Jan

MLB Secrets: Big news for the A's, Guzman, Arredondo, Hall, Kazmir, Vazquez

By Allan

Here are a few links for you. Have a good weekend (but we’ll be here tomorrow)!

Mychael Urban of CSN Bay Area Tweets that the A’s will be getting some really good news next week. Does this mean Ben Sheets?
Andrew Baggerly of the San Jose Mercury Tweets that the Giants designated INF Jesus Guzman for assignment.
Matthew H. Leach of MLB.com Tweets that the Reds signed Jose Arredondo to a Minor League deal as a non-roster invitee. However, he will have Tommy John surgery before Spring Training.
T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com reports that the Texas Rangers have signed catcher Toby Hall to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Buster Olney of ESPN reports that Scott Kazmir has been training hard this off season. If Kazmir remains healthy and improves his control he has the potential to be the Angel’s number one pitcher and lead the team to an AL West title.
Javier Vazquez of the New York Yankees recently told a Puerto Rican newspaper La Perla del Sur (via Mark J. Miller of Yahoo Sports), “I don’t have much playing time left… I go year by year, and I don’t know if it will be one, two or three years, but I’m definitely not going to play until 40.” Vasquez, 33, has one year left on his contract. He’s expected to make a base salary of $11.5 million this season.
Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports that Kevin Cash, a journeyman catcher signed a Minor League contract with the Houston Astros with an invitation to Spring Training.
Adam McCalvy reports on the Brewers and Prince Fielder. Fielder is up for free agency after 2011 season, so the Brewers need to figure how to best approach him and his agent Scott Boras regarding an extension. If they know they can’t re-sign him, they they are better off trading him now and getting the most in return. Otherwise, they will need to start negotiating with him. A few factors that Fielder needs to consider is that he’ll be going up against Albert Pujols, Adrian Gonzalez and Ryan Howard in free agency, additionally, the traditional big money spenders, the Yankees are committed to Mark Teixeira.