Archives for January 2012

Rays Interested In Jeff Keppinger

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 23, 2012 at 2:11pm CDT

The Rays have expressed interest in free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweets. The CSE client is still in contact with multiple clubs.

Keppinger posted a .277/.300/.377 line in 399 plate appearances for the Astros and Giants in 2011. The 31-year-old only played second base last year, but he has started 80-plus games at shortstop and third base in his seven-year career. Keppinger earned $2.3MM last year and would have obtained a raise through arbitration, so the Giants non-tendered him in December, holding onto Mike Fontenot instead. It wouldn't be a surprise to see clubs such as the Yankees and Mariners express interest in Keppinger.

Latest On Ryan Zimmerman

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 23, 2012 at 1:41pm CDT

Ryan Zimmerman is two years away from free agency, but the Nationals already know what it will take to keep the third baseman in place long-term, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. Zimmerman and his representatives at CAA have informed the team of the exact extension terms he would accept.

It was reported last week that the Nationals and Zimmerman are discussing a contract extension. Talks are fluid and an agreement is within reach, according to Rosenthal’s sources.

Zimmerman is set to earn $12MM in 2012 and $14MM in 2013 on his current contract. If he doesn't sign an extension, he'll become eligible for free agency after the 2013 campaign. The 27-year-old posted a .289/.355/.443 line with 12 home runs in 440 plate appearances in 2011. He was sidelined with an abdominal injury last year — the second time in four years that he has missed substantial time due to injury.

Orioles Release Kyle Hudson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 23, 2012 at 12:51pm CDT

The Orioles released Kyle Hudson, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com reports. Baltimore had designated the outfielder for assignment on January 10th to create 40-man roster space for Wei-Ying Chen.

Hudson, 25, posted a .296/.375/.336 line with 41 stolen bases in 485 minor league plate appearances across three levels in 2011. He also appeared in 14 Major League games for the Orioles as a September callup. The 25-year-old has played left and center field since the Orioles selected him in the fourth round of the 2008 draft.

Tigers Have Some Interest In Matsui, Ibanez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 23, 2012 at 11:53am CDT

11:53pm: Knobler indicates that Oswalt has turned the Tigers down even though they were very interested in signing him (Twitter links). They even had Justin Verlander make a recruiting call. He says the Tigers are likely to leave the fifth starter's job up for grabs in Spring Training.

9:01am: The Tigers have some interest in Hideki Matsui and Raul Ibanez, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports on Twitter. Victor Martinez will likely miss the entire season with a torn ACL, so Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski is in the market for a designated hitter.

The Tigers are considering free agents Johnny Damon and Juan Pierre, but might rely on internal options at DH. Matsui, Ibanez, Pierre and Damon all bat from the left side, but club could consider right-handed bats such as Vladimir Guerrero, Magglio Ordonez and Derrek Lee. Both Matsui and Ibanez have been linked to the Yankees, another club that may add a designated hitter.

The Tigers have also shown interest in Roy Oswalt, according to Knobler. While Jacob Turner and others are candidates to start for Detroit, the team is considering ways of adding starting pitching depth before Opening Day. Knobler says it appears unlikely that the Tigers will sign Oswalt, which matches up with what Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported yesterday.

Players Traded After Having Options Exercised

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 23, 2012 at 9:48am CDT

Every offseason, once the playoffs are over and a new World Series champion has been crowned, teams must decide whether to exercise or decline options for various players. While some decisions are straightforward — think Robinson Cano, Yadier Molina and James Shields — others are complex. In some cases, the team exercises its option with the knowledge that a trade is a distinct possibility. If the team can secure the player’s services for something less than market value, he’ll be valuable as a trade chip even if he’s no longer a fit on his original club's payroll or roster.

