Choo Deal Addresses Last Of Rangers’ Major Needs
2013/12/now-that-the-rangers-have-agreed-to-terms-with-shin-soo-choo-most-of-the-rangers-offseason-shopping-is-complete-as-richard.htmlAt the beginning of December, the Rangers sent sabermetric favorite Craig Gentry (who produced a whopping 3.4 WAR in a part-time role in 2013, thanks largely to his defense) and pitcher Josh Lindblom to Oakland for outfielder Michael Choice and infield prospect Chris Bostick. … Whether or not the Rangers are actually done remains to be seen.
Mutual Interest Between Phillies, Ryan Madson
2013/12/mutual-interest-between-phillies-ryan-madson.htmlThe Giants showed some interest at that time, he reports, but they've since signed Mike Morse. … Madson inked a one-year, $8.5MM deal with the Reds in the 2011-12 offseason but underwent Tommy John surgery that spring and missed the entire 2012 campaign.
Agents, Executives On Holiday Activity In Baseball
2013/12/agents-executives-on-holiday-season.html"When I've had a free agent negotiation in progress, I can recall times that I have been talking to a GM in the back of my in-laws house while he was at the back of his in-laws house," said agent Joe Longo of Paragon Sports International, a firm that represents Mike Napoli, Sergio Santos, and other notable big leaguers. … So far, it has been an entertaining offseason in baseball littered with surprising trades and free agents landing lucrative deals thanks to the influx of new TV money across MLB.
C.J. Nitkowski Q+A
2014/01/cj-nitkowski-qa.htmlWith big-leaguers like Kevin Youkilis, Luis Mendoza, Chris Volstad and Luke Scott now heading overseas, and Japanese ace Masahiro Tanaka in the process of signing with a North American team, Nitkowski's unique perspective seems more timely than ever. … I just kind of got used to it, to be honest with you.
Options In MLB Contracts: Overall Trends
2014/01/options-in-mlb-contracts-overall-trends.htmlThis table shows the figures by season for free agent contracts: Of the 301 extensions that were reached in that same time frame, 160 (53.16%) included options. … We often speak of contracts in terms of years and total guaranteed money.
Top Hot Stove Storylines Entering 2014
2014/01/top-hot-stove-storylines-entering-2014.htmlAnd yet, while just seven of MLBTR's top fifty free agents were still available last time this year, fully twice that number remains this time around. … Or, perhaps, one or more will break ranks earlier as the Tanaka market begins to clarify.
Finding A Three-Year Deal In The New Year
2014/01/finding-a-three-year-deal-in-the-new-year.htmlHere's a look at the number of contracts for three or more years signed in each of the past five offseasons: 2012-13: 19 2011-12: 11 2010-11: 17 2009-10: 8 2008-09: 13 Please note that international free agents, typically from Japan or Cuba, have been excluded from this exercise since they often operate on different timelines than traditional free agents. … However, if recent history is a guide, one or more of these players will be left standing without a chair.
Examining The Brewers’ Avoidance Of Free Agency
2014/01/examining-the-brewers-avoidance-of-free-agency.htmlThat accounts for 40% of the free agents the Brewers signed during that time, and Melvin did at least one late deal every offseason (and four of five last winter). … 2012-13 Kyle Lohse: three years, $33MM (signed 3-25-13) Tom Gorzelanny: two years, $5.7MM (12-21-12) Mike Gonzalez: one year, $2.25MM (1-7-13) Alex Gonzalez: one year, $1.45MM (2-6-13) Yuniesky Betancourt: one year, $900K (3-26-13) Total: $43.3MM 2011-12 Aramis Ramirez: three years, $36MM (12-12-11) Francisco Rodriguez: one year, $8MM (accepted arbitration 12-7-11) Alex Gonzalez: one year, $4.25MM (12-8-11) Norichika Aoki: two years, $2.5MM (1-17-12) Total: $50.75MM 2010-11 Takashi Saito: one year, $1.75MM (12-27-10) Craig Counsell: one year, $1.4MM (12-20-10) Sean Green: one year, $875K (12-22-10) Mark Kotsay: one year, $800K (2-3-11) Wil Nieves: one year, $775K (12-8-10) Total: $5.6MM 2009-10 Randy Wolf: three years, $29.75MM (12-9-09) LaTroy Hawkins: two years, $7.5MM (12-9-09) Doug Davis: one year, $5.25MM (1-22-10) Gregg Zaun: one year, $2.15MM (12-4-09) Craig Counsell: one year, $2.1MM (12-14-09) Claudio Vargas: one year, $900K (12-14-09) Total: $47.65MM 2008-09 Trevor Hoffman: one year, $6MM (1-8-09) Braden Looper: one year, $5.5MM (2-12-09) Craig Counsell: one year, $1MM (1-23-09) Jorge Julio: one year, $950K (12-4-08) R.J.
