Arbitration Eligibles: Houston Astros
The Astros are next in our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: J.A. Happ, Alberto Arias
- Second time: None
- Third time: None
- Fourth time: Humberto Quintero
Having traded Hunter Pence, Michael Bourn, and Jeff Keppinger in July, the Astros are left with few arbitration concerns. Arias has missed the last two seasons due to shoulder issues, and is likely to be cut loose.
Happ will be tendered a contract, and should land around $2.3MM. Quintero has at least been a consistent backup catcher, and it'd cost $1.2MM to retain him.
Add $3.5MM for Happ and Quintero to the team's $47.25MM in 2012 commitments, and the Astros are around $51MM before accounting for minimum salary players. They entered this season with a $77MM payroll, so there's room to tinker on the free agent market and perhaps add some veteran placeholders.
Red Sox Will Not Acquire Starter
4:46pm: The Red Sox have given up searching for starting pitching help and they'll rely on one of their own pitchers in the event of a play-in game tomorrow, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com (on Twitter).
12:17pm: ESPN's Buster Olney and CSNNE.com's Sean McAdam both find the Red Sox trading for a starter to be unlikely, to varying degrees (Twitter links). Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star hears that the Royals and Red Sox are discussing Chen, but one official calls a trade a "long shot."
10:18am: Royals lefty Bruce Chen is among Boston's trade targets as they consider acquiring a starter for a potential Thursday play-in game, reports Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Chen is scheduled to start tonight in Minnesota as he seeks to tie his career-high of 13 wins.
Chen projects as a Type B free agent, and an arbitration offer from Kansas City is realistic. Red Sox GM Theo Epstein would have to surrender something significant to best the value of that potential draft pick, and he'd probably have to complete the trade before even knowing whether he'd need Chen for tomorrow. At most, the Red Sox would be able to use Chen for that one game, as he would not be eligible for the postseason roster. As Rosenthal notes, the lefty has already cleared waivers. The 34-year-old Chen has a 3.98 ERA, 5.7 K/9, 2.9 BB/9, 1.1 HR/9, and 35.5% groundball rate on the season.
In theory, Epstein could also look at fully rested starters such as Chien-Ming Wang, Rodrigo Lopez, and Aaron Harang, though Harang also may be a Type B. If the Red Sox do not acquire a starter, they might have to use John Lackey or Tim Wakefield on three days rest should a play-in game occur Thursday at Tropicana Field. Another option might be activating Clay Buchholz, according to WEEI's Rob Bradford.
Rockies Rumors: Street, Ellis, Wright, Cuddyer
The Rockies conclude their season this afternoon in San Francisco, with Drew Pomeranz opposing Eric Surkamp. The latest on the team from Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post:
- Rafael Betancourt would be fine with closing next year for the Rockies, and the team likes what he's done recently in the role. Renck reiterates that opposing executives expect the Rockies to shop Huston Street this winter. Street has $8MM left on his contract for next year, assuming his club declines a 2013 option. The free agent market offers closers such as Heath Bell, Jonathan Papelbon, and Ryan Madson, but those three will require multiyear deals.
- The Rockies would like to retain second baseman Mark Ellis on a one-year deal in the $3MM range, writes Renck. However, Omar Infante's new two-year, $8MM contract could decrease Colorado's chances of pulling off such a deal.
- David Wright will be a Rockies target this winter if the Mets show an inclination to move him. Wright is owed $15MM in 2012, and can void a '13 club option if dealt. Wright, 28, has a .253/.344/.426 line heading into today's action. He missed two months this year due to a back injury.
- Michael Cuddyer is a potential outfield target for Colorado, writes Renck, and signing him might mean trading Seth Smith.
Ozzie’s Four-Year Deal Worth About $10MM
New Miami Marlins managed Ozzie Guillen was introduced today, and MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says his four-year contract is worth about $10MM. His $2.5MM salary represents almost a 40% increase over the $1.8MM he was earning with the White Sox.
Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria says he “could not be happier” that Guillen is going to lead the team into its new stadium, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. And the skipper himself promised an energetic team that will play hard and deliver results.
"Hopefully I can bring energy flavor, enthusiasm but the most important thing – a winning team,” Guillen said. "As long as I am here I'm going to promise you, you're going to see a ballclub that will play hard. It's not about Ozzie – it's about Miami Marlins.”
Capozzi notes (Twitter links) that Guillen rejected the Marlins' first contract offer. Team President David Samson told Guillen that he loves his Twitter activity and noted that it comes with responsibility.
Wakefield Wants To Come Back Next Year
45-year-old knuckleballer Tim Wakefield wants to pitch an 18th season for the Red Sox next year, he told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Said Wakefield: "I've definitely made up my mind that I definitely want to come back next year. I have another goal in front of me that I'd like to accomplish, and that’s the all-time record for the Red Sox in wins. I’m only seven away. I think the fans deserve an opportunity to watch me chase that record."
With 192 victories, Roger Clemens and Cy Young share the current franchise record. Wakefield has 186 for the Sox, and 200 in total. He has a 5.12 ERA, 5.4 K/9, 2.7 BB/9, 1.45 HR/9, and 38.4% groundball rate in 154 2/3 innings this year, and the righty explained that his job as a a fourth or fifth starter is to give the club innings.
Mets Rumors: Lawsuit, Reyes, Offseason
The Mets close out their season this afternoon at Citi Field, with Miguel Batista facing the Reds' Edinson Volquez. The latest on New York's National League club…
- Manhattan federal judge Jed Rakoff tossed out nine of the 11 counts in Irving Picard's $1 billion complaint against Mets owners Fred Wilpon and Saul Katz, reports Kaja Whitehouse of the New York Post. Rakoff set the ceiling at $386MM in an order issued today, according to the Associated Press.
