Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for April 2011

Selig On Mets, Contraction, Realignment, Playoffs

By | at

Commissioner Bud Selig told Chris Russo on SiriusXM’s Mad Dog Radio that he’s confident in the Mets, not considering contraction and open to realignment and expanding the playoffs. Here are the details and other highlights:

  • The Mets asked for and obtained a loan from MLB, but they have not asked for a second loan, despite reports to the contrary.
  • Though Selig did not tell Mets owner Fred Wilpon to hire new GM Sandy Alderson, he encouraged the Mets to hire his longtime friend. “He’s very competent," Selig said of Alderson. "Very, very, very smart.” 
  • MLB has “not discussed contraction at all.”
  • However, Selig is open to changing the structure of baseball's leagues and divisions. “Realignment is something that in the future I really want to look at particularly before I leave.” It’s not currently a priority for Selig, who likes some geographical realignment.
  • MLB is “working on” adding two teams to the playoffs and we could see changes as soon as 2012.

Revisiting The Jason Hammel Trade

By | at

The Rays roster is dotted with the spoils of trades involving excess starting pitchers. Matt Joyce arrived in the Edwin Jackson deal; the Rays obtained Sean Rodriguez when they sent Scott Kazmir to Anaheim and Chris Archer and others could soon join Sam Fuld on the roster and make Matt Garza’s departure easier to bear. But no matter how hard you look, you won’t see anyone from the trade that sent Jason Hammel to the Rockies exactly two years ago.

The Rays acquired Aneury Rodriguez for Hammel on this date in 2009 and the right-handed prospect spent two years in the Rays’ system, making it to Triple-A, where he spent most of last season. He pitched well in 2010, posting a 3.71 ERA in 123 2/3 innings with 7.3 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. The 23-year-old became a reliable starter with four pitches that peak at average and are often fringy, according to Baseball America. 

It wasn’t enough for the Rays to protect him in the Rule 5 draft, but it was enough for the Astros to select him. Now a member of Houston’s bullpen, Rodriguez currently ranks 11th among top Astros prospects, according to Baseball America. Houston will have to offer Rodriguez back to the Rays if they determine that he isn’t worthy of a roster spot all season, so the Rays could still profit from the Hammel deal. As it stands now, however, the return they obtained has had zero impact on their MLB team.

It’s easy to see why the Rays didn’t get much for Hammel. He was out of options at the time and had just lost a springtime battle with Jeff Niemann for a spot in the rotation. Hammel had a career ERA of 5.90 at the time and had started just 28 MLB games,  so he was far from the established starter he has since become. Executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman made Hammel available, eventually trading him to obtain something of value instead of exposing him to waivers and losing him for nothing. 

In the two years that have passed since the deal, Hammel has a 4.57 ERA in 354 1/3 innings with 7.0 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9. That was good for 7.5 wins above replacement in 2009-10, more than any starter on the Rays or Rockies other than Ubaldo Jimenez. 

The deal, which attracted little fanfare at the time, has turned into a steal for the Rockies. It may not be a franchise-altering trade like the one that saw the Rockies acquire Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street, but Colorado obtained an inexpensive and effective starter for an unproven prospect who has yet to materialize at the Major League level – a definite coup for GM Dan O’Dowd.

Quick Hits: Pelfrey, Wandy, Beato, Bennett

By | at

Links for Monday, before Josh Beckett makes his 2011 debut. Will he live up to his extension?

Antonetti On Masterson, Hagadone, Martinez

By | at

Indians GM Chris Antonetti told Alex Speier of WEEI.com that Carlos Santana has fully recovered from last year’s knee injury and shouldn't face any limitations this season. He sure looked good when he dove to start a triple play over the weekend. Here are some highlights from Antonetti’s conversation with Speier:

  • The Indians expect Justin Masterson to build on last year’s success and become a reliable major league starter.
  • Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price, the prospects Cleveland acquired in the Victor Martinez deal “have a chance to contribute to [the Indians’] major league pitching staff in the near future,” Antonetti said.
  • Dealing Martinez wasn’t easy, but Antonetti knows difficult trades are part of the game. “Nearly every team faces the reality that it can’t retain every player it values,” he said.  “Inevitably some players will leave via free agency and some players will be traded prior to reaching that point. 
  • Antonetti says the Indians are on their way to becoming a championship caliber club. “The timing of our success will largely depend upon how quickly this group transitions from a collection of young players with potential to a championship caliber team that consistently produces at the Major League level,” Antonetti said.

Rizzo On Stats, Bench

By | at

Nationals GM Mike Rizzo joined Bill Rohland and Danny Rouhier of 106.7 The Fan last night.  Here are a few highlights…

  • Asked which team's success he'd like to mirror, Rizzo cited the Montreal Expos first, as they were "one of the prototypical scouting/player development organizations back in the day."  He also named the Braves and Dodgers.
  • Rizzo explained that he's recognized the value of statistical analysis well before Moneyball was published.  He noted, "We have a whole staff of sabermetricians."
  • Rizzo defended his veteran bench acquisitions, explaining that a team can't have young players at every position, and the veteran mentors won't take at-bats away from prospects.    

