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Archives for January 2013

Michael Bourn Rumors: Thursday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 24, 2013 at 1:22pm CDT

Suitors are starting to show up for Michael Bourn, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports. The Mets, it appears, are one of them. They’re interested in Bourn, but they remain hesitant to meet his asking price and don’t want to surrender the 11th overall selection in the 2013 draft to complete a deal. Here are the latest Bourn-related rumors as the market for the center fielder picks up…

  • The Rangers aren't involved at all in the Bourn talks, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports (on Twitter). This leaves the Mets and Mariners as favorites for Bourn, Nightengale writes.

Earlier updates

  • Heyman suggests it’ll take a five-year deal worth $15MM or so per season to sign Bourn, a Scott Boras client. B.J. Upton obtained a five-year, $75.2MM contract that could be a comparable for Bourn’s next deal.
  • Bourn is an “outside possibility” for the Orioles, Heyman reports. The Cubs are thought to like Bourn “very much” and have some level of interest.
  • Heyman writes that at least one prominent Dodgers player contacted Bourn encouraging him to sign in Los Angeles. Braves players made similar calls, as did Atlanta manager Fredi Gonzalez. However, the Braves don’t need an outfielder now that they’ve traded for Justin Upton.
  • The Rangers seem like the best fit for Bourn assuming the Tigers don’t get involved, ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick writes (on Twitter). However, it’s not certain how often the Rangers have been talking to Bourn, Heyman writes. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan reported today that the Rangers don't expect to sign either Bourn or Kyle Lohse. The Rangers have been in talks with Boras, however.
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Atlanta Braves Baltimore Orioles Chicago Cubs Los Angeles Dodgers New York Mets Seattle Mariners Texas Rangers Kyle Lohse Michael Bourn

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Mets Like Michael Bourn; Working To Keep Top Pick

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 24, 2013 at 12:15pm CDT

12:15pm: The MLBPA would support the Mets if they asked MLB for an exception, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). The Mets could argue that they 'earned' a top ten pick by finishing with one of the bottom ten records in MLB, and that they should only give up a second round pick for signing a free agent such as Bourn.

11:29am: The Mets have sincere intrerest in Bourn, Rosenthal reports (on Twitter). If they were to sign him, the deal would likely be backloaded.

10:46am: The Mets like Michael Bourn, but their interest in the free agent outfielder has been limited by draft pick compensation rules, according to John Harper of the New York Daily News (all Twitter links). Any team that signs Bourn will have to surrender a draft pick, since the Scott Boras client declined the Braves’ qualifying offer earlier in the offseason.

The Mets would have to surrender their first round draft pick to sign Bourn, and they prefer to keep the 11th overall selection. This prompted Mets people to seek a ruling from MLB that would allow them to keep their top pick and surrender a second round choice instead, Harper reports. Though there doesn't appear to be a final ruling yet, so far it seems unlikely that the Mets would be granted an exception. Even if MLB does allow a change in this instance, Bourn's price would have to fall for the Mets to complete a deal, Harper writes.

The Mets have “kicked around” the idea of signing Bourn, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms (links go to Twitter). However, one person familiar with the Mets doubts the team will meet Boras’ asking price. Rosenthal notes that the MLBPA could challenge on Bourn’s behalf to obtain an exception and ensure the Mets’ interest isn’t limited by the possibility of surrendering a top pick.

Ideally the Mets would “love” to add Bourn and one or two relievers to round out the team, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports (on Twitter). The club is more likely to spend for one high ceiling reliever than two mediocre ones, according to Puma.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reported yesterday that it's too early to rule the Mets out on Bourn. GM Sandy Alderson told Andy McCullough of the Star Ledger earlier this month that he had strong reservations about surrendering his top draft choice.

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New York Mets Michael Bourn

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Braves Acquire Justin Upton

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 24, 2013 at 12:04pm CDT

After years of trade talk, the Justin Upton rumors finally amounted to a deal. The Braves and Diamondbacks have officially agreed to a seven-player trade that will send Upton to Atlanta. The Braves obtain Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson for third baseman Martin Prado, right-hander Randall Delgado, shortstop prospect Nick Ahmed, right-handed pitching prospect Zeke Spruill and minor league first baseman Brandon Drury.

Justin Upton - Diamondbacks (PW)

The Braves now have a new-look outfield that will also feature B.J. Upton and Jason Heyward. Justin's older brother signed with Atlanta as a free agent earlier in the offseason, agreeing to a five-year, $75.2MM contract. GM Frank Wren added balance to what had previously been a lefty-heavy lineup by acquiring the right-handed hitting Upton brothers.

Upton, the first overall selection of the 2005 draft, followed up a breakout 2011 season with a solid but unspectacular 2012 campaign. The 25-year-old hit 17 home runs and posted a .280/.355/.430 batting line in 628 plate appearances last year, his sixth season at the MLB level.

There are now three years and $38.5MM remaining on Upton's contract, including a $9.75MM salary in 2013. The contract includes a no-trade list which allows him to block trades to the Red Sox, Cubs, Blue Jays and Mariners. He exercised his no-trade rights earlier in the winter, blocking a proposed trade that would have sent him to Seattle.

