Dodgers Release Eric Gagne
Eric Gagne has been granted his release by the Dodgers, tweets Dylan Hernandez of the Los Angeles Times. Gagne's contract included an out-clause, though he initially accepted his demotion to the minors last week.
The Dodgers signed the 34-year-old to a minor league deal in mid-February. Gagne was set to earn $500K if he managed to break camp with the team and up to $500K in incentives. The Rockies also offered Gagne a minor league contract around the same time.
Gagne's last stint in the majors was with Milwaukee in 2008, where he posted a 5.44 ERA with 7.4 K/9 and 4.3 BB/9 in 46.1 innings.
Odds & Ends: Royals, Dodgers, Mauer, Reyes
Sunday night linkage..
- Rookie left-hander and Rule 5 draftee Edgar Osuna has impressed in Kansas City and will likely stick with the club, writes Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
- Joe Torre has suspended contract extension talks with the Dodgers to avoid becoming a distraction during the season, writes Ken Gurnick of MLB.com.
- Dave Cameron of U.S.S. Mariner (via Twitter) believes that the Twins are paying Joe Mauer what he's worth. Meanwhile, Bob Nightengale of USA Today tweets that Minnesota's payroll will likely top $100MM in 2011.
- Social media can be a real headache for GMs, writes Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
- The Hanshin Tigers are looking at three major league pitchers to bolster their rotation, according to a report from Sports Hochi passed along by Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker. The report lists Jo-Jo Reyes, Eric Stults, and Seth McClung as possibilities. You may recall that another Japanese club, the Chiba Lotte Marines, has previously shown interest in Stults.
- Bobby Jenks will be on a short leash this season, writes Barry Rozner of the Daily Herald. Jenks, who turned 29 on March 14th, is set to earn $7.5MM in 2010 after avoiding arbitration with the White Sox.
- The Padres' Adrian Gonzalez is ignoring all of the trade talk that surrounds him, writes Peter Gammons in a column for MLB.com.
Week In Review: 3/14/10-3/20/10
It's Sunday night, and that means it's time to take a look back at the week that was..
- Arizona signed third baseman Mark Reynolds to a three-year, $14.5MM deal. The 26-year-old, who narrowly missed Super Two status, belted 44 homers in 2009.
- Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria agreed to a four-year, $10MM contract with the Blue Jays. Hechevarria allegedly chose Toronto over the Yankees because he wanted the opportunity to play his natural position.
- While Adam Dunn has not set a deadline for extension talks with the Nats, he says that he doesn't want discussions to drag on for too long. Meanwhile, GM Mike Rizzo is optimistic that the two parties will reach agreement.
- The Marlins had scouts on hand Monday night to watch Mike Lowell play first base. It's currently unknown how interested Florida is in a reunion with the now 36-year-old.
- Adrian Gonzalez would reportedly accept deferred money from San Diego, provided that the offer was at market value.
- In a surprising move, the Nationals released Elijah Dukes. The move reportedly had nothing to do with off-the-field issues. Dukes was expected to start in right field for the Nats and still had an option remaining.
- Washington also released 40-year-old reliever Ron Villone.
- The Minnesota Twins are reportedly scouting Padres closer Heath Bell. Ben gave us his thoughts on the veteran's trade value.
- At least two teams are interested in Boston pitcher Boof Bonser. The 28-year-old, who is out of options, is reportedly being looked at by the Cubs and D'Backs.
- The Rockies and Mets have both expressed interest in free agent lefty reliever Joe Beimel. Colorado is also said to be interested in Royals reliever Juan Cruz.
- On Thursday night, Dmitri Young announced his retirement from baseball. The two-time former All-Star last played in the majors in 2008 as a member of the Nationals.
- This also might be the end of the line for Derrick Turnbow, as he was released by the Marlins following a shoulder injury. Turnbow was attempting to get back to the big leagues for the first time since 2008.
- The Diamondbacks reached agreement with Kris Benson on a minor league deal. The 35-year-old will earn at least $650K if he makes the big league squad.
- It appears that Toronto lefty David Purcey is drawing attention from clubs.
- Tim surveyed MLB executives to get their thoughts on the best and worst moves of this offseason.
- There's no crying in baseball, but there are backsies following the Rule 5 draft. The Cardinals returned Ben Jukich to the Reds. Washington welcomed back Zech Zinicola after he was returned by Toronto. Steve Johnson was shipped back to Baltimore by the Giants. Armando Zerpa was sent back to Boston after a cup of coffee with the Dodgers. The A's sent Bobby Cassevah southward, back to the Angels.
