According to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, the Pirates are expected to complete a one-year, $1 million deal with Bobby Crosby on Thursday. The deal would include $500,000 in potential bonus money based on plate appearances. Crosby will battle Ronny Cedeno for the starting shortstop gig in Pittsburgh. The 29-year-old struggled to a .223/.295/.357 batting line in 2009; perhaps a change of scenery will be beneficial.
The Angels have offered SP Joe Saunders, SS Erick Aybar and CF Peter Bourjos to the Blue Jays for ace Roy Halladay, according to the Toronto Sun. The offer could put the Angels in the driver's seat for Toronto's ace; they have been the most aggressive in negotiations and possess the requisite ammunition to get a deal done. Saunders, 28, was 16-7 with a 4.60 earned run average in 31 starts in 2009. Aybar, who will turn 26 next month, hit .312 with five homers and 58 RBIs in 137 games. Bourjos, 22, is a highly-regarded speedster. Saunders and Aybar are both three years away from free agency. The story notes that the Blue Jays would likely trade recently-signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez if they acquired Aybar
SI.com's Jon Heyman reports arbitration-eligible reliever Rafael Soriano has been traded to the Rays. The deal is pending a physical, which probably won't go down until Thursday or morning or afternoon. It's not yet clear who the Braves are getting in return, though right-hander Jesse Chavez's name has been thrown around. Soriano should contend for the ninth-inning job in Tampa Bay. He had a 2.97 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a 102/27 K/BB ratio in 75 2/3 innings this past year.
Might happen, but not a lock...... Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com heard from a source that the rumored Mike Lowell-for-Max Ramirez trade "could still blow up." The Rangers have concerns about Lowell's hip and thumb issues, and rightly so. He exhibited real durability issues this past season and hasn't played over 120 games since 2007. Lowell will be manning a less demanding position in Texas (first base), but that doesn't mean he can stay healthy for the entire season. Stay tuned; this thing might not get sorted out quickly.
Agreed he's a good arm, I'm surprised they got him so cheap (in terms of player traded to the Braves) but Atlanta was desperate to get his contract off their books.
Per metsblog the mets are expected to make a five year offer to bay today and a 1-2 year offer to Molina who I don't want. Not sure how I feel about bay since he is streaky as can be as long as it doesn't preclude the mets from going after lackey I suppose I'm ok.
According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, the Astros have signed free agent third base Pedro Feliz. That didn't take long. McTaggart didn't reveal financial details, but it should be close to the one-year, $4 million mark reported earlier. Feliz, 34, had a mere .694 OPS last season and still swings at everything under the sun, but he continues to carry the reputation as one of the better fielding third baseman around. He should do fine with a modest one-year deal.
The Mets can have Bay, I don't really want him either. If they're really offering him a 5 year deal I bet he winds up there.
I didn't even like the 4 year/$60 million deal the Sox offered Bay in the first place. If the Mets are serious about 5 years, then he won't be back. At this point Theo should focus his attention on Holliday and (hopefully, although its definitely wishful thinking on my part) Miggy or AGon.
According to the report the Mets offered Bay 4 yrs 65 million. If that's true then why even bother offering him something at all? I'd be shocked if he'd jump to them for an extra 5 million. I agree, I don't think Bay is worth 4 for 60 and I'm really torn because I think Bay is a nice player but I just think the Red Sox need a franchise like player such as a Miggy or Gonzalez like you said.
I'm torn on whether I want the NYM to go any higher. One thing the mets have going is that was in the mets farm system prior to being a rule five pick and at one time he expressed interest in returning. We will find out whether that's still true or if its only about money.....
According to MLB.com's Noah Coslov, the White Sox have reached a one-year, $3 million deal with reliever J.J. Putz. Putz, 32, posted an ugly 5.22 ERA and 1.64 WHIP during an injury-marred 2009, but the White Sox clearly believe he can rebound. He managed a 3.89 ERA in '08 with the Mariners and a 1.38 ERA and 40 saves in 2007.
