Minor Moves: Snyder, Fox, Torres
We'll track the latest minor transactions here….
- The Astros have signed outfielder Brad Snyder to a minor league contract, tweets Alyson Footer. The 29-year-old was drafted by the Indians in the first round of the 2003 draft, and spent the last three seasons in the Cubs' organization. He posted an .801 OPS in 407 Triple-A plate appearances for Iowa in 2011.
- Right-hander Matt Fox has agreed to a minor league deal with the Mariners, tweets Matt Eddy of Baseball America. The 28-year-old turned down more money from the Red Sox in favor of what he feels is a better opportunity to pitch in the bigs, MLBTR has learned. Fox made four Major League appearances for the Red Sox and Twins in 2010, but pitched exclusively for Boston's Triple-A affiliate in Pawtucket last season.
- Within the previously linked tweet, Eddy adds that left-hander Joe Torres has re-signed with the Rockies. Torres, a former tenth overall pick by the Angels, spent most of 2011 pitching out of the bullpen at Double-A Tulsa, recording 10.1 K/9 and a 2.28 ERA in 55 1/3 innings.
Rockies Express Interest In Grady Sizemore
The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Grady Sizemore, reports Troy Renck of The Denver Post. The team is casting a wide net as they look for offensive help, but Renck says they are not expected to aggressively pursue Sizemore until they exhaust all trade options with the Braves for Martin Prado.
The Red Sox and Phillies have checked in on Sizemore, but the Mets are unlikely to get involved. Yesterday we heard that the 29-year-old outfielder is looking for a one-year contract in order to rebuild his value, similar to Adrian Beltre's stint with the Red Sox. The Rockies need help in left field as Tim Dierkes wrote in his Offseason Outlook, and Coors Field is a pretty good place to hit. Obviously the key for Sizemore at this point is staying healthy.
NL West Notes: Hudson, Soon-Shiong, Rockies, Hill
The Diamondbacks have been one of baseball’s busiest teams so far this offseason. GM Kevin Towers and manager Kirk Gibson agreed to extensions and John McDonald, Henry Blanco and Willie Bloomquist have all re-signed with the defending NL West Champions. Here’s the latest from the division…
- If the Rockies are indeed interested in Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson, Bill Center of the San Diego Union-Tribune doubts the Padres would be willing to pick up any of Hudson's salary in a trade. Hudson will earn $5.5MM in 2012, with an $8MM option for 2013 that can be bought out for $2MM. Center also discusses several other Padres topics in his weekly chat with fans, such as the possibility of moving in the fences at Petco Park.
- Billionaire Patrick Soon-Shiong told Arash Markazi of ESPN Los Angeles that he has been approached by at least one of the groups trying to buy the Dodgers. Soon-Shiong is considered to be the richest man in Los Angeles and bought a 4.5% share of the L.A. Lakers last year.
- The Rockies aren't going to revisit their pursuit of Michael Young, tweets Troy Renck of the Denver Post. Colorado and Texas were very close to a deal involving Young last winter in the wake of Young's trade request, but Young settled things with Rangers management and now there is "no motivation for [the] Rangers to move him."
- Also from Renck, he doesn't think the Rockies will look to move Matt Belisle this winter, though Matt Lindstrom could be available.
- As part of a reader mailbag, MLB.com's Chris Haft was surprised that the Giants needed to include Ryan Verdugo along with Jonathan Sanchez in the deal that brought Melky Cabrera to San Francisco. That said, Haft writes "it's conceivable that the Giants might have obtained the most that Sanchez and Verdugo would bring."
- The Rockies “love” Jamey Carroll, but wouldn’t be interested in signing him to a multiyear deal, according to Renck (Twitter links). The former Rockies infielder is nearing a multiyear deal with Twins.
- The Rockies aren’t likely to sign Michael Cuddyer, but they continue pursuing Martin Prado, Renck reports.
- The Diamondbacks have a multiyear offer on the table to Aaron Hill and it expires Monday, according to Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com (on Twitter). If Hill signs, the Diamondbacks will turn their attention to starting pitching.
- Bruce Jenkins of the San Francisco Chronicle suggests the Giants should re-sign Carlos Beltran to a two or three-year deal.
