MLBTR Originals
This week's original analysis and reporting from the MLBTR team..
- Tim Dierkes and Ben Nicholson-Smith were the first to report that Joey Votto and the Reds were nearing agreement on a long-term extension. The first baseman inked a ten-year, $225MM deal with Cincinnati.
- Ben spoke with John Smoltz about National League pitchers coming back from injury this year.
- Tim was the first to learn that free agent designated hitter Vladimir Guerrero changed agencies from SFX to Proformance. MLBTR's Agency Database offers a complete, updated look at Proformance's client list.
- We wrapped up the Offseason In Review series with examinations of the Rangers, Twins, White Sox, and the Dodgers.
- The 30 Opening Day starters aren't the 30 best pitchers in the game, but their managers do consider them the best arms currently available. Ben put together a list of the pitchers who got the nod on Opening Day and how they got there.
- Five MLBTR writers gave their predictions for 2012. We'll check back in November and see who comes out on top.
- On this week nine years ago, the Red Sox picked up Pedro Martinez's option well before they had to.
- Mike Axisa's Baseball Blogs Weigh In features pieces on Joey Votto, Matt Cain, and Alex Gordon.
- Nearly 30% of MLBTR readers agree that the Angels are baseball's most improved team.
- Mike updated the list of the largest contracts in draft history. Stephen Strasburg, of course, has the most lucrative major league contract.
- Ben updated the list of record contracts by position.
- MLBTR is increasing efforts to enforce our commenting policy. You can get reacquainted with the rules here.
- Ben ran our weekly chat this week – if you missed out on it, you can take a look back at the transcript.
- Phil Hughes is still only 25 years old but this is a Make Or Break Year for the Yankees' right-hander, Mike writes.
Astros Claim Justin Maxwell Off Waivers
The Astros have claimed outfielder Justin Maxwell off of waivers from the Yankees, the club announced. Maxwell will report to the Major League club on Monday and the Astros will make a corresponding roster move after he reports. Houston's 40-man roster now stands at 39.
Maxwell, 28, was out-of-options and designated for assignment by the Bombers on Wednesday. The outfielder saw his 2011 season cut short with an injured shoulder but hit .260/.358/.588 with 16 homers in Triple-A up until that point.
The Yankees acquired Maxwell from the Nationals in February for minor league right-hander Adam Olbrychowski. The Astros and the Orioles were said to have interest in Maxwell prior to Opening Day.
NL West Notes: Padres, Gwynn, Rockies, La Russa
It's a good time to be a Dodgers fan with the club under brand new ownership and the team out to a 3-0 start after taking the first three of a four-game set with the Padres. Here's more out of the National League West..
- Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times hopes to see Tony Gwynn to be involved with the next ownership group to take over the Padres. Gwynn has not heard from any prospective Padres owners, but says that he would listen to what they had to say. "That's something I would really consider," Gwynn said. "I love the Padre organization. I love what they represent. We really care about people in this town."
- Tony La Russa was reportedly in line to be a key part of Stevie Cohen's failed bid to buy the Dodgers, and people close to La Russa say he is now itching to get back into the game with a team, writes Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. For now, La Russa is serving as an adviser/consultant to MLB and working on special projects. Don't expect to see the skipper back with the Cardinals or with the Astros, whose GM is former Cards exec Jeff Luhnow.
- With the additions of Marco Scutaro and Michael Cuddyer, Troy Renck of the Denver Post believes that the Rockies could possibly contend in a weak division. Renck also notes that Colorado was arguably the most aggressive pursuer of Grady Sizemore and dodged a bullet as the outfielder will be sidelined until June with a back injury.
Dodgers Release Carlos Monasterios
Today's minor moves..
- The Dodgers have released right-hander Carlos Monasterios, according to Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. The 26-year-old pitched in 32 games for the club in 2010 but has since required two elbow operations. In that season, Monasterios posted a 4.38 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 13 starts and 19 relief appearances for the Dodgers.
