Winter Meetings Acquisitions Roundup
To say that the last few days have been busy would be a whopping understatement. The Red Sox and Nationals signed a pair of All-Star outfielders to seven-year deals, the Cliff Lee sweepstakes intensified and the Pirates, Diamondbacks and Orioles all made numerous moves. Here's a summary of the additions teams have made since Sunday:
- Washington Nationals: Jayson Werth
- Toronto Blue Jays: Brett Lawrie
- Tampa Bay Rays: Adam Russell, Cesar Ramos
- Seattle Mariners: Miguel Olivo, Esteilon Peguero, Jack Cust
- San Diego Padres: Dustin Moseley, Jason Bartlett, Casey Kelly, Anthony Rizzo, Reymond Fuentes
- Pittsburgh Pirates: Kevin Correia, Matt Diaz, Scott Olsen, Cesar Valdez
- Philadelphia Phillies: Dennys Reyes, Brian Bass
- New York Mets: D.J. Carrasco, Ronny Paulino, Dusty Ryan, Russ Adams
- Minnesota Twins: Brett Jacobson, Jim Hoey
- Milwaukee Brewers: Shaun Marcum, Wil Nieves
- Los Angeles Dodgers: Trent Oeltjen, Tony Gwynn, Dioner Navarro
- Kansas City Royals: Melky Cabrera, Jeff Francoeur
- Houston Astros: Ryan Rowland-Smith
- Detroit Tigers: Chris Oxspring, Omir Santos
- Colorado Rockies: Ty Wigginton
- Cleveland Indians: Paul Phillips
- Cincinnati Reds: Miguel Cairo
- Chicago White Sox: Paul Konerko
- Chicago Cubs: Carlos Pena
- Boston Red Sox: Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez
- Baltimore Orioles: Brendan Harris, J.J. Hardy, Koji Uehara, Mark Reynolds
- Atlanta Braves: George Sherrill
- Arizona Diamondbacks: J.J. Putz, Melvin Mora, Kameron Mickolio, David Hernandez
Note: Teams are listed in reverse alphabetical order and the Werth and Gonzalez deals, which technically happened before the meetings began, are included. Deals that happened before Sunday, like the Adam Dunn signing, are not included. For even more transactions, check out the results of today's Rule 5 draft.
Mets Sign D.J. Carrasco
Reliever D.J. Carrasco finally has some job security after being non-tendered two years in a row. The Mets officially signed him to a two-year, $2.5MM deal today. Carrasco will earn $1.2MM in base salary in 2011 and 2012, plus an additional $50K each for 65 relief appearances, 75 relief appearances, and 15 starts.
The Diamondbacks cut Carrasco last week, and he had six to eight suitors as a free agent. He posted a 3.68 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 0.57 HR/9, and 47.5% groundball rate in 78 1/3 innings this year. He's durable, having led the AL in relief innings last year. Carrasco's agent Terry Bross at Gaylord Sports secured the first multiyear deal of his career. The righty turns 34 in April.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork, Andy Martino of the New York Daily News, and Ed Price of AOL FanHouse reported on the story.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
Mets Sign Ronny Paulino
The Mets officially signed catcher Ronny Paulino to a one-year deal worth $1.3MM plus incentives today. He'll pair up with incumbent backstop Josh Thole. Paulino will can earn an additional $60K each for 85, 95, 105, 115, and 125 starts at catcher.
The Rockies were also negotiating with Paulino's agents at SFX before the catcher reached a deal with the Mets. The Marlins non-tendered the 29-year-old last week after he hit .259/.311/.354 in 316 plate appearances and caught 740 1/3 innings. He has eight games remaining on last year's 50-game PED suspension. Paulino has gunned down 31% of attempted thieves in the last few seasons.
Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com, Jon Heyman of SI, Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork reported on the signing.
Tim Dierkes contributed to this post.
Mariners Offer Olivo Multiyear Deal?
