2014 Top 50 Free Agents With Predictions
2013/11/2014-top-50-free-agents-with-predictions-1.htmlHe's averaged more than six wins above replacement per season for the Yankees since 2010, a level of production justifying a yearly salary north of $25MM. … Like Ellsbury, McCann bounced back from a shoulder injury to have a strong 2013, and like Choo, he hasn't been good against left-handed pitching lately.
East Notes: Napoli, Phillies, Marlins, Anthopoulos
2013/11/east-notes-napoli-phillies-stanton-anthopoulos.htmlBeltran could play left field, causing a few lineup shifts that would settle on Daniel Nava as Napoli's replacement at first base. … Mike Napoli is such a good fit for the Red Sox and in Boston that the club needs to re-sign…
Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox
2013/11/offseason-outlook-boston-red-sox.htmlNo talks have yet taken place about another multiyear extension, though the Sox already made the easy call of picking up Lester's 2014 option. … While the free agents, improved team chemistry, and addition of John Farrell as manager unquestionably helped, Boston's worst-to-first title run isn't as much a case of a bad team suddenly becoming great as it was a good team getting back on track after a Murphy's Law season in 2012.
Quick Hits: Astros, Athletics, Dodgers, Wolf
2013/11/quick-hits-astros-athletics-dodgers-wolf.html"Someone looking to win a World Series title next year may not think about the Astros as the first place to go sign," says GM Jeff Luhnow. … Wilson was excellent down the stretch for the Dodgers last season, but they already have a very good closer in Kenley Jansen.
Rockies Rumors: First Basemen, Wilson, Tulo, Cargo
2013/11/rockies-rumors-first-basemen-wilson-tulo-cargo.htmlHe quotes Geivett: "We spent 33 days in first place and (42) more in second place last year. … The Rockies feel that they are close to contention and are focused on adding good players as opposed to subtracting them, writes Ringolsby.
Olney’s Latest: Nolasco, Twins, Joba, Royals, Peralta, Headley
2013/11/olneys-latest-nolasco-twins-joba-royals-peralta-headley.htmlAs one team lawyer pointed out to Olney, MLB has no choice but to scramble to get something in place for next season: "Everybody has said that there needs to be a change [in the rules], and if somebody gets hurt [in 2014] they could sue and claim that Major League Baseball knew there was a problem and didn’t do anything about it." Here are just a few of the highlights from Olney's highly informative piece: Ricky Nolasco already has a three-year offer in hand, and that same team has indicated that it may be willing to extend the offer to four years. … The Twins have made it clear that they're looking to sign two good veteran arms, and in a separate tweet Olney notes that they're being very aggressive on the free agent market.
Cafardo On Bautista, Sandoval, Ellsbury, Wieters
2013/11/cafardo-on-bautista-sandoval-ellsbury-wieters.htmlAccording to O'Connell, the pitcher called and apologized for firing him in the first place. … There's now a "good possibility" that the pitcher will land with the Mets.
Free Agent Profile: Robinson Cano
2013/11/free-agent-profile-robinson-cano.htmlHis fifth-place finish in the AL MVP voting marked his fifth consecutive season receiving votes for the award and fourth straight season of finishing sixth or better. … I mean, I knew he was good, but he made my job so easy, with his performance and leadership." Market Cano's market could be more limited than any other free agent this season due to his contract demands.
Discounted Josh Johnson Is Low Risk, High Reward For Padres
2013/11/discounted-josh-johnson-is-low-risk-high-reward-for-padres.htmlThe Padres have long held a competitive advantage in that San Diego is a desirable place to play baseball, specifically with a large, pitcher-friendly ballpark. … As Passan explains, they've got a surplus of starters with Ian Kennedy, Andrew Cashner, Eric Stults, Tyson Ross, and others, so if Johnson goes bust it won't ruin their chances of having a good rotation.
West Notes: Angels, Rockies, Johnson
2013/11/west-notes-angels-rockies-johnson.htmlWith Josh Johnson in the fold, the Padres have the makings of a good rotation in place, and Matt Calkins of the San Diego Union-Tribune argues that should empower them to be bold for the rest of the offseason. … After the signing of reliever Joe Smith and their recent trade for David Freese and Fernando Salas, the Angels will only have about $8MM more they can spend before hitting the luxury tax threshold, MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez reports.
Breaking Down The Jhonny Peralta Signing
2013/11/breaking-down-the-jhonny-peralta-signing.htmlYet that's exactly what took place over the weekend, with the Cardinals agreeing to a four-year, $53MM contract with the former Tiger and Indian. … If this is the case, it's good news for Nelson Cruz and Bartolo Colon as they look to maximize their free agent paydays.
