edcreech | MLB Trade Rumors

MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | April 7, 2013 at 7:03pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR during the first week of the 2013 season:

MLBTR was the first to learn of additional provisions in the Elvis Andrus contract extension regarding full no-trade protection and how his 2023 vesting option could be converted into a player option.
In the wake of Andrus receiving not one, but two opt-clauses in the aforementioned extension, Tim Dierkes listed other notable deals in which a player obtained an opt out.
The Andrus extension also prompted Steve Adams to hark back to other April extensions from the past two years.
MLBTR was the first to report David Aardsma cleared release waviers and became a free agent with roughly ten interested in his services.
Tim listed the ten largest contracts given to starting pitchers in terms of new money and years.
Steve reviewed the offseason of the Cardinals, Reds, and Dodgers while Zach Links recapped the Padres.
The Why I Chose My Agency series continued with MLBTR correspondent B.J. Rains discussing Rex Gary and Jimmy Turner of Turner-Gary Sports, Inc. with Shaun Marcum.
Steve presented another installment of the Transaction Retrospection series by revisiting the Doug Fister trade.
MLBTR contributor Chuck Myron examined how the timing of the blockbuster James Shields–Wil Myers trade affected the Rays.
Tim hosted the weekly live chat.
Zach gathered the best the baseball corner of the web had to offer in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

NL Notes: Fernandez, Fowler, Pirates, Giants

By edcreech | April 7, 2013 at 5:00pm CDT

The Marlins were questioned about their decision to overlook service time considerations when they added Jose Fernandez to their Opening Day roster. So far, the gamble is working for Miami. The 20-year-old, who is making the jump from High-A ball and is the youngest player on a 2013 Opening Day roster, was outstanding in his MLB debut striking out eight (a franchise record for a debut) while allowing only three hits and one walk in five innings of the Marlins' walkoff loss to the Mets. Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel notes Fernandez is just the seventh starter under the age of 21 to record at least eight strikeouts in his MLB debut since 1916 and only the fourth pitcher in the past 13 years to record six or more strikeouts in his debut joining Oliver Perez, Clayton Kershaw, and teammate Jacob Turner (Twitter link). In other news and notes from the National League:

Dexter Fowler credits his early season success to the security of his recent two-year, $11.6MM contract extension, writes the Denver Post's Troy E. Renck. Fowler believes the investment shows the Rockies now see him as part of their core and not just a trade chip for pitching.
A former minority owner of the Pirates believes owner Bob Nutting "is too rational a businessman to ever spend more money to build a winner," reports Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. Conventional wisdom says the economic playing field is too uneven for the Pirates to be competitive without a larger payroll. Ex-Rangers owner Chuck Greenberg, a Pittsburgh native, disagrees telling Biertempfel, "The days when any franchise was revenue-challenged are long over. There is so much revenue in baseball, not just at the local level but also national revenues that sustain every franchise as well as enormous amounts of revenue sharing. Every franchise has the ability to compete without losing money."
The Giants held their World Series ring ceremony today and and there were some notable no-shows. According to Andrew Baggarly of CSNBayArea.com, Brian Wilson was invited, but never responded dampening the prospects of a reunion when the Giants' former closer fully recovers from Tommy John surgery. Guillermo Mota meanwhile had a prior family committment, but Baggarly writes he has thrown for the Orioles and could sign a Triple-A contract with them.
Reliever Mike MacDougal has signed a minor league deal with the Reds, reports Baseball America's Matt Eddy. MLBTR reported exclusively in February the 35-year-old would throw a bullpen for interested teams. MacDougal appeared in just seven games for the Dodgers in 2012, but he posted a 2.05 ERA in 69 appearances with them in 2011.

