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Odds & Ends: Lerew, Cuba, Coonelly, Hechavarria

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Discussion: Pablo Sandoval

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We haven't heard anything about the Giants considering a contract offer for third baseman Pablo Sandoval, but Tim mentioned him as possible extension candidate.

Sandoval, 23, burst onto the scene with a late season cameo in 2008, then finished seventh in the 2009 NL MVP voting when he hit .330/.387/.556 with 25 homers in his first full season. He won't be eligible for arbitration until after the 2011 season, but that doesn't mean San Francisco can't secure some cost certainty now. 

The best comparable for a contract extension might be David Wright, who inked a six year, $55MM deal in the middle of his second full season. The Mets' third baseman hit .306/.388/.523 with 27 homers in his first full season, and was hitting .308/.382/.545 on the August 2006 day he signed his deal. Sandoval started the 2010 season at nearly the same exact age that Wright started the 2006 season, but the biggest difference between the two is that Wright was a far safer bet to remain at third base long-term.

With a 5-foot-11, 245 lb. frame (that's what the team's official site says), Sandoval has a -2.3 career UZR at the hot corner, and is expected to slide over to first as he gets older and potentially gets even bigger. That's something the Giants will have to consider if they approach their best hitter with a contract, that it's easier to find a first baseman that hits like he does than a third baseman.

Wright's deal bought out his last remaining pre-arbitration year (for $1MM), his three arbitration years (for $22.5MM total), and two free agent years (for $29MM total). There's also a $16MM club option ($1MM buyout) for the 2013 season, which would have been Wright's third free agent year. That framework seems reasonable for Sandoval, though the Giants might not want to assume so much risk with a bad bodied player. Buying out his last four years of team control for $23MM or so with (ideally) a club option or two for some free agent years would make sense.

Blocked Prospects: Yonder Alonso

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The Reds have successful drafted and developed their first baseman of the future, and it's not 2008 first round pick Yonder Alonso. Joey Votto, a second round pick back in 2002, has emerged as one of the game's best young hitters, posting the fourth highest OPS (.981) in baseball last year. Tim mentioned Votto as a young player with a chance to receive a contract extension, and went so far as to find some comparables.

Baseball America ranked Alonso the 45th best prospect in the game, while ESPN's Keith Law had him 76th. Baseball Prospectus' Kevin Goldstein left him off his Top 101 Prospects List entirely. In their 2010 Handbook, Baseball America rated Alonso the team's second best prospect (though that was before the Aroldis Chapman signing) and wrote that he is "the purest hitter in the system and has above-average power." Though he missed a big chunk of the 2009 season with a hamate injury, Alonso hit .292/.374/.464 across three levels.

As the 7th overall pick in 2008, Alonso received a Major League contract that put him on the 40-man roster immediately and will pay him $4.55MM through 2012. The clock is ticking on Alonso's three option years, which will expire after the 2011 season, however it's worth noting that he'll qualify for the rare fourth option because his original three will be used before his fifth pro season. Regardless, Cincinnati is in a bit of a pickle because they have a highly touted first base prospect ready to start the season in Double-A, and a 26-year-old franchise player at the same position.

Rumors swirled last year that the Reds would try Alonso behind the plate, but he doesn't have the body for it and it's a position that takes quite some time to learn. MLB.com's Mark Sheldon reports that Alonso will play left field this year, which is exactly what the Padres did with Kyle Blanks when he approached the big leagues blocked by Adrian Gonzalez. If the experiment in left doesn't go as planned, Alonso will be a prime piece of trade bait.

When it comes to comparable prospects being traded, the first name that comes to mind is Matt LaPorta. The Brewers selected him in the first round despite having Prince Fielder in the big leagues, but used him to headline a package for CC Sabathia, who helped them get to the playoffs. If the Reds contend this year or next, Alonso could be the guy to get them the piece needed to put them over the top. For now, he'll try out left field and continue to develop at Double-A.

