Padres Acquire Cameron Maybin From Marlins
The Padres have acquired Cameron Maybin from the Marlins, according to Tom Krasovic of Fanhouse (via Twitter). Florida will receive relievers Ryan Webb and Edward Mujica in exchange for the center fielder, Krasovic tweets. The Marlins have announced that the deal is now official.
The deal will provide Maybin with a much needed change of scenery, Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports writes (via Twitter). The 23-year-old has yet to realize his potential after coming over to the Marlins in the 2007 Miguel Cabrera–Dontrelle Willis trade. Maybin's performance at the plate was particularly disappointing this season as he hit .234/.302/.361 with eight homers in 322 plate appearances. His arrival presumably bumps Tony Gwynn from the Padres' starting lineup and makes him an even more likely non-tender candidate.
The 6'6" Webb appears to be the key to the trade, Krasovic tweets. The right-hander could be a set-up man for the Fish and is not yet arbitration-eligible. Heading into the 2010 season, Baseball America rated Webb as the 24th best prospect in San Diego's system. The 24-year-old has a 94-96 mph fastball with a strong mid-80s curveball, according to the publication. In 54 big league games this year, Webb registered a 2.90 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9.
Meanwhile, Mujica is arbitration eligible for the first time this winter. The 26-year-old hurler turned in a 3.62 ERA with 9.3 K/9 and 0.8 BB/9 across 59 games this year.
Manager Rumors: Mets, Pirates
Here's the latest on the managerial searches in New York and Pittsburgh..
Mets
Jose Oquendo will be the last of the first round interviews when he meets with the Mets on Monday, tweets Jon Heyman of SI. The second round of interviews, he says, could begin this week in Orlando.
Meanwhile, Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com (via Twitter) keeps hearing that Terry Collins is the most likely to land the job. We learned yesterday that Collins, Clint Hurdle, and Bob Melvin are all expected to receive second interviews.
Pirates
Speaking of Hurdle, the Pirates have ramped up their efforts to land him, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com. Along with in-house candidate Jeff Banister, Hurdle is believed to be one of the finalists for the job.
Rafael DePaula Is Back On The Market
Dominican pitching prospect Rafael DePaula is once again attracting interest from teams, tweets Jorge Arangure of ESPN the Magazine. The right-hander has been dogged by questions about his age and identity for more than a year.
DePaula was first eligible to sign back in 2008 when he presented himself as a 16-year-old. He was later found out to be a year older and was suspended by MLB. In June, after serving his suspension time, he confessed to using a false identity. He used the name Rafael DePaula Figueroa but admitted to actually being Jose Rafael DePaula, born March 24, 1991.
The 6"3' hurler was clocked in the 91-93 mph range last year in the Dominican Prospect League but according to Arangure, he has been known to throw as hard as 97 mph. The Yankees, Red Sox, Mariners, and Padres have all reportedly had interest in DePaula in the past, but Arangure tweets that he doesn't know what teams are currently involved. Arangure also points out that the pitcher could have trouble obtaining a visa.
Odds & Ends: Beltre, Counsell, Greinke, Kuroda
Thursday night linkage..
- Agent Scott Boras said in an interview on MLB Network Radio that he has never seen more interest in a player than he has for client Adrian Beltre.
- Brewers GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journel-Sentinel (via Twitter) that he is "making progress" towards a deal with Craig Counsell.
- Zack Greinke has yet to present the Royals with his list of clubs that he refuses to be traded to, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle writes that A's GM Billy Beane said that no move will be ruled out this winter except for dealing starters Trevor Cahill, Brett Anderson, Gio Gonzalez, and Dallas Braden.
- A source told Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (via Twitter) that he thinks the Diamondbacks will look for a short-term solution at first base. As Morosi points out, this would mean that Paul Konerko would not be the answer in Arizona.
- John Romano of the St. Petersburg Times thinks the Rays should re-sign Carlos Pena.
