AL Central Notes: Tigers, Twins, Hicks, Indians
Here's a look at tonight's news out of the AL Central..
- Tigers right-hander Bruce Rondon struck out two and did not issue a walk this afternoon in what was his best outing of the Grapefruit League season so far. In fact, if the rookie had thrown this well in his previous outings, the Tigers would probably feel more confident about their closer situation, writes Chris Iott of MLive.com. The Tigers are said to be scouring the trade market in search of a proven ninth-inning option.
- When asked if whether starting the service time clock will play a role in whether prospect Aaron Hicks makes team, Twins General Manager Terry Ryan responded, "Not here," according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com (on Twitter). Recently, our own Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at service time considerations for Hicks and other top prospects across baseball.
- The pain of a 68-94 season was the Indians' motivating factor in going out and getting Michael Bourn, Nick Swisher, Mark Reynolds, and Brett Myers, CEO Paul Dolan told Terry Pluto of The Plain Dealer. "We didn't want to go through something like that again," he said. "In some ways, it was a shock we needed."
New York Notes: Yankees, Mets, Wells, Rivera
Earlier today, MLBTR readers were fairly split on what the Yankees should look to do next. About 32% of you said that the Bombers should just work with what they have, nearly 28% want to see the Yanks to land an infielder and an outfielder, and 26% say that GM Brian Cashman should pursue either a first or third baseman. Here's more on what the Yankees may (or may not) do before Opening Day and some items on the Mets..
- The Mariners probably won't make someone truly intriguing such as Kyle Seager or Michael Saunders available for the Yankees, but Casper Wells could be in play, writes Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The 28-year-old is out of options, might not have a roster spot and showed that he can hit well against lefties last season.
- Over the past several months, the Mets have quietly made a series of promotions in the front office, writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. Dick Scott, who worked with J.P. Ricciardi in Toronto, is now director of player development. Adam Fisher, who is a holdover from the Omar Minaya era was promoted from manager of baseball operations to director of baseball operations. Former assistant director of minor league operations Jon Miller also earned a promotion, moving up to director of minor league operations.
- Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd) reflected on the career of Mariano Rivera and his importance to the Yankees franchise over the years. The legendary closer has decided that he will call it a career after the 2013 season.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Sale, Detwiler, Rondon, A’s
On this date in 1930, Babe Ruth inked a two-year deal with the Yankees worth $160K which renewed his status as the highest paid player of all time. After the deal was completed, General Manager Ed Barrow predicted that, “No one will ever be paid more.” Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- South Side Sox has eight comparable cases for Chris Sale.
- Federal Baseball wonders what we might see from Ross Detwiler in 2013.
- I R Fast wonders if Bruce Rondon is ready to be a closer.
- A's Farm talked with Oakland's director of baseball operations about the club's young talent.
- Yankees Fans Unite recaps a jinxed spring training.
- Pinstripe Pundits reminds Mike Trout how lucky he is to play in this era.
- Couch Side Show isn't high on the Rockies' rotation.
- Hot Stove Heat is hoping that Trout doesn't let his meager pay bump affect him on the field.
- Rising Apple doesn't put much stock into who gets the starting nod on Opening Day.
- Phoul Ballz checked in with Phillies prospect Cody Asche.
- Lasorda's Lair is a little worried about Carl Crawford.
- Baltimore Sports and Life spoke with Jerry Crasnick.
- MLB CPI has a composite list of top prospects culled from the best sites on the net.
- Kingdome Of Seattle Sports believes that the M's recent power surge is a good sign.
- Baseball Hot Corner has five prospects to get excited about in 2013.
- The Doubleday examines the magic and myth of the age 27 season.
- Close Call gives their winners of the offseason.
- i70 Baseball looks at the Cards' organizational depth at third base.
- The Daily Statesman spoke with Tony LaRussa.
- Bless You Boys crunches some numbers to find the odds of making it to the majors.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
Quick Hits: Cardinals, Wainwright, Tigers, Porcello
Links from around baseball as Wednesday turns into Thursday..
- Cardinals GM John Mozeliak sounded upbeat about the club's contract talks with Adam Wainwright in an interview earlier today with Jim Duquette and Mike Ferrin of SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio. "Right now, I feel pretty optimistic that we’re going to find a way to get things done, but there are still challenges. But from my end of things, the fact that Steve Hammond and I are speaking is a good thing," said the GM.
- Tigers manager Jim Leyland recently floated the idea that using Rick Porcello as a closer could be an option, but he walked it back earlier today and said that it would be "highly unlikely", writes Jason Beck of MLB.com. Porcello is a trade candidate for Detroit due to their strong rotation depth.
- Jane Lee of MLB.com doesn't see the A's carrying two true first baseman this season, which would mean Daric Barton being left on the outside looking in. Barton re-signed with the A's this winter on a one-year, non-guaranteed $1.1MM deal.
AL East Notes: Yankees, Blue Jays, Hill
The ability of Kevin Youkilis to play third or first will allow Brian Cashman to pursue a player at either position and he still could look for a better alternative in the outfield than Juan Rivera or Matt Diaz but don't expect them to do anything dramatic, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. Here's more on the Yankees and other news out of the American League East..
