Ben Nicholson-Smith | MLB Trade Rumors

Quick Hits: Ramirez, Stanton, Blue Jays

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 4:58pm CDT

Manny Ramirez, who is now playing in the Dominican Winter League postseason, wants to continue his MLB career, agent Barry Praver told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). Ramirez last appeared in an MLB game in 2011, but the A's did sign him last February. Here are some more links from around MLB…

Seattle’s offer for Justin Upton tells you they’ll be major bidders once the Marlins start listening to offers for Giancarlo Stanton, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney writes (on Twitter). The Mariners were prepared to send Taijuan Walker, Nick Franklin, Charlie Furbush and Stephen Pryor to Arizona to obtain Upton.
Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca explains that the signing of Henry Blanco could save the Blue Jays some money behind the plate and enable them to spend on a late-inning reliever in free agency.
With the return of Darren Oliver, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com (Twitter links) now sees six Blue Jays relievers competing for three spots. Among those six are Esmil Rogers and Jeremy Jeffress, who are both out of options.
Former MLB first baseman/outfielder Ben Broussard worked out for five teams in Austin, Texas today, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The 36-year-old, who played winter ball in Mexico, took grounders at first base and fly balls in left field during his audition (Twitter link). Broussard last appeared in the majors with the Rangers in 2008.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

Orioles Extend Duquette, Showalter

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 4:32pm CDT

Fresh off of their first playoff appearance in 15 years, the Orioles have decided to keep their leadership structure in place for the foreseeable future. The team announced extensions for manager Buck Showalter and executive VP of baseball operations Dan Duquette through the 2018 season.

Showalter led the Orioles to a 93-69 record this past season. The club defeated the Rangers in a Wild Card play-in game before losing to the Yankees in the Division Series. The 56-year-old finished second to A's manager Bob Melvin in the 2012 American League Manager of the Year voting. Now entering his fourth season with Baltimore, Showalter has a record of 1078-1018 in 14 seasons managing at the MLB level.

Duquette has made a number of significant moves in the year-plus since becoming the club's top baseball executive, as MLBTR's Transaction Tracker shows. He traded for Jason Hammel, Jim Thome and Joe Saunders, signed Wei-Yin Chen and Nate McLouth and extended Adam Jones, for example.

Arbitration Notes: Samardzija, Pence

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 3:26pm CDT

Teams and players must exchange arbitration submissions on Friday, so as the end of the week approaches we can expect a number of early deals. The exchange date itself typically features many agreements for stars and role players alike. MLBTR will cover everything with updated posts and with our Arbitration Tracker.

Here are some notes on arb eligible players from around MLB…

The Cubs and Jeff Samardzija have decided to work on a one-year deal for now, Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com reports. The sides had brief conversations about a long-term deal, Levine notes. Samardzija, who turns 28 in one week, will go to arbitration for the first time following a breakout season. Even on a one-year deal he projects to earn $2.9MM.
The Giants are expected to work out a one-year deal with Hunter Pence via the arbitration process, and though the right fielder would prefer a long-term commitment, he told Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com that he's happy to go one year at a time. “My goal in 2013 is to play every game with everything I’ve got and win that day," Pence said. Here's a complete look at San Francisco's class of arb eligible players.

Interest In Kyle Farnsworth Intensifying

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 2:24pm CDT

2:24pm: The Rays are "definitely in the mix" for Farnsworth, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports (on Twitter).

8:17am: Interest in free agent right-hander Kyle Farnsworth is intensifying following Rafael Soriano’s agreement with the Nationals, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports (Twitter links). Farnsworth has multiple offers and has narrowed his choices from six teams to three, according to Rosenthal.

Farnsworth, a client of Meister Sports Management, spent last year with the Rays. The 36-year-old posted a 4.00 ERA with 8.3 K/9, 4.7 BB/9 and a 55.1% ground ball rate in 27 innings. He earned $3.3MM in 2012, up from $2.6MM in 2011.

