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Padres Claim Neil Wagner

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The Padres announced that they have claimed right-hander Neil Wagner off of waivers from the Athletics. The Padres optioned Wagner to Triple-A and moved James Darnell to the 60-day disabled list in related moves.

Wagner, 28, made his MLB debut last year, pitching out of the Athletics' bullpen six times. He has been pitching at Triple-A Sacramento this year and has a 5.49 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 19 2/3 innings. He has a 3.58 ERA with 10.6 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in seven minor league seasons.

Jason Marquis Hits Free Agency

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Right-hander Jason Marquis is a free agent after clearing release waivers, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). Other clubs had the chance to claim Marquis after the Twins designated him for assignment last week.

Any team can now sign Marquis to a new contract for a pro-rated portion of $480K, the MLB minimum salary. The 33-year-old ACES client posted an 8.47 ERA with 3.2 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 before the Twins removed him from their roster. Howard Megdal reviewed Marquis' trade history last week.

2013 Contract Issues: Baltimore Orioles

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

Eligible For Free Agency (3)

  • Nick Johnson - Johnson has four home runs already, but his injury history means he's a candidate for another incentive-based contract. He won't obtain a qualifying offer from the Orioles, nor will any of the team's other free agents.
  • Endy Chavez - Chavez, who is now on the disabled list, has played in just 20 games and has an OPS below .350.
  • Ronny Paulino - Paulino, 31, continues to find work as a backup catcher. He's likely to sign a one-year deal next offseason.

Contract Options (4)

  • Mark Reynolds: $11MM club option with a $500K buyout. Reynolds has two homers and a .661 OPS, so the Orioles figure to decline this option.
  • Kevin Gregg: $6MM club option vests with 50 games finished in 2012. Gregg isn't a $6MM pitcher, so the Orioles can be expected to decline this option assuming it doesn't vest.
  • Matt Lindstrom: $4MM club option with a $200K buyout. Lindstrom has pitched well in his first 13 outings. If he keeps this up, the Orioles will be tempted by this option following the season.
  • Luis Ayala: $1MM club option with a $100K buyout. Ayala has been effective through 24 1/3 innings, as his 1.85 ERA shows. Expect the Orioles to exercise this option if the right-hander's success continues.

Arbitration Eligible (13)

The Orioles are up against a large class of arbitration eligible players led by first-timers such as Wieters. The switch-hitting catcher could see his salary rise to $4MM or so next season if his strong platform year continues. Johnson's on track for a major raise and Hammel will enjoy a pay increase as well. Eveland, on the other hand, could be non-tendered. Berken has already been up and down from Triple-A twice, but he needs another stint in the Major Leagues to assure himself of arbitration eligibility.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Orioles have committed $53MM to next year's payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. They've spent approximately $85MM in both of the past two seasons, which means executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette could have as much as $30MM or so to work with in the offseason.

Indians Designate Jairo Asencio For Assignment

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The Indians announced that they designated right-hander Jairo Asencio for assignment. They placed Jack Hannahan on the disabled list, recalled Lonnie Chisenhall and activated Josh Tomlin in corresponding moves.

The Indians acquired Asencio from the Braves for cash at the end of March. The out of options reliever posted a 5.96 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 2.8 BB/9 in 25 2/3 innings for the Indians this year. He led the International League in saves in 2009 and 2011 and posted a 1.81 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 54 2/3 innings at Triple-A last year.

2013 Contract Issues: New York Yankees

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

Eligible For Free Agency (10)

  • Mariano Rivera – Though he's not expected to pitch again in 2012, Rivera says he plans to return in 2013. It's safe to assume he's not signing with another team.
  • Nick Swisher – Swisher, 32 in November, will hit free agency for the first time in his career. The Yankees figure to have interest and could extend a qualifying offer. But other teams will be willing to offer long-term deals, so there's no guarantee Swisher returns to the Bronx.
  • Hiroki Kuroda - The Yankees seem to be in the market for starting pitching every offseason. The 37-year-old is probably in line for another one-year deal if he decides to continue pitching.
  • Russell Martin – Martin appears to have turned down a three-year, $21MM deal this past spring, before long-term deals for Yadier Molina (five years, $75MM) and Miguel Montero (five years, $60MM) re-set the market for catchers. Martin's off to a slow start at the plate, but a multiyear deal with an average annual value of $10MM-plus remains within reach.
  • Freddy Garcia - Garcia is headed for a one-year or minor league deal next offseason.
  • Andy Pettitte - Three starts into Pettitte's 2012 season it's hard to question his effectiveness. There's another unknown to consider, however: does the left-hander want to keep pitching?
  • Andruw Jones - Jones continues to add value as a corner outfielder and source of right-handed power off of the bench. It wouldn't be surprising to see him return to New York in 2013.
  • Raul Ibanez - The 39-year-old has nine home runs in just 139 plate appearances. He's positioning himself for another starting job in 2013.
  • Eric Chavez - The Yankees front office deserves credit for bringing Chavez to New York. He has a .271/.318/.396 batting line in pinstripes and, health permitting, could re-sign as a backup infielder next offseason.
  • Dewayne Wise - Few players on the Yankees' roster have less job security than Wise.

