Click below to listen to my recent chat with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone.
Archives for January 2009
Odds and Ends: Smoltz, Cordero, Colon, Byrd
Links for Thursday…
- John Smoltz told Dan Patrick that the Yankees and Dodgers also courted him.
- KNBR had interviews with Scott Boras and Ned Colletti yesterday.
- The Dodgers are "only monitoring" Kris Benson and Chad Cordero.
- The Phillies have "kept tabs" on Cordero and Eric Milton.
- Baseball America ranked the Rangers’ farm system as the best in baseball.
- Andy MacPhail says the Orioles don’t necessarily have to add a first baseman.
- South Side Sox and Sox Machine on the Bartolo Colon signing.
- Jon Paul Morosi says Jason Isringhausen is a "natural fit" for the Tigers.
- The Red Sox will only get a supplemental pick for Paul Byrd if he signs before the June draft.
- Barry Bloom gathers responses from baseball execs on the salary cap issue.
- Eddie Bajek made a breakthrough in his attempt to crack the Elias code.
- Richard Justice has an interesting story involving new Astro Russ Ortiz.
- Rickey Henderson says he’s still available to play. Asked about the WBC, he responded, ""What is [the WBC], wrestling?"
- Transcript of an interview with Red Sox owner John Henry.
Brewers Avoid Arb With Dave Bush
According to Tom Haudricourt, the Brewers avoided arbitration with starter Dave Bush, signing him for 2009. Troy Renck says it’s for $4MM, with a clause that Bush’s contract will be guaranteed if any other Brewers’ arb-eligible player gets a guaranteed deal.
Astros Toby Hall, Four Others
I don’t believe we have covered all of the Astros’ recent minor league signings. Brian McTaggart reported yesterday that they’ve added Toby Hall, Danny Graves, Jose Capellan, Chad Paronto, and Brian Esposito. Hall is the "big name" here; he hit .260/.304/.331 in 136 plate appearances for the White Sox while earning $1.75MM.
Cubs Interested In Rich Aurilia
According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune:
The Cubs have spoken to Rich Aurilia’s agent and may offer Aurilia a one-year deal to take Ronny Cedeno’s spot and back up Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee.
Ken Rosenthal mentioned the Cubs-Aurilia possibility back on December 8th. There is also mutual interest with Aurilia and the Giants. Aurilia, 37, had a .903 OPS against lefties in 2008.
Marlins Showing Interest In Orlando Cabrera
According to Scot Gregor of the Arlington Daily Herald, the Marlins have shown interest in free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera.
Cabrera definitely wouldn’t bump Hanley Ramirez from his spot, but the long shot acquisition could result in Dan Uggla sliding to third. Cabrera would obviously then man second base. He actually told reporters one week ago that he’d be open to that move if it helps him land a bigger contract. The A’s have also shown strong interest in him this offseason. Problem is, Cabrera costs a draft pick.
Dodgers Finalize Contract With Mota
9:13pm: Jackson has made a correction to the report. Mota can earn only $300,000 in performance bonuses.
7:41pm: The Dodgers finalized their one-year deal with reliever Guillermo Mota on Wednesday and released the terms of his contract. The 35-year-old right-hander will make $2.35MM in ’09 and can earn up to $750,000 in performance bonuses. Terms are courtesy of Tony Jackson with the Los Angeles Daily News.
Angels Avoid Arb With Chone Figgins
8:40pm: The Associated Press has the terms. It’s a one-year contract worth $5.7MM.
8:07pm: The Angels have avoided arbitration with infielder Chone Figgins, according to a press release on MLB.com.
No terms of the contract have been released. Figgins, 30, hit .276/.367/.318 last season with one home run and 22 RBI in 116 games. He stole 34 bases.
Dodgers To Release Andruw Jones On Thursday
8:29pm: Several e-mailers have pointed out that Andruw Jones is in attendance at the Duke-Georgia Tech men’s basketball game and is wearing an Atlanta Braves hat. Interesting, eh?
7:46pm: According to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com, the Dodgers are expected to officialy release Andruw Jones Thursday morning.
Jones, you’ll remember, agreed to defer the $21.1MM remaining on his contract back in early January to open up payroll for the Dodgers, and for a chance at a fresh start with a new team. The Dodgers have reportedly discussed a few potential trades this week, but all talks have apparently fallen flat. He has expressed interest in returning to the Braves.
Nationals Ink Towers To Minor League Deal
Bill Ladson of MLB.com reports that the Nationals have signed Josh Towers to a minor league contract and invited him to spring training.
The 31-year-old right-hander spent all of last season at Triple-A Colorado Springs and finished with a 6-7 record and 6.27 ERA. He’ll need a really strong showing this spring to make the Nats.
