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Free Agent Rumors: Saunders, Red Sox, Twins, Lohse

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Some free agent notes from around MLB…

  • The Orioles are still in talks with free agent left-hander Joe Saunders, Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports reports (on Twitter). The Orioles have had a quiet offseason so far, but they do want to add a starter.
  • Though the Red Sox won't rule out the possibility of adding another outfielder, they feel "comfortable" with Ryan Kalish or Daniel Nava as a left-handed hitting platoon partner for Jonny Gomes, Scott Lauber of the Boston Herald reports (on Twitter).
  • It sounds like the Twins are still interested in adding a starting pitcher, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports (on Twitter). “I think we have to continue to look," GM Terry Ryan said. The Twins have added Vance Worley, Kevin Correia, Alex Meyer and Mike Pelfrey so far this offseason.
  • Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com examines the market for Kyle Lohse, explaining the free agent right-hander's strengths, shortcomings and potential destinations. Once Edwin Jackson agrees to a deal, Lohse will clearly be the top free agent starter available.
  • Bobby Crosby, who last played at the MLB level in 2010, plans to make a comeback, agent Paul Cohen told Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (Twitter link). The free agent infielder will work out for for teams in mid-January. Crosby, who turns 33 next month, was the American League Rookie of the Year in 2004.
  • Be sure to check out MLBTR’s Free Agent Tracker.

Twins Sign Mike Pelfrey

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The Twins announced that they have signed right-hander Mike Pelfrey to a one-year, $4MM contract. The former Wichita State star can also earn up to $1.5MM in incentives, according to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, who first reported the agreement (Twitter links). 

According to those familiar with Pelfrey's status, the starter has been throwing well and is expected to be ready by Opening Day. Even with this signing, the Twins are expected to continue to pursue starters to bolster their work-in-progress rotation of Vance Worley, Kevin Correia, Scott Diamond, Brian Duensing, and Liam Hendriks.

Pelfrey, 29 in January, heads to Minnesota after undergoing Tommy John surgery early May while with the Mets. New York non-tendered the veteran in November after he spent the entirety of his career with the organization. During his tenure with the Mets, Pelfrey posted a 4.36 ERA with 3.2 BB/9 and 5.1 K/9. Heyman reported earlier this month (via Twitter) that the Scott Boras client was receiving interest from a series of teams including the Mariners, Indians and Pirates. 

Twins, Rockies, Reds Interested In Freddy Garcia

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The Twins, Rockies and Reds are among the teams that have checked in on free agent right-hander Freddy Garcia, Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com reports (Twitter link). Garcia, who turned 36 in October, is represented by Peter E. Greenberg & Associates.

Garcia spent this past season with the Yankees, posting a 5.20 ERA with 7.5 K/9, 2.9 BB/9 and a 40.2% ground ball rate in 107 1/3 innings. The 14-year veteran made 17 starts and appeared in 13 games as a reliever in 2012, earning a base salary of $4MM in 2012. His fastball velocity checked in below 90mph, as usual (87.5 mph on average).

Garcia hasn’t been linked to any other teams so far this offseason, but it’s not surprising to see that the Twins and Rockies checked in given that both clubs have been looking to add pitching depth. The Reds already have a full rotation, yet might be interested in Garcia as a long reliever.

Quick Hits: Mickelson, Jackson, Hamilton, Tigers

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As the newly-signed Hiroyuki Nakajima becomes a comic hit during his introductory press conference with the A's, here's the latest from around baseball…

  • Phil Mickelson will not be part of the Padres' ownership group, reports Tod Leonard of the San Diego Union-Tribune.  The golf star said he isn't "able to make that kind of long-term commitment to the city and to the team."
  • It doesn't seem logical for the Rangers to give Edwin Jackson (what would have to be) a four-year, $50MM contract, opines MLB.com's T.R. Sullivan.  We heard earlier tonight that the Rangers and Cubs were the final two contenders for Jackson's services.
  • Major League Baseball has ruled that the $2MM the Angels will donate to Josh Hamilton's charitable foundation will count towards the team's luxury tax payments and be counted as "noncash compensation," reports The Associated Press.  FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal noted the charitable portion of Hamilton's contract earlier today.
  • It can be difficult for players to mentally adjust to the "baseball limbo" that is the offseason rumor mill, ESPN's Jerry Crasnick writes.
  • Money has been no object for Tigers owner Mike Ilitch as he pursues a World Series title, but ESPN's Buster Olney wonders if the Tigers' next owner will be able to keep the club's payroll in the $150MM range given the limitations of Detroit's market.  (An ESPN Insider subscription is required to read Olney's column.)
  • Nick Swisher will not be visiting the Giants during his tour of potential destinations, tweets Henry Schulman of the San Francisco Chronicle.  With the Giants not having enough payroll space left to pursue Swisher, I think we can finally put this rumor to bed.
  • The Twins and Carl Pavano don't appear to be a fit, MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger writes.  The two sides met during the Winter Meetings and though Pavano has pitched well in Minnesota, he turns 37 in January and missed most of last season with an injured shoulder.  I agree with Bollinger that the Twins would probably want a more reliable option than Pavano given that several other projected members of the Twins rotation are also coming back from injuries.
  • Baseball people suggest Trevor Bauer has a better chance of becoming an impact player than Didi Gregorius, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic writes. The Diamondbacks sent Bauer to the Indians last week in the three-team deal that brought Gregorius to Arizona.  As Piecoro explains in detail, however, there were some questions about Bauer's personality and his ability to be a team player.

MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith contributed to this post

Heyman & Knobler On Oswalt, Norris, Porcello

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The latest from Jon Heyman and Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com (links go to Twitter)…

  • There’s no word from Roy Oswalt on whether he’ll pitch in 2013, Heyman reports.
  • The Astros would have to be overwhelmed to trade Jed Lowrie, according to Heyman. However, the Astros have talked to teams such as the Cardinals and Rangers about possible deals involving Bud Norris. Norris, 27, goes to arbitration for the first time this offseason following a 2012 campaign in which he posted a 4.65 ERA with 8.8 K/9 and 3.5 BB/9 in 168 1/3 innings. Even after a mixed platform season, Norris will do reasonably well in arbitration thanks to his career total of 563 2/3 innings. MLBTR projects a salary of $2.9MM.
  • The Tigers had almost a dozen calls about Rick Porcello within a few hours of their agreement with right-hander Anibal Sanchez, Knobler reports. The Tigers are expected to trade Porcello, who’s second time arbitration eligible with a projected salary of $4.7MM. The Cubs called, but there's no match, Knobler adds.
  • The Twins aren't done adding pitching, Heyman reports.

Angels In Contact With Tigers About Rick Porcello

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The Angels have been in contact with the Tigers about Rick Porcello, reports Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com. The Pirates, Padres, Rangers, Phillies, Twins, and Royals also have interest in the right-hander, though Knobler says Detroit doesn't have interest in Pittsburgh closer Joel Hanrahan.

Drafted 23rd overall in 2007, the 23-year-old Porcello zoomed to the big leagues after just one season in the minors. He owns a 4.55 ERA with 5.0 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 in 120 starts and 691 2/3 innings. His 52.3% ground ball rate helps make up for the lack of strikeouts. Porcello earned $3.1MM in 2012 and projects to earn $4.7MM in his second trip through arbitration this winter. He's a Super Two and will be eligible for free agency after 2015.

The Tigers re-signed Anibal Sanchez a few days ago, rounding out a stellar front-four that includes also Justin Verlander, Doug Fister, Max Scherzer. Porcello and Drew Smyly are the front-runners for the fifth starter's spot. The Angels have acquired Tommy Hanson and signed Joe Blanton this winter, but they're still looking for rotation depth behind Jered Weaver and C.J. Wilson.

Odds & Ends: Tigers, Padres, Walker, Webb

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The Tigers' re-signing of Anibal Sanchez puts them right there with the Angels as favorites to win the American League in 2013, writes Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.  Some are wondering if the Halos’ combination of Mike Trout, Hamilton and Albert Pujols is the best ever, but the Tigers can’t be too far behind with Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera, and Prince Fielder.  Here's more Friday night linkage from around baseball..

Twins Sign Kevin Correia

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The Twins announced that they have signed Kevin Correia to a two-year, $10MM contract. The right-hander will earn $4.5MM in 2013 and $5.5MM in 2014, according to the Twins.

Correia

The 32-year-old Lapa & Leventhal client spent last season with the Pirates where he pitched to a 4.21 ERA in 171 innings with a 4.7 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and strong 51.2 percent ground-ball rate. He'll join Vance Worley and Scott Diamond in a Twins rotation that will also likely include 2009 first-rounder and eventual Tommy John victim Kyle Gibson.

Twins general manager Terry Ryan has emphasized starting pitching all offseason. He's already traded Denard Span and Ben Revere in order to acquire Worley and a pair of high-upside arms in Alex Meyer and Trevor May. With uncertainty still in the 2013 starting rotation and money to spend, it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Twins pursue additional help via free agency.

Correia's two-year deal is similar to the two-year, $8MM pact he signed with the Pirates two years ago. A fourth-round selection of the Giants in 2002, Correia has spent his entire career in the National League between the Giants, Padres and Pirates. In that time, he's compiled a 4.54 ERA, 6.0 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and 44.3 percent ground-ball rate in 1066 innings.

Correia reportedly received multiple multi-year offers, including one from Japan. In addition to the Twins, he was connected to the Royals and Orioles at the Winter Meetings last week.

Jon Heyman of CBS Sports first reported the agreement (on Twitter). ESPN's Jerry Crasnick first reported the value of the contract and that the sides were nearing a two-year deal. Photo courtesy of U.S. Presswire.

Minor Moves: Brandon Snyder, Padres, Twins

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Here are Wednesday's minor moves…

  • The Rangers have signed Brandon Snyder to a minor league contract, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The 26-year-old former first round pick of the Orioles hit .277/.309/.446 in 69 plate appearances with Texas last year while playing first base, third base, and both corner outfield spots.
  • The Padres have re-signed Juan Oramas to a minor league deal according to MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter). The 22-year-old left-hander was non-tendered last month and is recovering from Tommy John surgery.
  • The Padres have also signed right-hander Sean O'Sullivan, infielder Gregorio Petit, and catcher Rene Rivera to minor league contracts, the team announced. All three players received invitations to Spring Training.
  • The Twins have signed outfielder Brandon Boggs, infielder Ray Olmedo, right-hander Bryan Augenstein, first baseman Reynaldo Rodriguez, right-hander Scott Elarton, right-hander Virgil Vasquez, left-hander Mike O'Connor, and left-hander Jason Lane to minor league deals according to MLB.com's Adam Berry. Boggs, Olmedo, and Augenstein received invitations to Spring Training.
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