East Notes: Rays, Scott, Mets, Yankees, Soriano
Here's a look at some items out of the AL and NL East..
- The field of available DH options for the Rays has thinned out somewhat, but there are still a good number of options including Luke Scott and Delmon Young, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Other free agent sluggers that Tampa Bay might consider include Dan Johnson, Aubrey Huff, Jim Thome, and Carlos Lee.
- The Mets’ plan is to emulate the Giants by playing sound baseball in a large ballpark and developing strong pitching to carry them through, writes Kevin Kernan of the New York Post. Sandy Alderson & Co. see it as the more cost-effective plan towards winning as home run hitters tend to cost big bucks.
- The Yankees knew that they would be parting ways with Rafael Soriano this winter and GM Brian Cashman told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post that he wasn't exactly sweating things out before the closer signed with the Nationals. Agent Scott Boras still has to find homes for Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse, Francisco Rodriguez, and Jose Valverde, but says that he's not afraid to wait for the right deal.
Cafardo On Red Sox, A’s, Mariners, Stanton, Bourn
Part of the Red Sox's internal evaluation has been trying to figure out why they haven't done better on trades, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. “It’s fair to say we have examined that,” said General Manager Ben Cherington. “I think it’s part of a bigger examination of our evaluation and decision-making process. As with most examinations, adjustments will likely be subtle but real and likely implemented over time.” Boston has explored many trades this offseason, including one with the Marlins that would have netted them Jose Reyes and Josh Johnson. Of course, another AL East team beat them to the punch. Here's more from today's column..
- The A's Brandon Moss would have been a perfect fit as the left-handed complement to Jonny Gomes in left field and Mike Napoli at first base, but GM Billy Beane gave a resounding “no” when asked whether he would move Moss. The first baseman/outfielder has come a long way from his journeyman status prior to last year.
- Speaking of the A's, their acquisition of John Jaso eliminates them as a possible destination for the Red Sox's Jarrod Saltalamacchia, but that doesn’t eliminate the possibility that Salty is dealt somewhere, either before or during spring training. There are still teams with catching needs, including the Mariners who would like some extra support for Jesus Montero.
- There continues to be rumblings that the Marlins will deal Giancarlo Stanton if the price is right and some wonder whether the Rays have the assets to make it happen. The Rays have lots of pitching prospects heading toward the majors plus highly-regarded outfielder Wil Myers.
- The Mets are not out of the picture on Michael Bourn if the price and length of commitment come down. Cafardo wonders aloud if the Blue Jays could be a long shot if they trade Colby Rasmus.
Quick Hits: Wilson, Giants, Upton, Hill, Red Sox
Condolences go out to the family and friends of Hall of Famer Stan Musial, who passed away this afternoon according to the Cardinals. He was 92. Stan the Man was a .331/.417/.559 career hitter who slugged 475 homers and was thrice named league MVP during his 22 seasons with St. Louis.
Here's the latest from around the league as Saturday turns into Sunday…
- “I’m going to be brutally honest as I always am, I don’t [think Brian Wilson will return],” said Giants GM Brian Sabean to Anthony Sulla-Heffinger of The New York Post. Sabean acknowledged talking to Wilson's agent about a low-base salary, incentive-laden contract prior to non-tendering him.
- Some teams interested in acquiring Justin Upton have been struggling to get a response from the Diamondbacks according to ESPN's Buster Olney (on Twitter). There's plenty of interest, but offers haven't been easy to make.
- Rich Hill told reporters (including Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal and Scott Lauber of The Boston Herald) that he is confident he'll find a big league contract on the open market (Twitter links). The lefty reliever has not talked about returning to the Red Sox on a minor league deal.
- Larry Stone of The Seattle Times took an updated look at the Mariners' payroll, which currently sits just north of $78MM according to his calculations.
Rockies Sign Miguel Batista
The Rockies have signed Miguel Batista to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes (on Twitter). The Martin Arburua client will compete for a middle relief spot according to Troy Renck of The Denver Post (on Twitter).
Batista, 41, posted a 4.61 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 5.6 BB/9 in 52 2/3 innings for the Mets and Braves last season. He managed a 3.66 ERA in 142 2/3 innings from 2010-2011 and has served primarily as a swingman since 2008. Batista pitched for 11 different teams during his 18-year big league career.
Wainwright Will Not Set Deadline For Extension Talks
Two years ago the Cardinals faced a Spring Training deadline during extension talks with Albert Pujols, but they won't face a similar deadline with their latest impending star free agent. Both GM John Mozeliak and Adam Wainwright confirmed a hard deadline will not be set for contract talks, report Joe Strauss of St. Louis Post-Dispatch and MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch (Twitter links).
