Before signing with the Braves for $4MM with an additional $4.5MM in incentives, starter Gavin Floyd reportedly turned down a two-year offer from the Orioles that could have reached $20MM in value with incentives, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter links). In an interesting reversal of the usual bargaining positions of player and team, Connolly writes that Baltimore was not interested in giving a one-year deal to Floyd (who is still working back from Tommy John surgery) because it sought to secure another season at a reasonable price. Meanwhile, the previously-durable righty chose the shorter-term deal, presumably hoping to prove his health and command multiple years when he enters next season's free agent market at age 31.
Here's more from the American League East …
- The Orioles have a two-year offer out to free-agent closer Grant Balfour, and they're considering adding a vesting option to sweeten the deal, MASNsports.com's Roch Kubatko tweets. Balfour is reportedly hoping for a third guaranteed year.
- In the wake of Robinson Cano's departure, the Yankees are unlikely to spend heavily on a second baseman, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. The Yankees let Omar Infante go to the Royals and Mark Ellis to the Cardinals, so if they were to acquire a player like Brandon Phillips, Dan Uggla or Rickie Weeks, they would likely expect the trading team to eat a good portion of their remaining salary. If the Yankees don't make some sort of big move, newly-acquired minor-league veteran Dean Anna could be part of the equation at second.
- The Yankees are considering signing Michael Young or Brian Roberts to help in their infield, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweets. New York could also re-sign Mark Reynolds, according to Heyman.
- Red Sox outfielder Shane Victorino underwent nerve release surgery on his right thumb today, the club announced via press release. Boston expects Victorino to be ready to join the team for Spring Training. Victorino's thumb issues had limited him late in the Sox' title run last year, but it sounds as if the club's offseason plans will not be impacted at this point.
Charlie Wilmoth contributed to this post.
Young, Roberts, Reynolds. Who would be the worst of the 3 to sign? Well assuming they get 1 of the 3, I have to assume they would be splitting time with Kelly Johnson and Eduardo Nunez at 2B and 3B and A-Rod if he isn’t suspended or should he return in the season if he does.
I’d say Reynolds because he’s the youngest. In all seriousness it would make more sense to sign Young than anyone else because you at least know Young can play 2nd & 3rd whereas Roberts can only play 2nd & Reynolds can play 1st & 3rd
Then I wonder if it would be better to have Reynolds in that case to back up Tex on days he needs to DH. We will have Reynolds/Johnson at 3B, Nunez/Johnson at 2B, Jeter/Ryan at SS and Tex/Reynolds at 1st. So at least everyone has a backup.
Nunez/Johnson/Roberts at 3B too.
Has Brian Roberts ever played third?
Sorry, I meant Reynolds!
Young can play 2B and 3B in the same sense that my grandmother can play 2B and 3B – he can technically stand where those positions usually play.
lol my thoughts exactly too
That’s essentially all that Mark Reynolds does.
and strike out…
And homer a good percentage of the time but we were talking about what they do in the field. Reynolds hasn’t found a way to strike out while standing at third yet but I’m sure if anyone can do it, he can.
I’d lean towards Reynolds too. Provides 1B depth to Tex as well. Nunez/Johnson couldl platoon at 2B with Reynolds/Johnson platooning at 3B (as well as Reynolds platooning at 1B).
Id say Roberts, because hes just never healthy, and the Yankees have enough of those characters on their team
Young makes sense too because he’s old
According to Rosenthal Yankees are exploring a trade for Ackley. I would like that alot.
It could make sense for both sides. Of course, I said the same thing about the Michael Pineda-Jesus Montero deal.
Dean Anna’s stats don’t look bad on paper
Hope he beats out Nunez for a roster spot at the very least, but when looking at Anna’s stats you need to realize that he was usually one of the oldest players at whatever league he played in.
I hate how these 27/28 year olds in AAA that never got the chance to make the show and Nunez is a mess on the field, maybe with more competition for the INF bench role would motivate some players to play better
I’d say go after Young. Can play 1B, 2B, and 3B…SS in a pinch. More consistent, professional hitter than the others. Solid #7-8 hitter
Gavin Floyd: reportedly turned down a two-year offer from the Orioles that could have reached $20MM in value with incentives.
What???? I mean the guy probably won’t even be pitching in spring training.
Angelos doesn’t like previously or currently injured pitchers. Now you’re telling me that Gavin Floyd was offered a contract of that magnitude… Seriously?
Dan Duquette, I will tell you what, show me you’re serious about competing offer Ubaldo Jimenez a 4yr/60 Million dollar deal right now!
Offering Gavin Floyd a Two Year Deal for that kind of money, I mean come on man!
Maybe the Orioles are just not an attractive franchise.
Uggla, please take Uggla…
I wouldn’t hate uggla. People forget he has had major eye problems the last 2 years. He had to get LASIK mid season last year. I think he will have a bounce back year.
I think Michael Young would be a very reasonable 2b for them for a year
.279/.335/.395 last year–beats the hell out of Jayson Nix, Reid Brignac, Chris Nelson and whoever else they were reduced to running out there last year.
I’m confused here……..what’s wrong with Kelly Johnson? Haven’t they already signed him? I’d much rather have him at 2B than Michael Young. Are they now looking for a platoon partner?
He’s really more of a platoon type player and didn’t he have some kind of arm surgery? He’s not an ideal option at third consistently. Spot start, in a jam, sure but not someone you want to pencil in there in the preseason as part of the plan.
I wasn’t suggesting that they use him at 3B. I was saying that he’s their best full-time option for 2B. He’s not an ideal platoon candidate, as he’s hit lefties and righties the same throughout his career.
Wasn’t aware of the arm surgery though.
Uggh. From Robinson Cano to Brandon Phillips, Dan Uggla, Rickie Weeks or having Brian Roberts on our 60 day DL. I just threw up.
why are you talking about 3B ??? a-rod will play next year.and i think he will play a very good season.
Could be suspended
a-rod will play next season,trust me.they will reverse the suspension
What makes you think he’ll have a good season? He hasn’t played in more than 120 games in 3 years, hasn’t hit more than 60 RBI or 18 HR. He is getting older…he isn’t just going to get better all of a sudden.
because i think he will work harder than the past 2 or 3 years.a-rod showed last season that he still have lots of power.when he really works hard and stays healthy,he will play a very good season i think.he is getting older,you are right,but look at big papi,he played a very very good season and is also 38.
we will see my friend…
And he showed he had very limited mobility at 3B. Even after he was back from his (granny) hip surgery, he suffered a calf and hamstring strain that limited him to DH duty in September. It’s part of a bigger issue–something needs to be done about the Yankees strength and conditioning team. They lost more games to injuries due to Grade 1 strains and pulls these past 3 years than probably any other team. Now part of that is having the oldest roster in the majors (older players tend to get hurt more often and take longer to heal) but even allowing for that, it’s inexcusable how many DL stints they’ve had to hand out due to little things like that. Don’t they have the guys stretch at all before games? It’s as big a problem as the lack of prospects developing within the system. Back on point, though, if A-Rod has to DH, that probably means Nunez is in there at 3B and one of Gardner, Soriano and Beltran is sitting, with the latter 2 being more likely, considering age and defensive shortcomings.
A-Rod will play some next season, because a portion of the suspension will be lifted. But not all of it. It’s anyone’s guess as to how a 38 year-old who now is probably off the juice would play. The Yankees need someone reliable at third. A-Rod, for a variety of reasons, stopped being reliable. That’s not a shot, that’s a recognition of reality.
I forgot about Rickie Weeks. I can picture him in a Yankees uniform, but Roberts is a good call.