AL West Notes: Holland, Beltre
Quick notes from the game's only four-team division…
- Derek Holland told Anthony Andro of The Dallas Morning News that he didn't even know his name popped up in recent trade talks with the Rays."I didn't even hear the Matt Garza stuff," he said. "You have to sit back and just let it go. It's just talk. You don't know if it's going to happen or not. I just try to not worry about those things."
- ESPN's Buster Olney heard that the Athletics' final offer to Adrian Beltre was $76.8MM spread over six guaranteed years (Insider req'd). Beltre took five years and $80MM guaranteed from the Rangers, though a sixth year vesting option could put another $16MM in his pocket.
Three Teams Interested In Bobby Crosby
Three teams are interested in Bobby Crosby, MLBTR has learned. Two American League clubs and one National League club have expressed interest in the 31-year-old. One of the interested teams is eyeing Crosby as a shortstop and the two others view him as a possible utility player.
Crosby is preparing to go to Spring Training and compete for a spot on a 25-man roster; the market for the former Rookie of the Year should become clearer within a week or so.
In 189 plate appearances for Pittsburgh and Arizona last year, Crosby hit .220/.294/.298 and played all four infield positions. The D'Backs released Crosby in August and there hasn't been any hot stove news about him since.
Rays, Blue Jays Have Interest In Jon Rauch
Jon Rauch has drawn interest from the Rays, Blue Jays and others, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The AL East rivals have also expressed interest in left-hander Brian Fuentes this month.
Rauch posted a 3.12 ERA with 7.2 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 37.7% ground ball rate in 57 2/3 innings for the Twins last year. Rauch, 32, has always been a fly ball pitcher. The Blue Jays play in homer-friendly Rogers Centre, but could use a dependable arm after losing Kevin Gregg and Scott Downs. Rauch has made 50 appearances or more in each of the last five seasons.
The Orioles and Rockies showed some interest in the 6'11'' right-hander earlier in the offseason, but both clubs have added righty relievers since. MLBTR's Mark Polishuk looked at Rauch's free agent stock in October.
Orioles Sign Kevin Gregg
The Orioles officially announced that they signed Kevin Gregg to a two-year deal. The contract will pay Gregg $10MM and includes an option, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (all Twitter links). The vesting option would bring the total value of the deal to the $16-20MM range, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). Beverly Hills Sports Council represents the right-hander.
Gregg saved 37 games for the Blue Jays in 2010. The 32-year-old posted 8.8 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9 along with a 3.51 ERA. Koji Uehara, another candidate to close for Buck Showalter, posted a miniscule 1.0 BB/9 to go along with 11.3 K/9 in 2010.
Jim Johnson, Mike Gonzalez and another former Blue Jay, Jeremy Accardo, will also likely contribute out of the Orioles' 'pen in 2011. Alfredo Simon is currently involved in an investigation into a fatal shooting in the Dominican Republic, so it's not clear whether he'll be able to pitch.
The Blue Jays will obtain a draft pick for losing Gregg, but the Orioles do not have to surrender one. Toronto amateur scouting director Andrew Tinnish now has seven of the top 72 picks in the 2011 draft.
The Orioles could still use a left-handed reliever and a starter who can eat innings at the back of the team's rotation.
Mets Notes: Igarashi, Capuano, Reyes
On this date in 2005, the Mets signed Carlos Beltran to a seven-year, $119MM deal. There's just one season left on Beltran's contract, so if he wants to rebuild his value before hitting the market as a 34-year-old, he'll have to perform in 2011. Here are some notes on Beltran's teammates…
- Ryota Igarashi is currently on outright waivers, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets designated the right-hander for assignment last week. GM Sandy Alderson suggested this week that no team is likely to claim Igarashi and his $1.75MM salary. If he clears waivers, the reliever will battle for a spot on the team as a non-roster invitee.
- Chris Capuano, whose arrival forced Igarashi off of the team's 40-man roster, has a strange platoon split. As FanGraphs' Dave Allen explains, Capuano induces far more ground balls against lefties than he does against righties.
- Jose Reyes' agent, Peter Greenberg, repeated to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez this week that his client wants to stay in New York. The sides haven’t made progress on a potential extension for the shortstop, who is on track to hit free agency after 2011.