2011 Contract Issues: Oakland Athletics

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Let's start with a look at the Athletics' 2011 options:

  • Eric Chavez has a $12.5MM club option with a $3MM buyout.  This appears highly unlikely to be exercised.
  • Mark Ellis has a $6MM club option with a $500K buyout.  Ellis missed a large chunk of last year with a calf strain and hasn't played a full season since '07.  Should he stay relatively healthy and maintain his top-notch defense, WAR might suggest Ellis will be worth the $5.5MM net price in 2011.  Still, the A's would have to weigh their many second base alternatives as well as Ellis' market value.
  • Coco Crisp has a $5.75MM club option with a $500K buyout.  The club option is the silver lining on a pretty risky signing. 

After 2010, the A's will be free of their $4MM obligation to Willy Taveras.  Veteran starters Ben Sheets and Justin Duchscherer will be eligible for free agency.

The Athletics' first-year arbitration players will include Kurt Suzuki, Ryan Sweeney, Dallas Braden, Craig Breslow, and Travis Buck.  A long-term deal for Suzuki may be in order.  The A's will also have Kevin Kouzmanoff, Rajai Davis, and Joey Devine due raises as second-year arbitration players.  Gabe Gross and Chad Gaudin are two more arbitration-eligible players, though they stand a chance of being non-tendered.

Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the information.

Yankees Claim Chad Huffman

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WEDNESDAY, 1:28pm: The Yankees claimed Huffman off waivers from the Padres, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.  Huffman will head to Triple A.  Baseball America ranked Huffman 21st among Padres prospects, noting his strong batting eye and good power but various limitations.  Their bottom line quote: "He looks like a future regular on his best days and a part-timer on his worst."  Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues and MLBTR has a hunch Kevin Towers' fingerprints are all over this pickup.

SUNDAY, 3:09pm: The Padres designated outfielder Chad Huffman for assignment in order to clear a space on the 40-man roster for veteran slugger Matt Stairs, according to a team press release.

Huffman, 25 later this month, was a second-round pick for the Friars back in 2006. He hit .269/.361/.469 for the Padres Triple-A affiliate in Portland last season, but managed just one hit in 23 spring at-bats. For his career in the minors, Huffman owns a respectable .289/.385/.474 line over four seasons and 1885 plate appearances.

Robert Andino Clears Waivers

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WEDNESDAY, 1:09pm: Andino has cleared waivers and been outrighted to Triple A Norfolk, according to an Orioles press release.  MLB.com's Brittany Ghiroli has comments from Andino on the situation.

SATURDAY, 3:25pm: The Orioles have designated Robert Andino for assignment, writes Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun.  The club now has ten days to trade, release, or request waivers on the infielder.

The recent acquisition of Julio Lugo from the Cardinals made the soon-to-be 26-year-old expendable.  Baltimore GM Andy MacPhail says that the roster, barring injury, is now set, according to MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli.

In 215 plate appearances for the O's last season, Andino hit .222/.274/.288 with 2 HRs.  However, he played an above-average shortstop, posting a UZR/150 of 6.3.

Phillies Claim Nelson Figueroa

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Pitcher Nelson Figueroa was claimed by the Phillies, reports ESPN's Adam Rubin.  The Phils' interest in Figueroa was revealed Monday by ESPN's Jayson Stark after the Mets placed him on waivers Friday.  Figueroa had the ability to elect free agency if he cleared waivers.  According to Stark, Figueroa was considering Japan if a big league opportunity didn't surface.

In 70.3 innings last year, Figueroa posted a 4.09 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 for the Mets.  This marks his second stint with the Phillies, as he tossed 89 innings for the '01 club after coming over as part of the Curt Schilling deal.  The Phillies are dealing with a handful of pitching injuries, with Joe Blanton, Brad Lidge, and J.C. Romero on the shelf.

Discussion: Joey Votto Extension

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We haven't heard anything about the Reds considering an extension offer for first baseman Joey Votto, but he's high on our speculative list of candidates.

Votto, 26, finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting in 2008 and followed with an even better performance in his second full season.  Unfortunately, issues related to the passing of Votto's father affected him early in '09.

