397 replies to this topic

[mabrowndog]

Luis Gonzalez to the Marlins on a 1-year deal

Edited by mabrowndog, 01 February 2008 - 04:34 AM.

[Rico Brogna's Fan]

Morgan Ensberg signs with Yankees on one year deal, to compete for first base (Link)

Brad Wilkerson's deal with the Mariners official, 1 year @ $3 million with $2 million worth of incentives (Link)

[Rico Brogna's Fan]

Dallas McPherson signs one year deal with the Marlins

Link

[cwright]

Red Sox acquired RHP David Aardsma from the White Sox for RHP Willy Mota and RHP Miguel Socolovich. (link)
Astros signed RHP Brian Moehler and OF David Newhan to minor league deals. (link)
Dodgers re-signed INF Ramon Martinez to a minor league deal. (link)
Dodgers released RHP D.J. Houlton. (link)
Tigers released SS Tony Giarratano. (link)
Mets claimed RHP Ruddy Lugo off waivers from Oakland. (link)

Royals signed INF Esteban German to a 1-year, $1 million deal (avoiding arbitration). (link)
Reds signed RHP Matt Belisle to a 1-year, $1.25 million deal (avoiding arbitration). (link)
Cardinals signed RHP Todd Wellenmeyer to a 1-year, $1 million deal (avoiding arbitration). (link)

Brandon Inge has agreed to spend time catching in spring training, to increase his versatility (and playing time). (link)

Nats' C Paul LoDuca needs surgery on his left knee, which he injured (minor meniscus tear) working out this offseason. He should be "fully recovered" in 4-6 weeks. (link)

RHP Jesse Crain says he is fully healthy coming into spring training, after having surgery last May on his torn labrum. (link)

Marlins' RHP Henry Owens has begun throwing off a mound after rotator cuff surgery last August. He'll miss most or all of the year. (link)

[cwright]

Marlins designated LHP Chris Seddon for assignment (to create a roster spot for Dallas MacPherson). (link)

Mike Hampton will enter spring training "at 100%" after a hamstring injury n his one appearance in winter ball. (link)

Casey Blake agreed to a 1-year deal for $6.1 million with the Indians (avoiding arbitration). (link)

Edited by cwright, 01 February 2008 - 07:51 PM.

[cwright]

Reds signed LHP Scott Sauerbeck and C Paul Bako to minor league deals. (link)
Orioles signed C Chris Heintz and RHP Esteban Yan to minor league deals. (link)
Rays signed LHP Brian Anderson and C Josh Paul to minor league deals. (link)

Pirates claimed INF Ray Olmedo off waivers (from Toronto) and designated LHP Sean Burnett for assignment. (link)

Dodgers signed LHP Joe Beimel to a 1-year, $1.925 million deal, avoiding arbitration. (link)
Mets signed LHP Pedro Feliciano to a 1-year, $1.025 million deal, avoiding arbitration. (link)

[cwright]

Old friend Rudy Seanez is set to sign with the Dodgers for $550,000, plus a possible $750,000 in incentives. (link)

Tampa Bay INF Willy Aybar is in custody in the Dominican Republic on domestic violence charges, and could spend three more months there if convicted. (link)

Juan Gonzalez is back! He signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals. (link)

Rangers' RHP prospects Omar Beltre and Alexi Ogando are still banned from entering the U.S. for their participation in a "marriage-for-money" scandal three years ago in the Dominican Republic. (link)

Finally, the official trade details: Mets acquired LHP Johan Santana from the Twins for outfielder Carlos Gomez, RHP Deolis Guerra, RHP Kevin Mulvey and RHP Philip Humber; Mets then signed Santana to a six-year contract (worth $137.5 million) with a club option for 2014 ($25 million, $5.5 million buyout; option vests based on IP or Cy Young votes). (link)

[tplant]

Well look like our old pal Freddy Sanchez just signed a 3 year deal with the Pirates for $19 million dollars, good for him. He had definetly become a much better player than I ever thought he would be.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3231288

[cwright]

D'Backs manager Bob Melvin has named Brandon Lyon as the closer for 2008, with Tony Pena setting up. (link)

