Nationals Monitoring Chien-Ming Wang
The Nationals are the latest team linked to free agent righty Chien-Ming Wang, reports MLB.com's Bill Ladson. Wang, 30 in March, had surgery to repair a torn ligament in his right shoulder capsule on July 29th of last year. On January 28th, Wang's agent Alan Nero told ESPN's Jayson Stark that his client is expected to "make a major-league start sometime in the first two weeks of May." If we project Wang's return date as May 15th, that'd be 75% of a season.
Nero told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports a week ago that he's "anticipating a major-league offer with a substantial guarantee and substantial upside." About six clubs have been in on Wang this winter to some extent, including the Nationals, Dodgers, Phillies, Cardinals, and Mets. SI's Jon Heyman says an April showcase is possible.
Marlins Sign Seth McClung
Pitcher Seth McClung officially signed a minor league deal with the Marlins today. The righty will earn $800K if he makes the big league roster and could earn another $50K in incentives.
McClung, 29 in February, posted a 4.94 ERA, 5.8 K/9, and 5.7 BB/9 in 62 innings for the Brewers last year. He was non-tendered after the season. Silver lining: McClung averaged 93.2 mph on his fastball last year. Between him, Derrick Turnbow, and Jose Veras, the Marlins will find something for next to nothing.
Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald first reported the deal. MLB.com's Adam McCalvy first tweeted that an agreement was close and added the terms of the deal. MLB.com's Joe Frisaro also added some salary information (via Twitter).
Dodgers Sign Ramon Ortiz
The Dodgers signed righty Ramon Ortiz to a minor league deal, reports MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. Ortiz, 37 in March, spent 2009 with the Giants' Triple A club. He posted a 3.05 ERA, 7.9 K/9, and 2.4 BB/9 in 129.6 innings. Ortiz's career has also included stops with the Angels, Reds, Nationals, Twins, Rockies, and Orix Buffaloes.
Odds & Ends: Mauer, Hairston, Buck, Benson
Links for Tuesday…
- We shouldn't expect a Joe Mauer extension soon, according to this tweet from USA Today's Bob Nightengale.
- The Padres avoided arbitration with Scott Hairston, signing the outfielder to a one-year deal worth $2.45MM, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock.
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports believes that the Tigers have moved into the non-denial stage regarding Johnny Damon (via Twitter).
- A's outfielder Travis Buck has a chip on his shoulder after watching the A's acquire multiple outfielders, reports CSNBayArea's Mychael Urban. But as ESPN's Rob Neyer points out, Buck hasn't done much recently with the bat.
- Free agent outfielder Darin Erstad told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick he'd love to play in 2010, but "there is nowhere to find at-bats."
- Dylan Hernandez of the L.A. Times tweets that the Dodgers "remain interested in Jeff Weaver, but their roster situation could prevent them from offering him a major-league deal."
- Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports names the D'Backs, Cubs, Reds, and Nationals as teams monitoring free agent starter Kris Benson. Benson didn't pitch much in the last three seasons due to rotator cuff surgery.
- Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. further explained his rationale behind the Cliff Lee trade, reports Scott Lauber of The News Journal. Amaro's reasoning didn't sway my opinion; none of the three prospects he received are in Keith Law's top 100 (though Ramirez is #101). The long-term value of Phillippe Aumont, J.C. Ramirez, and Tyson Gillies should not outweigh the extra 4-5 wins Lee would've provided in 2010. And did Amaro even shop Lee around for the best package?
- Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star is pessimistic on the Royals, who he says don't offer much beyond Zack Greinke, Billy Butler, and Joakim Soria.
- RotoAuthority looks at Boston's closer situation from a fantasy baseball point of view.
Aurilia Hopes To Sign With Yankees Or Mets
Rich Aurilia isn't ready to retire, reports Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News. The 38-year-old corner infielder is seeking a minor league deal, and he'd like to play for the Yankees or Mets. Baggarly notes that Aurilia and new Yankee Randy Winn are old friends.
Aurilia signed a minor league deal with the Giants in February of last year and proceeded to have a rough 133 plate appearances. He doesn't blame injuries – in fact, Aurilia's trips to the DL were for phantom injuries (at the Giants' request).
Quiet Offseason For Todd Wellemeyer
It's been a quiet offseason for free agent pitcher Todd Wellemeyer. The 31-year-old righty has surfaced in nary a rumor aside from a November 20th Brewers mention by SI's Jon Heyman. Today, MLBTR learned that the Phillies, Diamondbacks, and Rockies expressed interest at various points. Wellemeyer would prefer to continue starting.