- There was more to the Blue Jays' Aaron Hill trade with the D'Backs than meets the eye, writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. Hill was struggling in Toronto and even though he hadn't asked for a change of scenery, General Manager Alex Anthopoulos felt that the second baseman was in need of one.
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) suggests Michael Cuddyer, Justin Morneau, Carlos Pena, Greg Dobbs, Casey Kotchman, Carlos Lee, and Aubrey Huff as potential first base options for the Yankees.
- Despite the Yankees' injury woes and fairly quiet offseason, it would be foolish for anyone to count them out, writes Matt Snyder of CBSSports.com.
AL Central Notes: Tigers, Bailey, Valverde, White Sox
Here's a look at some notes out of the AL Central..
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter) hears that the Tigers aren't just casually shopping for a closer, they have an all points bulletin out for one. We first heard yesterday that the Tigers are pushing to find a ninth-inning option and they have reportedly inquired on Carlos Marmol of the Cubs.
- There's no word yet on whether the Tigers called the Red Sox about Andrew Bailey, Heyman tweets. Heyman suggests that Jose Valverde would make sense on a one-year deal rather than giving something up in a trade, but all indications are that Detroit isn't looking to bring him back.
- Kenny Williams told Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com that he misses being a GM but doesn't miss the toll that it took on him. Williams ceded the title of GM to Rick Hahn and took on the role of executive vice president for the White Sox last year.
Rangers Agree To Sign Derek Lowe
8:39pm: Lowe will earn $1.25MM if he makes the big league roster, according to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (on Twitter). He can also earn an additional $1.7MM in performance bonuses, Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News tweets.
6:26pm: The Rangers have agreed to terms with Derek Lowe on a minor league deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). The right-hander is represented by Scott Boras, as shown in MLBTR's Agency Database. While Lowe is not guaranteed anything, he will almost certainly make the team, according to Grant.
Lowe, 39, spent 2012 with the Indians and Yankees, making 21 starts in Cleveland and 17 appearances out of the pen for New York. While the veteran has stated his preference for being in the rotation in the past, the Rangers plan to use him as a reliever. In total, Lowe posted a 5.11 ERA with 3.5 K/9 and 3.2 BB/9 across 142 2/3 innings of work.
The 6'6" hurler had interest from other clubs this offseason and received a minor league offer from the Rockies more than a month ago.
Rangers Won’t Sign Kyle Lohse
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Rangers were keeping in contact with agent Scott Boras regarding Kyle Lohse. However, a club source says tells T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com that Texas won’t be the team to take the top remaining free agent off of the market.
“We are not going to sign Kyle Lohse. I can’t be clearer than that,” said the source.
Some wondered if the Rangers might ramp up their pursuit of Lohse in the wake of Martin Perez‘s injury, given that the fractured ulna will keep him from throwing for about a month. However, it looks like Jon Daniels & Co. will instead look to get by with what they already have in-house.
Even though Lohse has sat on the shelf for much longer than anyone anticipated, Boras is reportedly seeking a three-year deal with a “big” annual salary. It’s still not clear which teams could be in on the 34-year-old as the Yankees and Indians are also not interested in signing him. Recently, Tim Dierkes predicted that Lohse would eventually settle for a one- or two-year deal.
Texas added a pitcher earlier today in Derek Lowe but the veteran will reportedly be used as a reliever if he makes the team.
Brian Wilson Won’t Sign Until After Opening Day
Free agent reliever Brian Wilson is still working to rehab from his second Tommy John surgery and prefers not to audition for clubs until he is 100 percent, a source with knowledge of pitcher's situation told Scott Miller of CBSSports.com. That means that it might be several weeks into the season until the former Giants standout is ready to sign.
Wilson is currently throwing bullpen sessions and is said to be at about “80 to 85 percent.” The soon-to-be 31-year-old threw in January for the Mets and his subpar showing led him to decide to wait until he is 100% before auditioning again.
It usually takes at least 12 months before a pitcher regains full strength following Tommy John surgery and Wilson, who went under the knife last April, is still shy of his one year anniversary. Giants skipper Bruce Bochy says that the club has not ruled out a return for Wilson while the Mets are an unlikely destination.
Carlos Marmol Drawing Trade Interest
Closer Carlos Marmol doesn't appear long for the Cubs and is likely to start the season elsewhere, writes Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. League sources say that several teams, including the Tigers, are taking a hard look at the reliever. Earlier today we learned that Detroit is actively trying to deal for a closer amidst concerns about rookie Bruce Rondon.
Marmol will earn nearly $10MM in the final year of his deal and can veto a trade to four West Coast clubs. One source says that Marmol would most likely waive that clause if it meant that he would be going to a contender.
Levine writes that the Cubs don't feel pressure to move Marmol but they would likely part with him for young pitching. Offseason acquisition Kyuji Fujikawa would step in as closer if Marmol is shipped elsewhere.
Recently, General Manager Jed Hoyer publicly asserted that Marmol would be the team's closer heading into this season. The Cubs nearly shipped the 30-year-old to the Angels in November for starter Dan Haren.