Hiroshima Carp Sign John Bale
Lefty John Bale signed with the Hiroshima Carp, reports Kyodo News. Bale will earn about $109K for the Carp in 2010. He spent three years with the club prior to his two-year, $4MM deal with the Royals signed in December of '06.
Bale, 36 in May, posted a 5.72 ERA in 28.3 innings for the Royals last year. He dealt with a hyperactive thyroid and a hamstring injury, and was released a few days before the non-tender deadline.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Wednesday
11:06pm: Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune hears from a team source who says he can imagine Damon signing with the White Sox. "I think we have a good shot to get him now," the source said.
Another person discounted the importance of Damon's recent golf outing with Pierzynski and Harrelson.
6:26pm: Joe Cowley talks to Pierzynski about the Damon negotiations, and Cowley quotes an unnamed member of the White Sox who says "I would be surprised if [Damon] didn't sign with us.''
4:13pm: Rosenthal tweets that the present-day value of Chicago's offer to Damon is in the $4.5MM range, considering deferrals. He's hearing that Damon doesn't want to go to the Tigers. As for Damon's wife's preferences, the player texted to SI's Jon Heyman that "It's up to me. She's going wherever I go." Cowley tweets that the Sox "are going from long shots to frontrunners in the Damon sweepstakes the last few hours."
12:02pm: Rosenthal wrote yesterday that "some with the White Sox are confident that a deal with Damon could happen, and believe it might even be close." Similarly, Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes today that "the White Sox front office is feeling like they may have 'significantly' closed the gap between themselves and Detroit for the free agent's services." However, Cowley has one source that still considers the Tigers the frontrunner. Also, Scot Gregor of The Daily Herald believes the Braves are still in the mix.
8:50am: Yesterday we heard from Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports that free agent Johnny Damon played golf Monday with White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski and broadcaster Hawk Harrelson. The Sox remain firm on their initial offer, one that could be slightly above $4MM according to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. SI's Jon Heyman tweeted this morning that White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf recently got involved in the Damon talks. Gonzales notes that the White Sox-Scott Boras relationship appears to be thawing, given the Damon talks, the Andruw Jones signing, and the Sox drafting a Boras client in the 16th round of last year's draft.
Meanwhile, Lynn Henning of the Detroit News says the Tigers and Damon "appear to be moving, at less than full speed, toward a deal." It seems that one of these two clubs will sign Damon, but it's difficult to peg a frontrunner.
Offseason In Review: Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays are next in our Offseason In Review series.
Major League Signings
- Gabe Kapler, OF: one year, $1.05MM.
- Dan Johnson, 1B: one year, $500K.
- Total spend: $1.55MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
- Joaquin Benoit, Ryan Shealy, Winston Abreu, Jeff Bennett, Heath Phillips, R.J. Swindle, Alvin Colina, Angel Chavez, Joe Dillon, J.J. Furmaniak, Chris Richard, Carlos Hernandez, Matt Bush, Stepan Havlicek
Trades and Claims
- Acquired RP Jesse Chavez from Pirates for 2B Akinori Iwamura
- Acquired C Kelly Shoppach and cash from Indians for P Mitch Talbot
- Traded Rule 5 pick P Armando Zerpa to Dodgers for cash
- Acquired RP Rafael Soriano from Braves for RP Jesse Chavez
- Claimed RP Mike Ekstrom off waivers from Padres
Extensions
- Kelly Shoppach, C: two years, $5.55MM. Includes $3.2MM club option for '12 with a $300K buyout.
Notable Losses
- Jesse Chavez, Akinori Iwamura, Mitch Talbot, Armando Zerpa, Ramon A. Ramirez, Gabe Gross, Michel Hernandez, Gregg Zaun, Shawn Riggans, Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Russ Springer, Troy Percival, Chad Bradford, Jason Isringhausen
The Rays did very little in free agency, taking flyers on guys like Johnson and Benoit. Instead, executive VP of baseball operations Andrew Friedman upgraded his catcher and closer situations by importing Shoppach and Soriano via trade. Shoppach will be paired with Dioner Navarro behind the plate, who the Rays were able to retain without giving a raise. The Soriano acquisition was surprising, as he'll be paid $7.25MM in 2010.