Teams exercised a total of 19 player options after the 2011 season and two of those players have since been dealt. Here’s a closer look into the circumstances surrounding the two trades:

On New Year’s Day the White Sox sent right-hander Jason Frasor and his $3.75MM salary back to Toronto for Myles Jaye and Daniel Webb, a pair of 6’3” right-handers who have yet to reach Double-A. Though Jaye and Webb aren’t considered top prospects, they are better than nothing, which is what GM Kenny Williams would have ended up with if he had declined Frasor’s option.
Over the weekend, the Red Sox sent shortstop Marco Scutaro to Colorado for Clayton Mortensen. The right-hander posted a 3.86 ERA with 4.6 K/9, 3.7 BB/9 and a 52.7% ground ball rate in 58 1/3 innings for relief for the Rockies in 2011 and may prove useful in Boston. If not, at least the Red Sox avoided the $1.5MM buyout on Scutaro’s $6MM option and moved him without taking on salary. Alex Speier of WEEI.com explains how the deal relates to baseball’s luxury tax and reports that the Rockies were the first team to offer to take on all of Scutaro’s salary this offseason.

Quick Hits: Millwood, Rockies, Ordonez, Eckstein

By Steve Adams | January 22, 2012 at 10:47pm CDT

One year ago today, the Royals and Billy Butler agreed to a four-year, $30MM extension. Butler responded with another strong season, batting .291/.361/.461 with 19 homers and racking up more than 670 plate appearances for the third straight season. Let's take a look at some news from around the league on a less-eventful January 22…

On its face, it’s hard to argue with the Mariners bringing in Kevin Millwood to add pitching depth at a minimal cost, writes Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner. Like with every other move the M's have made this off-season, Cameron writes, the veteran is a nice role player at a good price.
The Rockies were willing to give Millwood a guaranteed deal during the winter meetings, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
The market for Magglio Ordonez should pick up once he's medically cleared for full activity, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi says that could happen in two weeks' time.
David Eckstein, who decided to retire according to the Boston Globe, had a chance to play with the Mariners in 2011 but didn't take it, according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports (Twitter link).
John Romano of the Tampa Bay Times looks at the Rays' stadium situation in light of a recent meeting between owner Stuart Sternberg and Tampa Bay mayor Bill Foster. Romano writes that Sternberg wants to begin looking for new locations now, while Foster doesn't want the Rays to leave St. Petersburg on his watch.

MLBTR Originals

By Zachary Links | January 22, 2012 at 9:57pm CDT

There was no shortage of news this week but MLBTR also delivered a great deal of original content and reporting..

