Ben Nicholson-Smith | MLB Trade Rumors

Stark On Yankees, Red Sox, Reds, Garza

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 3:20pm CDT

The new collective bargaining agreement has created millions of dollars in incentives for teams to be below the luxury tax when it reaches $189MM in 2014, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark. The upcoming changes have contributed to the relatively restrained spending on the part of the Yankees and Red Sox this offseason, Stark writes. Here are the rest of his rumors…

The Yankees won’t be under the luxury tax threshold in 2012 or 2013, but they hope to spend less than $189MM in 2014, Stark writes. However, the CBA isn’t the only reason the Yankees are spending more cautiously. "I think this is what the Yankees were going to do, regardless," one of Stark’s sources said.
Hiroki Kuroda is sending signals to the Yankees and Red Sox that he’d like to sign with one of those teams, Stark reports. The Red Sox are “nowhere near close” on Kuroda while the Yankees are mostly “kicking tires,” Stark hears. Stark's colleague Buster Olney reported today that Kuroda's asking price has dropped to the $10-11MM range.
Though rival teams were surprised to see the Reds agree to terms with Ryan Madson, the move will help the team stockpile draft picks. They’ll obtain a compensatory pick when Francisco Cordero signs elsewhere and could obtain two more picks if they tender Madson a contract next offseason and he leaves as a free agent.
The Reds are going to attempt to turn Aroldis Chapman into a starter this Spring Training, though there’s some skepticism he’ll thrive in the rotation.
Chad Qualls’ name is on the Phillies’ shopping list, Stark reports.
Rival teams predict the Cubs won’t trade Matt Garza until July, when there are fewer alternatives available in free agency.
Stark hears that the Astros would pay half of the $18.5MM remaining on Carlos Lee’s contract and at least $7MM of the $11MM that Brett Myers will earn in 2012. Wandy Rodriguez is also available, though the Astros don’t appear to be nearing a deal involving the left-hander.

Braves To Sign Jack Wilson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 2:23pm CDT

The Braves have agreed to re-sign shortstop Jack Wilson to a one-year deal, MLB.com's Mark Bowman tweets. The PSI Sports Management client will earn a $1MM base salary and could earn $500K more by reaching incentives, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter links).

Wilson, 34, hit .243/.274/.285 for the Mariners and Braves in 2011, appearing at second, short and third. Better known for his defense than for his offense, Wilson has a 5.0 UZR/150 for his career. He figures to back up prospect Tyler Pastornicky at short and could spell Chipper Jones at third base if necessary.

Rays Designate Nevin Ashley For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 2:05pm CDT

The Rays designated catcher Nevin Ashley for assignment to create roster space for Luke Scott, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. The team's 40-man roster remains full.

Ashley, 27, posted a .263/.358/.384 line in 444 plate appearances for the Rays' Double-A and Triple-A affiliates in 2011. The 2006 sixth rounder has a .260/.353/.378 line in parts of six pro seasons. However, he was behind Jose Molina, Robinson Chirinos and Jose Lobaton on the Rays' depth chart.

Diamondbacks Interested In Bartolo Colon

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 1:36pm CDT

The Diamondbacks are showing interest in free agent starter Bartolo Colon, ESPN.com's Jayson Stark tweets. Mitch Frankel represents the veteran right-hander, who could also be an option for the Yankees.

Colon posted a 4.00 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in 164 1/3 innings with the Yankees in 2011. The 38-year-old signed a minor league deal with New York last offseason and thrived at the back of the team's rotation, especially early on in the season. Colon, who didn't pitch in MLB in 2010, has been treated with stem cells from his bone marrow and fat to repair tears in his elbow and rotator cuff.

Asking Price Drops For Oswalt, Kuroda, Jackson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 12:23pm CDT

The asking prices for top free agent starters have dropped significantly, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney tweets. Roy Oswalt is said to be asking for $8MM, Hiroki Kuroda’s asking for $10-11MM and Edwin Jackson’s asking price has also dropped.

Oswalt and Kuroda seek one-year deals, while Jackson’s agent, Scott Boras, seeks a five-year deal. Each of the three starters is one of the top five players remaining on MLBTR’s list of Top 50 Free Agents. Last week MLBTR’s Tim Dierkes explained which teams could be looking for starting pitching.

