According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Marlins renewed the contracts of three pre-arbitration players: Matt Lindstrom, Taylor Tankersley, and Cameron Maybin. The renewals mean the sides were not able to reach contract agreements, though the players have no real bargaining power anyway.
Archives for March 2009
Mets To Dump Freddy Garcia?
6:24pm: According to Brian Costa of the Newark Star-Ledger, Mets manager Jerry Manuel stopped just short of naming Hernandez his fifth starter on Wednesday.
"I tell you what, he was pretty good today," Manuel said. "He has a good presence about him on the mound, in the dugout, teammates seem to really – it's like he brings a little bit different energy for us. So I would have to say that he's put himself in a real good position."
2:53pm: The New York Post's Bart Hubbuch writes that "it's probably safe to say Freddy Garcia won't be long for Mets' camp."
It's just speculation at this point without word from manager Jerry Manuel or GM Omar Minaya, but it's pretty clear that the Mets have better rotation options. Garcia gave up four runs on four hits in just one inning Wednesday against the Braves and is still, as Hubbuch writes, "throwing what amounts to batting practice with his surgically repaired right shoulder."
Livan Hernandez and Jon Niese are both enjoying decent spring campaigns, and Tim Redding's contract should eventually land him a spot on the squad. Dumping Garcia would save the Mets around $8.5MM in potential incenctives.
Astros Looking To Acquire Third Baseman?
According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, in the wake of Aaron Boone's announcement this morning that he'll miss the season with a heart condition, Astros GM Ed Wade received a call from a team "informing him they had a third baseman available" for trade.
It sounds like Wade will entertain the possibility of making a deal, but he first wants to see how prospect Chris Johnson and veteran Geoff Blum will respond to increased playing time. Spring training has been rough on both guys thus far. Johnson, 24, is hitting just .231 this spring with one dinger and six RBI. Blum, 35, is batting .158 with no home runs and just three RBI in 32 at-bats.
"If we think there's a need at the end (of camp), there's going to be guys available," Wade said Wednesday. "I got a call today from a club that's got a guy that they want to make available so if we have the need. We know what Blum's capable of doing and we like what CJ's shown so far. We'll let them play and see what happens."
Cardinals: In-Season Payroll Flexibility?
Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch noted this morning that the Cardinals' payroll is down about $8MM heading into the 2009 season. In that article, GM John Mozeliak defended the cut, but provided no indication that the team is stocking up for an in-season acquisition.
Well, Mozeliak conveniently appeared on Bernie Miklasz's radio show this afternoon and gave Cards fans everywhere a bit more hope. The general manager said that his organization likes to have its "payroll parallel with revenue." Miklasz has the full synopsis over at the Post-Dispatch's website, but here's the basic gist:
If things go better they can adjust accordingly. If things go worse (economy, attendance) then it could go the other way. But he hopes to be able to make a move if they need it.
Ticket prices have gone up, and the new Busch Stadium is almost always full, so it's fairly safe to assume that the Cardinals will have some loose change in June or July. Plus, St. Louis is hosting the All-Star Game this season and that typically brings in gobs of revenue.
Nationals Ink Joe Beimel, Cut Shawn Hill
According to Chico Harlan of the Washington Post, the Nationals have agreed to terms with Joe Beimel on a one-year, $2MM deal. In a corresponding move, the Nats released starter Shawn Hill.
Beimel, a 31-year-old southpaw reliever, posted a 2.02 ERA in 71 games last season for the Dodgers. Nationals manager Manny Acta said Wednesday that Beimel will be used primarily as the team's eighth-inning setup man.
Hill, 27, has battled injuries for much of his career, but was well-liked in the clubhouse. Acta called the release "probably the toughest decision" he's had to make in his time with Washington, but the stats simply didn't justify a roster spot. Hill went 1-5 last season with a 5.83 ERA in 12 starts.
Royals Release Gobble, Sign Lerew
According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals released left-hander Jimmy Gobble, and signed right-hander Anthony Lerew to a minor league contract.
Gobble spent the last 10 years in the Royals' organization, but his lack of success against right-handers finally led to his termination Wednesday morning. The Royals will save $1.1MM with the move, but are reportedly still about $4MM over their budget for 2009.
Lerew will head to Royals camp after he passes a physical. The 26-year-old pitched in 11 games for the Braves from 2005-2007, but spent all of last season recovering from Tommy John surgery.
Blue Jays Sign Dutch Closer
According to Jeff Blair of the Toronto Globe and Mail, the Blue Jays have signed right-hander Leon Boyd to a minor league contract.
Boyd, 25, closed for The Netherlands in the World Baseball Classic, posting a 2.25 ERA in four innings of work. He also pitched for the Dutch during the 2008 Olympics and collected the team's only win.
Odds & Ends: Cardinals, Pudge, Gorzelanny, Miller
Your Wednesday links, with more to come…
- Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch notes that the Cardinals' payroll is down about $8MM heading into the '09 season.
- The Washington Post's Cameron Smith believes the Pudge Rodriguez signing "is a huge step for Houston."
- A bit of a shock out of Pirates camp: The club optioned left-hander Tom Gorzelanny to Triple-A Indianapolis.
- Chicago-area reporters don't expect the sale of the Cubs to the Ricketts family to be finalized before Opening Day.
- Minor league free agent Rob Flanigan has been suspended 50 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug.
- According to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince, 24-year-old pitching prospect Adam Miller's career might be "in jeopardy as a result of decreased range of motion and strength in his right middle finger."
- Mark it, dude: Tim's weekly chat is going down on Thursday at 2pm CST.
Astros Not Close To Signing Pedro Martinez
10:56am: John Perrotto, the Baseball Prospectus writer who first ran the Pedro-to-the-Astros story, has issued a mea culpa:
Let’s get this straight right off the top: I was wrong, way wrong about Pedro Martinez being on the verge of signing as a free agent with the Astros.
WEDNESDAY, 9:17am: Oritz reports that third baseman Aaron Boone will leave the Astros to undergo open heart surgery. It's unclear when or if he'll ever play baseball again. This appears to be the only big announcement that the Astros had planned for this morning.
TUESDAY, 9:35pm: Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle talked to Astros GM Ed Wade, who said the team has had "zero discussions" on the Pedro front. Martinez is not close to signing with the Astros. De Jesus Ortiz was also able to determine in talking to owner Drayton McLane that he is not selling the team or firing, hiring, or signing anyone. The press conference also has nothing to do with steroids. MLB.com's Alyson Footer also confirmed that the Astros are not close to an agreement with Pedro.
Meanwhile, Manny Ramirez spoke to Pedro and learned that the pitcher is down to two options (MLB.com's Ken Gurnick reporting). SI.com's Jon Heyman wrote Monday that the Mets and Dodgers seem to be the likely possibilities.
8:25pm: John Perrotto of Baseball Prospectus says the Astros are close to an agreement with Pedro Martinez.
6:34pm: According to MLB.com's Alyson Footer, the Astros scheduled a press conference for tomorrow morning at 8:45am CST. Footer says the Astros confirmed it's not about Ivan Rodriguez. Any guesses?
Red Sox Release Josh Bard
According to the Boston Herald's Michael Silverman, the Red Sox have parted ways with catcher Josh Bard.
It appears that 25-year-old George Kottaras has won the backup catching job. It probably had something to do with his ability, and Bard's inability, to catch Tim Wakefield's knuckleball. Kottaras is also out of minor league options and the Red Sox didn't want to risk losing him.
Bard, 30, was 6-for-14 this spring with one home run, five RBI and two doubles. He finished with a line of .202/.279/.270 in 178 at-bats last season.
