Free Agent Quota: 8 Type A/Bs
12:30pm: In an email, Bloom told me it is a combination of eight Type A and Bs (not eight of each) and whether or not the team offered arbitration has nothing to do with the quota.
11:37am: Bloom says that a unilateral exception was granted this offseason allowing any team to sign as many as eight Type A or B free agents. A total of 216 free agents filed, an exceptionally high number. Another note: Bloom learned from Manfred that while draft pick compensation would be eliminated if the player waits until after the June draft to sign, it has yet to occur.
10:44am: Brian Cashman told Peter Abraham the Yankees could sign up to eight Type A free agents if they wanted to. Cashman’s exact quote shows less certainty:
"I’m not sure of the exact number, but it’s one we won’t worry about either way."
10:05am: One reader asks a question I can’t answer: if the quota is three Type A/Bs, how were the Giants able to sign Jeremy Affeldt (B), Bob Howry (A), Randy Johnson (B), Edgar Renteria (A), and Juan Uribe (B)? Does it only apply to Type A/Bs who were offered arbitration? Is the quota three of each type?
7:45am: Just wanted to add the info from a January 6th Nick Cafardo article, where he stated that this year’s quota is nine Type A or B free agents. Everyone I’d spoken previously to believed the Yankees have not approached any quota. I know the CBA allows for more Type A/Bs to be signed if you lose them, and the Yankees lost Bobby Abreu and Mike Mussina. We attempted to tackle this in October and came away confused.
Still, Bloom talked to MLB’s executive VP of labor relations Rob Manfred for his article and it seems highly unlikely that Manfred would be wrong. – Tim Dierkes
1:28am: Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com is reporting that the New York Yankees cannot sign any more Type A or Type B free agents this offseason.
According to the Basic Agreement, and confirmed by a top Major League Baseball official, once the Yankees signed C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira, they had signed their quota of Type A or Type B free agents under the collectively bargained rules established by management and the Players Association, Bloom wrote.
All three were Type A free agents who played for other teams last season aside from the Yankees. The Yankees could re-sign their own Type A or Type B free agents without it affecting the quota.
Under the rules, "if there are from 39 to 62 [Type A and B] players [during a given offseason], no team can sign more than three."
Re-signing Type A pitchers Andy Pettitte and Damaso Marte did not affect the Yankees’ limit.
Offseason speculation has put the Yankees on the peripheral of interest for outfielder Manny Ramirez and pitcher Ben Sheets. This finding curbs those chances.
Benson Works Out In Front Of Nine Teams
Free agent right-hander Kris Benson worked out Saturday for nine teams and demonstrated that he should be ready to compete for a job in Spring Training, MLB.com reports.
Agent Gregg Clifton said the throwing session “went well, and he showed teams that he’s ahead of schedule in getting ready for the ’09 season.”
The article only lists the Rockies as being there, though it does note that nine teams were in attendance. This post lists the Dodgers, Rangers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Indians and Cardinals as teams that planned to attend.
Benson, 34, missed the 2007 season because of surgery on his right shoulder. He spent last season in the minors with the Phillies. He is 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in 195 career starts.
Jake Peavy Rumors: Monday
Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com believes a Chicago Cubs sale could catalyze a trade between the Cubs and the San Diego Padres — a trade that would include 2007 NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Peavy heading to the Cubs.
Bloom notes that neither team has re-engaged the topic, but sources suggested the move looks like a matter of when, not if, based on various developments.
As part of the deal, San Diego could get Garrett Olson, the starting pitcher the Cubs just obtained from the Orioles in a trade for left fielder Felix Pie. The Padres had “identified” Olson as a possible component when the teams extensively talked during the Winter Meetings.
Though it may seem improbable for the ownership situation to get cemented by Opening Day (April 5), Commissioner Bud Selig said that baseball would work expeditiously to get it done by then, Bloom wrote.
A Peavy trade would address a priority for the Padres to acquire promising young prospects in return for expensive veteran players, Bloom added.
