Guardians Rumors

Players To Avoid Arbitration: Monday

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 17, 2011 at 10:38pm CDT

Teams and players exchange arbitration figures tomorrow if they haven't already come to terms for 2011. That means plenty of players will likely avoid arbitration today. We'll keep track of them all right here and with our Arbitration Tracker; the latest updates are at the top of this post:

The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with Shawn Camp, agreeing to a one-year, $2.25MM deal, according to MLB.com's Gregor Chisholm (on Twitter).
The Tigers avoided arbitration with Armando Galarraga by agreeing to a one-year, $2.3MM deal, tweets Jon Heyman of SI.
The Orioles and Jim Johnson have agreed to a one-year, $975K deal, according to Jeff Zrebiec of The Baltimore Sun.
The Blue Jays have reached agreement on a one-year, $830K deal with Jesse Litsch, according to Richard Griffin of the Toronto Star (Twitter links).
The Indians have avoided arbitration with Asdrubal Cabrera, agreeing to a one-year deal, according to the team's Twitter feed. The deal is worth $2.025MM, according to the Associated Press.
The Marlins have agreed to terms one-year deals with Leo Nunez and Edward Mujica, according to Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post (via Twitter). Nunez will earn $3.65MM, Joe Frisaro of MLB.com tweets. Meanwhile, Mujica will make $800K according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).
The Blue Jays and Casey Janssen have agreed to a one-year deal worth $1.095MM, according to the Associated Press.
The Rays and B.J. Upton avoided arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $4.825MM, according to Marc Topkin of the St. Petersburg Times (Twitter links).
The Nationals avoided arbitration with John Lannan, agreeing to a one-year, $2.75MM deal, according to Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post.
The Rockies and Matt Lindstrom agreed to a two-year deal.
The Royals avoided arbitration with Robinson Tejeda, agreeing to a one-year contract, the team announced. It's worth $1.55MM, according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter). The deal leaves Billy Butler and Kyle Davies as Kansas City's remaining unsigned arbitration eligible players.

Olney On Sizemore, Jones, Votto, Pujols

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 17, 2011 at 10:30am CDT

Grady Sizemore tells ESPN.com’s Buster Olney that it's "miserable" to have to sit and watch others play. The center fielder, who is on track to be ready for Opening Day after microfracture knee surgery, says he can't wait to return to the playing field. Here are Olney’s thoughts on Sizemore, plus rumors from around the league:

Sizemore’s contract includes an $8.5MM option for 2012, so within a year the Indians will have to decide whether to exercise the option, let him hit free agency or trade him.
The Yankees are the frontrunners for Andruw Jones, Olney reports (on Twitter).
Joey Votto’s three-year, $38MM extension makes sense for both sides, in Olney’s opinion.
It’s apparent that talks between the Cardinals and Albert Pujols “are not going as smoothly as the Cardinals want,” Olney writes. Click here to vote on Pujols’ future in St. Louis.

Quick Hits: Pedro, Young, Rays, Thome

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 14, 2011 at 3:00pm CDT

On this date nine years ago, Carlos Pena and Ryan Ludwick were traded for each other. Here are some links on a day that has featured a number of signings, but no trades…

Pedro Martinez told Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald that he hasn't decided whether to pitch in the majors again or retire. The three-time Cy Young Award winner last pitched in 2009, when he made a late-season comeback for the Phillies.
Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com wonders if Chris Young is the top option remaining in the Mets' price range, now that the Royals have agreed to a deal with Jeff Francis. Mets executive J.P. Ricciardi told Andrew Marchand of ESPNNewYork.com that Young "could be a nice fit" for the team.
The Rays seem to like Vladimir Guerrero more than Manny Ramirez, according to Jon Heyman of SI.com. Heyman also lists his best and worst deals of the offseason.
Jim Thome, who agreed to a one-year deal with the Twins today, would like to play at least two more seasons, according to Joe Christensen of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune (on Twitter).
MLB.com's Jordan Bastian takes a position-by-position look at the Indians' roster.
Nationals GM Mike Rizzo says it's been frustrating and disappointing not to add top starting pitchers this offseason, according to Ben Goessling of MASNSports.com.

