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
East Notes: Braves, Price, Lester, Machado, Cishek
2014/01/east-notes-braves-price-lester-machado-cishek.htmlThat would place Machado ready to contribute on Opening Day, Connolly notes (Twitter links). … Price said that he can't imagine being traded once camp opens, and he thinks making it to February would be a good indicator that he won't be dealt: "Probably Feb.
Rays Sign Grant Balfour
2014/01/rays-to-sign-grant-balfour.htmlOf course, the ACES client had an earlier agreement in place with the Orioles for two years and $15MM, which was blown up when Baltimore found issues with the reliever's physical. … With several other big-name, late-inning relievers on the market, it was clear early on that some good arms would be left unable to max out their earnings.
Free Agent Contract Trends: 2007-08 To Present
2014/01/free-agent-contract-trends-2007-08-to-present.htmlMore importantly, though, the signing period took place in the midst of a massive, global economic downturn. … As it turns out, the ESPN tracker is missing a good number of deals, most of which are of smaller magnitude.
The New Posting System And What It Means For MLB
2014/02/posting-system.htmlA prominent agent familiar with the negotiations that took place told MLBTR that MLB reached this realization in 2013 and drove a hard bargain: either re-work the system or we'll put the kibosh on it altogether. … While the negotiating process with any player is far from an open book, clubs at least found a way to 86 a good chunk of the mystery involved in signing a Japanese player and, possibly, lower the overall bill.
Dodgers Sign Paul Maholm
2014/02/dodgers-sign-paul-maholm.htmlThe framework for an agreement appeared to be in place this morning, when Hernandez reported that the starter had a locker prepared and was present in the Dodgers clubhouse, apparently to take a physical. … In addition, Maholm was good for 153 innings in 2013, while Vargas managed 150 frames.
Nationals Acquire Jose Lobaton For Nate Karns
2014/02/rays-to-acquire-nate-karns-from-nationals.htmlWashington placed Erik Davis on the 60-day DL (right elbow strain) to clear 40-man roster space for Rivero. … Last year, in 311 plate appearances, Lobaton managed a .249/.320/.394 line, good for a league average OPS that plays nicely from the catching position.
NL Notes: Nationals, Burnett, Bastardo, Marshall
2014/02/nl-notes-nationals-burnett-bastardo.html"Our statistical analysis people rank all the catchers in baseball, and he ranks very well in the framing." Rizzo said that he was particularly high on Felipe Rivero, indicating that he felt like he took the place of fellow 22-year-old southpaw Robbie Ray, who was shipped out in the Doug Fister deal. … "We had good reports on him.
Braves Extend Julio Teheran
2014/02/braves-extend-julio-teheran.htmlThat performance was good enough for a fifth-place showing in the National League Rookie of the Year voting, though it should be noted that 2013 featured a particularly impressive crop of rookies. … MONDAY: Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports the contract's year-to-year breakdown (via Twitter): Teheran will receive a $1MM signing bonus and earn $800K in 2014.