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Indians Acquire Joe Martinez

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The Indians acquired Joe Martinez from the Pirates for a played to be named or cash considerations, the teams announced today. The Pirates acquired Martinez and John Bowker from the Giants for Javier Lopez at last year's trade deadline, and went on to designate Martinez for assignment late last month.

The right-hander posted a 4.12 ERA in 19 2/3 innings for the Giants and Pirates last year, walking as many hitters as he struck out (9). He also spent time at Triple-A as starter and reliever, posting a 3.94 ERA with 6.8 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 in 109 2/3 minor league innings. Martinez, a 2005 12th round pick by the Giants, turns 28 next month.

Martinez has two options remaining, according to MLB.com's Jordan Bastian (on Twitter). That enables the Indians to demote him to the minors without exposing him to other teams.

Odds & Ends: Boras, Everett, Francis, Webb, Olivo

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Some links for Monday night as the deals for Pedro Feliciano and Brad Hawpe become official..

  • The players' association has found that Scott Boras did not violate union rules when his company made loans to a Dominican prospect, according to the Associated Press.
  • Adam Everett's minor league deal with the Indians will pay the 33-year-old $700K plus incentives if he makes the team, or $15K per month at Triple-A, according to Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer (Twitter link).
  • The Rockies will reach out to pitcher Jeff Francis this week, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post.  There's a chance that the left-hander returns to Colorado but he might have a better opportunity elsewhere.
  • Brandon Webb, who officially joined the Rangers earlier today, says that he won't rush himself back in order to start the season in the rotation, writes ESPN.com's Richard Durrett.
  • Greg Johns of MLB.com likes the Mariners' signing of Miguel Olivo.

Twins Notes: Thome, Pavano, Greinke

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So far this offseason, the Twins have made a number of minor league deals, traded J.J. Hardy to the Orioles and added Japanese infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka. Twins GM Bill Smith isn't done yet, though. The club could still add Jim Thome, Carl Pavano and/or others. Here's the latest on the defending AL Central champions from La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

  • There are indications that Thome’s representatives raised some “eyebrows” when Lance Berkman signed for $8MM. Thome, who signed for a $1.5MM guarantee last winter, posted a .283/.412/.627 line, while Berkman hit just .248/.368/.413. 
  • There are no indications that Pavano has a three-year offer, according to Neal, who wonders whether the Twins have even offered a two-year deal.
  • It’s not clear that the Twins can afford both Thome and Pavano, since both are coming off strong seasons and the Twins’ payroll is already high.
  • There’s word that the Royals were not interested in discussing potential Zack Greinke trades with their AL Central rivals. The Indians and Twins did appear to have interest in Greinke, Neal writes.

 

Cafardo On Blanton, Beltre, Indians, LaRoche

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In today's column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe names ten teams who might reap the benefits of bargain shopping as the winter winds down. The Rays, Mets, Yankees, and Angels top the list of clubs Cafardo thinks could make discounted moves in the coming weeks. Here are the rest of his hot stove notes:

  • While the Mets will be hunting for affordable starting pitching options, don't expect the Phillies to trade Joe Blanton within the division.
  • The Angels are making sure they don't bid against themselves on Adrian Beltre, and could eventually land the third baseman for a lesser price than Scott Boras is seeking.
  • The Indians could make some more moves if they want to continue stockpiling prospects. Other teams would have interest in players like Chris Perez, Rafael Perez, Joe Smith, and Fausto Carmona, while Cleveland would "love to trade" Grady Sizemore and Travis Hafner.
  • The Nationals "know it’s tough to get players to buy into the future of the team," writes Cafardo. As such, they may eventually commit to Adam LaRoche for the three years he's looking for.
  • Jim Masteralexis, Manny Delcarmen's agent, says several teams are interested in his client, and Cafardo warns not to bet against the Rays.
  • Carl Pavano may make a decision this week, and it appears that while he'd prefer to return to Minnesota, the Nationals will offer the better contract. Of course, we already saw one top free agent pitcher choose comfort over more guaranteed money, when Cliff Lee signed with the Phillies.