Indians signed RHP Brendan Donnelly to a minor league deal. (link)

Marlins designated RHP Marcos Carvajal for assignment. (link)
Marlins outrighted LHP Chris Seddon to AAA. (link)
Marlins signed OF Luis Gonzalez to a 1-year, $2 million contract (plus a possible $1 million in incentives). (link)

Nats signed 29-year-old LHP Katsuhiko Maekawa to a minor league deal (5.26 ERA and 417K/345BB in 609 innings in Japan). (link)

Padres claimed RHP Enrique Gonzalez off waivers from the Nationals. (link)

Phillies designated RHP Anderson Garcia for assignment. (link)

Pirates outrighted LHP Sean Burnett to AAA. (link)

Rangers have named Nolan Ryan team president. (link)

Rays signed RHP Trever Miller to a 1-year, $1.6 million deal, plus a $2 million option for 2009 (or a $400k buyout). (link)
Rays signed 1B/OF Eric Hinske to a 1-year minor league deal (worth $800,000 if he makes the team). (link)

Reds signed RHP Mike Lincoln to a minor league deal. (link)
Reds signed LHP Kent Mercker to a minor league deal. (link) (wow, he's still playing?)

Red Sox signed 2B Junior Spivey and LHP Matt Miller to minor league deals. (link)
Red Sox signed 1B Sean Casey to a 1-year, $700,000 deal. (link) (listed elsewhere as $800,000?)
Red Sox also re-signed Bobby Kielty to a non-guaranteed deal (worth $800,000 if he makes the team). (link)

Rockies have added RHP Josh Towers to their 40-man roster (despite being a non-roster invitee). (link)

Tigers acquired RHP Armando Galarraga (age 26, 11-8, 4.14 ERA and 135K/58BB in 152 1/3 IP last season in the minors) from the Rangers for OF Michael Hernandez (age 24, .259/.321/.477 in the minors last season). (link)

Ryan Klesko has reportedly retired. (link)

arbitration-eligibles:
OF Alex Rios signed a 1-year, $4.835 million deal with Toronto. (link)
RHP Brian Bruney signed a 1-year, $725,000 deal with the NYY. (link)
RHP Dave Bush signed a 1-year, $2.55 million deal with Milwaukee. (link)
SS Eric Bruntlett signed a 1-year, $600k deal with the Phillies. (link)
RHP Daniel Cabrera signed a 1-year, $2.875 million deal with Baltimore. (link)
OF Ryan Church signed a 1-year, $2 million deal with the Nationals as a super-2. (link)
RHP Zack Greinke signed a 1-year, $1.4 million deal with KC. (link)
OF Mark Teahen signed a 1-year, $2,337,500 deal with KC. (link)

health news:
Randy Johnson threw off a mound for the first time this offseason and is said to be on-track for full participation in spring training. (link)
Kelvim Escobar "experienced discomfort" in his throwing shoulder and is expected to start the season on the DL. (link)
Curt Schilling is out at least until the All-Star break (and not the NBA one) with shoulder issues. (link)

[cwright]

Looks like the Erik Bedard deal is finally official:
Seattle will acquire Bedard in exchange for Adam Jones, George Sherrill, Chris Tillman, Tony Butler and Kam Mickolio. (link)

[cwright]

Terms of Foulke's deal: 1-year, $750,000 major league deal. (link)
To make room for Foulke, the A's designated 1B Wes Bankston for assignment. (link)

Indians signed RHP Scott Elarton to a minor league deal. (link)
Royals signed RHP Mike Maroth to a minor league deal. (link)
Yanks signed INF Chris Woodward to a minor league deal. (link)

Giants signed RHP Kevin Correia to a 1-year, $1.045 million deal and signed Vinnie Chulk to a 1-year, $837,500 deal, avoiding arbitration with each. (link)

GM Doug Melvin revealed that Brewers picked up manager Ned Yost's 2009 option last December. (link)

And today's sign of the apocalypse -- these two shockers on the same day:
Carl Pavano played catch for 12 minutes, including 50 throws, and hopes to return sometime this season. (link)
Rich Harden has thrown off a mound three times in the last week and feels "tremendous". (link)

[cwright]

Reds signed 1B Craig Wilson to a minor league deal. (link)

1B Tony Clark has agreed to a 1-year deal with the Padres for $900,000 (though the deal won't be announced for a couple of days). (link)

[cwright]

(this was the best he could do?)
A's agreed to terms with 1B/DH Mike Sweeney on a minor league deal. He'll likely DH against lefties. (link)

[941827]

Old friend Scott Williamson to the Giants. Minor-league deal.

