Rumors for January, 2011
Mariners sign OF Jody Gerut and LHP Nate Robertson
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In a Tweet by the Seattle Mariners, the team announces they have signed outfielder Jody Gerut and left-handed pitcher Nate Robertson to Minor League deals with an invitation to Spring Training.
Gerut, 33, played with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2010 and hit .197/.230/.366 with 2 home runs while driving in 8 RBIs.
Robertson, 33, has a career record of 57-77 with a 5.01 ERA in nine Major League seasons. In 2006 with the Detroit Tigers, he had a 13-13 record with a 3.84 ERA in 208 2/3 innings pitched.
Giants have agreed to a Minor League deal with Jeff Suppan
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The San Francisco Giants have announced that they have agreed to a Minor League deal with right-handed pitcher Jeff Suppan.
Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News was the first to report that the sides were close to a deal. He adds that Suppan will earn $1 million if he makes the club, and the pitcher has a an out close in late March if he is not added to the roster.
The Giants are set with their rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito, so Suppan would bring the team rotation insurance in the event one of the starters is out of action for a period of time.
Suppan, 35, went a compined 3-8 with a 5.06 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.
Mets designate Tobi Stoner and Jason Pridie for assignment
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The New York Mets have designated Tobi Stoner and Jason Pridie for assignment, according to Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com.
Stoner, 26, has appeared in five games for the Mets. In 11 1/3 innings pitched he has a 3.97 ERA with a 1.412 WHIP.
Pridie, 27, has played in 11 Major League games for the Minnesota Twins. The outfielder has yet to get a Major League hit.
Reds and Johnny Cueto agree to four-year contract extension
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The Cincinnati Reds and Johnny Cueto have agreed to a four-year, $27 million contract extension, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com. The deal is pending a physical.
The sides originally submitted numbers by the deadline this week, but the extension allows them to avoid the arbitration process. Cueto asked for $3.9 million and the team offered $3 million. His new contract will pay him an annual average of $6.75 million over four-years.
In mid-December, Rojas reported that the sides were open to discussing a contract extension.
Cueto, 24, was 12-7 in 31 starts last season for the Reds. The contract buys out all of his arbitration years and his first year of free agency. The right-hander will be eligible to test the free agent market in 2015.
San Francisco Giants avoid arbitration with LHP Javier Lopez
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In a Tweet by the San Francisco Giants, the team announces that they have agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Javier Lopez on a contract for the 2011 season.
The Associated Press reports that Lopez will earn $2.375 million on a one-year contract. He can earn an additional $50,000 each for pitching 55 or 60 innings.
Yankees agree to terms with Andruw Jones
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According to Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated, the Yankees have agreed to terms with free agent outfielder Andruw Jones for $2 million plus $1.2 million in performance bonuses.
Jones’ agent, Scott Boras, was in New York for the press conference of his other client, Rafael Soriano, so it’s likely the sides hammered out the final details of the contract while he was in town.
Jones will help the Yankees balance their line up filled with left-handed hitters by bringing his right-handed bat, and he will also help platoon in any of the outfield position. Jones had 36 HR’s and 91 RBI’s over the past two seasons.
The agreement with Jones all but eliminates a return of Johnny Damon to the Bronx. The Yankees had interest in Damon, but it wasn’t likely that he would sign as a player to come off the bench for the team. Damon is seeking the 3000 hit milestone and he won’t reach that in part-time duty.
Billy Wagner officially files retirement papers
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Although Atlanta Braves relief pitcher Billy Wagner is still officially on the team’s roster, it isn’t likely that he will throw a pitch in 2011. According to his agent (via FOXSports’ Ken Rosenthal), Bean Stringellow, Wagner filed his retirement papers about a week ago.
“Yes, he is retiring,” Stringfellow said.
Wagner officially vested his $6.5 million option for 2011, but he’s more interested in spending time with his family.
“Me and my family have made plans for retirement,” Wagner said in August. “I don’t need it anymore. I’m tired of the expectations, tired of the criticism, tired of people who never played trying to tell me how to play.”
Giants close to signing Jeff Suppan to Minor League deal
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In a Tweet by Andrew Baggarly of the San Jose Mercury News, he reports the San Francisco Giants are close to signing Jeff Suppan to a Minor League contract with an invitation to Spring Training.
Baggarly adds that Suppan will earn $1 million if he makes the club. He has an out clause in late March if not added to roster
The Giants are set with their rotation of Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain, Jonathan Sanchez, Madison Bumgarner and Barry Zito, so Suppan would bring the team rotation insurance in the event one of the starters is out of action for a period of time.
Suppan, 35, went a compined 3-8 with a 5.06 ERA with the St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers in 2010.
Cubs officially reach agreement with Matt Szczur
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In an announcement by the Chicago Cubs, the team has officially reached an agreement with Matt Szczur. The former Villanova Wildcat football player has agreed to give up the possibility of playing professional football and concentrate only on baseball.
“We’ve had the great fortune to get to know Matt the last seven-plus months and are excited by his decision to devote himself completely to baseball and the Cubs,” said Cubs General Manager Jim Hendry. “We’ve come to know Matt not only as a talented athlete but also as an exceptional person. He had a fantastic pro debut with us last summer and we look forward to supporting and fostering his continued development as a baseball player.”
Royals officially add Bruce Chen to the 40-man roster
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The Kansas City Royals have officially added left handed pitcher Bruce Chento the 40-man roster according to Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star.
The Royals didn’t have to make room on the roster for Chen because Gil Meche opened a spot after his retirement on Tuesday. Chen agreed to a one-year, $2 million deal with the Royals last week.
Chen, 33, is 48-50 with a 4.64 ERA in his 12 year Major League Career. In 2010 with the Royals, the left-hander went 12-7 with a 4.17 ERA in 140 1/3 innings pitched. In November, Chen made it known that he was looking for a multi-year deal.
Dutton adds that the Royals are expected to add Jeff Francis to the 40-man roster later today, but this time it will require a corresponding move to clear space for him.
