Mark Hendrickson Rumors

Minor Moves: Buschini, Burres, Pineiro

We'll track the day's minor moves here...

• The Padres signed second baseman Adam Buschini to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. The 25-year-old Buschini was a fourth-round pick of the Phillies in 2009 but hasn't appeared in affiliated ball since 2010. He spent this past season in the Australian Baseball League where he won the Triple Crown by hitting .363 with 15 homers and 50 RBIs.
• Left-hander Brian Burres has agreed to sign with Taiwan's Lamigo Monkeys, agent Marc Kligman tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The 31-year-old Burres has a 5.75 ERA, 5.6 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 358 1/3 innings between the Orioles, Blue Jays and Pirates. 
• The Orioles agreed to sign right-hander Joel Pineiro to a minor league deal, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports (all Twitter links). The 34-year-old last-pitched at the MLB level with the 2011 Angels. Pineiro, who pitched in the Orioles' minor league system in 2012, had surgery to repair a SLAP tear in his right shoulder last July.
• The Orioles also completed a minor league deal with left-hander Mark Hendrickson, Connolly reports. Hendrickson, the former NBA player who pitched with Baltimore from 2009-11, recently threw bullpen sessions for Orioles personnel. The 38-year-old is now pitching sidearm as he attempts to return to the MLB level for the first time since 2011. 
• The Indians have agreed to sign Jeremy Hermida to a minor league contract, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter). Hermida played for the Padres in 2012, appearing in 13 games. The 29-year-old was regarded as a top prospect early in his professional career and he hit 18 home runs for the 2007 Marlins, but he hasn't produced on offense in the past three seasons. Hermida, a first round pick in 2002, bats from the left side.

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Quick Hits: Marlins, Reds, Bourn, Lohse, Hendrickson

As February gets underway, Michael Bourn still stands as the best available free agent on the open market.  Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (on Twitter) opines that the Mets, Mariners, and Rays are the teams that make the most sense for the center fielder.  As for the best starter left on the free agent pile, Bowden sees the Red Sox, Rangers, Angels, Brewers, and Orioles as the best fits for Kyle Lohse.  Here's more from around baseball..

• Don't look for the Marlins to make any major moves the remainder of the offseason, says Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel (via Twitter). The team will enter spring training with the roster it currently has in place.
• Regardless of whether or not Scott Rolen joins the Reds, John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer writes that the club is facing a serious roster crunch.  It seems that the veteran wants to play in 2013 but money will be a determining factor in his decision.  Recently, the Dodgers reached out to Rolen to express interest.
• The Orioles expect to announce the signing of veteran left-handerMark Hendrickson to a minor league contract with a spring training invite early next week, according to Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com.  The O's also hope to announce their deal with Jair Jurrjens and remain interested in bringing Joe Saunders back despite the depth that they've added.
• Torii Hunter says that enjoyed his time with the Angels, but he also felt misled when the club told him they didn't have enough money to keep him before signing Josh Hamilton to a five-year, $125MM deal, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.  The veteran hooked on with the Tigers this winter in pursuit of a World Series ring.
• The Tigers had a tough time trying to find organizational depth this winter as many players figured that their path to the majors would be blocked, writes George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press.  Regardless, assistant General Manager Al Avila says that the club is done signing minor league players and is ready for spring training.

Daniel Seco contributed to this post.

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Orioles Notes: Hendrickson, Pearce

Last week the Orioles extended manager Buck Showalter and executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette through the 2018 season. Here's a look at what Orioles management is doing to boost their chances of returning to the playoffs in 2013...

• The Orioles plan to offer left-hander Mark Hendrickson a minor league deal that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training, Eduardo A. Encina The Baltimore Sun reports. Hendrickson, the former NBA player who pitched with Baltimore from 2009-11, threw bullpen sessions for Orioles personnel last week. The 38-year-old is now pitching sidearm as he attempts to return to the MLB level for the first time since 2011.
• After a turbulent 2012 season, Steve Pearce's travels appear to have ended now that he’s a non-roster player with the Orioles. The 29-year-old said he’s glad he’s still in Baltimore, Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com reports. “This is the place I wanted to be,” Pearce said. “I wasn’t thinking about being claimed by anyone else, and this is where I wanted to be.”

