The buzzards are starting to circle in Seattle, figuring the Mariners could have some starting pitching to unload in a few weeks. Teams that have window-shopped say they expect the Mariners to talk about Miguel Batista and Jarrod Washburn — but there’s zero chance they’d be willing to trade Erik Bedard.
Archive for May, 2008
Mariners may tade Washburn or Batista
Thursday, May 29th, 2008Relievers that could be on the market
Thursday, May 29th, 2008Ready to spell relief: Bullpen arms are always in demand in July. So here’s a partial shopping list we culled by surveying several potential buyers:
Closers: Brian Fuentes, Huston Street, George Sherrill, Chad Cordero, Jon Rauch, Eric Gagne (buyer beware).
Set-up: Juan Rincon, Jesse Crain, Chad Bradford, Jamie Walker, David Weathers, Matt Herges, Guillermo Mota, Tyler Yates, Vinnie Chulk, Jesus Colome, Frankie Francisco, Joaquin Benoit, Alan Embree, Ron Mahay, Jimmy Gobble, Damaso Marte.
Tigers dumping pitching?
Thursday, May 29th, 2008Here’s another pitching name to file away for your pre-deadline rumor mill: Nate Robertson. The Tigers have told clubs they might have a left-hander available in a few weeks. And it certainly wouldn’t be Kenny Rogers or Dontrelle Willis. So that leaves Robertson, who won 13 games in 2006 but is only 11-18, with a 5.04 ERA, in the two seasons since.
Greg Maddux back to Atlanta?
Thursday, May 29th, 2008Greg Maddux to the Braves? It’s a rumor that never quite dies. And it sure isn’t impossible, if the price is right. But clubs that have spoken with the Braves say they’re more focused on trying to find a younger starting pitcher they can hang onto for just the last few months of this season. So think more along the lines of the non-free agents who could pop onto the market (though not necessarily these names in particular) — Joe Blanton, Rich Harden, Bronson Arroyo, Daniel Cabrera, Jeremy Bonderman, etc.
Marlins sign Jacque Jones
Monday, May 19th, 2008The Florida Marlins, the surprise leaders of the National League East, aren’t standing pat. Securing additional bench help, the Marlins have reached agreement with free-agent outfielder Jacque Jones, according to major-league sources.
Jones, 33, will take a physical Monday morning. He initially will report to extended spring training in Florida to get back into playing shape, according to one source, then return to the majors as a fourth outfielder and left-handed hitter off the bench.
The Tigers designated Jones for assignment on May 5 and released him on May 13. He batted .165 with a .244 on-base percentage and .253 slugging percentage in 90 plate appearances for Detroit — numbers well below his career line of .278-.327-.451.
Once Jones is ready to join the Marlins, he likely will take the roster spot of either outfielder Brett Carroll or infielder Robert Andino, adding to a bench that generally includes infielder Wes Helms and outfielder Cody Ross from the right side.
Jones is earning $5 million this season — $2 million from the Cubs and $3 million from the Tigers. The Marlins will pay him a pro-rated portion of the major-league minimum salary — a sum that will amount to less than $300,000.
Brewers give Braun 8-year, $45M deal
Thursday, May 15th, 2008Ryan Braun just agreed to the largest contract in Milwaukee Brewers’ history. Braun’s contract, which runs through 2015, replaces the $455,000, one-year renewal the Brewers gave him in spring training. The contract includes full no-trade protection for the first four seasons and limited no-trade coverage for the next four — unusual provisions for deals of this nature. Braun will be eligible for free agency at 32.
Braun hit .324 with 34 homers and 97 RBIs last season in 113 games after a May 25 callup. He entered Thursday with a .287 average, nine homers and 29 RBIs.
The deal surpasses the $42 million, four-year contract the Brewers gave free-agent pitcher Jeff Suppan before the 2007 season.
Rays give ’07 AL strikeout king big raise
Thursday, May 15th, 2008Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir agreed Wednesday to a $28.5 million, three-year extension through 2011, a deal with a club option that could raise the contract’s value to $39.5 million over four seasons. The 2007 AL strikeout champion is 36-30 with a 3.63 ERA in 100 major league appearances, including 99 starts. He began this season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his left elbow, but returned to the rotation on May 4 and is 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA in two starts.
The 24-year-old, 13-9 with a 3.48 ERA last season, was an All-Star in 2006. He is Tampa Bay’s career leader in wins, strikeouts, starts and innings pitched. Kazmir is earning $3,785,000 this season, and would have been eligible for free agency after the 2010 season. He gets $6 million in 2009, $8 million in 2010 and $12 million in 2011. Tampa Bay’s 2012 option is for $13.5 million with a $2.5 million buyout. Kazmir gets the use of a luxury suite for five home games each year, and he would receive am $800,000 the first time he’s traded. He will contribute $75,000 annually to the Rays Baseball Foundation in 2009 and 2010, $100,000 in 2011 and, if the option is exercised, an additional $100,000 in 2012.
Cubs, OF Edmonds agree to deal
Thursday, May 15th, 2008Jim Edmonds wasn’t out of work long. The Chicago Cubs agreed to a contract with the 37-year-old outfielder on Wednesday, five days after he was released by the San Diego Padres. To make room for Edmonds, the Cubs optioned outfielder Felix Pie to Triple-A Iowa.
An eight-time Gold Glove winner and four-time All-Star, the 37-year-old Edmonds strained his right calf in a spring training game on March 6 and started the season on the disabled list. He was activated on April 5 and batted .178 in 26 games with one homer and six RBIs – well below his .286 career average.
Padres manager Bud Black said he sensed that Edmonds still wanted to play, even after he was released.
Ramirez to get richest Marlins contract
Saturday, May 10th, 2008With a new ballpark finally on the horizon, the Florida Marlins are beginning to loosen their purse strings. Shortstop Hanley Ramirez has agreed to the framework of a $70 million, six-year contract to remain with the Marlins, a person familiar with the negotiations said Saturday. Florida’s 2008 payroll of $22 million is by far the smallest in the major leagues.
Ramirez’s contract would average $11.7 million a year. The Marlins’ best-paid player this season is closer Kevin Gregg at $2.5 million.
The 24-year-old Ramirez, who will make $439,000 this season, would be eligible for arbitration after this season. He was the NL Rookie of the Year in 2006 and had a breakout season in 2007, when he hit .332 with 29 home runs, 81 RBIs and 51 stolen bases.
He’s off to a fine start again this year for first-place Florida, hitting .336 with eight homers, 21 RBIs and 13 stolen bases going into Saturday night’s game at Washington.
Edmonds released by Padres
Friday, May 9th, 2008Jim Edmonds spent 26 games with the Padres. Edmonds, who turns 38 on June 27, will become a free agent after he clears release waivers, which is likely to be sometime next week.
His agent, Paul Cohen, said that Edmonds, a 16-year veteran, wants to continue playing.
It is highly unlikely that another team would claim Edmonds and become responsible for the remainder of his $8 million salary, of which the Cardinals are paying $2 million.
Edmonds opened the season on the disabled list with a right calf strain and never produced for a team that has lost 17 of its last 21 games.