Odds and Ends: Garland, Lindstrom, Angels
Links for Wednesday…
- I cleaned up the 2010 free agent list a bit, eliminating a few guys who will not have six years service time after ’09. For example, Tim Redding. He’ll be a Met in 2010 unless they non-tender him.
- Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic learned that if Jon Garland is traded this season and is a Type A free agent afterwards, his new team cannot offer him arbitration.
- Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has an interesting profile on Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom.
- RotoAuthority gathers comments from readers on their favorite fantasy league provider. Yahoo leagues are open for registration, by the way.
- Sam Miller of the OC Register lists possible trade pieces for the Angels if they are able to finish up the Bobby Abreu contract.
D’Backs Could Re-Sign Juan Cruz
WEDNESDAY: Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic says a D’Backs reunion with Cruz is unlikely, because they’d lose the chance at a compensation pick.
MONDAY: On Friday, ESPN’s Jayson Stark mentioned that the Diamondbacks "do have some interest in bringing back Juan Cruz in the right deal." Cruz’s Type A status and rejection of Arizona’s offer of arbitration has crippled his market.
Today MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert confirms Stark’s note, writing that the D’Backs have discussed re-signing Cruz. We learned when the D’Backs signed Jon Garland that recent circumstances have freed up cash for Arizona. Cruz, 30, boasts huge strikeout rates but has poor control.
Diamondbacks Invite 17 To Spring Training
The Diamondbacks have extended 17 non-roster invitations. Steve Gilbert compiled the list for MLB.com.
Right-handed pitchers Hector Ambriz, Tony Barnette, Brooks Brown, Seth Etherton, and Reid Mahon; outfielders Evan Frey, Trent Oeltjen, Gerardo Parra, Chris Roberson and Brandon Watson; infielders Ryan Roberts, Rusty Ryal and Josh Wilson; catchers Luke Carlin, Ed Easley and John Hester, and left-handed pitcher Daniel Schlereth.
The Diamondbacks are hosting a workout for pitchers and catchers on Sunday. Position players must report by Tuesday, February 17.
Brandon Webb Quiet About Failed Extension
Media-friendly Brandon Webb wisely decided to make his contract situation an off-limits topic for reporters this year, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. Said Webb:
"People are really hurting, really struggling. The last thing they want to hear about is someone’s contract situation. I have never complained about what I make to play baseball and the reason we didn’t come to an agreement last year had nothing to do with money. It’s as simple as that."
The D’Backs have Webb at $6.5MM for ’09 and an $8.5MM option for ’10. In December Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic summed up the failed extension talks:
During this past season, the sides discussed an extension, actually agreeing to the framework of a three-year, $54MM extension before the club took the proposal off the table in June. The club would not say why the offer was pulled. [Webb’s agent Jonathan] Maurer said last month that Webb’s price has since risen.
Any guesses as to why Arizona pulled the offer? Webb could be looking at $20MM a year if he hits the open market. I would be surprised to see the D’Backs try to trade him anytime soon though. They’re close to contention and not overflowing with pitching.
D-Backs Hope To Avoid Arb With Conor Jackson
MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert reports that the Diamondbacks are working hard to avoid an arbitration hearing with left fielder Conor Jackson.
The D-Backs haven’t required a hearing since Josh Byrnes took over as general manager in 2005. Jackson asked for $3.65MM and the club countered with $2.45MM back when figures were filed. The 26-year-old hit .300/.376/.446 in ’08 with 12 home runs and 75 RBI. He is Arizona’s last unsigned arbitration-eligible player.
Diamondbacks Sign Tom Gordon
10:51pm: As he often does, Troy Renck of the Denver Post comes through with contract details. Gordon’s incentives are based on the number of days he spends on the active roster.
3:19pm: According to John Gambadoro of KTAR Radio, the Diamondbacks signed reliever Tom Gordon to a one-year deal worth $500K guaranteed. With incentives, Flash could earn up to $2.5MM. Gordon, 41, had ulnar nerve decompression surgery in October. A solid, low-risk acquisition by Arizona.
Diamondbacks Getting Close With Tom Gordon
FRIDAY, 5:15pm: MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert confirms that the Diamondbacks are closing on an agreement with Gordon. "We don’t have a deal yet, but we’re close," said Flash’s agent, Rick Thurman.