Wainwright, 31, told B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com (Twitter links) that the two sides engaged in contract talks last season and he was comfortable with the figures being discussed, saying he "liked where it was headed." The veteran right-hander pitched to a 3.94 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 198 2/3 innings last season after missing all of 2011 due to Tommy John surgery.
Wainwright will earn $12MM next season and is scheduled to become a free agent after the season. He is represented by Aegis Sports Management. The four-year, $68MM extension Josh Beckett signed with the Red Sox early in the 2010 season could serve as a reference point in talks.
Indians To Sign Ryan Raburn
The Indians have signed Ryan Raburn to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reported the CSE client was close to a deal with Cleveland earlier today.
Raburn, 31, projected to earn $2.1MM through the arbitration process. However, after a season that saw him post a .171/.226/.254 batting line in 222 plate appearances, that salary seemed excessive to the Tigers. Raburn averaged 15 home runs per season from 2009-11 and owns a career batting line of .256/.311/.430. He played second base and both corner outfield positions in 2012. The Braves and Marlins had interest in Raburn earlier in the offseason.
Orioles Notes: Wieters, Saunders, Johnson, Hardy
This morning, legendary Orioles manager Earl Weaver passed away at the age of 82. O's managing partner Peter Angelos released a statement reading, "Earl Weaver stands alone as the greatest manager in the history of the Orioles organization and one of the greatest in the history of baseball. This is a sad day for everyone who knew him and for all Orioles fans. Earl made his passion for the Orioles known both on and off the field. On behalf of the Orioles, I extend my condolences to his wife, Marianna, and to his family." Here's more out of Baltimore as we fondly remember the Hall of Famer..
- Orioles Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette believes that the club will discuss a long-term deal with catcher Matt Wieters at some point, writes Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com. The club avoided arbitration with Wieters yesterday by agreeing to a one-year, $5.5MM deal.
- Duquette expects Joe Saunders to make a decision this week but doesn't have a read on which way he might be leaning, tweets Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com. The O's would like to have the pitcher back but other teams are interested, including the Twins.
- Closer Jim Johnson is heading to arbitration with the Orioles but he says that he isn't concerned as he has faith in the club and his representatives at Moye Sports Associates, Melewski tweets. Johnson filed for $7.1MM while the O's countered with $5.7MM.
- As we've heard before, shortstop J.J. Hardy isn't going anywhere, Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com tweets. Hardy definitely has trade interest though and the Tigers are said to be fans of his.
Cubs Notes: Villanueva, Marmol, Barney, Draft
Earlier today, Cubs General Manager Jed Hoyer, manager Dale Sveum, and president of baseball operations Theo Epstein all spoke with the Chicago media. Here's a look at some highlights with all links going to Twitter..
- Sveum told reporters, including Carrie Muskat of MLB.com, that the club expects to finalize a deal with Carlos Villanueva today. The hang up, he said, was over clearing a roster spot for the right-hander.
- However, Bruce Miles of ESPNChicago.com hears that the deal won't be inked today.
- The deal that would have sent Dan Haren to the Cubs for Carlos Marmol was never a completed deal and Hoyer doesn't understand why the word "botched" was used to describe it, Miles tweets. The trade, which was discussed before the Angels' deadline to exercise Haren's option, was initally reported to be agreed upon but was never finalized.
- Hoyer said that second baseman Darwin Barney is a part of their long term plans "for sure", tweets Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. The Tigers inquired on the youngster last summer.
- Epstein said that if the club sees a can't miss position player available at the No. 2 spot in the draft, they may go that route and stockpile pitching later, tweets Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
Mets Avoid Arbitration With Ike Davis
We'll keep track of today's arbitration settlements under $4MM right here..
Jorge Posada Does Not Plan To Attempt Comeback
Andy Pettitte surprised many when he came out of retirement to rejoin the Yankees last spring, but his long-time battery-mate does not plan to do the same. Jorge Posada told the AP (via The New York Post) that he will not attempt a comeback.
“No comeback for me,” said Posada. “I’m good with what I’m doing and I was happy with the decision I made last year around this time. I’m enjoying the family … I miss certain things about the game. You’re always going to miss certain things. I, obviously, miss my teammates the most.”
Posada, 41, announced his retirement last January and will be in camp with the Yankees as a guest instructor this spring. He hit .235/.315/.398 in 387 plate appearances during his final season in 2011 and is a career .273/.374/.474 hitter. The Yankees still lack a DH and could also use an upgrade behind the plate.