Ben Nicholson-Smith | MLB Trade Rumors

Poll: Will The Phillies Add An Outfielder?

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 11, 2013 at 7:58am CDT

The Phillies already added one outfielder this winter, acquiring Ben Revere from the Twins. They’ve also considered the possibility of adding a corner outfielder, and Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported this week that they continue seeking a right-handed bat. The Phillies appear to have some interest in free agent Scott Hairston and trade candidates Alfonso Soriano and Vernon Wells. However, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. publicly suggested the Phillies are done making moves, saying "we're likely going with what we've got."

If the season opened today, the Phillies' outfield would consist of Revere and a number of corner outfielders. Right-handed hitters such as John Mayberry Jr. and Darin Ruf would join left-handed hitters such as Domonic Brown and Laynce Nix in the outfield mix. This group includes some intriguing names, but lacks the certainty. Will the Phillies stick with what they have, or acquire a newcomer?

Brewers, Chris Narveson Avoid Arbitration

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 5:53pm CDT

5:53pm: Narveson will earn $840K in 2013, reports Jim Goulart of Brewerfan.net (Twitter link).

2:46pm: The Brewers announced that they avoided arbitration with left-hander Chris Narveson. The SFX client obtains a one-year deal for the 2013 season.

John Axford, Burke Badenhop, Marco Estrada and Carlos Gomez are the Brewers' remaining arbitration eligible players, as MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows. Though Narveson's 2013 salary isn't known, MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected a salary of $800K.

Minor Moves: Escobar, Rays, Samson, Palmer

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 4:13pm CDT

We’ll track the day’s minor moves here…

The Brewers announced they have signed right-hander Kelvim Escobar to a minor league deal. Escobar turns 37 in April and has appeared in just one Major League game since 2007 (a five-inning start with the Angels in 2009) due to various arm injuries but has pitched well in the Venezuelan Winter League this offseason. Escobar posted a 4.15 ERA in 411 Major League games with the Blue Jays and Angels between 1997 and 2009.
The Rays have signed catcher Craig Albernaz, outfielder Jason Bourgeois and right-hander J.D. Martin to minor league contracts with invites to Major League Spring Training camp, the club announced.
Nate Samson signed a minor league deal with the Reds, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned. The 25-year-old infielder spent the 2012 season in the upper minors of the Cubs' system, posting a .273/.320/.346 batting line in 283 plate appearances.
The Dodgers signed right-hander Matt Palmer to a minor league deal, according to the transactions page at CBSSports.com. Palmer, 33, appeared in three games for the Padres this past season, but spent most of the year at Triple-A, posting a 5.66 ERA in 98 2/3 innings.
The NC Dinos are in the final stages of signing right-hander Eric Hacker, the KBO expansion team announced (via Dan Kurtz of myKBO.net). Hacker, who joins a staff including Adam Wilk and Charlie Shirek, appeared in four games for the 2012 Giants and has experience in two other MLB seasons.

More Multiyear Deals This Offseason

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 3:35pm CDT

From Zack Greinke's record setting $147MM contract to Gerald Laird’s relatively modest $3.3MM guarantee, MLB free agents have been cashing in with multiyear deals all offseason long. To this point in the winter 46 free agents have signed multiyear contracts with MLB teams, as MLBTR’s Free Agent Tracker shows.

With players such as Michael Bourn, Kyle Lohse, Rafael Soriano, Joe Saunders and Scott Hairston remaining on the free agent market, there’s reason to believe that total will continue rising in the weeks leading up to Spring Training. MLB teams have already surpassed last offseason’s total of 39 multiyear deals and the 2010-11 offseason total of 44, according to MLBTR’s Tracker.

In total, 24 of the 30 MLB teams have signed a free agent to a multiyear deal this winter. The Orioles, Astros, Mets, Marlins, Rockies and Padres are the only teams that have yet to make a multiyear commitment to a free agent.

MLBTR’s Free Agent Tracker allows you to filter free agents by many criteria: team, position, signing status, years, and dollars. This year we made it possible to filter free agents according to whether they obtained, accepted and declined qualifying offers. You can also link to your search results.

