Moss, Rosenthal Avoid Arbitration With Cardinals
12:43pm: The Cardinals have also avoided arbitration with Rosenthal, who agreed to terms on a $5.6MM deal, tweets Yahoo’s Jeff Passan. That’s an enormous sum for any first-time player, even if falls short of his projection from Swartz.
Rosenthal racked up 48 saves last season and worked to a brilliant 2.10 ERA, averaging 10.9 strikeouts and 3.3 walks per nine innings pitched along the way. With a $5.6MM base established in his first time through the arbitration process, Rosenthal will be poised to see that number expand considerably in the coming two offseasons before hitting the open market following the 2017 season.
10:39am: The Cardinals and first baseman Brandon Moss have agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth $8.25MM in order to avoid an arbitration hearing, according to Jon Heyman (on Twitter). That figure exceeds his projected salary of $7.9MM (courtesy of MLBTR’s Matt Swartz) by about four percent. Moss is represented by ACES.
St. Louis added Moss in a trade that sent left-handed pitching prospect Rob Kaminsky to the Indians this past summer. In 151 plate appearances with the Cardinals, Moss batted .250/.344/.409, bringing his overall season batting line to .226/.304/.407. While that’s far from the production that Moss showed for much of his time in Oakland (where he played for three years prior to Cleveland), it should be noted that Moss underwent a major surgical procedure on his hip following the 2014 season and may have felt some lingering effects of that operation throughout the ’15 campaign. Overall, Moss was quite productive with Oakland, batting .254/.340/.504. and the Cardinals will hope his power levels trend back up toward those heights in what will be Moss’ final season before free agency. Per recent reports out of St. Louis, he’s expected to get the first chance to establish himself as the team’s regular first baseman in 2016.
With Moss’ deal agreed upon, the Cardinals still have to work out agreements with Trevor Rosenthal, Matt Adams and Seth Maness, as shown in MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker.
Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Chris Tillman, Manny Machado
The Orioles have avoided arbitration with right-hander Chris Tillman by agreeing to a one-year deal worth $6.225MM, tweets Jon Heyman. Tillman is represented by the Beverly Hills Sports Council. Additionally, Eduardo A. Encina of the Baltimore Sun hears that Manny Machado has avoided arbitration with a one-year deal worth $5MM, plus incentives (Twitter link). And, MASNsports.com’s Roch Kubatko tweets that Ryan Flaherty has agreed to a $1.5MM salary with the O’s. The Tillman and Flaherty figures are in line with the projections of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz, who pegged them at respective salaries of $6.2MM and $1.5MM. Machado comes up shy of his $5.9MM projection but still earns a huge raise over last year’s $548K salary.
Tillman, 27, took a step back in 2015, posting a 4.99 ERA with 6.2 K/9 against 3.3 BB/9 in 173 innings after having worked to a 3.52 ERA in the two seasons prior. He’ll hope for a rebound year as he sits two years away from free agency.
Machado, 23, broke out with an MVP-caliber season in 2015, hitting .286/.359/.502 with 35 home runs in 713 plate appearances to go along with elite defense at third base. Machado is controllable through the 2018 season and should prove to be among the elite ranks of third basemen throughout the league in the years to come.
Flaherty, 29, batted just .201/.281/.356 last season but will reprise his role as a utility bat with some pop. Though he’s a career .215 hitter, Flaherty does have 32 homers and a .150 ISO throughout his MLB career.
Padres Avoid Arbitration With Andrew Cashner, Tyson Ross
12:13pm: The Padres also announced that they’ve avoided arbitration with Ross, who, according to MLB.com’s Corey Brock, will earn $9.625MM in 2016 (Twitter link). That comes in a bit shy of Ross’ $10MM projection, although as Swartz outlined in an Arbitration Breakdown post specifically examining Ross’ case, there was reason to believe that the projection model could be a bit aggressive, and something between $9.15MM and $9.7MM might be more appropriate, based on historical comparables.
Ross, 28, recorded a strong 3.26 ERA with 9.7 K/9 and 3.9 BB/9 in 196 innings for the Padres last season. The Wasserman Media Group client will be arbitration eligible one more time next winter before reaching the open market following the 2017 season.
11:23am: The Padres and right-hander Andrew Cashner have avoided arbitration, according to a club announcement. Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports (via Twitter) that Cashner, a client of CAA Sports, will earn $7.15MM in 2016 — his final trip through the arbitration cycle before qualifying for free agency. MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz had pegged Cashner for a $7MM salary in 2016, so he’ll top that projection by about two percent.
Cashner, 29, recorded a 4.34 ERA with 8.0 K/9, 3.2 BB/9 and a 47.4 percent ground-ball rate across 184 2/3 innings with the Padres last season. Cashner was a fairly well-regarded pitching prospect when rising through the Cubs’ ranks and has emerged as a solid starter with the Friars, even if injuries have limited his value somewhat. This past season’s relatively high ERA notwithstanding, Cashner has been effective over the past three years, totaling a 3.43 ERA in 483 innings with the Padres. If he can replicate that ERA and remain healthy over the course of a full season, he’ll enter next season’s thin market of starting pitching as one of the more desirable arms available.
