Astros Toby Hall, Four Others
I don’t believe we have covered all of the Astros’ recent minor league signings. Brian McTaggart reported yesterday that they’ve added Toby Hall, Danny Graves, Jose Capellan, Chad Paronto, and Brian Esposito. Hall is the "big name" here; he hit .260/.304/.331 in 136 plate appearances for the White Sox while earning $1.75MM.
Astros Could Be Done Dealing
Astros GM Ed Wade hinted Wednesday that the Astros aren’t likely to make a major move this offseason. Alyson Footer worked up a report for MLB.com with a few choice quotes from the general manager.
"We’d have to sit down and have a discussion," said Wade. "Where we are right now, our payroll is $107 million. Last year, we finished around $98 million. We’re really up against our number at 107, and it’s a number, quite frankly, that the revenues don’t support."
Wade followed with a bit of a disclaimer: "Circumstances can change. We can see if we can create more flexibility to make it happen, but right now, the feeling is the group we’ve committed to at this point is the group we’ll go with, with 99 percent certainty."
Rosenthal On Lackey, Dunn, Young, Isringhausen
Here’s a look at the latest from Ken Rosenthal.
- John Lackey is due up for extension talks with the Angels, as he’ll be eligible for free agency after the ’09 season. He’d easily be the best available starter. Rosenthal says talks with the Angels should occur before the beginning of the season, but the Halos may not be willing to offer A.J. Burnett money (five years, $82.5MM). In November, Jayson Stark said Lackey had been telling friends he expects to have an extension by Opening Day. That came after Lackey’s confirmation he’d wait to see the Angels’ offensive plans before re-signing.
- The Braves paid $60MM for Derek Lowe, though no one else made a comparable offer. This is a testament to Scott Boras (and perhaps the Braves’ desperation), though Boras has more challenging work ahead in Manny Ramirez and Jason Varitek.
- The Red Sox have shown interest in Adam Dunn, one rival exec tells Rosenthal. Rosenthal considers the possibility a longshot – "a square peg in a round hole." The Sox could always make a midseason deal if their offense isn’t cutting it.
- A Rangers official put Michael Young‘s chances of being with the team on Opening Day at at least 90%. The Rangers aren’t interested in moving Ian Kinsler to left field and Young to second base.
- Rosenthal believes Xavier Nady is likely to garner Type A status when he becomes a free agent after the ’09 season, but half of the equation (his 2009 stats) is missing.
- Jason Isringhausen is considering four teams, and he’d have a shot to close for those clubs. The Dodgers aren’t terribly interested, while the Cardinals and Tigers are possibilities.
- Should the Mets sign Andy Pettitte as well as Randy Wolf or Oliver Perez? One rival exec suggested the idea.
- The Astros apparently made a three-year, $28.5MM offer to Wolf before pulling it back. Looks like he’ll be settling for less.
- Rosenthal says a Rangers trade for Jermaine Dye is "not happening." They’ll go with Hank Blalock‘s left-handed offense rather than sign an aging veteran. Blalock is headed into a contract year.
- If Todd Helton has a healthy spring, the Rockies could shop Garrett Atkins.
- The Red Sox and D’Backs are not close to a deal involving catcher Miguel Montero. Arizona will need to add a capable backup catcher if they do find a deal for Montero.
Astros Sign Russ Ortiz
According to the Houston Chronicle, the Astros signed pitcher Russ Ortiz to a one-year deal. Ortiz had Tommy John and flexor tendon surgery in August of ’07.
Heyman On Young, Pettitte, Dye, Cordero
The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…
- It’s more likely that Michael Young will give in and move to third base than be traded. Heyman runs through six (long shot) "potential contenders." Most were addressed here, but Heyman adds the Yankees.
- Yankees people believe there is less than a 50% chance of the team re-signing Andy Pettitte. He could instead retire or sign with the Dodgers or Astros.
- Heyman suggests Bobby Abreu or Garret Anderson for the Reds, noting that Abreu is probably too expensive.
- The White Sox want "top pitching prospects" for Jermaine Dye, not necessarily big league-ready ones.
- The Dodgers were among 12 teams who watched Chad Cordero throw on Friday. The Mets, Twins, Brewers, Rangers, Tigers, Diamondbacks, and Nationals are among the other known attendees.
Astros Notes: Valverde, Lo Duca
A few Astros notes from Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle.
- The Astros discussed an extension with closer Jose Valverde, but ultimately signed him for one year and $8MM. Valverde is eligible for free agency after the ’09 season.
- The Astros are in negotiations with Paul Lo Duca. He could join the mix on a minor league deal.
Valverde, Astros Reach One-Year Deal
Jose Valverde and the Houston Astros avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $8MM, Alyson Footer of MLB.com reports.
Valverde, who made $4.7MM in 2008, made 44 saves last season (Houston’s single-season record). He had a 3.38 ERA from 74 appearances. The 30-year-old will be a free agent after the season.
Pettitte Return To Houston Is Unlikely
Astros GM Ed Wade admitted Thursday that an Andy Pettitte return to Houston is highly unlikely. Alyson Footer filed the report for MLB.com.
"We haven’t had any discussion with Andy or his representatives and we don’t see a scenario where he would fit into our payroll scenario at this time," Wade said. Most experts in the baseball industry believe Pettitte will eventually return to the Yankees. But he may now have to settle for less than the one-year, $10MM offer that the Yanks extended to him previously this offseason.
Andy Pettitte Open To Astros?
According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, free agent lefty Andy Pettitte "might be softening his opposition to rejoining the Astros." Davidoff believes a deal with the Yankees is in jeopardy, though the sides continue to talk. Davidoff says Xavier Nady "figures to be dealt now" as another way to trim payroll.
Pettitte may be amenable to a Houston return, but it takes two to tango. So far this winter the Astros have already pulled their offer to Randy Wolf and non-tendered their starting third baseman Ty Wigginton.
Odds and Ends: Crede, Swisher, Astros
Links for Wednesday…
- RotoAuthority identifies a bunch of sleepers who had between 200-400 at-bats in 2008 in posts here and here.
- Joe Crede remains on the Rangers’ radar, but they have not made an offer.
- All kinds of interesting thoughts from Peter Gammons.
- Fred Claire contrasts Pat Burrell and Milton Bradley.
- Dave Sheinin says the Nationals inquired on Nick Swisher, but their offer did not impress the Yankees. Chico Harlan mentioned the same yesterday. Joel Sherman notes that the Mets and Braves had interest in Swisher before he was traded to the Yankees.
- In that post, Sherman also predicts the contracts for Derek Lowe and Manny Ramirez.
- The Astros are mostly done, unless Drayton McLane pulls a surprise move.
- Murray Chass reflects on Carl Pohlad.
- Eric Stashin talked to Wayne Graczyk of the Japan Times about various Japanese pitchers.