Nationals Sign Mark DeRosa
WEDNESDAY: The Nationals officially announced their one-year deal with DeRosa today.
THURSDAY: The Nationals have agreed to sign Mark DeRosa, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (on Twitter). Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reported yesterday that the sides were nearing a one-year, Major League deal. The agreement with the utility player is pending a physical, Heyman notes. CSE represents DeRosa, who drew interest from at least four teams this offseason.
DeRosa played in just 47 games in 2011 because of a strained left wrist. The versatile 36-year-old was productive in 2009, posting a .250/.319/.433 line and appearing at five different positions for the Indians and Cardinals. However, he has struggled to stay on the field since signing a two-year deal with the Giants two Decembers ago. When he did play for the Giants, DeRosa posted a forgettable .235/.313/.279 line.
Minor Moves: Mike Ballard
The latest minor moves from around MLB…
- The Nationals signed left-hander Mike Ballard to a minor league deal, according to MLB.com's Bill Ladson (on Twitter). Ballard, 27, posted a 3.84 ERA with 8.5 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9 in 159 1/3 innings for the Orioles' top affiliates this past season. He has a 4.50 ERA with 6.7 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in six minor league seasons in the Rangers' and Orioles' systems.
NL East Links: Ramos, Nationals, Gonzalez
Two years ago today, the Mets signed Kelvim Escobar to an incentive-laden one-year deal worth $1.25MM guaranteed. Escobar hurt his shoulder (again) and never did pitch for the Amazin's, and over the last four seasons he's appeared in just one game due to shoulder problems. Here's the latest from the NL East…
- The Marlins have hired former Rays bullpen coach Bobby Ramos to be their Latin American player development coordinator, writes Juan C. Rodriguez of The Sun Sentinel. It's a new position the team created because none of their minor league coordinators are Hispanic, and they felt it was imperative to have a Spanish-speaker around all of their young prospects from Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, etc.
- Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider looked at the back of the Nationals' rotation, where Chien-Ming Wang, Ross Detwiler, and John Lannan are competing for two spots. Detwiler is out of options, but Wang and Lannan will earn $4MM+ next season.
- Ken Davidoff of Newsday writes that he likes the Nationals' acquisition of Gio Gonzalez, even though it feels like an overpay for a pitcher who is good rather than great. With plenty of focus already directed at Stephen Strasburg, it seems unlikely that Gonzalez will be overwhelmed by attention in Washington.
- Overall, the Nationals landed a good starter in Gonzalez, but the club has to realize that they will have to deal with some frustration over the next few years in addition to the positives, writes Dave Cameron of Fangraphs.
Morosi On Blue Jays, First Base, Starters, Cespedes
The baseball world figures to remain relatively quietly until after the New Year, but as Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports writes, there is still a lot of work to be done before the season begins. Let's round up Morosi's rumors…
- The Blue Jays are saying they will not give a hitter a contract of more than five guaranteed years, though they'll likely have to violate that policy if they want to sign Prince Fielder.
- The Brewers, Cubs, Nationals, Indians, Mariners, Orioles, Rangers, Rays, and Pirates are all considering non-Fielder upgrades at first base. Carlos Pena, Casey Kotchman, and Derrek Lee remain unsigned, among others.
- Some within the game believe that Joakim Soria and Carlos Marmol could be had at the right price. The Cubbies are said to be planning a "complete and total rebuild."
- Both Kyle Lohse and Jake Westbrook remain available, and the Rangers may be willing to trade Matt Harrison for a more established starter.
- Most believe Yoenis Cespedes will sign for more than the $30.25MM Aroldis Chapman received because as a position player, he carried less risk. A larger number of interested teams and the new collective bargaining agreement will also help his cause.
Cafardo’s Latest: Madson, Kuroda, Cespedes, Zumaya
Even on Christmas, Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe delivers his usual Sunday Baseball Notes column. This week, he runs down the best available players remaining on the free agent and trade markets at each position. Here are a few highlights from those lists and the rest of Cafardo's piece:
- The Red Sox and Angels are "keeping the dialogue open" with Ryan Madson.
