Red Sox Extend Dustin Pedroia
The Red Sox have secured the face of their franchise through the 2021 season. The team today officially announced the signing of second baseman Dustin Pedroia to an eight-year extension that will take effect in 2014. Pedroia, who is represented by ACES, will reportedly receive $110MM over the life of the contract.
Prior to this agreement, Pedroia was on a contract that paid him $10MM in 2013 and 2014 with a team-friendly club option for $11MM in 2015. The fresh contract will start in 2014 and slightly increase his salary next season but provide the Red Sox with an average annual value of less than $14MM for the four-time All-Star and 2008 American League MVP. In essence, he is receiving seven additional years and $100MM in new money.
Pedroia will reportedly receive a $1MM signing bonus before earning $12.5MM in 2014-15, $13MM in 2016, $15MM in 2017, $16MM in 2018, $15MM in 2019, $13MM in 2020 and $12MM in 2021. The contract also contains some deferred money and a full no-trade clause.
We learned late last week that the Red Sox had begun talks with the soon-to-be 30-year-old on an extension. It’s possible that the Red Sox were motivated by Robinson Cano‘s impending free agency to lock up their own standout second baseman. A colossal deal for the Yankees star would ostensibly raise the bar for players at that position.
In 449 plate appearances this season, Pedroia is slashing .308/.385/.422 with six home runs. For his career, the four-time All-Star owns a career slash line of .303/.371/.457. In addition to his bat, Pedroia delivers plenty of value with his glove, as he’s consistently among the best fielding second basemen in the game. Ultimate Zone Rating suggests that Pedroia saves 9.5 runs per 150 games played, while The Fielding Bible feels that he’s been 74 runs above average over the course of 8192 1/3 innings at second base. To date, Fangraphs pegs Pedroia’s value at 32.3 wins above replacement, while Baseball-Reference values his on-field contributions at 36.2 WAR.
Pedroia’s contract tops the previous deals signed by superstar second baseman such as Chase Utley, Ian Kinsler and Brandon Phillips (also an ACES client). By signing this deal, Pedroia will become the first second baseman to receive a contract of $100MM or more. The new pact represents the first significant contract extension by Ben Cherington since becoming Boston’s general manager, though Cherington did work out a two-year deal to avoid arbitration with left-hander Craig Breslow.
Rob Bradford of WEEI.com was the first to report the extension and the full no-trade protection (Twitter links). WEEI.com’s Alex Speier provided the year-to-year breakdown of Pedroia’s contract (on Twitter).
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
Angels Claim J.C. Gutierrez Off Waivers
The Angels have claimed J.C. Gutierrez off of waivers from the Royals, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (via Twitter). The right-hander was designated for assignment by Kansas City earlier this month in order to make room for Wade Davis as he returned from paternity leave.
The 30-year-old has a solid 3.38 ERA with 5.2 K/9 and 2.5 BB/9 in 25 relief appearances this season. Over the course of his career, Gutierrez has a 4.58 ERA with 7.7 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in parts of five campaigns for the Astros, Diamondbacks, and Royals. The well-traveled reliever boasts a mid-90s fastball and so far in 2013 he’s been clocking in with a career high 95 mph average.
Astros Pitchers Drawing Major Interest
Astros starting pitcher Bud Norris and reliever Jose Veras are drawing considerable interest and it's likely that both players will be traded, sources tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. The Astros have said that they don't need to move Norris as his $3MM salary is affordable, but that also increases his value on the market.
The Orioles are one of the clubs that realize the value of Norris and other Astros hurlers. Even though they've already been aggressive on the trade market by acquiring Scott Feldman from the Cubs and Francisco Rodriguez from the Brewers, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that they're likely not done and are speaking with Houston about acquiring more arms. Baltimore likely would balk at the trade price for Norris – one report earlier this month said they're seeking two top prospects – but they could zero in on former O's lefty Erik Bedard or right-hander Lucas Harrell, sources told Rosenthal.
Meanwhile, one might guess that the Tigers would be among the leading suitors for Veras, but Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) hears that the Detroit front office is split on him. Knobler's best guess is that the Tigers don't make a play for the reliever, but there are some within the organization that are fans.
Heyman notes that the Red Sox, Pirates, Phillies, Rangers, Giants, and Dodgers have also shown interest in Norris at some point, which should make for some competitive bidding. Meanwhile, just about every contending team is considering relief help and the Pirates could be in that group after Jason Grilli was put on the shelf with a forearm issue.
Veras has a 3.12 ERA on the season with 9.6 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 on the season. Norris is also enjoying a solid campaign, posting a 3.91 ERA with 6.2 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 through 20 starts.
Matt Garza Rumors: Sunday
Yesterday, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com heard that a deal that would send Matt Garza from the Cubs to the Rangers could still go "either way". Today, it's a different story. Here's the latest on Chicago's prized right-hander:
- A Major League source tells Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe the Red Sox's interest level in Garza is deepening (Twitter link). This comes in the wake of the news Clay Buchholz will seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews tomorrow. Manager John Farrell, as quoted by WEEI.com's Alex Speier on Twitter, explained the purpose of the visit is for "verification and clarification to get some peace of mind."
- Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times (free registration required) calls the Pirates "the team du jour" after GM Neal Huntington's comments earlier today and adds the Orioles, who are scouting the Cubs on their current road trip, are viewed as sleepers for Garza.
Earlier Updates
- The Cubs have worked to draw competing offers into the Garza bidding in order to create alternatives to Texas, tweets ESPN's Buster Olney.
- Cubs manager Dale Sveum told reporters, including the Chicago Sun-Times' Gordon Wittenmyer (Twitter link), Garza will "100 percent" make his start tomorrow against the Diamondbacks.
- The Cubs would prefer to deal Garza before his scheduled start tomorrow against Arizona, sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- The Rangers and Cubs were set back in talks to the point where the Rangers are now viewed as only one of many teams now in the mix for Garza, Heyman writes. For now it seems that Texas and Chicago made no progress in overcoming the snag that derailed their swap on Friday night, though the Rangers aren't out of it. The deal that fell apart included a package of Rangers prospects, with third baseman Mike Olt and pitchers C.J. Edwards and Neil Ramirez thought to have been on the table.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.
Central Notes: Peavy, Gallardo, K-Rod, Tigers, Pirates
The three most prominent starting pitcher trade candidates reside in baseball's Central divisions: Matt Garza (Cubs), Jake Peavy (White Sox), and Yovani Gallardo (Brewers). The latest on the Garza rumors can be found here while Fred Mitchell of the Chicago Tribune reports at least a half dozen scouts, including ex-Cub GMs Jim Hendry (Yankees) and Ed Lynch (Blue Jays) were on hand to see Peavy's outing against the Braves last night. "There are a lot of eyes on me, period," Peavy said after allowing two earned runs on seven hits during his six-inning stint (96 pitches). "I was trying to win for (27,294 fans) who came to support us. Whatever the scouts see, they see. I love to play and I love to compete. I want to win, that's the bottom line." The bottom line with Gallardo, according to a tweet from ESPN's Jayson Stark, is not a lot of enthusiasm for what two executives called a "4-5 starter" despite tossing six and 1/3 shutout innings against the Marlins last night. Here's more from the Central:
- The Tigers have made initial inquiries with the Padres about their relievers, sources tell FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi (Twitter link). Morosi lists Huston Street and Luke Gregerson as possibilities.
- Both the Tigers and Red Sox are scouting Brewers' closer Francisco Rodriguez, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com.
- The Pirates' biggest need is another bat but they are also exploring the pitching market and seeking a bench upgrade, tweets Jim Bowden of ESPN.com.
- Pirates GM Neal Huntington told reporters, including the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review's Rob Biertempfel (Twitter link), "We know players we want and we know what we're willing to give up. We're willing to stretch lot on some guys, not so much others."
- Huntington acknowledges he has the flexibility to add payroll "within reason," but would not elaborate, per a Biertempfel tweet.
- The Pirates had lost three in a row and Huntington blamed their struggles on BABIP, tweets Michael Sanserino of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. The Pirates have also scuffled with runners in scoring position breaking an 0-for-29 drought with a pair of RBI singles this afternoon.
- Brandon Phillips addressed the reaction to his recent comments in a Cincinnati Magazine article, which quoted him as saying the six-year, $72.5MM contract extension he signed with the Reds in 2012 was a "slap in the face" and that GM Walt Jocketty and owner Bob Castellini lied to him during the process. "Do I feel like they lied to me? If someone tells me they don’t have no money and you find $200 million somewhere, what does that sound like?" Phillips told C. Trent Rosecrans of the Cincinnati Enquirer, referencing the ten-year, $225MM deal first baseman Joey Votto completed with the Reds about a week before his own deal was announced. "I’m very happy for Joey, don’t get me wrong," the second baseman added. "It was basically, if you think about it, I was saying I thought I wasn’t going to be a Cincinnati Red … if y’all want to take that to the negative way, be my guest, that doesn’t bother me."
- While there has been a great deal of speculation about Justin Morneau and other Twins, rival executives haven’t sensed a big push from Minnesota to make deals, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
Edward Creech contributed to this post.
Cafardo On Saunders, Kubel, Reed, Tigers
In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Pirates have lofty dreams and the talent to make them a reality. “It’s certainly nice to feel that buzz in the city, and the recognition we get, it’s nothing we don’t deserve,” standout pitcher Jeff Locke said. “Some of our guys play with a chip on their shoulder because now that we’re doing well, everybody loves us. Everybody’s wearing Pirates hats. This city has a lot of passion for its sports teams. I know when the Bruins were playing the Penguins it would take me 45 minutes to go about four-10ths of a mile because of the traffic in the city. I know how passionate people are about their team. People are coming out and they believe in us.” Here's more from today's column..