The Nationals announced on Sunday that they agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension with Gio Gonzalez and Tim Dierkes has the goods on the pitcher's option years later in the week. If the Nationals exercise their $12MM club option for 2017, an option for '18 at the same salary will vest if Gonzalez pitches 180 innings in '17.
Starter Rick Porcello and the Tigers avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal for $3.1MM, MLBTR learned. With two years and 170 days of Major League service, the 23-year-old Hendricks Sports client was arbitration eligible as a Super Two player.
Need to get caught up on all of this week's arbitration news? Don't worry, we have you covered with MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker.
The Braves acquired leadoff man and center fielder Michael Bourn at last year's trade deadline for a package of four young players, and Mike Axisa looked at what it would take for the Braves to lock him up.
The Pirates agreed to terms on a one-year, $4.1MM deal with closer Joel Hanrahan. MLBTR learned that the righty can earn an additional $10K for 40 and 45 games finished and $15K each for 50 and 60 games finished.
Pittsburgh also avoided arbitration with starter Charlie Morton, MLBTR learned, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $2.445MM.
In an installment of (Not A) Trade Candidate, Mark Polishuk looked at Gerardo Parra.
On Tuesday, MLBTR's Ben-Nicholson Smith was the first to report that the Astros avoided arbitration with starter J.A. Happ on a deal worth $2.35MM.
Ben reported that the Indians avoided arbitration with outfielder Shin-Soo Choo on a deal worth $4.9MM. MLBTR had projected the Boras client for $4.3MM.
The Rays avoided arbitration with starter David Price on a deal worth $4.35MM, Ben Nicholson-Smith reported. Tim expected Price to do better.
If you missed out on this week's chat, you can check out the transcript right here.
Boston agreed to a deal with center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury worth $8.05MM, BN-S reported (via Twitter). Some said that Ellsbury's salary set a record for a second-time arbitration eligible player, but Tim pointed out that Miguel Cabrera received $11.3MM in 2007 just before agreeing to a multiyear deal in which his '07 salary remained unchanged.
Exciting news: this week, Tim announced the relaunch of RotoAuthority.com.
On Tuesday, MLBTR learned that the Braves avoided arbitration with starter Jair Jurrjens on a deal worth $5.5MM. Atlanta signed all of their arbitration eligible players with the deal.
The Diamondbacks' Daniel Hudson has already racked up 336 career innings (222 last year) and also has 25 wins and a 3.19 ERA. Tim examined his extension prospects.
Mike Axisa rounded up the best from around the web in this week's installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
Ben learned that that the Padres and Chase Headley agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.475MM.
Arbitration filing numbers came out on Tuesday and Ben had the scoop on the figures for Brandon Morrow and Russell Martin.
On Monday, MLBTR was the first to learn of contract agreements and salaries for Chris Getz and J.P. Howell and the salaries for Phil Coke and Jesus Flores starts as all four players avoided arbitration with their respective clubs.
The Rockies and Seth Smith avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal on Sunday, and Tim Dierkes was the first to learn that Smith will earn $2.415MM this season. Smith was traded to the A's the next day.
Back in December, Tim Dierkes reported that the Cubs and catcher Jason Jaramillo were close on a deal and this week Tim followed up with the news that the minor league contract has been finalized.
Tim (via Twitter) first reported the salary for Reds reliever Bill Bray as he avoided arbitration with the club.
The Tigers and Max Scherzer agreed to a 2012 salary of $3.75MM this week, but the negotiations won’t necessarily end there, since extension season is just beginning, Ben writes.
Some arbitration records will fall in 2012, Tim writes.
The Orioles agreed to sign 34-year-old left-hander Dennys Reyes to a minor league deal, a source told MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith (via Twitter).
Tom Gorzelanny got $3MM from the Nats for 2012, Ben tweeted. That figure turned out to be a little higher than what was previously reported and topped the projected figure of $2.8MM.
Tyler Clippard and the Nationals avoided arbitration with a one-year deal and Ben tweeted that the contract will be worth $1.65MM.
Nick Collias passed along a report from Mexican magazine Puro Béisbol that reliever Luis Ayala is weighing offers from the Angels and the Orioles and could sign with one of the two soon.
Ben checked in on the offseason's multiyear deals.

Giants Optimistic About New Deal With Cain

By Zachary Links | January 22, 2012 at 8:01pm CDT

There are early indications that the Giants will have a decent or better chance to lock Matt Cain on another long-term deal, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Heyman adds that the club offered Tim Lincecum a deal worth at least $100MM over five years but is now focusing on one- and two-year deals after being rebuffed.

Giants people are saying only that talks are "ongoing'' with Cain, but there seems to be a fair amount of optimism they can keep Cain for less than $20MM a season. Cain already took one long team-friendly deal when he agreed to a three-year, $27.25MM contract prior to the 2010 season. Our own Luke Adams recently explored what it would take for the Giants to lock the 27-year-old up with a new deal.

However, Lincecum seems more likely to wind up with a two-year deal rather than sign a contract into his free-agent years. We've heard all offseason that the pitcher is in search of a short-term deal. Yesterday we learned that the Giants offered a two-year, $40MM contract and Lincecum's representatives countered with a two-year, $44MM offer.

Heyman writes that baseball people believe that Cain could match Cliff Lee's $120MM deal as a free agent if he tests the market after the year, but word is that he badly wants to stay in San Francisco. Those in the industry also believe that if Lincecum can put together two more outstanding years, he can become the game's first $200MM pitcher on the open market in 2013.

