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Archives for March 2014

Phillies Release Lou Marson

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The Phillies announced their next wave of cuts this morning, and among the casualties was catcher Lou Marson, who was released by the team. Philadelphia optioned/reassigned eight more players to minor league camp, but Marson was the only release or outright.

Marson, a former Top 100 prospect (per Baseball America), returned to the organization that originally drafted him on a minor league deal this offseason. The 2004 fourth-round pick was dealt to the Indians back in 2009's Cliff Lee deal and spent parts of four seasons as the Indians' primary backup catcher. However, a right shoulder injury cost him nearly all of the 2013 season and helped open the door for Yan Gomes to take over as the Tribe's top catching option.

Marson received just three plate appearances in official games with the Phillies this spring. Known more for his defense than his bat, the 27-year-old Marson is a career .219/.309/.299 hitter with five homers in 882 Major League plate appearances.

Quick Hits: Platoons, Taveras, Billingsley, Coffey, Shoppach, Berroa

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Baseball America's Matt Eddy's latest piece is a fascinating look back at the history of platoon usage in Major League Baseball and the increasing role of specialized relievers in Major League bullpens. Last season, more pure left-handed relievers (i.e. lefties who made zero starts) appeared in a season than any year in Major League history. Eddy's piece is rife with tables and charts to provide the breakdown on the numbers behind left-on-left matchups as opposed to right-on-right matchups (not surprisingly, the former leans more heavily in the pitcher's favor) and is well worth the read. Here are some more links from around the league for some late-night Thursday reading…

  • The Cardinals optioned top prospect Oscar Taveras to Triple-A today, putting an early end to a Spring Training that didn't allow him to fully showcase his talents, writes MLB.com's Jen Langosch. Taveras received just six plate appearances in a pair of games after sitting out the first week due to what Langosch calls "hesitancy to fully trust his surgically repaired right ankle." He also left his second and final Spring Training game with a minor hamstring injury.
  • Dodgers right-hander Chad Billingsley is well ahead of schedule in his rehab from Tommy John surgery and could be ready to pitch in the Majors as soon as late April, reports ESPNLosAngeles.com's Mark Saxon. Billingsley will face live hitters next week and begin a minor league rehab assignment on April 3. Billingsley's return further crowds the competition for the team's fifth starter. Josh Beckett or Paul Maholm figures to occupy that role to open the season.
  • Right-hander Todd Coffey has drawn interest from as many as nine to 10 teams and expects to sign right around Opening Day, according to MLB Daily Dish's Chris Cotillo (Twitter links). Coffey is currently throwing 91 to 92 mph in bullpen sessions, he adds. Coffey last pitched in the Majors for the Dodgers in 2012.
  • Cotillo also tweets that free agent catcher Kelly Shoppach is looking to play in 2014 "if the right situation/opportunity presents itself." The 33-year-old isn't close to a deal at this time. He slashed just .199/.288/.339 in 127 PAs between the Mariners and Indians last season.
  • Lastly, Cotillo tweets that former AL Rookie of the Year Angel Berroa, now 34, is seeking a minor league deal to return to affiliated baseball. Berroa spent 2012 playing independent ball and was in the Mexican League last season, where he slashed .293/.362/.462 in 460 trips to the plate.

Mariners Maintaining Dialogue With Kendrys Morales

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While no agreement is close, Mariners general manager Jack Zduriencik tells Jon Heyman of CBS Sports that his team has maintained a dialogue with Kendrys Morales and agent Scott Boras.

While some believe that Mariners ownership isn't happy with Morales and Boras for turning down their $14.1MM qualifying offer earlier in the offseason, Zduriencik says there are no grudges held. "It strictly has to do with where they're at (in negotiations) and where we're at," Zduriencik told Heyman.

Morales has been connected to his former team all offseason, but the most recent report on him prior to tonight's piece from Heyman stated that the Mariners have "little or no" money left to spend on another free agent. Robinson Cano, he of a ten-year, $240MM contract, has gone on record as stating that the he'd like to see his new club sign Morales and Ervin Santana. However, Santana has since agreed to a deal with the Braves. Morales, for the time being, is working out at the Scott Boras Training Institute in Miami as he waits to find a home for the 2014 campaign.

AL East Notes: Sox, Romero, Gausman, Soriano

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ESPN analysts Jim Bowden, Buster Olney and Keith Law ranked all 30 Major League teams according to strength of their Major League roster, quality of the farm system, financial strength, management and mobility of contracts and aggregated the scores to come up with the latest edition of their Future Power Rankings (ESPN Insider required and recommended). The Red Sox currently top the list based on their strong Major League and minor league rosters as well as the fact that they've committed just under $14MM to the 2016 season currently, giving them plenty of long-term flexibility.

