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Masahide Kobayashi Signs With Indians

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UPDATE: The deal is done – Kobayashi gets $6MM guaranteed over 2008-09 and has a $3.25MM club option for 2010.  This seems like a fine Indians-esque bargain. 

According to Ken Rosenthal, the Indians are close to signing Japanese reliever Masahide Kobayashi.  The 33 year-old is taking his physical today.  The Braves and Mariners were also known to have interest in him.  It’s been said that Kobayashi would prefer to close but it’s not a dealbreaker.

Here’s what Bob Bavasi of JapanBall told me about Kobayashi:

This closer was the number one draft pick by the Chiba Lotte Marines in 1999.  He may be the best available reliever on the free agent market, though he has not made the sort of overtures about wanting to leave Japan as the other two.  During the recent playoffs in Japan, his manager, Bobby Valentine, noted that Kobayashi keeps "looking better every time out.”  True enough, and a reason I like him.

And here’s what Aaron Shinsano and Jackson Broder of East Windup Chronicle said about him:

Lost seven games and ERA rose nearly a point in 2007, but that shouldn’t deter teams from pursuing this 200+ save closer for Chiba Lotte. Throws from the stretch, and has that deceptive delivery that scouts seem to like these days. Has a great forkball that often tails in toward the batter. Not as good as Iwase or Koji Uehara, but might just be an upgrade over, say, The Farns.  Tak adds that he was dropped to the "minors" at the end of the season and many feel his velocity and control are slipping.

OK, Tim here again.  Just wanted to add that Rosenthal also reiterated that the Royals are close on Yasuhiko Yabuta.  Mark Gonzales had previously said five teams were still in the running for him.

Teams Still Competing For Yabuta?

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On Friday, the word from Ken Rosenthal was that the Royals were close to signing Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with an option.  However, the Chicago Tribune’s Mark Gonzales names five teams currently in the running for his services.

We already knew about the Royals and White Sox.  Gonzales adds the Indians, Rays, and Pirates to the mix as well.  Looks like Japanese relievers are no longer free agency’s best kept secret.  Odd that teams didn’t start figuring this out until Hideki Okajima came along.  There were plenty of successes before him.  It almost seems like you can throw the stats out for Japanese relievers – MLB hitters just aren’t used to these guys yet. 

Law: Top 10 Trade Candidates

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Keith Law, a favorite here at MLBTR and at home home, River Ave. Blues, has posted an article on 10 potential trade candidates off-season. It seems that if anything big does go down this off-season, it will be in the form of a trade, since the FA market is particularly weak. So who does Law have in mind?

The most surprising name on the list is the Blue Jays’ Adam Lind. Law believes that with the next year’s financial commitments to Frank Thomas, Lyle Overbay, and now Matt Stairs, there is no obvious spot for Lind, and he’ll have to win a job in Spring Training — which he could most certainly do. It seems a bit foolish to trade a 24-year-old because of a couple of short-term financial commitments, most notably in the case of Stairs, who will be making a paltry $1 million in 2009. J.P. Ricciardi has done stranger things, though.

Another strange name is Ben Broussard, who figures to at least have a shot at being non-tendered. Law notes his favorable platoon splits against righties and figures he can help a team fill out a position. But since the Mariners already have Richie Sexson and Jose Vidro under contract, and are looking to get Adam Jones some more playing time, there doesn’t seem a logical spot for Broussard.

Law also brings up David DeJesus and Coco Crisp, often mentioned around these parts, as well as Andy LaRoche and, despite the trade of Jacques Jones, Matt Murton.

As a Yanks fan, I have to be at least a little curious at the inclusion of Cliff Lee. With Andy Pettitte’s career at the most a year from ending, and with the further possibility that he’s thrown his last pitch, the Yanks are going to need a lefty starter. Might as well inquire on Lee, as his not-so-stellar 2007 has significantly decreased his value.

Joe Pawlikowski is co-author of River Ave. Blues, a Yankees blog.

