Yankees Notes: Jones, Damon, Soriano, Rays
Let's check out the latest rumblings from the Bronx….
- The Yankees have stepped up their pursuit of Andruw Jones, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman. Heyman previously reported that the two sides were apart on money, despite the team's strong interest in the outfielder. While the Rays and other clubs are still involved, the Yankees appear to be making a push to get something done with the 33-year-old.
- In the same tweet, Heyman adds that Johnny Damon remains a possibility for both the Yankees and Rays.
- Bill Madden of the New York Daily News writes that Rafael Soriano's $35MM price tag isn't the only reason to be concerned about the signing. Madden questions the right-hander's make-up, but says the Yankees are confident that Mariano Rivera will be a "calming, guiding force" for Soriano.
- Speaking to Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News, Rays pitching coach Jim Hickey said that while Soriano didn't make a great first impression in Tampa Bay, he turned out to be a "consummate pro." "I wish we were the ones signed up for three more years with him," Hickey added.
Reds, Votto Discussing Multiyear Contract
The Reds and Joey Votto are "working hard" on a multiyear extension for the reigning NL MVP, tweets SI.com's Jon Heyman. Votto, who is eligible for arbitration for the first time, is currently under team control through 2013.
Heyman suggests Votto and the Reds could end up agreeing to a three-year contract, which would only buy out the 27-year-old's arbitration seasons. In such a scenario, Votto would still be eligible to hit free agency after the 2013 campaign, though it would give the two sides some cost certainty until that point.
The Reds have already extended one of their lineup's cornerstones this winter, signing Jay Bruce to a six-year deal. While the Reds may not commit more guaranteed money to Votto than the $51MM Bruce will earn, the average annual value of a Votto extension would certainly be higher, even with no free agent years included. In a second tweet, Heyman indicates that, if it gets done, a three-year deal would likely be worth around $37MM.
Nationals, Alex Cora In Serious Talks
The Nationals are in serious talks with Alex Cora about a potential deal, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Former Nationals utility player Willie Harris recently finalized a deal with the Mets, so GM Mike Rizzo is looking outside the organization for potential infielders.
Cora played all four infield positions in 2010, though most of his big league experience has come at second and short. The 35-year-old hit .210/.266/.278 with the Mets and Rangers last year, before Texas released him in September. Rizzo has a good working relationship with agent Scott Boras, who represents Cora and Nationals such as Jayson Werth, Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg.
Though the team considered Jerry Hairston Jr. as a utility player, some in the organization believe his asking price would be too high, according to Ladson.
This post was originally published on January 17th.
Quick Hits: Carpenter, Martin, Francis, Yankees
Eighteen years ago today, the Angels traded Lee Stevens to the Expos for minor leaguer Jeff Tuss, but Tuss refused to report to his new team. Keith Morrison, another minor leaguer, was included in the deal instead, and Tuss never played affiliated baseball again.
Here are today's batch of links…
- Chris Carpenter told MLB.com's Matthew Leach that he's not worried about his future with the Cardinals. The right-hander is under contract for 2011 with a $15MM club option for 2012, but an extension for Albert Pujols might push the 35-year-old Carpenter out of town if the team needs to shed payroll.
- Richard Griffin of The Toronto Star reports that the Blue Jays offered Russell Martin the same amount of money as the Yankees, but the catcher signed with New York because of a better opportunity to win (Twitter link). Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press tweets that the Jays wanted Martin to catch four times a week as well as play another position.
- Jeff Francis said the Blue Jays did not show any interest in him before he joined the Royals according to Davidi on Twitter. Francis grew up in Canada, but nowhere close to Toronto.
- Chad Jennings of the The Journal News takes a look at the Yankees' multiyear relief contract from the last decade.
- Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets that Cardinals GM John Mozeliak has pledged to keep negotiations about a contract extension with Albert Pujols private.
- The Rangers offered Jim Thome more than $4MM before he decided to sign with the Twins for $3MM, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). We knew that Thome turned down more money from Texas, but now we know how much.
- Cubs chairman Tom Ricketts told fans that he has confidence in GM Jim Hendry at today's Cubs Convention according to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (on Twitter).
- Matt Gelb of The Philadelphia Inquirer says this winter's market for free agent relievers has been wonderful for Ryan Madson. The Phillies' setup man is due to become a free agent next offseason after his three-year, $12MM contract expires.
Rockies Sign Two To Minor League Contracts
The Rockies have signed right-hander Jim Miller and left-hander Josh Muecke to minor league contracts, reports Jack Etkin of Inside The Rockies. It is unclear if either will receive an invite to Spring Training.
Miller, 28, was Colorado's eighth round pick in 2004, though the Rockies traded him to the Orioles for Rodrigo Lopez before the 2007 season. He made his big league debut with the O's in 2008, allowing just one earned run in 7 2/3 innings. Miller has yet to return to the show and posted a 4.84 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 57 2/3 relief innings for Baltimore's Triple-A affiliate this past season.
Muecke, 29, spent the 2010 season with the Rockies' Triple-A affiliate. He posted a 5.94 ERA in 119 2/3 innings (22 starts, three relief appearances), striking out 6.1 and walking 3.2 batters per nine innings, respectively. He was Houston's fifth round pick way back in 2003.