Blue Jays Claim Edgar Gonzalez

By edcreech | April 7, 2013 at 3:22pm CDT

The Blue Jays have announced they have claimed right-hander Edgar Gonzalez off waivers from the Astros. Gonzalez was designated for assignment by the Astros on Friday. The Blue Jays opened a spot on the 40-man roster for Gonzalez by transferring Dustin McGowan to the 60-day disabled list. The team will make a corresponding 25-man roster move prior to their Tuesday matinee in Detroit, tweets Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca.

Gonzalez pitched to a 5.04 ERA with 6.5 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 46.2 percent ground-ball rate in six starts (25 innings) for the Astros last year. Originally signed by Arizona in 2000, the 30-year-old has appeared in parts of nine MLB seasons with the Diamondbacks, A's and Astros. He has a 5.84 ERA in 350 career innings covering 113 games including 47 starts.

Athletics Outright Dan Otero To Triple-A

By edcreech | April 7, 2013 at 1:22pm CDT

The Athletics have outrighted Dan Otero to Triple-A after the right-hander cleared waivers, tweets Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Otero was designated for assignment on Friday when the Athletics acquired catcher Stephen Vogt from the Rays.

Otero has been a travelling man the past three weeks after being optioned by the Giants to Triple-A Fresno (March 15), claimed on waivers by the Yankees (March 26), designated for assignment the next day and claimed by the Athletics (March 29), and now onto Sacramento. The 28-year-old made his MLB debut with the Giants last season (5.84 ERA, 5.8 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, and 13.9 H/9 in 12 games covering 12 1/3 innings) while also appearing in 48 games at Fresno where he posted a 2.90 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 1.2 BB/9.

The team confirmed the move in a press release.

MLBTR Originals

By edcreech | March 31, 2013 at 5:00pm CDT

A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week, as Spring Training came to a close:

Tim Dierkes updated MLBTR's 2014 Free Agent Power Rankings and Robinson Cano remains atop the list with Adam Wainwright ranked second (the post was published prior to Wainwright agreeing to a five-year contract extension with the Cardinals).
MLBTR was the first to learn Chad Qualls made the Marlins' Opening Day roster and Tim Byrdak accepted the $100K retention bonus from the Mets to remain in their organization.
Tim presented three installments of the Why I Chose My Agency series: Jamey Carroll on Jonathan Maurer and Mike Montana of Millenium Sports Management, Jake Odorizzi on Jason Wood of Arland Sports, and Mark DeRosa on Lonnie Cooper and Keith Grunewald of CSE.
The Offseason in Review series continued with Ben Nicholson-Smith's assessment of the Mariners, Tim's review of the Nationals and Cubs, and Zach Links' recap of the Pirates and Brewers.
Tim examined which teams, if they struggle early, could become sellers and what trade chips they have to offer.
Charlie Wilmoth highlighted the hidden gems uncovered in Rule 5 drafts since 1999.
Tim hosted the MLBTR live chat this week.
Zach put together the best of the baseball blogosphere in Baseball Blogs Weigh In.

Yankees Designate Clay Rapada For Assignment

By edcreech | March 31, 2013 at 3:41pm CDT

The Yankees have designated left-hander Clay Rapada for assignment to clear a spot for Lyle Overbay, tweets MLB.com's Bryan Hoch. Rapada is out of options. The Yankees now have ten days to trade, release, or outright him to the minors.

Rapada has been suffering from shoulder bursitis this spring. The Yankees had intended to place Rapada on the disabled list, but changed their minds risking the possibility the 32-year-old will be claimed by another team, according to Andy McCullough of the Star-Ledger. Rapada pitched to a 2.82 ERA, 8.9 K/9, and 4.0 BB/9 in 70 games (38 1/3 innings) out of the bullpen for the Yankees in 2012.

The Yankees signed Overbay last Tuesday in an effort to boost a lineup hit hard by injuries to Curtis Granderson, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, and Alex Rodriguez. Overbay will man first base against left-handers with Kevin Youkilis taking over against right-handers.