Here's more on the AL East…

  • Grantland's Jonah Keri looks at the Red Sox' bright future and writes that the team is essentially playing "moneyball" but doing so while also being able to outspend their opposition. Writes Keri: The Red Sox have begun combining their substantial resources with the obsessive advantage-seeking mind-set of a small-revenue club, and in so doing have set themselves up to vie for championships in 2014 and beyond." Keri examines Boston's innovative approaches in four main areas: health, platoons, shifts and prospects.
  • Entering camp, Ricky Romero didn't seem to be a legitimate candidate for the Blue Jays' rotation, writes MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm. However, Chisolm says that Romero's strong early performance has caught the attention of the club, and he's shown some flashes of the pitcher he used to be prior to his unexpected collapse. At this point, Romero's strong Spring Training has him in the mix for a spot in the rotation. Any form of resurrection for Romero would be excellent news for the Jays, as the left-hander is still guaranteed $15.6MM through 2015.
  • Orioles top prospect Kevin Gausman is hoping to force the team's hand and work his way into the rotation out of Spring Training, but that probably won't happen, writes MLB.com's Britt Ghiroli. Gausman has added 12 to 15 pounds of muscle, cleaned up his delivery and begun wearing glasses while pitching, and the early results have looked good.
  • MLB.com's Bryan Hoch reports that the Yankees are planning to give Alfonso Soriano a look at first base to improve his versatility, but there's been no talk of him seeing any time at second base.

Royals To Sign Brett Tomko

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The Royals and right-hander Brett Tomko have agreed to a minor league contract, according to a tweet from Tomko's brother, Scott. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (via Twitter) that Tomko will earn $510K if he makes the big league club. Tomko is represented by Full Circle Sports Management. Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish tweets that Tomko, who was clocked as high as 93 mph in a bullpen session today, is willing to pitch at Triple-A and did not receive any opt-out clauses in his deal.

Tomko hasn't pitched in the Majors since a brief 17 2/3 inning stint with the Rangers in 2011. The former second-round pick has accumulated 1816 innings at the Major League level, pitching to a 4.65 ERA with 6.0 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 42.1 percent ground-ball rate.

MLBTR's own Zach Links talked with the 40-year-old Tomko earlier in the offseason about his comeback bid. Said Tomko at the time: "I'll keep lacing it up until someone rips the uniform off of my back and says 'You're done.'"

The Royals' rotation is crowded with James Shields, Jeremy Guthrie, Jason Vargas and Bruce Chen as locks with Yordano Ventura, Danny Duffy and Wade Davis as candidates for the fifth slot. The bullpen took a blow recently when Luke Hochevar learned that he needs Tommy John surgery, but Kansas City still has plenty of options with Greg Holland, Aaron Crow, Tim Collins, Kelvin Herrera, Louis Coleman, Donnie Joseph and Chris Dwyer all representing options for manager Ned Yost. Whichever two of Ventura, Duffy and Davis do not make the rotation could be slotted into the bullpen as well.

Minor Moves: Nate Robertson, R.J. Seidel

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Here are today's minor moves of note:

  • The Tigers have brought back lefty Nate Robertson on a minor league deal, reports Jason Beck of MLB.com (via Twitter). Now 36, Robertson spent five years as a mainstay in the Detroit rotation between 2004-08, but has not pitched in the bigs since 2010. Last year, in 50 1/3 Triple-A innings with the Rangers organization, Robertson put up a 3.04 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9. 
  • The Brewers have released righty R.J. Seidel, tweets Chris Cotillo of MLB Daily Dish. The 6'5" Wisconsin native posted a 4.64 ERA in 75 2/3 innings and whiffed more than a batter per inning at the Triple-A level last year. The 26-year-old has spent his entire career in the Brewers organization since being a 16th-round draft pick in 2006. Last season was the first time Seidel's strikeout rate has climbed to that level; he's punched hitters out at a rate of 6.8 per nine in 521 minor league innings.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

Avisail Garcia, Jonathan Villar Change Agencies

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White Sox outfielder Avisail Garcia has changed representation, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes reports (on Twitter). MLBTR has also learned that Astros shortstop Jonathan Villar has switched agencies as well. Garcia, who had been represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council, will now be represented by Octagon. Villar, formerly with Kinzer Management Group, is now represented by MDR Sports Management.

Both 22-year-olds saw their first significant taste of big league action in 2013. Garcia, the key component of Chicago's Jake Peavy trade, slashed .283/.309/.422 with seven homers in 256 plate appearances. Villar, one of the players Houston received from the Phillies in 2010's Hunter Pence trade, received 241 PAs and batted .243/.321/.319. While he showed very little power, Villar showcased his speed by swiping 18 bases in just 58 games.

For additional agency info on roughly 2,000 Major League and Minor League players, check out MLBTR's Agency Database. If you see any omissions or errors within the database, please email us at mlbtrdatabase@gmail.com.

Out Of Options 2014

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The following 40-man roster players have less than five years service time and are out of minor league options.  That means they must clear waivers before being sent to the minors.  I've included players on multiyear deals.  This list was compiled through MLBTR's sources.  For context on each team's situation, please check out my six-part series.

