Benson Works Out In Front Of Nine Teams
Free agent right-hander Kris Benson worked out Saturday for nine teams and demonstrated that he should be ready to compete for a job in Spring Training, MLB.com reports.
Agent Gregg Clifton said the throwing session “went well, and he showed teams that he’s ahead of schedule in getting ready for the ’09 season.”
The article only lists the Rockies as being there, though it does note that nine teams were in attendance. This post lists the Dodgers, Rangers, Padres, Diamondbacks, Indians and Cardinals as teams that planned to attend.
Benson, 34, missed the 2007 season because of surgery on his right shoulder. He spent last season in the minors with the Phillies. He is 68-73 with a 4.34 ERA in 195 career starts.
Ben Sheets Rumors: Monday
6:38pm: T.R. Sullivan believes that now the New York Yankees have signed Andy Pettitte, Ben Sheets’ options are closing up.
“Anytime somebody signs another starting pitcher, that obviously lessens the competition,” Rangers president Nolan Ryan told Sullivan. “Obviously, Andy and Ben are at two different points in their careers, but I don’t think Andy signing hurts anything.”
Sullivan notes that the Rangers are the only team that has publicly stated interest in Sheets, but the process continues to move slowly. The Rangers are reluctant to offer a multiyear contract. Sheets wants at least a two-year deal while the Rangers are looking one year with a possible club option.
11:26am: The latest on the Rangers and Ben Sheets comes via a T.R. Sullivan report from yesterday afternoon. Sullivan wrote:
The Rangers remain deeply concerned about the medical reports. Sheets’ agent, Casey Close, is looking for a multi-year contract. The Rangers would prefer just a one-year deal, possibly with an option. The two sides have discussed financial parameters, but there hasn’t been an official offer from either side. Close would like to get other teams involved, most notably the two in New York.
If there’s another team infatuated with Sheets, it hasn’t leaked to the media yet. As Sullivan wrote, the Mets are focused on Oliver Perez. The Yankees are in serious talks with Andy Pettitte. The Dodgers are looking elsewhere, and the Orioles "just don’t seem interested." Doug Melvin won’t rule Sheets out for the Brewers but does not expect to re-sign him.
Who else needs pitching and can afford Sheets? We can’t rule out the A’s or Cardinals. The Pirates and D’Backs seem to be budgeting less than Sheets wants.
Rangers Close To Signing Marlon Byrd
According to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan, the Rangers are close to avoiding arbitration with outfielder Marlon Byrd by signing him for ’09. He submitted a $3.6MM figure while the Rangers submitted $2.7MM.
Cafardo’s Latest: Crede, Gagne, Rangers, Brewers
Some quick notes from Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe:
- The Twins and Giants will be monitoring Joe Crede‘s workouts in Arizona next week. Both teams have had ongoing interest this month.
- The Twins and Rangers are continuing to seriously consider Eric Gagne.
- Cafardo notes the growing sentiment among middle-market teams that patience could land an all star caliber player for a "low-risk one-year deal."
- Milwaukee would prefer to save and make a "Sabathia-like" deadline deal rather than spend now.
- Adam Melhuse signing with Texas could be a signal that Taylor Teagarden or Jarrod Saltalamacchia are en route to the Red Sox. Cafardo cautions that’s probably not the case since the Rangers have not come down on their asking price of Clay Buchholz.
- Watch for the Cubs to reengage the Padres and Jake Peavy now that they have found an owner in billionaire Tom Ricketts.
Padres, Nats Interested In Ohman
According to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick the Nationals and Padres are among the teams interested in Will Ohman. Both teams are "bottom fishing," and are considered secondary options for the lefty reliever.
Ohman hoped for a deal similar to the ones signed by Jeremy Affeldt ($8MM, two years) and Damaso Marte ($12MM, three years). He’s generated lots of interest and has a new contract offer from an unnamed team.