Edited by 941827, 11 February 2008 - 10:54 AM.

[cwright]

Mets signed RHP Tony Armas, Jr. to a minor league deal. (link)

Orioles signed RHP Steve Traschel to a minor league deal. (link)

Pirates signed 1B Doug Mientkiewicz to a minor league deal. (link)

Rockies signed the arbitration-eligible 3B Garrett Atkins to a 1-year deal worth $4.3875 million. (link)

[cwright]

Dodgers signed IB/OF Mark Sweeney to a 1-year, $600,000 deal (worth up to $900,000 with incentives). (link)

Twins signed RHP Livan Hernandez to a 1-year, $5 million deal. (link)

Padres signed Khalil Greene to a 2-year deal worth $11 million ($4.5 million in 2008 and $6.5 million in 2009), buying out his last two arbitration years. (link)

[cwright]

Rangers signed OF Kevin Mench to a minor league deal. (He'll become a free agent if not on the major league club by June 1.) (link)

Mets signed 1B Olmedo Saenz to a minor league deal. (link)

[cwright]

Takashi Saito signs a 1-year, $2 million deal (plus $200,000 in possible incentives) with the Dodgers. (He was not eligible for arbitration, but has the option to return to Japan.) (link)

B.J. Ryan is way ahead of schedule (in recovery from Tommy John surgery) and expects to be ready for opening day. (link)

Phillies agreed to a minor league deal with RHP Kris Benson. (link)

Orioles outrighted OF Chris Roberson to AAA. (link)
Marlins outrighted RHP Marcos Carvajal to AAA. (link)

[InsideTheParker]

The owner of the Cubs wants to separate the sale of the team and the ballpark, considerably slowing the sale.WSJ

[SoxFanSince57]

C.C. Sabathia released a statement Thursday on his official website indicating that he will not discuss a long-term contract extension until after the season.

Sabathia and the Indians were said to be negotiating a potential extension, but the impending free agent wrote: "At this time, we haven’t been able to reach agreement. Now that the reporting date for spring training is here, it is time to put aside contract discussions so that I can focus all of my energies and attention on preparing for the upcoming season." Sabathia added that "there will be time after the season for the Indians and my representatives to discuss my contract status," but it's going to awfully tough for Cleveland to keep him once he hits the open market.

http://www.rotoworld...s...B&hl=228726

[cwright]

Francisco Liriano is having visa problems -- he has to take a sobriety test and submit to counseling before his visa will be granted, due to a 2006 DUI arrest. He expects to miss the first week of spring training. (link)

Braves signed RHP Damian Moss to a minor league deal. (link)

Mets agreed to terms with OF Ben Johnson on a minor league deal. (link)

Padres signed the arbitration-eligible C Josh Bard to a 1-year, $2.2375 million deal. (link)

Health news:
Reggie Willits had his galbladder removed in January. It had stopped functioning, causing a lack of energy, and might have contributed to his bad second half last year. (link)

Dodgers RHP Jason Schmidt had a "breakthrough" in his recovery from shoulder surgery, but is questionable for Opening Day. (link)

Yankees OF Hideki Matsui admits he's not in game shape yet after offseason knee surgery, but says he'll be ready by Opening Day. (link)

Cardinals C Yadier Molina says he's lost 10-15 pounds in an effort to reduce pressure on his knees (after September knee surgery). (link)

[Talon]

Jeremy Brown of "Moneyball" fame retired today according to Rotoworld

[mt8thsw9th]

http://ap.google.com...WJ7wpQD8UR0QKG0

Second baseman Brandon Phillips agreed to a $27 million, four-year deal on Friday, settling the Cincinnati Reds' final arbitration case and satisfying a player who doesn't want to leave.

