Mets Sign Boof Bonser
The Mets signed Boof Bonser to a minor league contract, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter). The 29-year-old right-hander logged 25 innings with the A's and Red Sox this year, posting a 6.12 ERA with acceptable strikeout (6.1 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) rates.
Bonser has not re-established himself since missing the 2009 season with shoulder surgery. To his credit, the former first rounder posted standout strikeout (7.3 K/9) and walk (2.9 BB/9) ratios in his three-year stint with the Twins.
The Mets will be able to retain Bonser through arbitration after 2011. Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork says Bonser will earn $15K per month in the minors or $700K in the majors.
Adrian Beltre Rumors: Wednesday
The latest on the best available third baseman, Adrian Beltre…'
- It doesn't appear that the Blue Jays are pursuing Beltre, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
- Boras will meet with many clubs about Beltre today, according to Scott Miller of CBSSports. The Angels are in the mix for Beltre along with the Rangers and others.
- Agent Scott Boras told Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times that negotiations are moving quickly and a decision could be made soon, possibly this week. Talks are "gaining traction," tweets Tom Krasovic of AOL Fanhouse. DiGiovanna says the Angels have serious interest in Beltre. Though Carl Crawford remains their top target, they may have to make a decision on Beltre first. The Halos also have "considerable interest" in Boras client Rafael Soriano.
Strong Interest In Andrew Miller
3:25pm: The Giants and Red Sox are competing for Miller, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (on Twitter).
WEDNESDAY, 3:00pm: Miller met with four teams yesterday and is still fielding offers, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston (Twitter links). The Red Sox are engaged with Hideki Okajima and Miller and the team would like to re-sign Miller.
TUESDAY, 11:11am: Miller will be at the Winter Meetings in person this afternoon to meet with teams, including the Red Sox, tweets ESPN's Gordon Edes.
4:24am: Cliff Lee isn't the only lefty free agent represented by Darek Braunecker, but I think it's safe to say that Braunecker's other client, Andrew Miller, won't be receiving the same types of offers as the 2008 AL Cy Young winner.
Still, Peter Abraham and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe relay some information from Braunecker, stating that "a lot" of clubs are interested in Miller, the former #6 overall pick in the draft. Boston would like Miller back on a reasonable deal, but it sounds like they'll have some competition.
The Red Sox flipped Dustin Richardson for Miller last month, but then decided not to tender the 25-year-old Miller a contract due to concerns over what kind of salary he'd command in arbitration. Miller became a free agent, and understandably, several clubs would like to get their hands on a player who was drafted sixth overall and once rated the game's #10 prospect by Baseball America.
The 6'7" southpaw was rushed to the Majors to say the least, when the Tigers called him up on August 30, 2006, just months after he was drafted. The hope was that the projected strikeout machine would help solidify their stretch run out of the bullpen. Miller struggled, but the assumption was that he'd be a solid contributor in the near future.
That looked to be the case, as Miller pitched very well across three minor league levels in 2007 before being called up to once again struggle in the Majors, this time in 13 starts. Still, as a 22-year-old, expectations were high. They were so high, in fact, that he became one of the centerpieces (along with Cameron Maybin) to the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from Florida to Detroit.
Miller's command struggles continued with the Marlins though, and his fastball velocity continued to drop. In November 2010, the Marlins flipped him to Boston for Richardson, a pitcher who was drafted 157 picks after Miller in the same 2006 draft and has just 16 1/3 Major League innings to his name. Not what Florida was hoping for.
Miller won't turn 26 until late next May though, and that leaves plenty of time for him to put it together. As it wouldn't take more than a minimal investment, many teams have contacted Braunecker. It's not as if high upside, left-handed pitchers grow on trees, after all. Miller may never become the front-line starter he was once projected to be, but that pedigree can certainly provide him with a number of suitors to choose from.
Dodgers Close To Signing Dioner Navarro
The Dodgers are close to signing Dioner Navarro, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (on Twitter). The Rays non-tendered the former Dodger last week after his tenure in Tampa Bay ended on a sour note.
Ryan Ludwick Drawing Trade Interest
WEDNESDAY, 3:15pm: The Padres would only trade Ludwick for a package that includes two or three pieces, which means he'll likely be in their opening day lineup, according to Scott Miller of CBS Sports (on Twitter).
