A few items of note to pass along out of the NL West …
- Newly signed Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer will earn a base salary of $10.5MM in each year of his three-year contract, although he can earn an additional $1.5MM in incentives in the deal's final year, 2014, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post.
- Cuddyer will man right field for the Rox, while Carlos Gonzalez shifts over to center, tweets Thomas Harding of MLB.com.
- Dodgers reliever Ronald Belisario, who missed the entire 2011 season due to visa issues, has secured a visa and is expected to be in camp on time for the start of Spring Training, according to Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times.
- However, Belisario will have to serve a 25-game suspension, which are typically doled out when players fail to comply with treatment programs, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Belisario had issues with substance abuse in 2010 and 2011, which is in part why he had trouble obtaining a visa.
- Dodgers GM Ned Colletti says he's still in the market for another reliever despite re-adding Belisario to the bullpen picture, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles. Gurnick reports the Dodgers remain in negotiations to bring back right-hander Mike MacDougal.
- Free agent outfielder Cody Ross, who spent the past season and a half with the Giants, is now seeking a two-year contract, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. Ross was originally looking for a three-year pact, but that was only to remain in pitcher-friendly San Francisco, according to O'Brien.
Carlos Gonzalez shifts over to left, not center. Fowler has center.
Smith will get most AB’s in left, Carlos in center, Cuddyer in right and Fowler where he belongs on the bench and bouncing between AAA and MLB. I’m willing to bet good money Blackmon gets more AB’s than Fowler by the end of the season.
How much of that “good money” would you care to wager?
exactly
@5_tool_MiLB_fool:disqus I was scared they were gonna let him move to center, hes to fragile
i know. he could have broken his arm snagging one of those harsh line drives out to center.
he has run into the wall in center twice now
Two years/$12M? I think the Braves might oughta do that.
I was thinking the same thing- rather have Ross than Seth Smith. Just not convinced about Smith.
But Ross convinces you? It’s not 2010 playoffs anymore
Even Ross’s bad year last year would have been an improvement for the Braves. His right handed, medium pop bat is what they are looking for in LF.
If signing Ross (albeit to a slight overpay) instead of trading for Smith allows us to keep Prado, I’m all for it.
Didnt say that just would rather have Ross vs. Smith, plus I’ve seen him play alot more and like his gutsy style of play. Smith is an unknown for me at this point, only watched him a couple of times this past season- so not as much to measure against. In addition for me IMO Ross would seem to be a better fit.
I don’t know about the Braves but when he was with the Marlins, he used to get some big hits against Cole Hamels and some of the other Phillies pitchers, so some of us in the NL East have a little bit more respect for him than his former NL West foes.
smith is a product of coors field and he couldnt hit crap out there he sure aint gonna at turner field….wouldnt mind seeing ross in atl but not at 6million a year…maybe 2 yr/10 million …dont rule out ryan ludwick…
Ned Colletti wants in on this action. Ex-Giant, over 30, coming off a .725 OPS, and he’s a winner who is not only gritty, but also a great clubhouse presence.
3 years, $21 million.
Worked out well with Uribe so far.
Jason Schmidt was another solid pick up as well.
They can just wait a little longer and Ross will realize he is only going to find one year deals. IMO I realy hope this doesn’t happen at all.
Agreed. Anyone who offers Ross 3/$21M should have thrown that money at Willingham and picked up a real threat at the plate.
Agreed. Anyone who offers Ross 3/$21M should have thrown that money at Willingham and picked up a real threat at the plate.
Belisario would be a huge addition to the pen IF he can regain his form.
It’s hard not to love his stuff. Didn’t he also have a drinking problem? Hopefully he’s gearing up for 2012 and will be showing up in Spring Training with something to prove.
If he can regain his sobriety you mean.
ross saying he only wanted a 3 year deal if it was in SF is stupid, hes mad we didnt offer him any contract. I bet he would have taken less money to stay with SF at the beginning of this offseason, now he’s trying to bash them.
2 years? Now you’re talking Cody!!! Bring him on Frank and if the price is right, maybe a club option?
Id like to see Ross return to the Giants, as well as Carlos Beltran but apparently its out of the Giants budget and against the Giants strategy to have a legit power hitter in their lineup
Is Ross better then Matt Diaz? Other than he has some experience in CF. Not sure how much Ross would help the Braves especially at 5-6 mil/yr. I rather they stand pat than make a move just to make a move.
I would’ve like Cuddyer at around 8 mil per yr, it seems like you have to overspend for anyone know unless its a trade. I don’t know who is out there that would really help that much. Maybe Quentin but they aren’t going to trade for him when he is in contract year.
I could see Ross go back to Giants. They love mediocre offensive guys.
Cody ross is lame but thanks for your miraculous homeruns in the playoffs Ross is not boss