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AL East Notes: Oliver, Price, Red Sox, Hendrickson

Jeff Frye, Darren Oliver's agent, was apparently not speaking for his client when Frye said earlier this month that Oliver wanted a raise to return to the Blue Jays or else the veteran southpaw would retire, Oliver said during a conference call with reporters (including Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca).  "I was out of town when that article was written, and I didn't say those things, that was coming from Jeff Frye," Oliver said. "Obviously if I had something to say, I would have said it a long time ago, not once did I ever demand anything from the Blue Jays or Alex [GM Alex Anthopoulos]."  The Jays announced today that Oliver would return to pitch in Toronto in 2013.

Here are some more items from around the AL East...

• David Price's one-year deal with the Rays was structured in a way that both saved Price several hundred thousand dollars in taxes and also gave the Rays the ability to potentially save $4MM in salary deferred to Price in 2014 if the southpaw is dealt by then, reports Jon Paul Morosi for FOX Sports.
• Price loves playing in Tampa Bay but knows the franchise has financial limits and feels a responsibility to get a fair multiyear contract, the Rays ace tells Yahoo Sports' Tim Brown.  "I don't want to mess up for the future of other guys that could be in my position as well," Price said.  "You don't want to do that, because that's not only affecting you, that affects everybody else. I want to be happy. I don't want to sell myself short. I guess 'appreciation' is the word I could use the most. I just want to feel appreciated."
• The Red Sox talked to the Nationals about Mike Morse but Washington's asking price was too high, reports Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.  Now that Morse has been dealt to the Mariners, Abraham wonders if Mike Carp is now expendable in Seattle and could fit as left-handed bench depth in Boston.
• Xander Bogaerts is "as close to untouchable as any player in the Boston organization," writes CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam in an interview with the highly-touted Red Sox prospect.  Sox GM Ben Cherington reportedly turned down several trade offers involving Bogaerts this winter.
• Mark Hendrickson looked good during a tryout at the Orioles' minicamp today and will pitch again for the team on Friday, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.  We heard earlier this week that Hendrickson is trying to return to the Major Leagues as a sidearm pitcher.
• In AL East news from earlier today, the Orioles extended Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette, the Yankees avoided arbitration with Phil Hughes and the Red Sox made progress with Mike Napoli.

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Minor Moves: Dickerson, Cabrera, Hendrickson, Neal

Earlier today we learned the Phillies signed Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal, now here are the rest of Saturday's minor moves...

• The Yankees have released Chris Dickerson according to the MLB.com transactions page. New York designated the 30-year-old outfielder for assignment after claiming Russ Canzler last week. Dickerson hit .316/.417/.515 in Triple-A last year and received a September call-up.
• Fernando Cabrera signed a minor league deal with the Angels, according to Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register. Cabrera, 31, owns a 5.24 ERA with 9.9 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 across parts of seven career big league seasons. The right-handed reliever spent last season with the Mets' Triple-A affiliate.
• Mark Hendrickson will have a tryout with the Orioles during their mini-camp next week, reports Roch Kubatko of MASNSports.com (Twitter links). The 39-year-old left-hander has not appeared in the big leagues since 2011, and Kubatko says he's trying to reinvent himself as a sidearmer.
• The Indians have released Thomas Neal, the team announced (Twitter links). The 25-year-old outfielder was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Nick Swisher earlier this month. The team says they have interest in re-signing Neal, who hit .314/.400/.467 in Double-A last season.

