Mariners Finalize Two-Year Deal With Brendan Ryan
The Mariners have avoided arbitration with Brendan Ryan, finalizing a two-year contract with the infielder, tweets Kirby Arnold of the Everett Herald.
We heard earlier this week that Seattle was close to a deal with Ryan, with Stephen Hawkins of the Associated Press reporting the two-year contract was worth $2.75MM ($1MM in 2011 and $1.75MM in 2012). MLB.com's Greg Johns adds that Ryan can earn an extra $400K in 2011 if he reaches certain playing time incentives, and up to $750K in 2012.
Left-hander Jason Vargas and right-handers David Aardsma and Brandon League are the Mariners' remaining arbitration-eligible players. Keep track of their status and every other arb-eligible player this winter with the MLBTR Arb Tracker.
White Sox Favored To Sign Will Ohman, Are “Close”
The White Sox are the favorites to sign left-hander Will Ohman, tweets Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Ohman hasn't yet made a decision, but is "close." Ohman had drawn some interest from the Orioles (among other clubs) this winter, but Connolly reports that the O's are not one of the three AL finalists for Ohman's services.
Blue Jays A Serious Suitor For Fuentes
The Blue Jays are one of the most serious suitors for left-handed reliever Brian Fuentes, according to Newsday's Ken Davidoff. The Blue Jays appear to be one of many teams pursuing Fuentes, who would like to close according to FOX Sports.
Though the Red Sox may be done adding lefties now that they've re-signed Hideki Okajima, AL East teams appear to have heavy interest in Fuentes. Along with the Blue Jays, the Rays and Yankees have also been linked to Fuentes this offseason. Not every AL East team is bidding on the 35-year-old, though. He appears to be too expensive for Baltimore, though the O's are looking at more affordable southpaw relievers.
Fuentes would be a fit for the Rays, if they can afford his asking price ($5MM-plus per season on a multiyear deal). The Blue Jays could also use left-handed relief help after losing Scott Downs and Brian Tallet. Jesse Carlson, Wil Ledezma, Rommie Lewis and David Purcey figure to compete for spots in manager John Farrell's 'pen this spring.
Octavio Dotel is the favorite to close in Toronto, but Jason Frasor could win the job and Fuentes would likely have a chance at it if the Jays sign him
Relief Rumors: Ohman, Durbin, Mariners
By now you've heard that the White Sox and Yankees are probably not going to pursue Rafael Soriano. But you've come to the right place if you're looking to hear the latest on all the other free agent relievers out there. Here are today's updates…
- Will Ohman is deciding between three American League teams, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The Rays, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Tigers could all use left-handed relief out of the 'pen, so I would not personally be surprised to see Ohman join any of those clubs.
- Chad Durbin is still talking to the Phillies and others, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The sides exchanged offers earlier this week.
- The Mariners could use some relief help, but GM Jack Zduriencik doesn't expect to have much payroll flexibility. He told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he'll have to be creative if he makes any additions (Twitter link). That applies to the team in general, not just the 'pen.
Nationals To Sign Adam LaRoche
The Nationals have officially announced their two-year agreement with Adam LaRoche. The deal includes a mutual option for 2013. LaRoche will be paid $7MM in 2011 and $8MM in 2012 before a $10MM mutual option/$1MM buyout comes into play.
LaRoche had alternatives and so did the Nationals, but once the Orioles agreed to terms with Derrek Lee, Washington offered a two-year deal and the sides came to an agreement quickly.
Like Adam Dunn, the Nationals' previous first baseman, LaRoche is consistent. The 31-year-old has hit at least 20 homers and posted an OPS of .775 or better for six consecutive seasons. LaRoche has hit exactly 25 homers in each of the past three seasons and has a career .271/.339/.488 line.
The D'Backs will obtain a supplementary first round pick since LaRoche, a Type B free agent, turned down arbitration. However, the Nationals do not have to surrender a draft choice to sign the first baseman.
LaRoche joins Ryan Zimmerman, Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond on the Nationals' infield. The team has expressed interest in adding a veteran utility infielder before the season starts, but the starters are in place.
As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, the first base market has thinned out considerably now that Lee and LaRoche have agreed to deals.
GM Mike Rizzo and the Nationals front office negotiated the deal with LaRoche's representatives at SFX. Rizzo's predecessor, Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio first reported that the sides were nearing a deal (on Twitter) and Peter Gammons first reported the agreement (on Twitter). Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post and Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider.com added the salary details (Twitter links)
White Sox Not Likely To Pursue Rafael Soriano
The White Sox aren't likely to sign Rafael Soriano unless his price drops "way, way down," according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The White Sox were reportedly eyeing the reliever early in the month, but like other teams, they moved on.
Soriano, the top reliever and arguably the top free agent on the open market, will cost more than money. Since the Type A free agent turned down the Rays' offer of arbitration, the team that signs Soriano will lose a top pick.
That possibility scared the Yankees away, even though Soriano would have considered a setup role behind Mariano Rivera. The AL Champion Rangers signed Adrian Beltre, but they are not pursuing Soriano, another Scott Boras client. The Cardinals don't appear to have much interest in the closer either.
