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Archives for December 2008

Snyder, Diamondbacks On Verge Of Extension

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Diamondbacks catcher Chris Snyder is close to finalizing a three-year contract extension with Arizona, MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reports.

Snyder, 28 in February, hit .237 with 16 homers and 64 RBI in 2008.

A baseball source said late last week that the final details were being worked out, and Snyder would then take a physical before the contract is signed, Gilbert wrote.

Gilbert spoke with Diamondbacks starting pitcher Brandon Webb about Snyder’s new deal.

“Having ’Snydes’ behind the plate for the next two years will be great,” said Webb, who is under contract through next season with an option for 2010.

MLBTR posted reports about the possible extension on Dec. 23.

Red Sox Close To One-Year Deal With Penny

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Red Sox are close to signing Brad Penny to a one-year deal.  The two sides are still hammering out the agreement, and Penny would have to pass a physical.  In November, the Dodgers chose Penny’s $2MM buyout over his $9.25MM club option.

Penny, 31 in May, dealt with shoulder and forearm pain all year.  The Red Sox have a sophisticated system for dealing with pitching shoulders, so it’s an interesting match.

Ian Browne of MLB.com expands on Rosenthal’s report. Browne notes that Penny in Boston would reunite him with fellow starter Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell, both of whom Penny played with as a Florida Marlin. The three were on the 2003 World Series-winning squad.

Week in Review: 12/21 – 12/27

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Hope everyone’s enjoying the holiday season! Here’s a look back at the happenings of the last week here on MLBTR:

  • If you haven’t heard this week’s top story, chances are you’ve been living under a rock, but we’ll tell you anyway: The Yankees signed Mark Teixeira to an eight-year, $180MM contract. That means they’ve combined to spend over $420MM this offseason on three players, including C.C. Sabathia and A.J. Burnett. Does this make them a clear favorite in the division, though? I personally don’t feel like it does. Sabathia will essentially replace retired Mike Mussina’s 2009 production (he’ll be an upgrade, obviously, but Moose notched 20 wins in his final season), Burnett is a serious health liability, and adding Teixeira is a big improvement, but I don’t think he puts this team over the top. The Yankees have gotten better, but if I’m spending $420MM on three players, I’m making sure it makes me the team to beat, and I’m not sure they’ve done that. Here’s some additional reactions, and here’s a few more. Additionally, Tex reportedly had a higher offer from the Nationals. The Nats were willing to go higher, but weren’t given a chance to do so.
  • The Yanks also signed Chien-Ming Wang to a one-year, $5MM deal, and inked Kevin Cash to a minor-league deal that could be worth $700K.
  • The Giants added a third Cy Young winner to their rotation when they signed Randy Johnson to a one-year, $8MM deal that could potentially be worth $13MM with performance and award incentives. Giants fans will likely get the pleasure of seeing the Big Unit notch his 300th win, and he may serve as a mentor for their young staff. Johnson’s signing may cause the Giants to be more willing to trade Jonathan Sanchez.
  • Ryan Doumit signed a three-year extension with the Pirates, with a guaranteed $11.5MM and potentially worth as much as $27MM over five years. Nice signing for Pittsburgh, as Doumit has proven his value with the bat at a weak catcher position, but you have to wonder what the motive is. Rebuilding for the future, or enhancing his value as a trade chip? What do you guys think?
  • The Reds signed Willy Taveras to a two-year contract, though the terms of the deal are not yet known. You have to figure Taveras will work out better than Corey Patterson did in 2008.
  • Joe Nelson agreed to terms with the Rays on a one-year, $1.3MM deal for 2009. Great low-risk addition for the Rays, if you ask me. Twenty teams had expressed interest in Nelson, who posted a strong 2008 campaign with the Marlins.
  • Red Sox fans hoping that Kevin Youkilis would be next in line for an extension after Dustin Pedroia are going to be disappointed: Adam Kilgore at the Boston Globe says it’s not happening.
  • One last bit of Rafael Furcal drama: Furcal stresses that there was never a deal in place with the Braves, not with him or with his agents.

Olney’s Latest: No Big Money For Manny?

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Buster Olney’s latest discusses the bleak outlook for Manny Ramirez in landing the long-term, big money contract he’s seeking.

"It is evident that during a winter when many teams have clamped down and watch their dollars more carefully, executives with many teams have decided they cannot trust Ramirez on a multiyear deal."

Olney provides a brief rundown on all teams considered potential players in the Manny sweepstakes, paraphrased below:

  • Dodgers: offered 2 years, $45MM and then rescinded offer after Boras didn’t respond.
  • Angels, Mets, Yankees: Indications are they’re out of the bidding.
  • Blue Jays, Padres, Rockies, Diamondbacks: Looking to reduce payroll, rather than add.
  • Brewers: Are content with Ryan Braun in left field.
  • Phillies: Are content to have signed Raul Ibanez.
  • Cubs: Have "maxed out" their spending this year, and already have Alfonso Soriano.
  • Tigers: Already have too much on the books and a full outfield.
  • White Sox: They want to get younger.
  • Athletics, Twins, Indians, Rays, Royals and Pirates (among others, Olney suggests): Would never commit $20-25MM per year to one player.
  • Cardinals and Braves: Have enough outfielders and are focusing on pitching.

