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Braden, Devine Elect Free Agency

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Left-hander Dallas Braden and right-hander Joey Devine elected free agency, the Athletics announced. The pitchers declined outright assignments to Triple-A after being removed from the 40-man roster and clearing outright waivers.

Both Braden and Devine projected as non-tender candidates after missing the 2012 season with injuries. Braden, 29, continued rehabbing from a shoulder operation that took place in May of 2011 before undergoing a second surgery in August to repair his left rotator cuff. He had a projected salary of $3.4MM, but wasn't worth the commitment given rules that prevent teams from cutting the salaries of arbitration eligible players by more than 20%.

Devine missed the entire season to undergo Tommy John surgery, his second such operation. The 29-year-old had a projected salary of $1.1MM.

Heyman On Wright, A’s, Cabrera

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The latest from notes and rumors from Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com…

  • The Mets are discussing a long-term deal with David Wright, Heyman reports. They'll exercise the third baseman's $16MM option for 2013 by tomorrow, assuming a larger deal isn't completed by then. The sides appear to have made progress, though some say the negotiations are progressing slowly. It appears the discussions will continue after the option's exercised, Heyman writes.
  • The Athletics are talking to free agent shortstop Stephen Drew about a new contract, Heyman reports. The A's declined their half of Drew's 2013 mutual option yesterday, but assistant general manager David Forst said the team will continue talking to him about a possible deal.
  • Everth Cabrera has hired Scott Boras as his agent, Heyman reports (on Twitter). Cabrera, a former ACES client, will be arbitration eligible for the first time this coming offseason. Be sure to check out MLBTR’s Agency Database for any information about player representatives.
  • The Angels are still talking to teams about possible deals involving Ervin Santana and Dan Haren, Heyman reports. In case you missed it, MLBTR reported today that Santana switched agencies again.

A’s Will Continue Negotiating With Drew

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The A's declined their half of Stephen Drew's mutual $10MM option earlier today, but assistant general manager David Forst told Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group that the team will continue to negotiate with the shortstop. Forst feels that the team has reason to be optimistic, but $10MM wasn't a number they were comfortable with (All Twitter links).

Drew was injured for much of the 2012 season and was acquired by the A's in an August trade. Drew hit .250/.326/.382 with five homers in 39 games for the AL West Champions. Overall on the year, however, Drew's triple-slash line was a meager .223/.309/.348.

The A's traded 2012 Opening Day starter Cliff Pennington to Drew's former team, the Diamondbacks, earlier this month, so there's a clear need at shortstop. Drew represents one of the better shortstop options on this season's free agent market in spite of his diminished production, meaning GM Billy Beane will have some competition.

Drew, who is represented by Scott Boras, received a $1.35MM buyout when the A's bought out their half of his option.

Minor Moves: Gomez, Ekstrom, Walters

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Here's a look at some of the Minor League signings that have come in tonight…

  • The Brewers have re-signed infielder Hector Gomez to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, the team informed MLBTR via email. Other non-roster invitees for the Brewers currently include right-hander Darren Byrd and catcher Dayton Buller. The 24-year-old Gomez once cracked Baseball America's Top 100 Prospect list (No. 95 in 2008) but hit just .131 in 95 minor league plate appearances last season.
  • The Athletics have signed right-hander Mike Ekstrom to a minor league deal with an invitation to Spring Training, according to MLB.com's Jane Lee. Ekstrom pitched 15 2/3 innings out of the Rockies' bullpen this season, allowing 11 earned runs but posting a solid 9:2 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
  • The Twins have re-signed right-hander P.J. Walters to a minor league deal with an invite to Spring Training, tweets MLB.com's Rhett Bollinger. Walters' free agency didn't last long; he refused an outright assignment from the Twins just hours ago and elected free agency. The 27-year-old made a dozen starts for the Twinkies in 2012.

