Results tagged ‘ braves ’

Roundup: Reds locking up their players

The Reds haven’t brought in much outside help this offseason, but they’ve still been among the busiest teams in baseball. Their mission is keeping guys in-house. The club had already inked starter Bronson Arroyo to a three-year, $35 million extension. Then, late Thursday night, the club agreed on a six-year, $51 million contract with Jay Bruce, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon.

Now, they’re apparently turning their attention to Joey Votto and Johnny Cueto.

The Reds have been wanting to sign Votto, the reigning National League MVP, to some sort of extension, but ESPN.com’s Jerry Crasnick believes it won’t be for the six years that Bruce got. According to the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Reds have also had preliminary discussions with Cueto about a long-term deal.

Here’s more from around the league on Friday …

* All was quiet on the Cliff Lee front as of Friday afternoon. The Rangers on Thursday presented Lee with a wide array of complex offers, and now, they wait. The Yankees had recently upped their proposal to seven years, but good friend CC Sabathia will give Lee his space, too. Is the ballyhooed left-hander agonizing over his decision right now? C.J. Wilson doesn’t think so. He thinks Lee is deer hunting.

* Young, non-tendered catcher Russell Martin could be close to making his decision. The Yankees, Red Sox and Blue Jays have been reported to have serious interest, with New York taking “an aggressive approach,” ESPN.com’s Buster Olney wrote via Twitter. He is said to be deciding between those three American League East teams.

* The Orioles made potential closer Kevin Gregg a two-year offer worth $8 to $10 million, according to the Baltimore Sun. Gregg seems to be negotiating with several teams right now. The question is whether the O’s would give him a chance to be their ninth-inning man.

* A few signings made today: The Royals got Melky Cabrera to be their center fielder; the Orioles resigned veteran infielder Cesar Izturis; the Brewers picked up catcher Wil Nieves; and the Braves officially signed lefty reliever George Sherrill.

* According to Olney, Jorge Cantu is one of the first basemen “seriously being considered” by the Diamondbacks. Cantu was a solid run-producer in the middle of the Marlins’ lineup the last two-plus years, but struggled while playing sparingly with the Rangers towards the end of the 2010 season.

– Alden Gonzalez 

Roundup: 1B locked up in Windy City

Day 3 of the Winter Meetings saw a couple of slugging first
basemen land in Chicago, as the White Sox resigned
their captain, Paul Konerko, and the Cubs took
a chance on Carlos Pena.

The Konerko deal was somewhat surprising, considering talks between the two
sides seemed to be on life support just a day ago. But even after signing Adam
Dunn, Chicago was able to give Konerko a three-year, $37.5 million to form what looks like one of the best lineups in baseball for 2011.

With the Cubs, Pena is reunited with his old esteemed hitting coach, Rudy
Jaramillo, and receives what super-agent Scott Boras referred to as
a “pillow contract” — because, as Boras said, it’s comfortable for both
sides. That deal is for one year and $10 million, as Pena will try to rebuild
his worth after hitting 28 homers but batting below .200 in 2010.

Here’s more from around the league on Wednesday …

* No more fooling around for the Yankees. They’re ready to make ballyhooed
free-agent starter Cliff Lee a
preliminary offer of six years and between $140 and $150 million, MLB.com’s
Bryan Hoch confirmed. Will that be enough, considering reports of mystery teams
offering seven years?

* The Rangers met with Carl Crawford‘s agent, according to MLB.com’s T.R. Sullivan.

* Adrian Beltre is still open to signing with the Athletics, according
to Boras. Boras also said negotiations for his third-base client are moving
quickly, and that the Angels are a very possible suitor.  

* There had been several reports that the Red Sox would be interested in
trading for Mets outfielder Carlos Beltran. But Boras, who represents
him, says Beltran plans
to be a Met in 2011. That’s significant, considering he has a no-trade clause.

* Five teams are seriously pursuing Zack Greinke while another three are
“on the periphery,” according to FOXSports.com. It still seems like
he’d be tough
to move, however. The Royals are specific with what they want: pitching and
up-the-middle help.

* The Red Sox, according to CBS Sports, are zeroing in on Magglio Ordonez
to fill their outfield void, which would not be good news for Crawford. The Tigers are also checking.

* The Twins continue their
interest in resigning Carl Pavano, but they have competition. The
Brewers, according to MLB.com’s Adam McCalvy, have
also met with Pavano. The Nationals are another club known to have
interest. 