THURSDAY, 9:12am: Olivo has told people he expects to get a deal done with somebody today, tweets Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Baker notes that Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik said he's had "in-depth dialogue" on a catcher.
WEDNESDAY, 8:31pm: The Mariners have not made an official offer, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune (on Twitter).
8:10pm: The Mariners have offered Miguel Olivo a multiyear deal and are discussing a potential agreement with him, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (on Twitter). In 427 plate appearances for the Rockies last year, the nine-year veteran batted .269/.315/.449 with 14 homers. Olivo spent part of 2004-05 in Seattle.
The catcher declined arbitration from the Blue Jays after earning a $2MM base salary in 2010, so he and agent Martin Arburua presumably believe that there's more than $3MM or so available on the open market. Otherwise, they could have accepted Toronto's offer. If the Mariners complete a major league deal with the 32-year-old, the Blue Jays will obtain a supplementary first round pick.
DH Rumors: Vlad, Matsui, Thames, Glaus, Manny
The Mariners may have locked up a DH today, but that leaves the Orioles, A's and many others as potential destinations for positionless sluggers. Here's the latest:
- The Rangers have had internal discussions about Magglio Ordonez, Jim Thome, Troy Glaus, Marcus Thames and Manny Ramirez, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. They're also interested in bringing back Vladimir Guerrero, of course.
- Angels GM Tony Reagins wouldn't rule out a possible reunion with Vlad, according to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times. The Angels also have interest in re-signing Hideki Matsui.
- Matsui's agent, Arn Tellem, told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that he expects to start fielding formal offers for his client this weekend.
- Agent Scott Boras hinted that Ramirez may not be cheap, even if he signs a one-year deal, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun. “I think there are short-term contracts for players and there are short-term contracts for players with a history like Manny Ramirez,” Boras said.
- The Blue Jays are intrigued by what Adam Lind can do as a first baseman, so GM Alex Anthopoulos says the team would ideally add someone who can be a hybrid first baseman/DH, according to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm.
Orioles Rumors: Hardy, Matsui, Thome, Uehara
The O's are talking about a J.J. Hardy trade with the Twins. Here are some more Orioles updates from Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun…
- The team did not offer Carlos Pena or Paul Konerko contracts before the first basemen signed in Chicago, according to president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail.
- It's likely that the team's shortstop will be Hardy, Jason Bartlett, Brendan Ryan or Cesar Izturis, MacPhail said. The Padres appear to be close to a deal for Bartlett, which would limit the Orioles' options.
- MacPhail says the club has expressed interest in a number of DH types. Vladimir Guerrero, Hideki Matsui and Jim Thome are believed to be among the team's targets.
- The team, which selects fourth in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft, is considering a number of players.
- There are no updates on Kevin Gregg, but Zrebiec reported yesterday that the team has offered the former Blue Jays closer a two-year deal.
- Troy Renck of the Denver Post hears (on Twitter) that Nick Green could end up in Baltimore.
Rangers Continued Discussing Potential Young Deals
9:18pm: The Rangers discussed Young with the Angels, Cardinals and Dodgers, though they're pushing hardest to make a deal with the Rockies, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The infielder tells Rosenthal that he wants to stay in Texas.
7:05pm: Rangers GM Jon Daniels told Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram that he will consider every possible way of improving the team, even if that means discussing big name players. However, Daniels said it's unlikely that the club trades Young.
6:35pm: The Rangers continued discussing potential Young trades today, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. One GM told Morosi that the Rangers are sending mixed signals about the infielder's availability. The Rangers have continued talking about possible moves after telling Young he's staying put. The Rockies still appear the likeliest landing spot, according to Morosi's sources and Colorado outfield prospect Charlie Blackmon interests the Rangers.
WEDNESDAY, 1:10am: USA Today's Bob Nightengale tweets that the Rangers have told Young he won't be traded.
