This Date In Transactions History: Mo Vaughn
On this date in 2001, the Mets acquired first baseman Mo Vaughn from the Angels in exchange for right-hander Kevin Appier. Vaughn had missed the entire 2001 season with the Angels due to a ruptured tendon in his left arm, but General Manager Steve Phillips & Co. opted to roll the dice on the slugger anyway. The trade was meant to bring some power to the Mets' lineup, but Vaughn's injuries wound up making the deal one of the worst moves of Phillips' tenure in New York.
The media got wind of the trade almost a week prior to its completion when sources told Tyler Kepner of the New York Times that Phillips, manager Bobby Valentine, and Assistant General Manager Omar Minaya traveled up to Massachusetts to watch Vaughn work out, which was unusual given that Vaughn was under contract with Anaheim. ''I understand it was very positive. I heard that they really liked what they saw," said one source. That would presumably include Vaughn's physical shape, despite the slugger's reported increase from 245 pounds to 275 pounds in his first two seasons with the Halos.
Less than a week later, the Mets agreed to take on Vaughn and the roughly $50MM owed to him over the next three seasons. As part of the deal, the Mets got to defer some of the money paid to the first baseman while the Angels covered the $8MM he was still owed as part of his signing bonus. Meanwhile, they would also part with Appier, who was coming off of an impressive season in his first (and only) campaign in blue and orange. The right-hander posted a 3.57 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9, his best numbers since his time in Kansas City.
Vaughn wasn't able to mash the ball as well as he had in years past by the time he got to Shea, but the veteran still managed to hit .259/.349/.456 with 26 homers in 139 games in 2002. The 2003 season was an entirely different story, however, as a knee injury in early May would bring his career to a close. Meanwhile, Appier pitched to a 3.92 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 32 starts for the Halos in 2002, helping to propel the Halos to their first World Series title. The Angels wound up releasing Appier the following year as he struggled with a flexor tendon injury, but one has to imagine that they were pretty happy to get out from under the money owed to Vaughn.
Red Sox Talking To Adam LaRoche
The Red Sox are talking with free agent Adam LaRoche, two sources tell Jen Royle of SB Nation Boston (via Twitter). LaRoche is seeking a three-year deal and a third source tells Royle that he's still not willing to compromise on contract length.
LaRoche would be the alternative to signing Mike Napoli, but major league sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that Boston would prefer to complete their deal with the backstop. The Red Sox haven't given any official word on why the deal with Napoli hasn't been completed, but sources say that an issue with one of Napoli's hips has given the club pause. There's an agreement in place for a three-year, $39MM deal, but the Red Sox could simply walk from it since it has not been finalized.
If the Red Sox did sign LaRoche, Rosenthal writes that Napoli would go back into the market and likely accept a shorter, cheaper deal, possibly from the Rangers. The Nationals would fill the void internally by moving Michael Morse to first base and go with an outfield of Bryce Harper in left, Denard Span in center, and Jayson Werth in right. However, Napoli remains Boston's preference in part because signing LaRoche would cost a second-round pick.
The Napoli problem is familiar territory for Boston as they put language in the contracts of right fielder J.D. Drew and right-hander John Lackey to protect from pre-existing medical conditions. According to sources, the Red Sox are working to get Napoli to agree to similar protection in his deal.
AL East Notes: Red Sox, Yankees, Diaz
Links on the Yankees and Red Sox as Wednesday becomes Thursday..
- Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (on Twitter) sees several tradeable pieces on the Red Sox roster. Among them are the club's spare catchers (Ryan Lavarnway or Jarrod Saltalamacchia), Alfredo Aceves, Andrew Bailey, or one of their left-handed relievers. Abraham isn't sure what those pieces could net Boston in return, however.
- The Yankees' signing of Matt Diaz to a minor league deal likely won't end their search for a right-handed hitting outfield option, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. Diaz's deal will be worth $1.2MM if he reaches the majors with the chance to earn an additional $800K in incentives.
