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Archives for March 2009

Andruw Jones Likely To Stay In Texas

By Steve Adams | March 22, 2009 at 2:17pm CDT

2:17pm: Sullivan now states that Jones is likely to stay with the Rangers. Jones will accept a limited role, and says that he expected this situation when he came to camp on a minor-league deal:

"I never came into camp expecting to be a regular everyday player or to play center field," Jones said. "That was not my goal. My goal was to work with [hitting coach] Rudy [Jaramillo], get my swing together and be the player I once was. I never said I have to play."

General Manager Jon Daniels said that they have not asked Jones about the possibility of beginning the season in the minor leagues.

1:38pm: MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan writes that the Rangers have asked Andruw Jones to stay in camp, and that Jones wishes to stay as well. Apparently, they feel that Jones can serve as a backup outfielder and a right-handed option at DH. Texas will not add him to the 25-man roster at this point, however.

The problem for the Rangers is that they need to make room for Jones by doing something with Frank Catalanotto and the $4MM owed to him for 2009, plus the $2MM buyout on his option for 2010. That contract hardly looks appealing on the trade market at this time.

Jones has until midnight on Monday to make a decision on his future.

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Texas Rangers Andruw Jones Frank Catalanotto

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Geren, A’s Near Extension

By Steve Adams | March 22, 2009 at 1:53pm CDT

The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that the Oakland Athletics and manager Bob Geren are nearing a one-year extension with an option for a second year. Assistant General Manager David Forst confirmed, stating that the two sides are "in discussion, close to finalizing something."

Geren, 47, is entering the final year of a three-year contract signed in November 2006. He has a record of 151-172 as the A's skipper.

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Rangers Working On Extending Hamilton

By Nat Boyle | March 22, 2009 at 11:53am CDT

According to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram, the Rangers are expected to begin moving toward a long-term contract extension for Josh Hamilton and could have something done by the end of spring training. The Rangers have been discussing this for over a month.

For how much or how long remains to be seen. Hamilton has 3 years of arbitration remaining after this year before becoming eligible for free agency in 2012. Wilson thinks Texas will want to cover 2 years of free agency. The Rangers signed Ian Kinsler to a 5-year, $22MM deal in February 2008 so a five-to-six year deal similar to the Kinsler deal, or recent deals signed by Dustin Pedroia (6 years), Troy Tulowitzki (6 years), Evan Longoria (6 years), or Ryan Braun (8 years), could be expected for Hamilton.

T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com says the Rangers are expected to make a proposal to Hamilton's agent, Michael Moye, early this week.

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Texas Rangers Josh Hamilton

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Olney’s Latest: Willis, Zito

By Nat Boyle | March 22, 2009 at 10:37am CDT

Buster Olney touches on Dontrelle Willis and Barry Zito, two lefties long-struggling to make a comeback.

  • Willis may not make the Tigers rotation. Instead, "rival talent evaluators" believe he will either be sent to the minors to continue to work, or be released. Willis hasn't impressed this spring, allowing 17 H, 7 BB, and 12 ER over 8.1 IP. Olney says scouts can't think of an example of a pitcher who has regressed as much as Willis and made a successful comeback.
  • Zito is receiving mixed reviews with a fastball either in the range of either 80-82mph or 83-85mph. Says Olney, "… if he were to just give the Giants a chance to win games over the last five years of his deal, the club would be thrilled. Give Zito credit for this: He is trying like heck to make this work."
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Detroit Tigers San Francisco Giants Barry Zito Dontrelle Willis

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Braves Fielding Offers for Pitching

By Brian Shephard | March 22, 2009 at 10:23am CDT

SUNDAY, 11:21am: According to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, while the Braves are happy to maintain the surplus they've acquired, they are anticipating offers. Rogers says the most likely source of trade candidates would come from the bullpen, but she includes Josh Anderson and Martin Prado as expendable position players.

Rogers posits seeking a third basemen as a successor to Chipper Jones could be a logical area of interest for the Braves. 

SATURDAY, 6:01pm: Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports that Braves GM Frank Wren may look to trade surplus pitching as the season nears. According to Bowman, "Wren has already started to receive a number of pitches from teams that need arms."

