Brian Shephard | MLB Trade Rumors

Odds and Ends: Selig, Wrigley, Ordonez, Wade, Macha

By Brian Shephard | March 14, 2009 at 9:05pm CDT

A few links for your Saturday night enjoyment:

Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times details Bud Selig’s concern about how the state of the economy will effect baseball. Selig says that he "used to think we were recession-proof" but that "this is different."
The economy might also effect the business of selling rooftop seats near Wrigley Field, writes Nancy Armour of the Associated Press.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated writes about the political stance that has Magglio Ordonez getting booed at the WBC.
Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal has excerpts from a press conference with Astros GM Ed Wade. Wade, the former Phillies GM, talks about last year’s World Series and discusses the Brad Lidge trade.
John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that Ken Macha’s challenge with the Brewers is reminiscent of one he faced with the A’s in 2005.

Odds and Ends

By Brian Shephard | February 27, 2009 at 8:21pm CDT

A few links on a slow Friday night:

Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports that Jon Garland was open to returning to the White Sox this winter. The Sox opted for Bartolo Colon and Garland signed with the Diamondbacks.
Former major leaguer Gary Matthews had a front-row seat for President Obama’s inauguration, reports Brian Knapp of MLB.com. Matthews and Obama met when their daughters had a dance class together in Chicago.
Rocco Baldelli made his Red Sox debut against his former team today. Dan Shaughnessy of the Boston Globe writes that Baldelli will be a good fit in Boston.
Tracy Ringolsby signs off in the final edition of the Rocky Mountain News.

Reds, Jay Bruce, Agree to One-Year Deal

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 10:12pm CDT

CBSSports.com reports that the Reds have agreed to a one-year deal with outfielder Jay Bruce. Reliever Jared Burton and nine other players were signed to one-year deals as well. The team announced the deals on Saturday.

Fifteen players remain to be signed by the Reds.

Griffey Odds and Ends

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 8:51pm CDT

A few loose ends on the Griffey signing…

Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com details the attendance incentives in Junior’s new contract. Ticket sales have picked up since the signing. Knobler also notes that Griffey will once again wear #24 on his Mariners jersey.
The Chicago Tribune suggests that the chance to play DH tipped the scales in Griffey’s decision between the Mariners and Braves.
John Hickey of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer notes that the Mariners released OF Michael Wilson to make room for Griffey. Drafted in the second round in 2001, Wilson has never seen the majors.
And finally, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times has video highlights of Griffey’s press conference.

Hudson Passes Physical, Manny Talks Heat Up

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 7:12pm CDT

Tony Jackson of the L.A. Daily News reports that Orlando Hudson passed his physical, making his one-year deal official. He also notes that Hudson’s base salary is $3MM, with a $380,000 signing bonus and incentives which max out at $4.62MM.

Jackson also has some tantalizing quotes from Dodgers GM Ned Colletti about the Manny Ramirez negotiations. Colletti said that he has had more conversations with Scott Boras "in the past seven days than in the past few months. The conversations are more frequent and longer."

Jackson writes, "it sure sounds like they are getting closer to a deal — not that ’closer’ means ’close.’"

Indians Sign Catcher from Czech Republic

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 6:37pm CDT

Paul Hoynes of the Clevelend Plain Dealer reports that the Indians have signed 16-year old catching prospect Martin Cervenka to a non-drafted free agent minor league contract.

Cervenka will stay with his club team in the Czech Republic in 2009 and will spend the next two summers at the MLB’s baseball academy in Australia.

This report from CBSSports.com discusses the increasing number of major league teams who are actively scouting in Europe, which Cleveland’s assistant GM John Mirabelli calls, "the new frontier for baseball."

Arbitration Awards Increase By Record Amount in 2009

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 6:06pm CDT

While the value of most free agents plummeted this offseason, players in salary arbitration did quite well for themselves. Writing for the Associated Press, Ronald Blum reports that the 111 players in salary arbitration received an average pay increase of 172 percent this year.

That figure is up from 120 percent last year. The previous record of 169 percent was set in 1999.

The big winners this year were Nick Markakis and Ervin Santana, whose salaries rose 24-fold and 16-fold, respectively.

Writing for MLB.com, Fred Claire argues that the arbitration process is "a far greater escalator of salaries than free agency." He quotes a veteran baseball executive who says of the arbitration process, "mediocrity is handsomely rewarded and excellence goes out of sight."

Padres Invite Walter Silva to Spring Training

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 5:41pm CDT

According to Corey Brock of MLB.com, the Padres will give right-handed pitcher Walter Silva a shot to earn a spot in the rotation out of Spring Training. He will be on loan from Monterrey of the Mexican League.

Tom Krasovic of The Sand Diego Union-Tribune reported yesterday that the teams had "reached terms on what basically amounts to a six-week tryout for Silva." Krasovic said that Monterrey stands to get about $400,000 if the Padres keep Silva.

Padres first baseman Adrian Gonzalez, a teammate of Silva’s in the Caribbean World Series, first recommended Silva to the Padres. Silva went 7-8 with a 4.21 ERA for Monterrey last season. He pitched well in the Caribbean World Series, going 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA in two starts for Mazatlan.

Twins, Joe Crede Agree To Terms

By Brian Shephard | February 21, 2009 at 10:48am CDT

SATURDAY, 10:48am: La Velle E. Neal III heard from a source that the Twins are expected to announce the signing this afternoon. Crede is apparently on a plane to Fort Myers.

Neal adds the terms of the contract. The Star-Tribune’s source suggest the deal guarantees Crede $2.5MM, but could pay him up to $7MM depending on how many plate appearances he makes. The incentives start at 250 PAs and continue until Crede comes to bat for the 525th time.

FRIDAY: Mark Gonzales of The Chicago Tribune cites "a major league source" who says that Joe Crede and the Twins have agreed to terms. No details of the contract were available, but La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune wrote earlier tonight that it appeared Crede "is willing to sign for less than the $7MM base that we believed he was seeking."

Even battling back issues, Crede’s third base defense is among the game’s best. Last year he saved 13 more bases than the average third baseman despite missing a third of the season.

Rangers Sign 16 Players

By Brian Shephard | February 20, 2009 at 7:55pm CDT

The Houston Chronicle is reporting that the Rangers have signed 16 players to 2009 contracts. These players include Scott Feldman and Matt Harrison, who are both expected to make the Rangers starting rotation.

Position players include catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and right fielder Nelson Cruz.

Here’s a list of the others:

Pitchers – Josh Rupe, John Bannister, Tommy Hunter, Luis Mendoza, Dustin Nippert, Omar Proveda, Kason Gabbard
Position Players – Joaquin Arias, Jose Vallejo, Brandon Boggs, David Murphy, and Greg Golson

The Rangers have yet to sign Josh Hamilton, Taylor Teagarden, and nine others.

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