Yankees Sign Carlos Silva
The Yankees have signed Carlos Silva, according to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated (via Twitter). It is a minor league deal, tweets Joel Sherman of the New York Post. The Yankees will be responsible only for the major league minimum if he is added to the big league roster, says Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Silva, who turns 32 in two weeks, was released by the Cubs in late March. The club is on the hook for most of his $11.5MM salary and $2MM buyout for 2012. The Yanks weren't originally interested in the pitcher's services after the Cubs cut him loose, Jack Curry of the YES Network tweets, but they'll now take a look at him in light of Phil Hughes' recent struggles.
Early yesterday morning, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported that the right-hander had offers from several teams and was on the cusp of choosing one. If Silva reaches the big league squad, he'll pitch under Larry Rothschild, his former pitching coach in Chicago.
Dodgers May Guarantee Redding’s Deal
The Dodgers plan to use a fifth starter next Sunday in San Diego and could choose to call upon Tim Redding, who is not on the 40-man roster, writes MLB.com's Ken Gurnick. Adding the 33-year-old would require guaranteeing his $750K salary and moving a player off of the 40-man roster to make room for him.
Alternatively, the club could call upon John Ely, who is already on the 40-man roster, to make the start. The Dodgers will have both Ely and Redding pitch Tuesday in an extended spring training game, which puts them on schedule to pitch Sunday. Right-hander Jon Garland is also lobbying to make the start as he recovers from a strained oblique.
Redding last pitched in the majors in 2009 for the Mets, making 17 starts and 13 relief appearances. In eight major league seasons, Redding owns a 4.95 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9.
David Price Would Be Open To Long-Term Deal
In the wake of Wade Davis' four-year extension, left-hander David Price says that he would be open to signing a long-term deal with the Rays, writes Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. The former No. 1 overall draft pick said that such a deal would have to be under the right terms, though he declined to specify.
"If it's realistic, absolutely, that is something I would definitely do," the 25-year-old said. "I love it here, absolutely. Everyone here knows that I'm a huge fan of this organization and all the people that are in the clubhouse. I feel like it's the right place for me."
Price is under team control until 2016, when he can hit free agency. Topkin suggests a starting point dollar-wise that is somewhere between Tim Lincecum's two-year, $23MM deal and Cole Hamels' three-year, $21MM contract. The left-hander will already be looking at a considerable raise for 2012 when he reaches Super Two status.
MLBTR Originals
Here's a look back at some of the analysis and reporting MLBTR's writing team delivered this week..
- This week, MLBTR learned that the Red Sox released outfielder Jason Place and the Cubs cut right-hander Aaron Shafer loose. Neither player was among their team's top 30 prospects according to Baseball America's Prospect Handbook, though both were former high draft picks.
- Ben Nicholson-Smith spoke to Wade Davis' agent, B.B. Abbott, about the risk they took when agreeing to a four-year extension. Abbott also disclosed the terms of the deal to MLBTR.
- MLBTR was the first to report that the Pirates signed recently-released right-hander Tim Wood. Wood had just been cut loose by the Nationals.
- Take a look at the 2011 predictions from the MLBTR writing staff.
- Mike Axisa took a look at the General Managers whose contracts do not extend beyond 2011.
- Just before Opening Day, Howard Megdal ran down the Alphabet of 2011 storylines.
- I led a discussion on the Marlins' third base options.
- After the Blue Jays declined to exercise his options, we asked out readers if Aaron Hill would finish the year in Toronto.
- Our Offseason In Review series rolled on with looks at the Diamondbacks, Angels, and Yankees.
- MLBTR is looking for a head moderator to be active in regulating the forums. Past bulletin board administrative experience is preferred.
- Did you miss our weekly chat with Tim Dierkes? Don't worry, you can still view the transcript right here.
- Pitcher Edwin Jackson is a breakout candidate in 2011, says Tim.
- Do you run a baseball blog or website? If so, the MLB Trade Rumors widget is the perfect way to pipe in the latest hot stove headlines.
- The Ubaldo Jimenez extension is going well for the Rockies, writes Ben Nicholson-Smith.
- Check out the best of the web in this week's installment of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
- Fun Fact: Half of baseball's Opening Day starters were first-round selections. Ben Nicholson-Smith also breaks down how each team obtained their No. 1 starters.
Quick Hits: Aardsma, Angels, Padres
Saturday Night Links..
- Mariners pitcher David Aardsma, the subject of many trade rumors before undergoing hip surgery in December, could be back on the mound sooner rather than later, writes Geoff Baker of The Seattle Times.
- Versatile multi-position players need to be developed and compensated well, writes Peter Gammons of MLB.com.
- Shoulder soreness will keep Joel Pineiro out of the Angels' rotation for longer than first anticipated, but Kevin Baxter of the Los Angeles Times writes that the club will fill the void internally.
- Former Padres draft pick Griffin Benedict has retired as a player to join the club as a bullpen catcher, writes Bill Center of The San Diego Union-Tribune. Griffin is the son of former major league catcher Bruce Benedict.
Discussion: Marlins’ Third Base Options
Recently, there was a great deal of speculation as to how the Marlins would take care of the third base job as prospect Matt Dominguez was demoted to the minors to improve his offense. However, Larry Beinfest seemed to put that talk to rest when he said that the trade front was rather quiet, leaving Donnie Murphy as the club's Opening Day starting third baseman.
