Archives for February 2011

Blue Jays Sign Bautista To Five-Year Extension

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 4:00pm CDT

Last year wasn't supposed to be Jose Bautista's contract year. At the beginning of the 2010 campaign, Bautista was a utility player who had never hit more than 16 homers in any major league season and was still two years away from free agency. But his 54 home run outburst has officially earned him a five-year extension. The Blue Jays announced that they have avoided tomorrow's scheduled arbitration hearing and agreed to a $64MM extension with Bautista.

Bautista will earn $8MM in 2011 and $14MM per season from 2012-15, according to the team. The Blue Jays hold a $14MM option for 2016.

As our Arbitration Tracker shows, Bautista filed for $10.5MM and the team countered with a $7.6MM submission. The five-year deal, which resembles Dan Uggla's extension, buys out Bautista's fourth and final season of arbitration and his first four seasons of free agency.

Bautista posted a .260/.378/.617 line for the Blue Jays last year. He reached base like a leadoff hitter (.378 OBP) but his surprising power (.617 slugging percentage) pushed him to the heart of the Blue Jays' order before long. A versatile defender who spent most of last season in right field, Bautista is slated to start the coming season as Toronto's starting third baseman. For more on his unusual arbitration case click here.

Hunter Pence, who has a hearing scheduled tomorrow, is the lone unsigned arbitration eligible player remaining.

Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes first reported that the sides were close to an agreement and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the deal was done.

A Challenge For The Cardinals

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 3:09pm CDT

If the Cardinals sign Albert Pujols to an eight or ten-year deal when he hits free agency after the season, they'll be counting on him to maintain his Hall of Fame-type production into his late 30s. But the Cardinals front office would be gambling on more than Pujols.

Unless the team boosts payroll significantly, GM John Mozeliak and the St. Louis front office would be gambling on themselves to fill out a roster with less spending power than they're accustomed to. Owner Bill DeWitt Jr. committed between $75-100MM in payroll every year from 2001-10. Fitting a $25-30MM player into that type of budget would limit the Cardinals' ability to spend on other needs and would likely leave them with a weakened bullpen and infield as soon as 2012.

The Cardinals' rotation alone will cost about $47MM next year, assuming the team exercises its options for Chris Carpenter ($15MM) and Adam Wainwright ($9MM). Those two pitchers, plus Jaime Garcia (first time arbitration eligible), Kyle Lohse ($11.9MM salary), Jake Westbrook ($8.5MM) and Pujols would cost over $70MM in 2012 unless Pujols deferred an unexpectedly large amount of money.

Throw in Yadier Molina ($7MM option), Matt Holliday ($17MM) and Colby Rasmus (first time arbitration eligible) and the payroll is already approaching $100MM, or more than the organization has spent in any year since Pujols arrived in St. Louis. Most teams that commit $100MM to a rotation and four position players end up cutting corners in other areas and the Cardinals would be no exception. They wouldn't have much room for luxuries when filling out their lineup and assembling their bullpen and bench.

The 'pen, which will see Ryan Franklin, Brian Tallet and Trever Miller hit free agency after the season, and the infield, which includes no sure things other than Pujols, would probably have to be constructed on the cheap if the Cardinals re-sign Pujols.

If the Cardinals continue to balk at Pujols' asking price, this won't be an issue. They'll lose him to free agency and find another first baseman. Though replacing Pujols is impossible, the Cardinals front office will have to make major adjustments in 2012 barring a substantial payroll increase or an unexpected trade. Mozeliak & Co. will face an immense challenge if Pujols leaves, but the challenge doesn't disappear if he stays.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

Quick Hits: Ortiz, Cabrera, Pujols, Astros

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 2:41pm CDT

On this date in 2008, the Rockies signed Scott Podsednik. The Blue Jays did just that yesterday, agreeing to a minor league deal with the speedy outfielder. Here are some links for Thursday…

David Ortiz told reporters, including Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com, that he would still like to stay in Boston long-term. Big Papi's contract expires after the season.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports suggests the Tigers should help Miguel Cabrera find a full-time mentor to keep him focused on baseball. Cabrera was arrested and charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in Florida last night.
Adrian Gonzalez told Alex Speier of WEEI.com that he hasn't set a deadline for extension talks with the Red Sox. Gonzalez says Albert Pujols' demands won't affect his discussions with Boston (Twitter link).
Yahoo's Jeff Passan points out that the Cardinals offered Pujols less money per season than Ryan Howard, Mark Teixeira or, assuming he finalizes his extension, Adrian Gonzalez.
Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe shows that the Red Sox have enough money to bid on Pujols and suggests Boston will have at least passing interest in him when he hits free agency.
Astros GM Ed Wade tells Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle that he didn't realize just how thin Houston's minor league system was when he took over after the 2007 season.
The Yankees have definite lingering interest in Kevin Millwood, according to Joel Sherman of the New York Post.

