Headlines

Go To Pro Hockey Rumors
Go To Hoops Rumors

Archives for December 2012

Week In Review: 12/16/12 -12/22/12

By | at

The holidays are here but there's never too little time to catch up on the week that was here at MLBTR…
  • The Mets sold high on R.A. Dickey after the 38-year-old knuckleballer's Cy Young season, trading him to the Blue Jays as part of a seven-player deal. Toronto will receive Dickey, Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas in exchange for John Buck and prospects Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard and Wuilmer Becerra. As part of the deal, Toronto has also agreed to a three-year extension with Dickey. 
  • The Tigers agreed to sign free agent right-hander Anibal Sanchez to a five-year contract worth $80MM that includes a 2018 club option. Sanchez posted a 3.86 ERA with 7.7 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 46.4% ground ball rate in 195 2/3 regular season innings this past season. 
  • The Mariners and Raul Ibanez agreed to a one-year contract worth $2.75MM with another 1.25MM in incentive performances. The ACES client played in Seattle from 1996-2000 and 2004-2008.
  • Arizona officially signed Cody Ross to a three-year contract with a fourth year club option. The deal is worth $26MM, which includes a $1MM buyout of the option.
  • The Pirates agreed to sign free agent left-hander Francisco Liriano to a two-year, $12.75MM contract. Liriano pitched for the Twins and White Sox this past season, posting a 5.34 ERA with 9.6 K/9, 5.0 BB/9 and a 43.8% ground ball rate in 156 2/3 innings.
  • The Indians reached a minor league deal with Scott Kazmir. Cleveland is taking a low-risk chance on the left-hander following his strong performance in Puerto Rico this winter.
  • Jeremy Bonderman agreed to a minor league deal with the Mariners, with an invitation to spring training. The right-hander dropped 35 pounds from his frame and is set to start throwing again in January.
  • The Astros signed right-handed reliever Jose Veras to a one-year contract worth $2MM. In 72 appearances for Milwaukee in 2012, Veras posted a 3.63 ERA with 10.6 K/9, 5.4 BB/9 and a 43.8% ground ball rate in 67 innings. 
  • The Cubs agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Nate Schierholtz worth $2.25MM with $500K in incentives. Schierholtz hit .257/.321/.407 in 269 plate appearances for the Giants and Phillies this year, playing mostly right field.
  • The Brewers signed free-agent left-hander Tom Gorzelanny to a two-year contract worth $5.75MM. Gorzelanny appeared in 45 games for the Nationals this past season, posting a 2.88 ERA with 7.8 K/9, 3.8 BB/9 and a 42.9% ground ball rate in 72 innings.
  • Free agent infielder Casey McGehee agreed to play in Japan for the Rakuten Eagles next season. The veteran will receive at one-year deal worth $1.5MM with incentives up to $500K.
  • The Twins signed free agent starter Rich Harden to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training. Harden last pitched at the MLB level in 2011, posting a 5.12 ERA with 9.9 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 82 2/3 innings for the Athletics.
  • The Rangers and A.J. Pierzynski agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $7.5MM. The catcher posted a .278/.326/.501 batting line in 520 plate appearances with 27 home runs in 2012. 
