MLB

Going Once, Going Twice

by Deborah on January 29, 2012

The Los Angeles Dodgers franchise moved closer to new ownership in the last couple of days as the number of bidders was whittled down.  More than 20 groups were reported to have placed bids before the deadline.

It is being reported that perhaps as many as 10 groups remain in the running but no definitive list has been released.  Bits of news though has started to trickle out about who’s still in and who’s out of the running to own one of the most storied and in recent times one of the most troubled franchises in baseball history.

Reportedly out of the running is Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban.  He is though at this point in time just about the only one who has been reported as being out though it has not been confirmed.  It was reported that Cuban was out by the Los Angeles Times.

Arbitration Limbo

by Deborah on January 29, 2012

There are still several players and teams who are in arbitration limbo.  Figures have been exchanged but as yet no deals have been reached.  Here’s a breakdown of some big name players that remain unsettled.

Alfredo Aceves Red Sox Player Number: 1.6 M Team Number: 950,000 Midpoint: 1.275 M

Elvis Andrus Texas Rangers Player Number: 3.6 M Team Number: 2.65 M Midpoint: 3.125 M

Emilio Bonafacio Miami Marlins Player Number: 2.2 M Team Number: 1.95 M Midpoint: 2.075 M

Asdrubal Cabrera Cleveland Indians Player Number: 5.2 M Team Number: 3.75 M Midpoint: 4.475 M

Nelson Cruz Texas Rangers Player Number: 7.5 M Team Number: 5.0 M Midpoint: 6.5 M

Clayton Kershaw LA Dodgers Player Number: 10.0 M Team Number: 6.5 M Midpoint: 8.25 M

A breakdown of the Colorado Rockies recent arbitration/free agency period.

Minor League Deals with the Rockies: Mike Ekstrom, Wil Nieves, Casey Blake, Jamie Moyer and Brandon Wood.

Multi-year Contracts: Michael Cuddyer (3), Ramon Hernandez (2).

One Year Contract: J.C. Romero.

Traded To Rockies: Tyler Chatwood, Tyler Colvin, DJ LeMahieu, Guillermo Moscoso,  Josh Outman, Zach Putnam, Marco Scutaro.

Traded To Other Teams: Chris Iannetta, Clayton Mortenson, Kevin Slowey, Seth Smith, Ian Stewart, Huston Street, Casey Weathers, Ty Wigginton.

Exercised Option: Jason Giambi.

Minor League Contract with Other Teams: Jorge Cantu, Aaron Cook, Matt Daley, Cole Garner, Edgar Gonzalez, Kevin Kouzmanoff, Joe Mather, Jim Miller, Kevin Milwood, Jose Morales, Ryan Spillborghs, Eric Stutts.

Arbitration Avoided/Deals Reached: Dexter Fowler.

Here are the results of the Braves recent arbitration activities:

Signed to a Minor League Contract with the Braves players include: J.C. Boscan, Luis Durango, Dusty Hughes, Adam Russell, Josh Wilson, Drew Sutton.

Signed to a Minor League Contract with Other Teams: Brooks Conrad, Diory Hernandez, Wil Nieves, Wilkin Ramirez, Antoan Richardson, and Matt Young.

Signed to a One Year Contract with Braves: Martin Prado and Jack Wilson.

Signed to a One Year Contract with Other Teams: Alex Gonzalez, Nate McLouth, George Sherrill.

Club Exercised Option: Eric Hinske.

Non-Tendered: Peter Moylan.

Released: Wes Helms and Julio Lugo.

No Movement Yet: Scott Linebrink.

Abritration Avoided/Deals Reached: Michael Bourn, Jair Jurrjens, and Eric O’Flaherty.

Say Hey

by Deborah on January 29, 2012

When Jason Heyward burst on to the Atlanta Braves baseball radar fans were treated to a 3 run homer and dreams of a new power hitter.  Little by little though that dream faded and Heyward struggled mightily.

Heyward was just 20 years old at the time.  He came from Henry County High School just a few miles south of Turner Stadium.  He was part of the East Cobb Baseball Program.  He was the hometown boy made good.  He was compared to Hank Aaron on a multitude of levels.  The fans were all over him from the moment he put on a Braves uniform.  The expectations were massive and growing.  It was a lot to take in.

Mauer Mended

by Deborah on January 29, 2012

For the Twins having Joe Mauer back would be akin to winning the lottery.  They need him and he said that he is ready to play, finally.

Last season, Mauer dealt with one injury and illness after another.  His season was filled with missed time and the Twins suffered a lot of losses.  Adding Mauer to the Morneau injuries was like adding salt to an open wound.  Mauer had everything from knee injury to bilateral leg weakness to pneumonia.  It was definitely not the best season for the Twins catcher and fan favorite.

Moves and News

by Deborah on January 16, 2012

Arbitration continues in full swing and there is plenty in the way of news and moves from over the weekend to report.

The Rockies signed outfielder Seth Smith to a 1 year contract thereby removing him from any further trade talk.

Catcher Jarrod Saltalamacchia and the Red Sox on Sunday agreed on a one-year contract, avoiding salary arbitration.

Phillies and right-hander Joel Pineiro are close to signing a deal.

Center fielder Colby Rasmus has agreed to a $2.7 million contract with the Blue Jays for 2012, thereby avoiding arbitration.

Joel Zumaya has agreed to terms with the Minnesota Twins.

The Athletics have reportedly agreed to a one-year deal with right-handed starting pitcher Bartolo Colon.

The Cespedes Sweepstakes

by Deborah on January 14, 2012

There are 6 teams that are rumored to be in the mix for Cuban center fielder Yoenis Cespedes.  In reality, there is probably only 1.

Cespedes is trying to acquire his residency in the Dominican Republic.  That is expected to happen in the next few days.  Once that process is complete, the bidding and the courting will begin.

The Marlins are possibly the team that will win these sweepstakes if for no other reason than they intend to do almost anything in order to do so.  The Marlins team president David Samson said the following this week,

Standing Pat

by Deborah on January 14, 2012

The rumors have flow fast and furious.  The trade scenarios have been numerous.  It looks like though, in the end, the Braves will be standing pat.

Martin Prado, the subject of about a million trade rumors and scenarios, has now signed a new deal with the Braves for 1 year and a little over 4 million dollars.  That puts an end to any and all trade rumors and scenarios that have been talked about for weeks now regarding Prado.  He is officially with the Braves for another year.

Arbitration It Is

by Deborah on January 14, 2012

Major League Baseball arbitration season is now in full swing.  The number of players headed to arbitration….142.

The field of 142 is headed by the Giants ace pitcher Tim Lincecum who is set to ask for a record salary when arbitration figures are exchanged next week.  The Giants are poised to offer Lincecum more than 14.25 million that the Yankees offered to Derek Jeter.  Most players will settle before an arbitration hearing comes to pass.  Last season, Lincecum made 13.1 million.  He is looking for a big increase this time around.

Many other players are on the arbitration band wagon including the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw and Andre Ethier, Phillies pitcher Cole Hamels, Texans Mike Napoli and Cubs pitcher Matt Garza.  The arbitration ranks also include 3 players who were former free agents that accepted their teams offers including Red Sox David Ortiz, Brewers reliever Francisco Rodriguez, and Toronto‘s Kelly Johnson.