THURSDAY, 10:31pm: Piecoro spoke with Thurman, who said, "We’ve had a number of conversations and we’re getting close." Gordon expects to be ready for Opening Day following October elbow surgery. If he’s throwing well, I’m surprised there aren’t more suitors.
THURSDAY, 12:10pm: According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the D’Backs are interested in free agent reliever Tom Gordon. Flash, 41, has been affected by elbow injuries the last two seasons. Arizona can’t have much left to spend.
Piecoro adds that the Diamondbacks were serious players to re-sign Brandon Lyon, but wanted to use him as a starter.
Big Unit Vs. Garland
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic explains that the Diamondbacks’ Randy Johnson vs. Jon Garland decision was not as clear-cut as many (myself included) made it out to be.
Piecoro walks through Arizona’s timeline. At one point in November, they expected to receive (and budgeted for) first-round picks as compensation for Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, and Juan Cruz. They wisely changed their minds on Dunn on December 1st, and the Hudson/Cruz market has developed slowly. Along the way, several million dollars were added to the team’s starting pitcher budget.
Still, Piecoro guesses that the Diamondbacks preferred Garland to Johnson and didn’t want Johnson back that badly.
Jason Varitek Rumors: Thursday
7:58pm: Alex Speier of WEEI provides us with a Varitek-relevant quote from Curt Schilling’s appearance on the Big Show:
“I’ve talked with Jason a couple different times about this. I think there’s probably some discussion going on around the parameters of a deal since it was put on the table. In fact, I know there (has been). I think you’re going to end up with a deal that nets Jason the $10 million over two years, somehow guaranteed or tied into some incentives, that keeps him here, or I think he might end up taking the one-year deal. I’m not positive, but at the end of the day I think it’s going to be Jason Varitek catching for the Boston Red Sox, which is really all I care about."
5:01pm: Former teammate Sean Casey had this to say on the MLB Network Thursday:
"I’d be shocked if ‘Tek doesn’t come back to Boston. The fans love him there. The guys in that clubhouse love ‘Tek. I can’t imagine Jason Varitek putting on a uniform besides the Boston Red Sox. I saw him a few weeks ago. I know he wants to come back to the Red Sox. So I hope they get that done. I think it would be good for both sides, no doubt about it, especially that pitching staff."
3:50pm: Varitek faces a Friday morning (8:30am) deadline, says Tony Massarotti. Massarotti’s source adds that Varitek is "very seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week."
Massarotti adds that the Red Sox are expected to reopen trade talks for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Miguel Montero, independent of Varitek.
9:55am: A quote from WEEI’s Michael Holley in regard to Jason Varitek this morning:
"I have moles who have told me if the deadline were today, no deal." Catch the audio here, about 13 minutes in.
The deadline is tomorrow. Michael Silverman noted today that if Varitek declines the current $5MM plus an option offer, the Red Sox would either move on or make a lesser offer.
D’Backs Sign Jon Garland
THURSDAY: The D’Backs’ signing of Garland is official; he was introduced today.
WEDNESDAY, 2:52pm: More details from ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick: Garland gets $6.25MM in ’09 and the 2010 option for $10MM has a $2.5MM buyout if the D’Backs reject it. If Garland rejects it it’s a $1MM buyout. Bottom line: if he doesn’t return in 2010, he’ll have made either $7.25MM or $8.75MM for ’09.
1:49pm: Different take from Ken Rosenthal; he says Garland is guaranteed more than $8.5MM in total. Heyman figures Arizona’s Garland signing makes the Dodgers the "heavy favorite" for Randy Wolf.
1:11pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman has contract details. Garland will earn $6.25MM in ’09, with his ’10 buyout pushing the guaranteed money to about $7MM. The 2010 mutual option is for about $10MM.
10:41am: According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the Diamondbacks agreed to terms with starter Jon Garland on a one-year deal with an option (likely mutual) for 2010. Garland’s guaranteed money is believed to be in the $6-8MM range. The Diamondbacks probably could’ve re-signed Randy Johnson for a similar amount; did they make the right decision?
Garland’s early December choice to decline the Angels’ offer of arbitration turned out to be a mistake. The Angels will receive a supplemental draft pick for their loss.
The move uses up the D’Backs’ remaining payroll room, presumably taking them out of the mix for free agents such as Pedro Martinez and Braden Looper.