Rumors for January, 2010
Minnesota Twins sign Carl Pavano for one-year $7 million guaranteed
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to LaVelle E. Neal III of the Star Tribune, the Minnesota Twins have agreed with pitcher Carl Pavano to a one-year, $7 million guaranteed deal.
The Twins also signed J.J. Hardy to a one-year deal around $5 million according to Neal.
Pavano, 34, was 14-12 with a 5.10 ERA with the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins last season. You can see Pavano’s complete statistics here.
Tim Lincecum Rumors: Giants and Lincecum submit numbers for arbitration
Posted by: | CommentsAccording to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the San Francisco Giants and pitcher Tim Lincecum have submitted numbers for arbitration. Tim Lincecum has submitted $13 million and the Giants have submitted $8 million. Heymen says that will use Ryan Howard’s number of $10 million as their basis of comparison.
It’s been speculated that Lincecum’s 2010 salary could reach $23 million – matching C. C. Sabathia’s salary. You can read more of Lincecum’s arbitration speculation here.
Jonathan Papelbon signs a one-year $9.35 million deal
Posted by: | CommentsPitcher Jonathan Papelbon and the Boston Red Sox avoided salary arbitration by agreeing to a one-year deal for $9.35 million. The deal can escalate to $9.5 million with incentives.
Papelbon was willing to take his chances with a an arbitrator, but that never happened. He willing to go year-to-year to maximize the total value of his contracts.
According to ESPN, the contract is the largest ever for a relief pitcher with four years or less in service time, topping Eric Gagne’s $8 million in 2005. Seven big league closers have contracts for $10 million or more. Papelbon’s deal puts him just under that number.
Papelbon, 29, was 1-1 with a 1.85 ERA and 38 saves in 66 relief appearances with the Red Sox in 2009. You can see Papelbon’s contract history and statistics here.
Miguel Tejada Rumors: Play third base for the SF Giants?
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports reports today that if the San Francisco Giants move Aubrey Huff to the outfield, they could add a potent bat like free agent Miguel Tejada.
Huff, 33, played 245 games in the outfield (237 of them in right field), so he has big league experience in the outfield, but none since 2006 with the Houston Astros. One scout downplayed Huff’s ability to play the outfield at this point in his career so the possibility of Tejada joining the Giants may be slim. The Oakland A’s may be a better fit for Tejada.
If the Giants sign Tejada, Pablo Sandoval will play first base, with Mark DeRosa and Huff in the outfield corners. Morosi says this is far fetched given that the Giants priorities are in a veteran catcher and additional pitching.
The Giants have not confirmed their interest in Tejada. Tejada has a willingness to play somewhere other than shortstop. He is “on the rader” for the Twins, but he is not one of the team’s priorities.
Tejada, 35, hit .313 with 14 home runs and 86 RBIs for the Houston Astros in 2009 while making a base salary of $13 million.
You can see Tejada’s contract history and statistics here.
Ben Sheets Rumors: Nine clubs to watch free agent throw today
Posted by: | CommentsFree agent pitcher Ben Sheets will throw in front of representatives of nine teams at the University of Louisiana at Monroe today.
Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com says that the Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers and New York Mets are expected to be in attendance. Other teams may show up, too.
Sheets, 31, did not pitch in 2009 due to a torn flexor tendon. He was 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA in 198 1/3 innings for the Brewers in 2008.
You can see Ben Sheets’ statistics here.
MLB Rumors according to Buster Olney: Felix Hernandez, Pujols, Papelbon
Posted by: | CommentsHere are some of the highlights of Buster Olney’s article from Tuesday:
- Agents believe that a fair deal for Felix Hernandez will be in the range of six-years and $110 million which will allow him to be a free agent after he turns 29.
- Albert Pujols is open to free agency and could fetch $26-30 million a year.
- Met’s GM Omar Minaya may be an extended losing streak away from being fired.
- The Orioles are looking for a corner infielder and it doesn’t matter if the player is a left-handed or right-handed hitter. Baltimore prefers a third basemen. Olney suggests Miguel Tejada.
- The Yankees have not had recent contact with Johnny Damon, and they did not make an offer to Jerry Hairston Jr. before he agreed to terms with the Padres.
- Jonathan Papalbon is willing to take his chances with a an arbitrator, and the Red Sox are not in a rush to lock-in the pitcher for years to come. Papelbon is willing to go year to year to maximize the total value of his contracts.
St. Louis Cardinals Rumors: Kyle Lohse, Adam Wainwright, Felipe Lopez, Allen Craig
Posted by: | CommentsMatthew Leach of MLB.com has a writeup on the Cardinals. Here’s the skinny:
- Kyle Lohse and Adam Wainwright are feeling healthy despite their high workloads in 2009. Both are going through their workouts. Wainwright says, “My arm feels great, my body feels great. I’m the strongest I’ve ever been.”
- Manager Tony La Russa says that if the Cardinals make one move, he would have a hitter that could play third base and the outfield. Leach suggests Felipe Lopez.
- Minor Leaguer Allen Craig has been taking balls at third base despite playing in the outfield all last season. Leach thinks that he’s at third to create competition with David Freese.
Avoiding arbitration: Players who signed on Monday
Posted by: | CommentsIn addition to today’s other postings regarding arbitration-eligible players, here are a few more:
- Arizona Diamondbacks: Agreed to one-year contract with Chad Qualls for $4.185 million. Agreed to one-year contract with Aaron Heilman.
- Chicago White Sox: Right-handed pitcher Tony Pena agreed to a $1.2 million, one-year contract.
- Cincinnati Reds: Right-handed reliever Jared Burton agreed to a one-year deal with the Reds.
- Colorado Rockies: Troy Renck of The Denver Posts reports that the Rockies signed outfielder Ryan Spilborghs to a two-year, $3.25 million deal. He will make $1.3 million in 2010 with an additional $400,00 in incentives on plate appearances. He will make $1.95 million in 2011 with additional $750,000 for plate appearances.
- Milwaukee Brewers: Agree to one-year contract with outfielder Jody Gerut for one-year, $2 million.
- Philadelphia Phillies: Chad Durbin and the Phillies agree to a one-year $2.125 million deal.
- Toronto Blue Jays: Right-handed pitcher Shaun Marcum agreed to an $850,000, one-year contract.
Last update 1/19 05:29
Xavier Nady Rumors: Chicago Cubs interested in outfielder
Posted by: | CommentsJon Paul Morosi of FOXSports reports that the Chicago Cubs are interested in free agent outfielder Xavier Nady. The Cubs are in need of a fourth outfielder to compliment Kosuke Fukudome, Alfonso Soriano and Marlon Byrd.
The Cubs have also been interested in free agent outfielders Jermaine Dye and Rocco Baldelli. Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports that the Cubs may bring back free agent outfielder Reed Johnson, but Johnson is seeking a team that will give him more playing time.
Nady, 31, is recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery but is scheduled to be ready by Spring Training. He played in 7 games for the Yankees in 2009 before going down with the injury. In 2008 Nady hit .305 with 25 home runs and 97 RBIs for the Yankees and Pirates.
You can see Xavier Nady’s contract details and statistics here.
