Week In Review: 3/29 – 4/4
The season is finally here! I'll refrain from making a celebratory post and instead just go with the usual rundown of the past seven days:
- Chipper Jones agreed to a three-year, $42MM extension with an option for 2013. That deal should keep Chipper in a Braves uniform for the remainder of his career. I think it's a nice value for the Braves, considering Chipper's offensive capabilities, and I also love seeing guys stick with one club their whole career. Nice move for both sides; Braves fans should be happy.
- Will Ohman decided he actually wants to play baseball this season, signing a one-year $1.35MM minor league deal with the Dodgers. His contract has a $2.2MM club option for 2010.
- The biggest surprise of the week had to be the Tigers' release of Gary Sheffield. They'll eat a whopping $14MM as a result of the decision. Sheff claims to be healthy (though we've heard that before), and he's just one home run shy of the 500 mark. He signed with the Mets later in the week, where he'll be an option in both right and left field, and undoubtedly notch career HR number 500 for the league minimum.
- Sheffield was one of many released this week. We also saw Frank Catalanotto released by the Rangers. This move makes more sense. The Rangers, not surprisingly, couldn't find a trade partner for Catalnotto and the $6MM owed to him. His release allows for Andruw Jones to serve as a right-handed platoon option at DH and a fifth outfielder.
- The Phillies joined in as well when they released Geoff Jenkins. Another pricey decision, as they'll have to eat the $8MM left on his contract. Jenkins has drawn interest from the Marlins.
- Two big-time power bats that have never lived up to the hype were released as well. The Nationals said farewell to Wily Mo Pena, while the Marlins cut ties with Dallas McPherson. McPherson seems like he would be a great low-budget, high impact quick fix for the Yankees. Anyone out there want to venture a guess as to where all these players end up?
- The Tigers sent minor-league pitcher Rudy Darrow to the Braves in exchange for Josh Anderson, after Jordan Schafer beat out Anderson for the center field job in Atlanta. This move doesn't make much sense to me, given the Tigers' need for bullpen help. Darrow has put up solid minor league numbers and could've been more beneficial to the Tigers than Anderson.
- Offseason in Review updates: Angels, Mets, Yankees, Astros.
- Just a few hours till the first game of the year! I know I'll be tuning in…feel free to voice your excitement. Personally, I think Opening Day should be recognized as a national holiday.
Sheffield, Mets Agree To Deal
SUNDAY, 2:40pm: Matthew Cerrone from MetsBlog tells us that Nick Evans was optioned to AAA in order to make room for Sheffield.
4:32pm: Mets GM Omar Minaya announced the signing, which is pending a physical. Will he help? A few projections:
Sheffield came up as a 20 year-old Brewers shortstop; he's now hanging on as a 40 year-old Mets platoon outfielder. Sheffield was willing to waive his no-trade clause for the Mets way back in November of '97, when the Marlins had their fire sale (according to a Jon Heyman Newsday article). He was eventually dealt to the Dodgers in May of '98.
2:33pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman says Sheffield agreed to sign with the Mets. An announcement is expected this afternoon.
12:08pm: Sherman adds that Mets GM Omar Minaya spoke to Sheffield directly recently to explain how he'd fit with the team. Meanwhile, several Phillies players have contacted Sheffield to lobby him to sign.
11:23am: According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets are close to signing Gary Sheffield. The Mets plan to give him significant playing time. They'd only have to pay $400K and would consider Sheffield an option in both outfield corners. Sherman's source said:
"Unless something drastic happens, he is a Met. Someone would have to offer him a second year, and I just don't see that happening."
David Lennon of Newsday believes Sheffield could sign with the Mets as soon as tonight.
Cubs Release Gaudin, Option Samardzija To AAA
Gordon Wittenmyer is reporting, via Twitter, that the Cubs have released Chad Gaudin and optioned Jeff Samardzija to AAA, giving the final two spots in their bullpen to Angel Guzman and Rule 5 pickup David Patton.
Gaudin, 26, came to the Cubs in the Rich Harden trade in 2008, but the league change was not kind to him. He posted a 6.26 ERA through 27.1 innings, though he did manage to fan 27 hitters as well. This Spring has been a disaster for Gaudin; he's allowed 19 ER through just 16.2 innings, while posting a 12:10 K:BB ratio and surrendering five long balls. The Rockies have shown some interest recently, though they chose to set their sights on Jason Hammel instead. Maybe not having to give anything up to acquire Gaudin will change their mind.
Rays, Rox Agree On Deal For Hammel
SUNDAY 1:02pm: Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times reports Jason Hammel has been notified that he's been dealt to the Rockies. Jeff Niemann will be the Rays fifth starter.
11:00am: Renck is reporting, "The Rockies and Rays have agreed on the parameters of a deal that would land Colorado right-handed reliever Jason Hammel, but Tampa Bay is still mulling other offers." The agreement is still involving Aneury Rodriguez.
SATURDAY 7:21pm: Renck says there "is growing momentum" behind the deal. Hammel would apparently be used as a reliever initially, and could also spot start.