Votto will be eligible for arbitration for the first time after this season.  The Reds signed him for $550K for 2010, throwing several extra tens of thousands his way in the name of goodwill.  Let's consider a few possible comparables for Votto:

  • Adam Lind recently signed a four-year, $18MM deal with the Blue Jays with three club options.  He gave up his three arbitration years for $15MM.  The option years cover his first three years of free agent eligibility and are in the $7-8MM range.  At this stage in their careers Votto has the batting average advantage, home runs are about even, and Lind wins in RBIs and runs.  Votto's other advantages: a strong rookie season and the ability to play a respectable first base.  Lind has split his time between left field and DH.
  • Kevin Youkilis signed a four-year, $41.125MM deal in January of '09.  The deal bought out two remaining arbitration years and two free agent seasons, with a club option on a third.  The difference is that Youkilis was less accomplished in every way when he reached arbitration for the first time, and the Red Sox didn't lock him up until a year later. 
  • Mark Reynolds was signed with 1689 plate appearances across roughly 2.8 seasons whereas Votto will have roughly 1870 across 3.2 seasons.  Plus Reynolds was signed a year prior to arbitration-eligibility.  Reynolds' three arbitration years went for $23.5MM, assuming the D'Backs pick up his 2013 option.
  • Prince Fielder gave up his first two arbitration years for $18MM.  This is another tough comp because with three years service time, Fielder outpaced where I project Votto to be in all categories except batting average.  Plus, Scott Boras drove a hard bargain and didn't give up Fielder's third arb year or any free agent years.
  • Ryan Zimmerman stacks up OK, although he had a .282 average and 58 home runs at the time of his deal against a projected .308 and 83 for Votto.  He gave up the same five-year slice of his career the Reds might crave for Votto, at a price of $45MM.
  • I think a five-year deal in the $50MM range would make sense for the Reds and Votto.  He'd give up his three arbitration years for roughly $22MM, plus a couple of free agent years for $14MM each.  Of course, a lot depends on Votto's 2010 season.  Keeping CHONE's rates but upping the at-bats to 575, Votto is projected for something like a .303 average, 29 home runs, 99 RBIs, and 85 runs.

Braves Sign Alex Romero

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The Braves signed outfielder Alex Romero to a minor league deal, based on the team's Double A roster.  The Braves confirmed the signing.

Romero signed a minor league deal with the Astros in December, but was released in March.  The 26-year-old hit .348/.416/.462 for the D'Backs' Triple a club last year, but struggled in 157 big league plate appearances.  Two years ago, Baseball America called Romero "the ideal fourth outfielder."

2011 Contract Issues: Houston Astros

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The Astros have three 2011 options to consider after the season:

  • Lance Berkman has a $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout. Berkman has indicated he might move on if the option is declined; MLBTR's Luke Adams discussed the situation recently.  Berkman had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee on March 13th and recently had it drained for a fifth time.
  • Brett Myers has an $8MM mutual option with a $2MM buyout.  As MLBTR's Mike Axisa noted a month ago, mutual options are baseball's new fad and typically don't serve as actual options.  It's highly likely that one of the sides will want to decline.
  • Geoff Blum also has a mutual option; at $1.65MM it's more plausible the two sides work something out.

The Astros also have Kaz Matsui, Pedro Feliz, Brian Moehler, and Jason Michaels up for free agency after the season.  The four are earning $13.3MM in 2010.

Felipe Paulino is projected to enter his first arbitration year.  Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, Matt Lindstrom, Jeff Keppinger, and Chris Sampson will face arbitration for the second time.  Wandy Rodriguez and Humberto Quintero will go for the third time, Tim Byrdak a fourth.  A few of these players might be non-tendered, though.  On the other hand, the Astros could consider locking up Pence, Bourn, or Rodriguez with big '10 seasons. 

Raises to under-contract players are insignificant, with Roy Oswalt and Brandon Lyon each getting a $1MM bump in 2011.

Thanks to Cot's Baseball Contracts for the info.

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