Glavine Decision Close
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, free agent lefty Tom Glavine is likely to make a decision within 36-48 hours on whether to take the Braves’ offer or move on. MLB.com’s Mark Bowman says he’s scheduled to meet with Braves GM Frank Wren today. Crasnick describes the offer:
Sources said the Braves have offered Glavine a $1MM base salary, another $1MM if he’s on the Opening Day roster, and an additional $1MM after 60 days. Glavine is believed to be looking for some incentives that could kick in and increase the value of the deal if he’s able to make at least 25-30 starts. Glavine is also apparently willing to defer some salary to make a deal work with Atlanta.
Glavine, 42, had flexor tendon and shoulder surgery in August of last year.
Brewers To Sign Braden Looper
TUESDAY, 8:02pm: Tom Haudricourt, who’s done a great job staying on top of this whole saga, revealed today that Looper’s contract comes with a mutual option for 2010. His ’09 salary is thought to be $4.75MM.
MONDAY, 7:57pm: Haudricourt says the agreement is in place, pending a physical. It’s a one-year deal with an option of some kind for 2010.
2:55pm: Haudricourt talked to Brewers GM Doug Melvin, who is "optimistic" about signing Looper1:56pm: Haudricourt keeps the updates coming. He’s "pretty sure" Looper has reached an agreement with the Brewers.
12:59pm: Haudricourt has now heard from two more sources and says the Brewers will sign Looper. Apparently Looper’s wife didn’t deny the signing when she was contacted.
11:36am: Haudricourt says, "Just got word from one more source that the Looper signing is going to happen."
11:00am: Taking a cautious approach with the scoop, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel says the Brewers might sign Braden Looper:
I’m starting to hear that the Brewers have changed their minds about adding a starting pitcher prior to camp and might sign Looper. From what I hear, the sides could be working toward a deal at this very moment.
Haudricourt figures Looper wouldn’t require more than the $5MM guaranteed to Randy Wolf. Looper, 34, posted a 4.16 ERA in 199 innings for the Cardinals in ’08. He pitched to contact, but walked only 2.04 per nine innings.
Latest On Bobby Abreu
4:54pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman lists five teams considering Abreu: the Angels, Braves, Pirates, Reds, and Mets. The Pirates are a new one.
3:58pm: A source told Crasnick that the Angels have "strong interest" in Abreu. The Braves remain in the mix.
10:33am: Here’s what ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick had to say regarding the market for Bobby Abreu yesterday:
While Seattle and Atlanta are monitoring Abreu’s status and staying in contact with his representatives, the Mets continue to maintain they’re not in the mix.
Meanwhile Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News wrote this morning:
A Mets official did not rule out signing free-agent outfielder Abreu, but indicated that any contract likely would have to be for one year at less than $4MM.
Other teams loosely linked to Abreu in recent days: the White Sox, Angels, and Dodgers. Abreu is in line for a huge pay cut from last year’s $16MM. The remarkably quiet market for Abreu and other corner outfielders this offseason is tied strongly to defense. ESPN’s Peter Gammons talked to a GM who said a few days ago:
I still believe that one of the factors that has hurt some of the good offensive free agents this winter, like Manny Ramirez, Abreu and Adam Dunn, is the concern about how many runs they give back defensively. There is a great deal more appreciation for defense than there was a decade ago.
Thursday Hearing For Ankiel, Cardinals
According to Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the Cardinals and Rick Ankiel have a Thursday arbitration hearing scheduled. If the hearing takes place, the arbitrators will decide whether Ankiel earns $3.3MM or $2.35MM in ’09.
Ankiel, a Scott Boras client, is eligible for free agency after the season. He could be midseason trade bait if Colby Rasmus comes on strong.
Brandon Webb Quiet About Failed Extension
Media-friendly Brandon Webb wisely decided to make his contract situation an off-limits topic for reporters this year, according to MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert. Said Webb:
"People are really hurting, really struggling. The last thing they want to hear about is someone’s contract situation. I have never complained about what I make to play baseball and the reason we didn’t come to an agreement last year had nothing to do with money. It’s as simple as that."
The D’Backs have Webb at $6.5MM for ’09 and an $8.5MM option for ’10. In December Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic summed up the failed extension talks:
During this past season, the sides discussed an extension, actually agreeing to the framework of a three-year, $54MM extension before the club took the proposal off the table in June. The club would not say why the offer was pulled. [Webb’s agent Jonathan] Maurer said last month that Webb’s price has since risen.
Any guesses as to why Arizona pulled the offer? Webb could be looking at $20MM a year if he hits the open market. I would be surprised to see the D’Backs try to trade him anytime soon though. They’re close to contention and not overflowing with pitching.
Wigginton Deal Finalized, Moore Designated
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN, the Orioles finalized their two-year deal for Ty Wigginton and designated Scott Moore for assignment to make room. The Wiggy signing has led many MLBTR readers to wonder if Luke Scott could be available in trade.
Rockies Sign Sal Fasano
According to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding, the Rockies signed catcher Sal Fasano to a minor league deal. Harding also lists the team’s other 18 non-roster invitees.
Blue Jays Acquire Matt Bush
According to Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune, the Padres traded Matt Bush to the Blue Jays for a player to be named later. Baseball America has more on Bush, the #1 pick in ’04. He missed all of ’08 with Tommy John surgery.
Odds and Ends: PECOTA, Wigginton, Tanaka
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- PECOTA projects the standings. The projection system’s playoff teams are the Red Sox, Yankees, Indians, A’s, Mets, Cubs, and Diamondbacks (plus a one-game Braves-Phillies playoff).
- Ty Wigginton‘s deal should be official today or tomorrow. Additionally, the Orioles are close to signing reliever Ryohei Tanaka to a minor league deal according to Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun.
- RotoAuthority ranks the third basemen for fantasy baseball.
- I will be doing a radio interview at 3:30 CST today on WKNT in Florida. At that time you can click here to listen.
White Sox Sign Ben Broussard
According to the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox signed first baseman Ben Broussard to a minor league deal.
Broussard signed for $3.85MM with the Rangers in January of ’08, but was designated for assignment on May 8th. After that he played mostly at Triple A for the Cubs and Yankees. Can you believe that a year later Bobby Abreu could end up with a similar contract?