Blue Jays, Angels Exploring Leadoff Options
The Blue Jays locked up Rajai Davis for the next two seasons earlier today, but Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that isn't stopping the team from pursuing leadoff-type hitters. Both Scott Podsednik and Johnny Damon are now on Toronto's radar according to Rosenthal's sources.
Podsednik has drawn interest from several teams this winter, including the Reds, Dodgers, and Angels, but the first two clubs solved their outfield problems by signing Fred Lewis and Marcus Thames, respectively. A number of teams have kicked the tires on Damon, most recently the Yankees and Rays. Both players are left-handed bats and have plenty of experience hitting leadoff, Podsednik over 3,300 plate appearances and Damon one shy of 7,200.
Rosenthal mentions that the Angels are also looking for a leadoff type, which is consistent with what we've heard throughout the winter.
Contract Details: Votto, Saito, Thome, Bloomquist
Updates to a few recently completed contracts…
- John Fay of The Cincinnati Enquirer has the breakdown of Joey Votto's new contact with the Reds. The reigning NL MVP will earn $5.5MM in 2011 and $9.5MM in 2012 before jumping up to $17MM in 2013. His $6MM signing bonus will be paid out between now and 2014.
- MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that Takashi Saito has a clause in his contract stipulating that the Brewers must release him after the 2011 season. That prevents the team from offering him arbitration if he qualifies as a Type-A free agent.
- Jim Thome's deal with the Twins includes a boatload of incentives, reports Joe Christensen of The Star Triibune. The slugger will earn $200K for 200 plate appearances, and $300K each for 300, 350, and 400 plate appearances.
- Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com tweets that Willie Bloomquist's contract with the Diamondbacks will pay him $900K in 2011. It also includes a mutual option for 2012 worth $1.1MM.
- MLB.com's Jordan Bastian tweets that Austin Kearns' contract with the Indians contains incentives tied to plate appearances. He'll earn $50K each for 400, 425, 475, and 500 plate appearances.
- ESPN's Jayson Stark put together a list of the offseason's most creative contract clauses.
Yankees, Andruw Jones Nearing Deal
TUESDAY, 9:08pm: Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the two sides are not far apart, and it's possible that they'll be able to close the deal tomorrow. Scott Boras will be at Yankee Stadium for Rafael Soriano's introductory press conference in the morning.
MONDAY, 12:18pm: The Yankees are nearing a one-year deal with Andruw Jones, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Yankees were balking at Jones' current asking price and maintained interest in Johnny Damon. Scott Boras represents Damon and Jones.
The Yankees were looking for an outfielder who can hit lefties and can handle left and center field. Outfielders Curtis Granderson and Brett Gardner both bat from the left side, so Jones, a right-handed hitter, could spell them against tough southpaws. He has an .863 OPS against lefties in his career, including a .931 mark in 2010. The 33-year-old hit 19 homers for the White Sox last year, playing all three outfield positions.
The Rays had interest in Jones, but ranked him behind other free agents, according to Rosenthal. The Braves and Rockies also showed some interest in Jones this offseason.
Multiyear Deal Notes: Pelfrey, Danks, Andrus
We already found out that the Brewers and Rickie Weeks are tabling talks about a multiyear contract while the Cubs hope to pursue one with Carlos Marmol, so let's recap a few more notes regarding potential contract extensions…
- Anthony DiComo of MLB.com tweets that the Mets never talked about a multiyear contract with Mike Pelfrey before agreeing to a one-year deal to avoid arbitration today.
- John Danks told MLB.com's Scott Merkin that neither he nor the White Sox are panicking about getting an extension done. "It's not at the point where it's do-or-die for a [multiyear] deal," said the lefty, who confirmed that the two sides haven't talked seriously about a deal since before the 2009 season (Twitter link).
- Meanwhile, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan wonders if the Rangers will approach Elvis Andrus about a multiyear contract in Spring Training. Andrus is under team control through the 2014 season.
Cubs, Marmol Discussing Multiyear Deal
The Cubs already signed Sean Marshall to a two-year contract today, and now they're trying to get closer Carlos Marmol under contract beyond 2011 as well. Gordon Wittenmyer of The Chicago Sun-Times tweets the two sides are in talks about a multiyear deal, and that neither side expects to go to an arbitration hearing.
Marmol, 28, earned $2.125MM in 2010, which was the first time he was eligible for arbitration in his career. Back in October MLBTR's Tim Dierkes predicted that Marmol will jump past a $4MM salary in his second time through the process. The right-hander saved 38 games this past season, striking out a ridiculous 16.0 batters per nine innings.
