Rumors for November, 2009
Blue Jays concerned over Snyder's back – call off trade
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Fantasy Sports Portal, the Toronto Blue Jays have called off the trade for Arizona Diamondback’s catcher Chris Snyder over concerns with his surgically repaired back.
MLBSecrets.com mentioned yesterday that the Blue Jays were looking to acquire Snyder from the Diamondbacks in exchange for first baseman Lyle Overbay.
Feliz $5.5 million team option not picked up by Phillies
Posted by: | CommentsThe Philadelphia Phillies have decided not to pick up their 2010 team option on Pedro Feliz. Feliz, 34, was instrumental in the Phillies 2008 World Series title and played a key role in the 2009 NL Pennant run. The Phillies will pay a $500,000 buyout. The Phillies also have not ruled out re-signing Feliz for 2010 and beyond.
Feliz is good defensive third baseman with decent pop. He has hit a quiet 135 home runs over his career, won 1 World Series and played in an additional 2 World Series (2002 San Francisco Giants). He’s not a distraction in the clubhouse, so he would be a good fit in all places. After the 2007 season, Feliz wanted to make something happen with the San Francisco Giants. He wanted a 3 year contract, but General Manager Brian Sabean called it a “pie in the sky”. Instead the Giants offered salary arbitration and Feliz skipped town to Philadelphia.
MLB.com mentions a few other third base replacements in addition to Feliz: Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa and former Philly Placido Polanco. This will be Feliz’s last big money contract of his career, so he should be looking for a 3 year, $15 million contract with a 4th year team option as an attractive offer to Feliz
Arizona Diamondbacks Rumors: Trading Chris Snyder to Toronto Blue Jays
Posted by: | CommentsMLB.com has reported that the Arizona Diamondbacks are trading catcher Chris Snyder to Toronto for first baseman (and former Diamondback) Lyle Overbay.
Snyder, 28, was limited to 61 games hitting .200 with 6 home runs due to injury for Arizona in 2009. Overbay, 32, had a solid year hitting 16 home runs, 64 RBIs and getting on base with .372.
The trade will fill the Diamondback’s need at first base and the Blue Jays will back fill the departure of Rod Barajas behind the plate.
Carl Pavano files for free agency
Posted by: | CommentsAs expected, starting pitcher Carl Pavano filed for free agency after spending the remainder of the 2009 season with the Minnesota Twins. A pretty high ERA at 5.10, but a work horse with 33 games, 199.1 innings pitched and a 14-12 record. Pavano did a very good start against his former team, the New York Yankees, going 7 strong innings and giving only 2 runs on 5 hits, unfortunately 2 of the hits were home runs.
Pavano will be 34 on Opening Day 2010, and given his above year he should be able to sign a lengthy contract as a team’s solid #2 or #3 pitcher.
Twins exercise Cuddyer's 2011 team option
Posted by: | CommentsAfter having a career year with 32 home runs, 94 RBI’s and 73 extra-base-hits, the Twins have decided excercise Michael Cuddyer’s 2011 team option for $10.5 million. Had the option not exercised the Twins were liable for a $1 million buyout.
Cuddyer proved his versatility when first baseman Justin Morneau went down to injury in September. Cuddyer moved from right field to first base help the Twins with the 2009 Central Division Title.
White Sox sign Kotsay to 1 year deal
Posted by: | CommentsThe Chicago White Sox completed a busy day by signing Mark Kotsay to a 1 year deal for $1.5 million. Because Kotsay completed the 2009 season with the White Sox, they had an exclusive 15 day period to negotiate with him. They waited less than 2 days to re-sign the versatile Kotsay who played first base, outfield and designated hitter.
This was a busy day for the White Sox who traded Chris Getz and Josh Fields for Mark Teahen and decided not to pick up the team option for Jermaine Dye.
Nationals part ways witih Austin Kearns
Posted by: | CommentsOutfielder Austin Kearns has parted ways with the Washington Nationals after wrapping up his 3 year $17.5 million contract. The Nationals have decided to not excercise the 2010 team option for Kearns, valued at $10 million. Rather, they are going to buyout his contract for $1 million.
Kearns was injured most of the year with thumb problems and therefore limiting him to 3 HR’s, 17 RBI’s and a .195 batting average.
Mark Teahen to Chicago White Sox for Getz and Fields
Posted by: | CommentsThe deal sending outfielder Mark Teahen from the Kansas City Royals to the Chicago White Sox for third baseman Chris Getz and second baseman Josh Fields was completed on Friday.
The addition of Teahen gave the White Sox the flexibility to not excercise 2005 World Series MVP Jermaine Dye’s $12 million team option for 2010.
According to MLB.com, Teahan will be in the $5 million salary range for 2010 pending salary arbitration while Getz makes $401,000 and Fields makes $410,000. The salary difference was the main factor in delaying the deal.
White Sox decline Dye's 2010 team option
Posted by: | CommentsThe Chicago White Sox have declined the $12 million 2010 team option for outfielder and 2005 World Series MVP Jermaine Dye. Rather than pay the option, they bought out his contract for $950,000 and thus making Dye a free agent.
Dye, 35, had a great 2009 campaign by hitting 27 home runs with 81 RBI’s, so he should fetch a premium in the open market by teams who are in need of a right fielder or designated hitter.
The move by the White Sox was expected after the Mark Teahan acquisition from the Kansas City Royals earlier in the day for second baseman Chris Getz and third baseman Josh Fields.
Putz option not picked up by Mets
Posted by: | CommentsReliever J.J. Putz’s $9.1 million team option for 2010 was not exercised by the New York Mets and therefore making Putz eligible for free agency. In lieu of the option, Putz was bought out for $1 million.
Putz’s career in New York was not stellar by any means. He was an off season acquisition from the Seattle Mariners via the blockbuster 3 team trade at the 2008 Winter Baseball Meetings. He was acquired to be Francisco Rodriguez’s setup man, but fell to injury in June 2009 after going 1-4 in 29 appearances with a 5.22 ERA.
Bleacher Reports indicates that Putz may be headed to the Detroit Tigers as their eighth inning setup man. However, Putz may be interested in becoming a closer again with closer money. I wouldn’t expect too much if I were Putz until he can prove that he’s the 2006 & 2007 closer he once was.