Royals Close To Signing Yasuhito Yabuta

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According to Ken Rosenthal, the Royals are close to signing 34 year-old Japanese reliever Yasuhiko Yabuta to a two-year deal with a third year option.  The White Sox had been in on him as well.

Here’s what Aaron and Jackson of East Windup Chronicle had to say about Yabuta:

Yabuta, the right-handed set up man for the Chiba Lotte Marines, is probably best known for striking out A-Rod, Derrek Lee, and Johnny Damon in the 2006 World Baseball Classic.  Yabuta has racked up 86 holds and a sub-3.00 ERA over the last three years for the Marines despite not panning out as a starter.

Rosenthal’s Latest: Cordero, Livan, Jenkins

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Somehow, I missed a Ken Rosenthal column.  This thing is already 14 hours old.  I’m slipping.

  • A Mystery Team has already made a four-year offer to Francisco Cordero.  We know the Brewers made an offer on Monday but Rosenthal may be referring to another club.
  • Rosenthal suggests Scott Linebrink could be reunited with Bruce Bochy to become the Giants’ closer.  It’s known that the Astros already have an offer out to Linebrink.
  • Teams interested in Geoff Jenkins: the Cubs, Padres, Giants, Rangers, and Royals.  Several of those are new to me.
  • The Tigers’ payroll is expected to exceed $115MM.  Time to head over to Cot’s and do some math.  By my count the Tigers are around $105MM right now (includes some arbitration guesses).  That leaves room for one starting pitcher signing, be it Kenny Rogers, Carlos Silva, or whoever.
  • The Cardinals, Astros, and Mets have their eye on Livan Hernandez.  Mets’ management is divided on signing him, since he’s a back-rotation guy.
  • Rosenthal believes the Reds could shop Joey Votto or Josh Hamilton a year from now in hopes of acquiring starting pitching.
  • Tony Clark is gaining in popularity as a cheap power source.  He might be looking at two years, $4MM plus more playing time.

Royals’ Interest In Torii Hunter Intensifies

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The Kansas City Star’s Bob Dutton reports that the Royals’ interest in free agent center fielder Torii Hunter has intensified.  Dutton first mentioned the club having an eye on Hunter six days ago.

Despite Dayton Moore’s public indifference toward Jose Guillen’s steroid history, Dutton says that is one reason the Royals are moving toward Hunter.  They can definitely afford him, even if they have to pay a premium for being a year or two off from contending.  Signing Hunter could open the door to a David DeJesus trade.  Dutton’s sources present a contrast of opinion, with one calling Hunter a top priority and another considering him a long shot.

Moore surprised the baseball world by outbidding many teams for Gil Meche’s services a year ago.  That deal looks solid 20% through, and may have added some legitimacy for Kansas City when entertaining free agents.

Mariners Listening On Sexson

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Mariners first baseman Richie Sexson hit a painful .205/.295/.399 last year.  He’s got one more year on his contract at $14MM, and most feel that he can’t help but be better in 2008.  Mariners GM Bill Bavasi recently acknowledged that some teams have inquired about Sexson.

According to the link above, one option could be swapping Sexson for another supposed bad contract, Vicente Padilla.  Padilla makes $11MM in ’08, $12MM in ’09, and has a $12MM club option for 2010 with a $1.75MM buyout.  So he has $24.75MM guaranteed left on his contract.  Padilla had an injury-plagued year but at least came on strong in September.  He’s fairly risky in general, but the fact that he’s crazy is an added burden.  Still, I imagine he’s looking interesting to several teams.

Another place to send Sexson could be Kansas City.  The Royals don’t have a bad contract to swap, so the Ms would have to eat money.  I’m guessing the Royals would take a chance on Sexson if they only had to pay half his salary.

The Giants are one other team that has been linked to Sexson, and they do have the Ray Durham contract to swap.  Durham makes $7.5MM in ’08 in the last year of his deal.

Odds and Ends: Garcia, Greene, DeJesus

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With so many rumors, there’s a need for a daily Odds and Ends post to catch ’em all.

