Phillies Seek Rotation Depth

The Phillies are looking to add starting pitching, but aren't eager to guarantee anyone roster spot, according to David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News. Ideally, the Phillies would find an out-of-options pitcher or someone who has an out clause in his contract.

"If a player like that comes available, we'll have our eyes and ears open on it,'' Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. 

Amaro says pitching depth is a concern for the Phillies, so he's looking to find some. Boof Bonser and Dana Eveland are out-of-options arms the Phillies could consider. They haven't been linked to the recently-released Chad Gaudin so far.

The Phillies will also look for bullpen depth, writes Murphy. The Brewers recently released Scott Schoeneweis, though Amaro would probably not guarantee the left-hander a job. 

D'Backs Looking For Rotation Depth

A National League executive tells Joel Sherman of the New York Post that the D'Backs are exploring trades for rotation depth. Brandon Webb is recovering from a shoulder injury, so the D'Backs have some concern about their starting five. Right now, that group consists of Dan Haren, Edwin Jackson and some combination of Ian Kennedy, Billy Buckner, Kevin Mulvey and Rodrigo Lopez. 

Odds & Ends: Ortiz, Brewers, Salcedo, Miller

Links for Saturday...

• David Ortiz said he isn't letting his contract situation get to him, writes ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes. Big Papi will earn $12.5MM this year, and the Red Sox hold an option at the same salary for 2011 with no buyout. Tough to see them picking that one up.
• An interesting point raised by MLB.com's Adam McCalvy: The Brewers essentially traded Hernan Iribarren to the Rangers for Joe Inglett.  Milwaukee picked up Inglett in January after he was waived by Texas.  Mat Gamel and Inglett are now in the mix for the Brewers' final bench spot.
• Edward Salcedo was officially introduced to Braves reporters this morning, writes Mark Bowman of MLB.com.  The 18-year-old Dominican shortstop said that Atlanta was the only organization to show significant interest in him over the past two years.
• Jim Edmonds may be playing his way into a role with the Brewers, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. 
• Both the Diamondbacks and Mariners had interest in Dana Eveland before he was acquired by the Blue Jays, tweets MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez.
• Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com spoke to a scout who wouldn't be surprised if the Marlins traded lefty Andrew Miller (link goes to Twitter). 
• David Murphy is just biding his time on Texas' bench, writes Anthony Andro of The Star-Telegram. Murphy is a .278/.336/.465 career hitter, but he might get too expensive for a bench job as he enters his first arbitration year after 2010.
• Ben Shpigel of The New York Times reports that Yankees' hitting coach Kevin Long was analyzing videotape of Curtis Granderson to help him improve against lefthanders way back in November, a month before the team traded for him.

Odds & Ends: Damon, A's, Beckett, Reynolds, Dye

Sunday links....

• Joe Cowley at the Chicago Sun-Times has Kenny Williams' final take on missing out on Johnny Damon to the Tigers. Cowley's piece also expands a bit on the Dye note we've linked to below.
• The A's received cash to complete the trades for both Adam Rosales and Dana Eveland, writes Susan Slusser.
• Regarding his current contract situation, Josh Beckett says he and the Red Sox "talked about talking," according to WEEI.com's Alex Speier. Beckett says he won't have anything to say about the situation during Spring Training or even after. Speier's piece also contains video highlights of Beckett's press conference, including his take on Mike Lowell's situation.
• MLB.com's Steve Gilbert has a series of tweets regarding Mark Reynolds, who hopes to have his contract situation resolved within the next couple weeks. Reynolds says that the deadline for talks is still Opening Day. Gilbert adds that the current discussion is whether to buy out two or three arbitration years.
• White Sox GM Ken Williams considered pursuing Jermaine Dye, but felt that the Sox' need for a left-handed bat was more pressing, according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
• MLB.com's Scott Merkin tweets that John Danks and the White Sox did not discuss a multi-year deal this offseason.
• Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports, via Twitter, that the Rays were in the mix for Johnny Damon until the end, bidding more than every team but the Tigers.
• Jim Leyland says that Damon's arrival in Detroit won't mean any less at-bats for Carlos Guillen, according to John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press.
• MLB.com's Jordan Bastian breaks down (via Twitter) the early-round draft picks the Blue Jays will now hold this summer, following the Mets' agreement with Rod Barajas.
• Former Brave Greg Norton will head into 2010 as a coach instead of a player for the first time. He'll serve as the hitting coach for the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate.
• WEEI's Alex Speier takes a look at the first impression made in Red Sox camp by slick-fielding shortstop Jose Iglesias. Many felt the Sox overpaid for the Cuban prospect last summer, but according to Speier, the Cubs were willing to pay even more.

Blue Jays Acquire Dana Eveland

8:09pm: Eveland will come into camp with a shot at a starting job with the Blue Jays, tweets Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.

2:42pm: According to a team press release, Toronto has acquired left-hander Dana Eveland from the A's in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations.  Eveland was DFA'd by Oakland on Monday.

In nine starts for the Athletics last season, the 26-year-old posted a 7.16 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9.  However, Eveland had a passable 2008 - posting a 4.34 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 29 starts.

Odds & Ends: Garciaparra, Jackson, Barajas, Branyan

Links for Thursday...