Prado has provided the Braves with versatility on defense and steady offensive production in recent years. He posted a .301/.359/.438 batting line in 690 plate appearances in 2012 while playing five positions. Though Prado was Atlanta's primary left fielder, he played at least ten games at second base, shortstop and third base.

The 29-year-old is arbitration eligible for the third time this winter. He asked for $7.05MM with the Braves, a file and trial team, offering $6.65MM, as MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows. The Braves were willing to trade Prado once they learned that his asking price on a multiyear deal was $11-12MM, David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports (on Twitter). Prado, a client of The Legacy Agency, remains on track to hit free agency following the 2013 season.

Johnson hit a career-best 15 home runs last year while playing for the Astros and Diamondbacks. The 28-year-old posted a .281/.326/.451 batting line in 528 plate appearances in 2012. He'll earn $2.875MM in 2013 and will remain under team control as an arbitration eligible player through 2016.

As a consequence of the trade, Johnson and Juan Francisco project as Atlanta's primary third basemen. The Braves plan to use the pair in a platoon at third, O'Brien reports (on Twitter). The trade will also take Atlanta out of the running for center fielder Michael Bourn and other free agent outfielders.

Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks still have considerable outfield depth. Cody Ross, Jason Kubel, Gerardo Parra and Adam Eaton provide Arizona manager Kirk Gibson with various options, even without Upton, who had been the team's primary right fielder since 2008. Prado figures to play at third base in Arizona given the team's crowded outfield and the departure of Johnson.

Teams such as the Orioles that had interest in trading for Kubel will now have to look elsewhere for offense. Though Arizona GM Kevin Towers was willing to listen to offers on Upton and Kubel, there's no indication he'd actually trade both players.

Upton drew interest from multiple MLB teams this offseason, as the Diamondbacks were evidently listening to trade offers. The Rangers, one of Upton's many suitors, offered Mike Olt in a trade, but did not include right-hander Cody Buckel in their proposal, Yahoo's Jeff Passan reports (on Twitter).

Delgado started 17 games for the Braves in 2012 after entering the season as the 46th ranked prospect in MLB, according to Baseball America. The 22-year-old posted a 4.37 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 92 2/3 innings.

Ahmed, 22, played at Class A this past season in his second year as a professional. The 2011 second rounder posted a .269/.337/.391 batting line in 571 plate appearances. Baseball America named him the best defensive infielder in Atlanta's minor league system.

Spruill ranked ninth on BA's list of top Braves prospects this winter. The 23-year-old spent the 2012 season at Double-A Mississippi, posting a 3.67 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 161 2/3 innings.

Drury played at Class A in 2012. The 20-year-old posted a .229/.270/.333 batting line in 480 plate appearances in his third professional season.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the teams were nearing an agreement, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first reported the teams had agreed to a trade (on Twitter) and Mark Bowman of MLB.com first reported the specifics of the deal.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves Texas Rangers Transactions Chris Johnson Julio Teheran Justin Upton Martin Prado Mike Olt Randall Delgado

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D’Backs To Pursue Rick Porcello

By Zachary Links | January 24, 2013 at 11:33am CDT

The Diamondbacks will now try to package shortstop Nick Ahmed and a pitching prospect in a trade for the Tigers' Rick Porcello, a National League official told Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).  Arizona acquired Ahmed in this morning's Justin Upton trade with the Braves.

Arizona has been known to have interest in the Tigers right-hander but prior to this trade it was reported that they were unlikely to land him.  Detroit was seeking a shortstop in a deal for Porcello, so Ahmed could be the piece that facilitates a deal.  The 24-year-old posted a 4.59 ERA with 5.5 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 53.2% ground ball rate in 176 1/3 innings this past season.

The 22-year-old Ahmed played at Class A this past season and posted a .269/.337/.391 batting line in 571 plate appearances.  Baseball America named him the best defensive infielder in Atlanta's minor league system.  Ahmed was the Braves' second-round pick in the 2011 draft.

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Arizona Diamondbacks Detroit Tigers Rick Porcello

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Red Sox, Craig Breslow Agree To Deal

By Zachary Links | January 24, 2013 at 11:14am CDT

January 24th: The Red Sox announced the deal, which includes a club option for 2015.

January 19th: The Red Sox have reached agreement with Craig Breslow on a two-year deal to avoid arbitration, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter).  The Baratta Partners client will earn a guaranteed $6.25MM and could make up to $10.15MM over the course of the contract.  The deal is pending a physical.

Boston acquired the left-handed reliever from the Diamondbacks last summer for Matt Albers and Scott Podsednik.  In 63 relief outings for Arizona and Boston last year, Breslow posted a 2.70 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.  For his career, Breslow owns a 3.00 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9.  

As the MLBTR Arbitration Tracker shows, the Red Sox have now signed all of their arbitration eligible players.

