NL East Notes: Gio, Owings, Stanton, Young
Nationals left-hander Gio Gonzalez was one of several players whose names were found in the records of Biogenesis, a Miami clinic linked to PEDs, as revealed last month by the Miami New Times. According to a new report from ESPN's Mike Fish and T.J. Quinn, however, none of the substances that Gonzalez allegedly purchased are banned by Major League Baseball. Gonzalez has denied any personal involvement with Biogenesis, though his father is a client of the clinic.
Here are some more items from around the NL East…
- Fish and Quinn cite Mets outfield prospect Cesar Puello as one of the new names listed as having received PEDs from Biogenesis. Padres shortstop Everth Cabrera, Athletics left-hander Jordan Norberto, Padres right-hander Fautino De Los Santos and Astros outfielder Fernando Martinez were also named.
- After six seasons as a pitcher, Micah Owings is trying to make the Nationals' roster as a first baseman. Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post chronicles Owings' decision to make the move, which included a talk with Rick Ankiel, another pitcher-turned-hitter. Owings, who signed a minor league deal with the Nats earlier this month, has a .283/.310/.502 line in 219 career Major League plate appearances.
- Giancarlo Stanton has been the subject of trade rumors for much of the offseason but CBS Sports' Jon Heyman hears from the Marlins that Stanton is "not going anywhere" (Twitter link). We heard last month that Miami wasn't considering a Stanton deal and hadn't even internally discussed such a move.
- The Phillies' acquisition of Michael Young was the team's best offseason move, Bob Brookover of the Philadelphia Inquirer opines. Brookover favored Young over free agent third base options like Kevin Youkilis and Mark Reynolds due to the ex-Ranger's durability and clubhouse leadership.
Quick Hits: Stanton, Twins, Harden, Strasburg
Earlier today, Blue Jays shortstop Jose Reyes reflected on his short time in Miami and told reporters that he feels sorry for former Marlins teammate Giancarlo Stanton. "What is there to feel sorry for me about?," Stanton told the press, including Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald. "I'm in the big leagues. I play a game for a living." Stanton went on to say that he won't pout about his situation this season, but that won't stop people from speculating about his future in Miami. Here's more from around baseball..
- If the Indians decide to trade outfielder Drew Stubbs, Twins general manager Terry Ryan will probably get a nudge from special assistant Wayne Krivsky, writes Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. During his tenure as Reds general manager, Krivsky had a hand in taking Stubbs eighth overall in the 2006 draft.
- More from Wolfson, who tweets that Rich Harden will earn a $1MM base salary if he makes the Twins. Harden inked a minor league deal with a big league spring training invite with Minnesota earlier this offseason.
- Nationals’ right-hander Stephen Strasburg is eager to prove that he can handle a full 200-plus inning load, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports in a lengthy piece. Strasburg wants to “be the horse in the rotation” for 2013 and beyond.
- Recently-acquired Astro Chris Carter told MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart that he is looking forward to playing a major role on the rebuilding Houston club. The 26-year-old Carter is coming off of his first season of consistent playing time on a Major League roster, a 2012 campaign in which he hit 16 home runs for the Athletics over 260 plate appearances. While Carter was primarily a first-baseman for the A's, McTaggart writes that Carter figures to see a lot of time in the outfield in 2013.
Jeff Todd contributed to this post.
Marlins Sign Casey Kotchman
The Marlins announced that they have signed Casey Kotchman to a minor league deal with an invite to big league camp. Kotchman is represented by Casey Close of Excel Sports Management.
Kotchman, who turns 30 next Friday, hit .229/.280/.333 with 12 homers in 142 games for the Indians last season. Things have been quiet for Kotchman this offseason but he reportedly drew some interest from the Red Sox earlier this winter.
Blue Jays Notes: Cabrera, Reyes, Anthopoulos
Earlier today, Blue Jays GM Alex Anthopoulos and some of the team's players addressed the media. Here's a look at some highlights..
- No member of the Blue Jays has a no-trade clause in his contract, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
- Anthopoulos acknowledged the risk in signing Melky Cabrera but says that more certainty in performance would have cost more, tweets Shi Davidi of Sportsnet. The two-year, $16MM deal may provide Toronto with great value but the risk is still there.