- Mets manager Terry Collins had this to say to David Lennon of Newsday on impending free agent shortstop Jose Reyes: "I think he'll be back." Reyes presents a lose-lose scenario for the Mets, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post, because the fan base would be upset if the shortstop leaves but he does not necessarily represent a sound investment. Sherman is of the opinion that Reyes "will receive nothing less than six years for $114MM in free agency," which equates to $19MM per year.
- Reyes was pulled after singling in his first at-bat today, to preserve an NL-leading .3370577 batting average. Strange way to end what could have been Reyes' last game as a Met. Ryan Braun could top Reyes' mark tonight by going 3-for-3 or 3-for-4.
- ESPNNewYork's Adam Rubin analyzes the Mets' upcoming offseason. He believes Mike Pelfrey will return and Angel Pagan will not, and the Mets are also displeased with the recent performance of catcher Ronny Paulino. For estimated salaries on all five arbitration eligible Mets, click here.
- Though the Mets would like to re-sign Chris Capuano, Rubin believes the lefty would have to fight for a rotation spot. I'd be surprised if Capuano is willing to do that.
- Rubin expects the Mets to go outside the organization for a closer, and sign a second lefty as well.
Arbitration Eligibles: Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates are next in our arbitration eligibles series.
- First time: Evan Meek, Garrett Jones, Charlie Morton, Chris Resop, Steven Pearce, Brandon Wood
- Second time: Ross Ohlendorf, Joel Hanrahan, Jeff Karstens, Jose Veras
- Third time: Jason Grilli
While the Pirates have a large quantity of arbitration eligible players (11), no one projects to make even $4MM in 2012. Pearce, Wood, and Ohlendorf may be on the non-tender bubble. Pearce and Wood would barely make more than the league minimum, though Ohlendorf would likely stay around $2MM. Jones remains useful against right-handed pitching and I think that justifies a potential $2.4MM salary.
Relievers Meek, Resop, Veras, Grilli, and Hanrahan figure to be tendered contracts. Each should fall between $800K and $1.5MM, with the exception of Hanrahan, whose saves should propel him to $3.9MM. Starters Morton ($2.2MM) and Karstens ($2.8MM) will remain affordable as well.
If Meek, Jones, Morton, Resop, Hanrahan, Karstens, Veras, and Grilli are retained, the total could be around $16MM. Assuming Ronny Cedeno's option is declined, the Pirates will have around $26MM committed next year before accounting for minimum salary players. With payroll expected to rise from this year's $42MM Opening Day figure, the Bucs could have a good $20MM in 2012 flexibility.
Rollins Seeks Five-Year Deal
Jimmy Rollins finds the prospect of free agency "exciting," and the shortstop told SI's Jon Heyman, "Five [years] would be great. Five would be the number." Rollins, however, guesses the number of years will be the sticking point in upcoming negotiations.
Rollins, 33 in November, is hitting .271/.340/.403 with 16 home runs in 624 plate appearances this year. His defense continues to be a positive. A pair of executives gave Heyman contract estimates ranging from three years and at least $12MM per year to four years and $14MM annually. I think five years is unrealistic even on the open market, but at least one team would commit to four. Rollins' only real competition will be Jose Reyes, who figures to get at least five years and $18MM per season.
As I showed yesterday, it appears that the Phillies can afford Rollins without raising their payroll.
Cubs Rumors: Epstein, Zambrano, Sandberg
ESPN's Wayne Drehs has the story of Pat Looney, the man who almost became a scapegoat for Cubs fans in 2003 instead of Steve Bartman. ESPN's Bartman film airs tonight at 7pm central time. The latest on the Cubs:
- Red Sox GM Theo Epstein is unlikely to leave Boston for the Cubs post after a "moment of epic failure," in the opinion of Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- There's a good chance Carlos Zambrano joins Ozzie Guillen in Miami, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
- Cubs sources expect the team to reconcile with Hall of Famer Ryne Sandberg before next season, reports Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times. Sandberg managed the Phillies' Triple-A club this year but is said to be open to managing the Cubs with Jim Hendry out of the picture.
- Brewers' third baseman Casey McGehee told the Sun-Times he can relate to Bryan LaHair having to shake off the 4-A label. The 28-year-old LaHair hit .331/.405/.664 with 38 home runs in 523 Triple-A plate appearances this year.
Athletics Acquire Kila Ka’aihue
The Athletics acquired first baseman Kila Ka'aihue from the Royals for minor league pitcher Ethan Hollingsworth, according to press releases from the teams. The A's recalled and transferred Joey Devine to the 60-day DL to open a spot on the 40-man roster for Ka'aihue.
Ka'aihue was designated for assignment by the Royals last Wednesday. The 27-year-old had a crack at the Royals' first base job coming into the season but was benched before the end of April. In four separate Triple-A stints, Ka'aihue has proven his ability to draw a walk in 15-20% of his plate appearances. His power has seemed to come and go, however. The A's had penciled in another walk-happy first baseman before the season in Daric Barton, but he was optioned to Triple-A in June and went down with a torn labrum the following month.
Hollingsworth, 24, posted a 3.76 ERA, 6.2 K/9, 2.3 BB/9, and 0.9 HR/9 in 105 1/3 innings this year between Double and Triple-A. The A's had acquired him in January from Colorado for Clayton Mortensen.
Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star first reported the trade on Twitter.