By Tim Dierkes | at
According to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, Carlos Pena has signed a three year deal worth about $24MM. The deal buys out one year of free agency.
If the amount is accurate, the Rays have a serious bargain on their hands. I was guessing this would cost $36MM. Despite all the concerns about Pena’s Boras representation, he’s staying in Tampa Bay through 2010.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Nothing groundbreaking here, but Ken Davidoff spoke to "an industry offical familiar with Minnesota’s trade discussions," who believes the inclusion of young outfielder Fernando Martinez could close the Johan Santana deal for the Mets. Davidoff notes that some combination of Carlos Gomez, Deolis Guerra, Philip Humber, and Kevin Mulvey would have to be in there too. Perhaps the sides will ultimately agree on Martinez and all the rest except for Gomez.
The Yankees and Red Sox remain in the mix, though the Yanks seem ready to move on.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Tons of one-year agreements were reached recently, which was to be expected. These are all players under team control rather than free agents, so we knew they weren’t signing elsewhere. The options are to sign a one-year deal, sign a multiyear deal, or go to a hearing if no agreement can be reached.
By Tim Dierkes | at
The St. Petersburg Times reports that the Rays acquired infielder Willy Aybar today along with Chase Fontaine for Jeff Ridgway. DRays Bay caught wind of this one several days ago.
Aybar is out of options, so he’ll stick with the big club as a super-utility guy. He can bridge the gap at third base if Evan Longoria needs a little time. Aybar would be most interesting at second; he’ll be 25 and sports a career OPS over .800. However a few years ago Baseball America questioned whether he could handle second base defensively long-term. Regardless, if Aybar can get past the substance abuse problems this could be a steal.
BA doesn’t expect the 22 year-old Fontaine to stick at shortstop; he might have to move to second eventually. He’s considered a line-drive hitter.
Ridgway is a 27 year-old southpaw reliever; Frank Wren sold low on Aybar if this is all he could get.
By Tim Dierkes | at
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent outfielder Reggie Sanders is looking at several options for 2008. He could continue his playing career; he’s discussed backup roles with the Padres and Dodgers. The Dodgers don’t seem to need more outfielders, while the Padres are looking to trade for a corner outfielder.
Other options for Sanders include retirement and/or a foray into a TV analyst career.
By Tim Dierkes | at
We have a new addition to the MLBTR team. His name is Karl Micka-Foos. I’m not sure exactly how the team of additional writers will contribute yet, but I’m glad to have Karl aboard. A little about him:
Karl Micka-Foos is a senior at Princeton University, majoring in English and hoping to pursue a career in sports journalism. He has previously served as the sports editor of the student-run "Daily Princetonian" newspaper, and as a sports intern for "Metro New York" newspaper, covering the Mets and the Yankees. His favorite baseball card is a 1997 Pinnacle “East Meets West” insert, which features Pedro Martinez holding a paper umbrella while giving a grown man bunny ears.
Karl can be reached at mickafoos@yahoo.com.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Got an email address? Of course you do. Why not receive MLBTR posts via a daily email? That way you’ll never miss anything. Sign up below. (I will definitely not use your email address for any other purpose).
By Tim Dierkes | at
How about some late morning odds and ends? You don’t really have a choice, do you.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Let’s take a run through Buster Olney’s blog today.
By Tim Dierkes | at
Roch Kubatko of the Baltimore Sun checks in with a few Andy MacPhail quotes. Basically, MacPhail has only brought one trade to Orioles’ owner Peter Angelos, the Miguel Tejada deal. That was obviously approved; nothing else was presented. So the Brian Roberts and Erik Bedard talks remain just talks. No deal has been reached in either case.
MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com
Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information
hide arrows scroll to top
