Braves Announce Tim Hudson Extension
1:41pm: O'Brien says Hudson received a three-year, $28MM deal – $9MM annually plus a $1MM buyout on the option.
8:41am: The Braves announced Tim Hudson's extension today, according to Dave O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He says it's a three-year deal worth around $9MM per year, with an option for 2013. Hudson's new deal overwrites the $12MM mutual option he had for 2010.
Yesterday, MLB.com's Mark Bowman wrote, "We've long known that the Braves are going to end up trading either Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez." O'Brien feels that Kenshin Kawakami is another possibility. Bowman suggests that the Yankees or Angels could be suitors for Lowe, should they decide not to sign John Lackey. Vazquez could be extended if Lowe is moved.
Heyman On Figgins, Pineiro, Braves
SI's Jon Heyman reports from Chicago, where the GM Meetings are wrapping up…
- The Phillies are "intent on pursuing Chone Figgins hard," while the Mets are also fans of the Seth Levinson client. The Angels still hope to re-sign Figgins. Joel Sherman of the New York Post has more on the Mets' interest, explaining that moving Luis Castillo would make signing Figgins easier. Sherman thought another reasonable addition for the Mets might be Carlos Lee, but his idea was shot down by Ed Wade and a Mets official.
- Heyman senses mixed signals with the Mets and Matt Holliday – Omar Minaya loves the player, but the money required will be huge and the Mets might be better-served spreading it around.
- The Mets are interested in Joel Pineiro, and Minaya met with his agent Arn Tellem.
- On Page 2 of the article, Heyman quotes a couple new Scott Boras gems.
- Braves GM Frank Wren admitted he'll field offers on his starting pitching excess. It appears inevitable that the Braves will trade one starter, Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez according to MLB.com's Mark Bowman.
- My Billy Wagner-Cubs idea should probably be put to bed, as Jim Hendry said he wouldn't spend a lot of money on a closer given Carlos Marmol's talent. Marmol himself is due a large arbitration raise.
Braves Discussing Extension for Vazquez
David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution is reporting that "Someone here at the meetings who would probably know, told me the Braves have at least discussed trying to sign [Javier] Vazquez to a contract extension."
Vazquez was quietly an elite pitcher for Atlanta in 2009, posting a 2.87 ERA in 219 1/3 innings, striking out 238 and walking just 44. He's signed to an $11.5MM deal for 2010, after which he will be a free agent.
There has been speculation that Atlanta will deal Vazquez, since with the return of Tim Hudson, they appear to have six starting pitchers for five spots. Meanwhile, a deal for the underachieving Derek Lowe, who was far worse than Vazquez and has $45MM left on his contract, would presumably yield far less than Vazquez.
Tim Hudson Extension Close
Multiple journalists said to expect the Braves' three-year extension for Tim Hudson to be finished last week, but that didn't happen. David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution explains why:
The delay on Hudson extension resulted from the team having to find a doctor the insurance company approved of to do the physical. But they got the doc and Huddy passed the physical, from what I’m told. If so, it shouldn’t be much longer before they sign this deal and it gets announced.
The Braves may also prefer to wait until after the World Series to announce the deal, though Freddy Sanchez's extension with the Giants was publicized mid-Series. MLB.com's Mark Bowman agrees with O'Brien's info.
Hudson's signing could lead the Braves to trade a starter for a hitter. O'Brien discussed the idea of trading Javier Vazquez in a blog post yesterday.
Atlanta’s Offseason Needs
If and when Tim Hudson signs an extension with the Braves, MLB.com's Mark Bowman says GM Frank Wren appears likely to shop Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez. Moving one of the two veterans would create the financial flexibility to allow the Braves to pursue a first baseman, a closer and, possibly, an outfielder.
It's a "strong possibility" that Adam LaRoche, Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano will all sign elsewhere as free agents. Bowman says the Braves may consider signing Billy Wagner or trading for Matt Capps if they don't retain Gonzalez and Soriano.
Jason Heyward looms in the minor leagues. He's arguably the game's top prospect, but the Braves may choose to sign an outfielder. This would enable Heyward to pick up more minor league experience – he's only played 50 games in the upper minors – and would allow the Braves to prevent Heyward from becoming a Super Two. It's the strategy they used with Tommy Hanson this year and it makes sense to do the same with Heyward.
Last week, Tim suggested the Braves spend on a first baseman and a left fielder. To cut costs, he recommends the Braves save on the bullpen. Trading Vazquez would free up $11.5MM for the upcoming season and trading Lowe would free up $15MM, but the Braves may ultimately need the pitching depth.
Rogers On Chapman, Vazquez, Valentine, Gonzalez
Phil Rogers of the Chicago Tribune looks at a few hot stove topics from around the league in his latest article. Here are some of his thoughts:
- He speculates that the Seattle Mariners' interest in Aroldis Chapman stems from their desire to still have a front-line starter if they eventually decide to move Felix Hernandez.
