Marcus Thames, Matt Treanor Become Free Agents
Marcus Thames and Matt Treanor became free agents today, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck. Both former Tigers were non-tender candidates anyway, but apparently they've been outrighted or released.
Thames, 33 in March, hit .252/.323/.453 in 294 plate appearances while playing 125 innings in left field and spending the rest of his time at DH. Thames has played a little first base and right field in his career as well.
Treanor, 34 in March, had only 14 plate appearances this year due to a hip injury. He caught 524 innings for the Marlins back in '08, earning him a $750K contract with the Tigers in December.
Reds Notes: Ramon Hernandez, Hardy
MLB.com's Mark Sheldon has the latest on the Reds…
- GM Walt Jocketty told Sheldon the Reds will decline catcher Ramon Hernandez's $8.5MM option, as expected. Jocketty hopes to negotiate a new deal with Hernandez. Bad news for Ryan Hanigan, who posted a .361 OBP in 293 plate appearances this year.
- Jocketty hopes to re-sign catcher Corky Miller and outfielder Darnell McDonald to minor league deals.
- Jocketty said he talked to the Brewers several times about J.J. Hardy, but "We didn't match up and they didn't want to trade within our division, which was understandable." It's a sign that the Reds may not be content with Paul Janish as their starter.
- Check out our Offseason Outlook for more Reds analysis.
Jack Wilson, Mariners Discussing Extension
The Mariners are discussing a multiyear extension with shortstop Jack Wilson, according to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Kovacevic believes the Ms offered a two-year deal worth more than $8MM. Soon, the Mariners must decide between Wilson's $8.4MM option for 2010 and a $600K buyout.
Given Wilson's defensive prowess and the scarcity of shortstops, bringing him back at around $4MM a year isn't a bad idea. The free agent market doesn't offer much beyond Marco Scutaro, and J.J. Hardy was just plucked off the trade market by the Twins.
Five More Years For Mariano Rivera?
Mariano Rivera told today's crowd he wants to play for five more years, according to the New York Times' Jack Curry. Rivera explained:
"I'm serious. I hope the organization does whatever it takes to bring me back. I know I have another year under my contract, and then whatever happens happens."
Of course, as Curry notes, "A few months before the 2000 season, Rivera shocked the Yankees by saying he wanted to pitch four more years, then retire to become an evangelical minister."
Rivera, 40 later this month, added to his legend in 2009 with 44 regular season and five postseason saves. It's difficult to justify $15MM a year for a reliever, but if anyone's worth it, it's Rivera.
Odds & Ends: Matsui, Belcher, Cuddyer, Griffey
Links for Friday…
- Lefty reliever Darren Oliver "will play in 2010 and perhaps beyond," according to his agent Mike McCann (MLB.com's Lyle Spencer reporting).
- Free agent Hideki Matsui ruled out the possibility of returning to Japan, says NPB Tracker's Patrick Newman (via Twitter).
- The Indians have hired their new pitching coach: Tim Belcher.
- The decision on Michael Cuddyer's $10.5MM option for 2011 is due by Monday, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. Cuddyer would like to finish his career in Minnesota.
- Juan C. Rodriguez of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel considers Jeremy Hermida among the all-time exasperating Marlins.
- Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News has comments from Andy Pettitte about the future.
- Ken Griffey Jr.'s agent Brian Goldberg told C. Trent Rosecrans of CNATI.com that Junior's future will be decided soon.
Brewers Decline Option On David Weathers
The Brewers declined their $3.7MM club option on reliever David Weathers, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (via Twitter). They'll pay a $400K buyout instead. While Weathers projects as a Type B free agent, an arbitration offer is highly unlikely. The Brewers acquired Weathers from the Reds in August for cash.