- While many reports have indicated Hiroki Kuroda's willingness to play on the East Coast, the right-hander still has some desire to stay out west.
- The Marlins are being aggressive on Yoenis Cespedes, with the Nationals right behind them. Earlier this weekend, we heard there's some divide within the Marlins' front office on Cespedes.
- An AL GM on Joel Zumaya: "Our doctors don't think he would pass the physical based on what they see."
- The Rays are among the clubs that have talked to Francisco Cordero.
- Cafardo gets the feeling Matt Garza will be dealt, and warns not to rule out the Tigers.
Prince Fielder Rumors: Saturday
We heard on Friday that the Orioles are in fact interested in Prince Fielder, but not at his current asking price. While O's executive vice president Dan Duquette won't say much about the team's pursuit of the slugger, it might be the other D.C. area team that makes an aggressive offer. Here's the latest on Fielder with the latest news up top..
- While he cautions to "take it for what it's worth", ESPN.com's Buster Olney writes that there is a broad assumption from a lot of baseball execs that Fielder's most attractive offer will come from the Nationals. It's also important to note that GM Mike Rizzo said on Friday that Adam LaRoche will be the club's first baseman in 2012.
Nationals Notes: Lannan, Werth, Gonzalez
The Nationals made a big splash this week when they landed Gio Gonzalez in a deal to bolster their already solid rotation. Here's more on what the acquisition of Gonzalez means for the Nats and other news on the club..
- MLB.com's Bill Ladson (via Twitter) cautions that it's just a prediction, but it wouldn't surprise him to see the Nationals trade John Lannan for a bat. The left-hander is arbitration eligible for the second time this winter and MLBTR projects that he is set to earn $4.9MM. The Nats could be comfortable moving Lannan in part because of their confidence in Ross Detwiler (Twitter link).
- During last night's conference call to discuss the Gonzalez deal, Nationals GM Mike Rizzo said that the club will be aggressive in their pursuit of a long-term center fielder if the opportunity presents itself. Rizzo went on to say that the club is considering using Jayson Werth in center and expanding their search to include right fielders, Ladson writes.
- Pete Kerzel of MASNSports.com understands the concern over Gonzalez's walk rate, but also points to the strides he's made in other areas, including innings pitched and sustaining a high strikeout rate with the increased workload. Kerzel isn't concerned about the fact that Gonzalez has been traded four times, saying that it's a sign of his universally recognized potential and not an indicator of potential problems.
Quick Hits: Dobbs, Pitching, Floyd, Marshall, NPB
On this date in 1994, the owners implemented a salary cap and revenue sharing as the players were on strike. Those provisions were never put in place though, as the judge who ended the labor dispute ruled that the next two seasons must be played under the previously existing labor conditions. We do have revenue sharing nowadays, but a salary cap isn't going to happen anytime soon. Here's the latest from around the league…
- The Nationals are now focused on improving their bench, but MLB.com's Bill Ladson says (on Twitter) that it seems as though they are unlikely to sign Greg Dobbs. Washington expressed interest in Dobbs last week.
- Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com listed (on Twitter) the Rockies, Marlins, Tigers, Red Sox, Yankees, Orioles, and Blue Jays as clubs looking to add a starting pitcher. Earlier today we heard that both the Yankees and Red Sox are pursuing Hiroki Kuroda.
- Even after signing John Danks to an extension, Danny Knobler of CBSSports.com reports that the White Sox could look to trade Gavin Floyd this offseason. The Red Sox expressed interest in the righty during the winter meetings. Floyd will make $7MM in 2012, then a $9.5MM club option for 2013 comes into play.
- In an Insider-only column, ESPN's Keith Law calls the Sean Marshall trade a win for the Cubs. "The Reds, meanwhile, continue what I can only assume is a rapid emptying of their farm system to try to win again in the two years before Joey Votto reaches free agency," he added.
- With several Japanese players slated to join MLB next season, Patrick Newman of NPB Tracker takes a look at the players who will replace them on their former club in Japan.
