Lots Of Arb Cases For Angels, Jays, Giants, Padres
The Angels and Blue Jays have more upcoming arbitration cases than any other major league teams. Toronto and Los Angeles both have eight remaining arbitration eligible players, one more than the Giants, Padres and Rockies, who lead the National League with six apiece.
Teams and arbitration eligible players file for arbitration early next month in the first part of the process that determines players' 2011 salaries. If teams and players don't reach an agreement by January 18th, they exchange salary figures. If the sides don't reach a deal by the end of the month, they schedule a February hearing that would take place in front of a panel of arbitrators who decide between the player's pitch and the team's.
The Blue Jays avoided arbitration with their eligible players last offseason, the team's first under GM Alex Anthopoulos. The organization has avoided arbitration hearings for 13 consecutive offseasons, so it wouldn't be a surprise to see the team settle with Jose Bautista, Shawn Camp, Rajai Davis, Yunel Escobar, Casey Janssen, Jesse Litsch, Carlos Villanueva and Brandon Morrow.
The Angels have as many arbitration eligible players; the club faces potential hearings with Erick Aybar, Alberto Callaspo, Howie Kendrick, Jeff Mathis, Kendry Morales, Mike Napoli, Jered Weaver and Reggie Willits.
Most teams have 3-5 arbitration eligible players, but the Red Sox, Phillies and Pirates have just two. Kyle McClellan is the Cardinals' lone remaining arbitration eligible player.
Be sure to keep track of every arbitration case using MLBTR's new Arb Tracker, which you can find under the Tools tab at the top of the site.
Unfinished Business: NL West
We've covered the NL East and Central. Now it's time to examine the remaining unfinished business for NL West clubs.
- Diamondbacks: None. New GM Kevin Towers suggested eleven days ago that the signings of Xavier Nady and Henry Blanco might be his last of the offseason. Check out our Transaction Tracker for a look at Towers' winter.
- Rockies: Starting pitching depth, lefty reliever, Carlos Gonzalez extension. Having added Matt Lindstrom recently, the Rockies' major changes may be done. They may be minor league deals, but it appears GM Dan O'Dowd could add extra starting pitching depth with a Bartolo Colon or Josh Fogg type. They were also thinking about re-signing lefty reliever Joe Beimel earlier this month, though Troy Renck suggests they might stick with internal options. Extending CarGo this winter appears unlikely.
- Dodgers: Right-handed hitting left fielder. At last check the Dodgers had interest in Marcus Thames and the Hairston brothers, who are still free agents. But GM Ned Colletti told Ken Gurnick there's a chance he'll go into spring training with his current group of internal candidates. The Dodgers could also try to do a multiyear deal with Chad Billingsley.
- Padres: Backup infielder. They had plenty of needs, but Jed Hoyer appears to have addressed most of them once the Brad Hawpe deal becomes official. They could sit back and try to snag a bargain middle infielder on the free agent market.
- Giants: Backup shortstop, sixth starter. The Giants haven't ruled out Edgar Renteria, who doesn't have experience beyond shortstop. It was 20 days ago that John Shea linked them to Orlando Cabrera, Ramon Santiago, and sixth starters as well.
Giants To Sign Guillermo Mota
The Giants have agreed to sign Guillermo Mota to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, tweets Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. The Dodgers and Rays were also considered finalists for his services.
Mota, 37, appeared in 56 games for the World Champion Giants in 2010, pitching to a 4.33 ERA with 6.3 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9. He then chipped in another 2.1 scoreless innings in the postseason. According to PitchFX, he was still flirting with the mid-90's with his fastball.
Renteria: Giants’ Offer Showed “A Lack Of Respect”
FRIDAY,7:49pm: Giants assistant GM Bobby Evans says that the club is still looking at all options for a backup shortstop, which means that they haven't given up on retaining Renteria, writes Shea. However, Evans says that there is a major inconsistency between what the veteran said yesterday and what his agent is saying today:
"Something doesn't add up when you read Renteria's quotes and yet the agent insists that Edgar has no problem with the Giants," the assistant GM said.
