Tigers, Verlander Avoid Arbitration
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Tigers avoided arbitration with Justin Verlander by signing him at $3.675MM for ’09. Verlander had submitted $4.15MM, while the Tigers were at $3.2MM.
Red Sox To Sign Brad Wilkerson
TUESDAY, 2:36pm: WEEI’s Alex Speier says the Wilkerson deal is done pending a physical. He could earn as much as $2.5MM if he hits all his incentives (Tony Massarotti says $1.5MM).
MONDAY, 11:03pm: MLBTR has learned tonight that the Red Sox have signed outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a minor league deal with roster and playing time incentives. Wilkerson, 31, hit .220/.308/.326 in 309 plate appearances for the Mariners and Blue Jays in 2008. The Ms signed Wilkerson last year for $3MM but designated him for assignment before May.
White Sox Make Offer To Bobby Abreu?
2:33pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the White Sox "floated the possibility" of one year and $8MM to Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg, and then talks stalled. The Sox haven’t made progress in trading Dye, which would be necessary to sign Abreu.
Sox GM Ken Williams on Abreu, with another odd blog-related barb for good measure:
"He is a great player and can help any club. But I just have stopped responding to every blogger’s post."
2:09pm: The Daily Herald’s Scot Gregor talked to a White Sox source who "dismissed the rumor."
9:25am: According to Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News, the White Sox offered a one-year, $8MM deal to free agent outfielder Bobby Abreu. If the Sox are able to sign Abreu, you’d have to think Jermaine Dye or Jim Thome would be traded.
Abreu has also been linked recently to the Braves, Mariners, Dodgers, and Giants.
Brewers, Weeks Avoid Arbitration
According to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel, the Brewers avoided arbitration with second baseman Rickie Weeks by signing him for 2009. The deal is worth $2.45MM plus a possible $75K in incentives, according to SI.com’s Jon Heyman. Weeks had requested $2.8MM while the Brewers countered at $2MM. He’ll be eligible for free agency after the 2011 season.
Haudricourt notes that the Brewers have one case remaining in Corey Hart ($1.1MM gap). MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy says his hearing is scheduled for the third week of February. Brewers assistant GM Gord Ash on the situation: "We still have a basic disagreement in terms of value."
Odds and Ends: Wieters, Varitek, Ohman
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- RotoAuthority explains why Matt Wieters is a good fantasy pick even if he doesn’t debut with the Orioles til mid-May.
- Baseball America’s Jim Callis has the updated ’09 June draft order.
- Cristian Guzman was wise to sign a two-year, $16MM extension when he did, his agent tells MLB.com’s Bill Ladson.
- An agreement to sell the Padres to Jeff Moorad could be done by mid-month, says Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune.
- Jason Varitek doesn’t need to worry about regaining Type A status, says Rob Bradford of WEEI.
- Nothing appears imminent with the Phillies and Will Ohman, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News writes.
Orioles Sign Ty Wigginton
11:52am: Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun says Wigginton gets a two-year, $6MM deal. The O’s had originally offered one year with a club option but upped their offer due to competition from the Giants and other clubs.
8:16am: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Orioles signed Ty Wigginton to a two-year contract. Wigginton, 31, was non-tendered by the Astros after hitting .285/.350/.526 in 429 plate appearances while playing third base and left field. His ’08 numbers are dampened by his poor performance away from Minute Maid Park. Rosenthal says Wiggy will see time at first base and DH with the Orioles.
A’s Could Take Shot At Orlando Cabrera
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the A’s have saved "a little spending money and could still take a final shot at free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera — if he’s willing to take a deep discount."
Cabrera is a Type A free agent who declined an offer of arbitration. Unlike Jason Varitek, however, Cabrera does not have the option of re-signing with his former team. The loss of a draft pick by the signing team is a given, and Cabrera may have to compensate for the Elias curse by taking a low salary for ’09. Waiting until after the June draft could make sense for Cabrera – he’d wipe out the draft pick problem, probably still get $2MM, and won’t get Type A status again. UPDATE: Eddie Bajek tested my statement about Cabrera not getting Type A status again if he sits out two months, finding that it might only hold true if he signs with an NL team.
Adam Dunn Has Offer From Nationals
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, Adam Dunn received a contract offer from the Nationals. He’s been sitting on it for a while, indicating the Nats are not his top choice. Jayson Stark has said Dunn prefers the Dodgers, and is waiting to see how the Manny Ramirez situation plays out.
Dunn has been only loosely connected to the Braves and Red Sox.
Latest On Ken Griffey Jr.
Jon Heyman of SI.com and Buster Olney of ESPN write about free agent outfielder Ken Griffey Jr. this morning.
Heyman says Junior is well set financially: "His 16-year payout at $5MM per year just happens to begin this year." Griffey’s agent Brian Goldberg has been shopping his client with no luck so far. Griffey is said to be "completely healthy" after knee surgery, and is open to playing anywhere.
Olney talked to Reds doctor Tim Kremcheck, who said Griffey’s in the best shape he’s been in in years. Kremcheck believes last year’s knee injuries limited Griffey’s power and he’ll bounce back.
We’ve heard the loose Mariners connection, but not much beyond that. The Braves are looking for an outfielder or two, but haven’t been linked to Griffey recently. The Padres seek a veteran left-handed hitter but Griffey’s name hasn’t come up in reports. Olney adds:
Heard this: The Mets will continue to bottom-feed for guys on the free agent market, at the $600K-$1MM level, and if that nets them someone like Griffey, well, then so be it.
Advertise On MLB Trade Rumors
Is your company looking to reach college-educated 18-34 year-old males? MLB Trade Rumors offers an opportunity to reach this audience at an affordable rate. Please contact Tim Dierkes at dierkes@gmail.com for more information about advertising with MLBTR.