Archives for September 2009

Red Sox Rumors: Baldelli, Gonzalez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 11:37am CDT

The latest on Rocco Baldelli and Alex Gonzalez…

Baldelli tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that, though he prefers not to discuss his upcoming free agency, he has enjoyed his role with the Red Sox. The Red Sox signed him to a one-year $500k deal last offseason and he has responded with a .254/.315/.462 line.
Billy Wagner insisted that the Red Sox agree to turn down his 2010 option as a condition of the trade that sent him to Boston. He had leverage because of his no-trade clause and decided to use it, as players in similar situations often do.
Alex Gonzalez also had a no-trade clause, but, as he tells Alex Speier of WEEI.com, decided not to use it to obtain leverage of any sort. He knew right away that he wanted to join the Red Sox, so his decision was simple.

Wagner Expects To Turn Down Arbitration

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 11:24am CDT

Billy Wagner tells Rob Bradford of WEEI.com that he expects to turn down arbitration this offseason if the Red Sox offer it. Wagner wants to close again and, since Jonathan Papelbon has the closer's job in Boston, Wagner says he'd look to sign elsewhere, even if it means he makes less money.

He will probably be a Type A free agent, which means the Red Sox will receive two draft picks if Wagner rejects their offer of arbitration to sign elsewhere. This could limit the interest in Wagner; teams may decide it's not worth giving up a top pick for a reliever coming off Tommy John surgery.

Wagner says he would consider joining a club that offers him the chance to close, but says he hasn't fully committed to playing next season yet.

Crede Wants To Return To The Twins

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 10:57am CDT

Joe Crede told Kelsie Smith of the Pioneer Press that he wants to return to the Twins in 2010, though he's prepared for another long job search this offseason. The third baseman didn't sign with the Twins until Spring Training this year, partially because of concerns over his health. Crede has missed time because of back injuries over the years and the injuries forced him to the DL last month.

The Twins signed Crede to an incentive-laden deal that will pay him at least $4MM by the season's end. He could attract similar offers this offseason, but it would be a surprise to see any team commit significant dollars or years to Crede. The 31-year-old offsets his .229/.293/.421 batting line with strong defense (according to UZR/150), but Crede realizes he may have another tough offseason ahead.

Olney On Matt Holliday And The Cardinals

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 10:38am CDT

ESPN.com's Buster Olney doesn't expect the Cardinals to spend much differently than usual this offseason, despite their aggressiveness at this year's trade deadline. The Cards took on salary to acquire Matt Holliday and Mark DeRosa, but the team may not be able to spend as much this offseason. As Olney points out, the Cardinals have never opened the season with a payroll over $92.1MM.

The Cards have committed to Albert Pujols, Chris Carpenter and others, so they may be unable to retain Holliday without exceeding $100MM. The club could increase its payroll, of course, but recent history suggests the Cardinals will operate on an eight figure budget.

One scout says Holliday was easy to pitch to in the American League, which could limit potential suitors. However, Olney guesses the Angels will ultimately sign the left fielder.

Chipper May Retire Before His Contract Expires

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 10:02am CDT

The frustration hadn't set in yet when Chipper Jones signed a three-year extension with the Braves this March. He had just won a batting title and his OPS had exceeded 1.000 for a second straight season. Now, Jones says he may retire before his contract expires, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"I'm certainly not going to stick around for a big contract if I'm not having fun and not producing," Jones said. "I'm not saying I'm retiring at the end of this year or the end of next year, but if I become an average player, I'm not sticking around."

Jones, who says he doesn't want to hamstring the Braves with his contract, has a .390 OBP in an otherwise disappointing season. He's hitting nearly 100 points lower than he did last year and has just 16 homers. He's a defensive liability according to UZR/150, but he still walks more than he strikes out and many players would love an .827 OPS. If Jones can't meet his own expectations, he says he'll stop playing.