Cafardo On Kinsler, Cox, Damon, Prior, Lannan
It's clear to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe that the collapse of last September bothered some Red Sox players more than others. While some are using it as fuel for motivation, others seem eager to leave it in the past completely. Former Braves manager Bobby Cox told Cafardo that he preferred the latter. "The way I looked at it, you let it go both ways. If we win the World Series, I’d say enjoy it but time to get ready for the next year. Every season is different. I don’t think there should be carryover either way," Cox said. Here's more from Cafardo..
- Major league sources say that Ian Kinsler should average $13-$14MM over five or six years once his deal is done. While he and the Rangers couldn’t come to terms by Opening Day, it’s not out of the question that something gets done during the season. Brandon Phillips of the Reds should be in the Dan Uggla range – about five-years for $60MM. Dustin Pedroia's six-year, $40.5MM deal with the Red Sox now looks like bargain as it goes through 2014 with an $11MM option for 2015.
- When asked if he would consider managing again, Cox didn’t give a resounding no. "I don’t know. I don’t know. I’m done," he said. But he added, “I miss it. I miss it every day." While Cox has deep ties to Dodgers president Stan Kasten, he said he would not consider going back to being a GM. Cox is signed to be an adviser for the Braves through the 2015 season.
- When asked about Johnny Damon remaining on the open market, one AL GM was perplexed and suggested that the Rays, Indians, Orioles, and Tigers could all use him.
- Cafardo's "all-free agent team" features right-hander Roy Oswalt, Damon in center field, Hideki Matsui as DH, Vladimir Guerrero in left field, Magglio Ordonez in right, catcher Ivan Rodriguez, first baseman Derrek Lee, second baseman Aaron Miles, shortstop Felipe Lopez, third baseman Casey Blake. Oswalt tops the rotation alongside Javier Vazquez, who he notes has not officially retired. Cafardo also lists Mike Gonzalez and Arthur Rhodes as the top relievers available.
- Mark Prior’s throwing sessions have looked decent, according to major league sources, and he may be getting ready to throw for teams soon.
- Nationals pitcher John Lannan remains in limbo as he pitches in Triple-A, but as injuries mount his trade request may be heard. The left-hander is only 27 and could fit on many staffs as a fourth or fifth starter, but his $5MM salary is an obvious hurdle.
Padres Acquire Brian Tallet From Pirates
The Padres traded for Pirates left-hander Brian Tallet, according to Corey Brock of MLB.com (via Twitter). Pittsburgh will either receive cash considerations or a player to be named later for the reliever, Brock tweets.
Tallet, 34, owns a 4.79 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 across nine seasons in the majors. Last season, the left-hander saw just 13.1 innings of work for the Cardinals and Blue Jays thanks to a broken left hand followed by a right intercostal strain.
East Notes: Stewart, Red Sox, Oswalt, Rays, Nats
Links out of the AL and NL East …
- Yankees manager Joe Girardi told reporters, including Marc Carig of the Star Ledger, that they coveted recently traded-for catcher Chris Stewart, acquired from the Giants, for his penchant for framing pitches. The Yankees consider this skill to be undervalued.
- Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino called a National League GM about Roy Oswalt but was dissuaded from signing him, tweets Peter Gammons of MLB.com. Gammons adds that this is proof that Lucchino is willing to consider adding to the payroll.
- Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg sounded guardedly optimistic about progress in stadium talks when he spoke with reporters prior to yesterday's game against the Yankees, writes Ira Kaufman of The Tampa Tribune. However, there have been no recent meetings between the club and St. Petersburg Mayor Bill Foster.
- Michael Morse and Rick Ankiel are set to return soon for the Nationals and Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post looks at who might be left on the outside looking in. Both Roger Bernadina and Brett Carroll are out-of-options and at risk. Bernadina has started in center field the Nats’ first two games but he is not a lock to stay.