Dodgers Sign Marcus Thames
The Dodgers have officially signed outfielder Marcus Thames to a one-year contract. The deal includes a $1MM base salary and another $800K in incentives.
Thames, 33, would provide the Dodgers with right-handed power and could platoon with Jay Gibbons in left field. Last season Thames hit .288/.350/.491 with 12 homers in 237 plate appearances for the Yankees.
MLB.com's Ken Gurnick first reported that the two sides were on the verge of agreeing to a deal while Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times confirmed the agreement. Hernandez later added the financial terms (Twitter links).
Yankees Sign Rafael Soriano
The Yankees have signed Rafael Soriano to a three-year contract, the team announced today. The deal is believed to be worth $35MM over three years, and will allow the player to opt out after either of the first two years.The Scott Boras client will make $11.5MM if he opts out after year one and $21.5MM if he opts out after year two. The contract does not include a no-trade clause.
The deal comes just days after GM Brian Cashman said that he would not surrender his first round pick to sign a free agent. The Rays will receive New York's first round pick (31st overall) as well as a supplemental first round pick as compensation for their loss.
The 31-year-old Soriano was the top closer on the market, but he's going to have to serve as Mariano Rivera's setup man with the Yankees. He pitched to a 1.73 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and just 2.0 BB/9 in 62.1 innings last year, the second straight season he's avoided the disabled list. He's battled elbow trouble in the past, including Tommy John surgery back in 2004. Over the last four seasons, Soriano has struck out 9.8 batters per nine innings while walking 2.7 per nine. Although his home run rate has improved in recent years (0.7 HR/9 since 2008), he's an extreme fly ball pitcher (just 31% ground balls in his career). That could give him some problems in hitter friendly Yankee Stadium.
At an $11.67MM average annual value, Soriano will be the fifth highest paid reliever in baseball, trailing only Rivera, Brad Lidge, Francisco Rodriguez, and Joe Nathan. Jonathan Papelbon's eventual 2011 salary could also factor into that equation soon enough. It's a healthy raise from the $7.5MM Soriano earned in 2010, which came after he accepted the Braves offer of arbitration last offseason. With Billy Wagner already on board, it pushed Atlanta to trade him to Tampa.
SI.com's Jon Heyman adds that the Yankees still have about $20MM to spend before they hit their 2011 payroll limit (Twitter link). That's plenty for a right-handed outfield bat and starting pitching, even if they wait for a salary dump situation to arise during the season.
Heyman originally reported the agreement (all Twitter links). ESPN's Buster Olney and Tyler Kepner of The New York Times added details (Twitter links).
Arbitration Figures: Tuesday
Today is the deadline for players and teams to submit arbitration figures. Let's keep track of those figures here, with the latest updates on top. You can track all of the players that avoided arbitration today here.
- MLB.com's Jane Lee tweets that Craig Breslow filed for $1.55MM, but the Athletics countered with $1.15MM.
- Zachary Levine of The Houston Chronicle has some figures for the Astros. Wandy Rodriguez filed for $10.25MM, Hunter Pence for $6.9MM. The team countered with $8MM and $5.15MM, respectively.
- Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star tweets that Billy Butler filed for $4.3MM while the Royals countered with $3.4MM.
- Hank Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle tweets that Javier Lopez filed for $2.875MM and Andres Torres for $2.6MM (Twitter link). The Giants countered with $2MM and $1.8MM, respectively.
Diamondbacks Designate Two For Assignment
The Diamondbacks have designated Brian Sweeney and Daniel Stange for assignment according to a team press release. The moves clear up 40-man roster spots for Aaron Heilman and Willie Bloomquist, whose deals were made official.
Sweeney, 36, pitched 37 innings for the Mariners last year, posting a 3.14 ERA with 3.4 K/9 and 1.5 BB/9. Arizona claimed him off waivers earlier this offseason. Stange, 25, made his big league debut this year, throwing four innings with the D'Backs. The right-hander had a 3.58 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 55 1/3 minor league innings in 2010.
D’Backs, Stephen Drew Agree To Two-Year Deal
6:16pm: Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com has the contract breakdown (on Twitter). Drew will earn $4.65MM in 2011, $7.75MM in 2012, and his 2013 option is worth $10MM with a $1.355MM buyout.
12:23pm: The D'Backs have agreed to sign Stephen Drew to a two-year, $13.75MM deal, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The deal includes a mutual option for 2013. The extension, which covers Drew's final two seasons of arbitration eligibility, still allows him to hit the open market after the 2012 season. The D'Backs confirmed the deal.