Archives for February 2009

Indians Acquire Salas, Designate Marte

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 2:23pm CDT

According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians acquired reliever Juan Salas from the Rays today for infielder Isaias Velasquez. The Tribe designated one-time top prospect Andy Marte (who is out of options) for assignment to make room. Salas had been designated for assignment by Tampa Bay when they added Brian Shouse.

Salas, 30, posted a 2.62 ERA in 44.6 Triple A innings last year with excellent strikeout and walk numbers. Salas’ history includes a PED suspension, a falsified birth date, and a conversion from third base. Aside from that he’s known for his cutter. Salas dealt with an epileptic seizure, a sore elbow, and visa problems in ’08. Velasquez, 20, hit .281/.368/.343 last year in Low A ball.

Marte was a regular on Baseball America top 100 prospects lists – 40th in ’03, 11th in ’04, 9th in ’05, and 14th in ’06. He was traded by the Braves to the Red Sox for Edgar Renteria in December of ’05, and then flipped to the Indians the following month along with Guillermo Mota, Kelly Shoppach, Randy Newsom, and cash for Coco Crisp, David Riske, and Josh Bard.

Royals Claim Tug Hulett

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 1:54pm CDT

According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals claimed infielder Tug Hulett off waivers from the Mariners. To make room, they designated lefty Neal Musser for assignment.

Hulett, 26 in a few days, hit .298/.380/.518 in Triple A last year and can play any infield position.

Padres Closing In On Deal With Walter Silva

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 1:52pm CDT

1:52pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock says the Padres are closing in on a minor league deal with Silva.

11:29am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees and Padres are in the bidding for pitcher Walter Silva. Olney says the 32 year-old righty "had a strong showing in the Mexican Winter League" and must be purchased from the Monterrey franchise.

Braves Leaning Toward Internal Options In OF

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 1:12pm CDT

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to Braves GM Frank Wren, who says the Braves are more likely to try their young outfielders than acquire a veteran outfielder after failing to sign Ken Griffey Jr.

Crasnick adds that the Braves "aren’t very excited" about Garret Anderson and have little to no interest in Jim Edmonds and Luis Gonzalez. He says the salaries of Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher might be prohibitive. Pure speculation on my part – the Braves could definitely afford Luke Scott if he’s available for trade.

Jeff Francis Likely Out For Season

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 1:08pm CDT

According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis will have exploratory shoulder surgery on Wednesday and is likely out for the season (Tracy Ringolsby says it’s a torn labrum). Renck adds that the team’s acquisition of Jason Marquis was made with this possibility in mind.

The Rockies still have Marquis, Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge de la Rosa, Greg Smith, Jason Hirsh, Matt Belisle, and Josh Fogg as probable starters.

Odds and Ends: Griffey, Blue Jays, Roberts

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 12:02pm CDT

Links for Thursday…

ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has details around the Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr. signing, while Keith Law has criticism for it. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogs about his "Griffey Chooses Braves" story. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman also has thoughts on the decision not to play for Atlanta, and another postmortem article where he talks to Frank Wren and Chipper Jones.
Drunk Jays Fans has a preview of the team.
Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes in praise of the Brian Roberts extension. I don’t like the argument that the Orioles needed to sign Roberts because they don’t have a clear successor at second base.
RotoAuthority ranks starting pitchers for fantasy baseball.

Odalis Perez Holdout

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 10:01am CDT

THURSDAY, 10:01am: Harlan has quotes from Stan Kasten on the Perez holdout:

"Our understanding is that he has an agreement which both MLB and the union considering binding, and we think the best course would be for [Perez] to come in and honor the agreement. I’ve known Odie a long time, he came up with me in Atlanta and he’s had a nice career for himself. I think this would be a very ill-advised and foolish way for him to conduct the next part of his career."

TUESDAY, 9:16am: Harlan says the mandatory reporting date for those participating in the WBC is today, and Perez intends to pitch in the tournament. The Nationals have not been in able to get in touch with Perez, says Pete McElroy of MASN.

MONDAY, 6:23pm: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post talked to Nationals GM Jim Bowden, who says he has a "signed term sheet that has been confirmed by the players’ association" for Perez. However, a source of Harlan’s says the MLBPA’s database of approved contracts does not show this deal.

3:47pm: Odalis Perez’s $850K minor league contract did seem light at the time. Now word comes from ESPN’s Enrique Rojas that Perez has asked his agent to renegotiate the contract. He regrets giving his verbal approval and will not supply his signature to the current deal. Perez has yet to show up for Spring Training, saying:

"I thought it best and I prefer to sit in my house if the Nationals do not show more appreciation for my work. Appreciate my work means to increase the value of the contract and guarantee it. I will not accept any minor league contracts with no safeguards. I instructed my agent to report my position to the Nationals."

