Angels Avoid Arb With Mike Napoli
According to Kevin Baxter of the L.A. Times, the Angels avoided arbitration with catcher Mike Napoli by signing him at $2MM for ’09. Napoli seems primed for another big year if he stays healthy.
White Sox Avoid Arb With Bobby Jenks
According to ESPN’s Jayson Stark, the White Sox have avoided arbitration with closer Bobby Jenks by signing him for $5.6MM. It’s a record for a first-year arb closer, but Jonathan Papelbon figures to top it.
Rosenthal On Roberts, Hudson, Counsell
Let’s take a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- The Orioles have their ears open Brian Roberts, whose trade value has diminished as he nears free agency. The White Sox can’t afford him, the Braves are reluctant to give up talent, and the Cubs didn’t discuss him in the Felix Pie talks. The Roberts market may improve once Orlando Hudson signs.
- Rosenthal’s source says the Michael Young–Jermaine Dye discussions did take place. If you read Dave van Dyck’s article, Ken Williams never specifically denied talks with the Rangers.
- Rosenthal believes that if the Cubs make another big move, it’ll be a Jake Peavy trade. They’re not in on Hudson.
- The Dodgers have roughly $50MM in payroll flexibility right now.
- The Giants may be looking at Manny Ramirez, but they’ve also looked in trades for hitters – "presumably" Prince Fielder or Corey Hart included. Those talks with the Brewers didn’t go far. The Giants may be willing to move Jonathan Sanchez, but the Jorge Cantu talks have stalled.
- So far the Dodgers and Russell Martin have only talked about a one-year deal.
- The Mariners are Brewers are eyeing Craig Counsell.
- The Ms "likely are willing" to trade Aaron Heilman.
Markakis Finalizes Extension With Orioles
fielder Nick Markakis and the Baltimore Orioles have made "real progress" in their contract-extension negotiations in recent days, according to club president Andy MacPhail.
One source told Connolly that the two sides are close to agreeing to a six-year deal worth between $64MM and $66MM in guaranteed money.
Markakis, 25, hit .306 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI in 2008.
Odds and Ends: Cordero, Varitek, Hudson
Links for Monday…
- The Twins watched Chad Cordero‘s recent long-toss session. As you know, they’re also eyeing Brandon Lyon and Eric Gagne.
- Baseball America has the minor league transactions. Charlie Zink stays with Boston and the Cubs signed Ken Kadokura, among other deals.
- Sean McAdam breaks down the Jason Varitek situation, saying his value isn’t much higher than Gregg Zaun. Zaun signed for $2MM.
- Athletics Nation asks: how about Orlando Hudson at shortstop?
- RotoAuthority finds some upside starters for fantasy drafts.
- Rob Bradford of WEEI explains why signing Jonathan Papelbon long-term will be more difficult than Dustin Pedroia or Kevin Youkilis.
Orioles, Red Sox Swap Bierd And Pauley
Roch Kubatko of MASN Online reports this afternoon that the Orioles and Red Sox made a swap of righthanded pitchers. The O’s sent Randor Bierd to the Sox for David Pauley.
Bierd, 25 in March, tossed 36.6 relief innings for the ’08 Orioles, posting a 4.91 ERA. The Orioles had taken him from the Tigers with the third pick in the December ’07 Rule 5 draft. He spent a couple of months this year on the DL with a shoulder injury, which worked out nicely for the Orioles since Rule 5 picks have to be on the Major League roster if healthy. Baseball America sees him as a decent reliever with "impeccable control."
Pauley, a 25 year-old starter, posted a 3.55 ERA in 25 Triple A starts for Pawtucket in ’08. The Sox designated him for assignment last Tuesday to make room for John Smoltz. Baseball America considered Pauley a potential #4-5 starter with three average pitches, when discussing him in their ’06 Handbook.
Marlins Prefer To Add A Catcher
MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro says that moreso than signing Andruw Jones, the Marlins would like to add a veteran catcher to pair with John Baker. Ivan Rodriguez makes sense, but Frisaro says the Fish would probably only offer him the league minimum. Pudge wants $3MM, says Ken Rosenthal.
The Marlins had late-December interest in Gregg Zaun, but $2MM was out of their price range. Frisaro says they’ve been exploring trading for Rangers backstop Max Ramirez (the price would certainly be young pitching).
Mike Gonzalez, Duaner Sanchez Avoid Arb
According to the AP, relievers Mike Gonzalez and Duaner Sanchez have avoided arbitration and signed for ’09.
Gonzalez, closer for the Braves, will earn $3.45MM. He’ll join Jose Valverde, Billy Wagner, and others on the free agent market after the season. Sanchez will make $1.6875MM with the Mets.
Blue Jays Avoid Arb With Brandon League
According to Robert MacLeod of the Globe and Mail, the Blue Jays avoided arbitration with reliever Brandon League by signing him at $640K for ’09. Between injuries, the 25 year-old was solid this year. The strikeout/walk ratio wasn’t pretty, but he got tons of grounders.
Cards Avoid Arb With Wellemeyer, Duncan
According to an MLB.com press release, the Cardinals avoided arbitration with Chris Duncan and Todd Wellemeyer, signing both for 2009. This is a big year for Wellemeyer, who is eligible for free agency after the season. He gets $4.05MM, while Duncan will earn $825K with another $500K in performance bonuses.