Braves Acquire Matt Diaz
Matt Diaz is returning to the Braves, as the Pirates announced they've traded him to Atlanta for a player to be named later or cash considerations. Diaz fits the Braves' desire to add a right-handed hitting bench bat, and of course they had him in the organization from 2006-10 before non-tendering him last winter.
Diaz, 33, is hitting .259/.303/.324 in 231 plate appearances for the Pirates this year while playing mostly right field. He was signed to a two-year, $4.25MM deal in December, but hasn't shown the expected power production against left-handed pitchers. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution notes on Twitter that the Pirates are sending some cash to the Braves to offset Diaz's $2MM salary for 2012. The Braves might not be done dealing, hears ESPN's Buster Olney (Twitter link).
GMs Neal Huntington and Frank Wren have matched up on three prior trades according to our Transaction Tracker, most notably the June '09 deal that sent Nate McLouth to Atlanta.
ESPN's Buster Olney first reported the trade. Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
The Closer Carousel
Teams pay a premium for saves; it's how Rafael Soriano was able to get a three-year, $35MM contract last offseason. Impending free agents who have picked up at least five saves this year: Jose Valverde (club option), Heath Bell, Francisco Cordero (club option), Jonathan Papelbon, Ryan Madson, Francisco Rodriguez, Kyle Farnsworth (club option), Matt Capps, Joe Nathan (club option), Jon Rauch (club option), Frank Francisco, Jason Isringhausen, and Jonathan Broxton. Brad Lidge is another consideration, though he has a ways to go. Options for Valverde and Farnsworth could be exercised and several more will likely be content to set up, but we're left with a minimum of five relievers who will expect to close next year. They won't get to choose their role, but trade candidates such as Brandon League, Leo Nunez, or Huston Street could enter the picture as well.
As many as 16 teams may be in the market for a closer in the offseason to varying degrees:
- Orioles: I'm not sure the team's new GM will want to throw good money after bad, but Kevin Gregg is the worst reliever holding a closer job currently.
- Red Sox: They could re-sign Papelbon, though Daniel Bard certainly appears ready.
- Blue Jays: Jason Frasor and Octavio Dotel are gone, while Shawn Camp, Rauch, and Francisco are eligible for free agency. Perhaps the Jays will bring several relievers in on one-year deals again, and/or pick up Rauch's option.
- Tigers: They could save $9MM by declining Valverde's option, allowing them to use Joaquin Benoit in the ninth or sign someone cheaper.
- Twins: With Capps and Nathan up for free agency, Glen Perkins could get the job. Or, Nathan could be re-signed at a much lower rate or they could see who else is out there.
- Mariners: David Aardsma figures to miss most of 2012, so League may be needed again. Otherwise, the Mariners could flip League at his peak value and bring in someone else.
- Marlins: The Marlins reportedly intend to retain Nunez as next year's closer, but they could change their mind and put him on the market.
- Mets: Bobby Parnell has the early line on the job, but they could bring in someone more seasoned to take on an Isringhausen-type role.
- Phillies: I expect a legitimate attempt to re-sign Madson. Antonio Bastardo might be capable of stepping in if that fails, but the Phillies figure to be in the market for a veteran closer.
- Reds: Cordero's option is certain to be declined, so the question becomes whether to use Aroldis Chapman as a closer or starter.
- Astros: I wouldn't expect them to sign Papelbon, but an experienced reliever would make sense even if Mark Melancon retains the job.
- Cardinals: They can make it work with Fernando Salas, Jason Motte, and others, and may need to skimp given the big names they have up for free agency.
- Rockies: They could save money by moving Street and using Rafael Betancourt or others.
- Dodgers: There's no reason not to stick with Javy Guerra, and Kenley Jansen has closer potential as well. Matt Guerrier is around to fill the veteran reliever role, so they might not be in the closer market.
- Padres: If they don't figure something out with Bell, I'd expect a cheap veteran signing or two. It'd be a dream opportunity for most relievers.
- Giants: Depending on how Brian Wilson's elbow soreness turns out, they could be in the market.
Certainly there are enough closer jobs to go around, though I don't see too many teams likely to join a high-end bidding war for Papelbon or Madson.
If you enjoy following all things closer-related for your fantasy team, check out CloserNews on Twitter as well as the website.
Phillies Acquire John Bowker
WEDNESDAY: The Phillies announced the trade. They are sending a player to be named later or cash considerations to the Pirates for Bowker, and Jose Contreras goes to the 60-day DL to make room on the 40-man roster.
TUESDAY: The Phillies acquired outfielder John Bowker from the Pirates, reports Jim Salisbury of CSN Philly. Bowker is expected to join the Phillies for Wednesday's game in Cincinnati. Salisbury says reliever Michael Schwimer was sent to Triple-A to create a spot on the active roster, though the Phillies will still need to open a 40-man spot.
Bowker, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter, has spent most of the year at Triple-A, where he's hit .308/.351/.487 in 445 plate appearances while playing the outfield corners and first base. The Pirates acquired Bowker from the Giants at last year's trade deadline in the Javier Lopez deal, designated him for assignment in April of this year, and outrighted him to Triple-A a few days later.
Bowker, a third-round pick in 2004, is one of eight players in Giants history to homer in his big league debut. He played college ball at Long Beach State, where he was a teammate of Troy Tulowitzki and Jason Vargas.
Rangers To Acquire Matt Treanor
1:57pm: The Royals are about to send catcher Matt Treanor back to the Rangers in a cash transaction, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
12:50pm: A club source tells MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan the Rangers will "likely do something today." In Sullivan's opinion, the team's biggest need is a right-handed bat.
This post was originally published at 12:50 pm CDT on Wednesday, August 31st, 2011.
Arbitration Eligibles: Toronto Blue Jays
We've covered the Orioles, Red Sox, Yankees, and Rays in our arbitration eligibles series. Let's finish off the AL East by discussing the Blue Jays players who will be eligible for arbitration after the season.
- First time: Jesse Carlson, Colby Rasmus
- Second time: Brandon Morrow, Jesse Litsch
- Third time: Carlos Villanueva, Casey Janssen, Dustin McGowan
Carlson and McGowan are non-tender candidates, though on the other hand neither would cost much more than the league minimum. Carlson's season ended with a torn rotator cuff, while McGowan is expected to pitch for Toronto next month for the first time since 2008.
Overall it's an affordable arbitration group. We've got Morrow at $4.1MM, Rasmus at $2.8MM, Villanueva at $2MM, Janssen at $1.5MM, and Litsch at $1.3MM. Rasmus switched agencies partially because of this upcoming arbitration case.