Relief Rumors: Ohman, Durbin, Mariners
By now you've heard that the White Sox and Yankees are probably not going to pursue Rafael Soriano. But you've come to the right place if you're looking to hear the latest on all the other free agent relievers out there. Here are today's updates…
- Will Ohman is deciding between three American League teams, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter). The Rays, Orioles, Red Sox, Blue Jays and Tigers could all use left-handed relief out of the 'pen, so I would not personally be surprised to see Ohman join any of those clubs.
- Chad Durbin is still talking to the Phillies and others, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The sides exchanged offers earlier this week.
- The Mariners could use some relief help, but GM Jack Zduriencik doesn't expect to have much payroll flexibility. He told Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times that he'll have to be creative if he makes any additions (Twitter link). That applies to the team in general, not just the 'pen.
Nationals To Sign Adam LaRoche
The Nationals have officially announced their two-year agreement with Adam LaRoche. The deal includes a mutual option for 2013. LaRoche will be paid $7MM in 2011 and $8MM in 2012 before a $10MM mutual option/$1MM buyout comes into play.
LaRoche had alternatives and so did the Nationals, but once the Orioles agreed to terms with Derrek Lee, Washington offered a two-year deal and the sides came to an agreement quickly.
Like Adam Dunn, the Nationals' previous first baseman, LaRoche is consistent. The 31-year-old has hit at least 20 homers and posted an OPS of .775 or better for six consecutive seasons. LaRoche has hit exactly 25 homers in each of the past three seasons and has a career .271/.339/.488 line.
The D'Backs will obtain a supplementary first round pick since LaRoche, a Type B free agent, turned down arbitration. However, the Nationals do not have to surrender a draft choice to sign the first baseman.
LaRoche joins Ryan Zimmerman, Danny Espinosa and Ian Desmond on the Nationals' infield. The team has expressed interest in adding a veteran utility infielder before the season starts, but the starters are in place.
As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, the first base market has thinned out considerably now that Lee and LaRoche have agreed to deals.
GM Mike Rizzo and the Nationals front office negotiated the deal with LaRoche's representatives at SFX. Rizzo's predecessor, Jim Bowden of Sirius XM Radio first reported that the sides were nearing a deal (on Twitter) and Peter Gammons first reported the agreement (on Twitter). Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post and Mark Zuckerman of NatsInsider.com added the salary details (Twitter links)
White Sox Not Likely To Pursue Rafael Soriano
The White Sox aren't likely to sign Rafael Soriano unless his price drops "way, way down," according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The White Sox were reportedly eyeing the reliever early in the month, but like other teams, they moved on.
Soriano, the top reliever and arguably the top free agent on the open market, will cost more than money. Since the Type A free agent turned down the Rays' offer of arbitration, the team that signs Soriano will lose a top pick.
That possibility scared the Yankees away, even though Soriano would have considered a setup role behind Mariano Rivera. The AL Champion Rangers signed Adrian Beltre, but they are not pursuing Soriano, another Scott Boras client. The Cardinals don't appear to have much interest in the closer either.
As MLBTR's Mark Polishuk explains, the Angels are a possibility for Soriano. In a separate piece, Morosi argues that finding a substantial contract for the right-hander could be Boras' biggest coup of the 2010-11 offseason.
Yankees Will Not Surrender First Round Pick
Yankees GM Brian Cashman says he intends to hold onto his 2011 first round draft choice, according to Chad Jennings of the Journal News. That means the team won’t sign any of the three remaining free agents tied to draft pick compensation: Rafael Soriano, Carl Pavano and Grant Balfour.
“I will not lose our No. 1 draft pick,” Cashman said. “I would have for Cliff Lee. I won’t lose our No. 1 draft pick for anyone else.”
Since Soriano, Pavano and Balfour turned down their teams’ offers of arbitration after being ranked as Type A free agents, clubs have to surrender a top 2011 pick to sign them. The Yankees’ first round pick (31st overall) is unprotected.
Though the Yankees were in contact with Soriano and agent Scott Boras, they are not pursuing him. It's hardly shocking to hear that the Yankees are out on Pavano, who spent four injury-plagued seasons in the Bronx and earned nearly $40MM in the process.
Rangers Designate Guillermo Moscoso For Assignment
The Rangers designated Guillermo Moscoso for assignment, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). The 27-year-old right-hander appeared in one game for the Rangers last year, after appearing in ten contests in 2009. He has a 4.30 ERA with 8.6 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9 in his brief major league career.