6:03pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times notes that Hammel is scheduled to pitch in a minor league game on Sunday morning. The Rockies and Rays could be waiting for that outing to conclude, as to not throw off his schedule.
5:01pm: Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies has learned from a Tampa Bay source that the sides are currently working out the details of the deal. He has confirmed that the Rays would get Rodriguez in return.
1:52pm: Troy Renck of the Denver Post says there is "growing momentum for a trade to transpire between Tampa Bay and the Rockies involving Hammel." The Rays are thought to be eyeing Double-A starter Aneury Rodriguez.
11:49am: According to Ed Price of MLB Fanhouse trade talks between the Rays and Rockies have resumed. Jason Hammel or Jeff Niemann could be dealt to the Rockies this weekend, according to Price's sources.
Odds & Ends: Bergmann, Maddux, Red Sox
Some Odds & Ends to round out this Sunday morning's news:
- Right-hander Jason Bergmann, who has an option left, is not happy that the Nationals have sent him to Triple-A, says Pete McElroy of masnsports.com. In nine games, Bergmann didn't give up a run. He had 6 K and 2 BB in 11 1/3 innings.
- Not a rumor, but a headline of importance: Unsurprisingly, the Braves are going to retire Greg Maddux's number in July.
- Daniel Barbarisi of the Providence Journal praises the Red Sox shrewdness by improving their ballclub while reducing their payroll by $13MM, from fourth highest to sixth. Back-loaded extensions to key players could mean the Sox could add payroll if a marquee player becomes available this summer.
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star has a short but interesting article up noting that paying for a free agent pitcher does not usually work out. It would be interesting to actually see the numbers on this. Mellinger writes,
"The results are brutal: Thirty pitchers regressed after signing, and only 13 improved. Four contracts were close enough to be judged either way. That’s a fail ratio of 2:1."
Yankees Set Roster, Choose Pena Over Berroa
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reports the Yankees have set their 25-man roster by choosing to go with infielder Ramiro Pena over Angel Berroa. Dan Giese was designated for assignment to make room. Hoch writes,
Pena's mother cried when given the news, writes Peter Abraham.
The Jason Bay Trade Revisited
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsbugh Post-Gazette recounts the details of the deadline deal that sent Jason Bay to Boston, specifically the final 7 minutes that reshaped the future of the Pirates organization. It's a really interesting read for any rumor-enthusiasts. Some points of interest:
- According to Kovacevic, before finally dealing Bay at the buzzer, Pittsburgh had been working on dealing Bay for over a year and a half.
- Before the 2008 season, the Bucs had come close to dealing Bay and catcher Ronny Paulino to Cleveland for Cliff Lee, Franklin Guttierez, and Kelly Shoppach. The Pirates did not feel it was enough and killed it.
- Just 20 minutes before the 4p.m. deadline, Kovacevic says the Braves and Rays were considered the primary trading partners, particularly the "prospect-rich Rays." But with only 15 minutes left, "the Pirates called each [team] to insist upon a specific prospect package and summarily were rejected," writes Kovacevic.
The Rays Index takes a look at this article from a Tampa Bay perspective.
Reds Cut Jonny Gomes
John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Reds have cut Jonny Gomes and offered him a spot in Triple-A. Fay says Gomes is a little surprised and unsure what to do next.
Gomes hit .250 in 44 at bats this spring, and led the Reds with 4 homeruns while knocking in 12 runs.
Mark Sheldon of MLB.com is "totally shocked" by this move. He notes that Paul Janish and lefty Daniel Herrera have made the team.
White Sox Sign Jimmy Gobble
Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports the White Sox have signed Jimmy Gobble to a minor-league deal. The 27 year old left-hander will report to Triple-A Charlotte this week.
Just five years ago, Gobble was a top prospect for the Royals but never found success against right-handers and was released by Kansas City on March 17th. The Rangers signed Gobble to a minor league deal but opted to go with lefties Eddie Guardado and C.J. Wilson instead, cutting Gobble on March 30th.
Gobble held left-handed hitters to a .200/.246/.323 line in 2008 and can be retained by his new team for 2010 as an arbitration-eligible player.
Odds & Ends: Opening Day Rosters
After the longest spring training in history, it felt like Opening Day might never arrive. As teams finalize their 25-man rosters, here are some notes from yesterday and today's headlines:
- Third baseman Pablo Sandoval was made the lone-backup for catcher Bengie Molina as the Giants finalize their Opening Day roster and go with a 12-man pitching staff, according to Chris Haft of MLB.com.
- As anticipated, Mike Sweeney and his .408 spring batting average made the Mariners' roster, says Larry Stone of the Seattle Times and the M's are without a lefty reliever. Ichiro Suzuki could make a return by next Friday in Oakland, reports the Kyodo News.
- The AP reports the Diamonbacks added Ryan Roberts as a utility man.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle points out that 24-year old Andrew Bailey, "an unheralded nonroster invitee to major-league camp who hadn't pitched in relief before last summer is now a member of Oakland's bullpen."
- The Phillies added Miguel Cairo.