White Sox Notes: Payroll, Peavy, Morel, Molina
The White Sox held another seminar with fans this morning as part of SoxFest 2013 with General Manager Rick Hahn and manager Robin Ventura fielding questions. When asked what to expect out of the White Sox this season, Hahn encouraged fans to keep their expectations high, tweets Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com. Here's more from today's Q&A…
- If the White Sox are in contention this season, Hahn says that they'll be able to add to their payroll if there are upgrades available, Hayes tweets. The GM added that "the money has always been there", Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune tweets.
- Hahn said that the club didn't have internal options to fill the void that would have been created if Jake Peavy left via free agency, according to Hayes (on Twitter). The White Sox worked out a contract extension with Peavy early in the offseason rather than picking up his $22MM option for 2013. The 31-year-old will earn $14.5MM in each of the next two seasons with an option for 2015.
- Ventura explained that third baseman Brent Morel will be in the mix this season and his lack of playing time last season was a result of his injuries, Hayes tweets. Morel drew trade interest from the Marlins at one point last month as the free agent third base market was quite shallow.
- Hahn said that this season will be a rebuilding year for Nestor Molina, the right-hander who came to the White Sox in exchange for Sergio Santos last winter, Gonzales tweets.
Mets Notes: Marcum, Bourn, Alderson
Yesterday, the Mets finally made their first major free agent addition of the offseason when they inked Shaun Marcum to a one-year, $4MM deal with another $4MM in incentives. Here's more on the right-hander and other news out of Queens..
- Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (on Twitter) has the breakdown of Marcum's incentives package. The hurler can earn $1.75MM in roster bonuses and $2.25MM more in bonuses for innings pitched going all the way up to 200.
- The Mets need a center fielder, but Jay Schreiber of the New York Times highly doubts that it will be free agent Michael Bourn. Schreiber writes that the Mets would likely be headed for another fourth-place finish in 2013, even with the addition of the 30-year-old. He also wonders aloud if the club's flirtation with Bourn is at least partly designed to make it seem as if the Mets are trying to do something major, even though they know its a longshot.
- Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs likes the Mets' signing of Marcum and sees it as a solid bargain for GM Sandy Alderson & Co. Marcum missed significant time last season due to an elbow issue but posted a 3.70 ERA with 7.9 K/9 and 3.0 BB/9 across 21 starts.
Quick Hits: Napoli, Red Sox, Bourn, Mets, Marlins
It took the Red Sox quite a while to finalize their agreement with Mike Napoli this offseason over concern about a potential hip issue. Fortunately, his doctor says that the hip problem was detected early enough to prevent it from getting worse over time, writes Tim Britton of the Providence Journal. The two sides wound up re-working their three-year, $36MM pact into a one-year, $5MM deal with incentives that could boost it to $13MM in total. Here's more from around baseball..
- A source tells Marc Carig of Newsday (on Twitter) that the MLBPA could file a grievance on the Michael Bourn/compensatory draft pick issue, even if the Mets don't agree to terms with the outfielder first. There has been talk of the players union supporting the Mets if they choose to argue against having to surrender a first-round pick to sign a free agent like Bourn.
- It appears that the Mets will face some stiff competition in the NL East as they vie with the Nationals and Braves, but GM Sandy Alderson says that he isn't sweating it too much, writes Anthony DiComo of MLB.com. "I would agree that the Nationals and the Braves appear to be very good teams for '13 and beyond," Alderson said. "But many teams have been described as set up well for the long haul, and it hasn't always worked out as described.
- The Marlins have made former West Virginia football standout Pat White an offer to get back into baseball, but the quarterback and one of his associates told Orlando Alzugaray of 640 AM that baseball is only a Plan B if football doesn't work out, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. White won't completely rule out going to spring training with Miami, but he is also considering a two-year contract offer the Canadian Football League and has spoken to representatives for at least eight NFL teams.
- The Royals now have three catchers on the 40-man roster after claiming George Kottaras earlier today, but GM Dayton Moore isn't sure how many backstops will make the cut for Opening Day, writes Pete Grathoff of The Kansas City Star. The 29-year-old Kottaras will earn $1MM this season and will remain under team control as an arbitration eligible player through 2015.
Hahn On Viciedo, Pierzynski, Stewart
Earlier today, the White Sox hosted SoxFest 2013, an interactive event where fans got the opportunity to participate in a Q&A session with General Manager Rick Hahn. Executive Vice President and former GM Kenny Williams couldn't resist joining in and closed things out when he asked Hahn if he'll do a better job than his predecessor. Hahn responded by saying that the last GM had a better support staff in place (via White Sox on Twitter) and drew laughs from everyone in attendance. Here's more on the White Sox..
- Hahn said that the White Sox haven't shopped Dayan Viciedo but added that no one is untouchable, tweets Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. It was reported last month that the White Sox discussed deals involving Viciedo and Alejandro De Aza.
- The GM was asked about the departure of A.J. Pierzynski and he explained that the money that would have gone to the catcher was instead re-routed to Jake Peavy, Jeff Keppinger, and Matt Lindstrom, tweets Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune. Hahn also expressed confidence in catcher Tyler Flowers' abilities.
- A fan asked Hahn about the decision to claim Zach Stewart off of waivers from the Pirates. The GM explained that Stewart adds depth to the team's pitching, cost the team very little, and has big league experience, Gonzales tweets. The White Sox's decision to pick up Stewart yesterday marked the second time that they have acquired the right-hander in two years.
