Brewers Sign Alex Gonzalez
The Brewers have officially signed free agent shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a one-year, Major League contract. Gonzalez, a client of agent Eric Goldschmidt, will obtain a $1.5MM guarantee and could earn an additional $1MM in incentives.
Gonzalez played for the Brewers in 2012, but appeared in just 24 games after signing for $4.25MM. The Brewers placed Gonzalez on the disabled list with an ACL tear in early May, and he didn't play again. Before hitting the disabled list, the 35-year-old posted a .259/.326/.457 batting line in 89 plate appearances. In general, Gonzalez has been a low-average, low-OBP hitter with some power and a steady glove throughout his 14-year MLB career.
Gonzalez provides the Brewers with an experienced alternative to Jean Segura. Segura, 22, joined the Brewers in the Zack Greinke trade last summer and hit .264/.321/.331 in 163 late summer plate appearances with Milwaukee.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the deal (all Twitter links).
Extensions That Don’t Extend Team Control
Teams and players have agreed to 19 offseason extensions so far this winter, as MLBTR's Extension Tracker shows. Six of those extensions don't extend the teams' control over the players with options or additional guaranteed years. Here's a closer look (click on team names for MLBTR's post on each extension):
Deals Covering Two Remaining Seasons Of Arbitration Eligibility
Deals Covering First Two Seasons Of Arbitration Eligibility
- Logan Ondrusek, Reds
- Jhoulys Chacin, Rockies
- Cliff Pennington, Diamondbacks
- Craig Stammen, Nationals
- Josh Thole, Blue Jays
This marks a shift compared to a similar point during the 2011-12 offseason, when approximately half of the extensions signed didn’t extend club control. It wouldn’t be prudent to draw too many conclusions from a single offseason, especially when that offseason isn’t yet complete. However, the dropoff struck me as noteworthy.
Teams generally covet club options, and some teams, such as the Rays, have made a habit of obtaining multiple options on most or all extensions. Other clubs have insisted that extensions buy out at least one season of free agent eligibility. In general, extending team control is a prime reason teams look to extend players.
The clubs above are taking on the risk that the players will suffer injuries or perform poorly. Yet deals that don't buy out free agent years and don't include club options can turn out well for the teams. These clubs will benefit if the players meet or exceed expectations on the field and turn out to be bargains relative to what they would have earned going year to year in arbitration.
So far this winter it seems that teams are becoming a little more hesitant to complete multiyear deals that don’t extend club control. The limited upside doesn’t seem to be tempting clubs right now.
Nationals Sign Micah Owings
We'll track the day's minor signings here…
- The Nationals announced that they signed Micah Owings to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training (Twitter link). Though Owings has six years of big league experience as a pitcher, the Nationals listed him as a first baseman, citing his career .283 average and .502 slugging percentage. The 30-year-old Legacy Sports Group client pitched in just six games for the Padres this past season. He underwent season-ending arthroscopic elbow surgery in July and didn't pitch after April. The Padres released him in October.
Pirates Sign Jonathan Sanchez
The Pirates announced that they signed left-hander Jonathan Sanchez to a minor league contract. The McNamara Baseball Group client obtains an invitation to MLB Spring Training.
Sanchez spent the 2012 season with the Rockies and Royals, struggling with both teams. He posted a 8.07 ERA with more walks (53) than strikeouts (45) and a 39.7% ground ball rate in 64 2/3 total innings pitched. He also spent time on the disabled list with biceps tendinitis this past season.
However, the 30-year-old is not so far removed from the 2010 season that saw him post a 3.07 ERA with 205 strikeouts in 193 1/3 innings for the Giants. Limiting walks has always been a problem for Sanchez, who pitched a no-hitter in 2009.
Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the Pirates were nearing a deal with Sanchez.
Reds, Leake Avoid Arbitration
The Reds avoided arbitration with right-hander Mike Leake, Mark Sheldon of MLB.com reports. The sides agreed to a one-year deal worth $3.06MM for 2013.
Leake had asked for $3.5MM with the Reds offering $2.65MM, as MLBTR's Arb Tracker shows. Leake, a Beverly Hills Sports Council client, had been arbitration eligible for the first time this winter. The 25-year-old has two more years of arbitration eligibility and will hit free agency following the 2015 season.
The Reds had a number of noteworthy arbitration cases this offseason, and three of them remain unresolved. Shin-Soo Choo, Homer Bailey and Mat Latos are all still unsigned, as noted on our Arb Tracker. Be sure to check out MLBTR's Arbitration Basics for a primer on the process.
Michael Bourn Rumors: Wednesday
It's no secret that the Mets would like to add Michael Bourn, the top free agent remaining. They dined with him, and their franchise player reached out to express interest. Though it's difficult to pinpoint other suitors for Bourn, the Indians could get involved if his asking price drops "a lot," Buster Olney of ESPN.com reported yesterday. Here are today's Bourn-related rumors with the most recent updates up top…
- Agent Scott Boras is telling the Mets he has attractive offers for Bourn, and the Mets are essentially challenging Boras to prove those proposals exist, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports. The Mets have discussed a three-year deal for Bourn and hinted at a willingness to offer a fourth season, Sherman adds. It’s possible the Mets would match the four-year, $40MM contract Angel Pagan obtained, but only if their 11th overall draft pick becomes protected. Interestingly, the Mets would prefer to wait until they have an agreement with Bourn before challenging the existing draft pick compensation rules, Sherman writes.
