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Clint Barmes

Rosenthal On Brewers, Doubront, Marlins, Barmes

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In case there was any doubt, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Brewers aren't going to trade Ryan Braun. However, the Brewers are open to trading any of their other top hitters for rotation help. That means Rickie Weeks, Casey McGehee and, of course, Prince Fielder would be available in the right deal. Here are the details and the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:

  • The Brewers don't want to trade top players for back-of-the-rotation starters, but teams are reluctant to include top young pitchers in potential deals.
  • The Padres have spoken repeatedly to the Brewers about minor league infielder Brett Lawrie, who could be obtained for young pitching.
  • Adrian Gonzalez is still drawing trade interest, even though he won't be ready to swing a bat until the end of Spring Training.
  • Two GMs tell Rosenthal that the Red Sox are open to trading Felix Doubront. One says Boston would part with the left-hander "in a heartbeat" and the other guaranteed the Red Sox will trade him by mid-summer. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein told Rosenthal that the Red Sox "value Felix tremendously" and that the report "couldn't be further from the truth."
  • Every young Orioles pitcher "could be in play for the right bat," Rosenthal reports. 
  • If the Marlins trade Dan Uggla, they would use the savings to sign at least one free agent. John Buck is a target for the Marlins regardless of whether they trade or extend Uggla.
  • The A's don't have interest in Mark Reynolds.
  • The Rockies are drawing lots of interest in Clint Barmes. They could trade or non-tender the infielder if they aren't able to sign him to a multi-year contract.
  • Cody Ross and Javier Lopez are strong candidates to receive extensions from the Giants.

Odds & Ends: Iwakuma, Ichiro, Red Sox, Barmes

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Links for Sunday evening, with the regular season behind us and the playoff picture defined…

  • Angels GM Tony Reagins tells Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times he's "confident we'll be able to add an important piece."
  • As passed along by NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman on Twitter, Sanspo reports that a posting announcement will come soon regarding Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma.  The righty, 30 in April, posted a 2.82 ERA, 6.9 K/9, 1.6 BB/9, and 0.49 HR/9 in 201 innings this year for Rakuten. 
  • Ichiro Suzuki's 10-and-5 rights kicked in today after the Mariners' game, tweets Larry Stone of the Seattle Times.
  • In his end-of-the-season press conference, Red Sox GM Theo Epstein indicated fixing the bullpen and retaining important free agents are his offseason priorities (WEEI's Alex Speier reporting).  Epstein fielded all kinds of questions and was noncommittal in most cases, but the transcript is still worth a read.
  • Clint Barmes would like to return to the Rockies if he can't find an everyday role elsewhere, he explained to Jim Armstrong of the Denver Post.  We discussed Barmes' non-tender candidacy in August, and 79% of MLBTR readers predicted he'll be cut loose.
  • The Dodgers officially announced Brad Ausmus' retirement with a press release.  Ausmus revealed his decision to reporters in July.

Non-Tender Candidate: Clint Barmes

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Rockies second baseman Clint Barmes will be eligible for arbitration one last time this winter.  He's already earning $3.325MM this year; will the team tender a contract and potentially give him a raise for 2011?

Barmes, 31, lost most of his power this year en route to a .241/.307/.360 line through 400 plate appearances.  By measure of UZR Barmes has played average defense at second base the last few years and as a bonus he has significant experience at shortstop.

The Rockies flirted with the idea of acquiring Dan Uggla as far back as the offseason, reportedly discussing offering Barmes and a prospect with the Marlins.  Nonetheless, the Rockies made a multiyear offer to Barmes that would've guaranteed his 2010-11 salaries and included a club option for 2012.  Instead, the Rockies now have the flexibility to cut him.  Sometimes the looming possibility of a non-tender can kill offseason trade value, as in the case of Matt Capps last winter.  If the Rockies don't intend to retain Barmes, it may make sense to move him now.  Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post wrote on Thursday that a handful of teams are waiting for the Rockies to put Barmes on waivers. 

If Uggla can't be had in the offseason, the Rockies could consider free agents such as Orlando Hudson or Juan Uribe to play second base.  Internal options may include Jonathan Herrera, Eric Young Jr., and Chris Nelson.

Less than a year ago Barmes was coming off a 23 home run season and the Rockies wanted to lock him up.  Assuming Barmes does not change teams this month, they must decide whether to even tender a contract for 2011.  Click here to predict the Rockies' decision, and here to see the results.

