Big-league ballplayers make plenty of money, but that doesn't mean free agency isn't stressful. Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal takes a fascinating look at free agency as seen through the eyes of Red Sox players. Chris Capuano reports that, whenever he's a free agent, he sends his agent a list of teams in order of preference, but then has to wait to see if there's mutual interest. He also notes that, typically, playing for a winner becomes more and more important to a player the older he gets. David Ross says that, before the 2009 season, he signed to be a backup with the Braves rather than a starter with the Astros because the Braves offered a two-year deal.
Here are more notes from around the American League:
- Conflicting reports yesterday regarding Ervin Santana has everyone confused. "I really don’t know what’s real and what’s not real in that case," Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette told reporters, including Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com.
- The biggest culprit for Santana's situation is the right-hander's own camp, which dramatically overestimated his market and then was slow to change gears, ESPN's Buster Olney writes (Insider subscription required). Olney suggests that, if Santana's demands had been more realistic, he could have at least wound up with a contract similar to Matt Garza's or Ricky Nolasco's, rather than the one-year deal he now appears likely to receive.
- Back to the Orioles, Duquette still has the financial flexibility to improve the roster, but is confident in the pitching they currently have in camp, according to MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli. "We have some more resources that we can invest in our team, and we'll take a look at each case as it comes up," Duquette said. "We do have a little more pitching depth with our starting pitching going into the season, and some of the young pitchers we have high hopes for are continuing to develop their skills."
- GM Dave Dombrowski says the Tigers won't be trading any starting pitchers, including Rick Porcello, reports Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press. Earlier today, the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo reported that the Tigers would field offers for Porcello.
- Starting pitcher Justin Masterson, who is eligible for free agency after the 2014 season, has surprisingly suggested to the Indians that he might be willing to sign a shorter-term extension, perhaps three years, but the Indians have not yet responded with an offer, CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweets.
- The Rangers are trying to develop a long-term answer at catcher, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reports. Texas hasn't had stability at catcher since Ivan Rodriguez left over a decade ago. "It’s a topic of conversation, absolutely," says GM Jon Daniels. "We’ve had some guys come over here as big-time catching prospects, but we haven’t developed our own long-term championship-caliber starter." The Rangers have beefed up their coaching staff in an attempt to help their catchers develop. The Rangers' best hope of becoming a homegrown regular catcher is, of course, top prospect Jorge Alfaro, who played most of the 2013 season with Class A Hickory.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.
MaineSkin
Soto hit 9 HR in 160 ABs last year, so the C hole may be silenced by adding 400 ABs to Soto. Besides that, Alfaro really seemed to turn a corner at the end of last season, raked in the AFL and is at AA to start the year. Pudge called Alfaro, “the future of the org” just last preseason.
Dock_Elvis
That’s 560 AB for a starting catcher, and one that has to play June-Sept in sweltering heat.
0vercast
Very true. Pudge was freak of nature. Not many can pull that off.
MaineSkin
Ok so 350 w/possible DH ABs of anyone gets hurt. Sorry for the inaccuracy of projecting AL C ABs
Dock_Elvis
Texas does present an unusually difficult environment for the catching position. The Rangers will always likely be best off with a starter and a capable vet who can supply slightly more than typical game numbers
Tigers72
The Tigers could trade Porcello and one of the J Tompsons for a more reliable SP. I can’t think of anybody but do you have any ideas?
Bill Smith
Don’t hurt your head over it, Porcello isn’t going anywhere.
0vercast
I think Olney is right; the Twins would’ve jumped on Santana rather than Nolasco had they both cost the same. Santana is the superior pitcher by a significant margin.
Dock_Elvis
Did the Twins sacrifice a draft pick on Nolasco?
0vercast
No, they did not.
Dock_Elvis
There might be the difference in Nolasco and Santana to the Twins.
Tigers72
No he was traded to the Dodgers mid season and was unable to be offered one.
bjsguess
I think it’s fair to blame the agent and player for outlandish demands. However, EVERYONE project Santana to land a deal north of what Garza and Nolasco signed. Their fault may have been starting in the $90-100M range but nobody could have seen him falling all the way down to 1/$13M type deal.