The Asking Price For Michael Young
It's not easy to find teams with $16MM to spare in mid-March, when most GMs have exhausted their offseason budgets. The number of potential takers for $16MM players shrinks even more when the trade candidate earns $16MM annually through 2013 and has no-trade protection.
That's why the Rangers aren't going to have a simple time trading Michael Young, who requested a trade, saying that he has been "misled and manipulated." Young can veto trades to 21 teams and he'll have a full no-trade clause in May when his 10-and-5 rights kick in. ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that the Rangers are still asking for top prospects in return for Young, so Texas' asking price first seems unrealistic given all of the obstacles in place.
But former Indians GM Mark Shapiro traded similar players for top prospects in 2008 and 2009, so there's some hope for Jon Daniels, Nolan Ryan and the rest of Texas' front office.
Shapiro sent Casey Blake and cash to the Dodgers for Carlos Santana and Jon Meloan in 2008. At the time, Blake was in his age-34 season and had a .289/.365/.465 line as a utility player for the Indians. The next year, the Tribe sent Mark DeRosa to the Cardinals for Jess Todd, now the Indians' 27th-ranked prospect, and Chris Perez, who has become the team's closer. DeRosa, another utility player, was also in his age-34 season and at the time he had a similar line to the one Blake had in 2008: .270/.342/.457.
Young is coming off of a comparable year; he hit .284/.330/.444 for Texas in 2010. Now a utility player himself, Young resembles Blake and DeRosa to a considerable extent. He's in his age-34 season and has 20 homer pop and the versatility to play multiple positions.
There are significant differences, of course. Blake and DeRosa were not franchise players like Young, the longest tenured Ranger. Plus, Blake ($6.1MM) and DeRosa ($5.5MM) were making about $10MM less than Young will earn in 2011. Young's pedigree includes six All-Star Game selections, a Gold Glove and a batting title, but that doesn't make up the $10MM gap between him and the others.
The Rangers face obstacles that the Indians weren't up against in 2008-09, but Shapiro's trades should give the Rangers some hope. Though Texas may not be able to unload Young's entire contract or close to it, there is some precedent for turning comparable players into top prospects.
Photo courtesy Icon SMI.
Blue Jays Sign Chris Woodward
The Blue Jays have signed Chris Woodward to a minor league deal, according to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star (on Twitter). The former Blue Jay will fill in on the infield and postpone his plans to become an agent, according to Griffin.
The Blue Jays selected Woodward 17 years ago, in the 54th round of the 1994 draft. He was in the majors five years later and played for the Blue Jays from 1999-2004 as a backup infielder. The 34-year-old appeared in eight games for the Mariners last year and also has big league experience with the Mets, Braves and Red Sox.
Woodward, who has played every position but pitcher and catcher in the Major Leagues, has spent most of his career at short, second and third. He has a .241/.298/.362 line in 1886 MLB plate appearances over the course of 11 years.
Jack Of All Trades: Oliver Perez
It's been a rough week for Oliver Perez, and given his overall tenure with the Mets, that is no small feat. Thanks to his 9.00 spring ERA and inability to throw strikes or reach 90 miles per hour with his fastball, the Mets removed Perez from consideration for the starting rotation. Those difficulties are likely to lead to Perez's failure in the bullpen, too, and his eventual release.
If this is where it ends, Perez will almost certainly be viewed as a cautionary tale from an acquisition perspective. After all, the Mets signed Perez to a three-year, $36MM contract prior to the 2009 season, only to receive 112 1/3 innings of 6.81 ERA pitching. So it may surprise some to find out that both times teams traded for Oliver Perez, they came out ahead.
The San Diego Padres signed Oliver Perez as an amateur free agent back in 1999. By 2002, he made his big league debut as a 20-year-old, displaying both the now-faded ability to strike batters out in droves and his still-present tendency to walk more than his share of hitters. Nevertheless, he offered tantalizing ability, leading to the Padres' decision to trade Perez, a 24-year-old Jason Bay and minor leaguer Corey Stewart to Pittsburgh for a 32-year-old Brian Giles.
While Giles had a decent-but-costly run of strong offense and diminishing defense for the Padres, Perez and Bay quickly made the deal look like a steal for the Pirates. Perez posted a 2.98 ERA in 196 innings, while Bay posted a .907 OPS and won the NL Rookie of the Year.
Put it wins above replacement terms, Perez earned a WAR of 5.1 in 2004, well above Giles' 3.0 and Bay's 2.2. In fact, Perez's 2004 was a more valuable season than any that anyone in the trade would enjoy, other than Jason Bay's 2009.
But contrast the $8.8MM salary Giles earned in 2004 with the $321K Perez took home, and $305K from Bay, and the gap becomes enormous.
