Astros Release Livan Hernandez
The Astros announced that they have released right-hander Livan Hernandez. The Astros had signed Hernandez to a minor league deal in January and would have owed the Praver/Shapiro client $100K if they had placed him on the Opening Day roster.
Hernandez posted a 4.47 ERA with 5.1 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 42.4% ground ball rate in 175 1/3 innings for the 2011 Nationals. The 37-year-old has averaged 216 innings and a 4.44 ERA since 1998, his first full season as a big league starter, and has completed at least 175 innings in each of the past 14 seasons. He earned $1.25MM in 2011.
Angels Notes: Abreu, Isringhausen
The Dodgers have generated most of the L.A.-related news this week, but there's plenty going on with the area's second team. Here are some updates regarding the Angels…
- The Bobby Abreu trade appears to be dead or on hold, as the Angels have the veteran in today’s lineup, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com hears the deal fell apart (Twitter link). The Angels had discussed a trade that would have sent Abreu to the Indians.
- Jason Isringhausen has made the Angels’ Opening Day roster, DiGiovanna reports. Isringhausen, who signed a minor league deal with the Angels last month, had also seriously contemplated retirement. The Angels will pay Isringhausen $650K in 2012.
La Russa To Join MLB
Longtime manager Tony La Russa will join Major League Baseball as a special advisor, ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (Twitter link). La Russa's deal, which has yet to be announced, will pay him approximately $2.5MM annually.
La Russa announced his retirement soon after leading the Cardinals to the 2011 World Series championship. The former White Sox, Athletics and Cardinals skipper ranks third all-time in wins as a manager. There were rumblings that the 67-year-old might replace Joe Torre, another former player and manager, as MLB's executive VP for baseball operations. Torre ultimately rejoined MLB after pursuing ownership of the Dodgers.
Mets Notes: Dickey, Pelfrey, Baxter, Edgin
Three of the NL East teams generated considerable buzz with their offseason moves, but the Mets and Braves remained relatively quiet. Here's the latest on the Mets via Andy Martino of the New York Daily News…
- The Mets are considering numerous options regarding R.A. Dickey's contract, Martino reports. The club views the knuckleballer as someone who can contribute for years and they may preemptively guarantee his 2013 option at $5MM.
- I don't see the value in doing this from the team perspective unless Dickey agrees to add club options for later years. Otherwise there's minimal benefit to guaranteeing the option now in my view.
- The Mets considered releasing Mike Pelfrey in a recent meeting, but on-field staff didn't favor the idea and it was dismissed, Martino writes. Releasing the right-hander before Opening Day would save the Mets nearly $5MM, since his contract is non-guaranteed.
- Mike Baxter will make the Mets unless they acquire someone from outside of the organization, Martino writes.
- Left-handed reliever Josh Edgin "has opened a lot of eyes," a club official told Martino. Edgin won't make the Opening Day roster, but he could join the team at some point.
Minor Moves: Bard, Sullivan, Pearce, Michaels
Here are the latest minor moves from around MLB…
- The Dodgers released Cory Sullivan and catcher Josh Bard, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. The pair both signed minor league deals with L.A. in December.
- The Yankees have signed Steve Pearce to a minor league contract, reports Josh Norris of the Trentonian (Twitter link). Pearce, a former well-regarded prospect with the Pirates, signed a minor league deal with the Twins in December but was released on Tuesday.
- The Nationals released outfielder Jason Michaels, the team announced. The Nationals signed the 11-year veteran to a minor league contract in December.
- The Brewers signed catcher Jason Jaramillo to a minor league deal, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel tweets. The Cubs released the backstop a couple of days ago after signing him to a minor league deal in January.
- The Red Sox released catcher Max St. Pierre, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (on Twitter). SoxProspects.com first reported the transaction.
- The Brewers released Corey Patterson then re-signed him to another minor league contract, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports (Twitter links). Patterson, who signed a minor league deal with Milwaukee in January, will start the season at Triple-A.
- The Indians announced that they acquired right-hander Jairo Asencio from the Braves for cash. The right-handed reliever led the International League in saves in 2009 and 2011 and posted a 1.81 ERA with 11.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 54 2/3 innings at Triple-A last year. Asencio is out of options.