- Nats reliever Joe Bisenius has elected free agency after being outrighted, according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com. The fireballer was a September call-up this year but made just five appearances.
- Jayson Stark of ESPN (via Twitter) expects free agent Hiroki Kuroda to remain with the Dodgers.
- While Justin Marks may not blossom into a superstar, some think that he could develop into a No. 3 or 4 starter, writes MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo. The Royals acquired the left-hander from Oakland along with Vin Mazzaro in exchange for David DeJesus.
- In an interview on MLB Network Radio, free agent Craig Counsell said there's a "definite possibility" that he could return to the Brewers.
Uggla Believes A Deal Can Be Reached
Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla told reporters today that he believes that he and the Marlins can close the gap in their extension talks, writes Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post. The veteran is entering his final year of arbitration where he can expect to earn $10MM or more. Uggla indicated that he is upset that the details of his contract talks have leaked to the press.
On Sunday we learned that the 30-year-old turned down a four-year, $48MM proposal from the Fish. While the extension offer did not satisfy the second baseman, it does mark a significant jump from the three-year, $24MM deal that Florida offered back in September.
Uggla's representation was said to be seeking $58MM over five seasons but the slugger's belief that the gap between the two sides is "bridgeable" may indicate that a compromise is forthcoming.
Diamondbacks Close To Signing Blum
FRIDAY, 5:27pm: Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com tweets that Blum's two-year contract will be worth "a smidge over $2MM."
THURSDAY, 8:58pm: The proposed deal would be for two years, tweets Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. An announcement could be made as soon as tomorrow.
THURSDAY, 7:12pm: The Diamondbacks are closing in on a deal with Geoff Blum, a baseball source tells Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 37-year-old hit .267/.321/.356 in 218 plate appearances this season while dealing with elbow and neck injuries.
The Astros informed the veteran on October 1st that they would pay his $150K buyout rather than exercise his $1.65MM option for 2011. At the time, Blum told MLB.com's Brian McTaggart that he would miss Houston and gleaned from conversations with people in the organization that he would not return. However, it was reported yesterday that he appeared to be close to re-signing with the Astros.
If Blum signs with Arizona, it will mark a reunion of sorts between the veteran and GM Kevin Towers. The versatile switch-hitter played two seasons and change for the Padres during Towers' time in San Diego.
Blue Jays Acquire Miguel Olivo, Decline Option
10:48pm: The Blue Jays have declined the option on Olivo, according to a team press release. Toronto will be responsible for paying Olivo's $500K buyout and the catcher is now a Type B free agent.
9:15pm: The Rockies have traded catcher Miguel Olivo to the Blue Jays in exchange for cash considerations or a player to be named later, according to a press release from Toronto.
The Blue Jays have until midnight to decide whether to exercise Olivo's $2.5MM option for 2011. The veteran is a Type B free agent, meaning that he could potentially net the Blue Jays a compensatory draft pick if they decline the option, offer arbitration, and see him decline to sign elsewhere. Shi Davidi of The Canadian Press tweets that the Blue Jays could potentially wind up with eight picks inside of the top 50 selections in this year's draft. Toronto may get two picks for Scott Downs, two for Jason Frasor, and one each for John Buck, Kevin Gregg, and Olivo in addition to their own.
It would seem that the Blue Jays now have a glut of catchers as Olivo will join fellow backstops J.P. Arencibia and Jose Molina in Toronto. On the surface it doesn't seem as though there is a spot left for Buck, whom GM Alex Anthopoulos told could still have a place in Toronto.
Just short of the deadline, Colorado informed Olivo that they would not pick up his option for 2011, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. Renck reported yesterday that the Rockies were likely to wait until the eleventh hour to make a decision on Olivo to give themselves time to make a trade. Even if they had decided to exercise the catcher's option, he reportedly wouldn't have returned to Colorado as they planned to trade him either way.
The move clears the way for Chris Iannetta behind the plate though Renck writes that the Rockies will bring in competition. By trading Olivo, the Rockies avoid having to pay the veteran a $500K buyout.
