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Archives for February 2012

Padres To Receive Low-Level Prospect For Hoyer

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The Theo Epstein compensation case drew most of the attention this offseason, but the Padres and Cubs still have to work something out for Jed Hoyer. Scott Miller of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter) that San Diego will received a low-level minor leaguer from Chicago for their former GM, probably late in Spring Training but before Opening Day. 

The clubs have agreed to select the PTBNL from a pre-determined list of 12 or so players, according to Miller (on Twitter). The Red Sox received 26-year-old righty reliever Chris Carpenter and a player to be named later from the Cubs as compensation for Epstein and a player to be named two days ago. There's not much precedent for compensation involving front office employees, but the cases of Epstein and Andy MacPhail provide the Cubs and Padres with two such examples.

Padres, Maybin Continue Talking Extension

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The Padres continue discussing a long-term extension with center fielder Cameron Maybin, Dan Hayes of the North County Times reports. The sides are optimistic about reaching a deal and have an unofficial March 1st deadline in place. 

Talks about a five year extension started  earlier in the offseason, but stopped around the time Maybin switched agents. The 24-year-old Brian Goldberg client says he's focused on preparing for the season, not the possibility of a new contract.

Maybin posted a .264/.323/.393 line in 2011 and plays better-than-average defense in center field, according to UZR/150. He's not yet arbitration eligible and will remain under team control through 2015. I explained last month that I believe a five-year deal in the $21-22MM range could work for Maybin and the Padres.

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Thursday

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Roy Oswalt could decide on a new team by today, Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio reported yesterday. The Red Sox, Rangers and Cardinals have all been linked to Oswalt, but the way this offseason has unfolded, it's still too soon to rule out a surprise. We'll keep track of the latest rumors right here until there's word of a decision:

  • Cardinals GM John Mozeliak insists Oswalt "will not be pitching for the Cardinals," according to Strauss (on Twitter).
  • At this point, Oswalt is not going to the Rangers or Red Sox, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.
  • A close friend of Oswalt's "would not be surprised" if the right-hander accepts the Cardinals' terms, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets.
  • Agent Bob Garber said Oswalt will make an announcement today, Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reports. The Red Sox aren't sure what Oswalt intends to do, but they still have interest in him, according to Edes.

Quick Hits: Playoffs, Offseason Grades, Closers

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Here are some miscellaneous links as Wednesday turns into Thursday…

  • The expectation within baseball is that the ten-team playoff format will happen this season, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The deadline for the new system to be implemented is March 1st.
  • ESPN's Jim Bowden graded the offseason for each American League and National League team (Insider req'd). The Marlins, Angels, and Yankees each received an A.
  • USA Today's Bob Nightengale wrote about the tremendous turnover rate at the closer position. Only four current closers – Mariano Rivera, Brian Wilson, Joakim Soria, and Carlos Marmol – have held the job for longer than two full years.

NL East Links: Marlins, Bourn, Rizzo, Kazmir, Mets

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Ten years ago today, the Expos claimed Endy Chavez off waivers from the Mets after the Mets claimed him off waivers from the Tigers and the Tigers claimed him off waivers from the Royals. All of that happened in less than eight weeks, and later in his career Chavez suited up for three different NL East teams in the span of 10 months. Here's the latest from his old division…

  • The Marlins intend to "renew" the contracts of their pre-arbitration-eligible players at the league minimum ($480K) according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. That may prompt the union to file a grievance, contending that the team did not operate in good faith.
  • Michael Bourn told MLB.com's Mark Bowman that he hasn't had any contract extension talks with the Braves. The speedy center fielder is a prime extension candidate, and can become a free agent after this season.
  • Nationals GM Mike Rizzo spoke to MLB.com's Bill Ladson about a number of topics, including the Gio Gonzalez trade and the team's ongoing pursuit of a center fielder.
  • "We'll see [Scott] Kazmir for the first time [on Friday]," said Mets GM Sandy Alderson (on Twitter). "We have an open mind but a spot on the ML staff right away is not realistic." Kazmir threw for scouts last week and is said to be considering the team that originally drafted him.
  • Brian Costa of The Wall Street Journal reports that the Mets have firm commitments from seven potential investors, but want to line up three more and close all ten deals (worth a total of $200MM) at once (Twitter links).
  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com says the smart money is on the Phillies and Cole Hamels working out a new contract to keep the left-hander in Philadelphia beyond this season.
  • The Phillies announced that Marti Wolever has been promoted from director of scouting to Assistant General Manager, Amateur Scouting.

NL Central Links: Renteria, Brewers, Molina

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Here's the latest from the NL Central, on the day the Brewers signed Jay Gibbons…

West Links: Giants, Pudge, Abreu, Leach

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Here's the latest from baseball's two West divisions…

  • The Giants are not in the market for outfielders such as Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, and Bobby Abreu according to Hank Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle (on Twitter). They feel the lineup is too lefty-heavy as it is, and defense is a concern as well.
  • Ivan Rodriguez has fielded a few inquiries according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter), including one from the Diamondbacks. Pudge seeks a job with "real playing time," however.
  • Angels manager Mike Scioscia told MLB.com that he believes he can find regular playing time for Abreu, and that the veteran hitter won't be a distraction after saying he wanted to be traded.
  • The Dodgers have signed left-hander Brent Leach, reports Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus (on Twitter). The 29-year-old reliever appeared in 38 games for the Dodgers in 2009 (5.75 ERA), but spent last season in Japan.

Yankees Sign David Aardsma

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7:09pm: Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports (on Twitter) that any incentives Aardsma earns in 2012 will increase the base salary of his 2013 option by the same amount.

11:21am: The Yankees have signed 30-year-old right-hander David Aardsma, the team announced. It's a Major League deal worth $500K that includes a club option for 2013. The deal includes $500K in incentives and the 2012 option is worth $500K, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times tweets. Aardsma underwent Tommy John surgery last July and won't be ready to contribute until midway through the 2012 campaign.

Aardsma last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2010, when he saved 31 games as the Mariners' closer, posting a 3.44 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 49 2/3 innings. He has a 4.20 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in parts of six MLB seasons.

MLB.com's Bryan Hoch and Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News first reported the deal.

Angels Sign Jason Isringhausen

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The Angels have signed Jason Isringhausen to a minor league contract, reports MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez (on Twitter). Mike DiGiovanna of The Los Angeles Times says (on Twitter) that Izzy can become a free agent if he doesn't make the team since he has no interest in playing in Triple-A. The right-hander is a Beverly Hills Sports Council client.

Isringhausen, 39, appeared in 53 games for the Mets last season, pitching to a 4.05 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 in 46 2/3 innings. He saved seven games, including the 300th of his career. The Halos have been looking to strengthen their bullpen, and Izzy gives them some veteran, right-handed depth.

Roy Oswalt Could Decide On New Team By Tomorrow

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Pitchers and catchers have reported for Spring Training all across the league, but Roy Oswalt remains unemployed. That could change soon, as ESPN's Jim Bowden reports (on Twitter) that the veteran right-hander could make a decision about his next team as soon as tomorrow.

The market for the 34-year-old Oswalt has faded in recent weeks, as several teams have come out and said they don't have interest in signing him. The Red Sox, Rangers, and Cardinals all showed interest in him at one point, but it's unclear if they have offers on the table at the moment. Oswalt could end up being the bargain of the offseason at this stage of the game.

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