Weathers, 40, posted a 3.92 ERA in 62 innings this year. His peripherals were pretty bad – 5.4 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, 1.5 HR/9.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Dodgers, Red Sox, Iwamura, Matsui
On this date 33 years ago, Bill Campbell became one of the first players to sign a contract with a new team under baseball's new free agency system. After saving 20 games with the Twins in '76, Campbell signed a four-year, $1MM deal with the Red Sox. In his first season in Boston, he would save 31 games and make his only All-Star appearance. As we enter the 34th Hot Stove season, let's take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- MLB Notebook suggests Ben Sheets or Erik Bedard for the Dodgers over Vicente Padilla.
- Around the Majors breaks down why Jeremy Hermida is a good pick-up for the Red Sox.
- Fire Brand of the American League explores what it will cost the Red Sox to sign Josh Beckett to an extension.
- Where Have You Gone Andy Van Slyke? likes what Akinori Iwamura brings to the Pirates both on the field and off.
- Raise the Jolly Roger wonders if Iwamura is worth the cost-controlled Jesse Chavez.
- Baseball Daily Digest says that the Iwamura acquisition is the Pirates latest move into the international market.
- Beyond the Boxscore feels the Pirates got a steal, noting that Iwamura is worth $7.5MM more than his $4.85MM salary
- Twins Geek laments the near-acquisition of Iwamura by the Twins.
- Mets Fans Forever hopes the Mets pass on Hideki Matsui.
- Crawfish Boxes takes a look back at every move the Astros made before and during the '09 season.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here, and followed on Twitter here.
Twins Acquire J.J. Hardy For Carlos Gomez
12:55pm: A bunch of Tweets from the Brewers' side: Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he won't pursue re-signing Cameron, and will look to the free agent market for starting pitching. Melvin contacted Mark Mulder's agent but hasn't heard back. Melvin even mentioned John Lackey's name. (Reporting: Haudricourt and MLB.com's Adam McCalvy).
12:04pm: I asked Hardy if he's closed the book on the service time issue, and he said yes. A grievance does not seem likely; Hardy admitted it'd be hard to prove.
Twins GM Bill Smith said on today's conference call that he talked to free agent Orlando Cabrera this morning and told him Hardy will be the team's shortstop. Smith implied that re-signing Joe Crede is a possibility, as he has talked to Scott Boras. Smith added that Delmon Young is a lock to be tendered a contract.
10:57am: The Twins acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy for center fielder Carlos Gomez, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
While I expected the Brewers to snag a young pitcher for Hardy, I like the move for both sides. Center field was certainly a need for the Brewers with Mike Cameron eligible for free agency. Haudricourt notes that the money the Brewers saved on Cameron will probably go toward starting pitching. While Gomez hasn't had offensive success in his career, his stellar defense is unquestionable. He'll be eligible for arbitration this winter as a Super Two player, and is under team control through 2013.
Hardy is a huge addition for the Twins, who entered the offseason needing upgrades at shorstop, third base, and second base. Due to an August demotion by the Brewers, Hardy is under team control for 2010 and 2011 (Hardy says there are "no hard feelings.") He slumped offensively this year, but maintained his strong defense.
Royals Decline Options On Crisp, Olivo, Yabuta
The Royals declined their 2010 options on Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, and Yasuhiko Yabuta, according to a team press release.
On Crisp, the Royals chose his $500K buyout over his $8MM option. It's possible the Royals will offer Crisp an incentive-laden deal (he had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders this summer).
The Royals plan to go in a different direction than Olivo at catcher; they may also non-tender John Buck. Olivo had a $3.3MM mutual option. As for Yabuta, the press release says he can "elect free agency if he doesn’t sign a 2010 Major League contract with the Royals by November 16th." The Japanese reliever has been a $6MM bust; his $4MM club option was an obvious choice to decline.
Marlins Interested In Aroldis Chapman
MLBTR has learned of a surprising suitor for free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman: the Marlins. They intend to submit an offer and hope to meet Chapman this month. Offers began rolling in for Chapman last week.
Here's our Chapman review from last week. Since then we've learned more about the Angels, White Sox, Orioles, Cubs, and Braves.