Overnight Links: Wright, Astros, Cardinals, Rockies
2011/12/overnight-links-cardinals-street-stewart-vazquez.htmlHere's some overnight quick hits: ESPN's Buster Olney is of the opinion that the Mets should be entertaining offers for David Wright, since he won't be part of the organization by the time they turn things around (Twitter link). … The Cardinals are somewhat comfortable with Tyler Greene as their starting shortstop in 2012, but are also aware of the long list of free agent options writes Derrick Goold of the St.
Week In Review: 12/4/11 – 12/10/11
2011/12/week-in-review-12411-121011.htmlThe Phillies signed Dave Bush, Steven Lerud and David Purcey to minor league contracts. … The contract is similar to the Rays’ commitment to Evan Longoria, but is the first of its kind for a pitcher.
Position Analysis For The 2013 Free Agent Class
2012/01/deep-positions-for-the-2013-free-agent-class.htmlDavid Wright could be a free agent after the 2012 season if he's traded before it ends and chooses to void a 2013 option, or if the Mets simply decline the $16MM option. … But how does next offseason's free agent market look for position players? Catcher This could be the deepest free agent catching class in a long time.
A Closer Look At Unsigned Arbitration Eligible Players
2012/02/a-closer-look-at-unsigned-arbitration-eligible-players.htmlDavid Ortiz, Red Sox ($14.575MM midpoint) - Unlike most of the players on this list, Ortiz will be compared to free agents if he goes to a hearing with the Red Sox. … Alex Gordon, Royals ($4.8MM midpoint) - The Royals explored the possibility of a long-term deal earlier in the offseason and are now nearing a one-year deal.
Examining Garrett Jones’ Arbitration Case
2012/02/examining-garrett-jones-arbitration-case.htmlFrom the current class of arbitration eligible players, Dexter Fowler ($2.35MM), Nyjer Morgan ($2.35MM) and Seth Smith ($2.415MM) qualify and from last year’s class we have Ian Stewart ($2.29MM), Chase Headley ($2.325MM) and David Murphy ($2.4MM). … If your head is spinning over the $250K question, you won’t have to wait long for resolution -- the verdict should arrive tomorrow.
Extension Updates: Garza, Kennedy, Gordon, Hamilton
2012/02/extension-notes-cabrera-gordon-hamilton.htmlThe Cubs will sit down and discuss a deal with Matt Garza, GM Jed Hoyer told David Kaplan of CSNChicago.com. … Texas assistant GM Thad Levine joined Mike Ferrin and Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio and said the Rangers and Josh Hamilton have a different idea of what a long-term deal would mean (via Bowden on Twitter).
Quick Hits: Varitek, D’Backs, Trumbo, Suppan, Braves
2012/03/quick-hits-dbacks-trumbo-suppan-braves.htmlCraig Kimbrel’s salary is the highest ever for a Braves player with less than two years of service time but…… Towers hasn’t talked to the agents for either player yet but suggested that he might feel them out to see if there is interest in a long-term deal.
Offseason In Review: Chicago Cubs
2012/03/offseason-in-review-chicago-cubs-3.htmlDavid DeJesus, RF: two years, $10MM. … The Cubs' new front office took a modest approach toward free agency, instead making several aggressive trades with a eye on the long-term.
New York Notes: Cano, Murphy, Phelps
2012/04/new-york-notes-cano-murphy-phelps.htmlSince David Wright won’t necessarily be in New York long-term, the Mets may want to see Murphy at the hot corner while Wright’s broken finger heals. … To their credit, however, they turned things around before long and won their first World Series seven years later.
Week In Review: 4/8/12 – 4/14/12
2012/04/week-in-review-4812-41412.htmlThe Mets are considering a contract extension of their own, as they hope that David Wright performs well enough to earn himself a new long-term deal. … The Indians extended franchise cornerstone Carlos Santana with a five-year deal that will guarantee the switch-hitting backstop $21MM.
