Mariners Sign Chris Reitsma
According to RotoWorld, the Mariners have signed right-handed reliever Chris Reitsma for $1.35MM with an option for ’08. Not bad for a guy with an 8.68 ERA, eh?
Reitsma had July elbow surgery (not Tommy John) and hopes to be ready for spring. The 29 year-old is yet another groundballing addition to the Mariner pitching staff (they’ve already got grounder-lovers Felix Hernandez, Miguel Batista, and Horacio Ramirez).
Mets Consider Remaining Free Agent Starters
According to the New York Times, the Mets are interested in Tomo Ohka or Tony Armas Jr. to fill in the middle of their rotation. Both pitchers played under Minaya when he was GM of the Expos. Ohka would likely require a two-year deal, while Armas might be had for one year and $5MM or so.
Meanwhile, the New York Post adds that the Mets could give Jeff Weaver a second chance in New York. They’d be unlikely to exceed a two-year deal, and I have a hunch someone could offer three. Once again, Scott Boras and Weaver are signing a contract late in the free agent season.
Next Step For Yanks: Sign Clemens
The papers are abuzz this morning with all sorts of Roger Clemens speculation.
The New York Times says the Yankees are "determined not to be outbid." All the papers believe the Pettitte signing makes New York the favorite. Tyler Kepner speculates that Roger is tired of weak run support in Houston and probably wouldn’t take less money to pitch in Boston. As you know, Clemens’s agent has advised him to do another midsummer return instead of a full season.
John P. Lopez of the Houston Chronicle believes the Astros are out of it, making it a two-team race.
The New York Post has a statement directly from Randy Hendricks, the agent:
"Nothing has changed on Roger. First, he has to decide whether he will play. If he decides to play, then he will have to decide upon the team, which would be either New York, Boston or Houston. If he does play, it will likely be for a shortened season. I do not expect anything to happen on this matter any time soon."
Calling Excel Masters
Are you a master of Microsoft Excel, looking to earn a few hundred bucks by helping me with a fantasy baseball project? Read the details below and if you’re the guy or gal please drop me a line at mlbtraderumors@gmail.com.
I need someone who is an Excel master. I’m talking advanced skills in both functionality and aesthetics. Myself, I know my way around a spreadsheet and do vlookups in my sleep (I can’t believe I just said that). I need someone who can do much more – apply the most advanced Excel functions artfully to reduce processing time and create a gorgeous looking, user-friendly spreadsheet. I’ll tell you all the things this spreadsheet needs to do and you’ll make it work. Additionally, it’s been mentioned to me that I might be better served using Access somehow. I’m all ears and skills in that are probably helpful to my goals.
Often people with these types of skills work in accounting or as an actuary. It’s not a requirement for this project, but it’s a good sign to me that you are an Excel master. Either way please explain your qualifications in your email.
As I said, it’s a fantasy baseball project, so it’s more fun than your usual TPS reports. I would need the brunt of the work hammered out within one week, with minor tweaks done throughout the season. I’m guessing it would be roughly 10-15 hours worth of work. I haven’t decided the exact amount that will be paid for the project, but I’m flexible and fair and we will agree on money before any work is done.
If you’re interested in this project, please send an email to mlbtraderumors@gmail.com explaining your qualifications. Thanks.
Randy Johnson Trade Complete
MetsBlog quotes a radio report heard on WFAN from Sweeny Murti: the Yankees traded Randy Johnson to the Diamondbacks for Luis Vizcaino, Steven Jackson, Ross Ohlendorf, and Alberto Gonzalez.
UPDATE: ESPN reports that the Yankees will pay between $1.5MM and $2MM of Johnson’s ’06 salary. Additionally, the D’Backs were granted a 72 hour window for negotation with Johnson starting at 3pm CST today.
Some info on the three prospects:
Jackson is a right-handed starter who will turn 25 in March. He posted a 2.65 ERA and 2.78 K/BB in Double A in 2006. According to Scout.com, the former college pitcher is a power guy with a "devastating slider."
Ohlendorf is a 24 year-old right-handed starter. Like Jackson, he pitched in college and made the jump from Low A South Bend to Double A. He posted a 3.29 ERA and 4.3 K/BB at that level. His changeup may have been a key to making the Southern League All-Star game this year.
Gonzalez is not our attorney general, but rather a Venezuelan shortstop. He turns 24 in April and may have been the best defensive shortstop in Arizona’s system. He hit .290/.356/.392 in Double A in 2006.
Jim Parque Attempting Comeback
Did I just write that headline? Yes, I did. I don’t know about you, but I love the way players come out the woodwork every year and attempt comebacks. Do you remember Jim Parque? He’s holding an open workout in February in an attempt to return to the bigs, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick.
Parque, a southpaw, will turn 31 in February. He must’ve seen the crazy money going to the Joel Pineiros of the world and decided to get back on that train. Parque was never particularly good, but his claim to fame is a 13-win season back in 2000 for the White Sox. He pulled that off despite a 1.56 K/BB ratio.
Parque retired in June of ’04 after he couldn’t hack it for the D’Backs’ Triple A club. He’s said to be healthy again and we here at MLBTradeRumors.com wish him the best of luck.
Odds and Ends
The Indians finally signed Keith Foulke officially. He gets $5MM in ’07 with another $2MM in incentives. There’s a similar mutual option for ’08. Foulke and Joe Borowski will compete for saves.
The Marlins would consider giving up Yusmeiro Petit for Armando Benitez, not a bad idea for the Giants. However, Benitez will have to prove his health first. The Giants are out on David Wells, making San Diego his likely suitor.
The Cardinals are being given every chance to improve their offer to Mark Mulder to rival those from Texas and Cleveland. It seems the Cards would go to two years, so it may just be a matter of dollars. Mulder could decide by this weekend.
That whole Milledge for Blanton thing? Not so much, says a Mets official. Mets fans should be relieved.
Ready for fantasy baseball yet? Check out my first baseman rankings at RotoAuthority.
Yankees Sign Mientkiewicz
According to the New York Post, the Yankees have a tentative agreement with 32 year-old first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz. He’ll have a physical today.
Mientkiewicz will bat ninth and provide defense at first base. According to the Fielding Bible, which ranked him behind only Mark Teixeira with the glove:
"He has range and agility and is like a vacuum sucking up all throws, good and bad."
I suppose you can claim the Yankees don’t need more offense, but runs and runs. I would’ve sought out someone who can hit, too. It’s an easy way to upgrade the club further.
Loretta To Sign With Astros
According to Mark Loretta‘s agent, the second baseman will sign with the Astros. Assuming Chris Burke stays in center field, Loretta would only have to battle a 41 year-old Craig Biggio for playing time at second. The deal is for $2.5MM with another $1MM in incentives.
The signing leaves only Ron Belliard without a home among the formerly large free agent 2B crop.
Latest On Unit Trade
Ken Davidoff of Newsday reports that the Randy Johnson trade is "all but finalized." He says Johnson has agreed to the one-year extension and only minor differences remain.
The deal still might take another two or three days to complete. Arizona still needs to review Johnson’s physical. Reliever Luis Vizcaino will definitely be included, but the teams have not agreed on a young pitcher.
The North County Times reported on Tuesday that the Padres were trying to slip in with an offer including Scott Linebrink. Today the Newark Star-Ledger found a source that indicated San Diego could still be in the mix.