Braves Considering Clint Barmes

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The Braves are considering Clint Barmes as one potential way of replacing Chipper Jones, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The Braves, who lost Chipper to season-ending knee surgery last week, cannot deal for Barmes yet, since the Rockies have yet to place him on waivers. Martin Prado, who should soon return from the disabled list, would play third and Barmes would play second if the Rockies and Braves were to complete a deal.

The Braves have a number of players in the organization who can play third. Troy Glaus will not return to the hot corner, but Prado, Omar Infante, Brooks Conrad and even Eric Hinske are options.

Aramis Ramirez, Pedro Feliz, Wes Helms, Adam Kennedy, Jose Lopez, Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta, Ty Wigginton, Edwin Encarnacion, Melvin Mora and Willie Bloomquist are among the infielders who could become targets for Atlanta should GM Frank Wren decide to make a trade. The Braves had not asked the Mariners about Chone Figgins as of last Friday.

Odds & Ends: Lowell, Barmes, Red Sox, Hanson

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Links for Wednesday, as the Tigers get some infield depth from a division rival…

  • The Rangers haven't ruled out acquiring Mike Lowell, according to Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
  • Agent Bean Stringfellow told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the Blue Jays are not currently discussing an extension with Jose Bautista. It’s not at all surprising given how much else the Blue Jays have to sort out this week. Bautista said on the FAN 590 today that he would listen if the Blue Jays approached him with a multi-year deal after the season.
  • The Cardinals are not interested in Clint Barmes, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (via Twitter).
  • Red Sox CEO Larry Lucchino told WEEI.com’s Alex Speier that the Red Sox will “look aggressively” for ways to improve at the trade deadline.
  • Tommy Hanson explained to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he chose the Boras Corp. because of the support the agency offers.
  • Brett Myers is untouchable, a source tells Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle (Twitter link). With respect to Justice and his source, it seems unfathomable that a 41-59 team wouldn't listen to offers on a player who can walk at the end of the season.
  • Casey Fien cleared waivers and the Tigers outrighted him to Triple A, according to the team (via Twitter). Detroit designated Fien for assignment last weekend.
  • Like Fien, Scott Moore cleared waivers and headed to Triple A, according to Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun. The O's designated Moore for assignment last week.
  • And another recent DFA, Justin Miller, was outrighted to Triple A Albuquerque, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (via Twitter).
  • The Blue Jays have considered Kelly Johnson, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Aaron Hill recently told the Globe and Mail's Jeff Blair that he would play third if the Jays asked him to, so Johnson could theoretically play second in Toronto. Seems like a longshot to me.
  • Kyle Farnsworth is available to manager Ned Yost (and GMs around the league) after leaving yesterday's game with a hamstring cramp, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (via Twitter).
  • Trevor Hoffman can veto deals to 25 MLB teams, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. The all-time saves leader and his $7.5MM salary would likely clear waivers, so interested teams will probably be able to pursue him in August.
  • One player told Morosi that he'd be "shocked" if the Brewers trade Prince Fielder this week.
  • Mike Axisa counts down the Yankees' top five trade chips at River Ave. Blues.
  • The Dodgers won't discuss prospect Dee Gordon with other teams, according to Jayson Stark of ESPN.com (via Twitter).

Rockies Remain Interested In Dan Uggla

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There are strong indications the Rockies remain interested in Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla, reports Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.  The Rockies-Uggla speculation has been consistent since Troy Tulowitzki's wrist was broken on June 17th.

Colorado's interest predates the Tulo injury, however.  Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that the Rockies discussed trading Clint Barmes and a prospect for Uggla last offseason.  It was an active discussion, reported ESPN's Jayson Stark in January.  Rosenthal reported yesterday that the Marlins have made Jorge Cantu and Cody Ross available but are holding off for now on Uggla and Ricky Nolasco.

Uggla is having another fine year, with a .285/.369/.483 line and 16 home runs in 371 plate appearances.  He has $3.52MM remaining on his contract this season, and could earn around $10MM in 2011 in his final arbitration year.  Renck feels that Uggla's salary and the Rockies' potential desire to use him at various infield positions could be obstacles.  Marlins president Larry Beinfest said on Sunday that the team is open to anything, but they won't make moves to clear salary.

It's surprising we haven't heard other teams connected to Uggla.  The Red Sox and Phillies have injury concerns at second base, while the White Sox and Mets are among the contenders who have gotten very little offense out of the position.

Castillo, Matsui Possible Options For Colorado?