With Cashner’s agreement in place, the Padres have just one case remaining — that of staff ace Tyson Ross — as shown in MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker. Ross is projected to earn $10MM next season.
Blue Jays, Drew Storen Avoid Arbitration
The Blue Jays and newly acquired closer Drew Storen have agreed to terms on a one-year, $8.375MM contract, thereby avoiding arbitration, according to Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet (Twitter link). Toronto picked up Storen, a CAA client, in a swap that sent Ben Revere to the Nationals. His salary is a little less than five percent shy of MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz’s projection.
Storen, 28, should anchor the Toronto bullpen this season — his final year before becoming eligible for free agency. The former first-round pick spent much of the 2015 season as Washington’s closer but accepted a demotion to a setup role when the team acquired Jonathan Papelbon. Storen recorded a 3.44 ERA with 11.0 K/9 and 2.4 BB/9 with 29 saves in 55 innings in his final year with the Nationals.
Phillies Avoid Arbitration With Jeremy Hellickson
The Phillies and right-hander Jeremy Hellickson have avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal that will pay the offseason trade acquisition an even $7MM in 2016, reports Jim Salisbury of CSNPhilly.com (via Twitter). The Scott Boras client will top his $6.6MM projection (via MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz) by about six percent in his final trip through the arbitration process. Hellickson, 29 in April, is eligible for free agency next winter.
The D-backs acquired Hellickson in a trade with the Rays last offseason with the hope that he could return to the levels that saw him win the AL Rookie of the Year Award back in 2011 at the age of 24. However, while Hellickson remained healthier than he was in 2014, his overall results weren’t what the D-backs had envisioned. The right-hander posted a 4.62 ERA with 7.5 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and a 42.4 percent ground-ball rate in his lone season with Arizona.
Philadelphia will, like the D-backs last offseason, take on Hellickson hoping that he can return to form but knowing that even if that scenario doesn’t play out, he’ll eat some innings for a young and inexperienced staff that could use some veteran depth. The price tag on Hellickson, financially speaking, might be a bit steeper than simply signing a veteran innings eater on the free-agent market — Philadelphia paid Aaron Harang $5MM last season, for instance — but Hellickson comes with more upside than many veteran innings eaters that might come with a lower cost. If he performs well this year, Hellickson could conceivably emerge as a July trade chip and net a useful piece for the Phillies’ future.
With Hellickson’s agreement reportedly in place, the Phillies have now avoided arbitration with all of their eligible players, as MLBTR’s Arbitration Tracker shows. The Phillies came to terms with Jeanmar Gomez and Freddy Galvis over the past two days as well, while Peter Bourjos settled his case last month.
Rays, Logan Forsythe Agree To Two-Year Deal
The Rays and second baseman Logan Forsythe are in agreement on a two-year contract that contains a club option for a third season, reports Jon Heyman (links to Twitter). Forsythe will receive a $2.5MM signing bonus and earn just $1MM in 2016 before earning $5.75MM in 2017. The 2018 club option is for $8.5MM and comes with a $1MM buyout, he adds, also tweeting that Forsythe’s option can escalate in $500K increments, up to $2.5MM based on plate appearances. That would bring the maximum value of the deal to $20.25MM over three years.
Forsythe, a client of PSI Sports Management, was first said to be nearing a two-year deal with the Rays by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times last night. SB Nation’s Chris Cotillo added word of the club option and the $10.25MM guarantee. Forsythe was arbitration eligible this winter and had beenprojected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn $3.3MM in 2016. In other words, this new contract will buy out his remaining two seasons of arbitration, and the club option will extend Tampa Bay’s control of Forsythe by one season. He’s now on track to hit free agency entering either his age-31 or age-32 season, depending on the outcome of the option.
Forsythe, who turned 29 years old yesterday, emerged as one of the Rays’ best overall players with a breakout 2015 season that saw him bat .281/.359/.444 with 17 home runs, nine stolen bases and solid defensive contributions at second base. While Forsythe had been a utility player for much of his career prior to last season, primarily providing value against left-handed pitching, he took a major step forward against right-handers in 2015, slashing .273/.353/.375 even without the benefit of the platoon advantage. If he’s able to sustain that type of production against righties in the future, it’ll pair quite well with his lifetime .280/.349/.478 slash against left-handed pitchers and allow Forsythe to serve as a quite valuable piece at second base for Tampa Bay.
The Rays initially picked up Forsythe in a seven-player trade that also netted the team Brad Boxberger, Matt Andriese, Maxx Tissenbaum and Matt Lollis in exchange for right-hander Jesse Hahn and left-hander Alex Torres.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Rays Avoid Arbitration With McGee, Cobb, Guyer
The Rays have begun ticking through their long list of arb-eligible players in advance of Friday’s deadline to exchange filing figures. According to Jon Heyman, the “file-and-trial” organization struck deals to avoid a hearing with lefty reliever Jake McGee, righty Alex Cobb, and outfielder Brandon Guyer. (Links to Twitter.)
