Remaining Free Agent Power Hitters
MLB teams combined for 4,934 total homers in 2012, their most since 2009 (5,042). Power remains a hard-to-find commodity, and all you need to do is look at the big multiyear contracts signed by Josh Hamilton (43 HR), B.J. Upton (28 HR), and Nick Swisher (24 HR) for evidence. Power is at a premium.
Homers and slugging percentage are just two measures of power though. Isolated power, or ISO, is slugging percentage minus batting average, so it tells us extra bases per at-bat. Hamilton led all qualified hitters with a .292 ISO in 2012 while Edwin Encarnacion and Miguel Cabrera (both .277 ISO) were tied for second. Jamey Carroll and Ben Revere tied for dead last in MLB with a .049 ISO this past season. The MLB average was a .151 ISO in 2012, and here are the nine unsigned free agents who posted a better than league average ISO this summer (min. 200 PA).
- Scott Hairston – .241 ISO
- Adam LaRoche – .238
- Luke Scott & Travis Hafner – both .210
- Kelly Shoppach – .192
- Yuniesky Betancourt – .172
- Brandon Inge – .165
- Miguel Olivo – .159
- Scott Rolen – .153
Hairston and LaRoche are both in line for multiyear contracts this winter while Rolen is still undecided about retirement. Scott and Hafner would provide some left-handed thump to a team unwilling to spend huge dollars on a DH-type, and both Shoppach and Olivo would make sense for clubs seeking a backup catcher who can hit the ball out of the park on occasion. Betancourt and Inge may have to settle for minor league contracts.
Five Teams Interested In Derek Lowe
Five teams have contacted Derek Lowe according to Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe, and all five have expressed interest in signing him as a swingman. The veteran right-hander is looking for an opportunity to start, however.
“I’ve heard the same thing from everyone,” said Lowe. “I want to be a starter and feel I have a lot left in being a regular starter in a rotation and making my 30-plus starts. I can still do that. It’s frustrating to see other starters who have come off injuries get a shot, and I’ve never been hurt and can still help a team. I’m sure things will get going for me in January. I want to pitch. I’m nowhere near ready to retire.”
Lowe, 39, pitched to a 5.11 ERA with his typically high ground ball rate (59.2%) in 142 2/3 innings for the Indians and Yankees last season. He was much more effective in a relief role with New York (3.04 ERA in 23 2/3 innings) after signing in August. Prior to 2012, Lowe had made at least 30 starts and thrown at least 180 innings in ten straight seasons.
The Latest On Unsigned Top 50 Free Agents
At the outset of the offseason, MLBTR's Tim Dierkes published his annual list of the top 50 free agents with predictions. So far 43 of those 50 players have signed (or agreed to sign) new contracts, though Mike Napoli's deal with the Red Sox is on hold due to a hip problem. Here's the latest on the seven remaining unsigned players.
- Michael Bourn (#3) – The 29-year-old center fielder has drawn recent interest from the Rangers, but not much else. MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith recently looked at some potential suitors for Bourn, who will require draft pick compensation to sign.
- Kyle Lohse (#10) – Despite being the best starter left on the market, the 34-year-old Lohse hasn't drawn much public interest. The Red Sox and Angels had interest during the Winter Meetings, though they've since moved on. The Rangers have not discussed him. Like Bourn, Lohse is attached to draft pick compensation.
- Adam LaRoche (#15) – The Nationals and LaRoche were inching towards a new deal as of last week. The Orioles are not in the mix. The 33-year-old is also attached to draft pick compensation.
- Rafael Soriano (#17) – Teams don't love the idea of surrendering a draft pick for a reliever, so interest in the 33-year-old remains tepid. The Dodgers and Red Sox are not interested, and the Tigers downplay their chances of signing him.
- Shaun Marcum (#19) – There's a healthy market for the 31-year-old right-hander, with the Mets, Twins, Padres, and Cubs showing interest. The Brewers have not discussed a possible reunion, however.
- Joe Saunders (#25) – The Orioles, Mariners, Padres, and Mets have all talked to the 31-year-old Saunders recently. The Twins made an offer to the left-hander this offseason as well.
- Jose Valverde (#44) – Valverde, 34, said he was unsure if he would pitch in 2013 back in October. The Tigers will not bring him back and there has otherwise been zero interest this winter.
Marlins Sign John Maine
Let’s keep track of Monday’s minor signings right here…
- The Marlins have signed John Maine to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, reports MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a 4.97 ERA in 79 2/3 innings for the Yankees’ Triple-A affiliate last season. He hasn’t appeared in the big leagues since 2010 with the Mets.
Quick Hits: Livan, Grilli, Swisher, Hairston, Rangers
Condolences go out to the family and friends of former Major League utility man Ryan Freel. The 36-year-old was found dead at his home today after taking his own life according to Chad Cushnir of First Coast News and MLB.com's Mark Sheldon. Freel spent most of his career with the Reds, though he also suited up for the Blue Jays, Royals, Cubs, and Orioles.
Here's the latest from around the league as Saturday turns into Sunday…
- Livan Hernandez told MLB.com's Bill Ladson that he plans to play in 2013 (Twitter link). The 37-year-old right-hander posted a 6.42 ERA in 67 1/3 relief innings for the Braves and Brewers last season.
- Jason Grilli will take over as closer for the Pirates following the Joel Hanrahan trade according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter links). Heyman notes the right-hander does not have any bonuses based on games finished in his new contract.
- Nick Swisher is giving "serious consideration" to the four-year, $52MM offer from the Indians according to ESPN's Jim Bowden (on Twitter). The switch-hitting outfielder prefers the Dodgers, Angels, or Yankees though.
