Rumors for February, 2011
Bryce Harper is looking to make the team by Opening Day
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Last year’s first overall pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft Bryce Harper wants to be a part of the Nationals Opening Day roster according to Bill Ladson of MLB.com.
The 18-year old outfielder has all the tools to play at a Major League level. He hit .319 with a .407 OBP for the Nationals in the Instructional League. He also led the team in HR’s, RBI’s and walks. After playing in the AFL he hit .343 with 1 HR and 7 RBI’s.
“I want to make that decision harder,” Harper said. “I’m trying to stay up here as long as I can. [Jayson] Werth and several of the guys came up to me and asked, ‘Are you going to make the team or what?’ I’m trying to make this club. … If it doesn’t happen, it’s going to be a great experience being up here with all the veteran guys.”
Mike Rizzo, Nationals GM, announced the other day that Harper would most likely start the 2011 season in the Minor Leagues, but even if he does, he’ll have the chance to play against Major League teams such as the Yankees during Spring Training.
“I’m excited to play New York,” Harper said. “I want to see Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez. I loved the Yankees since I was younger. They have the studs and you want to see how everyone goes about their business. If I can be the Yankee breaker and break that streak of them winning, that would be great.”
Chad Durbin intrigued by Boston’s offer to be a starter
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According to Peter Gammons, right handed pitcher Chad Durbin may head for Clearwater Florida Thursday as he is still intrigued by Boston’s offer for a spot in their rotation.
Earlier this month, we learned that the 33-year old wanted to play for a competitive team. By that time, Durbin’s offers were from projected non-contenders, but was still holding out for a contending club. The Mariners were one of those non-contenders teams interested in the right hander.
Durbin was 4-1 with a 3.80 ERA in 68.2 innings throughout 64 games with the Phillies in 2010.
Jose Guillen could retire if no offers
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Right handed hitter Jose Guillen has said that he will retire from baseball if he doesn’t receive any offers in one week according to Enrique Rojas of ESPNDeportes.com.
“Today I authorized my agent to explore the market and see if there’s any interest in an outfielder and a designated hitter,” said Guillen. “If there isn’t any offers in one week I’ll definitely retire from baseball.”
“I finished last year really frustrated, facing the possibility of undergoing neck surgery and the distractions of an investigation (He was being investigated for a shipment of HGH being sent to his wife in California). I didn’t want to know anything about baseball and I isolated myself.”
Guillen is a lifetime .270 hitter with 214 HR’s and 887 RBI’s throughout a 14 seasons career.
Astros and Fernando Abad agree to one-year deal
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According to the Houston Chronicle’s Zachary Levine, the Astros and left-handed pitcher Fernando Abad have agreed to a one-year, $418,000 deal.
Abad, 25, made 22 appearances in relief for the Astros in 2010. He went 0-1 with a 2.84 ERA over 19 innings pitched.
Atlanta Braves sign 21 players
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According to David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Atlanta Braves have signed 21 players. Here’s the list of the players that signed today:
Right-handed pitchers:
–Jairo Asencio
–Juan Abreu
–Erik Cordier
–Randall Delgado
–Cory Gearrin
–Stephen Marek
Left-handed pitchers:
–Lee Hyde
–Jose Ortegano
Infielders:
Outfielders:
O’Brien adds that Heyward signed for $496,500, the highest salary ever for a Braves player with one year of service. Freeman and most of the other players on the list were given the League minimum of $414,000.
National League Offseason Rankings 1-4
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Last week, we took a look at the offseason rankings for the American League. Today, we tackle the National League.
1. Colorado Rockies: The Rockies locked up some of their important core players this offsesason. They signed Jorge de la Rosa (two-year deal), Troy Tulowitzki (seven-year deal) and Carlos Gonzalez (seven-year deal) as well. Besides that, the Rockies signed veteran first baseman Jason Giambi, and utility guy Ty Wigginton. They also tendered contracts to relievers Matt Belisle and acquired Jose Lopez from the Mariners to provide infield depth. They focused on keeping their bullpen together and extended Jason Hammel and Rafael Betancourt two-year deals each and went out and acquired Matt Lindstrom from the Astros. You may be asking why I put the Rockies ahead of the Phillies and it is simple. When you can sign two of the hottest young players in the game in Cargo and Tulo and keep them together for the next 7+ seasons at a reasonable price, you win in my book.
