Free Agent Profile: Omar Infante
2013/09/free-agent-profile-omar-infante.htmlTwo years ago, Infante inked a two-year, $8MM extension with the Marlins in the final days of the 2011 season. … The Yankees could be a fit for Infante if Cano signs elsewhere, while the Cubs, Orioles, Dodgers, and Royals could make sense as well.
Offseason Outlook: Seattle Mariners
2013/10/offseason-outlook-seattle-mariners.htmlGM Jack Zduriencik, who quietly signed a one-year extension that wasn't reported until much later in the season, will likely focus his offseason evaluations on which of his young players have earned a spot on the 2014 Opening Day roster. … Taijuan Walker and James Paxton showed signs that they may be able to give the club a boost in 2014.
Qualifying Offers To Be Worth $14.1MM This Offseason
2013/10/qualifying-offers-to-be-worth-141mm-this-offseason.htmlJacoby Ellsbury, Shin-Soo Choo, Brian McCann and Hunter Pence were the next five on the list, although Pence can obviously be removed from the equation, as he signed a five-year extension with the Giants shortly after the poll was conducted. … A team that signs a free agent after he has rejected a qualifying offer simply loses its first- or second-round pick.
Orioles Notes: Machado, Davis, Wieters, Reimold
2013/10/orioles-notes-machado-payroll-davis-wieters.htmlWith some of the most interesting and attractive trade and extension candidates in the game, and coming off of a season in which major, mid-season, veteran acquisitions failed to deliver a post-season appearance, the Orioles' off-season could be busy and creative or relatively quiet. … A big-name free agent probably isn't in the offing, Dubroff says, particularly if Duquette signs up Davis or Wieters to long-term pacts.
Free Agent Profile: Carlos Beltran
2013/10/free-agent-profile-carlos-beltran.htmlInterested parties can land Beltran's strong production for a fraction of the price that Choo will command as a free agent or Hunter Pence commanded in his extension. … Players break down in their older age, and it's not as if Beltran is without signs of decline.
Offseason Outlook: Tampa Bay Rays
2013/10/offseason-outlook-tampa-bay-rays.htmlIn an ideal world for Tampa Bay, they'd be able to sign Price to a multiyear extension --- in the realistic/ideal world, the club would be able to free up $13MM in payroll space while moving Price for at least one or two players like Myers, a star prospect who quickly broke out in the majors and looks to be a lineup stalwart for years to come. … Guaranteed Contracts Evan Longoria, 3B: $129.6MM through 2022 Matt Moore, SP: $11.5MM through 2016 Joel Peralta, RP: $3MM through 2014…
Arbitration Eligibles: Detroit Tigers
2013/11/arbitration-eligibles-detroit-tigers.htmlAn extension this offseason is extremely unlikely, unless Scherzer demands Boras to do it and/or the offer is record-shattering. … Sabathia's seven-year, $161MM deal, which is the record in new money for a pitcher until Kershaw signs.
Arbitration Breakdown: Clayton Kershaw
2013/11/arbitration-breakdown-clayton-kershaw.htmlIt seems quite possible that Kershaw will just sign a long-term extension instead, especially given the rumors of a gigantic offer during the season by the Dodgers. … Since you can use players who sign earlier in the offseason as comparables in arbitration negotiations, these two guys will probably be eager to hear what the other signs for.
Arbitration Breakdown: Max Scherzer
2013/11/arbitration-breakdown-max-scherzer.htmlOne or both of these players may sign a long-term extension, so neither will necessarily set the record. … Kershaw only went 16-9, which is much worse than Scherzer’s 21-3, but he had 236 innings pitched and a 1.83 ERA, so if he signs before Scherzer, you can bet their Scherzer’s team will be eager to use him as a comparable.
