Five Teams Eyeing Endy Chavez
Five teams are eyeing free agent outfielder Endy Chavez, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports: the Mets, Mariners, Blue Jays, Astros, and Royals. Chavez had surgery for a torn ACL in July, and Morosi says he could be ready in April or May.
Chavez, 32, doesn't offer much offensively. His calling card is his defense, which has historically been strong at all three outfield positions. The question is whether his defense will still be an asset post-knee surgery.
Delgado Not Ruling Out Retirement
Continuing our review of available free agent first basemen, let's discuss Carlos Delgado. Delgado, 37, is represented by David Sloane. He tallied only 112 plate appearances last year before succumbing to May hip surgery. The year prior, Delgado mashed 38 homers for the Mets despite an awful April.
He attempted to prove his health in the Puerto Rican Winter League a month ago. However, one scout told ESPN's Jayson Stark that Delgado "can't play first on a day-to-day basis." Delgado appeared in 15 games, but played first base in only two of them.
Delgado told Primera Hora's Carlos Gonzalez, "If there's not work, I'll retire. That's not Plan A." He says teams in both leagues are interested (thanks to Nick Collias for the translation). However, the Blue Jays appear to be out while the Mets are close to signing Mike Jacobs and already re-signed Fernando Tatis. The Royals and Orioles reportedly observed Delgado in Puerto Rico, but both clubs are full at the first base/DH spots.
Hank Blalock Looking For Work
Hank Blalock, Carlos Delgado, and Russell Branyan comprise the remaining free agent market for potential starting first baseman/designated hitters. Let's review all three, starting with Blalock.
Blalock, 29, is represented by Scott Boras. He hit .234/.277/.459 in 495 plate appearances for the Rangers last year. It was his first healthy season since '06, but he posted the lowest batting average and on-base percentage of his career.
Blalock came up as a third baseman, but played only nine innings there in '09. He logged 567.6 innings at first base, spending the rest of his time as a designated hitter. In recent years Blalock had a rib removed due to thoracic outlet syndrome and also had shoulder and wrist surgeries. The Indians are the only known Blalock suitor, as the Orioles, Braves, and Pirates have gone in different directions.
Mariners Sign Jesus Colome
The Mariners signed righty Jesus Colome to a minor league deal, according to a team press release. Colome, 32, posted a 7.59 ERA, 6.3 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9 in 21.3 innings for the Nationals and Brewers last year. Additionally, he logged 17.3 strong innings in Triple A.
With a 94.7 mph average fastball, Colome is an intriguing risk-free pickup. Poor control had been a major flaw until last year, when he posted an overall BB/9 of 2.33 in 38.6 innings. The Mariners' other non-roster invitees can be viewed here.
Giants Sign Todd Wellemeyer
The Giants signed Todd Wellemeyer to a minor league deal, reports Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the deal will be worth at least $1MM if he makes the team, plus performance bonuses. The Giants had been named as the favorite by Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post on Friday.
Wellemeyer, 31, had a decent 2008 season for the Cardinals despite middling peripheral stats. A big innings jump in '08 may have contributed to an elbow injury last year. Wellemeyer's numbers worsened across the board in his '09 walk year, leading to a 5.89 ERA in 122.3 innings. Still, there's nothing to lose for the Giants by signing him to a minor league deal. The Rockies, Mets, Phillies, and D'Backs were also linked to Wellemeyer this winter.
Victor Martinez Heads Into Contract Year
The Boston Globe's Tony Massarotti breaks down Victor Martinez's impending free agency, comparing the catcher's walk year situation with Jason Bay's 2009. The Red Sox haven't had serious extension discussions with Martinez yet, though such talks are often reserved for Spring Training.
Massarotti uses David Ortiz ($13MM), Jorge Posada ($13MM) and Joe Mauer (a projected $20MM) to set the boundaries for Martinez's next salary. However, Ortiz's extension was signed four years ago, Posada's over two years ago. And Mauer might deserve unique superstar consideration.
