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Archives for February 2009

Dodgers Eyeing Orlando Cabrera

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According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers have begun talks with free agent infielder Orlando Cabrera.

Cabrera, normally a shortstop, told the club that he’d be willing to make the move to second base.  Gurnick writes that the Dodgers are "uncertain they can work a deal for second baseman Orlando Hudson," and believe Cabrera would be a viable fit.  The 34-year-old hit .281/.334/.371 with eight home runs and 57 RBI last season for the White Sox.  He also stole 19 bases.  The White Sox would love it if the Dodgers signed Cabrera, as they’d be given L.A.’s #17 pick in the June draft as part of the compensation.

The A’s have also shown interest in Cabrera this offseason, but haven’t been pleased with his asking price.

Olney: Rockies Aren’t Panicking

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According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Rockies feel they can fill their starting pitching void from within.

"This is the best depth we’ve had since I’ve been here," said Bob Apodaca, the Rockies’ pitching coach.

With Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jason Marquis, Jorge De La Rosa, Franklin Morales, Greg Reynolds, Jason Hirsh and Josh Fogg all in camp, there’s no reason to rush out and grab a free agent arm. 

"They’re really deep," the injured Jeff Francis said Thursday. "I mean, there’s what, six guys going for the fifth starting spot? So I’m not going to stand here and say they’re not going to miss me, but I’m also not going to say that they’re not going to be OK without me because there’s a lot of talent out there and there’s guys that can step in and fill some holes."

Giants, Twins To Take A Chance On Marte?

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The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Paul Hoynes believes the Giants and Twins "are the two teams that would probably have interest in Andy Marte."

Marte, a 25 year-old third baseman, was designated for assignment on Thursday.  The Indians now have nine days to either trade, release or outright him.  As Hoynes notes, both the Giants and Twins are seeking a third baseman and Marte, "young and inexpensive, would fit nicely into their payrolls."

The Giants or Twins could claim him on waivers, take a look at him in camp, and release him at the end of spring training because he’s out of options, adds Hoynes.

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Griffey, Anderson, McLouth, Mets, Cubs

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On this date 46 years ago, Willie Mays signed a new contract for $100K, becoming the highest paid player in baseball. Mays hit .304-49-141 with a 165 OPS+ at the age of 31. He was also the runner-up for the NL MVP, his sixth top-5 finish. He would go on to finish in the top-5 three more times. Forty-six years later, Mays may have helped influence Ken Griffey Jr.’s decision to sign with his original franchise. With most players already in their respective camps, several big names are still looking for an empty locker. Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • MLBDepthCharts.com is a new site that projects the rosters and starting lineups of every team.
  • MLB Notebook compares Ken Griffey Jr. and Garret Anderson and suggests that the Braves should be happy that Griffey is back in Seattle with Anderson still available.
  • Pirate Revolution says the Pirates accomplished little with Nate McLouth’s extension noting that he likely won’t be worth the $9.4MM option in 2012, which was the one free agency season the Bucs bought out.
  • Jorge Says No! takes a look at what has been a strange market for left-handed relievers.
  • Hot Stove New York puts together a list of the top 20 free agent signings this off-season.
  • UmpBump breaks down the offseason of the Mets.
  • Goat Riders of the Apocalypse projects the opening day roster for the Cubs.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.

Nationals Sign Five

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9:55pm: This is getting a little ridiculous. Bill Ladson reports another signing; the Nationals agreed to terms with righty Jason Bergmann. Bergmann was just 2-11 with a 5.09 ERA last season.

Ryan Zimmerman is now the team’s lone unsigned player. Zimmerman has been talking long-term with the Nats, but has an arbitration hearing scheduled for tomorrow.

8:59pm: Another update from the Miami Herald, the Nationals signed Lastings Milledge today as well. And as long as I’m mentioning Milledge, while it’s not really Hot Stove related, Bill Ladson reported earlier that Milledge will hand his number 44 over to Adam Dunn and wear the number 85 (the year he was born) this year.

7:09pm: Pete McElroy adds that the Nats also signed Anderson Hernandez to a one-year deal today. Still no word on any of the numbers.

6:43pm: The Miami Herald is reporting that the Nationals have agreed to terms on one-year deals for Alberto Gonzalez and Mike O’Connor. No word on the numbers yet.

Gonzalez, acquired from the Yankees in 2008, hit .347 with one home run and 9 RBI in 17 games as a National. He’ll be in the mix for second base in Washington.

O’Connor was 1-1 with a 13.00 ERA over five games, including one start, in 2008.