- Diaz could be primed for a bounce-back year as his agents at Reynolds Sports Management (on Twitter) point out that the outfielder's recurring thumb issues are behind him. Diaz's slash line over the last two years has been .251/.295/.326 versus .301/.350/.456 in the previous eight seasons.
AL West Notes: Astros, Rangers, Pierzynski
The Astros will have a new division, sharp new logo, and some new faces as well in 2013. Chip Bailey of the Houston Chronicle looked at three areas of change for the club and asked if they are truly upgrades. The move to install Jose Veras as the team's closer given his lack of experience in finishing games is something of a head scratcher for Bailey. The Astros surprised a lot of people when they signed Carlos Pena to a one-year, $2.9MM deal, money that may have been better spent elsewhere. However, Bailey tips his cap to General Manager Jeff Luhnow for his efforts to upgrade the club's rotation. Houston made a trio of low-risk gambles in Alex White, Philip Humber, and John Ely. Here's more out of the AL West..
- At today's introductory press conference for A.J. Pierzynski, Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels said that there is a decent chance that they'll add another bat, tweets Anthony Andro of FOX Sports Southwest.
- Rangers skipper Ron Washington told reporters that incumbent Geovany Soto will get some playing time but Pierzynski will be the club's No. 1 catcher, Andro tweets. The club re-signed Soto to a one-year, $2.75MM deal with $250K in incentives.
- Pierzynski says that he came to Texas in part because of his affinity for playing there and the climate (Twitter link).
Hanrahan Trade Reactions: Bailey, Melancon, Grilli
Earlier today, the Red Sox and the Pirates finalized the trade that will send closer Joel Hanrahan to Boston. The swap has Hanrahan and infielder Brock Holt joining the Red Sox with outfielder Jerry Sands, right-handers Stolmy Pimentel and Mark Melancon, and Ivan De Jesus Jr. going to Pittsburgh. Here's a look at some of the reactions to the trade..
- Both the Red Sox and Pirates did well in the trade, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Pittsburgh sees similarity between Melancon now and Hanrahan when they originally acquired him from the Nationals.
- ESPN's Keith Law says the Red Sox received a small upgrade at a small cost with the trade. He opines that the Pirates would have been off moving Hanrahan last offseason.
- The Red Sox were wise to remake their bullpen, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Heyman believes that Andrew Bailey will make a fine set-up man and the plan to have Hanrahan close makes sense.
- Melancon was asked if he got a fair shot in Boston and while he was diplomatic, it would seem that he was less-than-thrilled with how things went. “It is what it is. It’s over and done with. Obviously, I didn’t pitch as well as I wanted to," said the pitcher, according to Tim Britton of The Providence Journal (on Twitter).
- Melancon told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe (Twitter link) a few weeks ago that his biggest problem in Boston was manager Bobby Valentine. Abraham expects Melancon to do well in Pittsburgh now that he has a fresh start.
- For the Pirates, the deal effectively works as a 5-for-2 or even a 6-for-2, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Francisco Liriano will get most of the money that would have gone to Hanrahan and there still may be room for one more budget free agent.
- Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal notes (on Twitter) the Red Sox will have roughly $175MM committed to payroll in 2013 if Hanrahan gets $7MM through arbitration. Matt Swartz projects a $6.9MM salary.
- Alex Speier of WEEI.com notes the Red Sox could flip Hanrahan at the trade deadline if they fall out of contention. He says they'll also consider making him a qualifying offer after the season.
- The most cost-efficient free agent signing of the winter may be the Pirates' signing of Jason Grilli on a two-year, $6.75MM deal as he will now take over as their closer, Heyman tweets.
- The Red Sox traded for Bailey on this date one year ago and it'll be interesting to see what this trade means for him, Abraham tweets.
- Red Sox manager John Farrell said that the club "didn't go into the offseason looking for a closer" but the trade makes Boston a better team, according to Abraham (on Twitter).
