East Notes: Rays, Scott, Mets, Yankees, Soriano
2013/01/east-notes-rays-scott-mets-yankees-soriano.htmlThe Yankees knew that they would be parting ways with Rafael Soriano this winter and GM Brian Cashman told Ken Davidoff of the New York Post that he wasn't exactly sweating things out before the closer signed with the Nationals. … Agent Scott Boras still has to find homes for Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse, Francisco Rodriguez, and Jose Valverde, but says that he's not afraid to wait for the right deal.
Players Reflect On Arbitration Hearings: Jeff Mathis
2013/02/jeff-mathis-arbitration-case.htmlHe knew exactly what the team's case was going to be and, like I said, the only thing we made and ultimately what won it for us was that, listen, we understand that he’s going to be at the bottom of the starting catcher salary structure but he should be in that salary structure and not at the bottom of the backup catchers' salary structure. … “It’s either the gift that keeps on giving or the gift that keeps on taking away so that’s why going to arbitration your first year is a very tough decision and a very tough proposition because the salaries that come in subsequent years could be based on what that award is or that first year salary is and that’s something you have to consider when you are considering whether or not to take a case to a hearing.” Mathis, now with the Marlins, broke his collarbone in the spring opener Saturday after a foul tip from Matt Holliday fractured his right clavicle.
East Notes: Cashman, Ohman, Kendrick, Yanks
2013/03/east-notes-cashman-ohman-kendrick-yanks.htmlWhile I certainly didn’t intend to raise awareness in exactly this fashion, I’m extremely happy that the Wounded Warrior Project is getting the well-deserved additional attention.” He is scheduled for surgery today. … The Yankees announced today that general manager Brian Cashman broke his right fibula and dislocated his right ankle on the landing of a tandem skydive.
Transaction Retrospection: The Ubaldo Jimenez Trade
2013/03/transaction-retrospection-the-ubaldo-jimenez-trade.htmlHis 1.9 K/BB ratio isn't exactly inspiring, but he was significantly better in a small minor league sample last season. … Cleveland traded right-hander Alex White (22 years old at the time), first baseman Matt McBride (26 at the time), righty Joe Gardner (23 at the time) and lefty Drew Pomeranz (22 at the time) to Colorado in exchange for Jimenez, who had at least two and a half years of team control remaining on a low-cost contract.
Quick Hits: Padres, Wainwright, Posey, Theriot
2013/03/quick-hits-padres-wainwright-posey-theriot.htmlTheriot remains interested in playing, but so far has not received an offer that is "exactly what I'm looking for playing-time-wise." If the right opportunity does not come along, the easy-going Theriot seems to be at peace with moving on from the game to spend time with his young family. … GM Josh Byrnes was not shy in acknowledging his interest: "Our scouts are out there, and we're talking to a few clubs." Extension discussions between the Cardinals and starter Adam Wainwright still appear to be moving in a positive direction, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com.
Offseason In Review: Milwaukee Brewers
2013/03/offseason-in-review-milwaukee-brewers-1.htmlGonzalez has 13,207 2/3 innings of experience of at shortstop but exactly none at first base. … to the Rays for right-hander Burke Badenhop.
Rosenthal On Kershaw, Fernandez, Davis
2013/04/rosenthal-on-kershaw-fernandez-davis.htmlTexas GM Jon Daniels acknowledged that Davis could develop into an impact offensive player at the time, and that's exactly what happened. … Miami did their homework on other pitchers that started their careers at a young age, including Dwight Gooden, and ultimately decided that it was the right call.
Transaction Retrospection: The First Hunter Pence Trade
2013/04/transaction-retrospection-the-first-hunter-pence-trade.htmlThat's exactly what he's done since coming to Houston, but he posted an ugly 5.59 ERA in 56 1/3 innings at Double-A last season. … The 28-year-old right fielder was hitting .308/.356/.471 with 11 homers when the Astros traded him to the Phillies (along with $2MM) for a package of four prospects: first baseman Jonathan Singleton (19 years old at the time), right-hander Jarred Cosart (21), right-hander Josh Zeid (24) and right fielder Domingo Santana (18).
Extension Candidate: Jason Heyward
2013/04/extension-candidate-jason-heyward.htmlBoth players had exactly 59 career home runs, but Markakis had 33% more RBIs and a superior platform year, one in which he posted a .406 OBP. … Braves right fielder Jason Heyward is one of few star-caliber players currently going year-to-year.
Orioles, Wieters Still Discussing Extension
2013/04/orioles-made-extension-offer-to-wieters.htmlHeyman notes that the bar for catchers has been raised significantly with Buster Posey's extension, but it's safe to say the two aren't exactly comparables. … Then again, the catcher says that he doesn't want to be briefed on contract talks right now.
NL Notes: Mets, Lincecum, Cardinals, Upton
2013/04/nl-notes-mets-lincecum-cardinals-upton.htmlGM John Mozeliak says that, while he is open to looking at the trade market, "that would not be in the near future." Morosi also addressed the subject of Braves outfielder Justin Upton, wondering why exactly the Diamondbacks decided to trade him. … Many variables would have to break right for the Mets, says Davidoff.
