MLB Owners Approve Replay Funding
2013/11/mlb-prepared-to-expand-instant-replay.htmlWe no longer spend time arguing, and in return, you have a right to challenge. … That is still one of the details to be discussed by umpires.
West Notes: Pujols, Mariners, Astros, Dodgers
2013/11/west-notes-pujols-mariners-astros-dodgers.htmlThe slugger says his injured foot "feel[s] 99.9% healthy," and that it was time for surgery after battling his plantar fasciitis for some nine years. … The club's payroll has sat in the mid-$80MM range at Opening Day the last two years, but has gone as high as $117MM (2008).
Free Agent Profile: Robinson Cano
2013/11/free-agent-profile-robinson-cano.htmlCano's 142 wRC+ dating back to 2010 is the fourth-highest in Major League Baseball, and his 25.4 fWAR in that time trails only Miguel Cabrera. … Strengths/Pros Cano is one of the game's best all-around players, plain and simple.
Latest On Gavin Floyd’s Elbow Rehab
2013/11/latest-on-gavin-floyds-elbow-rehab.htmlFloyd's mound program will likely follow a two to three month timeline. … Based on discussions with his doctor and trainer, Floyd's mound program should begin no later than December 7th and possibly sooner.
Reactions To The Freese-Bourjos Trade
2013/11/reactions-to-the-freese-bourjos-trade.htmlMeanwhile, top prospect Oscar Taveras could see time in right field and play a bench role, leaving the club with what Mozeliak calls "more flexibility moving forward," reports Derrick Goold of the St. … Cards' GM John Mozeliak emphasized that the club pulled the trigger to add speed and center field capability, while noting that Grickhuk's inclusion was a "critical" factor in getting the deal done.
Minor Moves: Laird, Wells, Lerud, Maya, Sappelt
2013/11/minor-moves-dave-sappelt.htmlWells got 102 plate appearances with three different clubs last year, posting a meager .126/.186/.147 line that is perhaps understandable given his constant movement and scant playing time. … As Eddy notes, Sappelt was one of the pieces -- along with lefty Travis Wood and second baseman Ronald Torreyes -- picked up by Chicago in the deal that sent Sean Marshall to Cincinnati.
Pirates Notes: First Base, Furcal, Burnett, Trade, Jones
2013/11/pirates-notes-first-base-furcal-burnett-trade-jones.html"It has not inhibited our abiity to do things at this point in time," said Huntington, "but there is no question it is something we would like to see move forward if it's possible. … Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review relays a host of updates on the Pirates (all links to Twitter): One area where GM Neal Huntington hopes to make a move is at first.
This Date In Transactions History: November 28th
2013/11/this-date-in-transactions-history-november-28th.htmlCordero pitched to a 2.96 ERA with 7.6 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in four seasons with Cincinnati, but he's had a rough time ever since. … Today, Garza finds himself as one of the most desirable starting pitchers on the free agent market.
Managers And GMs Entering Their Contract Years
2013/11/managers-and-gms-entering-their-contract-years.htmlGiven the strong state of the Twins' minor league system, I'd guess that Ryan will be given more time (if he even is a contractual lame duck) to rebuild the franchise even if the Major League team isn't doing well, though the signing of Ricky Nolasco is a sure indicator that Ryan wants better results. … Then again, the "wait-and-see" strategy with Washington in the past could have been inspired by former club president Nolan Ryan, and with Ryan gone and Daniels now with more power in the organization, the Rangers may not wait to extend Washington.
Breaking Down The Twins’ Ricky Nolasco Signing
2013/12/breaking-down-the-twins-ricky-nolasco-signing.htmlIn those five seasons, his ERA has been more than half a run higher than his FIP every time except for 2013. … What did the Twins get for their investment? FanGraphs' standard wins above replacement metric is not a great one to use for Nolasco.
Tender Deadline Notes: Barton, Stewart, Nix, Kelly
2013/12/tender-deadline-notes-barton-stewart-nix-kelly.htmlIn the meantime, here are a couple notes on what to expect tomorrow. … One player who could be non-tendered is Daric Barton, who is the Athletics' longest-tenured player, as MLB.com's Jane Lee points out.
Twins Notes: Morneau, Buck, Arbitration, Hughes
2013/12/twins-notes-morneau-buck-arbitration-hughes.htmlMorneau told Miller that he's spoken recently with longtime teammate and friend Michael Cuddyer, who put in a good word for the Rockies. … Justin Morneau sounded certain in stating that he will one day return to the Twins in some capacity but acknowledged that it's not likely to be in 2014, writes Phil Miller of the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
Kevin Towers On Heath Bell Trade
2013/12/kevin-towers-on-heath-bell-trade.htmlThe D'Backs didn't get big time talent back in the trade, but they unloaded $5.5MM of the $6MM they owed to Bell in 2014. … He had a 12-6 curveball to set up his fastball...I still think he has a lot left in the tank, one thing I've always liked about him is that he has a very resilient arm." Towers admitted that he was sorry to see left-handed pitching prospect David Holmberg go, but he said that he wouldn't have been able to secure the same kind of return without his inclusion.