- The Phillies, Braves, Mets, and Yankees are among the teams still in play for Scott Hairston, reports Heyman (on Twitter). Heyman says the Yankees may be at a disadvantage because they already have three starting outfielders.
- In today's Insider-only blog post, ESPN's Buster Olney says the Rangers should not overreact and drastically alter their plan after failing to land several top targets this offseason.
Minor Moves: Gordon, Hoey, Quinowski
Here are the day's minor moves…
- The Athletics have signed Brian Gordon to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, reports Ken Davidoff of The New York Post (on Twitter). The 34-year-old made two starts with the Yankees in 2011 before heading to Korea, where he pitched in 2012.
- The Brewers have signed right-hander Jim Hoey to a minor league deal, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (Twitter links). The 29-year-old righty owns a 7.02 ERA in 59 career big league innings with the Orioles and Twins. Hoey was part of the trade that sent J.J. Hardy to Baltimore.
- The Orioles have purchased the contract of David Quinowski from the independent Lincoln Salt Dogs, reports Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com (on Twitter). The 26-year-old left-hander spend six seasons in the Giants' system before spending last year on the indy circuit.
- Baseball America's Matt Eddy posted a full recap of last week's minor league moves.
Astros Not Close To Signing Jose Lopez
10:50pm: Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter) there is nothing going on between Lopez and the Astros. GM Jeff Luhnow told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart they are not in “active discussions at this time with free agents.”
5:46pm: The Astros are close to signing Jose Lopez according to Carlos Gonzalez Lovito at the Venezuelan sports blog Sin Uniforme. MLBTR's Nick Collias provided the translation.
"On December 26th I'm going to fly to Houston," said Lopez at a press conference. "Nothing is firm yet, but I might have to stop playing (in the Venezuelan winter leagues). Everything depends on the physical exams."
Lopez, 29, hit .246/.270/.356 with four homers in 248 plate appearances with the Indians and White Sox last season while playing right field in addition to first, second, and third bases. His numbers against left-handers were a bit more respectable (.277/.293/.415). Lopez is represented by Martin Arburua.
News & Reactions Following The Cody Ross Signing
The Diamondbacks signed Cody Ross to a three-year, $26MM contract earlier today, and GM Kevin Towers told reporters (including MLB.com's Steve Gilbert) the two sides didn't start talking until this past Monday (Twitter link). Arizona is already working to move one of their extra outfielders in the wake of the signing. Here are some notes and reactions to the deal…
- Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic has the contract breakdown (on Twitter). Ross will earn $5MM in 2013, $8.5MM in both 2014 and 2015, and a $3MM signing bonus. The $9.5MM club option has a $1MM buyout.
- Towers told Gilbert and others that his phone "blew up" with teams calling about his spare outfielders today (all Twitter links). Ownership has given him the okay to open the season with all of their current outfielders, which would mean an Opening Day payroll in the $95MM range.
- Ross told reporters (including Gilbert) that he did not take give the Red Sox a chance to match Arizona's offer (Twitter link). He told the D'Backs he would not shop it around.
- Jason Kubel is much more likely to be traded than Justin Upton, says Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). ESPN's Buster Olney speculates that the Rangers, Yankees, Mariners, and Rays could be fits for Kubel (all Twitter links).
- Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers said he wanted to find more playing time for Gerardo Parra earlier this offseason, and Piecoro points out that the Ross addition complicates that plan even if they make a trade (Twitter link).
- Adam Rubin of ESPN New York asked Scott Hairston if he's any closer to signing following the Ross deal, and the free agent outfielder said it's still unclear (Twitter link).
Nationals & LaRoche Inching Towards New Contract
The Nationals and Adam LaRoche have made "a little bit of progress" towards a new contract this week according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Yesterday we learned the team may soon push for a resolution to negotiations.
LaRoche, 33, has a two-year offer in hand from Washington but is reportedly seeking a third guaranteed year. GM Mike Rizzo has not yet indicated a willingness to meet that demand, but he has said the team will proceed with internal options — specifically Mike Morse and Tyler Moore — should the two sides fail to reach a deal. LaRoche rejected a qualifying offer, though the Nats would not need to surrender a draft pick to re-sign their own player.
Diamondbacks Sign Cody Ross
The Diamondbacks added to their already enviable outfield depth today. Arizona has officially signed Cody Ross to a three-year contract with a fourth year club option, the team announced. The deal is worth $26MM, which includes a $1MM buyout of the option. Ross is an SFX client.
Ross, 31, was a popular free agent this offseason after hitting .267/.326/.481 with 22 homers in 476 plate appearances for the Red Sox last season. The right-handed batter was especially productive against lefties (.295/.373/.636) and at home in Fenway Park (.295/.356/.565). Ross has plenty of experience in all three outfield spots, though the various metrics say he's just average defensively.
Despite trading Chris Young earlier this offseason, the Diamondbacks still have a very crowded outfield. Ross joins the incumbent Justin Upton, Jason Kubel, and Gerardo Parra, and the club also has prospects Adam Eaton and A.J. Pollock knocking on the door. Arizona is already working to trade one of their spare outfielders, and of course Upton is the big name. Kubel or Parra could also be moved to clear up the logjam as well.
The Rangers, Phillies, Giants, Mets, Mariners, Yankees, and Braves were among the teams with some level of interest in Ross this winter. The Red Sox had interest in bringing him back as well, though that interest waned after they inked Jonny Gomes to a two-year, $10MM pact. MLBTR's Tim Dierkes ranked Ross as the 22nd best free agent on the market, predicting he would re-sign with Boston.
Mark Feinsand of The New York Daily News first reported the agreement while ESPN's Jim Bowden added details (Twitter links). Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.