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Archives for June 2012

Dodgers, Ethier Near Five-Year Extension

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The Dodgers are closing in on a five-year, $85MM extension with Andre Ethier according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. The contract contains a sixth year vesting option (Twitter links).

Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times adds 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).

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 extension talks. 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. 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 represented the best bet at landing a big contract among upcoming free agent right fielders.

This post was originally published on June 11 at 11:57pm CT.

Quick Hits: Peter Bourjos, Cardinals Draft, Jim Crane

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The Nationals are 12 games over .500 for the first time since July 23, 2005 after sweeping the Red Sox at Fenway Park over the weekend. The 2005 Washington squad would go on to finish the season 81-81 with a starting lineup featuring the bats of Vinny Castilla and Brad Wilkerson. Here's the latest odds and ends from around the league…

  • The emergence of rookie Mike Trout and Mark Trumbo's increased presence in the outfield has cost Peter Bourjos significant playing time, but that doesn't mean the Angels center fielder is in danger of losing his spot on the roster or being traded, writes Trey Scott of MLB.com. Count manager Mike Scioscia among Bourjos' supporters as he believes the second-generation big leaguer can aid the team even while playing in a limited capacity. "It's difficult for a young player that has the ability to play every day but isn't in there," Scioscia said. "But Peter is going to help us win games."
  • The starting point for recently signed draft picks in the Cardinals organization is less about potential and more about current ability, says Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. While not all of the 44 players drafted by the Cardinals will ultimately sign with the franchise, the ones who do will begin their careers across three Class-A short-season affiliates. It's not unheard of for a top pick to make it to a full-season club in his first year like Kolten Wong in 2011, but the likelihood of doing so stems from how quickly the player signs his contract after being drafted.
  • The subtle, confident nature of new Astros owner Jim Crane should prove to benefit both his franchise and the city of Houston, contends Chris Baldwin of CultureMap Houston. Crane's decision to hire Jeff Luhnow as the Astros' general manager has paid immediate dividends as the team signed first overall pick Carlos Correa for $2.4MM below slot value, giving them a stronger chance to sign Lance McCullers, selected 41st overall. The decision to draft Correa was a surprise to many and speaks to the organization's belief system in which the Astros will take calculated risks that are swiftly executed once a decision is reached. 

Week In Review: 6/3/12 – 6/9/12

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As teams hope to sign a future Derek Jeter or Chipper Jones in the aftermath of Monday's amateur draft, let's catch up on the week that was here on MLBTR…

  • The Astros signed first overall selection Carlos Correa. The Puerto Rican shortstop's bonus is worth $4.8MM, which is the lowest guarantee for a top selection since the Royals gave right-hander Luke Hochevar $3.5MM in 2006.
  • Princeton graduate Ross Ohlendorf signed a Major League contract with the Padres after obtaining his release from the Red Sox last weekend. The 29-year-old had a 4.61 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 52 2/3 innings over the course of ten starts for Boston's Triple-A affiliate. The Padres designated right-hander Matt Palmer for assignment in a corresponding move.
  • While noted for his glove and versatility, Donnie Murphy will need to improve his hitting if he looks to return to big leagues after being designated for assignment by the Marlins. The 29-year-old utility infielder hit .136/.250/.318 in 52 plate appearances with Miami.
  • The Diamondbacks reached a deal with first round draft pick Stryker Trahan. Selected 26th, the catcher will receive a straight slot bonus of $1.7MM.
  • Supplementary first round selection (52nd overall) Patrick Wisdom agreed to terms with the Cardinals. The former St. Mary's third baseman signed for $693K which saves St. Louis approximately $277K of draft pool money.
  • The Red Sox designated Marlon Byrd for assignment. Byrd, 35 this August, will look to catch on with his third team this season after starting the year with the Cubs.
  • Pete Orr is headed to Triple-A as the Phillies outrighted the 33-year-old infielder to Lehigh Valley after he hit .286/.302/.429 in 45 plate appearances for Philadelphia this season.
  • Brewers first round selection Clint Coulter signed with Milwaukee and will receive a $1.675MM bonus, which is the amount MLB recommends for the 27th overall selection. 
  • Selected directly after Coulter at 28th, Victor Roache also agreed to terms with the Brewers. Roache, an outfielder from Georgia Southern University, will receive a $1.525MM bonus, slightly below the recommended slot price of $1.65MM.  
  • The Mets agreed to terms with first-round pick (12th overall) Gavin Cecchini on a $2.3MM contract. Cecchini, 18, is a high school shortstop from Louisiana who had committed to the University of Mississippi. 
  • Jeff Francis signed with the Rockies, where he pitched from 2004-10. Francis posted a 4.22 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 215 1/3 innings for the Rockies in 2007.
  • The Royals signed right-hander Kyle Zimmer, their first round pick (and the fifth pick overall).  
  • First round pick Lucas Sims signed with the Braves. The right-hander from Georgia's Brookwood High School was selected with the 21st overall pick. 
  • The Blue Jays signed supplementary first round selection Matt Smoral after selecting the high school left-hander 50th overall on Monday as compensation for losing reliever Frank Francisco.
  • Jamie Moyer, who pitched for Baltimore from 1993-95, has signed with the Orioles. The 49-year-old left-hander will report to Triple-A Norfolk.
  • The Athletics designated first baseman Kila Ka'aihue for assignment. Ka'aihue appeared in 39 games for the A's this year, posting a .234/.295/.398 batting line in 139 plate appearances. The 28-year-old has a .687 OPS with 15 home runs in 465 career plate appearances for the Royals and A's.
  • Upon reinstating him from the disabled list, the Rays designated Brandon Allen for assignment. 
  • The Tigers designated catcher Omir Santos for assignment. Santos, 31, elected free agency instead of reporting back to the minor leagues.
  • Nate McLouth is headed to the American League after signing a minor league deal with the Orioles. The Pirates placed the outfielder on release waivers last week after designating him for assignment.
  • The Rockies designated Esmil Rogers for assignment. Rogers, 26, pitched to an 8.06 ERA with 10.2 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 in 25 2/3 relief innings for Colorado this season. 

