Brewers Seeking First Baseman
The Brewers plan to start Mat Gamel at first base while Corey Hart recovers from right knee surgery, but Gamel will also play the outfield and third base in Spring Training to be ready for Hart’s return. With that in mind, manager Ron Roenicke says that the club could look to bring a first baseman into camp, writes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com.
“There’s still the possibility that Doug [Melvin, the Brewers' general manger] is talking to some guys right now [and] we get somebody else into camp,” said the skipper.
First base prospect Hunter Morris and Taylor Green are also internal candidates, which may mitigate the need for outside help at the position. If they do look out-of-house, McCalvy writes that they could look for a player like Travis Ishikawa, who recently inked a minor league deal with the Orioles. Lyle Overbay, he writes, could be an available player to fit that mold.
Rangers Notes: Andrus, Upton, D’Backs
After speaking with Mets General Manager Sandy Alderson, Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette of SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio checked in with Rangers GM Jon Daniels. We've got the goods courtesy of Bowden on Twitter..
- The Rangers "would love" to extend Elvis Andrus' contract, but the club needs Andrus to want the same thing (Twitter link). Andrus has expressed interest in staying in Texas but so far that hasn't manifested itself in a new deal. Having three strong options for two positions is a "good problem" in Daniels' view and he doesn't sound like he's feeling pressure to remedy it with a move.
- Daniels told the duo (audio link) that the Rangers were in on Justin Upton until the trade-that-never-was with the Mariners. If Texas made a deal for Upton, it would have been a prospect heavy package but Daniels believes that D'Backs GM Kevin Towers wanted big league ready players as well. The Rangers wanted Upton but were unwilling to surrender one of their shortstops to make it happen.
- The GM was asked about the possibility of looking into either Michael Bourn or Kyle Lohse. Without addressing either player in particular, Daniels said that he doesn't expect to make any significant moves between now and the start of camp (Twitter link).
Mets Notes: Bourn, Wilson, Hairston, Upton
Earlier today, Mets GM Sandy Alderson joined Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio. Here's a look at some highlights with all links going to Bowden's Twitter..
- The GM said that he would be very reluctant to give up a first-round pick to sign Michael Bourn, but Bowden (on Twitter) got the impression that they are considering the possibility because of the strength of their farm system. The Mets have interest in Bourn and the player's union could potentially support them if they try and argue that their No. 11 pick should be protected from compensation.
- Alderson said that the club may go back and see Brian Wilson pitch again in a few days (Twitter link). The last time they saw the former Giants closer it was early on in his process. It has been said that the Mets would jump at the chance to sign Wilson to a minor league deal, but that seems unlikely.
- Alderson implied that if the trade of Justin Upton to the Braves had happened before Scott Hairston's signing with the Cubs, the club may have had a chance to grab Hairston (Twitter link). Meanwhile, the GM says that he is still looking for ways to upgrade the outfield.
Cafardo On Mets, Bourn, Abreu, Red Sox, Mahay
There were baseball people this winter who pleaded with their teams to go after B.J. Upton as a free agent and to trade for his younger brother, Justin Upton. However, there also were those who said “over my dead body” would they have either, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. In fact, officials in one AL East organization were nearly unanimous in the opinion that neither Upton was a fit for them. The Braves obviously didn't share that view and will now enter 2013 with a remarkably athletic lineup thanks to the Upton brothers. Here's more from today's column..
- While Cafardo hears that the Mets' interest in Michael Bourn is minimal, that might be enough for them to land him eventually. Many baseball people are amazed that Bourn is the odd man out in free agency. The Mets, Mariners, and possibly Orioles are waiting for a bargain deal and one AL manager reasoned that if a team can get him on a one-year deal, they might juggle things around to make it happen.
- The Red Sox were among the teams that tried out Bobby Abreu. but sources say the Red Sox are unlikely to pursue him as the backup first baseman/outfielder that they’re looking for.
- Left-hander Ron Mahay has decided to call it a career. The 41-year-old says that he's now looking to get into coaching or managing. Mahay last appeared in the majors with the Twins in 2010. For his career, the reliever posted a 3.83 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 across 14 seasons.
- The Cubs' Alfonso Soriano is on the trading block and could still be moved before spring training, as teams like the Orioles and Rangers look to make last-minute upgrades.
- The Angels had some hope that Vernon Wells could be moved this winter, but those odds decreased after the Phillies signed Delmon Young. “I think people will look back on his career and wonder, how could a guy who came into the league with so much ability let this happen?” said an American League scout who once saw Wells as one of the most talented players in baseball.
Minor Moves: Rottino, Head, Neal
Today's minor moves..
- The Orix Buffaloes have signed infielder Vinny Rottino to a one-year deal worth $350K plus another $100K based upon performance, writes Peter Jackel of The Journal Times. Rottino, 32, saw significant action in the big leagues for the first time in 2012 as he split his season between the Mets and Indians. The journeyman has enjoyed success at the plate throughout his minor league career (.294/.362/.424 in 10 seasons) but struggled at the Major League level.
