Big Unit Vs. Garland
Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic explains that the Diamondbacks’ Randy Johnson vs. Jon Garland decision was not as clear-cut as many (myself included) made it out to be.
Piecoro walks through Arizona’s timeline. At one point in November, they expected to receive (and budgeted for) first-round picks as compensation for Adam Dunn, Orlando Hudson, and Juan Cruz. They wisely changed their minds on Dunn on December 1st, and the Hudson/Cruz market has developed slowly. Along the way, several million dollars were added to the team’s starting pitcher budget.
Still, Piecoro guesses that the Diamondbacks preferred Garland to Johnson and didn’t want Johnson back that badly.
Fogg Leaning Toward Rockies
According to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post, free agent pitcher Josh Fogg is "leaning toward rejoining the Rockies and expects to make a decision this weekend." Many pitchers are battling for Jeff Francis‘ rotation spot while he deals with a shoulder injury. Fogg would join them on a non-guaranteed minor league deal worth less than a million bucks, and he could also get an out clause.
The Rockies had targeted Braden Looper earlier this winter, but can’t afford him now.
Should Top Free Agents Hold Out?
Interesting column from Ken Rosenthal this morning. He wonders if one way for top free agents such as Ben Sheets, Orlando Hudson, and Orlando Cabrera to swing the market back in their favor is to wait until after the season begins. We’ve seen the massive in-season demand for guys like Roger Clemens and Freddy Garcia in years past. New team needs open up midseason due to injuries and ineffectiveness, and free agents are usually superior to trades. Plus, waiting until mid-June eliminates the draft pick issue for Type As who were offered arbitration.
Takahashi Down To Four Teams
According to Kyodo News, free agent lefty Ken Takahashi has narrowed his choices down to four MLB teams. He is seeking a Major League contract; Patrick Newman has further details.
Takahashi, 41 in April, posted a 3.50 ERA in 115.6 innings in Japan last year.
Chat With Matthew Cerrone
Click below to hear my recent chat with SNY’s Matthew Cerrone.
Mets, Maine Avoid Arbitration
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Mets avoided arbitration with John Maine by signing him at the midpoint for $2.6MM for ’09 (plus another $25K based on innings pitched). Maine had submitted $3MM, while the Mets had countered at $2.2MM.
Giants Sign Juan Uribe
10:47pm: Ken Rosenthal’s source says the Giants’ Uribe signing will not affect their pursuit of Crede.
2:58pm: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Giants signed infielder Juan Uribe to a minor league deal potentially worth about $1MM. Not sure if this affects the team’s interest in Joe Crede.
Uribe, 30 in March, hit .247/.296/.386 for the White Sox in 353 plate appearances last year while playing second base, third base, and a little bit of shortstop. Based on the plus/minus system, his defense has been below-average in recent years.
Wolf, Dodgers Resume Talks
According to MLB.com’s Ken Gurnick, the Dodgers resumed contract talks with Randy Wolf. He’s thought to be asking for a deal similar to Jon Garland‘s ($7-9MM). While Wolf is the Dodgers’ first choice, he’s expected to wait until the Mets reach a resolution with Oliver Perez. So once again, we’re waiting on the notoriously patient Scott Boras.
Gurnick says the Dodgers also spoke to Braden Looper‘s agent today; he’s their backup plan.
Jason Varitek Rumors: Thursday
7:58pm: Alex Speier of WEEI provides us with a Varitek-relevant quote from Curt Schilling’s appearance on the Big Show:
“I’ve talked with Jason a couple different times about this. I think there’s probably some discussion going on around the parameters of a deal since it was put on the table. In fact, I know there (has been). I think you’re going to end up with a deal that nets Jason the $10 million over two years, somehow guaranteed or tied into some incentives, that keeps him here, or I think he might end up taking the one-year deal. I’m not positive, but at the end of the day I think it’s going to be Jason Varitek catching for the Boston Red Sox, which is really all I care about."
5:01pm: Former teammate Sean Casey had this to say on the MLB Network Thursday:
"I’d be shocked if ‘Tek doesn’t come back to Boston. The fans love him there. The guys in that clubhouse love ‘Tek. I can’t imagine Jason Varitek putting on a uniform besides the Boston Red Sox. I saw him a few weeks ago. I know he wants to come back to the Red Sox. So I hope they get that done. I think it would be good for both sides, no doubt about it, especially that pitching staff."
3:50pm: Varitek faces a Friday morning (8:30am) deadline, says Tony Massarotti. Massarotti’s source adds that Varitek is "very seriously considering the option of sitting out the 2009 season and/or retiring rather than accepting the contract offer made to him last week."
Massarotti adds that the Red Sox are expected to reopen trade talks for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Miguel Montero, independent of Varitek.
9:55am: A quote from WEEI’s Michael Holley in regard to Jason Varitek this morning:
"I have moles who have told me if the deadline were today, no deal." Catch the audio here, about 13 minutes in.
The deadline is tomorrow. Michael Silverman noted today that if Varitek declines the current $5MM plus an option offer, the Red Sox would either move on or make a lesser offer.
O’Brien On Braves’ Outfield Options
David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on the Braves’ quest to add a power-hitting outfielder:
We think they’d like to make it one of these guys, maybe in this order of preference: 1. Bobby Abreu (we’ll explain), 2. Xavier Nady or Nick Swisher (both Yankees, one or the other expected to be traded), and 4. (there can’t be a No. 3 if two guys are tied for No. 2) Adam Dunn, whose asking price (reportedly $14MM per year) is still way, waaay above what the Braves have to spend.
O’Brien says the Braves have roughly $5-9MM to work with, and they also hope to sign Will Ohman and Tom Glavine. O’Brien then runs through the pros and cons of adding Abreu, Nady, Swisher, and Dunn.