* In less-heralded one-year deals on Wednesday, the Mariners signed
non-tendered designated hitter Jack Cust; the Royals brought
in outfielder Jeff Francoeur; the D-backs were reportedly on the verge of signing catcher Henry
Blanco and veteran lefty Mike Hampton (Minor League deal); the
Braves acquired non-tendered lefty reliever George Sherrill; and the Dodgers were close to bringing back Russell Martin. 
 

– Alden Gonzalez 

List of inquiring minds about Greinke growing

Bob Elliott, the distinguished Toronto Sun columnist, has added to the Zack Greinke rumor fuel by saying the Blue Jays had inquired about the Royals’ right-hander a month or so ago. Boxer Bob adds that other teams who have inquired include the Twins, Rangers, Braves, Reds, Mariners and Nationals. We’re guessing that there are several more on the “inquired” list.

Inquiring and putting proposals on the table are two entirely different things and there’s been no indication that Kansas City is seriously considering any offer right now.

The report that the Royals won’t trade Greinke within the AL Central just isn’t true. They’d rather not, of course. As GM Dayton Moore put it the other day: “If you get the type of deal that’s necessary to improve your team, you don’t worry a whole lot about that. I don’t say you don’t consider it because you do. Everything being equal, you’d love to get him out of the division and out of the league.”

But if the Twins bundle up a rich package laden with top prospects and it’s the right deal, those who know Moore know that the in-division factor won’t stop him.

–Dick Kaegel.

Roundup: White Sox land slugger Dunn

The White Sox netted one of the free agent market’s biggest bats, Adam Dunn, on Thursday as the Hot Stove kicked into high gear with Thursday’s 11:59 p.m. ET non-tender deadline looming. 
Chicago has agreed to terms with the slugger pending a physical, according to multiple media reports. Dunn’s deal is reportedly for four years and $56 million.
The Athletics also reportedly had interest in signing Dunn, who hit 38 home runs for the Nationals last season. 
Dunn’s deal could signal the end of Paul Konerko’s tenure in Chicago as the club might not be inclined to keep two high-priced veteran first baseman on the roster.  
Elsewhere, the Red Sox will welcome back veteran backstop Jason Varitek in 2011, according to multiple published reports. Varitek, 38, reportedly agreed to a two-year deal worth $2 million plus incentives.
Varitek projects to be a good fit alongside several young Red Sox catchers, including Jarrod Saltalamacchia.
Varitek isn’t the only player who after Thursday is set to return to his previous club. The Braves agreed with utility man Eric Hinske on a one-year deal, plus an option for 2012. Financial terms of the deal weren’t made public. 
Hinske, 33,  figures to be a left-handed pinch hitter for the Braves again in ’11, and could occasionally spell rookie first baseman Freddie Freeman.
“It’s a perfect fit,” Braves veteran catcher Brian McCann told MLB.com.  ”There are a lot of guys who are going to be excited to hear about this.”  <p>
Another utility player, Jeff Baker, agreed to a deal of his own on Thursday that will keep him in Chicago for the 2011 season. Baker, acquired in 2009 from the Rockies, will reportedly make $1.175 million in 2011, according to a FOXSports.com report.
Baker’s signing came hours before the deadline for club’s to offer unsigned players under their control a contract for next season. Baker hit .272 last season for the Cubs and proved especially valuable against left-handed pitching, batting .350.
While these players will stay put for next season, free agent Hisanori Takahashi could be on the move — to a different league and a different coast. 
The left-handed pitcher is close to a multi-year deal with the Angels, the New York Times reported on Thursday. 
The Angels had been clear about desiring some veteran bullpen help and the veteran pitcher could help fill that void. Takahashi proved effective in a variety of roles last season for the Mets, going 10-6 with a 3.61 ERA. 
– Bailey Stephens