Michael Young Rumors: Thursday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 1:16pm CDT

Albert Pujols was the center of attention yesterday, but we still managed to learn lots about Michael Young's future. Rangers GM Jon Daniels says he's not going to establish a deadline for a possible deal and remains open to potential trades. Nothing's going on with the Angels or Rockies, though the Rangers are still evaluating possible deals for the infielder. Here's the latest on Young:

Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that that he hasn't talked to the Rangers about Young "at all." Melvin, who traded for Young when he was running the Rangers, says he's an admirer of Young's character and ability, but cautioned that "there doesn't seem to be a fit this year for us."

Joe Crede Hits Free Agency

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 12:35pm CDT

The Rockies announced that Joe Crede, who had signed a minor league deal with Colorado, decided not to report to Spring Training (Twitter link). He has become a free agent again, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).

Crede, a Scott Boras client, missed the 2010 season after dealing with back, shoulder, forearm, leg, knee and hand injuries with the Twins in 2009. The former All-Star and Silver Slugger winner played strong defense (+21.6 UZR/150) and showed some power (15 homers in 367 plate appearances) with Minnesota. Crede has a .254/.304/.444 career line.

As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, Crede and Willy Aybar are the two third basemen remaining on the open market.

Rockies To Sign John Maine

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 11:26am CDT

The Rockies agreed to sign John Maine to a minor league deal with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the team announced (on Twitter). ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick, who first reported the agreement, notes that Maine could earn about $3MM for making the Opening Day roster and can opt out if he doesn't make the big league team (Twitter links).

The Phillies and Royals showed interest in the 29-year-old right-hander as recently as yesterday, but they'll have to turn elsewhere for pitching depth.

Maine auditioned for teams last month after the Mets non-tendered him in December. He pitched to a 4.01 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 87 starts from 2006-09, but struggled to stay healthy and pitch effectively in 2010. Maine limped through nine early-season starts last year and didn't pitch after injuring his shoulder in May. He underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in July.

Gary Sheffield Retires

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 9:58am CDT

Gary Sheffield has officially filed his retirement papers, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. After 22 seasons with the Marlins, Dodgers, Brewers, Yankees, Braves, Padres, Tigers and Mets, the 42-year-old is ready to retire. He says his numbers have earned him a shot a Cooperstown.

"I am sure it will be mentioned and debated, but from my standpoint I know who is in the Hall of Fame," Sheffield said. "A lot of them don't belong in the Hall of Fame. If someone wants to debate me, check the stats."

Sheffield posted a .292/.393/.514 line with 509 homers and 1676 RBI in the majors. The nine-time All-Star and five-time Silver Slugger recipient won a batting title and has a career OPS+ of 140. Sheffield came up as a shortstop before transitioning to third base and then the outfield. Sheffield, who earned about $168MM in his career, according to Baseball-Reference, ranks 24th all-time in career home runs.

Mets Notes: Wilpon, Castillo, Perez

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 9:46am CDT

Mets owner Fred Wilpon told reporters in Florida that he and his family will be "vindicated" in the $1 billion lawsuit against them, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Here's the latest on the Mets, both on and off the field:

Jeff Wilpon said yesterday that interest in buying a minority share in the Mets is high, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger.
When asked about selling the team outright, Fred repeated what Jeff said yesterday: "selling this team is not even being discussed." (Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reporting on Twitter).
Word is that Oliver Perez will get more time to prove himself this spring than Luis Castillo, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Both players are in danger of being released if they don't perform.

Dodgers Considering Jeff Weaver

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | February 17, 2011 at 8:52am CDT

The Dodgers are considering Jeff Weaver, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (Twitter link). GM Ned Colletti signed Weaver to a minor league deal worth $800K plus incentives last February, so the right-hander has experience signing late.

Weaver, 34, posted a 6.09 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 44 1/3 innings for the Dodgers last year. The 11-year veteran induced more fly balls than ground balls for the second time in his career in 2010. Weaver, a Scott Boras client, is presumably in line for a minor league deal.

Diamondbacks Sign Russell Branyan

By Mike Axisa | February 17, 2011 at 8:38am CDT

The Diamondbacks have signed Russell Branyan to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, the team announced.

Branyan, 35, will certainly help replace some of the power lost when Mark Reynolds was traded away and Adam LaRoche signed with the Nationals. The 35-year-old is coming off two straight years with 25+ home runs, though he's also spent time on the disabled list with back issues each year. Branyan is a classic three true outcomes player; 47.2% of his 933 plate appearances over the last two seasons ended with strike three, ball four, or a jog around the bases.

Arizona was slated to have Brandon Allen and the out-of-options Juan Miranda battle it out for the first base job in Spring Training, but Branyan adds a veteran option to the group. Allen and Miranda have combined for just 266 plate appearances at the big league level, and all three players are left-handed hitters, so a platoon isn't possible.

This will be Branyan's fifth one-year contract in as many seasons. He is represented by ACES. SI.com's Joe Lemire first reported that the slugger had found a job (on Twitter).

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