MLBTR Team Coordinators
MLBTR features tons of ways to follow an individual team. Using the Dodgers as an example, we have the regular team archive, team Twitter, team Facebook, team RSS, and a team forum.
If you're a social media and MLBTR junkie who would like to contribute to the site, please apply for one of the 30 "team coordinator" positions. Your duty will be the promotion of the five team feeds named above for one specific club. You'll be in charge of the team Facebook page, moderating and adding relevant hot stove links and polls regularly. This is an unpaid position, so if it sounds like work to you there's no need to inquire.
If you are interested, please email mlbtrcoordinators@gmail.com with your team(s) of choice in the subject line and a few sentences explaining your qualifications in the body. We can't guarantee a response, but we appreciate all inquiries.
Yankees Rumors: Burnett, Pettitte, Balfour
Here's the latest on the Yankees as they continue to explore ways of improving their pitching staff…
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman told ESPN.com's Buster Olney that Yankees pitching coach Larry Rothschild will travel to Maryland within a couple of weeks to work with A.J. Burnett on some of the right-hander’s mechanical problems. A bounceback season from Burnett in 2011 would make the Yankees’ rotation considerably more threatening.
- Cashman told Newsday’s Ken Davidoff that the uncertainty surrounding Andy Pettitte’s future is not hurting the team. "Andy isn’t holding us up from doing anything else," Cashman said. Two of Pettitte’s friends tell Davidoff that they think the 38-year-old remains competitive enough to want to play. The left-hander appears to be close to deciding on his plans for 2011.
- The Yankees don’t like the idea of giving up a first round pick to sign Grant Balfour or Rafael Soriano, two Type A relievers who turned down offers of arbitration and are now tied to draft pick compensation.
Nationals, LaRoche Nearing Two-Year Deal
TUESDAY, 7:49am: The Nationals are closing in on a two-year deal with LaRoche, according to Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio (on Twitter). Bowden was GM Mike Rizzo's predecessor in Washington.
MONDAY, 10:38pm: Confidence is growing on both sides that LaRoche will end up in Washington, a person with knowledge of the talks told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
4:44pm: The Nationals are still discussing potential contracts with Adam LaRoche and talks are progressing, according to MLB.com’s Bill Ladson. Ladson reports that the sides are not far apart on a deal and may continue negotiations today.
The Nationals recently offered LaRoche a two-year deal that appears to be worth $8-9MM per season. Washington appears to be a fit for LaRoche, since there aren't many reliable first basemen available. They could use a first baseman and LaRoche lost a serious suitor when the Orioles agreed to sign Derrek Lee.
As MLBTR's Steve Adams explained yesterday, the Nationals are just one of the options for LaRoche and his representatives at SFX. It appears to be an option that appeals to the first baseman, though - LaRoche told Ladson in December that he likes the Nationals’ direction.
Reds Notes: Renteria, Votto, Podsednik, Nix
Let's take a look at some Reds-related tidbits courtesy of The Cincinnati Enquirer's John Fay..
- Fay writes that "it is believed" that the Reds have made an offer to free agent shortstop Edgar Renteria. The veteran said that the Giants' offer of $1MM showed "a lack of respect", leaving the Reds with a chance of signing the 2010 World Series MVP.
- The news of Carlos Gonzalez's impending seven-year, $80MMM deal with the Rockies will likely have a ripple effect on the Reds' talks with Joey Votto. Reds GM Walt Jocketty says that he hasn't seen the numbers on Cargo's new contract but Cincy can expect Votto to ask for even more money. The 27-year-old, Fay writes, had two very good years prior to his brilliant season in 2010 while last year was Gonzalez's first in the majors. Jocketty says that he hasn't talked to Votto's representation in recent weeks however due to the holidays.
- The Reds are reportedly close to signing Jeremy Hermida to a minor league deal but they may continue to look for a left-handed hitting outfielder. Jocketty confirmed that he talked to the agents for Fred Lewis and Scott Podsednik before the holidays.
- Speaking of left-handed hitting outfielders, the Reds haven't had any recent contact with Laynce Nix. The Reds were under the impression that Nix was Seattle-bound after receiving a contract offer from the M's in December, but no deal has been reached.
Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.
Rangers Notes: Pavano, Beltre, Young
A few Rangers-related tidbits..
- The Rangers aren't a player for Carl Pavano, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter). Texas was once believed to be interested in the right-hander who will celebrate his 35th birthday on Saturday.
- Rangers third baseman Michael Young says that he's willing to move to designated hitter to accomodate Adrian Beltre if the Rangers sign him, tweets Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. It was reported earlier today that Young was not receptive when he was asked if he would be open to switching positions.
- Young also told MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan that he does not want to be traded.
Odds & Ends: Boras, Everett, Francis, Webb, Olivo
Some links for Monday night as the deals for Pedro Feliciano and Brad Hawpe become official..
- The players' association has found that Scott Boras did not violate union rules when his company made loans to a Dominican prospect, according to the Associated Press.
- Adam Everett's minor league deal with the Indians will pay the 33-year-old $700K plus incentives if he makes the team, or $15K per month at Triple-A, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link).
- The Rockies will reach out to pitcher Jeff Francis this week, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post. There's a chance that the left-hander returns to Colorado but he might have a better opportunity elsewhere.
- Brandon Webb, who officially joined the Rangers earlier today, says that he won't rush himself back in order to start the season in the rotation, writes ESPN.com's Richard Durrett.
- Greg Johns of MLB.com likes the Mariners' signing of Miguel Olivo.
Rays, Others Interested In Delcarmen
8:00pm: The Rays are one of "several teams" interested in Delcarmen, a baseball source tells Alex Speier of WEEI.com. Roughly a month ago it was said that two AL East clubs (but not the Red Sox) were showing interest in the reliever.
