Astros Avoid Arb With Backe, Byrdak
4:10pm: MLB.com’s Alyson Footer says the Astros signed Byrdak for $1MM.
12:03pm: According to the Houston Chronicle’s Brian McTaggart:
Astros general manager Ed Wade said today the club signed righthander Brandon Backe to a one-year, $1.55 million contract worth more than $1 million more in incentives.
The Astros filed figures for Tim Byrdak, Geoff Geary, and Wandy Rodriguez, but will continue negotiating in advance of the scheduled February hearings.
Cubs Sign Kadokura, Rivas, Stanton
This is another minor signing that was covered earlier but perhaps got buried – the Cubs inked Japanese righty Ken Kadokura to a minor league deal. He didn’t pitch much in ’08; not sure why at this time. The Cubs also added Luis Rivas, Mike Stanton, and a bunch of other non-roster guys.
Ryan Howard Submits $18MM
According to the AP, Ryan Howard asked for $18MM in arbitration. The Phillies put in a $14MM figure. Prince Fielder requested a pretty reasonable $8MM; the Brewers came in at $6MM.
Cubs Avoid Arb With Kevin Gregg, Mike Wuertz
TUESDAY: MLB.com’s Carrie Muskat says Mike Wuertz signed for $1.1MM.
MONDAY: According to Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune, the Cubs avoided arbitration with reliever Kevin Gregg by signing him for $4.2MM for ’09. Gregg will be a free agent after the season.
Jays Avoid Arb With Frasor, Bautista
Add two more signings for the Jays: Jason Frasor ($1.45MM) and Jose Bautista ($2.4MM). We mentioned Jeremy Accardo ($900K plus incentives) earlier.
Mets, Oliver Perez Not Close To Deal
According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Mets realize now they won’t be locking up Oliver Perez quickly. Their reported three-year, $30MM offer is not on the table and Perez is still seeking about $60MM over five years. It’s the same old story regarding their backup plans: Ben Sheets, Randy Wolf, and Jon Garland.
Eight More Avoid Arbitration
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has seven more players who avoided arbitration today: Jeremy Accardo ($900K), Heath Bell ($1.225MM), Ryan Church ($2.8MM), Gerald Laird ($2.8MM), Javier Lopez ($1.35MM), Bobby Seay ($1.3MM), and Joel Zumaya ($735K). I think next year we’ll put all of these in one constantly-updated post.
ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says Angel Pagan signed for $575K.
Tim Hudson’s Option
TUESDAY: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick spoke to Hudson’s agent Paul Cohen today, who said Hudson’s 2010 option is mutual. Hudson can void it if the Braves exercise it (info came via an email from Crasnick).
FRIDAY: David O’Brien fills in readers on Tim Hudson‘s 2010 option:
I asked about Hudson’s option today, and found out it’s not a mutual option, but a club option. Yes, they fully intend to exercise it, barring some unexpected turn of events.
That option is for $12MM with a $1MM buyout. Since Hudson had Tommy John surgery in August of ’08, he could make a second-half impact for the Braves this year.
Nady, Papelbon, Jackson Avoid Arb
Dylan Hernandez has three new ones: Xavier Nady ($6.55MM), Jonathan Papelbon ($6.25MM), and Edwin Jackson ($2.2MM plus $200K in incentives). Papelbon tops Bobby Jenks‘ first-year arb reliever record of $5.6MM, set yesterday. ESPN’s Jayson Stark has more; he says Papelbon and the Red Sox discussed multiyear deals but couldn’t find a match. It may be revisited.
Odds and Ends: Arb, Royals, Compensation
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 3pm CST (one hour later than usual).
- 16 starters were chosen within the first seven rounds of 2008 fantasy drafts. How many were worth it?
- Confused about all this arbitration stuff? Read this.
- Fred Claire notes that teams continue to sign pitchers to long-term deals.
- Just for the fun of it, Joe Posnanski envisions a Royals alternate reality where they drafted perfectly in 1999.
- Mike Axisa attempts to fix the free agent compensation system.
- Rinku and Dinesh hang with Barry Bonds.
- Ken Davidoff suggests the Mets sign Ben Sheets, Jon Garland, and Ty Wigginton.
- We’ve been doing many entries lately so be sure to check Page Two and Page Three for more.