MLBTR Originals
2014/01/mlbtr-originals-5.htmlDennis Gilbert reminisced with Zach about his time as an agent and his current role as a special assistant to White Sox…… Stephen Drew (#14 on MLBTR's 2014 Top 50 Free Agents list) could be in line for one of those three-year free agent contracts, and Tim used projections to examine the six teams who could use him the most.
This Date In Transactions History: January 8th
2014/01/this-date-in-transactions-history-january-8th.htmlLong-time Padre Trevor Hoffman agreed to a one-year, $6MM contract with the Brewers in 2009. … After finishing the 2013 season with the Rangers, Garza now finds himself as one of the top starting pitchers available on the open market.
Alex Rodriguez Suspension Now 162 Games
2014/01/alex-rodriguez-suspension-now-162-games-1.htmlEven though the suspension was reduced, the decision by arbitrator Fredric Horowitz appears to be a victory for Major League Baseball, which won a suspension for A-Rod that goes far beyond those of other first-time PED offenders. … "The number of games sadly comes as no surprise, as the deck has been stacked against me from day one," says Rodriguez in a statement released on his Facebook page.
Quick Hits: Twins, O’s, Pirates, Phillies, CarGo
2014/01/quick-hits-twins-os-pirates-phillies-cargo.htmlHowever, that should still allow the All-Star plenty of time to recover and prepare for Opening Day. … Welker is expected to compete for one of the Pirates' bullpen spots this spring.
AL East Notes: Price, Tanaka, Yankees, Almanzar
2014/01/al-east-notes-tanaka-price-almanzar.html"The [trade] market hasn't materialized." MLBTR readers seem to agree with that sentiment --- according to a recent poll, less than 31% of respondees feel that Price will be pitching elsewhere by Opening Day. … "Ninety percent chance he stays," one rival executive said.
East Notes: Braves, Price, Lester, Machado, Cishek
2014/01/east-notes-braves-price-lester-machado-cishek.htmlRays ace David Price knows there's still a chance that he will be traded even after agreeing to a one-year, $14MM contract to avoid arbitration, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. … As MLBTR's Tim Dierkes tweeted earlier today, the Braves are one of several "file and trial" teams that either settle before exchanging figures or say they will head to a trial, which means GM Frank Wren and his staff will have their hands full today.
NL Notes: Reds, Cardinals, Padres, Dodgers
2014/01/nl-notes-reds-cardinals-padres-dodgers.htmlOnce a lot of the agents get through the arbitration process this week, we'll have more time to pursue any last minute invites for Spring Training that create more competition." The Cardinals have improved in several areas without sacrificing prospects or draft picks while the rest of the division largely stood pat in terms of acquisitions, says Bernie Miklasz of the St. … After signing all but one arbitration player (Andrew Cashner), the Padres' payroll looks likely to end up at around $87MM by Opening Day, writes Dennis Lin of U-T San Diego.
