Archives for January 2009

Cardinals Have Less To Spend

By Tim Dierkes | January 7, 2009 at 7:50am CDT

Rick Hummel of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch talked to Cardinals GM John Mozeliak, who indicated that the team has less money to spend than "many have surmised" (Hummel’s words). Mozeliak makes the important point that "money off the books" doesn’t mean much since so many players are set to earn raises.

Back in September after the Kyle Lohse signing, Derrick Goold and Joe Strauss wrote:

The Cardinals had a significant hunk of contracts expire Sunday and have said they plan to be aggressive this winter with about $30 million in flexibility.

If $30MM was the number at the outset, the Cardinals have spent about $15.5MM of that on ’09 salaries for Lohse, Khalil Greene, and others (not including Lohse’s signing bonus and Mark Mulder’s buyout).

Mozeliak told Hummel that he’s focused more on starting pitching than bullpen help currently. Trading an outfielder remains a viable option. Mozeliak also explained his infamous "low-hanging fruit" comment.

Reds Sign Jerry Hairston Jr.

By Nat Boyle | January 6, 2009 at 10:00pm CDT

Jerry Hairston Jr. is returning to the Reds on a one-year deal reports Mark Sheldon on MLB.com’s hot stove blog. Sheldon writes

"A baseball source told MLB.com that Hairston and the club agreed to terms on a one-year contract worth a guaranteed $2 million on Tuesday. It’s an incentive laden deal that could be worth up to $4 million. An announcement is expected on Wednesday."

Alex Gonzalez is not expected to be ready for 2009, so Hairston will be the starting shortstop in Cincinnati.

Orioles Sign Koji Uehara

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 8:35pm CDT

7:02pm: The two year deal is for $10MM with incentives. Says Connolly:

"His contract could be worth as much as $16 million over two years if the eight-time Japanese all-star meets certain performance bonuses and escalating clauses such as starts made and innings pitched. There is also a games-finished clause included for Uehara, who was an all-star closer in 2007 for the Yomiuri Giants, but the Orioles view him almost exclusively as a starter."

6:24pm: The contract is a two year deal. It is hinging on "specific contractual language" and a physical later this week, reports MLB.com.

2:00pm: According to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun, the Orioles signed pitcher Koji Uehara to a multiyear deal (pending some contract language and a physical). Uehara, 34, is the team’s first Japanese player. The O’s will use Uehara as a starter and continue to pursue Braden Looper, Tim Redding, and Kenshin Kawakami.

ESPN’s Keith Law ranked Uehara 22nd on his free agent list. His bottom line:

In an ideal environment — National League, non-hitters’ park — he could be a midrotation innings-eater because he’ll allow so few baserunners. In the American League, he’d be more of a fourth starter, but would have to have some luck keeping the ball in the park to keep his ERA under 4.00.

Odds and Ends: Aurilia, Sweeney, Nady

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 8:15pm CDT

Still more Tuesday links…

The Giants and Rich Aurilia maintain mutual interest, though the Giants want to address the offense first.
Mike Sweeney hopes to play this year, says MLB.com. Said Sweeney, "I want baseball to shut the door on me while I’m kicking and screaming." The Royals have not expressed interest.
Much is being made of Mark Teixeira and his wife choosing the Yankees on December 12th.
According to ESPN Radio’s Andrew Marchand, the Mets have a face-to-face meeting scheduled with Scott Boras to discuss Oliver Perez and Derek Lowe (hat tip to MetsBlog).
John Fay guesses the Reds "have at least explored trading for Xavier Nady."
Paul DePodesta on the Padres’ recent non-roster signings.
Aging corner-type veterans aren’t doing well, according to Keith Law, Dave Cameron, and Tom Verducci.

Padres Eyeing Vizquel, Eckstein

By Nat Boyle | January 6, 2009 at 8:01pm CDT

Padres GM Kevin Towers in an interview today said he expects to sign a shortstop by next week, according to Corey Brook at MLB.com.

"Towers said he had interest in veterans David Eckstein and Omar Vizquel, in addition to a few names he didn’t want to divulge. ’There are a couple of other guys, too,’ Towers said. ’We’ve got three or four options.’"

Yankees Sign Angel Berroa

By Nat Boyle | January 6, 2009 at 7:09pm CDT

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Yankees have signed infielder Angel Berroa to a minor-league contract.

Rather than having his $5.5MM option picked up, Berroa was bought out for $500K and non-tendered by the Dodgers in December. It was anticipated they would attempt to re-sign him. He’ll compete with Cody Ransom to be the Yankees utility infielder.

Jason Giambi Reaches Agreement With A’s

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 6:50pm CDT

6:50pm: Mike Puma of the New York Post says the deal is for one-year at $4.5MM with a $5MM club option ($1MM buyout) for 2010. The physical is scheduled for tomorrow.

5:50pm: Ken Rosenthal wrote earlier today that the the A’s have reached a preliminary agreement on a one-year contract with Giambi and the deal is at the finish line, pending a physical.

TUESDAY, 9:54am: Olney says Giambi is on the verge of agreeing to a deal with the A’s worth $6.5MM guaranteed – $5.25MM in ’09 plus a $4MM 2010 option with a $1.25MM buyout. Quite affordable!

In an article posted several hours ago, Susan Slusser wrote:

A team source said Monday that the A’s are moving toward completing a deal…A major-league source said there’s widespread belief that a package already is in place and that an announcement could be imminent.

Slusser says the A’s could still add another free agent if the price is right, but Mark Mulder is just a "vague possibility."

MONDAY, 3:38pm: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the A’s have made significant progress in their talks with Jason Giambi. He says a deal appears imminent. Mychael Urban heard today that the A’s could sign Giambi this week, possibly for one year with an option.

Mariners Sign Tyler Walker

By Nat Boyle | January 6, 2009 at 6:00pm CDT

From mlb.com, the M’s have signed right-handed reliever Tyler Walker to a one-year deal. Contract details have yet to be announced, per club policy. In a release put out by the team, GM Jack Zduriencik said:

"Tyler is a pitcher we had identified early on as a guy who could help us in the bullpen. He has the ability to pitch in any role: middle relief, set-up and he has experience as a closer."

Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times shares some positive opinion of Walker.

Phillies Sign Marcus Giles

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 5:51pm CDT

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, the Phillies signed second baseman Marcus Giles to a minor league deal worth $600K. He can help while Chase Utley is out.

Additionally, the Tigers signed Alexis Gomez for $415K and the Yankees signed John Rodriguez for $450K.

Pettitte Rejects Yankees’ Offer

By Tim Dierkes | January 6, 2009 at 4:39pm CDT

4:39pm: Joel Sherman says the Yankees are "strongly inclined to lower the $10MM offer" made to Pettitte now that he’s rejected it. A deal seems unlikely, though moving some salary might compel the Yanks to put the $10MM offer back on the table.

3:34pm: Sam Borden, attending the Mark Teixeira press conference, said Hal Steinbrenner "did not seem particularly optimistic" about re-signing Pettitte.

TUESDAY, 10:17am: John Harper and Ken Rosenthal are both saying the Yankees haven’t closed the door on signing Pettitte. Brian Cashman has talked to Pettitte’s agents recently, according to Harper. He adds that the Yanks "seem determined to draw the line at $10 million."

MONDAY, 10:18pm: According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, Andy Pettitte rejected the Yankees’ one-year, $10MM offer. The Yanks could certainly find a useful free agent arm for a similar price, or else just go with internal options. But one more veteran in the rotation could go a long way.

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