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
Yankees To Sign Matt Diaz
6:04pm: The outfielder can earn as much as $800K in incentives, sources tell Marc Carig of Newsday (Twitter link).
5:44pm: Diaz will earn $1.2MM plus incentives if he makes the big league club, sources tell Feinsand (on Twitter).
5:05pm: The Yankees have agreed to terms with Matt Diaz on a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp, according to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (on Twitter). Feinsand tipped the signing earlier this week when he noted that the outfielder would be a potential fit for the Bombers.
Diaz spent last season with the Braves and posted a .222/.280/.333 batting line in 51 big league games. The Reynolds Sports Management client boasts a career .324/.364/.498 slash line against lefties.
Pirates Designate Chad Beck For Assignment
The Pirates have designated right-hander Chad Beck for assignment, according to Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (on Twitter). The Pirates claimed Beck off waivers in October from the Blue Jays.
Pittsburgh had to make a 40-man move after the Joel Hanrahan trade sent two players out and brought four players in. The soon-to-be 28-year-old had a 1.31 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 43 Triple-A relief appearances. Beck also has 17 major league games to his credit over the last two seasons.
East Links: Phillies, Lee, Orioles, LaRoche, Nationals
Earlier today the Red Sox finalized the Joel Hanrahan trade and Stephen Drew signing, but assistant GM Brian O'Halloran told reporters (including Tim Britton of The Providence Journal) there is no update on the Mike Napoli situation (Twitter link). Here's the latest from baseball's two East divisions….
- The Phillies are in an odd place in baseball's landscape writes ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider req'd). GM Ruben Amaro Jr. really couldn't add big money free agents this winter, but his team is too good to rebuild completely. Olney wonders if they should have dumped Cliff Lee (and his salary) on the Dodgers when Los Angeles claimed the southpaw on waivers this summer.
- The Orioles still have to sort out their bench, but the team has plenty of candidates to choose from as Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com explains. Alexi Casilla, Nolan Reimold, Wilson Betemit, Danny Valencia, Trayvon Robinson, Ryan Flaherty, Yamaico Navarro, Steve Pearce, Conor Jackson, and Travis Ishikawa are all in the bench mix.
- Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider compared Adam LaRoche to Mike Morse. The Nationals are trying to re-sign the former, though the latter could step right in at first base if no deal is reached.
- Ryan Lawrence of The Philadelphia Daily News broke down the Phillies offseason, both the moves and non-moves.
Mariners Sign Raul Ibanez
The Mariners have officially signed Raul Ibanez to a one-year contract, the team announced. The deal is worth $2.75MM guaranteed with another $1.25MM in performance bonuses. The ACES client played in Seattle from 1996-2000 and 2004-2008.
Ibanez, 40, hit .240/.308/.453 with 19 homers in 425 plate appearances for the Yankees last season. He was considerably more productive against righties (.248/.319/.492) and at Yankee Stadium (.273/.349/.545), and he wound up starting 76 games in the outfield due to Brett Gardner's injury. The Yankees, Rangers, and Phillies also had interest in signing him.
The Mariners acquired Kendrys Morales last week, who gives the team a logjam at first base and DH along with Jesus Montero, John Jaso, Justin Smoak, and Ibanez. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes did not rate Ibanez as one of this winter's top 50 free agents. The Mariners designated D.J. Mitchell for assignment to clear a spot on the 40-man roster.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement while The Associated Press, WFAN's Sweeny Murti, and MLB.com's Greg Johns added details (Twitter links). Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Mariners Designate D.J. Mitchell For Assignment
The Mariners have designated D.J. Mitchell for assignment, the team announced. The move creates room on the 40-man roster for the recently signed Raul Ibanez.
Mitchell, 25, was acquired from the Yankees in the Ichiro Suzuki trade this summer. The right-hander allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings for New York this year while pitching to a 4.29 ERA in 134 1/3 innings down in Triple-A.