Peavy is owed $11MM for 2009. He is owed another $52MM in a deal that runs through 2012 and includes a club option for 2013. The option is for $22MM with a $4MM buyout.
Last season, Peavy went 10-11 with 166 strikeouts and a 2.85 ERA. He also spent time on the disabled list.
Ausmus, Dodgers Complete One-Year Deal
Veteran catcher Brad Ausmus and the Los Angeles Dodgers finalized a one-year, $1MM contract Monday, The Associated Press reports.
The parties agreed to terms last week, and the three-time Gold Glove winner needed to take a physical. He can earn an additional $350,000 in performance bonuses based on plate appearances.
Ausmus, 40 in April, spent the past eight seasons with Houston, and he batted .218 with three home runs and 24 RBI in 81 games in 2008. He will back up catcher Russell Martin in Los Angeles.
Ausmus lives in Del Mar, about 100 miles south of Los Angeles.
Rockies Update On Fogg, Atkins
The Colorado Rockies offered third baseman Garrett Atkins $6.65MM, and Atkins asked for $7.95MM, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports.
“Either way, it’s going to be a lot of money and I will be happy,” Atkins told Renck.
Atkins’ arbitration hearing date has been set, Renck adds, but both parties are keeping it secret to prevent advance research by the arbiters.
Renck also notes that starting pitcher Josh Fogg is still considering rejoining the Rockies. Fogg would receive a minor-league deal similar to Matt Belisle.
Astros Avoid Arbitration With Rodriguez, Geary
Troy Renck of the Denver Post has learned that Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez and the franchise have reached a one-year, $2.6MM deal.
Rodriguez, 30, went 9-7 with a 3.54 ERA in 2008. He can make an additional $50,000 for 180 innings pitched.
The Astros also avoided arbitration with right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary. Geary will earn $1.7MM plus incentives.
Geary, 32, went 2-3 with a 2.53 ERA in 55 appearances in 2008, his first season with the Astros.
Counsell, Brewers Complete Deal
Veteran infielder Craig Counsell and the Milwaukee Brewers completed a one-year, $1MM contract after the the 38-year-old passed a physical, MLB.com reports.
Counsell spent the past two seasons with the Brewers, but the club declined its $3.4MM option on his contract earlier this offseason. He hit .226 with one home run and 14 RBI in 110 games last season.
Astros’ Rotation Spots Open; Mets Sign Trio
A few notes popping up:
- The Houston Astros will have tryouts for the starting rotation at Spring Training. Felipe Paulino and Fernando Nieve are both young arms that will be considered, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports. The Astros are tentatively counting on Roy Oswalt, Mike Hampton, Brandon Backe, Wandy Rodriguez and Brian Moehler to fill out their rotation.
- The New York Mets have finalized deals with utilityman Rob Mackowiak, right-handed pitcher Kyle Snyder and left-hander Jon Switzer to minor-league deals. The three will be competing for 25-man roster spots at Spring Training, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.
Counsell, Brewers Agree To Deal
Free agent infielder Craig Counsell has reached preliminary agreement with the Milwaukee Brewers for a one-year, $1MM contract, a source told Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com.
After spending the past two seasons with the Brewers, Counsell became a free agent when the team declined his $3.4MM club option at the start of the offseason, Rosenthal notes.
Counsell, 38, appeared in 110 games for Milwaukee last season, batting .226 with a .355 on-base percentage, one home run and 14 RBI. He is a .255/.343/.344 career hitter.
The Seattle Mariners and St. Louis Cardinals also had interest in Counsell’s services.
Markakis Finalizes Extension With Orioles
fielder Nick Markakis and the Baltimore Orioles have made "real progress" in their contract-extension negotiations in recent days, according to club president Andy MacPhail.
One source told Connolly that the two sides are close to agreeing to a six-year deal worth between $64MM and $66MM in guaranteed money.
Markakis, 25, hit .306 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI in 2008.