• Nomar Garciaparra told Lou Merloni of WEEI.com that he would like to play in 2010, if the right situation presents itself.  Garciaparra played in 65 games for the A's last season, hitting .281/.314/.388 with 3 homers.
• RotoAuthority discusses the fantasy prospects of Rangers starter Colby Lewis.
• Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says that while an arbitration hearing is likely for Edwin Jackson and the Diamondbacks, "the team has broached the idea of a two-year deal."
• Piecoro also says the D'Backs are considering bringing recently-designated lefty Dana Eveland back.
• Talking to agents who dealt with the Mets this winter, Murray Chass believes the team was incapable of multitasking.  On a related note, MetsBlog's Matthew Cerrone believes the team remains interested in free agent catcher Rod Barajas. 
• ESPN's Jerry Crasnick says Russell Branyan was seeking a three-year deal in the $20-30MM range earlier this offseason.  At this point I'd say he's looking at a one-year deal at maybe $3MM.
• Unlike CEO Jeff Moorad, Padres GM Jed Hoyer said all the right things regarding Adrian Gonzalez (Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reporting).
• Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune says the Twins are in a position of strength in that they don't need Orlando Hudson or Jarrod Washburn.  He doesn't feel they'd still be willing to offer $5MM to Washburn.  Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports notes that if the Mariners re-sign Erik Bedard, as has been rumored, they probably wouldn't sign Washburn. 
• Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times says the grievance has been settled regarding the Ramirez Provision, involving forced charity donations as part of contracts.  

Athletics Designate Eveland, Taveras, Petit For Assignment

4:59pm: Via Twitter, Lee adds that the A's designated infielder Gregorio Petit for assignment as well.  The 25-year-old hit .244/.292/.336 in Triple A last year, playing second base, shortstop, and third base.

12:39pm: The A's designated lefty Dana Eveland for assignment, tweets MLB.com's Jane Lee.  Newly-acquired Willy Taveras was designated too, tweets SI's Jon Heyman.  Joe Stiglich of the Oakland Tribune adds that the A's deal for Gabe Gross is official, and they've claimed versatile minor leaguer Steve Tolleson off waivers from the Twins.  Let's break down the A's busy morning...

• Eveland, 26, is headed elsewhere unless he clears waivers.  In 2009 he was terrible in the Majors and lousy at Triple A as well.  He joined the A's in December of '07 as part of the huge Dan Haren swap with the D'Backs.  Eveland did give the A's 29 starts of 4.34 ball in '08, despite a 1.53 K/BB ratio.
• Taveras and Aaron Miles were just passing through, acquired temporarily to facilitate deals for Adam Rosales and Jake Fox.
• Tolleson, 26, hit .266/.340/.380 between Double A and Triple A in the Twins organization in '09.  He played both middle infield positions, left field, and a little bit at the outfield corners.  Before the season, Baseball America suggested Tolleson's best possible outcome would be Ryan Freel's career.  The loss should clear a roster spot for Jim Thome, notes MLB.com's Kelly Thesier. 

A's DFA Dana Eveland; Won't Lose Him

The A's designated pitcher Dana Eveland for assignment, according to MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. Oakland called on the 25-year-old lefty to replace Dallas Braden Monday night, but Eveland struggled, allowing four runs and nine baserunners in less than three innings, so he'll return to Triple A.

Thursday Pre-Arbitration Signings

7:41pm: The Miami Herald has a list of eight players who agreed to terms with the A's for 2009. Daric Barton, Kurt Suzuki, Dallas Braden, Dana Eveland, Gio Gonzalez, Sean Gallagher, Henry Rodriguez and Landon Powell all agreed to one-year contracts.

12:27pm: According to a press release, via the Miami Herald, the Brewers have inked Tony Gwynn Jr., Manny Parra, Hernan Iribarren and Chase Wright to one-year contracts.

11:48am: The Orange County Register's Bill Plunkett has a few more from the Angels.  Howie Kendrick, Dustin Moseley, Kevin Jepsen and Matt Brown have been signed to '09 contracts.

9:53am: MLB.com's Steve Gilbert reports that the Diamondbacks have agreed to one-year contracts with Yusmeiro Petit, Leo Rosales and Kyler Newby.  They'll each make around $400K this year.

9:50am: According to a press release, via the Miami Herald, the Cubs have now settled with all 20 of their pre-arbitration players.  Sean Marshall, Mike Fontenot and Micah Hoffpauir are some of the bigger names on the list.

9:49am: Jose De Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Astros have renewed Hunter Pence's contract.  He'll earn $450K in '09.

9:41am: SI.com's Jon Heyman has a few more pre-arbitration signings.  2008 Cy Young Award winner Tim Lincecum was inked for $650K, Angels pitcher Joe Saunders settled for $475K, Cubs reliever Carlos Marmol for $575K and Cubs infielder Ryan Theriot for $500K.

These are all guys without enough MLB service time to be eligible for salary arbitration.

Olney's Latest: Lidge, Shields, Eveland, Lahey

Here are some trade-rumor-tidbits from Buster Olney this morning:

• For the first time in his career, Scot Shields was activated from the DL and rookie pitcher Rich Thompson was sent down to Triple A.  The Angels had hoped to keep the kid around but last friday's 1 inning, 5-run meltdown assured his ticket out.
• A likely story:  Dana Eveland is making Billy Beane look smart.  He shut down the Indians for 7 innings yesterday, striking out 7.  When Dan Haren was sent to Arizona for 6 prospects, Tim thought the Dbacks won and suggested Eveland could be a back of the rotation starter of the David Wells-variety as was the common consensus around the league.  Eveland hadn't shown anything at the major league level; however, it seems Eveland might be realizing his potential (413 minor league IP, 8.84 K/9).  Then again, it's been one start and Olney notes Jhonny Peralta just thinks Eveland got lucky.  Time will tell, but Beane has a funny way of making time work in his favor.
• As Brad Lidge comes back, reliever Tim Lahey is designated for assignment to make room.  Lahey's path is a bit of a head-scratcher.  He was selected by the Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft from the Twins before being claimed off waivers by the Phillies.  He's now back on waivers, and if he clears, he'll have to be offered back to the Twins who apparently do want him back.  So an imminent Twins/Phillies deal could be in the works.

By Nat Boyle