- Rogers is skeptical that the two Chicago teams have the resources to compete seriously in the Chapman sweepstakes. Be sure to check out MLBTR's complete Chapman review.
- With Tim Hudson on the verge of re-signing with the Braves, Ken Rosenthal indicated that Javier Vazquez or Derek Lowe could be shopped for a bat. Rogers suggests it'll be Vazquez that's put on the trading block.
- Bobby Valentine could be out of the mix for a major-league managerial spot this season, as the Washington Nationals look likely to give Jim Riggleman their full-time gig.
- Rogers thinks it's "wishful thinking" to expect new Padres GM Jed Hoyer to deal Adrian Gonzalez to Hoyer's former employer, the Boston Red Sox.
Hudson To Ink Three-Year Extension
9:14pm: David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal Constitution has also heard that the deal will be worth approximately $9MM per season, or around $27MM over three seasons.
6:39pm: Mark Bowman of MLB.com believes the new three-year deal "will likely be worth $24-27 million."
5:22pm: According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, veteran right-hander Tim Hudson is expected to sign a three-year extension with the Braves by the end of this week.
"It will be a shocker if something doesn't get finished in the next three or four days," said Rosenthal's major league source.
Hudson spent most of the 2009 season recovering from Tommy John surgery, but went 2-1 with a 3.61 ERA and a 30/13 K/BB ratio in seven starts once he rejoined the Braves. The 34-year-old had a $12MM mutual option sitting on 2010, so the new deal is probably structured around that figure as an annual salary. He has 148 career wins and a 3.49 career ERA.
Rosenthal believes the Braves might decide to trade one of their other veteran arms — "most likely right-hander Javier Vazquez or right-hander Derek Lowe" — for a hitter.
Stark On Braves, Hardy, Uggla
Let's check out the hot stove highlights from Jayson Stark's latest Rumblings and Grumblings column at ESPN.
- The free agent market for super-utility men is strong, with Chone Figgins, Mark DeRosa, and Jerry Hairston Jr. Stark says the Cards will let DeRosa test the market, despite the recent extension chatter. Stark talked to an NL exec who prefers Figgins to DeRosa, which seems logical.
- Stark finds it "all but certain" that the Braves bring Tim Hudson back for 2010, but they won't be shopping Javier Vazquez. He considers the Braves unlikely to re-sign free agent relievers Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. If that's the case, Frank Wren will need to bring in some kind of late-inning arm.
- Expect a strong market for Brewers shortstop J.J. Hardy, despite his disappointing '09 season. Which teams do you see in the mix?
- Stark sees the Marlins keeping only one of Dan Uggla, Cody Ross, and Jorge Cantu, who are all due raises through arbitration.
- Stark says the Astros don't have a shopping list yet for their next manager, but count on GM Ed Wade to be meticulous. The 'Stros prefer someone with experience, leading Stark to join in on the Jim Fregosi speculation.
Vazquez Wants To Stay With Braves
Common speculation is that the Braves could shop Javier Vazquez or Kenshin Kawakami if they re-sign Tim Hudson. Carroll Rogers of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Vazquez about the trade possibility, and the pitcher expressed his desire to stay with the Braves.
Vazquez has been a bona fide ace in his return to the NL, with a 3.01 ERA, 216 strikeouts, and 40 walks in 197.3 innings. He's signed affordably for next year at $11.5MM. I've said it before: signing Hudson and having six starters under control on paper does not equal a surplus. Derek Lowe is 36 and his numbers took an alarming dip this year. And whether Hudson, Kawakami, and Tommy Hanson can each throw 200 innings next year is an open question. The Braves need a first baseman, an outfield bat, and a closer, but trading Vazquez for a hitter might just create a new hole. We'll analyze the team's payroll commitments in the coming weeks and see if free agency offers any solutions.
Perrotto’s Latest: Vazquez, Valverde, DeRosa, Pavano
In today's column over at Baseball Prospectus, John Perrotto says nobody has been better at making deadline deals in the previous two seasons than Theo Epstein. I might agree but would love to hear some counter arguments.
As usual, Perrotto has his share of rumors from around the league:
- The Braves need offense and are considering dealing Javier Vazquez to get it.
- Don't expect Jose Valverde to return to Houston next season. He plans to test free agency and will likely find a better paycheck elsewhere.
- The White Sox plan to re-sign Freddy Garcia to be their fifth starter.
- The Cardinals would like to re-sign Mark DeRosa before he reaches free agency at the end of the season.
- The Twins are planning an attempt to re-sign Carl Pavano, also a to-be free agent at season's end.
- If the Nationals can acquire a shortstop in the offseason they would like Cristian Guzman to move to second base.