Moves From March ’09
A look back at the notable moves from March of 2009 gives us an idea of what we can expect here in 2010.
- March 4th: Dodgers re-signed Manny Ramirez to a two-year, $45MM deal. Manny was the last big name to sign in '09. This year we don't have anyone comparable, with Jermaine Dye, Pedro Martinez, John Smoltz, Jarrod Washburn, and Braden Looper available.
- March 5th: Cardinals signed Dennys Reyes to a two-year, $3MM deal. Last year certain lefty relievers signed late despite coming off strong seasons. This year, a few useful right-handed relievers are floating around.
- March 5th: Giants released Dave Roberts. The Giants ate $6.5MM when they released Roberts. Which well-paid veterans might be released this spring?
- March 6th: A's signed Orlando Cabrera to a one-year, $4MM deal. Hindered by the draft pick cost last winter, O-Cab signed a contract with Oakland that ensured he would not be offered arbitration after the season. While he was a Type A again this winter, the Twins probably wouldn't have offered arbitration anyway.
- March 8th: Brewers released Eric Gagne.
- March 14th: Mets claimed Fernando Nieve off waivers from Astros. Nieve was out of options, so the Mets snagged him. Check out MLBTR's list of out of options players here.
- March 18th: Nationals signed Joe Beimel to a one-year, $2MM deal. Once again, Beimel is "waiting for the right deal" in March.
- March 20th: Astros signed Ivan Rodriguez to a one-year, $1.5MM deal. It was unexpected when the Astros reached an agreement with Boras client Pudge, but not as surprising as the two-year, $6MM deal the catcher snagged with the Nationals this time around.
- March 26th: Rangers released Brendan Donnelly. Donnelly went on to have a pretty good year in the minors and in 25 innings for the Marlins, and he parlayed that into $1.35MM guaranteed from the Pirates.
- March 27th: Giants acquired Ronny Paulino from Phillies; sent him to Marlins. Paulino looks like a respectable backup in Florida. Had the Giants retained him a year ago, would they have re-signed Bengie Molina for $4.5MM this winter? Likewise, could the Phillies have kept Paulino and saved the $2.75MM later committed to Brian Schneider?
- March 30th: Dodgers signed Will Ohman to a one-year, $1.55MM minor league deal. The completion of the Ohman saga marked the end of the offseason, but he was a non-factor in 2009 and inked a minor league deal with Baltimore this winter.
- March 31st: Astros acquired Jeff Keppinger from Reds. It was a minor spring move at the time, but the Astros are happy to have Keppinger.
- One thing you can always expect in March is the return of many Rule 5 picks to their former teams. Click here for a reminder on the 17 players taken this offseason.
Offseason In Review: Kansas City Royals
Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Royals.
Major League Signings
- Noel Arguelles, SP: five years, $6.9MM.
- Jason Kendall, C: two years, $6MM.
- Rick Ankiel, OF: one year, $3.25MM. Includes $6MM mutual option for '11 with a $500K buyout.
- Scott Podsednik, OF: one year, $1.75MM. Includes $2MM club option for '11 with a $100K buyout; player may void option with 525 PAs.
- Brian Anderson, OF: one year, $700K.
- Total spend: $18.6MM ($11.7MM not including Arguelles).
Notable Minor League Signings
- Bryan Bullington, Jorge Campillo, Bruce Chen, Matt Herges, Philip Humber, John Parrish, Nelson Payano, Francisco Rosario, Josh Rupe, Brad Thompson, Edwin Bellorin, Vance Wilson, Wilson Betemit, Buck Coats, Scott Thorman, Adam Bostick
Trades and Claims
- Traded 3B Mark Teahen and $1MM to White Sox for 2B Chris Getz and 3B Josh Fields
- Traded 2B Tug Hulett to Red Sox for cash or a player to be named later
- Claimed Rule 5 pick P Edgar Osuna from Braves
Notable Losses
- Mark Teahen, Mike Jacobs, Miguel Olivo, John Buck, Coco Crisp, Josh Anderson, Tony Pena Jr., Jamey Wright, Sidney Ponson, John Bale, Yasuhiko Yabuta, Doug Waechter, Tug Hulett, Juan Abreu
The signing of Cuban lefty Arguelles was the signature move of the Royals' offseason. GM Dayton Moore added a prospect who would've been no worse than a top ten draft pick in 2009, according to ESPN's Keith Law, and he did so by simply making the highest bid. Law ranks the Royals' farm system as ninth in baseball and rising.