Waiver Rumors: Brown, Igarashi, Rapada

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 14, 2011 at 2:07pm CDT

The latest on three players who were recently designated for assignment…

The Indians announced that Jordan Brown has cleared waivers. The Indians had designated the 2006 Carolina League MVP for assignment last week, but he will remain in the Cleveland organization and arrive in Spring Training as a non-roster invitee.
Ryota Igarashi cleared waivers as expected and was outrighted to Triple-A, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. The Mets DFA'd Igarashi last week.
The Rangers put left-hander Clay Rapada on release waivers and intend to release him, according to ESPNDallas.com. The Rangers designated Rapada and Max Ramirez for assignment last week.

Indians Inquired About Chen, Millwood

By Mark Polishuk | January 12, 2011 at 6:55pm CDT

The Indians have talked to Scott Boras about two of his clients, starters Bruce Chen and Kevin Millwood, reports Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. The Tribe are looking for starting pitching help, but as Hoynes notes, the club is hampered by its financial situation.

"It doesn't really matter how much interest the Indians have in a free-agent pitcher…it's all about how much interest the pitcher has in the Indians," Hoynes writes. "As for the second prong, unless ownership is overcome by an unusual circumstance, the interested pitcher would have to sign a minor-league contract."

Chen's solid 2010 season figures to earn him a Major League contract somewhere, but we haven't heard much buzz about the veteran southpaw other than some mutual interest between he and the Royals, though not for anything more than a one-year deal. If Chen opened himself up to the possibility of a minor league contract, you'd think that would notably expand his market, and the Indians would likely get outbid.

Millwood might be the more realistic option for the Indians, though he has been connected with the Royals, Rockies and Yankees this winter. Cleveland and Kansas City would give Millwood the best chance at regular innings and it would be easier for Millwood to rebuild his value for a future contract if he wasn't pitching in hitter-friendly ballparks like Coors Field or Yankee Stadium. Millwood pitched for the Tribe in 2005 and delivered a league-best 2.86 ERA in 192 innings before signing a five-year, $60MM free agent contract with Texas.

As for other free agent starters, Hoynes reports the Tribe's interest in former Indian Bartolo Colon "has cooled considerably." Hoynes also says the Indians were in contact with Brad Penny before the right-hander signed with Detroit.

Indians Notes: Perez, Antonetti, Prospects

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 12, 2011 at 3:40pm CDT

The Indians could add a veteran starter and build infield depth before Spring Training begins, but it's been a quiet offseason for the Tribe so far. They've made a number of minor deals and signed Austin Kearns - here's what's up next for the Indians…

Chris Perez says his agent has started discussing a deal with the Indians, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (on Twitter). Asdrubal Cabrera, Shin-Soo Choo and Rafael Perez are also eligible for arbitration this offseason. Here's a look at how an extension between Choo and the Indians might look. If you ask Jon Heyman of SI.com, an extension is not likely (Twitter link).
Chris Antonetti is the newest GM around. Jordan Bastian of MLB.com chronicles the 36-year-old's rise from Expos intern to Indians executive.
The Indians announced that they hired former big leaguer and longtime Astros employee Tom Wiedenbauer to be the field coordinator of their player development system.
Top prospects Lonnie Chisenhall, Alex White and Jason Kipnis will attend the Indians' upcoming Winter Development program.

Indians Notes: Stopgaps, Rotation, Choo

By Mike Axisa | January 10, 2011 at 5:49pm CDT

It has not been a fun winter in Cleveland, and it's not just because of the Cavaliers. The Indians have signed just one player to a big league contract (Austin Kearns), doing the rest of their work on the minor league side. ESPN's Jerry Crasnick wrote about the team's plight in a feature article today, which contained some news about the club's present state and what's to come…