Rizzo On Gonzalez, Pitching, Center Field, Bench
The Nationals and Athletics made the Gio Gonzalez trade official today, with Derek Norris, Tom Milone, Brad Peacock, and A.J. Cole going to Oakland as expected. Washington also received Robert Gilliam in the swap. Nationals GM Mike Rizzo discussed the trade and other topics with reporters during a conference call this evening, so let's recap…
- The two sides started discussing Gonzalez "probably over a month ago," and they first exchanged names just before the winter meetings. Rizzo said he met with the Athletics several times in Dallas, and they increased their efforts to acquire Gio after losing out on Mark Buehrle.
- "Being left-handed was really a key for us," said the GM, noting that Gonzalez can slot between power righties Jordan Zimmermann and Stephen Strasburg in the rotation. "[The trade] gives us a young core of starting pitchers at the major league level."
- "To acquire a player like this you need to give up some painful players in return," said Rizzo. "[It took] four players that are near and dear to our heart … They'll be sorely missed."
- When asked about Gonzalez's walk rate – career 4.44 BB/9 and an AL worst 4.05 BB/9 in 2011 – Rizzo said "we see his walks trending in the right direction, we see him having general command, and as he progresses into his career, he's going to improve on his command each and every year." Gio has improved his walk rate every year of his big league career, and the team believes the "changing of leagues will positively affect [his] performance."
- Rizzo said they like Gonzalez's "moxie and attitude on the mound," and noted that they've clocked his fastball as high as 95 mph using the PitchFX system.
- "We feel we have great depth in the starting rotation," said the GM, noting that Tom Gorzelanny and Craig Stammen can start with Sammy Solis and Alex Meyer representing the next wave of pitching prospects. "We feel that we're still very deep in starting pitchers. We like the talent level of our pitching staff, and it's going to be great competition to see who comes out of [Spring Training] as the starting five."
- Rizzo confirmed that Solis has not yet visited Dr. Yocum about his sore elbow due to strep throat. Once that clears up, he will have his elbow checked out.
- "We're always looking to improve our ball club," added Rizzo, who said they will "certainly be aggressive" if the opportunity to acquire a long-term center fielder via trade or free agency presents itself.
- When asked if Adam LaRoche will be the Nationals first baseman in 2012, Rizzo replied flatly: "That is correct." The Nationals have been mentioned as a possible suitor for Prince Fielder this offseason.
- "We'd like to improve our bench. We'd like to improve our depth in the minor leagues to help us if need be at the Major League level," said Rizzo when asked what else he'd like to accomplish this offseason.
NL East Links: Marlins, Vazquez, Braves, Nationals
Twelve years ago today, the Mets traded Octavio Dotel, Roger Cedeno, and Kyle Kessel to the Astros for Mike Hampton and Derek Bell. Hampton pitched to a 3.14 ERA in 217 2/3 innings during his one season in New York, then signed his monster eight-year, $121MM contract with the Rockies that winter. Here's the latest from continually improving the NL East…
- The Marlins were willing to part with top minor leaguers to acquire Gio Gonzalez, but MLB.com's Joe Frisaro says they weren't willing to move anyone from their everyday lineup. Both Logan Morrison and Mike Stanton are considered "off limits."
- Within the same piece, Frisaro says that Javier Vazquez continues to maintain that he is retiring. The Marlins do not expect him back and are looking elsewhere for pitching.
- In a comment on one of his blog posts, Dave O'Brien of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution explains why the Braves have less money to spend this winter than many believe.
- Baseball people keep waiting for Nationals GM Mike Rizzo to "bail out" Scott Boras on one of his free agents according to ESPN's Jerry Crasnick (on Twitter). Unsigned Boras clients include Prince Fielder, Edwin Jackson, Johnny Damon, Carlos Pena, and Ryan Madson.
- Mark Zuckerman of Nats Insider takes a look at the far-reaching implications of yesterday's Gonzalez trade for the Nationals.
- Amanda Comack of The Washington Times tries to sort out the Nationals pitching staff following the Gio trade.