- The GM reiterated that he does not expect any further punishment for Cabrera by MLB stemming from this offseason's report in Miami, tweets Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com.
- Jose Reyes didn't anticipate being a part of a blockbuster deal to send him north of the border. In fact, days before the deal, Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria encouraged him to buy a home in Miami, tweets Davidi.
- When asked what he might tell free agents about the Marlins, Reyes responded, "I don't have to tell them nothing. They can see what happened," tweets Jayson Stark of ESPN.com. He added that he feels sorry for Giancarlo Stanton, who was not traded by the Marlins, tweets Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Marlins Notes: Nolasco, Hernandez, Tatum, White
After the Marlins' blockbuster deal with the Blue Jays this winter that saw much of the team's talent jettisoned north of the border, Ricky Nolasco made it known that he wanted to be sent elsewhere. As spring training nears, the 30-year-old says that he is ready to put that aside and focus on getting ready for the 2013 season. “I’m just moving forward," said Nolasco, according to Joe Capozzi of The Palm Beach Post. “Anything that has happened in the past is not going to be talked about anymore." The right-hander could be moved before the trade deadline as he is entering the final year of his contract. Here's a look at some minor notes out of Miami..
- A handful of Marlins on the 40-man roster are out of options and the ones to keep an eye on are outfielders Gorkys Hernandez and Justin Ruggiano plus left-handed pitchers Wade LeBlanc and Mike Dunn, writes Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald.
- Craig Tatum, a 29-year-old non-roster invitee, informed the Marlins he is retiring, according to Spencer. The catcher spent three years in the big leagues with the Reds and Orioles and hit .223/.291/.264 during that stretch.
- It has been weeks since the Marlins heard from former Dolphins quarterback Pat White, and Spencer sees that as an indication that he might not accept their invitation to minor league camp, which starts soon. The former West Virginia standout is also considering a two-year contract offer the Canadian Football League and has spoken to representatives for at least eight NFL teams.
NL Notes: Phillies, Reds, Rockies, Figgins
As players, coaches, and front office personnel begin to arrive in Florida and Arizona for Spring Training 2013, let's take a look at the news and notes from the National League:
- The Phillies were surprised Ben Revere was available and, in fact, it was the Twins who brought his name up in trade talks after dealing Denard Span to the Nationals, reports the Philadelphia Inquirer's Bob Brookover.
- Within the same article, Brookover writes the struggles of Domonic Brown were one reason the Phillies were forced to alter their offseason blueprint. "We were hopeful that Domonic would lock down one of those corner outfield spots," GM Ruben Amaro Jr. said. "He did not do that. He still may do that…but we can't necessarily count on that to happen. Because of that, then we were kind of filling all three outfield positions."
- MLB.com's Mark Sheldon provided additional contract details for some of the players the Reds have signed within the last month including right-hander Logan Ondrusek, who has more than two dozen different escalators, incentives, and bonuses written into the two-year deal he signed last month.
- Jorge De La Rosa, Jhoulys Chacin, Juan Nicasio, and Jeff Francis are near locks for the first four slots in the Rockies' starting rotation leaving Drew Pomeranz, Christian Friedrich, Tyler Chatwood and Chris Volstad jockeying for the fifth spot, according to Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post.
- MLB.com's Thomas Harding tweets the candidates for the Rockies' rotation change daily, but the final two spots could come down to Nicasio, Pomeranz, and Chatwood.
- Larry Beinfest, the Marlins' president of baseball operations, envisions the recently signed Chone Figgins in a Alfredo Amezaga-type role, tweets Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun-Sentinel. Amezaga played every position, except pitcher and catcher, during his four-year stint in Miami.
Outrighted To Triple-A: Martinez, Petersen
We'll track the day's outright assignments here…
- The Orioles announced that they outrighted catcher Luis Martinez to Triple-A after he cleared waivers. The Orioles designated Martinez for assignment three days ago after claiming him off of waivers from Texas last month. He hit .270/.350/.386 in 247 plate appearances at Triple-A this past season.
