Olney On Hamilton, Brewers, Lohse
2012/10/olney-on-hamilton-brewers-lohse.htmlWhile many outsiders lack detailed information about Hamilton’s off-field issues, the Narron brothers know the outfielder well enough to make a determination about his ability to continue producing. … The Brewers could pursue Josh Hamilton this offseason if the free agent outfielder doesn’t get any offers for four-plus years and more than $100MM, ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes.
Arbitration Eligibles: Cincinnati Reds
2012/10/arbitration-eligibles-cincinnati-reds-2.htmlLatos' agency, Bledsoe Brothers, would be in uncharted waters on an extension, as there are no comparable contracts signed by other pitchers. … First time: Mat Latos ($4.6MM), Mike Leake ($2.9MM), Drew Stubbs ($2.9MM), Chris Heisey ($1.3MM), Logan Ondrusek ($900K), Alfredo Simon ($800K) Second time: Homer Bailey ($5.1MM), Wilson Valdez ($1MM) Third time: Bill Bray ($1.5MM) For Latos to reach our projected salary, he'll have to set a new first-time starting pitcher record.
Jonny Gomes To Be Represented By MVP Sports
2012/10/jonny-gomes-to-be-represented-by-mvp-sports.htmlThe agency, headed by brothers Sam and Seth Levinson, has come under scrutiny following an alleged cover-up Melky Cabrera's web site scandal. … The 32-year-old Gomes had arguably the best season of his career with the A's in 2012, batting .262/.377/.491 with 18 homers in 99 games (333 plate appearances).
Cafardo On Shields, Twins, Wells, Red Sox, Aceves
2012/11/cafardo-on-shields-twins-wells-red-sox-aceves.htmlRed Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia is taking a wait-and-see approach on his agents, the Levinson brothers… The Red Sox would like to re-sign Vicente Padilla, but he is on the radar of a few teams, including…
Red Sox Interested In Torii Hunter
2012/11/red-sox-interested-in-torii-hunter.htmlWe were roommates in Minnesota and he's one of my brothers.” Ortiz, who recently signed a two-year, $26MM contract with the Red Sox, said yesterday that he had been in contact with Hunter about the possibility of signing in Boston. … While the Angels aren’t ruling out a new deal with Hunter, it doesn’t sound as though he’ll re-sign in Anaheim.
MLB Still Investigating ACES Agency
2012/11/aces-agency-cleared-by-mlbpa.htmlMONDAY: The Major League Baseball Players Association's investigation of ACES has cleared the sports agency -- headed by brothers Sam and Seth Levinson -- of any wrongdoing in the Melky Cabrera web site scandal, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports reports. … Other employees were interviewed, as were consultants and even co-conspirators of Nunez.
Sherman’s Latest: Pettitte, Athletics, Mets
2012/11/shermans-latest-yankees-cano-athletics-mets.htmlAndy Pettitte is now represented by Excel Sports after being with the Hendricks Brothers throughout his career. … Jim Murray left Hendricks for Excel and will continue to represent the veteran left-hander.
AL East Links: Orioles, Red Sox, Sizemore, Yankees
2012/11/al-east-links-orioles-red-sox-sizemore-yankees.htmlYankees right-hander Joba Chamberlain has left the Hendricks Brothers and followed agent Jim Murray to Excel Sports Management, reports Joel Sherman of The New York Post (on Twitter). … The Red Sox have interest in Japanese right-hander Kyuji Fujikawa, reports Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe (on Twitter).
Blue Jays Sign Julio Izturis
2012/11/blue-jays-sign-cesar-izturis.htmlSo, to date, only two of the three Izturis brothers are members of the Blue Jays organization (Maicer and Cesar are half-brothers). … Julio is a 23-year-old infielder who last appeared in pro ball with the Giants' Low-A affiliate in 2011.
Olney: Winter Meetings Preview
2012/12/olney-winter-meetings-preview.htmlESPN's Buster Olney, in an Insider-only post, writes past Winter Meetings have been dominated by free agent signings, but some GMs say there is more groundwork laid for possible trades this year than they can remember in the recent past.
Rockies Acquire Wilton Lopez
2012/12/rockies-acquire-wilton-lopez.htmlLopez will be under the Rockies' control through 2015; he joins Rafael Betancourt, Rex Brothers, and Matt Belisle at the back end of Colorado's bullpen. … The Rockies added a late-inning reliever today, acquiring Wilton Lopez and a player to be named later or cash from the Astros for starter Alex White and minor leaguer Alex Gillingham, the teams announced.
Reds Interested In Long-Term Deals For Bailey, Latos
2012/12/reds-interested-in-long-term-deals-for-bailey-latos.htmlA client of the Bledsoe Brothers, he's projected by Swartz to earn $4.6MM as a first-time arbitration-eligible player. … The 26-year-old Bailey enjoyed a breakout season for the NL Central Division champions in 2012, posting career bests in innings (208), ERA (3.68), strikeouts (168) and WHIP (1.24).