- Mariners left-hander Joe Saunders should become a commodity after Matt Garza is moved and even though Seattle isn't looking to trade him, they'll certainly listen to offers. Cafardo cautions not to be surprised if the Orioles look to reacquire him after he pitched so well for them late last season.
- The Diamondbacks are open to dealing Jason Kubel if they can get a pitcher in return. Kubel, who hit 30 homers last season, has only five to go along with a .237/.315/.356 slash line.
- White Sox closer Addison Reed is available, though the price will be much steeper than it was for Matt Thornton, or will be for Jesse Crain once he’s back in action. There’s been a lot of speculation about the Tigers being a player for him, and all indications are that GM Rick Hahn would be willing to deal him to a division rival if the return was decent.
- Brewers third baseman Aramis Ramirez is due to come off of the DL tomorrow and could become a trade chip for Milwaukee if he shows that he is healthy.
AL East Notes: Yankees, Hafner, Rays
If the Yankees don't acquire a hitter before the July 31st trade deadline, it won't necessarily be for a lack of trying. "The phone calls are taking place, but nothing to show for it,” Cashman said. “I think if you’re looking for offense, Exhibit A is, name me the bat that’s moved already? It hasn’t. Exhibit B is, look at all the big rumors out there – they’re involving pitchers … It’s just an offensive offense market." Here's the latest on the Yankees and other news out of the AL East..
- Travis Hafner's inability to play the field could result in his release from the Yankees, explains Joel Sherman of the New York Post. When/if Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez return to action, they'll need the respite of playing DH more than ever. Hafner could save his job if he picks things up, but he hasn't hit with much power lately.
- Rays team president Matt Silverman isn't a huge fan of MLB's competitive balance lottery, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. "The competitive balance lottery is a lot more lottery and a lot less competitive balance," Silverman said. "Perhaps one day these picks will make strides against the imbalance in our game. For now it is about competitive balance in name only." The Rays got a Round B pick in the inaugural lottery (after Round 2) rather than the preferred Round A (after Round 1).
- While the Yankees would like to count on an in-house boost rather than give something up via trade, they have to accept that guys like Jeter and Rodriguez are basically day-to-day for the rest of their careers and cannot plan to have them next week, next month, or next year, Sherman writes.
Rosenthal On Rios, Johnson, D’Backs, Reds
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports has posted his latest edition of Full Count. Here's a look at the highlights..
- It'll be interesting to see what the White Sox get for Alex Rios if they decide to deal him. Position players are usually easier to move in the winter and clubs view his deal differently. He earns $12.5MM per season through 2014 with a $13.5MM club option for 2015. On one hand, that's a reasonable price tag for someone who hits 20 homers, gets 20 steals, and can play outstanding defense. On the other, as recently as 2011, he had a .613 OPS. For the White Sox to make a worthwhile deal, they may have to throw in prospects and cash.
- It was amusing to hear that the Blue Jays weren't interested in trading Josh Johnson since his value has plummeted anyway. The best move for Toronto is to keep him, hope he has a strong second half, and make him a qualifying offer after the season. That would either net the Blue Jays a compensatory pick or another year of Johnson at less than $14MM.
- The Diamondbacks aren't jumping after Matt Garza, Jake Peavy, or even Bud Norris. What they want is a younger starter that they can control long term, ideally someone like the White Sox's Chris Sale or the Cubs' Jeff Samardzija. There's no evidence that either player is available in any way, but Samardzija in particular would fit the tough demeanor that Arizona wants out of their starters. Another option is to promote Archie Bradley, but first they want to see how Brandon McCarthy and Trevor Cahill come back from their injuries.
- The Reds are one of the teams that have inquired about the Phillies' Michael Young, but they remain in a difficult spot. Three of their most important pitchers, Jonathan Broxton, Johnny Cueto, and Sean Marshall, remain on the DL. They're getting below average production out of third base and left field and both prospect depth and payroll flexibility are issues. A healthy Ryan Ludwick would help matters as well, but he hasn't played the entire season and he relies on timing more than most.
Phillies Notes: Young, Adams, Asche
It's not a major shock, but Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (via Twitter) hears that the Phillies still aren't looking to sell. That's sure to be a disappointment to teams like the Yankees and Red Sox, who have interest in dealing for Michael Young. Of course, the Phillies have other veterans who would be of use to rival clubs, including Chase Utley, Cliff Lee, and Jonathan Papelbon, but they'll likely hang on to them as they look to make something happen in 2013. Here's more out of the NL East..
- Mike Adams has been officially ruled out for 2013 and will likely miss part of 2014 as doctors have declared that he will require surgery for multiple tears in his shoulder, writes Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Adams, who is owed $7MM next season, was thought to be a trade candidate this time a month ago if the Phillies decided to sell at the deadline.
- If the Phillies have a change of heart and wind up moving Young, third base prospect Cody Asche could wind up filling his shoes at the big league level, write Bob Brookover, Gelb, and Marc Narducci of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
- Delmon Young cashed in on a $100K bonus this week as it was his 80th day on the active roster and he'll make another $150K with another 18 plate appearances, notes Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer.
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