White Sox Release Daniel Cabrera, Jason Botts
The White Sox released pitcher Daniel Cabrera and outfielder Jason Botts, according to a team press release.
Cabrera, 29 in May, allowed eight hits and seven runs in three spring innings. He was coming off an ugly 2009 season in which he walked 42 and struck out 23 in 51 innings for the Nationals and Diamondbacks. It's been a while since we saw the Cabrera who averaged 95 mph on his fastball, though he's always been able to get groundballs.
Botts, 29, spent the 2009 season in Japan but tallied only 24 plate appearances for the Nippon Ham Fighters. He went 1 for 12 this spring.
Offseason In Review: Houston Astros
Next in our Offseason In Review series, the Astros.
Major League Signings
- Brandon Lyon, RP: three years, $15MM.
- Brett Myers, SP: one year, $5.1MM. Includes $8MM mutual option for 2011 with a $2MM buyout.
- Pedro Feliz, 3B: one year, $4.5MM.
- Brian Moehler, P: one year, $3MM. Mutual option exercised.
- Geoff Blum, IF: one year, $1.5MM. Includes $1.65MM mutual option for 2011.
- Jason Michaels, OF: one year, $800K.
- Total spend: $29.9MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
- Josh Banks, Gustavo Chacin, Roy Corcoran, Casey Daigle, Shane Loux, Gary Majewski, Kevin Cash, Drew Meyer, Chris Shelton, Jason Bourgeois, Cory Sullivan
Trades and Claims
- Acquired RP Matt Lindstrom from Marlins for Rule 5 pick 3B Jorge Jimenez, SS Luis Bryan, and P Robert Bono
Notable Losses
- Miguel Tejada, Darin Erstad, Chris Coste, Mike Hampton, Russ Ortiz, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Valverde, Geoff Geary, Doug Brocail, Brandon Backe, Jorge Jimenez, Luis Bryan, Robert Bono
Summary
Early in the offseason, it was suggested by some reporters that the Astros had the payroll flexibility to make only minor moves. As Jeff Euston wrote for Baseball Prospectus in February, the team did ultimately trim roughly $15MM from their year-end payroll. GM Ed Wade still is able to pay his offseason acquisitions about $20MM in 2010, since the '09 payroll featured larger commitments to veterans such as Tejada, Valverde, Hawkins, Brocail, Hampton, Erstad, and Backe.
I wrote in October that the Astros could contend in 2010 with the right additions. Starting with the bullpen, Wade replaced Valverde and Hawkins with Lyon and Lindstrom. The Astros might not lose much in performance here, and they will pay the new pair $4.125MM less in 2010 than the old tandem will earn. Plus, the Astros snagged the #19 pick in the draft from the Tigers. The downside to this bullpen swap: Lyon's contract is quite excessive, the pair comes with increased health risks, and Jimenez might've been useful.
Myers is a wild card as the new #3 starter; the Astros are looking for him to return to his 2006 level of performance (3.91 ERA in 198 innings). My beef is with the Astros bringing back Moehler at $3MM. There was no reason to overcommit to him in October.
There was early talk that the Astros would go with rookies Tommy Manzella and Chris Johnson on the left side of their infield in 2010. Instead Feliz will handle the hot corner as the Astros take a defense-first approach toward the two positions.
For the Astros to contend in 2010, they'll need a huge performance from their rotation. Roy Oswalt, Wandy Rodriguez, Myers, Bud Norris, and Felipe Paulino are all capable of big things. They won't get much run support – the lineup is littered with easy outs and is the worst of the eight NL clubs I've projected so far (using CHONE and Baseball Musings' lineup analysis tool).
Nationals Release Elijah Dukes
The Nationals released outfielder Elijah Dukes, according to a team press release. According to a tweet from MASN's Ben Goessling, the move had nothing to do with off-the-field issues. This is very surprising news, as Dukes projected as the team's starting right fielder and has a minor league option left. Goessling talked to Nationals GM Mike Rizzo, who said the team made many attempts to trade Dukes but could not find an interested team (Twitter link). Dukes' time with Washington was marked by injuries and a disappointing '09 season.
Dukes, 25, hit .250/.337/.393 in 416 plate appearances last year, playing a below-average right and center field (according to UZR). He also played 22 games in the minors. Dukes has avoided off-the-field problems since Jim Bowden acquired him from the Rays in December of '07, with a June '08 dugout confrontation with Manny Acta probably his worst offense. Just a couple of weeks ago Goessling noted that the Nationals had "taken the reins off Dukes — letting his personal adviser go and allowing him more freedom with the media."
Nationals Release Logan Kensing
The Nationals released reliever Logan Kensing, tweets NatsTown News. Kensing had re-signed on a minor league deal on December 15th and tossed one scoreless inning this spring. The 27-year-old righty posted an 8.92 ERA, 4.8 K/9, and 4.3 BB/9 in 35.3 innings for the Nats and Marlins last year, but was impressive in 33.3 minor league frames.
The Nationals also released Shawn Estes, Eddie Guardado, and Ron Villone in the last week.
Astros Release Alex Romero
Outfielder Alex Romero was released by the Astros, tweets Alyson Footer. Romero had been signed to a minor league deal on December 8th, and went 4 for 11 this spring. The 26-year-old hit .348/.416/.462 for the D'Backs' Triple a club last year, but struggled in the Majors. Two years ago, Baseball America called Romero "the ideal fourth outfielder."
Odds & Ends: Weathers, Towers, Span
Links for Tuesday…
- I'm excited to be joining an online league in Fanball's National Fantasy Baseball Championship; take a look at all the events they have planned. My NFBC league drafts on March 28th.
