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West Notes: Athletics, Jimenez, Rockies, Hernandez

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Items out of the AL and NL West..

  • The Athletics released a statement this afternoon regarding recent reports that MLB might not allow the club to move to San Jose due to the Giants' territorial rights.  The A's point out that out of "the four two-team markets in MLB, only the Giants and A's do not share the exact same geographic boundaries."  The statement also emphasizes that a move to San Jose would benefit other owners when it comes to revenue sharing.
  • For the first time, Ubaldo Jimenez openly admitted that he wanted to be traded from the Rockies, writes Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSportsArizona.com.  The pitcher watched Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez sign long-term contracts with the club and felt as though he had been put on hold.  Jimenez was looking for a trade this time last year but wasn't dealt until July 30th.
  • There was some buzz about Felix Hernandez's favorable comments regarding his future in Seattle beyond 2014, but Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times cautions not to read too far into them.  Hernandez signed a five-year, $78MM deal prior to the 2010 season and Baker writes that there are no immediate plans to put another deal in front of the ace.

Who Could Be Released This Year?

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Oliver Perez, Luis Castillo, and Carlos Silva suffered the indignity a year ago of being paid to go away, as the three were released with $31.5MM remaining on their contracts in total.  Here are some big money players who stand a chance of being cut at some point in 2012.

  • Vernon Wells, Angels: three years, $63MM.  The contract gives Wells first crack as the Angels' starting left fielder.  With Mike Trout waiting in the wings, Wells needs to produce in the first half.  Bobby Abreu, owed $9MM this year, seems more likely to be traded than released.
  • Alfonso Soriano, Cubs: three years, $54MM.  There is plenty of positive talk about Soriano this spring, but the Cubs' new management team might not let him finish the season if his on-base percentage remains around .290.
  • Barry Zito, Giants: two years, $46MM.  Zito is penciled in as the Giants' fifth starter, but he's probably on a short leash.  
  • Alex Rios, White Sox: three years, $38MM.  Adam Dunn, White Sox: three years, $44MM.  The Sox might as well see if Rios and/or Dunn can bounce back to some extent, but if either has an awful first half, the team could move on.
  • Jason Bay, Mets: two years, $35MM.  Those looking for signs of life from Bay can point to his final month last year.  But if his performance matches the other five months (.234/.318/.342) the Mets could pull the plug.
  • Carlos Zambrano, Marlins: one year, $18MM.  The Cubs picked up most of the tab on Zambrano, so if he becomes a disruption despite the chance of scenery, the Marlins could let him go.
  • Chone Figgins, Mariners: two years, $17MM.  The Mariners aim to rejuvenate Figgins by giving him a shot to bat leadoff in 2012.  If that fails, he could be released.
  • Juan Uribe, Dodgers: two years, $16MM.  Uribe is hoping to wipe the slate clean and stick as the team's starting third baseman.
  • Tsuyoshi Nishioka, Twins: two years, $6.25MM.  Nishioka is competing for a utility infielder job, and if he doesn't make the cut the next step would be Triple-A.
  • Brandon Inge, Tigers: one year, $6MM. Inge is currently in the mix for second base and will probably be needed to back up Miguel Cabrera at third.  The Tigers removed Inge from the 40-man roster last July, but re-added him a few weeks later.
  • Kevin Gregg, Orioles: one year, $5.8MM.  Though the Orioles don't seem to project Gregg for a key role in 2012, releasing him now would be harsh.
  • Brandon Lyon, Astros: one year, $5.5MM.  There's plenty of room in Houston's bullpen for Lyon to reclaim a late-inning role.  That's the best case scenario.

White Sox Considering Mike Gonzalez, Arthur Rhodes

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The White Sox have shown interest in lefty relievers Mike Gonzalez and Arthur Rhodes, tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports.  

Gonzalez, a Scott Boras client, remains unsigned with the season a few weeks away.  Boras told me on Friday his client is "in play with a lot of teams right now," and "sometimes late doesn't mean demand, it just means choice."  At this point, however, Gonzalez's ability to secure a Major League deal is in jeopardy.  Last week, he turned down a minor league offer to return to the Rangers.  The White Sox currently have 37 players on their 40-man roster, so they could add Gonzalez without losing anyone.  Rhodes, 42, is more likely to settle for a minor league deal, in my opinion.  He aims to pitch one more season before retiring.

With Will Ohman and Matt Thornton, the Sox already have a pair of southpaws in their bullpen.  In theory, adding someone like Gonzalez could make a Thornton trade more palatable.

Heyman also notes that the White Sox were the other team in on third baseman Eric Chavez at the end.  Chavez ultimately re-upped with the Yankees.

Mariano Rivera May Announce Decision Before All-Star Break

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"I think maybe it will be before the All-Star break," legendary Yankees closer Mariano Rivera told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post regarding an announcement of whether he will pitch in 2013.  Rivera wants to be certain of his decision, which he seems to have already made privately.  Rivera said that when he does retire, "It would be nice that you tell the fans, so every stadium you go to, the fans will be there to show their appreciation and you appreciate the fans."

If Rivera retires, the Yankees will have determine a new closer for the first time in many years.  David Robertson, Rafael Soriano, and Joba Chamberlain could be candidates.

The Biggest Surprise Of The Offseason

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The 2011-12 offseason was one for the ages, with five $100MM+ commitments and plenty of big trades.  Please vote below on the biggest surprise of the offseason. 

