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Archives for May 2010

Odds & Ends: Peavy, Duchscherer, Vasquez, Piniella

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Links for Monday, as Jose Bautista continues to astound…

  • Jake Peavy told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that he has no interest in being part of a rebuilding effort at this point in his career. He hasn't given up on the White Sox, though.
  • The injured Justin Duchscherer tells John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that he wants to pitch in 2011 (Twitter link).
  • Yahoo's Tim Brown lists Dave Trembley, Jerry Manuel and other managers whose jobs aren't completely secure.
  • Frankie Piliere of MLB FanHouse names 24 international player to watch leading up to July 2nd, when teams can start signing a new crop of free agents. The Giants are among the favorites to sign top Dominican outfielder Eskarlin Vasquez.
  • Cubs GM Jim Hendry says he doesn't have "one thought" in his mind about firing Lou Piniella, according to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter).
  • Another manager whose contract expires after the season, Jerry Manuel, tells Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork that he isn't worried about his status (Twitter link).
  • RotoAuthority identifies some pitchers who have gained and lost velocity this season. Francisco Liriano's fastball has more zip than ever and, now that he's in the rotation, C.J. Wilson isn't throwing as hard.
  • Rival executives feel that the Nationals could become aggressive this trade deadline, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. The Nats, now 20-18, could take on an apparently-oversized contract and make a playoff push.
  • MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo explains that top college pitchers Anthony Ranaudo and Drew Pomeranz have struggled recently and aren't as attractive to teams as they once were.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports believes the Cubs should consider firing Lou Piniella if they don't jump into serious contention.
  • Dave Cameron of FanGraphs explains that Jose Bautista and Jake Westbrook could be attractive trade chips later in the summer.
  • South Side Sox says Kenny Williams' roster construction "lacked imagination and vision" this year. The result so far: a 15-22 record for the White Sox.

Drew Storen On Track For Super Two Status

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If Drew Storen stays on the Nationals' roster all season, he will pile up 140 days of service time this year, enough to have a good chance at Super Two status after 2012. There are no guarantees that relievers- young or old- can maintain enough consistency to merit a roster spot all season long. And there are no guarantees that Storen will accumulate a full year of service time in 2011 and 2012. 

But Storen's pedigree (drafted 10th overall) and hot start (10.7 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9) suggest he's as likely as any 22-year-old to stay in the major leagues. If he does, he'll be a Super Two in a couple years and will cost the Nationals more because he will go to arbitration four times, instead of the usual three. 

Jonathan Broxton, another reliever who arrived in the majors at a young age, will earn $12.825MM for his three arbitration years. That shows that relievers can make big money before they hit free agency. Of course, Broxton has been nothing but dominant since 2006 and it's premature to ask for that kind of consistency from Storen. But if Storen stays healthy and lives up to his potential as a top prospect, he could become a Super Two player and earn even more than Broxton through arbitration.

Reds Sign Felix Perez

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The Reds signed 25-year-old Cuban outfielder Felix Perez to a minor league deal worth $550K today. Jorge Arangure Jr. of ESPN.com reported yesterday that a signing seemed likely and the team confirmed the move today on Twitter, with John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer adding the dollar amount (via Twitter). Last night, Reds GM Walt Jocketty said his club was one of many teams still talking to Perez, according to Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.

Major League Baseball suspended Perez for one year for lying about his age and reinstated him in October of last year. Perez agreed to a deal with the Yankees in the spring of 2009.  The proposed deal would have included a signing bonus in the range of $3MM to $3.5MM.  At the time, Perez claimed to be 20 years old though sources told Arangure that it was believed he could be four or even five years older than that.  Upon discovering the age discrepancy, the Bombers broke off talks.

When the Yankees ceased discussions with the outfielder, several scouts told Arangure that this was a blessing in disguise as they didn't believe he was worth the money that was being offered.

D’Backs Sign Wagner Mateo

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The Diamondbacks officially signed 17-year-old prospect Wagner Mateo to a deal worth $512K today. Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reported that the sides were nearing a deal in late April; MLBTR contributor Blake Bentley reported that the deal was done days later and Piecoro added the dollar amount. Today, Piecoro noted (via Twitter) that the deal had become official.

The $512K is a steep, but expected, drop from the $3.1MM deal that Mateo signed with St. Louis last July. That contract was voided by the club out of concerns about Mateo's vision. The Dominican outfielder was rumored to join the Giants in the winter, but a deal never materialized.

Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.

White Sox Not Looking To Trade Players

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The White Sox may start dealing players at some point this season, but they aren't looking to start trading yet. GM Ken Williams texted manager Ozzie Guillen to say that he isn't looking to trade any White Sox, according to Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times (via Twitter). Guillen relayed that message to his players, many of whom have come up in recent trade rumors (Twitter link).

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reported yesterday that the Rangers have inquired on A.J. Pierzynski. Like Mark Buehrle, Pierzynski should see his ten and five rights kick in this June. That would give the players the power to veto trades so Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports suggested this weekend that the White Sox could start trading soon.

Andruw Jones, Paul Konerko and J.J. Putz could all be appealing if the White Sox fall further out of contention. As MLBTR's Howard Megdal explained last week, five teams could have interest in Jones alone. But the White Sox are all staying put for now, as Williams appears content to wait out his club's 15-22 start in hopes of a summer turnaround.

Ryan Freel Retires

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Ryan Freel has retired, according to Mike Ashmore of the Hunterdon County Democrat (via Twitter). Freel signed with the Atlantic League's Somerset Patriots in April, but played just nine games for the club, hitting .265 with one steal according to Ashmore (via Twitter).

