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2014 Vesting Options Update

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With two months of baseball in the books, here's a look at the players who have vesting options for the 2014 season..

  • Kurt Suzuki, Nationals: $9.25MM option vests with 113 starts in 2013.  Suzuki was slated to split time behind the plate with Wilson Ramos this season, but Ramos' hamstring has forced the club to give the veteran catcher 39 starts thus far (counting tonight's game).  The most recent update on Ramos, courtesy of the Washington Post's Adam Kilgore, says that he'll be sidelined until around July 1st.  If Ramos heals up and takes starts away from Suzuki, it will be a club option worth $8.5MM with a modest $650K buyout.
  • Jamey Carroll, Twins: $2MM option vests with 401 plate appearances. Carroll has 105 PAs in 27 games this season.  The veteran has had more than his needed total in each of the last three seasons with 500+ plate appearances in each of the last two years.
  • Wilson Betemit, Orioles: $3.2MM option vests with 324 plate appearances (combined 700 between 2012 and 2013). Betemit underwent arthroscopic knee surgery on March 26th and a late May update (from Roch Kubatko of MASNsports.com) indicates that he still hasn't been cleared for baseball activities.  
  • Lance Berkman, Rangers: $13MM option vests with 550 plate appearances. So far, Berkman has 199 plate appearances to his credit and is on pace to lock in his 2014 option with ease.  In 2011, his last full season, the slugger racked up 587 PAs.
  • Roy Halladay, Phillies: $20MM option vests with 259 innings pitched (combined 415 innings pitched between '12 and '13).  This was a longshot to begin with, but shoulder surgery earlier this month makes this one impossible.
  • Brett Myers, Indians: $8MM option vests with 200 innings pitched in 2013 and a passed physical after the season.  After logging 21 and 1/3 innings in 2013, Myers was sidelined with tendinitis and a mild ligament sprain in his right elbow and has yet to return.  When he does come back, it's possible that the Tribe will move him to the bullpen.
  • Barry Zito, Giants: $18MM option vests with 200 innings pitched. Zito has racked up 62 and 2/3 innings through eleven starts this season.  It's far from a lock, but as it stands the veteran still has a chance at securing his 2014 salary.  His numbers are strong as he has a 3.88 ERA with 5.6 K/9 and 3.3 BB/9.
  • Johan Santana, Mets: His $25MM option could have vested with 215 innings pitched or winning the 2013 Cy Young Award, but he won't have a chance at that thanks to a season-ending tear in his pitching shoulder.

It's also worth noting that Pirates pitcher Francisco Liriano has a $8MM club option for 2014, but it can vest at any of three levels – $5MM, $6MM, or $8MM – based on the number of days he is not on the DL this year with a recurrence of his right arm injury.  It's not known how many days the hurler must steer clear of right arm trouble in order to trigger each level of his option, however.  The left-hander made his season debut on May 11th.

2014 Vesting Options Update

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As we close in on the month of May, let's check in on the players who have vesting options for the 2014 season…

  • Kurt Suzuki, Nationals: $9.25MM option vests with 113 starts in 2013.  Prior to Opening Day, the Nats announced that Suzuki would be in a timeshare with Wilson Ramos behind the plate.  However, Ramos' hamstring has led to Suzuki starting 16 of the club's 23 games so far in 2013. Ramos is scheduled to rejoin the club on Monday, but if he suffers another setback, Suzuki could have a realistic shot at triggering his '14 option.
  • Jamey Carroll, Twins: $2MM option vests with 401 plate appearances.  Carroll has surpassed that mark in each of the last three seasons with 500+ plate appearances in each of the last two years, but he has just 18 PAs as April comes to a close.
  • Wilson Betemit, Orioles: $3.2MM option vests with 324 plate appearances (combined 700 between 2012 and 2013).  Betemit suffered a PCL tear during the last week of Spring Training, keeping him out of action until at least mid-May.  When he returns, he figures to see less action than he did last year thanks to Manny Machado. 
  • Lance Berkman, Rangers: $13MM option vests with 550 plate appearances.  So far, Berkman has 19 games under his belt with 80 plate appearances.  He'll be within reach as long as he stays healthy.  In 2011, his last full season, Berkman racked up 587 PAs for the Cardinals.
  • Roy Halladay, Phillies: $20MM option vests with 259 innings pitched (combined 415 innings pitched between '12 and '13).  So far, Halladay has logged 28 and 1/3 innings through five April starts but the 259 mark remains a longshot.  However, it's worth nothing that Halladay has come close to that figure twice in the last six years (2008, 246 IP; 2010, 250.2 IP) and surpassed it once in his career (2003, 266 IP).
  • Brett Myers, Indians: $8MM option vests with 200 innings pitched in 2013 and a passed physical after the season.  Myers is expected to miss most of May due to tendinitis and a mild ligament sprain in his right elbow.  So far, the right-hander has 21 and 1/3 innings to his credit in 2013.
  • Barry Zito, Giants: $18MM option vests with 200 innings pitched.  Zito has 23 and 2/3 innings so far through the month of April and will make his fifth start of the year tonight against the Padres.
  • Johan Santana, Mets: His $25MM option could have vested with 215 innings pitched or winning the 2013 Cy Young Award, but he won't have a chance at that thanks to a season-ending tear in his pitching shoulder.