Perez did go on to struggle in 2005 and 2006, with Bay carrying the lion's share of the value for the Pirates in subsequent years. Still, when Pittsburgh decided to unload Perez in 2006, it was the receiving team, the New York Mets, who benefited.
On July 31, 2006, New York traded starting right fielder Xavier Nady to the Pirates for Perez and Roberto Hernandez, a relief pitcher tabbed to replace the injured Duaner Sanchez. And while Perez struggled over the remainder of the 2006 season, he posted a 1.4 WAR in 2007 and a 1.5 WAR in 2008. By contrast, Nady provided -0.9 WAR in 2007 for the Pirates, and 1.9 WAR in 2008. Roberto Hernandez even chipped in another 0.2 WAR for the Mets at the tail end of 2006 to even out Nady and Perez that season.
Naturally, there are Mets fans who blame the trade for the subsequent contract debacle, just as a divorced couple often turns on the person who introduced them. Perez, in an odd bit of symmetry, followed his 1.4 and 1.5 WAR seasons in 2007 and 2008 with a -1.4 mark in 2009 and -1.5 in 2010, as if to erase every bit of good he'd done the team.
Still, all that proves is that signing Oliver Perez to a massive free agent contract hasn't been a good idea. Trading for Perez, on the other hand, is a winning proposition. Let this be a lesson to the other 29 teams, who probably have a few weeks at most before the only way they can acquire Perez is for free.
Reds Agree To Extension With Ryan Hanigan
The Reds and Ryan Hanigan have agreed to a three-year contract that will pay the catcher $4MM. Hanigan, who is represented by Tom O'Connell, will also have the chance to earn another $800K in escalators based on playing time.
2011 is Hanigan's final pre-arbitration season, so the deal buys out two of his arb years. According to Olney, the 30-year-old will make $450K this year, $1.2MM in 2012, and $2.05MM in 2013. The deal also includes a $300K signing bonus and $400K in possible incentives in each of the '12 and '13 seasons. The Reds will have Hanigan under team control for one more season after the contract expires.
Splitting time behind the plate with Ramon Hernandez for the last two years, Hanigan hasn't displayed much power, but has posted exceptional on-base numbers. In 536 plate appearances in 2009 and 2010 combined, the longtime Red hit .280/.381/.374.
As MLBTR's Transaction Tracker shows, Hanigan's will be the fifth contract extended for at least three years by the Reds this winter. ESPN.com's Buster Olney first reported the agreement and John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer confirmed that the Reds announced the deal.
Padres Return George Kontos To Yankees
The Padres announced that they returned Rule 5 draft pick George Kontos to the Yankees.
The 25-year-old split the 2010 season between Class A, Double-A and Triple-A, posting a 3.60 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 45 innings. It was his first action since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July of 2009 and his first extended stint as a reliever. Baseball America ranked Kontos 27th among Padres prospects this offseason and suggested that his future is in the 'pen, since he hasn't developed a quality change-up and struggles to throw strikes at times.
Kontos has appeared in 97 minor league games (73 starts) since the Yankees selected him in the fifth round of the 2006 draft. Overall, he has a 3.47 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in the minors. The right-hander posted a 9.82 ERA in three spring appearances.
Offseason In Review: Colorado Rockies
The Rockies are next in our Offseason In Review series.
Major League/International Signings
- Jorge de la Rosa, SP: three years, $32MM. Third year (2013) is an $11MM player option which if exercised gives Rockies $11MM club option for 2014.
- Ty Wigginton, IF: two years, $8MM. Includes $4MM option for 2013 with a $500K buyout.
- Total spend: $40MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
- Jason Giambi, John Maine, Chris Sampson, Billy Buckner, Eric Stults, Claudio Vargas, Sean White, Chad Moeller, Alfredo Amezaga, Hernan Iribarren, Mike Jacobs, Willy Taveras, Matt Pagnozzi, Eric Duncan, Jeff Salazar, Tug Hulett, Jesus Colome
Extensions
- Troy Tulowitzki, SS: seven years, $134MM in new guaranteed money. Includes $15MM club option for 2021 with a $4MM buyout.
- Carlos Gonzalez, LF: seven years, $80MM.
- Matt Lindstrom, RP: two years, $6.6MM. $4MM club option for 2013 with a $200K buyout.
- Jason Hammel, SP: two years, $7.75MM.
- Rafael Betancourt, RP: one year, $4.25MM. Includes $4.25MM mutual option for 2013 with a $250K buyout.
- Matt Belisle, RP: two years, $6.125MM.