"The Franchise" (was that what he had written on his cleats when he was still a big-time prospect with the Indians?) goes from bust to millionaire. Good for him.

[cwright]

Mets signed OF Brady Clark to a minor league deal. (link)
A's signed C Matt LeCroy to a minor league deal. (link)

Padres released OF Drew Macias to make room for Tony Clark on the 40-man roster. (link)

Dioner Navarro will be late to spring training due to his mother's illness (in Venezuela). (link)
Ervin Santana will be 1-2 days late to spring training due to visa problems. (link)

Sandy Alomar, Jr. will be at spring training with the Mets as a catching instructor. (link)

arbitration hearings/agreements: (link)
Astros defeated RHP Jose Valverde, who will earn $4.7 million (instead of $6.2 million).
Nats defeated SS Felipe Lopez, who earns $4.9 million (vs. $5.2 million).
Yanks defeated RHP Chien-Ming Wang, who will receive $4 million (instead of $4.6 million).
Rockies defeated RHP Brian Fuentes, who will make $5.05 million (rather than $6.5 million).
Brad Hawpe agreed to a 1-year deal worth $3.925 million (plus a possible $100k in incentives) with the Rockies.
Erik Bedard agreed a 1-year, $7 million deal with Seattle.
J.J. Hardy agreed to a 1-year, $2.65 million deal with the Brewers.

[TheGoldenGreek33]

Mariners manager John McLaren indicated that he's considering keeping Wladimir Balentien as a bench player coming out of spring training.
We can't imagine it happening, but since he said it, we'll post it. Balentien would presumably start over Brad Wilkerson against left-handers and make the occasional start at DH. However, his .191/.338/.355 line in 110 at-bats over the winter suggests he needs the full-time gig in Triple-A.Source: ESPN.com

Preposterous John, I call your bluff.

[cwright]

Royals signed OF Brian Buchanan to a minor league deal. (He played for the Fukuoka Hawks last season and hit .285/.326/.465. Brian last played for the Mets in 2004.) (link)

Dodgers signed OF Nook Logan to a minor league deal. (link)

Mariners claimed RHP Anderson Garcia off waivers from the Phillies. (At age 26, Garcia had a 4.98 ERA in 59 2/3 innings last year in AAA.) (link)

[cwright]

Giants confirmed that RHP Brian Wilson will start the season as the team's closer. (link)

Kris Benson's contract with the Phillies allows him to be released if he's not on the major league roster by March 25. He is guaranteed $100,000 with a chance to earn $5.1 million if he makes 30 starts and pitches 200 innings. (He is not currently expected to be ready for opening day after rotator cuff surgery, but will not necessarily opt out of his contract.) (link)

Opening day starters announced:
Houston: Roy Oswalt (link)
Seattle: Erik Bedard (link)
Giants order (top 3): Barry Zito, Matt Cain, Noah Lowry (link)
Chicago Cubs order: Carlos Zambrano, with Ted Lilly second and Rich Hill fourth (splitting up lefties) -- competition between Jason Marquis, Ryan Dempster, Jon Lieber, and Sean Marshall for the other spots. (link)

[Foulkey Reese]

Nixon auditions for Arizona, other MLB clubs at D-backs' camp

TUCSON, Ariz. -- Veteran outfielder Trot Nixon, still hoping to latch on with a big-league club as a free agent, auditioned for the Arizona Diamondbacks at the team's spring training complex in Tucson on Sunday.

Nixon, 33, is a .275 hitter with 136 home runs in 11 seasons with Boston and Cleveland. After struggling to stay healthy during the end of his tenure with the Red Sox, he hit .251 with three homers in 307 at-bats for the Indians last season.

Arizona opened up Nixon's workout so other interested teams could take a look. Toronto, Seattle and the Los Angeles Dodgers all had scouts on hand to watch him

.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3250820

[RedSoxinIsrael]

Bret Boone is back! He signs a minor league deal with the Nationals (his brother and father's organization)

Edited by RedSoxinIsrael, 18 February 2008 - 12:50 PM.