Timing Is Everything In The Doug Fister Trade
2013/12/timing-is-everything-in-the-doug-fister-trade.htmlThis is not the first time that Rizzo has wheeled and dealed in this manner. … On the one hand, then, the deal makes some sense.
NL East Notes: Lincoln, Coghlan, Morrison
2013/12/nl-east-notes-lincoln-coghlan.html"Lincoln for $600,000 or less is a better gamble than an Edward Mujica-type for three years," writes Seidman, who praises Amaro for buying low on a talented arm at "the perfect time." Here's more out of the NL East... … Nationals GM Mike Rizzo spoke with reporters yesterday regarding the team's acquisition of Doug Fister, stating that Fister was one of their primary pitching targets from the get-go this offseason.
Scott Feldman On Signing With Astros
2013/12/scott-feldman-on-signing-with-astros.htmlRight around this time last year - on November 27th, to be exact - Feldman inked a one-year, $6MM deal with the Cubs. … I pretty much stay out of it so I just rely on my agent for that kind of stuff and he just kind of fills me in on whatever goes on," the 30-year-old said, while adding that he was happy to have the deal done in advance of Christmas.
Stark Previews Winter Meetings
2013/12/winter-meetings.htmlHere's a run-through of his Winter Meetings preview, which includes a survey of 17 big league executives (conducted before the Carlos Beltran and Robinson Cano signings): Some believe Scott Boras will bide his time with Shin-Soo Choo following how quickly a deal for Jacoby Ellsbury came together with the Yankees, but there's another group that believes the superagent wants to show new rival Jay Z that he can be decisive. … ESPN.com's Jayson Stark is out with a Winter Meetings preview, noting that the frenzy of signings and trades this week threatens to overshadow an event that's traditionally one of the hot stove's busiest periods.
Roy Halladay To Retire
2013/12/roy-halladay-to-retire.htmlHalladay, affectionately referred to as "Doc," spent the better portion of a decade as one of the greatest pitchers of his time. … Halladay will sign a one-day contract with the Blue Jays today so that he can announce his retirement from the game as a member of the Jays, adds Heyman (Twitter links).
12 Teams In On Jason Hammel
2013/12/12-teams-in-on-jason-hammel.htmlAfter a cortisone injection, he returned in September, spending some time in the bullpen. … Though he has yet to receive an offer, teams have discussed one-year concepts so far.
Winter Meetings Review: Day 1
2013/12/winter-meetings-review-day-1.htmlThe Mariners, Rangers, and Dodgers are the three most serious suitors for Rays ace David Price at this time. … With one full day of the WInter Meetings in the books, let's get caught up on everything that went down..
Pitching Rumors: D-Backs, Colon, Twins, Williams
2013/12/pitching-rumors-d-backs-colon-twins-williams.htmlThis isn't the first time we've heard about the righty's desire for a multiyear contract -- the deals for Scott Kazmir and Tim Hudson have recently been cited as possible comparables for Colon. … Bartolo Colon and agent Adam Katz continue to focus on a two-year deal rather than a one-year pact, tweets ESPN.com's Buster Olney.
Justin Ruggiano, Greg Dobbs On Trade Block?
2013/12/justin-ruggiano-greg-dobbs-on-trade-block.htmlHe'll be arbitration eligible for the first time this winter. … Both players figure to cost about the same amount in 2014, as Dobbs inked a one-year, $1.7MM extension in September, while Ruggiano projects for an arbitration salary in the neighborhood of $1.8MM.
James Loney To Rays Further Thins First Base Market
2013/12/james-loney-signing-further-thins-first-base-market.htmlHe might also be relatively cheap, since he was a part-time player in 2013. … With Corey Hart and Logan Morrison heading to the Mariners and James Loney agreeing to return to the Rays this week, the Pirates and Brewers remain on the hunt for a first baseman, as MLB.com's Anthony DiComo notes (via Twitter).
Poll: Best Trades Of The Winter Meetings
2013/12/poll-best-trades-of-the-winter-meetings.htmlSo, we'll ask MLBTR readers: which teams best utilized their time in Orlando to swing a trade? Though nothing qualifying as a blockbuster went down, there were some interesting swaps. … While the MLB Winter Meetings are already fading in the rearview mirror, it seemed that we ought to do at least one poll on the results.
Mariners Sign Charlie Furbush To One-Year Deal
2013/12/mariners-sign-charlie-furbush-to-one-year-deal.htmlAs was reported last month, an extra day of service time would give Tejada exactly three years of service time. … 4:37pm: Furbush's one-year deal is worth $750K, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (Twitter link).