Trades and Claims
- Acquired P Felipe Paulino from Astros for IF Clint Barmes
- Acquired IF Jose Lopez from Mariners for SP Chaz Roe
- Acquired C Jose Morales from Twins for RP Paul Bargas
- Acquired RP Matt Lindstrom from Astros for RP Jonnathan Aristil and SP Wes Musick
- Acquired SP Clayton Mortensen from Athletics for SP Ethan Hollingsworth
Notable Losses
- Miguel Olivo, Clint Barmes, Melvin Mora, Jeff Francis, Manny Corpas, Joe Beimel, Octavio Dotel, Chaz Roe, Paul Bargas, Jonnathan Aristil, Wes Musick, Ethan Hollingsworth
Summary
Rockies GM Dan O'Dowd is all about locking up his own players, despite mixed results. The initial contracts for Troy Tulowitzki and Ubaldo Jimenez were masterstrokes, while extra years and dollars guaranteed to Huston Street, Chris Iannetta, and Aaron Cook have been regrettable. Six Rockies were extended this winter, headlined by Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez.
The Tulo and CarGo extensions were very different situations, and I analyzed them here and here. Both players were already under control through 2014, so O'Dowd is planning four years into the future with these deals. He's gambled $167MM on nine player seasons for the pair from the year 2015 forward. Whether these players age well is anyone's guess, but the contracts carry big risk and big potential reward. It's not often we see a GM looking so far ahead.
The Rockies established cost certainty with the extensions for arbitration eligible pitchers Lindstrom and Hammel, though the safe move would have been going year-to-year. The Rockies bought out a couple of free agent years at reasonable rates for Betancourt and Belisle after deciding not to offer a third year to free agent Matt Guerrier.
The Rockies made a pair of free agent commitments, retaining De La Rosa (pictured) and bringing in Wigginton. On one hand, the De La Rosa contract was a win in that the Rockies didn't have to commit to a fourth year for a guy who's never topped 185 innings and posts ugly walk rates. On the other, player options often ensure that the player re-enters the free agent market if he has a strong final season and stays put if he's not worth his option price. I felt that the Rockies overpaid for Wigginton's versatility in an offseason where Eric Hinske signed for one year and $1.35MM.
On the trade front, I love the acquistion of Paulino for Barmes. Barmes seemed headed for a non-tender, while Paulino's big strikeout rate and velocity qualify him as a sleeper. The Rockies acquired a non-tender candidate of their own in Lopez, though $3.6MM isn't a bad gamble. The price to acquire Lindstrom was reasonable as well.
The 2011 Rockies look like an improved team, if De La Rosa, Hammel, and Jhoulys Chacin are able to provide full seasons in support of Jimenez. Even if not, the bullpen looks deeper given the addition of Lindstrom and assuming good health for Street. But this offseason was about much more than 2011, as O'Dowd invested heavily in the futures of Tulowitzki and Gonzalez.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Rangers Still Asking A Lot For Michael Young
The Rangers still want top prospects in return for infielder Michael Young, reports ESPN's Buster Olney, and "don't want to eat as much of the $48 million still owed to Young over the next three years." Olney's sources view Young as a $6-7MM player (presumably per year) as opposed to the $16MM per year he's owed. The Diamondbacks reportedly expressed interest in Young in the first week in March, and other teams have come up in a speculative sense, but there seems to be a gulf between the Rangers' perception of Young's value and that of possible suitors.
Young requested a trade in early February, saying, "I've been misled and manipulated." Rangers GM Jon Daniels is on the other end of the dispute. Young said last month that the trade request had nothing to do with his role, but "a lot of things led up to this point." The Rangers signed third baseman Adrian Beltre in January and acquired Mike Napoli later that month.
Young can veto trades to all teams except the Cardinals, Yankees, Twins, Astros, Rockies, Dodgers, Angels and Padres until May, when his 10-and-5 rights kick in and his approval will be needed for any deal. Since Young requested the trade, I'm guessing he'll be flexible if the Rangers do find a match. It may be in their best interest to hang on to him with Beltre on the mend from a calf injury.
Out Of Options 2011
The following 40-man roster/60-day DL/restricted list players have less than five years of service time and are out of options. That means they must clear waivers before being sent to the minors. I've excluded players on multiyear deals.