Transaction Retrospection: The Mat Latos Trade
2013/05/transaction-retrospection-the-mat-latos-trade.htmlTodd Redmond was the only pitcher outside of the Reds' top five arms to make a start, and he made exactly one. … Each of those right-handers has been with the Reds organization since 2009 with the exception of Latos, who was acquired from the Padres in December 2011.
Prospect Rumor Roundup: Odorizzi, Butler, Yelich
2013/05/prospect-rumor-roundup.htmlAlmost exactly two years later, Odorizzi was flipped to Tampa Bay in the James Shields/Wade Davis swap. … It seemed everything was hit right at someone.
Mets To Sign Rick Ankiel
2013/05/mets-to-sign-rick-ankiel.htmlTheir .694 OPS ranks 25th in baseball, and collectively they've been exactly a replacement level unit, per Fangraphs (0.0 WAR). … Right-hander Jenrry Mejia has been transferred to the 60-day disabled list to clear a 40-man roster spot for Ankiel.
NL Notes: Samardzija, Brian Wilson, Phillies, Braves
2013/05/nl-notes-samardzija-brian-wilson-phillies-braves.htmlLouis Cardinals are the class of the National League right now, having won exactly two-thirds of their first 39 games. … By measure of FanGraphs WAR, Adam Wainwright, Matt Carpenter, Shelby Miller, and Yadier Molina have been the team MVPs so far.
Quick Hits: Yankees, Dodgers
2013/05/quick-hits-yankees-dodgers.htmlI feel exactly that way." But was Ethier right that the manager had not even talked about his comments with the player? "I'm getting old and my memory is going, but we definitely talked." Needless to say, this public feud only further reduces L.A.'s leverage should it look to move Ethier's big contract and so-far sluggish bat. … "Guys who play the game right, they don't have any problem with anything I'm saying," said Mattingly.
Dodgers Notes: Beckett, Elbert, Draft, McCourt
2013/06/dodgers-notes-beckett-elbert-draft-mccourt.htmlIt was almost exactly a year ago that the Dodgers were last held hitless, when six Mariners pitchers combined for the unique no-hitter on June 8, 2012. … The Dodgers managed to avoid being no-hit last night by Jason Marquis but that was about the only bright spot…
The Latest On The Biogenesis Scandal
2013/06/the-latest-on-the-biogenesis-scandal.htmlHowever, Rosenthal also adds that Bosch "isn't exactly the most credible character to walk down the street," meaning MLB will need more than just his word to issue suspensions. … It’s not fair to all of us who have played the game the right way."
Draft Signings: Covey, Astin, Guillorme, Aper, Wade
2013/06/draft-signings-wade-higgins-linehan.htmlWade signed for exactly slot value. … The San Diego right-hander was taken by the Brewers with the No.
Draft Signings: Athletics, Angels, Rangers
2013/06/draft-signings-stephen-janas-zack-littell.htmlThe Florida Gulf Coast right-hander's salary is exactly in line with the slot recommendation for the No. … The Kennesaw State right-hander recovered from Tommy John surgery successfully this season and features a sinker clocked in the high 80s.
Dodgers Sign First-Rounder Chris Anderson
2013/06/dodgers-sign-first-rounder-chris-anderson.html18 selection exactly… The Jacksonville University right-hander is advised by ACES.
Draft Signings: Salazar, Lowry, Turner, Mitchell
2013/06/draft-signings-salazar-lowry-turner-mitchell-gregor.htmlAccording to Callis, Mitchell has one of the draft's most impressive curveballs and has touched 98 on the gun, making him a "steal in the 4th." Mitchell's $413k bonus is exactly slot. … A high-school right-hander who has hit 97 with his fastball, Salazar was a consensus top-100 draft prospect.
Draft Signings: Evans, Armstrong, Horstman
2013/06/draft-signings-conrad-gregor.htmlArmstrong, a high school right-hander who had committed to Pitt, signed for exactly his assigned slot value of $496K. … Evans was both a catcher and a right-handed relief pitcher at Georgia Tech and Callis believes Kansas City will use him as a catcher.
Mets To Promote Zack Wheeler
2013/06/mets-to-promote-zack-wheeler.htmlThe Georgia native has fared well at Triple-A, though he hasn't exactly dominated opposing hitters. … We might not be doing too well right now, but I know the talent of these guys, and hopefully we can turn it around soon." Wheeler, drafted sixth overall by the Giants in 2009, was acquired in exchange for Carlos Beltran in what could be the best move of Sandy Alderson's tenure as GM of the Mets.
Draft Signings: Wiper, Healy, Finnegan, Williams
2013/06/draft-signings-williams-heim.htmlHeim signed for a $389.7K bonus, exactly matching the recommended slot value for the 129th pick… Wiper, a right-hander, has only thrown 12 innings for Oregon this season.