It’s been a quiet offseason for Farnsworth rumors, but he has been linked to the Rays and Brewers. The Rays, Tigers, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins and Mets are among the teams still seeking late-inning relief, according to Rosenthal. I recently examined the market for right-handed relievers.

Darren Oliver To Return To Blue Jays

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 2:09pm CDT

The Blue Jays announced that left-hander Darren Oliver will return to the team in 2013. The 42-year-old reliever will earn $3MM this coming season, as the Blue Jays exercised his option earlier in the offseason.

Oliver, a Frye McCann Sports client, wanted the Blue Jays to increase his salary, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported this month. The veteran reportedly planned to retire if Toronto didn't give him a bump from his $3MM salary and sources indicated that he would have welcomed a trade back to the Rangers as his family lives in the area.

Instead of calling it quits or being traded elsewhere, he'll return for a 20th MLB season without a raise. Oliver posted a 2.06 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 56 2/3 innings this past season. Despite his advanced age, Oliver has made more than 60 relief appearances in each of the past four seasons.

Joe Saunders Rumors: Wednesday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 12:40pm CDT

Joe Saunders is the top left-handed starter available in free agency based on MLBTR’s list of the offseason’s top 50 free agents. Here’s the latest on Saunders, who ranked 25th on Tim Dierkes’ list entering the offseason…

The Twins are pursuing Saunders, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). They’ve had interest in Saunders throughout the offseason, and made him an offer at one point.
The Padres are not in on Saunders or Shaun Marcum and haven't been all winter, MLB.com's Corey Brock reports (on Twitter).

Marlins Sign Austin Kearns

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 12:06pm CDT

The Marlins signed Austin Kearns to a minor league deal with an invitation to MLB Spring Training, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports. Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald wrote this weekend that the Marlins were expected to bring Kearns back.

Kearns played in 87 games for the Marlins this past season, playing first base and both corner outfield positions. The 32-year-old posted a .245/.366/.367 batting line in 175 plate appearances with Miami. SFX represents Kearns, a veteran of 11 MLB seasons.

Tigers Sign Don Kelly

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 10:07am CDT

The Tigers announced that they signed Don Kelly to a minor league deal with an invitation to MLB Spring Training. LSW Baseball represents the utility player, who was outrighted off of Detroit’s 40-man roster at the end of October.

Kelly, who turns 33 next month, played all three outfield positions and every infield position except shortstop this past season. He posted a .186/.276/.248 in 127 plate appearances over the course of 75 games.

SoftBank Hawks To Sign Vicente Padilla

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 9:51am CDT

Free agent right-hander Vicente Padilla has agreed to a one-year, $3.25MM contract with Japan's SoftBank Hawks, MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez reports (on Twitter). Wasserman Media Group represents Padilla.

The 35-year-old pitched for the Red Sox in 2012, posting a 4.50 ERA with 9.2 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 50 innings of relief work. In 14 seasons at the MLB level, Padilla has a 4.32 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9, mostly as a starter. The Twins also had some interest in Padilla this offseason.

Justin Upton Rumors: Wednesday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 16, 2013 at 9:30am CDT

We heard yesterday that the Mets won’t trade Zack Wheeler to acquire Justin Upton from Arizona, and that there's not much momentum in talks between the Mets and Diamondbacks. Here are today’s Upton-related rumors, with the most recent updates up top…

Some MLB people say teams such as the Rangers may prefer to keep their prospects for now in order to make stronger offers if and when David Price and Giancarlo Stanton become available in trades, ESPN.com’s Buster Olney reports (Twitter links). Price, the defending AL Cy Young winner, will earn $10.11MM in 2013 and won't be eligible for free agency until after the 2015 season. It won't be surprising if the Rays consider trades for him next winter. Stanton could also be available a year from now, when he becomes arbitration eligible for the first time and his salary increases substantially.
Olney believes the Braves “could and would” part with a strong package of prospects for Upton and could be the best match for the 25-year-old right fielder.

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