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Archives for June 2012

Dodgers Extend Andre Ethier

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TUESDAY: The Dodgers announced that they've reached an extension with Ethier. A press conference will take place at Dodger Stadium this afternoon. Ethier's deal doesn't include a no-trade clause, Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times tweets.

Ethier's option vests if he reaches an "easily attainable" plate appearances threshold late in the contract, Yahoo’s Tim Brown reports (on Twitter). It vests based on plate appearances in 2017 or 2016-17, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio adds (on Twitter). 

MONDAY: The Dodgers have reached an agreement on a five-year, $85MM extension with Andre Ethier according to USA Today's Bob Nightengale (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of CBS Sports was the first to report that the two sides were near the extension, and added that the contract contains a sixth year vesting option (Twitter links).

Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times added that the vesting option would likely push the deal to $100MM total. Hernandez goes on to say that the deal is expected to be finalized tomorrow. The proposed contract would pay Ethier $13.5MM in 2013, $15MM in 2014, $18MM in 2015-16, and $17.5MM in 2017. The option for 2018 would be for another $17.5MM with a $2.5MM buyout (All Twitter links). Ethier

We've heard about a possible Ethier extension several times over the past few months, and the right fielder has said recently that he wouldn't put a deadline on negotiations. The 30-year-old is making $10.95MM this season after avoiding arbitration with a one-year contract this past winter.

Ethier has spent his entire career in Dodger blue after he was traded to L.A. from Oakland in exchange for Milton Bradley and Antonio Perez. Ethier boasts a solid .291/.363/.482 slash line for his career, but has a less-than-stellar defensive reputation. Ultimate Zone Rating hasn't been kind to him, rating him as 6.2 runs below average per 150 games in more than 5,700 career innings. The other big question with Ethier lies in his durability; he's spent time on the disabled list in each of the past two seasons.

MLBTR's Dan Mennella examined the CAA Sports client's free agent stock in April, noting that he had the best chance at landing a big contract among upcoming free agent right fielders.

As MLBTR's Extension Tracker shows, general manager Ned Colletti has locked up the two cornerstones of his team's outfield in the past calendar year. Colletti signed Matt Kemp to a franchise-record, eight-year, $160MM contract this offseason. Colletti also signed ace Clayton Kershaw to a two-year extension worth $19MM and signed Tony Gwynn Jr. to a two-year, $2MM deal this offseason.

A formal announcement is expected on Tuesday, at which point Ethier will officially be the owner of the third-largest contract in Dodgers history, behind Kemp and Kevin Brown.

Photo courtesy of US Presswire/Kirby Lee.

Blue Jays Release Vladimir Guerrero

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The Blue Jays have released Vladimir Guerrero at his request, the team announced. The 37-year-old outfielder issued the team an ultimatum earlier today, and they decided to release him rather than call him up the big leagues. Bean Stringfellow, Vlad's agent, said his client is not retiring and will seek employment elsewhere.

Soon after joining the Blue Jays' organization, Guerrero hit four homers in four games at Class A Dunedin. He was then promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas, where he collected four hits last night after a slow start. Guerrero has 2,590 hits, 449 homers and a .318/.379/.553 line in 16 big league seasons. In 590 plate appearances with the Orioles last year, the nine-time All-Star posted a .290/.317/.416 line with 13 homers. He drew interest from the Diamondbacks, Indians and Marlins earlier this year.

Dodgers Interested In Ryan Dempster

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The Dodgers are "definitely interested" in Ryan Dempster, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The Cubs are expected to consider trade offers for Dempster, a free agent after the season.

As Knobler points out, the Dodgers were interested in Dempster two years ago, but the right-hander preferred to stay in Chicago. Dempster has full no-trade protection as a player with ten and five rights, yet he understands that the Cubs may look to move him for controllable players. The Cubs are open to retaining Dempster long-term and have discussed the possibility with the 35-year-old himself.

