Adam Wainwright Extension Reactions
Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright has officially signed a five-year, $97.5MM extension that includes a no-trade clause, preventing him from hitting the free agent market next offseason. Here's a roundup of reactions from around the internet.
- Wainwright's contract is an example of "sticker shock" in MLB salaries, Jonah Keri at Grantland writes. Keri points out that the average annual value of Wainwright's contract is comparable to those of Matt Cain and Jered Weaver, but Cain and Weaver are younger and didn't recently miss a year due to Tommy John surgery, as Wainwright did in 2011. But that doesn't necessarily make it a bad deal, Keri says, because of changing economic circumstances throughout the game.
- The Cardinals "paid a premium" for Wainwright, writes Steven Goldman of SB Nation. Goldman points to Wainwright's lower velocity last year as cause for concern. "Wainwright and the Cardinals are both looking for security in this deal, but if that's the case only one party to the deal will be sleeping well at night," says Goldman.
- If Wainwright had been allowed to leave via free agency after the 2013 season, the Cardinals would have missed his leadership, Bernie Miklasz of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch argues. "With Chris Carpenter's career ruined by chronic pitching-health issues, and Jaime Garcia not possessing the hard-wiring to be a leader type, the Cardinals faced a potential void at the top," says Miklasz. "If Wainwright had left as a free agent after the 2013 season, who would guide the young pitchers?"
- At the press conference to announce his signing, Wainwright himself had kind words for the city of St. Louis, the Associated Press reports. "I feel like my heart is in St. Louis," said Wainwright.
Giants Re-Sign Ramon Ramirez
The Giants have re-signed pitcher Ramon Ramirez, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle reports (on Twitter). Ramirez will start the season at Triple-A Fresno.
The Giants were reported to be interested in re-signing Ramirez after they released him last week. Ramirez pitched 63 2/3 relief innings for the Mets last season, posting a 4.24 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 4.9 BB/9.
Rockies Sign Aaron Cook
The Rockies have signed pitcher Aaron Cook to a minor-league contract, Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post reports. Cook is represented by Pro Star Management, Inc.
Cook, 34, was recently released by the Phillies, and the Rockies had been expected to pursue him. Cook pitched for the Rockies from 2002 through 2011. He spent last season with the Red Sox, pitching 94 innings with a 5.65 ERA, 1.9 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9. Despite the extremely low strikeout rate, Saunders notes that Cook "believes he can still pitch in the major leagues if given a chance." He may have found the right organization to pursue that goal — the Rockies, who recently signed Jon Garland to be their fifth starter, don't have a strong starting rotation.
AL Notes: Blue Jays, Astros, Loe
Former Expos and Orioles GM Jim Beattie, who's now a pro scout for the Blue Jays, says the Jays are looking for help at second base and in their bullpen, Bob Elliott of the Canadian Baseball Network notes. "We’re always looking for pitching depth in the bullpen and our situation at second place is a little unsettled," Beattie says. "We have two guys (Emilio Bonifacio and Maicer Izturis) there but they’re not everyday guys." Here are more notes from the American League.
- Astros GM Jeff Luhnow explains the rationale that led the team to replace Jed Lowrie with Tyler Greene, and then to replace Greene with Ronny Cedeno, Brian T. Smith of the Houston Chronicle reports. "When the Cardinals released Ronny Cedeno, he was a player that we had targeted during the offseason. But we had Lowrie most of the offseason, so we weren't aggressive," says Luhnow. "When (Cedeno) became available, we went back to our original plan, which was to try and get him in here." The Cardinals signed Cedeno in late January, while the Astros did not trade Lowrie (to the Athletics) until early February.
- Reliever Kameron Loe is hoping to stay with the Mariners, Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times writes. The Mariners need to decide by Tuesday whether to open a roster spot for Loe, or the non-roster pitcher could exercise an out clause in his contract. "I hope we can work something out," Loe says. "I really like it here." Loe posted a 4.61 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9 in 68 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2012.