Week In Review: 1/15/12 – 1/21/12

By Zachary Links | January 22, 2012 at 6:25pm CDT

Let's take a look back at a busy week here at MLBTR..

The Rangers agreed to sign Yu Darvish to a six-year deal in the $60MM range. Bonuses in the deal could tack another $10MM on to the contract. Darvish can opt out of the contract after the fifth year but must hit high-end award levels in order to earn that option. The right-hander will earn $5.5MM in 2012, $9.5MM in 2013, $10MM annually from 2014-2016, and $11MM in 2017.
The Nationals and Gio Gonzalez agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension. The deal runs through 2016, with club options for 2017 and 2018, and comes less than a month after the Nationals sent four prospects to the Athletics to acquire Gonzalez. Gonzalez, 26, was eligible for arbitration for the first time as a Super Two this winter.
The Red Sox traded Marco Scutaro to the Rockies for Clayton Mortenson, freeing up $6MM on their payroll. The extra breathing room could allow the club to bolster their rotation and it's worth noting that they've stepped up their pursuit of Roy Oswalt. Boston also avoided arbitration with Daniel Bard this week.
The Rays agreed to sign Carlos Pena to a one-year, $7.25MM deal that will bring the powerful first baseman back to Tampa Bay. Pena, 33, posted a .225/.357/.462 line with 28 home runs in 606 plate appearances for the Cubs in 2011.
Tons of arbitration eligible players agreed to deals with their respective clubs this week. To get caught up on everything, check out MLBTR's arbitration tracker.
The Giants and Pablo Sandoval agreed to a three-year extension worth $17.15MM plus incentives. The deal doesn't delay his free agency — he's still on track to hit the open market after the 2014 season.
Speaking of the Giants, they appear to be close with Tim Lincecum on a new contract. The club offered a two-year, $40MM contract and the pitcher's representatives have countered with a two-year, $44MM offer. The hurler filed for a $21.5MM salary through arbitration and the Giants countered at $17MM. Both figures set new records for players with less than six years of service time.
The Braves and Australian right-hander Peter Moylan agreed to a one-year, $1MM minor league deal.
The Indians signed Julio Lugo to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
The Brewers signed outfielder Norichika Aoki to a two-year deal that includes a club option for 2014. Aoki will earn $1MM in 2012 and $1.25MM in 2013 but with incentives and bonuses, he can make a a little over $8.6MM over three years. Thanks in part to the Aoki deal, GM Bob Melvin says the club is way over budget.
The Athletics acquired outfielder Seth Smith from the Rockies for righty Guillermo Moscoso and lefty Josh Outman.
The Rangers have been the middle of the Prince Fielder rumormill but team co-owner Bob Simpson says that he's not an option at his asking price, and that he'd prefer to re-sign Josh Hamilton instead.
Before adding Scutaro to the fold, it was reported that the Rockies "remain strongly interested" in Justin Turner.
The Rockies and Rafael Betancourt agreed to a contract extension guaranteeing his $4.25MM mutual option for 2013. The deal adds an option at the same salary for 2014. The Octagon client will earn $4MM in 2012 as part of his current contract.
The Padres avoided arbitration with outfielder Carlos Quentin for $7.025MM.
On Friday, the Nationals announced that they agreed to sign Michael Morse to a contract extension. Morse's deal is reportedly worth about $10.5MM over two years.
The Indians acquired starting pitcher Kevin Slowey and $1.25MM from the Rockies for right-handed reliever Zach Putnam. With the cash acquired, the Tribe will pay Slowey just $1.5MM in 2012.
This week we learned that Fausto Carmona's real name is Roberto Hernandez Heredia and he is actually 31, not 28. The right-hander's chances of obtaining a visa quickly don't seem good. It appears unlikely that the Indians will void his contract, but he has to get to the U.S. to get paid this year.
The Athletics are "very interested" in adding Manny Ramirez as a designated hitter for 2012.