"We've been in a similar situation before, and we've demonstrated the ability to overcome those challenges and put together a championship-caliber team," said new GM Chris Antonetti, referring to the team's rebuilding nature. "We feel equally strong about our talent base now and throughout our farm system. The challenge is to have patience and let those guys play."
The Tribe has passed on overpaying third base stopgap players like Jorge Cantu and Pedro Feliz, instead opting to sit tight with their in-house options until top prospect Lonnie Chisenhall is ready.
Antonetti won't rule out the possibility of adding another starting pitcher to a rotation that currently features Fausto Carmona, Justin Masterson, Carlos Carrasco, and Mitch Talbot. Former Indian Bartolo Colon is a possibility.
"It's something we remain interested in pursuing," said Antonetti, answering a question about a possible extension for Shin-Soo Choo. "Whether or not there's common ground at this point, we'll have to see." Ben Nicholson-Smith looked at Choo as an extension candidate at the end of the 2010 season.
Unsurprisingly, the team has little payroll flexibility and will continue to shop in the bargain bin.

Quick Hits: Garcia, Delgado, Nationals, Rockies

By Mark Polishuk | January 7, 2011 at 10:52pm CDT

Happy birthday to the Big Cat, Johnny Mize! The Hall-of-Famer was born on January 7, 1913 in Demorest, Georgia. Other notable players born on this day include Jon Lester, Alfonso Soriano, Eric Gagne and Francisco Rodriguez.

Onto the news items….

A reunion between Freddy Garcia and the Tigers is "possible, though unlikely at this point," writes MLB.com's Jason Beck. Garcia, who made three starts for Detroit in 2008, "is believed to be open" to the idea and Tigers officials at least discussed the prospect, Beck reports. The right-hander appears to be behind at least Jeremy Bonderman and Brad Penny on the club's list of veteran depth options for the rotation.
Carlos Delgado is recovering from his third hip surgery but still hasn't ruled out a Major League comeback, writes Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun.
The Nationals are counting on a much-improved defense to help them in 2011, reports Thomas Boswell of the Washington Post.
While the Rockies haven't made any huge additions, their moves to keep their young core players gave them the most successful offseason in the NL West, writes Tracy Ringolsby of FOXSports.com.
Ed Wade says the Astros might consider acquiring a replacement for Jeff Keppinger if none of their young infielders can fill the backup role in Spring Training, reports Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle.
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com says the Indians need to start seeing some production in 2011 from the young players the team received in the Cliff Lee and C.C. Sabathia trades.
Frank McCourt met with executives from the comissioner's office to outline his plans for keeping control of the Dodgers amidst his divorce proceedings, reports the Los Angeles Times' Bill Shaikin.

Indians Designate Jordan Brown For Assignment

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 6, 2011 at 3:44pm CDT

The Indians announced that they designated Jordan Brown for assignment to make room for Austin Kearns, who was officially added to the 40-man roster.

Brown appeared in 26 games for the Indians last year, batting .230/.272/.310 in 92 plate appearances. He played first base and left field, the two positions he has spent the most time at in the minor leagues. Brown hit .298/.341/.463 in 355 plate appearances at Triple-A in 2010, which was his third year at the minors' highest level.

Brown won the Carolina League MVP in 2006 and the International League batting title in 2009. Before the 2010 season, Baseball America described him as one of the best contact hitters in the Cleveland organization and noted that he was a below-average runner and defender.

Indians Sign Doug Mathis

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 5, 2011 at 10:40am CDT

The Indians announced that they signed right-hander Doug Mathis to a minor league deal and invited him to Spring Training.

The 27-year-old appeared in 13 games for the Rangers last year, but spent more time at Triple-A Oklahoma City. In 89 innings for the RedHawks, Mathis posted a 5.66 ERA with 5.5 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. Mathis has a 4.84 ERA with 4.5 K/9 and 3.6 BB/9 in parts of three seasons with the Rangers.

Mathis joins non-roster invitees Justin Germano, Anthony Reyes, Luke Carlin, Paul Phillips, Jack Hannahan, Adam Everett and Travis Buck. As MLBTR's Transaction Tracker shows, rookie GM Chris Antonetti has had a quiet offseason. He has added the players above on minor league deals, signed Austin Kearns and traded for Joe Martinez.

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