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Archives for January 2011

Dodgers Out On Damon, Prefer Right-Handed Bats

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Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he isn't pursuing Johnny Damon. The club could pursue a left field platoon partner for Jay Gibbons, but right-handed hitters are preferable for the Dodgers. That rules out Damon and suggests Scott Podsednik, another left-handed hitter, is not a fit in L.A. either.

Manny Ramirez is not an option, but Marcus Thames and Scott Hairston are potential fits (in my opinion). Gibbons, who boasts a career .259/.319/.464 line against right-handers, could be effective in a platoon with a righty batter like Thames (.838 career OPS against southpaws) or Hairston (.829 career OPS against southpaws). Both free agents have spent the majority of their careers in left field.

Colletti told Shaikin that he's open to adding relief help.

Padres Close To Deal With Chad Qualls

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The Padres are close to a deal with Chad Qualls, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The sides are nearing a one-year deal worth about $2MM that includes a club option for 2012, Morosi reports. Hendricks Sports represents Qualls.

Qualls, who drew interest from at least six teams this offseason, was looking for a one-year deal to rebuild his value, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. He posted a 7.32 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 for the Rays and D'Backs last year. The 32-year-old allowed 85 hits in 59 innings, but his ground ball rate was typically high (55%) and defense independent pitching stats like FIP and xFIP suggest Qualls should have had an ERA closer to 4.00.

When Padres GM Jed Hoyer listed his remaining offseason priorities earlier in the week, he said he had some interest in adding a reliever, a backup catcher and a left-handed hitter. The Padres have traded away many relievers this offseason, so the team's bullpen – a major strength in 2010 – is not as deep as it was a year ago. Adding Qualls would help offset the loss of Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica.

Since the Rays offered Qualls arbitration, they would obtain a supplementary first round pick for losing the Type B free agent. However, it would not cost the Padres anything to sign him.

Eric Chavez Works Out For Blue Jays

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Eric Chavez recently worked out for the Blue Jays, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The 33-year-old has been doing hitting, running and fielding drills for interested teams in Arizona and at least one talent evaluator likes what he has seen from the six-time Gold Glover.

"He's going to have a chance to go to somebody's camp," a scout told Crasnick. "He's moving around pretty good."

The Dodgers and Mariners have also expressed interest in Chavez this offseason. He hit .234/.276/.333 in 123 plate appearances last year before hitting the disabled list with neck spasms.

Chavez has seen his seasons end early in each of the last four years and he has five stints on the disabled list over the course of the last four campaigns. The 13-year veteran had five surgeries over a 22-month span from September, 2007 to June, 2009.

If Chavez is healthy, he could allow the Blue Jays to keep Jose Bautista in right field and Aaron Hill at second base. Both players have said they're willing to play the hot corner if necessary. Edwin Encarnacion, who played third for the Blue Jays last year, will return as a first baseman/DH, the team has said.

A’s, Balfour Close To Multiyear Deal

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10:13am: The deal will likely include two guaranteed years, Morosi reports (on Twitter).

9:41am: The A's are close to a multiyear deal with Grant Balfour, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). ACES represents Balfour.

Balfour posted a 2.28 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 55 1/3 innings for the Rays last year. The 33-year-old has always been a fly ball pitcher and last year was no exception; he posted a 30.6% ground ball rate and a 49.7% fly ball rate. 

Since Oakland's first round pick is protected, the Rays will obtain a second round pick from the A's for losing the Type A free agent. Tampa will also add a supplementary first round pick to its growing collection of draft picks. The Rays have 11 of the first 89 picks in next year's draft, including nine before the start of the second round.

If Balfour and Carl Pavano finalize deals with the A's and Twins, as expected, all Type A free agents tied to draft pick compensation will have signed.

This post was originally published on January 14th. 

Willie Harris Has Two Offers, Won’t Return To Nats

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Willie Harris has two offers, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (Twitter links). A Nationals source tells Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that there's "no chance" the utility player returns to Washington.

Harris played all three outfield positions and backed Ryan Zimmerman up at third base last year. In the process, the 32-year-old posted a .183/.291/.362 line with 10 homers. Harris bats from the left side and generally maintains an above-average strikeout to walk ratio.

Few Free Agent Groundballers Remain

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When MLBTR's Tim Dierkes took stock of the free agent groundballers at the outset of the 2010-11 offseason, the pickings were slim. Fast forward three months and Jake Westbrook, Jorge de la Rosa, Jon Garland, Hiroki Kuroda, Brad Penny and Brandon Webb have all signed.

Carl Pavano, who is reportedly closing in on a deal with the Twins, and Jeff Francis are the only remaining free agent starters (minimum 50 IP) with above-average ground ball rates. Pavano posted a 51.2% ground ball rate last year, while Francis posted a 46.8% ground ball rate.

Though it doesn't seem likely that he'll pitch in 2011, Andy Pettitte posted a respectable 43.9% ground ball rate last year. Jeremy Bonderman, a candidate to replace Pettitte in New York's rotation, also hovered around the league average and posted a 44.7% rate. 

Why all the fuss about ground balls? Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail has said before that you can't hit a ground ball out of the park. Fly balls are another story, however.

