Giants Notes: Bay, Free Agents, Arbitration Cases
The Giants had a pretty busy day yesterday, re-signing second baseman Freddy Sanchez to a two-year deal, and outrighting lefty Noah Lowry, making him a free agent. Henry Schulman of The SF Chronicle has some more Giants' rumors for us this morning…
- GM Brian Sabean says he sees a "later-developing market. We don't have a relative sense of urgency like last year, which will play in our favor."
- Schulman says San Francisco is expected to make a run at free agent outfielder Jason Bay.
- Sabean also said the team has had "some level of conversation" with each of their potential free agents, most notably Juan Uribe, Randy Winn, and Bengie Molina. Yesterday we learned that Uribe informed the Giants that he intends to test the market.
Meanwhile, Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News notes that several of the Giants' core players are eligible for arbitration this winter, including Tim Lincecum, Brian Wilson, Jonathan Sanchez, and Ryan Garko. If Lincecum takes home another Cy Young Award this year, that would be the most awesome first year arbitration case in history.
Olney On Potential Non-Tenders And Bradley
In today's blog post at ESPN.com, Buster Olney indicates that there is belief among general managers that the "financial restructuring that has been occurring across the landscape is about to hit the arbitration-level players like a tidal wave." He mentions underperforming, but well paid players like Garrett Atkins and Kelly Johnson are prime non-tender bait, especially since their clubs have replacements ready and it's unlikely they'll be able to trade them. Make sure you check out MLBTR's list of non-tender candidates.
Olney also talks about some bad contracts the Cubs could acquire in exchange for Milton Bradley, adding that this morning's Vernon Wells rumor "would be a stunner" if it happened. Some of the players he mentions as possible fits include Carlos Silva, Derek Lowe, Gary Matthews Jr. (who said he wants out of Anaheim), Barry Zito, Aaron Rowand, Oliver Perez, and Dontrelle Willis, among others. Any other ideas?
Odds & Ends: Hawkins, Uribe, Hill, Hazen
Here's a few links to end the night…
- MLB.com's Brian McTaggart tweets that Astros GM Ed Wade said the team "is talking with LaTroy Hawkins, who wanted to see who the manager was going to be first." Hawkins will be a free agent this offseason for the fourth time in as many years.
- Juan Uribe has informed the Giants that he plans to test the market, according to Andrew Baggarly of The Mercury News.
- MASNSports.com's Roch Kubatko reports that the Orioles outrighted three players off their 40-man roster, including southpaw Rich Hill. Meanwhile, MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince says the Indians outrighted three players as well.
- Tom Krasovic reports that Red Sox farm director Mike Hazen interviewed for a front office position with the Padres. Hazen has held the position with Boston since 2006, and used to play in San Diego's minor league system.
- Here's this week's edition of Baseball America's minor league transactions. Lots of new names hitting the free agent pool, including Jack Taschner and Edgar Gonzalez.
Hendrickson Hopes To Re-Sign With O’s Quickly
Once the World Series ends, teams get an exclusive 15-day window to negotiate with their own free agents before they truly hit the open market, and as Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun notes, lefthander Mark Hendrickson hopes the Orioles take advantage of that window.
"We won't wait just for the purpose of waiting," said Joe Urbon of CAA Sports. "They have an exclusive window to talk and try to get something done and I would hope that they'd use it because I know that's what Mark would like.
"There has been indications and a vibe that there is an interest in the Orioles in having him back and Mark has made it clear that he has an interest in staying. It has to work on both sides. That includes fit and role and economics. I don't see any reason that all three things can't be accomplished."
The former Philadelphia 76er, Sacramento King, New Jersey Net, and Cleveland Cavalier pitched to a 4.37 ERA in 105 innings this season, mostly out of the bullpen for the O's. He earned $1.5MM in 2009, but FanGraphs values his performance at $2.2MM. It was also the fourth straight year Hendrickson's value has declined.
Noah Lowry To Become A Free Agent
According to Henry Schulman of The SF Chronicle, Giants lefthander Noah Lowry will become a free agent today after he is removed from the 40-man roster. Schulman said Lowry's agent was informed of the move today, who added that he is "completely healthy throwing three days a week on his normal offseason program without any restrictions."
Lowry hasn't appeared in a game since August of 2007 due to an arm injury, and Lowry's camp believes the Giants misdiagnosed and mistreated the injury. The 29-year-old was in the final year of his four-year, $9.25MM in 2009, and still has one more year of arbitration eligibility ahead of him.