Dodgers Out On Damon, Prefer Right-Handed Bats
Dodgers GM Ned Colletti told Bill Shaikin of the LA Times that he isn't pursuing Johnny Damon. The club could pursue a left field platoon partner for Jay Gibbons, but right-handed hitters are preferable for the Dodgers. That rules out Damon and suggests Scott Podsednik, another left-handed hitter, is not a fit in L.A. either.
Manny Ramirez is not an option, but Marcus Thames and Scott Hairston are potential fits (in my opinion). Gibbons, who boasts a career .259/.319/.464 line against right-handers, could be effective in a platoon with a righty batter like Thames (.838 career OPS against southpaws) or Hairston (.829 career OPS against southpaws). Both free agents have spent the majority of their careers in left field.
Colletti told Shaikin that he's open to adding relief help.
Padres Close To Deal With Chad Qualls
The Padres are close to a deal with Chad Qualls, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter links). The sides are nearing a one-year deal worth about $2MM that includes a club option for 2012, Morosi reports. Hendricks Sports represents Qualls.
Qualls, who drew interest from at least six teams this offseason, was looking for a one-year deal to rebuild his value, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney. He posted a 7.32 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 for the Rays and D'Backs last year. The 32-year-old allowed 85 hits in 59 innings, but his ground ball rate was typically high (55%) and defense independent pitching stats like FIP and xFIP suggest Qualls should have had an ERA closer to 4.00.
When Padres GM Jed Hoyer listed his remaining offseason priorities earlier in the week, he said he had some interest in adding a reliever, a backup catcher and a left-handed hitter. The Padres have traded away many relievers this offseason, so the team's bullpen – a major strength in 2010 – is not as deep as it was a year ago. Adding Qualls would help offset the loss of Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos, Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica.
Since the Rays offered Qualls arbitration, they would obtain a supplementary first round pick for losing the Type B free agent. However, it would not cost the Padres anything to sign him.
Eric Chavez Works Out For Blue Jays
Eric Chavez recently worked out for the Blue Jays, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick. The 33-year-old has been doing hitting, running and fielding drills for interested teams in Arizona and at least one talent evaluator likes what he has seen from the six-time Gold Glover.
"He's going to have a chance to go to somebody's camp," a scout told Crasnick. "He's moving around pretty good."
The Dodgers and Mariners have also expressed interest in Chavez this offseason. He hit .234/.276/.333 in 123 plate appearances last year before hitting the disabled list with neck spasms.
Chavez has seen his seasons end early in each of the last four years and he has five stints on the disabled list over the course of the last four campaigns. The 13-year veteran had five surgeries over a 22-month span from September, 2007 to June, 2009.
If Chavez is healthy, he could allow the Blue Jays to keep Jose Bautista in right field and Aaron Hill at second base. Both players have said they're willing to play the hot corner if necessary. Edwin Encarnacion, who played third for the Blue Jays last year, will return as a first baseman/DH, the team has said.
A’s, Balfour Close To Multiyear Deal
10:13am: The deal will likely include two guaranteed years, Morosi reports (on Twitter).
9:41am: The A's are close to a multiyear deal with Grant Balfour, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). ACES represents Balfour.
Balfour posted a 2.28 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 55 1/3 innings for the Rays last year. The 33-year-old has always been a fly ball pitcher and last year was no exception; he posted a 30.6% ground ball rate and a 49.7% fly ball rate.
Since Oakland's first round pick is protected, the Rays will obtain a second round pick from the A's for losing the Type A free agent. Tampa will also add a supplementary first round pick to its growing collection of draft picks. The Rays have 11 of the first 89 picks in next year's draft, including nine before the start of the second round.
If Balfour and Carl Pavano finalize deals with the A's and Twins, as expected, all Type A free agents tied to draft pick compensation will have signed.
This post was originally published on January 14th.
Willie Harris Has Two Offers, Won’t Return To Nats
Willie Harris has two offers, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (Twitter links). A Nationals source tells Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post that there's "no chance" the utility player returns to Washington.
Harris played all three outfield positions and backed Ryan Zimmerman up at third base last year. In the process, the 32-year-old posted a .183/.291/.362 line with 10 homers. Harris bats from the left side and generally maintains an above-average strikeout to walk ratio.