Poll: Who Will Be The Next Top 50 Free Agent To Sign?
On New Year’s Eve, seven of MLBTR’s Top 50 free agents watched the ball drop without knowing where they would be playing in 2013. Since then, Adam LaRoche (No. 15, Nationals), Rafael Soriano (No. 17, Nationals), and Shaun Marcum (No. 19, Mets) have all signed, leaving four still out there on the open market.
Michael Bourn (No. 3) is the top remaining free agent and his situation isn’t a whole lot clearer than it was a month ago. The center fielder is tied to draft pick compensation and teams aren’t wild about giving up their first round choice for the right to give Bourn a lucrative deal. The Mets could appeal to MLB to argue that they shouldn’t have to sacrifice their No. 11 pick, but one has to wonder if the cost-conscious club is ready to spend that much anyway. The Mariners have also been linked to the outfielder but we haven’t seen a ton of movement on that front lately.
Kyle Lohse (No. 10) has also seen his stock fall thanks to the issue of draft pick compensation. No one seems willing to go beyond two years for Lohse, despite his exceptionally strong work across the last two seasons. The O’s will be in if the veteran’s price drops significantly and the Brewers won’t rule it out, but the Angels aren’t expected to chase him and the Cardinals continue to say that a reunion is very unlikely.
Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun heard earlier this week that Joe Saunders (No. 25) was offered a two-year, $15MM deal from a club, though those sources aren’t directly in on the talks. If the offer is legitimate, however, it isn’t from the Orioles, who are only interested in a one-year deal with an option for year two. The Twins are also keen on a one-year pact and the Mariners are also known to be interested.
Jose Valverde (No. 44) likely saw his market pick up after fellow Scott Boras client Soriano signed with the Nationals. Early on, the Tigers decided that they wouldn’t have him back and things were quiet for the 34-year-old for quite some time. This week, however, we learned that the Mets are pursuing Valverde.
Who Will Be The Next Top 50 FA To Sign?
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Joe Saunders 41% (6,598)
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Jose Valverde 22% (3,560)
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Michael Bourn 21% (3,384)
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Kyle Lohse 17% (2,727)
Total votes: 16,269
Quick Hits: Pirates, Liriano, Indians, Aviles, Rockies
Links from around baseball as Friday turns into Saturday..
- Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington is non-committal about the likelihood of finalizing a deal with Francisco Liriano before the start of spring training, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The process continues,” Huntington said. “We have ongoing conversations. I'm not an oddsmaker, so I don't know if it is likely or unlikely that we will add another pitcher.”
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti says that it's hard to quantify the odds of the team working out a deal with Mike Aviles to avoid arbitration, writes MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. As MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows, Aviles filed for a $3.4MM contract while Cleveland is offering $2.4MM.
- The Rockies' biggest offseason addition has been the acquisition of reliever Wilton Lopez from the Astros, but they shouldn't be overlooked in 2013, writes Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com.
Mets Notes: Byrd, Outfield, Bourn
Earlier today, we learned that the Mets are pursuing Jose Valverde, and would even consider a reunion Francisco Rodriguez as they look to strengthen their bullpen. The Mets were also thinking outside the box when they approached Roy Oswalt about the possibility of serving as their closer in 2013, but the veteran isn't interested in signing on as a reliever and isn't likely to come to Queens. Here's more on the Mets..
- Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson says "there are still a few options out there" when it comes to the possibility of trading for an outfielder, tweets Marc Carig of Newsday. Earlier tonight, they picked up another outfield option when they signed Marlon Byrd to a minor league deal with a major league spring training invite.
- Speaking of Byrd, a Mets official told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (on Twitter) that even though he was released by the Red Sox in June after getting hit with his 50-game suspension, it is viewed as already having been served.
- Dave Cameron of Fangraphs looks at the case the Mets could make for protecting their first-round pick in the event that they decide to pull the trigger on signing Michael Bourn. Cameron doesn't like the Mets' chances of winning that battle, but he opines that a ruling in their favor would help promote MLB's claim that draft pick compensation is for the benefit of losing teams, rather than driving down salaries.
