Roch Kubatko talked to starter Kris Benson, who said his shoulder hasn’t felt this good since 2000. Benson had rotator cuff surgery almost two years ago. Benson says the Cardinals and Dodgers have expressed the most interest, with the D’Backs and Rangers also in the mix.
Archives for January 2009
Jason Varitek And Draft Pick Compensation
As you know, players such as Jason Varitek, Orlando Cabrera, and Juan Cruz are Type A free agents who declined offers of arbitration. As such, it costs a draft pick to sign one of these players. For Varitek in particular, no team seems comfortable with this cost.
WEEI’s Alex Speier looks at the Varitek situation, outlining four ways the catcher might get around this problem: wait until June, have the Red Sox waive their right to a compensation pick, a sign and trade, or a minor league contract. Bottom line, Varitek will probably not find a way to circumvent the draft pick compensation (which is why re-signing with the Sox makes the most sense). It’s never wise to bet against Scott Boras, but the agent’s apparent recommendation to decline Boston’s offer of arbitration looks like a miscalculation.
Angels Do Not Have Interest In Dye
WEDNESDAY: Bill Shaikin talked to Angels GM Tony Reagins, who shot down Cowley’s Dye rumor. Reagins said, "No truth to that rumor." Reagins apparently hasn’t talked to the White Sox for a while, though Shaikin’s source indicated the Angels did express interest in Dye before they re-signed Juan Rivera.
MONDAY: The Los Angeles Angels have interest in Chicago White Sox outfielder Jermaine Dye, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
According to a major-league scout, the Angels are the latest team to express interest in acquiring Dye now that the Mark Teixeira ship has set sail to New York. Unlike the talks with the Cincinnati Reds that stalled during the Winter Meetings, the Sox and Angels actually have a fit, Cowley wrote.
Cowley speculates that the White Sox would want Chone Figgins in return. Figgins could play third base and lead off for Chicago.
Cowley also notes that the Angels have a surplus of outfielders, but the Angels want to add protection in the lineup for Vladimir Guerrero and Torii Hunter.
Cowley’s source also said the Angels do not like the rest of the free-agent outfield market and do not want to be pawns in the on-going Manny Ramirez saga.
The Angels are not one of the teams listed on Dye’s no-trade list, Cowley writes.
Braves Sign Derek Lowe
10:59pm: O’Brien adds that Lowe did not receive a no-trade clause.
9:43am: According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Braves agreed to terms with Derek Lowe on a four-year, $60MM deal. For all the talk of the Braves’ failed offseason, they’ve added three quality starting pitchers. Even if Lowe wasn’t their first choice, he probably should’ve been. Ken Rosenthal says the Braves made their four-year offer to Lowe "on the condition that he accept the deal quickly."
Mets Lose Lowe; What’s Next?
Ben Shpigel of the New York Times looks at the Mets’ plans now that Derek Lowe has signed with the division-rival Braves.
Contrary to Jon Heyman’s report yesterday, Shpigel says the Mets have not yet made an offer to Oliver Perez. He expects that to happen within a day or two. The Mets are also "weighing a run at Ben Sheets, but are wary of his injury history." This Sheets-Mets idea is picking up steam. Sheets is also a "person of interest" for the Rangers, but they have not made an offer. Randy Wolf seems to be Mets’ fallback plan. David Lennon says the Mets are also involved with Jon Garland.
It will be interesting to see what happens to the Wolfs of the world – do those guys all end up with one-year, $8MM deals?
Mets Close To Deal With Alex Cora
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Mets are close to a deal with infielder Alex Cora for one-year and $2MM. The 33 year-old hit .270/.371/.349 in 179 plate appearances in ’08 while playing both middle infield positions for the Red Sox.
Michael Young Requested Trade From Rangers
9:41pm: More from Sullivan – he has quotes from Jon Daniels on Young tonight:
"We’re not looking to trade him and have no plans to. We plan on him being a big part of our ballclub going forward."
5:22pm: Another interesting update from T.R. Sullivan at MLB.com regarding the Michael Young situation.
The article focuses on Elvis Andrus’ official invitation to Spring Training. Sullivan makes a point to clarify that the starting shortstop job is not Andrus’. Sullivan writes:
"It is also not guaranteed that Andrus will be the Opening Day shortstop. The Rangers still have Joaquin Arias as an alternative."
Wouldn’t Young, not Arias, be the next alternative? Just further affirmation of how serious the Rangers are about moving Young over to third.
2:20pm: T.R. Sullivan has new quotes from Jon Daniels. Daniels says he’s still preparing as if Young will play third base for the 2009 Rangers. Sullivan says no trade is imminent.
MONDAY, 8:35am: More on the topic of Young asking for a trade. Young is upset that he wasn’t given a choice about the position switch, saying, "My hand’s been forced with this one." He says he’s "adamant" about not playing third base. Young has given the Rangers a list of teams to which he’ll accept a trade, according to the Dallas Morning News. He’d consider a move back to second base for a new team. Young is owed $62MM over the next five seasons.
SUNDAY, 9:25pm: FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that Rangers shortstop Michael Young asked for a trade back in December when club officials requested that he play third base in the upcoming season.
According to Rosenthal, Young was "absolutely livid" that the Rangers would request such a move just months after he was awarded his first Gold Glove (the award was not supported by his advanced statistics). The team was hoping to clear a spot for top prospect Elvis Andrus, but now they’ve got a real problem on their hands.
GM Jon Daniels is expected to explore trade opportunities, but a deal seems unlikely at this point. White Sox GM Ken Williams has already said that he "would not waste time" discussing the possibility. The asking price would be far too high for most clubs. Other teams that have popped up in rumors this winter: the Twins, Mets, Angels, Dodgers, and Royals.
Orioles, Ray Avoid Arbitration
7:39pm: The deal is worth $850,000, says MLB.com’s Doug Miller.
5:19pm: According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Orioles have avoided arbitration with reliever Chris Ray, by agreeing to a one-year deal with the pitcher.
Hoffman Officially A Brewer
Lots of links going up lately about today’s announcement that the Brewers’ signing of Trevor Hoffman is now official.
The most interesting thing I’ve seen so far is this Tom Haudricourt blog post that gives readers an idea of what the Milwaukee bullpen might look like next year.
Thoughts?
Padres Sign Prior, Burke
The San Diego Padres have signed Mark Prior and Chris Burke to one-year, minor league deals. The signings include invitations to Spring Training, according to Scout.com.
Buster Olney has contract info: "If Prior pitches in the major leagues, he’ll earn $1 million, and Burke — who will go into spring training with a strong chance of winning the Padres’ everyday job at second — will earn $650,000."
Paul DePodesta has more on the signings, along with info on another minor league acquisition, Virgil Vasquez.