I also liked the $5.7MM spend on outfielders Ankiel, Podsednik, and Anderson. There's a little bit of upside and not much risk. Same goes for Moore's many minor league signings. I was also a fan of the Teahen trade, where Moore swapped a non-tender candidate for two useful pieces.
The Kendall deal is a blemish on a solid offseason, as the Royals could've gotten a similar veteran backstop for less. It's easy to say Brayan Pena deserved a better look, though maybe the Royals' scouts think Kendall will have the biggest effect on the pitching staff. The other question mark, which we haven't heard much about, is the loss of prospect Juan Abreu to the Braves. The righty throws a mid-90s sinker and a decent curveball, and Baseball America says the Royals "reached a deal to re-sign him as a minor league free agent after the season, but a contract snafu allowed him to hit the open market."
Despite Kendall and Abreu, Moore did a nice job overall this winter by focusing on the long-term health of the organization rather than veteran respectability for 2010.
Yankees Sign Chan Ho Park
The Yankees offically signed pitcher Chan Ho Park to a one-year, $1.2MM deal. He can earn another $300K in incentives. Kang Seung-woo of The Korea Times first reported the agreement a week ago.
At his press conference in Korea, Park said he was leaning toward the Cubs until recently, as they were willing to let him battle for a rotation spot. The Yankees' "history and championship contention" won out, and Park will join their bullpen. Joel Sherman of the New York Times says Yankees GM Brian Cashman lobbied ownership to expand the payroll for Park, but now Chad Gaudin or Sergio Mitre could be traded.
Park, 36, posted a 2.52 ERA, 9.4 K/9, and 2.9 BB/9 in 50 relief innings for the Phillies last year. The Type B free agent was not offered arbitration by the Phils, but they did reportedly make a $3.25MM proposal.
Arturo Lopez Designated For Assignment, Clears Waivers
FRIDAY, 4:32pm: Rubin reports that Lopez has cleared waivers and will return to Mets' camp as a non-roster invitee.
WEDNESDAY, 3:48pm: The Mets designated lefty Arturo Lopez for assignment to make room for Rod Barajas, tweets Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. Lopez, 27, posted a 3.82 ERA, 6.2 K/9, and 3.8 BB/9 while allowing just one home run in 61.3 Triple A innings last year. The Mets had claimed Lopez off waivers from the Padres in June.
Berkman May Leave Astros If Option Is Declined
THURSDAY, 5:00pm: Astros owner Drayton McLane told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that they'll focus on Berkman's situation "during the season or the latter part of the season." McLane also noted that Berkman and Roy Oswalt are the heartbeat of the Astros.
WEDNESDAY, 4:26pm: Bernando Fallas of the Houston Chronicle talked to Astros first baseman Lance Berkman, who is prepared to move on after the season if his $15MM club option is declined. Said Berkman:
"If they don’t pick it up, I'll probably take my ball and go home. If they don’t pick up my option, then to me that says they may like me to come back at a discount but they don't really want me. If that's the case, then I'll just see what else is out there."
Berkman, 34, didn't rule out retirement, but said he's likely to keep playing. GM Ed Wade essentially must decide if he wants Berkman on a one-year, $13MM deal, since his buyout costs $2MM. Berkman is coming off a fine .274/.399/.509 line in a season some considered an off-year. The 2011 free agent market could feature a few other big-name first basemen in Adam Dunn, Derrek Lee, and Carlos Pena.
Crawford Extension Talks Tabled Until End Of Season
Contract extension talks between Carl Crawford's agent Brian Peters and the Rays have been tabled until after the season, reports Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Said Peters:
"We had an opportunity to exchange ideas with the club about a contract extension for Carl and it was clear to all of us that an immediate agreement was not going to materialize. Thus, we all agreed to table discussions until the end of the year. We'd like to minimize distractions for Carl and the club and keep the focus on baseball, so we don’t plan to comment upon Carl's contract status again until after the season."
Crawford reiterated that he'd love to stay. However, Topkin estimates a five-year deal in the $75MM range, and doesn't think the Rays can afford it. They'd probably have to commit around a quarter of their payroll to retain Crawford. On the open market, I can see Crawford getting a sixth guaranteed year. He won't turn 29 until August. My guess is that the Rays will not trade Crawford midseason, but will take two draft picks when he signs elsewhere.
Odds & Ends: Munson, Ranaudo, Sheets
Links for Thursday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- Dan Hayes of the North County Times tweets that the Padres signed Eric Munson to a minor league deal. Munson, 32, hit .265/.362/.450 in Triple A last year while catching 73 games.
