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Archives for January 2009

Gammons On Pitching: Wolf, Garland, Looper

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In a blog post that leads off with a discussion of the effect of the WBC on pitching, Peter Gammons offers up a quick update on a few back-end starting pitchers.

According to Gammons, Randy Wolf, Jon Garland, and Braden Looper are all receiving similar offers at this point: roughly $5 million per year, plus options and incentives.

Gammons also mentions that Wolf in particular was not close to a deal with any particular team as of Friday, perhaps adding his two cents to the recently debunked rumor that the pitcher was close to signing with the Dodgers.

Brandon Lyon To Sign With Tigers

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12:34pm: The AP reports that the deal pays Lyon $4.25MM in guaranteed money, but could be worth up to $500K more.

11:09am: The AP reports the Tigers announced the deal at TigerFest.

SATURDAY, 8:44am: MLB.com’s Jason Beck also hears from an industry source that Lyon’s nearing a one year deal with the Tigers. Beck expects an official announcement this morning at TigerFest.

FRIDAY, 8:30am: Lyon’s agent Barry Meister says, "We continue to work through it.  Everything is moving forward."  Lyon is at home in Utah currently.

THURSDAY, 9:04pm: Ken Rosenthal heard from a major league source that Lyon’s close to a one year deal worth just under $5MM with the Tigers. The deal includes incentives.

3:47pm: Jon Paul Morosi takes it a step further, saying the Tigers are "nearing an agreement on a multiyear contract" with Lyon.  The 29 year-old righty started strong with a 1.64 ERA through May, but posted a 6.51 mark thereafter.  He lost the D’Backs’ closer job to Chad Qualls in September.

3:27pm: According to MLB.com’s Jason Beck, Brandon Lyon is down to two teams and may reach an agreement by Friday.  Beck says the Tigers are one of the two and appear to be in the lead.   According to Ken Rosenthal, the Cardinals are the other contender.  I guess that means the Twins are out.

Padres, Nats Interested In Ohman

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According to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick the Nationals and Padres are among the teams interested in Will Ohman. Both teams are "bottom fishing," and are considered secondary options for the lefty reliever.

Ohman hoped for a deal similar to the ones signed by Jeremy Affeldt ($8MM, two years) and Damaso Marte ($12MM, three years). He’s generated lots of interest and has a new contract offer from an unnamed team.

Crasnick mentions the Dodgers and Mets as potential suitors for Ohman, and the D’Backs, Orioles, Rangers, Indians, Rays and Braves have all reportedly had interest in him.

Pirates Offered Maholm Deal; Talks Progress

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According to Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review the Pirates have made Paul Maholm an offer and continue to negotiate a multi-year contract with him. Maholm said he’s still "exchanging numbers" with the Pirates, but "the long term deal is still on the table."

The Pirates are hoping to work out a four year deal and buy out Maholm’s first year of free agency. Maholm, who’s arbitration eligible for the first time, said the numbers exchanged so far "aren’t far apart."

Odds And Ends: Varitek, Pedro, Sheets

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Links for Saturday morning…

  • Pedro Martinez isn’t worried that he hasn’t signed yet.
  • Jason Varitek says he’s still "exchanging offers" with the Red Sox. Scott Boras and Theo Epstein didn’t comment on the talks, which continue slowly.
  • Buster Olney takes a look at the market for Ben Sheets. He says whoever signs Sheets will get a bargain. Some GMs would be impressed if he gets $20MM over two years.
  • Nate McLouth isn’t optimistic about his chances of signing a multi-year deal with the Pirates.
  • Peter Schmuck thinks the O’s should find a way to sign Brian Roberts to a long term contract.
  • The Blue Jays fired assistant GM Bart Given.
  • Gordon Wittenmyer breaks down the Cubs’ chances of acquiring Jake Peavy now that the team’s about to change hands.
  • Richard Justice writes Randy Wolf should have accepted the Astros’ offer.

Pettitte, Yankees Still Talking

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According to Pete Caldera of the North Jersey Record, the Yankees are still talking with Andy Pettitte. Caldera’s source says the club isn’t confident Pettitte will accept a one year offer for about $10MM, but they prefer him to other remaining free agents.

Caldera adds that the Yankees are prepared to have their young starters compete for the final rotation spot in Spring Training. If Ben Sheets is willing to accept a one year deal the Yankees could become seriously interested, but there’s no indication Sheets would consider that.

Roberts Wants Four Year Extension

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According to Ken Rosenthal, major leagues sources say Brian Roberts wants a four year extension if he’s going to stay in Baltimore.

Roberts has had ongoing talks with the Orioles about an extension and they made him an offer earlier in the month. The offer was believed to be for $10MM per season, but only for three years.

A major league source confirmed to Rosenthal that the Orioles have their "ears open" to trade offers including Roberts.

Phillies, Hollins Agree To Minor League Deal

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According to Troy Renck of the Denver Post the Phillies have agreed to a minor league contract with Damon Hollins. He turns 35 in June and hasn’t played in the majors since 2006.

The contract is worth $450K, $65K of which is guaranteed. Hollins can request a trade if he’s not on the 25 man roster by July 1st. He can pay the Phillies $100K to sign with a Japanese team or $50K to sign with a Korean team, but they have the option of adding him to their roster within three days instead.

Cardinals’ Non-Roster Invitees

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Here are the Cardinals’ non-roster Spring Training invitees, via a press release on MLB.com.

Pitchers Jess Todd, Adam Ottavino, Tyler Herron, Clayton Mortensen, Ian Ostlund, Fernando Salas, Francisco Samuel and P.J. Walters, catchers Bryan Anderson, Tony Cruz, Luis De La Cruz, Steve Hill, Justin Knoedler and Matt Pagnozzi, infielders Allen Craig, David Freese, Joe Thurston and Brett Wallace and outfielders Colby Rasmus and Jon Jay.

Nationals Still Interested In Hudson, Dunn

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According to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson the Nationals still have interest in Orlando Hudson and Adam Dunn. So far both players’ demands have exceeded the Nats’ budget, but GM Jim Bowden said the team still has interest in acquiring free agent hitters.

The rotation, on the other hand, could enter Spring Training as is. The Nationals have no interest in Josh Fogg because they are content with a rotation of Collin Balester, Daniel Cabrera, John Lannan, Scott Olsen and Jordan Zimmermann. MASN reports that Bowden said he’s interested in adding "one or two more starting pitchers" if the circumstances are right.

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