AL West Notes: Rangers, M’s, Hamilton, Adams, Uehara
Rangers General Manager Jon Daniels says that the door is open for reliever Mike Adams to return, but he doesn't sound terribly optimistic about it happening, writes Jeff Wilson of the Star-Telegram. "I think Mike's earned the right and put up performances indicative of a substantial contract," Daniels said. "Historically we haven't done those kinds of deals." More on the Rangers and other items out of the AL West..
- While some have speculated that the Red Sox and Rangers could partner up for a swap of Jacoby Ellsbury and Elvis Andrus, such a trade won't be happening, tweets Rob Bradford of WEEI.com.
- People familiar with the Mariners' thinking told Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com that the club could be a new entry into the Josh Hamilton sweepstakes. Earlier today, we learned that the Orioles will be targeting Hamilton this winter.
- Daniels also said that he wants to see Koji Uehara return in 2013, Wilson writes. With the likely departure of Adams and Alexi Ogando's move to the rotation, the Rangers have three vacancies to fill in the bullpen.
- The GM also confirmed that the club has discussed a minor league deal with right-hander Yoshinori Tateyama. The Rangers declined their $1.2MM option on Tateyama last week.
- Daniels believes that there is a perception that the Rangers do not want to retain Hamilton and said that it is inaccurate, Wilson writes. The Rangers have maintained contact with Hamilton's agent, Mike Moye, but contract terms have yet to be discussed.
- Earlier tonight, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reported that the Rangers are pursuing free agent first baseman Adam LaRoche.
Nationals Notes: Johnson, Pitching, Jackson, LaRoche
Earlier today, Tim Dierkes profiled the Nationals in the latest installment of the Arbitration Eligibles series. Here’s more on the Nats..
- The Nationals have yet to reach agreement on a new deal with manager Davey Johnson for 2013 and beyond, but General Manager Mike Rizzo says he is confident about getting a deal done, tweets Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
- Johnson told MLB.com’s Bill Ladson that he is also confident that an agreement will be reached and that a deal could be struck as early as Thursday. “There isn’t really any rush for me,” Johnson said. “I’m not worried about it. I assume everything is going to worked out. I don’t feel like it’s an emergency. I feel like I’m still the manager.“
- Rizzo said the Nats aren’t far down the road on anything when it comes to the starting pitching market, Amanda Comak of the Washington Times tweets. Right-hander Edwin Jackson has said that he would like to return to Washington but will also listen to offers from other clubs.
- Meanwhile, Rizzo was honest when asked about the club’s decision not to extend Jackson a qualifying offer, explaining that he liked some free agent options better and didn’t want to get locked in, Kilgore tweets.
- The Nationals have been in contact with Adam LaRoche‘s agents and continue to talk, tweets Comak.
- Ladson also notes that the Nationals re-signed catcher Carlos Maldonado to a minor league contract and signed outfielder Ray Kruml to a minor league deal. Maldonado elected free agency last month.
Red Sox, Rangers Pursuing Adam LaRoche
The Red Sox and Rangers are pursuing free agent Adam LaRoche, major league sources tell Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The first baseman has garnered enough interest that he is expected to reject the Nationals' one-year, $13.3MM qualifying offer by Friday's deadline.
Morosi writes that the Rangers' interest in the 33-year-old is yet another sign that Texas is preparing for life without Josh Hamilton in 2013 and beyond. The Red Sox, meanwhile, have been linked to LaRoche for a good while as they look to fill their void at first base.
Latest On Justin Upton, Diamondbacks
Justin Upton's no-trade list last year included the Yankees, Red Sox, Indians, and Cubs, but Diamondbacks General Manager Kevin Towers now says that the no-trade list is made up of four new teams, tweets Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic. Towers said that it won't keep him from speaking with those four teams and he has even had talks with one of them already (Twitter link).
Towers also noted that the A's were on Chris Young's no-trade list but he ultimately agreed to go to Oakland last month, Piecoro tweets. Earlier today it was reported that the D'Backs were in active discussions regarding Upton and the Red Sox are expected to join the fray. The 25-year-old was hindered by hand issues in 2012 and posted a .280/.355/.430 batting line with 17 homers.
Managerial Notes: Rockies, O’s, Showalter, Blue Jays
The latest managerial news..
- Last night it was reported that Walt Weiss and Matt Williams are the two remaining candidates for the Rockies' managerial job with bench coach Tom Runnells and slugger Jason Giambi out of the running. However, Rockies General Manager Bill Geivett says that Giambi is still in play, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post (via Twitter).
