Poll: Pre-Arbitration Outfielder Extensions
We have not seen much in the way of free agency-avoiding extensions this spring, through there are a few days left for that to happen (to say nothing of the possibility of mid-season transactions). But there have been a few pre-arb deals already, and it just so happens that young outfielders are the extension targets du jour.
Every extension situation is a little different, but finding comparable contracts plays an important role in both negotiating and evaluating deals. So, with three fairly similar players recently signing on the line for life-changing money, I thought it would be interest to see which of these deals MLBTR readers like best.
Christian Yelich, Marlins (1.069 years service): seven years, $49.57MM + club option. This deal is by far the largest of the three covered here and delivers club control all the way through 2022. Still just 23, Yelich may be expected to continue to progress over the life of the contract. Of course, unlike the other players, Yelich plays the corner outfield (albeit quite well). And though he looks to be a high batting average and OBP type, while contributing double-digit steals, Yelich currently has average power. Is that package worth roughly twice the commitment made to the names below?
Adam Eaton, White Sox (2.030 years service): five years, $23.5MM + two club options. Of the deals covered, this one might have the most contractual upside (bearing in mind that Eaton is one service class ahead of the other two) because it delivers lengthy control and flexibility through two option years. Depending upon how one views the 26-year-old Eaton’s injury risk, defensive capabilities, BABIP sustainability, and baserunning upside, this could be quite a bargain. If not, Chicago should have a solid player at a good price and can move on when the time is right.
Juan Lagares, Mets (1.160 years service): four years, $23MM + one club option***. Lagares, 26, is probably the best defensive center fielder in baseball. While this contract only puts one free agent year in the Mets’ control, it does allow the team to sit back and watch Lagares vacuum up balls that aging veterans Curtis Granderson and Michael Cuddyer can’t reach without worrying about how much he will cost. It’s a nice price if Lagares can maintain his league-average batting line from last year. And if he can tap into some power, which some observers seem to think he looks capable of, then this deal could become a steal.
***Note that the Lagares contract starts in 2016, making for a total current commitment of five years and about $23.5MM.
So, which contract — not necessarily just which player — would you rather have?
Which Pre-Arb Outfielder Extension Delivers The Best Value?
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Christian Yelich, 7/$49.57MM + 1 option 42% (2,771)
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Adam Eaton, 5/$23.5MM + 2 options 34% (2,260)
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Juan Lagares, 4/$23MM + 1 option 24% (1,613)
Total votes: 6,644
White Sox Outright Maikel Cleto, Onelki Garcia
The White Sox have outrighted righty Maikel Cleto and lefty Onelki Garcia, the club announced (hat tip to Colleen Kane of the Chicago Tribune). Both relievers will lose their 40-man roster spots with Chicago, though it is not yet clear whether the pair has passed through waivers.
Soon to turn 26, Cleto saw by far his most extensive MLB action last year for Chicago. He threw 29 1/3 innings of 4.60 ERA ball, striking out 9.8 but walking 7.1 batters per nine. Cleto still offers intriguing power, with his fastball averaging 97.0 mph last year.
Garcia, 25, has made just three big league appearances in his career and missed most of last season (and saw little game action this spring) after undergoing elbow surgery. Once a top-ten organizational prospect for the Dodgers, Garcia was claimed off waivers early in the offseason.
Dodgers To Sign Scott Baker
The Dodgers have agreed to sign righty Scott Baker, pending a physical, Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN reports (Twitter links). Presumably it is a minor league pact, unless the club intends to place Baker on its Opening Day roster.
Baker, 33, had been in camp with the Yankees before being released. He tossed 10 1/3 innings this spring, allowing nine earned runs but racking up ten strikeouts without issuing a walk.
Baker spent last year with the Rangers in a swingman role, posting a 5.47 ERA with 6.1 K/9 against 1.6 BB/9 in 80 2/3 frames. He has not been a full-time starter since his 2005-2011 run with the Twins was ended by Tommy John surgery (while in the midst of his best season as a pro). Over 958 innings with Minnesota, Baker owned a 4.15 ERA with 7.2 K/9 and 2.1 BB/9.
Wolfson reported yesterday that the sides were talking. SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo tweeted that Los Angeles was the “favorite” to add Baker, citing a source who believed a deal was in place pending a physical.
Padres Return Rule 5 Pick Jandel Gustave To Astros
The Padres have returned Rule 5 pick Jandel Gustave to the Astros, Houston announced. Gustave will open the year in Double-A.
