Extension Notes: Kluber, Tillman, Reds, Porcello
In negotiations for his recent extension, Corey Kluber was forthright about wanting to continue to pitch for the Indians, MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian writes (on Twitter). “Corey was really upfront,” says GM Chris Antonetti. “He said, ‘This is where I want to be. I want to be in Cleveland for a long time. Ideally, I’d like it to be a lifetime contract.‘” Here are more notes on extensions.
- The Orioles will not extend Chris Tillman before Opening Day despite recent discussions between the two sides, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports tweets. As of late last week, it did not appear that the two sides were close, and Tillman does not want to continue extension discussions once the season begins. He has three more years before he’s eligible for free agency, however, so it’s not impossible the two sides could negotiate again next offseason.
- The Reds have discussed a new contract with Johnny Cueto recently, but the two sides are unlikely to strike a deal before the season begins, Heyman writes. It’s looking extremely likely that Cueto will hit the free agent market next winter. Heyman also notes that the Reds have not pursued extension talks with Mike Leake.
- Another free-agent-to-be, Rick Porcello of the Red Sox, reiterates that he will not discuss an extension during the season, Rob Bradford of WEEI.com reports. “I don’t want any distractions when we start the season,” says Porcello. The two sides did have at least some dialogue in March regarding a possible deal, Bradford writes.
- A Mets representative says Lucas Duda and the team have not discontinued their contract talks, Matt Ehalt of the Record tweets. A previous report had indicated that the two sides had stopped talking as Opening Day approached. The two sides have reportedly discussed an extension in recent weeks.
Juan Francisco Opts Out Of Deal With Rays
Corner infielder Juan Francisco has opted out of his minor-league deal with the Rays, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times tweets. He is now a free agent.
Francisco, who signed with the Rays in January, hit .220/.291/.456 in 320 plate appearances with the Blue Jays in 2014, offering his usual blend of plus power but weak contact ability and defense. The Rays attempted to assign him to Triple-A Durham on Friday, but Francisco’s contract allowed him to opt out today.
Week In Review: 3/28/15 – 4/4/15
Here’s a look back at a busy week in which teams made last-minute trades, signed key players to extensions, and set their rosters for Opening Day.
Key Moves
- The Padres acquired closer Craig Kimbrel and outfielder Melvin Upton Jr. from the Braves for outfielders Cameron Maybin and Carlos Quentin, pitcher Matt Wisler, outfield prospect Jordan Paroubeck and a Competitive Balance draft pick.
- The Indians extended pitchers Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco.
- The Royals extended pitcher Yordano Ventura.
- The Mets extended outfielder Juan Lagares.
- The Giants made a variety of moves involving their front office and management, including promoting Brian Sabean to president and Bobby Evans to GM.
Signed
- Phillies – P Dustin McGowan (link)
Trades
- Mets – acquired P Jerry Blevins from Nationals for OF Matt den Dekker
- Mets – acquired P Alex Torres from Padres for P Cory Mazzoni and a PTBNL
- Braves – acquired P Trevor Cahill and cash from Diamondbacks for OF Josh Elander
- Rays – acquired P Erasmo Ramirez from Mariners for P Mike Montgomery
- Rangers – acquired P Sam Freeman from Cardinals for a PTBNL or cash
- Orioles – acquired P Michael Bowden from Reds for cash
- Pirates – acquired INF Hunter Morris from Brewers for a PTBNL
- Yankees – acquired INF Gregorio Petit from Astros for a PTBNL or cash
- Dodgers – acquired INF Elliot Johnson from Rangers for cash
- Orioles – acquired C Audry Perez from Rockies for cash
- Red Sox – acquired C Sandy Leon from Nationals for cash
Claimed
- Cardinals – OF Gary Brown (from Giants – link)
- Rangers – P Logan Verrett (from Orioles – link)
- Braves – P Andrew McKirahan (from Marlins – link)
- Blue Jays – INF Andy Wilkins (from White Sox – link)
Designated For Assignment
- Braves – OF Carlos Quentin (not yet official –link)
- Blue Jays – P Juan Oramas (link)
- Giants – INF Ehire Adrianza (link)
- Cubs – OF Ryan Sweeney (link)
- Pirates – P Stolmy Pimentel, INF Pedro Florimon (link)
- Rangers – P Sam Freeman (link)
- Astros – P Alex White (link), OF Alex Presley (link)
- Yankees – C Austin Romine (link)
- White Sox – P Maikel Cleto, P Onelki Garcia (link)
Outrighted
- Phillies – P Andy Oliver (link), P Phillippe Aumont, P Miguel Alfredo Gonzalez (link)
- Mets – OF Cesar Puello (link)
- Orioles – P Ryan Webb (link)
- Cubs – P Drake Britton (link)
- Royals – P Louis Coleman (link)
- Reds – P Dylan Axelrod (link), P Sam LeCure (link)
- Braves – OF Zoilo Almonte (link)
- Twins – P Stephen Pryor (link)
Released
- Diamondbacks – OF Cody Ross (link)
- Braves – P James Russell (link)
- Nationals – INF Kevin Frandsen (link)
Returned
- Padres – Rule 5 P Jandel Gustave (to Astros – link)
Key Minor League Signings
- Dodgers – P Scott Baker (link), P Freddy Garcia (link)
- White Sox – P Matt Lindstrom (link)
- Mariners – P Joe Beimel (link)
- Blue Jays – P Felix Doubront (link)
- Nationals – OF Reed Johnson (link)
MLBTR Originals
A look back at the original reporting and analysis found on MLBTR this past week:
- MLB Trade Rumors Podcast featured host Jeff Todd and MLBTR’s Steve Adams looking back at the notable Hot Stove moves and looking forward to what the 2015 season may hold. A new edition of MLB Trade Rumors Podcast drops every Thursday and can be accessed on iTunes, SoundCloud, and Stitcher.
