La Russa Wants Speier, Smoltz?
According to Bernie Miklasz at the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (via Twitter), Cardinals manager Tony La Russa indicated that he would be interested in adding the recently dismissed veterans John Smoltz and Justin Speier. Both would be candidates to strengthen the depleted right side of the Cards' bullpen.
Against righties this season, Smoltz put up a 21/2 K/BB ratio while limiting them to a .232 batting clip. Speier has a 20/5 K/BB against them and has kept them to only a .239 average. So despite each having early difficulties, it looks like they each still could be of use to a team like the Cardinals. It's also notable that Tony La Russa had been clamoring to acquire Matt Holliday last year until the Cards finally pulled the trigger to grab him — La Russa has a history of getting his man.
Blue Jays To Sign First Rounder Chad Jenkins
Jim Callis of Baseball America reports that the Blue Jays agreed to sign first round pick Chad Jenkins for $1.36MM, which is $9k above slot. Callis says the college righty combines "a tremendous feel for pitching with quality stuff," specifically a fastball that touches 96 mph and a plus slider.
Odds And Ends: Tate, Draft, Tejada, Jays
Some afternoon links…
- Jason Jennings of 99.9 The Fan reports that Donavan Tate left the UNC football program and appears likely to sign with the Padres.
- The Orioles expect to know within two days whether they'll sign second rounder Michal Givens, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
- The Mets expect to sign their top pick, Steven Matz, according to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. The lefty could command a seven figure bonus.
- Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle says the Astros could bring Miguel Tejada back next year, though they haven't decided what they'll do.
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that Jays manager Cito Gaston isn't sure he wants to manage after his contract expires at the end of next season.
- Joe Posnanski says Alex Rios has the seventh worst contract in the game. Rob Neyer's take: Ricciardi has signed players to lousy contracts, but he may be the right guy in the wrong place at this point. My take: Posnanski's too hard on the deal.
Sidney Ponson Becomes A Free Agent
Journeyman right-hander Sidney Ponson became a free agent today when the Royals obtained release waivers on him, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. The Royals designated the starter for assignment ten days ago after a disappointing stint with the club.
Check out our complete list of current free agents here.
Sheffield And Feliciano Claimed, Pulled Back
ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that Gary Sheffield and Pedro Feliciano were claimed on waivers by unknown teams, only to be pulled back by the Mets. Neither player can now be traded, but it's unknown whether the Mets were seriously considering moving either one.
J.J. Hardy And Free Agency
The Brewers optioned J.J. Hardy to Triple A this morning and GM Doug Melvin tells Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the move isn't intended to put off the shortstop's free agency. If Hardy had stayed in the majors through this year and next, he would have become a free agent after the 2010 season.
Jamie Moyer’s Contract Incentives
The Phillies' decision to bump Jamie Moyer to the bullpen for Pedro Martinez may be the right baseball decision, but as Nick Kapur pointed out last month at UmpBump.com, the move has major financial implications. Moyer's contract incentives are based on innings pitched and games started so they'll be much harder to reach out of the 'pen. Moyer has started 22 games and pitched 123.3 innings, so he would have started about 30 games and pitched about 180 innings if he'd stayed in the rotation all year. Here are some incentives in his contract:
- $250k for 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings.
And a few ways he could boost his 2010 salary:
- Moyer adds $250k to his salary when he starts his next game and again if he reaches 150 IP.
- His salary rises by $500k when he starts his 25th, 27th, 29th and 31st games.
- It increases by the same amount when he reaches 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings.
Had Moyer stayed in the rotation long enough to make 30 starts and pitch 180 innings, he would have received $1MM more this year and $3.5MM more next year. He could still reach some of these marks, but it's no wonder he's disappointed.
Smoltz Refuses Minor League Assignment
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that John Smoltz refused a minor league assignment, leaving the Red Sox with the choice of trading or releasing him. Smoltz cleared waivers, so the Red Sox can trade him to any club, but they would likely have to pay much of his $5.5MM salary in any deal. Smoltz, who makes $500k if he's traded, received $35k for every day he was on Boston's roster, but he would no longer pick up those bonuses if he's released and picked up by another club.
Rays Lose Two Pitchers On Waivers
Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune reports that the Rays lost two pitchers on waivers. The Indians claimed R.J. Swindle and the Pirates claimed John Meloan.
Heyman On White Sox, Mets, Bay, Holliday
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Blue Jays asked for a player currently on the White Sox in exchange for Alex Rios before asking for a prospect and eventually settling for salary relief. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi didn't get MLB talent back for his right fielder, but executives around the league say they understand the thought process behind the trade. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- One GM says Rios would be a good gamble at $30-35MM, but the $60MM remaining on his deal is too much.
- White Sox GM Kenny WIlliams says he's fully confident that Jake Peavy will transition into the American League and help the White Sox down the stretch.
- It's uncertain whether Gary Sheffield and Pedro Feliciano were claimed off waivers. Two AL teams were interested in Sheffield before his hamstring injuries popped up.
- Teams are claiming more cheap, young players than ever.
- The Red Sox would love Marco Scutaro, but aren't likely to get the chance to acquire him since teams with worse records would presumably claim him.
- Heyman hears that Matt Holliday could press for a no-trade clause and may not take the biggest deal he sees as a free agent this offseason.
- Some estimate that Jason Bay could make about $60MM over four years when he hits free agency after the season.
- The Nats could name a new GM by the end of the month. Acting GM Mike Rizzo is receiving praise around the league for acquiring Nyjer Morgan.
- Most execs believe John Smoltz is more likely to land in the NL.