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Around Baseball: The Christmas Day Edition
By Administrator | December 25, 2009
Arizona: Arizona Republic writer Nick Piecoro is reporting that the Diamondbacks may be interested in bringing closer Jose Valverde back to Phoenix… but the only way a deal could happen would be at Arizona’s price. He wrote the club will consider a one-year deal at a low base salary ($5 million?) along with a guarantee not to offer him arbitration at the end of the year.
Valverde turned down an arbitration offer from the Houston Astros at the end of the season, blowing an annual salary that likely would have been in the $8-$10 million range. As of now he remains a man without a team… and without a salary. The 31-year-old recorded 25 saves in 29 save opportunities while posting a 2.33 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 2009.
Atlanta: The Braves acquired OF Melky Cabrera and pitching prospects Mike Dunn (a southpaw) and Arodys Vizcaino (a righty) from the New York Yankees for RHP Javier Vazquez and reliever Boone Logan. While Atlanta had hoped to unload one of their veteran starting pitchers for a bat, it must come as a major disappointment Cabrera was the best they could do (he hit just .274 in 2009, with 13 home runs and 68 RBI in 485 AB) — especially in exchange for Vazquez.
Baltimore: The Orioles have signed INF Garrett Atkins to a one-year contract that has a base salary of $4 million, with another $1 million available in incentives. It also includes an $8.5 million club option for 2011, with a $500,000 buyout.
Chicago Cubs: Free agent reliever Kevin Gregg, formerly of the Cubs, is close to reaching an agreement with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The 31-year old converted 23 saves (and blew seven saves) while posting a 4.72 ERA for Chicago last year.
Chicago White Sox: Southpaw Mark Buehrle threw a perfect game in July, but then faded badly down the stretch due to fatigue. In response, he is spending the winter working out in an effort to strengthen his left shoulder this offseason. According to MLB.com, the southpaw said: “I’ve never done much of an arm program. I just picked up a ball and threw 33 starts and 200 innings and felt great. But it starts catching up to you.”
Cincinnati: The Reds signed 3B Scott Rolen to a three-year, $23.63 million contract extension that calls for him to receive a $5 million signing bonus (spread over the life of the deal) and annual salaries of $6 million (2010), $6.5 million (2011) and $6.5 million (2012). The 35-year-old third baseman batted .305, with 11 HR and 67 RBI in 2009.
Cleveland: FOXSports.com is reporting the Indians might trade INF Jhonny Peralta after the SS/3B hit just .254, with 11 HR and 83 RBI in 2008 — if they received the right offer.
Colorado: The Rockies signed righty reliever Juan Rincon to a minor league contract after he battled through elbow problems last season (he had a 7.52 ERA in 26 games).
Detroit: The Tigers reportedly have interest in signing free agent outfielder Scott Podsednik to a one-year contract… the 33-year-old hit .304, with 7 HR, 48 RBI and 30 SB in 2009.
Florida: The Miami Herald is reporting the Marlins made a five-year, $13 million offer to Cuban free agent Aroldis Chapman.
Houston: The Astros signed reliever Brandon Lyon to a three-year, $15 million contract, ostensibly to be their closer. Problem is: Lyon has never shown he can close over an extended period of time.
Kansas City: The Royals have signed former Red Sox OF Brian Anderson to a one-year, $700,000 contract.
Los Angeles Angels: The Angels have signed former Tigers closer Fernando Rodney to a two-year, $11 MM contract. After a season in which LA closer Brian Fuentes struggled mightily, it’s entirely possible Rodney (who converted 37 of 38 save chances last year) will get an opportunity to serve as the team’s closer.
Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers acquired RHPs John Ely and Jon Link from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for outfielder Juan Pierre. Ely, who is just 23, is an intriguing talent who was 14-2, 2.82, for Double-A Birmingham in 2009… he led the Southern League with 125 K.
Milwaukee: The Brewers re-signed RHP Claudio Vargas to a one-year, $900,000 contract… the deal contains another incentives that will allow him to earn another $400,000. The reliever posted an impressive 1.74 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP in 41 1/3 innings this season
Minnesota: The Twins 28-year tenure at the Metrodome officially ended yesterday as employees finished packing up the last of the equipment and completed the team’s move across the city to Target Field.
NY Mets: Venezuelan news service Lider en Deportes is reporting the Mets have reached an agreement with right-hander Kelvim Escobar. The 33-year-old right-handed pitcher has made just one major league appearance in the last two years, but he posted a 3.40 ERA in 30 starts back in 2007.
NY Yankees: Joel Sherman of the New York Post is reporting the Yankees are talking with representatives for free agent outfielder Reed Johnson about bringing him to The Bronx. Johnson, 33, can play all three outfield positions and has a .313 career batting average against left-handed pitching.
Oakland: The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the A’s have reached an agreement with RHP Justin Duchscherer on a one-year contract that will pay him a base salary of $2 million and contains incentives that could increase his total compensation to as much as $5.5 million.
Philadelphia: The Philadelphia Inquirer reports that the Phillies have shown interest in signing reliever Mike MacDougal, who was recently non-tendered by the Washington Nationals after he converted 20 of 21 save chances in 2009. MacDougal would serve as insurance in case closer Brad Lidge struggles or becomes injured.
Pittsburgh: (see the notes for the Chicago Cubs)
St. Louis: The Cardinals currently have an offer on the table for OF Matt Holliday that is believed ot be in the vicinity of five-years and $75 million… the Redbirds have not increased their offer in spite of the fact that the Red Sox are rumored to have put an offer on the table that might be in the $16.5 million range for the same five years.
San Diego: The Padres acquired catcher Dusty Ryan from the Detroit Tigers for a player to be named later or cash… the 24-year-old spent most of the season with Toledo (Triple-A), hitting just .257, with 10 HR and 35 RBI.
San Francisco: ESPN.com’s Buster Olney is reporting that Mark DeRosa is leaning towards accepting a two-year, $12 million contract with the Giants.
Seattle: The Mariners acquired RHP Brandon League and OF Yohermyn Chavez from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for former first-round pick Brandon Morrow.
League posted a disappointing 4.58 ERA last season, but managed a 1.25 ERA and 76K in 74 2/3 IP… so he is more likely to revert back to his 2008 performance (when he ahd a 2.18 ERA).
Tampa: The St. Petersburg Times is reporting Gary Sheffield would like to play two more seasons and finish his career with the Rays, but there’s nothing to suggest Tampa Bay is even remotely interested.
Texas: The Rangers will bring southpaw Darren Oliver back to Arlington, signing him to a one-year contract (reportedly for $3.5 million, with a vesting option for 2011). The lefty posted a 3.10 ERA in three seasons with Los Angeles (AL), including a 2.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP over 73 innings last year. Oliver previously pitched for the Rangers from 1993-1998 and again from 2000-2001.
Toronto: RHP Brandon Morrow, recently acquired from Seattle, is expected to compete for a spot in the Blue Jays rotation in 2010. The 24-year-old with a promising fastball has shown flashes of brilliance and the potential to be a front-end starting pitcher, but he’ll need to improve on his career rate of 5.8 BB/9.
Washington: The Nats signed LHP Eddie Guardado to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training. The 39-year-old southpaw compiled a 4.46 ERA, 20/16 K/BB ratio and a 1.41 WHIP in 48 appearances with the Rangers this past season.
Topics: Around Baseball |