Yankees And Angels Notes: Wells Trade, Bourjos
The trade of the Angels' Vernon Wells to the Yankees appears to be on a path toward becoming official. Jon Heyman of CBS Sports has tweeted that the two teams are in agreement. Wells himself has acknowledged the trade, and has cleaned out his locker. Here are some notes on the deal.
- For the Yankees, the trade is a sign of desperation, Yahoo! Sports' Jeff Passan writes. "The reaction to the deal across baseball was a mix of wonderment and criticism," Passan reports, taking note of Wells' declining batting average and on-base percentage. Passan also writes that the Yankees' dependence on aging players such as Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson led to the rash of injuries that motivated their interest in Wells. The Yankees have alternatives in their own system who are better than Wells, Passan argues, including Melky Mesa and Zoilo Almonte.
- Richard Justice of MLB.com calls the Wells deal "a puzzling move," noting that the price the Yankees will pay — likely somewhere around $13MM for two seasons — is "no bargain." Wells "might not even be an upgrade over Brennan Boesch," Justice says. Ultimately, however, Justice describes Wells as "a gamble worth taking," thanks in part to his ability to play all three outfield positions.
- The trade would give the Angels' Peter Bourjos more breathing room, Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com writes. Bourjos was already the Angels' starter in center field, but with Wells gone, there will be less of a threat Bourjos will be replaced if he doesn't have a good start to the season.
Quick Hits: Astros, Phillies, Dodgers
The Astros and GM Jeff Luhnow are drawing polarized opinions this spring, writes Danny Knobler of CBS Sports. Luhnow argues that the Astros are closer to building a strong organization than some outside commentators might think, citing Jose Altuve, Jason Castro and Lucas Harrell as players who could be part of a strong core in Houston. "I think the core is already here," says Luhnow. "I really do." Here are more notes from around the majors.
- The Phillies could look outside the organization to fill their last outfield spot, Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com reports. Salisbury cites Casper Wells and Ryan Sweeney as examples of the sorts of players the Phillies might pursue. If the Phillies don't acquire a new player, Rule 5 Draft pick Ender Inciarte might end up taking the job.
- As spring training nears its end, the Dodgers still have all eight of their starting pitchers, Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times notes. The Dodgers had been rumored to be looking to trade at least one of them. Dilbeck projects that the team's rotation will include Clayton Kershaw, Zack Greinke, Josh Beckett, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Chad Billingsley, with Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly and Aaron Harang on the outside looking in.
- The Dodgers have signed 16-year-old pitcher Jesus Canizales out of Venezuela, Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times reports (on Twitter).
Cafardo On Norris, Overbay, Mortensen, Dodgers
Here's the latest from the Boston Globe's Nick Cafardo:
- Pitcher Bud Norris of the Astros has "drawn interest from at least six teams," but Houston does not appear interested in trading him.
- The Yankees have had discussions about Lyle Overbay, who could platoon with Juan Rivera at first base in Mark Teixeira's absence. Overbay is currently with the Red Sox, but he has an out clause in his contract that he can trigger on Tuesday.
- The Red Sox aren't inclined to deal reliever Clayton Mortensen, even though he is out of options.
- The Orioles, Brewers, Indians, White Sox, and Mets have all had "internal discussions" about surplus Dodgers starters Chris Capuano, Ted Lilly and Aaron Harang, and scouts feel that the Dodgers will ultimately trade at least one of them.
- The White Sox are looking for another starter because John Danks, who is recovering from shoulder surgery, has struggled this spring, allowing 21 runs in 11 innings.
Indians Release Daisuke Matsuzaka
The Indians report (on Twitter) that they have released pitcher Daisuke Matsuzaka. Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer notes (on Twitter) that the Indians will likely try to strike a new deal to keep Matsuzaka in the fold.
The Indians' rotation is expected to contain Justin Masterson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Brett Myers, and Zach McAllister along with either Scott Kazmir or Carlos Carrasco. A calf injury caused Matsuzaka to fall behind in the team's rotation battle. The Indians informed Matsuzaka last week that he would not make the team, but he has said he intends to remain in the organization anyway.
Matsuzaka is an Article XX(B) free agent, so if the Indians had not released him, they would have had to pay a $100K retention bonus if he had accepted their minor-league assignment.
