Red Sox Talking To Roy Oswalt
The Red Sox have ongoing contact with free agent pitcher Roy Oswalt, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com (Twitter link).
Oswalt, not far removed from being a dependable top-of-the-rotation starter, has seen his stock fall this offseason due to injury concerns, with recent rumors suggesting he could end up with a one-year contract worth somewhere around $8MM.
In addition to the Red Sox, the Rangers and Cardinals are also thought to be interested in adding the right-hander, who could pay off in spades for a contender if he's back at full strength.
Boston has been aggressively purusing rotation depth recently, although Oswalt would be more than insurance if he were to sign. The Sox added Aaron Cook and Justin Germano on minor league deals, and they may be nearing an agreement with Vicente Padilla.
MLBTR Originals: 1/8/2012 – 1/14/2012
There was plenty of news last week, but the sturdy writing team here at MLBTR still managed to pump out some interested original analysis and reporting. Here's the rundown:
- Ben Nicholson-Smith listed the top 10 remaining free agents on the market.
- Tim Dierkes reported the terms of Darren Oliver's contract with the Blue Jays.
- Ben first reported the Rockies' signing of Damaso Espino to a minor league contract, as well as the terms of Manny Parra's agreement with the Brewers on a one-year contract.
- Tim resurrected his Boras Blast From The Past series in the wake of Ryan Madson's deal with the Reds.
- Fewer free agent relievers got multiyear deals this offseason than last, by Ben's count.
- Michael Morse's sudden rise to prominence has positioned him for an interesting extension candidacy, as Tim writes.
- It's never too soon to break down next offseason's free agent class by position, which Tim did.
- Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from around baseball's blogosphere.
- Here's the transcript of the weekly MLBTR chat, hosted by Tim.
- I looked at the remaining free agent groundballers on the market.
Rockies, Seth Smith Avoid Arbitration
8:46pm: Smith will earn $2.415MM, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes has learned.
8:28pm: The Rockies and Seth Smith have avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year deal, the team announced via Twitter.
Smith, 29, was eligible for arbitration for the first time. The outfielder has been a productive offensive player thus far in his career, posting a .275/.348/.485 line in 1,449 plate appearances. The left-handed hitter is well above average against righties (.290/.364/.518) but struggles mightily against southpaws (.202/.269/.319), so he's best deployed in a platoon.
Smith, a second-round pick of the Rox in 2004, was projected by MLBTR's Matt Swartz to earn $2.6MM through arbitration.
Week In Review: 1/8/2012 – 1/14/2012
The Yankees awoke from a relative offseason slumber to pull off a pair of big moves on Friday. In case you missed that or any other notable news, the Week In Review's got you covered …
- The Yankees and Mariners teamed up for a blockbuster trade including lots of prized young talent, with Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi going to Seattle in exchange for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos.
- The Yanks also agreed to terms with free agent right-hander Hiroki Kuroda on a one-year, $10MM deal.
- The Reds agreed to terms with closer Ryan Madson on a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2013 in what may be one of the offseason's best bargains.
- The Angels reached agreement with infielder Howie Kendrick on a four-year, $33.5MM extension that covers his final year of arbitration eligibility and three years of free agency.
- Josh Hamilton said he'd be open to signing an extension with the Rangers before Spring Training, while Texas tabled extension talks with lefty Derek Holland.
- Contract length proved to be an obstacle in the ongoing negotiations between the Rangers and Yu Darvish. Texas was rumored to be talking "Dice-K" money with the right-hander.
- Barry Larkin was elected to the Hall of Fame.
- Marlins president David Samson said Miami will make an aggressive run for Cuban defector Yoenis Cespedes once he becomes a free agent.
- The Orioles' Adam Jones said he has not been offered a contract extension.
- The Cubs agreed to terms with reliever Kerry Wood on a one-year contract that includes a 2013 option.
- The Rays signed free agent Luke Scott to a one-year contract with a club option for 2013.
- The Cubs signed lefty Paul Maholm to a one-year deal with a club option for 2013.
- The Blue Jays signed lefty reliever Darren Oliver to a one-year deal with a club option for 2013.
- The Orioles reached agreement with Korean righty Wei-Yin Chen on a three-year contract worth $12MM.
- The Braves agreed to terms infielder Jack Wilson on a one-year contract.
- The Mets signed shortstop Ronny Cedeno to a one-year deal, and they also re-signed Scott Hairston to a one-year Major League pact.
- A handful of players avoided arbitration with their teams: Ryan Sweeney (Red Sox), Chris Resop (Pirates), Martin Prado (Braves), Manny Parra (Brewers), Kyle Kendrick (Phillies), Ryan Vogelsong (Giants), Kendrys Morales (Angels), and Carlos Gomez (Brewers).
- The Brewers exchanged proposals with Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki.
- The Nats withdrew from the Cespedes sweepstakes but remain in on Prince Fielder.