This Date In Transactions History: Pedro Martinez
The 2003 season ended in heartbreak for the Red Sox, whose hopes of capturing their first World Series since 1918 were dashed in Game 7 of the ALCS, when Aaron Boone channeled his inner Bucky Dent and inherited a new nickname: Bleepin'.
You certainly couldn't blame Pedro Martinez for the Red Sox's shortcomings that year, though. Boston's longstanding ace was worth nearly 7.9 wins above replacement across 186 2/3 innings, pitching like a guy who really wanted his $17.5MM contract option picked up for the next season. Thing is, his option had already been exercised — on this day in 2003.
That's right: Boston picked up Pedro's option — the highest single-season salary for a pitcher in MLB history — about seven months prior to what would have otherwise been a November deadline. In addition to the usual risks (injury, decline) of exercising an option before it's necessary, consider that Martinez would turn 32 later that year and had already taxed his slender frame for nearly 1,900 career innings.
While we could debate the process, the result must be considered a success for Boston. The Red Sox rebounded from the disappointment of 2003 to finally capture that elusive World Series title in 2004, sweeping the Cardinals. Martinez did, in fact, begin a steady decline in 2004 (at least relative to his mid-career production), but the beginning of his decline phase was still worth an excellent 5.7 wins above replacement — or $17.7MM, according to fangraphs. Talk about an even exchange.
The Red Sox allowed the legend to walk via free agency after 2004 in a surprisingly unsentimental move for a team that was all too eager to keep one of the most popular players in franchise history only a year and a half earlier. They apparently knew that it's better to burn out than it is to rust, as the Mets absorbed the brunt of Pedro's iron-oxide accumulation in the form of a four-year contract from 2005-08.
That bold decision proved prudent, as did the bold move the Red Sox made on this date in 2003.
The Latest On Marlon Byrd, John Lannan
The Nationals did not speak to the Cubs about acquiring center fielder Marlon Byrd in exchange for left-hander John Lannan, a highly placed Nats source tells Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune. The Nats are apparently content to wait out prized prospect Bryce Harper's arrival to the Majors rather than make a trade.
Meanwhile, the Nats are not actively shopping the recently demoted Lannan, reports Sullivan, nor are the Cubs interested in acquiring him and his $5MM salary.
Byrd, for his part, says he would welcome the opportunity to rejoin the Nats — whether that be via in-season trade or offseason signing — according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Byrd, 34, played for the Nats in 2005-06. He's slated to hit free agency this offseason after signing a three-year pact with the Cubs prior to the 2010 campaign.
Lannan, 27, was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse toward the end of Spring Training and was not pleased about it, informing reporters via email that he'd requested to be traded.
Harper, the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2010, was under consideration to make the big league club out of Spring Training but was sent down to refine his hitting and work on his defense in center field. It'll be interesting to see whether the Nats, who are expected to be in the Wild Card(s) chase, are pleased enough with his progress to call him up, or if they eventually opt for outside help.
Reds Notes: Votto, Phillips, Baker
A few items of note to share out of the Queen City …
- The Reds funded Joey Votto's big contract extension with the $25MM per year they've received in revenue sharing over the past 10 years, writes Bill Madden of the New York Daily News. We've heard whispers previously that the Reds had drawn upon shared revenues to lock up Votto, though this seems to be the first mention of such a specific sum.
- GM Walt Jocketty said there's no updates on a potential contract extension for second baseman Brandon Phillips, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Jocketty, however, remains optimistic that a deal will get done within the next week or so, Fay adds. In case you missed it earlier this week, the Reds reportedly offered Phillips five years and $60MM, with a sixth year apparently being a stumbling block in negotiations.
- Reds owner Bob Castellini reiterated that Votto's extension won't interfere with the team's ability to extend Phillips or manager Dusty Baker, according to Joe Kay of the Associated Press. "It has no bearing on our conversations with Brandon Phillips and, hopefully, our conversations with Dusty as we go forward," Castellini said. Baker is in the final year of a two-year extension he inked after the 2010 campaign. This season marks his fifth on the Reds' bench.