  • Buster Olney talked to Freddy Garcia’s agent.  He’s looking at a June return from shoulder surgery.
  • Indians GM Mark Shapiro made an offer on Brad Lidge.  The Astros didn’t even reply.  They did hear back from the Marlins on their Miguel Cabrera inquiry.  The price is seemingly too high for talks to continue.  Peter Gammons says that before the Astros got Michael Bourn, the White Sox pushed for a Chad Qualls for Ryan Sweeney swap.
  • Evan Grant notes that the Rangers have discussed trading shortstop Joaquin Arias to the Royals for Joey Gathright.  They’ve also talked to the Brewers about Tony Gwynn Jr.  GM Jon Daniels needs to have options if he can’t afford Torii Hunter or the other free agents.  Grant adds that the Rangers have already been in touch with Kerry Wood.
  • Jose Guillen declined his $5MM option with the Mariners – that’s no surprise.  So far the Royals have expressed interest.
  • Khalil Greene is under the Padres’ control through 2009, but his salary is going to jump significantly in arbitration for the ’08 and ’09 seasons.  The Padres want to sign him to a multiyear deal, perhaps buying out one year of free agency.  GM Kevin Towers is also posturing that he might use Scott Hairston as the regular center fielder next year, which seems a stretch.  Also, Geoff Jenkins is on Towers’ radar.
  • Ed Wade and the Astros have asked the Marlins about Dontrelle Willis.  However the ’Stros probably do not have the goods.’
  • One way or another, the Marlins will ditch Miguel Olivo.  They hope to bring Yorvit Torrealba aboard, which would take an offer better than two years, $6MM.  The Mets, Brewers, and Blue Jays also like Torrealba.  The Marlins are serious about upgrading behind the plate and will spend some money to do so.
  • Jorge Posada seems set on testing the market, which never bodes well for the incumbent team.
  • David DeJesus is a hot commodity as an affordable center fielder, but Dayton Moore expects to hang onto him.  Maybe he’ll change his mind once some big names are off the board.

Royals Rumors: Cordero, Silva, Guillen

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Some good info surfacing regarding the Royals, as usual courtesy of the KC Star’s Bob Dutton.

  • While Joakim Soria will remain in the pen, the Royals want to add more relief help.  They could re-sign David Riske, and even plan to contact Francisco Cordero’s agent (Bean Stringfellow).  Bringing back Octavio Dotel is also being considered, though Soria would remain the closer.
  • Ron Mahay is on the radar.  It’s thought that he’ll require something close to a three-year, $12MM deal as one of the better southpaw relievers out there.  Riske wants a deal like that too.  Dayton, just take the draft pick.
  • I’ve yet to mention here Dayton Moore’s quotes.  Basically, steroid allegations won’t affect the team’s pursuit of any player, meaning they still like Jose Guillen.  It’s not surprising to see GMs moving in this direction.
  • Japan presents options such as Hitoki Iwase, Kazuo Fukumori, and Yashuhiko Yabuta.  New manager Trey Hillman observed Iwase up close this year.
  • What about more starting pitching?  The Royals like Carlos Silva, Hiroki Kuroda, Kris Benson, Matt Clement, and Jason Jennings.  Something useful could come out of that.
  • By the way, the Royals saw Glendon Rusch work out recently.  The swingman came up as a Royal before being traded to the Mets in ’99.

Clement Drawing Interest From Padres, Royals

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Matt Clement is an interesting rehab project.  The 33-year old had rotator cuff and labrum surgery, and was last seen topping out at 87 in September.  With the right strengthening work, plus the National League, he could be a nice surprise in 2008.

I’m sure he wants to start, so there wouldn’t be a fit with the Red Sox.  Nick Cafardo says the Padres and Royals are in on him so far.  It wouldn’t be surprising to see the Nationals get involved.  I think Clement will land in San Diego with $2-3MM guaranteed and maybe another $3MM in incentives.  He came up through the Padres’ system, taking his lumps before being traded for Mark Kotsay.  He’s going to have to reinvent himself as a finesse guy with good control.  Wade Miller was a somewhat similar case; he wasn’t able to do it. 

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