Orioles Talking With Luke Scott, Eyeing Ohman
Jeff Zrebiec of the Baltimore Sun writes about the Orioles’ attempt to sign arbitration-eligible outfielder Luke Scott before figures are submitted on Tuesday. Baltimore’s other arb-eligible players are Nick Markakis and George Sherrill.
The O’s made an offer to Scott’s agent Page Odle on Tuesday, and the offer was countered on Thursday. Odle described it as "pretty positive dialogue."
Zrebiec also learned from Odle that the Orioles remain interested in Will Ohman, as are the Braves, D’Backs, Indians, and Rangers. Ohman has two offers in hand, but not from the O’s.
Regarding Sherrill, MLBTR has learned that the Orioles called his agent yesterday to give a number they were looking at. It was their first contact of the offseason.
Indians Sign Matt Herges
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians signed reliever Matt Herges to a minor league deal. Herges cashed in with a $2.5MM deal following a nice ’07 season with the Rockies, but he slipped to a 5.04 ERA in ’08. The main difference between the two seasons was Herges’ batting average on balls in play, so there is hope for a rebound.
Indians Sign Vinnie Chulk
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians have signed righty reliever Vinnie Chulk to a minor league contract.
Chulk, who has experience with the Blue Jays and Giants, has been invited to spring training and will compete for the final spot in the Cleveland ‘pen.
Indians, Red Sox Complete Byrd Trade
Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Red Sox have sent outfielder Mickey Hall to the Indians to complete the trade that sent Paul Byrd to the Red Sox last season.
The news comes the day after we heard that Byrd will sit out the first half of the 2009 season.
Hall, who turns 24 in May, hit .232/.333/.456 in 82 AA games last year in the Boston organization.
Pedro Martinez Rumors
WEDNESDAY: Jon Heyman weighs in on Pedro Martinez. He says the Indians were considering an offer in the $7MM range but they’re out now that they’ve signed Carl Pavano. Heyman confirms that D’Backs are still in on Pedro.
MONDAY: Ben Shpigel of the New York Times snagged a few quotes from Omar Minaya, who spoke on the Tim Redding conference call today. Minaya said Pedro Martinez is still an option for the Mets, but they’re looking at other guys. The implication is that they’ll only consider Pedro if they fail to sign Derek Lowe, Oliver Perez, or Randy Wolf. It’s probably time for Pedro to move on.
Could he stay in New York? River Ave. Blues discusses the possibility of Martinez signing with the Yankees. We know Pedro has narrowed his choices to two teams in each league, and may have rejected a $7MM offer from an AL club. The Diamondbacks could be another possibility, but the Marlins will pass.
Indians Sign Saarloos, Aquino
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians signed pitchers Kirk Saarloos and Greg Aquino to minor league deals.
Saarloos, 30 in May, spent most of ’08 posting mediocre numbers in Triple A as a member of the A’s organization. Aquino, 31, pitched well at Triple A but his brief time with the Orioles did not go well. He missed time with a hamstring strain. Both players were designated for assignment by their teams in April but cleared waivers.
Indians Avoid Arb With Kelly Shoppach
According to MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince, the Indians avoided arbitration with catcher Kelly Shoppach, signing him to a one-year deal. The AP says it’s worth $1.95MM. Shoppach is under team control through 2011.
Carl Pavano’s Comments
Carl Pavano‘s comments today won’t exactly patch up his relationship with New Yorkers:
"When you’re down, you expect your organization to pick you up, not kick you when you’re down. I’ve had to pick myself up quite a few times the last four years."
Cliff Lee Open To Extension
Anthony Castrovince talked to Cliff Lee‘s agent, Darek Braunecker (remember him?). Braunecker says his client is open to discussing a contract extension if the Indians are.
Lee is signed affordably at $5.75MM in ’09 with a $9MM club option for ’10. Lee will be free agent-eligible at age 32; what kind of extension would be reasonable?
Odds and Ends: Pavano, Giambi, Manny, Tigers
Links for Thursday…
- RotoAuthority looks at possible injury risk young starters for 2009, by way of the Verducci Effect.
- Anthony Castrovince says the Indians looked at Mark Mulder, Kris Benson, Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon before signing Carl Pavano. The Tribe’s rotation appears set. The article also outlines Pavano’s incentives, which kick in at 18 starts.
- A reminder: for the past month or so we’ve had a Top Stories section in the righthand sidebar. If you’re looking to find the biggest hot stove news of the past few days quickly, look there first.
- I did a Q&A with 3:10 To Joba.
- Ben Shpigel tries to quantify how slow this offseason has been.
- Susan Slusser has a few details on Jason Giambi‘s contract. Jon Heyman confirms Slusser’s earlier comment that the A’s are considering Orlando Cabrera.
- Bill Plaschke says the Dodgers are "playing the Manny Ramirez game perfectly." McCovey Chronicles liveblogs that game from the Giants’ side.
- Jason Beck looks at the dwindling closer options for the Tigers.