- Evan Gattis spoke with Zach Links about his trade from the Braves to the Astros. “I wasn’t really actually bummed about the trade. I was just more surprised than anything. I just didn’t think it would happen. I’m always the type to focus on my own business and I just worry about what I need to do to play.“
- The 2014-15 Offseason In Review series continued with a rundown of the Brewers (by Charlie Wilmoth), Blue Jays (by Mark Polishuk), and Marlins (by Jeff).
- Steve was the first to report right-hander Juan Gutierrez decided not to opt out of his minor league deal with Giants and will remain in the organization.
- MLBTR was the first to learn left-hander Scott Downs, recently released by the Indians, is only interested in MLB offers.
- MLBTR also learned right-hander Freddy Garcia has joined the Praver/Shapiro agency.
- Jeff asked MLBTR readers which extension given to a pre-arbitration outfielder was best. Nearly 42% of you believe the Marlins’ seven year, $49.57MM deal with Christian Yelich will provide the most value.
- Steve hosted this week’s chat.
- Zach compiled the latest edition of Baseball Blogs Weigh In.
AL East Notes: Orioles, Swihart, Rays, Yankees
After covering five postseason games in St. Petersburg, Florida and two exhibition games at Olympic Stadium in Montreal, Jon Paul Morosi of FOXSports.com is convinced there is a greater passion for the game in Montreal than in Tampa Bay. The Rays aren’t heading north of the border anytime soon; but, in Morosi’s view, this weekend’s big turnout in the Expos’ former home showed that Montrealers feel a greater connection to the team they lost than Tampa Bay fans do for the team they still have.
Here’s more from the AL East:
- The Orioles are still trying to make a trade to give them some flexibility, writes Britt Ghiroli of MLB.com. Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations Dan Duquette confirmed to reporters, including MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko (via Twitter), submitting the Opening Day roster does not prevent him from making moves. “Once you submit your roster it’s like the regular season,” said Duquette. “You can make moves anytime after you get your roster submitted.” Baltimore will need to make a roster move after its first contest, as Chris Davis will have completed his 25-game suspension for Adderall use.
- The Red Sox didn’t trade Lars Anderson or Ryan Lavarnway at the peak of their value and they have rebuffed whatever advances the Phillies have made toward Blake Swihart in a Cole Hamels deal. Despite outside pressure from some fans, GM Ben Cherington has always erred on the side of patience, according to Brian MacPherson of the Providence Journal. “The reason that you fight back against trading a young player you believe in,” Cherington said, “is that, when it does happen, when it works the way you hope it works and the way you think it might work at the major-league level, it’s really impactful. If we think a guy has a good shot to be successful in Boston, we are going to have a presumption to try to keep them.”
- The Rays appeared to be in learn-now, win-later mode early in the offseason, but they also made several present-day improvements to put themselves in position to win in 2014, opines Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times. The Rays now believe they have put together a team that is deeper offensively, more athletic, and improved defensively. The pitching situation also appeared to be improved, though the Rays currently have three starters on the shelf.
- The New York Post’s Joel Sherman posits the Yankees coud miss the playoffs for the third consecutive season and finish with a losing record for the first time since 1992, but their long-term future looks more encouraging that it has in a decade.
Giants Designate Ehire Adrianza For Assignment
The Giants announced they have designated infielder Ehire Adrianza for assignment. The move was necessitated because Adrianza is out of options.
The Giants now have 10 days to either trade, release, or outright Adrianza to the minors.
Indians Extend Corey Kluber
The Indians have announced signing reigning CY Young Award winner Corey Kluber to a five-year contract, which runs through the 2019 season and contains club options for 2020 and 2021. MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian tweets Kluber’s guaranteed five-year portion is worth $38.5MM while Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets the contract, plus its unique escalators and trade language, is the largest guarantee ever for a pre-arbitration pitcher. Kluber is represented by B.B. Abbott of Jet Sports Management.