Draft Signings: Wood, Perez, Diamondbacks, Reds

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Here are Sunday's notable non-first round draft pick signings…

  • The Braves have agreed to terms with second rounder Alex Wood for $700K, tweets Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game USA. The left-hander from the University of Georgia was the 85th overall pick, which carries a slot value of $583K.
  • The Padres have signed third rounder Fernando Perez for a below slot $400K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America (on Twitter). Selected 102nd overall, the third baseman from Central Arizona Junior College was slotted for $467K.
  • The Diamondbacks have signed 11th round selection Ben Eckels for $125K, tweets Callis. Arizona's draft budget will be reduced by $25K after giving the high school right-hander from California a bonus over $100K.
  • The Reds have signed 18th round pick Jackson Stephens for $100K, reports Callis (on Twitter). The high school right-hander and third baseman hails from Alabama.

MLBTR Originals

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Here's a look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:

Dodgers Sign Jesmuel Valentin

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3:50 pm: The Dodgers have officially announced the signings of Valentin, Stripling, Rathjen, Hershiser, and seven other draft picks.

3:15 pm: Baseball America's Jim Callis says Valentin signed for the recommended slot value of $984,700.

1:20 pm: The Dodgers have signed their supplementary first round draft choice Jesmuel Valentin tweets Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. Valentin, a middle infielder and teammate of the top overall pick Carlos Correa out of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, was chosen 51st overall, a pick obtained for the loss of Rod Barajas. The recommended slot for the selection is $984,700.

The Dodgers, according to Hernandez, also signed their fifth round pick right-handed pitcher Thomas Stripling and their 11th rounder outfielder Jeremy Rathjen.  Hernandez tweets that Jordan Hershiser, son of Dodger great Orel Hershiser, also signed.  The younger Hershiser was the team's 34th round selection.

Huntington Talks Appel, Boras, Draft Picks

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With the Pirates looking for their first interleague sweep in 11 years, GM Neal Huntington met with reporters before the game, including Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review (via Sulia).

  • On signing first round draft choice Mark Appel, Huntington says "it's a challenging sign."  Scott Boras is advising Appel and Biertempfel references other Boras clients who were tough signs but came to terms.  Biertempfel thinks negotiations will heat up as the July 13 deadline approaches.
  • Huntington was asked about dealing with Boras, "We've dealt with him a handful of times, both on the amateur market and on Major League free-agent market. He's … There's a reason he's negotiated all the contracts he's negotiated. It, uh … it is what it is."
  • Huntington described the team's sales pitch to its draft picks, "We talk about who we are as an organization, the success that's coming through our deep and talented farm system and the role they can play in that. You throw the money at them and sometimes that's the final, and maybe only, deciding factor."

Soler Expected To Agree To Deal Before Tomorrow

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2:15 pm: Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports the Soler decision could come within the next 24-36 hours, according to executives interested in the Cuban outfielder.  Heyman has been told final bids are due today.

10:19 am: Outfielder Jorge Soler is expected to agree on a four-year deal before tomorrow, an industry source told George A. King III and Mike Puma of the New York Post.  Meanwhile, the representative for Soler is calling to ask teams if their bids are final, sources tell Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

The Yankees, Cubs, Braves, and Dodgers have been among the most aggressive teams in their pursuit of Soler, according to Olney.  The Yankees are said to have bid heavy on Soler while other teams view the Cubs as the favorite, Olney tweets.  King III and Puma note that the Yankees don’t have a Plan B if they lose Nick Swisher in free agency and Soler would certainly cost less than chasing Josh Hamilton.

Plenty of other teams have been linked to Soler, including the Astros, Pirates, Indians, Red Sox, Phillies, and Blue Jays.  The Mets and Marlins, meanwhile, aren't pursuing the outfielder.

Twins, Buxton Near Agreement

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2:05 pm: Al Goetz, the agent for Buxton, tells Christensen both sides will continue negotiating tomorrow, but those talks are "just formalities." 

1:54 pm: Christensen clarifies (via Twitter) that Buxton will land in Minnesota tomorrow afternoon and the physical may not start until Tuesday.

1:31 pm: The Twins are close to an agreement with the draft's second overall selection outfielder Byron Buxton, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.  A person close to the negotiations tells Christensen a physical is scheduled to take place tomorrow.

The recommended slot for the second overall pick is $6.2MM.  The Astros signed Carlos Correa, taken first overall, for a below slot bonus of $4.8MM on Thursday.

AL East Notes: Yankees, Gonzalez, Red Sox

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The Yankees topped the Mets last night 4-2 behind a solid showing from Phil Hughes.  Here's more on the Bombers and the AL East..

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