Rangers, Pierzynski Close To Deal
The Rangers and free agent A.J. Pierzynski are closing in on a one-year deal, sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter). The deal is still pending a physical and is not yet done.
The Octagon client met with Rangers brass on Tuesday in Arlington and the club reportedly has done extensive homework on him. Pierzynski would fill a major gap behind the plate for the Rangers, who lost Mike Napoli. The catcher posted a .278/.326/.501 batting line in 520 plate appearances with 27 home runs in 2012. Pierzynski also appeared in 135 games, reaching the 100 games threshold for the 12th consecutive season.
Texas lost out on a big name free agent earlier today when Edwin Jackson agreed to a four-year, $52MM deal. If Pierzynski signs with the Rangers, he'll have Geovany Soto as his primary backup with Eli Whiteside as an additional option. The 35-year-old ranked 30th in MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents this winter.
Cafardo On Bourn, Yankees, Tigers, Soriano
While the Dodgers and Angels scooped up the two impact free agents of this year's class, the Rangers have had a much more dull offseason, writes Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. Texas lost Hamilton to the rival Angels and failed to sign Zack Greinke and Torii Hunter. Beyond that, they also lost Mike Napoli, Ryan Dempster, and Koji Uehara to the Red Sox. Landing Justin Upton would help bring energy back to the Rangers' lineup, but so far they haven't been able to get a deal done as they look to hold on to Elvis Andrus. Here's more from today's column..
- Some believe the Yankees are quietly interested in free agent outfielder Michael Bourn and will pounce if the price comes down. Bourn would give the Bombers the leadoff hitter they have wanted for some time. Meanwhile, the Rangers remain a possibility.
- While the Tigers are keeping their distance from right-hander Rafael Soriano, it's not impossible for him to wind up in Detroit. The Red Sox may also be interested and the Rangers could be a fit given all of the talent that they've lost.
- If the Red Sox can’t finalize their deal with Mike Napoli, they could give Adam LaRoche the three-year, $39MM contract. Otherwise, LaRoche may stay with the Nationals or look to the Orioles, where Dan Duquette has coveted him.
- Edwin Jackson may be the next pitcher to strike a deal. The Padres have serious interest in Jackson, especially after losing Andrew Cashner for a while after his hunting accident.
Quick Hits: Phillies, D’Arnaud, Angels, Rays
The Phillies‘ lack of big moves this offseason likely indicate that 2013 will be a transition year, writes Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer. Soon after trading Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino in July, General Manager Ruben Amaro explained that the moves would allow flexibility to sign at least one major free agent, and possibly even more. Amaro wound up making his first foray into the open market on Saturday with the signings of Mike Adams and John Lannan. Here’s more from around baseball..
- Some have wondered about the condition of Travis d’Arnaud’s knee, but a club source says that the Mets have looked over his medicals and they are fine, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports tweets. D’Arnaud is believed to be a part of the heavily rumored R.A. Dickey trade along with Noah Syndergaard.
- The Angels are continuing their search for starting pitching and are considering filling the void with mid-level free agent pitchers rather than make trades, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
- Rays manager Joe Maddon will miss James Shields for a number of reasons, but his chief problem will be making up all the innings that Shields provided, writes Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. Shields gave the club 30 to 40 more innings than any other starter and averaged 220 over the past six seasons.
Minor Moves: Marlins, Albaladejo, Giants
We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves in this post..
- The Marlins signed right-handers Jonathan Albaladejo and Amaury Rivas plus shortstop Ed Lucas to minor league deals, according to Matt Eddy of Baseball America (via Twitter). Albaladejo, 30, is best known for his time with the Yankees from 2008-10 where he posted a 4.70 ERA with 6.4 K/9 and 4.6 BB/9. Rivas, 26, has spent the last eight years in the Brewers‘ system and the last two in Triple-A.
- The Giants signed 27-year-old former Athletics prospect Javier Herrera, according to Eddy (via Twitter).
Mets Notes: Dickey, Blue Jays, D’Arnaud, Syndergaard
The Mets and Blue Jays have been closing in on a deal involving R.A. Dickey this weekend and today might be the day that everything is finalized. At present, the deal looks like three-for-four trade with Dickey, Josh Thole, and a Mets prospect going to the Blue Jays for Travis d'Arnaud, Noah Syndergaard, John Buck, and a prospect. Here's a look at some of the early reaction to the near deal..
- Evaluators around baseball are beyond shocked that Toronto is talking about trading d'Arnaud for a player with one year on his contract in Dickey, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com (Twitter links). The broad perception in the industry is that if the Mets pull off the deal, it's an incredible trade for them.
- The combination of Syndergaard and d'Arnaud seems like an overpay by the Blue Jays unless they can get Dickey to sign an extension and also land a quality prospect in the deal, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Rosenthal adds that he wants to see the full deal before making a judgement on it, but Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported yesterday that neither prospect in the deal will be an elite one.
- The trade may not be popular amongst fans of either team, but its a smart move for both clubs, Sherman opines. Sherman writes that Dickey's stock is at its peak and d'Arnaud and Syndergaard are the right kind of return on investment.
