The Angels avoided arbitration with Jason Vargas, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). The CAA Sports client will earn $8.5MM in 2013.
Archives for January 2013
Indians Interested In Ryan Raburn
SATURDAY: 3:59pm: The Tribe is closing in on a minor league deal with Raburn, according to Jordan Bastian of MLB.com (on Twitter). The deal is likely to be finalized next week.
THURSDAY, 1:12pm: The Indians have some interest in free agent utility player Ryan Raburn, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). CSE represents Raburn, who was released by the Tigers in November.
Raburn 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.
The Indians also have some interest in Ryan Theriot, another right-handed hitting free agent capable of playing multiple positions.
This post was originally published on January 17th and updated on January 19th.
Rays Seek Center Fielder
The Rays are still looking for a center fielder, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark reports (Twitter link). However, there's not much out there at this stage in the offseason. Stark wonders if the Rays could be a landing spot for Michael Bourn, the top free agent position player remaining.
Troy Renck of the Denver Post notes that the Rockies are among the many clubs that like Jeremy Hellickson and wonders if the Rays could have interest in Dexter Fowler (Twitter link). As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, Bourn, Scott Podsednik and Grady Sizemore are the only free agent center fielders still available. Gerardo Parra comes to mind as a trade candidate capable of playing center field.
Desmond Jennings, who played 21 games in center field this past season, would presumably start in center if the Rays don't add another player at that position. If the Rays do acquire a center fielder, Jennings might shift back to left field with Sam Fuld and Brandon Guyer assuming reserve roles. B.J. Upton played center for the Rays for years before signing with Atlanta as a free agent this offseason.
Red Sox, Joel Hanrahan Avoid Arbitration
The Red Sox and Joel Hanrahan avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $7.04MM, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned. Hanrahan, a Reynolds Sports Management client, will earn 15K for completing 45 games, 50 games, 55 games and 60 games.
Acquired from Pittsburgh in a trade last month, Hanrahan had a projected salary of $6.9MM. The 31-year-old had been arbitraiton eligible for the third and final time following a season in which he saved 36 games and posted a 2.72 ERA with 10.1 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 59 2/3 innings. He remains on track to hit free agency next offseason.
Giants, Buster Posey Avoid Arbitration
The Giants and Buster Posey avoided arbitration with a one-year, $8MM contract, Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (Twitter links). CAA represents Posey.
Posey was arbitration eligible for the first time this offseason. His resume includes two World Series titles and the 2012 MVP award, so MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected a $5.9MM salary for him in 2013. Swartz examined Posey's case in detail earlier in the month, explaining how a salary that high is possible for a first time eligible player. Posey, a super two, remains under team control through 2016.
The Giants are expected to discuss an extension with Posey this winter, Schulman reported earlier in the week. Today's agreement won't prevent the sides from having discussions about a long-term deal. Instead, it provides a starting point for future negotiations.
D’Backs, Ian Kennedy Avoid Arbitration
The Diamondbacks avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Ian Kennedy, signing him to a one-year, $4.265MM deal according to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Kennedy is represented by the Boras Corporation. His salary is very strong for a first-time arbitration eligible starting pitcher, falling just $85K short of the record shared by David Price and Dontrelle Willis, while tying Jered Weaver (and matching Matt Swartz's projection for MLBTR spot-on). However, the Reds' Mat Latos is expected to pass all of them.
Kennedy, 28, brought a strong first-time resume to the table, with a 3.76 career ERA and 46 wins across 684 regular season innings. He's under team control through 2015.
Tigers, Rick Porcello Avoid Arbitration
The Tigers avoided arbitration with Rick Porcello, agreeing to a one-year deal, MLBTR has learned. The right-hander will earn $5.1MM in 2013. He is a client of Excel Sports Management.
Porcello, 24, received a $2MM raise for his second time through arbitration, exceeding Matt Swartz's projection. The former first-round pick is under team control through 2016, though given recent rumors, he may spend his remaining arbitration years with another team.
Blue Jays, Thole Agree To Two-Year Deal
The Blue Jays have agreed to a two-year, $2.5MM deal with catcher Josh Thole, announced the team. The 26-year-old backstop had been arbitration eligible for the first of four times, as a Super Two player. The Hendricks Sports client will earn $1.25MM in 2013 and the same in 2014, while the Jays hold a club option for 2015. Thole would be arbitration eligible in 2016 before reaching free agency. With this contract, essentially, Thole agreed to not receive a raise in his second arbitration year in exchange for the team guaranteeing that salary early.
Thole, 26, joined Toronto as part of December's R.A. Dickey trade with the Mets.
Nationals, Stammen Agree To Two-Year Deal
112:37pm: It's a $2.25MM deal, Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post reports (on Twitter).
11:42am: The Nationals agreed to a two-year deal with reliever Craig Stammen, avoiding arbitration. Stammen's agency, Paragon Sports International, announced the deal on Twitter.
The deal buys out two of Stammen's four seasons as an arbitration eligible player. The right-hander had been first time eligible as a super two player this winter. MLBTR had projected a $900K salary for Stammen this winter.
Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury Avoid Arbitration
The Red Sox avoided arbitration with Jacoby Ellsbury, agreeing to a one-year, $9MM contract for 2013, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Scott Boras represents Ellsbury, who is on track to hit free agency following the 2013 season.
