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Archives for May 2012

Rangers Notes: Hamilton, Moreland

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Josh Hamilton has generated lots of contract chatter this week after hitting four home runs in a single game against the Orioles. Here’s the latest on the Rangers, starting, of course, with Hamilton’s contract status:

  • Agent Scott Boras doesn't represent Hamilton, but he told Bob Nightengale of USA Today that we can expect "one of the most intriguing negotiations in all of sports" leading up to the outfielder's next contract. Nightengale's sources agree that Hamilton will earn at least $20MM per season for five years or more when he signs, whether he obtains an extension from the Rangers or signs as a free agent this offseason. I recommend Nightengale’s entire piece, which includes insights from many on Hamilton’s situation.
  • Jay Franklin, the agent for Ian Kinsler, now represents Mitch Moreland as well, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick reports (Twitter link). Moreland had been a client of the Hendricks brothers. Check out MLBTR’s Agency Database for information regarding player representation.

2013 Contract Issues: Colorado Rockies

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

Eligible For Free Agency (4)

  • Marco Scutaro - Scutaro's off to a slow start at the plate and the Rockies could save by relying on less experienced infielders in 2013.
  • Jeremy Guthrie - Guthrie's now on the disabled list, but it won't be surprising if he re-signs with the Rockies this offseason.
  • Jamie Moyer - Moyer, who turns 50 this offseason, has a respectable 4.01 ERA in 33 2/3 innings. His age limits his leverage in contract talks, but another minor league deal might work.
  • Jason Giambi - The 41-year-old Giambi continues to contribute as a bat off the bench and occasional first baseman. Perhaps the Rockies will bring him back for a fifth season in Denver on a low-risk deal.

Contract Options (1)

  • Jorge De La Rosa: $11MM player option with a $1MM buyout. If exercised, the club obtains an $11MM option for 2014. De La Rosa, who's now on his way back from Tommy John surgery, figures to exercise this option barring a tremendous second half showing. It's currently hard to imagine him finding $11MM elsewhere.

Arbitration Eligible (6)

Fowler and Chacin will lead a relatively small and affordable class of arbitration eligible players. Outman, currently on the disabled list, hasn't thrown a pitch for the Rockies and could be a non-tender candidate by December's deadline. If the out of options Rogers continues to struggle at the MLB level, he could also be non-tendered. As long as the cutoff falls where it's expected to, Rogers and Colvin will be eligible.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Rockies typically operate with a payroll in the $80MM range and they have committed $46MM to next year's team. Assuming De La Rosa returns and their arbitration class doesn't cost much more than $10MM, GM Dan O'Dowd should have $10MM or so to work with this coming offseason.

Outrighted To Triple-A: Eliezer Alfonzo

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The latest outright assignments…

  • The Rockies have outrighted catcher Eliezer Alfonzo to Triple-A, according to MLB.com's transactions page. Alfonzo, a veteran of six MLB seasons, received a 100-game suspension last fall following his second positive test for a performance-enhancing substance. He owns a .290/.332/.475 batting line in a minor league career that spans 15 seasons. The Rockies designated the 33-year-old for assignment earlier this week.

Quick Hits: Indians, Hernandez, Hamilton, Dodgers

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On this day four years ago, the Padres released Jim Edmonds after he hit just .178/.265/.233 through 26 games.  On May 14th, the Cubs picked up the veteran for the prorated portion of the league minimum.  Edmonds proved to be a fantastic bargain as he hit .256/.369/.568 with 19 homers across 85 games.  Here’s a look at tonight’s linkage..

  • Indians manager Manny Acta said that Roberto Hernandez’s camp initially believed that his visa issues would’ve been resolved by now, tweets MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian.  Hernandez remains in the Dominican Republic.
  • Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton doesn’t believe that his past troubles will make his free agency “complicated,” writes Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated.  The soon-to-be 31-year-old added that his relationship with the club his deep and one that he hopes to extend.
  • In order to keep the Dodgers fan base on board, Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times implores the new ownership group to be forthcoming from this point forward.  Dilbeck notes that while Magic Johnson’s ownership stake is known to be roughly 3%, the rest of the breakdown is still under wraps.

Twins Designate Matt Maloney For Assignment

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The Twins announced via Twitter that they have designated left-hander Matt Maloney for assignment.  The move, along with their demotion of Danny Valencia to Triple-A, will allow the club to promote Darin Mastroianni and select the contract of right-hander P.J. Walters.

Minnesota first acquired the 27-year-old off of waivers from the Reds last Halloween.  Maloney didn’t impress in his limited opportunities this year as he allowed ten runs with five strikeouts and a walk in eleven innings.

D’Backs Open To In-Season Talks With Montero

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Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers confirmed that the club will be open to discussing a long-term deal with catcher Miguel Montero this season, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert and Tyler Emerick.  Previously, the two sides agreed to table extension talks until after the season.

"We agreed with Miggy and his agent that we'd give it until the end of Spring Training, and if nothing happened then, we're certainly open throughout the season if he feels like he's comfortable," the GM said. "But any negotiations that we have, both sides decided to keep it confidential."

