Justin Morneau Won’t Talk Extension During Season
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is entering the final year of his contract with the Twins but the former MVP told reporters that he won't discuss a new deal with the club once the season starts, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com (on Twitter). Morneau also says that he hasn't been approached by the front office about an extension yet and his reps won't raise the issue with the Twins this fall (Twitter link).
From Morneau's tone, it sounds as though he has every intention of testing the open market after the season. The slugger will earn $14MM this season in the home stretch of his of his six-year, $84MM contract. He also figures to be a trade candidate given his status and the Twins were reportedly gauging interest in him during the winter meetings.
While Morneau may be bound for free agency, he has made it known in the past that he is happy playing in Minnesota. At the same time, winning is important to the 31-year-old.
"I want to win, obviously, so that's the important thing," said Morneau, according to Phil Miller of the Star-Tribune. "If it looks like there's a chance we're going to win, I'd love to stay here. I've been here my whole career, and this is where I hope to be in the future…But sometimes those decisions aren't yours."
AL East Notes: Yankees, Wang, Orioles, Abreu
Here's a look at the latest out of the American League East..
- Despite having six candidates for five rotation spots, the Yankees are keeping tabs on former ace Chien-Ming Wang, writes George A. King III of the New York Post. Wang threw off a mound for Yanks spring training pitching instructor Billy Connors at his Tampa area home recently and put on an impressive performance.
- The Orioles may consider signing outfielder Bobby Abreu, but first plan to “see what they have in camp,”tweets Jon Heyman of CBS Sports. Heyman previously reported that theMarlins and Rays could be in the mix for the 38-year-old Abreu.
- Rays manager Joe Maddon plans to provide right-hander Roberto Hernandez, the pitcher previously known as Fausto Carmona, with an opportunity to earn a spot in the starting rotation, reports Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. As Maddon explained, the Rays will“treat [Hernandez] as a starter and then revert back” to a relief role should he fail to beat out other starting options, including Jeff Niemann and Chris Archer. Also of note, Maddon said that righty Alex Cobb is “pretty much ensconced” as the Rays’ fourth starter.
Jeff Todd contributed to this post.
Mets Notes: Santana, Backman, Collins, D’Arnaud
Earlier this week, Mets chairman & CEO Fred Wilpon offered an optimistic vision of the club's finances and inferred that the team should have some financial flexibility going forward. Sandy Alderson hasn't had the chance to work with a significant payroll, but Wilpon said he could see the Mets spending as much as they did under former general manager Omar Minaya. That would presumably mean a budget of more than $140MM for the Metropolitans. Here's more out of Queens..
- If Johan Santana has the strong, healthy season that he is expecting, then he could trigger his option year and, in turn, hurt his mid-season trade value, writes Andy Martino of the New York Daily News. The hurler's six-year, $137.5MM deal expires this season, but the contract has a 2014 player option that vests for $25MM if Santana pitches 215 innings in 2013 and is on the active roster for the final 30 days of the season.
- Triple-A manager Wally Backman still wants to be a big league manager and he could be waiting in the wings as Terry Collins faces an uncertain future, Ken Davidoff of the New York Post writes. For his part, Backman says that he's not gunning for Collins' job.
- Blue Jays import Travis d'Arnaud draws high praise from his former coaches, writes Kevin Kernan of the New York Post. Phillies catching coordinator Mike Compton even went so far as to reference Johnny Bench.
Blue Jays Notes: Cabrera, Reyes, Anthopoulos
Earlier today, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos and some of the team's players addressed the media. Here's a look at some highlights..
- No member of the Blue Jays has a no-trade clause in his contract, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
- Anthopoulos acknowledged the risk in signing Melky Cabrera but says that more certainty in performance would have cost more, tweets Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The two-year, $16MM deal may provide Toronto with great value but the risk is still there.
- The GM reiterated that he does not expect any further punishment for Cabrera by MLB stemming from this offseason's report in Miami, tweets Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
- Jose Reyes didn't anticipate being a part of a blockbuster deal to send him north of the border. In fact, days before the deal, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria encouraged him to buy a home in Miami, tweets Davidi.
- When asked what he might tell free agents about the Marlins, Reyes responded, "I don't have to tell them nothing. They can see what happened," tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. He added that he feels sorry for Giancarlo Stanton, who was not traded by the Marlins, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Quick Hits: Mariners, Indians, Red Sox, Zambrano
MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith and Jason Martinez of MLB Depth Charts discussed the 2014 free agent class and busy weeks for the Mariners and Indians on the most recent edition of the Rosters & Rumblings podcast. While you check that out, here's more from around baseball on this Wednesday night..
- In an interview with WEEI's Dennis & Callahan this morning, Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino discussed the team's philosophy regarding free agents and their approach to Josh Hamilton this winter, writes WEEI.com's Alex Speier. “I think we have to keep all avenues open. There was discussion about Hamilton. But when it became clear that it was likely to be a five-, six-, seven-year contract, we thought there was a better way to redeploy the money we had saved from similar long-term contracts," Lucchino said.
- A source tells Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune (on Twitter) that Carlos Zambrano may sign in Japan on Taiwan if he can't land a major league deal this offseason. Big Z is a free agent after posting a 4.49 ERA with 6.5 K/9 and 5.1 BB/9 in 20 starts and 15 relief appearances last season.