- Geivett also said that there won't be a decision tonight but he expects one to come soon, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- The Orioles intend to negotiate a contract extension with Buck Showalter, sources tell Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. Owner Peter Angelos has told people connected to the team that he will look to extend Showalter's deal beyond 2013.
- The Blue Jays are after a manager with experience and they have reached out Mike Hargrove, but talks do not appear to have progressed, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Toronto is confident that they'll find a strong candidate with previous experience, meaning that Sandy Alomar Jr. and Tim Wallach won't be in the picture unless they have a serious reversal, Rosenthal tweets (Twitter links).
Padres Rumors: Headley, Grandal, Int’l Signings
Padres General Manager Josh Byrnes says that he doesn't expect Chase Headley to be traded this winter, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The Padres like their offense and want to keep it in tact, but will look to bolster their pitching this offseason. Here's more out of San Diego..
- Speaking of Headley, a baseball source tells Corey Brock of MLB.com that no discussions about a multi-year have taken place yet between him and the club. Earlier this week, it was reported that the third baseman had some extension talks with Byrnes & Co. Headley is set to hit the open market after the 2014 season.
- Byrnes indicated to Morosi (via Twitter) that he's unlikely to look for a starting catcher after the suspension of Yasmani Grandal. Instead, the Padres will work with Nick Hundley and John Baker during Grandal's 50-game suspension.
- The Padres have signed four amateur prospects from Latin America, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. Dominican outfielder Euri Minaya, a 6-foot-4, 200 pound power hitter, was the biggest signing of the bunch at $700K.
Red Sox, Ortiz Agree To Two-Year Deal
There's been a lot of change in Boston in the last year or so, but David Ortiz isn't going anywhere. The designated hitter known as Big Papi agreed to a two-year deal that will keep him with the Red Sox through 2014, the team announced today.
“He is an historic figure, a beloved hero, and an important player as we build our team for 2013 and beyond,” GM Ben Cherington said in a statement released by the team.
The deal is worth $26MM in total and includes a $14MM salary for 2013, an $11MM salary for 2014 and a $1MM signing bonus, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com (Twitter links). The value of the second year can increase to $13MM or $15MM depending on how much time Ortiz misses in 2013. Ortiz will earn $15MM in 2014 if he misses 20 or fewer days on the disabled list due to his Achilles injury in 2013, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports.
Ortiz, who turns 37 in just over two weeks, posted a .318/.415/.611 batting line in 383 plate appearances this past season. The Red Sox extended a qualifying offer worth $13.3MM to the SFX client last week. The move would have netted the club a compensatory draft pick if he signed elsewhere, but Ortiz will instead remain as a cornerstone of the Boston lineup.
The veteran ranked 13th on MLBTR's list of top 50 free agents this offseason and figured to have multiple suitors, including the Rangers. In ten seasons with the Red Sox, Ortiz has hit .290/.389/.573, earning eight All-Star selections along the way.
Rob Bradford of WEEI.com first reported news of the agreement. Pete Abraham of the Boston Globe (via Twitter) reported that the two sides were likely to strike a deal. Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
East Notes: Mets, Jays, Shields, Red Sox, Nationals
As it stands now, the Mets don't have a great deal of money to spend in free agency after exercising the options on David Wright and R.A. Dickey for 2013. However, the club could free up cash by opting to trade one or both if they are unable to come to terms on contract extensions. The Mets have a serious need for outfield help and multiple baseball officials told Mike Puma of the New York Post that they see Cody Ross as a possible free agent target for the team. Here's more from the AL and NL East:
- Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com's Barry M. Bloom that "the Blue Jays have kicked the tires about possibly interviewing" Matt Williams for their managerial vacancy, but have yet to formally ask for permission. Williams is scheduled to meet with top Rockies officials at Coors Field and will be the final candidate to do so, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com.
- James Shields, who is set to become the highest-paid player in Rays' franchise history, is prepared to be a prime subject of the Hot Stove rumor mill this winter, writes the Tampa Bay Times' Marc Topkin. "Obviously my name's been thrown around a lot," the right-hander said. "I'm just going to go about my business and not really worry about it. Obviously I want to be a Ray. I've been here 12 years, this is my home. If it does happen, it'll be a sad day."
- Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald suggests that the Red Sox should trade Jacoby Ellsbury as they are unlikely to come to terms with him on a contract extension. The Red Sox could find a partner in the Rangers as they may prefer to give Ellsbury a long-term commitment rather than Josh Hamilton and can afford to part with shortstop Elvis Andrus.
- The Red Sox are bolstering their scouting department in anticipation of having, for the first time since 1993 and just the second time since 1967, a top ten pick in the amateur draft, reports WEEI.com's Alex Speier. The team rehired John Booher, the person most directly involved in the scouting process of Ellsbury in 2005 and Nick Hagadone in 2007, and hired former MLB pitcher Brian Moehler as an area scout for Georgia.
- Tom Kotchman, who resigned last week as a manager and scout in the Angels organization, interviewed with the Red Sox on Thursday, tweets Conor Glassey of Baseball America. Glassey points to former Angels scouting director Eddie Bane's position with Boston as the club's new Special Assistant to Player Personnel for the mutual interest.
- The Red Sox wanted to hold on to reliever Michael Olmstead, but their current 40-man roster crunch made it impossible, explains Alex Speier of WEEI.com. The 6'7", 245-pound right-hander signed with the Brewers as a minor league free agent last night.
- For now, people familiar with the Nationals’ thinking expect them to either trade arbitration-eligible John Lannan or allow him to walk, writes Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post. The Nats could instead convert Christian Garcia from a reliever to a starter to fill out the rotation, but his history of arm trouble may make that too risky.
Edward Creech contributed to this post.
Athletics Sign Bartolo Colon
SUNDAY: The incentives in Colon's contract include provisions should he pitch in relief, according to the San Francisco Chronicle's Susan Slusser. Moving Colon to the bullpen would allow the A's to use other relievers as trade bait, opines Slusser.
SATURDAY 9:37pm: Joe Stiglich of The Bay Area News Group reports (on Twitter) that the deal could be worth more than $5MM if Colon hits all of his incentives.
4:15pm: Colon's deal has a base salary of $3MM with a good incentives package, a source tells Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle (via Twitter).
3:20pm: The A’s announced that they have re-signed right-handed pitcher Bartolo Colón to a one-year contract. Terms of the deal are not yet known for the Wasserman Media Group client.
Colon turned in a 3.43 ERA with 5.4 K/9 and 1.4 BB/9 through 24 starts before a positive test for testosterone landed him a 50-game suspension in August. The 39-year-old still must serve five games of that suspension in 2013.
The right-hander made just 47 starts from 2006-2009 and missed the 2010 season but turned in a strong 2011 for the Yankees. For his career, Colon has a 4.05 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9.
Mike Axisa and Edward Creech contributed to this post.
Quick Hits: Hamilton, Indians, Cardinals, Rockies
Links from around baseball..
- David Lennon of Newsday ran down his predictions for the top free agents on this winter's market. Lennon sees Josh Hamilton landing with the Brewers on a five-year deal and B.J. Upton getting a six-year pact from the Phillies. Of course, MLBTR readers can put themselves in the mix for great prizes in our second annual free agent prediction contest.
- The Indians should follow the example of the Athletics and overhaul their team this offseason, opines ESPN.com's Buster Olney (Insider sub. req'd). Olney suggests that Cleveland can start the fire sale by trading shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a team such as the A's, Mariners, Red Sox, or Yankees.
- Speaking of the Tribe, Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer looks at how a tight financial situation and bad trades combined to hurt the Indians in recent years.
- MLBTR has learned that Orioles left-hander Zach Phillips has rejected his outright assignment to Triple-A Norfolk and elected free agency. Phillips, 26, posted a 3.17 ERA with 7.5 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 42 Triple-A outings last season.
- The Cardinals may pursue short-term fixes at both shortstop and second base rather than entrust their depth to organizational players such as Pete Kozma, Ryan Jackson, or Kolten Wong, writes Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
- The Rockies could decide on their new manager early this week, writes Patrick Saunders of the Denver Post. Bench coach Tom Runnells, veteran slugger Jason Giambi, former Rockies shortstop Walt Weiss, and current Diamondbacks third base coach Matt Williams make up the club's final four of candidates.
- Scott Boras takes a few minutes out of his busy schedule to chat with FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi about the offseason and how new television revenue will fuel spending over the next few months.
- While strong numbers during a contract year may benefit free agents, teams aren't guaranteed to see a repeat performance from their new investments the following season, writes Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal.
Daniel Seco contributed to this post.