MLBTR's Mark Polishuk also contributed to this post
Carroll Nearing Multiyear Deal With Twins
2:24pm: Carroll's nearing a multiyear deal with the Twins, according to Crasnick (on Twitter). He would be Minnesota's everyday shortstop.
2:08pm: The Twins continue to pursue Carroll, according to Morosi (Twitter link). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Twins and Carroll are talking regularly (Twitter link).
12:50pm: The Twins have had recent discussions for Carroll, according to Morosi (Twitter link).
12:19pm: The Braves and Indians aren't finalists for Carroll, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).
11:40am: The Padres are not the team nearing a deal with Carroll, reports MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter).
10:57am: The Dodgers aren't the team that's nearing a deal with Carroll, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (on Twitter). Troy Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies aren't the mystery team (Twitter link) and Morosi reports that the Tigers aren't involved.
10:36am: The Blue Jays are showing serious interest in Carroll and were one of three finalists for him as of yesterday, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (all links go to Twitter). Morosi hears that the infielder is "very close" to agreeing to a deal.
7:38am: Jamey Carroll is nearing a multiyear deal with an unknown team, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (all Twitter links). The Tigers, Rockies, Dodgers and Indians have been mentioned as potential suitors for Carroll, a Millenium Sports Management client who is expected to sign within a few days. The Phillies and Braves have also expressed interest.
The 37-year-old infielder played shortstop and second base for the Dodgers in 2011, posting a .290/.359/.347 line in 510 plate appearances. He hasn't posted an on-base percentage below .355 in any of the past four seasons and he has a career mark of .356 after a decade in the Major Leagues. Carroll, who also has experience at third base and in the outfield, stole ten bases without getting caught this past season. He is not a ranked free agent and won't cost his new team a draft pick.
Carroll spoke with MLBTR's Tim Dierkes in June and you can check out the interview here. Tim predicted the Tigers would sign Carroll, placing him 41st on MLBTR's list of top free agents.
This post was originally published on November 11, 2011.
Rockies Notes: Fowler, Prado, Hudson, Barmes
The Rockies have asked the Braves about Martin Prado, who could play second base for Colorado in 2012. Here’s a follow-up on the trade talks and an update on some alternatives at second base…
- Rockies outfielder Dexter Fowler is off-limits in trade talks, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post (Twitter links).
- The Braves and Rockies are expected to keep lines open about a possible deal involving Prado, according to Renck. Fowler won't be going to Atlanta, but the Braves do like Seth Smith.
- The Rockies have had internal conversations about trading for Padres second baseman Orlando Hudson or signing former Rockie Clint Barmes, according to Thomas Harding of MLB.com. The Rockies sent Barmes to the Astros a year ago this month and he responded with a .244/.312/.386 line and solid defense in Houston.
NL West Notes: D’Backs, Barmes, Darvish, Dodgers
The Diamondbacks finalized a new deal with Willie Bloomquist today and the move has had an impact for at least two NL West teams. Here are the details.
- The Giants offered Bloomquist a two-year deal worth more than $3.8MM before he re-signed in Arizona, according to Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic (on Twitter). San Francisco’s offer was worth $4.6MM over two years, according to Yahoo's Tim Brown. The D’Backs remain interested in Aaron Hill.
- The Giants are looking for a shortstop as a fallback for Brandon Crawford, according to Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News (on Twitter). Baggarly notes that some Giants coaches are big fans of free agent Clint Barmes.
- Brad Lefton of the New York Times explains the origins of the posting system MLB teams use to bid on Japanese players. Within the piece, Lefton reports that the Diamondbacks scouted Yu Darvish this past season.
- Not surprisingly, the Dodgers won't be able to bid on free agents such as Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols until the team is sold, according to ESPNLosAngeles.com.
- The Rockies will consider pursuing Roy Oswalt, according to MLB.com’s Thomas Harding.
Rockies Inquired On Martin Prado
The Rockies contacted the Braves about Martin Prado, according to Troy Renck of the Denver Post. The Rockies, who haven't yet exchanged named with the Braves, view Prado as a starting second baseman who can produce runs.
Prado projects to earn approximately $4.4MM next season as a second-time arbitration eligible player and the Braves seem willing to move him in the right deal. Rockies outfielder Seth Smith appeals to the Braves, according to David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (on Twitter).
