Pirates Talking Long-Term With Snell, LaRoche
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have reached out to Ian Snell‘s agent about a long-term deal. Snell’s salary will increase drastically in 2009 as he reaches arbitration. For that reason, I’ve wondered whether he might be next offseason’s available young ace. Jamie Shields‘ deal could serve as a guide if the Bucs just want to buy out Snell’s three arb years from 2009-11. Shields gave up his arb years for $13.75MM, though the last of those involves a club option. $13-14MM (not necessarily guaranteed) seems to be the going rate for a young pitcher’s arb years, looking at Shields, Chris Young, and Matt Cain.
Additionally, the Bucs are talking to first baseman Adam LaRoche about an extension. LaRoche is set to reach free agency after the ’09 season. I was surprised to see that LaRoche’s career numbers aren’t much different from Justin Morneau‘s (granted Morneau has played in the tougher league and has an MVP trophy). Morneau recently gave up four free agent years at $14MM a pop; LaRoche should ask for at least $10MM per year for 2010 and beyond. Looking at Morneau’s contract reminds me that he is far from a bargain.
Finally, Kovacevic says talks with Matt Capps have "fizzled" because Manny Corpas‘ deal raised the bar. That’s odd, because Corpas has a team-friendly contract. He gets $12.25MM over his arb years, with the last of those a club option. Then the Rockies have a club option on Corpas’ first potential year of free agency at $8MM.
Odds and Ends: Ponson, Inge, Papelbon
Let’s round up some Monday morning links.
- The Cardinals are taking another look at Sidney Ponson. Insert your own punchline in the comments.
- Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun could see the O’s making a minor trade for a veteran second baseman if they acquire Ronny Cedeno but not Eric Patterson in a Brian Roberts deal with the Cubs.
- Brandon Inge is trying his best to talk his way out of town. The Dodgers’ recently reported nibble hasn’t been publicly shot down, so that’s a plus.
- South Side Sox thinks speedy infielder Eugenio Velez is the type of player the White Sox could desire for Joe Crede.
- Jonathan Papelbon wants $900K in his last year before arbitration eligibility. Ryan Howard set a scary precedent last year. If Papelbon doesn’t get offered something close, he’d rather make a statement and be renewed near the minimum.
- Buster Olney suggests Dan Johnson and Doug Mientkiewicz could be possibilities for the Mets in their quest for a backup first baseman. Olney speculated on Nick Johnson, Scott Hatteberg, Richie Sexson, Tony Clark, and Kevin Millar the day before.
Rosenthal’s Latest: Gross, Weaver, Encarnacion
Ken Rosenthal is on the scene with some new rumors.
- Astros president Tal Smith arguing other teams’ arbitration cases. Rosenthal finds it a bit awkward, while Keith Law finds it to be a hilarious conflict of interest.
- Possible trades of Matt Murton to the Padres or Rangers seem to have fizzled. The Padres may turn to the Brewers’ Gabe Gross, a player who previously caught the eye of the A’s, Indians, and Braves. Our good friend PECOTA sees a .267/.366/.467 line from Gross this year. With Gross and various veteran starters, the Brewers have some surpluses to work with.
- Rosenthal believes the Cardinals’ interest in Jeff Weaver to be not especially serious. They’ve got in-house candidates to start, and Matt Clement needing some time is not a revelation.
- We’ve read about extension possibilities for Matt Capps and Alex Rios. To that mix, Rosenthal adds Edwin Encarnacion. The Reds might want to do it now; he seems primed for a big year.
Byung-Hyun Kim Signs With Pirates
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have signed Byung-Hyun Kim. It’s a Major League contract worth $850K, with another $1MM in incentives. He’ll be used only in relief. The Giants had been interested, but Kim didn’t want a minor league deal with them.
The 29 year-old Kim whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings in ’07, winning ten games. But he also posted a 6.07 ERA. He earned $2.5MM for his efforts.
