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Bobby Cassevah Elects Free Agency

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Bobby Cassevah has declined an assignment to Triple-A, choosing instead to become a free agent, MLBTR has learned. The Angels outrighted the right-hander off of their 40-man roster earlier this week.

Cassevah appeared in four games for the Angels in 2012, but spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a 6.22 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 46 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old has a 3.20 ERA in 64 2/3 MLB innings. He had 72 hours to decide whether to accept a Triple-A assignment after clearing waivers.

Reds Sign Mark Prior

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The Reds signed Mark Prior to a minor league deal, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. The move reunites Prior with manager Dusty Baker, who managed Prior early in his career with the Cubs.

“He called me and … asked for a chance,” Baker told Fay. "He feels like he has some unfinished business."

Critics often point to Baker's handling of Prior as one of the reasons the promising right-hander dealt with so many injuries. Despite the perception that Baker mis-managed Prior, they have remained close and speak a couple of times each year, Fay reports.

A series of shoulder problems derailed Prior's career, and he last pitched at the MLB level in 2006. Prior has tried to resurrect his career with stints with the Padres, Rangers, Yankees and Red Sox. The 32-year-old had been working to strengthen his shoulder in the hopes of receiving an invitation to Spring Training. 

The Cubs drafted Prior second overall in 2001 and he soon became one of the National League's best pitchers. He posted a 2.43 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9 as a 22-year-old just a year and a half after being drafted. 

Offseason In Review: Baltimore Orioles

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The Orioles added outfield depth and bolstered their bench this winter. Yet Dan Duquette’s second offseason as the club’s top baseball executive was even quieter than his first. The Orioles spent with extreme caution this winter, even after making their first playoff appearance in 15 years.

Major League Signings

Notable Minor League Signings

Trades and Claims

Notable Losses

Needs Addressed

Duquette re-signed left fielder Nate McLouth to a deal that's both low-commitment and low upside. While McLouth hit respectably with the Orioles last year, recent history suggests he has become a below-average hitter (.221/.320/.346 batting line since 2010). It's possible Nolan Reimold will produce at the plate and McLouth will be the club's fourth outfielder, a role he may be better suited for given his struggles against left-handed pitching.

Manny Machado - Orioles (PW)

The club also bolstered its bench with a pair of former Twins: Danny Valencia and Alexi Casilla. Valencia could provide some pop against left-handers and Casilla, a switch-hitter, represents insurance in the event that Brian Roberts spends time on the disabled list.

The Orioles didn't sign any prominent free agents, but Duquette did add Jair Jurrjens on a low-risk deal. This move could pay off for the Orioles, who are positioned to create room in their rotation in case Jurrjens proves to be healthy. Still just 27, Jurrjens required only a minor league commitment.

The relatively quiet offseason seems to reflect confidence in internal options. Perhaps Chris Tillman and Miguel Gonzalez can build on last year’s success while Dylan Bundy and Kevin Gausman prepare themselves for significant MLB roles. There’s reason for optimism elsewhere, as Manny Machado prepares for his first full season and the bullpen returns undiminished.

Questions Remaining

The Orioles would look stronger now if they had found an everyday alternative to Roberts at second base. Or if they had added a number three starter to pair with Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen atop a rotation that includes its share of uncertainty. Or if they had acquired an impact bat for left field or designated hitter.

Flirtations with Joe Saunders and other free agent starters didn’t develop. Nor did inquiries to the Diamondbacks regarding outfielders Justin Upton and Jason Kubel. The Orioles reportedly showed interest in free agent bats such as Josh Hamilton and Nick Swisher, only to see them sign elsewhere. 

There were potential upgrades available on the trade market (Kubel, Michael Morse) and in free agency (Cody Ross, Lance Berkman, Mike Napoli). Instead the Orioles are left with DH Wilson Betemit hitting right-handers and Valencia and others matching up against lefties. There’s no point in spending for the sake of spending, but the Orioles had real needs at a time that solutions were available in free agency. It would have been encouraging to see owner Peter Angelos spend on a power bat or a free agent starter.

