Discussion: Phillies’ Search For A Lefty Reliever
The Phillies appeared to have their bullpen all squared away for 2011 when they agreed to a one-year, $1.1MM deal with 33-year-old Dennys Reyes. However, the deal fell apart roughly a week later for unknown reasons. While Ruben Amaro has already landed the biggest item on his Christmas wish list, a reunion with Cliff Lee, he is still looking to add a reasonably-priced left-handed reliever.
On Monday, J.C. Romero made it known that he would like to return to Philadelphia. The left-hander would likely have to take a pay cut however, as he earned $4.5MM in 2010. Hideki Okajima is another attractive available relief option but with strong interest from the Mets and other clubs, he could be too pricey for the Phillies.
Recently, Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer identified four relievers who would sign for a deal similar to the one Reyes and the Phillies (initially) agreed upon. Joe Beimel, Randy Flores, Ron Mahay, and Will Ohman would all fall into that price range. With those options available, Gelb argues that the Phillies would be better off rounding out their bullpen from within. If you were in Ruben Amaro's position, what would you do?
Poll: Will Balfour Get A Multiyear Deal?
Rays reliever Grant Balfour opted to roll the dice this winter when he declined the club's offer for arbitration. Roughly one month later, Balfour remains on the open market. Earlier this week, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wrote that the right-hander isn't being shut out because of his Type A status because 21 of the 30 teams could not do worse than have to give up a second-rounder. Rather, it seems that the Australian-born hurler is still available because he is after a multi-year contract.
Chances are, he will get job security that he is after, says Rosenthal. Teams that finished in the bottom half of the standings cannot lose their first-round picks for a Type A free agent. Teams that have already lost their top selection for a Type A like the Red Sox, Angels, Tigers, Nationals, White Sox, and Phillies, would only lose a second-rounder. The price for Balfour could even be as low as a third-rounder if any of those clubs opt to sign one of the other available Type As.
Even though several attractive relief options are now off of the board, there are still plenty of interesting names available. Did Balfour misjudge the market, or will he land the multi-year pact that he's after?
Will Balfour Get A Multi-Year Deal This Winter?
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Yes 57% (3,301)
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No 43% (2,518)
Total votes: 5,819
Discussion: The Orioles’ First Base Vacancy
At the start of this month, the Orioles began their pursuit of Adam LaRoche in earnest. The two sides have been talking frequently but earlier this week it was said that talks had reached an impasse. The 31-year-old has been looking for a three-year deal and despite reports to the contrary, skipper Buck Showalter says that he club has not put a three-year, $21MM offer on the table.
As they hit a wall with LaRoche's representation, the O's rekindled talks with free agent Derrek Lee. While Lee's offensive production was flat during the early portion of the 2010 campaign, he started to rebound in July for the Cubs and Braves. Lee is also just one year removed from a brilliant 2009 season in which he hit .306/.393/.579 and 35 homers. Perhaps the most important "pro" in the Orioles' t-chart is the fact that Lee seems willing to sign a one-year deal for $8MM, while LaRoche continues to seek a multi-year agreement.
However, the Orioles are not confined to these two options. On Wednesday, ESPN's Buster Olney suggested that the club could put together a platoon at first base. For example, Jason Giambi or Russell Branyan could hit from the left side of the plate while someone like Troy Glaus could provide a right-handed bat. While those names aren't necessarily glamorous, they would allow the O's to patch up their hole at first without breaking the bank. How do you envision Baltimore rounding out their revamped infield?
Poll: Where Will Joe Blanton End Up?
After signing free agent Cliff Lee to a five-year, $120MM pact, it's no secret that the Phillies need to trim payroll. In fact, if they don't move well-compensated pitcher Joe Blanton, they'll have no room to make any acquisitions at the trade deadline, a source tells Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports. The right-hander is due $8.5MM over each of the next two seasons.
The market for Blanton should become more clear once Carl Pavano, now the market's top free agent starter, signs with a club. Blanton is five years Pavano's junior and wouldn't be a bad consolation prize for any team. It's also possible that the Phillies could hang on to the 30-year-old, but as Rosenthal pointed out, it would handcuff the club. With the teams that have been linked to Pavano as a guide, where do you envision Blanton winding up?
Where Will Joe Blanton Land?
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He'll remain with the Phillies 19% (1,937)
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Other 18% (1,863)
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Rangers 18% (1,830)
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Nationals 14% (1,471)
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Twins 11% (1,145)
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Tigers 11% (1,131)
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Pirates 8% (849)
Total votes: 10,226
Minor Deals: Chavez, Barden, Jacobs
We'll be keeping track of today's minor deals in this post..