Bowman writes that the "most expendable pitchers" appear to be Jeff Bennett, Buddy Carlyle, Manny Acosta and Jorge Campillo.

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Atlanta Braves Frank Wren

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Blue Jays To Sign Shawn Hill

By Tim Dierkes | March 22, 2009 at 9:49am CDT

SUNDAY 10:03am: Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star says the Jays are expecting to sign Shawn Hill as soon as he clears waivers. Griffin has a quote from J.P. Ricciardi:

"'We wouldn't be signing him to come in here and make the major-league staff," Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi said. 'We'd have to get him up to speed, kind of like (former major-leaguer) Wade Miller (currently in minor-league camp). We're just trying to get as many arms as we can in here. We know the young kids are going to struggle. … We're trying to put them in spots they might not be ready for. We get some veteran guys here and they can hold the fort down. … It gives us enough experience where we can just ease them in as opposed to throwing them in.'"

FRIDAY 4:49pm: According to Jeff Blair of The Globe and Mail, the Blue Jays are negotiating with just-released starter Shawn Hill.  Hill is a great fit for the Jays so hopefully they'll get it done.  His elbow has never been in good shape, but there's still upside.

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Toronto Blue Jays Shawn Hill

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Rangers Sign Jimmy Gobble

By Tim Dierkes | March 21, 2009 at 10:24pm CDT

According to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers signed lefty Jimmy Gobble to a minor league deal.  Sullivan notes that the Rangers hoped to acquire Gobble back in '03 in a failed Juan Gonzalez trade.

Gobble, 27, was released by the Royals a few days ago.  He held lefties to a .200/.246/.323 line last year.  Gobble won't have six years service time after the season, so the Rangers can keep him for 2010 if they want.

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Texas Rangers Jimmy Gobble

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Nationals Sign Josh Bard

By Tim Dierkes | March 21, 2009 at 10:04pm CDT

10:04pm: Jack Etkin at Inside The Rockies has some details on the Bard signing. He writes that the Red Sox "decided to keep George Kottaras, 25, who was out of options" as a back up for Jason Varitek. Etkin continues:

"By releasing Bard on Wednesday, the deadline for paying  a player 30 days termination pay, the Red Sox owed him about $279,000. Had they waited one more day to release him, they would have owed Bard 45 days termination pay or about $418,000."

7:42pm: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post writes that Bard will join what Nationals GM Mike Rizzo calls "a competitive situation." Bard will battle Wil Nieves and Javier Valentin for the backup catcher spot.

2:26pm: According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals signed catcher Josh Bard to a minor league deal.  Bard had been signed but then released by the Red Sox.

Bard, 31 in March, had a couple of pretty solid seasons for the Padres in 2006 and 2007.  He dealt with ankle and elbow injuries last year.  It's a nice signing for the Nationals.

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Washington Nationals Jason Varitek Javier Valentin Josh Bard

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Angels Looking to Deal Gary Matthews Jr.?

By Brian Shephard | March 21, 2009 at 9:11pm CDT

John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that the Angels "probably would love to move" outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.  Entering the third year of of a 5-year $50MM contract, Matthews is currently no more than an "expensive fifth outfielder," according to Shea.

It's a safe bet that Matthews would relish an opportunity to play elsewhere. Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reported on March 16 that Matthews wants more playing time this year. "I don't intend to sit around and play a couple of days a week like last year," Matthews said.

Matthews was expected to miss all of spring training while he recovered from postseason knee surgery. He returned ahead of schedule and is performing well so far, according to Lyle Spencer of MLB.com.

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Los Angeles Angels Gary Matthews Jr.

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Baggarly’s Giants Notes: Yabu Re-Signed, Long Relief Search

By Brian Shephard | March 21, 2009 at 6:21pm CDT

Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News reports that the Giants re-signed pitcher Keiichi Yabu to a minor league deal. Yabu, who posted a 3.57 ERA, 6.35 K/9, and 4.2 BB/9 in 68 innings last year, will start the season in AAA.

Baggarly also reports that the Giants are searching for a long reliever. They would like to open the season with an 11-man staff and "are seeking an upgrade to their current options."

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San Francisco Giants

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