Brewers Decline Option On David Weathers
The Brewers declined their $3.7MM club option on reliever David Weathers, according to MLB.com's Adam McCalvy (via Twitter). They'll pay a $400K buyout instead. While Weathers projects as a Type B free agent, an arbitration offer is highly unlikely. The Brewers acquired Weathers from the Reds in August for cash.
Weathers, 40, posted a 3.92 ERA in 62 innings this year. His peripherals were pretty bad – 5.4 K/9, 4.1 BB/9, 1.5 HR/9.
Twins Acquire J.J. Hardy For Carlos Gomez
12:55pm: A bunch of Tweets from the Brewers' side: Brewers GM Doug Melvin said he won't pursue re-signing Cameron, and will look to the free agent market for starting pitching. Melvin contacted Mark Mulder's agent but hasn't heard back. Melvin even mentioned John Lackey's name. (Reporting: Haudricourt and MLB.com's Adam McCalvy).
12:04pm: I asked Hardy if he's closed the book on the service time issue, and he said yes. A grievance does not seem likely; Hardy admitted it'd be hard to prove.
Twins GM Bill Smith said on today's conference call that he talked to free agent Orlando Cabrera this morning and told him Hardy will be the team's shortstop. Smith implied that re-signing Joe Crede is a possibility, as he has talked to Scott Boras. Smith added that Delmon Young is a lock to be tendered a contract.
10:57am: The Twins acquired shortstop J.J. Hardy for center fielder Carlos Gomez, according to Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
While I expected the Brewers to snag a young pitcher for Hardy, I like the move for both sides. Center field was certainly a need for the Brewers with Mike Cameron eligible for free agency. Haudricourt notes that the money the Brewers saved on Cameron will probably go toward starting pitching. While Gomez hasn't had offensive success in his career, his stellar defense is unquestionable. He'll be eligible for arbitration this winter as a Super Two player, and is under team control through 2013.
Hardy is a huge addition for the Twins, who entered the offseason needing upgrades at shorstop, third base, and second base. Due to an August demotion by the Brewers, Hardy is under team control for 2010 and 2011 (Hardy says there are "no hard feelings.") He slumped offensively this year, but maintained his strong defense.
Royals Decline Options On Crisp, Olivo, Yabuta
The Royals declined their 2010 options on Coco Crisp, Miguel Olivo, and Yasuhiko Yabuta, according to a team press release.
On Crisp, the Royals chose his $500K buyout over his $8MM option. It's possible the Royals will offer Crisp an incentive-laden deal (he had rotator cuff surgery on both shoulders this summer).
The Royals plan to go in a different direction than Olivo at catcher; they may also non-tender John Buck. Olivo had a $3.3MM mutual option. As for Yabuta, the press release says he can "elect free agency if he doesn’t sign a 2010 Major League contract with the Royals by November 16th." The Japanese reliever has been a $6MM bust; his $4MM club option was an obvious choice to decline.
Marlins Interested In Aroldis Chapman
MLBTR has learned of a surprising suitor for free agent lefty Aroldis Chapman: the Marlins. They intend to submit an offer and hope to meet Chapman this month. Offers began rolling in for Chapman last week.
Here's our Chapman review from last week. Since then we've learned more about the Angels, White Sox, Orioles, Cubs, and Braves.
Diamondbacks Exercise Option On Brandon Webb
The Diamondbacks exercised their $8.5MM club option on pitcher Brandon Webb, according to MLB.com's Steve Gilbert (via Twitter). The Arizona Republic's Nick Piecoro has comments from Webb and D'Backs GM Josh Byrnes.
The D'Backs had expressed interest in renegotiating and perhaps having an option on Webb beyond 2010, but the pitcher decided to pass. Webb had shoulder surgery in August and expects to be ready for Spring Training. He was one of the game's best and most durable starters prior to the shoulder issues this year.
Phillies Exercise Option On Cliff Lee
The Phillies exercised their $9MM option on lefty Cliff Lee, according to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. The move was a no-brainer for the Phils, as Lee posted a 3.22 ERA in 231.6 innings this year and won the Cy Young award in '08. Next on the docket: long-term extension talks. Also, the Phillies must decide on Pedro Feliz's $5.5MM club option by Monday.
Hank Blalock Represented By Scott Boras
Here's a new addition to our Scott Boras clients list – Hank Blalock. MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan informed us that Blalock switched to Boras before the season.
Blalock, 29 later this month, hit .234/.277/.459 this year in 495 plate appearances. He played 567 innings at first base and spent the rest of the time at DH. It was Blalock's healthiest season since '06, and he showed decent power, but his OBP was the third-worst in baseball among those with 450 PAs.
White Sox Buy Out Option On Jermaine Dye
The White Sox bought out Jermaine Dye's mutual option for 2010, according to a team press release. Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times says it cost the Sox $950K. This decision was a given, since the option was for $12MM. While Dye is a projected Type A free agent, it won't matter because the Sox are highly unlikely to offer arbitration. Mark Teahen is officially a member of the White Sox now, but he'll take over at third base with Gordon Beckham playing second.
Dye, 36 in January, hit .250/.340/.453 in 574 plate appearances this year. He slumped to .184/.303/.278 over the season's final two months. In an article yesterday, MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan said that Dye "is of interest to the Rangers."
Free Agent List
Our free agent list has it all – it's constantly updated, broken down by position, and includes information on options, player ages, and Elias rankings. Scott Boras clients are bolded.
Bookmark our 2010 MLB Free Agents list today! You can always find the list on the sidebar of the site under MLBTR Features.
Cardinals Notes: Holliday, DeRosa, Smoltz
Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch has the latest on the Cardinals…
- Goold feels that the Cardinals "will keep tabs on the Jason Bay sweepstakes even while focusing on Matt Holliday." Like most Scott Boras clients, Holliday figures to reach the open market. The Cards have yet to make a formal extension offer; Holliday was one of 79 free agents to file yesterday. In another article, Goold had a nice look at eight potential Holliday suitors.
- Goold says Mark DeRosa "expressed a wish to test the open market," and the Cardinals beat writer expects the Cubs to make an offer. I'm not sure – the Cubs are limited on funds, seemingly happy with Jeff Baker at second base, and probably seeking a left-handed bat to replace Milton Bradley.
- Though the Cardinals have maintained dialogue with John Smoltz, the veteran pitcher expects to sign later in the offseason.