- Potential high 2010 draft pick Anthony Ranaudo, a righty at LSU, will miss a start Friday due to elbow discomfort according to Baseball America's Aaron Fitt.
- ESPN's Jerry Crasnick looks at the mentor role Ben Sheets will play for the Oakland pitching staff.
- Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball reports that despite a decrease in attendance, MLB revenue reached a record $6.6 billion in 2009.
- J.D. Drew feels that he's been worth the $42MM he's been paid so far by the Red Sox over the 2007-09 seasons, reports Steve Buckley of the Boston Herald.
Rangers Void Khalil Greene’s Contract
The Rangers decided to void Khalil Greene's contract, reports MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan. Greene signed for $750K in January but was not able to report to camp due to social anxiety disorder. Sullivan tweeted on Monday that club officials say there is a 100% probability Greene's replacement will come internally.
Epstein Discusses Lowell, Beckett, Offense
Red Sox GM Theo Epstein did an informative interview on the Dennis & Callahan show this morning. Click here for audio and here for the transcript. Highlights:
- Epstein said that by the time the offseason began, the Red Sox evaluated their chances of signing Jason Bay and Matt Holliday at less than ten percent for each.
- Epstein has not expected a Mike Lowell trade since the Texas deal blew up. At the time, the Red Sox GM envisioned using the $3MM savings on a hitter, but now expects Lowell to provide that insurance.
- The team's numbers showed Jacoby Ellsbury as an above-average center fielder in 2009. Epstein implied that he doesn't put any stock in Ellsbury's UZR.
- Epstein considers John Lackey's five-year, $82.5MM contract a relevant comparable for Josh Beckett's next deal. He does not see the Lackey signing as an impediment to retaining Beckett.
- If the offense is subpar, Epstein is willing to make an in-season acquisition. He noted that finding a bat at the trade deadline is easier than acquiring an elite pitcher.
Offseason In Review: Detroit Tigers
Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Tigers.
Major League Signings
- Jose Valverde, RP: two years, $14MM. Includes $9MM club option for '12.
- Johnny Damon, LF: one year, $8MM.
- Adam Everett, SS: one year, $1.55MM.
- Brad Thomas, P: one year, $400K (estimated).
- Total spend: $23.95MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
Extensions
- Justin Verlander, SP: five years, $80MM.
- Ramon Santiago, IF: two years, $2.5MM.
Trades and Claims
- Acquired CF Austin Jackson, P Phil Coke, RP Daniel Schlereth, and SP Max Scherzer; gave up CF Curtis Granderson and SP Edwin Jackson
- Traded C Dusty Ryan to Padres for a player to be named later or cash considerations
Notable Losses
- Curtis Granderson, Edwin Jackson, Fernando Rodney, Brandon Lyon, Placido Polanco, Aubrey Huff, Jarrod Washburn, Marcus Thames, Dusty Ryan, Freddy Dolsi, Dane Sardinha, Matt Treanor
Summary
The offseason began with stories about the Tigers needing to trim payroll. Saddled with many bad contracts, GM Dave Dombrowski unloaded two good ones in Granderson and Edwin Jackson. After the December blockbuster it was confusing to see the Tigers commit $22MM to Valverde and Damon in win-now moves (Valverde can contribute beyond 2010, of course).
However, the Edwin Jackson-Scherzer component might provide the best of both worlds – decent savings with no downgrade in production or talent. And as Joe Pawlikowski explains in this FanGraphs article, the Tigers will gain a lot of payroll flexibility in 2011 due to Dombrowski's offseason moves as well as expiring extensions.
Still, moving Granderson hurts the Tigers in 2010. If his 2011 salary was a problem, he could've been traded after this season. Even optimistic projections (i.e., no injuries) have the Tigers' 2010 offense as below-average. The rotation looks shaky too – Scherzer and Rick Porcello must pile up innings, while the #4-5 spots are huge question marks.
I understand attempting a run in 2010, since there is star talent in Verlander and Miguel Cabrera and no real way to unload the overpaid veterans. I just think you keep Granderson as part of that 2010 run and find payroll space for a starting pitching addition. I'm not sure if Scherzer-Edwin Jackson could've been facilitated without the Yankees' contribution. But if you make that swap and keep Granderson (as opposed to signing Damon) that's more than $5MM to play with toward a free agent starter. The extra three to five wins gained from keeping Granderson and adding, say, Joel Pineiro, might've pushed the Tigers into contention.