NL Central Links: Pirates, Walker, Freese, Beltran
2013/11/nl-central-freese-walker-pirates-cubs.htmlI think teams will ask us about him so to that extent there could be rumors." Samardzija is reportedly unlikely to sign an extension and he has been linked to the Nationals and Diamondbacks in recent rumors. … Burnett retires or signs elsewhere
Offseason Outlook: Boston Red Sox
2013/11/offseason-outlook-boston-red-sox.htmlIt could be argued that Boston's offseason really began when they managed to lock up Pedroia to a below-market extension in July, a move that should aid the Sox payroll for the better part of the next decade. … First base is a relatively easy enough position to fill that the Sox might prefer the compensatory first round draft…
AL Notes: Royals, Kinsler, Napoli, Rangers, Angels
2013/11/intro-the-royals-have-had-no-talks-about-billy-butler-with-any-team-a-source-tells-bob-dutton-of-the-kansas-city-star-v.htmlRoch Kubatko of MASNsports.com considers how the Yankees' signing of McCann could affect potential negotiations between the Orioles and Matt Wieters over an extension. … While teams such as the Red Sox, Rockies and Rangers are still in the market for backstop help, the best remaining option, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, will bring a large platoon split to the lineup of whichever team signs him.
Red Sox Notes: Lester, Drew, Tanaka
2013/12/red-sox-notes-lester-drew-tanaka.htmlAs Abraham notes, Boston's young pitching depth and recent trend away from big-money free agent deals would seem to hint against a move, and signing Tanaka could impact a possible Lester extension. … If Drew turns the offer down, the Sox will be content with collecting the compensatory draft pick when Drew signs elsewhere, and Boston's desire for those valuable picks could make them pass on Drew anyway, Abraham notes.
Rangers Sign Shin-Soo Choo
2013/12/shin-soo-choo-reaches-seven-year-deal-with-rangers.htmlAnd Daniels has done the same via extension, with Martin Perez (four years, $12.5MM), Elvis Andrus (eight years, $120MM), and Matt Harrison (five years, $55MM) all getting new deals in the last year. … Texas, meanwhile, stands to lose its first-round draft choice, though it could regain a choice in the sandwich round if Cruz signs elsewhere.
Central Notes: Scherzer, Cubs, Cardinals
2014/01/central-notes-scherzer-cubs-cardinals.htmlThe Cardinals and Matt Carpenter could discuss an extension in spring training, but are not likely to reach a deal anytime soon, Goold notes. … The team has an offer pending with Masahiro Tanaka, and would like to get another pitcher even if Tanaka signs elsewhere.
AL Notes: Sano, Figgins, Washington, Rangers
2014/01/al-central-notes-sano-figgins-indians.htmlWhen asked about an extension for manager Ron Washington, Rangers GM Jon Daniels was positive but noncommittal, as Jeff Wilson of…… Rakuten posted Tanaka, and stands to collect $20MM once Tanaka signs with a big league club.
Braves Extend Freddie Freeman
2014/02/braves-freddie-freeman-agree-to-extension.htmlTUESDAY: Freddie Freeman has reached an extension with the Braves that not only gives him the franchise's highest-ever salary, but constitutes one of the biggest guarantees ever made to a player with less than four years of service time. … Though younger, Freeman signs his deal at a point at which he has shown a somewhat lower high-water mark and,…
Indians Notes: Bourn, Tomlin, Masterson, Kipnis, Jimenez
2014/02/indians-notes-bourn-tomlin-masterson-kipnis-jimenez.htmlHere's more out of Cleveland: It has been a busy arbitration season for the Indians, who still have two unresolved cases even after winning a hearing against Vinnie Pestano and agreeing to an extension with Michael Brantley to avoid another. … Given the value that Cleveland has put on the pick it stands to gain if Jimenez signs elsewhere, as well as the pick it would sacrifice to sign fellow free agent starter Ervin Santana, the club seems unwilling at this point to ink either pitcher.
What Might James Shields Earn In Free Agency?
2014/03/what-might-james-shields-earn-in-free-agency.htmlMost really good pitchers accrue service time early in their careers and thus hit the open market slightly earlier than will Shields, who did not crack the bigs until age 24 and then gave up two years of free agency in an early-career extension. … (If Shields signs before his birthday on December 20th, he'd be just shy of 33 years of age, making him slightly older than the other four were.) How does Shields stack up to that quartet? Let's look at both three-year averages and walk-year performances to get an idea, and look at the salary numbers through the lens of inflation (present dollar value estimated via US Inflation Calculator).
AL Notes: Kipnis, Sizemore, Mulder
2014/03/al-notes-kipnis-sizemore-mulder.htmlHere's more from the American League: The Indians are still believed to be discussing an extension with second baseman Jason Kipnis, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. … "The fact that Grady's having encouraging signs in spring training is not a bad thing for Jackie Bradley or for…