Quick Hits: Carlos Guillen, Dennys Reyes, Mets
Opening Day is just ten days away! Our latest collection of links:
- As first mentioned on Twitter, MLBTR learned that Tigers infielder Carlos Guillen switched agencies this spring, from Peter Greenberg to Octagon. Our new Agency Database has all the goods.
- Dennys Reyes' opt-out date with the Red Sox is Friday, tweets WEEI's Rob Bradford. The lefty has allowed one run in seven strong innings this spring.
- With the Mets eating $12MM to release Oliver Perez today, ESPN's Adam Rubin looks at the other big contracts the Mets have gobbled up to make a player go away.
- The Tigers and White Sox have better pitching staffs than the Twins, explains Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
- Kirby Arnold of the Everett Herald projects the Mariners' 25-man roster.
Cafardo On Angels, Red Sox, Reyes
In his Sunday column, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that scouting and development people in baseball are extremely underpaid. While the Pirates, White Sox, Twins, Red Sox, and Yankees are known for taking good care of development people, other clubs are less-than-generous when it comes to salaries and benefits. Cafardo asked Athletics GM Billy Beane why development and scouting people don’t get paid well. Beane's response: “The good ones do.’’ Here are some of Cafardo's other Sunday notes:
- The Angels have a surplus of catchers and prospect Hank Conger is being groomed for the job. The Red Sox are looking for a veteran catcher they might be able to keep at Triple-A in case someone gets hurt. It's possible that Jeff Mathis or Bobby Wilson could be a fit for the BoSox.
- Scouts are watching Boston's bullpen situation closely because Dennys Reyes is becoming a hot commodity. It would be a tough call for the club as they also have Hideki Okajima signed through this season. The club has also received interest in Rich Hill.
- Infielder Drew Sutton seems to be destined for Boston's Pawtucket affiliate, but Cafardo wouldn't be surprised if the club gets some trade interest on the 27-year-old.
Quick Hits: Royals, Astros, Lee, Reyes, Young, Prior
Real live baseball was played in Florida and Arizona today, even though it was nothing more than a handful of exhibition games. That's better than nothing in my book. Here's some links for Saturday…
- Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star breaks down the Royals' roster issues, explaining why some of their top prospects won't break camp with the team even though they may be MLB ready.
- Examiner.com's Stephen Goff hears that the Astros are looking at UConn RHP Matt Barnes, Kentucky RHP Alex Meyer, Hawaii 2B Kolten Wong, and Indiana OF Alex Dickerson for their first round pick in this summer's draft, #11 overall (all Twitter links).
- Jon Heyman of SI.com (via Twitter) spoke to a scout who believes that the three prospects the Phillies received for Cliff Lee may never be heard from again. The club recieved J.C. Ramirez, Phillippe Aumont, and Tyson Gillies in the trade that sent Lee to the M's.
- The Athletics' bullpen has improved a great deal this winter, writes Jeff Fletcher of AOL Fanhouse.
- More on Dennys Reyes from Rob Bradford of WEEI.com, who writes that Reyes' deal with the Phillies fell through when the two sides could not agree on "two clauses" in the proposed contract.
- Dennys Reyes can opt out of his minor league contract with the Red Sox on March 26th, reports WEEI.com's Rob Bradford (on Twitter). Reyes is competing with fellow lefties Andrew Miller, Rich Hill, and Randy Williams for a spot in Boston's bullpen.
- In today's blog post at ESPN (Insider req'd), Buster Olney says that Michael Young is no longer talking about his trade demand, "but he seemingly hasn't taken it off the table, either." It appears that Young was bothered by the team's pursuit of Jim Thome and acquisition of Mike Napoli after he agreed to a DH/utility role.
- Joel Sherman of The New York Post updates everyone on Mark Prior, who he believes was on the path to becoming baseball's first $150MM pitcher. Prior is in camp with the Yankees on a minor league pact and knows he'll have to prove himself against Triple-A competition before returning to the big leagues. "It is not the career path I envisioned, but it is the career path I am on," said Prior. "So be it. No regrets."
