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Archives for January 2010

Phillies Claim Brian Bocock Off Waivers

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The Phillies have claimed infielder Brian Bocock off waivers from the Blue Jays, tweets MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Toronto just claimed Bocock off waivers from the Giants earlier this month. 

Bocock, 25 in March, spent most of '09 in High A ball, where he hit .241/.303/.339.  The speedy shortstop is hailed for his defense, according to Baseball America's '08 Handbook.

Note: an earlier version of this post contained incorrect information about the Phillies having higher priority than the Blue Jays for NL players.  Only trade waivers are league-specific.

Two Teams Left In Edmonds Sweepstakes

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There are only two teams left competing for the services of Jim Edmonds reports Rob Rains of The St. Louis Globe-Democrat, and the Cardinals are not one of them. It's unknown what kind of salary either team is offering, or if they're even guaranteeing him a roster spot, but Rains says the Cards likely would have offered him just the league minimum.

The 39-year-old Edmonds first made waves about a possible comeback last week, and he was reportedly contacted by multiple clubs soon thereafter. The Yankees are said to be looking for an outfielder, however GM Brian Cashman said that they aren't interested in Edmonds at all.

Odds & Ends: Twins, Angels, Rangers

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Lots to get to as Monday starts to wind down:

  • Frankie Piliere of AOL Fanhouse weighs in with his top 100 prospects of 2010. The Top 25 can be found here, while 26-100 are available here.
  • In addition to weighing in on Jim Thome, MLB.com's Kelly Thesier reports that the Twins would likely be looking to begin any contract extension with Joe Mauer in 2011, rather than re-work his 2010 deal.
  • MLB.com's Lyle Spencer doesn't think the Angels are doing anything else significant this offseason.
  • T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com says that the Rangers haven't ruled Ben Sheets out completely, but that the player movement is likely finished in Arlington as well.
  • Add MLB.com's Marty Noble to the list of people who don't understand why the Mets acquired Gary Matthews Jr.
  • Michael DiRocco of the Florida Times-Union reports that Texas Rangers' draft pick and Florida wide receiver Riley Cooper, practicing this week at the Senior Bowl, has chosen football over baseball.
  • The Royals announced infielder Mario Lisson was designated for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster for Rick Ankiel.

White Sox Out On Thome

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7:35pm: Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune is up with a story on Thome not returning. According to Guillen, the at-bats for Thome simply weren't there.

7:01pm: Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times tweets that a source with the Twins told him Jim Thome's agent spoke with Minnesota this afternoon, meaning that "it's official – Jim ain't coming back." He added that manager Ozzie Guillen has confirmed this as well.

Cowley adds that Tampa Bay and Detroit are also in the running for Thome's services, but the Twins appear to be the frontrunner.

Thome would serve primarily as a pinch-hitter for Minnesota, though he could spell Jason Kubel occasionally at DH.

Rockies Agree To Multi-Year Contracts With Street, Betancourt

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MONDAY, 6:40pm: Troy Renck of the Denver Post has some updated incentive details on the Betancourt deal. He receives $50K for 40 games finished, another $50K at 45 and $100K at 50, 55 and 60 games finished.

TUESDAY, 12:50pm: The Rockies have agreed to multi-year contracts with righty relievers Huston Street and Rafael Betancourt, reports FoxSports.com's Tracy Ringolsby. 

Street, who was arbitration eligible for the third and final time, agreed to a three year deal worth $22.5MM with an option for a fourth year. The deal is still pending a physical, which Street will take this coming weekend. The former AL Rookie of the Year came over in the Matt Holliday deal last offseason, then saved 35 games and posted a 3.06 ERA in 61.2 innings while making $4.5MM during his first season in Colorado.

Betancourt agreed to a two year deal worth $3.775M per season. He accepted the team's offer of arbitration earlier this offseason after being designated as a Type-A free agent, though the Rockies first declined his $5.4MM option for 2010. The Rockies acquired him at mid-season from the Indians, and watched as he put up a 1.78 ERA with a 29-5 K/BB ratio in 25.1 innings down the stretch. He earned $3.35MM in 2009.

