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Archives for May 2012

Dickey Hoping For Contract Extension With Mets

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R.A. Dickey owns a 3.13 ERA in parts of three seasons with the Mets, and he'll earn $4.25MM this year before a $5MM club option ($300K buyout) comes into play for 2013. Dickey is thinking beyond next season though, admitting to Mike Puma of The New York Post that he is open to a contract extension.

"I like it here and I want to be here,” he said. “I feel like the team is moving in the right direction, and I want to be a part of the solution. Now it’s up to them. If I’m in those plans, [addressing the contract] is one way to make it known."

Dickey, 37, is one of the biggest bargains in baseball and as Ben Nicholson-Smith wrote in our Contract Issues series, the club is very likely to exercise his option. He signed a two-year, $7.8MM deal prior to last season and an extension could look very similar, another year or two at $5-6MM annually on top of the option for 2013.

Orioles To Sign J.C. Romero

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The Orioles announced that they've agreed to sign left-hander J.C. Romero to a minor-league deal, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun tweets. MDR Sports Management represents Romero, a veteran of 14 MLB seasons. He will report to Triple-A Norfolk.

The Cardinals signed Romero to a one-year deal worth $750K plus incentives back in December only to release him six weeks into the season. The 35-year-old appeared in 11 games with St. Louis this year, allowing 14 runs and nine earned runs in eight innings of work. He spent the 2011 season with the Phillies and Rockies, posting a 4.01 ERA with 6.9 K/9, 5.5 BB/9 and a 54.4% ground ball rate in 24 2/3 innings.

Angels Designate David Pauley For Assignment

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THURSDAY: The Angels designated Pauley for assignment, DiGiovanna tweets.

WEDNESDAY: The ‪Angels‬ are expected to designate reliever David Pauley for assignment tomorrow, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times (via Twitter).  The move will allow the club to call up infielder Andrew Romine from Triple-A Salt Lake.

Pauley, 28, has appeared in just 9.1 innings for the Halos in 2012.  The right-hander signed a minor league deal with the Angels late in the offseason after turning down a similar offer from the Blue Jays because he felt that he'd have more opportunities to pitch. 

In parts of five big league seasons, Pauley has a 4.54 ERA with 5.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9.

2013 Contract Issues: Chicago White Sox

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The White Sox are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (2)

  • A.J. Pierzynski - Pierzynski continues to provide offense and durability at the game's most demanding position. Remarkably, he has averaged more than 130 games per season since becoming an MLB regular in 2001. He'd be hard to replace, but he's 35 and will slow down at some point. I don't expect the White Sox to make him a qualifying offer and risk a salary of $12MM-plus.
  • Will Ohman - Ohman has struggled through his first 18 appearances of the 2012 season, so the 34-year-old's stock is falling. Plus, the White Sox already have left-handers Matt Thornton and Hector Santiago in their projected 2013 bullpen. 

Contract Options (3)

  • Gavin Floyd: $9.5MM club option. It will probably make sense for the White Sox to pick up the option and obtain the rights to the durable right-hander's age-30 season.
  • Jake Peavy: $22MM club option with a $4MM buyout. Peavy has pitched tremendously this year, but a net cost of $18MM for someone with Peavy's injury history seems all too risky. The White Sox could trade Peavy and avoid the option decision altogether if they fall out of contention. If they keep Peavy and decline his option, they could still re-sign him at a lower average annual value.
  • Kosuke Fukudome: $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout. At this point it's hard to envision the White Sox picking up the option.

Arbitration Eligible (4)

The White Sox will have four arbitration eligible players next offseason, all of them first-timers. This entire class will cost less than $10MM to retain, making it one of the smallest and most affordable groups around.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The White Sox have committed approximately $79MM to next year's team, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf typically spends $95MM-plus on payroll, and the tab has exceeded $100MM in five of the past seven seasons.

Rangers Claim John Gaub

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The Rangers claimed left-handed pitcher John Gaub off of waivers from the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune tweets. The Rays had designated Gaub for assignment three days ago to create roster space for Drew Sutton.

Gaub, 27, appeared in four games for the Cubs last season and has a 3.81 ERA with 11.8 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 across parts of four Triple-A seasons. The Rays claimed him off of waivers from the Cubs in April then stashed him at Triple-A. Robbie Ross is the Rangers' lone left-handed reliever at the moment, so Gaub provides some depth.

2013 Contract Issues: Cleveland Indians

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The Indians are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (5)

  • Derek Lowe - The 38-year-old has added value for the Indians by keeping the ball on the ground. But he's striking out just 2.3 batters per nine innings, which could scare some potentially interested teams this offseason.
  • Grady Sizemore - Sizemore, now on the 60-day disabled list, in on track to miss more games than he plays in for the third consecutive season. If he returns to Cleveland for 2013, it's hard to imagine another $5MM guarantee. Perhaps an incentive-based minor league deal would work if there's interest on both sides.
  • Casey Kotchman - The Indians could use more offense at first base; the Twins are the lone AL team getting a lower OPS from their first basemen.
  • Johnny Damon - There's definitely a chance Damon will lose his roster spot before the offseason if the hits don't start falling in.
  • Jose Lopez - Lopez has been hitting since having his contract purchsed from the minor leagues. He won't obtain a qualifying offer this offseason, nor will any of his teammates.