Arbitration Roundup, Part II: Notable Deals And Cases
2014/01/arbitration-roundup-part-ii-notable-deals-notable-cases.html$8.7MM), but seemingly plan to use their time before the hearing to talk long-term extension. … (As always, you will want to reference the projections from the arbitration model of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz.) Let's take a quick look back, and then a quick look forward: Notable Deals The most interesting signings of the day included: Starter Max Scherzer of the Tigers landed far and away the biggest one-year jump of a 5+ service year hurler.
Dodgers, Ramirez Remain In Early Stages Of Extension Talks
2014/01/dodgers-ramirez-remain-in-early-stages-of-extension-talks.htmlClearly, the Dodgers have had their fair share of business to attend to, as since that time they've extended Kershaw, aggressively pursued Masahiro Tanaka and signed five free agents to Major League deals. … That pact crosses one major extension candidate off GM Ned Colletti's list, but Hanley Ramirez still has just one year left on his deal.
Central Notes: Anderson, Meyer, Bourjos, Indians
2014/01/central-notes-anderson-meyer-bourjos-indians.htmlI wanted everything that came with the big leagues without having to prove myself." Anderson is hoping for a Spring Training invite with a chance to win a fourth outfielder gig before hitting his way into more playing time. … Former White Sox first-rounder and top prospect Brian Anderson is making one last comeback attempt, he tells MLB.com's Scott Merkin.
Masahiro Tanaka Links: Monday
2014/01/masahiro-tanaka-links-monday.htmlYesterday it was reported that Tanaka could agree on Tuesday or Wednesday this week in order to give his new club time to perform the necessary physical and paperwork to make things official. … Recent reports have indicated that the Cubs are emerging as one of the favorites, but their status as a losing team could stand in the way of landing Tanaka.
Phillies Sign Bobby Abreu
2014/01/phillies-sign-bobby-abreu.html(Across nearly 10,000 career plate appearances, he carried a lifetime .396 OBP and never fell below the .350 mark after he broke in as a full-time player.) So, why the interest from Philadelphia? Abreu has been tearing up the Venezuelan Winter League with a .322/.416/.461 triple-slash in 180 regular season plate appearances. … According to Amaro, the club was "looking at all the left-handed bats still out there and he's one of them." It remains to be seen, of course, whether the Phils will nevertheless look to add another left-handed bench option in addition to Abreu.
Yankees Sign Masahiro Tanaka
2014/01/yankees-to-sign-masahiro-tanaka.htmlSince that time, he's pitched to a 2.30 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 1.9 BB/9 in 1315 career regular-season innings -- all coming with the Golden Eagles. … In terms of "new money," Tanaka's deal eclipses all previous pitcher contracts with the exception of Kershaw and Sabathia.
Brian Cashman On Signing Masahiro Tanaka
2014/01/brian-cashman-on-signing-masahiro-tanaka.htmlThe scouting department was extremely high on the right-hander, but the $50MM+ posting fee that was required was too rich for their blood at the time. … Needless to say, it's a sizable committment, and one that the Yankees made after years of homework.
Free Agent Notes: Drew, Twins, Ayala, Wells
2014/01/free-agent-notes-drew-twins-ayala-wells.html100 IP) over that time frame. … "So they did it, and whether it works out or not we'll see, and they're not done.
West Notes: Darvish, Ubaldo, Hart, Fielder
2014/01/west-notes-darvish-ubaldo-hart.htmlTimes' Dylan Hernandez elaborated on reports that Michael Young is said to be weighing retirement, noting that if Young played in 2014, it can be considered a "safe bet" that it will be for the Dodgers. … Though he's usually been the one in the No.
Brewers Sign Matt Garza
2014/01/brewers-to-sign-matt-garza.htmlSince that time, though his innings are down, Garza has largely prevented runs at the same level. … The Brewers hold a $5MM option on Garza for the fifth year that will drop to just $1MM if Garza spends more than 130 days on the DL in any 183-day period throughout the life of the deal (183 days is the length of one regular season).