Wellemeyer had a strong 2008 season for the Cardinals, posting a 3.71 ERA in 191.6 innings. But even then there were a few warning signs. His strikeout and walk rates were nothing special at 6.3 and 2.9 per nine. He's a flyball pitcher, leading to 25 home runs in those 32 starts. The biggest concern was the innings jump – Wellemeyer had spent most of his big league career as a reliever.
Wellemeyer agreed to a $4.05MM deal in his final year with the Cards. 2009 didn't go well – his elbow started hurting, his velocity and control slipped, and more flyballs left the yard. He might have to accept a minor league deal for 2010 to redeem himself.
Orlando Hudson Rumors: Tuesday
3:00pm: MLB.com's Bill Ladson talked to Adam Kennedy, who said the Nationals "basically let us know that they are kind of waiting on Orlando." Hudson earned about $7MM last year after incentives and seemingly isn't ready to accept the inevitable pay cut. He's not coming off an injury this time, but it may be difficult to top last year's $3.38MM guarantee.
9:04am: The Mariners "remain a long shot candidate" to sign free agent second baseman Orlando Hudson, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi admits that some roster maneuvering would be necessary to accomodate Hudson, as the Ms already have Jose Lopez at second and a full slate of position players. I should add that whether Hudson is an upgrade over Lopez overall is an open question.
Morosi names the Nationals, Indians, and Twins as Hudson's other suitors. We learned yesterday that the Twins are serious, while the Rockies are out.
Does Verlander Deserve More Than Felix?
The Tigers are "increasingly optimistic" about signing Justin Verlander to a long-term deal, reports Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Felix Hernandez's five-year, $78MM deal is being used for comparison, but Morosi feels Verlander might be aiming to top that with either a larger guarantee or a sixth year. What's more, Morosi feels Verlander is justified in asking for more money than Felix.
Morosi appears to be using the simplistic arbitration hearing-type stats to make his case – wins, All-Star appearances, and even no-hitters. But this is not a hearing decided by three baseball rubes. Consider:
- Hernandez is almost three years younger than Verlander.
- Hernandez has a better career ERA, ERA+, and FIP.
- They're similar (Hernandez being slightly better) in career innings, strikeout rate, walk rate, and home run rate.
- Regarding Verlander's seven extra career wins in six fewer starts, look at run support. Verlander has received 5.2 runs scored per start, Felix 4.3.
Athletics Designate Eveland, Taveras, Petit For Assignment
4:59pm: Via Twitter, Lee adds that the A's designated infielder Gregorio Petit for assignment as well. The 25-year-old hit .244/.292/.336 in Triple A last year, playing second base, shortstop, and third base.
12:39pm: The A's designated lefty Dana Eveland for assignment, tweets MLB.com's Jane Lee. Newly-acquired Willy Taveras was designated too, tweets SI's Jon Heyman. Joe Stiglich of the Oakland Tribune adds that the A's deal for Gabe Gross is official, and they've claimed versatile minor leaguer Steve Tolleson off waivers from the Twins. Let's break down the A's busy morning…
- Eveland, 26, is headed elsewhere unless he clears waivers. In 2009 he was terrible in the Majors and lousy at Triple A as well. He joined the A's in December of '07 as part of the huge Dan Haren swap with the D'Backs. Eveland did give the A's 29 starts of 4.34 ball in '08, despite a 1.53 K/BB ratio.
- Taveras and Aaron Miles were just passing through, acquired temporarily to facilitate deals for Adam Rosales and Jake Fox.
- Tolleson, 26, hit .266/.340/.380 between Double A and Triple A in the Twins organization in '09. He played both middle infield positions, left field, and a little bit at the outfield corners. Before the season, Baseball America suggested Tolleson's best possible outcome would be Ryan Freel's career. The loss should clear a roster spot for Jim Thome, notes MLB.com's Kelly Thesier.
Yorvit Torrealba Has Padres Offer
Catcher Yorvit Torrealba "has a one-year offer from the Padres in hand," tweets ESPN's Buster Olney. Olney adds that Torrealba "would like to engage the Mets, but to this point the Mets have indicated they don't have any money available to make something happen." Previous reports had indicated the Mets were turning to Torrealba after missing out on Bengie Molina, despite Torrealba's grievance against them. With question marks at catcher and in the rotation, Mets fans have to hope the team isn't out of money.
That said, the free agent catching market is bleak: Torrealba, Rod Barajas, and Jose Molina are the most notable names.