The obvious irony in Olney’s breakdown is that the Red Sox are the only team with both the money and the need  to offer what Boras is asking and, of course, they’re not bidding. Olney suggests the Nationals would be an interesting fit but that the concern there would be that Manny might not play hard during the duration of his contract on a team that may or may not be at all competitive.

Olney concludes with a red flag for any team hoping to get Manny at a reduced rate:

"Some general managers have said privately, a great concern they have about Ramirez is that if you give him a deal of two or more years that is worth far less than he thinks he deserves, you run the risk of having a very unhappy Manny. As the Red Sox can attest, that didn’t work out so well in the end."

Cafardo’s Latest: Pettitte, Kotsay, Red Sox

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Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe has a number of items to cover in today’s Sunday paper:

  • While the Mets are front-runners in the Derek Lowe sweepstakes, the Red Sox have a lot of money to play with having lost out on Mark Teixeira and could make a strong play to outbid competition.
  • The Dodgers and Rangers are interested in Andy Pettitte if he doesn’t accept the Yankees reduced $10MM offer.
  • Don’t rule out a return to the Red Sox for Mark Kotsay as a fourth outfielder and added infield depth.
  • Cafardo reports a source close to the talks says Teixeira was "very concerned" with Mike Lowell’s fate should he sign with Boston, but that financial matters and the negotiations process removed that "awkward situation."
  • Jose Fernandez can play first and third base. He’s 34 and just completed seven years in Japan, hitting 20+ HR every year. He could be an interesting right handed-hitting option for teams looking to add depth to their infield and DH.
  • The Red Sox, Orioles, Braves, Reds, and Cardinals remain interested in Kenshin Kawakami.
  • Now that Teixeira is gone, Jim Bowden is not interested in Manny Ramirez. Perhaps Adam Dunn?
  • The Sox are still unwilling to deal Clay Buchholz for Jarrod Saltalamacchia.

Rays Looking For Big Bat

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Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times says the Rays are still in the market for an impact bat, likely to be their designated hitter. While it appears the Cubs are confident they’ll land Milton Bradley, that still leaves Jason Giambi, Pat Burrell, Garrett Anderson, and Bobby Abreu. The Rays have already added to their outfield by acquiring Matt Joyce, so whoever they sign will most likely need to be onboard with playing DH.

Smith also notes that 25 year old Fernando Perez "is playing well in the Venezuelan winter league, hitting .301 with two homers and seven RBIs" possibly giving the Rays even further depth at outfield.

Peavy Trade Not Probable, But Padres Listening

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Former Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy is likely to remain a San Diego Padre, this despite numerous trade rumors during the offseason, Tom Krasovic of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Krasovic wrote that Padres general manager Kevin Towers will continue to listen to offers, though. A potential deal with the Chicago Cubs has fallen through, Krasovic added.

More Jocketty Talk On The Reds

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C. Trent Rosecrans of TheLotD.com also talked with Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty today. Here are some conversation highlights:

  • The Reds are still talking to Jerry Hairston Jr. to play left field. “We’re still trying to get Hairston,” Jocketty told Rosecrans. “We’ll have a different look on our club, but we still have guys like (Joey) Votto, (Jay) Bruce, (Brandon) Phillips, (Edwin) Encarnacion and even (Ramon) Hernandez with power.”
  • Jocketty hasn’t spoken with Pat Burrell in awhile. They are holding back on that one right now.
  • Health remains a serious issue with Rocco Baldelli, Jocketty said.
  • The Reds have been in discussion with the New York Yankees about their extra outfielders, but no deals are close.
  • No Barry Bonds; no Sammy Sosa.

Orioles Discuss Ivan Rodriguez

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The Baltimore Orioles have held conversations with agent Scott Boras about free-agent catcher Ivan Rodriguez, according to Baltimore Sun writer Peter Schmuck.

Schmuck doubts Rodriguez will sign with the Orioles, but, in part, it would hinge on him understanding that he’d need to take a seat when prospect Matt Wieters becomes ready to play at the major-league level.

Giants Will Listen To Proposals Involving Sanchez

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Now that the San Francisco Giants have lefty veteran Randy Johnson locked up, they are willing to listen to offers involving Jonathan Sanchez. Chris Haft of MLB.com asked Giants general manager Brian Sabean about the possibility after signing Johnson.

From Haft:

“We’re going to have to be open-minded,” Sabean said, although he repeated that he wouldn’t obtain a player who’s eligible for free agency after 2009.

The Giants have been listed as one of the teams who might be a good trade partner with the New York Yankees for a corner outfielder, in particular Xavier Nady, but he doesn’t meet Sabean’s requirement regarding free agency. Nady’s contract ends after the ’09 season.

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