Rockies Release Greg Smith

By | at

The Rockies released lefty Greg Smith, reports Jack Etkin of Inside the Rockies.  Smith was part of the Rockies' haul from the Athletics for Matt Holliday in November of 2008, along with Carlos Gonzalez and Huston Street.

Smith, 27, spent most of the 2010 season in Triple-A.  There he posted a 6.12 ERA, 5.9 K/9, 3.6 BB/9, and 1.7 HR/9 in 75 innings across 15 starts.  Smith also tossed 39 innings across eight starts for the big club.  He's battled shoulder issues since the middle of the '09 season.  His best year was 2008 with the A's, when he made 32 starts with a 4.16 ERA despite some middling peripheral stats.

Next Offseason’s Best Available Starters

By | at

Starting pitchers Wandy Rodriguez, Bronson Arroyo, and R.A. Dickey signed multiyear contracts this offseason, weakening an already poor 2011-12 free agent class.  Let's take a look at the best remaining options for next winter's shoppers.

Free Agents

  • C.C. Sabathia – There is an expectation that Sabathia will opt out of his remaining four years and $92MM with the expectation of a bigger contract.  If he does, there is the possibility of the Yankees extending him before he hits the open market.  Sabathia could top his own seven-year, $161MM record for a pitcher.
  • C.J. Wilson – Wilson is in the running as the second best free agent starter in this group, though an extension with the Rangers remains possible.
  • Mark Buehrle – Buehrle seems unusually willing to talk about his future.  Assuming he doesn't retire, he told Dan McNeil, "It's going to have to be with a contender and somewhere where my family is comfortable."  His list of potential destinations will be pretty short, with the White Sox and Cardinals leading.
  • Ryan Dempster – Dempster has a $14MM player option for 2012.  I imagine interest is mutual in Dempster remaining with the Cubs, but the righty is entitled to seek more security than one year and $14MM.
  • Edwin Jackson – Jackson is a breakout candidate for 2011, as explained here.
  • Hiroki Kuroda – Like Buehrle, Kuroda is not going to market himself to the highest bidder.  He'll probably aim to re-sign with the Dodgers or at least remain on the West Coast.
  • Roy Oswalt – Oswalt gets a $2MM buyout on his $16MM mutual option regardless of which side declines.  The best business move is to test the market, but like some others on this list Oswalt figures to be picky.
  • Joel Pineiro – He'll need to come back strong from a shoulder injury.
  • A few more free agent starters will surely emerge during the season, as Pineiro did in 2009.  Click here to browse the full list.  Others will join the list as non-tenders, but probably not anyone who belongs on this list.

Trade Candidates

  • James Shields: His contract offers the best flexibility you'll find for a solid veteran starter, with club options for '12, '13, and '14.  If the Rays have someone ready to take his place, next offseason might be the time to cash in.  Fausto Carmona is on a similar contract, but doesn't have Shields' trade value.
  • Chris Carpenter: Theoretically the Cardinals could exercise Carpenter's $15MM option for 2012, and then try to trade him for a cheaper starter.
  • Braves starters: They're in the catbird seat, with Jair Jurrjens and Derek Lowe among the trade candidates if they decide to use their pitching surplus to fix another area.
  • Astros starters: Brett Myers and Wandy Rodriguez would be attractive trade chips, whether at this year's deadline or in the offseason.  Still, I see the Astros keeping them.  Same goes for the Orioles and Jeremy Guthrie.
  • The Brewers, Mets, Giants, Phillies, and Angels have some interesting trade candidates, most of whom will be getting more expensive in 2012.  It's too early to call whether guys like Shaun Marcum, Mike Pelfrey, or Jonathan Sanchez will become available, though. 

Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS

By | at

If you prefer your MLBTR fix limited to only your favorite team, we've got you covered.  Below are links to our team Facebook, Twitter, and RSS pages and feeds.

AL East

AL Central

AL West

NL East

NL Central

NL West

Transactions only: Twitter / RSS

Extension Candidate: David Price

By | at

Last year 25-year-old lefty David Price established himself as one of the best pitchers in baseball, finishing second in the American League Cy Young voting.  The Rays have shown a willingness to guarantee money to a young player seeking long-term security, but Price's situation is not similar to that of James Shields, Evan Longoria, Wade Davis, or Ben Zobrist.  Let's take a look.

Price represents one of the game's rare commodities, an ace starting pitcher.  He's better than Shields or Davis.  Stardom was expected for Price when the Rays drafted him first overall in 2007.  Stardom was expected for Longoria as well, but the Rays managed to lock up their third baseman a few weeks into his big league career.  I wouldn't be surprised if the Rays tried that with Price too.

At this stage Price is only one season away from arbitration eligibility, and anything resembling his 2010 campaign will result in a big 2012 salary.  Regarding an extension, Price told Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times, "If it's realistic, absolutely, that is something I would definitely do," going on to praise his team. 

As Topkin notes, Tim Lincecum and Cole Hamels are a couple of good comparables.  All three are Super Two players, meaning they are arbitration eligible four times.  Here's how they stack up heading into arbitration, adding in Price's ZiPS projection for 2011.