[cwright]

INF Alex Cintron has signed a minor league deal with the Cubs. (link)

[cwright]

The Astros and Shawn Chacon are "close" to signing an agreement. (link)

2B Ian Kinsler has signed a 5-year, $22 million deal with a $10 million option for a sixth season (or a $500,000 buyout). This deal ties Kinsler to the Rangers for what would be his first free agent year (plus the option for a second). (link)

The Twins are having more visa issues: Dennys Reyes and Alexi Casilla are not yet in camp. Reyes didn't realize until recently that his passport expires in three months. ("He had four months to take care of some of this business and he didn't do it," grumbled GM Bill Smith.) Casilla reportedly had a "legitimate family medical emergency" that caused him to miss his visa appointment last week. (link)

Royals' manager Trey Hillman met with C Miguel Olivo and confirmed that John Buck will be the starting catcher. Olivo said he had been under the impression they would be competing for the job. (link)

INF Mark Loretta lost his arbitration case to the Astros and will make $2.75 million (instead of the $4.9 million he asked for. (link) (By my count, that's owners - 5, players - 0. Yikes.)

[cwright]

LHP Ron Villone signed a minor league deal with the Cardinals. (link)

LHP Odalis Perez signed a minor league deal with the Nationals. The deal is worth $850,000 if he makes the team. (link)

OF Bubba Crosby signed a minor league deal with Seattle. (link)

Mariners' broadcaster Dave Niehaus was named the 2008 recipient of the Ford C. Frick award. Niehaus, age 73, has been a Seattle broadcaster since the franchise joined the American League (as an expansion team) in 1977. (link)

[cosox]

RHP Bartolo Colon headed back to CHW?:
http://chicago.white...c...sp&c_id=cws

[cwright]

According to manager Ozzie Guillen, Nick Swisher will spend all spring playing center field. (link) (Meanwhile, CF Jerry Owens, in trying to win back his job, says his goal for the season is to steal 65 bases.)

Padres outrighted OF Drew Macias to AAA after he cleared waivers. (link)

More visa problems! Arizona RHP Tony Pena has been delayed in the Dominican Republic due to "visa issues". (link) Meanwhile, Seattle's Venezuelan 2B Jose Lopez is expected to be delayed as well. (link)

Oakland RHP Dan Meyer has been granted a fourth option year (because of injuries that limited his playing time in 2006). He's not thrilled about it, but it allows the A's to send him to the minors this year instead of being forced to decide whether he can help the major league roster. (link)

Brewers are close to signing Russell Branyan to a minor league deal. (link)

Pirates have signed RHP Byung-Hyun Kim to a one-year major league deal. (link)

KC OF Jose Guillen will start his 15-day suspension on the first day of the regular season (March 30) rather than the Royals' opening day (3/31), so he'll miss only 12 games. (link)

[cwright]

Yanks' manager Joe Girardi has told Jason Giambi that he'll be playing more first base this spring. (link)

RHP Shawn Chacon's contract with the Astros is worth $2 million. (link)

Byung-Hyun Kim's minor league deal with the Pirates is worth $850,000. (link)

D-Backs appear to be close to a deal with OF Trot Nixon, but they're hoping he'll agree to a deal that allows them to outright him to the minors within the first 45 days (which, as a veteran, he would have the right to refuse). (link)

RHP Josh Fogg is on the verge of signing with the Reds for a base salary of $1 million. (The Rockies had earlier offered him $5 million, but Fogg held out for a multi-year deal. Oops.) (link)

White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen contradicts the earlier reports about Bartolo Colon, saying that his team has not signed Colon and said that they haven't talked with Colon in several weeks. (There is still some speculation that the deal is close.) (link)

[jsinger121]

The Arizona Diamondbacks have reached an agreement on a minor league contract with veteran outfielder Trot Nixon, according to a baseball source.

http://sports.espn.g...tory?id=3256436

[sfip]

Phillies 1B Ryan Howard wins arbitration; will make $10M

Edited by sfip, 21 February 2008 - 10:26 AM.