Unfortunately for the Marlins, Dominguez suffered a slight fracture to his left elbow yesterday and Murphy was struck on his surgically-repaired right hand by a pitch in the seventh inning of tonight's contest against the Mets. Dominguez should be back in action in 4-6 weeks but there is no word on Murphy's condition just yet. If the Fish find themselves without Murphy's services for an extended period of time, they can refer back to their shortlist of third base candidates from just weeks ago. We could hear names like Michael Young rehashed again, but with a $16MM annual salary, it's not likely that the Marlins and Rangers can match up. Fortunately for the Marlins, a couple of the more affordable options are newly available.
The Marlins flirted with the idea of bringing in Royals veteran Pedro Feliz in March. On Sunday, Feliz asked for, and was granted, his release. Though it was said at the time at the Marlins weren't likely to sign the 35-year-old, circumstances may bring about a change of heart in the Florida front office. Former Marlin Luis Castillo has also re-entered the open market after being cut loose by the Phillies. Castillo could theoretically be put at his preferred position, second base, with Omar Infante being moved over to third. Even though neither player would represent an earth-shattering signing, either player would be able to keep the spot at third warm until Dominguez recovers and gets his bat up to speed.
It's also quite possible that the Marlins would once again fill the void at third base internally. After all, as Beinfest said, whoever they would acquire to play the position would be nothing more than a "placeholder".
East Notes: Simon, Red Sox, Feliciano, Mets
Let's take a look at some items from the AL and NL East..
- An Orioles source confirmed to Dan Connolly of The Baltimore Sun that Alfredo Simon arrived in Tampa on Saturday afternoon and will work out at the team’s minor-league complex within the next few days.
- Don't get accustomed to the Red Sox signing $100MM players, cautions Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal.
- Orioles pitcher Alfredo Simon hasn't been totally cleared of wrongdoing in a fatal shooting, but he has been able to secure a visa which allowed him to travel to the United States. Simon's agent, Phil Issac, says that Simon will arrive in Florida this afternoon, writes Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun. Zrebiec writes that it's too early to speculate about his availability, but the veteran will begin a throwing program and start preparing for the 2011 season.
- Nationals catcher Ivan Rodriguez wants to stay with the club beyond 2011, writes Bill Ladson of MLB.com. The catcher has been brought up in trade rumors as some believe that the club could make Jesus Flores the backup after handing the keys over to Wilson Ramos behind the plate.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that Pedro Feliciano was "abused" by the Mets' use of him in recent years, tweets Jim Baumbach of Newsday.
- One group of bidders interested in buying a share of the Mets includes Tampa Bay Rays minority owner Randy Frankel, writes Michael O'Keeffe of the New York Daily News.
Mets Notes: Rodriguez, Feliciano, Warthen
Here are some items on the Mets as they take on the Marlins at Sun Life Stadium..
- Skipper Terry Collins plans to speak with Francisco Rodriguez this weekend regarding the closer's usage in non-save situations, writes MLB.com's Anthony DiComo. K-Rod's contract has a $17.5MM option for 2012, which vests if he finishes 55 games. "I'm not going to let him go out there just to pitch an inning and jeopardize the game when I'm going to need him the next day," the manager said.
- Earlier today, Yankees GM Brian Cashman said that the Mets "abused" Pedro Feliciano during his time in Queens. Mets pitching coach Dan Warthen disagreed with that sentiment, but added, "That was part of the reason we decided not to re-sign him," tweets David Lennon of Newsday.
- DiComo also writes that recent acquisition Chin-lung Hu will serve as the club's emergency catcher should Josh Thole and Mike Nickeas go down. Hu, whom the Mets acquired from the Dodgers this offseason, has no experience behind the plate.
Red Sox Send Pedro Perez To Tigers To Complete Deal
The Red Sox have sent right-hander Pedro Perez to the Tigers to complete the trade for Triple-A infielder Brent Dlugach, according to Peter Abraham of The Boston Globe. Perez spent last season with Boston's Single-A Greenville affiliate.
Perez, who will turn 23 in May, turned in a 3.94 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 28 games last season in Greenville. The right-hander made just two starts last season but has 30 starts to his credit in five minor league seasons. The Tigers have assigned him to their Connecticut Short-Season Class A affiliate, according to Steve Kornacki of MLive.com.
The Red Sox acquired Dlugach in November for cash considerations or a player to be named later. The 28-year-old owns a career .274/.325/.401 slash line in Triple-A.
Poll: Will Blue Jays Trade Aaron Hill?
Yesterday, the Blue Jays declined to exercise their options for Aaron Hill's 2012-2014 seasons. While they will still be able to pick up the 29-year-old's options for '12 and '13, the decision could reflect the club's uncertainty regarding Hill's long-term future in Toronto. After churning out a .286/.330/.499 slash line with 36 homers in 2009, Hill saw his OPS drop more than 150 points and his HR total dip to 26 in 2010.
Even if the Blue Jays aren't high on Hill at the moment, one has to think that the second baseman could attract plenty of interest if he shows flashes of his old form in 2011. After this season, Hill can be retained for $8MM in 2012 or, for $16MM, kept through 2013. While that's not exactly chump change, it's not an exorbitant price to pay if Hill can bring a 5.4 WAR to the table like he did in '09.
Do you envision GM Alex Anthopoulos flipping Hill to another club before this season is through?
Will The Blue Jays Trade Aaron Hill?
-
No 58% (3,039)
-
Yes 42% (2,232)
Total votes: 5,271