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2013 Contract Issues: Chicago White Sox

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The White Sox are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (2)

  • A.J. Pierzynski - Pierzynski continues to provide offense and durability at the game's most demanding position. Remarkably, he has averaged more than 130 games per season since becoming an MLB regular in 2001. He'd be hard to replace, but he's 35 and will slow down at some point. I don't expect the White Sox to make him a qualifying offer and risk a salary of $12MM-plus.
  • Will Ohman - Ohman has struggled through his first 18 appearances of the 2012 season, so the 34-year-old's stock is falling. Plus, the White Sox already have left-handers Matt Thornton and Hector Santiago in their projected 2013 bullpen. 

Contract Options (3)

  • Gavin Floyd: $9.5MM club option. It will probably make sense for the White Sox to pick up the option and obtain the rights to the durable right-hander's age-30 season.
  • Jake Peavy: $22MM club option with a $4MM buyout. Peavy has pitched tremendously this year, but a net cost of $18MM for someone with Peavy's injury history seems all too risky. The White Sox could trade Peavy and avoid the option decision altogether if they fall out of contention. If they keep Peavy and decline his option, they could still re-sign him at a lower average annual value.
  • Kosuke Fukudome: $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout. At this point it's hard to envision the White Sox picking up the option.

Arbitration Eligible (4)

The White Sox will have four arbitration eligible players next offseason, all of them first-timers. This entire class will cost less than $10MM to retain, making it one of the smallest and most affordable groups around.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The White Sox have committed approximately $79MM to next year's team, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. Owner Jerry Reinsdorf typically spends $95MM-plus on payroll, and the tab has exceeded $100MM in five of the past seven seasons.

Rangers Claim John Gaub

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The Rangers claimed left-handed pitcher John Gaub off of waivers from the Rays, Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune tweets. The Rays had designated Gaub for assignment three days ago to create roster space for Drew Sutton.

Gaub, 27, appeared in four games for the Cubs last season and has a 3.81 ERA with 11.8 K/9 and 6.3 BB/9 across parts of four Triple-A seasons. The Rays claimed him off of waivers from the Cubs in April then stashed him at Triple-A. Robbie Ross is the Rangers' lone left-handed reliever at the moment, so Gaub provides some depth.

2013 Contract Issues: Cleveland Indians

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The Indians are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (5)

  • Derek Lowe - The 38-year-old has added value for the Indians by keeping the ball on the ground. But he's striking out just 2.3 batters per nine innings, which could scare some potentially interested teams this offseason.
  • Grady Sizemore - Sizemore, now on the 60-day disabled list, in on track to miss more games than he plays in for the third consecutive season. If he returns to Cleveland for 2013, it's hard to imagine another $5MM guarantee. Perhaps an incentive-based minor league deal would work if there's interest on both sides.
  • Casey Kotchman - The Indians could use more offense at first base; the Twins are the lone AL team getting a lower OPS from their first basemen.
  • Johnny Damon - There's definitely a chance Damon will lose his roster spot before the offseason if the hits don't start falling in.
  • Jose Lopez - Lopez has been hitting since having his contract purchsed from the minor leagues. He won't obtain a qualifying offer this offseason, nor will any of his teammates.

Contract Options (3)

  • Travis Hafner: $13MM club option with a $2.75MM buyout. Hafner is drawing walks and hitting for some power, so he's a useful designated hitter. But $13MM from a small-market team for a 35-year-old whose prime years are behind him? I expect the Indians to decline the option.
  • Ubaldo Jimenez: $5.75MM club option with a $1MM buyout. Jimenez's ERA is over 5.00 in 20 starts with the Indians and he's walking more batters than he's striking out this year. The Indians could decline the option if he doesn't resolve his control issues, even though it would mean giving up on a pitcher who was supposed to lead the rotation for years.
  • Roberto Hernandez: $9MM club option. Hernandez, the pitcher formerly known as Fausto Carmona, hasn't thrown a pitch in the Major Leagues this year. Issues surrounding his age and identity have sidelined him, so it'd be a surprise if the Indians made him a $9MM commitment this offseason.