Dempster has started 11 games this year and owns a 2.31 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 74 innings. He'll earn $14MM this season before hitting free agency. If a trade is completed, the acquiring team won't be able to obtain draft pick compensation should Dempster sign elsewhere for the 2013 campaign.

Rosenthal On Phillies, Dempster, Soriano, Chavez

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Phillies general partner David Montgomery told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he’s not thinking about trading away established players since opportunity still exists for his 29-33 club. “Come August or something, maybe we feel differently,” Montgomery acknowledged, noting that the team’s current goal is to re-enter the playoff picture.

Here are more rumors and notes from Rosenthal…

  • Though the Cubs want to add talent, they are reluctant to start a long rebuilding process. Of all the Cubs, Ryan Dempster is most likely to be traded, according to Rosenthal. One general manager said the right-hander seems like a “classic Ned Colletti buy,” so don’t be surprised if the Dodgers show some interest in Dempster. 
  • Rosenthal speculates that the Indians could be a fit for Alfonso Soriano. Though the Cubs would be paying most of the outfielder’s salary in any trade, Soriano can still hit, especially against left-handers. Rival teams expect the Indians to be aggressive this summer, and they could use a right-handed bat like Soriano.
  • Teams aren’t sure that Wandy Rodriguez would succeed in the American League.
  • One person said there’s “no chance” the Red Sox could obtain prospects for Kevin Youkilis without paying most of his salary.
  • The Reds want to add a left-handed hitter, Rosenthal reports.
  • Though Eric Chavez can still play, preparing for games has become “a huge hurdle to climb physically.” The Yankees and White Sox were the only teams to show interest in the 34-year-old this past offseason, and he would have been content to retire if necessary.
  • Don’t be surprised if the Giants look to acquire a reliever, Rosenthal writes.
  • One executive wonders if the Orioles could trade Brian Matusz in a deal for a more established starter.

Rockies To Sign David Dahl

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The Rockies have agreed to sign first round draft pick David Dahl, Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA reports (on Twitter). Dahl, the 10th overall selection, will obtain a $2.6MM bonus, according to Rogers. Dahl flew to Denver Monday and an announcement can be expected later today, Tracy Ringolsby of ROOT Sports reports (on Twitter).

MLB recommends a bonus of $2.7MM for the 10th overall selection, according to Baseball America. Dahl, a high school outfielder, bats left-handed and has plus speed, a strong arm, and power potential, according to BA.

Minor Moves: Eyre, Palmer

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The latest minor transactions from around MLB…

  • The Orioles have released right-hander Willie Eyre from Triple-A Norfolk, tweets Roch Kubatko of MASNsports. The 33-year-old was drafted by Minnesota in the 23rd round in 1999 and has a 4.95 ERA across parts of four seasons with the Twins, Rangers, and Orioles. This season, he'd pitched to a 7.92 ERA in 25 innings for Norfolk.
  • The Padres outrighted right-hander Matt Palmer to Triple-A, Tucson, according to MLB.com’s transactions page. San Diego had designated Palmer for assignment last week in order to clear roster space for Huston Street. Palmer appeared in three games for the Padres after being called up from Tucson, where he had a 4.50 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 34 innings.

More Draft Signings: Reds, Angels, Twins, O’s

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We'll keep track of tonight's notable draft bonuses from the second round and later right here…

  • Jim Callis of Baseball America tweets that the Reds have signed third round pick Dan Langfield for the recommended slot value of $436,800. Callis writes that Langfield can get his fastball up to 97mph, but his slider may be an even better pitch.
  • The Reds have also signed second round pick Tanner Rahier for the No. 78 overall pick's full slot bonus of $649,700, according to Callis (Twitter link). Callis notes that the high school shortstop out of California has a "promising bat," and praises his instincts and energy.
  • R.J. Alvarez, the Angels third round selection who signed earlier today, received a bonus of $416,300, which was the recommendation for his slot, according to this tweet from Callis.
  • The Twins have signed third round pick Adam Brett Walker, tweets Callis. Walker, the 97th overall pick in the draft, was reported to be one of the most powerful college bats in the draft. The Jacksonville first baseman signed for full slot value — a total of $490,400.
  • Steve Melewski of MASNsports writes that the Orioles signed non-drafted University of Maryland right-hander Sander Beck. The O's drafted the local product in the 33rd round of the 2011 draft, but he returned to Maryland for his senior season. Melewski adds that Baltimore also signed 19th-rounder Josh Hader, a high school lefty and another product of Maryland.