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Minor Moves: Buente, Hendrickson, Ward

As I showed earlier today in my 10 Best Minor League Deals Of The Year post, minor moves sometimes have a major impact.  Today's latest:

• The Rays released right-handed reliever Jay Buente, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.  The move created a 40-man roster spot for Dan Johnson, whose contract was purchased.  Buente, who'd been claimed off waivers from the Marlins in May, found himself literally twice as hittable for the Rays' Triple-A affiliate as compared to his work in the Marlins' organization this year.  Topkin adds that recently designated pitchers Rob Delaney and Mike Ekstrom cleared waivers and the Rays are waiting to hear if they'll accept outright assignments.
• The Orioles released lefty reliever Mark Hendrickson on Monday, according to the team's transactions page.  He'd been designated for assignment last Tuesday.   
• The Diamondbacks released first baseman Daryle Ward, tweets Kevin Goldstein of Baseball Prospectus.  The 36-year-old hit .318/.445/.471 in 110 plate appearances.  He last played in the Majors in '08 with the Cubs.

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Orioles Designate Davis, Hendrickson For Assignment

The Orioles announced that they designated infielder Blake Davis and left-hander Mark Hendrickson for assignment to create 40-man roster space for right-hander Jeremy Accardo and left-hander Clay Rapada. Baltimore's 40-man roster remains full.

Davis, 27, appeared in 25 games for the Orioles this year, posting a .254/.323/.390 line in 65 plate appearances. He played short, second and third in the Major Leagues and also appeared in the outfield at Triple-A.  Davis posted a .280/.323/.384 line in 252 plate appearances for Baltimore's top affiliate this year.

Hendrickson pitched just 11 innings for the Orioles after signing a minor league deal with Baltimore in January. He posted a 2.87 ERA with 4.4 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 59 2/3 innings at Triple-A.

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Orioles Designate Hendrickson For Assignment

The Orioles will designate lefty Mark Hendrickson for assignment to open a spot for Troy Patton, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  The team has since confirmed the move.  Patton had been on the restricted list as he attended a court hearing for an offseason DWI arrest.

Hendrickson, 37, spent most of the season at Triple-A but tossed 11 forgettable innings in the Majors.

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Quick Hits: Orioles, Beltran, Jimenez, Marlins

Wednesday night linkage..

• Former Orioles pitching coach Mark Connor, who resigned on June 14, has agreed to return to the Rangers organization, several sources tell Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.  Connor will assume his former post as player development special consultant.
  
• Carlos Beltran has already proven to be a valuable addition to the Giants both on the field and in the clubhouse, writes MLB.com's Adam Berry.
• The Red Sox made a substantial offer to the Rockies for Ubaldo Jimenez on Friday, a major league source told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. Howwever, Colorado was looking for near-major league-ready players, the kind that the BoSox were not willing to offer up in such a deal.
• There hasn't been a lot of dialogue recently between the Marlins and first-round pick Jose Fernandez, tweets Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel.
• The Orioles sent Mark Hendrickson to Triple-A Norforlk, but he won't become a free agent thanks to a previous agreement between the pitcher and the club, writes Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com.  Hendrickson was demoted to make room for Jo-Jo Reyes, who was claimed off waivers from Toronto on Tuesday.

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Orioles Notes: Britton, Hendrickson, Andino

The latest on the Orioles, who start their season Friday evening in St. Petersburg...

• Top prospect Zach Britton was optioned to Triple-A, as expected.  He's likely to be up by the end of April, as the Orioles look to ensure they control the Scott Boras client through 2017 instead of '16.  MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli discussed the situation with Rays third baseman Evan Longoria, who's been through it.  Said Longoria, "It's just understanding the politics of the game."
• The Orioles made the curious decision to cut veteran southpaw Mark Hendrickson yesterday, and the 36-year-old must decide by tomorrow whether to opt out or head to Triple-A.  Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun talked to Hendrickson, who would like to keep his family in Pennsylvania.  The Phillies seem like a decent fit.
• Out of options shortstop Robert Andino made the team, notes Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (Twitter link).

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