- The Red Sox moved close to signing right-hander Vicente Padilla and met with David Ortiz's agent.
- The Rays closed in on an extension for manager Joe Maddon.
- The Indians expressed interest in free agent first baseman Carlos Pena.
- The Tigers downplayed talks of their interest in Cubs right-hander Matt Garza.
- Recently extended MLB Commissioner Bud Selig prioritized the Athletics' potential relocation/ballpark search.
- Melvin Mora un-retired, while Kevin Cash hung 'em up.
- Hiroyuki Nakajima returned to NPB. The shortstop was unable to reach agreement with the Yankees, the team that won the rights to negotiation with him through the posting process.
- The Royals agreed to terms with third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff on a minor league contract.
- The Cubs agreed to terms with Alfredo Amezaga on a minor league contract.
- The Pirates signed lefty reliever Doug Slaten to a minor league pact.
- The Indians signed reliever Chris Ray to a minor league contract.
- The Mariners signed Aaron Heilman to a minor league deal.
- The Cardinals signed Koyie Hill to a minor league deal.
- The Mets re-signed Miguel Batista to a minor league deal.
- The Orioles re-signed Willie Eyre to a minor league deal.
- The Astros claimed outfielder Fernando Martinez, a former blue-chipper, from the Mets.
- The Brewers claimed Jeff Bianchi from the Cubs.
- The Red Sox acquired infielder Brad Emaus from the Rockies for a player to be named or cash. Boston also signed righty Aaron Cook and Justin Germano, another right-hander, to minor league contracts.
- The Reds signed lefty relievers Ron Mahay and Clay Zavada to minor league contracts.
- Scott Proctor signed with Korea's Doosan Bears.
- Several players were designated for assignment: Nevin Ashley (Rays), Henry Villar (Astros), Kyle Hudson (Orioles), and Mark Teahen (Blue Jays).
- The Phillies released John Bowker.
Red Sox, Saltalamacchia Avoid Arbitration
The Red Sox and catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia have avoided arbitration by agreeing to terms on a one-year, non-guaranteed contract, the team announced. The deal is worth $2.5MM, tweets Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald.
Saltalamacchia, 27 in May, hit 16 homers and posted a .235/.288/.450 line in 386 plate-appearances for the Red Sox in 2011, his first full campaign in Boston. Once a highly touted prospect with the Braves, Salty has been something of a disappointment as a Major Leaguer, hitting .244/.307/.406 in nearly 1,300 career plate appearances over parts of five seasons, although catchers are known the develop late.
Matt Swartz of MLBTR projected Salty would earn $1.6MM in 2012 through arbitration, so the reported $2.5MM is favorable for the Munsey Sports Management client based on that projection.
Boston's remaining arbitration eligible players are Alfredo Aceves, Mike Aviles, Andrew Bailey, Daniel Bard, Jacoby Ellsbury, Franklin Morales and David Ortiz, according to Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe.
Yankees Have Spoken To Carlos Pena
The Yankees have contacted DH/first baseman Carlos Pena, the free agent told Rich Herrera and Mel Antonen during an appearance on MLB Network Radio's Home Plate program (Twitter link). Pena also said he's keeping his options open at this point.
We heard earlier today that the Bombers have also been in touch with free agent Johnny Damon, so they're clearly kicking the tires on reasonably priced DH/1B types after trading Jesus Montero to the Mariners on Friday.
After reestablishing himself as an MLB starter with the Rays from 2007-10, Pena hit free agency last offseason and signed a one-year deal with the Cubs. The left-handed hitter, a Boras Corporation client, slugged 28 homers and posted a .225/.357/.462 line. He'll turn 34 in May.
The Yankees' current projected payroll is at about $212MM, according to Marc Carig of the Star-Ledger, who heard earlier in the offseason that New York doesn't want to go above that figure (Twitter links). So, it sounds like the Yanks will either have to stray from their plan, or sign a Damon or Pena type at a fairly steep discount.
You can use MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker to have a look at the remaining free agent designated hitters and first basemen.
Remaining Free Agent Groundballers
With Aaron Cook and his 57% career groundball rate now off the free agent market, it's a good time to have a look at some available hurlers who have a habit of keeping the ball on the infield.
There's no official distinction for what makes one a groundballer, of course, but the average MLB pitcher induces grounders about 44% of the time. So, we're looking at guys who clock in above that rate for their career and who logged at least 100 innings in 2011.
- Paul Maholm – 52.3%. He's not spectacular by any stretch but is reliable and should find a home as someone's No. 4 or 5 starter.
- Joel Pineiro – 49.2%. His 60.5% rate as a Cardinal in 2009 looks like an outlier, but whoever signs him will hope he can recapture that form.