Five Teams Have Expressed Interest In Manny
SATURDAY, 9:24pm: SI.com's Jon Heyman tweets that the Blue Jays are still considering Ramirez.
FRIDAY, 10:04am: At least five teams have shown some level of interest in Manny Ramirez, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com (link in Spanish). The Angels, Twins, Rangers, Rays and Blue Jays have asked about Manny, according to Rojas’ source.
Ramirez is training in Arizona and he’s preparing to play defense if necessary. Agent Scott Boras made the case for Manny yesterday, speaking to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. Crasnick heard that Ramirez could be a fit in Tampa Bay, but suggested that the Blue Jays are less likely to sign him.
The five clubs mentioned in Rojas' report all appeared on my list of teams with potential interest in designated hitters.
This Date In Transactions History: January 15th
January 15th has been a surprisingly busy day for transactions throughout baseball history, particularly when it comes to trades involving big name players. We already told you about the Lee Stevens deal, but let’s take a look at a few more…
- Two years ago today the Dodgers released Andruw Jones after he agreed to restructure his contract. Jones hit just .158/.256/.249 during the first year of the two-year, $36.2MM contract he signed with LA.
- Eight years ago today the Expos traded Bartolo Colon and a minor leaguer to the White Sox for Rocky Biddle, Orlando Hernandez, Jeff Liefer, and cash. The deal came less than eight months after Montreal traded Stevens, Cliff Lee, Brandon Phillips, and Grady Sizemore to Cleveland for Colon and the other Drew brother, Tim.
- That trade took place immediately after the White Sox acquired El Duque from the Yankees for Antonio Osuna and a minor leaguer.
- One year before the Colon swap, the Dodgers sent Gary Sheffield to the Braves for Brian Jordan, Odalis Perez, and Andrew Brown. Perez had some nice seasons in Los Angeles, but Sheffield was a monster for the Braves. He hit .319/.412/.562 with 64 homers in his two years with the team.
- The Tigers signed Cecil Fielder on this date in 1990. Prince‘s father had spent the previous two seasons in Japan, and he came back to MLB with a 51 homer season in 1990 followed by a 44 homer season in 1991.
- The Reds purchased Wally Pipp from the Yankees for $7,500 on this date way back in 1926. Pipp is most famous for being held out of a game in 1925, with his replacement at first base being a 21-year-old rookie named Lou Gehrig. Pipp never got his job back.
- Some other players involved in transactions on this date: Mike Redmond, David Eckstein, John Mabry, Jose Molina, Tim Raines, Juan Uribe, and the late Rod Beck.
Poll: Who Will The Rays Sign To DH?
The Rays have been rebuilding their bullpen on the fly this offseason, but they're also in the market for a DH. Just yesterday we heard that the team seems to prefer Vladimir Guerrero to Manny Ramirez, though R.J. Anderson at The Process Report wonders why. Unless Scott Boras is asking for a king's ransom, he explains that Manny is the better option. Tampa has also been connected to Johnny Damon and Andruw Jones recently, two more DH options.
Jim Thome just took a $3MM guarantee from the Twins, which probably sets the market for the remaining DH's. That should fit nicely into the Rays' budget, who have some Matt Garza money left to spend. Some of that has since gone to Kyle Farnsworth though. Our Free Agent Tracker shows that Troy Glaus, Jason Giambi, and Russell Branyan are three more DH options available via free agency.
Who will the Rays sign to DH?
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Vladimir Guerrero 44% (3,648)
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Manny Ramirez 19% (1,531)
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Johnny Damon 13% (1,094)
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Russell Branyan 8% (620)
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Troy Glaus 5% (428)
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Jason Giambi 4% (349)
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Someone not listed 4% (296)
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Andruw Jones 3% (232)
Total votes: 8,198
Dodgers Nearing Deal With Marcus Thames
The Dodgers are on the verge of signing free agent outfielder Marcus Thames, baseball sources tell MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. However, the club declined to confirm that a signing of the 33-year-old is close. Thames would provide the Dodgers with right-handed power and could platoon with Jay Gibbons in left field.
Sources say that the Dodgers are also looking at veterans Eric Chavez and Gabe Kapler as they search for a power bat. The front office also is thinking about moving Matt Kemp from center field to right, Andre Ethier right field to left, and Tony Gwynn starting in center field. That alignment would help fortify the Dodgers' defense but Gwynn must perform well at the plate in Spring Training in order to make that a possibility.
Athletics Avoid Arbitration With Brad Ziegler
The Athletics and Brad Ziegler have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $1.25MM, reports ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The reliever was eligible for arbitration for the first time.
Ziegler, 31, pitched to a 3.26 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 60 2/3 innings last season. He famously started his career with a 39 1/3 inning scoreless streak, and in his three big league seasons he's limited right-handers to just a .230/.281/.284 batting line compared to .312/.419/.483 for lefties.
Oakland still has five unsigned players up for arbitration according to our Arb Tracker: Conor Jackson, Craig Breslow, Dallas Braden, Josh Willingham, and Kevin Kouzmanoff.