Nationals Notes: Benson, Smoltz, Starting Pitcher
Some Nationals news from SIRIUS XM'S MLB Home Plate Channel and Bill Ladson of MLB.com…
- In an interview with Rob Dibble and Steve Davis, Kris Benson said that he and the Nationals were "still talking." There's been word of the Nats' interest in the 35-year-old as of late, though Benson says he's not in a rush to sign anywhere.
- Ladson writes that Washington has not had any recent conversations with John Smoltz. The Nationals are reportedly one of ten teams that have expressed interest in the 42-year-old.
- On his blog, Ladson writes that the Nationals are trying hard to add another veteran starter after striking out on Chan Ho Park and Braden Looper. It should be noted that the Nationals did not confirm extending offers to either pitcher.
Indians Notes: Cabrera, Salcedo, Shapiro
Some Indians tidbits courtesy of MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince..
- The Indians believe that they have the long-term financial flexibility to investigate long-term deals for their emerging core players such as Asdrubal Cabrera and Shin-Soo Choo. Both players will be arbitration-eligible at season's end and eligible for free agency after the 2013 season.
- In other Choo news, the South Korea native is facing a deadline from his country to enlist in the military. The 27-year-old is hoping to receive an exemption but has a backup plan in case he is denied, writes Castrovince.
- The Tribe's interest in Edward Salcedo appears to have been overstated. To Castrovince's knowledge, they have not been linked to him since two years ago, when a Dominican newspaper reported that they signed the shortstop.
- The promotions of Mark Shapiro and Chris Antonetti are "unsurprising" to Castrovince. He writes that while some fans are upset with the promotion, one must consider the financial constraints the two men have had to work with in recent years.
Tigers Sign Johnny Damon
The Tigers officially signed outfielder Johnny Damon to a one-year, $8MM deal today. The contract contains a no-trade clause and no deferred money.
Damon reportedly turned down two offers to return to the Yankees this offseason, the first of which was worth $14MM over two years. The White Sox, Braves, Rays, and Blue Jays were also in the mix for the Scott Boras client.
The 36-year-old Damon hit .282/.365/.489 with a career high tying 24 homers in 2009, which was the best offensive output of his career in terms of OPS+ (126). UZR wasn't kind to his play in the field, saying he was worth -9.2 runs defensively during the course of the season. The Tigers seemed to be headed toward a rebuilding year when they traded Curtis Granderson, but they subsequently added Damon and Jose Valverde.
Yahoo's Tim Brown first reported the agreement on Saturday.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Upton, Damon, White Sox
Sunday night linkage..
- Confidential documents in the McCourts' divorce hearing reveal that the Dodgers may seek to spend on players at level pace while doubling ticket prices and revenue through 2018, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. This is bad news for Dodgers fans as the uncertain financial status of the club has limited their activity this winter.
- The Indians are keeping mum on their feelings about Edward Salcedo's reportedly impending deal with the Braves, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. Salcedo, according to a Dominican paper, was signed by the Tribe in 2007. The club denied this and word that the prospect lied about his age followed.
- Todd Wellemeyer is fighting for a spot with the Giants in Spring Training, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News. Wellemeyer had a disappointing 2009 for the Cardinals, posting a 5.89 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.
- Even though the D-Backs find themselves with two starting-caliber catchers in Miguel Montero and Chris Snyder, GM Josh Byrnes won't try to trade the latter, writes Gilbert. Snyder was nearly dealt for Lyle Overbay in November before the Blue Jays got cold feet.
- Justin Upton has had discussions with the Diamondbacks regarding a contract extension, writes Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 22-year-old is under contractual control for four more years.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that some Scott Boras detractors believe he sacrificed Johnny Damon for Matt Holliday. Some rival agents and club executives assert that the super-agent declined to negotiate with the Yankees regarding Damon early on, allowing the possibility that they could pursue Holliday. Boras scoffed at the notion when asked about it by Rosenthal.
- Jake Peavy would have liked to see Damon join the White Sox, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
Odds & Ends: Maya, Sheffield, Rays, Yankees
Monday night linkage..
- Jon Heyman of SI writes that the Dodgers and Rockies have watched Eric Gagne throw and both teams have shown the willingness to take a chance. A few weeks ago we learned that Colorado was thinking about extending a non-roster invite to the 34-year-old.
- The Red Sox might not be close to signing Cuban pitcher Yuniesky Maya, a source familiar with the negotiations tells Rob Bradford of WEEI. There's a good chance that Maya will instead choose a team that offers a better opportunity to immediately enter its starting rotation.
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson writes that Gary Sheffield would not be a good fit for the Nationals as he wants to play every day. Ladson spoke to a major league source who believes that Sheffield will not accept a role as a backup.
