Todd Wellemeyer Retires
Todd Wellemeyer has announced his retirement from baseball effective immediately, reports MLB.com's Carrie Muskat (on Twitter). He had signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal with the Cubs this past winter.
Wellemeyer, 32, had been slowed by a hip injury this spring, though he made his first start with the Cubs' Triple-A affiliate earlier this week (eight hit and four runs in 3 2/3 innings). He pitched for the Giants last season, but was released after posting a 5.68 ERA in 58 2/3 innings. Wellemeyer was originally drafted by the Cubs back in 2000, and retires with a 4.83 career ERA in parts of eight seasons with five teams. Baseball-Reference.com lists his career earnings at $7.67MM.
Cubs To Sign Todd Wellemeyer
Todd Wellemeyer is returning to the team that drafted and developed him. The Cubs signed Wellemeyer to a one-year, non-guaranteed deal, according to Bruce Levine of ESPNChicago.com. The right-hander can earn $800K, plus another $400K in incentives, Levine reports. Meister Sports Management represents Wellemeyer.
The Cubs drafted Wellemeyer in the fourth round of the 2000 draft and he showed some promise in the minor leagues, striking out more than a batter per inning and reaching the majors in his fourth pro season. He pitched for the Cubs from 2003-05 before they traded him to the Marlins.
Wellemeyer was a valuable starter for the 2008 Cardinals, but has struggled since. Last year, the 32-year-old pitched 58 2/3 innings for the Giants and posted a 5.68 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9. Another former Cardinal, Jeff Suppan, figures to replace Wellemeyer on the defending World Champions this year.
Poll: Best Remaining Free Agent Starting Pitcher
Pitchers and catchers are due to report in about three weeks, and by now all of the high-end free agents have come off the board. Heck, even second tier options have signed by now. That leaves just reclamation-type projects and players with considerable flaws, especially when it comes to pitching.
As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, starters like Kevin Millwood, Jeremy Bonderman, Freddy Garcia, Doug Davis, Rodrigo Lopez, Todd Wellemeyer and Brian Moehler remain unsigned. Andy Pettitte is clearly the best of the unsigned bunch, but it's the Yankees or retirement for him, and right now it looks like the latter is winning out. Neither Pedro Martinez, Braden Looper, or Jarrod Washburn have appeared in a big league game in over a year. John Maine, Justin Duchscherer and Jamie Moyer are coming off injuries, Tommy John surgery in Moyer's case.
There are still a number of teams looking for rotation help, including the Yankees, Orioles, Nationals, Pirates and Indians. Which of those unsigned starters represents the best option?
Who is the best unsigned starting pitcher?
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Justin Duchscherer 34% (6,483)
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Kevin Millwood 20% (3,791)
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Jeremy Bonderman 17% (3,134)
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Freddy Garcia 14% (2,672)
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John Maine 9% (1,684)
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Doug Davis 2% (428)
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Todd Wellemeyer 2% (321)
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Rodrigo Lopez 1% (255)
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Brian Moehler 1% (96)
Total votes: 18,864
Giants Release Todd Wellemeyer
AUGUST 17th: The Giants have asked for unconditional release waivers on Wellemeyer, tweets Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports.
AUGUST 9th: The Giants designated Todd Wellemeyer for assignment to make room for Emmanuel Burriss, according to the team (on Twitter). San Francisco activated Wellemeyer Thursday and he appeared in one game, but pitched poorly. The Braves picked up four hits and an earned run off of the right-hander before he could record an out yesterday.
The 31-year-old has a season ERA of 5.68 with 6.3 K/9 and 5.4 BB/9 in 58.2 innings. Wellemeyer was a fixture in the Giants rotation before a quadriceps injury sidelined him for much of June and all of July. He makes $1MM this year and hits free agency after the season. Last night's performance and his quad injury will likely limit interest in Wellemeyer.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Giants, Lo Duca, Stults
Tuesday night linkage..
- The Dodgers' ownership issue won't be resolved until the end of the season, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. The trial to determine the owner of the club will begin on August 30th.
- Sergio Santos – formerly a shortstop in the Diamondbacks organization – has made it to the major leagues as a pitcher for the White Sox, writes Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune.
- Todd Wellemeyer isn't sure that the Giants' rotation is better than the Cardinals starting five that he was a part of, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News. While it has yet to be announced, Wellemeyer will likely be crowned the fifth starter in San Francisco's rotation.