Roundup: Arbitration decisions looming

Thanksgiving week is upon us, but there’s still plenty of time for the Hot Stove before the turkey hits the table. There’s also tomorrow’s deadline for team’s to decide if they want to offer arbitration to their eligible free agents. A lot of factors go in to team’s decisions this time of year, but keep in mind that teams can make offers of arbitration to free agents, even if they plan to decline and depart, in order to reap the draft benefits. What impact will this have on the free agent market? Only time will tell but with these decisions on the horizon, let’s take a brief look at what’s going on around the league: 
-Speaking of the arbitration deadline, one of the Orioles biggest decisions leading up to it will be whether or not to offer arbitration to reliever Koji Uehara. According to MLB.com’s Brittany Ghiroli, the O’s have shown significant interest in retaining Uehara, and have remained in contact with his representatives. Uehara, who served as the O’s closer down the stretch, registered a 2.86 ERA out of the ‘pen in 2010. His strong season could put him in line for a significant raise, perhaps netting upwards of $8 million, Ghiroli speculated. 
- Justin Upton talks have continued after the general manager meetings. Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported last Friday that 15-16 teams had approached the D-backs about acquiring the young slugger. Upton has four teams on his no-trade list, including the Athletics, Mariners, Tigers and Royals. On Monday, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports.com clarified on Twitter that the Mariners were one of the teams Upton had chosen to block from acquiring him, not the Indians as he had previously reported. The Blue Jays, Marlins, Orioles, Red Sox, Royals and Yankees have been said to have interest in Upton. 
- Free agent Eric Hinske is being courted in the early stages of the offseason by the Braves and the Brewers, according to a Twitter report from Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports. The 33-year-old hit .256 with 11 home runs in a bench/platoon role with Atlanta last year. Hinske has said he’d like to return to the Braves, who according to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman offered the outfielder/first baseman a one-year deal in the range of $1.5 million last week. Hinske is said to be looking for a two-year deal. 
- There are six or seven teams interested in free agent right-hander Brandon McCarthy, according to a report from Jon Paul Morosi of FoxSports.com. Teams interested in McCarthy include the Athletics, Astros, D-backs, Brewers, Padres, Mariners, and Tigers. McCarthy, who has endured his share of shoulder injuries, has been looking good in the Dominican Winter League, Morosi noted. 
- The A’s pitching situation for 2011 is apparently still evolving amidst the news that talks with Japanese pitcher Hisashi Iwakuma have stalled. The two sides will still have until Dec. 7 to hammer out a deal, but it’s not looking good. According to Iwakuma’s agent Don Nomura, the A’s offered Iwakuma a four-year deal worth $15.25 million. Iwakuma and his agent, though, were looking for something more similar to the contracts of Hiroki Kuroda (three years, $35.3 million) and Daisuke Matsuzaka (six years, $52 million).
Stay tuned to the MLB.com Hot Stove blog for updates on all the action. 
– Bailey Stephens

Braves make Hinske an offer

Braves general manager Frank Wren revealed Friday that he has made a contract offer to free agent Eric Hinske.  But it’s not believed to be one of the two-year offers that Hinske is currently seeking. 

The Braves appear to be comfortable bringing Hinske back with a one-year deal worth approximately $1.5 million.  The veteran utility player hit .256 with 11 homers in 281 at-bats this past season for the Braves.  

Hinske has told some of his Braves teammates that he would likely return to Atlanta if he is provided a two-year contract.  But it seems doubtful that Wren would be willing to offer the extra guaranteed season.

Wren also said that he hasn’t decided whether he’ll tender a contract to Matt Diaz, who stands as the most likely of the club’s arbitration-eligible players to be non-tendered. 

- Mark Bowman 

Roundup: The Tigers have arrived to the GM Meetings

It was the Marlins who staked their claim in Orlando on Tuesday, when they traded Dan Uggla to the Braves and agreed on a three-year contract with John Buck. Wednesday is the day of the Tigers, apparently. The club agreed on a three-year, $16.5 million contract with setup man Joaquin Benoit, according to reports. Also, Detroit is said to be going after power-hitting lefty outfielder/first baseman/potential designated hitter Adam Dunn.
SI.com first reported the two sides were quickly coming together on a
deal, but ESPN.com followed up by saying nothing is imminent just yet.

Here’s more from the second full day of the General Managers Meetings …

* Diamondbacks new general manager Kevin Towers is apparently kicking the tires on a potential trade of franchise player Justin Upton.
The Red Sox, according to USA Today, are said to be the ideal
candidate, but the New York Post wrote that the Marlins and Rays — and
perhaps the Yankees — are prime candidates.

* White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf confirmed to the Chicago Sun-Times that he would’ve let manager Ozzie Guillen go
to the Marlins if they would’ve given up the specific high-level player
he sought. Reinsdorf didn’t say who, but he denied it was Mike Stanton.

* In need of a lefty bat, the White Sox have engaged in talks with Hideki Matsui,
according to SI.com. Matsui expressed interest in a return to the
Angels, but they’d like to keep DH a revolving door with so many
veterans in their lineup. 

* Six to eight teams have spoken to free-agent starter Carl Pavano, according to The Washington Post, which names the Nationals as one of them. The Marlins, a source told MLB.com, are another.

* The Athletics traded speedy outfielder Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays in exchange for Minor Leaguers Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar, the club announced. Toronto also released right-hander Shawn Hill.

* The Rockies have expressed interest in A’s third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, according to The Denver Post, which added that Jose Lopez, Jorge Cantu and Ty Wigginton are also on the club’s radar.