A’s Exercise Balfour’s Option, Decline Drew’s

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The A's announced that they exercised their club option for Grant Balfour and declined their side of Stephen Drew's mutual option (Twitter link). Balfour will earn $4.5MM to return to Oakland in 2013. Drew, whose option was valued at $10MM, will hit free agency and obtain a $1.35MM buyout. 

Balfour appeared in 75 games for the A's this past season, spending much of the year as Bob Melvin's closer. The 34-year-old right-hander collected 24 saves, posting 8.7 K/9 and 3.4 BB/9 in 74 2/3 innings.

Drew, 29, appeared in 39 regular season games for the A's following the midseason trade that sent him from Arizona to Oakland. The shortstop posted a combined batting line of .223/.309/.348 in 327 plate appearances between the two leagues. He projects as one of the top shortstops available in a free agent class that doesn't feature many impact infielders and could even be a fit in Oakland again. Drew will be free to sign with any team starting Saturday.

Quick Hits: Cardinals, Athletics, Farrell, Marlins

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While last winter was an offseason of transition for the Cardinals, the club is now set to retain almost everyone after coming just one win away from reaching the World Series, writes Jenifer Langosch of MLB.com.  Kyle Lohse and Lance Berkman are the club's only two free agents, but neither player is expected to return to St. Louis.  Lohse seems bound for a significant payday with another club while Berkman is contemplating retirement.  Here's more out of the Central divisions..

  • Twins General Manager Terry Ryan confirmed that the club "would like to keep" right-hander Scott Baker, tweets Phil Mackey of 1500 ESPN.  Baker, who is seven months removed from Tommy John surgery, said earlier this year that he would like to remain in Minnesota.
  • Jane Lee of MLB.com expects to see the Athletics target veteran pitching this winter to support their young rotation.  Billy Beane & Co. could help achieve that goal by re-signing Brandon McCarthy but they are also expected to comb the open market for one-year options.
  • John Farrell and Blue Jays General Manager Alex Anthopoulos were never a good fit, writes Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.  At today's introductory presser in Boston, Farrell indicated that he and the GM weren't able to communicate effectively during their two years together in Toronto.
  • Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports thinks that the Marlins' dysfunctional ownership could be a deterrent to managerial candidates.

Athletics Notes: Gomes, Crisp, Young

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Earlier tonight, Athletics General Manager Billy Beane spoke with reporters to discuss the three-team deal that brought Chris Young to Oakland.  Beane admitted that the Young acquisition "will have an impact" on their decision to bring back free agent Jonny Gomes and seemed to infer that he won't be back in 2013, writes Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle.  Here's more on Beane and the A's..

  • The GM doesn't intend on moving any of the club's other outfielders after acquiring Young and reiterated how important Coco Crisp is to the team, tweets Casey Pratt of CSNBayArea.com.  Beane believes that the club can find playing time for all of their outfielders by rotating them and utilizing the DH spot.
  • Beane said that he phoned Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers about the possibility of trading for Young the day after the Athletics were eliminated by the Tigers, tweets Joe Stiglich of the Bay Area News Group.
  • If Beane has a change of heart about Crisp, Jim Bowden of ESPN (via Twitter) suggests that the Rays, Mets, Indians, and Mariners could all be interested in the outfielder.  Obviously, the Rays would only be a fit if they lose B.J. Upton to the open market.
  • Scott Sizemore will shift back to his original position of second base, a move that seemed possible, Stiglich tweets.

Trade Reactions: Bell, D’Backs, A’s, Young, Marlins

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The Diamondbacks bolstered their bullpen today with the acquisition of Heath Bell and they may not be done, tweets Jack Magruder of FOXSportsArizona.com.  General Manager Kevin Towers is still on the lookout for a shortstop, third baseman, left-handed specialist, and a starting pitcher.  Arizona still has an excess outfielder to work with as well and could dangle Justin Upton, Jason Kubel, or Gerardo Parra to upgrade elsewhere.  Here's more on the surprising trade..