Angels
Rich Thompson, Jason Bulger, Brandon Wood, Bobby Wilson, Alberto Callaspo
Astros
Alberto Arias, Nelson Figueroa, Jeff Keppinger, Humberto Quintero, Ryan Rowland-Smith, Angel Sanchez
Athletics
None
Blue Jays
Dustin McGowan, David Purcey, Jo-Jo Reyes
Braves
Joe Mather
Brewers
Brandon Boggs, Luis Cruz, Sean Green, George Kottaras, Kameron Loe, Chris Narveson, Wil Nieves, Manny Parra
Cardinals
None
Cubs
Jeff Baker, Koyie Hill, Max Ramirez, Geovany Soto, Jeff Samardzija (no-trade clause)
Diamondbacks
Juan Gutierrez, Juan Miranda, Tony Abreu, Carlos Rosa
Dodgers
Xavier Paul, Blake Hawksworth, Hong-Chih Kuo, Ronald Belisario, Hector Jimenez
Giants
Travis Ishikawa, Nate Schierholtz, Andres Torres
Indians
Shin-Soo Choo, Jensen Lewis, Jayson Nix, Rafael Perez, Mitch Talbot
Mariners
Cesar Jimenez, Garrett Olson, David Pauley, Josh Wilson, David Aardsma, Jack Cust, Brandon League, Jason Vargas
Marlins
Edward Mujica, Leo Nunez, Brian Sanches, Emilio Bonifacio
Mets
Nick Evans, Chin-lung Hu, Manny Acosta, Luis Hernandez, Pat Misch, Taylor Buchholz
Nationals
Tyler Clippard, Alberto Gonzalez, Tom Gorzelanny, Mike Morse, Henry Rodriguez
Orioles
Jeremy Accardo, Robert Andino, Jake Fox, Jeremy Guthrie, Jim Johnson, Felix Pie, Rick VandenHurk
Padres
Mike Adams, Chris Denorfia, Jarrett Hoffpauir, Cameron Maybin, Dustin Moseley, Eric Patterson, Tim Stauffer, Joe Thatcher
Phillies
Wilson Valdez
Pirates
Jose Ascanio, Kevin Hart, Charlie Morton, Chris Resop, John Bowker, Joel Hanrahan, James McDonald
Rangers
Nelson Cruz
Rays
Adam Russell, Sam Fuld, Elliot Johnson, Matt Joyce
Reds
Jose Arrendondo, Bill Bray, Homer Bailey, Fred Lewis, Nick Masset
Red Sox
Darnell McDonald, Matt Albers
Rockies
Felipe Paulino, Jose Morales
Royals
Gregor Blanco, Melky Cabrera, Luke Hochevar, Mitch Maier, Lucas May, Brayan Pena, Robinson Tejeda
Tigers
Don Kelly, Brad Thomas
Twins
Alexi Casilla, Jose Mijares, Glen Perkins, Delmon Young
White Sox
Philip Humber, Brent Lillibridge, Jeff Marquez, Sergio Santos
Yankees
Romulo Sanchez, Boone Logan
Thanks to the following people for contributing information: Kevin Baxter, Gregor Chisholm, Brewerfan.net, Steve Gilbert, Nick Piecoro, Chris Haft, Corey Brock, Bill Ladson, Jenifer Langosch, Rob Bradford, Troy Renck, Bob Dutton, Bill Shaikin, John Lowe, Mike Axisa, and Ben Nicholson-Smith.
Quick Hits: Looper, Turpen, Moyer, CBA, Nationals
Our condolences go out to the friends and family of Mitchell Page, a former outfielder and hitting coach who passed away Saturday. Page was the runner-up to Eddie Murray in a close vote for AL Rookie of the Year in 1977 and, more recently, served as a hitting coach for the Cardinals and Nationals. Here are today's links:
- According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, scouts watching the Cubs this weekend "seemed more interested in what [Braden] Looper’s status was than whether the fat-salaried [Carlos] Silva could be had." If things don't work out with Chicago, however, Looper would likely just return to his family.
- One of the Yankees' Sunday roster moves involved returning Rule 5 pick Daniel Turpen to the Red Sox, as Chad Jennings of the Journal News notes.
- Jamie Moyer still intends to attempt a comeback in 2012, writes Phil Sheridan of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Moyer, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, is realistic about the factors working against him: "I want to give this a chance and see what happens. If it doesn't work out, so be it."
- CBA talks are ahead of schedule, with the second round of collective bargaining set to occur in the next few weeks, according to MLB.com's Barry M. Bloom.
- Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post explains why the Nationals aren't considering releasing Nyjer Morgan.
- In another article for the Post, Kilgore says the Nationals are having trouble evaluating Rule 5 pick Elvin Ramirez due to health issues.
AL Central Links: Chisenhall, Milledge, Buehrle
Some links for your Sunday reading pleasure…
- Jason Donald's hand injury inspires Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer to ask whether the Indians would consider starting Lonnie Chisenhall's service clock as soon as Opening Day.
- Lastings Milledge, who was the youngest free agent available this past winter, is off to a good start with the White Sox, says Brett Ballantini of CSNChicago.
- Mark Buehrle won't keep pitching for money or milestones, writes Dan McNeil of the Chicago Tribune. If he keeps pitching beyond 2011, it'll be with a contender and in a place that's comfortable for his family.
- Jhonny Peralta isn't fretting his transition back to the shortstop position, writes MLive.com's Dick Scanlon.
- Hoynes answers plenty of reader questions in this Q&A for the Plain Dealer, and address issues such as the prospect hauls for departed All-Stars and maximizing trade value. He also opines that Orlando Cabrera could become a mid-season target for the Phillies if Chase Utley's injury is serious enough.