East Notes: Red Sox, Ellsbury, Santana, Nationals
Here's a look at items out of the AL and NL East..
- Jacoby Ellsbury insists that the Red Sox aren't evaluating him differently because of his injury history, writes Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com. "They know how it happened," he said. "What I went through wasn't the result of me not being prepared or anything like that. Two contacts: One, I collided with a guy [Adrian Beltre]. The other I got cannonballed on [by Reid Brignac]."
- Just as the Mets did with Francisco Rodriguez in 2011, Matthew Cerrone of MetsBlog believes the club will do whatever is necessary to keep Johan Santana from triggering his option. However, it seems unlikely that Santana will pitch the 215 innings necessary to guarantee a $25MM salary in 2014.
- If Ellsbury is concerned about his next contract as he heads into his walk year, he's not showing any signs of it, writes MLB.com's Ian Browne.
- In an Insider only piece for ESPN.com, Jim Bowden praises Nationals GM Mike Rizzo for his strong offseason. While the Nats didn't necessarily need another closer, they went out and got another one anyway in Rafael Soriano while the Tigers thought they could get by with rookie Bruce Rondon at closer. Bowden writes that it's not hard to imagine a scenario in which Soriano is the difference in a Detroit-Washington World Series.
West Notes: Mariners, Dodgers, Helton, Rangers
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com weighed in with five likes and dislikes for the 2013 Mariners today. Heyman is a fan of the M's improved offense thanks in particular to the additions of Mike Morse and Kendrys Morales. On top of that, less-heralded pickups like Raul Ibanez, Jason Bay, and Kelly Shoppach could also help Seattle put more runs on the board this season. Here's more out of the AL and NL West..
- Dodgers manager Don Mattingly says that Jerry Hairston Jr. might have a future as a coach or a manager, writes Mark Saxon of ESPNLosAngeles.com. However, the 36-year-old first has to decide when he's going to retire. Hairston will serve as the backup in left field, right field, and third base this year and assess his future after the season.
- Todd Helton's teammates say that the veteran can be a significant contributor in what will likely be his final season, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Even Helton, who will earn $5MM in the final year of his deal, acknowledges that this is likely the end of the road.
- If Rangers execs Nolan Ryan and Jon Daniels can't coexist, then Ryan should be the one to go, opines Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News. Ryan is reportedly unhappy with the idea of ceding power to the newly promoted GM.
Rangers Notes: Lohse, Ryan, Daniels
Last night, we learned that the Rangers made an inquiry on Tigers right-hander Rick Porcello. Texas was one of several teams who had scouts in attendance for Porcello's Monday against the Astros where he recorded six strikeouts and no walks across four scoreless innings. Here's the latest out of Arlington..
- In this week's inbox, a reader asked MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan if the Rangers will sign Kyle Lohse given the question marks surrounding their arms. Sources tell Sullivan that a deal is still not likely to happen and they are still determined to find a fifth starter between Robbie Ross, Nicholas Tepesch, and Randy Wells. The Rangers are also confident that Colby Lewis could be back in the rotation by the end of May.
- Despite talk that Nolan Ryan may part ways with the Rangers over Jon Daniels' promotion, Daniels says that their relationship has become stronger over the years, writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. Second baseman Ian Kinsler, who signed a multi-year extension in April, says that Ryan has helped attract key free agents to join the team. “I would love to have him around for as long as I’m here and as long as he’d like to be here,” Kinsler said.
- The reason the Rangers gave Daniels a new title has more to do with assistant GM Thad Levine than it does with Ryan, writes Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd). Texas wants to hold together the group that works under Daniels and giving him the title of president of baseball operations gives them space to someday promote Levine someday to GM.
Tigers Looking To Trade For Closer
The Tigers raised eyebrows across baseball this offseason with their decision to install rookie Bruce Rondon as their closer. Now, they are having second thoughts about that plan and pushing hard to find a closer via trade, major league sources tell Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com.