Moscoso started 22 games for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate last year, posting a 5.18 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in 123 1/3 total innings. He has a 3.46 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 in parts of six minor league seasons.
The Rangers acquired Moscoso in the 2008 deal that sent Gerald Laird to Detroit. The year before the trade, the righty threw a perfect game in the minors. Baseball America said before the 2010 season that Moscoso's "best asset is his ability to pound the bottom of the strike zone with a low-90s fastball." He could become a long reliever or swingman in the major leagues and may be able to start if he hones his secondary pitches, according to BA.
Quick Hits: Pettitte, Figgins, Giants, Hoffman
On this date in 2002, the Diamondbacks signed Carlos Gonzalez as an amateur free agent. Two blockbuster trades and one breakout season later, CarGo has agreed to a seven-year extension with the Rockies. Here are today's links…
- Andy Pettitte told Brian Costello of the New York Post at his home in Texas that he's just "chilling out, hanging" and still hasn't decided whether he'll play in 2011.
- The Mariners have officially asked Chone Figgins to move back to third base, reports Kirby Arnold of the Daily Herald. Figgins has played more games at third than at any other position, but he played second base last year.
- The Giants will likely rely on players already in the organization for infield depth now that Edgar Renteria has agreed to sign with the Reds, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com (on Twitter).
- Trevor Hoffman is leaning toward retirement, according to Heyman (on Twitter). The reliever has drawn some interest this offseason, but he had hoped for the chance to close in 2011.
- Michael Girsch will replace John Abbamondi as the Cardinals' assistant GM, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
Yankees Not Showing Interest In Rafael Soriano
Rafael Soriano would join the Yankees as a setup man, but as of last night the Bronx Bombers weren't interested in the Scott Boras client, according to ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). Soriano "would have to make himself absurdly cheap" on a one or two-year deal before the Yankees would even consider him, Olney writes.
Jon Heyman of SI.com reported yesterday that the sides were in contact and had engaged in preliminary talks (Twitter links).
The Yankees re-signed Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter and they hope to re-sign Andy Pettitte. But after missing out on Cliff Lee, they still have money to spend and Boras knows it. The team needs relief help, starting pitching, a fourth outfielder and a backup infielder, so GM Brian Cashman has lots to address before Spring Training begins next month.
Reds, Burton Avoid Arbitration
The Reds agreed to a one-year deal with Jared Burton, avoiding arbitration, the team announced (on Twitter). Burton, a super two, made $810K last year and is arbitration eligible for the second time.
The 29-year-old right-hander missed nearly all of the 2010 season with a hypothyroid condition and an oblique injury. He posted a 4.40 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 59 1/3 innings in 2009 and was similarly effective in 2008.
As MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows, the Reds still have four arbitration eligible players: Joey Votto, Edinson Volquez, Johnny Cueto and Bill Bray.
Soriano Open To Setting Up For Yankees
The best closer on the free agent market is open to being a setup man. Agent Scott Boras told Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com that Rafael Soriano would consider signing with the Yankees even though it would mean setting up for closer Mariano Rivera.
"I don't think there is a team in baseball where he could be asked to be a setup guy other than the Yankees," Boras said.
Boras said the “door is open” with the Bronx Bombers, but Yankees GM Brian Cashman declined to comment on his team’s level of interest. Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that the sides are in contact (Twitter links). However, talks are preliminary and re-signing Andy Pettitte remains the Yankees' priority.
The White Sox are eyeing Soriano and the Angels seem like a possible fit. The Cardinals don't appear to have much interest and the Rangers are not bidding at the moment.
Indians Designate Jordan Brown For Assignment
The Indians announced that they designated Jordan Brown for assignment to make room for Austin Kearns, who was officially added to the 40-man roster.
Brown appeared in 26 games for the Indians last year, batting .230/.272/.310 in 92 plate appearances. He played first base and left field, the two positions he has spent the most time at in the minor leagues. Brown hit .298/.341/.463 in 355 plate appearances at Triple-A in 2010, which was his third year at the minors' highest level.
Brown won the Carolina League MVP in 2006 and the International League batting title in 2009. Before the 2010 season, Baseball America described him as one of the best contact hitters in the Cleveland organization and noted that he was a below-average runner and defender.