AL East Notes: Yankees, Rhodes, Tatis, Rodney
No one should be surprised if the Yankees engage in a major spending spree during the 2014 offseason, writes Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd). The Bombers held off on going after the big free agents this winter as they look to get under the $189MM figure next year for tax purposes, but they'll get a clean slate on their luxury tax history after that point. General Manager Brian Cashman could reload his rotation in 2014 with a free agent class including Justin Verlander, Clayton Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, and James Shields. If they want to take that route again the following year, the 2015 class offers David Price, Cliff Lee, Johnny Cueto, and Yovani Gallardo. Here's more from the AL East..
- The Orioles are not expected to sign Arthur Rhodes or Fernando Tatis to minor league deals, a pair of sources tell Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com (on Twitter). Yesterday, it was reported that the O's recently worked out both veterans. Rhodes, 43, didn't pitch in 2012 but he's looking to return to baseball this season. Tatis, 38, hasn't played in the majors since 2010.
- Rays closer Fernando Rodney told MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez that a new deal with Tampa Bay is right around the corner. "It's in plans already," Rodney said in Spanish. "We've talked a few times, and I expect it to get finalized this month." Earlier today, agent Dan Lozano said that no talks have taken place on a new deal for Rodney but the closer says he's confident that an agreement will be reached.
- Red Sox manager John Farrell is still interviewing candidates for the bullpen coach vacancy and may have a decision early next week, tweets Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Carpenter, Mattison, Ramirez
We'll keep track of tonight's outright assignments in this post..
- The Red Sox announced that they have outrighted right-hander Chris Carpenter to Triple-A Pawtucket. Carpenter, who was DFA'd to make roster space for Mike Napoli, missed significant time in 2012 after undergoing surgery to remove a bone spur from his right elbow. He posted a 2.08 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 21 2/3 minor league innings and pitched just six major league innings last season.
- Marlins outfielder Kevin Mattison cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A New Orleans, according to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post (on Twitter). Mattison will still be among the 72 players in major league camp with Miami. The 27-year-old was DFA'd earlier this week to make room for Sam Dyson.
- The Phillies announced that right-hander J.C. Ramirez has been outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley after clearing waivers. Ramirez, 24, spent time in Double-A and Triple-A last season, posting a combined 4.01 ERA with 7.0 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9.
Mets Sign Marlon Byrd
The Mets announced that they have signed outfielder Marlon Byrd to a minor league deal with an invite to major league spring training. Byrd, a client of the ACES agency, is expected to compete with Andrew Brown for the Mets' fifth outfielder spot, according to Anthony DiComo of MLB.com (on Twitter).
The Cubs ate $6.1MM of Byrd's $6.5MM salary in an April trade with the Red Sox that netted them Michael Bowden. The 35-year-old was suspended for 50 games in June after testing positive for performance enhancing drugs. In 153 combined plate appearances with the Cubs and Red Sox, Byrd posted a combined .210/.243/.245 slash line.
Earlier this month, we heard that the Marlins had some interest in signing Byrd. For his career, Byrd has hit .278/.336/.413 for the Phillies, Rangers, Cubs, Nationals, and Red Sox.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Hafner, Dodgers, Giants
On this date in 2008, the Mets gave Johan Santana the richest contract ever for a southpaw pitcher. Santana's deal was worth $137.5MM over six years and completed the blockbuster trade with the Twins. The Mets got the two-time Cy Young award winner in exchange for pitchers Philip Humber, Kevin Mulvey, Deolis Guerra, and outfielder Carlos Gomez. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere..
- Wahoos On First wanted to see the Indians sign Travis Hafner.
- Lasorda's Lair brings us an exclusive with Dodgers GM Ned Colletti and manager Don Mattingly.
- The Giants Cove peers into the future to look at the Giants' roster in 2016.
- Seattle Sports Central attempts to quantify the marine air affect at Safeco.
- The Friarhood wants to see the Padres lock Chase Headley up for the long term.
- Free Lance wonders what the worst players in 2012 might do in 2013.
- Blue Jays Plus sat down with prospect Chase DeJong.
- Yankees Fans Unite checked in with Jim Abbott.
- Baseball News Source asks how valuable Yoenis Cespedes is.
