Multiple Teams Interested In Mike Carp
7:34pm: Brewers general manager Doug Melvin has indeed checked in on Carp, writes MLB.com's Adam McCalvy. Mariners GM Jack Zduriencik told McCalvy that there's a good chance that Carp will be dealt in the next 24-48 hours.
7:19pm: The Twins, Red Sox and Astros are among the teams that are interested in Mike Carp, according Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (on Twitter). MLB.com's Greg Johns also speculates (via Twitter) that the Brewers could be a possible landing spot for Carp given Mat Gamel's season-ending injury and Corey Hart's knee surgery.
Carp, 26, has a career .255/.327/.413 batting line in 608 plate appearances. The lefty swinger was designated for assignment by the Mariners last week in order to clear roster space for the recently signed Joe Saunders. As Cafardo notes, Seattle has until Thursday of this week to make a decision regarding Carp's future.
Any team that acquires the first baseman/outfielder would be locking in four years of team control, as Carp won't be eligible for free agency until the 2016-17 offseason.
Central Notes: Cubs, Brewers, Gamel, Chapman, Reds
A look at the Central divisions..
- There are six or seven teams in the eastern or central divisions to which Alfonso Soriano would accept a trade, writes Jesse Rogers of ESPNChicago.com. The long-time Cubs outfielder made it clear last summer that he would not have accepted a potential trade to the Giants. Soriano told reporters that the Cubs know which teams he'd prefer, but stated multiple times that his first priority is to win in Chicago.
- Brewers manager Ron Roenicke announced today that Mat Gamel, who was sidelined for the final five months of the 2012 season with a torn ACL, will miss all of the 2013 season, writes Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. The Brewers were already thin at first base thanks to Corey Hart's injury. They plan to cover with in-house options, but GM Doug Melvin will look for outside options as well. McCalvy suggests (on Twitter) that they could consider the recently DFA'd Mike Carp and Daric Barton of the A's.
- Craig Fehrman of Cincinnati Magazine profiled Aroldis Chapman and the journey that brought the left-hander to the Reds. The piece includes Chapman's daring move to defect from Cuba and the unique events that led him to changing representation while auditioning for teams.
- The Twins are not among the clubs that have expressed interest in Mark Prior, according to Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter). Prior is working on strengthening his shoulder in an attempt to hook on with a team in spring training.
Steve Adams contributed to this post.
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.
Justin Morneau Won’t Talk Extension During Season
Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is entering the final year of his contract with the Twins but the former MVP told reporters that he won't discuss a new deal with the club once the season starts, according to Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com (on Twitter). Morneau also says that he hasn't been approached by the front office about an extension yet and his reps won't raise the issue with the Twins this fall (Twitter link).
From Morneau's tone, it sounds as though he has every intention of testing the open market after the season. The slugger will earn $14MM this season in the home stretch of his of his six-year, $84MM contract. He also figures to be a trade candidate given his status and the Twins were reportedly gauging interest in him during the winter meetings.
While Morneau may be bound for free agency, he has made it known in the past that he is happy playing in Minnesota. At the same time, winning is important to the 31-year-old.
"I want to win, obviously, so that's the important thing," said Morneau, according to Phil Miller of the Star-Tribune. "If it looks like there's a chance we're going to win, I'd love to stay here. I've been here my whole career, and this is where I hope to be in the future…But sometimes those decisions aren't yours."
AL Central Notes: Bourn, White Sox, Campana, Harden
Here's the latest from the AL Central…
- The Indians offered Michael Bourn a deal in November worth roughly as much as the four-year, $44MM offer the team eventually made to Shane Victorino, Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. Victorino rejected the Tribe to sign with Boston, but Bourn eventually ended up taking a similar offer (four years/$48MM with a $12MM vesting option on a fifth year) from the Indians once a larger contract failed to materialize on the open market. Cleveland's ownership was willing to make the signing since Bourn's deal is backloaded and the Indians will be receiving extra money from a new TV contract.
- White Sox GM Rick Hahn likes his young catching corps and doesn't believe the team needs to add a veteran catcher to the mix, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports. Tyler Flowers is slated to be Chicago's everyday catcher, with Hector Gimenez as the backup and non-roster invitee Bryan Anderson also present in camp. The three catchers have a combined 337 Major League at-bats.
- The White Sox haven't spoken to the Cubs about outfielder Tony Campana, ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine reports. Campana was designated for assignment by the Cubs earlier this week and was claimed on waivers by the White Sox last August before the Cubs pulled him back. The Pale Hose are known to be looking for a left-handed hitting outfielder, though Campana is better known for his speed (54-for-59 in steals over the last two seasons) than his bat (.605 OPS in 347 career PA).
- Rich Harden tells MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger that he was determined to keep playing and didn't consider retirement after undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery in January 2012. Harden is trying to revive his career in Minnesota after signing a minor league deal with the Twins two months ago.
- In other AL Central news from earlier today, the Twins signed Rafael Perez to a minor league contract.
Twins Sign Rafael Perez
The Twins signed left-handed reliever Rafael Perez to a minor league deal, La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune reports (on Twitter). Agent Drew Seccafico represents Perez.
The Indians designated Perez for assignment in late November then non-tendered him two days later (he had been a non-tender candidate with a projected salary of $2MM). GM Chris Antonetti expressed interest in re-signing the 30-year-old, who has spent his entire seven-year career with Cleveland.
Perez appeared in just eight games last year, spending considerable time on the disabled list with a strained lat. Perez has career a 3.64 ERA with 7.3 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and a 54.5% ground ball rate. Assistant GM Rob Antony said the team plans see if Perez can start, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports (on Twitter).