Marlins Agree To Deal With Chad Qualls
The Marlins have agreed to a minor league deal with reliever Chad Qualls on a minor league deal with an invite to spring training, according to Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (on Twitter). Qualls is represented by Jim Murray of Excel Sports Management.
The 34-year-old finished out the season with the Pirates after the Yankees traded him to Pittsburgh for Casey McGehee in July. In 52 games for the Phillies, Yankees, and Pirates last season, Qualls posted a 5.33 ERA with 4.6 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9.
Red Sox To Sign Ryan Sweeney
The Red Sox have reached an agreement on a minor league deal with outfielder Ryan Sweeney, a major league source told Rob Bradford of WEEI.com. Sweeney is represented by Reynolds Sports Management and has an opt-out in the deal that would allow him to elect free agency if he is not added to the big league roster before to the end of spring training.
Sweeney, who turns 28 in February, spent last season with the Red Sox after being acquired from the A’s in the deal that also brought right-hander Andrew Bailey to Boston. The outfielder hit .260/.303/.373 for the Red Sox until he punched a clubhouse door in Fenway Park and had to undergo surgery on his hand. His season ended on July 30th, giving him just 63 big league games in 2012.
The veteran will provide the Red Sox with additional depth in the wake of Ryan Kalish's shoulder surgery that will sideline him to start the 2013 season.
International Notes: Diaz, Dodgers, Medina
We’ll keep track of tonight’s international news right here..
- Major League Baseball is investigating the age of Cuban shortstop Aledmys Diaz, multiple sources told Ben Badler of Baseball America. Diaz is presenting himself as a 23-year-old but his birthdate conflicts with previous accounts that would make him 22 or 21. The age difference is crucial for Diaz as Cuban players with at least three years of professional experience in Cuba and who are at least 23 are exempt from the capped bonus pools.
- The Dodgers have signed 16-year-old Dominican outfielder Michael Medina for $275K, according to Badler. The 6-foot-2, 185 pound youngster has a projectable frame with good bat speed from the right side, power, and the ability to use the opposite field. He most likely projects as a corner outfielder.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Angels, Andrus, Upton, Jaso
On this date in 2008, the Twins announced that they struck new deals with Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer to keep them in Minnesota long-term. Morneau, the 2006 AL MVP, got the richest deal in franchise history at the time with a six-year, $80MM pact. Cuddyer, meanwhile, got $24MM over three seasons. Here's this week's look around the baseball blogosphere…
- Halos Heaven turned in their final Angels projections for 2013.
- Shutdown Inning looks at the market for Elvis Andrus.
- Kingdome Of Seattle Sports liked the M's end of the Justin Upton deal that never happened.
- NASORB still sees John Jaso as a solid hitter in a full-time role.
- Wahoo's On First wonders if the Tribe's offseason additions will change their character.
- Lone Star Ball examines past comparables for Andrus.
- Swingin' A's sees a current Oakland equivalent for Jaso.
- Mariner Melee explains the SafeCo effect.
- Baseball Reality Tour inducts Scott Hairston into a fairly exclusive club.
- Feelin' Kinda Blue unveils their list of top 50 Dodgers prospects.
- Jays Journal revisits the Vernon Wells trade.
- Lasorda's Lair bids farewell to Diamond Vision.
- Rising Apple addresses a misguided narrative.
- The Tribe Daily looks at the Indians bullpen.
- Yanks Go Yard wonders where the Bombers rank in the AL East after this winter.
- Pinstripe Pundits goes dumpster diving.
- Baseball News Source looks at five minor league deals with potential big league impact.
- Rays Colored Glasses talks Mike Napoli.
- Baltimore Sports And Life discusses a contract extension for Matt Wieters.
- Kings of Kauffman writes that the James Shields trade could be KC's biggest ever.
If you have a suggestion for this feature, Zach can be reached at ZachBBWI@gmail.com.
D’Backs To Pursue Rick Porcello
The Diamondbacks will now try to package shortstop Nick Ahmed and a pitching prospect in a trade for the Tigers' Rick Porcello, a National League official told Bob Nightengale of USA Today (on Twitter). Arizona acquired Ahmed in this morning's Justin Upton trade with the Braves.
Arizona has been known to have interest in the Tigers right-hander but prior to this trade it was reported that they were unlikely to land him. Detroit was seeking a shortstop in a deal for Porcello, so Ahmed could be the piece that facilitates a deal. The 24-year-old posted a 4.59 ERA with 5.5 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a 53.2% ground ball rate in 176 1/3 innings this past season.
The 22-year-old Ahmed played at Class A this past season and posted a .269/.337/.391 batting line in 571 plate appearances. Baseball America named him the best defensive infielder in Atlanta's minor league system. Ahmed was the Braves' second-round pick in the 2011 draft.
Red Sox, Craig Breslow Agree To Deal
January 24th: The Red Sox announced the deal, which includes a club option for 2015.
January 19th: The Red Sox have reached agreement with Craig Breslow on a two-year deal to avoid arbitration, according to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports (on Twitter). The Baratta Partners client will earn a guaranteed $6.25MM and could make up to $10.15MM over the course of the contract. The deal is pending a physical.
Boston acquired the left-handed reliever from the Diamondbacks last summer for Matt Albers and Scott Podsednik. In 63 relief outings for Arizona and Boston last year, Breslow posted a 2.70 ERA with 8.7 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. For his career, Breslow owns a 3.00 ERA with 7.8 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9.
As the MLBTR Arbitration Tracker shows, the Red Sox have now signed all of their arbitration eligible players.