7:34pm: Edgar Renteria's agent, Barry Meister, says that his client still has interest in returning to San Francisco, tweets John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle.
THURSDAY, December 16th: Renteria didn't care for the Giants' recent $1MM contract offer, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes. "That offer from the Giants was a lack of respect. A total disrespect," said Renteria. "To play for a million dollars, I'd rather stay with my private business and share more time with my family. Thank God I'm well off financially and my money is well invested."
Renteria had expressed his desire to retire as a Cardinal or a Marlin but there were signs that he would probably be back with the Giants next season, though this is now in doubt given Renteria's apparent disdain for their proposal. As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith pointed out, San Francisco already has several infield options on the roster and doesn't really need Renteria, so the Giants' $1MM contract might well be their final offer.
This rift between Renteria and the Giants could be good news for the Marlins, who may be interested in the reigning World Series MVP themselves. Renteria told Rojas he had received at least one other offer from another team, but this offer also wasn't to his liking.
Giants, Cubs Discussed Rowand-Fukudome Swap
The Giants and Cubs discussed a trade that would have sent Kosuke Fukudome to San Francisco for Aaron Rowand, according to ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick (all Twitter links). The bad contract swap appears to be a "long shot," however. If they can't trade Rowand, the Giants may listen to offers for Nate Schierholtz, according to Crasnick.
Cubs GM Jim Hendry pulled off a successful bad contract swap last offseason when he sent Milton Bradley to Seattle for Carlos Silva. Pulling off another such trade will be tricky, though. Rowand will earn $24MM through 2012 and Fukudome will become a free agent after earning $13.5MM in 2011, so the contracts are not perfect matches. Rowand has a limited no-trade clause and Fukudome has no-trade protection, so a potential deal could require the players' approval.
Dodgers, Giants, Rays Finalists For Guillermo Mota
Guillermo Mota has been offered minor league contracts from five clubs and the "finalists" for his services are the Dodgers, Giants and Rays, reports Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes (Twitter link). Mota, 37, signed a $750K minor league deal with San Francisco last winter, but it paid off in the form of his first World Series ring. Mota posted a 4.33 ERA in 56 relief appearances last season, including 2 1/3 scoreless innings in the Fall Classic.
The well-traveled Mota has pitched for seven teams in his 12-year career, and it would be his third stint in Dodger blue if he were to sign with Los Angeles. The Rays have already added one veteran reliever today in Joel Peralta, but have a clear need for more bullpen help given how many of their 2010 relievers are testing the free agent waters.
Odds & Ends: Pavano, Red Sox, McCarthy, Lawrie
More links for Monday night, as we wonder when and where Cliff Lee will sign…
- Lee's not the only player nearing a decision. Mychael Urban of CSNBayArea.com hears that Edgar Renteria is close to a decision and leaning toward retuning to the Giants (Twitter link). The World Series MVP has a $1MM offer to return to San Francisco.
- The Brewers have not offered Carl Pavano a formal contract yet, GM Doug Melvin told Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
- Bill James told the Red Sox he expects Carl Crawford to age well, according to Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com. James found that players like Crawford, who can play the outfield, get on base and hit for some power, often produce late in their careers.
- Brandon McCarthy, who agreed to a deal with the A's today, says the Mariners expressed interest in him until they signed Erik Bedard, according to MLB.com's Greg Johns (on Twitter).
- The Royals had interest in infield prospect Brett Lawrie before the Blue Jays acquired him from the Brewers, according to Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun (on Twitter).
- MLB executives told Jayson Stark of ESPN.com that the Phillies could trade Joe Blanton if they agree to eat half of the $17MM remaining on his contract through 2012 (Twitter link). The Phillies are considering moving Blanton to create space for Lee.
