Players Tendered Contracts
I realized it would be easier to put all of these "avoided arbitration" stories into one post and keep updating it. So starting now, we’ll do that. We’ll use another post for the non-tenders.
- The Mets tendered contracts to Ryan Church, John Maine, Pedro Feliciano, Duaner Sanchez and Jeremy Reed.
- Eric Bruntlett and Clay Condrey were signed, and Ryan Madson, Jayson Werth, Joe Blanton, Chad Durbin, Ryan Howard, Greg Dobbs, Cole Hamels and Shane Victorino were tendered contracts.
- The Angels are bringing back all their guys – Chone Figgins, Robb Quinlan, Maicer Izturis, Ervin Santana and Mike Napoli.
- Brandon Backe, Geoff Geary, Wandy Rodriguez, Tim Byrdak, Jose Valverde and Humberto Quintero were tendered contracts by the Astros.
- The Dodgers tendered contracts to Russell Martin, Andre Ethier and Jonathan Broxton. Jason Repko too.
- The Padres tendered contracts to Scott Hairston, Jody Gerut, Luis Rodriguez and Heath Bell.
- The Cubs signed Chad Gaudin and Neal Cotts and tendered contracts to Kevin Gregg, Michael Wuertz, Ronny Cedeno. Gaudin and Cotts signed one-year deals, for $2MM and $1.1MM respectively. We also have word they signed Reed Johnson for $3MM.
- The Braves tendered contracts to Kelly Johnson, Matt Diaz, Jeff Francoeur, Mike Gonzalez, Omar Infante and Casey Kotchman
- The Nationals signed Willie Harris to a two-year, $3MM contract. They also tendered contracts to Ryan Zimmerman, Josh Willingham, Scott Olsen and Shawn Hill.
- C. Trent Rosecrans e-mails that the Reds will tender Edwin Encarnacion a contract.
- The Brewers tendered contracts to Prince Fielder, J.J. Hardy, Corey Hart, Rickie Weeks, Dave Bush, and Seth McClung.
- The Blue Jays tendered contracts to Jason Frasor, Brian Tallet, Brandon League, and Jose Bautista.
- The Giants tendered Jack Taschner a contract.
- The Indians tendered a contract to Kelly Shoppach.
- Twins tendered contracts to Jason Kubel and Matt Guerrier.
- A’s signed Rob Bowen.
- White Sox signed DeWayne Wise for $550K and Wilson Betemit for $1.3MM.
- Tigers signed Ramon Santiago for $825K.
Indians Close To Deal With Wood
FRIDAY, 5:34pm: According to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, we should hear the Indians’ decision on the Wood signing by Saturday. Indians president Paul Dolan has the final call.
9:41am: Looking for a Kerry Wood update? The AP is reporting that he took his physical yesterday, and team doctors are taking a look. They say it may still take a few days before the official announcement.
WEDNESDAY, 4:42pm: Castrovince says Wood is headed to Cleveland for a Thursday physical. He believes the two-year, $20MM deal will include a third-year option of some variety.
11:37am: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Indians are closing in on a two-year, $20MM deal with Wood. Jon Paul Morosi reported the same earlier today.
TUESDAY, 11:17pm: Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune reports Wood reached an agreement with the Indians on what is believed to be a two-year deal with a vesting option. It’s unclear if Rogers is offering up new information here or just summarizing what we know.
7:44pm: John Perrotto says the Indians signed off on Wood’s medical reports and will likely announce the signing today or tomorrow.
5:36pm: The AP says the Indians are close to a two-year deal with Wood.
5:01pm: Peter Gammons says the Indians are making progress with Wood but still talking to alternatives.
4:21pm: Yahoo’s Gordon Edes says an Indians source expressed confidence that the team is close to signing Wood, probably to a two-year deal with a vesting option. The AP agrees.
3:12pm: Castrovince says his Wood report "appears to be legit." Multiple sources have confirmed to him that a deal "could be cemented soon." Wood would still have to pass a physical though.
3:03pm: ESPN’s Keith Law:
A source with Cleveland indicated that the Indians are still "actively engaged in the closer market" but haven’t settled on one player or finalized a deal yet.
