Astros Extend Ed Wade Through 2012
The Astros have extended the contract of GM Ed Wade through 2012, reports MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart. The official announcement is expected later today.
Wade is entering his third full season as Houston’s general manager. His most notable pickups include Michael Bourn, Jose Valverde, Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Ivan Rodriguez, Matt Lindstrom, and Brandon Lyon. You can find his full trade history here, courtesy of Brendan Bianowicz.
Under Wade, the Astros are exactly .500 with a 166-166 record. Before becoming Houston’s general manager, he held the same position with the Phillies for eight years.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Saturday
After the White Sox pulled their offer to Johnny Damon yesterday, Braves' GM Frank Wren indicated to MLB.com's Mark Bowman that "Nothing has changed on our end," perhaps meaning that they weren't preparing a last minute offer. At the moment, it appears the only offer Damon and his camp have is from the Tigers, who reportedly offered a deal worth up to $7.5MM with some money deferred.
ESPN's Buster Olney reported yesterday that Scott Boras wanted one of two things from Tigers' owner Mike Ilitch: a one-year deal that doesn't include any deferred money, or a legitimate two-year deal.
Cubs Win Arbitration Case Against Ryan Theriot
The Cubs won their arbitration case against infielder Ryan Theriot according to Paul Sullivan of The Chicago Tribune. He will earn $2.6MM in 2010 instead of the $3.4MM he filed for.
The 30-year-old Theriot hit .284/.343/.369 in 677 plate appearances as Chicago's every day shortstop in 2009. He won't become a free agent until after the the 2012 season.
Mets Trying To Void Waiver Claim On Jay Marshall
The Mets are trying to void the waiver claim they made on lefty reliever Jay Marshall because of a pre-existing shoulder injury, reports Adam Rubin of The New York Daily News. Marshall was claimed from the A's back in early January, and the commissioner's office is looking into the matter.
Marshall, 27 next week, missed 32 days at the end of last season with tendinitis in his throwing shoulder. In 49.1 big league innings, he's posted a 7.66 ERA with more walks (22) than strikeouts (19), though his minor league numbers are more than respectable.
Dodgers Sign Eric Gagne
The Dodgers have officially signed Eric Gagne to a minor league deal worth up to $1MM. Gagne makes $500K if he breaks camp with the Dodgers and he can earn up to $500K more in incentives based on games and games finished.
Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times first reported the deal and noted that it was official (via Twitter). Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports added detail on the terms of the deal (via Twitter).
The Rockies offered the 34-year-old Gagne a minor league deal as well, however he apparently preferred the familiarity of the Dodgers' organization. He's returning to where he enjoyed his most big league success, saving 152 games while winning a Cy Young Award during a three year stretch from 2002-2004.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Mets, Gonzalez, Contreras
On this date back in 1983, Dodgers' hurler Fernando Valenzuela became the first player in baseball history to receive a seven-figure award through the arbitration process. During his first two-plus seasons as a big leaguer, Fernandomania had been named the Rookie of the Year, appeared in two All Star Games, and won a Cy Young Award. The arbitration panel awarded him a $1MM salary in his first year of eligibility, nearly tripling his 1982 salary.
As the last few present day arbitration cases wrap up, here are some links to check out from around the baseball blogiverse…
- Mets Paradise reviews the Amazin's offseason, and says they aren't a finished product even if the team believes they are.
- Capitol Avenue Club examines a potential Adrian Gonzalez-to-Atlanta trade, and notes that it's the same situation as the Mark Teixeira swap of 2007.
- Turn Two looks at some AL and NL position battles.
- The Sports Banter tries to find homes for the best remaining free agents.
- Phillies Nation grades the Jose Contreras pickup.
- Gear Up For Blue Jays Baseball breaks down Kevin Gregg and the rest of Toronto's bullpen.
- Tipi Talk wonders if Rafael Perez could contribute to the Indians as a starting pitcher.