Second baseman Mark Ellis is a free agent, so the Rockies are exploring multiple options at second base, including Jamey Carroll. Like Michael Cuddyer, another Rockies target, Prado is versatile enough to handle the outfield and multiple infield positions. Prado posted a .260/.302/.385 line in 2011, while playing first, third and left field. He made the NL All-Star team in 2010 and had a .307/.350/.459 line in 651 plate appearances.
Rockies Interested In Millwood, Harden, Chen
The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent starters Kevin Millwood, Rich Harden, and Bruce Chen, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post. They'll also be exploring the trade market.
Millwood, 37 in December, finished the season with Colorado, making nine starts with a 3.98 ERA. The Scott Boras client seeks a Major League deal, which Renck says makes this a "slow-developing situation." Renck notes that the Rockies were among the finalists to sign Harden last year, though they viewed him as a reliever.
As for their second base opening, the Rockies have had internal conversations about free agent Aaron Hill, according to ESPN's Buster Olney. Hill is also of interest to the Tigers, writes Lynn Henning of the Detroit News. The Rockies also have interest in Jamey Carroll, Mark Ellis, and others, reported Renck previously.
For more on the Rockies' needs and finances, check out my offseason outlook.
Rockies Notes: Carroll, Ellis, Prado, Cuddyer
The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent second baseman Jamey Carroll, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post. The 37-year-old enjoyed his time in Colorado and has interest in a return. However, the veteran might be too rich for the Rockies' blood. Renck sees Carroll's market value as something around a two-year, $8MM deal, as established by the Marlins' Omar Infante. Here's more from Renck..
- The Rockies' unwillingness to go to that range could also preclude a return for Mark Ellis, which hasn't been ruled out.
- The Braves will reportedly listen on Martin Prado and Renck wonders if Seth Smith would be enough to pry him away from Atlanta. Prado should get about $4.4MM in arbitration and the Braves are in search of a corner bat.
- With the Phillies aggressively pursuing Michael Cuddyer, the Rockies are a longshot to land the free agent.
- The Rockies have long been linked to David Wright but Renck doesn't see him as a likely acquisition either. The Mets will listen on Wright but if they lose Jose Reyes this offseason, the third baseman will be needed as a draw for fans.
- Veteran Kevin Youkilis makes a lot of sense for the Rockies there's mixed opinions on how available he is from AL sources. The Red Sox are left-handed heavy, and Youkilis provides balance to their lineup. Youkilis can play first or third, making him particularly valuable to the Rockies.
- Pitching remains necessary for the Rockies and Wandy Rodriguez is still a trade target. After the Rockies' organizational summit this week in Scottsdale, Arizona, activity will pick up with the focus narrowing on specific pitchers such as Rodriguez, Carl Pavano, Wade Davis, John Danks and Kevin Slowey.
- As the Rockies explore moving closer Huston Street, the Blue Jays and Phillies represent possible matches.
- You can expect the Pirates to pursue former Rockie shortstop Clint Barmes.
- The Mariners could be a fit for 49-year-old Jamie Moyer as he attempts a comeback.
Rockies Notes: Cuddyer, Ramirez, Sizemore
The Rockies won’t commit to players over 30 on long-term deals, according to Dave Krieger of the Denver Post. Here are some more notes on the Rockies:
- The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer, who may prove to be too expensive for Colorado’s budget.
- The Rockies will be looking for third base help this offseason, but Rockies GM Dan O’Dowd indicated no interest in Aramis Ramirez at the length of contract he’s looking for, according to Krieger.
- Cuddyer is a Type A free agent and will probably cost a draft pick, while Ramirez is a Type B and definitely won't cost a pick.
- Grady Sizemore intrigues O’Dowd as a potential value signing.
- Third base prospect Nolan Arenado has impressed O’Dowd by hitting well in the Arizona Fall League. The 2009 second round pick may be accelerating his minor league development with his production in the AFL.
- Generally speaking, O’Dowd doesn’t intend to force trades for the sake of trades. “I personally think a lot our issues are internal, not external,” he told Krieger.
- For a close look at the Rockies check out Tim Dierkes offseason outlook.