Arbitration Eligible (12)

The Indians face a large and potentially expensive arbitration class. Perez and Masterson could each earn $6MM or more their second times through arbitration. Choo would earn even more if his power returns. LaPorta's playing at Triple-A and there's no guarantee he will accrue enough service time to qualify for arbitration by next winter. Duncan, Accardo and Slowey could all be considered non-tender candidates.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Indians have committed $11MM to next year's team, which is less than every team we've looked at except the Padres (they're also at $11MM). If Cleveland's ownership matches the 2012 payroll of $65MM, GM Chris Antonetti will have flexibility to sign, trade for and extend players next winter.

Heyman On Hamels, Yankees, Oviedo

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The Phillies haven’t been in touch with Cole Hamels to discuss an extension recently, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. It’s getting to the point where it would almost seem like an upset if the Phillies re-signed the left-hander, Heyman writes. Here are the details on Hamels and more of Heyman’s notes from around MLB…

  • Three agents suggested to Heyman that Hamels’ next contract could fall in the $150-175MM range. The deals for left-handers Johan Santana (six years, $138MM) and C.C. Sabathia (seven years, $161MM) could provide reference points for interested teams and agent John Boggs.
  • Yankees managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner says rumors that he might sell the team are a "complete fiction," (Heyman tweets). "Me and my family have no intention to sell the Yankees and expect [the franchise] to be in the family for years to come,'' Steinbrenner said. The New York Daily News reported that the Yankees are exploring the possibility of selling the team.
  • Juan Carlos Oviedo, who recently received his work visa, will report to extended Spring Training soon, Heyman tweets. The pitcher formerly known as Leo Nunez will serve an eight week suspension before returning to the Marlins.

Los Angeles Notes: Angels, Hunter, Ethier

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Shawn Green of the Dodgers hit four home runs in one game on this date in 2002. Green picked up 19 total bases against the Brewers in Milwaukee, setting an MLB record. Here are the latest links from Los Angeles:

  • Though the Angels have not been required to pay Torii Hunter during his absence, he is receiving his full salary, a person familiar with the situation told Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times.  Assuming Hunter returns for Monday night's game against the Yankees, he will have been away for two weeks which works out to $1.5MM for that span with his $18MM salary.
  • Andre Ethier said he doesn’t plan to set a deadline for extension talks with the Dodgers, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times writes. Ethier, who is on track to hit free agency this coming offseason, said he doesn’t expect to put extension talks on hold at any point this season. "We'll take a look at whatever they bring to us," Ethier said. "I don't look at it any other way. I'm not going to sit here and play what-ifs and what-nots."
  • Manager Mike Scioscia said Hunter will "likely" re-join the Angels early next week, Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times tweets. The Angels placed Hunter on the restricted list due to personal reasons last week.

Brewers Claim Cody Ransom

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The Brewers have claimed infielder Cody Ransom off of waivers from the Diamondbacks, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. Ransom has played 100 MLB games at shortstop, so he provides the Brewers with depth alongside Cesar Izturis. The Brewers confirmed the claim, announcing that they've optioned Edwin Maysonet to the minors and moved Alex Gonzalez to the 60-day disabled list in corresponding moves.

Ransom posted a .269/.345/.577 batting line in 58 plate appearances with the Diamondbacks this year, but they removed him from the 40-man roster earlier this week by designating him for assignment.  The 36-year-old played third base and shortstop, the same two positions he appeared at in 2011. Haudricourt reported earlier today that the Brewers were interested in adding shortstop help and Ransom's a fit since he has played more games at shortstop than at any other position. He has a .226/.310/.409 batting line in parts of ten seasons at the MLB level.

2013 Contract Issues: Detroit Tigers

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The Tigers are next in MLBTR’s 2013 Contract Issues series:

Eligible For Free Agency (3)

  • Delmon Young - Young hasn't done himself many favors at the plate (.669 OPS) or off the field this season. Victor Martinez will return as the Tigers' designated hitter by 2013 and it won't be surprising if Martinez's return eases Young out of Detroit.
  • Jose Valverde – Last year's streak of successful save conversions shouldn't obstruct the fact that Valverde’s in decline. It’s not that his past contributions have already been forgotten or that he won't be a useful reliever in 2013, but a commitment of more than $5MM would be an overpay given the unpredictability of relief pitchers and the right-hander’s peripheral stats.
  • Gerald Laird - Laird, 32, continues to contribute as a backup catcher. Perhaps another one-year deal in the $1-2MM range will work for both sides. None of the Tigers' three free agents should expect qualifying offers next winter.

