Cardinals, Padres Interested In Bartlett
The Cardinals and Padres are among the teams showing some interest in Jason Bartlett, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Nationals, Giants and Orioles also reportedly have interest in the Rays shortstop.
As Morosi notes, we should soon learn which team won the bidding for Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Once the Rays know which teams missed out on Nishioka, they’ll be better-positioned to consider offers for Bartlett.
The 31-year-old earned $4MM in 2010 and will likely earn over $5MM through arbitration in 2011, his final season before hitting free agency. After a 2009 season in which he hit .320/.389/.490, Bartlett slumped to .254/.324/.350 in 2010. His career line (.281/.345/.385) suggests he's capable of bouncing back in 2011.
Reds To Sign Dontrelle Willis
The Reds have agreed to sign Dontrelle Willis to a minor league deal, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. Still just 28, Willis has gone from rookie phenom to ace to trade chip to bust to reclamation project in his eight-year MLB career. The Reds are presumably willing to overlook the control problems Willis has had in recent years because of the promise he showed when he first appeared in the majors in the early 2000s.
The lefty pitched to a 5.62 ERA in 65 2/3 innings with the Tigers and Diamondbacks last year, walking more batters (56) than he struck out (47). In fact, Willis has walked more batters than he has struck out every season since the Marlins traded him to Detroit in December of 2007.
The Tigers designated Willis for assignment last year before trading him to Arizona. After a brief stint with the D'Backs, Willis signed with the Giants, but did not appear in a big league game for San Francisco.
Multiple Teams Interested In Jarrod Washburn
At least three teams are interested in Jarrod Washburn and the Brewers are one of them, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter). Washburn, who sat out the 2010 season, is "seriously considering" pitching, according to Brown.
Two weeks ago, it appeared that the left-hander was undecided about his future. At that time, Washburn told Jon Paul Morosi that he would play if a "great opportunity" presented itself. The Brewers could be an appealing team for the Wisconsin native, who worked with manager Ron Roenicke when both were with the Angels.
Washburn, now 36, posted a 3.78 ERA with 5.1 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 176 innings for the Mariners and Tigers in 2009.
Poll: Which Type A FAs Will Be Offered Arbitration?
You've seen my predictions – I think 17 of the 27 Type A free agents will be offered arbitration at tomorrow night's deadline. Now it's your turn.
Poll: Which Relievers Will Sign Multiyear Deals?
The free agent market for relievers started with a bang when the Tigers officially signed Joaquin Benoit to a three-year, $16.5MM deal on Thursday. Benoit's deal could be attributed to the Tigers' aggression and the Levinson brothers' success with their mid-tier free agent clients. Or, the contract could be a sign that we're back to the crazy free agent days.
In each of the past four offseasons, about ten free agent relievers signed multiyear deals. This year we've already had two in Benoit and Jose Contreras. I've got 27 additional candidates; for this poll just select everyone who you think will sign for two or more years.
Free Agent Arbitration Offer Predictions
23 free agents were offered arbitration last year, down one from the year prior. This year, I predict that more than 30 players will receive offers. I expect this mainly because of my feelings on the 65 individual candidates. On a macro level, we could see more arbitration offers to free agents due to more value being placed on draft picks. Additionally, teams may be more inclined to offer if they think players are more likely to decline due to the lavish contracts given out so far.
Last year I was correct on 58 of 70 (82.9%). This year there are 63 Type A or B free agents, excluding Joaquin Benoit and John Buck. So hopefully I'm right on at least 53 of these. The deadline is tomorrow night at midnight eastern time, a week earlier than in years past.