- Casey Fien had to pack his bags once more, as he was released by the Blue Jays and subsequently reunited with the Tigers. Detroit DFA'd Fien in late February.
- Boston acquired minor league righty Miguel Celestino to complete the January Bill Hall–Casey Kotchman trade with Seattle.
- The White Sox said au revoir to Daniel Cabrera and Jason Botts.
- Tim's Offseason In Review series rolled on with looks at the Cubs, Reds, Astros, and Brewers.
- Attention fantasy baseballers: If you're not following @closernews on Twitter, then you're missing out.
- Finally, we all learned some fun facts about MLBTR's staff.
Brewers Notes: Edmonds, Fielder, Schoeneweis
Let's check out some Brewers tidbits courtesy of MLB.com's Adam McCalvy..
- An article from Anthony Witrado of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel seemed to indicate that Jim Edmonds might not want to play in 2010. However, McCalvy writes that Edmonds reiterated his desire to make the squad in Milwaukee. He adds that it would be something of a surprise if Milwaukee didn't offer the 39-year-old their final roster spot.
- In McCalvy's view, it is unlikely that Milwaukee will deal Prince Fielder mid-season. As he points out, contract negotiations would first have to fall apart before the club would even consider such a move. If they do look to move him, expect them to do so next offseason.
- McCalvy also writes that three players in camp with the Brewers can elect for free agency if they are not added to the 40-man roster: the aforementioned Edmonds, catcher Matt Treanor, and lefty Scott Schoeneweis. Treanor is battling with George Kottaras for the backup catcher position and the club may not have room for Treanor in the minor leagues. Meanwhile, in the event that Schoeneweis doesn't make the cut, he has said that he is unwilling to accept a minor league assignment.
Odds & Ends: Alvarez, Strasburg, Church, Rays
Links for Saturday…
- Pirates' GM Neal Huntington said that Pedro Alvarez will remain in the minors so he can get more at-bats against lefthanded pitchers, though Dejan Kovacevic of The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette mentions that it could have to do with pushing his service time clock back.
- ESPN's Keith Law broke down Stephen Strasburg's demotion to the minors, and says that "what he does need to improve is only going to improve in the big leagues."
- Ryan Church spoke to MLB.com's Anthony DiComo about his opportunity with the Pirates, saying that "It's either reestablish yourself and be one of the main guys or just be a fourth outfielder from here on out."
- Rays Executive VP Andrew Friedman says the club will explore internal and external options to replace J.P. Howell, tweets Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. Tampa Bay hopes to have the lefty back by May.
- Most players never shed the dreaded "4A" label, but the Pirates' Garrett Jones did, writes Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
- Tom Tango will be a big part of the Blue Jays' front office, writes Robert Cribb of The Toronto Star.
- Indians closer Kerry Wood could miss up to two months with a strained back muscle. Brady Gardiner of SIRIUS XM tweets that this is a blessing for the Tribe as Wood's option for 2011 likely will not vest. The 32-year-old would make $11MM in '11 with 55 games finished in 2010.
- Dodgers manager Joe Torre has confidence in Ronnie Belliard's ability to play first base, writes Tony Jackson of ESPNLosAngeles.com. This will likely leave first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz on the outside looking in as he jostles with Garrett Anderson for the club's left-handed pinch hitting spot. However, Belliard still must weigh in at 209 pounds or less at some point during Spring Training to guarantee his deal.
- At the age of 47, Jamie Moyer has no interest in retiring, writes Jayson Stark of ESPN. Moyer is entering the final season of a two-year, $13MM deal.
Mets To Release Josh Fogg
The Mets are expected to grant Josh Fogg's request to be released from his contract, writes Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. Fogg hurt a side muscle and never appeared in a Grapefruit League game with the club this spring.
The 33-year-old hurler signed a minor league deal with the Mets in January after spending 2009 with Colorado. In nine big league seasons, the righty has an ERA of 5.03 with a lackluster 4.9 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9.
Hechevarria To Sign With Blue Jays
10:54pm: A source confirmed that Hechevarria has agreed to a $10MM contract with Toronto, tweets Melissa Segura of Sports Illustrated. The deal is for four years, a source tells Jorge Ebro of El Nuevo Herald (via Twitter).
3:22pm: Toronto GM Alex Anthopoulos would neither confirm or deny the report, tweets Jordan Bastian of MLB.com.
2:34pm: Cuban shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria is close to signing a $10MM deal with the Blue Jays, writes George King III of the New York Post. The 19-year-old is close to choosing Toronto over the Yankees because he was leery of Derek Jeter's impending extension which would keep him at short for the foreseeable future. King infers that the Yankees were willing to spend similar money to land him.