TUESDAY, 10:46pm: Ryan Ludwick is generating trade interest, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Red Sox, Tigers, Orioles and Dodgers are among the teams that have checked in, according to the reporters. At this point – just 48 hours after trading Adrian Gonzalez – the Padres seem reluctant to part with Ludwick.
The Orioles, Tigers and Red Sox have also been linked to another outfielder who bats from the right side and is a year away from free agency: Josh Willingham.
Ludwick, 32, earned 5.45MM in 2010 and has hit 76 home runs over the course of the past three seasons, so he'll surpass the $6MM mark through arbitration in 2011 and could earn close to $7MM. He batted .251/.325/.418 with 17 homers and 27 doubles in 551 plate appearances last year.
Luis Vizcaino On The Comeback Trail
Righty reliever Luis Vizcaino, last seen with the Indians in '09, is on the comeback trail. MLBTR has learned that Vizcaino, 36, aims to sign a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite before year's end. Interest has been strong in Vizcaino, who has allowed one run in 10 2/3 Dominican Summer League innings. He has an offer from a National League team in hand.
Odds & Ends: Iwakuma, Heisey, White Sox, Feliciano
One year ago today, the Yankees, Tigers and Diamondbacks finalized the trade that sent Curtis Granderson to New York, Edwin Jackson and Ian Kennedy to Arizona and Max Scherzer and Austin Jackson to Detroit. As we await this year's answer to that 2009 blockbuster, here are some links to enjoy…
- Phil Coke, who was also in that trade, is set to move to the Tigers' rotation, but Detroit isn't desperate for left-handed relief help. Daniel Schlereth, yet another product of the trade, could be a cog in the Tigers' 'pen, so they're showing limited interest in free agents like J.C. Romero and Ron Mahay, according to MLB.com's Jason Beck.
- The agent for Hisashi Iwakuma, Don Nomura, told the Associated Press (via ESPN) that the A's showed no respect for his client in their recent negotiations. The agent is clearly frustrated by what he perceives to be a lack of sincerity from Oakland.
- The D'Backs have some interest in outfielder Chris Heisey, but have yet to approach the Reds about him, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (Twitter link).
- The Phillies are still interested in a potential deal with Chad Durbin, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- White Sox GM Kenny Williams tells Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that his team is "about tapped out" in terms of payroll flexibility (Twitter link).
- The Indians officially announced their minor league deal with Paul Phillips today.
- The Yankees met with Pedro Feliciano's representatives today, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff (on Twitter).
Diamondbacks Re-Sign Mike Hampton
Lefty Mike Hampton is returning to the Diamondbacks on a minor league deal, tweets Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. He'll compete for a bullpen job.
Hampton, a 38-year-old former Cy Young runner-up, signed with Arizona in August after coming back from rotator cuff surgery. He made four appearances at Triple-A and another ten for the D'Backs.
Phillies Close To Deal With Dennys Reyes?
1:22pm: The Phillies have offers out to Reyes and Sherrill, tweets Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly, but it looks like Sherrill might be headed elsewhere. The Phils are "very close" with Reyes, tweets Salisbury.
12:46pm: The Phillies are very close to a one-year deal with a club option with Reyes, tweets Rojas.
WEDNESDAY, 11:45am: The Phillies are not close to signing Reyes and have yet to make a formal offer, reports Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News. Word is they're not close on any reliever right now.
TUESDAY, 4:27pm: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that Reyes will sign with the Phillies (Twitter link).
2:34pm: Reyes could sign within the next 48 hours, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, probably deciding between the Phillies and Marlins. The Mariners and Athletics are also in on Reyes, tweets John Hickey of AOL Fanhouse.
12:14pm: The agent for lefty Dennys Reyes, Oscar Suarez, is meeting with the Phillies today, tweets ESPN's Enrique Rojas. Suarez says at least five to six teams are interested.
The Phillies could be a match for lefty George Sherrill; Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun says they're considered the favorite by most in the industry.
Rays Interested In Edwin Encarnacion
The Rays are interested in Edwin Encarnacion, tweets Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse, seemingly as a designated hitter/first base option. Encarnacion, typically a third baseman, was non-tendered by the Athletics this month. He hit 21 home runs in 367 plate appearances this year for the Blue Jays.