Giants Offer $1MM Contract To Edgar Renteria
The Giants have offered Edgar Renteria a contract in the "Pat Burrell range" of one year for $1MM, reports John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle. If Renteria really does have two other options on the table, San Francisco will probably have to bump its offer up a bit, despite the mutual interest between the Giants and their 2010 World Series MVP.
As MLBTR's Ben Nicholson-Smith pointed out in the previous linked article, the Giants already have a pretty crowded infield, though Renteria could find playing time given how none of those infielders (except Freddy Sanchez) played well enough in 2010 to have firm claims on starting jobs next year. Renteria himself, of course, hit just .276/.332/.374 in 267 regular season plate appearances before catching fire in the World Series. Whereas Burrell literally took a hometown discount, Renteria could accept the smaller contract to remain with the team that has already brought him one championship ring and should contend again in 2011.
Damon Would Play In Boston; Giants Not Interested
Johnny Damon told Lou Merloni of WEEI.com that he would love to play in Boston again. He vetoed a trade that would have sent him from Detroit to Boston this summer, but he says things are different now that he's a free agent.
“Obviously, I’d love to return to Boston,” he said. “I loved playing there, and I think it would be a perfect fit, with the chance to win again. I know I could do that in Boston.”
Agent Scott Boras says he'll call the Giants about Damon and Rick Ankiel, but a Giants source tells John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle that the team isn't interested in either player. Though he's previously expressed interest in the Rays and Yankees, Damon would play on the West Coast, according to Boras.
Strong Interest In Andrew Miller
3:25pm: The Giants and Red Sox are competing for Miller, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe (on Twitter).
WEDNESDAY, 3:00pm: Miller met with four teams yesterday and is still fielding offers, according to Gordon Edes of ESPNBoston (Twitter links). The Red Sox are engaged with Hideki Okajima and Miller and the team would like to re-sign Miller.
TUESDAY, 11:11am: Miller will be at the Winter Meetings in person this afternoon to meet with teams, including the Red Sox, tweets ESPN's Gordon Edes.
4:24am: Cliff Lee isn't the only lefty free agent represented by Darek Braunecker, but I think it's safe to say that Braunecker's other client, Andrew Miller, won't be receiving the same types of offers as the 2008 AL Cy Young winner.
Still, Peter Abraham and Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe relay some information from Braunecker, stating that "a lot" of clubs are interested in Miller, the former #6 overall pick in the draft. Boston would like Miller back on a reasonable deal, but it sounds like they'll have some competition.
The Red Sox flipped Dustin Richardson for Miller last month, but then decided not to tender the 25-year-old Miller a contract due to concerns over what kind of salary he'd command in arbitration. Miller became a free agent, and understandably, several clubs would like to get their hands on a player who was drafted sixth overall and once rated the game's #10 prospect by Baseball America.
The 6'7" southpaw was rushed to the Majors to say the least, when the Tigers called him up on August 30, 2006, just months after he was drafted. The hope was that the projected strikeout machine would help solidify their stretch run out of the bullpen. Miller struggled, but the assumption was that he'd be a solid contributor in the near future.
That looked to be the case, as Miller pitched very well across three minor league levels in 2007 before being called up to once again struggle in the Majors, this time in 13 starts. Still, as a 22-year-old, expectations were high. They were so high, in fact, that he became one of the centerpieces (along with Cameron Maybin) to the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from Florida to Detroit.
Miller's command struggles continued with the Marlins though, and his fastball velocity continued to drop. In November 2010, the Marlins flipped him to Boston for Richardson, a pitcher who was drafted 157 picks after Miller in the same 2006 draft and has just 16 1/3 Major League innings to his name. Not what Florida was hoping for.
Miller won't turn 26 until late next May though, and that leaves plenty of time for him to put it together. As it wouldn't take more than a minimal investment, many teams have contacted Braunecker. It's not as if high upside, left-handed pitchers grow on trees, after all. Miller may never become the front-line starter he was once projected to be, but that pedigree can certainly provide him with a number of suitors to choose from.