@Closernews Looking For Help
Last year we started a Twitter account called @closernews, which provides instant updates on MLB closer situations for fantasy baseball players. The account is up over 5,000 followers and has helped many win their saves category. Given the initial success, we're going to be expanding the coverage hours @closernews provides. Also, later in the year we'll be launching a website to provide analysis and closer rankings.
We're seeking writers to cover the late-night closer situations, starting at 11pm central time and going until the last game ends. This is an unpaid position. Those who contribute to the Twitter account will have first crack at writing for the website. The preference is for fantasy baseball junkies who already follow @closernews. If this project sounds like an enjoyable resume-builder for you, please email closernewshelp@gmail.com and let us know why you should join the @closernews team. Please note: if you applied earlier today, please resend your email to closernewshelp@gmail.com, as we had to change the email address.
NL Central Notes: Pujols, Hendry, Arredondo
Links for Tuesday night, as Carlos Zambrano and Chris Carpenter face off at Wrigley Field and Ryan Theriot explains his thoughts on the Cubs–Cardinals rivalry…
- Cubs GM Jim Hendry spoke with Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols behind the batting cage before today's game and Hendry denied that anything unusual occurred between him and the free agent-to-be, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. “I like Albert. We’ve always gotten along," Hendry said. "Great, great player. I admire the heck out of him.”
- Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune breaks down a few of Hendry's recent moves before noting that it's a "do-or-die season" for the Cubs GM.
- Jose Arredondo's rehab runs out after tonight, though the Reds don't have to activate him, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. We can expect the Reds to make a decision about Arredondo's future Friday, according to Fay.
Brandon Inge On Tenure With Tigers
The longest-tenured Tiger doesn’t have any plans to suit up for anyone else. Brandon Inge says he admires Tigers greats Al Kaline and Alan Trammell and wants to follow their example and remain with one team for his entire career. That’s why he signed an extension with the Tigers last October, when he was weeks away from hitting the open market, where 29 other teams could bid for his services.
“I never really thought about going anywhere else,” Inge told MLBTR. “I know it was out there and I probably could have gone somewhere else, but there’s as good a chance as any of winning here with the amount of talent we have on this team. For me it was kind of a no-brainer. If they offered me a contract and it was fair, I was probably going to take it and they did.”
Inge, Detroit's second round pick in 1998, signed a two-year, $11.5MM contract in October. His offensive output – a .207/.262/.297 line with one homer and seven doubles – has been disappointing so far. Every month matters, but the Tigers knew what they were getting when they signed the 33-year-old after a decade in Detroit that included a 119-loss season (2003) and an American League Championship (2006).
“I guess loyalty is something big that I believe in and Detroit’s been very loyal to me for many years now, through thick and thin,” Inge said. “It’s one of those things where they’ve treated me with respect and I’ve treated them with respect as well.”
It’s an affiliation Inge would like to continue beyond 2013, the last year he’s under team control.
“Absolutely,” Inge said. “I’ll stay as long as they’ll let me.”
New York Notes: Jeter, Berkman, Mets
The latest from New York includes reaction to Derek Jeter and a reminder that the Yankees could have had one of the NL's hottest hitters last offseason. Here are the details…
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman said this afternoon on ESPN 1050's "Ruocco and Lundberg" show that Jeter is an above-average MLB shortstop. "He's not the same player he used to be, and how many people are when they start to get older? But I think he's a championship-caliber contributor and an above-average shortstop, and that's more than enough,” Cashman said. Mike Mazzeo has quotes and audio at ESPNNewYork.com.
- After a strong weekend at the plate, Jeter ranks in the top 15 in OBP, wOBA and WAR among all qualified shortstops.
- As Joel Sherman of the New York Post points out, it’s easy to forget that the Yankees declined their 2011 option for Lance Berkman. The switch-hitter has been among the best hitters in baseball this year, but the Yankees couldn’t have known that in the fall. At the time, they had a DH of their own (Jorge Posada) and Berkman’s $15MM option seemed steep, even for the Yankees.
- Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that interest in a minority share of the Mets is surprisingly strong (Twitter link). Commissioner Bud Selig expressed confidence in the Mets organization and their financial issues yesterday.
Edmonton Capitals Sign Willy Aybar
The Edmonton Capitals of the independent North American League have signed Willy Aybar, the league announced. The Rays non-tendered the 28-year-old switch-hitter in December and he remained a free agent until today without drawing any reported interest.
The five-year veteran appeared in 100 games for the Rays last season, his third in Tampa. He finished the season with a .230/.309/.344 line through 309 plate appearances as a utility infielder. Aybar has a .258/.341/.399 career line and experience at all four infield positions since breaking in with the Dodgers in 2005.
Regular MLBTR Features
If you're a regular MLBTR reader, you'll be familiar with our chats, our Week In Review posts and Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In feature. Here's some more detail on when you'll see our weekly features and exactly what to expect from them:
- MLBTR Chats – Come by every Wednesday at 2pm CDT to chat about the latest trades, signings and rumblings around the major leagues.