- Dylan Hernandez of The Los Angeles Times looks at the Dodgers' economical approach to left-field. Marcus Thames and Jay Gibbons are expected to platoon at the position, and are guaranteed just $1.4MM combined in 2011. Tony Gwynn Jr., Gabe Kapler, and the out-of-options Xavier Paul also figure into that mix.
Red Sox Sign Dennys Reyes
The Red Sox signed Dennys Reyes to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, the team announced. Reyes will earn $900K if he makes the major league team with incentives that could push the value of the deal to $1.4MM, according to Alex Speier of WEEI.com.
Reyes, 34 in April, had agreed to a one-year Major League contract worth $1.1MM with the Phillies earlier this offseason, but the deal was called off after the two sides "hit a snag." In 59 appearances with the Cardinals last year, the southpaw posted a 3.55 ERA with nearly as many walks (21) as strikeouts (25) in 38 innings. Left-handed batters gave him trouble, tagging him for a .307/.409/.453 batting line, but over the last three years it's a much more respectable .234/.312/.314.
Reyes will join a rebuilt Boston bullpen that now features Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler, assuming he makes the team. The Red Sox will be his 11th team.
Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports first reported the agreement.
Red Sox, Dennys Reyes Close To Deal
The Red Sox and reliever Dennys Reyes are close to agreement on a minor league deal, according to Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com (via Twitter). The reliever reached agreement with the Phillies on a one-year, $1.1MM deal in December before the deal hit an undisclosed "snag".
Reyes, 33, would be the latest in a series of upgrades to the Boston bullpen. This winter the club has already signed Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler while retaining Hideki Okajima. Reyes would be fifth notable lefty the BoSox have inked to a minor league deal this winter after signing Rich Hill, Andrew Miller, Randy Williams and Lenny DiNardo.
In 59 games for the Cardinals last season, Reyes turned in a 3.55 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9.
Odds & Ends: Uggla, Soria, Romero, LaRoche
Fallout from the Zack Greinke deal continues to dominate the baseball landscape. We have more on that and some other items of note, too…
- Dan Uggla and the Braves are still hammering out a contract extension, tweets David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Atlanta GM Frank Wren said the progress between the sides has been steady and there have been no setbacks, but nothing's imminent, according to O'Brien. We heard last week that the Braves remain optimistic about extending Uggla, who is entering his final year of arbitration eligibility.
- The teams that inquired with the Royals about Zack Greinke were told that Joakim Soria will not be traded, tweets Jack Curry of the YES Network. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported earlier today that the Royals don't intend to move their closer. Soria, who will turn 27 in May, is considered one of the best young stoppers in the game and is signed to team-favorable terms through 2014, his age-30 season. Perhaps the combination of Soria's age and fair contract have persuaded the Royals to see that he's with Kansas City while its highly touted wave of young talent trickles into the bigs.
- Free-agent reliever J.C. Romero hopes that Dennys Reyes' failed physical might facilitate his own return to Philly, writes Randy Miller of the Bucks County Courier Times. The 34-year-old Romero, who spent the past three-plus seasons with the Phillies after they acquired him in a midseason deal in 2007, said he'd "definitely" like to return, just as Cliff Lee did.
- The Orioles' first choice to fill their vacancy at first base remains free agent Adam LaRoche, writes Brittany Ghiroli of MLB.com. Baltimore and LaRoche have been "heavily involved" in talks, and LaRoche is "waiting for a few things" before deciding on a team. The Nationals and Padres are also pursuing him.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports noted some leftover tidbits from the Greinke deal, and here are a few of the highlights: The Yankees made a strong push for Greinke in July 2010, but the pitcher didn't want to leave the Royals then. The Royals liked a package of prospects the Blue Jays offered for Greinke, but he didn't want to play for Toronto. One rival executive said the Brewers' acquisition of Yuniesky Betancourt with Greinke "nullifies" the benefits of adding the ace.