Royals signed C Jason Kendall to a two-year contract. Terms were not disclosed, but the two sides were closing in on a contract around $4 million on Thursday. It would have been unthinkable for Kendall to find a two-year contract just two weeks ago, but thy Royals fell victim to the mediocre veteran catcher market after Ivan Rodriguez and Brian Schneider managed to haggle two years of their respective new teams. The 35-year-old Kendall batted just .241/.331/.305 in 452 at-bats with the Brewers in '09, throwing out just 20 percent of would-be basestealers.
Astros signed reliever Brandon Lyon to a three-year, $15 million contract. It's a curious deal to give any reliever who hasn't shown he can close. "Brandon has put up good numbers in both leagues and we've gotten great feedback on his makeup", said GM Ed Wade. After posting a 2.86 ERA in 78.2 innings for Detroit in 2009, Lyon figures to battle Matt Lindstrom for the closer's job, and given the outlay of cash committed to Lyon, we'd be shocked if he didn't win the job. If so, the right-hander could be a cheap source of saves if you like to go that route.
Here's the complete list of players non-tendered prior to Saturday's midnight deadline. A total of 29 non-tendered players immediately joined the 139 still unsigned from the original 171 who had declared free agency. Angels: RHP Jose Arredondo*, INF Matt Brown, RHP Dustin Moseley Athletics: OF Jack Cust Blue Jays: C Raul Chavez Indians: RHP Adam Miller*, RHP Anthony Reyes*, RHP Jose Veras Mariners: OF Ryan Langerhans Orioles: RHP Brian Bass Rays: OF Gabe Gross, C Shawn Riggans Red Sox: OF Brian Anderson Royals: OF Josh Anderson, C John Buck White Sox: RHP D.J. Carrasco Yankees: RHP Chien-Ming Wang* Braves: OF Ryan Church, 2B Kelly Johnson Brewers: RHP Mark DiFelice*, RHP Seth McClung, C Mike Rivera Cubs: LHP Neal Cotts Diamondbacks: 1B Josh Whitesell Giants: 1B Ryan Garko Marlins: INF-OF Alfredo Amezaga Mets: RHP Lance Broadway, RHP Tim Redding, OF Jeremy Reed, OF Cory Sullivan Nationals: RHP Mike MacDougal, LHP Scott Olsen Padres: RHP Jackson Quezada, RHP Mark Worrell Phillies: RHP Clay Condrey Pirates: RHP Matt Capps, LHP Phil Dumatrait Reds: OF Jonny Gomes Rockies: 3B Garrett Atkins * players are injured. Arredondo and DiFelice are expected to miss the entire 2010 season following arm surgeries. Miller might be in the same boat. Reyes will miss the first half as he continues his recovery from Tommy John, and Wang's rehab is expected to continue through the end of April at least.
It seems the Braves have resigned Matt Diaz. I don't have a link I saw it in the newspaper this morning.
Jayson Stark of ESPN.com reports the Blue Jays have agreed to terms on a one-year, $2 million deal with catcher John Buck. Buck was non-tendered by the Royals Saturday after the team decided to ink Jason Kendall to a two-year, $6 million deal. Buck, 29, hit .247/.299/.484 in 2009 with eight homers and 36 RBI in 186 at-bats.
BigDog must be sleeping right now since he hasn't posted this year but big trade has been agreed to. Anyway Jon Heyman is reporting a 3 way deal: Halladay to Phillies Cliff Lee to Seattle Prospects to Toronto Note sure if other players are going to the Phillies or Mariners. Halladay will then sign a contract extension to stay with Philly (Cliff Lee told the Phillies that he wouldn't give them a hometown discount to stay in Philly). Like the move for Philly right now as Halladay is an upgrade over Lee and he'll be signed long term. Halladay is in Philly with his agent now.
King Felix and Cliff Lee is a nice 1-2 punch in that Seattle rotation. Also, ESPN is reporting that the Red Sox deal for Lackey is 5 years/$82 million.