  • Lincecum: 40 wins, 2.90 ERA, 598 2/3 innings, 676 strikeouts (10.2 K/9), two Cy Young awards, two All-Star appearances, no postseason experience
  • Hamels: 38 wins, 3.43 ERA, 543 innings, 518 strikeouts (8.6 K/9), a sixth-place Cy Young finish, one All-Star appearance, 2.18 ERA and four wins in six postseason starts, NLCS and World Series MVP awards
  • Price: 45 wins, 3.37 ERA, 552 2/3 innings, 482 strikeouts (7.8 K/9), a second place Cy Young finish, one All-Star appearance, 3.93 ERA and one win in 18 1/3 postseason innings

If Price does what ZiPS predicts for 2011 - a 3.48 ERA in 201 2/3 innings – he could make another All-Star team and get Cy Young votes again.  And of course he could add to his postseason numbers.

Even without the postseason experience at the time, Lincecum is the best of the group.  Had he settled at the midpoint with the Giants instead of signing a two-year deal, he would have been paid $10.5MM in his first arbitration year, which would have been a record for any player.  Hamels didn't get to the point of exchanging figures, but his three-year deal paid a discounted salary of $4.35MM in the first year.  Though not Super Twos, Felix Hernandez and Justin Verlander are other good points of reference, with first-year arbitration salaries of $3.8MM and $3.675MM respectively.

Though he's a closer, Jonathan Papelbon's first-year arbitration award of $6.25MM – the current record for a pitcher - is something Price's agent Bo McKinnis could attempt to surpass.  That'd essentially be half of the money guaranteed to Wade Davis, so you can see how the two Rays pitchers are not in the same boat.  Price has the advantage of operating from what is technically regarded as a $2MM salary for 2011, factoring in his signing bonus.  He could potentially earn $40MM+ for his four arbitration years, if he's willing to forgo long-term security.

Unlike the Giants and Phillies, the Rays may be unwilling to do a multiyear deal with Price that does not buy out all arbitration years and some free agent seasons.  They could use Felix and Verlander's contracts as models, adjusting for the fact that Price is a Super Two.  A fair price might be $35MM for the four arbitration years and $20MM a year for three free agent seasons, coming to a total of $95MM over seven years.  Such a contract would be unprecedented, however, and not in the way that the Rays have embraced previously.  Plus it's difficult to picture a $20MM pitcher on the Rays, even if their payroll is higher by 2016. 

Would Price allow for a club option or three?  Would he accept $30MM for his four arbitration years, allowing the Rays savings in the near future and letting them worry about the big free agent salaries later?  Such concessions might be necessary to find common ground.  Or, perhaps the best route would be a Lincecum or Hamels-style extension, where Price takes security for two or three years while maintaining flexibility for his last one or two arbitration years, and the Rays save several million bucks but don't claim any free agent seasons.

Offseason In Review: St. Louis Cardinals

By | at

The Cardinals are next in our Offseason In Review series.

Major League Signings

International Signings

  • Leobaldo Pina, Fernando Gonzalez, Jorge Araujo

Notable Minor League Signings

Trades and Claims

Notable Losses

Summary

February was a painful month for the Cardinals, as they failed to sign Pujols to an extension and lost Adam Wainwright to Tommy John surgery.  Still, Pujols and Tony La Russa will be in St. Louis for at least one more season, so let's take a look at how GM John Mozeliak augmented his team.

Last year's significant one-year gamble was righty Brad Penny; this time it's a position player in Lance Berkman.  In both cases the Cardinals paid a little more than I would have predicted, but it's hard to complain much about a one-year contract.  Berkman can probably still hold a spot in the middle of a lineup – ZiPS projects .262/.379/.449 – but expecting the 35-year-old to play more than 400 innings in the outfield for the first time since 2004 seems unrealistic.  You have to think his injury risk is heightened and the defense he does provide will be a negative.

Westbrook

The Westbrook contract represents a bargain, in both the $8.25MM salary and avoidance of a third year.  The need for 200 respectable innings from Westbrook (pictured) became much stronger when Wainwright went down.  The dropoff from Wainwright to Kyle McClellan might have pushed most pundits to pick the Reds or Brewers in the NL Central, but the Cardinals still have enough pitching to contend. 

Theriot didn't cost much to acquire, since the Dodgers probably would have non-tendered him.  He's a stretch as an everyday shortstop; a run at J.J. Hardy would have been better, though he may have been too expensive at $5.85MM.  Failing a Hardy trade I would have retained Brendan Ryan, who at least provides significant defensive value.

What about Pujols?  The Cardinals reportedly offered eight or nine years at $19-23MM annually.  While that might have been the third-largest contract in baseball history, I feel that $225MM over nine years would be the floor for an acceptable deal.  That'd still represent a hometown discount.  The Cardinals will need to enter that uncharted territory in the crucial five-day negotiating period after the World Series ends, having failed to resolve the Pujols situation during the 2010-11 offseason.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information

hide arrows scroll to top