- Jason Beck of MLB.com fielded a question from a reader, asking why the Tigers dealt Curtis Granderson, only to pursue Johnny Damon instead. Beck says that the Granderson trade brought Detroit financial flexibility and prospects. He also credits agent Scott Boras for helping to create an opportunity for Damon.
- Rays principal owner Stuart Sternberg told 620-AM WDAE that the club's payroll will drop below $60MM in 2011, despite having a payroll north of $70MM this season. Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times points out that while the club didn't plan to make any big additions this year, they found room for Rafael Soriano after dealing Scott Kazmir and Akinori Iwamura.
- If Mike Jacobs doesn't make the Mets major league roster, Adam Rubin of the New York Daily News doesn't expect him to play for the club's Triple-A affiliate. Even though his minor league deal doesn't have an out-clause, Rubin is "virtually positive" that the Mets would accommodate him with a trade or release.
- In his latest mailbag, MLB.com's Bryan Hoch supports Yankees GM Brian Cashman's decision to wait to negotiate with upcoming free agents Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera. Hoch believes that both players should be confident that they'll both be taken care of eventually.
Johnny Damon Rumors: Monday
There is now only a "very small" difference of opinion between the Tigers and Johnny Damon on salary, a major league source tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Though the sides have exchanged proposals, a deal is not yet imminent.
A one-year, $7MM remains possible; as does a two-year, $14MM pact. However, the source downplayed the chances of a one-year deal with a player option for 2011.
A different source tells Morosi that the Braves have not ratcheted up their chase of the 36-year-old in the last week, leaving the White Sox as the strongest known challenger to the Tigers.
Rangers Sign Endy Chavez
The Rangers signed outfielder Endy Chavez to a minor league deal. The outfielder will earn $1MM if he makes the team and the Rangers have a $1.25MM option for Chavez's services in 2011.
The 32-year-old's season ended prematurely last year when he collided with Yuniesky Betancourt and tore his ACL.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, who first reported the deal (via Twitter), noted last week that Chavez could be ready in April or May. Jon Heyman of SI.com added the terms of the contract (via Twitter).
Chavez has hit .270/.312/.367 in his nine-season career. However, he is better known for his defense, as demonstrated by his lifetime UZR/150 of 15.7 and his famous catch in game seven of the 2006 NLCS.
Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Edwin Jackson, D-Backs Avoid Arbitration
The Diamondbacks and Edwin Jackson avoided arbitration, agreeing to a two-year, $13.35MM deal that will pay the right-hander $4.2MM in 2010 and $8.35MM in 2011. Jackson also receives an $800K signing bonus.
Steve Gilbert of MLB.com first reported the agreement (via Twitter). Jon Heyman of SI.com first reported the terms of the deal (via Twitter) and Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic added detail (via Twitter).
An arbitration hearing had been scheduled for this Wednesday between Jackson, who was seeking $6.25MM, and Arizona, which countered with $4.6MM. The 26-year-old earned $2.2MM last year with the Tigers, so the deal represents a major increase in salary for Jackson, a Scott Boras client.
The two year agreement will cover the remainder of the right-hander's arbitration-eligible years. In other words, Jackson becomes a free agent once this deal expires after the 2011 season.
Jackson enjoyed a strong campaign in 2009, posting an ERA of 3.62 with 6.8 K/9 and 2.9 BB/9 in a career-high 214.0 innings. He walked a higher percentage of hitters and allowed more home runs after the All Star break, so his second half ERA was more than twice his 2.52 first half mark.
Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post.
Rays Win B.J. Upton Arbitration Case
The Rays have won in their arbitration case over B.J. Upton, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times. The 25-year-old will make $3MM in 2010 rather than the $3.3MM he was seeking.
Upton had a down year offensively in 2009, hitting .241/.313/.373 with 11 HRs. The center fielder's glove was still strong however, as he posted a UZR/150 of 11.8.
With this decision going in their favor, the Rays are now an unblemished 5-0 in arbitration cases, 4-0 under executive VP Andrew Friedman.
Marlins Notes: Blalock, Delgado, Branyan
Some Marlins tidbits courtesy of MLB.com's Joe Frisaro..
- Hank Blalock may be an option for the Marlins as they seek a left-handed bat off the bench, tweets Frisaro. Up until this point, the Indians were the only known suitor for the 29-year-old's services.
- Frisaro also reports (via Twitter) that Florida has no interest in signing Carlos Delgado and still has no interest in Russell Branyan. Yesterday we learned that the Marlins spoke to Delgado's agent, though the veteran slugger is said to be seeking more money and playing time. There were rumblings of Florida's interest in Branyan, but Frisaro learned last week that the club has not spoken to him.