  • In Chris Young, the D'Backs owed $10MM to an outfielder whom they felt was redundant, so they are instead redirecting the money to a reliever, tweets Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic.
  • Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter) is surprised at how little the Diamondbacks netted in return for Young.  Meanwhile, the A's can now use their new found outfield surplus and trade one, likely Coco Crisp, elsewhere, Rosenthal tweets.
  • Trading Bell, who clashed with manager Ozzie Guillen this year, is one indication that the skipper may return in Miami next year, writes Scott Miller of CBSSports.com.  It has been widely speculated that Guillen would be relieved after a tumultuous first year with the Marlins.
  • The A's came away with the best player in the deal in Young, opines Jim Bowden of ESPN (via Twitter).  Bowden adds that Miami had to move Bell and was fortunate to find a taker while Arizona got a solid defensive shortstop in Cliff Pennington.
  • Pennington being moved out of the picture in Oakland bodes well for Stephen Drew's return, writes Jane Lee of MLB.com.  The shortstop has a $10MM mutual option for 2013.

D’Backs Acquire Heath Bell In Three-Team Deal

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The Diamondbacks announced that they have acquired Heath Bell, infielder Cliff Pennington, and cash considerations from the Marlins in a three-team deal with the Athletics.  Miami will receive minor league infielder Yordy Cabrera from the A's and Oakland will get outfielder Chris Young and $500K from Arizona. 

The Marlins will be picking up $8MM of the remaining $21MM owed to Bell over the next two years, according to Juan C. Rodriguez of the Sun Sentinel (via Twitter).  The veteran was unhappy in Miami as the club was unwilling to restore him as closer and found himself clashing with manager Ozzie Guillen at points during the year. 

The 35-year-old struggled in his first and only year with the Marlins, posting a 5.09 ERA with 8.3 K/9 and 4.1 BB/9 in 73 appearances.  The new-look Marlins signed Bell in December of last year as a part of their spending spree, giving the reliever a three-year, $27MM deal.  The contract includes a vesting option for the 2015 season which will guarantee him $9MM with 55 games finished in 2014 or 100 games finished in 2013-14.

Pennington has been a member of the A's since being tabbed with the 21st overall pick in the 2005 draft.  The 28-year-old was slotted at shortstop until the acquisition of Stephen Drew bumped him over to second base.  For his career, Pennington owns a .249/.313/.356 batting line across parts of five seasons in Oakland.

Young, 29, is set to make $8.5MM in 2013 with an $11MM club option for the 2014 season that comes with a modest $1.5MM buyout.  The centerfielder has been unable to regain his All-Star form of 2010 and posted a .231/.311/.434 slash line with 14 homers last season.  Young played in just 101 games last season, due in large part to a shoulder injury he suffered when he slammed into a wall in early April.  The outfielder now reunited with skipper Bob Melvin, who he developed a bond with during his time in Arizona.

While the Marlins' main reward in the deal is being freed from the bulk of the money owed to Bell over the next two years, they also pick up a former second-round pick in Cabrera.  The 22-year-old, who played high school baseball four hours north of Miami in Lakeland, Florida, made the move to Class-A Advanced in 2012.  Cabrera hit .232/.293/.332 with three homers in 60 games last season.

Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic (via Twitter) first reported that Arizona would send $500K to Oakland in the deal.

Minor Moves: Accardo, Royals, Green

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The latest minor moves from around MLB…

  • The Athletics announced that Jeremy Accardo has cleared outright waivers and has chosen to become a free agent.  Accardo posted a 4.82 ERA in 37 1/3 innings with the Indians and A's in 2012, with his Oakland experience amounting to just two innings after signing with the club in August.
  • The Royals announced that they re-signed five players to minor league contracts: right-handers Juan Gutierrez and Devon Lowery, catcher Max Ramirez, infielder Matt Fields and outfielder Nick Van Stratten.
  • Infielder Nick Green, who was outrighted to the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate yesterday, has elected free agency, according to MLB.com’s transactions page. Green, 34, appeared in seven games for Miami this past season, playing second base, third base and shortstop.
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