As is, the Rays have a lineup that could reasonably top 800 runs again. Right field and DH remain two potential areas to upgrade. Top prospect Desmond Jennings could provide a midseason outfield boost, while Friedman has made efforts this winter to improve upon Burrell. The Rays could still bench Burrell and sign Russell Branyan or Jermaine Dye, a change that could add a crucial win or two.
Despite trading Edwin Jackson, Jason Hammel, and Scott Kazmir in the last year or so, the Rays maintain excellent rotation depth. Projection systems probably sell their #3-5 starters short, as Jeff Niemann, David Price, and Wade Davis have the stuff to beat CHONE's 4.60ish ERA predictions.
With payroll headed back down in 2011, this is an important year for the Rays to strike. They've got the talent to compete with the Yankees and Red Sox, and will hopefully stretch even further if midseason additions can help them eke out a few extra wins.
Nationals Re-Sign Ron Villone
The Nationals re-signed lefty reliever Ron Villone to a minor league deal, tweets NatsTown News. Villone, 40, posted a 4.25 ERA, 6.1 K/9, and 5.4 BB/9 in 48.6 innings for the Nationals last year. The veteran was unable to shut down lefties in '09, but he did a decent job against them the two previous years.
Other non-roster pitching invites by the Nats include Miguel Batista, Eddie Guardado, Joel Peralta, and Ryan Speier.
Odds & Ends: Cubs, Lowell, Mauer, Adrian
Links for Wednesday…
- I recently did an Orioles-centric phone interview with Tom Sedlacek of the Bowie Baysox website.
- The Cubs signed 18-year-old Korean righty Kim Jin-yeong for $1.2MM, reports Matt DeWoskin of True Stories Of Korean Baseball. I have heard that this is not official yet, however.
- Ted Lilly would like to remain with the Cubs beyond 2010, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, but the lefty doesn't want to be a distraction.
- WEEI's Rob Bradford chatted with Mike Lowell about his near-trade to the Rangers and his future with the Red Sox.
- Bob Nightengale of USA Today examines the Joe Mauer extension situation, drawing a parallel to Cal Ripken in 1992.
- This time, Padres CEO Jeff Moorad talked about hope and optimism regarding an extension for Adrian Gonzalez (Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune reporting).
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports tweets that the Nationals, Reds, and Indians made big league offers to Chien-Ming Wang, while the Dodgers and Rays showed interest but did not make offers.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wonders if the Tigers traded Curtis Granderson because they soured on him as a player.
- Maury Brown of The Biz of Baseball has the numbers on the five remaining arbitration cases.
Offseason In Review: New York Yankees
Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Yankees.
Major League Signings
- Andy Pettitte, SP: one year, $11.75MM
- Nick Johnson, DH: one year, $5.75MM. Includes $5.5MM mutual option for '11 with a $250K buyout.
- Randy Winn, OF: one year, $1.1MM.
- Total spend: $18.6MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
Trades and Claims
- Acquired Rule 5 pick OF Jamie Hoffmann for RP Brian Bruney
- Acquired OF Curtis Granderson from Tigers, giving up SP Ian Kennedy, CF Austin Jackson, RP Phil Coke
- Acquired SP Javier Vazquez and RP Boone Logan from Braves for P Arodys Vizcaino, LF Melky Cabrera, and P Michael Dunn
- Acquired OF Greg Golson from Rangers for 1B Mitch Hilligoss
Notable Losses
- Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera, Chien-Ming Wang, Phil Coke, Brian Bruney, Austin Jackson, Ian Kennedy, Arodys Vizcaino, Jose Molina, Eric Hinske, Jerry Hairston Jr., Xavier Nady, Kevin Cash, Shelley Duncan, Mitch Hilligoss, Michael Dunn, Josh Towers
Summary
The Yankees limited their free agent spending this offseason, making only two major moves in Pettitte and Johnson. They kept both to one-year commitments. GM Brian Cashman was an active trader in adding Granderson and Vazquez, and he didn't surrender a ton or take on ridiculous contracts. Cashman's fine offseason was not about payroll clout this time.
CHONE projections have the new Yankee lineup scoring over 5.8 runs per game. Even if that's optimistic, it still looks like the best offense in the league. The addition of Vazquez plus Phil Hughes possibly replacing Joba Chamberlain is likely to push the Yankees' rotation ERA below 2009's 4.48 mark. Cashman should be applauded for affordably improving upon a World Series champion, at least on paper.
