Astros Claim Phil Humber
The White Sox announced that the Astros claimed right-hander Phil Humber off of waivers. Humber had been a non-tender candidate in Chicago.
Humber pitched in 26 games for the White Sox this past season and threw a perfect game against the Mariners in April. However, he finished the season with a 6.44 ERA, 7.5 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 102 innings. The 29-year-old had a projected salary of $1.1MM.
Braves To Non-Tender Jurrjens, Moylan
The Braves will non-tender starting pitcher Jair Jurrjens and relief pitcher Peter Moylan, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). Both players will hit free agency.
Jurrjens started ten games for the Braves in 2012, posting a 6.89 ERA with 3.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 48 1/3 innings. However, he earned $5.5MM this past season and would have earned a similar amount in 2013 if the Braves had tendered him a contract.
Moylan, 33, appeared in just eight games in 2012. He spent much of the season recovering from rotator cuff surgery that took place last October.
Latest On Mets, R.A. Dickey
Late last night the Mets agreed to terms with David Wright on a contract that’s worth $138MM over eight years. Next up is R.A. Dickey, the defending NL Cy Young Award winner. Here's the latest:
- The sides had dialogue today and the Mets are willing to improve their offer, Jim Bowden of ESPN.com and MLB Network Radio reports (on Twitter). However, the sides aren't close to a deal.
- Talks "could heat up really soon" a team insider told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (Twitter link).
- Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com hears that Dickey will accept a two-year contract that would presumably begin after 2013 (Twitter links). Now, Rubin writes, it’s just a question of agreeing on an appropriate annual salary. Mets people seem confident they’ll complete a deal with Dickey, according to Rubin.
- Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog hears the Mets could lock Dickey up for three years and approximately $25MM. That they haven't done so might mean they're still listening to trade offers.
- Dickey would meet with the Mets at the Winter Meetings in Nashville if necessary, but the sides don't have plans for a meeting, Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal reports (on Twitter).
- The Mets made Dickey a two-year offer approximately one month ago, Andy Martino of The New York Daily News reported. ESPN's Buster Olney has reported that the knuckleballer seeks at least $10MM per season. The Mets have considered trading Dickey, and clubs such as the Royals have inquired about potential deals. Dickey will earn $5MM in 2013 on his current contract, which expires following the '13 season.
Mets Notes: Pagan, Flores, Wright
The latest on the Mets, who have agreed to terms with David Wright on a long-term deal and are considering an extension for R.A. Dickey…
- A Mets insider told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com that the team will likely spend on one outfielder. It’s even too early to rule out a return for Angel Pagan, not that a reunion seems likely. Ryan Ludwick and Cody Ross are among the right-handed hitting free agent outfielders who could draw interest from the Mets, Rubin writes.
- The Mets have also made a list of backup catchers they might target, according to Rubin. Nationals catcher Jesus Flores, a non-tender candidate with a projected salary of $1.2MM, is among the catchers on the team’s list.
- The Mets will likely address their needs via free agency, team insiders told Rubin.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post heard that it was “vital” that Wright’s contract with the Mets surpass Johan Santana’s $137.5MM contract in terms of total value (Twitter link). Wright's eight-year deal will pay him $138MM in total.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs applauds the Mets for not giving up on the team in the short term.
Divisional Chats
MLBTR's writing team recently hosted division themed chats. Here are the chat transcripts in case you missed the chat for your team's division:
- Sunday, November 25th: Mike Axisa discussed the AL East.
- Monday, November 26th: Mark Polishuk discussed the NL East.
- Tuesday, November 27th: Steve Adams discussed the AL Central.
- Wednesday, November 28th: Ben Nicholson-Smith discussed the NL West.
- Thursday, November 29th: Mike Axisa discussed the AL West.
- Friday, November 30th: Tim Dierkes discussed the NL Central.
Catching Rumors: Napoli, Pierzynski, Rockies
The Pirates recently agreed to sign Russell Martin to a two-year, $17MM contract. Here's the latest on some other MLB catchers…
- The Yankees don't sound very interested in Mike Napoli or Pierzynski, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter).
- The Mariners aren’t seriously interested in A.J. Pierzynski and the Yankees weren’t looking too closely at the free agent catcher before Martin agreed to sign in Pittsburgh, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (all Twitter links). Heyman hears Pierzynski to the Dodgers is “not happening.” Heyman suggested yesterday that the Dodgers could have interest in Pierzynski.