1:15pm: According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians appear closer to a two-year deal with Kerry Wood. The deal may contain a third-year option.
Orioles Working To Trade Daniel Cabrera
The Orioles do not want to pay Daniel Cabrera‘s $4MMish salary in 2009, that much is certain. Peter Schmuck of the Baltimore Sun says Andy MacPhail is trying to trade Cabrera, and otherwise he’ll be non-tendered.
Cabrera, 28 in May, saw his strikeout rate plummet in 2008. He also lost a couple miles per hour off his fastball.
Yankees Sign A.J. Burnett
According to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick, the Yankees reached a preliminary agreement with A.J. Burnett on a five-year, $82.5MM deal ($16.5MM per year on average). The deal is pending a physical, and some final terms must be hammered out. The Blue Jays will receive the Yankees’ second-round pick in next year’s draft, plus a supplemental pick.
That’s $243.5MM spent by the Yankees on starting pitching, unless C.C. Sabathia opts out. The Braves will have to figure out a Plan B.
Fantasy: Ramon Hernandez-Ryan Freel Swap
Tuesday’s trade of Ramon Hernandez for Ryan Freel had significant fantasy baseball implications. Check out my analysis over at RotoAuthority, my other website.
Fantasy Analysis: J.J. Putz Trade
It’s never too early to think about fantasy baseball. Head on over to RotoAuthority to read my take on the J.J. Putz blockbuster from a fantasy point of view.
Reds Sign Arthur Rhodes
FRIDAY: John Fay of the Cincy Enquirer says Rhodes passed his physical and the deal is official.
THURSDAY: According to Ken Rosenthal, the Reds have reached a preliminary agreement with lefty reliever Arthur Rhodes on a two-year, $4MM deal. It’s pending a physical. Rhodes was a Type B free agent, but the Marlins did not offer arbitration so they will not get draft pick compensation.
White Sox Sign Viciedo
FRIDAY, 12-12-08: The Viciedo signing is official. The 19 year-old third baseman get a four-year, $10MM deal.
FRIDAY, 11-21-08: According to ESPN’s Enrique Rojas, Viciedo gets a four-year deal. South Side Sox offers commentary.
THURSDAY: According to Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune, the White Sox reached an agreement with 19 year-old Cuban third baseman Dayan Viciedo on a big league deal worth about $11MM. Alexei Ramirez and Jose Contreras should help Viciedo get comfortable when he joins the big league team. In June, it was reported that 14 teams expressed interest in Viciedo.
A.J. Burnett Rumors: Friday
2:45pm: Joel Sherman of the New York Post says both teams have guaranteed five years. The Yankees are offering "just beyond" $80MM and the Braves at least that amount. Sherman believes those to be the best and final offers and expects Burnett to choose sometime between today and Monday.
11:54am: Burnett is in "decision-making" mode, according to his agent.
9:05am: Kat O’Brien and Ken Davidoff of Newsday talked to Hal Steinbrenner, who said he’s optimistic about the Yankees signing A.J. Burnett. They have a five-year, $80MM offer on the table. It seems possible the Braves may have matched it, but it’s not confirmed.
Odds and Ends: Kawakami, Max Ramirez, Lowell
Links for Friday…
- Mets owner Fred Wilpon lost some dough.
- The Red Sox expressed interest in Kenshin Kawakami yesterday. Michael Silverman says Kawakami is expected to choose a team and sign in January (the Orioles are also interested).
- John Perrotto says the Marlins like Max Ramirez and are willing to trade pitching prospect Ryan Tucker.
- Bernie Williams will play winter ball in preparation for the World Baseball Classic.
- Paul Sullivan says Cubs manager Lou Piniella was upset at the thought of losing Mark DeRosa.
- Rany Jazayerli weighs in on the Royals’ signing of Kyle Farnsworth. Joe Posnanski talks about Farnsworth and many other topics.
- Andrew Baggarly says the Giants are not interested in Mike Lowell.
- Bob Elliott says the Blue Jays had an agreement to pay the Braves to take Everth Cabrera seventh in the Rule 5 draft, but the Padres picked him third.