Odds & Ends: Boras, Cordero, NCAA Agents

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Some links for your Thursday night viewing pleasure…

  • Diamond Leung has some Dodgers notes, including a particularly interesting one regarding Scott Boras. Earlier, Peter Gammons reported that the Dodgers scouting department wouldn’t be touching any Boras clients in the June draft. Leung refutes that, citing Dodgers Assistant General Manager of Scouting Logan White’s statement that the Dodgers will consider Boras clients because "talent comes first."
  • The Nationals have been watching Chad Cordero’s auditions, according to Dave Sheinin. Cordero threw 40 pitches "at 70-75 percent effort" the other day. Cordero’s agent, Larry Reynolds, says that he’s on pace to be ready for Opening Day.
  • Tracy Ringolsby of the Rocky Mountain News has a good article highlighting Okalahome State University lefty Andy Oliver and his victory in a lawsuit against the NCAA. Oliver challenged the rule that athletes cannot have attorneys participate in direct negotiations with Major League teams prior to being drafted. Oliver was suspended prior to an NCAA Regional in 2008.
  • Ringolsby also notes, in the same article, that the Braves have interest in Garret Anderson.
  • Tim Hudson got into a heated exchange with a reporter in the clubhouse, regarding the recent Ken Griffey Jr. drama, and had to be separated by a team official, according to the AP.
  • Speaking of Griffey, the Mariners will hold a press conference for him this Saturday, Geoff Baker reports.
  • Anthony Castrovince reports that Edward Salcedo, a top Dominican prospect who had been tied to the Indians last year, had an investigation launched surrounding his age. There were doubts that he was really 16, which obviously quieted talks.

Neal Discusses Ayala, Cruz, Cordero

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8:48 Neal has another update, reporting that Ayala’s contract is indeed guaranteed. Ayala will get the previously-reported $1.3MM base salary, along with $250K of appearance incentives. $50K for 50 appearance, and then another $50K for every five games after that – up to 70 games.

Ayala also has bonuses for finishing games, which would require an injury to All-Star closer Joe Nathan. He also has bonuses for making the All-Star team, winning ALCS or World Series MVP honors, or finishing in the Top 3 of the Rolaids Relief Award.

Aside from his appearance incentives, none seem plausible. Nothing further on Cruz or Cordero in this update.

9:52am: La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune learned that newly-signed reliever Luis Ayala does not have a guaranteed contract:

The Twins can cut Ayala up until 16 days before Opening Day and be on the hook for just 1/6th of his $1.3MM salary [about $217K]. If they cut him 15 days from the first pitch on in, they are on the hook for about 1/4th of the salary [$325K]. The Twins have a little protection if Ayala doesn’t have a good spring.

That’s good to hear, because Ayala wasn’t really deserving of a guaranteed contract based on his ’08 and the current market.  Neal also has more on Juan Cruz:

If Cruz is moved as part of a sign and trade deal, Arizona is out a first-round pick and sandwhich round pick as compensation. That should influence the types of players the D’Backs would want in return for Cruz. It also stands to reason that several teams, and not just the Twins, would be in on Cruz if draft picks aren’t a factor.  But there are indications that Arizona can’t just sit back and demand a lot for Cruz. Cruz is making noises about sitting out until after the June draft, so Arizona would get nothing for compensation once Cruz signs with a club. So there’s motivation on their part to get something in return for him. The Twins have made a call to the league office to check on the change in the sign-and-trade rules. If they haven’t already been informed of the changes they should know today.

Sitting out is Cruz’s only leverage…is he bluffing?   A bit more on the relief front: Neal was unable to confirm that the Twins attended Chad Cordero’s audition yesterday.

The Next Boras Crop

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With Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez, the Scott Boras Corporation represented a good chunk of top-end free agents in the 2008-09 offseason.  Let’s take a look at the top Boras free agents for the winter of 2009-10.

Boras does not have much in the way of catchers, first basemen, second basemen, or shortstops for the next free agent class (another go-round with Jason Varitek and Felipe Lopez, perhaps).  He does, however, have the best available third baseman in Adrian Beltre, assuming Chipper Jones does not reach the open market.  Beltre will be 31 in 2010, and he has a leg up on Troy Glaus and Melvin Mora.  As one commenter pointed out, Boras will also have Joe Crede on the market again.

Boras has a strong group of outfielders heading toward free agency: Matt Holliday, Johnny Damon, Rick Ankiel, and Xavier Nady.  Ankiel could conceivably be the best available center fielder, while only Jason Bay can give Holliday a run for his money in left.  I’ll assume Manny Ramirez won’t sign a one-year deal.

The starting pitchers of the 2009-10 offseason aren’t terribly impressive, with Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, John Lackey, and Brett Myers projected to head the class.  Boras can only contribute Jarrod Washburn and Kevin Millwood (if he tosses fewer than 180 innings this year).  Boras is also weak in the pen next winter, with guys like Eric Gagne and Scott Schoeneweis.

Looks like Boras will be focused on Beltre and his outfielders once the 2009 season ends.

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