  • The Cubs agreed to sign Edwin Jackson to a four-year, $52MM contract. The 29-year-old spent the 2012 season with the Nationals, posting a 4.03 ERA with 8.0 K/9, 2.8 BB/9 and a 47.3% ground ball rate in 189 2/3 regular season innings.
  • The Marlins signed Placido Polanco to a one-year contract. The 37-year-old hit 15 doubles and posted a .257/.302/.327 batting line in 328 plate appearances this past season.
  • The Phillies officially signed veteran reliever Mike Adams. It's a two-year contract worth $12MM with a third year club/vesting option worth $6.5MM.
  • The Twins signed right-hander Mike Pelfrey to a one-year, $4MM contract. The former Wichita State star can also earn up to $1.5MM in incentives.
  • The Cubs agreed to sign Carlos Villanueva to a two-year, $10MM deal. Villanueva, 29, pitched to a 4.16 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9 in 125 1/3 innings spread across 16 starts and 22 relief appearances for the Blue Jays last season. 
  • The Rockies re-signed lefty Jeff Francis. It's a one-year contract worth $1.5MM guaranteed with another $1.5M in incentives based on innings pitched.
  • The Yankees officially re-signed Ichiro Suzuki to a two-year contract worth $13MM. Ichiro has 2,606 hits, two batting titles, ten All-Star Game selections and a career .322/.365/.419 in 12 MLB seasons.
  • Two AL West rivals agreed to exchange prominent players in a deal that will address major needs for both clubs. The Mariners and Angels agreed to a trade that will send Kendrys Morales to Seattle for left-hander Jason Vargas.
  • The Giants and right-hander Santiago Casilla agreed to a three-year, $15MM contract with a vesting option for a fourth season. The deal will pay Casilla $4.5MM in 2013 and 2014 and $5MM in 2015, plus a $1MM buyout for 2016 if his option doesn't vest.
  • The Rays signed free agent right-hander Roberto Hernandez to a one-year, Major League contract. The deal, worth $3.25MM including $1.85MM in incentives, some of which are based on innings and some of which are based on relief appearances.
  • The Indians signed Mark Reynolds to a one-year contract. The deal is worth $6MM and could reach $7.5MM if Reynolds reaches his performance incentives. 
  • The Phillies agreed to sign left-hander John Lannan to a one-year, $2.5MM contract. The deal includes another $2.5M in bonuses.
  • The Athletics traded outfielder Collin Cowgill to the Mets for minor league infielder Jefry Marte, the team announced. The trade frees up a 40-man roster spot for Oakland, who officially announced the Hiroyuki Nakajima signing as well.
  • The Red Sox signed reliever Koji Uehara to a one-year deal worth $4.25MM. Uehara, 38 in April, posted a 1.75 ERA, 10.8 K/9, 0.8 BB/9, 1.00 HR/9, and 32.5% groundball rate in 36 innings this year, missing time with a strained lat muscle. 
  • The Astros agreed to sign Carlos Pena to a one-year contract worth $2.9MM. The Scott Boras client can earn another $1.4MM in incentives.
  • The Red Sox agreed to sign free agent shortstop Stephen Drew to a one-year contract worth $9.5MM plus up to $500K in incentives. He posted a .223/.309/.348 batting line with seven home runs in 327 plate appearances for the Diamondbacks and Athletics this past season.