- The Angels' new trio of starters could prove to be a great bargain, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. Jason Vargas, Tommy Hanson, and Joe Blanton will earn a combined $18.725MM this season. Some feel that the Halos' rotation is their weakpoint, but they apparently won't be making a run at Kyle Lohse.
- More from Speier, who looked at the Red Sox's new approach to roster building in the wake of last season's blockbuster with the Dodgers.
Marlins Notes: Nolasco, Hernandez, Tatum, White
After the Marlins' blockbuster deal with the Blue Jays this winter that saw much of the team's talent jettisoned north of the border, Ricky Nolasco made it known that he wanted to be sent elsewhere. As spring training nears, the 30-year-old says that he is ready to put that aside and focus on getting ready for the 2013 season. “I’m just moving forward," said Nolasco, according to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post. “Anything that has happened in the past is not going to be talked about anymore." The right-hander could be moved before the trade deadline as he is entering the final year of his contract. Here's a look at some minor notes out of Miami..
- A handful of Marlins on the 40-man roster are out of options and the ones to keep an eye on are outfielders Gorkys Hernandez and Justin Ruggiano plus left-handed pitchers Wade LeBlanc and Mike Dunn, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- Craig Tatum, a 29-year-old non-roster invitee, informed the Marlins he is retiring, according to Spencer. The catcher spent three years in the big leagues with the Reds and Orioles and hit .223/.291/.264 during that stretch.
- It has been weeks since the Marlins heard from former Dolphins quarterback Pat White, and Spencer sees that as an indication that he might not accept their invitation to minor league camp, which starts soon. The former West Virginia standout is also considering a two-year contract offer the Canadian Football League and has spoken to representatives for at least eight NFL teams.
Angels Sign Chad Cordero
Reliever Chad Cordero announced via Twitter that he has signed a minor league deal with the Angels. The deal does not include a spring training invite, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com (on Twitter). Cordero retired from baseball in June of 2011 after hooking on with the independent St. Paul Saints.
Cordero, 30, said back in March that he was getting the itch to play again and was giving serious consideration to making a comeback. Across six seasons with the Nationals/Expos, Cordero posted a 2.78 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9. The right-hander last appeared in the majors in 2010 when he saw time in nine games for the Mariners.
Cordero is represented by Reynolds Sports Management.
Yankees Acquire Shawn Kelley
The Yankees have acquired right-hander Shawn Kelley from the Mariners in exchange for outfielder Abraham Almonte, according to Ryan Divish of the Tacoma News Tribune (on Twitter). The Mariners designated Kelley for assignment on Thursday to make roster space for Kelly Shoppach.
Kelley, 28, appeared in 47 games for the Mariners in 2012, posting a 3.25 ERA with 9.1 K/9, 3.0 BB/9, and a 28.8% ground ball rate in 44 1/3 innings. The right-hander will earn $930K in 2013.
Meanwhile, Almonte will give the M's some much needed minor league depth at the centerfielder position and can also play the corners. The 23-year-old spent last season in Double-A, hitting .276/.350/.392 in 78 games.
Dodgers Notes: Capuano, Harang, Mattingly, Beckett
Yesterday, we learned that Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw doesn't want to have extension talks during the season. It could cost the Dodgers upwards of $200MM to lock him up for the long term, but we know that the Dodgers aren't shy about spending. Here's more out of Los Angeles..
- Starter Chris Capuano hasn't asked for a trade even though he's one of eight starting pitchers looking for a rotation spot and may not make the cut, writes MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. The veteran knows that he may wind up being moved thanks to the starter surplus but also won't rule out a move to the bullpen in order to stay in Los Angeles. Aaron Harang, who is in a similar spot, says that he hasn't considered becoming a reliever in 2013.
- Dodgers skipper Don Mattingly says that he won't let his contract status become a distraction for him in 2013, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com. Mattingly is entering the third and final season of his deal and his request at the end of last year to have his 2014 option be guaranteed was declined.
- Mid-season acquisition Josh Beckett says that despite what someone believe, he enjoyed his time in Boston, Richard Justice of MLB.com writes. At the same time, he is looking forward to being a part of the reloaded Dodgers.
Nationals Notes: Gonzalez, Zimmermann, Rizzo
Earlier today, we learned that Nats GM Mike Rizzo is “open minded” about pursuing an extension with shortstop Ian Desmond. Here's more from Rizzo courtesy of MASNsports.com's Dan Kolko..
- Despite Gio Gonzalez's alleged link to a Miami PED clinic and the potential fallout that could come from that, the Nats aren't looking to acquire a big-name arm as insurance. Rizzo says that he is always looking for depth, but the news about Gonzalez didn't "intensify" anything for the front office.
- However, the club could look to make a significant move if an injury or something else unforeseen creates a need. "If you're talking about a big-time trade or a big-time free agent acquisition, I would think that would have to be something that was set off by something that happens here in camp," the GM said. "But we're always looking to get ourselves better and deeper, and if there's something to be done that makes sense for us, we'll certainly doing it."
- Rizzo says that the Nats and Jordan Zimmermann are still a little ways apart in negotiations for a contract for the 2013 season. The right-hander made similar comments earlier this week.