Archives for 2011

Los Angeles Notes: Kuroda, Wilson, Dipoto, Colletti

By Mark Polishuk | November 18, 2011 at 7:50pm CDT

Here's the latest from the City Of Angels (And Dodgers)….

Ned Colletti wants to bring back Hiroki Kuroda next season, but isn't sure if the Dodgers can afford him or if Kuroda will return to Japan, reports Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles.
The Dodgers' major offseason moves could be wrapping up but Jerry Dipoto's first offseason as Angels GM is just beginning, writes Mike DiGiovanna of the L.A. Times.
From that same piece, DiGiovanna notes the club will look at "second-tier starters" like Kuroda, Aaron Harang, Jeff Francis, Bruce Chen and Roy Oswalt. Kuroda, Harang and Francis are also known to be on the Dodgers' list of pitching options.
Of bigger-name starters, the Angels have been connected to C.J. Wilson this winter, but Mark Saxon of ESPN Los Angeles wonders if the Angels' courtship of Wilson just a "smokescreen" intended to drive up Wilson's price for the Rangers. I'm not sure this tactic would specifically work on the Rangers given how they seem prepared to let Wilson leave if his price gets too high, but it could force one of Wilson's several other suitors to up their offer.

Cubs Notes: Sveum, Fielder, Wood

By Mark Polishuk | November 18, 2011 at 7:00pm CDT

Dale Sveum was formally introduced as the Cubs' new manager today. Here are a few notes from Wrigleyville….

Sveum told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that he hasn't talked to Cubs management about pursuing Prince Fielder this winter. "We haven't gotten that far," said Sveum. "'Influence' is probably not the right word. I've been here 24 hours. I don't know how much influence I have." Sveum did admit that if the Cubs did decide to target Fielder, "I think me being here can only help the process."
As Haudricourt notes in his piece, the close relationship between Sveum and Fielder will ensure some talk between the Cubs and the free agent slugger, since Scott Boras (Fielder's agent) will surely initiate contact if the Cubs don't.
Theo Epstein wants Kerry Wood to return to the Cubs next season, reports ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine. "He makes us a better organization," Epstein said. "That's because of what he brings to the clubhouse as well as his leadership so I'd like to get him back in the fold and move forward with him."

Cordero Says Reds, Five Other Teams Still In “Hunt”

By Mark Polishuk | November 18, 2011 at 6:28pm CDT

In an interview with Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio, Francisco Cordero said that unless the Reds increase their most recent contract offer, he will leave Cincinnati. The Reds are still in the "hunt," however, along with other teams who have shown interest in the free agent closer: the Angels, Blue Jays, Rangers, Rays and Red Sox (all Twitter links).

The Rays and Rangers are new additions to a busy market for Cordero that also includes the Dodgers, Marlins and Mets. As a Type A free agent, Cordero would cost his new team a first round draft pick as compensation to the Reds if that new team didn't have a protected pick. This presumes, of course, that Cordero turns down the Reds' offer of arbitration and that the Type A compensation rules aren't changed by the new collective bargaining agreement.

Of Cordero's known suitors, the Angels, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Rangers, Rays and Red Sox all have unprotected picks, though the Jays and Sox each currently have two picks in the first round of next year's draft. Toronto's extra pick is compensation for not signing Tyler Beede last year, while Boston currently possesses the Phillies' first round pick (31st overall) as compensation for Philadelphia's signing of Jonathan Papelbon.

Indians Designate Luis Valbuena For Assignment

By Mark Polishuk | November 18, 2011 at 5:56pm CDT

The Indians announced that infielder Luis Valbuena has been designated for assignment. Valbuena, who turns 26 on November 30, saw a lot of time at second base for the Tribe in 2009 and 2010, but spent most of 2011 in the minors.

Valbuena has a career .630 OPS in 806 Major League appearances with Seattle and Cleveland, but has wielded a much more dangerous bat in the minors — he has a career .304/.387/.468 line in 937 plate appearances at Triple-A. With this minor league production in mind, it's easy to imagine Valbuena being claimed by a team looking for infield depth.

Minor Moves: Bulger, Carpenter, Kimball

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 18, 2011 at 4:45pm CDT

Here's the list of players who have been added to 40-man rosters and here's the list of players who have been removed from them. Now for some moves that don't affect 40-man rosters at all…

The Twins announced that they signed right-hander Jason Bulger to a minor league deal.
The Blue Jays announced that they claimed right-hander Andrew Carpenter off of waivers from the Padres and lost right-hander Cole Kimball on waivers to the Nationals. The Blue Jays had claimed Kimball from the Nationals earlier this week and he's now back where he started. Carpenter, 26, appeared in 12 games for the Phillies and Padres in 2011. He spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a 1.79 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 in 60 1/3 innings.
The Astros announced that they signed right-hander Lance Pendleton to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to Spring Training 2012. The Astros selected the Houston native in the 2010 Rule 5 draft and he spent this past Spring Training with Houston before being returned to the Yankees. The Astros claimed the 28-year-old off of waivers from the Yankees in September and he finished the season in the Major Leagues. Pendleton posted a 6.75 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 5.3 BB/9 in 18 2/3 innings for the Yankees and Astros in 2011.

