Braves, Tom Glavine Reach Agreement
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, the Braves have come to terms with Tom Glavine on a one-year, $1MM deal potentially worth $4.5MM with incentives. A portion of the money will be deferred. Glavine will slot in as Atlanta’s fifth starter.
Doug Davis Hopes To Stay With D’Backs
MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert questioned Diamondbacks pitcher Doug Davis about his future, learning that the pitcher would like to put in three more years. Davis will be eligible for free agency after the season, but he hopes to remain in Arizona. The sides have yet to discuss an extension.
The Next Boras Crop
With Mark Teixeira, Manny Ramirez, Derek Lowe, and Oliver Perez, the Scott Boras Corporation represented a good chunk of top-end free agents in the 2008-09 offseason. Let’s take a look at the top Boras free agents for the winter of 2009-10.
Boras does not have much in the way of catchers, first basemen, second basemen, or shortstops for the next free agent class (another go-round with Jason Varitek and Felipe Lopez, perhaps). He does, however, have the best available third baseman in Adrian Beltre, assuming Chipper Jones does not reach the open market. Beltre will be 31 in 2010, and he has a leg up on Troy Glaus and Melvin Mora. As one commenter pointed out, Boras will also have Joe Crede on the market again.
Boras has a strong group of outfielders heading toward free agency: Matt Holliday, Johnny Damon, Rick Ankiel, and Xavier Nady. Ankiel could conceivably be the best available center fielder, while only Jason Bay can give Holliday a run for his money in left. I’ll assume Manny Ramirez won’t sign a one-year deal.
The starting pitchers of the 2009-10 offseason aren’t terribly impressive, with Erik Bedard, Justin Duchscherer, Rich Harden, John Lackey, and Brett Myers projected to head the class. Boras can only contribute Jarrod Washburn and Kevin Millwood (if he tosses fewer than 180 innings this year). Boras is also weak in the pen next winter, with guys like Eric Gagne and Scott Schoeneweis.
Looks like Boras will be focused on Beltre and his outfielders once the 2009 season ends.
Indians Acquire Salas, Designate Marte
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians acquired reliever Juan Salas from the Rays today for infielder Isaias Velasquez. The Tribe designated one-time top prospect Andy Marte (who is out of options) for assignment to make room. Salas had been designated for assignment by Tampa Bay when they added Brian Shouse.
Salas, 30, posted a 2.62 ERA in 44.6 Triple A innings last year with excellent strikeout and walk numbers. Salas’ history includes a PED suspension, a falsified birth date, and a conversion from third base. Aside from that he’s known for his cutter. Salas dealt with an epileptic seizure, a sore elbow, and visa problems in ’08. Velasquez, 20, hit .281/.368/.343 last year in Low A ball.
Marte was a regular on Baseball America top 100 prospects lists – 40th in ’03, 11th in ’04, 9th in ’05, and 14th in ’06. He was traded by the Braves to the Red Sox for Edgar Renteria in December of ’05, and then flipped to the Indians the following month along with Guillermo Mota, Kelly Shoppach, Randy Newsom, and cash for Coco Crisp, David Riske, and Josh Bard.
Royals Claim Tug Hulett
According to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star, the Royals claimed infielder Tug Hulett off waivers from the Mariners. To make room, they designated lefty Neal Musser for assignment.
Hulett, 26 in a few days, hit .298/.380/.518 in Triple A last year and can play any infield position.
Padres Closing In On Deal With Walter Silva
1:52pm: MLB.com’s Corey Brock says the Padres are closing in on a minor league deal with Silva.
11:29am: According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Yankees and Padres are in the bidding for pitcher Walter Silva. Olney says the 32 year-old righty "had a strong showing in the Mexican Winter League" and must be purchased from the Monterrey franchise.
Braves Leaning Toward Internal Options In OF
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick talked to Braves GM Frank Wren, who says the Braves are more likely to try their young outfielders than acquire a veteran outfielder after failing to sign Ken Griffey Jr.
Crasnick adds that the Braves "aren’t very excited" about Garret Anderson and have little to no interest in Jim Edmonds and Luis Gonzalez. He says the salaries of Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher might be prohibitive. Pure speculation on my part – the Braves could definitely afford Luke Scott if he’s available for trade.
Jeff Francis Likely Out For Season
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis will have exploratory shoulder surgery on Wednesday and is likely out for the season (Tracy Ringolsby says it’s a torn labrum). Renck adds that the team’s acquisition of Jason Marquis was made with this possibility in mind.
The Rockies still have Marquis, Aaron Cook, Ubaldo Jimenez, Jorge de la Rosa, Greg Smith, Jason Hirsh, Matt Belisle, and Josh Fogg as probable starters.
Odds and Ends: Griffey, Blue Jays, Roberts
Links for Thursday…
- ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick has details around the Mariners’ Ken Griffey Jr. signing, while Keith Law has criticism for it. David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution blogs about his "Griffey Chooses Braves" story. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman also has thoughts on the decision not to play for Atlanta, and another postmortem article where he talks to Frank Wren and Chipper Jones.
- Drunk Jays Fans has a preview of the team.
- Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun writes in praise of the Brian Roberts extension. I don’t like the argument that the Orioles needed to sign Roberts because they don’t have a clear successor at second base.
- RotoAuthority ranks starting pitchers for fantasy baseball.
Odalis Perez Holdout
THURSDAY, 10:01am: Harlan has quotes from Stan Kasten on the Perez holdout:
"Our understanding is that he has an agreement which both MLB and the union considering binding, and we think the best course would be for [Perez] to come in and honor the agreement. I’ve known Odie a long time, he came up with me in Atlanta and he’s had a nice career for himself. I think this would be a very ill-advised and foolish way for him to conduct the next part of his career."
TUESDAY, 9:16am: Harlan says the mandatory reporting date for those participating in the WBC is today, and Perez intends to pitch in the tournament. The Nationals have not been in able to get in touch with Perez, says Pete McElroy of MASN.
MONDAY, 6:23pm: Chico Harlan of the Washington Post talked to Nationals GM Jim Bowden, who says he has a "signed term sheet that has been confirmed by the players’ association" for Perez. However, a source of Harlan’s says the MLBPA’s database of approved contracts does not show this deal.
3:47pm: Odalis Perez‘s $850K minor league contract did seem light at the time. Now word comes from ESPN’s Enrique Rojas that Perez has asked his agent to renegotiate the contract. He regrets giving his verbal approval and will not supply his signature to the current deal. Perez has yet to show up for Spring Training, saying:
"I thought it best and I prefer to sit in my house if the Nationals do not show more appreciation for my work. Appreciate my work means to increase the value of the contract and guarantee it. I will not accept any minor league contracts with no safeguards. I instructed my agent to report my position to the Nationals."
While Perez says he’s not negotiating with other clubs, he added:
"I will play in the World Classic for the Dominican Republic and show everybody that I’m in great shape. I hope to find a team that values me, otherwise I’ll go home."
This isn’t the first time Perez reacted childishly when he felt he wasn’t getting proper recognition.