Eight years ago today, the Cardinals and Albert Pujols avoided arbitration by agreeing to a seven-year, $100MM contract. It's the largest contract ever given to a player with between 3-4 years of service time. Here's the latest from around the league…
- David Ortiz told Javier Maymi of ESPN Deportes that he still wants to avoid an arbitration hearing and sign a multiyear deal, but acknowledged that he's left it up "to the agents and the team to deal with it." Earlier this week we heard that he and the Red Sox were likely headed to a hearing. Ortiz filed for $16.5MM while the team countered with $12.65MM, as our Arbitration Tracker shows.
- One executive told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he expects the Cubs to trade Matt Garza at the deadline and not before Opening Day (Twitter link). The two sides recently avoided arbitration by agreeing to a $9.5MM contract for 2012.
- The Angels would still like to add another reliever if the price is right, reports Morosi (on Twitter). They reportedly have an offer out to Luis Ayala, though the free agent relief market is dwindling.
- Juan C. Rodriguez of The Sun Sentinel hears that Anibal Sanchez's arbitration decision is expected to be announced on Monday (Twitter link). Sanchez filed for $8MM while the Marlins countered with $6.9MM. The hearing was yesterday.
- Aaron Cook told WEEI.com's Alex Speier that several teams were willing to give him a Major League contract, and that two clubs even made such offers. He took a minor league deal from the Red Sox because he liked the fit better, and because he knows pitching coach Bob McClure from his days in the minors.
- Ayala is currently pitching for Mexico in the Caribbean Series like last year, hoping it will land him a job again writes MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. "I haven't had any good offers but I'm confident that, God permits, I will get a chance to pitch for a team that will allow me to show my abilities," he said.
- In an article for The Los Angeles Times, Mike DiGiovanna lists the best and worst free agent signings at each position this offseason.
If no one else is interested, I’d take Ayala on a one year deal.
I still think some people are taking the wrong perspective with the Pujols signing, especially in that article. Shortly after signing Pujols to a $200M+ deal the Angels signed a long term multi-billion dollar deal with FOX. No matter what the Angels are winning on this deal.
Hard to argue with the Paplebon deal. The next highest paid relief pitcher this off-season barely got half as much. Considering the easy option for a fifth year, its not even half.
Ayala would fit nicely in the Twins’ bullpen as a middle inning reliever on a minor league 1 year/1 million deal with incentives and invite to spring training.
Figures the O’s and The Duke would have interest in Ayala.. he fits his mold and type of player he targets, not to mention last year he was fair in garbage type innings.
Duke maybe ought to give him a MLB deal, which is probably all he is after and everyone else just a minor league deal with a ST invite.
“Ortiz filed for $12.65MM while the team countered with $16.5MM, as our Arbitration Tracker shows.”
Pretty sure it is the other way around…
You got it backwards Mike. Ortiz filed for $16.5 mil and the Red Sox filed for $12.65
In the Quick hits for Ortiz, mlbtraderumors states: Ortiz filed for $12.65MM while the team countered with $16.5MM, as our Arbitration Tracker shows…got to be typo…
That’s better…
Can’t believe that the Marlins ownership doesn’t believe that Anibal isn’t worth half of what they just signed Buehrle for on a yearly basis. Makes me think they have every intention of letting him walk when he hits FA at the end of the 2012 season.
Ayala cant get anybody out. save your money.
Dear Big Papi: Please accept the $12.65 million instead of the $16.5 million so we can use the delta toward a Roy Oswalt signing.
Even if he doesn’t repeat those numbers, a deal for 1/800k isn’t a risk at all.
absolutely hilarious typo.
when payroll is that high, who cares? pay a rookie $450k or gamble on Ayala who had a good year for $800k?
Disagree completley.
There’s always the risk of their closer getting hurt and Ayala pitching the 9th in a pennant race. Thanks for making me relive that.