- Rockies catcher Paul Lo Duca will accept his reassignment to the minors, tweets Troy Renck of The Denver Post.
- Steve Dilbeck of the Los Angeles Times supports the Dodgers' sale of Eric Stults to the Hiroshima Carp. This year marked Stults' ninth with the organization.
- Dontrelle Willis is sad to see Nate Robertson go to Florida, writes Joe Capozzi of the Palm Beach Post. Willis' inclusion in Detroit's rotation was a big reason why the Tigers were able to part with Robertson.
Odds & Ends: Dodgers, Upton, Damon, White Sox
Sunday night linkage..
- Confidential documents in the McCourts' divorce hearing reveal that the Dodgers may seek to spend on players at level pace while doubling ticket prices and revenue through 2018, writes Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. This is bad news for Dodgers fans as the uncertain financial status of the club has limited their activity this winter.
- The Indians are keeping mum on their feelings about Edward Salcedo's reportedly impending deal with the Braves, writes Paul Hoynes of The Plain Dealer. Salcedo, according to a Dominican paper, was signed by the Tribe in 2007. The club denied this and word that the prospect lied about his age followed.
- Todd Wellemeyer is fighting for a spot with the Giants in Spring Training, writes Andrew Baggarly of the Mercury News. Wellemeyer had a disappointing 2009 for the Cardinals, posting a 5.89 ERA with 5.7 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.
- Even though the D-Backs find themselves with two starting-caliber catchers in Miguel Montero and Chris Snyder, GM Josh Byrnes won't try to trade the latter, writes Gilbert. Snyder was nearly dealt for Lyle Overbay in November before the Blue Jays got cold feet.
- Justin Upton has had discussions with the Diamondbacks regarding a contract extension, writes Steve Gilbert of MLB.com. The 22-year-old is under contractual control for four more years.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports writes that some Scott Boras detractors believe he sacrificed Johnny Damon for Matt Holliday. Some rival agents and club executives assert that the super-agent declined to negotiate with the Yankees regarding Damon early on, allowing the possibility that they could pursue Holliday. Boras scoffed at the notion when asked about it by Rosenthal.
- Jake Peavy would have liked to see Damon join the White Sox, writes Scott Merkin of MLB.com.
Giants Sign Todd Wellemeyer
The Giants signed Todd Wellemeyer to a minor league deal, reports Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com. Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports tweets that the deal will be worth at least $1MM if he makes the team, plus performance bonuses. The Giants had been named as the favorite by Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post on Friday.
Wellemeyer, 31, had a decent 2008 season for the Cardinals despite middling peripheral stats. A big innings jump in '08 may have contributed to an elbow injury last year. Wellemeyer's numbers worsened across the board in his '09 walk year, leading to a 5.89 ERA in 122.3 innings. Still, there's nothing to lose for the Giants by signing him to a minor league deal. The Rockies, Mets, Phillies, and D'Backs were also linked to Wellemeyer this winter.
Orioles Have Some Interest In Jarrod Washburn
The Orioles have some interest in Jarrod Washburn, according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports. However, Morosi's source says that Scott Boras would have to lower his client's price "pretty far" for the Orioles to become serious bidders for Washburn.
Rockies Unlikely To Sign Beimel Or Wellemeyer
The Rockies are not likely to re-sign Joe Beimel or add Todd Wellemeyer. Beimel tells Troy Renck of the Denver Post that he doesn't expect to re-sign with the Rockies, despite a successful stint with the team last year. The lefty, who didn't sign until March 18th last spring, says he's happy to wait for the right offer.
Mets, Rockies, Giants Interested In Wellemeyer
2:36pm: Troy Renck of The Denver Post says that the Giants are the favorite to land Wellemeyer, followed by the Rockies.
2:01pm: Todd Wellemeyer told the Team 1380 in St. Louis that he could sign with the Mets, Rockies or Giants. Tim McKernan of the Team tweets that Wellemeyer hasn't talked to the Cardinals and doesn't expect to return to St. Louis (Hat Tip: Bart Hubbuch).
MLBTR reported earlier this week that the Phillies and D'Backs expressed interest in Wellemeyer, along with the Rockies. The 31-year-old pitched to a 5.89 ERA in 122.1 innings last year, with sub-par rate stats: 5.7 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9.