Deal of Note

The Orioles didn’t sign any players to long-term deals this winter, but their leadership structure figures to remain in place for a while. The club extended Duquette and manager Buck Showalter through the 2018 season with deals that were completed last month. Both had strong cases for extensions. Duquette’s moves, particularly his ability to find quality pitching in unexpected places, led to the Orioles’ first playoff berth in 15 years. Showalter managed the pitching staff skillfully, coaxing 93 wins from a team picked by many to finish in last place. 

Overview

The Orioles enter the 2013 season with questions in the rotation, at second base and in left field. Some regression seems likely, especially in the stacked American League East. It’s a good thing the Orioles have experience proving doubters wrong. They know better than most that pre-season predictions can be wildly inaccurate.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.

Twins Have Interest In Jim Thome

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MARCH 1st, 9:37am: There's mutual interest between the Twins and Thome, but not all Twins officials are on board with the idea, tweets Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN.  The major sticking point in the talks is that Thome is seeking a big league deal.

FEBRUARY 25th, 5:03pm: Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN asked a Twins official about their reported interest in Thome and was asked, "Believe everything you read?" in return. Wolfson hypothesizes that manager Ron Gardenhire wants Thome to be brought in, but GM Terry Ryan isn't on board (Twitter link).

2:34pm: The Twins had a conversation with Jim Thome’s representatives about a month ago, La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune reports. Though the SFX client hasn’t been in recent contact with the Twins, there’s a chance the sides could resume discussions. Manager Ron Gardenhire has indicated he’d like some power off of the bench.

“I know we want a little more something off the bench instead of two utility guys and a backup catcher.'' Gardenhire said. “I’m going to have a better bench and have a little more weapons. So we’re going to do that. whatever that entails, that’s what we’re going to do.”

Thome, who played for the Twins in 2010-11, remains a free agent and continues to work out in preparation for the season. The 42-year-old hopes to continue playing, but told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that he has been reluctant to accept a minor league deal. Thome played for the Phillies and Orioles in 2012, posting a .252/.344/.442 batting line with eight home runs in 186 plate appearances.

The switch-hitting Ryan Doumit now projects as the Twins' designated hitter. Thome could provide the Twins with an alternative to Doumit and a powerful left-handed bat for pinch hitting opportunities. He has not been linked to the Twins so far this offseason.

Cashman: Yankees Made Cano ‘Significant Offer’

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4:45pm: Scott Boras didn't comment on the offer, telling CBS Sports' Jon Heyman that "Robinson is focused on preparing for and playing the 2013 season.  By agreement discussions shall remain confidential. Also by agreement, discussions will cease if they are a distraction to Robinson's performance and leadership of the 2013 Yankees.''

3:43pm: The Yankees made Robinson Cano "a significant offer" that would keep the second baseman off of the free agent market, GM Brian Cashman confirmed to reporters, including MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner said earlier this month that the Yankees were prepared to offer Cano a significant long-term deal. It's now clear that the Yankees have made the 30-year-old an offer.

Cano, who's scheduled to hit free agency following the 2013 season, is a client of agent Scott Boras. Boras might expect opening bids for ten years at $20-25MM per season, Joel Sherman of the New York Post recently suggested. However, Sherman wrote that the Yankees would prefer a shorter term, perhaps $171MM for seven years. Cano recently told reporters that “it’s not about the money,” for what it's worth.

Quick Hits: Braves, Red Sox, Barton

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We can expect Mike Trout, Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw to be among the game's best players in 2018, Dan Szymborski of ESPN Insider writes. Szymborski’s 30-player list includes many established MLB stars and some minor leaguers who have yet to make an impact at the highest level. Here are some more links for Thursday afternoon…

  • Scouts say the Braves are looking for a left-handed hitting bench player, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (on Twitter). The left-handed hitting Jordan Schafer and the switch-hitting Ramiro Pena are internal candidates to make the Braves as bench players.
  • Red Sox manager John Farrell said no third base additions are "being contemplated or imminent," Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal reports (on Twitter). Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reported this morning that there’s a belief free agent third baseman Scott Rolen would be interested in talking to the Red Sox.
  • Athletics first baseman Daric Barton didn't expect that Oakland would want him back this offseason, Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. Barton, who hit just .204/.338/.292 in 46 games last season, re-signed with the A's on a non-guaranteed $1.1MM deal.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AL Central Notes: Tigers, Twins, Cabrera

