Odds & Ends: Phillies, Manny, Japanese Players
Here are a few more random notes from the MLBiverse…
- Todd Zolecki says the Phillies would likely have to trade Geoff Jenkins or Matt Stairs if they want to add another right-handed bat to the bench, noting that it is not likely for either player to be released after the Phils already ate Adam Eaton‘s contract. Zolecki does say that Stair’s $1MM salary would be easier to absorb.
- Dan Barbarisi of the Providence Journal gives us some quotes from Terry Francona in response to being asked about Jonathan Papelbon calling Manny Ramirez a "cancer." Francona would not answer the questions directly but did say "The moves we make, I think that speaks volumes enough."
- Keith Law scouted the Japanese squad at the World Baseball Classic and gives us the rundown on a few of their better players. Please correct me if I am wrong, but I don’t believe that any of the players mentioned will be eligible to make the jump to MLB anytime soon.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com and can be reached here.
Odds & Ends: Crosby, Vizcaino, Andruw
Links for Tuesday…
- Chat today, 2pm CST.
- RotoAuthority sums up the stats you should target in each category for your fantasy league.
- The Braves released pitcher Anthony Lerew, according to Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
- Rany Jazayerli says the Royals will be better just by subtracting Ross Gload, Tony Pena Jr., and Joey Gathright. Here’s my Offseason In Review for the club, if you’re interested.
- A’s manager Bob Geren "chuckled and said no" when asked if Bobby Crosby is being showcased at third base for the Yankees, according to Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle. Crosby is learning third in part because Eric Chavez is injured again.
- Speaking of Crosby, Paul Sullivan of the Chicago Tribune wonders if the Cubs could work out a deal involving reliever Luis Vizcaino. Despite the $4MM owed to Vizcaino, he’s not a lock for the Cubs’ bullpen. We learned last week that the Cubs do not appear interested in Crosby.
- Slusser also has an article about young A’s pitcher Michael Ynoa, who believes he can be in the Majors in two years at age 19.
- Andruw Jones apologized to Dodgers fans in this Bill Plaschke article.
- Talking to Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News, Phillies manager Charlie Manuel sees Jayson Werth missing no more than 15-20 games this year. Geoff Jenkins, with $8MM left on his contract, looks like the odd man out.
Phillies Not In On Will Ohman
MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki talked to Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr., who still does not expect to sign a free agent lefty reliever. Amaro’s quote: "I don’t think that one is going to happen."
Zolecki’s source said the Phillies are not on Will Ohman. Presumably Joe Beimel is out of their price range (less than $1MM) as well. The Marlins are known to have a standing offer to Ohman, and the Padres are another possibility. Ohman lost a suitor when the Cardinals signed Dennys Reyes.
Phillies Sign Rodrigo Lopez
SATURDAY, 10:27am: Troy Renck has the contract details: Lopez will earn $650K if he makes the team. He can opt out June 15 if he’s not on the major league roster.
WEDNESDAY: According to SI.com’s Jon Heyman, the Phillies signed pitcher Rodrigo Lopez to a minor league deal.
The Rockies acquired Lopez from the Orioles in January of 2007, but he was diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow in July of that year and had surgery in August. He signed a minor league deal with the Braves in August of last year, but they declined his ’09 option. As far as I can tell, Lopez is represented by Scott Boras.
Phillies Unlikely To Sign Lefty Reliever
According to David Murphy of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies aren’t likely to land a high profile left-handed reliever before the start of the season.
The Phillies continue to monitor their free agent bullpen options, but as of yesterday morning lefthanders Will Ohman and Joe Beimel were still out of the team’s price range, which league sources have estimated at right around $1 million, writes Murphy.
The Phillies don’t have much payroll flexibility. As we mentioned last week, the club will set a franchise payroll record this season, with $132.5MM dedicated to 25-man roster salaries.
Phillies Negotiating With Will Ohman
According to Andy Martino of the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Phillies made an offer to free agent lefty Will Ohman and are negotiating with his agent. The offer was turned down and countered, and they’re still talking. Ohman’s agent Page Odle says he has offers from three or four other teams (apparently it’s hard to keep track).
Brett Myers Hopes To Stay With Phillies
MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki spoke to Phillies pitcher Brett Myers yesterday. The 28 year-old righty is entering the last year of his contract. After John Lackey, Myers is in the running to be the second-best available free agent starter after the season.
Myers managed to drop 35 pounds in the offseason, and he’s also trying to improve his changeup. He has no desire to pitch the ninth inning anymore, and said he "absolutely" wants to stay with the Phillies beyond this year. With a huge season he could have a shot at an A.J. Burnett contract (five years, $82.5MM), but he may wind up in the Oliver Perez range (three years, $36MM).
Orioles Sign Adam Eaton
According to Roch Kubatko of MASN Sports the Orioles signed Adam Eaton to a minor league contract and invited him to Spring Training. Eaton, 31, was released by the Phillies Friday.
Scott Lauber of the Wilmington News Journal adds that Eaton, who cleared waivers, will only cost the O’s $400K if he makes the club. The Phillies are responsible for the rest of the $8.65MM owed to Eaton.
Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Yankees, Oil Can, Halladay, Mets
On this date 21 years ago, the Baltimore Orioles traded Ray Knight to the Tigers, only one year after signing the World Series hero as a free agent. The O’s received Mark Thurmond, who would go 1-8 in 1988 with an 85 ERA+. Knight would only play 105 games for the Tigers before retiring. With spring training now in full swing, several veteran free agents are still without contracts or guaranteed jobs and may be on the verge of retirement. Let’s take a look at what is being written in the Blogosphere…
- More Hardball puts together a 25-man roster of veteran players in camps on minor league deals.
- 6 Pound 8 Ounce Baby Joba spoke with Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch about a number of topics including what the will happen once the current contracts for Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter expire.
- Sully Baseball makes a case for a team, any team, signing Oil Can Boyd.
- The Phrontiersman takes a look at the possibility of the Phillies trading for Roy Halladay at some point during the season.
- Megamets argues for the Mets adding Dennys Reyes, over the other available lefty relievers.
- The Sports Banter puts together their own list of off-season winners.
- Midwest Sports Fans project the Twins opening day roster.
Cork Gaines writes for RaysIndex.com. If you have a suggestion for this feature, Cork can be reached here.
Garciaparra Pondering Retirement?
12:56pm: Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. has confirmed that his club is no longer interested in Garciaparra (courtesy of the Philadelphia Inquirer’s David Murphy):
"I would not view him as someone who will be with us," Amaro said. Murphy doesn’t expect the Phillies to add any more free agents before the start of the regular season.
9:47am: According to FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal, free agent infielder Nomar Garciaparra is deciding between retirement and a one-year contract with the A’s.
The Phillies have apparently moved on. The A’s are also currently working on deals for shortstop Orlando Cabrera and left-hander Dennys Reyes, and Rosenthal heard from a source that the club could "increase their pursuits" of those two players "due to their uncertainty over Garciaparra."
Garciaparra, 35, hit .264/.326/.466 with eight homers and 28 RBI in 163 at-bats last season. It sounds like he needs to make a career decision fairly soon.