An $8MM investment Oswalt seems more than reasonable for a team in need of pitching help. Though the 34-year-old struggled with back issues in 2011, he finished the season with six strong September starts and a season ERA of 3.69 with 6.0 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9. Similarly, a one-year deal in the $10-11MM range for Kuroda seems team-friendly. The right-hander posted a 3.07 ERA in 202 innings with 7.2 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9. Kuroda's less than a month away from his 37th birthday, but a one-year deal would protect teams' long-term interests.

Yoenis Cespedes Talks Free Agency

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 11:00am CDT

Yoenis Cespedes says the six teams with "more interest" in signing him are the Marlins, Cubs, White Sox, Orioles, Tigers and Indians, tweets Dionisio Soldevila of the Associated Press. The Cuban outfielder, who struck out in each of his three at bats in the Dominican Winter League last night, will likely become a free agent soon. Cespedes said he isn't worried that his performance in the Winter League will reduce his bargaining power, Soldevila tweets.

Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports hears from people in the know that the Yankees, Phillies, Blue Jays, Rangers and Nationals also have some level of interest in Cespedes. Marlins president David Samson recently acknowledged that his team intends to make an aggressive run at Cespedes, who is represented by Adam Katz of Wasserman Media Group.

Rays, Maddon Closing In On Extension

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 9:48am CDT

The Rays are closing in on a multiyear extension with manager Joe Maddon, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports. Maddon’s contract is set to expire after 2012, but both sides have expressed interest in working out a deal to keep the skipper in place beyond the coming season.

Maddon, the 2011 American League Manager of the Year, has managed the Rays to three playoff berths in the past four seasons, including an AL pennant in 2008. In six years under the 57-year-old Maddon, the Rays have a 495-477 record.

Indians Hire Adam Everett

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 9:17am CDT

Adam Everett, who played 34 games with the Indians last year, is back in uniform for the Tribe, but not as a player. The Indians announced that they hired the longtime infielder as a special assistant to baseball operations. He’ll instruct infielders at the Indians’ Major League and minor league camps this Spring Training and provide infield instruction and evaluation during the regular season.

The Indians released Everett in June to create roster space for third base prospect Lonnie Chisenhall. The 34-year-old spent most of his 11-year career as a shortstop, though he appeared at second and third for the Indians in 2011. If his playing career has indeed ended, he'll retire with a .242/.294/.346 line for the Astros, Tigers, Twins and Indians and career earnings approaching $12MM. Everett never won a Gold Glove, but owns an impressive UZR/150 of 15.0 at shortstop.

Orioles Have Interest In Johnny Damon

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 8:36am CDT

The Orioles appear to have some interest in Johnny Damon, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com tweets. Luke Scott's deal with the Rays likely means Damon won't return to Tampa Bay, but the Orioles might have room for the designated hitter.

Damon, 38, is just 277 career hits away from 3,000, so the milestone is within reach. He hit .261/.326/.418 with 16 homers and 29 doubles in 582 plate appearances as the Rays' DH in 2011. Relative to the league as a whole, he hit well (110 OPS+), but DHs averaged a better batting line this past season: .265/.340/.429. It's worth noting Damon has played in at least 140 games every season since 1996.

I examined Damon's free agent stock in November, concluding that another modest one-year deal is likely. This is the first public indication that a team other than the Rays has interest in Damon. A return to the Athletics could also be possible in my opinion. As Heyman pointed out on Twitter yesterday, Damon is 'nomad' spelled backwards, which is appropriate for a player who's about to join his fourth team in as many seasons.

Adam Jones Talks Extension

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 13, 2012 at 7:54am CDT

Orioles center fielder Adam Jones has appeared in more than his share of trade rumors this offseason, but there’s a chance he’ll stay in Baltimore long-term. Jones told WBAL 1090 in Baltimore this week that he’s not ruling out an extension should the Orioles pursue one with him.

“That has not been presented,” he said. “It’s kind of like looking into the future, which is a hard thing to do.”

Jones projects to earn $5.8MM or so in 2012 as a second time arbitration eligible player. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes suggested in August that a four-year extension in the $40MM range could work for the Orioles and the CAA client. Jones, 26, is on track to hit free agency after the 2013 season. He posted a .280/.319/.466 line with 25 homers last year.

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