Giants Re-Sign Freddy Sanchez
5:31pm: Henry Schulman of The San Francisco Chronicle reports that the contract is worth $6MM a year, so $12MM total. Sanchez takes a $2.1MM pay cut in 2010, but ends up with more guaranteed money in the long run.
5:17pm: The Giants have re-signed second baseman Freddy Sanchez to a two-year deal, according to CSNBayArea.com. The terms of the contract have not been released.
The 31-year-old Sanchez hit .284/.295/.324 in just 107 plate appearances for the Giants after coming over from the Pirates at the trade deadline, missing time with a strained shoulder and a torn meniscus in his left knee. His $8.1MM option for 2010 did not vest, and the team decided that instead of picking it up or buying Sanchez out for $600K, they're better off renegotiating a new deal.
Discussion: Pedro Martinez
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel announced this morning that 38-year-old Pedro Martinez will start Game Two of the World Series later this week, giving us all one final chance to experience a Pedro start in the Bronx. It's not crazy to think that that start may be the last of Pedro's Hall of Fame career, however it seems like he'll be back at it again in 2010.
No one asked me, but I believe Pedro's 2000 season (217 IP, 128 H, 284-32 K/BB ratio) is the greatest single season by any pitcher in history. Obviously that Pedro Martinez is long gone, but this year's version was still effective. In nine regular season starts with the Phils, he put up a 3.63 ERA and a stellar 1.6 BB/9 in 44.2 IP. He allowed just two hits and zero runs in his lone playoff start (so far) in 2009.
Pedro made the pro-rated portion of a $2MM base salary in 2009, though he pick up another $300K in performance bonuses. What kind of contract do you see Martinez getting this offseason? Considering the shoulder issues he's had in the past, would it be smart of him to go on the "Roger Clemens plan" and pitch just half the season?
Tell us what you think in the comments.
Odds & Ends: Chapman, Padres, Orioles, Coste
Here's a few links to help you through another baseball-less night…
- Kiley McDaniel of Baseball Prospectus tweets that Aroldis Chapman will throw a bullpen at Fenway tomorrow.
- ESPN's Keith Law says that firing VP of scouting and player development Grady Fuson was a good move by new GM Jed Hoyer and the Padres. He notes that San Diego's drafts have been among the worst in the game over the last few years, although they did change course last year.
- Peter Schmuck of The Baltimore Sun says the Orioles need a power hitter at one of the corner infield spots, and mentions that players like Adrian Beltre, Troy Glaus, or Carlos Delgado could represent a decent stop gap.
- Chris Coste became a free agent after being outrighted by the Astros, says Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
- Phil Wood of MASNsports.com has news on a few front office hirings by the Nationals.
- The Phillies added Brett Myers to their World Series roster according to David Murphy of The Philadephia Daily News. The 29-year-old righthander could earn himself a few extra bucks in free agency with a big series.
Gary Matthews Jr. Wants Out
When the Angels handed Gary Matthews Jr. a five-year, $50MM contract prior to the 2007 season, the team figured it was getting an elite centerfielder that played Gold Glove defense and hit .300+ like he did in his final season in Texas. Instead, the Angels brought Torii Hunter on board just one season later, and Matthews has been a part-time player ever since.
With two years and $23MM left on his deal, Matthews wants out of Anaheim, according to Mike DiGiovanna of The LA Times.
"I don't expect to be back; it's time to move on," Matthews said as he packed his belongings in the team's Angel Stadium clubhouse today. "I'm ready to play for an organization that wants me to play every day. This organization has other plans, and that's OK."
As for the money, Sarge Jr. doesn't think it'll be much of a hurdle.
"It's definitely not as big as it was a year ago," Matthews said. "Obviously, there are some teams that can't afford it, but when I'm playing every day, I feel I can be a top-line center fielder, and that, I would think, is what a lot of teams want."
In three years with the Halos, the 35-year-old Matthews has hit .248/.325/.383, and he's gotten fewer and fewer plate appearances each year. The free agent pool is a little light on true centerfielders, but it's hard to imagine anyone giving up anything of value for Matthews without the Angels eating a huge chunk of his contract.
Lee, Phillies Yet To Talk About Extension
Both the Phillies and ace Cliff Lee have more important things on their mind right now, but in today's blog post at ESPN, Buster Olney mentions that Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker, said there have not yet been any discussions about a new deal. When it comes to club options, the $8MM ($1MM buyout) one the team holds on Lee for 2010 is as much of a no-brainer as they come.
Philadelphia acquired Lee at the trade deadline after reaching a stalemate in talks with Toronto about Roy Halladay. Lee was very good after the move, but has been masterful in the postseason, putting up a 0.74 ERA (1.93 FIP) in three starts (24.1 IP).