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Rafael Soriano

Braves Rumors: Heyward, Wagner, LaRoche

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 19, 2009 at 8:49am CDT

We've been hearing for a while that the Braves may trade from starting pitching depth to free up money, but what other moves might we see? MLB.com's Mark Bowman has some answers:

  • Braves GM Frank Wren says there are "a lot of trade conversations going on" around the league.
  • The Braves don't seem concerned about finding another outfielder, because they will consider letting top prospect Jason Heyward start the season in the majors. It wouldn't be a surprise to see the Braves sign an affordable outfielder, in case they decide to keep Heyward in the minors for a couple months.
  • The Braves are interested in Billy Wagner.
  • Free agent Adam LaRoche would be a good fit, but the Braves, who have prospect Freddie Freeman in the system, may hesitate to offer LaRoche a multi-year deal.
  • Frankie Piliere of AOL FanHouse hears that the Braves will deal Derek Lowe or Javier Vazquez.
  • Piliere adds that the market for Rafael Soriano should be strong.
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Atlanta Braves Adam LaRoche Billy Wagner Derek Lowe Freddie Freeman Jason Heyward Javier Vazquez Rafael Soriano

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Morning Links: Red Sox, Phillies, Rays

By Howard Megdal | November 18, 2009 at 10:38am CDT

Plenty to absorb this morning, baseball fans:

  • The Red Sox have asked the Braves for medical records of free agent relievers Mike Gonzalez and Rafael Soriano, according to George King of the New York Post. WEEI.com also notes that catcher George Kottaras has been released.
  • Chan Ho Park wants to be a starter, while the Phillies, most other teams, and the results on the field see him as a reliever. Todd Zolecki also writes about why he's not surprised that the Phillies are considered by many to be the front runners to land Mark DeRosa.
  • DRaysBay.com evaluates whether the Rays should trade Carlos Pena.
  • Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic estimates that the Diamondbacks have about $14MM to spend this winter.
  • Ken Rosenthal reports that the Mets have hired Dave Jauss as bench coach.
  • Kelly Thesier of MLB.com looks at the minor league free agents from the Twins.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Boston Red Sox Minnesota Twins New York Mets Philadelphia Phillies Tampa Bay Rays Carlos Pena Chan Ho Park George Kottaras Mark DeRosa Mike Gonzalez Rafael Soriano

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Atlanta’s Offseason Needs

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | November 3, 2009 at 9:15am CDT

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.

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Atlanta Braves Adam LaRoche Billy Wagner Derek Lowe Jason Heyward Javier Vazquez Matt Capps Mike Gonzalez Rafael Soriano Tim Hudson

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Odds & Ends: McCourt, Manny, Duncan, Blue Jays

By Mike Axisa | October 22, 2009 at 8:32pm CDT

A few links to check out between ALCS pitches…

  • Jon Heyman of SI.com reports that Dodgers' owner Frank McCourt has fired his wife, Jamie, as CEO of the team. The McCourts are famously going through what will likely be a messy divorce, and Jamie's lawyers maintain that "she owns 50 percent of the team."
  • Diamond Leung tweets that the Dodgers and GM Ned Colletti are planning on having Manny Ramirez around next year. Manny has a $20MM player option that he has until shortly after the World Series to exercise.
  • Now that they've brought in hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo, Mark Potash of The Chicago Sun Times wants to see the Cubs go after pitching coach Dave Duncan. Duncan has said he's going to wait and see what Tony LaRussa does before deciding on his coaching future.
  • ESPN's Keith Law, former special assistant to the GM in Toronto, mentioned a few interesting Blue Jays' non-trades in his chat today. He says that the Mets once offered 19-year-old David Wright for Jose Cruz Jr., but J.P. Ricciardi said "I'm not trading a major league player for some guy in the (Low Class-A) Sally League." Klaw also mentions that the Jays had a chance to trade Cruz Jr. for Rafael Soriano, but wouldn't do it unless the Mariners kicked in Clint Nageotte as well. What could have been, Jays fans.
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Chicago Cubs Los Angeles Dodgers New York Mets Toronto Blue Jays David Wright Jose Cruz Jr. Manny Ramirez Rafael Soriano