7:15pm: The Rays are showing interest in reliever Manny Delcarmen, writes Joe Smith of the St. Petersburg Times. Delcarmen, who turns 29-years-old next month, spent the first five seasons and change with the Red Sox before before being dealt to the Rockies in August.
In 57 appearances for Boston and Colorado last season, Delcarmen registered a 4.99 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9. Just yesterday, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe warned readers "not to bet against the Rays" when it comes to the right-hander.
Mets Sign Capuano And Buchholz, DFA Igarashi
7:56pm: More from Rubin (via Twitter) as a Mets official says that these additions do not take the Mets out of the running for other free agent starters such as Chris Young and Jeff Francis. Rubin also tweets that Igarashi, due to his salary, is expected to clear waivers and hook on with the Mets in major league camp as a non-roster invitee.
7:41pm: Capuano's deal has a base of $1.5MM plus incentives while Buchholz will earn a $600K base salary, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (Twitter links). The Brewers all but closed the door on bringing back Capuano when they dealt for Zack Greinke and signed Shaun Marcum as Capuano wants to start. Meanwhile, Buchholz says that the Mets will use him as a reliever.
6:08pm: The Mets have signed pitchers Chris Capuano and Taylor Buchholz to one-year deals, tweets Mike Puma of the New York Post. In order to make room for the two, the Mets have designated Ryota Igarashi for assignment, Puma tweets.
Capuano, 32, turned in a 3.95 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 66 innings of work last season for the Brewers. The left-hander missed the 2008 and '09 major league seasons after undergoing his second Tommy John surgery in May of 2008. In 2010 he made nine starts with 15 relief appearances. Capuano was never a flamethrower but his 87.4 mph fastball last season was consistent with his career average.
Buchholz, a 29-year-old right-hander, was originally selected in the sixth-round of the 2006 draft by the Phillies. Since then, he has spent time with the Astros, Rockies, and had a cup of coffee with the Blue Jays to close out 2010. In 285 career big league innings, Buchholz has a 4.39 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9. He started a combined 27 games in 2008 and 2009 but has not made a major league start since.
Meanwhile, Igarashi is owed $1.1MM for 2011. The Japanese right-hander signed a two-year deal with the club in December 2009 but disappointed in 2010, registering a 7.12 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in 34 appearances.
Rangers, Beltre Close To Deal
7:35pm: Jeff Wilson of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram tweets that Beltre will be in the Dallas area tonight in preparation for a physical on Wednesday. MLB.com's Peter Gammons adds that the Athletics offered six years and $76MM at one point, making the Angels the third highest bidder in the division (Twitter link).
12:49pm: The deal is not done, but it could be worth as much as $96MM over six years, according to MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. The contract would include a clause that would allow the Rangers to opt out of the sixth year if Beltre doesn't reach a threshold for plate appearances.
10:15am: The Rangers are close to a six-year deal with Adrian Beltre, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown (on Twitter). Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the Rangers are making progress and that a deal would be in the $90-100MM range (Twitter links). Yahoo's Jeff Passan agrees that the value of the deal will approach $100MM. A source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that the deal would effectively be for five years with a vesting option for a sixth year. (Twitter link). Agent Scott Boras represents Beltre.
Beltre led the American League in doubles last year and added 28 homers, hitting .321/.365/.553 in 641 plate appearances. He made the All-Star team, won his second career Silver Slugger and played standout defense. The defensive metric UZR/150 suggests that Beltre was significantly above average with the glove (12.7 UZR/150) for the eighth time in the past nine seasons. Beltre, 31, would be 37 in the final season of a six-year deal.
Michael Young said yesterday that he'd be willing to move from third base if the Rangers sign Beltre. Young shifted from second base to shortstop when the Rangers traded Alex Rodriguez and from short to third when Elvis Andrus reached the majors, so position switches are nothing new for him. If the Rangers don't trade him, Young figures to appear in the lineup most days as a DH and utility player.
Young has no-trade protection, $48MM remaining on his contract and ten and five rights that take effect this May. The Rangers discussed a potential deal with the Rockies last month, but the team would have to overcome many obstacles to move Young.
Since the Red Sox offered Beltre arbitration, they will obtain two top draft picks next year. One will be a supplementary first rounder and the other will come from the Rangers. It will be Texas' first rounder as long as the Rangers don't sign Rafael Soriano. If they do sign the closer, the Rays would get the Rangers' top pick and the Red Sox would get their second rounder.
The Angels already missed out on Carl Crawford, so losing Beltre to a division rival would be a considerable blow for a franchise that finished below .500 for the first time since 2003 last year. The A's, another one of Beltre's suitors, will once again face the longtime Mariner as a division rival.
This is the second long-term deal of Beltre's career. He signed a five-year, $64MM deal with the Mariners after the 2004 season. In five seasons in Seattle, Beltre hit 103 homers and posted a .266/.317/.442 line while playing stellar defense (that's 3.4 WAR per season, in case you're wondering).
Boras and Beltre accepted a $10MM offer from the Red Sox last offseason, though other clubs offered more guaranteed money. That decision positioned the third baseman for a considerably larger payday.
PioDeportes first reported the agreement over the weekend.
The post was originally published on January 4th.
Reds Close To Signing Hermida
The Reds are close to signing outfielder Jeremy Hermida to a minor league deal, a baseball source told Mark Sheldon of MLB.com. Sheldon cautions that the deal has not been finalized and the club has yet to make a formal announcement.
It's no secret that the Reds have been looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder to come off of the bench and Hermida could fit the bill, provided that he proves himself in Spring Training. The former first-round pick had a down year in 2010 but has a respectable career slash line of .259/.335/.417 across six big league seasons.