Quick Hits: Thome, Boras, Angels, Villalona, Rolen
Here's the latest from around the majors…
- The Indians are no longer pursuing Jim Thome, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal (Twitter link) reports, as the team doesn't want to devote a roster spot to a full-time DH. Thome is "healthy, working out [and] open to other clubs," Rosenthal notes. Thome said in December that he was open to continuing his career in 2013.
- Scott Boras plans to open a sports fitness center for his clients in south Florida next year, FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports, in part to prevent players from getting associated with doctors and clinics associated with PEDs. Boras says his clinic will “bring about a certain level of assurance that the players we represent are certainly given the best information and best professional training…We feel we can best avoid all of the outside resources that are attacking these young men and providing them with false information and less than licensed professional medical assistance.”
- The Angels twice chose to focus on their hitters ahead of their pitching rotation this winter, decisions that MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez feels will define their season, for better or worse.
- Angel Villalona will join the Giants' Spring Training camp after obtaining a work visa to come to the United States, Baseball America's Ben Badler reports. Villalona couldn't get a visa last year and was on MLB's restricted list in 2010-11 due to complications from being charged with murder in his native Dominican Republic in 2009, charges that were eventually dropped.
- While Scott Rolen can't contribute on the field as he could in his prime, his veteran leadership can still be a big boost to a contender, MLB.com's Mike Bauman writes. Rolen has toyed with retirement this winter but may be negotiating a return to the Reds.
Minor Moves: Dodgers, Tolbert, Hernandez, Hill
Here are today's minor league transactions, with the latest at the top of the page…
- The Dodgers have invited 17 non-roster players to Spring Training, including infielder Brian Barden and catchers Ramon Castro and Eliezer Alfonzo, the club announced. The trio were signed to minor league contracts within the last two months.
- The Phillies have signed infielder Matt Tolbert to a minor league contract, Baseball America's Matt Eddy reports (and also recaps the rest of the week's minor league transactions). Tolbert hit .230/.288/.319 in 680 PA with the Twins from 2008-11 and spent the bulk of his time playing second, third and shortstop. Tolbert played for the Cubs' Triple-A team in 2012.
- The Mariners have signed right-hander Moises Hernandez (Felix's older brother) to a new minor league contract, reports Chris Harris, broadcaster for the Mariners' Double-A affiliate (Twitter link). The elder Hernandez has a 4.83 ERA over eight minor league seasons in the Mariners', Braves' and Orioles' farm systems.
- The Indians have signed left-hander Rich Hill to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, the club announced. After undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2011, Hill returned to action to post a 1.83 ERA, a 9.6 K/9 and a 5.0 BB/9 in 19 2/3 relief innings for the Red Sox last season but was non-tendered in November. The 32-year-old southpaw has a career 4.59 ERA over eight Major League seasons with the Red Sox, Orioles and Cubs.
Quick Hits: Angels, Blue Jays, Cabrera
The Mariners agreed to sign Felix Hernandez to a record-setting contract today. The seven-year, $175MM agreement will establish a record for starting pitchers, topping C.C. Sabathia’s $161MM contract by a considerable margin. Here are the latest links from around MLB…
- Angels GM Jerry Dipoto explained to ESPN.com's Buster Olney that the acquisition of Josh Hamilton should lead to a strong defensive outfield in 2013. "We're taking three center fielders and trying to create the best defensive alignment we can," Dipoto said.
- Dave Cameron of FanGraphs lists his top ten offseason moves, including three by the Blue Jays. But don’t worry, Mets fans. Cameron likes the R.A. Dickey trade for both sides and lists the Mets’ acquisition of Travis d’Arnaud and Noah Syndergaard as one of the winter’s best deals.
- Jordan Bastian of MLB.com spoke with a few sources who expect the Indians to trade Asdrubal Cabrera by next winter (Twitter link). The Indians’ recent two-year deal with Mike Aviles increases the sense that Cabrera could be dealt in Bastian’s view.