It's also worth noting that Francisco Liriano has a $8MM club option for 2014 with the Pirates, but it can vest at any of three levels, $5MM, $6MM, or $8MM, based on the number of days he is not on the DL this year with a recurrence of his right arm injury.  It's not known how many days the hurler must steer clear of right arm trouble in order to trigger each level of his option, however.  Liriano has yet to take the hill in 2013, but he is expected to make his big league debut on May 10th vs. the Mets.  

Why I Chose My Agency: Jamey Carroll

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Twins infielder Jamey Carroll owns a .354 career on-base percentage, sixth in baseball history among those who have played at least 200 games each at second base, shortstop, and third base.  The 11-year veteran is represented by Jonathan Maurer and Mike Montana of Millenium Sports Management, and he recently spoke to MLBTR about his agency.

On when he first came into contact with Maurer and Montana:

I believe it was when I was in Triple-A, because I was rooming with a teammate named Scott Mitchell, who was with Jonathan at the time.  I didn't have an agent, and he wanted to know if I needed anybody, and at the time I wasn't sure.  I didn't feel like I was the type of player that needed somebody.  A lot of these players are prospects, the guys that need it.  I met him and he was willing to accept me into his management company, and I didn't really know what I had that was going to be helpful or to offer him.  He took me in when I was in a situation in my career where I wasn't sure where I was really heading.  Nobody's knocking down the door of a utility guy in Triple-A that's 27 years old, to represent him.  

On why he chose to go with MSM:

They both seemed to have that faith in me, so it became a no-brainer.  They weren't a big group, I felt like there was a lot of personal one-on-one.  They were open to being around and offering their time whenever we need it.  I liked the family-oriented atmosphere, not in it for the numbers, but more for the right people and the right types of players.  I like that small, close-knit-type family feeling.

On the role his agents filled for him, prior to contract negotiations:

They were into finding out who I was in the [Montreal Expos] organization, what the organization felt about me, and where I fit and what my chances were to keep getting opportunities.  I think that's one of the most important things, where you sit within the organization.  How they view you and what goals they have for you, I think those are tough questions to ask and they were able to do that for me.  I was at a time where I had quite a few years in the minor leagues and wasn't sure what my future held.  To me that was more important than worrying about contracts and shoe deals and stuff like that.

On his involvement in contract discussions:

My wife and I are extremely involved.  It helps that my wife is a negotiator for a living [formerly a recruiter for the Gap corporation], so we were able to have good insight and anticipate how the progress goes and ask questions.  Having her in my corner to know kind of questions to ask.  I enjoyed it, I think it's an interesting process.  I wanted to know everything that was involved in it.

On how the free agent process worked:

The first time through, it was a lot of, "When somebody calls, please call."  But then I think the second time through, a certain point in the day you'd have your phone call and see what had happened, see what teams were involved, what the thought process of the teams were, where you think that you fit.  You wait to a certain point, gather all the information, and start filing through.  I'd get a certain team that was interested, I would then go and look at the team myself, see what the roster is like, and see where I thought that I would fit as far as playing time with that team.

On whether he's recommended his agents to other players:

It's ultimately an atmosphere, especially at this level, where everybody has their agent.  Most of the time, if somebody's having an issue, that's when you hear about somebody who has changed agents.  I keep an open ear for it, but at the same time, it's a tough atmosphere when it comes to that.  A lot of people are in a situation like I am now, they've had an agent for some time.  If the opportunity arises, I definitely will throw my two cents in.

Check out our other interviews in the Why I Chose My Agency series with Ted Lilly, Ryan Ludwick, Cody Ross, Aramis Ramirez, Adam Wainwright, Jeremy Affeldt, David Wright, Jay Bruce, and Matt Holliday.

2014 Vesting Options

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Recently, I crunched the numbers on vesting options from the last three years and found that just over 29% of them were triggered.  Which players can lock in their 2014 options based on their performance this season?  Let's take a look..

