Mariners Non-Roster Invitees
Here’s a list of the 17 players that the Mariners have extended non-roster spring training invites to this offseason, courtesy of MLB.com’s Jim Street:
RHP Denny Stark, C Jamie Burke, OF Freddy Guzman, C Adam Moore, RHP Eric Hull, RHP Chris Jakubauskas, LHP Chris Seddon, OF Prentice Redman, C Luis Oliveros, INF Callix Crabbe, INF Oswaldo Navarro, RHP Shawn Kelley, INF Chris Woodward, RHP Luis Munoz, RHP Tracy Thorpe, INF Chris Shelton and RHP Sean White.
Stark went 6-3 with a 3.86 ERA between Double-A and Triple-A last season. Burke has worked as the team’s backup catcher for the past two seasons, but wasn’t offered a big league contract at the end of ’08.
A’s Avoid Arb With Jack Cust
7:01pm: Stiglich has heard from a reliable source that the deal is worth $2.8MM; definitely a nice raise.
5:41pm: Joe Stiglich of the Contra Costa Times reports that the A’s have signed Jack Cust to a one-year contract.
Exact terms are not yet available, but Cust can expect a hefty pay raise from the $410,000 he made last season. Working as an outfielder and designated hitter for the A’s in ’08, he blasted 33 dingers and drove in 77 runs. Then again, Cust also set the American League record for strikeouts in a season and finished with a batting average of just .231.
Cubs Rumors: Wolf, Bako, Hill, Pie
A few Cubs notes from Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald…
- Randy Wolf "remains a possibility" for the Cubs. Wolf should generate decent interest if he’s willing to sign for one year. He probably expected more after making 33 starts for the second time in his career. A Jake Peavy deal appears unlikely by Opening Day, says Gordon Wittenmyer.
- The Cubs are unlikely to re-sign Henry Blanco, but Paul Bako remains on the radar. So far it’s Koyie Hill for the Cubs’ backup catcher job.
- Out of options: Rich Hill, Felix Pie, and Ronny Cedeno. Hill and Pie are good candidates to be dealt before Opening Day. Angel Guzman is also out of options, but he has a shot at cracking the team’s bullpen.
Astros Could Be Done Dealing
Astros GM Ed Wade hinted Wednesday that the Astros aren’t likely to make a major move this offseason. Alyson Footer worked up a report for MLB.com with a few choice quotes from the general manager.
"We’d have to sit down and have a discussion," said Wade. "Where we are right now, our payroll is $107 million. Last year, we finished around $98 million. We’re really up against our number at 107, and it’s a number, quite frankly, that the revenues don’t support."
Wade followed with a bit of a disclaimer: "Circumstances can change. We can see if we can create more flexibility to make it happen, but right now, the feeling is the group we’ve committed to at this point is the group we’ll go with, with 99 percent certainty."
Mets Agree To Terms With Alex Cora
According to Ben Shpigel of the New York Times, the Mets have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2MM deal with veteran infielder Alex Cora.
Cora, 33, hit .270/.371/.349 in 152 at-bats for the Red Sox last season. He’ll provide some insurance at second base in case Luis Castillo continues to struggle. Cora has also played shortstop and third base in the past.
Minor League Transactions
Baseball America has coverage of all the minor league transactions from December 24th through January 12th.
Josh Towers to the Nationals (get on this DJF), Danny Graves to the Astros, and Jack Cassel to the Indians are a few I don’t recall seeing before.
Yankees Invite 20 To Spring Training
Here’s a look at the Yankees’ 20 non-roster Spring Training invitees. It seems that Shelley Duncan will remain with the club, and outfielder/2008 Spring Training star Todd Linden has been added. Most of the other names we’ve heard about already.
Williams Annoyed With Dye Rumors
Scot Gregor snagged a funny quote from from irritated White Sox GM Ken Williams on this winter’s Jermaine Dye trade rumors:
"Can’t even imagine what the rumor is. I’m tired of responding to every blogger’s idea."
This offseason, Dye has been mentioned in rumors by venerable journalists Hal McCoy, Jayson Stark, Danny Knobler, Ken Rosenthal, Jon Heyman, Bruce Levine, and Joe Cowley.
Giants-Joe Crede Update
The latest on the Giants and free agent third baseman Joe Crede, courtesy of Henry Schulman:
Source tells me the Giants are on the "fringes" of talks for Crede, who can be had for a one-year deal.
There hasn’t been much buzz this winter on Crede, who is represented by Scott Boras. The Twins, Angels, Rangers, Astros, and Brewers are other clubs that could be considered unsettled at the hot corner.
Mientkiewicz Believes Return To Pirates Unlikely
WEDNESDAY: Dejan Kovacevic talked to Huntington, who "blamed Mientkiewicz’s lingering frustration with the team’s lack of communication on Mientkiewicz’s now-former agent." Huntington said the door remains open for Minky.
MONDAY: First baseman Doug Mientkiewicz told Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com that he doubts he’ll return to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization this season.
According to Mientkiewicz, the Pirates have not made an offer or any attempts to get in touch with him as the offseason has progressed. He has not spoken with general manager Neal Huntington or manager John Russell, a close friend of Mientkiewicz’s, since the season ended, Langosch wrote.
Mientkiewicz, 35 in June, hit .277 with 30 RBI in 125 games. As a Pirate, he played some third base for the first time in his career.