- The Marlins outrighted Bryan Petersen to Triple-A, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports (on Twitter). The Marlins designated Petersen for assignment this week to create roster space for Jon Rauch. Petersen appeared in 84 games for the Marlins last year, playing all three outfield positions. The 26-year-old posted a .195/.272/.257 batting line in 273 plate appearances.
Marlins Sign Chone Figgins
The Marlins signed utility player Chone Figgins to a minor league deal that includes an invitation to MLB Spring Training, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports (on Twitter). ACES represents Figgins, who was released by the Mariners with one year remaining on his contract earlier this winter.
Figgins signed a four-year, $36MM deal with the Mariners after the 2009 season but hit just .227/.302/.283 in three seasons with the team. He is still owed $8MM for 2013, a sum for which the Mariners will mostly remain responsible. The Marlins will presumably pay Figgins the MLB minimum salary if he makes the team.
Figgins posted a .181/.262/.271 batting line in 194 plate appearances with the Mariners last year. He played all three outfield positions and appeared at third base.
NL East Links: Boras, Loria, Phillies, Chipper
It was on this day in 1999 that Dennis Martinez announced his retirement from baseball. The first Major League player from Nicaragua, Martinez enjoyed a 23-year career with five teams, including spending his final season with Atlanta and eight years with Montreal from 1986-93. "El Presidente" is best remembered for throwing the 13th perfect game in Major League history, shutting down the Dodgers on July 28, 1991.
Here's the latest from around the NL East…
- Scott Boras has denied an accusation that he planted a rumor that the Marlins were close to signing Jose Valverde, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports. Spencer reported on Monday that the Marlins/Valverde rumor was false, with one source suspecting that Boras planted the rumor to generate interest in his client. Boras said he had "no motive" for creating the rumor since "what benefit would it be for me and my client to do that" when the false information could be so easily disproven.
- Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria has turned down several offers to buy the team in recent months, The Miami Herald's Barry Jackson reports, including a group led by former Florida governor Jeb Bush. Loria has no intention to sell the team, though Jackson hears from an unnamed league official that Major League Baseball would prefer if Miami had an owner more willing to spend.
- The additions of Mike Adams and Chad Durbin will improve the Phillies bullpen, but the team also needs one of their young relievers to fill key roles in 2013, David Murphy of the Philadelphia Daily News writes.
- Chipper Jones discussed the Braves' offseason moves and his upcoming visit to the team's Spring Training camp with MLB.com's Mark Bowman. Though he accepted the Braves' invitation to spend five days at camp, Jones said he is enjoying retirement and has "not had the itch whatsoever" to play again.
Marlins Sign Jon Rauch
9:01pm: Rauch will receive $250K for time spent on the Marlins' roster after 90, 120 and 150 days, says Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald (via Twitter).
4:57pm: Rauch can earn an additional $750K through roster bonuses, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reports (on Twitter).
4:21pm: The sides agreed to a one-year, $1MM deal, Clark Spencer of the Miami Herald reports (on Twitter).
3:45pm: The Marlins signed free agent right-hander Jon Rauch to a one-year deal, Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post reports (on Twitter). The team designated outfielder Bryan Petersen for assignment in a related move.
Rauch appeared in 73 games for the 2012 Mets, posting a 3.59 ERA with 6.6 K/9, 1.9 BB/9 and a 36.6% ground ball rate in 57 2/3 innings. The 6'11" 34-year-old earned $3.5MM on a one-year deal with New York. Rauch's average fastball velocity was 90.8 mph last year, up from 89.5 mph in 2011 (via FanGraphs).
The Marlins were linked to free agent right-hander Jose Valverde yesterday, though their interest doesn't appear serious. It's not clear whether today's deal will impact the team's interest level in other relief pitching. Teams seeking right-handed relief could inquire on Francisco Rodriguez, Brian Wilson and Mark Lowe, as MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows.
Petersen appeared in 84 games for the Marlins last year, playing all three outfield positions. The 26-year-old posted a .195/.272/.257 batting line in 273 plate appearances.