Yeah I just saw that. The Sox better lock up Beckett now, he should probably get the same deal Lackey did in my opinion, maybe give him a 5 year 87 million dollar deal just to stroke his ego. Between the moves Seattle is making and Texas possibly improving with the Angels seemingly getting worse the West should be interesting next year. I'd probably guess with Boston and Seattle making big moves today (and the Angels are close to signing Matsui on a 1 yr deal) the Mets have to be the favorites to sign Jason Bay now.
Ruben Amaro is killing GMs in his deal making. My Phillies are going from pretty good to great, and even if we have to give up Taylor or Happ, we just added arguable the best righty pitcher in baseball with the Rays footing a good deal of the $$$ in his contract. Looks like a 4th straight NL East title and a possible third straight trip to the World Series. GO PHILLIES
Yeah we'll see about all of that. We'll just neutralize Halladay with Kenshin Kawakami, the slayer of pitching aces.
Today was travel day....just flew cross country and landed...thanks for all who kept this up to date today....lots of action for sure. ========================================== Tyler Kepner of the New York Times has confirmed that the Angels and DH Hideki Matsui have agreed to a one-year contract. Matsui, 35, will take over as the primary designated hitter in Anaheim. He hit .274/.367/.509 with 28 homers and 90 RBI in 456 at-bats this past season for the Yankees and should serve as a fine replacement for Vladimir Guerrero. Matsui is a .292/.370/.482 career hitter.
ESPN.com's Jayson Stark has learned that catching prospect Travis D'Arnaud is also headed to Toronto in Monday's reported three-team trade. Here's what we've learned so far: The Phillies will get Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays and will hand him a three-year, $60 million contract extension; The Blue Jays, in turn, will get D'Arnaud and outfielder Michael Taylor from the Phillies, and 20-year-old right-handed pitching prospect Phillippe Aumont from the Mariners; Seattle will wind up with Cliff Lee from the Phillies. This thing might not get sorted out until Tuesday or Wednesday, but we'll be sure to keep up with all of the details as they stream in. Stay tuned. ------------------------------------ Another rumor is that Lee if off the table to be replaced with Brown/Happ/Blanton. Either way, its solid moves all around, including the contract for Lackey to Sox: According to Sports Illustrated's Jon Heyman, the Red Sox and John Lackey have agreed to a five-year, $85 million deal. Agree, this opens the door to go after AG from SD.....that puts Sox right back into things. Well done to pick up the pieces and stay competitive in AL East race as to be expected.
Its a rumor at this point, but wouldnt be surprised if either SEA wants more then just Lee or Phil brass is trying to figure a way to keep Lee with Doc and Hamels.
Apparently, from what I've read, Lee is begging the Phillies GM to keep him so he can pitch with Roy.
FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal reports the Red Sox and Mike Cameron are closing in on a two-year deal worth around $15.5 million. The Associated Press is reporting that a tentative deal may be in place. Cameron is 36 years of age but remains one of the top defenders in the game and hit a respectable .250/.342/.452 with 24 home runs and 32 doubles in 628 plate apperances this past season for the Brewers. The Red Sox may ask him to take over center field and move Jacoby Ellsbury to left.
this thing is still moving parts and pieces..... Bob Elliott of the Toronto Sun has heard that RHP Kyle Drabek is involved in Monday's three-team blockbuster but not Mariners prospect Phillippe Aumont. So, we're still waiting to hear what the M's are giving up to get Cliff Lee. Here's what we've gathered to this point: The Phillies will get Roy Halladay from the Blue Jays and will hand him a three-year, $60 million contract extension; The Blue Jays, in turn, will get Drabek, catcher Travis D'Arnaud and possibly outfielder Michael Taylor from the Phillies; Seattle will then wind up with Cliff Lee, but must first surrender a prospect or two to Toronto. Stay tuned.
all i know is we better not be giving up the farm for a one year rental...just aumonte and saunders is all i want to give up..no morrow or triunfel like ive read on other sites
What I don't understand is, why would the phillies give up Drabek now, when they would not trade him during last season when the phillies could have used him? And why move Lee? That makes even less sense, now Cole Hammels is their #2? Imho the phillies are messing up.