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Braves Rumors: Soriano, Gonzalez, Hudson

By Tim Dierkes | October 22, 2009 at 8:54am CDT

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution talked to Braves GM Frank Wren yesterday.  Hot stove highlights:

  • Wren considers the Braves' biggest needs to be the bullpen and the offense.
  • O'Brien is certain the Braves won't try to re-sign both Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez.  O'Brien explains why it's in the Braves' best interest to stay tight-lipped about possible arbitration offers for any Type A or B free agents (Soriano and Gonzalez both project as Type As).
  • O'Brien guesses the Braves will try to work out a multiyear extension with Tim Hudson at less than $10MM per year.  Decisions on Hudson's $12MM mutual option within five days of the conclusion of the World Series.
  • Wren implied Martin Prado will enter Spring Training as the Braves' starting second baseman.  We talked earlier this month about Kelly Johnson as a trade candidate.
  • As you learned from Baseball America's Matt Eddy a week ago, righties Jorge Campillo, Buddy Carlyle, and Vladimir Nunez were granted free agency.  Wren says the Braves still need to make decisions on whether to attempt to re-sign any of them.
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Atlanta Braves Kelly Johnson Mike Gonzalez Rafael Soriano Tim Hudson

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Olney On Type A Free Agents

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | October 2, 2009 at 1:34pm CDT

ESPN.com's Buster Olney looks back to last winter when players like Juan Cruz saw their value tumble because the Elias rankings classified them as Type A free agents. Some players are good enough to qualify, but not tantalizing enough for teams to give up the high draft pick that Type A free agents cost if their teams offer arbitration. Olney quizzed a group of executives about this year's likely Type A free agents; here are the details you need to know:

  • Vladimir Guerrero makes $15MM this year, so Olney's execs doubt the Angels will offer arbitration.
  • The executives polled said the Braves seem likely to offer Mike Gonzalez arbitration. It may make sense for Gonzalez to accept, since teams may be reluctant to give up millions of dollars and picks when there are other good relievers available. It doesn't appear that the Braves will offer Rafael Soriano arbitration.
  • Four of the six execs Olney asked say the Cubs won't offer Rich Harden arbitration. He'd be in a position to command $10MM on a one-year deal. Is that such a huge risk for a big-market club like the Cubs to take? Harden has started 51 games since 2008 and could yield a top draft pick.
  • None of Olney's respondents expect the Astros to offer Miguel Tejada arbitration.
  • The execs are split on the Dodgers' plans for Orlando Hudson. The club is cost-conscious, but Hudson is still a talented player who could net the team a draft pick if he signs elsewhere.

Got it? You can find explanations of arbitration, free agent compensation and related terms in our hot stove glossary if it's still a little hazy.

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Atlanta Braves Chicago Cubs Houston Astros Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles Dodgers Miguel Tejada Mike Gonzalez Orlando Hudson Rafael Soriano Rich Harden Vladimir Guerrero

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Stark On Braves, Hardy, Uggla

By Tim Dierkes | September 24, 2009 at 1:24pm CDT

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.
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Atlanta Braves Houston Astros Miami Marlins Milwaukee Brewers St. Louis Cardinals Chone Figgins Cody Ross Dan Uggla J.J. Hardy Javier Vazquez Jorge Cantu Mark DeRosa Mike Gonzalez Rafael Soriano Tim Hudson

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Odds & Ends: Soriano, Reds, Diamondbacks

By Mike Axisa | September 12, 2009 at 6:49pm CDT

A couple more links for tonight…

  • Derrick Goold of The St. Louis Post Dispatch tweets that the Cardinals and Braves discussed closer Rafael Soriano earlier this year. We heard some rumblings of a Joe Mather for Soriano deal over the summer. 
  • MLB.com's Mark Sheldon wonders who should start in center field for the Reds next year – Chris Dickerson, Drew Stubbs, or Willy Taveras. Taveras is under contract for $4MM next year, plus Dusty loves his veterans, so he might get the job by default.
  • Steve Gilbert of MLB.com notes that the Diamondbacks and manager A.J. Hinch will wait until after the season to make any decisions about the coaching staff.
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Arizona Diamondbacks Atlanta Braves Cincinnati Reds St. Louis Cardinals Joe Mather Rafael Soriano Willy Taveras