- Dodgers Digital answers questions about how the Dodgers' roster decisions will affect their Triple-A affiliate.
- AdamAdkins.net ranks the top five catchers in the game today.
- Brew Crew Ball provides an easy-to-use guide for creating your own Spring Training story.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Mike can be reached here.
Marlins Sign Mike MacDougal
The Marlins have signed free agent reliever Mike MacDougal to a minor league contract that includes an invitation to Spring Training. The deal will pay MacDougal $700K if he makes the team, plus there's another $75K in performance bonuses. He joins Jose Veras, Seth McClung and Derrick Turnbow as power bullpen arms the Marlins brought to camp on minor league deals.
MacDougal, 33 in March, served as the Nationals' closer after being released by the White Sox in April. He converted 20 of 21 save chances, though he walked as many men (31) as he struck out in 50 innings of work. MacDougal's fastball flirts with triple-digits, but he's put more than three runners on base for every two innings pitched ever since his All Star season back in 2003.
Barry Jackson of The Miami Herald originally reported the deal, and Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com added the salary details.
Discussion: Carlos Pena
As the 2009-2010 offseason draws to a close, Hot Stove junkies are already looking ahead to next offseason's free agent market. One of the biggest names slated to hit the market is Carl Crawford of Tampa Bay, but he's not the only big name Ray scheduled to become a free agent. Carlos Pena, the team's first baseman since signing a minor league deal back in 2007, will also hit the open market.
The 31-year-old Pena will earn $10.125MM in 2010 as part of the three-year deal he signed back in 2008, making him the highest paid player on the team. Tampa's payroll is slated to drop below the $60MM mark in 2011, which makes it unlikely that Pena will be back in a Rays' uniform next season. The team that loses out on a potential Adrian Gonzalez bidding war could turn to Pena, who provides similar qualities as a patient (.382 OBP over the last three years), power bat (.553 SLG) from the left side with solid defense (+1.3 UZR) at first.
What do MLBTR's readers think is in store for Pena this season? Will Tampa Bay make him available if they fall out of the race? Or perhaps trade him even if they are in it just to get something in return as opposed to letting him walk as a free agent? What kind of contract could he be looking at after the season?
Nationals Win Arbitration Hearing Against Bruney
WEDNESDAY, 12:12pm: The Nationals won their hearing against Bruney, reports the AP. He'll be paid $1.5MM, saving the team $350K over his request.
TUESDAY, 5:13pm: The Nationals and reliever Brian Bruney were unable to come to an agreement on a contract for 2010, so the two sides went to an arbitration hearing today according to the AP (via The Miami Herald). Bruney filed for $1.85MM, the team $1.5MM.
Bruney, who turns 28 tomorrow, was acquired from the Yankees in December for the rights to the first overall pick in the Rule 5 Draft. He posted a 3.92 ERA with an 8.3 K/9 in 39 innings last year, battling elbow trouble in the first half. Bruney's fastball routinely sits in the mid-90's, but he often doesn't know where it's going (6.2 BB/9) and has trouble staying on the field (three DL trips since 2008).
The Nationals only other remaining arbitration case is lefty Sean Burnett, who filed for $925K. The team countered with $775K.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Tuesday
7:54pm: Rosenthal takes back his previous tweet, and says that the White Sox did not make Damon a second offer. Their original offer still stands, though it is not believed to be as high as Detroit's.
Rosenthal adds that Damon and his wife "would prefer him to play in a more cosmopolitan city than Detroit," for what it's worth. What's more, Damon played golf Monday with Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and broadcaster Hawk Harrelson.
7:39pm: The White Sox have made a second offer to free agent outfielder Johnny Damon, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com. The terms of the offer are unknown, but Rosenthal says a deal may be gaining momentum.
Yesterday we heard that there was only a "very small" difference of opinion between the Tigers and Damon's camp on salary, though this new offer from the ChiSox may have changed that dynamic.