- One scout says the Mets should at have some concern about the posterior collateral ligament injury that sidelined d’Arnaud for much of last season, writes Mike Puma of the New York Post. “It’s not great for catchers, but nowadays they do a super job rehabbing these injuries and he’s young,” the scout said. “I like the bat along with the defense. I could see him as maybe a catcher and first-base combo.”
AL Central Notes: Royals, Francoeur, Indians, Perez
News out of the American League Central..
- The Royals are already $12MM over their stated breaking point, which means that money will be a factor in what moves they make, tweets Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star. Furthermore, they appear committed to starting the season with Jeff Francoeur in right field, limiting interest in possible alternatives (Twitter link).
- The adding of bullpen arms doesn't mean that the Indians are necessarily looking to move Chris Perez, General Manager Chris Antonetti told Glenn Moore of Cleveland.com. "We didn't look at it that way. I think we just looked at it as an opportunity to just improve our team. And Chris is our closer. As we sit here today, I have every reason to think he’s going to be our closer on Opening Day," said the GM.
- Tony Paul of The Detroit News looks at trade scenarios for the Tigers' Rick Porcello, including the Pirates, Rangers, and Angels. Several National League teams including the Padres have been said to have interest in the right-hander.
NL East Notes: Phillies, Ross, Braves, Fowler
Sources tell Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) that the Phillies are intensifying their pursuit of Cody Ross. Of course there’s other clubs strongly pursuing the outfielder, including the Mariners. Here’s more out on the Phillies and the rest of the NL East..
- There were no trade talks brewing this weekend between the Braves or Rangers on Dexter Fowler, a Rockies source told Troy Renck of the Denver Post (on Twitter). The Braves have been in trade talks this week with several clubs and are believed to be targeting Fowler.
- The Mets may be on the verge of acquiring Travis d’Arnaud from the Blue Jays, which shows how bad they want R.A. Dickey, tweets Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports. Two other execs that asked for d’Arnaud this offseason were told flat-out no.
- After picking up Mike Adams and John Lannan, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer looks at what is left for the Phillies to spend on an outfield upgrade. By Gelb’s math, the Phillies could sign an outfielder with an average annual salary of approximately $7MM and be right up against the tax threshold.
Angels Notes: Hamilton, Trumbo, Bourjos
A look at the Angels as they introduce Josh Hamilton..
- The Angels are telling people that they're not trading Mark Trumbo, according to Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports (via Twitter). That could change with the right offer, but it's clear that they would prefer to move Peter Bourjos.
- The Rangers didn't woo Hamilton hard enough, according to his wife Katie, tweets Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. The slugger agreed and said that he would be lying if he said the perceived slight didn't bother him.
- The Angels' signing of Hamilton was a shocker but was also premeditated in many ways, writes Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com. A source says that the Halos already looked into it during the Winter Meetings despite owner Arte Moreno's preference to have a $145MM payroll next year. However, the club left flexibility for just one player, and that was Hamilton.
- Hamilton said that talks didn't get serious with the Angels until the day he signed, tweets Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times.
Odds & Ends: Tigers, Padres, Walker, Webb
The Tigers' re-signing of Anibal Sanchez puts them right there with the Angels as favorites to win the American League in 2013, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Some are wondering if the Halos’ combination of Mike Trout, Hamilton and Albert Pujols is the best ever, but the Tigers can’t be too far behind with Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder. Here's more Friday night linkage from around baseball..
- If the Padres trade for a starting pitcher, Corey Brock of MLB.com (via Twitter) doesn't can't see how they don't part with Luke Gregerson or Joe Thatcher as part of a deal, since they are reluctant to move prospects. San Diego is said to be interested in Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello.
- Second baseman Neil Walker just became arbitration eligible, but he said at today's fan event that he would be open to a long-term deal with the Pirates, writes Rob Biertempfel of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “This is the city I want to be in,” Walker said. “I‘m excited about my first year of arbitration, (but) I can‘t really speak too much more on that. I hope to be a Pirate for a long, long time.”
- The Twins will be among the teams at pitcher Brandon Webb's throwing session after the holidays, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. The former Cy Young winner hasn't pitched in the majors since 2009 because of shoulder issues.
- Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times spoke with Josh Hamilton's "accountability partner" Johnny Narron, who worked with him for five years with the Reds and Rangers.
East Notes: Braves, Trumbo, Yankees, Orioles
The Braves made an “aggressive” offer for Shin-Soo Choo, but ultimately it was the Reds that snagged him in a three-team deal. Could Atlanta be in the mix for another slugger? Here's more on that and other notes out of the Eastern divisions..
- The Braves have Angels outfielder/first baseman Mark Trumbo on their radar, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter). Earlier today, it was reported that the Halos are very likely to trade either Trumbo or Peter Bourjos for a pitcher. However, Trumbo appears to be less available than Bourjos.
- The Yankees luxury tax penalty for 2012 will come in at $18.9MM, according to the Associated Press. The Bombers have run up a luxury tax bill of $224.2MM over the past ten years, with the fee increasing from $13.9MM last year.
- It's possible that the Orioles' relative quiet in the free agent market will become the new norm in the AL East, writes Rich Dubroff of CSNBaltimore.com. Of course, the rival Rays and Blue Jays made major splashes this offseason via trade.