Nationals Monitoring Chien-Ming Wang
The Nationals are the latest team linked to free agent righty Chien-Ming Wang, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Wang, 30 in March, had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right shoulder capsule on July 29th of last year. On January 28th, Wang's agent Alan Nero told ESPN's Jayson Stark that his client is expected to "make a major-league start sometime in the first two weeks of May." If we project Wang's return date as May 15th, that'd be 75% of a season.
Nero told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports a week ago that he's "anticipating a major-league offer with a substantial guarantee and substantial upside." About six clubs have been in on Wang this winter to some extent, including the Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets. SI's Jon Heyman says an April showcase is possible.
Marlins Sign Seth McClung
Pitcher Seth McClung officially signed a minor league deal with the Marlins today. The righty will earn $800K if he makes the big league roster and could earn another $50K in incentives.
McClung, 29 in February, posted a 4.94 ERA, 5.8 K/9, and 5.7 BB/9 in 62 innings for the Brewers last year. He was non-tendered after the season. Silver lining: McClung averaged 93.2 mph on his fastball last year. Between him, Derrick Turnbow, and Jose Veras, the Marlins will find something for next to nothing.
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald first reported the deal. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy first tweeted that an agreement was close and added the terms of the deal. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro also added some salary information (via Twitter).
Dodgers Sign Ramon Ortiz
The Dodgers signed righty Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. Ortiz, 37 in March, spent 2009 with the Giants' Triple A club. He posted a 3.05 ERA, 7.9 K/9, and 2.4 BB/9 in 129.6 innings. Ortiz's career has also included stops with the Angels, Reds, Nationals, Twins, Rockies, and Orix Buffaloes.
Dodgers Re-Sign Jeff Weaver
The Dodgers have re-signed Jeff Weaver to a minor league deal worth $800K plus up to $100K in incentives. The 33-year-old righty pitched to a 3.65 ERA in 79 innings for the Dodgers last year. He started seven games and finished five, serving as a swingman in Joe Torre's bullpen. Weaver paired a 3.8 BB/9 with a career high strikeout rate of 7.3 K/9.
We heard this weekend that Scott Boras was trying to find interest in Weaver. There wasn't much buzz around the sidearmer this offseason; the Dodgers were the only team linked to him.
Yahoo's Tim Brown first tweeted the agreement and Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times added the terms of the contract and tweeted when it became official.
Minor League Transactions: Mench, Perez, Cairo
A 25 homer hitter, a former first rounder and a 14-year veteran signed this week. Baseball America's Matt Eddy has the details on those transactions and more. Here are some highlights from January 25th-31st:
- The Nationals signed Kevin Mench. The 32-year-old didn't play in the majors last year, but he hit 25 homers as recently as 2005. He has a career .900 OPS against lefties.
- The Blue Jays signed Wade Townsend. The Rays released the 2005 first rounder last summer, but the Jays are giving him a chance.
- The Reds signed Miguel Cairo. The 14-year-veteran posted a .705 OPS for the Phillies last year in 47 plate appearances.
- The White Sox signed Daniel Cabrera. The 6'7'' right-hander led the American League in walks and earned runs allowed when he logged over 200 innings for the Orioles in 2007. He split time with the D'Backs and Nationals last year, struggling with both clubs.
- The Dodgers signed Timo Perez out of the Can-Am League. The 34-year-old surfaced as a rookie for the Mets in the 2000 Subway Series.
- The Phillies signed Freddy Guzman.
- The Mets signed Val Pascucci, who has 193 minor league homers to his name.
Odds & Ends: Tejada, Lincecum, Bedard
Some links for your Tuesday night…
- Melvin Mora wasn't the only former Oriole the Rockies were interested in this offseason. Dan O'Dowd & Co. had interest in Miguel Tejada before he signed with the Orioles, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies were willing to spend on Tejada, but the infielder didn't seem to like the idea of rotating between infield positions.
- The Giants have only engaged Tim Lincecum in "very insignificant" conversations about two-year deals, the pitcher's agent tells Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. Rick Thurman expects the sides to go to a hearing.
- Even scouts aren't sure when Erik Bedard will be able to pitch, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Peter Gammons tweets some advice to Adam Kennedy: call the Tigers.
- Tyler Hissey says Boston's improved defense should combine with the club's deep rotation to prevent more runs, especially if Clay Buchholz breaks out.
Multiple Teams Interested In Brian Giles
The agent for Brian Giles tells Dan Hayes of the North County Times that eight to ten teams have inquired on his client (Twitter link). Joe Bick, Giles' agent, expects the 39-year-old outfielder to agree to a deal by the end of the week.
Giants Sign Guillermo Mota
The Giants signed Guillermo Mota to a minor league deal, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. Unlike Horacio Ramirez and Byung-Hyun Kim, who also agreed to deals with the Giants today, Mota receives an invitation to Spring Training.
The Dodgers didn't offer Mota arbitration after the righty posted a 3.44 ERA for them last year in 65.1 innings of relief. The 36-year-old's rate stats – 5.4 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 – are nothing special, but his average fastball is about 94 mph.
Odds & Ends: Mauer, Hairston, Buck, Benson
Links for Tuesday…
- We shouldn't expect a Joe Mauer extension soon, according to this tweet from USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
- The Padres avoided arbitration with Scott Hairston, signing the outfielder to a one-year deal worth $2.45MM, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports believes that the Tigers have moved into the non-denial stage regarding Johnny Damon (via Twitter).
- A's outfielder Travis Buck has a chip on his shoulder after watching the A's acquire multiple outfielders, reports CSNBayArea's Mychael Urban. But as ESPN's Rob Neyer points out, Buck hasn't done much recently with the bat.
- Free agent outfielder Darin Erstad told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick he'd love to play in 2010, but "there is nowhere to find at-bats."
- Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweets that the Dodgers "remain interested in Jeff Weaver, but their roster situation could prevent them from offering him a major-league deal."
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports names the D'Backs, Cubs, Reds, and Nationals as teams monitoring free agent starter Kris Benson. Benson didn't pitch much in the last three seasons due to rotator cuff surgery.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. further explained his rationale behind the Cliff Lee trade, reports Scott Lauber of The News Journal. Amaro's reasoning didn't sway my opinion; none of the three prospects he received are in Keith Law's top 100 (though Ramirez is #101). The long-term value of Phillippe Aumont, J.C. Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies should not outweigh the extra 4-5 wins Lee would've provided in 2010. And did Amaro even shop Lee around for the best package?
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star is pessimistic on the Royals, who he says don't offer much beyond Zack Greinke, Billy Butler, and Joakim Soria.
- RotoAuthority looks at Boston's closer situation from a fantasy baseball point of view.
Aurilia Hopes To Sign With Yankees Or Mets
Rich Aurilia isn't ready to retire, reports Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. The 38-year-old corner infielder is seeking a minor league deal, and he'd like to play for the Yankees or Mets. Baggarly notes that Aurilia and new Yankee Randy Winn are old friends.
Aurilia signed a minor league deal with the Giants in February of last year and proceeded to have a rough 133 plate appearances. He doesn't blame injuries – in fact, Aurilia's trips to the DL were for phantom injuries (at the Giants' request).