Nationals Sign Ron Villone
According to MLB.com's Bill Ladson, the Nationals signed lefty Ron Villone to a minor league deal. Villone is fourth on the depth chart in terms of southpaw relievers; he'll report to Triple A. He wasn't able to stick with the Mets earlier this spring.
Ladson adds that the Nats are in on free agent Chad Gaudin, but only for a minor league deal.
Padres Claim Luis Perdomo
According to MLB.com's Corey Brock and Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle, the Padres claimed pitcher Luis Perdomo off waivers from the Giants today. Perdomo, a Rule 5 pick from the Cardinals, was designated for assignment by the Giants a few days ago. Perdomo will turn 25 soon; he'll try to make the jump from Double A to the Majors.
Perdomo was the Cardinals' return from the Indians for Anthony Reyes last summer. Baseball America says he throws 93-95 with an "average-to-plus slider."
Brewers Not Sweating Hart, Gallardo Contracts
MLB.com's Adam McCalvy has the latest Brewers buzz, after talking with owner Mark Attanasio and GM Doug Melvin. Here's what Attanasio had to say regarding extension talks with Corey Hart and Yovani Gallardo:
"We've had conversations with both players and agents and it's a two-way street. Players are tending to look at being on the upswing of their careers and we're in a downtown of the economy. That's their choice. I'm not saying we're cutting discussions off, because I think we might have discussions with one of those players even as we speak."
Melvin added that talks for the pair are not on the agenda and if he does get something done it'll probably be quietly. Speaking in general, Melvin noted that deals with hitters are easier to accomplish. Hart is under team control through 2011, while Gallardo is Brewers property through 2013.
Ticket sales are up for the Brewers this year, and Attanasio indicated financial flexibility to make midseason "adjustments." I'd say starting pitching is the most likely need.
Discussion: The Next $200MM Contract
In Major League Baseball, only Alex Rodriguez has reached the lofty height of a $200MM+ contract. Mark Teixeira had a shot last winter, perhaps with the Nationals.
Let's hear your thoughts. Which player will be the first to join A-Rod in the $200MM club? Matt Holliday in the 2009-10 offseason? Albert Pujols, when he signs his next deal? Jose Reyes, whose contract runs through 2010? Someone else?
Offseason In Review: Tampa Bay Rays
Next up in the Offseason In Review series, the Rays. Here's what we wrote about them on October 30th. Changes for 2009:
Additions: Pat Burrell, Lance Cormier, Jason Isringhausen, Joe Nelson, Brian Shouse, Matt Joyce, Gabe Kapler, Aneury Rodriguez, Adam Kennedy
Subtractions: Edwin Jackson, Jason Hammel, Jonny Gomes, Cliff Floyd, Trever Miller, Eric Hinske, Rocco Baldelli, Al Reyes
The Rays rose up last year to win the AL pennant. The offseason went according to plan – sign a righthanded slugger, tweak the bullpen, and get value for excess starting pitchers. Let's take a closer look.
Last year the Rays ranked 9th in the AL with 4.78 runs scored per game. This year's lineup subtracts Hinske and adds Kapler, while also slotting Burrell into the middle of the order. Burrell's two-year, $16MM deal was widely applauded when he signed on January 5th. The new lineup projects to score 5.23 runs per game, according to CHONE projections and the Baseball Musings lineup analysis tool. That seems optimistic, but the Rays should score more runs this year.
The Rays' '08 rotation ranked 2nd in the AL last year with a 3.95 ERA in 973.3 innings. The '09 rotation subtracts Jackson in favor of a probable Jeff Niemann/David Price fifth starter combo. It should be stellar once again, projecting at 3.98 or so. And unlike most teams, the Rays have the depth to cover injuries. Highly regarded prospect Wade Davis awaits his turn.
Andrew Friedman did not rest on his laurels in regard to the bullpen, which was good for a 3.55 ERA in 484.3 innings last year. He traded Hammel to the Rockies and let Miller go while importing Nelson, Shouse, Cormier, and Isringhausen. They may not be able to match last year's ERA, but still project well at 3.72.
According to The Fielding Bible II, the Rays' defense ranked 4th in the AL last year. There's no reason to expect any less in 2009.