What was the biggest surprise of the 2011-12 offseason?
Angels sign Albert Pujols and C.J. Wilson 36.47% (8,617 votes)
Tigers sign Prince Fielder 20.41% (4,823 votes)
Yankees acquire Michael Pineda 9.80% (2,315 votes)
Athletics sign Yoenis Cespedes 6.98% (1,650 votes)
Roy Oswalt does not sign 6.27% (1,482 votes)
Marlins sign Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, and Heath Bell 5.75% (1,359 votes)
Reds acquire Mat Latos 2.91% (688 votes)
Athletics sign Manny Ramirez 2.80% (662 votes)
Pirates acquire A.J. Burnett 2.75% (650 votes)
Blue Jays acquire Sergio Santos 1.85% (436 votes)
Ryan Madson receives one-year deal 1.74% (411 votes)
Marlins acquire Carlos Zambrano 0.67% (159 votes)
White Sox extend John Danks 0.55% (131 votes)
Rays extend Matt Moore 0.37% (88 votes)
Edwin Jackson receives one-year deal 0.36% (85 votes)
David Ortiz, Francisco Rodriguez, and Kelly Johnson accept arbitration 0.30% (71 votes)
Total Votes: 23,627

Quick Hits: Royals, Heyward, Diamondbacks

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On this date 25 years ago Andre Dawson signed a one-year, $650K contract with the Cubs. Owners were colluding against players at the time, and Dawson had even offered the Cubs a blank check earlier that winter. Dawson would go on to win the 1987 NL MVP, though the Cubs finished last in the NL East that year. Here are today's links…

Pirates Notes: McCutchen, Walker

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The Pirates have officially announced their contract extension with Andrew McCutchen, which makes Neil Walker the next candidate for a long-term deal. Here are some links pertaining to the Pirates… 

  • McCutchen turned down two contract offers before agreeing to terms with the Pirates, Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.
  • The Pirates figured that Walker would be easier to sign than McCutchen earlier on in the negotiating process. A source close to the Walker-Pirates talks tells Biertempfel that a lot of work needs to be done on a possible agreement.
  • It sounds like the Pirates won't work out an extension with Walker in the immediate future, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.
  • Pirates GM Neal Huntington said Pirates fans don’t have to worry that the club will flip McCutchen for prospects, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. “We are now well beyond the talent-accumulation phase,” Huntington said. “We're into the championship, Major League team-building phase." Huntington also pointed out that in baseball there’s no LeBron James or Sidney Crosby to come in and save a franchise more or less on his own. 
  • Heyman writes that he doesn't consider McCutchen a $51.5MM player yet, though Pirates people expect him to become one.

Minor Moves: Repko, Kroeger, Lin

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Keeping track of the latest minor moves from around MLB…

  • The Red Sox signed outfielders Jason Repko and Josh Kroeger to minor league contracts yesterday, according to the transactions page at Yahoo Sports. Repko played all three outfield positions for the Twins last year and contributed a .555 OPS in 144 plate appearances. Kroeger, who appeared in 22 games with the 2004 Diamondbacks, spent the 2011 season with the Marlins' top affiliate, posting an .837 OPS.
  • The Orioles recently signed Taiwanese left-hander Yi-Hsiang Lin, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reported last week. The prospect is 19 years old.

Angels Notes: Abreu, Hunter

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MLBTR readers won't be surprised if the Angels emerge as one of the league's top teams in 2012. More than a quarter of some 19,000 voters said yesterday that the Angels are the likeliest AL team to turn things around in 2012 (2011 playoff teams excluded). Here are today's Angels-related links via Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com…

  • Angels GM Jerry Dipoto said he “absolutely” expects Bobby Abreu to open the season with the Angels. Some baseball people believe there’s a real chance the Angels will work hard to trade the outfielder/DH before Opening Day.
  • Torii Hunter said he hopes to re-sign with the Angels after the season, when his contract expires. But if a new deal doesn’t make sense, the outfielder will look to sign with a championship caliber team. "Right now, I'm focused on winning," Hunter said. "Money? I've made money. I want a ring.”
  • The Angels appear to be seeking a left-handed reliever, just one year after signing Scott Downs and Hisanori Takahashi.

NL East Notes: Alderson, Santana, Jackson

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The Phillies, winners of the National League East for five consecutive seasons, signed Jonathan Papelbon, retained Jimmy Rollins and bolstered their bench this offseason, but it won't necessarily be enough for a sixth straight division title. Here are some links from the increasingly competitive NL East…

  • Mets GM Sandy Alderson may soon face a frustrated fan base if players brought in under Omar Minaya don't show significant progress in 2012, Joel Sherman of the New York Post writes. Alderson says his goal is for the Mets to make the playoffs, even if it seems unrealistic to outsiders.
  • In response to Scott Boras' suggestion that the Mets might be better off under different ownership, Alderson told SiriusXM’s Evan & Phillips in the Morning that the agent's comments are nonsense. "That’s somebody who is trying to generate a market for players that he represents," the GM said (transcript via MetsBlog).
  • Shoulder injuries have derailed many promising pitching careers, but Johan Santana is attempting to move past shoulder troubles and "do everything the way [he] used to do it,” according to Yahoo's Jeff Passan.
  • Nationals starter Edwin Jackson has bounced around extensively as a Major Leaguer, suiting up for six different teams, but as Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports, players and executives consider Jackson a good worker and a positive clubhouse presence.

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