Odds & Ends: Aardsma, Rendon, Miner, Germano

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Let's help ring in the New Year with some links..

  • "I've grown to really like that mlbtraderumors.com site," said David Aardsma to Kirby Arnold of The Herald. "I find out so much information about everybody – who we're bringing in, who we're looking at. So, it's kind of hard to miss it. In a way, I'm flattered they believe other teams would want me to be their closer." Welcome to the site, David!
  • Rice third baseman Anthony Rendon has been cleared to resume full baseball activities according to Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle. Rendon suffered severe injuries to his right foot and ankle this past July, and is the early front runner to be the first overall selection in a loaded 2011 draft. 
  • The Royals see Zach Miner as a potential starter depending on how well and how quickly he comes back from Tommy John surgery, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  Earlier today the Royals signed the right-hander to a minor league deal.
  • Indians reliever Justin Germano has accepted an assignment to Triple-A Columbus, writes MLB.com's Jordan Bastian.  Meanwhile, the club's signing of Austin Kearns is not yet official due to the holidays.
  • Gabe Lacques of USA Today writes that there are no major gaps for the Tigers to fill.
  • Mike Axisa of River Ave. Blues wonders what the next collective bargaining agreement could mean for the MLB draft.

Rangers, Yankees, Indians Interested in Bartolo Colon

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Bartolo Colon's work in the Dominican winter league has continued to draw the attention of major league teams, and the 37-year-old starter sounds eager to sign. According to an AP story out of Santo Domingo, Colon told reporters in the Domincan Republic yesterday, "Texas, Cleveland, and the Yankees are interested in me" (link in Spanish).

The Indians had been known to be watching Colon's progress, and Colon had previously mentioned that he "maintains conversations" with the Yankees, but the Rangers' interest hadn't been previously reported. Asked if he had a preference among the three clubs, Colon simply said, "I'll go with the one that signs me."

More background on Colon's return to action on the international stage can be found here. Over the ensuing month of winter ball, he has continued to look impressive, managing a 1.47 ERA over his seven starts in the Domincan League's regular season for the Aguilas Cibaeñas.

The 50-game Dominican regular season has ended and Colon's team's season is over, but the right-hander was the first player selected overall in the postseason draft, and went to the reigning champion Leones del Escogido (in the Dominican winter league, postseason teams are allowed to draft from among the eliminated teams' rosters). In his one postseason start with the Leones, Colon avoided the loss but wasn't as sharp, giving up four runs on 12 hits in 5 2/3 innings.

Unfinished Business: AL Central

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We've covered the unfinished business for teams in the NL East, Central, and West as well as the AL West.  Now it's time to tackle the AL Central.

  • White Sox: Swingman or reliever.  A week ago, MLB.com's Scott Merkin opined that Chicago's biggest remaining need was a fourth or fifth starter type who could move to the bullpen when Jake Peavy returns.  Or, the Sox could add another reliever and put Chris Sale in the rotation to start the season.  GM Kenny Williams could theoretically clear some payroll space by moving Mark Teahen.  Another remaining offseason goal could be to lock up John Danks, who is entering his second arbitration year.
  • Indians: Veteran starting pitcher, third baseman, utility infielder, Shin-Soo Choo extension.  A Choo extension is unlikely, but MLB.com's Jordan Bastian suggests the Tribe will attempt to find bargains for the other needs.  Here's a look at the unsigned third base candidates.  Bartolo Colon is the type of pitcher on the radar to compete for a fifth starter job. 
  • Tigers: Starting pitcher, lefty reliever.  MLB.com's Kelly Thesier suggested a couple weeks ago that the Tigers could add a fifth starter/swingman type as well as a lefty reliever later in the offseason.  On a later conference call, GM Dave Dombrowski said he's comfortable with the team's pitching staff but remains open-minded.  They were linked to Brad Penny that same day.
  • Royals: Starting pitcher, reliever.  The Royals' 2011 rotation is looking barren at this point, and their bullpen is light too.  The additions of Jeff Francoeur and Melky Cabrera imply that Dayton Moore likes a little veteran presence on his team, so I expect him to add some stopgaps to augment the pitching staff.  Things have been quiet on the rumor front since the Zack Greinke trade, however.
  • Twins: Starting pitcher, reliever(s), backup infielder, Jim Thome situation, Francisco Liriano extension.  The Twins will have to figure out a Plan B if they fail to re-sign Carl Pavano.  They lost Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, and likely others from the bullpen, so some kind of veteran addition seems likely.  We haven't read much on the Twins' desire to re-sign Thome since this December 7th report.  The Liriano idea is pure speculation on my part, but perhaps discussions will occur.