- The Rockies seem confident that Ramon Hernandez will rebound in 2013, so they might not have interest in pursuing veteran catching depth, Troy Renck of the Denver Post writes (on Twitter).
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Longoria, Upton, Span
On this date in 2007, the Rays officially signed Troy Percival to a two-year contract worth $8MM. The veteran right-hander pitched to a 4.89 ERA with 34 saves in 57 innings for Tampa. As our Transaction Tracker shows, Percival was the only free agent pitcher signed to a multiyear contract under Andrew Friedman prior to Joel Peralta's recent two-year pact. Here's the latest from around the web…
- MLB Injury News says the Rays set the standard with Evan Longoria's extension.
- Capitol Avenue Club analyzed B.J. Upton's contract with the Braves.
- Puckett's Pond likes the Denard Span–Alex Meyer trade for the Twins.
- The True Fan's Sports Blog wrote about Michael Bourn in the wake of the Span and Upton moves.
- Know Hitter says Torii Hunter will have a big impact for the Tigers.
- Over the Monster says there are reasons for the Red Sox to trade and keep Jon Lester.
- I-70 Baseball wrote about the Wil Myers trade rumors.
- Seedlings to Stars thinks Myers is being undervalued.
- Kings of Kauffman and Rany on the Royals wrote about recent payroll comments made by Royals owner David Glass.
- Pro Ball NW makes a case for the Mariners to sign Nick Swisher.
- Cole on L.A. thinks Asdrubal Cabrera could be a fit for the Dodgers.
- Yanks Go Yard muses about the Yankees and Josh Hamilton.
- Call to the Pen isn't a fan of Jonathan Broxton's new contract.
- Halo Hangout wonders if the Angels should pursue R.A. Dickey.
- Shutdown Inning wrote about Scott Feldman's time with the Rangers.
- Talkin' Sox with Dan covered some recent Red Sox moves and rumors.
- Blogging Mets analyzed the 2013 Hall of Fame ballot.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here. Only one email per week, please.
Minor Moves: Cory Wade, Fernando Nieve
We'll keep track of the latest minor moves here…
- Cory Wade elected free agency, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports (on Twitter). Wade, 29, appeared in 39 games for the Yankees in 2012, posting a 6.46 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9. The Blue Jays had claimed him off of waivers last month.
- The Indians signed right-hander Fernando Nieve and invited him to big league Spring Training, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The 30-year-old spent the 2012 season with the Dodgers' Triple-A team, posting a 5.96 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 119 1/3 innings. He has MLB experience with the Mets and Astros, most recently in 2010.
Indians Claim Mike McDade, Designate Seddon
The Indians claimed infielder Mike McDade off of waivers from the Blue Jays, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports (on Twitter). The Indians designated left-hander Chris Seddon for assignment in a related move.
McDade, 23, posted a .285/.360/.445 with 17 home runs in the upper minors of Toronto's system this past season. Toronto designated him for assignment ten days ago.
Pirates Sign Russell Martin
The Pirates announced that they have signed free agent catcher Russell Martin to a two-year contract. It is a two-year, $17MM contract, according to David Waldstein of the New York Times (Twitter link). Martin obtains a $2MM signing bonus, a $6.5MM salary in 2013 and an $8.5MM salary in 2014, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Martin, 30, is represented by agent Matt Colleran.
Martin returns to the NL after spending his last two years in New York, hitting .224/.317/.405 with 39 homers during his two years as a Yankee. Those numbers represent an upgrade over the numbers posted by Pirates catchers last season — Rod Barajas has already had his option declined by the Bucs and Michael McKenry now becomes Martin's backup.
The deal represents the most expensive free agent signing of Neal Huntington's tenure as Pittsbugh's general manager, easily topping Clint Barmes' two-year, $10.5MM deal from last winter. It's not often that the Pirates make a big move on the free agent market, let alone outbid the Yankees on a notable player. Heyman tweets that the Yankees' last known offer for Martin was for two years and between $12-$14MM. Heyman reported yesterday that the Bucs and Bronx Bombers were the final two suitors for Martin, with the Mariners and Rangers also showing interest in Martin earlier this winter.
FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal first reported the agreement (via Twitter). Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.