“This is an exciting day for our organization, Corey and his family,” said Indians GM Chris Antonetti. “In his time with us, Corey has grown into a leader in our clubhouse and an exemplary teammate. His tireless work ethic, consistent preparation and fierce competitiveness set an example for our younger players, and his presence on our team is a key reason that we are prepared to compete for a championship in 2015 and beyond.”
Kluber can earn $77MM across the life of the deal if all escalators, which are based on where he finishes in the Cy Young race, are met, according to Rosenthal (Twitter links). Starting in 2015, Kluber will earn salaries of $1MM, $4.5MM, $7.5MM, $10.5MM, and $13MM. His fifth year can go from $13MM to $17MM with escalators (link). The 2020 option will be worth $13.5MM and can go to $17.5MM with escalators. In 2021, the option will be worth $14MM and can be as large as $18MM with escalators. That second option can be instead bought out for $1MM.
If traded, Kluber’s new club will have to decide on the 2020 and 2021 options within three days after the 2019 World Series. If the new club declines that option, Kluber must be given a $1MM buyout (link). He’ll also receive a $1MM bonus if traded and his 2021 club option will convert to a vesting option if he is traded in 2020 (link). The vesting option would call for him to pitch 160 innings and not finish the year on the DL, according to Rosenthal.
Kluber is coming off a Cy Young season in which he posted 18 wins, a 2.44 ERA, 10.27 K/9, and 1.95 BB/9 in 235 innings. As a Super Two player, he would have been eligible for arbitration from 2016 through 2019 and, with a similar performance to last season, would have been in store for strong earnings via arbitration. As such, he was in a position to earn more than Yordano Ventura netted from his similar extension.
The advanced metrics were also quite fond of Kluber in 2014. The right-hander pitched to a 2.57 xFIP, a figure that’s more or less in line with his 2.44 ERA on the season. That figure put him only second to Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who pitched to an eye popping 2.08 xFIP last year.
Last week, Antonetti explained the team had “a clear preference” to conclude any contract talks before Opening Day in order to “minimize distractions” for the players. For a while, it seemed like an extension wouldn’t come together at all prior to the start of the 2015 season. Cleveland owner Paul Dolan, president Mark Shapiro, Antonetti and Abbott had a face-to-face meeting last month, but it seemed like the two sides were at an impasse due to the pitcher’s unique situation.
Kluber, who turns 29 on April 10th (the date of Cleveland’s home opener), was still under the Tribe’s control for four more seasons. While he ostensibly wanted some financial security ahead of free agency going into his age-33 season, the Indians weren’t necessarily under the gun to give him a long-term pact. Ultimately, the two sides appear to have found some middle ground: Kluber gets his security and the Indians gain cost certainty at a reasonable price.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the two sides were nearing agreement on a long-term deal and it could be finalized before Opening Day (Twitter links). Jeff Passan of Yahoo! Sports first tweeted the length of the deal while Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com first tweeted a deal had been reached pending a physical. Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Pirates Designate Stolmy Pimentel And Pedro Florimon
The Pirates have announced they have designated right-hander Stolmy Pimentel and infielder Pedro Florimon for assignment. The Pirates were forced into these moves since both Pimentel and Florimon are out of options.
The Pirates now have 10 days to either trade, release, or outright the pair to the minors.
Rangers Designate Sam Freeman For Assignment
The Rangers have announced they have designated left-hander Sam Freeman for assignment. The move, along with Yu Darvish being placed on the 60-day disabled list, opens 40-man roster spots for right-handers Anthony Bass and Keone Kela. With the Freeman DFA, the Rangers will enter the season without a left-hander in the bullpen.
The Rangers now have 10 days to either trade, release, or outright Freeman to the minors. Texas hopes Freeman clears waivers so he can be outrighted to Triple-A, reports MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan.
NL Notes: Duda, Cueto, Tomas, Braves, Diamondbacks
The Mets and Lucas Duda have failed to reach an extension prior to the first baseman’s Opening Day deadline and have shelved negotiations, reports Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com. “No agreement was reached, so talks have concluded and Lucas will focus on the upcoming season,” agent Dan Horwits told Rubin. Duda will make $4.2MM in 2015 and will be eligible for arbitration two more times before becoming a free agent following the 2017 season.
In other National League news and notes:
- MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon tweets he doesn’t expect the Reds and Johnny Cueto to agree to an extension before the right-hander’s Opening Day deadline.
- Diamondbacks GM Dave Stewart told reporters, including Zach Buchanan of The Arizona Republic, Yasmany Tomas was optioned to Triple-A for regular at-bats. “Once he returns back here, we probably will be able to get him at-bats at third base but we’d like to get the majority of his work in the outfield,” said Stewart. “Probably, Yasmany’s long-term future is going to be in the outfield as he was when we signed him.“
- The Braves are still talking to teams about moves that could affect their roster plans, tweets MLB.com’s Mark Bowman.
- The Diamondbacks may have one of the least talented clubs in baseball, but the presence of Paul Goldschmidt, Archie Bradley, Tony La Russa, and low expectations are reasons for hope in the desert, opines Dan Bickley of The Arizona Republic.