As MLBTR's Mark Polishuk explains, the Angels are a possibility for Soriano. In a separate piece, Morosi argues that finding a substantial contract for the right-hander could be Boras' biggest coup of the 2010-11 offseason.
Yankees Will Not Surrender First Round Pick
Yankees GM Brian Cashman says he intends to hold onto his 2011 first round draft choice, according to Chad Jennings of the Journal News. That means the team won’t sign any of the three remaining free agents tied to draft pick compensation: Rafael Soriano, Carl Pavano and Grant Balfour.
“I will not lose our No. 1 draft pick,” Cashman said. “I would have for Cliff Lee. I won’t lose our No. 1 draft pick for anyone else.”
Since Soriano, Pavano and Balfour turned down their teams’ offers of arbitration after being ranked as Type A free agents, clubs have to surrender a top 2011 pick to sign them. The Yankees’ first round pick (31st overall) is unprotected.
Though the Yankees were in contact with Soriano and agent Scott Boras, they are not pursuing him. It's hardly shocking to hear that the Yankees are out on Pavano, who spent four injury-plagued seasons in the Bronx and earned nearly $40MM in the process.
Rangers Designate Guillermo Moscoso For Assignment
The Rangers designated Guillermo Moscoso for assignment, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in one game for the Rangers last year, after appearing in ten contests in 2009. He has a 4.30 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9 in his brief major league career.
Moscoso started 22 games for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate last year, posting a 5.18 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 123 1/3 total innings. He has a 3.46 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in parts of six minor league seasons.
The Rangers acquired Moscoso in the 2008 deal that sent Gerald Laird to Detroit. The year before the trade, the righty threw a perfect game in the minors. Baseball America said before the 2010 season that Moscoso's "best asset is his ability to pound the bottom of the strike zone with a low-90s fastball." He could become a long reliever or swingman in the major leagues and may be able to start if he hones his secondary pitches, according to BA.
Quick Hits: Pettitte, Figgins, Giants, Hoffman
On this date in 2002, the Diamondbacks signed Carlos Gonzalez as an amateur free agent. Two blockbuster trades and one breakout season later, CarGo has agreed to a seven-year extension with the Rockies. Here are today's links…
- Andy Pettitte told Brian Costello of the New York Post at his home in Texas that he's just "chilling out, hanging" and still hasn't decided whether he'll play in 2011.
- The Mariners have officially asked Chone Figgins to move back to third base, reports Kirby Arnold of the Daily Herald. Figgins has played more games at third than at any other position, but he played second base last year.
- The Giants will likely rely on players already in the organization for infield depth now that Edgar Renteria has agreed to sign with the Reds, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Trevor Hoffman is leaning toward retirement, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The reliever has drawn some interest this offseason, but he had hoped for the chance to close in 2011.
- Michael Girsch will replace John Abbamondi as the Cardinals' assistant GM, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Beltre, Angels, Dodgers
On this date in 1992, Tom Seaver was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame along with Rollie Fingers. Seaver received 425 of 430 votes (98.8%), still the highest percentage in baseball history. Bert Blyleven and Roberto Alomar joined the pair in Cooperstown earlier this week. Congrats to both.
Here is this week's batch of links from around the web…
- Baseball Time in Arlington writes about the impact Adrian Beltre will have on the Rangers.
- Pine Tar And Pocket Protectors also discusses what Beltre brings to Texas.
- Monkey with a Halo has some options for the Angels now that Beltre is off the board.
- The Sports Banter asks if there's something wrong with Anaheim.
- True Grich is still waiting for the Halos to get to work this offseason.
- Purple Row breaks down the Carlos Gonzalez contract extension.
- Capitol Avenue Club does the same for the Dan Uggla contract extension.
- Talking Chop, meanwhile, calls the deal an overreaction on Atlanta's part.
- True Blue LA looks at a pair of arbitration-eligible Dodgers, Hong-Chih Kuo and James Loney (Kuo, Loney).
- Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness asks if the Dodgers should be looking for a lefty reliever.
- Feeling Dodger Blue believes the Dodgers are still missing one piece.
- Prospect Insider looks ahead to next year's version of Zack Greinke.
- The Process Report talks about Matt Garza and the endowment effect.
- Camden Crazies isn't thrilled about the Kevin Gregg signing.
- We Should Be GMs tries to figure out where the Phillies can trade Joe Blanton.
- Friarhood says Brad Hawpe brings stability to the middle of the Padres' lineup.
- Examiner wonders if Edwin Jackson's success with the White Sox is sustainable.
- Beyond The Box Score breaks down the Mets' options at second base.
- Some Thoughts On Baseball is curious to know who will serve as the Blue Jays' fifth starter.
- The Biz of Baseball explains why Kevin Brown's contract with the Dodgers shouldn't be mystifying.
- Blogging From The Bleachers projects each team's 2011 starting rotation (part one, part two).
- MLB Depth Charts debuted their position battles tracker.
- THT Fantasy introduces the next generation of WHIP.
- SB Nation compiled the best animated sports .gifs of 2010.
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