Jocketty: Reds Talking Extensions
2013/01/jocketty-reds-talking-extensions.htmlBledsoe Brothers represents Latos. … We'd prefer something long term eventually." Mike Leake, Logan Ondrusek, Alfredo Simon, Shin-Soo Choo and Chris Heisey of the Reds are also arbitration eligible this offseason, as MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker shows.
Arbitration Breakdown: Mat Latos
2013/01/arbitration-breakdown-mat-latos.htmlLatos, a Bledsoe Brothers client, had an excellent platform season last year with a 14-4 record and a 3.48 ERA in 209 1/3 innings. … Mat Latos enters his first year of arbitration eligibility with a chance to break the record for first time eligible starting pitchers on one-year deals.
D’Backs, Tony Sipp Avoid Arbitration
2013/01/dbacks-tony-sipp-avoid-arbitration.htmlSipp is a client of the Bledsoe Brothers. … The Diamondbacks have reached agreement on a one-year, $1.275MM deal with Tony Sipp, the right-hander told Creg Stephenson of GulfLive.com.
Yankees Avoid Arbitration With Joba Chamberlain
2013/01/yankees-avoid-arbitration-with-joba-chamberlain.htmlThe right-hander recently changed representation, following agent Jim Murray to Excel Sports Management after his departure from the Hendricks Brothers firm. … 6:33pm: The Yankees announced that they have avoided arbitration with Joba Chamberlain by agreeing to terms on a one-year, non-guaranteed deal.
Braves Nearing Deal For Justin Upton
2013/01/braves-nearing-deal-for-justin-upton.htmlBoth Upton brothers bat right-handed and would add balance to what had previously been a lefty-heavy lineup. … If the Braves complete a deal for Upton, they'll have a new-look outfield that will also feature B.J.
Braves Acquire Justin Upton
2013/01/braves-to-acquire-justin-upton.htmlGM Frank Wren added balance to what had previously been a lefty-heavy lineup by acquiring the right-handed hitting Upton brothers. … The Braves obtain Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson for third baseman Martin Prado, right-hander Randall Delgado, shortstop prospect Nick Ahmed, right-handed pitching prospect Zeke Spruill and minor league first baseman Brandon Drury.
Frank Wren, Justin Upton Discuss Trade
2013/01/frank-wren-justin-upton-discuss-trade.htmlIntrigued by the possibility of having both Upton brothers in their outfield, the Braves had begun discussing potential trades with the Diamondbacks in November. … It ultimately took months of on-and-off trade talks for the seven-player deal to become a reality.
The Justin Upton Trade: Reaction & Analysis
2013/01/the-justin-upton-trade-reaction-analysis.htmlIn reference to the Trevor Bauer trade, Law writes that "for the second time this offseason, they've [Arizona] made such…… Had the Braves not been able to acquire Upton, they would have looked to re-sign Michael Bourn, USA Today's Bob Nightengale reports (Twitter link).
Cafardo On Mets, Bourn, Abreu, Red Sox, Mahay
2013/01/cafardo-on-mets-bourn-abreu-red-sox-mahay.htmlThe Braves obviously didn't share that view and will now enter 2013 with a remarkably athletic lineup thanks to the Upton brothers. … The Mets, Mariners, and possibly Orioles are waiting for a bargain deal and one AL manager reasoned that if a team can get him on a one-year deal, they might juggle things around to make it happen.
NL East Notes: Braves, Zimmermann, Phillies
2013/02/nl-east-notes-braves-zimmermann-phillies.htmlBraves president John Schuerholz told Mark Bowman of MLB.com that the idea of acquiring both Upton brothers “probably would have been a little too much to hope for” at the outset of the offseason. … Zimmermann says he and the Nationals have made "a little progress" toward a one-year deal, Dan Kolko of MASNsports.com reports (on Twitter).
Reds, Latos Agree To Two-Year Deal
2013/02/reds-latos-agree-to-two-year-deal.htmlLatos is a Bledsoe Brothers client. … 11:21am: The Reds announced that they avoided arbitration with right-hander Mat Latos, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal for the 2013-14 seasons (Twitter link).
Quick Hits: Crane, Upton Brothers, Sandoval
2013/02/quick-hits-crane-braves-sandoval.htmlUpton are already over the initial joyous feelings that come with playing side-by-side with one's brother at the Major League level and focused on spoiling Davey Johnson's swan song, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com.
Why I Chose My Agency: David Wright
2013/03/why-i-chose-my-agency-david-wright.htmlWright recently spoke about his relationship with the Levinson brothers, what intrigued him about the ACES group coming out of high school and why he remained loyal to his agency last fall:On how he first came in contact with representatives from ACES…“I guess just like any other agent, they have guys in the agency that come out and scout some of these tournaments and stuff and try to set up interviews with players to have them, I guess you can’t have an agent before the draft but an advisor, and I remember I just clicked with the guys from ACES and in particular Keith Miller. … Third baseman David Wright signed an eight-year, $138MM extension with the New York Mets last December.