The right-hander was originally a Rule 5 selection of the Red Sox, but had his rights dealt to the Royals. He was then claimed off waivers by San Diego. Today’s move will bring his travels to an end, at least for the time being.
Gustave, a raw 22-year-old with a huge fastball, was never really expected to stick with the Padres. Though he has shown the ability to rack up strikeouts at a useful pace in the low minors, Gustave has yet to prove he can keep the ball in the zone — let alone that he can consistently retire major league hitters.
Diamondbacks Still Trying To Trade Aaron Hill
The Diamondbacks are still attempting to find a taker for second baseman Aaron Hill, Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports on Twitter. Arizona has indicated that it will not finalize its Opening Day roster until tomorrow, which could be due in part to efforts to move Hill.
It appears that Hill will start the season on the bench if he is not moved, as manager Chip Hale tells reporters that Chris Owings will start at second with Nick Ahmed taking over at short (via Zach Buchanan of the Arizona Republic, on Twitter). Needless to say, it appears that the club would be pleased to find a taker for some of Hill’s $12MM salary.
Of course, the 33-year-old Hill has long been the subject of trade speculation, but it has bee hard to find a believer in his bat after a rough .244/.287/.367 campaign last year. Hill had put up two straight highly productive seasons at the plate before that time, at least when healthy, but did not help his cause with a .189/.232/.208 slash over 53 spring at-bats.
Ervin Santana Suspended 80 Games For PED Use
3:57pm: The Twins have announced that Pelfrey, not May or top prospect Alex Meyer, will step into the rotation.
3:53pm: Via the MLBPA, Santana has apologized and denied ever knowingly taking a banned substance:
“This is unexpected news for me and my family. I am issuing this statement so the public knows where I stand. First, my deepest apologies to my family, fans, colleagues, teammates and my current employer the Minnesota Twins. I am very disappointed that I tested positive for a performance enhancing drug. I am frustrated that I can’t pinpoint how the substance in question entered my body. I would never knowingly take anything illegal to enhance my performance. What I can guarantee is I never knowingly took anything illegal to enhance my performance. That’s just not me, never has been and never will.”
3:38pm: Twins right-hander Ervin Santana has been suspended 80 games after testing positive for the performance enhancing drug Stanozolol, the league announced.
Clearly, this move is devastating news for a Twins team that committed $54MM — a franchise-record for free agent spending — to Santana on a four-year deal this past offseason. Santana was signed to bring stability to a Twins rotation that has been among the league’s worst in each of the past four seasons. The team has issued the following statement regarding Santana’s suspension:
“We were disappointed to learn of the suspension of Ervin Santana for violating Major League Baseball’s Joint Drug Prevention and Treatment Program. We fully support Major League Baseball’s policy and its efforts to eliminate performance enhancing substances from our game. Per the protocol outlined in the Joint Drug Program, the Minnesota Twins will not comment further on this matter.”
Santana had projected to slot in behind Phil Hughes in the Twins rotation, joining Kyle Gibson, Ricky Nolasco and Tommy Milone in the starting five. One might imagine that Mike Pelfrey, who had previously expressed disappointment in being moved to the bullpen, might get a chance to finally provide the Twins with some healthy innings in the rotation, although I’d imagine that prospect Trevor May will at least garner some consideration as well.
Santana is slated to earn $13.5MM this season, so the Twins will recover approximately half of that sum while he is on the restricted list without pay. Nonetheless, that’s hardly a silver lining for Minnesota. Left-handed reliever Aaron Thompson has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take Santana’s roster spot, though no official announcement has been made as to who will step into the rotation in his stead.
MLB Rules That Cosart Did Not Bet On Baseball
Major League Baseball has announced that its investigation into a gambling-related matter with Jarred Cosart revealed that the Marlins right-hander did not bet on baseball. Cosart has, however, been fined for violating an MLB rule by placing bets on other sports through a book maker. The league’s official statement is as follows:
“Major League Baseball has completed its investigation into Jarred Cosart’s possible connection to sports-related gambling. The investigation did not reveal any evidence to suggest that Cosart, who fully cooperated with the investigation, bet on baseball. Cosart has received an undisclosed fine for violations of Major League Rule 21(d)(3) that were revealed during the investigation. Major League Rule 21(d)(3) prohibits players from placing bets with illegal book makers, or agents for illegal book makers. This rule is strictly enforced and applies to gambling with illegal bookmakers on any sport or event.”
