Checking In On Baseball’s Lowest Scoring Offenses
The Giants won the 2010 World Series with an unspectacular offense and won 86 games in 2011 with one of the lowest scoring offenses in the game, but they're the exception, not the rule. Each of the five highest scoring MLB teams won at least 90 games in 2011, while the Giants were the only one of the five lowest scoring teams to avoid 90 losses.
Here's a look at what baseball's five lowest scoring teams have done to improve their offenses so far this offseason. Team name links go to a summary of the teams' moves on MLBTR's Transaction Tracker and 2011 run totals are in parentheses (for reference, the average MLB team scored 694 runs this past season):
- Mariners (556) - GM Jack Zduriencik has added a number of former Major Leaguers on minor league deals and traded for John Jaso. The Mariners can expect more offense from Dustin Ackley, Justin Smoak, Franklin Gutierrez and others in 2012 and they may make an addition or two before Spring Training.
- Giants (570) - The Giants traded for Angel Pagan and Melky Cabrera, who have both been above-average offensive players in the recent past. The Giants could improve considerably with a full season of Buster Posey and possible improvement from Brandon Belt.
- Padres (593) - The Padres traded for Yonder Alonso and Yasmani Grandal earlier this month. Both could conceivably add to the Padres' offense in 2012, and Alonso could have an impact from day one. GM Josh Byrnes has also added role players John Baker and Jeremy Hermida.
- Pirates (610) - The Pirates signed shortstop Clint Barmes, catcher Rod Barajas and outfielder Nate McLouth and traded for infielder Casey McGehee. However, none of the four acquisitions posted an OPS+ of 100 or better in 2011, so it would be unreasonable to expect a surge in scoring based on these additions.
- Astros (615) – Former GM Ed Wade added a handful of players on minor league deals and waiver claims and Jeff Luhnow traded for Jed Lowrie after becoming Houston's new GM.
The Giants are best-positioned to make a significant offensive jump in 2012, in my opinion. Not only do Pagan and Cabrera provide possible upgrades, Posey's return and Belt's upside will likely invigorate the offense that finished last in the National League in scoring in 2011.
Pirates Prioritize Adding Another Starter
The latest on the Pirates…
- The Pirates still have money to spend and their top priority is a starting pitcher, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. About three weeks ago, the Pirates signed Erik Bedard and released Ross Ohlendorf. Paul Maholm, who made 26 starts for the Bucs this year, is expected to sign elsewhere. The list of unsigned free agent starters remains robust as December draws to a close.
- The Pirates are looking to compete in 2012, president Frank Coonelly told Bill Brink of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Coonelly says the team's focus has shifted to improving the Major League club. Payroll is expected to be up from last year's $42MM mark; I have them pegged for about that amount already before accounting for minimum salary players or future additions. Coonelly indicated that once the Pirates reach the point of having one glaring need, they're more likely to pursue an expensive impact free agent. Click here to read Coonelly's full comments.
- The Pirates' portfolio approach has resulted in $20.75MM worth of commitments to four players so far: Clint Barmes ($10.5MM), Bedard ($4.5MM), Rod Barajas ($4MM), and Nate McLouth ($1.75MM). Jake Fox, Ryota Igarashi, Jose Morales, Shairon Martis, Tim Wood, Jeff Clement, Nick Evans, Anderson Hernandez, and Brandon Boggs have signed minor league deals.
Morosi On Blue Jays, First Base, Starters, Cespedes
The baseball world figures to remain relatively quietly until after the New Year, but as Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports writes, there is still a lot of work to be done before the season begins. Let's round up Morosi's rumors…
- The Blue Jays are saying they will not give a hitter a contract of more than five guaranteed years, though they'll likely have to violate that policy if they want to sign Prince Fielder.
- The Brewers, Cubs, Nationals, Indians, Mariners, Orioles, Rangers, Rays, and Pirates are all considering non-Fielder upgrades at first base. Carlos Pena, Casey Kotchman, and Derrek Lee remain unsigned, among others.
- Some within the game believe that Joakim Soria and Carlos Marmol could be had at the right price. The Cubbies are said to be planning a "complete and total rebuild."
- Both Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook remain available, and the Rangers may be willing to trade Matt Harrison for a more established starter.
- Most believe Yoenis Cespedes will sign for more than the $30.25MM Aroldis Chapman received because as a position player, he carried less risk. A larger number of interested teams and the new collective bargaining agreement will also help his cause.
Quick Hits: Garza, Mets, Pirates, Red Sox, Astros
Here's a look at some items out of the AL and NL East..
- The Cubs aren't going to stop their rebuilding process with their trade of Sean Marshall to the Reds, writes Dave van Dyck of the Chicago Tribune. The next move for Theo Epstein & Co. might be to flip Matt Garza if he doesn't sign a contract before free agency but yesterday the Cubs GM said that he's exactly the type of pitcher he wants to build around.
- The Mets worry MLB enough to be seen as a troubled franchise on a short tether, writes Richard Sandomir of the New York Times. Mets officials declined to speak about the team's debt but Sandomir talks with to a number of people familiar with the Mets' financial situation including Howard Megdal.
- A reader asked Keith Law of ESPN.com (via Twitter) if the recently DFA'd Jai Miller would be a good fit for the Pirates. The Athletics designated the 27-year-old for assignment last night to bring their 40-man roster back to the limit.