- Hiroki Kuroda – 48.6%. His career average would be higher were it not for a big dip in 2011 – down to 43.2%. Is that noise, or a change in profile for an aging pitcher who's battled injuries?
- Roy Oswalt – 47.3%. He hovered around 50% during his prime but seems to have settled in close to league average the past couple years. I wonder if his back troubles have been a factor.
As you can see, most of the extreme groundballers (50% or more) are off the market. Edwin Jackson, the prize of the remaining class, has had some pretty notable swings in groundball rate from year to year, which is Edwin Jackson in a nutshell.
Gammons On Fielder, Madson, Cook
The relative inactivity of the Yankees and Red Sox on the market for expensive free agents has rendered this offseason a strange one, writes Peter Gammons of MLB.com. Both clubs are concerned about the luxury tax in both the short and long terms, one GM tells Gammons. Here are some other tidbits of note …
- Gammons wonders whether there’s a fit for free agent Prince Fielder other than the Nationals: “Where is there a team with local media rights that Fielder could impact? And local media rights is what's driving the cars these days, as Albert Pujols knows.”
- However, if the Rangers get a deal done with Yu Darvish, the "Fielder watch will come into focus," especially if the Nationals back off and Prince doesn’t want to play for the Mariners.
- As for Ryan Madson, the race between the Angels and Rangers for supremacy in the AL West could re-shape the market for the free agent closer. Halos GM Jerry Dipoto, in particular, is keeping an eye on the right-hander to see if his price comes down.
- The Red Sox are looking at lefty Paul Maholm, and they might be interested in Aaron Cook if the righty is amenable to signing a minor league deal with incentives. Cook has a history with new Boston pitching coach Bob McClure.
- The Red Sox inked right-hander Carlos Silva in hopes of making him 2012’s Freddy Garcia, who was a nice value signing for the Yankees on a one-year, $1.5MM deal last season.
Brewers Work Out Aoki
Japanese outfielder Norichika Aoki has completed a workout for the Brewers, according to Nikkan Sports via Patrick Newman's NPB Tracker.
The Brewers won the right to negotiate with Aoki after placing a high bid of $2.5MM through the posting system. The bid was accepted by the Yakult Swallows, Aoki's club in NPB, and the Brewers have till Jan. 17 to sign Aoki, according to Newman, or else he'll return to the Swallows.
Brewers GM Doug Melvin and manager Ron Roenicke were among eight representatives in attendance for the 75-minute workout, which reportedly included catch, long toss, batting practice and base running.
Aoki has been a star in Japan, posting a robust .336/.411/.472 line in seven seasons. The Brewers, however, may have a bench role in mind for the outfielder, as we learned last month that they began contract negotiations in the $1-1.5MM range.
MLBTR Originals: 1/1/12 – 1/7/12
There was plenty of original analysis and reporting published at MLBTR last week. Here's a look back …
- Tim Dierkes learned that the Orioles were in on Hisashi Iwakuma before the Japanese right-hander eventually signed with the Mariners.
- In the midst of an interesting offseason for the White Sox, Zach Links polled our readers on whether the South Siders should rebuild, try to win now, or do both.
- Sean Marshall's yet-to-be-defined role in the Reds' bullpen could lead to an interesting extension negotiation, I explained.
- Indians right-hander Justin Masterson could be in line for an extension, as Tim wrote.
- One-year starters can provide plenty of value. Here's Tim's list of remaining free agent starters who can be had on one-year pacts.
- Which moves have surprised you most so far this offseason? Compare your list to Tim's.
- The Blue Jays are rumored to be seeking a top-of-the-rotation starter, so Ben Nicholson-Smith had a look at who could fit the bill for Toronto.
- Tim examined a potential extension for Asdrubal Cabrera on the heels of a breakout 2011 for the Indians shortstop.
- You can never have too much starting pitching, as the baseball axiom goes. Tim looked at which teams are in the hunt for a starter.
- Last week, Ben broke down Phillies lefty Cole Hamels' extension candidacy. This week, it was Phightin's outfielder Hunter Pence's turn, with Tim doing the honors.
- Tim conducted the weekly MLBTR chat. Click here for the transcript.
- Padres center fielder Cameron Maybin could be in line for an extension, a possibility Ben explored.
- Prince Fielder is the big fish among the remaining first basemen on the market, but Ben checked in on some of the others still available.
- Mike Axisa rounded up some of the best pieces from baseball's many blogs. Among the hot topics: Carlos Zambrano, Carlos Quentin, and Matt Garza.
- Which teams remain in the market for a designated hitter? Ben had a look.
- Mark Polishuk examined Howard Kendrick's extension candidacy just a day before a deal came to fruition. Props to Mark, who accurately projected that Kendrick would receive a four-year extension and was only a few millions dollars off the total value of the deal.
- With the Angels logjammed at first base, Mike polled our readers on whether the Halos should trade Mark Trumbo, Kendrys Morales, both or neither.