- Boys Of Summer is concerned about the Mets-Michael Bourn situation.
- Puckett's Pond likes what the Twins have done with their pitching.
- Pinstripe Pundits imagines a mid-season fire sale.
- Rising Apple looks at potential outfield targets for the Mets in 2014.
- MLB Reports examines the White Sox's payroll.
- Yanks Go Yard breaks down the backup options behind Mariano Rivera.
- NASORB sticks up for Kendrys Morales' defense.
- MLB Prospect Watch wants to see the Twins go all-in on rebuilding.
- Seattle Clubhouse talks Mike Morse.
- Golden Gate Sports asks if Joe Mauer's deal is a good baseline for Buster Posey.
- Red Sox Post preaches patience for Boston fans.
- I R Fast breaks down the non-roster outfielders.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
D’Backs Agree To Four-Year Deal With Martin Prado
The Diamondbacks announced they have agreed to a four-year contract through 2016 with infielder/outfielder Martin Prado. The deal will pay Prado $40MM in total, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). The 29-year-old is represented by the Legacy Agency.
Prado was in his third and final winter of arbitration eligibility and was set to hit the open market after the 2013 season. Arizona acquired Prado and four other players from the Braves for Justin Upton and third baseman Chris Johnson earlier this month. We heard last week that General Manager Kevin Towers & Co. were optimistic about agreeing to a new three or four-year deal with the veteran.
In 2012, Prado posted a .301/.359/.438 slash line with ten homers in 690 plate appearances for Atlanta. For his career, Prado has hit .295/.345/.435 across seven seasons for the Braves.
The Braves reportedly had a strong sense that 2012 would be his final season with them as he was pushing for a new contract with a $12MM average annual value. This four-year pact with the Diamondbacks gives him a considerable raise over his $4.75MM salary and comes a lot closer to the type of salary he had in mind.
Quick Hits: Headley, Wells, Lowe, A-Rod, Mariners
Earlier tonight, the Padres avoided arbitration with Chase Headley by agreeing to a one-year, $8.575MM deal. The third baseman is under team control through 2015 and General Manager Josh Byrnes started dialogue with Headley's representatives about a contract extension earlier this winter, writes MLB.com's Corey Brock. However, those talks have been tabled for now. "We couldn't frame it up where it made sense for both sides," Byrnes said. In today's poll, nearly 70% of MLBTR readers said that it would make sense to lock Headley up long-term. Here's more from around baseball..
- The Dodgers, Blue Jays, Angels, Tigers, Orioles, Brewers, and Athletics were in Peoria, Arizona today to watch Kip Wells, Mark Lowe, and Ryan Rowland-Smith throw, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Wells, 35, made seven starts for the Padres last season and posted a 4.58 ERA with 20 walks and 19 strikeouts.
- The Yankees can dream about getting out from under Alex Rodriguez's contract, but there is very little chance of it happening, writes David Waldstein of the New York Times. Earlier today, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted that the Yankees could pay just 15% of the $114MM owed to A-Rod if his hip injury is diagnosed as career-ending and he misses the entire season.
- Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (video link) has a gut feeling that aces Clayton Kershaw, Felix Hernandez, and Justin Verlander will work out new contracts with their respective clubs before they get the chance to hit the open market.
- The Mariners need to add a dependable starting pitcher, opines Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Baker suggests that the M's should try and swing a trade for the Dodgers' Chris Capuano by sending Franklin Gutierrez back to the club where he started his pro baseball career.
Padres Avoid Arbitration With Chase Headley
The Padres and Chase Headley have agreed to a one-year, $8.575MM to avoid arbitration, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). Headley is represented by Jim Murray of Excel Sports Management.
The third baseman filed for $10.3MM while the Padres countered with $7.075MM. Their agreed upon figure is just shy of the $8.688MM midpoint. Headley, who earned Super Two status following the 2010 season, will be arbitration eligible for the final time next winter. Beyond that, Headley is set to hit the open market after the 2014 season.
Headley enjoyed his best season to date in 2012, hitting .286/.376/.498 with a career-high 31 homers in 699 plate appearances. As MLBTR's Transactions Tracker shows, the Padres have just one arb eligible player remaining in Clayton Richard.