Mariners Designate Casper Wells For Assignment

By edcreech | March 31, 2013 at 3:07pm CDT

The Mariners have designated outfielder Casper Wells for assignment, tweets Greg Johns of MLB.com. The Mariners now have ten days to either trade, release, or outright Wells to the minors. If Wells clears waivers, he cannot elect free agency because he does not have enough service time and has not been designated for assignment before, reports the Seattle Times' Larry Stone (Twitter link). The Phillies and Tigers could have interest in the 28-year-old. Wells was a member of the Tigers until he was traded to the Mariners in the Doug Fister deal in July 2011.

The roster move means Jason Bay has made the team. The Mariners filled the open 40-man roster spot by selecting the contract of right-hander D.J. Mitchell, who was then optioned to Triple-A, according to Shannon Drayer of ESPN Radio Seattle (via Twitter).

Indians Designate David Huff For Assignment

By edcreech | March 31, 2013 at 2:39pm CDT

The Indians have announced they have designated left-hander David Huff for assignment. Huff was informed on Monday he would not make the team and the Indians were trying to work out a trade because he is out of options. The Indians now have ten days to complete such a deal or they can either release or outright him to the minors.

The 28-year-old was selected in the supplemental round (39th overall) by the Indians in the 2006 draft. He has appeared in 55 games (52 starts) for the Tribe over parts of four seasons, accumulating 285 1/3 innings but posting unsightly ratios including a 5.30 ERA, 5.0 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. He has averaged 90.5 mph on his fastball with a 36.5 percent ground-ball rate throughout his career. Huff posted a 5.82 ERA this spring in 17 innings (nine games including one start) with 7.9/9K, 2.6 BB/9, and 2.1 HR/9.

The Indians' 40-man roster remains at 39 players because the team selected the contract of Ryan Raburn from Triple-A Columbus.

Steve Adams contributed to this post.

Reds Designate Donald; Outright Arredondo

By edcreech | March 31, 2013 at 2:24pm CDT

The Reds have designated infielder Jason Donald for assignment and outrighted right-hander Jose Arredondo to Triple-A, tweets John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer. Donald and Arredondo were both out of options. The Reds now have ten days to either trade, release, or outright Donald to the minors. Arredondo has already cleared waivers, reports Fay (via Twitter).

Donald, acquired from the Indians in the Shin-Soo Choo trade, was beat out by non-roster invitee Cesar Izturis. Fay tweets the deciding factor was Izturis' ability to play shortstop and serve as a backup to starter Zack Cozart.

Arredondo, who is in the final year of a contract he signed in January 2012 and will still be arbitration eligible in 2014 and 2015 as a Super Two, lost out to Manny Parra and Alfredo Simon for a spot in the Reds bullpen.

Rays Designate Robinson Chirinos, Stephen Vogt

By edcreech | March 31, 2013 at 2:14pm CDT

The Rays have announced they have designated catchers Robinson Chirinos and Stephen Vogt for assignment. The Rays now have ten days to trade, release, or outright Chirinos and Vogt to the minors.

The moves were needed to open space on their 40-man roster for first baseman/DH Shelley Duncan and relievers Jamey Wright and Juan Carlos Oviedo. Oviedo was then transferred to the 60-day disabled list, as he continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Duncan's promotion was necessitated by a right calf strain suffered by Luke Scott, who was placed on the 15-day disabled list. Executive VP of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman told reporters, including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times (via Twitter), Duncan won the job due to his extra base-hit ability and because he adds value with his power.

Chirinos was acquired in the Matt Garza trade and appeared in 20 games for the Rays in 2011 producing a slash line of .218/.283/.309 in 60 plate appearances. He sat out the 2012 season due to a concussion.

Vogt, a 12th-round selection by the Rays in the 2007 draft, made his MLB debut last season, but went hitless in 25 at-bats. He has fared much better at the plate during his six-year minor league career (.290/.360/.448), including numbers of .272/.350/.424 in 396 plate appearances in 94 games at Triple-A Durham in 2012.

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