Indians, Mike Aviles Agree To Two-Year Deal
The Indians avoided arbitration with Mike Aviles, agreeing to a two-year contract, Zack Meisel of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). The Legacy Agency represents Aviles, who obtains $6MM for the two-year term, MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports (on Twitter). The Indians announced the deal, noting that it includes a club option for 2015 (Twitter link).
Aviles had filed for $3.4MM with the Indians countering at $2.4MM, as MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows. A two-year deal would buy out both of Aviles' arbitration seasons, but wouldn't delay his path to free agency. The Indians have now agreed to terms with all of their arbitration eligible players.
For more on the process be sure to check out MLBTR's Arbitration Basics.
AL Central Notes: Leyland, Twins, Brignac, White Sox
Tigers skipper Jim Leyland has proven over the years that he is not afraid to step away when he doesn't feel he is the right fit, but he knows that returning to the Tigers in 2013 is the right move, writes Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com. The veteran manager, who will be in the dugout for his 22nd season this year, stepped away from jobs with the Marlins, Pirates, and Rockies all on his own accord. At the same time, he admits that he feels pressure to win and knows that he could be out of a job if his team struggles. Here's more out of the AL Central..
- The Twins are among the teams that could have interest in the recently DFA'd Reid Brignac along with the Astros, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The 27-year-old appeared in 16 games for the Rays last year and spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a .231/.323/.353 batting line in 400 plate appearances as a middle infielder.
- In today's inbox, a reader asked MLB.com's Scott Merkin if White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson could potentially return to the club on a minor league deal. Anderson recently told Merkin that he's working towards hooking on somewhere as a pitcher but is also considering a move into broadcasting.
- Another reader proposed a swap to Merkin that would send Chris Sale and Dayan Viciedo to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton. Surprisingly, Merkin feels that such a deal would be ill-advised for the White Sox as they would be exchanging two dynamic young players for one.
- Former Indians first baseman Russ Canzler has had quite a journey this offseason but he is optimistic that he can take his coat off and stay a while in Baltimore, writes Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. It looked like the first baseman had an opening for playing time after the departure of Travis Hafner, but the signing of Mark Reynolds made him expendable.
Michael Bourn Rumors: Tuesday
Yesterday Mets general manager Sandy Alderson acknowledged to reporters that the Mets are in on free agent center fielder Michael Bourn. “We’re getting to the point where we can be in the mix,’’ Alderson said. “If you look at the fundamental composition of our team, it wouldn’t take more than a couple of moves to change the whole perception of things.’’ The Mets would have to surrender the 11th overall pick in the upcoming amateur draft to complete a deal with Bourn, but would ask MLB for a rule modification in the event they're close to a deal. Here’s the latest on Bourn, a Scott Boras client who recently dined with the Mets…
- The Indians are among the teams that might have interest in Bourn if his asking price drops "A LOT," ESPN.com's Buster Olney reports (on Twitter).
Earlier updates:
- David Wright told Kevin Kernan of the New York Post that he spoke with Bourn and exchanged texts with him to persuade him to sign in New York. “I just wanted to let him know that he would be a great addition here and he’d obviously be welcomed here,’’ Wright said. He explained to Bourn that the Mets aren’t far off from contention with the young talent they have in place. Wright noted that he’s happy to help the organization recruit free agents if it makes a difference on the field.
- The Mariners and Rangers have also been linked to Bourn, the top free agent remaining.
Indians Sign Omir Santos
We'll track the latest minor moves here…
- The Indians announced that they signed catcher Omir Santos to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to Spring Training (Twitter link). Santos, 31, appeared in three games for the Tigers in 2012. He spent most of the season with the Triple-A affiliates of the Tigers and Rockies, posting a .310/.318/.429 batting line in 212 plate appearances. Santos has experience in parts of four MLB seasons with the Orioles, Mets and Tigers.
Quick Hits: Rivera, Blue Jays, Lugo, Cubs
On this date ten years ago the Red Sox claimed Bronson Arroyo off of waivers from the Pirates. At that point Arroyo had a 5.44 ERA in parts of three seasons with Pittsburgh and the Pirates exposed him to waivers. He would add considerably more value in Boston, where he posted a 4.19 ERA in parts of three seasons before being traded to Cincinnati for Wily Mo Pena in Spring Training of 2006. Here are today's links…
- Mariano Rivera declined to answer when Newsday's David Lennon asked the Yankee legend if this would be his final season (Twitter link).
