Dodgers Claim Matt Angle
The Dodgers have claimed outfielder Matt Angle off of waivers, Steve Melewski of MASNsports.com tweets. The Dodgers confirmed the news, noting that they moved Rubby De La Rosa to the 60-day DL in a corresponding move (Twitter link). The Orioles designated Angle for assignment to create roster space for Luis Ayala approximately two weeks ago.
Angle debuted with the 2011 Orioles, playing all three outfield positions, and posting a .559 OPS in 95 plate appearances. The 26-year-old spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a .271/.347/.344 line in 489 plate appearances. He hit his first big league home run off of Justin Verlander in Detroit as the right-hander attempted to win his 25th game of the season.
Padres, Maybin Continue Talking Extension
The Padres continue discussing a long-term extension with center fielder Cameron Maybin, Dan Hayes of the North County Times reports. The sides are optimistic about reaching a deal and have an unofficial March 1st deadline in place.
Talks about a five year extension started earlier in the offseason, but stopped around the time Maybin switched agents. The 24-year-old Brian Goldberg client says he's focused on preparing for the season, not the possibility of a new contract.
Maybin posted a .264/.323/.393 line in 2011 and plays better-than-average defense in center field, according to UZR/150. He's not yet arbitration eligible and will remain under team control through 2015. I explained last month that I believe a five-year deal in the $21-22MM range could work for Maybin and the Padres.
Roy Oswalt Rumors: Thursday
Roy Oswalt could decide on a new team by today, Jim Bowden of ESPN and MLB Network Radio reported yesterday. The Red Sox, Rangers and Cardinals have all been linked to Oswalt, but the way this offseason has unfolded, it's still too soon to rule out a surprise. We'll keep track of the latest rumors right here until there's word of a decision:
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak insists Oswalt "will not be pitching for the Cardinals," according to Strauss (on Twitter).
- At this point, Oswalt is not going to the Rangers or Red Sox, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets.
- A close friend of Oswalt's "would not be surprised" if the right-hander accepts the Cardinals' terms, Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch tweets.
- Agent Bob Garber said Oswalt will make an announcement today, Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com reports. The Red Sox aren't sure what Oswalt intends to do, but they still have interest in him, according to Edes.
Yankees Sign David Aardsma
7:09pm: Joel Sherman of The New York Post reports (on Twitter) that any incentives Aardsma earns in 2012 will increase the base salary of his 2013 option by the same amount.
11:21am: The Yankees have signed 30-year-old right-hander David Aardsma, the team announced. It's a Major League deal worth $500K that includes a club option for 2013. The deal includes $500K in incentives and the 2012 option is worth $500K, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times tweets. Aardsma underwent Tommy John surgery last July and won't be ready to contribute until midway through the 2012 campaign.
Aardsma last pitched in the Major Leagues in 2010, when he saved 31 games as the Mariners' closer, posting a 3.44 ERA with 8.9 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 49 2/3 innings. He has a 4.20 ERA with 9.1 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9 in parts of six MLB seasons.
MLB.com's Bryan Hoch and Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News first reported the deal.
Brewers Sign Jay Gibbons
The Brewers signed outfielder Jay Gibbons to a minor league deal, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (on Twitter). Agent Bo McKinnis represents the 34-year-old, who played in the Brewers' organization in 2008,
Gibbons appeared in 24 games for the Dodgers last year, playing both corner outfield positions and posting a .255/.323/.345 line in 62 plate appearances. He has a .258/.318/.460 career line against right-handed pitching.
Extension Updates: Zimmerman, Bourn, Phillips
Extension season generally continues well into Spring Training and the regular season. For example, teams and players agreed on nine extensions between this date last year and the end of April. Let's check in on some ongoing extension talks:
- Ryan Zimmerman said he doesn't want to discuss a new extension after this Friday, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. Zimmerman had already set the official start of Spring Training as a soft deadline for talks, since he doesn't want to let contract talks become a distraction. Agent Brodie Van Wagenen was in Nationals camp today.
- Michael Bourn says the Braves haven't approached him about an extension so far, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Twitter link). Bourn will earn $4.4MM in 2012 and hit free agency after the season unless the Braves lock him up.
- Brandon Phillips said he's not looking for "Prince Fielder money" in extension talks with the Reds, according to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. "I just want what other second baseman got," he said. "I want to be in my city." Phillips is not under contract beyond 2012.
- Check out MLBTR's Extension Tracker for information on previous deals.
Team Facebook/Twitter/RSS
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AL West
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NL East
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NL West
Edgar Renteria Leaning Toward Retirement
Edgar Renteria doesn't plan to play in 2012 and is leaning toward retirement, agent Barry Meister told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. However, Renteria won't officially file for retirement just yet in case an opportunity emerges later on.
Renteria obtained offers from two NL teams this offseason, but they were for minor league deals, and he decided to pass. The Royals considered the 16-year-veteran earlier on in the offseason, but it's not clear if they made him an offer.
Renteria spent the 2011 season with the Reds, posting a .251/.306/.348 line in 333 plate appearances as a shortstop and second baseman. He owns two Gold Gloves, two Silver Sluggers, 140 home runs and a .286/.343/.398 line as a Major Leaguer and has earned upwards of $85MM since breaking in with the 1996 Marlins. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes examined retirement candidates around MLB last month.
Scott Kazmir Considering Mets, Five Other Clubs
Free agent left-hander Scott Kazmir is considering six teams and could decide on his next club within a few days, ESPN.com's Buster Olney tweets. The Mets, who selected Kazmir in the first round of the 2002 draft, are among the interested teams.
Kazmir worked out in front of about ten scouts last week, throwing in the 86-89 mph range. The 28-year-old appeared in one game for the Angels last year, but got released after struggling at Triple-A. The Yankees are not interested, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets.
Blue Jays Sign Rick VandenHurk
The Blue Jays announced that they signed Rick VandenHurk to a non-guaranteed split Major League contract. The Orioles released the right-hander earlier this month, making him a free agent.
VandenHurk, 26, has experience in five big league seasons, but he appeared in just four games for the 2011 Orioles. He spent most of the season as a starter at Triple-A, where he posted a 4.43 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 154 1/3 innings. The 6'5" native of the Netherlands has a 5.97 ERA with 8.8 K/9, 4.7 BB/9 and a 27.9% ground ball rate in 181 career innings with the Marlins and Orioles.
The Blue Jays created 40-man roster space for VandenHurk by placing right-hander Alan Farina on the 60-day DL.