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Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that the Rockies are looking to upgrade from utilityman Melvin Mora as their best backup option at second base.  To that end, the Mets have contacted Colorado about a possible deal for Luis Castillo.  The veteran infielder has a .256/.341/.299 line heading into Thursday's action and has improved his defense (a 2.5 UZR/150) this season after his horrendous -12.7 UZR/150 in 2009.

As Rosenthal mentions, the Rockies wouldn't have to worry about the $12MM owed to Castillo for 2010 and 2011 given that the Mets would be picking up the large majority of that tab to clear the way for Daniel Murphy to get some reps at second base.

If the Rockies aren't interested in working out a deal with New York, another possible answer to their depth problem could be a former Rockie. MLB.com's Thomas Harding proposes that if Kazuo Matsui clears waivers on Monday and is officially released by Houston, Colorado might be a logical landing spot for the second baseman.  Matsui has just a .352 OPS in 78 plate appearances with the Astros this season, but Harding sees Matsui as a minor-league signing that would provide cover for regular second baseman Clint Barmes (who himself is struggling this season with just a .612 OPS heading into today's action).  

Matsui's greatest success in the majors came with the Rockies, where he hit .300/.353/.426 in 579 plate appearances from 2006-07.  Harding mentions that Matsui was popular in the clubhouse and apparently left no hard feelings with management when he left Colorado to sign a three-year, $16.5MM contract with Houston after the Rockies' pennant-winning 2007 campaign. 

Given that the Astros would still be paying the $5MM that Matsui is owed for 2010, this would be a low to no-risk signing for the Rockies to make.  The club would've liked to have been prospect Eric Young make a play for the second base job, but with Young looking at a lengthy stay on the DL with a leg injury, a veteran option like Matsui or Castillo could make sense.

Rockies Avoid Arb With Barmes, Buchholz, De La Rosa

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FRIDAY, 8:13am: Renck reports that the Rockies avoided arbitration and agreed to pay De La Rosa $5.6MM this season. If he pitches 220 innings, De La Rosa can earn $300K in incentives.

THURSDAY, 5:06pm: Renck is now reporting that the Rockies are close to avoiding arbitration with a third player, lefty Jorge De La Rosa. It would be a one-year deal worth $5.6MM.

2:05pm: The Rockies resolved two of their seven arbitration situations today, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.  Renck says they agreed to one-year deals with second baseman Clint Barmes and reliever Taylor Buchholz, though terms are not yet available.

Both players are entering their second arbitration years.  Barmes earned $1.625MM in '09, while Buchholz made $1.055MM.

Rockies Make Multiyear Offers To Street, Barmes Iannetta

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The Rockies have made multiyear offers to arbitration-eligible players Huston Street, Clint Barmes, and Chris Iannetta, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.  The details:

  • The Street negotiations are early, but the Rockies made a three-year offer.  That'd buy out one arbitration year and two free agent years.
  • Renck believes Barmes was offered "two years, with a club option for free agency."  That is, Barmes is already under team control for 2010 and 2011.
  • Iannetta's offer would "carry him to at least free agency."  Iannetta has three years of team control left.  That the Rockies are entertaining a multiyear deal is a vote of confidence despite their pursuit of various veteran free agent backstops.  The agents for Iannetta and Barmes have made counteroffers.
  • Renck says the Rockies will turn to LaTroy Hawkins (again) if Rafael Betancourt turns down their offer of arbitration tonight.  They're backing off on Justin Duchscherer.
  • Utility man targets include Fernando Tatis, Bobby Crosby, Jamey Carroll, and Nick Green.

Rockies Rumors: Crosby, Betancourt, Street

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The Rockies' interest in Bobby Crosby might not amount to anything if there are teams interested in him a starter, according to MLB.com's Thomas Harding. The Rockies would like to sign Crosby as a utilityman, but the Red Sox and other clubs that have been linked to the shortstop might be willing to give him a chance to start, which Crosby would prefer. Here are a few of Harding's other Rockies-related rumors….

  • The team will likely have "internal discussions" about signing Chad Tracy as a bench player.
  • The Rockies won't pursue any free-agent relievers until they see what happens with Rafael Betancourt, who has been offered arbitration and is their top bullpen priority.
  • If they can't retain Betancourt, LaTroy Hawkins could be a target.
  • The club would like to re-sign Yorvit Torrealba, but will have to wait for him to test the market.
  • Long-term contracts for Huston Street and Clint Barmes are another priority. One Rockies official says that it's too early in talks with Street to see how far apart the two sides might be.
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