Discussion: Yankees Possible Middle Infielder Options
Yesterday we learned that talks between the Astros and Yankees about Jeff Keppinger didn't get very far. The 30-year-old utility player appeared to be a fine fit for a team in need of bench help, but New York could instead turn to rookie Eduardo Nunez to fill the role. That, however, seems like a Plan B more than anything right now.
If the Yankees want to sift through other options on the open market they'll find that there isn't much left to choose from. Former Yankee prospect Cristian Guzman is still available after posting a less-than-stellar .648 OPS with the Nationals and Rangers. Despite a solid body of work throughout his career, Julio Lugo disappointed in Baltimore last season, hitting .249/.298/.282 in 93 games. Both players offer average defense at shortstop (-0.2 and -0.4 career UZR/150, respectively) but Lugo has more experience playing second base. Those two are essentially the cream of the free agent utility infielder crop.
The Yankees have had trouble signing bench players in recent years in part because no free agent in their right mind would join the Yanks only to sit on the bench behind their impressive cast of regulars. They've had to trade for bench help as a result, grabbing the likes of Wilson Betemit, Jerry Hairston Jr., Eric Hinske, and Austin Kearns at the deadline in recent years. John Hickey of Sportspress Northwest writes that the Mariners need to make a deal if they hope to free up spending cash this winter, so perhaps a deal involving Jack Wilson and the $5MM left on his contract deal could make sense for both sides.
GM Brian Cashman has started each of the last two seasons with young gloveman Ramiro Pena on his bench, so the team could go with him again if they feel Nunez needs more minor league seasoning. The Yankees have money to spend after missing out on Cliff Lee, but quality reserve players are tough to find these days. Overpaying for bench players is a good way to waste money, so don't be surprised if New York starts the season with Pena before making yet another in-season trade. What do MLBTR's readers think the Yankees will do with their bench during before Spring Training?
Mike Axisa contributed to this post.
Nats Offer LaRoche Two-Year Deal
4:51pm: Jen Royle of MASN tweets that the two sides are discussing a multiyear deal in the $8-9MM per season range. Even the low end of that range would represent a higher average annual value than the $21MM LaRoche is reportedly seeking over three years. Royle confirmed that the annual payout being discussed is higher than what the Orioles talked about with LaRoche (Twitter link).
2:44pm: The Nationals have offered first baseman Adam LaRoche a two-year deal, Bill Ladson of MLB.com has learned (via Twitter). LaRoche lost a suitor just minutes ago when the O's and Derrek Lee came to terms on a one-year pact.
LaRoche, 31, has been said to be looking for a three-year deal in the range of $21MM. With the O's seemingly out of the bidding, he may have to settle for less. He was the definition of a league average first baseman in 2010, hitting .261 with 25 homers and 100 runs driven in compared to the .263/25/91 average. It was LaRoche's third straight season with 25 homers on the nose.
Discussion: The Nats’ First Base Backup Plan
After shocking the world by signing Jayson Werth, the Nats have been looking to make a second, albeit smaller, splash to fill their first base vacancy. The club has talked extensively with Adam LaRoche but the two sides seem to have hit a wall as the SFX client seeks $21MM over three years. They've also been linked to 35-year-old Derrek Lee who is willing to take a one-year deal. Lee hit just .260/.347/.428 with 19 HRs in 2010 but finished out the year in solid fashion with the Braves. Like LaRoche, Lee is also being looked at by the Orioles.
It seems likely that Washington will end up with either Lee or LaRoche at first base but they do have other options. It has been said that the Nationals could look into signing Casey Kotchman as a Plan B. The M's let the 27-year-old hit free agency back in November after he turned in a .217/.280/.336 slash line in 2010. Kotchman made a shade over $3.5MM last season and can probably be had for less in '11. His bat may be suspect but his career 8.8 UZR/150 at first base helps to offset his recent offensive shortcomings.
Kotchman might not be a real upgrade over Mike Morse at first base but he could be a nice complement to the burly slugger. While Kotchman has always performed better against right-handed pitching, Morse has shown that he has a knack for hitting against lefties. While he only made 99 plate appearances against southpaws in 2010, the 28-year-old impressed by hitting .295/.374/.625 with eight homers.
ESPN's Jason A. Churchhill suggests a different platoon option: ex-National Nick Johnson. The oft-injured 32-year-old missed the bulk of 2010 with a wrist injury and predictably had his '11 option declined. It's hard to say what kind of contract Nicky J will fetch on the open market but it's safe to say it'll be for less than the $5.5MM he made last season. There isn't a great disparity in how Johnson hits against lefties and righties but he tends to hit for a little more power against right-handers.
There's obviously a significant drop-off in talent after LaRoche and Lee in what remains of this year's free agent class but the Nats could fill their gap at first cheaply while addressing other needs.
Royals Sign Zach Miner
The Royals have signed pitcher Zach Miner to a minor league contract, according to a team press release. The 28-year-old missed all of 2010 after undergoing surgery on his right elbow in late May.
In four seasons for the Tigers, the right-hander registered a 4.24 ERA with 6.0 K/9 and 4.4 BB/9. Miner has 35 starts to his credit but the bulk of them came in 2006 and 2008.
Detroit designated Miner for assignment in late November but the two sides discussed a new deal soon after. Miner gave the Tigs a solid 56.1% groundball rate in 2007 but that number slipped in '08 and '09.
Poll: Where Will Scott Podsednik Sign?
