White Sox Notes: McMillen, Guillen, Marlins
The White Sox are hosting their crosstown rivals this evening and both teams are looking to move past disappointing starts. The Cubs have a 29-42 record, while the White Sox have improved to 35-38 after a dismal April. Here's the latest on the South Siders:
- The White Sox announced that they have agreed to terms with 23 of their 50 draft picks, including fourth rounder Kyle McMillen, a 21-year-old right-hander from Kent State University. McMillen is represented by Jonathan Maurer.
- Manager Ozzie Guillen told Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune that he wants to remain in Chicago after this year (Twitter links). Guillen, who is under contract for 2012, acknowledged that chairman Jerry Reinsdorf and GM Kenny Williams have the final say on his future.
- The Marlins, who named 80-year-old Jack McKeon their new manager today, don’t have a long-term skipper in place and have had interest in Guillen for years. Guillen acknowledged the rumors of Florida’s interest in him by pointing out that powerful right fielder Mike Stanton would help the Marlins more than he could.
Reaction To MLB Rejecting McCourt’s Fox Deal
Earlier today we learned that MLB rejected a proposed 17-year television rights contract between the Dodgers and Fox, meaming it's unlikely that Frank McCourt will make payroll later this month. The decision also means that the McCourts' divorce settlement is off. Both sides issued statements regarding the decision, so let's recap…
- The Los Angeles Times posted Selig's statement, and within it he explains that "the [proposed] transaction is structured to facilitate the further diversion of Dodgers assets for the personal needs of Mr. McCourt. Given the magnitude of the transaction, such a diversion of assets would have the effect of mortgaging the future of the franchise to the long-term detriment of the club and its fans."
- Attorney Steve Susman issued a statement on behalf of McCourt and the Dodgers, saying that they're "extremely disappointed" that the commissioner has rejected the proposed deal. Selig's rejection is "potentially destructive" to the Dodgers and MLB, according to Susman who promises to "explore vigorously [the Dodgers'] options and remedies."
Outrighted: Herrera, Brad Davis
The latest group of players who cleared waivers and were outrighted to Triple-A:
- The Brewers outrighted Danny Ray Herrera to Triple-A Nashville, according to MLB.com's transactions page. They designated the left-hander for assignment on Saturday.
- Marlins catcher Brad Davis, designated for assignment Wednesday to open a 40-man spot for Jose Lopez, is headed to New Orleans according to the team's Twitter account.
Reds Eyeing Starting Pitching
The Reds are searching for starting pitchers that they could acquire between now and the end of July, according to Danny Knobler of CBS Sports.com (Twitter links). Cincinnati has interest in Jeremy Guthrie, according to Knobler (though many teams likely have interest in the Orioles’ righty, who has a 3.56 ERA through 91 innings).
The Reds' current rotation consists of Bronson Arroyo, Mike Leake, Johnny Cueto, Edinson Volquez and Travis Wood. However, Arroyo has been hittable and Volquez is walking 5.9 batters per nine innings. Homer Bailey is on the disabled list along with Sam LeCure and Matt Maloney, two occasional starters for Dusty Baker, so internal help could be on the way.
Guthrie figured prominently into Tim Dierkes' list of potentially available starters earlier in the month.
Rays Sign Supplemental First Round Pick Harris
The Rays signed supplemental first round pick James Harris for $490K, MLBTR has learned. Harris is represented by Adam Karon and Tripper Johnson of Sosnick Cobbe Sports.
As Harris was not ranked within Baseball America's top 200, it appears likely that a predraft deal was in place. He signed for about $116K under slot. Harris, a high school outfielder, was the 60th overall pick and the last of the supplemental round. The Rays received the pick as compensation for the loss of reliever Chad Qualls.
According to Baseball America's Conor Glassey, Harris has "huge upside" and is an "explosive athlete." He narrowly missed BA's top 200.
Rays Sign Supplementary First Rounder Ames
The Rays have signed supplementary first round selection Jeff Ames for $650K, according to Jim Callis of Baseball America. MLB recommended a bonus of $803K for the 42nd overall selection, but Ames was not expected to go as early in the draft as he did.
The right-hander hit 98 mph consistently this season, according to Conor Glassey of Baseball America. Ames, who stands 6'4", placed 119th on BA's list of top draft eligible players before the Rays selected him. The Rays obtained the 42nd overall selection as compensation for losing Type A free agent Rafael Soriano to the Yankees after the 2010 season.
Catching Top Priority For Giants; Kottaras Available
Obtaining catching help remains the Giants' top priority, according to Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle (Twitter links). One potential target is Brewers catcher George Kottaras, who is available according to Schulman.
However, 21-year-old prospect Hector Sanchez has a .310/.375/.448 line in eight games at Triple-A since the Giants promoted him all the way from Class A earlier this month, so GM Brian Sabean does have one internal option. Eli Whiteside, who has picked up most of the playing time since Buster Posey's home plate collision, hasn't hit much. He has a .190/.278/.291 line this year and backup Chris Stewart hasn't done any better.
Kottaras, 28, has been backing up for the first place Brewers. He has a .290/.324/.516 line in 34 plate appearances in support of everyday catcher Jonathan Lucroy this year. In 396 career plate appearances, Kottaras has a .220/.306/.405 line, which compares pretty well with the average MLB catcher in 2011 (.241/.314/.379).
Give & Take: The Yunel Escobar Extension
It's easy to call Yunel Escobar's two-year, $10MM extension a win for Toronto, but there's more to the deal than that. Here's a closer look at the give and take between the shortstop, who gets guaranteed money, and the Blue Jays, who get extended team control and potential savings through arbitration.