After MacPhail traded for Kevin Millwood last offseason, the veteran posted a career-low ground ball rate and a career-high fly ball rate in hitter-friendly Camden Yards. Otherwise, Millwood's numbers weren't all that different from Jake Westbrook's in 2010. The right-handers, both in their mid-thirties, pitched close to 200 innings apiece with about 6.0 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 last year.

But Millwood allowed considerably more fly balls than Westbrook, who kept the ball on the ground. The result: 30 home runs allowed by Millwood (Westbrook allowed 20), an ERA nine tenths of a run higher than Westbrook's and, almost certainly, far less guaranteed money in free agency.

Boras Talks Damon, Andruw, Manny

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Scott Boras told ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick that Johnny Damon, Andruw Jones and Manny Ramirez can boost fan interest, TV ratings and revenue for MLB teams. Not only that, the agent insists his clients can be key players on winning clubs.

"These guys are star players," Boras said. "They're championship-caliber players. Owners and general managers know they have extraordinary abilities, and they can be a force in the locker room and around young players."

Crasnick surveyed MLB executives and scouts about the three stars and heard the Angels and Rays mentioned as possibilities for Damon. The Dodgers, who have also been linked to the 37-year-old, are “unlikely” to sign him, according to a source familiar with the team’s thinking. The Yankees haven’t ruled out a reunion with Damon, but they’re only interested in him as a fourth outfielder, according to Crasnick.

Jones, another Yankees target, “still has value as an extra outfielder who can fill in at all three spots and mash left-handed pitching," an AL assistant GM said. The Braves briefly discussed a reunion with Jones and the Rockies are another possible fit.

Despite speculation that Ramirez could be a fit in Toronto, where former Red Sox coach John Farrell will take over as manager, it isn’t a likely match. In fact, Crasnick suggests Farrell’s familiarity with the slugger could make the Jays less likely to sign Manny. Tampa Bay could be a fit for Ramirez, who definitely wants to play in 2011, according to Boras.

D’Backs To Sign Willie Bloomquist

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The D'Backs have agreed to sign Willie Bloomquist to a one-year, $1.05MM deal, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Agent Scott Boras negotiated the deal, which includes a mutual option for 2012. 

Bloomquist has played every position but pitcher and catcher in each of the past two seasons. The 33-year-old spent 2010 with the Royals and Reds, posting a .267/.299/.380 line in 199 plate appearances. Bloomquist stole 25 bases a year ago, so he has some speed.

The utility player will likely fill out the D'Backs' bench and complete their offseason shopping. The club could add a starter on a minor league deal, but most of GM Kevin Towers' work is now done.

Bloomquist's arrival will make it harder for Tony Abreu to crack the team's Opening Day roster, as Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic pointed out earlier today. Abreu will likely compete with Cole Gillespie, Ryan Roberts, Brandon Allen and Wily Mo Pena for a roster spot this spring.

Potential Teams For Remaining Designated Hitters

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Johnny Damon, Jason Giambi, Vladimir Guerrero, Manny Ramirez and Jim Thome highlight the remaining free agent designated hitters. Throw in first basemen Russell Branyan Jorge Cantu, Troy Glaus and Nick Johnson and the list of DH candidates continues to grow. The number of opportunities, however, continues to shrink. Here's a look at the American League teams with possible DH openings:

  • Rays – The Rays seem likely to add a DH. They've been linked to Damon, Andruw Jones, Guerrero and others.
  • Blue Jays – The Blue Jays signed Edwin Encarnacion to be a first baseman/DH, but they could shuffle the lineup to accomodate a big bat if they find one at a price they like.
  • Orioles – The O's have been linked to Vladimir Guerrero, though adding a DH would create congestion with Luke Scott and the team's collection of outfielders.
  • Twins – The Twins have expressed interest in bringing Thome back, but could add someone else if he signs elsewhere.
  • Rangers – The Rangers are pursuing Thome and have discussed potential deals with Guerrero.
  • Yankees – Jorge Posada will be the team's full-time DH, so the Yankees would need any newcomer to be able to handle the outfield. Damon and Jones are among the team's targets.
  • Angels – Like the Yankees, the Angels have DH candidates in-house. Bobby Abreu and Juan Rivera figure to pick up at bats at DH, so any addition would probably have to be able to handle the outfield or third base. That makes a reunion with Vlad seem unlikely.

The players above aren't limited to American League clubs, of course. Giambi took on a pinch hitting role with the Rockies last year, Damon has been linked to the Dodgers and Cantu and Glaus both played in the NL last year and have been linked to the Padres. But it's safe to say that AL teams in search of DHs have lots of selection.

D’Backs Could Add Rotation Depth

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The Diamondbacks have a full rotation, but they could add depth, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic. Piecoro suggests that any newcomers would likely arrive on minor league deals.

Joe Saunders, Ian Kennedy, Daniel Hudson, Zach Duke and Barry Enright give the D’Backs a solid starting five, but Kennedy, Hudson and Enright had not seen much big league playing time before 2010. GM Kevin Towers could look to add depth to a rotation that has lost Dan Haren, Edwin Jackson and Rodrigo Lopez in the past 12 months.

As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, Towers has plenty of options. Lopez, a free agent, logged 200 innings for the D'Backs last year, so he figures to look for a guaranteed starting job elsewhere.

The D'Backs' offseason is nearly complete, but the team has interest in utility player Willie Bloomquist.

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