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Odds and Ends: Dunn, Schumaker, Abreu

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Links for Friday…

Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Red Sox, Cruz, Angels, Jays, Braves

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On this date 14 years ago, Hideo Nomo signed with the Dodgers after "retiring" from professional baseball in Japan, becoming the first Japanese player in the big leagues in over 30 years. Nomo would go on to win 123 games in 12 big league seasons, including two no-hitters. Since then, at least 25 other pitchers have made the jump from Japan to the U.S. and Nomo is arguably still the best to make the move. With several big names still looking for their own big league contract, let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…

  • Fire Brand of the American League speculates on some in-season trade targets for the Red Sox.
  • MLB Notebook takes a look at the players most affected by the recent signings of Bobby Abreu and Adam Dunn.
  • Jorge Says No! takes a look at the market for Juan Cruz.
  • The Sports Banter reflects on what they consider to be a "disappointing" offseason for the Angels.
  • UmpBump recaps the offseason for the Blue Jays and looks at their projected lineup.
  • Braves Blast rummages through the scraps of what is left for the Braves outfield now that most of the big names have signed elsewhere.

Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.

Heyman On Manny, Pudge, Cabrera, Howard

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The latest from SI.com’s Jon Heyman…

  • Heyman says "most in the know seem to still believe [Dodgers owner Frank] McCourt will bend on Manny Ramirez and go to three years."
  • The Nationals’ offer to Adam Dunn was on the table for weeks until he realized no team was going to beat or approach it.  There were rumors months ago that Dunn sought a $100MM deal heading into free agency.
  • The Astros and Marlins are looking at Ivan Rodriguez.  There’s even an El Nuevo Dia report suggesting the Astros offered $2.5MM+ to Pudge, but that seems out of their price range to me.  In today’s mailbag, MLB.com’s Alyson Footer opines that the Astros wouldn’t go to $3MM for a catcher.
  • The A’s "want to spend no more than $5MM, and probably closer to $3MM" for Orlando Cabrera.  He should take that if it’s offered.
  • The Angels had been eyeing Joe Crede but may be done after signing Bobby Abreu.  The Giants and Twins remain the likeliest suitors for Crede.
  • The Phillies hoped to lock up Ryan Howard beyond his arbitration years, and Ruben Amaro Jr. disputed the notion that he is after Teixeira money.

Brewers Acquire Nick Green

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According to MLB.com’s Lyle Spencer, the Angels removed pitcher Nick Green from the 40-man roster to make room for Bobby Abreu and Green was "promptly snapped up from waivers by the Brewers."  The Brewers designated reliever Luis Pena for assignment to make room, says MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy.

Green, 24, posted a 5.32 ERA in 159 Triple A innings last year.  He had issues with hits and home runs allowed.  In their ’09 Handbook, Baseball America said Green has a strong changeup but "lacks a swing-and-miss pitch" and "projects as a #4 starter at best."

Angels, Bobby Abreu Reach Agreement

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9:55pm: According to Mike DiGiovanna of the LA Times, incentives could raise the value of the contract above $6MM.

3:42pm: Crasnick says the Angels and Abreu have reached a preliminary agreement.  It’ll be a done deal once he passes his physical and the Angels remove Nick Green from the 40-man to make room.  Also:

The Braves have also expressed serious interest in Abreu, but sources said Atlanta’s budget is so tight that general manager Frank Wren would have to stretch to give him a $5MM salary.

11:44am: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick says the Angels and Abreu moved closer to a deal, but are still negotiating incentives that could be worth a million or two.

8:33am: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Angels and Bobby Abreu reached an agreement on a one-year deal worth a little more than $5MM plus incentives.

Abreu, 35 in March, hit .296/.371/.471 in 684 plate appearances for the Yankees last year while playing poor defense.  He earned $16MM in ’08.  Many questioned Brian Cashman’s decision not to offer arbitration to Abreu, a Type A free agent.  The decision was wise, as Abreu ended up taking a 69% pay cut in base salary.  At the beginning of the offseason, most people expected him to get multiple years and at least $10MM per.  Abreu’s agent Peter Greenberg remarked to Larry Stone on January 30th:

"He might take a one-year deal so that he can — in his words — win the MVP and go out on the market again.  He’s definitely motivated. Not that he’s not usually, but he has extra motivation."

In Abreu, the Angels add some much-needed OBP to a team that ranked 11th in the AL last year in the crucial stat.

Odds and Ends: Garland, Lindstrom, Angels

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Links for Wednesday…

  • I cleaned up the 2010 free agent list a bit, eliminating a few guys who will not have six years service time after ’09.  For example, Tim Redding.  He’ll be a Met in 2010 unless they non-tender him.
  • Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic learned that if Jon Garland is traded this season and is a Type A free agent afterwards, his new team cannot offer him arbitration.
  • Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald has an interesting profile on Marlins closer Matt Lindstrom.
  • RotoAuthority gathers comments from readers on their favorite fantasy league provider.  Yahoo leagues are open for registration, by the way.
  • Sam Miller of the OC Register lists possible trade pieces for the Angels if they are able to finish up the Bobby Abreu contract.

