AL Notes: Royals, Miller, Chavez, Napoli, Vizquel
Let's take a look at some items related to the Junior Circuit..
- A rival executive described the Royals' young talent as "an embarrassment of riches" to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
- Speaking of Kansas City, Jonah Keri of Fangraphs examines the one-year, $2.5MM deal given to Jeff Francoeur. Even though the deals given to Francoeur and fellow outfielder Melky Cabrera (one-year, $1.25MM) are puzzling for many reasons, Keri notes that the one-year deals don't block any of the club's prospects.
- The Red Sox are hopeful that Andrew Miller will resurrect his career after signing a minor league deal with the club this winter writes Brian MacPherson of The Providence Journal. According to Miller's agent, the lefty recieved big league offers from three other teams but preferred the BoSox.
- Two ex-Mariners, Endy Chavez and Brett Tomko, are looking to make it back to the majors with the Rangers, writes Kirby Arnold of The Daily Herald.
- Now in Texas, Mike Napoli says that he knew that the Angels would trade one of their talented catchers, writes T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com. The Halos had a glut at the position with Napoli, Jeff Mathis, Bobby Wilson, and Hank Conger waiting in the wings.
- White Sox veteran Omar Vizquel Is a reminder of what might have been for the M's, writes Tyler Kepner of the New York Times.
- The Pirates are likely still in search of two lefties out of the 'pen, writes Dejan Kovacevic of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.
Mariners Close To Signing James Paxton
The Mariners are close to signing James Paxton, their fourth round pick in the 2010 draft, according to ESPN.com’s Keith Law (on Twitter). The left-hander, formerly a top prospect, would provide the Mariners with another high-ceiling arm.
The Blue Jays selected Paxton 37th overall in the first round of the 2009 draft, but didn't sign him. Paxton spent the 2010 season with the Grand Prairie AirHogs of the independent American Association after the NCAA ruled that he wasn’t eligible to resume his college career at the University of Kentucky.
Though most draftees have to sign by the middle of August, the deadline doesn’t apply to college seniors or players drafted out of independent leagues.
Jody Gerut Retires
Mariners outfielder Jody Gerut announced his retirement today, saying that he was no longer into the game mentally and couldn't give it his all according to MyNorthwest.com's Shannon Drayer. "I didn't want to be a player that plays for only his paycheck," said Gerut according to MLB.com's Greg Johns (Twitter links).
Gerut, 33, originally broke in with the Indians back in 2003 after being a second round pick of the Rockies in 1998. He hit .279/.336/.494 with 22 homers and 33 doubles in 525 plate appearances as a rookie, but followed it up with a disappointing .252/.334/.405 season in 2004. Gerut bounced from the Indians to the Cubs to the Pirates before being out of the game completely in 2006 and 2007.
After signing a minor league contract with the Padres in 2008, Gerut resurfaced with a .296/.351/.494 season. He also spent time with the Brewers and is a career .262/.325/.433 hitter with 59 homers in just under 2,000 plate appearances. Gerut hit for the cycle last May, and he also hit the first homerun in CitiField history (as the game's first batter). Baseball-Reference.com has his career earnings at just over $5.1MM.
West Notes: Dodgers, Ludwick, Mariners
On this day in 1957, Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley announced that his team could play as many as 10 exhibition games in California in 1958. It ended up being a bit of a lengthier stay, as the Dodgers left Brooklyn for Los Angeles following the 1957 season. Just like O'Malley, we're looking to the west coast (or at least the western divisions) for these news items…
- If the Dodgers aren't satisifed with their Jay Gibbons/Tony Gwynn Jr./Marcus Thames platoon in left field, ESPN.com's Jason A. Churchill lists some of the left fielders that could be available in a trade. Of the five players on Churchill's list, only Carlos Quentin would seem to be an everyday option, but if he's playing well enough to attract the Dodgers' attention, it's unlikely the White Sox would want to move him anyway.
- Ryan Ludwick tells Dan Hayes of the North County Times that the two months that followed his trade to the Padres last season were the "worst two months of my big league career." Ludwick hit just .211/.301/.330 in 239 plate appearances in San Diego last year and admitted he struggled with the pressure of trying to take the Padres to the postseason.
- The Mariners are likely to keep Dustin Ackley and Michael Pineda in the minors until at least June, writes Geoff Baker of the Seattle Times. Both players "have areas of their games that could use further AAA development," but Baker also figures the Mariners want to avoid having either of their prospects qualify for Super Two status.
- Angels right-hander Rich Thompson seemed to turn a corner last season, but since the Australian is out of options, ESPNLosAngeles.com's Mark Saxon says the Halos could lose Thompson unless he makes the team.
- Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers has acquired six players (Henry Blanco, Geoff Blum, Russell Branyan, Sean Burroughs, Xavier Nady and Brian Sweeney) this offseason that played for the Padres when Towers was that club's general manager, writes Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com. "These are character guys, veterans that I knew would have a strong presence in our clubhouse," Towers said. "I knew what their intangibles are, which I thought was important….When you have history with individuals, you know what they're about as well."
- The Rangers have invited Yhency Brazoban to their Major League Spring Training camp, reports Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News. Brazoban signed a minor league deal with Texas in December that didn't include an invite to the team's big league camp.
Quick Hits: Bautista, Chapman, Mariners, Marlins
Some news items to wrap up the evening….
- In regards to the Blue Jays and Jose Bautista pushing back their arbitration hearing, a source tells FOXSports.com's Jon Paul Morosi (Twitter link) that when hearings are delayed, it "frequently" means a long-term deal is on the way.