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Boston Red Sox Transactions Craig Breslow

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BayStars Sign Nyjer Morgan

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 24, 2013 at 7:58am CDT

Nyjer Morgan has signed with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars, according to the Associated Press (via ESPN.com). Morgan, a Turner Gary Sports client, will earn $1.6MM to play for the BayStars in Japan's Central League.

Morgan played for the Brewers in 2012, posting a .239/.302/.308 batting line in 322 plate appearances. The 32-year-old played all three outfield positions and stole 12 bases in 17 attempts. His best season at the big league level might have been 2011, when he hit .304/.357/.421 for a Brewers team that won the NL Central.

Morgan elected free agency in early November, after being outrighted off of Milwaukee's 40-man roster. If he drew interest from MLB teams it wasn't chronicled on the pages of MLBTR.

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Transactions Nyjer Morgan

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Mariners Notes: Hernandez, Saunders, Montero

By Zachary Links | January 23, 2013 at 11:30pm CDT

Mariners General Manager Jack Zduriencik won't get into details about contract negotiations with Felix Hernandez but he told reporters today that he has "every intention of keeping Felix [in Seattle] for the long-term", tweets Greg Johns of MLB.com.  Here's more on the M's..

  • Jack Z also said that the door is "wide open" for a young pitcher to make the starting five, but the GM would prefer to add a veteran, according to Larry Stone of the Seattle Times (on Twitter).
  • That veteran just might be Joe Saunders, who has the interest of the Mariners as well as the Orioles.  It's not clear who the other teams with interest in the left-hander, tweets Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.  
  • The Mariners will also look to add another catcher or two prior to Spring Training in support of Jesus Montero, Johns tweets.  
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Baltimore Orioles Seattle Mariners Felix Hernandez Joe Saunders

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Marlins Sign Kevin Slowey, Mitch Talbot

By Daniel Seco 2 | January 23, 2013 at 8:14pm CDT

We'll track the day's minor moves right here…

  • The Marlins signed Kevin Slowey to a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, writes Clark Spencer of The Miami Herald. The 28-year-old right-hander was limited to eight minor league starts in 2012 thanks to a stress fracture in his rib cage. Slowey enjoyed success prior to his injury as a member of the Twins' rotation from 2008-2010. Over the course of his five season tenure with the team, Slowey posted a 4.66 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9.
  • Miami also struck a deal with Mitch Talbot, who received a minor league contract with an invitation to Major League Spring Training, says Spencer. Talbot, 29, returns stateside after spending the 2012 season pitching for the Samsung Lions where he posted a 3.97 ERA over 138 innings. The right-hander last pitched in the big leagues in 2011 where he struggled with his H/9 (12.7) along with giving up home runs in limited innings. 
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Miami Marlins Transactions Kevin Slowey Mitch Talbot

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NL Central Notes: Ryan Braun, Chris Carpenter, Chat

By Daniel Seco 2 | January 23, 2013 at 6:15pm CDT

Here's the latest news and headlines out of the NL Central…

  • Brewers star outfielder Ryan Braun remains happy with his decision to commit his long-term future to Milwaukee after signing an extension nearly two years ago, writes Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "I wouldn't change a thing," said Braun. "I love it in Milwaukee. It's amazing. I think the more time I've spent there, the more I realize how great a situation it really is."
  • Cardinals right-hander Chris Carpenter enters the 2013 season uncertain of whether this year will mark his final turn as a Major League baseball player, says B.J. Rains of FoxSportsMidwest.com. "If I'm healthy and I feel good at the end of the season and I am fortunate enough to have the opportunity to have a job, I'll sit down and talk to my wife and kids and see what they want to do."
  • MLBTR’s Ben Nicholson-Smith and Jason Martinez of MLB Depth Charts discussed the Delmon Young signing, the latest rumors and potential surprise teams on this week’s edition of the Rosters & Rumblings podcast earlier this evening. You can listen in here.
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Milwaukee Brewers St. Louis Cardinals Chris Carpenter Ryan Braun

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Quick Hits: Rockies, Yankees, Wells

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 23, 2013 at 4:32pm CDT

The latest links from around MLB, as the Justin Upton rumors pick up…

  • Though the Rockies continue looking for starting pitching, they aren’t close to signing Carl Pavano or Derek Lowe, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports. Renck reported earlier this week that the Rockies were pursuing the free agent right-handers aggressively.
  • The Rockies would love to sign free agent catcher Yorvit Torrealba to a minor league deal, Renck reports. The veteran backstop played for the Rangers, Brewers and Blue Jays in 2012.
  • The Yankees discussed Delmon Young internally, but didn’t have great reports on his performance, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The Phillies signed Young to a one-year contract yesterday.
  • Vernon Wells could spend much of the coming season on the Angels’ bench, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports. Wells is unlikely to be traded, yet he doesn’t project as a regular. Though the Angels explored deals involving Wells, owner Arte Moreno was never willing to absorb a substantial part of the $42MM remaining on Wells’ contract to complete a trade. Naturally other teams weren’t interested in paying Wells $21MM per season through 2014.
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Colorado Rockies Los Angeles Angels New York Yankees Carl Pavano Delmon Young Derek Lowe Vernon Wells Yorvit Torrealba

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