Type A
- Grant Balfour – Yes, he will be offered arbitration
- Adrian Beltre – Yes
- Carl Crawford – Yes
- Jorge De La Rosa – Yes
- Scott Downs – Yes
- Adam Dunn – Yes
- Frank Francisco – No
- Jason Frasor – Yes
- Vladimir Guerrero – No
- Matt Guerrier – Yes
- Derek Jeter – Yes
- Paul Konerko – Yes
- Cliff Lee – Yes
- Derrek Lee – No
- Victor Martinez – Yes
- Bengie Molina – No
- Magglio Ordonez – No
- Carl Pavano – Yes
- Andy Pettitte – No
- A.J. Pierzynski – No
- Manny Ramirez - No
- Arthur Rhodes – Yes
- Mariano Rivera - No
- Rafael Soriano – Yes
- Miguel Tejada – No
- Jayson Werth – Yes
- Dan Wheeler – Yes
Type B
- Rod Barajas - No
- Lance Berkman – No
- Orlando Cabrera – No
- Randy Choate – Yes
- Kevin Correia – No
- Jesse Crain – Yes
- Johnny Damon – No
- Octavio Dotel – No
- Chad Durbin – Yes
- David Eckstein – No
- Pedro Feliciano – Yes
- Brian Fuentes – No
- Jon Garland – Yes
- Kevin Gregg – Yes
- Brad Hawpe – No
- Aaron Heilman – No
- Trevor Hoffman – No
- Orlando Hudson – No
- Aubrey Huff – Yes
- Gerald Laird – No
- Adam LaRoche – Yes
- Felipe Lopez – Yes
- Hideki Matsui – No
- Kevin Millwood – No
- Miguel Olivo – Yes
- Carlos Pena – No
- Scott Podsednik – Yes
- J.J. Putz – Yes
- Chad Qualls – No
- Jon Rauch – Yes
- Yorvit Torrealba – Yes
- Koji Uehara - No
- Juan Uribe – Yes
- Jason Varitek – No
- Javier Vazquez – No
- Kerry Wood – No
Thanks to Ben Nicholson-Smith, Mark Gonzales, and others who gave feedback on this list.
Joey Votto Wins NL MVP Award
Reds first baseman Joey Votto won the National League MVP award today, according to the BBWAA. Albert Pujols, Carlos Gonzalez, Adrian Gonzalez, Troy Tulowitzki, Roy Halladay, Aubrey Huff, Jayson Werth, Martin Prado, and Ryan Howard round out the top ten.
At Least Seven Teams Interested In Brandon McCarthy
The Athletics, Astros, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Padres, Mariners, and Tigers are among the teams interested in free agent righty Brandon McCarthy, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Rangers acquired McCarthy four years ago mainly for John Danks and Nick Masset in what I described at the time as an offer Kenny Williams couldn't refuse. McCarthy's Rangers career was ruined by injuries, and he was outrighted and elected free agency earlier this month.
Morosi notes that McCarthy has thrown well in the Dominican Winter League, and teams have been scouting him heavily. McCarthy has a history of shoulder injuries, but Morosi says he's subject to a "buy-low frenzy." Since the 6'7" righty has less than five years of big league service time, he could be controlled by his new team through 2012 as an arbitration eligible player.
McCarthy, 27, posted a 3.36 ERA, 7.0 K/9, 1.8 BB/9, and 1.3 HR/9 in 56 1/3 Triple-A innings this year. He tossed 119 innings between the Majors and minors in 2009.
Giants Close To Deal With Aubrey Huff
The Giants are close to a two-year deal worth close to $22MM with first baseman Aubrey Huff, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The deal will include a club option for 2013.
Free Agent Stock Watch: Arthur Rhodes
Two years ago the Reds took a gamble on 39-year-old lefty Arthur Rhodes, signing him to a two-year, $4MM deal. Last we read, interest was mutual on a new contract. Still, let's examine Rhodes' free agent stock.
The Good
- Since returning to the National League at the 2008 trade deadline, Rhodes has a 2.22 ERA, 8.3 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and 0.52 HR/9 in 121 2/3 innings across 160 appearances. He's allowed only 86 hits in that time.
- Rhodes dominated lefties this year in 23 2/3 innings, and was solid against them the previous two seasons. His consistent ability to prevent them from getting hits is not credited in a stat like xFIP.
- Rhodes has been around since 1991, so he should offer the intangible of veteran wisdom.
The Bad
- Rhodes is a Type A free agent. We'll know late tomorrow whether the Reds offer arbitration. If Rhodes turns down such an offer, a new team would have to surrender a draft pick to sign him. This could hurt his market quite a bit.
- Rhodes turned 41 last month, which may give teams pause if he seeks a two-year deal.
- He doesn't get many groundballs. That hasn't stopped him from preventing home runs, but some clubs could be concerned. Also, Rhodes is ordinary against right-handed hitters.
- ESPN's Keith Law wasn't kind in his relievers buyer's guide, saying Rhodes' stuff was diminished toward the end of the year and he is "a bad month away from a forced retirement." Would he succeed back in the American League? In Rhodes' defense, he dealt with a sore foot for much of the season.
The Verdict
Rhodes' Type A designation could prevent him from getting another two-year deal. If the Reds offer arbitration, his best move might be to accept rather than try to score a contract elsewhere with the draft pick stigma attached. He'd still be in pretty good shape with a potential $4MM salary for 2011. If the Reds do not offer arbitration, I think Rhodes will get another two-year deal.