- Reds pitching coach Bryan Price confirms that Aroldis Chapman will pitch relief for Cincinnati this season, reports Fanhouse's John Hickey. The Reds' rotation is deep enough that they "don't have to push Chapman," Price said. "We don't need to stockpile innings on him at this stage of his career…But down the road will he start? I think he will."
- The Mariners announced that Ken Griffey Jr. will be a special consultant for the club, according to the team's Twitter feed. MLB.com's Greg Johns outlines some of the tasks Griffey will perform in his new position.
- Chris Ray tells Greg Johns that he turned down a Major League offer from another club to sign a minor league deal with the Mariners since Ray will get a chance to close or at least set up games in Seattle. "It doesn't really mean a whole lot if it's a one-year contract [elsewhere] and I'm a free agent again next year if I'm pitching basically the scrap innings," Johns said. "That's not something that will help me out in the future. From this point forward, I want to be the guy who goes in late in the ballgame."
- Jeffrey Loria thinks the Marlins are a playoff-caliber team, writes Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. Loria also hinted that Florida's payroll will rise next year when the Fish move into their new Miami stadium.
- Jorge Posada said "it wouldn't surprise" him if Andy Pettitte pitched again, reports Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News.
Quick Hits: Johnson, Dodgers, Aardsma, Padres
Sunday night linkage..
- Kelly Johnson's arbitration hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, Diamondbacks GM Kevin Towers told MLB.com's Steve Gilbert.
- Dodgers owner Frank McCourt needs to be more open and direct about his financial troubles, writes T.J. Simers of the Los Angeles Times.
- Before suffering a hip injury, Mariners pitcher David Aardsma was a major trade candidate. After undergoing surgery in December, the hurler is still unsure of when he'll be able to return, writes Larry LaRue of The News Tribune.
- Recent trades have weakened the Padres bullpen, says Bill Center of the Union-Tribune.
Mariners Interested In Chad Durbin
With David Aardsma's availability for the start of the season up in the air, the Mariners are exploring ways to shore up their bullpen. Having already signed Manny Delcarmen this week, Seattle is also interested in Chad Durbin, according to Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports.
While Durbin would prefer to pitch for a team that projects as a stronger playoff contender, most of the offers he has received are from teams unlikely to contend, according to the FOX report. The Twins are one contender who could use some bullpen help, but Rosenthal's and Morosi's sources say Minnesota isn't looking at Durbin.
As MLBTR's Free Agent Tracker shows, the 33-year-old right-hander is one of the more appealing bullpen arms remaining on the market, with most free agents having already signed.
Quick Hits: Drese, Johnson, Delcarmen, Reyes
Eleven year ago today, the Ken Griffey Jr. era came to an end in Seattle. The Mariners traded their franchise player to the Reds for a four player package highlighted by Mike Cameron and Brett Tomko, and later that day Junior signed a nine-year, $116.5MM contract.
Here's a few links for the evening…
- Remember Ryan Drese? He signed with the Orioles according to this week's edition of minor league transactions, courtesy of Matt Eddy of Baseball America. Drese, a 14-game winner with the Rangers in 2004, last pitched in the big leagues in 2006. He spent last year in the independent Atlantic League.
- Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic hears that Kelly Johnson's arbitration hearing is scheduled for Tuesday in Phoenix. Our Arbitration Tracker shows that Johnson filed for $6.5MM, and the team countered with $4.7MM.
- Diamondbacks president and CEO Derrick Hall chatted with fans at MLB.com today, and said he believes "the roster is set for the most part."
- WEEI.com's Alex Speier spoke to Manny Delcarmen's agent, who confirmed that his client had a Major League contract offer from a NL club, but choose the Mariners because of opportunity.
- MLB.com's Spencer Fordin spoke to Jose Reyes at a charity event today, and the shortstop said he's not thinking about his contract right now. Reyes can become a free agent for the first time after 2011.
Mariners Sign Manny Delcarmen
The Mariners signed Manny Delcarmen to a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training according to the team. He is represented by Jim Masteralexis and can remain under Seattle's control as arbitration eligible player in 2012.
Delcarmen, 29 later this month, posted a 4.99 ERA, 6.5 K/9, 5.5 BB/9, 1.4 HR/9, and 45.0% groundball rate for the Red Sox and Rockies in 2010. He battled back soreness and spent two weeks on the disabled list with a forearm strain, the first DL stint of his career. The Mariners will undoubtedly hope he turns back into the Delcarmen of old, the guy that struck out 8.6 batters per nine innings while walking just 3.4 per nine with impressive ground ball rates in 2007 and 2008.
The Rockies chose not to tender Delcarmen a contract in December after he earned $905K in 2010, prompting several clubs (including the Rays) to show interest in him this winter.
Cardinals, Mariners To Sign International Prospects
The Cardinals and Mariners moved closer to six-figure deals with international prospects today. The Cardinals got approval from MLB for their deal with Venezuelan prospect Leobaldo Pina, according to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch (on Twitter). The shortstop will receive a bonus worth $300K or so.
You may not have heard of Gabriel Guerrero, but you've heard of his uncle. The Mariners signed Vladimir Guerrero's nephew for $400K, according to Ben Badler of Baseball America. The 17-year-old Dominican is a "big-bodied right-handed hitter" with raw power. Badler writes that the prospect projects as a corner outfielder with a solid arm, just like Vlad.