Blue Jays Sign Davis, Nay, Gonzales

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9:30pm: Callis tweets that Gonzales received a $750K bonus — $107,200 below the recommended slot bonus of $857,200.

3:12pm: The Blue Jays announced that they signed first round draft pick D.J. Davis. The team also announced the signing of supplementary first round selections Mitchell Nay and Tyler Gonzales. Davis obtained a $1.75MM bonus, Jim Callis of Baseball America reports (Twitter links). Nay obtained a bonus of $1MM, Callis reports.

The Blue Jays chose Davis, a high school outfielder, with the 17th overall selection. They chose Nay, a high school third baseman, with the 58th overall selection as compensation for losing Jon Rauch then, two picks later, chose Gonzales, a high school right-hander, as compensation for losing Jose Molina.

MLB recommends a bonus of $2MM for the 17th overall selection, and recommends bonuses of $884K and $857K for the 58th and 60th selections, respectively. The Blue Jays have now signed 22 of their 44 selections plus seven non-drafted free agents.

Phillies To Sign Top Picks Watson, Gueller, Cozens

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6:53pm: Callis also tweets that the Phillies have signed their second-round pick Dylan Cozens, while Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer adds (via Twitter as well) that they've signed all three of their top picks at slot value. That means in addition to Watson and Cozens, Philadelphia has inked supplemental rounder Mitch Gueller (No. 54 overall).

Gueller, a prep right-hander out of Washington will receive $940,200. The Phillies received the 54th pick as compensation for losing Raul Ibanez. Cozens, a prep outfielder out of Arizona, will receive $659,800. Callis touts his athleticism and power.

6:08pm: The Phillies have agreed to terms with supplemental first round pick Shane Watson, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter).

Watson, a right-hander out of Lakewood High School in California, will receive full slot as the 40th overall pick — a bonus of $1,291,300. The Phils received the pick as compensation for losing Ryan Madson to the Reds. According to Callis, Watson can touch 96mph with his heater and also features a plus curveball.

Cubs Win Bidding For Jorge Soler

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5:30pm: Heyman adds another caveat to Soler's deal (Twitter link). Soler will be allowed to opt out of the agreed-upon salaries and go to arbitration once he is eligible. That scenario would likely push the total value of the deal beyond $30MM.

1:48pm: Soler and the Cubs agreed to a nine-year deal worth approximately $30MM, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. At least three or four teams placed bids of $20MM plus, according to Heyman. Depending on how long Soler spends at the minor league level, the deal could cover all of his arbitration seasons and multiple free agent years. 

Soler can opt out of his yearly salaries and file for arbitration once eligible, ESPN.com's Keith Law reports. As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports explains, this means Soler could earn more than $30MM with the Cubs.

1:15pm: The Cubs won the bidding for Cuban outfielder Jorge Soler, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports (on Twitter). Many teams appeared to have interest in Soler, a top international prospect.

Soler has to sign by July 2 if he aims to maximize his earning potential and avoid spending restrictions imposed under baseball’s new collective bargaining agreement. It's not clear what kind of bonus the Praver Shapiro Sports Management client will obtain from the Cubs, but a sum in excess of $15MM would not be surprising.

MLB declared Soler a free agent earlier this month after verifying his paperwork. The Phillies have since offered him a contract and the Astros, Pirates, Indians, Red Sox, Yankees and Blue Jays also appeared to have some level of interest in the 20-year-old.

Soler was an up-and-coming power hitter in Cuba before leaving the country, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. His calling card is right-handed power, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America, who considers him a top-50 prospect in MLB.

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