Contract Options (5)

  • Robinson Cano: $15MM club option with a $2MM buyout. The Yankees will exercise this option. It's hard not to wonder if they'll break from team policy and discuss an extension with the star second baseman.
  • Rafael Soriano: $14MM player option. Soriano can opt out and take $1.5MM buyout after the season. If Soriano finishes the season with a gaudy save total and a sparkling ERA, he could opt out and test free agency. But the market for elite free agent closers can dry up unexpectedly, as fellow-Scott Boras client Ryan Madson found out this past winter. The safer bet would be staying put and accepting the $14MM salary.
  • Curtis Granderson: $13MM club option with a $2MM buyout. The Yankees will exercise the option. As with Cano, the extension question persists.
  • Pedro Feliciano: $4.5MM club option. The Yankees will decline this option, which means they won't get a single pitch for their investment in Feliciano.
  • David Aardsma: club option based on 2012 performance bonuses. The Yankees' decision will depend on Aardsma's recovery from Tommy John surgery and his performance upon returning to action midseason.

Arbitration Eligible (9)

Hughes is in line for a raise from $3.2MM, while Gardner's extended stint on the disabled list will reduce his bargaining power in arbitration. Nix could be non-tendered and if the Yankees aren't optimistic about Chamberlain's right ankle injury, they could release him as well. Pena and Cervelli are playing at Triple-A and won't necessarily accrue enough service time to qualify next offseason.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Yankees have already committed more than $119MM to next year's payroll, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. That's exceptional for most franchises, but the Yankees have spent more than $200MM on their team in each of the past five seasons. Expect GM Brian Cashman to look for ways to reduce payroll, as the team aims to slip under the $189MM luxury tax threshold for 2014.

Pirates Place Juan Cruz On Restricted List

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The Pirates announced that they placed right-hander Juan Cruz on the restricted list so he can return to the Dominican Republic and attend to some personal business. The club has selected the contract of Doug Slaten from Triple-A in a related move.

Cruz, 33, signed a one-year, $1.25MM contract in February and has a 1.45 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 18 2/3 innings so far this year. Players on the restricted list do not count toward a team's 25-man or 40-man roster. They do not accrue service time and they don't always get paid.

Rosenthal On Pirates, Astros, Rangers

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The acquisition of right-handers Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom has proved integral to the Orioles' early season success. The same cannot be said for Jeremy Guthrie, sent to the Rockies by Baltimore in the same trade, as the right-hander has struggled in injury-limited action for Colorado. Let's check in with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports as he catches us up on news and rumors from around the league in his latest column:

  • The Pirates may be strong candidates to trade pitching for hitting the way the Mariners did when they traded Michael Pineda for Jesus Montero. While the Pirates' offense averages fewer than three runs per game their pitching staff has offered glimmers of hope. More specifically, the Pirates' bullpen leads the league in relief ERA with a plethora of quality relievers waiting for an opportunity at Triple-A Indianapolis.
  • Count Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow among the believers who think that the Astros may be buyers at the trade deadline given their plus-11 run differential heading into Memorial Day. “I do think so,” Luhnow said. “I don’t necessarily know if we’ll take on a whole bunch of salary. But we’ll look at every opportunity that comes our way, evaluate it in terms of short-term impact and medium and long-term impact. Look for Houston to attempt to trade Wandy Rodriguez, Carlos Lee and Brett Myers if the team begins to mimic last year's 106-loss club.
  • The inability to move right-hander Koji Uehara during the offseason and later during Spring Training has paid huge dividends for the Rangers this season. After struggling in Arlington upon being acquired from the Orioles, Uehara has rebounded nicely in 2012 by posting a 1.04 ERA with 9.9 K/9 and 1.0 BB/9.

