Archives for February 2009

A’s Still In On Orlando Cabrera?

By | February 10, 2009 at 5:13pm CDT

It was reported last week that the A’s might take a shot at free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera. MLB.com’s Mychael Urban tried to confirm the rumor Tuesday, but received little response from either side.

Urban notes that "for the A’s, that’s hardly a shocker. General manager Billy Beane has long had a policy against discussing free agents, and he stuck to it Tuesday via text." It is a bit strange that a player’s agent would refuse to discuss interest in his client, however.

The silence can be looked at in a few different ways. Maybe Cabrera’s agent feels that he’s close to a deal and doesn’t want to spoil anything with the normally-mum Beane. Or maybe all is as it seems, and there’s simply nothing going on.

Latest On Bobby Abreu

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 4:54pm CDT

4:54pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman lists five teams considering Abreu: the Angels, Braves, Pirates, Reds, and Mets. The Pirates are a new one.

3:58pm: A source told Crasnick that the Angels have "strong interest" in Abreu. The Braves remain in the mix.

10:33am: Here’s what ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick had to say regarding the market for Bobby Abreu yesterday:

While Seattle and Atlanta are monitoring Abreu’s status and staying in contact with his representatives, the Mets continue to maintain they’re not in the mix.

Meanwhile Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News wrote this morning:

A Mets official did not rule out signing free-agent outfielder Abreu, but indicated that any contract likely would have to be for one year at less than $4MM.

Other teams loosely linked to Abreu in recent days: the White Sox, Angels, and Dodgers. Abreu is in line for a huge pay cut from last year’s $16MM. The remarkably quiet market for Abreu and other corner outfielders this offseason is tied strongly to defense. ESPN’s Peter Gammons talked to a GM who said a few days ago:

I still believe that one of the factors that has hurt some of the good offensive free agents this winter, like Manny Ramirez, Abreu and Adam Dunn, is the concern about how many runs they give back defensively. There is a great deal more appreciation for defense than there was a decade ago.

Thursday Hearing For Ankiel, Cardinals

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 3:30pm CDT

According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals and Rick Ankiel have a Thursday arbitration hearing scheduled. If the hearing takes place, the arbitrators will decide whether Ankiel earns $3.3MM or $2.35MM in ’09.

Ankiel, a Scott Boras client, is eligible for free agency after the season. He could be midseason trade bait if Colby Rasmus comes on strong.

Brandon Webb Quiet About Failed Extension

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 3:26pm CDT

Media-friendly Brandon Webb wisely decided to make his contract situation an off-limits topic for reporters this year, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. Said Webb:

"People are really hurting, really struggling. The last thing they want to hear about is someone’s contract situation. I have never complained about what I make to play baseball and the reason we didn’t come to an agreement last year had nothing to do with money. It’s as simple as that."

The D’Backs have Webb at $6.5MM for ’09 and an $8.5MM option for ’10. In December Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic summed up the failed extension talks:

During this past season, the sides discussed an extension, actually agreeing to the framework of a three-year, $54MM extension before the club took the proposal off the table in June. The club would not say why the offer was pulled. [Webb’s agent Jonathan] Maurer said last month that Webb’s price has since risen.

Any guesses as to why Arizona pulled the offer? Webb could be looking at $20MM a year if he hits the open market. I would be surprised to see the D’Backs try to trade him anytime soon though. They’re close to contention and not overflowing with pitching.

Wigginton Deal Finalized, Moore Designated

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 3:15pm CDT

According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Orioles finalized their two-year deal for Ty Wigginton and designated Scott Moore for assignment to make room. The Wiggy signing has led many MLBTR readers to wonder if Luke Scott could be available in trade.

Rockies Sign Sal Fasano

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 3:08pm CDT

According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies signed catcher Sal Fasano to a minor league deal. Harding also lists the team’s other 18 non-roster invitees.

Blue Jays Acquire Matt Bush

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 2:50pm CDT

According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres traded Matt Bush to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later. Baseball America has more on Bush, the #1 pick in ’04. He missed all of ’08 with Tommy John surgery.

Dioner Navarro Loses Arbitration Case

By | February 10, 2009 at 12:47pm CDT

TUESDAY: ESPN reports that Navarro lost his case and will earn $2.1MM in ’09. No hard feelings, says his agent.

MONDAY: According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Rays and catcher Dioner Navarro went to a salary arbitration hearing on Monday.

Navarro asked for $2.5MM and the club offered $2.1MM back when figures were due. Three arbitrators will decide which number he recieves on Tuesday. Navarro is the second MLB player to have a hearing this year, following Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill, who won his hearing over the weekend.

Odds and Ends: PECOTA, Wigginton, Tanaka

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 12:39pm CDT

Links for Tuesday…

Chat today, 2pm CST.
PECOTA projects the standings. The projection system’s playoff teams are the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, A’s, Mets, Cubs, and Diamondbacks (plus a one-game Braves-Phillies playoff).
Ty Wigginton’s deal should be official today or tomorrow. Additionally, the Orioles are close to signing reliever Ryohei Tanaka to a minor league deal according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun.
RotoAuthority ranks the third basemen for fantasy baseball.
I will be doing a radio interview at 3:30 CST today on WKNT in Florida. At that time you can click here to listen.

White Sox Sign Ben Broussard

By Tim Dierkes | February 10, 2009 at 11:11am CDT

According to the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox signed first baseman Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.

Broussard signed for $3.85MM with the Rangers in January of ’08, but was designated for assignment on May 8th. After that he played mostly at Triple A for the Cubs and Yankees. Can you believe that a year later Bobby Abreu could end up with a similar contract?

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