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Braves Rumors: Escobar, Soriano, Payroll

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 15, 2009 at 9:00am CDT

David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution has the latest on the Braves. Here are the details:

  • They're taking calls from teams interested in Yunel Escobar.
  • There's nothing to the suggestion that the Braves could send Escobar and prospects to Oakland for Matt Holliday and Orlando Cabrera, especially since Escobar's much cheaper than Holliday and hitting about as well.
  • The Cardinals are interested in Escobar, but they wouldn't trade Ryan Ludwick.  
  • O'Brien hears that the Braves offered Rafael Soriano to the Cards for Joe Mather last winter but the Cards wouldn't make the move. 
  • Braves GM Frank Wren repeated that he doesn't want to move prospects and can't afford to add much payroll.  
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Atlanta Braves Oakland Athletics St. Louis Cardinals Joe Mather Matt Holliday Orlando Cabrera Rafael Soriano Ryan Ludwick Yunel Escobar

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Trade Candidates: Relievers

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | July 13, 2009 at 4:51pm CDT

Just about every team could improve its bullpen and some clubs, like the Marlins and Rockies, are working aggressively to add relievers. Here are some of the names to consider, ordered from highest 2009 salary to lowest.

  • Kerry Wood – He's been a disappointment in Cleveland, and the Indians owe him about $15MM before the end of next year, and possibly more in 2011.
  • Rafael Soriano – Could the Braves get creative and deal Soriano ($6.1MM) or Mike Gonzalez ( $3.5MM), who will also become a free agent this winter.
  • Danys Baez – At $5.5MM, he's an expensive option, but he could help a contender.
  • LaTroy Hawkins – He's been effective in 38 appearances for the Astros, who are still in contention and may hold onto Hawkins ($3.5MM) and fellow reliever Jose Valverde ($8MM).
  • Rafael Betancourt – He's still nowhere near as effective as he was in 2007, but Betancourt's pitched well enough this year; he'll make $3.35MM this season.  
  • Russ Springer – He's been hittable, but he can still strike major leaguers out. He makes $3.3MM this year.
  • George Sherrill – Affordable and effective, Sherrill ($2.75MM) is under team control through 2011.  
  • Chad Qualls – The D'Backs already traded Tony Pena, so they may be reluctant to part with Qualls, who makes $2.5MM this season.
  • John Grabow – Makes $2.3MM this year, before hitting free agency this winter. He's pitching well, but his control's been off this season.  
  • Matt Capps – Like Grabow, he makes $2.3MM this year, but Capps will likely hit free agency after 2012.
  • Juan Cruz – Still tough to hit, but not as effective as last year, Cruz makes $2.25MM this year and more in 2010.  
  • Joe Beimel – The 32-year-old lefty makes $2MM this year. He's pitched well, but not quite as well as his 3.57 ERA suggests.
  • Takashi Saito – A relative bargain at $1.5MM plus incentives, especially when you consider the affordable team option for next year.
  • Heath Bell – At an affordable $1.3MM, the All-Star closer would be appealing to many clubs, especially since he's under team control through 2011.
  • Cla Meredith – By far the cheapest option on this list at just $431k, he's had three respectable seasons in a row since his breakout 2006 campaign.  

The Twins, Angels, Rangers, Phillies, Rockies and Dodgers are among the teams that could make deals to improve their respective ‘pens.

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Uncategorized Chad Qualls Cla Meredith Danys Baez George Sherrill Heath Bell Joe Beimel John Grabow Juan Cruz Kerry Wood LaTroy Hawkins Matt Holliday Rafael Soriano Russ Springer Takashi Saito

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