Martinez's biggest wart is his 2008 season, lost to an elbow injury. The other concern is his ability to serve as a full-time catcher – he hasn't caught a full season since '07. If Martinez's projected .294/.366/.450 performance comes as a first baseman/DH, he's suddenly in line for a Hideki Matsui or Adam LaRoche-type contract – one year, $6MM. Since Martinez will catch full-time in 2010, it'll allow the Red Sox to gauge where he belongs in the following seasons.
Padres Sign Yorvit Torrealba
The Padres signed Yorvit Torrealba to a one-year $1.25MM deal that includes a mutual option for 2011. The catcher, who passed his physical today, will earn $750K this year. There's a $500K buyout on a $3.5MM mutual option for the following season.
Torrealba, 31, hit .291/.351/.380 in 242 plate appearances for the Rockies last year, catching 545.3 innings. Torrealba split time last year with a solid young catcher in Chris Iannetta, and he'll do so again this year with Nick Hundley.
We learned on Monday from Olney that despite an offer in hand from San Diego, Torrealba hoped to engage the Mets. However, the Mets may be done spending.
ESPN.com's Buster Olney reported that the sides were nearing a deal and followed up with the terms of the contract, all on Twitter. Dan Hayes of the North County Times tweeted that Torrealba passed his physical.
Odds & Ends: Theriot, Delgado, Damon, Yankees
Links for Tuesday…
- 2011 free agent Brandon Webb threw for the first time since his August shoulder surgery today and told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert that he feels good.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports says (via Twitter) that he's not under the impression that the Reds are in on Johnny Damon.
- The Cubs haven't spoken with Ryan Theriot's representatives recently and expect to go to an arbitration hearing with the infielder, writes Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune.
- Jim Reeves of ESPNDallas.com explains how Rangers GM Jon Daniels now reports to Nolan Ryan. Within the piece, Daniels says the Rangers obtained virtually every player they targeted this offseason.
- Carlos Delgado's agent tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports that his client's conditioning is progressing well (Twitter link).
- Morosi tweets that the Brewers signed Chase Wright to a minor league deal.
- Corey Hart's arbitration hearing is scheduled for Thursday, reports Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. If the hearing does occur, Hart will either be paid $4.8MM or $4.15MM in 2010. It'll be Doug Melvin's first hearing as Brewers GM.
- Johnny Damon is a big fan of Steve Yzerman and the Detroit Red Wings, agent Scott Boras told John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press. Boras says Damon received "four or five offers right away" after it became clear the Yankees wouldn't re-sign him.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman explained to George King of the New York Post that he groups Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, and Joe Girardi together in terms of not negotiating extensions.
- WEEI's Rob Bradford explains why Josh Beckett's shoulder will be a critical factor in whether the Red Sox re-sign the righty.
- Comparing 2008 to 2009, FanGraphs' Matthew Carruth lists the pitchers with the biggest gains and losses on their fastballs.
- The Brewers agreed to sign Dominican righties Eduard Reyes, Carlos Sosa, and Elvis Mora, reports MLB.com's Adam McCalvy.
- McCalvy points us to this entertaining interview the blog Right Field Bleachers did with Marlins reliever Seth McClung.
- The blog Monozygotic compiled a list of non-roster Spring Training invitees for all 30 teams.
Orioles Sign Mark Hendrickson
The Orioles officially re-signed lefty Mark Hendrickson to a one-year, $1.4MM deal today. Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun first reported the agreement on January 28th. The deal pays $1.2MM in 2010 and includes a $1.2MM club option for 2011 with a $200K buyout. The 35-year-old will take on a relief role in 2010, though the contract contains bonuses for games started. The Orioles made room for Hendrickson by designating reliever Armando Gabino for assignment.
As a reliever in 2009, Hendrickson posted a 3.44 ERA, 6.1 K/9, and 2.3 BB/9 in 55 innings.
Orioles Designate Armando Gabino For Assignment
The Orioles designated righty reliever Armando Gabino for assignment to make room for Mark Hendrickson, according to a team press release. Gabino, 26, posted a 2.94 ERA, 5.9 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 for the Twins' Triple A club in '09 before Baltimore claimed him off waivers in November.