While Perez says he’s not negotiating with other clubs, he added:

"I will play in the World Classic for the Dominican Republic and show everybody that I’m in great shape. I hope to find a team that values me, otherwise I’ll go home."

This isn’t the first time Perez reacted childishly when he felt he wasn’t getting proper recognition.

2009 Super Two Players

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 10:00am CDT

This year, 16 of the arbitration-eligible players qualified as Super Twos. These players go to arbitration four times instead of the normal three. Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball has contributed the following table, and provides analysis and more detail here.

Salary Arbitration 2009 – The Super Twos
Player	Pos	ST	Club	2008	Player Fig.	Club Fig.	Diff	Mid	+/- Mid	Date	Outcome	’09 Base Salary	Inc. from ’08 (%)
Luke Scott	OF	2.144	BAL	$430K	—	—	—	—	—	1/20	Agreed 1/$2.4M	$2.4M	458%
Taylor Buchholz	RP	2.140	CO	$399K	—	—	—	—	—	1/20	Agreed 1/$1.055M	$1.055M	164%
Ricky Nolasco	SP	2.142	FL	$390K	—	—	—	—	—	1/20	Agreed 1/$2.4M	$2.4M	515%
Humberto Quintero	C	2.141	HO	$405K	—	—	—	—	—	1/19	Agreed 1/$610K	$610K	51%
Brian Bannister	SP	2.158	KC	$421K	$2.025M	$1.45M	$575K	$1.7375M	$0	2/4	Agreed 1/$1.7375M	$1.7375M	313%
Mike Napoli	C	2.151	LAA	$401,500	—	—	—	—	—	1/19	Agreed 1/$2M	$2M	398%
Andre Ethier	OF	2.153	LAD	$424,500	$3.75M	$2.65M	$1.1M	$3.2M	-$100K	2/17	Agreed 1/$3.1M	$3.1M	630%
Russell Martin	C	2.150	LAD	$500K	—	—	—	—	—	1/20	Agreed 1/$3.9M	$3.9M	680%
Angel Pagan	OF	2.144	NYM	$425K	—	—	—	—	—	1/20	Signed 1/$575K	$575K	35%
* Melky Cabrera	OF	2.148	NYY	$461,200	$1.7M	$1.2M	$500K	$1.45M	-$50K	1/20	Agreed 1/$1.4M	$1.4M	204%
Cole Hamels	SP	2.143	PH	$500K	—	—	—	—	—	1/19	Signed 3/$20.5M	$4.35M	770%
Jack Taschner	RP	2.146	SF	$400,500	—	—	—	—	—	1/20	Agreed 1/$835K	$835K	108%
Chris Duncan	OF	2.144	SL	$439K	—	—	—	—	—	1/19	Agreed 1/$825K	$825K	88%
Willy Aybar	3B	2.153	TB	$401,200	$1.05M	$900K	$150K	$975K	$0	2/18	Agreed 2/$4.525M	$975K	143%
Brandon League	RP	2.145	TO	$400,300	—	—	—	—	—	1/19	Agreed 1/$640K	$640K	60%
Shawn Hill	SP	2.153	WA	$402K	$775K	$500K	$275K	$637,500	$137,500	2/7	Player Wins Hearing	$775K	93%

Mariners Showed Interest In Fukudome?

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 9:11am CDT

According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune:

A major-league source said teams approached the Cubs about trading for Kosuke Fukudome, although only in trades where GM Jim Hendry would have had to take back bad contracts. The Mariners, shopping pitchers Jarrod Washburn and Erik Bedard and catcher Kenji Johjima, are believed to have been among them.

It seems that these conversations were in the offseason and are not active. Fukudome has $38MM coming for 2009-11. Johjima will receive $24MM over the same time period, while the pitchers are signed only for ’09.

Orlando Hudson Rumors: Thursday

By Tim Dierkes | February 19, 2009 at 8:13am CDT

Yesterday we learned from MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick that Dodgers GM Ned Colletti has ongoing talks for free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson. Today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says the Dodgers appear to be the front-runner for Hudson. Signing him wouldn’t affect their chances of locking up Manny Ramirez. MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick says Colletti has also not ruled out relief help from guys like Joe Beimel, Dennys Reyes, or Jason Isringhausen.

Even as divisional rivals the D’Backs may be rooting for the Dodgers to sign Hudson, since they’d receive L.A.’s #17 pick in the June draft as part of the compensation. Rosenthal says the Royals and other unknown clubs remain in the mix for him, with the White Sox, Cardinals, Yankees, and Mets seemingly not seriously involved. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star discusses the Royals angle in a column today.

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