Freel, 34, played with the Reds, Royals, Cubs, Orioles and Blue Jays in his eight-year MLB career. The utilityman posted a career line of .268/.354/.369 and stole 143 bases in 191 career attempts. Freel made a name for himself in Cincinnati, where he spent six seasons and averaged 37 steals and a .370 on base percentage between 2004-06. He has earned about $11.5MM in his career.

Rosenthal On Vargas, D’Backs, Hillman, Baldelli

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Jason Vargas is off to a hot start with the Mariners, but when they acquired him in the 2008 J.J. Putz deal, he wasn’t considered a major part of the trade. GM Jack Zduriencik tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he asked for Vargas while trying to “finish up the deal.” Here are the rest of Rosenthal’s hot stove-related notes:

  • One NL official wonders how the D'Backs can operate without a left-handed reliever in a division that includes many imposing left-handed hitters.
  • The Royals fired manager Trey Hillman last week, but his baseball career is probably not over. Hillman is still "well-thought of in the industry," according to one GM. 
  • Rocco Baldelli could make a comeback this year. He's a special assistant to the Rays, and he continues to hit daily. The 28-year-old outfielder hit .253/.311/.433 for the Red Sox last year in 164 plate appearances.

Players Who Cannot Be Offered Arbitration

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Being designated a Type A free agent can be a detriment if the team offers arbitration.  If the player accepts, he's off the market on a one-year deal and has a limited salary range.  If he declines, his new team must surrender a draft pick upon signing him.  Carrying around the added draft pick cost, Juan Cruz and Orlando Cabrera were among those with fewer opportunities as free agents after the '08 season.

As a result, a contractual clause prohibiting the team from offering arbitration if a player receives Type A status has been gaining in popularity.  During the 2009-10 offseason, at least four players had this clause added:

  • Orlando Hudson, Legacy Sports.  Hudson was offered and turned down arbitration from the Diamondbacks after the '08 season, and was surprised he could only find a one-year deal from the Dodgers guaranteeing $3.38MM.  The Dodgers were willing to give up the #17 overall pick to get Hudson at the reduced rate.  Hudson avoided the problem when the Dodgers chose not to offer arbitration after the '09 season.  His agent made sure it would not surface again after '10 by having a clause included in his Twins contract prohibiting the team from offering arbitration if he's a Type A.  Hudson is a Type B right now anyway.
  • Brad Penny, Legacy Sports.  Penny was well-paid by the Cardinals given his 2009 stats, but he also had the "no arbitration offer" clause included.  That might've been optimistic, since right now he's not even a Type B.
  • Justin Duchscherer, Lapa/Leventhal.  The A's offered arbitration to Duchscherer, a Type B, after the '09 season.  He declined and re-signed, and this time made sure the team cannot offer if he's a Type A.  The point is moot, as Duchscherer is below Type B and may miss the rest of the season with hip surgery.
  • Ben Sheets, CAA.  Not only did Sheets snag a huge $10MM guarantee after missing all of '09, he got this clause added just in case he has a season awesome enough to vault him to Type A status.  I'm not sure that's even possible.  Though he's been better recently, he'd need to quadruple his current Elias points (15.175) to reach Type B. 
  • Scott Boras may have been out front on this trend.  He had the clause included in Ivan Rodriguez's one-year, $10MM deal with the Marlins in '03 as well as Carlos Beltran's seven-year, $119MM deal signed in '05.  Beltran is a Type A at this time, but the Mets might not have offered arbitration after '11 anyway.

D’Backs Acquire Saul Rivera, Release Howry

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The Diamondbacks have acquired reliever Saul Rivera from the Indians for cash and released Bob Howry, tweets Ed Price of AOL Fanhouse.

Rivera, 32, has a 0.53 ERA, 5.8 K/9, and 3.7 BB/9 in 17 Triple A innings so far this year.  He's got similar peripherals over 275.6 career big league innings, leading to a 4.05 ERA.  Rivera was released by the Nationals in December (on his birthday) to make room for Brian Bruney.  He later signed a minor league deal with the Indians.

Howry, 36, was signed by the D'Backs to a one-year, $2.25MM deal in December.  In 14.3 innings this year, he sports a matching 3.8 in terms of home runs, walks, and strikeouts per nine innings.  That's not an effective formula.  Arizona's bullpen has a 7.68 ERA in 104.3 innings, so changes were necessary.  Aside from Aaron Heilman, everyone has struggled.

Free Agent Stock Watch: Troy Glaus

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Troy Glaus was traded to the Cardinals in January of 2008, waiving his no-trade clause and exercising his '09 player option for more than $12MM.  He recovered from surgery to repair a nerve in his foot and posted a fine '08, hitting 27 home runs and playing over 1,200 innings at third base.  A year after the trade Glaus had arthroscopic right shoulder surgery, which ultimately limited him to 135 pro plate appearances in 2009.  Glaus previously had a procedure on that shoulder in May of '04.

The lost '09 season drove Glaus' price down in free agency, as he signed for a base salary of $1.75MM.   He'll get a $250K bonus with 100 days on the active roster and can earn another $2MM based on plate appearances.  Glaus is currently on pace to exceed 600 plate appearances and max out his incentives, which would bring him to $4MM earned in 2010.

After a slow April, Glaus has a scorching .400/.460/.600 line in May.  He seems headed toward 25 home runs and 100 RBIs.  He's also settled in as a regular first baseman.  Though the Braves' offense has shown a surprising lack of power, GM Frank Wren deserves praise for this low-risk signing.  Glaus will turn 34 in August, so he won't be in line for a multiyear deal after the season.  He's nowhere near Type B status, so free agent compensation won't be involved either.  He still may be able to pull off a contract similar to that of Adam LaRoche and Hideki Matsui – around $6MM guaranteed.

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