Yankees Notes: Cashman, Ibanez, Diaz, Payroll

By | at

Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News looks at the Yankees' offseason so far and examines deals the team hasn't made given budgetary concerns (all Twitter links)…

  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman blames the team's lack of pursuit of Raul Ibanez on the club's priority of acquiring a right-handed hitting outfielder. Beyond finding an outfielder, Cashman says that the team does not have an unlimited budget and must work within its means. 
  • Feinsand points to right-handed outfielder Matt Diaz as a potential fit for the Yankees. Diaz has regained his health, should be an inexpensive sign and would bring a career batting line against lefties of .324/.364/.498.
  • The Yankees will open the 2013 season with a payroll over $200MM but remain in a situation similar to last year where Cashman had to move expensive contracts before adding anyone new.

MLBTR Originals

By | at

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week, as we check our list to see who's been naughty or nice in the waning hours before St. Nick's arrival:

Blue Jays Notes: Oliver, Gose, Bench, Arencibia

By | at

The Blue Jays have been very busy this offseason swinging a 12-player trade with the Marlins, acquiring R.A. Dickey from the Mets, and signing Melky Cabrera and Maicer Izturis. MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm touched on what these moves mean for the franchise and the other roster decisions that still need to be addressed when he recently opened his inbox.

  • This offseason will determine the legacy of GM Alex Anthopoulos, not based on the timeline of winning but on the amount of money spent. Chisholm writes it's a similar investment to the one former GM J.P. Ricciardi made in 2006 by signing A.J. Burnett, B.J. Ryan and trading for the likes of Troy Glaus and Lyle Overbay. When those big moves didn't pan out, it reflected negatively on Ricciardi and ultimately led to his firing.
  • Darren Oliver is still leaning toward retirement and the Blue Jays aren't expecting to hear a final decision until January.
  • Anthony Gose is set to begin the season at Triple-A Buffalo with Rajai Davis assuming the role of fourth outfielder and late-game pinch-runner.
  • The Blue Jays have one bench opening left to fill. With the versatility of Davis, Izturis, and Emilio Bonifacio, look for that final spot to go to somone invited to Spring Training on a minor league contract.
  • In a separate article, Chisholm writes J.P. Arencibia has solidified his spot in the Toronto lineup for the forseeable future. Anthopoulos made the rare move of reaching out to Arencibia telling him not to concern himself with the trade rumors. "Not only does that make me feel good, but it makes you want to go out and work harder, go the extra mile and go the extra distance for this organization," Arencibia told Chisholm. "If they tell me I need to run through a wall, I'm going to try and run through that wall."

Reactions To The Nick Swisher Signing

By | at

Earlier today, we learned the Indians agreed to sign Nick Swisher to a four-year, $56MM deal, which is the largest free agent contract (in total value) in franchise history, according to ESPN (via Twitter). Here are the reactions to the Indians' big splash into the free agent pool:

  • Yankees GM Brian Cashman had kind words for Swisher, as tweeted by Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, "He was great for us. We’ll miss him, but I’m happy for him. I think Cleveland got a bargain."
  • The Swisher move is stunning but it reflects a willingness on the part of ownership to spend (signing Swisher and Mark Reynolds) and make bold moves (the Shin-Soo Choo trade and the hiring of Terry Francona), writes the Cleveland Plain Dealer's Terry Pluto. 
  • Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) has yet to identify one other team on Swisher's free agent "tour" of prospective suitors.  Heyman adds that it's possible that there were other teams in the hunt, but it's a mystery as to who they could be.
  • Swisher and Jayson Werth have comparable regular season stats, but Werth got $70MM more in part because of his October play and defensive ability, Heyman tweets.
  • The Indians considered all of their free agent pursuits to be longshots, but the fact that Swisher is from Parkersburg, West Virginia and went to Ohio State helped to lure him to Cleveland, Ken Rosenthal tweets.  Manager Terry Francona's pitch also factored in for the veteran.
  • While the Indians’ decision to sign Swisher while entertaining trades for right-hander Justin Masterson, closer Chris Perez, and others seems curious, the club has an explanation, Rosenthal writes.  The Tribe is trying to thread the needle and improve the team both short- and long-term.
  • The Red Sox valued the second round draft pick they would have had to forfeit by signing Swisher more than Swisher himself given the new spending restrictions on draft choices, according to Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal. With that in mind, MacPherson wonders, in a second piece, if the Red Sox erred in not tendering a qualifying offer to Cody Ross. 
  • Swisher's deal is a bit startling in terms of free agent prices and makes B.J. Upton's $15MM/year agreement with Braves look better, opines the Atlanta Journal-Constitution's David O'Brien (Twitter links).  
  • Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer puts the Swisher contract into historical context by listing the Tribe's five best and five worst free agent signings.

Edward Creech contributed to this post.

Orioles, Showalter Close To A Contract Extension

By | at

Orioles manager Buck Showalter met several times this past week with owner Peter Angelos and has established parameters for a multi-year contract extension, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun. Some specifics still need to be worked out, but a deal is expected to be reached in January, a source with knowledge of the situation tells Connolly. Showalter's current contract expires at the end of 2013 season.

"Because of the trust we have in each other, [Angelos] knows I am not going anywhere," said Showalter. "He has expressed interest in doing something and I've expressed interest in staying. And we think that can happen."

Showalter guided the Orioles to a surprising 93-69 record and their first playoff appearance in 15 years last season earning him a second place finish in the AL Manager of the Year voting. Since becoming Baltimore's manager in July 2010, Showalter is 196-185, a .514 winning percentage, which is seventh all-time for modern day Orioles managers.

Rangers Notes: LaRoche, Swisher, Upton

By | at

Earlier today, Rangers assistant General Manager Thad Levine joined Jim Bowden on SiriusXM radio.  Here’s a look at some highlights (all links go to Twitter)..