Latest On Upcoming CBA

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 18, 2011 at 4:43pm CDT

Baseball's owners and players have agreed to a new collective bargaining agreement that should be announced early next week. Here are some details on the CBA, which ensures 21 years of labor peace for MLB:

There are rumblings that there will be a tax on teams that don't spend enough on their MLB payroll, according to ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter).
Dan Knobler of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter) that teams can lose future draft picks if they spend beyond the recommended bonuses.
Several GMs are livid over the restraints on draft spending, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Rosenthal also points out that commissioner Bud Selig, Rob Manfred of MLB and union leader Michael Weiner deserve credit for coming to an agreement peacefully.
There won't be hard caps for draft choices under the new CBA, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). However, there will be recommended bonuses and tax implications for teams that go way over the suggested limits.

Heyman On Marlins, Pujols, Wilson, Kershaw

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 18, 2011 at 3:15pm CDT

The Red Sox have yet to hire a manager, so Jon Heyman of SI.com looks at the dynamics between GM Ben Cherington and Boston’s ownership group and how they are affecting the hiring process. Here are Heyman’s hot stove notes…

We heard earlier in the week that the Marlins offered Jose Reyes a $90MM deal, but Heyman’s sources say Miami offered $10-20MM less than that.
The Marlins made Albert Pujols a “lowball” offer that would only work if the three-time MVP was intent on playing for Miami, according to Heyman. All things being equal Pujols appears to prefer St. Louis.
C.J. Wilson is seeking close to $120MM over six years, according to Heyman. Wilson’s former teammate, Cliff Lee, signed for $120MM over five years last offseason and it would be a coup for Wilson’s agents if they find a similar deal for their client.
The Dodgers seem inclined to wait on a possible extension for Clayton Kershaw, according to Heyman. They control the NL Cy Young winner through 2014.
The Angels opposed the sale of the Astros to Jim Crane, though they voted in favor of it according to Heyman.

Owners, Players Reach New CBA

By Dan Mennella | November 18, 2011 at 2:42pm CDT

FRIDAY, 2:42pm: The sides will announce the deal Tuesday, according to Rosenthal, who says the delay appears to be logistical (Twitter links).

THURSDAY, 6:58pm: The deal is "really, really close," tweets Buster Olney of ESPN.com, who adds that it's not done yet but the announcement is close.

6:35pm: There is a "conceptual agreement" for the new labor deal, hears Jon Heyman of SI.com, but there are still some specific details to finalize, such as a draft tax (Twitter).

6:01pm: The owners and players have settled on a new, five-year collective bargaining agreement which will be officially announced on Monday, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com (Twitter links).

Among the expected changes, according to the Associated Press: The newly sold Astros will join the American League in 2013, and Interleague Play will go on throughout the season to account for the odd number of teams in each league. Five teams will make the postseason from each league, perhaps as soon as in 2012.

We learned yesterday that the old compensation system for free agents should remain in place for this offseason, although some will change immediately, according to Rosenthal.

Pirates Claim Hefner, Jeroloman

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 18, 2011 at 2:08pm CDT

The Pirates announced that they claimed right-hander Jeremy Hefner off of waivers from the Padres and claimed catcher Brian Jeroloman off of waivers from the Blue Jays. Pittsburgh has 36 players on its 40-man roster after outrighting Matt Pagnozzi to Triple-A.

Hefner, 25, started 28 games for the Padres' Triple-A affiliate in 2011, posting a 4.98 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 157 1/3 innings. He has a 3.84 ERA with 7.9 K/0 and 2.8 BB/9 in 688 2/3 career minor league innings over the course of five seasons.

Jeroloman joined the Blue Jays at the end of the 2011 season, but never entered a game. The 26-year-old, who has a career .378 OBP after six years in the minors, posted a .240/.335/.295 line at Triple-A Las Vegas this past season

Kemp, Dodgers Sign Eight-Year Extension

By Tim Dierkes | November 18, 2011 at 1:27pm CDT

Dodgers fans are looking forward to new ownership next season, and now they have certainty about their cornerstone center fielder. The Dodgers and Matt Kemp signed an eight-year, $160MM extension today, which ties for the seventh-richest contract in MLB history.

Kemp obtains a $2MM signing bonus and earns a $10MM salary in 2012, according to Dylan Hernandez and Mike Hiserman of the LA Times. $2MM of Kemp's '12 salary is deferred without interest, so the Dodgers only take an $8MM payroll hit next year. The deal does not include a full no-trade clause, according to Jim Peltz of the LA Times.

Kemp, 27, did not want to discuss an extension once his 2012 contract year began. He might have earned $15MM+ through arbitration for '12, so the new deal buys out seven free agent seasons at more than $20MM each. At $160MM, Kemp ties Manny Ramirez's free agent contract from 11 years ago as the seventh-largest in MLB history, for now. Prior to Kemp, the biggest contract in Dodgers history was Kevin Brown's $105MM deal in December of '98. Kemp is represented by former pitcher Dave Stewart.

Kemp is expected to finish highly in the NL MVP voting later this month after breaking out with a .324/.399/.586 line and 39 home runs in 689 plate appearances this year. Outside of 2010, UZR has shown Kemp to be roughly an average defender in center field.

Earlier this month, owner Frank McCourt agreed to sell the Dodgers. GM Ned Colletti was able to lay the groundwork for the Kemp deal despite the uncertainty surrounding the team when McCourt appeared headed for a bankruptcy trial.

With Kemp off the board, here's a look at those eligible for free agency after the 2012 season.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports broke the story, with SI's Jon Heyman tweeting news of the agreement.

Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

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