Just over a week ago, Hechevarria was "unblocked" by the Office of Foreign Assets Control, giving him the freedom to sign with any team. If the Toronto deal comes to fruition, Hechevarria's contract will top the $8.2MM given to Jose Iglesias by the Red Sox last July.
Odds & Ends: Nats, Bell, Mahay, Smoltz
Sunday night linkage..
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports wonders if money might be a factor in the Nationals' starting shortstop battle. Ian Desmond is making a compelling case for the starting job but the club might be unwilling to put Cristian Guzman and his $8MM contract on the bench.
- Padres closer Heath Bell told Tom Krasovic of AOL Fanhouse that he would be agreeable to signing an extension that is budget-friendly for the Padres. San Diego avoided arbitration with Bell in January when they agreed to a one-year, $4MM pact.
- It appears that reliever Ron Mahay won't be signing with the Mets, writes Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News. A source tells Rubin that there's no way Mahay would accept a minor league deal. Meanwhile, a separate source says that the Mets won't offer a major league contract.
- In his latest mailbag, a reader suggests to MLB.com's Joe Frisaro that the Marlins should sign John Smoltz. Frisaro says that the Marlins have no interest in the 42-year-old as the 26-year-old Josh Johnson is a good influence on the team's young pitchers.
Week In Review: 3/7/10 – 3/13/10
We're just a few short weeks away from Opening Day! Let's take a look back at the week that was..
- The Twins and Denard Span agreed to a five-year deal worth $16.5MM, including a team option for a sixth year. The deal covers both of his remaining pre-arbitration years, plus all three arbitration years.
- Hernan Iribarren was picked up by the Rangers after he was placed on waivers by the Brewers. Iribarren fills a need for the club as they voided Khalil Greene's deal in late February.
- John Lackey's five-year, $85MM could set the market for Josh Beckett as he discusses an extension, but Jon Heyman of SI.com hears that he is looking for a "longer term deal." However, baseball sources tell Heyman that they believe a deal will still get done.
- The Rockies inked Todd Helton to a two-year extension. The 36-year-old will earn $4.9MM in 2012 and $5MM in 2013.
- Scouts from several teams (including the Rockies, Pirates, and Blue Jays) were said to be watching Minnesota's Glen Perkins pitch on Tuesday night. The presence of representation from Toronto is particularly interesting, as the Twins reportedly like reliever Jason Frasor. The Cubs are also interested as they inquired on the 32-year-old.
- On Wednesday, Nomar Garciaparra officially announced his retirement from baseball. The 36-year-old had a career line of .313/.361/.521 in 6,116 plate appearances.
- In other retirement news, Brian Giles announced that he's calling it quits. The 39-year-old signed a minor league deal with the Dodgers in February.
- Hank Blalock and the Rays came to terms on a one-year minor league deal worth $925K plus $350K in incentives. Blalock his .234/.277/.459 last season with Texas.
- The Rangers acquired reliever Edwar Ramirez from the Yankees for cash considerations. Ramirez, who turns 29 this month, notched 10.6 K/9 in 98.3 innings with the Bombers.
- Ben got us brought us up to speed on the remaining free agent starters and relievers.
- And, finally, MLBTR introduced a sharp new site design!
Discussion: Is A Howard-Pujols Swap Realistic?
The Phillies organization has internally discussed proposing a swap of Ryan Howard for Albert Pujols, sources tell Buster Olney of ESPN. Philadelphia GM Ruben Amaro shot the notion down, saying, "That's a lie. I don't know who you're talking to, but that's a lie." Olney stresses that it is not fully clear whether the Phillies have actually approached the Cardinals with the idea.
Both sluggers are 30 years-of-age and both are eligible for free agency following the 2011 season. Pujols is owed $16MM in each of the next two seasons. Howard, meanwhile, is set to make $19MM in 2010 and $20MM the following year. While Pujols comes at a slightly cheaper rate in the next couple of years he (in all likelihood) would cost more to retain than Howard.
Olney points out that Howard is a St. Louis native, meaning that the Cards may be able to sell their fans on such a deal. However, the Cardinals faithful have more or less adopted their three-time NL MVP, who is entering his 10th big league season with the club.
While owner Bill DeWitt wants to keep Pujols in red and white for life, an A-Rodesque $275MM deal might not be financially prudent for the organization. One has to wonder if the Cardinals will have to consider trading their megastar. If so, could a deal centered around Ryan Howard make sense?