Thursday Hearing For Ankiel, Cardinals
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals and Rick Ankiel have a Thursday arbitration hearing scheduled. If the hearing takes place, the arbitrators will decide whether Ankiel earns $3.3MM or $2.35MM in ’09.
Ankiel, a Scott Boras client, is eligible for free agency after the season. He could be midseason trade bait if Colby Rasmus comes on strong.
Brandon Webb Quiet About Failed Extension
Media-friendly Brandon Webb wisely decided to make his contract situation an off-limits topic for reporters this year, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. Said Webb:
"People are really hurting, really struggling. The last thing they want to hear about is someone’s contract situation. I have never complained about what I make to play baseball and the reason we didn’t come to an agreement last year had nothing to do with money. It’s as simple as that."
The D’Backs have Webb at $6.5MM for ’09 and an $8.5MM option for ’10. In December Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic summed up the failed extension talks:
During this past season, the sides discussed an extension, actually agreeing to the framework of a three-year, $54MM extension before the club took the proposal off the table in June. The club would not say why the offer was pulled. [Webb’s agent Jonathan] Maurer said last month that Webb’s price has since risen.
Any guesses as to why Arizona pulled the offer? Webb could be looking at $20MM a year if he hits the open market. I would be surprised to see the D’Backs try to trade him anytime soon though. They’re close to contention and not overflowing with pitching.
Wigginton Deal Finalized, Moore Designated
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Orioles finalized their two-year deal for Ty Wigginton and designated Scott Moore for assignment to make room. The Wiggy signing has led many MLBTR readers to wonder if Luke Scott could be available in trade.
Rockies Sign Sal Fasano
According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies signed catcher Sal Fasano to a minor league deal. Harding also lists the team’s other 18 non-roster invitees.
Blue Jays Acquire Matt Bush
According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres traded Matt Bush to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later. Baseball America has more on Bush, the #1 pick in ’04. He missed all of ’08 with Tommy John surgery.
Dioner Navarro Loses Arbitration Case
TUESDAY: ESPN reports that Navarro lost his case and will earn $2.1MM in ’09. No hard feelings, says his agent.
MONDAY: According to the Associated Press, via ESPN.com, the Rays and catcher Dioner Navarro went to a salary arbitration hearing on Monday.
Navarro asked for $2.5MM and the club offered $2.1MM back when figures were due. Three arbitrators will decide which number he recieves on Tuesday. Navarro is the second MLB player to have a hearing this year, following Nationals pitcher Shawn Hill, who won his hearing over the weekend.
Odds and Ends: PECOTA, Wigginton, Tanaka
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- PECOTA projects the standings. The projection system’s playoff teams are the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, A’s, Mets, Cubs, and Diamondbacks (plus a one-game Braves-Phillies playoff).
- Ty Wigginton‘s deal should be official today or tomorrow. Additionally, the Orioles are close to signing reliever Ryohei Tanaka to a minor league deal according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun.
- RotoAuthority ranks the third basemen for fantasy baseball.
- I will be doing a radio interview at 3:30 CST today on WKNT in Florida. At that time you can click here to listen.
White Sox Sign Ben Broussard
According to the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox signed first baseman Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.
Broussard signed for $3.85MM with the Rangers in January of ’08, but was designated for assignment on May 8th. After that he played mostly at Triple A for the Cubs and Yankees. Can you believe that a year later Bobby Abreu could end up with a similar contract?
Phillies Rumors: Will Ohman, Dennys Reyes
Cameron Smith of the Philadelphia Inquirer has the latest on the Phillies’ pursuit of a reliever.
Will Ohman‘s agent Page Odle spoke of a "real good positive conversation" with the Phillies over the past week, but GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said the dollars would have to be "extremely modest." Odle said Ohman is open to a one-year deal with a contender. The Mets are the other main suitor, but they are also in bargain mode.
Smith spoke to Dennys Reyes, who said his agent has been talking to the Dodgers and A’s. But Reyes did talk to the Phillies back in December. He is also focused on signing with a contender.
The Phils do have in-house options, plus Amaro suggested he could find a righthanded reliever with the ability to retire lefties.
Minor League Transactions From BA
Matt Eddy of Baseball America has the minor league transactions for January 31st through February 6th. A few I hadn’t seen yet: the Tigers signed Ruddy Lugo and the Rangers inked Bryan Corey.