Team And Transaction-Only Feeds
If you'd like to filter MLBTR's information by team or limit it to transactions only, we've got you covered.
In the navigation bar, check out the Feeds By Team dropdown. Clicking on the name of a team returns all the posts that reference that club. For example, this page displays only posts with Braves-related rumors. The newest will always be on top.
Next to the word "Braves" you'll see an RSS button and a Twitter button. The RSS button leads here, to the URL you'd put into your RSS reader to receive only our Braves rumors. The Twitter button takes you to @mlbtrbraves, which shows all posts involving the team. The MLBTR team Twitter pages are also a place to quickly receive info from team press releases, even if that info is not used on the main site.
Be sure to check out your favorite team's MLBTR page on Facebook so you can receive and comment on the latest rumors.
If you'd prefer to monitor only actual transactions, we've got several options. Our Transactions page shows only posts marked as transactions, such as signings, trades, DFAs, and releases. You can also get this same info on Twitter and RSS.
Quick Hits: Carlos Guillen, Dennys Reyes, Mets
Opening Day is just ten days away! Our latest collection of links:
- As first mentioned on Twitter, MLBTR learned that Tigers infielder Carlos Guillen switched agencies this spring, from Peter Greenberg to Octagon. Our new Agency Database has all the goods.
- Dennys Reyes' opt-out date with the Red Sox is Friday, tweets WEEI's Rob Bradford. The lefty has allowed one run in seven strong innings this spring.
- With the Mets eating $12MM to release Oliver Perez today, ESPN's Adam Rubin looks at the other big contracts the Mets have gobbled up to make a player go away.
- The Tigers and White Sox have better pitching staffs than the Twins, explains Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Kirby Arnold of the Everett Herald projects the Mariners' 25-man roster.
Major League Baseball Uniform Player’s Contract
Contracts are an obsession at MLB Trade Rumors, but have you ever seen an actual one? We got our hands on a real Uniform Player's Contract, with the identifying details removed. If you ever wanted to know which other sports a baseball player is banned from playing, how many uniforms the club must furnish, or the maximum amount of life insurance coverage allowed, this is for you. Click here to access the PDF file.
Jimmy Rollins Talks Free Agency
Jimmy Rollins chatted recently with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports about his impending free agency. The 32-year-old shortstop seems at ease entering the first contract year of his career:
"If I do what I’m supposed to do and I’m healthy, I’ll get signed somewhere, if not here. I’m not worried about that part. Just having a healthy season and feeling good, that’s the only thing I’m concerned with."
The Phillies are the only team Rollins has ever known, but it's too early to determine the extent of the gap between his asking price and the commitment the Phillies are willing and able to make. As Rosenthal points out, the Phillies don't have a replacement ready at the top levels of the minors.
Despite Rollins' slipping on-base percentage, his 10.2% walk rate last year was a career-best. He still has good pop for a shortstop, and his defense remains well-regarded. If Rollins stays healthy and his batting average bounces back, he could be in line for a four or five-year deal worth upwards of $15MM a year. The 2012 free agent market potentially features at least four other starting shortstops: Jose Reyes, Rafael Furcal, Alex Gonzalez, and J.J. Hardy. That crop is better than usual, but it's still very difficult to find a quality shortstop.
Latest On Major League Rule 5 Picks
19 players were taken in the Major League phase of the Rule 5 draft in December. Rule 5 picks are often returned to their original teams, as it's challenging to keep these players in the Majors all year. Another option is for the two clubs to work out a trade. The latest on this year's group:
- Pirates took infielder Josh Rodriguez from Indians. The Pirates are seriously considering trying to work out a deal with the Tribe, reported MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch on Saturday. Rodriguez is still in the mix for the Pirates' backup middle infield job, but Langosch says Pedro Ciriaco appears to be the favorite.
- Mariners took reliever Jose Flores from Indians. Flores has yet to pitch above Low-A ball, and his spring stats (five runs, four hits, and four walks in 3 2/3 innings) haven't helped his case. Even in the Mariners' unsettled bullpen it would be tough to keep Flores up all year.
- Diamondbacks took reliever Joe Paterson from Giants. As of March 10th the sidearming southpaw was a leading candidate to make the D'Backs. His spring numbers are strong, and he has Triple-A experience.
- Orioles took reliever Adrian Rosario from Brewers. He's only made two appearances this spring, and one of them resulted in a walk-off home run. As of Friday, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com wrote that Rosario "isn't making the team."
- Royals took starter Nathan Adcock from Pirates. Though he's only struck out three, Adcock is unscored upon in nine innings this spring. He seems to have a good shot at making the team, a dream come true for a guy who was in High-A ball last year.