Odds And Ends: Sweeney, Padres, Saito

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 9:25am CDT

Some links for the morning…

We already knew Mike Sweeney would consider signing with the Mariners and Angels after the season. Now MLB.com's Jim Street adds the Padres to Sweeney's list of preferred clubs.
Like GM Kevin Towers, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad expects the team to be "competitive" next year, according to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald reports that Takashi Saito will make $500k when he appears in his next game. Even more incentives kick in if he continues picking up appearances throughout the season's final month.
Pirates GM Neal Huntington tells Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that Joel Hanrahan has seemed like a different pitcher in Pittsburgh because he was unlucky as a member of the Nationals.
ESPN.com's Rob Neyer doesn't expect the confusion surrounding Jose Valverde's age to have much of an effect on the contract he signs in the winter.

Will Rod Barajas Return To The Jays In 2010?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | September 11, 2009 at 9:03am CDT

Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston doesn't expect Rod Barajas to return to the team next year, according to Shi Davidi of the Canadian Press (via the Toronto Sun). Barajas, who will hit free agency after the season, told reporters he's surprised his manager doesn't expect him back.

"I enjoy it here," Barajas said. "I have fun here and I don't see any reason for someone to make that assumption about me coming back."

Barajas says he wants to re-sign with Toronto after the season. The 34-year-old made $2.5MM this year and figures to be a Type B free agent. The Blue Jays could let him walk and obtain a compensation pick if he rejects arbitration to sign with another club.

Barajas has 16 homers this year, but his OBP is just .270. The Blue Jays have an alternative to Barajas at Triple A with similar on base skills. J.P. Arencibia, a first round pick two years ago, has just a .284 OBP. Like Barajas, he has power. The 23-year-old hit 21 homers and 32 doubles in Triple A this season, so the Jays could rely on him and Raul Chavez next year if Barajas departs.

Odds & Ends: Scheppers, Mets

By Mike Axisa | September 10, 2009 at 9:07pm CDT

A pair of stray links on a slow night…

In today's mailbag, Jeff Wilson of The Dallas Morning News reports that there has been no progress in negotiations between the Rangers and 44th overall pick Tanner Scheppers. Because he played in an independent league last year, the signing deadline did not apply to Scheppers and he is free to sign at any point until next June.
Former Mets GM Joe McIlvaine reflected on the deal that sent Lee Mazzilli to Texas in exchange for youngsters Ron Darling and Walt Terrell back in 1982, courtesy of MLB.com's Marty Noble. I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for these old trade stories.
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Nationals DFA Montz, Claim English

By Mike Axisa | September 10, 2009 at 7:27pm CDT

Pete McElroy of MASNSports.com reports that the Nationals have designated catcher Luke Montz for assignment, clearing room on the roster for pitcher Jesse English, who was claimed off waivers from San Francisco. The Giants designated English for assignment earlier this month.

Montz, 26, hit just .181/.288/.313 in 369 plate appearances for Washington's Double- and Triple-A affiliates this year. He had a cup of coffee with the Nats last year and was ranked the club's 29th best prospect before the season by Baseball America. English, a 25-yr old lefty, put up a 4.20 ERA and a 1.25 K/BB ratio in 100.2 IP for San Fran's Double-A affiliate this year. He's never pitched in the majors.

Odds & Ends: Vazquez, Millwood, Red Sox

By Mike Axisa | September 10, 2009 at 5:53pm CDT

Some more links to check out as you wait for America's other pastime to kick off it's season…

Jeff Schultz of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution writes that the Braves may be forced to trade Javier Vazquez this offseason because it might not make sense financially to keep him and Tim Hudson around next year.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Rangers will not sit starter Kevin Millwood just to keep his 2010 option from vesting. Texas GM Jon Daniels said "We don't let clauses in contracts determine who is in the starting lineup or in the rotation." Millwood needs to throw just eight more innings this season to lock in his $12MM option for next year.
MLB.com's Ian Browne answered a bunch of Red Sox related questions in his mailbag today. He thinks Tim Wakefield will return next year, and said that he'd "be surprised" if the club exercised Jason Varitek's $5MM option now that Victor Martinez is on board. Varitek holds a $3MM option of his own, however.
Remember Ezequiel Astacio? The Cubs signed him out of San Angelo if the independent United League according to Baseball America's minor league transactions.

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