MLB And MLBPA Release 2013 Report On PED Testing
2013/11/mlb-and-mlbpa-release-2013-report-on-ped-testing.html(Of course, roster spots aren't always all full, and a good number of players cycle through them in a given…… Yesterday, MLB and the MLB Player's Association released the 2013 public report on the Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program (commonly referred to as the JDA).
AL Notes: Fister, Blue Jays, Orioles, Rays
2013/12/al-notes-fister-blue-jays-orioles-rays.htmlHe's just got a lot of things in place that give him a chance to be really good, and it's…… "His stuff is virtually as good as when he was a dominant closer with the Padres (2009-11)," says executive vice president Andrew Friedman.
Scott Feldman On Signing With Astros
2013/12/scott-feldman-on-signing-with-astros.htmlThe Red Sox go from last place to winning the World Series, so anything can happen."… "That's a good question.
Yankees Receiving Significant Interest In Brett Gardner
2013/12/yankees-receiving-significant-interest-in-brett-gardner.htmlMeanwhile, for the Yanks, dealing Gardner is one possible way for the club to address other needs while using internal options in hs place. … The capable center fielder posted a .273/.344/.416 line in 609 plate appearances last year, good for 4.2 rWAR.
Doug Fister’s Hidden Value To The Nationals
2013/12/doug-fisters-hidden-value-to-the-nationals.htmlEven more importantly, perhaps, Fister becomes a replacement arm in the club's long-term plans if either Zimmermann or Strasburg suffer injury or performance decline. … And the club has other relatively young arms -- primarily, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann -- that are plenty good enough to command their own new deals.
Mariners Sign Corey Hart
2013/12/mariners-to-sign-corey-hart.htmlJon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported that the agreement was in place (Twitter link). … In the three seasons prior to his injury, Hart slashed .279/.343/.514 and averaged 29 homers per season, meaning his 2012 campaign was a good representation of his talent level when healthy.
Dombrowski, Chamberlain Discuss Signing
2013/12/dombrowski-chamberlain-discuss-signing.htmlGeneral manager Dave Dombrowski has a new-look bullpen heading into the 2014 season, with Joe Nathan serving as the closer, Ian Krol in place of Drew Smyly (who will move to the rotation in place of the recently traded Doug Fister) and newcomer Joba Chamberlain joining on a one-year, $2.5MM deal. … He's a character, and we had some good times in New York, and I'm looking forward to being back with him and sharing some new memories in Detroit, and definitely getting some more stories from Phil.
Golden Eagles To Post Masahiro Tanaka
2013/12/golden-eagles-to-post-masahiro-tanaka.htmlTeams can place their bids - up to $20MM, of course - starting tomorrow morning (link). … Tanaka being posted also means good news for other free agent pitchers who have been in a holding pattern as clubs have waited for the top domino to drop.
Poll: The Best Transaction Of 2013
2014/01/poll-the-best-transaction-of-2013.htmlRed Sox extend 2B Dustin Pedroia for eight years, $110MM -- The heart of the Sox has been worth at least three wins above replacement in every season he has seen regular action (and even reached that mark in the 75 games he played in 2010). … (Needless to say, feel free to disagree with my choices in the comments.) Extensions White Sox extend LHP Chris Sale for five years, $32.5MM -- Chicago locked up a young ace-caliber pitcher for the same type of contract that has been used to secure other good young arms.
C.J. Nitkowski Q+A
2014/01/cj-nitkowski-qa.htmlThat was not a place you want to be. … A good agent should be on top of it, but I always tell guys, especially when you're in the minor leagues and you're older, there's not a lot of benefit for your agent.
Finding A Three-Year Deal In The New Year
2014/01/finding-a-three-year-deal-in-the-new-year.htmlThe process does have an end in sight, with a January 24th deadline in place. … Enough information came out in the week following that both of us felt good about Steve's ultimate three-year, $39MM prediction.
Doug Melvin On Free Agency, Relievers, Mets
2014/01/doug-melvin-on-free-agency-relievers-mets.htmlThe Mets have discussed Ike Davis in trade talks with the Brewers (as well as the Pirates and Orioles) and…… “We can look at $5-$6MM, but if we think our guys are better or as good at $500K, why would…
Quick Hits: Volquez, Tanaka, D’Backs
2014/01/quick-hits-5.html"So, why not take a chance to come here and maybe get better?" Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers has made no secret of his desire to make a play for Masahiro Tanaka and he has a strategy in place to make it happen, writes MLB.com's Steve GIlbert. … "What I hear about the Pirates pitching coaches and the pitching staff is pretty good," Volquez says.
Masahiro Tanaka Rumors: Thursday
2014/01/tanaka-in-united-states-to-meet-with-teams.html"But I wouldn't predict it, I wouldn't hang our hat on it, because I think the team we have right…… "They've been good through the process," Towers said in reference to Tanaka and Close