* Brandon Webb is also reportedly drawing interest. According to
ESPN.com, the Dodgers, Pirates, Twins and Rangers have shown interest in
the right-hander.

* Seven to eight teams are reportedly interested in Jorge de la Rosa,
who is one of the top free-agent starters once you get past Cliff Lee.
The Rockies are a team that would like to keep him, but not if he gets an offer eclipsing four years.

– Alden Gonzalez

Marlins deal Uggla to Braves for Infante, LHP Dunn

The Marlins have parted ways with their
home-run-hitting second baseman, agreeing on Tuesday afternoon to send
Dan Uggla to the Braves in exchange for infielder Omar Infante and
left-hander Mike Dunn, the Marlins announced in a release.

Uggla and the Marlins were attempting to reach an
extension but couldn’t agree on the framework of a deal. Uggla
reportedly wanted a five-year contract, but the Marlins didn’t want to
go any further than a proposed four-year, $48 million offer. 

The 30-year-old Uggla made $7.8 million in 2010 and could yield $12 million in arbitration if he goes to a hearing. He is set to be a free after the 2011 campaign.

Infante would now likely replace Uggla as the
Marlins’ second baseman. In Dunn, Florida receives a young lefty
reliever it coveted this offseason. 

Uggla will now be reunited with former manager Fredi Gonzalez in Atlanta.

– Alden Gonzalez

Roundup: GM Meetings lighting Hot Stove

The General Managers Meetings are in full swing and so is the Hot Stove. With everyone in one place, the rumors are flying and teams are staying busy. Let’s jump right into a rundown of the hottest news of the day: 
- The Marlins are reportedly close to a deal with free agent catcher John Buck. Nothing official has landed yet, but FoxSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal reported on Tuesday afternon on Twitter that the Marlins were close to signing Buck to a three year deal and SI.com’s Jon Heyman confirmed via Twitter that the two sides were nearing a deal. The South Florida Sun Sentinel reported that the deal is worth between $15 and $20 million. More to come on MLB.com from Alden Gonzalez.
- The D-backs have reportedly let other teams know they will listen on Justin Upton. On Tuesday, Rosenthal reported on Twitter that Arizona would listen on Upton, but the return would have to be “big.” Morosi suggested on Twitter that the Braves might be at the front of the line and would have the talented young arms to go get Upton. There were also rumors that the Red Sox might be interested in Upton, but Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reported that his source thought it was more “due diligance than actual trade talk.”
- The Yanks are looking to fill some holes in their bullpen and they are reportedly looking toward veteran left-hander Pedro Feliciano, Newsday’s Ken Davidoff reported on Twitter Tuesday. Feliciano has been a busy guy in recent years, leading the NL in appearances in each of the last three seasons. Over that span, he’s tallied a 3.44 ERA. 
- In what’s become somewhat of a saga, the Marlins are reportedly now “aggressively shopping” Dan Uggla, MLB.com’s Joe Frisaro reported on Twitter on Tuesday. The Braves have expressed interest in the second baseman, Dave O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constution suggested on Tuesday, joining a list of suitors that also reportedly includes the Cardinals, Blue Jays, Nationals and Tigers. It’s not known though, if the Marlins would be willing to trade Uggla to an NL East foe. 
- It’s looking more and more like Cardinals outfielder Colby Rasmus won’t be moved this offseason as Rosenthal and Morosi quote a source that puts the chances of a Rasmus return at “99 percent.” 
Stay tuned to the MLB.com Hot Stove for updates. 
– Bailey Stephens

Braves claim Mather off waivers

The Cardinals announced today via their official Twitter feed (@CardsInsider) that the Braves have claimed infielder/outfielder Joe Mather off of waivers.
Mather, 27, has struggled to regain his health and his form since a breakout 2008 in which he hit eight home runs in 133 at-bats. He has battled injuries, most notably a troublesome left wrist that required multiple operations, since late in ’08.
A right-handed hitter, Mather is an impressive athlete who can be a formidable presence at the plate when healthy. The question, though, is his health.
He enjoyed a strong spring in 2010 and made the Opening Day roster, but scuffled at the plate and was optioned to Triple-A Memphis in May. He was recalled in September and finished the year with a .217/.242/.283 line in 64 plate appearances.
Mather can play first base, third base and all three outfield positions.
Many teams will make relatively minor moves between now and Saturday as they set their 40-man rosters in advance of full free agency. Any player with six or more years of Minor League experience who is not on a 40-man roster as of Saturday afternoon becomes a free agent.
–Matthew Leach
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