- Nationals took reliever Elvin Ramirez from Mets. Back on March 13th, Adam Kilgore explained how arm trouble was preventing the Nationals from evaluating Ramirez. Barring an amazing, healthy week Ramirez will be offered back to the Mets.
- Cubs took starter Mason Tobin from Angels; traded to Rangers. With 5 2/3 scoreless innings, Tobin is "in the mix" for a bullpen job according to GM Jon Daniels.
- Astros took pitcher Aneury Rodriguez from Rays and starter Lance Pendleton from Yankees. Neither pitcher won the fifth starter job, but Astros manager Brad Mills says they're both in the running for the bullpen. Both have had control problems this spring.
- Brewers took reliever Pat Egan from Orioles. He's tossed 6 1/3 scoreless innings and has Triple-A experience, so he appears to be in the running for a bullpen job.
- Mets took second baseman Brad Emaus from Blue Jays. He's still in the Mets' second base mix with Luis Hernandez and Daniel Murphy. Emaus' spring performance hasn't helped, though the release of Luis Castillo did.
- Padres took reliever George Kontos from Yankees. He was returned on March 14th.
- Twins took starter Scott Diamond from Braves. A trade appeared possible earlier this month. Diamond has allowed one run in six spring innings, though his strikeout and walk numbers aren't pretty.
- Yankees took reliever Robert Fish from Angels; claimed off waivers by Royals. The Royals claimed the hard-throwing lefty six days ago, so clearly they're considering him for their bullpen.
- Rays took reliever Cesar Cabral from Red Sox. The Blue Jays got involved at one point, which requires its own explanation. Cabral remains in the mix for the Rays.
- Phillies took infielder Michael Martinez from Nationals. Castillo affects another Rule 5 pick, as Martinez's chances are hurt by the Phillies' acquisition of the veteran. Even without Castillo, Martinez did not appear to be a frontrunner at second base.
- Nationals took starter Brian Broderick from Cardinals. On Friday Nationals manager Jim Riggleman said Broderick was "forcing the issue" in competing for a long relief job. He's allowed one run in 10 2/3 innings, though he's only struck out four.
- Mets took reliever Pedro Beato from Orioles. The strikeouts aren't there, but Beato still appears likely to make the team.
- Yankees took reliever Daniel Turpen from Red Sox. He was returned to the Red Sox on March 13th.
- So far, only two of the 19 Rule 5 picks have been returned. Expect plenty more this week.
First-Time Arbitration Eligible For 2012
Kendrys Morales, Joey Votto, Jay Bruce, Billy Butler, Geovany Soto, Shin-Soo Choo, Nelson Cruz, Johnny Cueto, and Phil Hughes were among the players who were arbitration eligible for the first time in 2011. Several of the biggest names signed multiyear extensions, while other top players signed one-year deals in the $3-4MM range. For most players, arbitration eligibility is their first shot at a million-dollar salary. Let's go around the diamond and look at the potential notable first-timers for 2012. I've included some potential Super Twos, based on the possibility of the cutoff being in the range of two years and 120 days.
Catchers
Nick Hundley leads this small group, which also includes John Baker. Hundley may set a career-high for playing time this year, and he has extra financial incentive to produce.
First Basemen
Not much here aside from Oakland's Daric Barton. His agent at Legacy Sports Group faces the tough task of getting the arbitration system to properly value walks.
Second Basemen
Gordon Beckham of the White Sox might be the most interesting name here, if service time of 2.123 results in Super Two status. Sean Rodriguez, Mike Aviles, and Blake DeWitt should also be arbitration eligible after the season.
Shortstops
The Rangers' Elvis Andrus heads the first-time arbitration eligible shortstops. Offensively, his agent's pitch might be based on runs scored and stolen bases. Jed Lowrie and Paul Janish also should be arbitration eligible.
Third Basemen
Casey McGehee and Pablo Sandoval top the list of first-timers at the hot corner. Their cases figure to be linked, as they currently have very similar career home run and RBI numbers.
Outfielders
It's time for the Pirates to consider an extension for Andrew McCutchen, who will be arbitration eligible after the season after adding to his already impressive numbers. Colby Rasmus and Brett Gardner are also in line for arbitration paydays, with Travis Snider a potential Super Two at a projected 2.126. Chris Coghlan, Will Venable, Seth Smith, and Dexter Fowler are a few of the other arbitration eligible outfielders.