- Baseball Blogs Weigh In – Every Friday morning, Mike Axisa directs you to some of the best writing on baseball blogs around the web. Whether it's opinion, stats or something else entirely, you can connect to the best of the blogosphere once a week on MLBTR. If you want to send Mike a post of yours, reach him at: mike@riveraveblues.com.
- Week In Review – It's amazing how much happens in seven days. Every Sunday night, we summarize the week's biggest stories in our Week In Review posts.
- MLBTR Originals – We gather all our original analysis and reporting in one place every Sunday night.
Pirates Want Five Or More Years On McCutchen Deal
The Pirates are talking to center fielder Andrew McCutchen about an extension, tweets SI's Jon Heyman, and they're insisting on at least a five-year deal. That's another way of saying they want to buy out at least one free agent year, which comes as no surprise. As noted in our agency database, McCutchen is represented by Steve Hammond of Aegis Sports Management.
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported eight days ago that the two sides are in talks but no agreement was imminent. I mentioned at that time that I expect a six-year term, and I feel that McCutchen deserves $52MM or more based on comparable contracts.
Orioles Designate Josh Rupe For Assignment
The Orioles designated righty Josh Rupe for assignment to open a 25-man roster spot for shortstop J.J. Hardy, according to the team. Since Hardy was already on the 40-man, the team now has 39 players on that roster.
Rupe, 28, tossed 14 1/3 unimpressive relief innings for the Orioles this year. He signed a minor league deal with Baltimore in December and made the team out of Spring Training. He spent last year relieving for the Royals' Triple-A affiliate, posting a 2.92 ERA, 8.4 K/9, 4.0 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 52 1/3 innings.
A third-round pick of the White Sox in '02, Rupe was traded to the Rangers in July of '03 along with Frank Francisco and Anthony Webster for Carl Everett. He battled elbow problems in his Rangers career and was designated for assignment in April of '09.
2012 Contract Issues: Oakland Athletics
The Athletics are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series. Here's what the team faces after the 2011 season:
Eligible For Free Agency (7)
- David DeJesus, Mark Ellis, Josh Willingham, Coco Crisp, Hideki Matsui, and Conor Jackson have accounted for 729 plate appearances this year, about 54% of the team's total. Throw in non-tender candidate Kevin Kouzmanoff and that rises past 60%, so the offense could see huge turnover. Jackson is getting on base, and Willingham is showing some pop, but so far this large group of position players is failing offensively. There is plenty of time to turn things around, and players such as Ellis, Crisp, and DeJesus are also valued for their defense. Still, the team's top outfield prospects are not ready to make an impact in 2012, so offense could again be a problem.
- Rich Harden is also eligible for free agency.
Contract Options (1)
- Michael Wuertz: $3.25MM club option with a $250K buyout. Wuertz missed time with shoulder and hamstring injuries, but he's been sharp in the early going. The A's will probably pick up his option.
Arbitration Eligible (14)
- First time: Andrew Bailey, Daric Barton, Adam Rosales, Jerry Blevins, Gio Gonzalez, Landon Powell
- Second time: Dallas Braden, Ryan Sweeney, Craig Breslow, Brad Ziegler, Andy LaRoche
- Third time: Kevin Kouzmanoff, Brandon McCarthy, Joey Devine
There might be a few non-tenders here, such as Kouzmanoff, but this is a huge arbitration class for Oakland. Bailey will not have the 100 career saves that Bobby Jenks and Jonathan Papelbon did, but he could still get $3MM+. Barton may also be in that range, Braden should stay there, and Gonzalez could reach $4MM. Sweeney, Breslow, and Ziegler could get close to $2MM each. McCarthy is tough to predict, and keep in mind that these are just rough estimates in all cases. Assuming only Kouzmanoff is cut loose I'll put this group in the $25MM range.
2012 Payroll Obligation
The Athletics' 2012 payroll obligation, according to Cot's, is $24.238MM if Wuertz is retained. Double that number to account for the arbitration eligibles, and the A's are about $17MM below this year's payroll. Jemile Weeks could take over at second base, but the team would need to figure out third base, DH, and all three outfield spots. GM Billy Beane will probably have to work the trade market to find affordable, useful players for some of those openings.
Astros Sign Max Ramirez
The Astros signed catcher Max Ramirez to a minor league deal, according to Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle. Carlos Corporan broke a finger last week, further compromising the Astros' catching depth, explained Levine. Ramirez had been released by the Cubs on Friday. The 26-year-old had been claimed off waivers by the Cubs from the Red Sox, who claimed him from the Rangers.
Ramirez hit .286/.373/.381 in 226 plate appearances for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate last year, picking up another 85 PAs with the big club. He played 11 games for the Cubs' Triple-A team this year. Ramirez may still have potential with the bat, but he is considered a below-average defensive catcher.