  • The Rangers were never in on Adam LaRoche or Nick Swisher this winter as they didn’t want to dole out long-term deals or sacrifice a draft pick for either player.  Swisher came to terms with the Indians this morning on a four-year, $56MM deal.
  • The assistant GM said that the club has had great conversations with Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers about Justin Upton.  The Rangers have been in talks with Arizona about Upton for quite some time, but it now appears that the Diamondbacks would prefer to trade Jason Kubel.  Kubel is set to earn $7.5MM in 2013 with a mutual option for the same amount in 2014, while Upton is owed $38.5MM through 2015.
  • Levine says that the Rangers have not discussed Kyle Lohse or Adam LaRoche at this point (Twitter link).
  • The Rangers are looking more to trades than free agency to improve their team at this point, Levine told Bowden (on Twitter).

Cafardo On Smoak, Orioles, Myers, Twins

By | at

A good catcher can take a pitching staff to the next level, and that's why David Ross might be the Red Sox's top addition this year, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.  A catcher like Ross can throw out a runner, block a ball at an opportune time, and get a pitcher straightened out if he’s lost his composure.  In that regard, Ross could give Boston what they missed last season following Jason Varitek's retirement.  Here's more from Cafardo..

  • According to a major league source, the Orioles are said to have some interest in Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak.  Seattle can afford to part with Smoak after acquiring Kendrys Morales from the Angels.  The O's also have been linked to Adam LaRoche, but they are hesitant to give up a draft pick to sign him.
  • While the Twins already have acquired Vance Worley in the Ben Revere deal with the Phillies, and have signed Kevin Correia, Mike Pelfrey, and Rich Harden, they could still explore a signing of Brett Myers.  We last heard of Minnesota's interest in Myers roughly three weeks ago.  The right-hander should also garner interest from the Padres. 
  • Lance Berkman would be a nice fit for the Red Sox if his right knee is okay after two knee surgeries last season. The Sox have been looking for a left handed-hitting first baseman/outfielder and the 36-year-old switch-hitter would fit the bill. 

Quick Hits: Livan, Grilli, Swisher, Hairston, Rangers

By | at

Condolences go out to the family and friends of former Major League utility man Ryan Freel. The 36-year-old was found dead at his home today after taking his own life according to Chad Cushnir of First Coast News and MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Freel spent most of his career with the Reds, though he also suited up for the Blue Jays, Royals, Cubs, and Orioles.

Here's the latest from around the league as Saturday turns into Sunday…

  • Livan Hernandez told MLB.com's Bill Ladson that he plans to play in 2013 (Twitter link). The 37-year-old right-hander posted a 6.42 ERA in 67 1/3 relief innings for the Braves and Brewers last season.
  • Jason Grilli will take over as closer for the Pirates following the Joel Hanrahan trade according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). Heyman notes the right-hander does not have any bonuses based on games finished in his new contract.
  • Nick Swisher is giving "serious consideration" to the four-year, $52MM offer from the Indians according to ESPN's Jim Bowden (on Twitter). The switch-hitting outfielder prefers the Dodgers, Angels, or Yankees though.
  • The Phillies, Braves, Mets, and Yankees are among the teams still in play for Scott Hairston, reports Heyman (on Twitter). Heyman says the Yankees may be at a disadvantage because they already have three starting outfielders.
  • In today's Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney says the Rangers should not overreact and drastically alter their plan after failing to land several top targets this offseason.

Minor Moves: Gordon, Hoey, Quinowski

By | at

Here are the day's minor moves…

  • The Athletics have signed Brian Gordon to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, reports Ken Davidoff of The New York Post (on Twitter). The 34-year-old made two starts with the Yankees in 2011 before heading to Korea, where he pitched in 2012.
  • The Brewers have signed right-hander Jim Hoey to a minor league deal, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (Twitter links). The 29-year-old righty owns a 7.02 ERA in 59 career big league innings with the Orioles and Twins. Hoey was part of the trade that sent J.J. Hardy to Baltimore.
  • The Orioles have purchased the contract of David Quinowski from the independent Lincoln Salt Dogs, reports Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter). The 26-year-old left-hander spend six seasons in the Giants' system before spending last year on the indy circuit.
  • Baseball America's Matt Eddy posted a full recap of last week's minor league moves.

MLB Trade Rumors is not affiliated with Major League Baseball, MLB or MLB.com

hide arrows scroll to top