Recently we learned that the Reds have spoken to the agent for Scott Podsednik as they look to land a left-handed hitting outfielder. The veteran would likely be affordable for the Reds though there is a decent-sized market for his services. The Angels' interest in the 34-year-old is well-known and the Dodgers seemed open to retaining him earlier this winter.
Not only is Podsednik affordable, he also won't require a team to forfeit a draft pick as the Dodgers opted not to offer him arbitration. After earning a modest $1.75MM salary last season, Scotty Pods hit a respectable .297/.342/.382 in 595 plate appearances. It's slim pickins' on the free agent market now and the veteran now finds himself as one of the more attractive players available. Where do you see Podsednik landing in the New Year?
Where Will Scott Podsednik Sign?
-
Reds 36% (2,276)
-
Angels 28% (1,748)
-
Dodgers 18% (1,129)
-
Other 18% (1,116)
Total votes: 6,269
Red Sox, Okajima Close On One-Year Deal
The Red Sox and reliever Hideki Okajima are closing in on a one-year deal, a major league source tells Nick Cafardo of The Boston Globe. The left-hander was non-tendered by the Red Sox earlier this year.
This post was originally published on December 31st.
Poll: Should The Red Sox Trade Papelbon?
This winter the Red Sox made an offer they knew would likely be refused when they put a three-year, $51MM contract in front of Mariano Rivera. As expected, the legendary closer opted to remain in the Bronx where he wishes to finish his career. Some reports have said that Rivera's arrival in Boston would have meant that the club would then deal Jonathan Papelbon elsewhere. We may never know if that was the plan but major league GMs have said that the BoSox have been listening to offers for the outspoken closer.
Now Papelbon and Theo Epstein are set to go to arbitration as the 30-year-old seeks $11.5MM in 2011, his final year before free agency. The right-hander had a down year this past season, turning in a 3.90 ERA 3.8 BB/9, though his 10.2 K/9 was only a shade below his career average. Boston probably can't expect equal talent in return for the pricey pitcher, but with Bobby Jenks now in the fold and Daniel Bard potentially ready to take over as closer, they could afford to move Papelbon. Alternatively, they can hang on to him through 2011, at which point they could either re-sign him or receive compensation in the form of a draft pick from another club.
Should The Red Sox Trade Papelbon?
-
Yes 61% (8,547)
-
No 39% (5,411)
Total votes: 13,958
Odds & Ends: Diamondbacks, Lindstrom, Lee, Ramirez
Merry Christmas everyone! Let's see what tidbits of information Santa has for us under the tree..
- It appears that the Diamondbacks' offseason revamping has already come to a close, writes Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
- Even though the Astros didn't get a ton in return for Matt Lindstrom, they didn't get fleeced either, opines David Golbiewski of Fangraphs.
- Alex Rodriguez told Roger Rubin of the New York Daily News that he thinks the Yankees will be just fine without Cliff Lee.
- Troy Renck of The Denver Post tweets that the Rockies aren't too worried about resigning Joe Beimel because they trust Matt Reynolds and, to a lesser extent, Franklin Morales.
- More from Rubin as he suggests that the Yankees could have brought up Manny Ramirez's name while discussing Johnny Damon with agent Scott Boras.
- The Royals should be able to fill out their rotation with talented, cost-controlled pitchers in the coming years. In the meantime, however, their rotation could use a boost after the Zack Greinke deal, writes Golebiewski.
Poll: Where Will Jeff Francis Sign?
Earlier this week, we learned that several teams are in on former Rockies pitcher Jeff Francis. The Mets, Nationals, Pirates, Rangers, and Yankees are all said to have varying degrees of interest in the left-hander. A return to Colorado can’t be ruled out either as Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd says that the club will keep tabs on him.
Francis, of course, missed all of 2009 after undergoing shoulder surgery. In 2010 he turned in a 5.00 ERA with 5.8 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 20 games as he was limited by his injury. However, his 3.94 xFIP indicates that he was better in that short span than the conventional stats indicate. The Rockies understandably declined their $7MM option for him this winter, but the budding market for Francis could bring the soon-to-be 30-year-old a solid payday.
Where Will Jeff Francis Sign?
-
Mets 29% (2,033)
-
Other 27% (1,846)
-
Pirates 13% (878)
-
Nationals 12% (815)
-
Rangers 10% (696)
-
Rockies 9% (647)
Total votes: 6,915
Moyer Still Eyes Comeback After Surgery
Veteran pitcher Jamie Moyer underwent "very successful" Tommy John surgery earlier this month and continues to have his eye on a comeback in 2012. Moyer, who will be 49 years old when he looks to make his return to the mound, told Larry Stone of The Seattle Times that he'll be willing to compete for a job without a guaranteed deal.
"It may be difficult to find a job at the age of 49," the left-hander said. "Then again, it may not be. I know where I stand: I'll probably get a spring-training invitation, and rightly so. I don't have a problem with that. Throughout my career, I've always had to earn the situation I've been in. I don't expect anyone to give me anything. It's never been that way, so why now?"
Moyer turned in a 4.84 ERA with 5.1 K/9 and 1.6 BB/9 in 19 games with the Phillies last season before elbow trouble ended his season in July. The changeup artist might play winter ball in the Dominican Republic to gauge where he stands after rehabilitation. Moyer says he could also decide to spend more time with his family rather than attempt a comeback. The fact that he seems willing to prove himself once again and presumably take a pay cut could go a long way towards him making another run in the majors.