Even though Arizona is willing to talk about a contract extension with Montero during the season, Towers stopped short of saying that he would actually make him a proposal.   Earlier today, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported that he heard that talks between the two sides could start up soon.  The 28-year-old is said to be seeking a four-year, $52MM contract. 

AL East Notes: Rays, Matsui, Keppinger, Yankees

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The weather is now cooperating in the Bronx as the Rays looks to put an end to their three-game skid tonight against the Yankees.  Here's a look at Tampa Bay and other items out of the American League East..

  • If called up to the majors, Hideki Matsui will make a salary of about $900K, according to Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times.  Last season, the veteran earned $4.25MM with Oakland, the previous low of his career.  In the meantime, Matsui will earn $10K a month with Triple-A Durham.
  • Jeff Keppinger's absence from the Rays and placement on the restricted list is related to his ongoing divorce case, writes Topkin.  Keppinger's case is set to go before a judge on May 29th when the Rays are at home facing the White Sox.  Within the Matsui article, Topkin notes that the infielder could still get paid for missed games with MLB approval.
  • While some have speculated that the Yankees could look to fortify the backend of their bullpen with an out-of-house addition, Mariano Rivera likes what he has seen out of David Robertson, writes Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.

Latest On Rangers, Josh Hamilton

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Josh Hamilton provided yet another reminder that he’s one of the game’s elite players last night, hitting four home runs against the Orioles. He already has 14 home runs this year and he leads the American League in batting average (.406), on-base percentage (.458) and slugging percentage (.840). He’s on track for free agency following the 2012 season; here’s the latest on his contract status:

  • The Texas star doesn't believe that the uncertainty will become a distraction this season, writes Evan Grant of the Dallas News.  "I've been completely able to block it out," said Hamilton. "It's out of of my hands. If I end up with Texas, great; I'll be happy to be here. If not, I'll be happy to go wherever God sends us."
  • Hamilton maintains that he knows nothing of the contract talks between the Rangers and his agent Mike Moye, writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram.  The outfielder also boasted of his impressive production in limited games versus the numbers of others in full seasons.
  • Jim Bowden suggests Hamilton’s next contract will pay him $23-26MM per season in a piece at ESPN.com. Bowden expects Hamilton to sign a deal that includes vesting options to protect his team from off-field issues or injuries.
  • Hamilton has said he'll talk to the Rangers first if he reaches free agency after the season, Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com reports.
  • The Rangers have reopened negotiations and are discussing a long-term deal, Yahoo’s Jeff Passan reports. However, the team remains wary of handing out a contract such as the ten-year, $240MM deal Albert Pujols obtained or the nine-year, $214MM deal Prince Fielder obtained. 
  • Following yesterday’s performance, three general managers told Passan they’d have trouble giving Hamilton much more than six years, even if he plays a full, healthy season in 2012. GMs believe Hamilton may end up seeking a shorter-term deal at a higher average annual value.
  • Though Hamilton’s asking price is on the rise, he downplayed contract talk, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick. "I'm under contract with the Rangers for this season and that's the way I'm treating it," Hamilton said. "I'm getting paid to play baseball for the Rangers and I'm going to give them everything I've got and try to do the best I can for them."
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says last night wasn't about contract talks. "This was a night to celebrate one of the most gifted athletes ever to play the game, to revel in who he is, right now."
  • Hamilton's past addiction and health issues make it tough for the Rangers to commit to him long-term, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets.

Castro Won’t Talk Long-Term Deal During Season

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Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro is off to a fine start this season and is likely in position to start talking about a long-term deal with the club.  However, agent Paul Kinzer told Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune that he won’t seek a new contract for his client during the season.

“Maybe after the season, but I’m not really interested during the season to talk about it,” Kinzer said. “I don’t want any distractions.”

Kinzer went on to say that Castro enjoys playing in Chicago and expects to talk with the club eventually about a long-term pact.  As it stands now, the All-Star will become eligible for arbitration after this season and is in line for free agency after the 2016 campaign.  The 22-year-old has Super Two status, giving him an additional year of arbitration eligibility.

Quick Hits: Rivera, Orioles, Peavy

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Mariano Rivera told reporters that he still has "love and passion for the game" and wants to play next year, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. Rivera’s out for the season after tearing his ACL and his contract with the Yankees expires this winter. Here are more links from around MLB… 

  • For the Orioles to win fans back to Oriole Park at Camden Yards, they’ll have to win, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes. The success of the NFL's Ravens and the nearby Nationals hasn't made it any easier for the Orioles to draw large crowds.
  • Matt Wieters of the Orioles is emerging as one of the game's best catchers, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick writes. The 25-year-old will be arbitration eligible for the first time following the 2012 season and he's under team control through 2015.
  • White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that he realizes he could be traded this summer (Twitter link). “If that comes about, I’ll welcome that and do what I’m asked to do,” he said. “But I’d love to be in Chicago.” Peavy may become a midseason trade candidate, as Mike Axisa explained earlier this season.

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