Week In Review: 5/20/12 – 5/26/12

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Happy Memorial Day Weekend! Let's take a look back at the week that was here on MLBTR…

  • Adam Jones can claim the distinction of being the second-highest paid center fielder in MLB (only behind Matt Kemp). His extension eclipses Miguel Tejada's six-year, $72MM deal as the largest contract in Orioles history. Jones, 27 in August, is currently enjoying a career year as he's hitting .311/.357/.601 in 196 plate appearances. The Orioles officially announced his six-year, $85.5MM extension this afternoon.
  • The Diamondbacks and catcher Miguel Montero agreed to a five-year $60MM contract extension, making him the highest-paid player in Arizona history. Montero, 29 in July, had a breakout season in 2011 when he was named to his first All-Star team and hit .282/.351/.469 on the year. It's been a busy year for catchers receiving hefty extensions as the Cardinals and Yadier Molin struck a five-year, $75MM deal in March.
  • The White Sox signed veteran infielder Orlando Hudson to a one-year deal. The Padres recently released the 34-year-old former All-Star, who will now provide the White Sox with depth at third base and second base.
  • A return to the Pirates has failed to reinvigorate Nate McLouth's career as Pittsburgh designated the veteran outfielder for assignment after his offensive struggles with the Braves followed him to PNC Park. McLouth was traded to the Braves from the Pirates in June 2009 and spent two-plus years in Atlanta.
  • The Diamondbacks designated Cody Ransom for assignment and the Brewers claimed the infielder on waivers to obtain depth at shortstop. Ransom, 36, has enjoyed success in limited action with Arizona as he posted a .269/.345/.577 batting line in 58 plate appearances.
  • Bill Hall was unable to build upon his first at-bat success with the Orioles. He homered in his first trip to the plate as an Oriole, but Baltimore designated the utility player for assignment this week and then outrighted him to Triple-A Norfolk.
  • The Angels designated David Pauley for assignment after the right-hander pitched ineffectively out of the bullpen for Los Angeles. Pauley, 28, was outrighted to Triple-A Salt Lake by the Halos after clearing waivers.
  • Released by the Cardinals earlier in the season, veteran reliever J.C. Romero signed a minor league deal with the Orioles and will report to Triple-A Norfolk.
  • After some early season struggles, right-hander Jason Marquis was designated for assignment by the Twins. Through seven starts in 2012, Marquis posted an ERA of 8.47 with 3.2 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9.
  • The Marlins are looking for outfield help after announcing that Emilio Bonifacio will miss four to six weeks due to surgery on his left thumb. They may have found an option when they acquired outfielder Justin Ruggiano, who has been hitting exceptionally well at Triple-A Oklahoma City.
  • Looking to improve infield depth, the Pirates acquired Drew Sutton from the Braves for cash considerations. Plans changed a day later as Pittsburgh flipped Sutton for a player to be named from the Rays.
  • D.J Carrasco's tenure with the Mets came to a close this week when the team released the veteran reliever after recently designating him for assignment.
  • With nearly as many walks (11) as strikeouts (12) in 18 innings out of the bullpen, right-hander Collin Balester was designated for assignment by the Tigers.  

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Sunday

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Earlier today, we learned Roy Oswalt would still prefer to play for the Rangers or Cardinals.  Here is the latest:

  • Oswalt's asking price has gradually decreased over the course of the season, but still may need to be reassessed if the right-hander wants to return the big leagues any time soon, reports CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman.  Oswalt may not meet his asking price of $7.5MM prorated, predicts an executive of an interested team, who says the former Astros ace should eclipse Andy Pettitte's $2.5MM contract.
  • Heyman says the Phillies could be more in play for Oswalt considering Roy Halladay's shoulder issue (Twitter link).  Halladay left his start today after only two innings as a precaution due to right shoulder stiffness.
  • Peter Gammons of the MLB Network tweets Oswalt's agent is telling teams his client worked out for the Dodgers on Friday.  This morning, Heyman reported via Twitter that the Dodgers inquired about Oswalt at one point, but don't appear involved now.
  • Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports the possibility of Oswalt returning in June is diminishing.  According to Rosenthal, Major League executives say it's his asking price.  One source tells Rosenthal Oswalt wants a pro-rated $7.5MM in base salary.  Another said that Oswalt’s desired salary is a moving target, “but always high.”
  • Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (via Twitter) says the Brewers checked in on Oswalt but apparently he wanted more money than they have in budget for half a season.

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