Pirates Sign Eric Hinske
8:46pm: Kovacevic says pitcher T.J. Beam was designated for assignment by the Pirates to make room for Hinske. Beam, 28, posted a 4.14 ERA and 4.7 K/9 in 45.6 innings for the Bucs this year.
12:45pm: According to Dejan Kovacevic, the Pirates announced the signing of Eric Hinske today. He’ll earn $1.5MM plus a possible $1MM in incentives.
Hinske was one of the best free agent bargains a year ago, as he hit .247/.333/.465 for the Rays at an $800K salary. He’ll be a useful, versatile player for the Bucs if kept away from lefties.
Diamondbacks Getting Close With Tom Gordon
FRIDAY, 5:15pm: MLB.com’s Steve Gilbert confirms that the Diamondbacks are closing on an agreement with Gordon. "We don’t have a deal yet, but we’re close," said Flash’s agent, Rick Thurman.
THURSDAY, 10:31pm: Piecoro spoke with Thurman, who said, "We’ve had a number of conversations and we’re getting close." Gordon expects to be ready for Opening Day following October elbow surgery. If he’s throwing well, I’m surprised there aren’t more suitors.
THURSDAY, 12:10pm: According to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic, the D’Backs are interested in free agent reliever Tom Gordon. Flash, 41, has been affected by elbow injuries the last two seasons. Arizona can’t have much left to spend.
Piecoro adds that the Diamondbacks were serious players to re-sign Brandon Lyon, but wanted to use him as a starter.
Reds Rumors: Gonzalez, Wigginton, Encarnacion
The latest from John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, who spoke to Reds GM Walt Jocketty recently…
- Jocketty is working on bringing some "fringe guys" to camp on minor league deals. It’s been weeks since he talked to Luis Gonzalez‘s agent. MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon learned of the Reds’ interest in Gonzo yesterday.
- In reference to Ty Wigginton, Jocketty said, "They’re getting close to desperate stage. But we’re really only looking at bench help."
- Jocketty isn’t handling the Edwin Encarnacion talks, but he expects to settle. Encarnacion filed at $3.7MM, the Reds at $2.55MM (midpoint of $3.125MM).
Odds and Ends: Boras, Manny, Heilman
Links for Friday…
- ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick examines Scott Boras’ work so far this winter, as well as his remaining clients.
- RotoAuthority has first baseman rankings for fantasy leagues.
- Matthew Cerrone suggests the Mets might want to publicly rule out Manny Ramirez.
- Interesting WHIFF profile on Aaron Heilman.
- Patrick Newman introduces us to Norichika Aoki, perhaps the best hitter in Japan. Aoki may end up in MLB, but it probably won’t be anytime soon.
- The Orioles agreed to a split contract with pitcher Brian Burres, says Troy Renck.
Yankees, Bruney Avoid Arbitration
According to Peter Abraham, the Yankees avoided arbitration with reliever Brian Bruney by signing him for ’09. Troy Renck says he’ll get $1.25MM. Bruney was at $1.55MM and the Yanks at $1.1MM, for a midpoint of $1.325MM.
The Yankees are now done with arbitration cases, and the payroll is nearing $200MM says Buster Olney.
Mariners Re-Sign Randy Messenger
According to a press release, the Mariners re-signed reliever Randy Messenger to a minor league deal. They’d placed him on waivers to clear 40-man roster space for the recent acquisitions from the Cubs. Messenger, 27, pitched 12.6 innings for the Mariners last year and spent the rest of the time at Triple A.
Jason Varitek, Red Sox Reach Agreement
1:28pm: Contract details from Massarotti:
Varitek will earn $5MM in 2009, with the club holding a $5MM option for 2010. If the Red Sox do not pick up that option, Varitek has the choice of remaining with the club on a $3MM deal. In ’10, he can earn another $2MM in incentives based on playing time, beginning at 80 games started. The incentives apply to the player option only.
The Boston Herald breaks down the 2010 bonuses. ESPN’s Jayson Stark and Jerry Crasnick add:
Had he declined or not responded, the team was gearing up to trade for another catcher.
1:01pm: From Jon Heyman: the Red Sox reached an agreement on a two-year deal with Varitek.
12:38pm: Nothing too huge here, but check out Massarotti’s latest. He says a resolution is expected by day’s end.
8:57am: Joe McDonald of the Providence Journal says there’s no morning deadline, though "a decision is likely to be made by this afternoon." WEEI’s Alex Speier and ESPN’s Jayson Stark heard something similar.
8:35am: So that deadline on Boston’s contract offer to Jason Varitek…what time zone is it in? Tony Massarotti believes it’s 11:30 EST. As Massarotti has said, Varitek is "seriously considering sitting out the 2009 season or retiring rather than accepting the offer."
Cubs, Bako Agree To Terms
According to a press release, the Cubs agreed to terms with catcher Paul Bako for 2009. Bako, 36, played for the Cubs for 2003-04. According to the AP, Bako gets $725K plus $300K in possible incentives.
Pirates Reach Extension With Maholm
FRIDAY: Dejan Kovacevic has the contract details – Maholm gets $14.5MM guaranteed. $13.75MM for his three arb years, plus a $750K buyout for his $9.75MM 2012 club option.
THURSDAY, 9:15am: Maholm gets three years plus a club option for a fourth, says Kovacevic. That option covers Maholm’s first free agent year.
Maholm, 26, posted a 3.71 ERA in 31 starts in 2008.
8:08am: According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates reached an agreement on a multiyear deal with starter Paul Maholm. The deal is expected to cover his three arbitration years. I imagine Maholm will earn something in the $12-13MM range for those three years.
This was Maholm’s first arb year; he submitted $3.8MM while the Pirates countered at $2.65MM ($3.225MM midpoint).
Mariners Eyeing Bobby Abreu
Yesterday Ken Rosenthal wrote that "the Mariners view Bobby Abreu as an ideal fit, major-league sources say, but it is unclear whether they can afford him." Today, Larry Stone elaborates on Seattle’s interest in Abreu.
Stone says Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg confirmed ongoing contact with the Mariners regarding Abreu. Abreu is open to playing in Seattle or anywhere else. However, they cannot afford him unless they make room in the payroll by moving salary. Greenberg confirmed that Abreu is now open to a one-year deal. Abreu told Greenberg he’d win the MVP and then go out on the market again.
Stone suggests the Ms would have to trade Jarrod Washburn ($10.35MM), Miguel Batista ($9MM), or Carlos Silva ($11MM) to clear ’09 payroll space for Abreu.