Sheffield And Feliciano Claimed, Pulled Back
ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports that Gary Sheffield and Pedro Feliciano were claimed on waivers by unknown teams, only to be pulled back by the Mets. Neither player can now be traded, but it's unknown whether the Mets were seriously considering moving either one.
J.J. Hardy And Free Agency
The Brewers optioned J.J. Hardy to Triple A this morning and GM Doug Melvin tells Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel that the move isn't intended to put off the shortstop's free agency. If Hardy had stayed in the majors through this year and next, he would have become a free agent after the 2010 season.
Jamie Moyer’s Contract Incentives
The Phillies' decision to bump Jamie Moyer to the bullpen for Pedro Martinez may be the right baseball decision, but as Nick Kapur pointed out last month at UmpBump.com, the move has major financial implications. Moyer's contract incentives are based on innings pitched and games started so they'll be much harder to reach out of the 'pen. Moyer has started 22 games and pitched 123.3 innings, so he would have started about 30 games and pitched about 180 innings if he'd stayed in the rotation all year. Here are some incentives in his contract:
- $250k for 150, 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings.
And a few ways he could boost his 2010 salary:
- Moyer adds $250k to his salary when he starts his next game and again if he reaches 150 IP.
- His salary rises by $500k when he starts his 25th, 27th, 29th and 31st games.
- It increases by the same amount when he reaches 160, 170, 180 and 190 innings.
Had Moyer stayed in the rotation long enough to make 30 starts and pitch 180 innings, he would have received $1MM more this year and $3.5MM more next year. He could still reach some of these marks, but it's no wonder he's disappointed.
Smoltz Refuses Minor League Assignment
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that John Smoltz refused a minor league assignment, leaving the Red Sox with the choice of trading or releasing him. Smoltz cleared waivers, so the Red Sox can trade him to any club, but they would likely have to pay much of his $5.5MM salary in any deal. Smoltz, who makes $500k if he's traded, received $35k for every day he was on Boston's roster, but he would no longer pick up those bonuses if he's released and picked up by another club.
Rays Lose Two Pitchers On Waivers
Marc Lancaster of the Tampa Tribune reports that the Rays lost two pitchers on waivers. The Indians claimed R.J. Swindle and the Pirates claimed John Meloan.
Heyman On White Sox, Mets, Bay, Holliday
Jon Heyman of SI.com says the Blue Jays asked for a player currently on the White Sox in exchange for Alex Rios before asking for a prospect and eventually settling for salary relief. Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi didn't get MLB talent back for his right fielder, but executives around the league say they understand the thought process behind the trade. Here are the rest of Heyman's rumors:
- One GM says Rios would be a good gamble at $30-35MM, but the $60MM remaining on his deal is too much.
- White Sox GM Kenny WIlliams says he's fully confident that Jake Peavy will transition into the American League and help the White Sox down the stretch.
- It's uncertain whether Gary Sheffield and Pedro Feliciano were claimed off waivers. Two AL teams were interested in Sheffield before his hamstring injuries popped up.
- Teams are claiming more cheap, young players than ever.
- The Red Sox would love Marco Scutaro, but aren't likely to get the chance to acquire him since teams with worse records would presumably claim him.
- Heyman hears that Matt Holliday could press for a no-trade clause and may not take the biggest deal he sees as a free agent this offseason.
- Some estimate that Jason Bay could make about $60MM over four years when he hits free agency after the season.
- The Nats could name a new GM by the end of the month. Acting GM Mike Rizzo is receiving praise around the league for acquiring Nyjer Morgan.
- Most execs believe John Smoltz is more likely to land in the NL.
Brewers DFA Bill Hall
The Brewers continue to revamp the team after demoting J.J. Hardy and firing their pitching coach this morning, designating Bill Hall for assignment, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
Hall is hitting .201/.265/.341 with six homers just three years after clubbing 35 long balls and OPSing .899. His strikeout to walk ratio has never been good, but it's degenerated this year; he's walked 19 times and struck out 72 times. To his credit, Hall continues to play above-average defense at third base. He makes $6.8MM this year, $8.4MM next year and his contract includes a $9.25MM club option for 2011.
It's a lot of money, but as GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "it's not the last contract a team will have to absorb." A couple teams are apparently interested in Hall.
Brewers Rumors: Hardy, Escobar, Sheets
Lots of Brewers news this Wednesday morning. Here's the latest:
- MLB.com's Adam McCalvy reports that the Brewers fired pitching coach Bill Castro and demoted J.J. Hardy to Triple A. The Alcides Escobar era begins in Milwaukee.
- In a different article, McCalvy writes that the Brewers are still looking for a starter on the waiver wire, though no top arms are available.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin has not heard from Casey Close, who represents Ben Sheets and wonders if the agent's silence means Sheets won't pitch this year: "I think he would call clubs if [Sheets] were going to pitch, wouldn't he?"
- Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel files the team's moves under the "What Have We Got to Lose?" category.
Indians GM On The Rebuilding Process
Indians GM Mark Shapiro told Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer that the Indians plan to rebuild in "mini cycles" and could contend again soon:
- Some of the Indians' deadline deals were "financially motivated," but Shapiro distinguishes them from pure salary dumps like the Alex Rios deal.
- Shapiro doesn't see any of the Indians' division rivals becomining dominant forces in the near future.
- He expects to be the team's GM next year despite rumblings that he could ascend to another front office role. He says he has "unfinished business" as GM, but he acknowledges that he could move on to a different position later on.
- It's hard to say how much the Indians will spend on free agents, but Shapiro says he could sign one or two this offseason, something that would not have been possible with Cliff Lee and Victor Martinez around.
- He knows he overpaid for last year's free agent signing, Kerry Wood, but expects this year's market to be depressed.
- Why didn't the Indians acquire Kyle Drabek or Clay Buchholz? Young talent's at a premium and sometimes the Indians don't value players as much as other teams, scouts or analysts do.
- Carlos Carrasco is close to contributing to the Indians and will compete for a rotation spot next year.
Rosenthal On Angels, Rangers, Rockies
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports that the Angels are looking for rotation upgrades and have no budget limitations. GM Tony Reagins says he's constantly evaluating the benefits of adding an expensive piece to the team. Here are the rest of Rosenthal's rumors:
- The Rangers have claimed several cheap bats off waivers, but have yet to acquire any of them.
- At least one GM expects the Rockies to win the NL West and the Cards to win the World Series.
- The Rockies are still looking for a reliever and a bench bat.
- Rosenthal says the Tigers have no choice but to keep playing Magglio Ordonez, even though his expensive 2010 option will vest after 90 more trips to the plate.