List Of Top Young Pitchers Without Extensions
2012/04/list-of-top-young-pitchers-without-extensions.htmlThe list below includes pitchers who are going year to year through arbitration, and those who are headed for free agency this coming offseason: Eligible For Free Agency After 2012 Zack Greinke -- 28 years old, 3.9 WAR in '11, 7.057 years of MLB service through '11 Edwin Jackson -- 28 years old, 3.8 WAR in '11, 6.070 years of MLB service through '11 Cole Hamels -- 28 years old, 5.0 WAR in '11, 5.143 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Brandon McCarthy -- 28 years old, 4.7 WAR in '11, 5.122 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Anibal Sanchez -- 28 years old, 3.8 WAR in '11, 5.099 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Eligible For Free Agency After 2013 Matt Garza -- 28 years old, 5.0 WAR in '11, 4.149 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Eligible For Free Agency After 2014 Justin Masterson -- 27 years old, 4.9 WAR in '11, 3.108 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Matt Harrison -- 26 years old, 4.2 WAR in '11, 3.083 years of MLB service through '11 Max Scherzer -- 27 years old, 2.8 WAR in '11, 3.079 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Eligible For Free Agency After 2015 Rick Porcello -- 23 years old, 2.7 WAR in '11, 2.170 years of MLB service through '11 David Price -- 26 years old, 4.7 WAR in '11, 2.164 years of MLB service through '11 Jordan Zimmermann -- 25 years old, 3.4 WAR in '11, 2.154 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Ian Kennedy -- 27 years old, 5.0 WAR in '11, 2.124 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Mat Latos -- 24 years old, 3.2 WAR in '11, 2.079 years of MLB service through '11 Doug Fister -- 28 years old, 5.5 WAR in '11, 2.058 years of MLB service through '11 Philip Humber -- 29 years old, 3.5 WAR in '11, 2.000 years of MLB service through '11 Eligible For Free Agency After 2016 Daniel Hudson -- 25 years old, 4.9 WAR in '11, 1.117 years of MLB service through '11 (extension candidate) Ivan Nova -- 25 years old, 2.7 WAR in '11, 1.035 years of MLB service through '11 Brandon Beachy -- 25 years old, 2.8 WAR in '11, 1.014 years of MLB service through '11 Michael Pineda -- 23 years old, 3.4 WAR in '11, 1.000 years of MLB service through '11 Many of the pitchers above will eventually sign extensions that delay their arrival on the open market. … In the past month alone, Matt Cain, Derek Holland, Jon Niese and Madison Bumgarner have signed long-term extensions that will postpone their free agency.
Cubs Notes: Jackson, Valbuena, Stewart
2012/09/cubs-notes-jackson-valbuena-stewart.htmlHe notes that David DeJesus’ $10MM contract and Paul Maholm’s $4.75MM contract were the largest deals the Cubs signed a year ago. … He'll earn $18MM per season through 2014 on a contract that no longer seems as unmovable as it once did.
NL East Notes: Marlins, Kasten, Phillies, Wright
2012/09/nl-east-notes-kasten-phillies-marlins-wright.htmlDavid Wright's slump shouldn't stop the Mets from signing their star to an extension, opines Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog.com, "despite [Wright] having just three good months over the last two years." Cerrone thinks the Mets could sign Wright to a deal in the six-year/$100MM range this offseason or possibly just pick up Wright's $16MM team option for 2013 if they're still concerned about his long-term viability. … "The turning point was Day 1, when [the Lerner family] was committed to a program of scouting and player development -- long-term building, try to build internally, get home-grown players," said Kasten, who's now the Dodgers' team president.
Offseason Outlook: Arizona Diamondbacks
2012/10/offseason-outlook-arizona-diamondbacks-2.htmlGuaranteed Contracts Miguel Montero, C: $60MM through 2017 Justin Upton, OF: $38.5MM through 2015 Trevor Cahill, SP: $25.5MM through 2015 Chris Young, OF: $11MM through 2013 Jason Kubel, OF: $8.5MM through 2013 Aaron Hill, 2B: $5.5MM through 2013 David Hernandez, RP: $3.25MM Trevor Bauer, SP: $2.37MM Willie Bloomquist, UT: $1.9MM through 2013 John McDonald, UT: $1.5MM Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) Matt Albers, RP: $1.7MM (third time eligible) Wil Nieves, C: $800K (third time eligible, non-tender candidate) Brad Ziegler, RP: $2.4MM (second time eligible) Brad Bergesen, RP: $1MM (second time eligible, non-tender candidate) Ian Kennedy, SP: $4.2MM (first time eligible) Chris Johnson, 3B: $2.2MM (first time eligible) Gerardo Parra, OF: $2.1MM (first time eligible) Mike Zagurski, RP: $500K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate) Cody Ransom, UT: $900K (first time eligible, non-tender candidate) Contract Options J.J. … Yet the trade market might offer more variety, especially if Towers looks to acquire a long-term answer.