- Endy Chavez has signed a minor league deal with the Rangers, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. The outfielder spent the 2010 season with the club as he rehabbed from knee surgery.
- The Rangers will also bring infielder Brian Barden in on a minor league deal, reports Anthony Andro of the Star-Telegram.
- The Rockies have signed first baseman Mike Jacobs, a source tells Troy Renck of The Denver Post (via Twitter). The 30-year-old spent time with the Triple-A affiliates of the Mets and Blue Jays last season, hitting .273/.335/.482 with 21 homers in 528 plate appearances. He'll make $14K per month in the minors and $700K if he reaches the majors, Renck tweets.
Orioles Notes: LaRoche, Lee, Blanton, Thames
Let's check out some Orioles news courtesy of The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec..
- The O's are clearly focused on getting a deal done with Adam LaRoche, so much so that they've now put Derrek Lee on the backburner. On Thursday it was reported that the two sides aren't yet close to a deal and LaRoche is seeking a three-year committment.
- While one might think that Joe Blanton would be a fit for the Orioles, the club is not in on the pitcher at this point. Baltimore isn't all that high on the right-hander and they don't think he's a great fit for the American League East. However, the club is still after a veteran pitcher.
- Baltimore would also like to bolster their bench and one name to keep an eye on is free agent Marcus Thames. The O's have spoken to Thames' agent but nothing is serious at this point as the club is working to figure out their plans for first base and the DH spot. Last month Japan's Softbank Hawks were working to sign the 33-year-old.
Rays Not Looking To Deal A Starter
Despite having six solid starting pitchers and serious needs elsewhere in their lineup, Rays VP Andrew Friedman told reporters that he isn't looking to trade a starter, writes Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times.
“I’ve said before that it’s not a situation we look at like having two first basemen. We were very fortunate last year until August that all of our guys took the ball every five days. It doesn’t always happen that way, and depth on the starting pitching front is more valuable than anywhere else,” Friedman said.
With Cliff Lee finally off of the market and the Royals seeking a king's ransom for Zack Grienke, one has to think that the Rays could cash in by moving one of their pitchers. The Rangers, Brewers, and Cubs have all talked to Tampa Bay about the arbitration-bound Matt Garza. James Shields has also been linked to the Rangers as well as the Rockies. However, it sounds as though the Rays might be content to stand pat for the time being.
Odds & Ends: Hall, Wood, Jenks, Angels
Some links after another busy day in baseball..
- Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times wonders what the Dodgers will do now that Bill Hall is off of the market.
- The one-year, $1.5MM guarantee that Kerry Wood received from the Cubs isn't close to the bids he received from the Yankees and Red Sox, tweets Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated. In fact, the Yankees would have bid $10MM over two seasons if the right-hander was interested.
- Bobby Jenks will give Boston's bullpen a much needed shot in the arm, writes MLB.com's Mike Bauman.
- Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports wonders if the Angels plan on being frugal this winter.
Brewers Avoid Arbitration With Carlos Gomez
9:50pm: Gomez's will earn $1.5MM in 2011, tweets Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel.
8:08pm: The Brewers have signed Carlos Gomez to a one-year deal, avoiding arbitration, according to a team press release. The center fielder earned $1.1MM last season as a second-year arbitration-eligible Super Two.
Gomez, who celebrated his 25th birthday on December 4th, hit .247/.298/.357 in 97 games for the Brewers this season. Just last week, the Brewers flirted with the idea of sending Gomez to the Braves in exchange for a young pitcher.
With Gomez back in the fold, Milwaukee now has five players that remain eligible for arbitration: Prince Fielder, Rickie Weeks, Kameron Loe, Manny Parra, and the recently-acquired Shaun Marcum.
Rockies Notes: Francis, Aardsma, Heilman
Let's take a look at some Rockies news..
- Jeff Francis will decide on whether he will return to the Rockies soon, writes Jim Armstrong of The Denver Post. Colorado turned down a $7.5MM club option on the pitcher this offseason, making him a free agent. The Rockies are probably offering the left-hander a deal with about $1MM guaranteed.
- The Rockies believe that the Mariners are asking too much for David Aardsma, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post. It was reported last night that the Rockies had interest in the veteran pitcher.
- A new name to keep in mind for the Rockies is free agent reliever Aaron Heilman, Renck tweets. Colorado has tried to land the 32-year-old multiple times in recent years.