Let's take a look at the latest from the AL and NL West:
- Josh Reddick was one notable absence at the Athletics' FanFest today, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Reddick is arbitration eligible and has yet to agree to a deal, but such players still attend team events, according to Slusser. When asked about Reddick's case, GM Billy Beane indicated a lack of concern, commenting, "these things always get done." The outfielder is projected to earn $2.2MM in his first trip through the abritration process by MLBTR's Matt Swartz.
- Padres starter Josh Johnson tells Corey Brock of MLB.com that he's already been able to throw three bullpen sessions since undergoing surgery in October to remove loose bodies in his right elbow. Club management has informed Johnson, however, that he may have a light workload in Spring Training to ensure that he's fully healthy for the start of the season.
- Catcher Yasmani Grandal told attendees at the Padres' FanFest today that he's well ahead of schedule in his rehab from ACL surgery, and aims to start the season opener behind the plate for San Diego. Starting on Opening Day would put him back on the field less than seven months after the surgery, which can require close to a year of recovery time, writes Dennis Lin of U-T San Diego.
- Andrew Cashner was also in attendance at FanFest today and offered his thoughts after attending his own arbitration hearing earlier this week, reports Brock. "I thought it was an interesting process," the starter commented. "All you ever really know is the stuff on the field. It was interesting hearing both sides." Cashner won his case after filing for $2.4MM, just $125K more than the Padres' offer of $2.275MM. The difference was the smallest among all arbitration filings this year.
Im sure that the As will extend Reddick’s contract
I think a longterm extension is the holdup, and it looks now like that wont happen and the A’s decided to give the money instead to Coco Crisp.
well deserved money too…
reddick’s down year last year is holding it up.
Had forgotten about the Padres getting JJ. He is a great guy for them and at least as good as Santanna, or Jimenez. SD only paid 8m for 2014, with a 4m club option for 2015. Teams should have been looking at JJ earlier in the off season, or maybe are comparing what JJ got to what those other 2 are trying to get over paid for now.
Edit:
My mistake. The 4m option for 2015 is only if JJ makes fewer than 7 starts in 2014 due to injury.
It’s a cheap rebate in the case he gets hurt. Good for the Padres, but the deal is good for Johnson because if he’s a major success he can probably get what’s he’s asking for next off-season; the market is pretty light.
Typically, pitchers start their offseason conditioning in December dont they? I sure hope Johnson is full speed come April. I guess the Padres were not real confident in his ability to pitch much in 2014 because they put that clause in his contract that says if he doesnt pitch in just 7 games they get him back for $4 million in 2015.