2. Philadelphia Phillies: Simple, they landed the hottest free agent this winter in Cliff Lee, putting together one of the best rotations in baseball history. They also re-signed left handed pitcher J.C. Romero to help the bullpen. With the Lee signing, the Phillies payroll will be north of $150mm this year leaving them little wiggle room to acquire any need pieces at the trade deadline.
3. Chicago Cubs: Even though the Cubs slightly overpaid Carlos Pena by signing him to a one-year, $10 million deal they still signed one of the better 1st basemen in 2009. Yes 2010 he was the complete opposite but look for Pena to have rebound year to get one last multi-year contract. They also obtained Matt Garza via an eight-player trade with the Rays and signed former Cubs Kerry Wood to a one-year, $1.5 million deal. Garza will flourish in the weaker NL central as he posted a sub 4 era in the ultra competitive AL east.
4. San Diego Padres: With Adrian Gonzalez about to hit free agency in 2011 the Padres decided to move him now rather than later in order to get a handful of prospects in exchange for him. They also signed Brad Hawpe, Orlando Hudson, Aaron Harang and Jorge Cantu and traded for Jason Bartlett and Cameron Maybin. All of these moves could help soften the blow of Gonzalez’s departure. Most of the moves the Padres made were veteran players looking to rebound from a down year. I’m not sure of a better place for pitchers to go to than San Diego.
Want to see the rest of the list?
National League Offseason Rankings 11-16
National League Offseason Rankings 5-10
National League Offseason Rankings 1-4
National League Offseason Rankings 5-10
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5. Washington Nationals: They signed Jayson Werth to a monster contract, acquired Tom Gorzelanny from the Cubs, added some veteran help with Jerry Hairston Jr., Alex Cora (back-up infielder) and Todd Coffey (bullpen arm) and signed power left-handed hitter Adam LaRoche. They might not be contenders for the 2011 season, but with a healthy Stephen Strasburg and a developed Bryce Harper, the Nationals could be a very competitive team in the very near future.
6. Cincinnati Reds: Just like the Rockies, the Reds were able to lock up some of their best young players. They signed 2010 MVP Joey Votto to a three-year deal, Jay Bruce to a six-year deal, Bronson Arroyo to a three-year deal and Johnny Cueto to a four-year deal. They added 2010 World Series MVP Edgar Renteria to their infield and signed former Marlins star Dontrelle Willis to a Minor League deal who is looking to make a comeback. Catcher Ramon Hernandez is also returning on a one-year deal. The Votto signing though good, only takes him up to free agency and as they were not able to buy out any of his free agency years.
7. Milwaukee Brewers: They added two great arms to their starting rotation with Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum, both of them via trades. They added veteran reliever Takashi Saito and re-signed veteran Craig Counsell as infield help. They locked up Rickie Weeks to a four-year deal with a possible fifth year option. They also failed to lock up first baseman Prince Fielder to a multi-year deal as he will now probably walking away after the 2011 season.
8. Los Angeles Dodgers: The Dodgers needed to bolster their starting rotation as they were faced with losing 3 out of their 5 starters via free agency. They were able to resign re-signed Hiroki Kuroda, Ted Lilly and Vicente Padilla, and brought back Jon Garland who played for the Padres last year. They also added World Series Champion Juan Uribe (yes they did over pay for him and Guerrier, but people complained that they did nothing last offseason) and former Twins reliever Matt Guerrier to help out on the bullpen. Besides Uribe, they also brought in Marcus Thames to platoon in left field with Jay Gibbons. In all, the Dodgers had a nice offseason but failed to acquire the power bat that they desperately need.
9. Atlanta Braves: The only significant move made by the Braves this off season was the trade and eventual contract extension for power hitting 2nd basemen Dan Uggla. They also re-signed Eric Hinske. The Braves still have some issues to address though, they are giving inexperienced rookies the chance to make it as their everyday first basemen in the case of Freddie Freeman and as a closer with Craig Kimbrel. They’re planning to move infielder Martin Prado to the left field and they still have to see if Nate McLouth can rebound from another poor season and if Chipper Jones can stay healthy. One minor move that will pay off is the addition of George Sherrill who has closer experience in case Kimbrel falters. Look for Sherrill to have a rebound year.