Starting Pitchers
Many of the game's best young starters will be arbitration eligible after the 2011 season, if they're not extended first. Clayton Kershaw, Clay Buchholz, Max Scherzer, Trevor Cahill, Jaime Garcia, and Gio Gonzalez are the headliners, but don't forget J.A. Happ, Brett Cecil, Randy Wells, Justin Masterson, Jordan Zimmermann, Clayton Richard, Jeff Niemann, Homer Bailey, and Phil Coke. Three who have a chance at Super Two, especially if the cutoff keeps decreasing: Tommy Hanson (2.120), Derek Holland (2.120), and Ian Kennedy (2.124).
Relievers
Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Luke Gregerson, Tyler Clippard, Evan Meek, and Sergio Romo are the top relievers who project to be first-time arbitration eligible after 2011. Plenty more are in the mix, including Kevin Jepsen, Jason Motte, Mitchell Boggs (2.125), Joe Thatcher, Tony Sipp, Ryan Perry, Jose Mijares, and David Robertson.
Mets Release Oliver Perez
The Mets released lefty Oliver Perez, the team officially announced today. The move comes three days after the release of second baseman Luis Castillo, as the team's new regime bailed on Omar Minaya's two worst contracts with one year remaining. The Mets still owe Perez $12MM for 2011.
Perez, 29, re-signed with the Mets on a three-year, $36MM deal in February of 2009. The contract was fairly well-received in the media at the time. The signing quickly became unpopular, with the southpaw posting the two worst seasons of his career. The numbers: a 6.81 ERA, 7.9 K/9, 8.0 BB/9, and 1.7 HR/9 over 112 1/3 innings. New GM Sandy Alderson allowed Perez a chance to make the 2011 club as a reliever, but he allowed 13 hits and nine runs in 9 2/3 spring innings.
The Phillies signed Castillo yesterday and appear to have big league playing time for him. It'll be a much longer road back for Perez. The Mets ate $18MM to make the pair go away, minus the Major League minimum if they play in the Majors. The cuts should be popular with fans, and hopefully the team can generate a few positive storylines heading into the 2011 season.
Brian Costa of the Wall Street Journal first tweeted the news of Perez's release.
Pirates Release Garrett Atkins
The Pirates released infielder Garrett Atkins, reports Colin Dunlap of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The 31-year-old veteran had been competing for the team's backup corner infield job with Andy Marte, Steve Pearce, and Josh Fields after signing a minor league deal in December. All along, the expectation was that Atkins would either make the team or become a free agent.
In 17 Spring Training games this year, Atkins hit .129/.182/.290 in 33 plate appearances. His last useful season was 2008, so he'll probably have to crush Triple-A pitching to earn another shot in the Majors.
Phillies Sign Luis Castillo
The Phillies officially signed Luis Castillo to a minor league deal, the team announced today. He'd been released by the Mets on Friday. The Mets are on the hook for the 35-year-old's $6MM salary, less the league minimum that Philadelphia will pay him. Castillo will either make the team or be released, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters this morning.
The Phillies have a question mark at second base right now given Chase Utley's knee injury, and Castillo gives them a veteran stopgap. Although he hit just .235/.337/.267 in 299 plate appearances last season, Castillo is only a year removed from a .387 OBP. More than 2,500 MLBTR readers predicted that Castillo would join the Phillies, and Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com was first to tweet the agreement.
MLBTR Originals: 3/13/11 – 3/20/11
With the regular season drawing ever closer, let's recap the the original content produced here at MLBTR over the last seven days…
- MLBTR first reported that Brian Wilson, Kurt Suzuki, Brett Wallace, and Jason Repko are now being represented by Dan Lozano. Also make sure you check out our brand new Agency Database.
- We published our annual list of players that are out of minor league options.
- Tim Dierkes explored the concept of delaying free agency and mused about Rafael Soriano's contract. He also listed some American League and National League midseason trade candidates, as well a few players that would have been entering their walk years had they not signed extensions.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at C.J. Wilson as an extension candidate and also explored the Phillies' interest in Jon Jay. He also dug up some potential suitors for Chris Davis.
- Ben's latest draft Q&A was with UConn outfielder George Springer.
- The offseason in review series continued with the Rockies, Braves, and Indians.
- We broke down Omar Infante of the Marlins and Jeff Francis of the Royals as players entering make or break years.
- This week's poll questions asked where Luis Castillo will end up and what Neftali Feliz's 2011 role will be.
- I rounded up the best the blogosphere had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Howard Megdal's latest Jack of all Trades post focused on Oliver Perez.
- This week's chat transcript can be found here.
- Here's a handy guide on all the different ways you can use MLBTR.
- Last, but certainly not least, we introduced Rumores de Béisbol, MLBTR's Spanish language sister site.