- The Mets have signed infielder Josh Rodriguez to a minor league deal, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports. The Pirates selected the 27-year-old in last year's Rule 5 draft, returned him to the Indians in April, and traded for him in June. Rodriguez, who played in seven MLB games last year, posted a .258/.323/.349 line in 330 plate appearances in the upper minors.
Quick Hits: Rangers, Dodgers, Rowand
On this date three years ago, the Padres returned Rule 5 selection Ivan Nova to the Yankees. The right-hander broke out with a 3.70 ERA in 165 1/3 innings last year, his first full season in the Major Leagues. Here are today's links…
- The Rangers are looking to tinker, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets. They’re looking to move Koji Uehara and/or Mark Lowe and aim to acquire a utility infielder and/or right-handed bat who can handle left field and first base. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News reported yesterday that other teams are calling about the Rangers’ relievers.
- Magic Johnson, whose group won the bidding for the Dodgers, promises to invest in the team, Bill Shaikin of the LA Times reports (via the Baltimore Sun). "Teams are investing," the former NBA star said. "That's what you do when you put a winning team on the field. We're not going to be any different from those teams."
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports argues that it would be good for baseball if more of the sport's stars remained involved in high-profile roles after their playing careers end. "Two trends — increasing player compensation and larger ownership groups — have combined to create more opportunities for players to become owners," Astros CEO George Postolos told Morosi.
- Teams with catching depth such as the Yankees, Padres, and Blue Jays aren’t inclined to make deals at this point, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports.
- Aaron Rowand, who was released earlier today, says he'll "probably" retire if no team needs an outfielder, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports (Twitter link).
NL East Notes: Nady, Hamels, Hu
The Braves traded out of options right-hander Jairo Asencio to the Indians for cash this morning. Here are some more updates from the NL East…
- The Braves have expressed interest in Nationals outfielder Xavier Nady, according to Mark Bowman of MLB.com (on Twitter). The Braves have been seeking a right-handed hitting outfielder, but were said to prefer players who can handle center field.
- Cole Hamels' reaction to the sale of the Dodgers, via ESPN.com's Jayson Stark (on Twitter): "I didn't know Magic Johnson knew anything about baseball," Hamels said. "That's my reaction." The Phillies left-hander hits free agency following the 2012 season but may sign a long-term deal in the relatively near future.
- Chin-lung Hu had joined the Phillies in anticipation of a deal, but failed his physical, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer tweets.
- A National League scout doesn't think the Phillies are that scary once you get past Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. "Other than those three pitchers, they're not very good," the scout told Andy Martino of the New York Daily News (Twitter link).
- In case you missed it, I reviewed the Nationals' offseason earlier this morning.
Nationals Sign Zach Duke
The Nationals announced that they signed left-hander Zach Duke to a minor league deal (Twitter link). The Astros released Duke earlier this week.
Duke, 28, posted a 4.93 ERA with 3.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 49.6% ground ball rate in 76 2/3 innings last year. The 2009 All-Star owns a 4.56 ERA with 4.6 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and a 49.0% ground ball rate in seven seasons with Arizona and Pittsburgh. SFX represents the Clifton, Texas native.
Orioles Designate Dana Eveland For Assignment
The Orioles announced that they designated left-hander Dana Eveland for assignment. The move creates 40-man roster space for infield prospect Zelous Wheeler, who was claimed off of waivers from the Brewers in a corresponding move.
The Orioles acquired Eveland from the Dodgers in December and agreed to terms with him on a one-year, $750K deal later on that month. The 28-year-old spent part of the 2011 season with the Dodgers, posting a 3.03 ERA with 4.9 K/9 and 1.8 BB/9 in 29 2/3 innings. He spent most of the season starting at Triple-A Albuquerque, where he posted a 4.38 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 154 innings.
Orioles Claim Zelous Wheeler
The Orioles claimed infielder Zelous Wheeler off of waivers from the Brewers, the teams announced. The Orioles have optioned him to Triple-A. Meanwhile, the Brewers now have three open spots on their 40-man roster.
Wheeler, 25, posted a .272/.378/.459 batting line in the upper minors of the Brewers' system last year. The 2007 19th rounder owns a .271/.371/.408 career line in parts of five minor league seasons.