Odds & Ends: Damon, Gonzalez, Germano, Astros

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December 23rd has been a big day for trading highly-regarded young pitchers in recent years. On this date in 2006, the Rangers sent John Danks and Nick Masset to the White Sox in the Brandon McCarthy trade and on this date in 2009, the Blue Jays sent Brandon League to the Mariners for Brandon Morrow. Here are today's links…

  • Baseball Prospectus recommends that you buy the MLBTR iPhone app. Chase Gharrity writes that “there’s very little not to love” about the app and that he’s “extremely excited for what it will become in the future.” You can buy the app right here.
  • The Yankees are interested in Johnny Damon, but Brian Cashman told Wallace Matthews of ESPNNewYork.com that there's no "clear role" for him on the 2011 Yankees.
  • The outfielder/DH told Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News (on Twitter) that other teams have called about everyday jobs.
  • Adrian Gonzalez told Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston.com that he promised to negotiate potential extensions with the Red Sox instead of holding out for an Albert Pujols-like deal in free agency. "We won't be looking for record-breaking deals," Gonzalez told the Red Sox. "We just want market value." Gonzalez will hit free agency after the season if he doesn't finalize an extension with Boston first, as expected.
  • The Indians announced that they outrighted Justin Germano to Triple-A. The right-hander can elect free agency or accept the assignment.
  • Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle explains that the Astros could be a refreshing team to watch in 2011, even though they haven't signed a major free agent like Cliff Lee or Carl Crawford. 

Indians To Sign Travis Buck

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The Indians officially announced an agreement today with outfielder Travis Buck on a minor league deal with a spring training invite.  MLB.com's Jordan Bastian reports that Buck would earn $625K in the Majors.

Buck, 27, hit .298/.364/.463 in 141 Triple-A plate appearances, also making a couple of brief appearances with the Athletics this year.  He was non-tendered earlier this month, as he would have been arbitration eligible for the first time.  The Indians will have the opportunity to control him past 2011.  Buck is represented by CAA. 

Buck authored a promising rookie campaign in 2007 – .288/.377/.474 in a half-season – but he's battled elbow surgery, shin splints, post-concussion syndrome, and shoulder and oblique injuries since. 

Chris Antonetti's first offseason as Indians GM has been a quiet one, with five minor league deals to his credit so far.

Indians Sign Austin Kearns

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The Indians signed outfielder Austin Kearns to a one-year, Major League contract, according to the team's Twitter feed.  The deal is worth $1.3MM plus incentives, reports MLB.com's Jordan Bastian, who also notes that the Indians will have to remove someone from their 40-man roster for Kearns.  Kearns spent the 2010 season with the Tribe before being traded to the Yankees on July 30th for Zach McAllister.

Kearns, 30, hit .263/.351/.395 in 461 plate appearances this year, playing mainly left field.  I imagine the Indians' ideal outfield setup involves Shin-Soo Choo, Grady Sizemore, and Michael Brantley as starters and Kearns as the primary backup.  Kearns is represented by SFX.

The Kearns deal marks Chris Antonetti's first Major League signing as Cleveland's GM.  Antonetti agreed to a minor league deal with Travis Buck earlier today.  Bastian notes that the Indians remain in the market for a veteran starting pitcher and perhaps a third baseman.

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