Cubs Sign Brent Lillibridge, Darnell McDonald

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 2:59pm CDT

The Cubs signed infielder Brent Lillibridge and outfielder Darnell McDonald to minor league contracts, the team announced.

Lillibridge, a CAA Sports client, appeared in 102 games for the White Sox, Red Sox and Indians in 2012. The 29-year-old posted a .195/.250/.274 batting line in 209 total plate appearances while appearing at every position except pitcher and catcher.

McDonald, a 34-year-old client of McNamara Baseball Group, played for the Yankees and Red Sox in 2012. He appeared in 42 total games, posting a .205/.297/.352 batting line in 103 plate appearances and playing all three outfield positions.

Cubs, Luis Valbuena Avoid Arbitration

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 2:39pm CDT

The Cubs avoided arbitration with infielder Luis Valbuena, Bruce Miles of the Daily Herald reports (on Twitter). The Elite Sports Group client will earn $930K in 2013, according to Miles.

Valbuena hit .219/.310/.340 in 303 plate appearances with Chicago this past season while playing second base and third base. The 27-year-old was first time arbitration eligible as a super two player this winter and had been projected to earn $900K by MLBTR's Matt Swartz. As MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows, the Cubs have three remaining arbitration eligible players: Matt Garza, James Russell and Jeff Samardzija.

White Sox To Sign Gray, Troncoso, Anderson

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 2:21pm CDT

The White Sox announced that they agreed to sign seven players to minor league contracts that include invitations to MLB Spring Training. Right-handers Jeff Gray and Ramon Troncoso, left-hander David Purcey, catcher Bryan Anderson, infielders Josh Bell and Steve Tolleson and outfielder Stefan Gartrell will all report to Glendale next month.

Gray pitched for the Twins in 2012, posting a 5.71 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 3.8 BB/9 in 52 innings. Troncoso, who turns 30 next month, pitched for the Dodgers' Triple-A team in 2012. Purcey also spent the 2012 season at Triple-A, and he struck out more than one batter per inning at that level while struggling to limit walks. The 26-year-old Anderson appeared in ten games for last year's Cardinals team. Bell, formerly a top prospect, played in 21 games for the Diamondbacks in 2012. Tolleson appeared in 29 games with the 2012 Orioles, posting a .183/.227/.310 batting line as a utility player. Gartrell posted a .787 OPS with 20 home runs for the Braves' top affiliate last year.

Blue Jays Designate Chad Beck For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 1:36pm CDT

The Blue Jays designated right-hander Chad Beck for assignment, the team announced. The move creates roster space for left-hander Tommy Hottovy, who was claimed off of waivers from the Rangers.

Beck spent the 2012 season in the Blue Jays' organization, and he made 14 MLB appearances. The Pirates claimed him off of waivers in October, then Toronto re-claimed him six days ago. Beck spent the majority of the year at Triple-A Las Vegas, where he posted a 1.31 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in 48 innings out of the bullpen.

Blue Jays Claim Tommy Hottovy

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 1:33pm CDT

The Blue Jays claimed left-hander Tommy Hottovy off of waivers from the Rangers, the teams announced. The Rangers had designated the 31-year-old for assignment on Monday to create roster space for Lance Berkman.

The Rangers acquired Hottovy from Kansas City in November for a player to be named later or cash considerations. He appeared in nine MLB games with the Royals this past season, but spent most of the year at Triple-A, where he posted a 2.52 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in 50 innings. The Blue Jays designated Chad Beck for assignment to create roster space for Hottovy.

Nationals Sign Ross Ohlendorf

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 10, 2013 at 1:05pm CDT

The Nationals signed right-hander Ross Ohlendorf to a minor league contract, Matt Eddy of Baseball America reports (on Twitter). Williams & Connolly represents Ohlendorf.

The 30-year-old pitched 48 2/3 innings for the 2012 Padres, but posted a 7.77 ERA. He started nine games for San Diego and appeared in four more as a reliever, posting 7.2 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9. Ohlendorf was a fixture in the Pirates' rotation from 2009-10, but Pittsburgh released him in December of 2011.

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