Cubs Outright, Re-Sign Angel Guzman
The Cubs outrighted Angel Guzman and re-signed the pitcher after he cleared waivers, a major league source told ESPNChicago.com's Bruce Levine. The two sides agreed to a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.
The oft-injured right-hander underwent arthroscopic surgery to repair a career-threatening shoulder injury before the start of the season. Guzman was expected to be the Cubs' right-handed setup man after his strong 2009 campaign. The soon-to-be 29-year-old turned in a 2.95 ERA with 6.9 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 55 games.
With Guzman back in the fold and Aramis Ramirez's 2011 option officially exercised, the club's 40-man roster stands at 37 players.
Odds & Ends: Mets, Giants, Gregg, Pujols, Webb
Links for tonight as we remember Hall of Fame manager Sparky Anderson, who passed away today at the age of 76. MLB.com's Marty Noble penned a great article today looking back at the life and career of the universally beloved skipper.
- The Mets announced that GM Sandy Alderson will interview in-house candidates Wally Backman, Terry Collins, and Chip Hale in California this weekend, writes Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. Earlier today the Mets sat down with Bob Melvin and Dave Jauss in New York.
- Giants GM Brian Sabean says that the club will soon make an offer to Aubrey Huff and will "certainly be in discussions" with Juan Uribe, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News.
- Expect the Rockies to call Kevin Gregg's agent, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
- Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols said that he hopes to work out an extension with the club before Opening Day, according to the Associated Press.
- Jonathan Maurer, the agent for Brandon Webb, says that several teams have already contacted him with interest in his client, according to the Associated Press. We learned yesterday that Webb would like to return to Arizona but that seems unlikely.
- After turning down his end of a mutual option today, Scott Podsednik is still in talks with the Dodgers, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- The Denver Post's Troy Renck says that Jorge de la Rosa hasn't been presented with an offer from the Rockies since last winter when he instead opted to take a one-year deal in arbitration.
- The Mets dropped five players from the 40-man roster today including Jesus Feliciano and Omir Santos, tweets Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Bruce, Perez, And Others Get Super Two Status
Twenty players including Reds right fielder Jay Bruce and Indians pitcher Chris Perez have qualified for Super Two status, according to C. Trent Rosecrans of CBSSports.com. Evan Longoria has also made the cutoff but will not reap the benefits as he signed a long-term deal with the Rays in April of 2008.
Players with two years and 122 days of service were granted Super Two status this winter. Prior to this year, no player was awarded Super Two status with less than two years and 130 days of service time. MLBTradeRumors first reported the lowering of the cutoff in June.
Super Twos get to go to arbitration four times instead of the usual three. Players such as Bruce, and Perez are now in line for significant raises in 2011. As for Bruce, the 23-year-old recently said that he would be open to discussing a long-term deal with Cincinnati for "five or six years."
To brush up on exactly what Super Two status means and how one obtains it, you can check out our handy post right here. Below, you will find the complete list of players who have now been granted Super Two status.
Burke Badenhop, Florida 2.143
Travis Buck, Oakland 2.122
Jay Bruce, Cincinnati 2.125
Dana Eveland, Pittsburgh (outrighted) 2.152
Josh Fields, Kansas City 2.159
Armando Galarraga, Detroit 2.148
Alberto Gonzalez, Washington 2.135
Chase Headley, San Diego 2.123
Luke Hochevar, Kansas City 2.151
Jim Johnson, Baltimore 2.165
Kyle Kendrick, Philadelphia 2.159
Jensen Lewis, Cleveland 2.133
Evan Longoria, Tampa Bay 2.170
Darren O'Day, Texas 2.128
Ross Ohlendorf, Pittsburgh 2.139
Felipe Paulino, Houston 2.163
Chris Perez, Cleveland 2.136
Ian Stewart, Colorado 2.154
Sean White, Seattle 2.156
Brad Ziegler, Oakland 2.122