  • Kurt Suzuki, Nationals: $9.25MM option vests with 113 starts in 2013.
  • Jamey Carroll, Twins: $2MM option vests with 401 plate appearances.
  • Wilson Betemit, Orioles: $3.2MM option vests with 324 plate appearances (combined 700 between 2012 and 2013).
  • Lance Berkman, Rangers: $13MM option vests with 550 plate appearances.
  • Roy Halladay, Phillies: $20MM option vests with 259 innings pitched (combined 415 innings pitched between '12 and '13).
  • Barry Zito, Giants: $18MM option vests with 200 innings pitched.
  • Johan Santana, Mets: $25MM option vests with 215 innings pitched or winning the 2013 Cy Young Award.

It's also worth noting that Francisco Liriano has a $8MM club option for 2014 with the Pirates, but it can vest at any of three levels, $5MM, $6MM, or $8MM, based on the number of days he is not on the DL this year with a recurrence of his right arm injury.

Braves Notes: McCann, Prado, Smith, Jurrjens

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Here's the latest on the Braves from David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution…

  • Brian McCann was set to earn $8.5MM next season but "maxed out" his contract incentives related to Silver Slugger awards and All-Star appearances, so the star catcher will earn a total of $11.5MM in 2012.  O'Brien said the Braves haven't discussed a long-term extension with McCann but the team usually doesn't pursue such negotiations until later in the winter.  McCann is under contract through next year and the Braves have a $12MM club option on McCann for 2013 that looks like a lock to be exercised.
  • In regards to the Martin Prado trade talks between the Braves and Rockies, O'Brien thinks Atlanta would move Prado for Seth Smith and a center field prospect like Tim Wheeler or Charlie Blackmon.  With Michael Bourn only contracted through 2012, the Braves are looking for center field depth in case Bourn's asking price is too high for their liking.
  • Atlanta "made a run at" Jamey Carroll but balked at giving the 37-year-old infielder a multiyear contract. 
  • The Braves are known to desire a trade package for Jair Jurrjens similar to the one the Royals received last winter for Zack Greinke, but O'Brien says this asking price could be too high for most teams.  "Word out of the GM meetings was that the Braves are demanding so much for Jurrjens that a deal might be unlikely unless they come down in their multi-player/prospect asking price or some teams get desperate for starting pitching later in the offseason," O'Brien writes.
  • "It's unclear" if Atlanta is interested in bringing back Alex Gonzalez on a one-year deal.  The Braves are looking for a short-term veteran to play shortstop until Tyler Pastornicky is ready.
  • GM Frank Wren says his team isn't actively shopping Prado and Jurrjens but are willing to listen to offers.  "I think that [Prado and Jurrjens trade possibility] was wrongly characterized from the very beginning,” Wren said. “What we said and what we stand by is that we’re looking to get better, and however we can get better we will. We’re open minded. We’ll listen if somebody calls."

Twins Sign Jamey Carroll

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The Twins have signed Jamey Carroll to a two-year deal to be their everyday shortstop.  The team announced the deal today.  Carroll's contract will guarantee him $6.75MM and includes a $2MM mutual option for 2014. The option vests if Carroll makes 401 plate appearances in 2013, though he can choose to turn it down.  SI's Jon Heyman has further contract details. The Millenium Sports Management client drew interest from multiple teams this offseason before signing with the Twins, who are operating under interim GM Terry Ryan.

Carroll

The 37-year-old infielder played shortstop and second base for the Dodgers in 2011, posting a .290/.359/.347 line in 510 plate appearances. He hasn't posted an on-base percentage below .355 in any of the past four seasons and he has a career mark of .356 after a decade in the Major Leagues. Carroll, who also has experience at third base and in the outfield, stole ten bases without getting caught this past season. He is not a ranked free agent and won't cost his new team a draft pick.

Carroll spoke with MLBTR's Tim Dierkes in June and you can check out the interview here.

ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick reported the deal, with Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports, SI's Jon Heyman, La Velle E. Neal III of the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports adding details.  Photo courtesy of Icon SMI.

Tigers Notes: Carroll, Young, Infielders

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Some news items from the Motor City….

  • "The Tigers were not involved in the bidding for Jamey Carroll," reports MLB.com's Jason Beck.  The Tigers are willing to give a multiyear deal to a second baseman but weren't willing to offer such a contract to the 37-year-old Carroll.  The Twins signed Carroll to a two-year, $7MM contract today, pending a physical.  Carroll was seen as a fit in Detroit by several contestants in the MLBTR Free Agent Prediction Contest, including both myself and Tim Dierkes. 
  • Also from Beck, the Tigers have begun negotiations with some free agent targets but "no deal is believed to be close."
  • Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski told Jim Bowden on MLB Network Radio (Twitter link) that his club is looking at second and third basemen, "but doubts" the Tigers will pursue such big names as Aramis Ramirez, Jose Reyes or Jimmy Rollins. 
  • Dombrowski also confirmed to Bowden (Twitter link) that the club will tender a contract to Delmon Young.  Matt Swartz projects Young will earn $6.3MM in arbitration this winter, Young's third time through the process.  Young was on pace to be non-tendered by the Twins but after being dealt to the Tigers in August, Young hit reasonably well down the stretch for Detroit and posted a 1.170 OPS in the Tigers' ALDS victory over the Yankees.