Contract Options (3)

  • Travis Hafner: $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout. Hafner is drawing walks and hitting for some power, so he's a useful designated hitter. But $13MM from a small-market team for a 35-year-old whose prime years are behind him? I expect the Indians to decline the option.
  • Ubaldo Jimenez: $5.75MM club option with a $1MM buyout. Jimenez's ERA is over 5.00 in 20 starts with the Indians and he's walking more batters than he's striking out this year. The Indians could decline the option if he doesn't resolve his control issues, even though it would mean giving up on a pitcher who was supposed to lead the rotation for years.
  • Roberto Hernandez: $9MM club option. Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, hasn't thrown a pitch in the Major Leagues this year. Issues surrounding his age and identity have sidelined him, so it'd be a surprise if the Indians made him a $9MM commitment this offseason.

Arbitration Eligible (12)

The Indians face a large and potentially expensive arbitration class. Perez and Masterson could each earn $6MM or more their second times through arbitration. Choo would earn even more if his power returns. LaPorta's playing at Triple-A and there's no guarantee he will accrue enough service time to qualify for arbitration by next winter. Duncan, Accardo and Slowey could all be considered non-tender candidates.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Indians have committed $11MM to next year's team, which is less than every team we've looked at except the Padres (they're also at $11MM). If Cleveland's ownership matches the 2012 payroll of $65MM, GM Chris Antonetti will have flexibility to sign, trade for and extend players next winter.

@Closernews Is Seeking Help

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Two years ago, we started a Twitter account called @closernews, which provides instant updates on MLB closer situations for fantasy baseball players. The account how has nearly 12,000 followers and has helped many win the saves category.

We're seeking a few writers to cover the late-night closer situations once or twice per week, starting at 11pm central time and going until the last game ends. This is an unpaid position, but it's good experience for anyone looking to pad their resume with work in baseball, fantasy and/or social media. The preference is for fantasy baseball junkies who already follow @closernews and are familiar with how it works.

If this project sounds like an enjoyable resume-builder for you, please email closernewshelp@gmail.com and let us know why you should join the @closernews team.

Heyman On Hamels, Yankees, Oviedo

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The Phillies haven’t been in touch with Cole Hamels to discuss an extension recently, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. It’s getting to the point where it would almost seem like an upset if the Phillies re-signed the left-hander, Heyman writes. Here are the details on Hamels and more of Heyman’s notes from around MLB…

  • Three agents suggested to Heyman that Hamels’ next contract could fall in the $150-175MM range. The deals for left-handers Johan Santana (six years, $138MM) and C.C. Sabathia (seven years, $161MM) could provide reference points for interested teams and agent John Boggs.
  • Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner says rumors that he might sell the team are a "complete fiction," (Heyman tweets). "Me and my family have no intention to sell the Yankees and expect [the franchise] to be in the family for years to come,'' Steinbrenner said. The New York Daily News reported that the Yankees are exploring the possibility of selling the team.
  • Juan Carlos Oviedo, who recently received his work visa, will report to extended Spring Training soon, Heyman tweets. The pitcher formerly known as Leo Nunez will serve an eight week suspension before returning to the Marlins.

Quick Hits: Oviedo, Ransom, Greinke, Boras

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Andy Pettitte's last game before his retirement was in Game 3 of the 2010 ALCS against the Rangers, featuring Jeff Francoeur.  Pettitte allowed two runs over seven innings in that game and tonight, Francoeur got another look at him, this time as a member of the Royals.  Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com asked him if he looked just as sharp this time around as once again allowed two runs over seven innings of work.  "Absolutely," Francoeur said. "He looks good. I thought he would."  Tonight's links..

Blue Jays Place Adam Lind On Outright Waivers?

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WEDNESDAY, 8:46pm: As of today, there are no indications that the Blue Jays placed first baseman Adam Lind on outright waivers, writes MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. 

If Lind was outrighted, he would have been removed from the 40-man roster after a 48-hour period, but a second source told Chisholm that the 28-year-old was still on the club's official list.

SATURDAY, 6:00pm: The Blue Jays placed recently demoted slugger Adam Lind on outright waivers on Friday, according to Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).

If Lind is claimed, the claiming team will assume the balance of the four-year, $18MM extension he signed early in the 2010 season. That deal also includes club options for 2014-16, with corresponding buyouts. If he goes unclaimed, he will remain with Toronto but will be removed from the 40-man roster.

Lind signed his extension on the heels of a breakout 2009 in which he posted a .305/.370/.562 line with 35 homers. The 1B/OF/DH has fallen well short of that since then, however, hitting .238/.289/.420 with 52 homers in 1,287 plate appearances from 2010 till his demotion to Triple-A this week.

Outright waivers are irrevocable, meaning the Jays wouldn't be able to pull Lind back if another team were to claim him. However, an AL executive tells Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that there's "no chance he gets claimed" (Twitter link).

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