Juan Gone Still On The Radar?
Despite published reports to the contrary, Tracy Ringolsby says the Tigers and Orioles are considering extending a spring training invite to Juan Gonzalez. He adds that despite Bill Stoneman’s denial, the Angels had scouts watching Gonzalez in Puerto Rico this winter.
Now let us all sit back and wait for those three clubs to re-deny interest. It’s funny to me that the clubs even felt compelled to comment on the rumor in the first place.
Mets Sign Chan Ho Park
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets will add righty Chan Ho Park soon. A Korean newspaper mentions that the deal is for $3MM with an option. Park also had an offer from the Padres. Hat tip to MetsBlog for originally finding this one.
Back in December, Scott Boras was reportedly trying to sell the Red Sox on the idea of using Park as a closer. Park will be helpful for the Mets as a swingman. I like the way Omar Minaya is building his pitching staff backwards. I think it’ll work.
PECOTA says to expect a 4.70 ERA from Park in 115 innings.
Mets Sign Chan Ho Park
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, the Mets will add righty Chan Ho Park soon. A Korean newspaper mentions that the deal is for $3MM with an option. Park also had an offer from the Padres. Hat tip to MetsBlog for originally finding this one.
Back in December, Scott Boras was reportedly trying to sell the Red Sox on the idea of using Park as a closer. Park will be helpful for the Mets as a swingman. I like the way Omar Minaya is building his pitching staff backwards. I think it’ll work.
PECOTA says to expect a 4.70 ERA from Park in 115 innings.
Reds Sign Bronson Arroyo Through 2010
According to Baseball Digest Daily, the Reds and Bronson Arroyo have agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2010 with a club option for 2011. RotoWorld has the financial details.
Arroyo will make $3.8MM in 2007 and $3.95MM in 2008 under a deal signed with Boston before he was traded. PECOTA says Arroyo will be worth about $15.5MM for 2009-10. BP’s system finds him most comparable to Jack McDowell, minus the middle finger thing. I wonder if PECOTA matched up the fact that they’ve both put CDs out.
Reds Sign Bronson Arroyo Through 2010
According to Baseball Digest Daily, the Reds and Bronson Arroyo have agreed to a two-year contract extension through 2010 with a club option for 2011. RotoWorld has the financial details.
Arroyo will make $3.8MM in 2007 and $3.95MM in 2008 under a deal signed with Boston before he was traded. PECOTA says Arroyo will be worth about $15.5MM for 2009-10. BP’s system finds him most comparable to Jack McDowell, minus the middle finger thing. I wonder if PECOTA matched up the fact that they’ve both put CDs out.
Mets And Johan Santana?
Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press throws it down:
"Don’t be surprised if the New York Mets, and not the Yankees, end up with Johan Santana for $20 million a year after the Twins’ Cy Young Award winner becomes a free agent after the 2008 season."
Who knows what Santana could do pitching half his games in Shea Stadium (one season there, at least). I think it’s impossibly early to call any kind of Santana derby, but maybe Walters just wants to send half of New York into a frenzy. If Santana does reach free agency, I’m sure all the major big-budget teams will have interest. He’s only the best pitcher in baseball.
Just for fun: PECOTA says Santana will be worth $21,800,000 for the 2009 season.
Of course, this story from January 29th should not be ignored. The Twins will approach Santana about a contract extension, and Santana is willing to work something out.
Mets And Johan Santana?
Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press throws it down:
"Don’t be surprised if the New York Mets, and not the Yankees, end up with Johan Santana for $20 million a year after the Twins’ Cy Young Award winner becomes a free agent after the 2008 season."
Who knows what Santana could do pitching half his games in Shea Stadium (one season there, at least). I think it’s impossibly early to call any kind of Santana derby, but maybe Walters just wants to send half of New York into a frenzy. If Santana does reach free agency, I’m sure all the major big-budget teams will have interest. He’s only the best pitcher in baseball.
Just for fun: PECOTA says Santana will be worth $21,800,000 for the 2009 season.
Of course, this story from January 29th should not be ignored. The Twins will approach Santana about a contract extension, and Santana is willing to work something out.
A’s Sign Shannon Stewart
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the A’s have signed outfielder Shannon Stewart to a one-year deal that could reach $2.5MM with incentives. If Stewart can overcome plantar fasciitis in both feet, he can fill Jay Payton‘s role as Oakland’s fourth outfielder. It’s a strong need given the fragility of Mark Kotsay and Milton Bradley.
Stewart, who turns 33 later this month, earned $6.5MM in 2006. PECOTA sees him hitting .276/.332/.383 in 335 plate appearances this year, finding him most similar to the 1987 version of Gary Ward. Another good comp is Brady Clark. ZiPS expects .275/.341/.392 from Stewart in 373 PAs.
A’s Sign Shannon Stewart
According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the A’s have signed outfielder Shannon Stewart to a one-year deal that could reach $2.5MM with incentives. If Stewart can overcome plantar fasciitis in both feet, he can fill Jay Payton‘s role as Oakland’s fourth outfielder. It’s a strong need given the fragility of Mark Kotsay and Milton Bradley.
Stewart, who turns 33 later this month, earned $6.5MM in 2006. PECOTA sees him hitting .276/.332/.383 in 335 plate appearances this year, finding him most similar to the 1987 version of Gary Ward. Another good comp is Brady Clark. ZiPS expects .275/.341/.392 from Stewart in 373 PAs.
Pavano On The Trade Market
Pretty much anyone you ask would tell you Philip Hughes is likely to outpitch Carl Pavano this year. Any projection system or scout would tell you that the Yankees will win more games with Hughes as the fifth starter than Pavano. Why then is Pavano, and not Hughes, penciled in as the team’s fifth starter? The reason is that Pavano is due $23 million over the next two seasons. The Yankees want to get something out of him.
Best move for everyone would be to trade him. Jon Heyman of SI.com tells us that the Rockies wanted the Yankees to cover $15MM of the $20MM remaining on his deal. (Although I do believe Pavano is owed $23MM if you include his buyout). Maybe that means Colorado would take Pavano at the price of $8MM over the next two seasons? Who wouldn’t? Ramon Ortiz just got three mil. However, at this point the Rockies don’t need any more starters.
Heyman goes on to say that if Pavano can show promise this spring, the Yanks might get a team to take on $12-13MM of the money owed to Pavano. So, the team would pay $10MM over the next two seasons. Still not too bad, especially for an NL club looking to get creative (Cardinals?)
Pavano is on a rigorous workout regimen in hopes of returning to a Major League mound and redeeming himself.