- The contract of Blue Jays manager John Gibbons includes a rolling option that means he won’t face a season as a lame-duck manager, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca reports. Gibbons, who signed for two years plus an option earlier this offseason, has a unique clause in his contract. As long as the Blue Jays don’t fire Gibbons by January 1st of a given year, his option will vest for the following season and the sides will add another option to the contract. The unique deal means Gibbons will have a two-year contract as long as he’s managing the team. It’s reminiscent of the perpetual option on the deal between the Red Sox and Tim Wakefield, though it appears to be the first of its kind for an MLB manager.
- Julio Lugo said he’s leaning toward retiring following this year’s Caribbean Series, MLB.com’s Alden Gonzalez reports. "It might be [the end], unless something comes that changes my mind," Lugo said. "But I think this is going to be it for me." The 37-year-old infielder last appeared at the MLB level with the 2011 Braves. He has a .269/.333/.384 batting line over the course of 12 seasons plus $48MM in career earnings (via Baseball-Reference).
- The Cubs (Scott Feldman), Brewers (Mike Gonzalez) and Pirates (Russell Martin) completed some under-the-radar signings that have the potential to pay off in 2013, Matthew Leach writes at MLB.com.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports confirms that the Rangers and Indians have interest in free agent infielder Ryan Theriot (Twitter link). The Phillies and Giants are also interested in Theriot, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reported last month.
Minor Moves: Buschini, Burres, Pineiro
We'll track the day's minor moves here…
- The Padres signed second baseman Adam Buschini to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Corey Brock. The 25-year-old Buschini was a fourth-round pick of the Phillies in 2009 but hasn't appeared in affiliated ball since 2010. He spent this past season in the Australian Baseball League where he won the Triple Crown by hitting .363 with 15 homers and 50 RBIs.
- Left-hander Brian Burres has agreed to sign with Taiwan's Lamigo Monkeys, agent Marc Kligman tells Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The 31-year-old Burres has a 5.75 ERA, 5.6 K/9 and 4.0 BB/9 in 358 1/3 innings between the Orioles, Blue Jays and Pirates.
- The Orioles agreed to sign right-hander Joel Pineiro to a minor league deal, Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun reports (all Twitter links). The 34-year-old last-pitched at the MLB level with the 2011 Angels. Pineiro, who pitched in the Orioles' minor league system in 2012, had surgery to repair a SLAP tear in his right shoulder last July.
- The Orioles also completed a minor league deal with left-hander Mark Hendrickson, Connolly reports. Hendrickson, the former NBA player who pitched with Baltimore from 2009-11, recently threw bullpen sessions for Orioles personnel. The 38-year-old is now pitching sidearm as he attempts to return to the MLB level for the first time since 2011.
- The Indians have agreed to sign Jeremy Hermida to a minor league contract, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter). Hermida played for the Padres in 2012, appearing in 13 games. The 29-year-old was regarded as a top prospect early in his professional career and he hit 18 home runs for the 2007 Marlins, but he hasn't produced on offense in the past three seasons. Hermida, a first round pick in 2002, bats from the left side.
Quick Hits: Pirates, Liriano, Indians, Aviles, Rockies
Links from around baseball as Friday turns into Saturday..
- Pirates General Manager Neal Huntington is non-committal about the likelihood of finalizing a deal with Francisco Liriano before the start of spring training, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. “The process continues,” Huntington said. “We have ongoing conversations. I'm not an oddsmaker, so I don't know if it is likely or unlikely that we will add another pitcher.”
- Indians GM Chris Antonetti says that it's hard to quantify the odds of the team working out a deal with Mike Aviles to avoid arbitration, writes MLB.com's Jordan Bastian. As MLBTR's Arbitration Tracker shows, Aviles filed for a $3.4MM contract while Cleveland is offering $2.4MM.
- The Rockies' biggest offseason addition has been the acquisition of reliever Wilton Lopez from the Astros, but they shouldn't be overlooked in 2013, writes Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com.