Byung-Hyun Kim Signs With Pirates
According to Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates have signed Byung-Hyun Kim. It’s a Major League contract worth $850K, with another $1MM in incentives. He’ll be used only in relief. The Giants had been interested, but Kim didn’t want a minor league deal with them.
The 29 year-old Kim whiffed 107 in 118.1 innings in ’07, winning ten games. But he also posted a 6.07 ERA. He earned $2.5MM for his efforts.
Odds and Ends: Papelbon, Bonds
Your collection of links and rumors…
- Interestingly, Pirates GM Neal Huntington put out a statement for Pirates’ fans. He explains why the Pirates have been inactive this winter, and I agree with the logic. This team doesn’t need to be wasting money on mediocre free agents.
- Justin Huber is out of options, so he’ll either make the Royals or end up elsewhere.
- Athletics Nation paints a picture in which the A’s are buyers at this year’s trade deadline. A parallel universe with a healthy Rich Harden, if you will.
- The Red Sox are exploring a multiyear deal for Jonathan Papelbon, according to Gordon Edes of the Boston Globe.
- With 20/20 hindsight, Viva El Birdos rewrites how they might have conducted the Cardinals’ offseason moves.
- No one wants Barry Bonds. He’s in game shape, but one exec Andrew Baggarly talked to has heard no rumors at all. Baggarly has talked to some baseball officials who believe Bonds might play in Japan in 2008. Now that would be something.
Odds and Ends: Helms, Bako, Crisp
I am going to toss today’s non-Santana odds and ends into this post.
- Paul Hagen runs through some possibilities for the likely-to-be-traded Wes Helms: Marlins, Rays, Twins, Giants, and A’s. Any teams you’d like to add to his speculation?
- The Pirates have moved on from Johnny Estrada to Paul Bako. He’d battle to back up Ronny Paulino.
- OK this is Santana-related. Gordon Edes says the Red Sox will listen to offers for Coco Crisp, but are fine with keeping him around as perhaps the game’s best fourth outfielder. See any good fits for Crisp?
Padres Eyeing Mike Sweeney
The Padres "have expressed mild interest" in Mike Sweeney, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. The problem would be finding a fit for Sweeney. First base or left field would be the logical choices but between the presence of Adrian Gonzalez and Sweeney’s fragility, both seem a long shot. And there’s no fit at catcher either, if you really want to stretch your imagination.
Crasnick notes that Padres GM Kevin Towers has found the talks for Xavier Nady or Matt Murton to be "slow going," so maybe he’s trying to get creative.
Sweeney, 35, has been a Royal his entire career. He hasn’t topped 100 games or an .800 OPS since ’05. It was said in mid-December that Sweeney’s agent had been in touch with the Royals and two other teams.
Pirates Rumors: Bay, Nady, Capps
Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette has a few new Pirates tidbits today.
- Jason Bay expressed displeasure with the Pirates’ lack of activity, but his comments were respectful. He hopes to stay with the Bucs and win. Bay says he "found a whole different level of being in shape" this winter, which bodes well for a bounceback.
- Kovacevic says Neal Huntington and Kevin Towers have been in touch this week regarding Xavier Nady but nothing is close. Towers admitted publicly that he was looking at Nady and Matt Murton.
- There’s been "little progress" on a multiyear deal for Matt Capps. The Pirates approached Capps earlier this month with three or four-year scenarios in mind.
Pirates Have Multiyear Offer Out To Sanchez
Pirates president Frank Connelly verified tonight that at some point this offseason, the Bucs made a multiyear offer to second baseman Freddy Sanchez. It doesn’t mean anything is close, however. Sanchez and the Pirates are currently $800K apart on their 2008 figures.
Back on January 7th, Dejan Kovacevic reported that Sanchez had not received a multiyear offer. But even at that time the Pirates were keen to the idea of signing Sanchez through his two remaining arbitration years and tacking on an option to buy out his first of free agency. Ultimately I could see a guaranteed third year.
The 30 year-old Sanchez hit .304/.343/.442 as the Pirates’ second baseman in ’07. Meanwhile the average NL second baseman hit .272/.341/.418.