Contract Options (2)

  • Octavio Dotel: $3.5MM club option with a $500K buyout. Manager Jim Leyland is limiting Dotel's exposure to left-handed hitters and the 38-year-old is pitching well. At a net cost of $3MM, Dotel could be retained as the team's right-on-right specialist.
  • Jhonny Peralta: $6MM club option with a $500K buyout. Even if Peralta doesn't hit the way he did in 2011, the team figures to exercise this option at the end of the season. He has more power and better on-base skills than the average shortstop and remains serviceable on defense, according to The Fielding Bible Volume III. A net commitment of $5.5MM for the shortstop's age-31 season seems like a good deal for the Tigers.

Arbitration Eligible (9)

The Tigers' next arbitration class includes three fifths of the team's starting rotation and much of its outfield. Retaining these players will cost a whole lot, likely more than $20MM. GM Dave Dombrowski has hinted that the team will consider extensions for some players after the season. Avila's on track for a raise to the $3MM range, and Jackson's 2013 salary could also approach $3MM. Fister could have 600 career innings by the time the season ends, so he'll be among the game's best-compensated first time eligible pitchers. Raburn has been a major disappointment at the plate this year, so a non-tender isn't out of the question.

2013 Payroll Obligation

The Tigers have committed just over $87MM to next year's team, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts. Owner Mike Ilitch has regularly spent more than $100MM on his team and payroll rose to $133MM for 2012 following last offseason's Prince Fielder signing. Dombrowski should have some flexibility next offseason, though his major pieces are already in place.

Brewers Appear To Seek Shortstop Help

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The Brewers appear to be seeking shortstop help, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports (Twitter links). Manager Ron Roenicke, president of baseball operations Doug Melvin and assistant GM Gord Ash had a lengthy meeting this morning. 

The Brewers lost starting shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a right knee injury earlier this month and they’re now relying on Cesar Izturis and Edwin Maysonet at the position. The trio has combined for a .223/.274/.344 batting line, so there’s definite room for improvement on offense.

Roenicke said any move would be minor for now, according to Haudricourt. That’s not surprising given the apparent shortage of shortstops available in trades. Marco Scutaro and Jamey Carroll could become available in trades this summer, though that’s my own speculation.

Roy Oswalt Rumors: Wednesday

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The Red Sox haven't discussed a contract with Roy Oswalt, but GM Ben Cherington didn't deny that the team watched the free agent right-hander work out. That's the essence of yesterday's Oswalt rumors; now on to today's…

  • Some rival executives fully expect Oswalt to sign with the Rangers, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter links). The Rangers play relatively close to Oswalt’s home state of Mississippi and he might want to join pitching coach Mike Maddux and CEO Nolan Ryan in Texas. To this point the Rangers haven’t made Oswalt a formal offer, Olney notes.
  • Manager Ron Washington said on ESPN Dallas 103.3 FM's Ben & Skin Show that GM Jon Daniels and the front office will make the final decision regarding the right-hander. "Oswalt has to want to come to Texas and we have to get him ready. The guy is a quality pitcher. But I'm more than certain there are other teams trying to do the same things," Washington said, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.
  • Keep in mind that the Phillies have also been linked to Oswalt.

Red Sox Notes: Youkilis, Ortiz

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The Red Sox shuffled their lineup yesterday, playing Adrian Gonzalez in right field to create space for Kevin Youkilis and Will Middlebrooks. Here's the latest on the Red Sox as the club prepares to resume its series with the Orioles…

  • Red Sox manager Bobby Valentine said on WEEI’s Dennis & Callahan show that he doesn’t anticipate trading Youkilis. “He's making up for a lot of deficiencies that have presented themselves at other positions,” Valentine said. “Trading him — I don't see that." (transcript by Jerry Spar). The Phillies and Indians were eyeing Youkilis earlier in the month.
  • GM Ben Cherington said David Ortiz deserves recognition for his work on and off the field, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports. “I feel pretty good about our relationship with David,” Cherington said. “We certainly support him and have a lot of respect for him and want him to be on our side, and I’m glad he is.” Earlier in the week the DH spoke of a lack of respect from the front office.

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