers

Todd Coffey (32)
Jose Contreras (41)
Francisco Cordero (38)
Juan Cruz (34)
Joey Devine (29)
Chad Durbin (35)
Livan Hernandez (38)
Bobby Jenks (32)
Rodrigo Lopez (37)
Brandon Lyon (33)
Ryan Madson (32)
Guillermo Mota (39)
Ramon Ramirez (31)
Michael Schwimer (27)
Cory Wade (30) 

Left-handed relievers
George Sherrill (36)

Cot's Baseball Contracts was used in the creation of this list.

Arbitration Records: Catchers

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Yesterday we looked at the arbitration records for starting pitchers.  Today let's check out the records for catchers who went year-to-year.

Martin owns two of the records, as he'd compiled excellent numbers through the '08 season.  Once he got to a $3.9MM base, it was easy for him to remain on top even with a down '09.  The arbitration process had Martin exceeding his free agent value during the most recent offseason, resulting in a non-tender by the Dodgers.  I doubt Martin minded, since he was able to choose his team and get a guaranteed contract.  The Yankees can retain Martin for 2012, as he'll still be arbitration eligible.

As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith mentioned yesterday, the Cubs' Geovany Soto is currently on the year-to-year path after scoring $3MM in his first arbitration year.  He'll need to top a $2.05MM raise in the upcoming offseason to beat Martin's second-time salary.  That possibility is heavily dependent on what Soto does in 2011.  Arizona's Miguel Montero is going year-to-year right now and Nick Hundley is heading for his first arbitration year, but they're not threatening any records.

I'm not sure about a fourth time record, but if tendered a contract the Rangers' Mike Napoli could be around $8MM.  Martin probably won't be that high, plus his arbitration years were interrupted by free agency.  Of course, Napoli is as much a first baseman/designated hitter as he is a catcher.

2012 Contract Issues: Texas Rangers

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The Rangers are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series.  Here's what the team faces after the 2011 season:

Eligible For Free Agency (5)

  • Starting pitcher C.J. Wilson is the Rangers' key free agent.  The 30-year-old lefty has pitched well to start the 2011 season, trimming his walk rate in his first five starts.  He figures to be a hot commodity if he reaches the open market.  He talked to ESPN's Jayson Stark a couple of weeks ago about free agency, indicating that he'd like to stay in Texas.
  • Brandon Webb remains a wild card.  He is currently working in extended Spring Training, with a minor league rehab assignment the following step.
  • Darren Oliver is the team's de facto closer while Neftali Feliz is out.  If he can approximate his last couple of seasons the Rangers could look to retain him even at age 41.
  • Long relievers Dave Bush and Brett Tomko are also eligible for free agency.

Contract Options (3)

  • Arthur Rhodes: $4MM vesting option.  According to Cot's, this option vests if Rhodes has 62 appearances and doesn't finish 2011 on the DL.  He'll need 55 more appearances to get there.
  • Colby Lewis: $3.25MM club option with a $250K buyout.  So far this season Lewis has posted one decent start in four turns.  Even with an off year, Lewis' $3MM net price would give him trade value at the least.  If the Rangers decline the option they'd probably non-tender Lewis as well.
  • Yoshinori Tateyama.  I'm not sure the nature of Tateyama's option.  At the moment, he's dominating at Triple-A.

Arbitration Eligible (8)

This is a potentially expensive group.  Napoli is off to a great start, but will the Rangers be comfortable paying him $8MM?  A strong season could push Cruz close to $7MM.  Murphy could get $4MM, while Andrus and Harrison could each reach $3MM.  The arbitration eligible tab could approach $30MM, assuming Napoli is retained.

2012 Payroll Obligation

The Rangers' 2012 payroll obligation, according to Cot's, is $70.45MM if Lewis and Rhodes are retained.  $30MM for arbitration eligibles puts them around $100MM, $8MM over this year's payroll.  Just to retain Wilson, the Rangers will need to either raise payroll even higher or shed some salary elsewhere.

NL Central Notes: Brewers, Braun, Castro

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Every club but the Astros is within two games of first place in the NL Central, where Joey Votto is following his MVP season up with a phenomenal start. Here's the latest from baseball's biggest division…

  • The Brewers have signed infielders Hainley Statia and Angel Gonzalez to minor league deals and assigned them to extended Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (on Twitter).
  • Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. told McCalvy that he was pleased to see Ryan Braun sign long-term in Milwaukee, where he is under contract through 2020. Ripken, of course, spent his entire 21-year career with the Orioles.
  • Starlin Castro committed three errors in one inning yesterday, but as Yahoo's Jeff Passan explains, the 21-year-old shortstop has overcome bigger obstacles than that. Before he signed with the Cubs, Castro's father took him out on a fishing boat in the Dominican Republic and gave him a taste of a life he might have known if he hadn't become a pro ballplayer.

Draft Notes: Purke, Bradley, Mets

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All of a sudden, the 2011 draft is just six weeks away. Here's the latest on some of the available prospects and one team's approach to the big event:

  • Led by projected 2011 first rounders Matt Barnes and George Springer, Connecticut baseball is on the rise, Jim Callis writes in the latest edition of Ask BA. Click here for MLBTR’s Q&A with Springer.
  • TCU left-hander Matt Purke, who has been shut down with shoulder soreness, may have to reestablish his value like Anthony Ranaudo did last summer, according to Callis. Click here for MLBTR's Q&A with Purke.
  • As Callis explains, South Carolina outfielder Jackie Bradley Jr. may fall to the second half of the first round or the supplementary round. If Bradley falls, it will be because of his spring sruggles and tools, not simply because of his recent wrist injury.
  • The Mets are allowing themselves to be greedy with the 13th overall selection this year. Paul DePodesta, the Mets' VP of player development and amateur scouting, told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that the Mets don't intend to settle with their top pick. "We want tools, skills, guys who can run and hit for power and defend. We want to be greedy. We want it all. The reality is those guys come off the board awfully quickly."

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