- David Weathers hasn't ruled out pitching in 2010, according to Gregg Dewalt of The Times Daily. Weathers would consider pitching for a contender, but said, "If no one calls in June or July, it's been a good ride."
- Tom Krasovic examines Kevin Towers' strengths and weaknesses as a GM, and says he could see Towers with the Cubs down the line. Click here to download Brendan Bianowicz's Excel spreadsheet chronicling Towers' moves.
- Joel Sherman of the New York Post says the Yankees made a series of attempts to acquire Twins center fielder Denard Span in July of last year.
- Rich Harden scoffs at negative reports about his early Spring Training velocity, reports Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. He apparently looked better Monday.
Offseason In Review: Cincinnati Reds
Next in our Offseason In Review series, the Reds.
Major League Signings
- Aroldis Chapman, SP: six years, $30.25MM.
- Orlando Cabrera, SS: one year, $3.02MM. Includes $4MM mutual option for 2011 with a $1MM buyout if club declines, $500K buyout if player declines.
- Ramon Hernandez, C: one year, $3MM. Includes $3.25MM vesting option for 2011.
- Jonny Gomes, OF: one year, $800K. Includes $1.75MM club option for 2011 with up to $200K buyout.
- Total spend: $37.07MM. Spend on non-Chapman free agents: $6.82MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
- Laynce Nix, Jose Arredondo, Justin Lehr, Kip Wells, Chris Burke, Miguel Cairo, Josh Anderson, Jon Adkins, Corky Miller
Extensions
- Scott Rolen, 3B: two years, $13MM. Converted $11MM 2010 salary to $6MM salary and $5MM signing bonus paid over three years with no interest.
- Nick Masset, RP: two years, $2.58MM.
Trades and Claims
- Acquired 2B Aaron Miles from Athletics for 3B Adam Rosales and OF Willy Taveras
Notable Losses
Summary
The Reds' surprising signing of flamethrowing Cuban defector Chapman was a long-term move. Though Chapman could have some big league impact in 2010, I don't think that was the main intent. Regardless, this was a praiseworthy investment.
Reds GM Walt Jocketty apparently had little cash to work with on short-term improvements, as he spent less than $7MM on other free agents. Credit Jocketty for non-tendering and then waiting out Gomes. As for the $6.02MM spent on Cabrera and Hernandez, I'm not sure those players are clear upgrades over Paul Janish and Ryan Hanigan. Still, there is something to be said for a veteran track record. Aside from Gomes, Jocketty also made a smart minor move in getting Arredondo on a minor league deal. Arredondo, 26 later this month, will miss the 2010 season recovering from Tommy John surgery but can help the Reds in future years.
Where did Jocketty find the $6.82MM for his three veteran free agent signings? Most of the money came from redistributing Rolen's 2010 salary and giving him a two-year extension. It was a risky gambit, as Rolen turns 35 soon and hasn't played 130 games in a season since '06. Jocketty also saved $1.3MM by swapping Taveras for Miles, at the cost of Rosales. Dumping Taveras was addition by subtraction, since he ate up 437 plate appearances with a .285 OBP in last year (mostly in the first two spots in the batting order).
The 2010 Reds are the darling sleeper pick in some circles. They'll need to succeed on the strength of their run prevention. Their defense looks strong, but Johnny Cueto, Bronson Arroyo, and Homer Bailey will need to beat their 4.50 ERA CHONE projections.
Brewers Release John Halama
The Brewers released pitcher John Halama, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Halama allowed ten hits in six spring innings. The 38-year-old southpaw signed with the Brewers in November after tossing 159.3 innings in '09 between the Braves' Triple A club and the independent Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.
Indians Acquire Aguilar, Brewers Keep Lofgren
The Indians acquired pitcher Omar Aguilar from the Brewers, allowing Milwaukee to retain Rule 5 lefty Chuck Lofgren and send him to Triple A, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Lofgren cleared waivers.
Aguilar, 25 later this month, posted a 4.72 ERA, 11.4 K/9, and 4.4 BB/9 in 55.3 relief innings split between High A and Double A in 2009 (he was demoted in June). He failed to crack Baseball America's top 30 Brewers prospects list this year, but ranked #21 heading into '09. A Tommy John survivor, Aguilar is a power arm with a mid-90s fastball and a setup man projection. Nice pickup by the Indians.
Lofgren, 24, last appeared in a Baseball America handbook when he ranked second among Indians prospects heading into '08. The lefty projected as a #3 starter at the time. Last year he posted a 4.15 ERA, 5.9 K/9, and 3.1 BB/9 in 141 innings split between Double A and Triple A. He was left unprotected in the '08 Rule 5 and went unclaimed, but the Brewers snagged him in the '09 draft.
With Bobby Cassevah sent back to the Angels yesterday and Armando Zerpa returned to the Red Sox, 14 of the 17 Rule 5 picks from the Major League phase still face unresolved situations.
Olney On Howard, Pujols, Adrian, Chris Young
The latest from ESPN's Buster Olney (Insider required)…
- Olney explains why the Phillies' internal discussions about offering Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols were accurate and newsworthy: "When you have confirmed information that the Phillies have discussed internally an avenue through which how they might pursue the best player in baseball — and you know exactly who said what to whom, and how sturdy the intent was — that is news." Olney's information should be trusted despite the Phillies' denials, but keep in mind that this was simply one club's internal discussion.
- Certain talent evaluators believe Adrian Gonzalez is so valuable given his contract that the Padres may not find a comparable return. Some of Olney's sources believe the Padres should keep Gonzalez into 2011.
- Olney's hearing Chris Young's velocity is back in its customary 87-88 mph range. As the best-paid Padre and an impending free agent, Young has to be considered a midseason trade candidate. He is earning $6.25MM this year with an $8.5MM club option for '11.