Crasnick mentions the Dodgers and Mets as potential suitors for Ohman, and the D’Backs, Orioles, Rangers, Indians, Rays and Braves have all reportedly had interest in him.
New Medical Report Reassures Sheets’ Suitors?
SI.com’s Jon Heyman has heard from MLB executives that a new record of Ben Sheets‘ medical history "may have sparked some renewed interest in the talented pitcher."
Sheets provided teams with updated information about his health. Heyman learned that previous health reports were not "debilitating," but they had issues. The Rangers, Mets and Brewers are presumably among the teams currently looking over the new information.
Odds and Ends: Fogg, Jays, Red Sox, White Sox
Links for Friday…
- Corey Brock talked to agent Barry Axelrod about the slow-moving free agent market.
- The D’Backs still have Will Ohman and Joe Beimel on the radar, but Nick Piecoro believes they’d like to add a starter first.
- Red Sox president/CEO Larry Lucchino doesn’t want the team’s dealings with Scott Boras for Mark Teixeira to affect other negotiations.
- Josh Fogg hopes to sign soon; possibilities may include the Rockies, Orioles, and Nationals.
- The Blue Jays are currently in talks with a Japanese pitcher.
- Nolan Ryan comments on the free agent market.
- Ed Wade explains his approach to waivers.
- Tony Massarotti projects an Opening Day payroll around $135MM for the Red Sox. Michael Silverman examines Boston’s options behind the plate.
- South Side Sox have the White Sox around $100MM for their Opening Day payroll.
- RotoAuthority lists the hitters projected to earn at least $10 in fantasy value in 2009.
Ben Sheets Visits With Rangers
According to Ken Rosenthal, Ben Sheets and his agent spent yesterday visiting with the Rangers in Arlington. Nolan Ryan, Jon Daniels, Ron Washington, and Mike Maddux were in attendance. Daniels would not comment on whether the Rangers made an offer. The Sheets market has been surprisingly slow this winter, with the Mets dabbling and the Brewers not ruling him out.
The Brewers were hoping to receive a first-round pick as part of the compensation for Sheets, but the Rangers’ #14 pick is protected and the Mets’ first-rounder will stay with the Angels for Francisco Rodriguez. Theoretically the Dodgers could jump in (they have the #17 pick) but they are said to have the "inside track" on signing Randy Wolf and haven’t been linked to Sheets.
Rosenthal On Perez, Manny, Pirates
Another new column from the hard-working Ken Rosenthal.
- Rosenthal doesn’t believe that the market for Oliver Perez is limited to the Mets; it’s more that they’re the only interested team we know about. Two teams we can cross off are the Rangers and Cubs. The Mets want to do three years for Perez while Scott Boras wants five. The Mets’ plan is to sign one of Perez, Randy Wolf, or Ben Sheets and then add a cheaper arm like Freddy Garcia.
- Rosenthal believes the Giants could justify signing Manny Ramirez as an attempt to "max out" while they still have Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum (they have Cain through 2011, Lincecum through 2013).
- Rosenthal notes that free agents who accept offers of arbitration do not have guaranteed contracts. However, players such as Orlando Cabrera and Jason Varitek would’ve had to be released for clear baseball reasons, not to save money. Otherwise the teams would be in hot water with the Players Association.
- Rosenthal notes that Scott Boras has worked out two-year deals covering arbitration years for past clients such as Matt Holliday and Mark Teixeira, so the current Prince Fielder talks don’t signify a change.
- The Pirates have no need to shed payroll.
Vizquel, Melhuse Sign With Rangers
8:29pm: T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com is reporting that the Rangers have also signed catcher Adam Melhuse to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.
6:19pm: Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram reports that the Rangers have signed Omar Vizquel to a minor league contract.
Vizquel, 41, hit .222/.283/.267 with 23 RBI in 92 games for the Giants last season. He will be invited to spring training and given a chance to make the roster as a utility infielder and backup to rookie shortstop Elvis Andrus.