Angels Closing In On Bobby Abreu

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8:55pm: Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times collected a few quotes from Abreu’s agent, Peter Greenberg:

"The Angels have expressed interest, and we’ve been talking to them — they’re definitely one of the more interesting situations for Bobby," said Greenberg.  "It’s a good city, a winning team, and he has some friends over there."

"We’d still like a multi-year deal, but if he doesn’t get what he wants, he’ll be fine with a one-year deal.  Then, he could re-establish his market value and hope for better luck next year. He might be faced with that."

8:35pm: SI.com’s Jon Heyman says the Angels "appear to be closing in on a deal" with Abreu.

7:44pm: ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick heard from two baseball sources that the Angels are in serious talks toward a one-year agreement with Abreu.

7:09pm: FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reports that the Angels waived right-hander Nick Green from the 40-man roster on Tuesday and believes the team "could be trying to create a spot for a free-agent hitter."

The Angels are thought to prefer Bobby Abreu over Adam Dunn.  "One GM pursuing Abreu said Tuesday that he was told Abreu was close to signing with an Amercian League team," writes Rosenthal.

Perrotto’s Latest: Angels, Mets, Mariners

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John Perrotto’s Sunday column is up, now called On The Beat (like his Wednesday articles) instead of Every Given Sunday.

According to the article, the Angels plan to use Kendry Morales at first base, and a combination of Juan Rivera, Gary Matthews, Jr., and Reggie Willits in left field and designated hitter. Perrotto quotes GM Tony Reagins: "In our situation, you get to the point where you have young players with talent who have been given some chances at the major league level, but have not had the opportunity to play every day. We feel it’s time to allow those players that opportunity."

Perrotto reports the Angels had a fixed dollar figure that included the money they did not wind up spending on Mark Teixeira; however, not signing Teixeira does not mean they feel the need to spend the money without improving the ballclub. They still appear to be a team in the prime position to sign Adam Dunn, Manny Ramirez, or Bobby Abreu.

And a couple notes from around the Majors:

  • The Mariners have "mild" interest in Garrett Anderson to play left-field.
  • The Mets are trying to trade catcher Ramon Castro. They would rather spend less to have Robinson Cancel as Brian Schneider’s backup.

Cafardo’s Latest: Manny, Sheets, Glavine

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The Boston Globe’s Nick Cafardo shares some notes on Manny Ramirez and around the league. Let’s have a look, bullet-point style:

  • He cites an AL Exec who says, "I’ll be honest, I never thought Ramirez would walk away from… one year, $25 million. That’s better than the $20 million option he had torn up… If he has another great year, he gets another $25 million for one year? Or maybe a team then decides, ’OK, this guy has behaved himself for a while, continues to produce at a high level now, let’s commit for another two years to him.’ Unless a team like the Yankees comes in at the last minute and gets it done, I just don’t see where he’s going to make more than $25 million." Cafardo adds that "Brian Cashman insists it won’t happen."
  • A quote from Rich Hill on his being traded to the Orioles: "[Cubs general manager] Jim Hendry really took care of me. He wanted to create an opportunity for me that he told me probably didn’t exist in Chicago, so I’m grateful. I know Baltimore tried to deal for me last year and it didn’t work out, but this time they made it work." Hill also adds that he’s over his back injury and will rediscover his control.
  • Ben Sheets not signing anywhere until June hurts the Brewers two-fold: they may have to foot the bill for the surgery and won’t receive a first round draft pick for losing a Type-A free agent. Sheets has a torn flexor tendon, as revealed by an exam with the Texas Rangers. On the other hand, MLBTR has noted that in June, after his surgery, he won’t cost a draft pick to sign.
  • Andruw Jones on playing in Boston: "It’s too cold there. There’s too much stuff going on."
  • Bobby Abreu may have to settle for a one or two year deal at $3MM. Cafardo lists the Angels, Mets, Braves, Dodgers, and Mariners.
  • Expect an incentive-laden deal for one year between Tom Glavine and the Braves. As MLBTR has noted, their latest offer was between $1-2MM with no incentives.
  • Mark Mulder could be a useful back end starter and he’s almost ready to put himself on display to teams.
  • Shea Hillenbrand is 32 and receiving no interest. Cafardo wonders if he’s "being punished for past transgressions?"
  • Cubs, White Sox, and Dodgers are lined up for Orlando Hudson; however, the transfer of ownership may have temporarily tied the hands of Jim Hendry to do anything until Tom Ricketts takes over.
  • The A’s are continuously interested in Orlando Cabrera, Adam Dunn, and Abreu.
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