TUESDAY, 11:33pm: Though Young can block trades to 22 teams, the Rockies are not one of them, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Young says he would accept a trade to Colorado, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter).
11:09pm: A Rockies source tells Troy Renck of the Denver Post that it's "just talk" at this point, but wonders if there could be a fit (Twitter link).
10:03pm: The Rockies and Rangers have not yet discussed the players that would go from Colorado to Texas, according to Ringolsby.
9:30pm: The Rockies have expressed interest in Young as a second baseman, according to Tracy Ringolsby of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Young last played second base in 2003 and the Rockies just acquired Jose Lopez as an option at second. The Rockies have a crowded infield, with Todd Helton, Troy Tulowitzki, Ian Stewart and, now, Ty Wigginton. Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News confirms (on Twitter) that the Rockies and Rangers are talking and says the Rangers would pursue Beltre if they trade Young.
6:40pm: Rangers president Nolan Ryan says the team is not "shopping" Young, but will listen when his name comes up in conversation, according to Richard Durrett of ESPNDallas.com.
5:58pm: The Rangers are gauging interest in Young and willing to pay a small portion of his salary, according to Rosenthal (on Twitter).
4:52pm: The Rangers will listen to trade offers for Michael Young, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The 34-year-old is under contract for $48MM through 2013, so not all teams can afford him. Young batted .284/.330/.444 in 2010, his 11th season with the Rangers.
No deal is close for Young, who has a limited no-trade clause that enables him to block trades to all but eight teams. Young picks up ten and five rights in May, at which point he'll have the right to veto any trade. The market for Adrian Beltre could pick up if the Rangers do move Young.
Cardinals Seek Pitching Depth
The Cardinals have already acquired their share of pitching this winter. They signed Jake Westbrook, Brian Tallet and Raul Valdes and claimed Bryan Augenstein, but they aren't done yet. The team is looking for a number six starter or a big league reliever, according to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter).
The team isn't desperate for relievers or starters, though. They have Westbrook, Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright, Jaime Garcia and Kyle Lohse, so their rotation is set. Tallet and Trever Miller are the only left-handed relievers on the Cardinals' 40-man roster, so it wouldn't be surprising to see the club add a southpaw eventually.
Mets Notes: Elvin Ramirez, Ohman, Rhodes, Okajima
The latest on the Mets as the third day of the Winter Meetings wraps up…
- Mets right-hander Elvin Ramirez is widely expected to be the first pick in the Rule 5 draft, reports ESPN.com's Buster Olney (on Twitter). The 23-year-old posted a 4.16 ERA with 8.1 K/9 and 5.5 BB/9 in 80 innings at Double-A and Single-A. He has been clocked at 94-98 mph this winter.
- The Mets met with agent Dan Horwits of Beverly Hills Sports Council today, since he represents lefties Will Ohman, Arthur Rhodes and Brian Fuentes, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Rhodes is talking with the Reds, but the sides aren't particularly close to an agreement.
- The Mets are interested in Hideki Okajima, according to comments made by Kevin Burkhardt of SNY and passed along by Michael Baron of MetsBlog.
- Mets GM Sandy Alderson told Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger that the team will likely leave the meetings without having added a starting pitcher. The Mets have been linked to Chris Young, Jeff Francis and others.
Damon Would Play In Boston; Giants Not Interested
Johnny Damon told Lou Merloni of WEEI.com that he would love to play in Boston again. He vetoed a trade that would have sent him from Detroit to Boston this summer, but he says things are different now that he's a free agent.
“Obviously, I’d love to return to Boston,” he said. “I loved playing there, and I think it would be a perfect fit, with the chance to win again. I know I could do that in Boston.”
Agent Scott Boras says he'll call the Giants about Damon and Rick Ankiel, but a Giants source tells John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that the team isn't interested in either player. Though he's previously expressed interest in the Rays and Yankees, Damon would play on the West Coast, according to Boras.