10. Florida Marlins: The Florida Marlins started their off-season by trading Dan Uggla in exchange for Omar Infante and Michael Dunn. The Marlins said they wanted to bolster their bullpen so they added Edward Mujica and Ryan Webb in exchange for Cameron Maybin, and signed free agent Randy Choate. The Marlins also added veteran starter Javier Vazquez, who’s coming off a down year with the Yankees in 2010, to their rotation. Vazquez has enjoyed success in the NL east and looks to have a solid rebound year.
Want to see the rest of the list?
National League Offseason Rankings 11-16
National League Offseason Rankings 5-10
National League Offseason Rankings 1-4
National League Offseason Rankings 11-16
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11. Arizona Diamondbacks: The Diamondbacks had, in my opinion, a very similar off season as the Marlins did. Their most significant moves were the signing of J.J. Putz and trading for Armando Galarraga. They also brought a few veterans in to their roster with Xavier Nady, Melvin Mora, Willie Bloomquist, Mike Hampton, Henry Blanco and Geoff Blum,. They also added Zach Duke and Aaron Heilman who could help out the starting rotation.
12. New York Mets: They have a new GM and a new manager, and although they didn’t sign any big free agents, they added a couple of veteran starters in Chris Young and Chris Capuano who are looking at 2011 as a turning point in their career as they have both battled injuries. They also added Ronny Paulino and D.J. Carrasco. What was more noticeable was the Mets lack of spending as they are faced with having to sell 20-25% of the team due to the Madoff mess.
13. San Francisco Giants: The Giant’s didn’t do much this off season as they were still celebrating their World Series victory and watching Brian Wilson entertain the world on various TV shows. The only new player the team added was Miguel Tejada.They signed him because they ended up losing Juan Uribe to the hated Dodgers. The Giants did bring back Aubrey Huff on a two-year deal.
14. St. Louis Cardinals: The Cardinals added Lance Berkman to be their everyday right fielder, and Ryan Theriot via-trade to be their everyday shortstop, but both players will have to show in Spring Training if they’re up to the challenge. Another negative aspect of the Cardinals off season is the fact that they haven’t been able to sign Albert Pujols to a contract extension. They failed to come to an agreement by Pujols’ self-imposed arrival at Spring Training.
15. Pittsburgh Pirates: Yes the Pirates added Kevin Correia (two-year $8mm), Lyle Overbay (1-year $5mm) and Matt Diaz (2-year $4.25mm) all for some what reasonable amounts. They also Joe Beimel and Garret Atkins both on minor league deals with both players expected to be on the Major League roster. My issue with these moves is that the Pirates are so far behind the curve that these moves may net them 4-5 extra wins, but they will still finish at the bottom of the NL Central. The Pirates need to continue spending on the draft and rebuilding the farm system and plan to compete in a few years.
16. Houston Astros: Yes the Astros inked Wandy Rodriguez to a 3-year $34mm deal which will buy out his first two years of free agency but the next decent move they made was the signing of Bill Hall. I could continue listing minor league deals for the Astros but lets be honest they had the worst offseason in the NL no matter who they signed to a minor league deal.
Want to see the rest of the list?
National League Offseason Rankings 11-16
National League Offseason Rankings 5-10
National League Offseason Rankings 1-4
Red Sox likely to pick up Francona’s option
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The Boston Red Sox will likely extend Terry Francona’s contract after the season is over according to Evan Drellich of MLB.com.
Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated reported that Francona’s two-year option at $4.5 million per year would be activated after this season. The team has not commented on the report, and Francona told Heyman he was unaware of the decision.
Drellich says that it’ll be hard to imagine Francona or the team’s GM Theo Epstein leaving the team after working superbly since they’ve been together.
“The biggest way you can judge it is that we’re going on our eighth year now in a really crazy place, and if you didn’t have an extremely strong relationship, you’d have no chance in this market,” said Francona. “There’s a lot of trust.”
Rangers sign Tommy Hunter, Mitch Moreland and five others
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According to John Blake, the Rangers VP of Communications, the team has agreed to one-year contracts with seven players including Tommy Hunter and Mitch Moreland.
Moreland debuted in the Majors this past year and hit .255 with 9 HR’s and 25 RBI’s in 145 AB’s. Hunter was 13-4 with a 3.73 ERA and 68 SO in 128 innings throughout 23 games, 22 starts.