Cosart himself has also issued a statement, via press release from the Major League Baseball Players Association:
“I have never, nor would I ever, bet on the great game of baseball. Major League Baseball conducted a thorough investigation, and I cooperated fully with them and their investigators throughout that process. I’m sorry for any distractions this may have caused the Marlins, my teammates, coaches, and our incredible fans. I’m glad to bring closure to this situation before Opening Day and I look forward to a great season.”
Ryan Webb Clears Outright Waivers
3:10pm: Connolly reports that Webb’s contract contains a provision that requires the Orioles to pay his full salary regardless of when he is released. In other words, even if Webb rejects the outright assignment, they’ll still owe him the $2.75MM. As such, the Orioles can either place him on the roster or pay him to play elsewhere.
As Connolly notes, the team could look to trade Webb and eat a portion of his salary, but rival clubs would be unlikely to do so, considering he could be signed for the league minimum in the near future.
2:29pm: The Orioles placed right-hander Ryan Webb on outright waivers earlier this week, and he’s already cleared, reports Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). As Connolly notes, Webb’s $2.75MM salary was undoubtedly a major deterrent for any teams that may have otherwise had interest in claiming him based on his ability.
Because he has more than five years of Major League service, Webb will have the ability to reject an outright assignment and force the team to trade or release him. Webb was non-tendered by the Marlins following a strong 2013 season in which he posted a strong 2.91 ERA and 56.3 percent ground-ball rate in a hefty 80 1/3 innings of relief. There were some warning signs that he wouldn’t repeat his excellent ERA, as Webb averaged just six strikeouts per nine against three walks per nine, and both his .266 BABIP and 75 percent strand rate seemed due for some regression.
Still, the Orioles signed him to a relatively affordable two-year, $4.5MM pact that called for a $1.75MM salary in 2014 and a $2.75MM commitment this year. Webb was solid, if unspectacular in 49 1/3 innings for Baltimore last year, notching a 3.83 ERA (101 ERA+) with 6.8 K/9, 2.2 BB/9 and a diminished-but-above-average 48.7 percent ground-ball rate.
Cubs Outright Drake Britton
Left-hander Drake Britton has cleared waivers and been sent outright to Triple-A by the Cubs, the team announced (on Twitter). Britton’s outright opens a spot on the 40-man roster.
Britton, 25, was claimed off waivers from the Red Sox this offseason. President of baseball operations Theo Epstein and GM Jed Hoyer had a natural link to the lefty, given the fact that he was drafted while they were in Boston’s front office.
In 27 2/3 career innings at the Major League level, Britton has a 2.93 ERA with a 21-to-9 K/BB ratio and a 43.2 percent ground-ball rate. Britton long ranked as one of Boston’s top prospects and even cracked the Top 100 list of Baseball America following the 2011 season (No. 97), but he’s struggled in the upper Minors, posting a 6.08 ERA in an admittedly small sample of 63 2/3 innings. Britton has also had some legal troubles, as he was arrested two years ago for driving 111 mph while under the influence of alcohol.
White Sox, Matt Lindstrom Agree To Minor League Deal
2:45pm: Lindstrom’s deal is indeed a Minor League contract, as Seth Lasko of the Charlotte Observer reports that Lindstrom is headed to Triple-A Charlotte (Twitter link).
1:55pm: The White Sox and Matt Lindstrom have agreed to a contract, tweets Jon Morosi of FOX Sports. Morosi doesn’t specify, but I’d imagine that at this juncture, the Legacy Agency client’s contract is of the Minor League variety.
The 35-year-old Lindstrom signed a Minor League deal with the Angels this offseason but struggled in his new surroundings, allowing seven runs in 5 2/3 innings before being released. Lindstrom was a highly reliable bullpen piece from 2011-13 with the Rockies, Orioles, D-Backs and ChiSox, but he struggled in his second season with Chicago last year, likely due to injury. Lindstrom opened the year as the team’s closer, but a subluxed tendon in his ankle required surgery and shelved him for three months.
Lindstrom has always thrown hard and did so again in 2014, averaging 93.1 mph on his heater (although that’s admittedly a step down from previous seasons). He’s also increased his ground-ball tendencies over the life of his career, as he’s recorded a mark north of 50 percent in each of the past three seasons. Despite the plus velocity, Lindstrom has never been a big strikeout pitcher, averaging just seven punchouts per nine innings in his big league tenure.