Fantasy Baseball First Baseman Rankings
We've got first baseman rankings up over at RotoAuthority. Check 'em out and debate in the comments.
Russell Branyan Down To Indians, Rays
Free agent slugger Russell Branyan is down to the Indians and Rays, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The FOX writer says the Red Sox are "no longer a factor."
Yesterday, Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi made the Boston connection. The Rays' interest was characterized as "mild," with the Tribe considered the frontrunner. ESPN's Buster Olney tweets agreement that the Indians are the favorite. MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince said the Indians made a Major League offer.
Offseason In Review: Boston Red Sox
Next up in our Offseason In Review series, the Red Sox.
Major League Signings
- John Lackey, SP: five years, $82.5MM. Also gave #29 pick to Angels.
- Mike Cameron, CF: two years, $15.5MM.
- Marco Scutaro, SS: two years, $12.5MM. Includes $6MM club option/$3MM player option for '12 with a $1.5MM buyout. Also gave #78 pick to Blue Jays.
- Adrian Beltre, 3B: one year, $10MM. Includes $5MM player option for '11 that can become $10MM with 640 PAs.
- Victor Martinez, C: one year, $7.7MM. Exercised club option.
- Tim Wakefield, P: two years, $5MM.
- Jason Varitek, C: one year, $3MM. Exercised player option.
- Scott Atchison, RP: one year, $430K. Club options at near league minimum for '11 and '12.
- Fabio Castro, P: one year, $400K (estimate).
- Total spend: $137.03MM.
Notable Minor League Signings
- Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Jorge Sosa, Fernando Cabrera, Edwin Moreno, Gustavo Molina, Angel Sanchez, Gil Velazquez, Darnell McDonald
Trades and Claims
- Acquired OF Jeremy Hermida from Marlins for Hunter Jones and Jose Alvarez
- Acquired IF/OF Bill Hall, PTBNL, and $7.15MM from Mariners for Casey Kotchman
- Acquired P Boof Bonser from Twins for Chris Province
- Claimed P Ramon A. Ramirez off waivers from Rays
- Claimed P Gaby Hernandez off waivers from Mariners
Notable Losses
- Jason Bay, Billy Wagner, Takashi Saito, Casey Kotchman, Nick Green, Rocco Baldelli, Alex Gonzalez, George Kottaras, Jeff Bailey, Brian Anderson, Joey Gathright, Chris Woodward, Paul Byrd, Javier Lopez
Summary
The Red Sox did most of their tinkering in free agency, bringing in an ace starter, a center fielder, and a new left side of the infield. The defensive improvements could add eight or nine wins, theorizes John Dewan. Last year I liked the additions of Brad Penny and John Smoltz, but the pair contributed a 6.24 ERA in 171.6 innings for more than $10MM. This time around Lackey projects at a 3.97 ERA, while #4-5 starters Clay Buchholz and Daisuke Matsuzaka project in the low 4.00s.
Worried about the offense? Don't be, as CHONE projects the Sox will very nearly match last year's 5.38 runs per game. That's optimistic, since the starting nine won't play every single game, but it still looks like a deep crew. The revamped Red Sox remain one of the best teams in the AL.
Mark Mulder Not Ready To Retire
8:58pm: Mulder told Slusser that even though he is going to "shut [his arm] down from throwing," he is not calling it quits just yet.
1:14pm: Mulder's agent Gregg Clifton told Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle that reports of his client retiring are not accurate, as Mulder hasn't made a decision. However, Mulder's former teammate Eric Chavez told MLB.com's Jane Lee the pitcher is "done."
8:45am: Lefty Mark Mulder is retiring, according to television reports from Today's TMJ4 of Milwaukee. The 32-year-old has been unable to contribute in the big leagues after having rotator cuff surgery in September of '06.
Mulder would finish with a 4.18 ERA and 103 wins in nine seasons for the Athletics and Cardinals spanning 1,314 innings. 88 of those wins came from 2001-05. He won three postseason games, with a 2.34 ERA in 42.3 innings. Mulder finished second in the Cy Young voting in his sophomore season, and made two All-Star teams. According to Baseball-Reference, Mulder banked about $33MM in his career.