Can the Rays win 97 games again? The projections suggest they can, though as I said 847 runs scored seems optimistic. Still, if the Rays are behind the Yankees and Red Sox, it's not by much. It's a shame that one of these three teams won't make the playoffs.
Bottom line: Friedman stretched a limited budget to bring in Burrell, and made other bargain signings as well. He moved surplus pitching for value and still has plenty to spare. The Rays look very strong once again.
Juan Morillo Designated For Assignment
According to Tracy Ringolsby of Inside The Rockies, pitcher Juan Morillo was designated for assignment today. The Rockies needed to clear a spot for Matt Belisle.
Morillo, 25, is out of options. He throws in the mid to high 90s, but exhibits poor control. It might make sense for a non-contending team to take him on as a project.
Marlon Anderson May Be Released
According to Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News, Marlon Anderson's final game with the Mets may be tonight. The team will need the roster spot for Livan Hernandez, who makes his Mets debut tomorrow. If the Mets release Anderson, they'll have to assume his $1.15MM salary for '09 (minus $400K if he signs elsewhere).
Anderson, 35, hit just .210/.255/.275 in 151 plate appearances last year while appearing at left field and first base. 60 of those PAs came as a pinch-hitter, but Anderson did not fare well. He did well in a very limited sample in '07, but it's unclear why Omar Minaya gave him a two-year contract that winter.
Cashman Convinced Hal On Teixeira
Kat O'Brien of Newsday writes today about the Yankees' pursuit of Mark Teixeira. In talking to Brian Cashman, O'Brien learned that the GM's persistence finally led to the go-ahead from Hal Steinbrenner; for much of the offseason, Tex wasn't an option. At the time of Cashman's December meeting with Teixeira and Scott Boras, the Yankees were not expecting to sign the slugger. According to Cashman:
"When I met with him, I was doing it more to get leverage on CC. We weren't playing possum on purpose. We were actually out of it."
Cashman was able to convince Hal with this pitch regarding the Red Sox:
"I know you're not interested, but they're going to get this guy. He's going to fall in their lap, and he's so perfect for us."
Injury Concern Caused D’Backs To Pull Webb Offer
FRIDAY: MLB.com's Steve Gilbert learned that Webb met with Dr. James Andrews in December:
For the first time, Webb revealed in an interview with MLB.com that he saw noted orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews and that Andrews told him as long as he continues his strengthening program he was at no greater risk than any other pitcher of developing a shoulder problem.
Andrews told Webb that he had just normal pitching wear and tear on his shoulder. Over at The Arizona Republic, Nick Piecoro weighs in.
THURSDAY: Why did the Diamondbacks pull their three-year, $54MM offer to Brandon Webb in June? According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports:
Webb passed a team physical, sources say, but insurance companies use a higher standard when assessing risk. Multiple companies raised concerns, creating a "red flag" for the Diamondbacks, sources say. The contract was contingent on the club securing an appropriate insurance policy for the pitcher.
Webb is currently fighting through shoulder stiffness. One source told Rosenthal that "Webb, despite the insurance companies' concerns, might pitch 10 more seasons without injury."
Rosenthal's article does not say it, but this situation seems to be shaping up for a future trade. The D'Backs have Webb at $6.5MM this year as well as a cheap $8.5MM option for '10. The contract does not appear to have no-trade restrictions.
Nick Adenhart Killed In Car Accident
5:07pm: According to Mike DiGiovanna and Bill Shaikin of the L.A. Times, Adenhart and friends Courtney Stewart and Henry Pearson were killed. The fourth friend, Jon Wilhite, was taken to the hospital in critical condition.
3:12pm: Yahoo's Tim Brown and Kevin Kaduk have reactions to the Adenhart tragedy. Baseball America profiles his career, and also has a statement from Angels GM Tony Reagins. MLB.com's Lyle Spencer also has a nice tribute.
10:16am: Awful news today. TMZ reports that Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident early this morning. Two others (one affiliated with the Angels organization) were killed in the crash, and the offender was caught and hospitalized. The 22 year-old had just tossed six scoreless innings the night before, the best performance of his young career.
NBC Los Angeles and the L.A. Times have more on the story.