- The Nationals have signed outfielder Jerad Head to a minor league deal, reports Bill Ladson of MLB.com (via Twitter). Head, 30, spent the 2012 season with the Tigers organization where he posted a .268/.353/.451 batting line for Triple-A Toledo. The former Washburn University standout made his Major League debut with the Indians in 2011.
- The Yankees have signed outfielder Thomas Neal to a minor league deal, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Neal joins a list of righty-hitting, corner-outfield options in Yankees camp including Russ Canzler, Matt Diaz, and prospects Zoilo Almonte (a switch-hitter) and Melky Mesa. Neal was released by the Indians earlier this month.
Daniel Seco contributed to this post.
Mets Interested In Roy Oswalt
8:15pm: Oswalt's agent Bob Garber says he's unaware of any interest the Mets may have in his client for the 2013 season, writes Marc Carig of Newsday.
1:32pm: The Mets are interested in free-agent right-hander Roy Oswalt, and the door has not fully closed even with the addition of Shaun Marcum, a baseball source told Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. It was reported earlier this month that Oswalt was on the fence about pitching in 2013 and many teams had given up on trying to lure him back, sensing that he would choose to call it a career.
Oswalt hooked on with the Rangers on a minor league deal last summer and posted a 5.80 ERA with 9.0 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 in nine starts and eight relief appearances. The 35-year-old has dealt with his fair share of injuries over the last couple of years with issues ranging from lower back inflammation in 2011 to a forearm strain at the end of last season.
Hernandez, Mariners Aren’t In Serious Contract Talks
The Mariners have reportedly tried to start contract talks with Felix Hernandez but there are no serious talks taking place at the moment, sources familiar with the situation tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Furthermore, if Seattle is in fact interested in a four-year extension, that's not likely to kick-start talks with the star hurler as Heyman hears he seeks a six-year deal instead.
As it stands, Hernandez is under contract with the M's for $39.5MM through the 2014 season. However, there hasn't been an exchange of offers on a new deal yet or any traction to speak of, sources with knowledge of the situation tell Heyman.
The 26-year-old knows that he has a chance become the highest-paid pitcher in the game when his current contract runs out. If he were to agree to a $100MM, four-year extension now, he'd be guaranteed fewer guaranteed dollars than Cole Hamels and Zack Greinke over the next six years. Those elite pitchers signed contracts at that length for $144MM and $147MM, respectively.
Cubs Designate Lendy Castillo For Assignment
The Cubs officially announced the signing of pitcher Carlos Villanueva to a two-year deal this afternoon. In order to make room for him, Chicago has designated fellow right-hander Lendy Castillo for assignment.
Castillo, 23, pitched 16 innings for the Cubs' varsity squad last season and allowed 14 earned runs . With the exception of one Double-A outing last season, he has never pitched above Single-A ball in the minors.
Villanueva agreed to his deal with the Cubs more than a month ago but the agreement wasn't finalized until today. Terms of the pact weren't disclosed in the press release but the former Toronto pitcher will reportedly receive $10MM over the next two seasons.
Rangers Sign Jeff Baker
The Rangers announced that they have agreed to terms with infielder/outfielder Jeff Baker while officially announcing the signing of left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson. Baker is represented by Scott Boras
Baker, 31, hit .248/.287/.405 with four homers in 68 games for the Cubs, Tigers, and Braves last season. The veteran drew interest from the Yankees earlier this winter as they were looking to add a right-handed bat to the mix in the outfield. Baker owns a career slash line of .296/.344/.498 against left-handers.
Yankees Notes: Upton, Hairston, Bench, Rodriguez
- Cashman told reporters, including MLB.com's Mark Newman, that he had conversations with the Diamondbacks about Justin Upton but Arizona was never focusing on making a deal with them. That fits in line with a report from ESPN.com's Buster Olney earlier this month that indicated that several teams were anxious to get in on the talks but were struggling to get a response from GM Kevin Towers & Co.
- Cashman also said that he's aware that he needs to strengthen the bench and find a right-handed bat for the outfield. However, he doesn't feel as though it all has to come together by Opening Day and suggested that he could explore mid-season deals to make that happen.
- Meanwhile, the GM says the Yankees were never close to signing Scott Hairston either, despite being linked to him for a good portion of the winter, writes Dan Martin of the New York Post. Cashman added that the club isn't opposed to multi-year deals but did say that they'll have to be careful about it. Hairston agreed to a two-year deal with the Cubs earlier this week.
- General Manager Brian Cashman told ESPN 98.7's Michael Kay there is a chance that Alex Rodriguez will miss the entire season after undergoing hip surgery, writes Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com. "It is a very complicated surgery. Any time someone has a surgery, there is always a chance there are complications. That didn't take place in this case. But is it possible? Sure, it is possible, but is it likely? I don't think so," Cashman said. If Rodriguez does have to retire at some point due to his hip issue, the Yankees are insured for most of his contract.