Angels

Ernesto Frieri, Kevin Jepsen, Andrew Romine

Astros

Chris Carter, Lucas Harrell, Raul Valdes

Athletics

Daric Barton, Josh Donaldson, Brandon Moss, Fernando Abad, Jesse Chavez, Chris Gimenez, Michael Taylor

Blue Jays

Brett Cecil, Jeremy Jeffress, Luis Perez, Esmil Rogers, Sergio Santos, Todd Redmond, Moises Sierra

Braves

Cory Gearrin, David Carpenter, Ramiro Pena, Jordan Schafer, Anthony Varvaro

Brewers

Juan Francisco, Jeff Bianchi

Cubs

George Kottaras, Wesley Wright, Justin Ruggiano, James McDonald, Pedro Strop, Welington Castillo, Jeff Samardzija, Luis Valbuena, Travis Wood, Donnie Murphy, Alberto Cabrera

Diamondbacks

Randall Delgado, Matt Tuiasosopo

Dodgers

Scott Elbert, Javy Guerra, Drew Butera

Giants

David Huff, Joaquin Arias, Gregor Blanco, Yusmeiro Petit, Jean Machi, Ehire Adrianza, Tony Abreu

Indians

Carlos Carrasco, Josh Outman

Mariners

Hector Noesi

Marlins

Garrett Jones, Brian Bogusevic, Brad Hand, Jacob Turner

Mets

Eric Young Jr., Ruben Tejada, Carlos Torres

Nationals

Jose Lobaton, Jerry Blevins, Tyler Clippard, Ross Detwiler

Orioles

Edgmer Escalona, Chris Davis, Tommy Hunter, Troy Patton, Nolan Reimold, Chris Tillman, Zach Britton, Kelvin De La Cruz, David Lough, Brian Matusz, Steve Pearce, Francisco Peguero, Josh Stinson

Padres

Cameron Maybin, Eric Stults, Dale Thayer, Yonder Alonso, Rene Rivera, Alex Torres

Phillies

John Mayberry Jr., Kevin Frandsen, Brad Lincoln

Pirates

Chris Stewart, Jeanmar Gomez, Mark Melancon, Travis Snider, Jose Tabata, Bryan Morris, Andy Oliver, Stolmy Pimentel, Pedro Alvarez, Vin Mazzaro

Rangers

Engel Beltre, Pedro Figueroa, Adam Rosales, Michael Kirkman

Rays

Jake McGee, Cesar Ramos, Matt Joyce, Chris Archer, Josh Lueke, Brandon Guyer

Red Sox

Mike Carp, Felix Doubront

Reds

Alfredo Simon

Rockies

Jordan Pacheco, Tyler Chatwood

Royals

Brett Hayes, Jarrod Dyson, Justin Maxwell, Pedro Ciriaco, Francisley Bueno, Carlos Peguero, Danny Valencia

Tigers

Don Kelly, Evan Reed, Jose Iglesias

Twins

Trevor Plouffe, Anthony Swarzak, Scott Diamond, Sam Deduno, Vance Worley, Eduardo Escobar, Alex Presley, Chris Parmelee

White Sox

Conor Gillaspie, Ronald Belisario, Mitchell Boggs, Maikel Cleto, Donnie Veal, Alejandro De Aza, Dayan Viciedo

Yankees

Francisco Cervelli, Ivan Nova

Orioles Among Teams Interested In Nick Franklin

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The Orioles have joined the Rays and Mets as teams discussing a deal with the Mariners for middle infielder Nick Franklin, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Baltimore would be interested in using Franklin at second base, where the team remains somewhat unsettled entering the season.

Franklin is competing (nominally, at least) with Brad Miller at short for Seattle after being displaced at second by Robinson Cano. The 23-year-old had a solid debut last year, posting a .225/.303/.389 line in 412 plate appearances after taking over at the keystone for Dustin Ackley. Franklin is considered a more marginal defender at shortstop than Miller, and has no apparent alternative spot in the Seattle infield, opening the possibility for a deal.

Nationals Manager Matt Williams Has Two-Year Deal

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The deal signed by Matt Williams to manage the Nationals, which was agreed upon back in October, is a two-year pact that includes two club options, reports Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. Details of the contract were previously unreported.

As Kilgore notes, two years is a fairly typical guarantee for a manager without MLB experience, and Williams follows in the footsteps of the Cardinals' Mike Matheny in that regard. On the other hand, other first-time skippers to sign on for the 2014 season — Brad Ausmus of the Tigers, Ryne Sandberg of the Phillies, Rick Renteria of the Cubs, and Bryan Price of the Reds — secured three-year deals. (Of course, we do not know the guaranteed dollars included in all of the deals.)

Coming to Washington after serving as the Diamondbacks' third base coach, Williams will face high expectations at the helm of a club that underperformed in 2013. The 48-year-old was a highly productive big leaguer over 17 seasons, most of which were spent with the Giants and D'Backs.

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