McGee leads the way with a $4.8MM contract for the coming season, per the report. He had been projected by MLBTR to earn $4.7MM through the arbitration process, so he landed just ahead of that figure. The 29-year-old has been lights out for Tampa Bay, racking up 259 2/3 innings of 2.77 ERA pitching in his six seasons there, with 11. K/9 and just 2.5 BB/9. He remains one of the most intriguing names on the trade market for pen arms.
Cobb was an easy case, unfortunately, because he missed all of 2015 with Tommy John surgery. As projected, he landed a repeat salary of $4MM. Tampa Bay will hope he’s able to return to the form that allowed him to compile a 2.82 ERA with 8.2 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9 over the 2013-14 campaigns.
The deal with Guyer also lands right along the expected amount, as he’ll earn just a shade less ($1.185MM) than his projection ($1.3MM). Now 29, Guyer has turned into a useful piece over the last two years. In his 679 plate appearances dating back to the start of 2014, he’s slashed a solid .266/.348/.393 with 11 home runs and 16 steals.
Scott Atchison Retires, Joins Indians’ Staff
Veteran righty Scott Atchison has joined the Indians organization in a non-playing role, the team announced today. As MLB.com’s Jordan Bastian explains, Atchison took the gig after deciding to put an end to his playing career.
Atchison only worked in parts of three big league seasons before his age-34 season, but earned new opportunities after a nice run with Japan’s Hanshin Tigers. He ultimately racked up another 278 2/3 innings of 3.52 ERA ball in the bigs from 2010 onward, with a 3.55 SIERA to support the results.
There were some sterling campaigns mixed in along the way. In 2012, he worked to a 1.58 ERA in a 51 1/3-inning effort for the Red Sox. And in his strong 2014 season with the Indians, Atchison logged a 2.75 earned run average in 72 frames.
Never a big strikeout pitcher, Atchison nevertheless limited the free passes (especially in his second run through the majors) and generated a lot of grounders. For his career, he averaged 6.6 K/9 against 2.3 BB/9 to go with a 49.7% groundball rate. In addition to his time in Cleveland and Boston, Atchison appeared in the majors with the Mariners, Giants, and Mets.
According to Bastian, Atchison will function in a variety of roles as a “Major League advance coach and staff assistant.” He is expected to assist in advanced scouting as well as to work with the club’s pitching coach (Mickey Callaway) and bullpen coach (Jason Bere).
MLBTR congratulates Atchison on his productive career and wishes him the best of luck in his new position.
Diamondbacks To Sign Sam LeCure To Minors Pact
The Diamondbacks have agreed to terms with 31-year-old righty Sam LeCure on a minor league deal, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports on Twitter. LeCure, a client of BHSC, had spent his entire career in the Reds organization.
Cincinnati had leaned heavily on LeCure over the 2010 through 2014 campaigns, running him out for 300 2/3 innings in that span. He was a solid option, on the whole, putting up a 3.53 ERA with 8.5 K/9 versus 3.5 BB/9.
Last year, though, LeCure lost his roster spot and opened the year in Triple-A. Over sixty innings there, he worked to a sub-par 5.25 earned run average. LeCure was able to put up twenty frames of 3.15 ERA ball upon moving back onto the major league roster late in the season. But he also continued a trend of falling strikeout totals and fastball velocity.
Orioles Avoid Arbitration With Mark Trumbo
The Orioles have avoided arbitration with first baseman/outfielder/DH Mark Trumbo, according to ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick (via Twitter). Trumbo will earn $9.15MM for the coming season, per the report, before reaching free agency next winter.
That number comes in just north of the $9.1MM figure projected last fall by MLBTR and contributor Matt Swartz. Trumbo’s big power numbers have always played well in arbitration, and he earned a solid raise over his $6.9MM salary from a year ago.
Of course, that rather expensive arb rate is a major reason that the O’s were able to acquire the 30-year-old at a palatable rate earlier in the offseason. He came to Baltimore from the Mariners along with C.J. Riefenhauser in exchange for catcher Steve Clevenger.
There’s no denying Trumbo’s pop. Though he’s tailed off a bit in the last two years, he averaged 32 long balls a year over 2011-13. Of course, that comes with a high whiff rate and low on-base numbers, as Trumbo owns a lifetime .250/.300/.458 slash line. After a down year in 2014, he put up a cumulative .262/.319/.449 batting line and 22 home runs with the M’s and the Diamondbacks.
It remains to be seen how Baltimore will deploy Trumbo, but he’s generally considered a poor defender in the corner outfield and at third. He has, however, posted positive metrics at first base, and that’s probably where he’d line up if the season began today. If the O’s re-sign Chris Davis, they could shift Trumbo into primary DH duty, but it’s worth noting that both players offer some positional flexibility.