As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, the market for left-handed relievers now features J.C. Romero and little else.
AL Central Notes: Perez, Scherzer, White Sox, Twins
The latest from the AL Central on the day before Michael Bourn is expected to take his physical with the Indians…
- Chris Perez said he was pleased to see the Indians agree to terms with Bourn, Paul Hoynes of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports. "It feels like we're a big market club," Perez said. Last fall the closer publicly criticized Indians ownership and management for their decision making and spending.
- Max Scherzer said the Tigers brought up the possibility of a long-term contract this winter, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports. “We talked about it,” Scherzer said. “But we were more focused on just getting one year done." Agent Scott Boras represents Scherzer, who said he loves Detroit and the Tigers organization. Scherzer is on track to hit free agency following the 2014 season.
- A.J. Pierzynski said he's not disappointed to have moved on from the White Sox to the Rangers, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports. "I'm excited about the new opportunity here and the chance to come to a team that definitely has a team to be very competitive, with a goal of going to the playoffs," he said. Pierzynski, who obtained a one-year, $7.5MM deal from the Rangers, described the signing as "bittersweet."
- The Twins have a new-look rotation after adding pitching reinforcements during the offseason, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com writes.
AL Central Notes: Kazmir, Sanchez, Tigers
A rebuilt Indians club should add to the mix of what was a competitive AL Central Division race during the 2012 season. While the Royals and Twins aren't expected to be much of a factor in 2013, the Indians, Tigers and White Sox may find themselves fighting for a playoff spot well into September. Let's catch up on the latest news and headlines from around the division.
- Scott Kazmir told Jordan Bastian of MLB.com that he had a variety of offers to choose from but chose to sign with the Indians mostly due to the presence of manager Terry Francona (via Twitter). The 29-year-old lefty signed a minor league deal with Cleveland in December and will be given an opportunity to crack the squad's starting rotation.
- The Twins remain uninterested in signing free agent Freddy Sanchez, who has been plagued by injuries the past two seasons, writes Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (on Twitter). Sanchez, 35, last appeared in over 100 games during the 2010 season with the Giants where he posted a batting line of .292/.342/.397.
- The Tigers remain in need of a right-hander off the bench and will look to find the right piece internally before exploring the free-agent market, says Jason Beck of MLB.com. According to GM Dave Dombrowski, Danny Worth and Jeff Kobernus will receive heavy consideration for the open spot on the roster.
Central Notes: Tigers, Twins, Podsednik, Wainwright
The Tigers are showing a lot of faith in 22-year-old Bruce Rondon by making him the frontrunner for the closer role, but Detroit would be better served by having legitimate closing options to choose from, opines Dave Cameron of Fangraphs in a piece for ESPN.com (Insider sub. req'd). Developing your own closer rather than paying free agent prices for one is a good idea, but Cameron believes that the Tigers should probably have someone to hold down the fort while Rondon gains some big league experience. Here's more from the AL and NL Central..
- The Twins haven't completely ruled out free agent outfielder Scott Podsednik, but nothing is close to being imminent, writes Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN. So far this offseason, the Twins have appeared to be the only club with serious interest in the veteran.
- A Twins official told Wolfson that there isn't much to the news of 41-year-old free-agent pitcher Jose Contreras was working out at the Twins' Fort Myers facility. When asked if it was meaningful or random, the official simply said, "Random."
- Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright says that extension talks won't derail him during spring training as they did five years ago, writes Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. General Manager John Mozeliak hopes to work out a new contract with Wainwright by Opening Day while Wainwright says that he isn't setting a deadline for talks.
- Edwin Jackson is considered an important piece in the Cubs' rebuilding process, both as an experienced starter under contract through the projected turnaround years and in the short-term as support for the rotation in the event of a likely Matt Garza trade this year, writes Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times.
AL Central Notes: Leyland, Twins, Brignac, White Sox
Tigers skipper Jim Leyland has proven over the years that he is not afraid to step away when he doesn't feel he is the right fit, but he knows that returning to the Tigers in 2013 is the right move, writes Tracy Ringolsby of MLB.com. The veteran manager, who will be in the dugout for his 22nd season this year, stepped away from jobs with the Marlins, Pirates, and Rockies all on his own accord. At the same time, he admits that he feels pressure to win and knows that he could be out of a job if his team struggles. Here's more out of the AL Central..
- The Twins are among the teams that could have interest in the recently DFA'd Reid Brignac along with the Astros, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). The 27-year-old appeared in 16 games for the Rays last year and spent most of the season at Triple-A, where he posted a .231/.323/.353 batting line in 400 plate appearances as a middle infielder.
- In today's inbox, a reader asked MLB.com's Scott Merkin if White Sox outfielder Brian Anderson could potentially return to the club on a minor league deal. Anderson recently told Merkin that he's working towards hooking on somewhere as a pitcher but is also considering a move into broadcasting.
- Another reader proposed a swap to Merkin that would send Chris Sale and Dayan Viciedo to the Marlins for Giancarlo Stanton. Surprisingly, Merkin feels that such a deal would be ill-advised for the White Sox as they would be exchanging two dynamic young players for one.
- Former Indians first baseman Russ Canzler has had quite a journey this offseason but he is optimistic that he can take his coat off and stay a while in Baltimore, writes Jordan Bastian of MLB.com. It looked like the first baseman had an opening for playing time after the departure of Travis Hafner, but the signing of Mark Reynolds made him expendable.