- Greinke was readying for an offseason move late in the 2010 season, going so far as to shelve his toxic but arm-taxing slider, writes Tim Brown of Yahoo! Sports.
Red Sox Still Looking At Lefty Relievers
The Red Sox have been one of, if not the most active team this offseason, and over the last week they've upgraded their bullpen by adding Bobby Jenks and Dan Wheeler. ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes says (via Twitter) that the team is still looking at lefty relievers, and one name that could be in play is Dennys Reyes.
Reyes had a one-year contract worth $1.1MM in place with the Phillies earlier this month, but yesterday we learned that the two sides "hit a snag" and the deal fell apart with no reason given. The free agent market still offers plenty of other options, including Brian Fuentes (who the Sox have interest in), Joe Beimel, Will Ohman, Arthur Rhodes, and J.C. Romero. Fuentes, however, is looking for a deal in line with the three-year pact Scott Downs received.
Phillies Will Not Sign Dennys Reyes
FRIDAY, December 17th: There will be no deal, according to Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (Twitter link). Reyes' agent told MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, "We hit a snag." Suarez chose not to clarify.
THURSDAY, December 9th: The Phillies agreed to sign Dennys Reyes to a one-year deal worth $1.1MM, according to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer (Twitter links). The deal, which is pending a physical, includes a 2012 option worth $1.35MM. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports and Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes add details, via Twitter, noting that the club option, which has a buyout worth $150K, becomes mutual if Reyes appears in 70 games in 2011. Agent Oscar Suarez represents the 33-year-old left-hander, who is set to join his 11th team.
Reyes appeared in 59 games last year and posted a 3.55 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9. Those numbers look OK, but the lefty pitched to a 5.91 ERA after posting a 0.54 ERA through May. He can induce grounders, but he walks more than one batter per two innings pitched.
Phillies Close To Deal With Dennys Reyes?
1:22pm: The Phillies have offers out to Reyes and Sherrill, tweets Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly, but it looks like Sherrill might be headed elsewhere. The Phils are "very close" with Reyes, tweets Salisbury.
12:46pm: The Phillies are very close to a one-year deal with a club option with Reyes, tweets Rojas.
WEDNESDAY, 11:45am: The Phillies are not close to signing Reyes and have yet to make a formal offer, reports Paul Hagen of the Philadelphia Daily News. Word is they're not close on any reliever right now.
TUESDAY, 4:27pm: Joe Strauss of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch hears that Reyes will sign with the Phillies (Twitter link).
2:34pm: Reyes could sign within the next 48 hours, tweets Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports, probably deciding between the Phillies and Marlins. The Mariners and Athletics are also in on Reyes, tweets John Hickey of AOL Fanhouse.
12:14pm: The agent for lefty Dennys Reyes, Oscar Suarez, is meeting with the Phillies today, tweets ESPN's Enrique Rojas. Suarez says at least five to six teams are interested.
The Phillies could be a match for lefty George Sherrill; Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun says they're considered the favorite by most in the industry.
Phillies Interested In Dennys Reyes
The Phillies search for a left-handed reliever has led them to Dennys Reyes. Philadelphia has interest in the 33-year-old journeyman, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. Reyes appeared in 59 games last year and posted a 3.55 ERA with 5.9 K/9 and 5.0 BB/9.
As I pointed out when identifying some potential bargain lefites, Reyes' 2010 numbers look OK, but they're not as impressive as they seem. He posted a better than average ERA, but he pitched to a 5.91 ERA after posting a 0.54 ERA through May. He can induce grounders, but he walks more than one batter per two innings pitched.
This is the first interest in Reyes we've seen reported this offseason, but he's certainly not the only lefty the Phils are considering. Philadelphia has interest in adding former Mets reliever Hisanori Takahashi to their pen.