Free Agent Quota: 8 Type A/Bs
12:30pm: In an email, Bloom told me it is a combination of eight Type A and Bs (not eight of each) and whether or not the team offered arbitration has nothing to do with the quota.
11:37am: Bloom says that a unilateral exception was granted this offseason allowing any team to sign as many as eight Type A or B free agents. A total of 216 free agents filed, an exceptionally high number. Another note: Bloom learned from Manfred that while draft pick compensation would be eliminated if the player waits until after the June draft to sign, it has yet to occur.
10:44am: Brian Cashman told Peter Abraham the Yankees could sign up to eight Type A free agents if they wanted to. Cashman’s exact quote shows less certainty:
"I’m not sure of the exact number, but it’s one we won’t worry about either way."
10:05am: One reader asks a question I can’t answer: if the quota is three Type A/Bs, how were the Giants able to sign Jeremy Affeldt (B), Bob Howry (A), Randy Johnson (B), Edgar Renteria (A), and Juan Uribe (B)? Does it only apply to Type A/Bs who were offered arbitration? Is the quota three of each type?
7:45am: Just wanted to add the info from a January 6th Nick Cafardo article, where he stated that this year’s quota is nine Type A or B free agents. Everyone I’d spoken previously to believed the Yankees have not approached any quota. I know the CBA allows for more Type A/Bs to be signed if you lose them, and the Yankees lost Bobby Abreu and Mike Mussina. We attempted to tackle this in October and came away confused.
Still, Bloom talked to MLB’s executive VP of labor relations Rob Manfred for his article and it seems highly unlikely that Manfred would be wrong. – Tim Dierkes
1:28am: Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com is reporting that the New York Yankees cannot sign any more Type A or Type B free agents this offseason.
According to the Basic Agreement, and confirmed by a top Major League Baseball official, once the Yankees signed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, they had signed their quota of Type A or Type B free agents under the collectively bargained rules established by management and the Players Association, Bloom wrote.
All three were Type A free agents who played for other teams last season aside from the Yankees. The Yankees could re-sign their own Type A or Type B free agents without it affecting the quota.
Under the rules, "if there are from 39 to 62 [Type A and B] players [during a given offseason], no team can sign more than three."
Re-signing Type A pitchers Andy Pettitte and Damaso Marte did not affect the Yankees’ limit.
Offseason speculation has put the Yankees on the peripheral of interest for outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitcher Ben Sheets. This finding curbs those chances.
Mariners Eyeing Bobby Abreu
Yesterday Ken Rosenthal wrote that "the Mariners view Bobby Abreu as an ideal fit, major-league sources say, but it is unclear whether they can afford him." Today, Larry Stone elaborates on Seattle’s interest in Abreu.
Stone says Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg confirmed ongoing contact with the Mariners regarding Abreu. Abreu is open to playing in Seattle or anywhere else. However, they cannot afford him unless they make room in the payroll by moving salary. Greenberg confirmed that Abreu is now open to a one-year deal. Abreu told Greenberg he’d win the MVP and then go out on the market again.
Stone suggests the Ms would have to trade Jarrod Washburn ($10.35MM), Miguel Batista ($9MM), or Carlos Silva ($11MM) to clear ’09 payroll space for Abreu.
Big Unit Vs. Garland
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic explains that the Diamondbacks’ Randy Johnson vs. Jon Garland decision was not as clear-cut as many (myself included) made it out to be.
Piecoro walks through Arizona’s timeline. At one point in November, they expected to receive (and budgeted for) first-round picks as compensation for Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, and Juan Cruz. They wisely changed their minds on Dunn on December 1st, and the Hudson/Cruz market has developed slowly. Along the way, several million dollars were added to the team’s starting pitcher budget.
Still, Piecoro guesses that the Diamondbacks preferred Garland to Johnson and didn’t want Johnson back that badly.
Fogg Leaning Toward Rockies
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, free agent pitcher Josh Fogg is "leaning toward rejoining the Rockies and expects to make a decision this weekend." Many pitchers are battling for Jeff Francis‘ rotation spot while he deals with a shoulder injury. Fogg would join them on a non-guaranteed minor league deal worth less than a million bucks, and he could also get an out clause.
The Rockies had targeted Braden Looper earlier this winter, but can’t afford him now.
Should Top Free Agents Hold Out?
Interesting column from Ken Rosenthal this morning. He wonders if one way for top free agents such as Ben Sheets, Orlando Hudson, and Orlando Cabrera to swing the market back in their favor is to wait until after the season begins. We’ve seen the massive in-season demand for guys like Roger Clemens and Freddy Garcia in years past. New team needs open up midseason due to injuries and ineffectiveness, and free agents are usually superior to trades. Plus, waiting until mid-June eliminates the draft pick issue for Type As who were offered arbitration.
A’s Sign Russ Springer
FRIDAY: Slusser says Springer will earn $3.3MM plus another possible $300K for games pitched.
THURSDAY: Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle says the Springer deal is official and is worth more than $3MM plus incentives.
WEDNESDAY: Springer apparently took his physical today, though his deal with the A’s is not yet official. The A’s told reliever Andrew Brown they’re releasing him to make room for Springer, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.
MONDAY: The AP says the A’s are "close to finalizing" the Springer deal, with the physical the final step remaining. Not sure why they didn’t say an agreement has been reached, then.
SATURDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal, the A’s are "closing in on" a deal with Russ Springer. Rosenthal’s source says the A’s and Springer are "making progress, but not done." They’re working towards a contract worth about $3MM plus incentives.
Rosenthal adds that the A’s are ready to make a strong attempt to sign Orlando Cabrera if his asing price isn’t too high.
Unlike Cabrera, Springer wasn’t offered arbitration, so the A’s won’t have to surrender a draft pick to the Cardinals if the deal becomes official, despite Springer’s status as a Type A free agent.
Takahashi Down To Four Teams
According to Kyodo News, free agent lefty Ken Takahashi has narrowed his choices down to four MLB teams. He is seeking a Major League contract; Patrick Newman has further details.
Takahashi, 41 in April, posted a 3.50 ERA in 115.6 innings in Japan last year.
Chat With Matthew Cerrone
Click below to hear my recent chat with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone.
Mets, Maine Avoid Arbitration
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets avoided arbitration with John Maine by signing him at the midpoint for $2.6MM for ’09 (plus another $25K based on innings pitched). Maine had submitted $3MM, while the Mets had countered at $2.2MM.
Giants Sign Juan Uribe
10:47pm: Ken Rosenthal’s source says the Giants’ Uribe signing will not affect their pursuit of Crede.
2:58pm: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Giants signed infielder Juan Uribe to a minor league deal potentially worth about $1MM. Not sure if this affects the team’s interest in Joe Crede.
Uribe, 30 in March, hit .247/.296/.386 for the White Sox in 353 plate appearances last year while playing second base, third base, and a little bit of shortstop. Based on the plus/minus system, his defense has been below-average in recent years.