- New Red Sox pitching coach Bob McClure has a special familiarity with his toughest task this year, writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. Like Alfredo Aceves and Daniel Bard, McClure also made the jump from reliever to starter during his playing days with the Brewers.
- Baseball was lucky to have former Astros owner Drayton McLane involved in the sport for as long as they did, writes MLB.com's Richard Justice.
NL Central Notes: Fielder, Molina, Lee
The Cubs and Reds agreed to swap left-handed pitchers today in a deal that sends reliever Sean Marshall to Cincinnati for starter Travis Wood and two minor leaguers. Here are more notes from the NL Central…
- A big bidder for Prince Fielder could emerge, but it now seems that the first baseman’s suitors are waiting for his asking price to drop significantly, tweets ESPN.com’s Buster Olney. I don’t expect the Brewers to re-sign Fielder, even if his asking price — a ten-year deal — falls significantly.
- B.J. Rains of FOXSportsMidwest.com makes the case that the Cardinals should sign Yadier Molina to an extension. The backstop is set to hit free agency after the 2012 season.
- The Pirates had interest in Derrek Lee earlier in the offseason, but are now said to be a long shot for him, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Lee, an Excel Sports Management client, doesn’t necessarily fit in Pittsburgh now that the Pirates have traded for Casey McGehee.
Minor Moves: Velez, Hernandez, Luna, Montanez
We'll keep track of today's minor league transactions here …
- The Cardinals signed utility player Eugenio Velez, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Velez appeared in 34 games for the Dodgers this past season, but didn't collect a single hit. He did post an .834 OPS in 235 Triple-A plate appearances, while playing right field, left field, second base and third base.
- The Pirates have agreed to terms with infielder Anderson Hernandez on a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, the team announced. Hernandez, 29, has played in 240 Major League games over six seaons with the Mets, Nationals, Indians and Astros. He last appeared in the bigs with Houston in 2010.
- The Phillies announced they've signed infielder Hector Luna and outfielder Luis Montanez to minor league contracts with invitations to Spring Training. Luna has seen seen Major League action with the Cardinals, Indians, Blue Jays and Marlins, getting as many as 379 plate appearances with the Redbirds in 2006. Montanez appeared in 36 games with the Cubs in 2011.
Pirates Sign Jeff Clement
Here's where we'll keep track of today's minor moves…
- The Pirates announced that they have signed first baseman Jeff Clement to a minor league contract. Clement, 28, posted a .201/.237/.368 line for the 2010 Pirates, but didn't appear in the Major Leagues in 2011. The former third overall pick spent this past season in Pittsburgh's minor league system, where he posted a .733 OPS in 106 plate appearances.
- The Giants have signed right-hander Eric Hacker to a minor league deal, according to the player's agency, Sosnick Cobbe Sports (Twitter link). Hacker spent 2011 in the Twins organization, starting 25 games with Triple-A Rochester and making two relief appearances with Minnesota.
- The Nationals announced nine minor league signings today.
Pirates Sign Ryota Igarashi
The Pirates announced that they signed right-handed reliever Ryota Igarashi to a minor league deal. Igarashi, who spent the past two seasons with the Mets, is a Wasserman Media Group client.
Igarashi posted a 4.66 ERA with 9.8 K/9, 6.5 BB/9 and a 45.6% ground ball rate in 38 2/3 innings for the Mets in 2011. New York released the 32-year-old after the season to allow him to pursue other MLB jobs. He signed a two-year, $3MM with the Mets before the 2010 season, but owns just a 5.74 ERA in 79 career appearances. Jiji Press first reported the agreement.
Quick Hits: Reds, Dodgers, Hanrahan, Chavez
On this day one year ago, the Brewers recieved Zack Greinke, Yuniesky Betancourt, and cash from the Royals for Jake Odorizzi, Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, and Jeremy Jeffress. Here's are a few links for Sunday evening..
- While there are some Reds fans who are unhappy with the club's recent trade for Padres pitcher Mat Latos, B.J. Bethel of the Dayton Daily News writes that GM Walt Jocketty had to make that type of move.
- With six days until Christmas, the Dodgers are nearly finished with their shopping, writes Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. The club doesn't have much to spend but will look to sign a veteran reliever and remains in talks with Mike MacDougal.
- Pirates closer and regular MLBTR reader Joel Hanrahan told Karen Price of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review that he isn't fazed when his name comes up in trade rumors. Hanrahan added that he hopes that the Bucs aren't shopping him at the trade deadline this year and instead wants to see the club looking to add to the roster at mid-season.
- The Mets were genuinely interested in bringing outfielder Endy Chavez back to New York before he reached agreement with the Orioles on a one-year deal, writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News.
Huntington “Optimistic” About McCutchen Extension
Talks about a long-term contract extension between the Pirates and Andrew McCutchen didn't progress much this summer, but GM Neal Huntington told fans that he's "optimistic" about reaching an agreement with the star outfielder at PirateFest yesterday, reports Bill Brink of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
"When you enter a negotiation, you're at X, the player's at Z and you work awfully hard to try to find Y," said Huntington. "There has to be a compromise, there has to be a shared risk on both sides."
Back in May we heard that the team wants at least five years in a McCutchen extension, meaning they want to buy out at least one year of free agency. The 25-year-old is a .276/.365/.458 career hitter in his two-plus big league seasons, which is comparable to the .272/.350/.485 line Justin Upton owned when he signed his six-year, $52.25MM deal prior to the 2010 season. A contract along those lines is reasonable for McCutchen, a first-time All-Star in 2011.