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Every American League Central team except the Royals has won the division at least once since 2007. Here are some AL Central notes, starting with Tigers, winners of the last two division titles…

  • Brennan Boesch doesn't have a clear role on the 2013 Tigers, and it's possible his recent oblique injury hurt his trade value, John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press writes. GM Dave Dombrowski has said Boesch won’t be sent to the minors, according to Lowe.
  • Jamie Samuelsen of the Detroit Free Press outlines four reasons the Tigers shouldn't sign Justin Verlander to a $200MM extension, before concluding that Verlander would be worth it, especially given the cost of starting pitching in MLB. Verlander has acknowledged that free agency intrigues him.
  • Darren Wolfson of ESPN 1500 hears from a Twins official that the asking price for Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz remains “too high." The Twins are fans of the free agent shortstop, according to Wolfson (on Twitter).
  • Asdrubal Cabrera told MLB.com's Jordan Bastian that he was surprised to find himself mentioned in offseason trade rumors (Twitter link). The shortstop added that he wants to spend his entire career with the Indians. Cabrera's under contract through 2014, but he'll probably appear on these pages next offseason if the Indians' shortstop prospects continue to develop.

Outrighted: Bobby Cassevah

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We'll keep track of the day's outright assignments here…

  • The Angels outrighted right-hander Bobby Cassevah off of their 40-man roster, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times reports (Twitter links). Cassevah appeared in four games for the Angels in 2012, but spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a 6.22 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 46 1/3 innings. The 27-year-old has cleared waivers and now has 72 hours to decide whether to accept a Triple-A assignment. He has a 3.20 ERA in 64 2/3 MLB innings.

Yankees, Indians Not In On Lohse

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The market for Kyle Lohse still seems quiet, even as Opening Day approaches. Agent Scott Boras called the Yankees about Lohse this week only to hear that they aren't interested, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (Twitter links). The Indians aren't in on Lohse either, having already expanded payroll to accommodate free agents Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn.

The Yankees' rotation looks vulnerable now that Phil Hughes is questionable for Opening Day. However, the Yankees avoided free agents linked to draft pick compensation this winter and seem intent on keeping their first round pick. Plus, signing Lohse to a multiyear deal could make it difficult to avoid baseball’s luxury tax by 2014.

The Indians would only have to surrender a third round selection to sign Lohse, so draft pick compensation isn't an issue for them, Olney writes. Instead, Lohse's asking price seems to be the primary obstacle. The Indians’ rotation includes considerable uncertainty from top to bottom, so interest in Lohse would make sense at the right price.

MLBTR’s Mark Polishuk recently examined the market for Lohse in detail. Other potential suitors include the Angels, Brewers and Cardinals.

NL East Notes: Wright, Marlins, Adams

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The NL East includes a broad range of payrolls, from the Phillies at $150MM-plus to the Marlins below $40MM. Here's are some notes from the division…

  • Carlos Beltran told Mike Puma of the New York Post that David Wright should be able to handle the pressure that comes with a nine-figure contract. "He’s been with the organization a long time, so there is nothing he needs to change,” said Beltran, who signed a seven-year $119MM deal with the Mets as a free agent following the 2004 season.
  • Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria said newcomer Adeiny Hechavarria has Hanley Ramirez’s endorsement, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. “When Hanley tells you ‘He is better than I am, you’ve got a great guy with great hands,’ it’s amusing to listen to,” Loria said. The Marlins, who traded Ramirez to Los Angeles last summer, acquired Hechavarria from Toronto in a blockbuster deal with the Blue Jays in November.
  • Reliever Mike Adams would likely be with a different team had the Phillies completed their deal with the Astros for Wilton Lopez, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com. GM Ruben Amaro Jr. acknowledged that the Phillies "probably would not have" signed Adams had the club not pulled back from trading for Lopez (since dealt to the Rockies) for undisclosed reasons following his physical. 

Jeff Todd contributed to this post.

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