The Nationals could afford to part with a reliever, after the signing of Rafael Soriano bumped back Drew Storen and Tyler Clippard, but so far they are telling teams that they have no interest in moving anyone in the pen. The Red Sox have an extra closer in Andrew Bailey but the Tigers have yet to contact Boston about him.
Detroit could use Rick Porcello to land a ninth-inning option, but they'll want a strong closer in return given his strong play in spring training. There are also two unsigned closers in Jose Valverde and Francisco Rodriguez, but they don't seem terribly interested in either one.
Mets Won’t Look To Acquire A Starter
The Mets are likely to be without Johan Santana to start the season, which leaves them in need of at least one additional starting pitcher. However, two sources indicated to Andy Martino of the New York Daily News that they won't look to sign or trade for another arm.
There are plenty of options on the trade market including starters from the Dodgers’ surplus like Aaron Harang, Chris Capuano, and Ted Lilly and Rick Porcello of the Tigers. Chien-Ming Wang has interest frm the Yankees and others as he pitches in the World Baseball Classic and former Met Chris Young will be available if he doesn't make the cut with the Nationals.
Jeremy Hefner will most likely begin the year in the rotation but Collin McHugh and Jenrry Mejia are also in the mix. The Mets may actually have two holes to fill thanks to Shaun Marcum's lingering shoulder issues which have kept him from making his second Grapefruit League start.
Rangers, Derek Lowe Nearing Deal
4:42pm: The Rangers view Lowe as a candidate for the bullpen, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports. Presumably this deal won't affect the Rangers' interest in Lohse.
2:41pm: The Rangers are on the verge of signing right-hander Derek Lowe to a minor league deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). Lowe, 39, is represented by Scott Boras.
Lowe spent 2012 with the Indians and Yankees, making 21 starts in Cleveland and 17 appearances out of the pen for New York. 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 veteran could provide Texas with pitching depth in the wake of Martin Perez's forearm injury.
Recently, we learned that the Rangers are still talking with Boras about another one of his prominent clients, Kyle Lohse. However, that pairing doesn't appear to be imminent at the moment and the Rangers may have decided on a less costly support option in Lowe.
Lowe had interest elsewhere and received a minor league offer from the Rockies more than a month ago.
Quick Hits: MLBPA, Wainwright, Dodgers
One year ago today, the Orioles' signing of Miguel Gonzalez to a minor league contract became official. The move drew little notice at the time, but Gonzalez would go on to become a key cog in Baltimore's unlikely playoff berth. Gonzalez pitched to a 3.25 ERA, 6.6 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 in 105 1/3 innings for manager Buck Showalter's team. Here's more news from around the league…
- Scott Miller of CBS Sports spoke with MLBPA director Michael Weiner about the increasing amount of players calling for harsher penalties for first-time PED offenders. Recently, Dustin Pedroia, Matt Holliday, Michael Cuddyer and Ryan Zimmerman spoke out, with Cuddyer calling for first-time offenders to receive 100-game suspensions. Weiner said the issue will be tackled this coming offseason.
- Adam Wainwright's agent Steve Hammond has returned from a ten-day trip to Israel, so negotiations with the Cardinals could resume soon, tweets B.J. Rains of 1380 AM. Rains spoke with Wainwright about his relationship with Hammond for a forthcoming installment of MLBTR's "Why I Chose My Agency" series.
- MLB.com's Ken Gurnick looks at the nine Dodgers will be free agents following the 2013 season. As Gurnick notes, Chris Capuano, Aaron Harang, Nick Punto, Mark Ellis, Jerry Hairston, Matt Guerrier, J.P. Howell and Juan Uribe will all be eligible for free agents. They're not all guarantees to depart, however, as Capuano, Ellis and Harang all have options on their contracts. This is also the final season that the Dodgers will owe $8.3MM in deferred money to Manny Ramirez, meaning they'll have $54.2MM coming off the books.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs explains that the disparity in salaries between experienced players and inexperienced players works in favor of low revenue teams and has a positive impact on competitive balance in MLB.
Steve Adams and Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Rangers Haven’t Ruled Out Kyle Lohse
MONDAY: The Rangers appear to have increased their interest in Lohse following Perez's injury, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported today that the Scott Boras client seeks a three-year deal with a high annual salary.