Carroll Nearing Multiyear Deal With Twins

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2:24pm: Carroll's nearing a multiyear deal with the Twins, according to Crasnick (on Twitter). He would be Minnesota's everyday shortstop.

2:08pm: The Twins continue to pursue Carroll, according to Morosi (Twitter link). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports hears that the Twins and Carroll are talking regularly (Twitter link).

12:50pm: The Twins have had recent discussions for Carroll, according to Morosi (Twitter link).

12:19pm: The Braves and Indians aren't finalists for Carroll, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter).

11:40am: The Padres are not the team nearing a deal with Carroll, reports MLB.com's Corey Brock (on Twitter).

10:57am: The Dodgers aren't the team that's nearing a deal with Carroll, according to Dylan Hernandez of the LA Times (on Twitter). Troy Renck of the Denver Post says the Rockies aren't the mystery team (Twitter link) and Morosi reports that the Tigers aren't involved.

10:36am: The Blue Jays are showing serious interest in Carroll and were one of three finalists for him as of yesterday, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports (all links go to Twitter). Morosi hears that the infielder is "very close" to agreeing to a deal.

7:38am: Jamey Carroll is nearing a multiyear deal with an unknown team, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (all Twitter links). The Tigers, Rockies, Dodgers and Indians have been mentioned as potential suitors for Carroll, a Millenium Sports Management client who is expected to sign within a few days. The Phillies and Braves have also expressed interest.

The 37-year-old infielder played shortstop and second base for the Dodgers in 2011, posting a .290/.359/.347 line in 510 plate appearances. He hasn't posted an on-base percentage below .355 in any of the past four seasons and he has a career mark of .356 after a decade in the Major Leagues. Carroll, who also has experience at third base and in the outfield, stole ten bases without getting caught this past season. He is not a ranked free agent and won't cost his new team a draft pick.

Carroll spoke with MLBTR's Tim Dierkes in June and you can check out the interview here. Tim predicted the Tigers would sign Carroll, placing him 41st on MLBTR's list of top free agents.

This post was originally published on November 11, 2011.

Central Notes: Tigers, Cain, Cubs, Barmes

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The Tigers signed Jhonny Peralta to a two-year deal on this date in 2010. The shortstop responded with 21 homers and a .299/.345/.478 line in 2011 and the Tigers won their division. Here's the latest from baseball's central divisions, starting in Detroit…

Rockies Notes: Carroll, Ellis, Prado, Cuddyer

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The Rockies have expressed interest in free agent second baseman Jamey Carroll​, writes Troy Renck of The Denver Post.  The 37-year-old enjoyed his time in Colorado and has interest in a return.  However, the veteran might be too rich for the Rockies' blood.  Renck sees Carroll's market value as something around a two-year, $8MM deal, as established by the Marlins' Omar Infante.  Here's more from Renck..

  • The Rockies' unwillingness to go to that range could also preclude a return for Mark Ellis, which hasn't been ruled out.
  • The Braves will reportedly listen on Martin Prado​ and Renck wonders if Seth Smith would be enough to pry him away from Atlanta.  Prado should get about $4.4MM in arbitration and the Braves are in search of a corner bat.
  • With the Phillies aggressively pursuing Michael Cuddyer, the Rockies are a longshot to land the free agent. 
  • The Rockies have long been linked to David Wright but Renck doesn't see him as a likely acquisition either.  The Mets will listen on Wright but if they lose Jose Reyes this offseason, the third baseman will be needed as a draw for fans.
  • Veteran Kevin Youkilis​ makes a lot of sense for the Rockies there's mixed opinions on how available he is from AL sources.  The Red Sox​ are left-handed heavy, and Youkilis provides balance to their lineup.  Youkilis can play first or third, making him particularly valuable to the Rockies.
  • Pitching remains necessary for the Rockies and Wandy Rodriguez is still a trade target.  After the Rockies' organizational summit this week in Scottsdale, Arizona, activity will pick up with the focus narrowing on specific pitchers such as Rodriguez, Carl Pavano, Wade Davis, John Danks and Kevin Slowey.
  • As the Rockies explore moving closer Huston Street, the Blue Jays and Phillies represent possible matches.
  • You can expect the Pirates to pursue former Rockie shortstop Clint Barmes.
  • The Mariners could be a fit for 49-year-old Jamie Moyer as he attempts a comeback.
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