[cwright]

Danny Richar's absence from camp (due to visa problems) has not gone over well: both manager Ozzie Guillen and GM Kenny Williams have commented on their disappointment that Richar waited until the last minute, which won't help him win the second base job. (link)

Reds' NRI Chris Wilson was in camp on Wednesday, but not on Thursday, suggesting he either flunked his physical or chose to leave. (link)

Indians signed OF Jason Tyner to a minor league deal. (link)

Arizona signed GM Josh Byrnes and President Derrick Hall to 8-year contracts (through 2015). (link) (yay, Haverford grad!)

Prince Fielder, on the advice of his wife, decided to become a vegetarian a few weeks ago. He claims he has more energy now than he did on his old diet. (link)

Reds signed RHP Josh Fogg to a 1-year, $1 million contract. (link)

Reds placed LHP Bobby Livingston on the 60-day DL due to left shoulder surgery. (link)

[cwright]

One more bit of news tonight:
RHP Tomo Ohka has signed a minor league deal with the White Sox. (link)

[cwright]

LHP Oliver Perez won his arbitration case against the Mets (the first time they lost in 16 years!), and will earn $6.5 million instead of the $4.725 million the Mets had offered. Perez will become a free agent after this season. (link)

2B Jose Lopez arrived in Mariners' camp on Thursday after resolving his visa issues. (link)

RHP Francisco Rodriguez lost his arbitration case and will make $10 million this year (he had asked for $12.5 million). (link) Owner Arte Moreno said that the Angels want to sign him long term, and that they won't stop negotiating when the season starts. (link)

[Rudy Pemberton]

My bad, that's not really news. Sorry.

Edited by Rudy Pemberton, 22 February 2008 - 04:45 PM.

[cwright]

1B/OF Craig Wilson was released by the Reds after failing a physical. (He's still recovering from shoulder surgery.) (link)

[cwright]

Seattle signed OF Mike Kinkade to a minor league deal. (link)

Pitcher Angel Garcia, who signed a minor league deal with Oakland this offseason, has decided to sit out the season for personal reasons. (link)


Johnny Damon will take grounders at first base during spring training, but Girardi said he has no plans to use Damon at first during the regular season. (link) (there's also a really informative bit in this article about Jeter not eating cheeseburgers this offseason.)

[InsideTheParker]

The Marlins are recruiting fat men to cheer at their games.
AP

[cwright]

OF Shannon Stewart signed a minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays, and joins Reed Johnson and Matt Stairs in the left field mix. (link)

The Tigers plan to use LHP Macay McBride (acquired last June for Wilfredo Ledezma) as a starter this year, since they believe he's better-suited to starting. He'll begin the year in AAA. (link)

The Mariners have officially declared their starting rotation to be Bedard, Hernandez, Silva, Washburn, and Batista, with Batista being skipped occasionally as the fifth starter. (link)

Oakland manager Bob Geren has indicated that Emil Brown will start in left field and Travis Buck in right (barring injury). That likely makes Jack Cust the primary DH, so Dan Johnson, Jack Hannahan, and Mike Sweeney would have to battle for a bench spot. (link)

[cwright]

Tony LaRussa revealed today that for the second year in a row, he suggested that the Cardinals add Bonds to bat behind Pujols. Cardinals' ownership rejected the idea (again). Apparently, LaRussa had already pitched the idea to Bonds last offseason:

"I was excited about Barry because I had spent the winter around California that year and I had heard all the things Barry said he wanted," La Russa said. "And so I told him, 'We've got everything you want except money. And you shouldn't want money. You've already got money.' We never got past that."

(link)


Meanwhile, Cardinals' minor league pitcher Scott Vander Weg was suspended 50 games for testing positive for a PED. (He pitched in Single-A last year.) (link)

[Nuf Ced]

Cardinals infielder Scott Spiezio is wanted by Police in Irvine, CA on 6 charges.

The warrant alleges driving under influence, driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or more, hit and run, aggravated assault, assault and battery on Dec. 30, 2007.

http://www.bostonher...position=recent

Edited by Nuf Ced, 27 February 2008 - 03:36 PM.