SUNDAY, 7:11 pm: The Rangers announced via press release that lefthanded starting pitcher Martin Perez suffered a fractured ulna in his left forearm when he was struck by a liner in today's game. The press release states that Perez is "not expected to resume a throwing program for approximately four weeks while the fracture heals."
While it is still unclear whether Perez's injury will have any impact on Texas's interest in Lohse, several commentators have raised that possibility, including CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, Bill Shaikin of The Los Angeles Times (on Twitter), and Buster Olney of ESPN.com (also on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports says that, despite the drawbacks to a Lohse signing from the Rangers' perspective, "discussions are almost certain to grow more serious" after the injury to Perez.
While Perez will likely miss a minimum of two months while he recovers and rehabs, T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that Texas still seems disinclined to look outside of the organization to fill its fifth-starter role. GM Jon Daniels said that the team would "look around at external options, but I expect to go internally at this point." He added that, "knock on wood," the Rangers "hope to get both Colby [Lewis] and Martin back a month into the season, give or take."
10:54 am: The Rangers have remained in contact with agent Scott Boras about the possibility of signing Kyle Lohse, according to Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. Unsurprisingly, Texas is hesitating in part because of the draft pick compensation tied to the pitcher.
Some in the Rangers organization don’t want to surrender the No. 24 pick or the money that comes with it, even though they received the No. 31 overall pick after losing Josh Hamilton. However, others in the front office say the need to win now is worth sacrificing the draft choice. Ultimately, Wilson sees the pairing as unlikely but still possible at some point in spring training.
Earlier this week, we learned that the Indians and Yankees are not in on the right-hander.
Hunter Pence Wants Long Term Deal With Giants
Giants outfielder Hunter Pence says that his preference is to sign a long term contract with the club rather than test free agency, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Pence will be able to test the open market after the 2013 season.
The Beverly Hills Sports Council client avoided arbitration with San Francisco this winter and is earning $13.8MM in his walk year. As MLBTR's Extension Tracker shows, GM Brian Sabean has already worked out a pair of extensions this winter by agreeing to deals with Sergio Romo and Santiago Casilla.
Pence is No. 10 on Tim Dierkes' list of 2014 free agents, making him the third-highest ranked outfielder in the group behind Shin-Soo Choo and Jacoby Ellsbury.
Cafardo On Red Sox, Vazquez, Stanton, Cano
In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that even though the 2013 Red Sox may not knock your socks off, they could still be extremely effective. In theory, Boston could have used their wiggle room on the likes of Josh Hamilton, Adam LaRoche, and Cody Ross. Instead, the club's shopping spree yielded Mike Napoli, Shane Victorino, Jonny Gomes, David Ross, Stephen Drew, and Ryan Dempster. However, the BoSox have set themselves up for bigger things in the long run and they could still be competitive in '13. Here's more from Cafardo..
- The Red Sox, Nationals, Yankees, Orioles, and Brewers had major interest in free agent pitcher Javier Vazquez before knee surgery put his season in jeopardy. “Never say never,” said a major league source close to the hurler, “but we won’t see him in the immediate future.”
- One AL executive cautions not to rule out the Tigers as a major player for the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton when the time comes. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski has strong ties to the Marlins from his time with them and may have the chips to get a deal done. Detroit could use third baseman/outfielder Nick Castellanos, outfielder Avisail Garcia, righty Rick Porcello, and others to entice Miami.
- One NL executive says that he is envious of the position that Robinson Cano finds himself in. “He’s going to have the Yankees and the Dodgers offering him a record amount of money,” said the exec. GM Brian Cashman says he has already offered a “significant” contract, but there's no reason for the Scott Boras client to take the deal when considering how much the Dodgers may be willing to bid.
- Royals outfielder Jeff Francoeur had the worst WAR among everyday players last season, but at age 29, he feels that he is just entering his prime. It appears that the Royals would be willing to move him and his strong arm in the outfield could attract interest.