Angels Extend Maicer Izturis

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Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times reports that the Angels have extended Maicer Izturis' contract for three years, $10MM, avoiding arbitration in the process and buying out two years of free agency as well.

Izturis had submitted an arbitration salary of $3MM, while the Angels had countered with $2.3MM.

Izturis, 29, had a terrific 2009 season, posting a .300/.359/.434 batting line while playing mainly second base for the Angels. His UZR/150 at the position was a sparkling 14.7.

Though the 2010 projection systems see some regression from his near-.800 OPS, he still profiles as a strong choice at second base. A good signing at reasonable money for the Angels here.

Nationals Sign Chris Duncan

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The Nationals signed outfielder Chris Duncan on January 19th, according to the team's official transactions page.

Duncan, 29 in May, hit .227/.329/.358 in 304 plate appearances for the Cardinals last year before being traded in July to the Red Sox for Julio Lugo.  He was released from the Triple A Pawtucket club about a month later.

Talking to Rob Rains of the St. Louis Globe-Democrat in December, Duncan's agent Barry Meister suggested his client's neck injury and surgery caused his poor performance in 2008-09.  Duncan hit .273/.358/.527 in his first two seasons with the Cards.  It's been a busy offseason for the Duncans, as Dave re-upped as Cardinals pitching coach and Shelley landed with the Indians.

Rays May Not Be Done

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4:25pm: Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times talked to Rays executive VP Andrew Friedman, who said the team is open to exploring a long-term deal with Upton.

10:15am: The Rays' biggest additions this winter have been catcher Kelly Shoppach and closer Rafael Soriano, as well as the re-signing of extra outfielder Gabe Kapler.  Their losses have included Mitch Talbot, Akinori Iwamura, Gregg Zaun, and Jesse Chavez (who was acquired for Iwamura and then traded for Soriano). 

They've also got one arbitration case in B.J. Upton.  A hearing seems silly given a gap of only $300K.  Upton isn't worried about the difference and even told MLB.com's Bill Chastain he's "definitely all for" discussing a long-term deal.  The Rays might want to see if Upton's power returns before offering multiyear security.

Is that it for the Rays this winter?  Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune suggests they're still looking for another reliever.  An earlier article from Topkin indicated manager Joe Maddon wanted more competition in the pen and at second base.  Among right-handed relievers, Kiko Calero might be the best remaining free agent.  He shouldn't cost much.  Chan Ho Park, Russ Springer, Mike MacDougal, and Kevin Gregg are lingering as well.

There's also the Jim Thome rumor, which Mooney notes would make a lot more sense paired with a Pat Burrell trade.

Mark Loretta Retires

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Infielder Mark Loretta has retired to take a position as special assistant to the Padres' baseball operations staff, tweets MLB.com's Corey Brock.

Loretta finishes with a .295/.360/.395 line in 6,558 plate appearances across 15 seasons for the Brewers, Astros, Padres, Red Sox, and Dodgers.  He mainly played second base, but also logged significant innings at the other three infield positions.  Loretta appeared in two All-Star games and finished ninth in the NL MVP vote in '04, when he hit .335/.391/.495 for the Padres.  According to Baseball-Reference, Loretta banked $29.4MM in his career.

Players Avoiding Arbitration: Monday

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A few dozen arbitration-eligible players have yet to agree on 2010 salaries.  As settlements are reached, we'll house them here.

  • Brewers pitcher Dave Bush reached an agreement with the club just short of the filing midpoint, tweets MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.  Bush had filed at $4.45MM, the Brewers at $4.125MM.  This is Bush's final arbitration year; he earned $4MM in '09.  Corey Hart and Carlos Villanueva are the Brewers' two remaining arbitration-eligible players.

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