Offseason Outlook: Texas Rangers
2012/11/offseason-outlook-texas-rangers-2.htmlGuaranteed Contracts Ian Kinsler, 2B: $75MM through 2017 Adrian Beltre, 3B: $51MM through 2015 Yu Darvish, SP: $50.5MM through 2017 Derek Holland, SP: $24.3MM through 2016 Michael Young, UT: $16MM through 2013 Elvis Andrus, SS: $11.3MM through 2014 Nelson Cruz, OF: $10.5MM through 2013 Leonys Martin, OF: $8.75MM through 2015 Joe Nathan, RP: $7.75MM through 2013 Colby Lewis, SP: $2MM through 2013 Arbitration Eligible Players (estimated salaries) Geovany Soto, C: $4.6MM (third time eligible, non-tender candidate) David Murphy, OF: $5.6MM (third time eligible) Matt Harrison, SP: $6.1MM (second time eligible) Neftali Feliz, RP: $3.1MM (first time eligible) Free Agents Josh Hamilton (obtained qualifying offer), Mike Napoli, Scott Feldman, Ryan Dempster, Koji Uehara, Mike Adams, Roy Oswalt, Mark Lowe In the aftermath of a respectable but ultimately disappointing season, the Rangers find themselves on the threshold of a potentially transformative winter. … The Rangers could pursue Hamilton, but they seem to have reservations about making him a long-term offer.
Winter Meetings In Review: National League
2012/12/winter-meetings-in-review-national-league.htmlMets: The Mets finalized their extension with third baseman David Wright, their only major action of the week… Dodgers: The Dodgers were long considered the frontrunners for Zack Greinke but are considering pulling out and moving on to other pursuits.
Rangers, Murphy Have Talked Long-Term Deal
2013/01/rangers-murphy-have-talked-long-term-deal-1.htmlThe Rangers have had discussions with Mike Moye, the agent for David Murphy, assistant general manager Thad Levine tells MLB.com's T.R. … That line of thinking also allows the Rangers to have a better sense of their long-term outfield picture.
NL East Notes: Hudson, Desmond, Halladay
2013/02/nl-east-notes-hudson-desmond-halladay.htmlPhillies ace Roy Halladay doesn’t sound intrigued by the possibility of hitting free agency this coming offseason, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News reports. … As Tim Hudson begins the final year on his contract with the Braves, he's hopeful of staying in Atlanta long-term.
Rangers Will Look To Trade Andrus, Barring Extension
2013/03/rangers-will-look-to-trade-andrus-barring-extension.htmlNelson Cruz, David Murphy and Lance Berkman could all be free agents following the 2013 season so that could create…… The Rangers have twice offered Andrus long-term deals in recent years, Heyman reports
Offseason In Review: Arizona Diamondbacks
2013/04/offseason-in-review-arizona-diamondbacks-2.htmlPutz's $7MM extension is reasonable in price relative to the market, but I'd think David Hernandez could've taken over as closer in 2014 and excelled. … After publicly calling Drew out for durability issues and his desire to take the field last season, the Diamondbacks prioritized finding a long-term solution at shortstop.
Minor Moves: Sean Gallagher, Matt Fox
2013/05/mets-sign-matt-fox.htmlFox is represented by David Sloane of Taurus Sports Associates. … Notable former Major Leaguers such as Ian Snell, Dontrelle Willis, Ramon Castro, and Ben Broussard are currently on the Long Island Ducks' roster, but as we learned yesterday from Danny Knobler of CBS Sports, Carlos Zambrano has not yet signed a contract despite agreeing to terms.
NL East Notes: Nationals, Phillies, Braves, Marlins
2013/10/nl-east-notes-nationals-desmond-phillies-braves-marlins.htmlWhile it may be tempting to attribute a major share of the Phillies' lost season to Roy Halladay's struggles, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News notes that every National League playoff club suffered an approximately similar loss of top-flight pitching. … Desmond, along with Zimmermann, has long been considered an extension candidate.
Offseason Outlook: Texas Rangers
2013/10/offseason-outlook-texas-rangers.htmlPierzynski, David Murphy, Geovany Soto, Colby Lewis The Rangers have had five straight winning seasons and four straight with at least 90 wins, but a mood of unease surrounds the club. … Years ago, the Rangers traded Chris Davis and Justin Smoak to pursue short-term upgrades at other positions, so it's no surprise that they don't now have a clear long-term option at first base.
Offseason Outlook: Washington Nationals
2013/10/offseason-outlook-washington-nationals.htmlOr the club could seek more utility from a player like short-time Nat David DeJesus. … Finally, one or more of the odd men out of the rotation will likely wind up in relief as a long man.
Offseason Outlook: Kansas City Royals
2013/10/offseason-outlook-kansas-city-royals.htmlAnd in Kauffman, he may not provide enough of an offensive upgrade over the late-season David Lough-Justin Maxwell platoon to counteract the defensive downgrade. … No longer the American League Central’s perennial doormat, the Royals remained in the hunt for a wild card spot until the final weeks of the season, a significant step forward for a club that hasn’t been considered a legitimate contender in at least 20 years.