The Deal
Escobar earns $5MM in 2012, his second of three arbitration seasons (he’s coming from a $2.9MM salary in ’11). He earns the same $5MM salary in 2013, his third and final arbitration season. The Blue Jays then have two club options worth $5MM each for 2014 and 2015.
What Kind Of Player Is Yunel Escobar?
Escobar is an above average shortstop, though his numbers aren't dazzling in any one category. He hits for average (.288 career mark) and walks (9.6% career walk rate) with occasional power (.401 career slugging percentage). Over the course of his five-year career, he has been a slightly above average defender, according to UZR.
But compare the 28-year-old Cuban to the average shortstop and you see why the Blue Jays had interest in keeping him around long-term. Escobar has a .280/.357/.428 batting line this year, considerably better than the .261/.316/.374 line the average MLB shortstop has managed.
Hanley Ramirez, Troy Tulowitzki, Jose Reyes, Jimmy Rollins and Derek Jeter are the only shortstops who have produced more wins above replacement than Escobar since his 2007 rookie season. He has 14.7 WAR over the course of the past five seasons, including 1.9 so far this year (he's eighth among MLB shortstops so far in '11).
What’s In It For The Blue Jays
Escobar was under team control for 2012-13 before yesterday’s deal. With the options on the extension, the Blue Jays gain control of two additional years (2014-15), Escobar’s age-31 and 32 seasons. These options are the key to the deal; it’s hard to imagine the Blue Jays making this move without at least one option.
There are also possible secondary benefits for Toronto, starting with potential arbitration savings. If Escobar continues playing this well, he could have set himself up for $5MM or more in 2012 and $7MM or more in 2013. Now, the Jays can be sure that they won’t be paying Escobar exorbitant salaries in his last two arbitration years.
Acquiring a shortstop, especially an above average one is never easy and the Blue Jays have assured themselves that they’ll have a solid to very good shortstop for two to four years. At some point between now and 2015, prospect Adeiny Hechavarria figures to be MLB ready, but it never hurts to have too many MLB caliber shortstops.
What The Blue Jays Give Up
The Blue Jays have guaranteed Escobar $10MM for 2012 and 2013, though there’s a chance he may not play well enough to earn that much through arbitration. An injury or a dropoff in production could have positioned Escobar for a lower salary or even made him a non-tender candidate, but the Blue Jays are now locked in at $5MM per season for 2012-13.
Every extension is something of a gamble for the team and this one is no exception. However, GM Alex Anthopoulos said last summer that he believes position players are safer bets than their counterparts on the mound. “You look at the numbers, there’s certainly higher risk of injury [for a pitcher] relative to a position player,” he said.
Though position players are generally safer investments than pitchers, Escobar’s double play partner, Aaron Hill, has missed significant time since signing his extension in 2008 and the Blue Jays declined to exercise their three-year option for Hill this spring.
What’s In It For Escobar
Escobar makes $2.9MM this year and had earned a little over $1MM as a Major Leaguer before this season. The $10MM guarantee dwarfs his previous career earnings and ensures he’ll have a substantial paycheck for two more years even if he gets injured or starts performing poorly.
What Escobar Gives Up
His ceiling for potential earnings through 2015 is considerably lower than it was a week ago and he has postponed his chance for a lucrative free agent contract. Though $10MM for his two arbitration years is reasonable, the options for 2014 and 2015 appear team friendly. Alexei Ramirez, who is in the same service class as Escobar, had his free agent years valued at $10MM when he signed an extension with the White Sox this spring.
The Verdict
The Blue Jays gambled last summer, when they gave up three players to acquire Jo-Jo Reyes and Escobar, who had zero homers and a .238 batting average at the time of the trade. Not only was Escobar performing poorly, he appeared to have strained relationships with some Braves people, including manager Bobby Cox.
Anthopoulos' initial move worked and the Blue Jays are now investing in Escobar for the second time in 12 months. This time, however, they’re on considerably more familiar terms with the shortstop. Risk is a factor in every extension and Escobar has now assured himself of $10MM in income even if his production drops off. But if he continues playing at his current level, this deal will be solid for Toronto in 2012-13 and tremendous in 2014-15.
Photo courtesy Icon SMI.
MLB Rejects McCourt’s Deal With Fox
Dodgers owner Frank McCourt was notified today that MLB will not approve the 17-year television rights contract with Fox, reports Yahoo's Tim Brown.
Bud Selig's decision comes as no surprise. Rejection of the Fox deal would mean McCourt's divorce settlement is off and the Dodgers are unlikely to meet payroll at the end of the month. If the Dodgers cannot meet their payroll obligation, MLB will seize and sell the Dodgers, though perhaps not without a legal battle from McCourt.
Heyman On Reyes, Beltran
The latest from SI's Jon Heyman…
- One NL exec believes the Mets will have to be "overwhelmed" or get a "clear win" to trade shortstop Jose Reyes, which is in line with previous reports. The Mets are 4.5 games back in the wild card, but have the luxury of seeing how the next 30 days or so unfold. For our look at the shortstop market, click here.
- I assume the same logic applies to Carlos Beltran, that the Mets wouldn't deal him for prospects if they're still in contention. Heyman says the Mets would eat most or all of Beltran's remaining money if they can get a decent young piece or two, and that the right fielder would probably waive his no-trade clause to go to a contender. At the trade deadline he'll have about $6MM left on his contract.
- Josh Willingham, Michael Bourn, and Ivan Rodriguez fill out the top five on Heyman's list of the best potentially available position players. The Nationals' Roger Bernadina sneaks onto the list at #23.