The A's also agreed to sign Jonny Gomes to a deal worth approximately $1.1MM. Gomes, 31, posted a .209/.325/.389 line with 14 homers in 372 plate appearances for the Reds and Nationals in 2011.
The D'Backs will sign free agent Joe Saunders to a one-year deal after non-tendering him in December. Saunders will get $6MM, or $2.7MM less than his projected salary through arbitration.
On Wednesday it was reported that the Nats are discussing a contract extension with Ryan Zimmerman.
The White Sox are still listening on righty Gavin Floyd and the Red Sox are among the interested teams.
The Red Sox agreed to terms with right-hander Aaron Cook on a minor league contract. The deal is worth $1.5MM prorated if Cook is called up to the Major Leagues.
The Rangers signed Brad Hawpe to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training. The veteran will earn $1MM plus bonuses if he makes the Opening Day roster.
The Reds will sign free agent outfielder Ryan Ludwick to a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2013.
The Blue Jays gave Mark Teahen his unconditional release. They designated him for assignment earlier in the month and will be responsible for paying his $5.5MM salary in 2012.
The Giants avoided arbitration with Sergio Romo, agreeing to a one-year, $1.575MM deal.
The Twins and Joel Zumaya agreed to a one-year contract which could pay the Hendricks Sports client anywhere from $800K to $1.7MM based on incentives.
The Orioles agreed to sign 34-year-old left-hander Dennys Reyes to a minor league deal, a source told MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith.
The Red Sox reached an agreement with righty Vicente Padilla that will pay him $1.5MM if he makes the big league roster.
The Astros have agreed to sign Jack Cust to a one-year deal with a club option for 2013.
The Rockies agreed to sign 49-year-old left-hander Jamie Moyer to a minor league deal.
The O's signed Armando Galarraga to a minor league contract.
The Astros announced that they signed catcher Chris Snyder to a one-year deal that includes a mutual option for 2013.
The Mariners signed left-hander Oliver Perez to a minor league deal.
The Reds agreed to a minor league deal with catcher Dioner Navarro.
The Phillies officially signed Joel Pineiro to a minor league contract with a spring training invite.
Longtime MLB shortstop Orlando Cabrera announced his retirement from baseball. Cabrera spent 15 seasons in the Major Leagues, winning two Gold Gloves and collecting 2,055 hits along the way.
The Cubs signed Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
Our own Nick Collias passed along a report from Mexican magazine Puro Béisbol that reliever Luis Ayala is weighing offers from the Angels and the Orioles and could sign with one of the two soon.
The Blue Jays agreed to sign 37-year-old right-hander Nelson Figueroa to a minor league contract.
The Indians agreed to sign free agent outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to a minor league deal.
The Indians announced that they signed outfielder Fred Lewis and right-handed reliever Jeremy Accardo to minor league deals.
The Rays signed second baseman Will Rhymes, outfielder Jesus Feliciano and right-handed reliever Romulo Sanchez to minor league deals.
The Cubs completed their minor league deal with catcher Jason Jaramillo, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes learned.

Eckstein Not Officially Retiring

By Steve Adams | January 22, 2012 at 4:20pm CDT

Earlier this morning, it was reported that David Eckstein had decided to retire, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that's not the case (Twitter link). Rosenthal quotes Eckstein's agent, Ryan Gleichowski: "If the right opportunity arises, he will play."

Jon Heyman tweeted earlier today that Eckstein had the opportunity to play for the Mariners last season, but turned it down. The 10-year veteran has played for five teams in his career, totaling a .280/.345/.355 triple slash line.

Eckstein didn't play in the 2011 season, so it's unlikely any team would commit a Major League contract to him. Gleichowski's quote suggests that Eckstein will likely be selective, so he may prefer to sign only with a contender or to play close to his native Florida (though that's just my speculation).

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