Matsuzaka posted an 8.28 ERA in 45 2/3 innings with the Red Sox in 2012, with 8.1 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9. He signed a minor-league deal with the Indians in February.
Week In Review: 3/17/13 – 3/23/13
Here's a look back at the week that was here at MLBTR:
- The Yankees inched closer to completing a trade for outfielder Vernon Wells of the Angels.
- The Astros signed infielder Ronny Cedeno, who had been released by the Cardinals.
- The Rockies agreed to terms with starting pitcher Jon Garland, who had been released by the Mariners.
- The Pirates acquired shortstop John McDonald from the Diamondbacks for a player to be named later.
- Shortstop Edgar Renteria officially retired.
- The Cubs signed Cuban pitcher Armando Rivero, who received a $3.1MM bonus.
- Adam Wainwright and the Cardinals discussed an extension.
- Paul Goldschmidt and the Diamondbacks also discussed an extension.
- The Rangers say they will not trade shortstop Elvis Andrus.
- The Angels signed catcher Chris Snyder, who had been released by the Nationals.
- The Mariners signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor-league deal after Chavez was released by the Royals.
- The Marlins signed infielder Wilson Valdez to a minor-league deal after Valdez was released by the Giants.
- The Phillies released infielder Yuniesky Betancourt.
- The Marlins released utilityman Chone Figgins.
- The Angels released utilityman Bill Hall.
- The Padres released pitcher Freddy Garcia.
- The Dodgers released pitcher Mark Lowe, along with infielder Dallas McPherson, plus utility player Nick Evans and catcher Ramon Castro.
- The Rays released DH Jack Cust.
- The Mariners released first baseman Mike Jacobs.
- The Phillies released pitcher Rodrigo Lopez.
- The Pirates released outfielder Brad Hawpe.
- The Brewers released infielder Bobby Crosby.
- The Giants released pitcher Ramon Ramirez.
- The Rays released outfielder Nick Weglarz.
- The Cardinals released corner infielder Robert De La Cruz.
- The Nationals signed lefty J.C. Romero to a minor-league deal.
- The Yankees signed pitcher Chien-Ming Wang to a minor-league deal.
- The Rangers re-signed reliever Yoshinori Tateyama to a minor-league deal after releasing him on Thursday.
- The Rockies signed pitcher Giancarlo Alvarado to a minor-league deal.
- The Athletics claimed first baseman Nate Freiman from the Astros.
- The Blue Jays claimed pitcher Todd Redmond from the Orioles.
- The Rangers claimed lefty Brad Mills off waivers from the Angels.
- The Nationals outrighted infielder Carlos Rivero.
- The Giants outrighted pitcher Yusmeiro Petit.
- The Nationals acquired minor-league lefty Ian Krol from the Athletics to complete the Michael Morse deal.
- The Orioles traded outfielder Ronnie Welty to the Phillies for pitcher Julio Rodriguez in a swap of minor-leaguers.
- The Brewers traded righty Darren Byrd to the Athletics for third baseman Stephen Parker in a minor-league deal.
- The Padres traded minor-league infielder Jose Dore to the Cubs for a player to be named.
- The Reds traded utilityman Cody Puckett to the White Sox for a player to be named later.
- The Rangers released catcher Konrad Schmidt.
- The Rockies returned Rule 5 pick Daniel Rosenbaum to the Nationals.
- The Tigers returned Rule 5 pick Jeff Kobernus to the Nationals.
Orioles Could Trade Luis Ayala
The Orioles are contacting other teams to let them know reliever Luis Ayala is available in a trade, the Baltimore Sun’s Dan Connolly reports. The O’s would like to find space on their 25-man roster for Rule 5 Draft pick T.J. McFarland. They might be looking for players in return who aren’t required to be placed on the 40-man roster, Connolly says.
Baltimore is known to be interested in finding depth to back up Matt Wieters and Taylor Teagarden at catcher.
Ayala will make $1MM in 2013. He pitched 75 innings for the Orioles in 2012, posting a 2.64 ERA with 6.1 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9.