- The Mets have discussed a three-year deal with Boras, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports. However, the team isn’t willing to spend anywhere close to $15MM per season on the center fielder. Still, Boras maintains that interest remains strong in Bourn and free agent right-hander Kyle Lohse. “Bourn and Lohse have very viable markets and we’re negotiating with the clubs currently,” he told Rosenthal. The Braves never made Bourn an offer other than their qualifying offer, Rosenthal writes. Atlanta executives didn’t believe him to be worth more than $10-12MM per season for four years. Rosenthal lists the Mariners, Rangers and Cubs as potential suitors for Bourn.
Quick Hits: Johnson, Boras, Givens, Reds, Lowe
The newest member of the Rays organization, Kelly Johnson, spoke with reporters on a conference call earlier today about his signing with Tampa Bay. The veteran second baseman/outfielder said he respected the Rays way of playing baseball under manager Joe Maddon, which made joining the franchise an easy decision. "I wasn't surprised they were interested. I knew if I wanted to go to Tampa I had to be willing to move around. They called and I was happy hear from them."
Here is what's happening around the league…
- Scott Boras denied his involvement with the planting of a rumor about his client Jose Valverde and an imminent deal with the Marlins, reports Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- Mychal Givens will no longer play shortstop in the minors for the Orioles, but rather try his hand at pitching, writes Steve Melewski of MASNSports.com.
- Reds GM Walt Jocketty has yet to hear any updates from Scott Rolen while he remains at a stalemate with his four remaining arbitration-eligible players, says Mark Sheldon of MLB.com.
- Francisco Liriano's deal with the Pirates remains on track to become official, but will not do so until his non-throwing arm heals so the veteran can take a physical, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (via Twitter).
- Derek Lowe will wait to see what other offers come his way after passing on a minor league deal from the Rockies, writes Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter).
Marlins Sign Jon Rauch
9:01pm: Rauch will receive $250K for time spent on the Marlins' roster after 90, 120 and 150 days, says Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
4:57pm: Rauch can earn an additional $750K through roster bonuses, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter).
4:21pm: The sides agreed to a one-year, $1MM deal, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter).
3:45pm: The Marlins signed free agent right-hander Jon Rauch to a one-year deal, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports (on Twitter). The team designated outfielder Bryan Petersen for assignment in a related move.
Rauch appeared in 73 games for the 2012 Mets, posting a 3.59 ERA with 6.6 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and a 36.6% ground ball rate in 57 2/3 innings. The 6'11" 34-year-old earned $3.5MM on a one-year deal with New York. Rauch's average fastball velocity was 90.8 mph last year, up from 89.5 mph in 2011 (via FanGraphs).
The Marlins were linked to free agent right-hander Jose Valverde yesterday, though their interest doesn't appear serious. It's not clear whether today's deal will impact the team's interest level in other relief pitching. Teams seeking right-handed relief could inquire on Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Wilson and Mark Lowe, as MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows.
Petersen appeared in 84 games for the Marlins last year, playing all three outfield positions. The 26-year-old posted a .195/.272/.257 batting line in 273 plate appearances.
AL West Notes: Bud Norris, Jon Daniels, Rangers
Astros GM Jeff Luhnow remains confident the organization has taken the right steps to field a competitive team in the near future even with payroll that may fall short of $25MM, writes Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "I think people are focusing on what the Major League payroll is, and I think the reality is we're making a huge investment in our people," Luhnow said. "We're not going to do something to improve a few games in 2013 that comes at the expense of our ability to compete over the long haul."
Let's take a look around the AL West to catch up on the latest news and headlines.
- The Astros may move another key player before the start of Spring Training as Bud Norris has been drawing attention and is available for the right package, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. The 27-year-old right-hander is set to earn $3MM during the 2013 season, making him the highest paid player on the Astros roster.
- Rangers GM Jon Daniels spoke with reporters for 40 minutes on Tuesday as he addressed the burning question of whether he did enough this offseason to keep Texas competitive in 2013, writes Anthony Andro of FOXSportsSouthwest.com. "What I'm excited about with this club is all the things we've talked about for years, we like the core of this team, recommitting ourselves to pitching, to the athletes, to giving our young guys a chance, to finding the right guys to fit the club, to finding the right veteran presence."
- Jurickson Profar and Mike Olt will be given every opportunity to make the big league club out of Spring Training for the Rangers, but look for Leury Garcia to compete for a spot as well, says Gerry Fraley of The Dallas Morning News. Garcia, 21, has spent the majority of his career as a middle infielder but recently gained experience playing outfield in the Dominican Republic Winter League.
Cubs Outright Lendy Castillo To Triple-A
The Cubs outrighted reliever Lendy Castillo to Triple-A after designating the right-hander for assignment late last month, reports Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (via Twitter). Castillo, 23, was selected by the Cubs from the Phillies in the 2011 Rule 5 Draft.
The 2012 season marked Castillo's Major League debut as he made 13 appearances for Chicago over the course of the year. Castillo posted a 7.88 ERA with 7.3 K/9 and 6.8 BB/9 after putting up promising numbers at the minor league level.