They all signed. Most, anyway. Let’s go with…the lion’s share.
Some for two years, some just for one. Go here for the nitty gritty. Or here. Just not here.
Archive for the ‘Trades And Signings’ Category
Arbitration Roundup Post
Posted by Drew Fairservice under HardBall Talkin', Trades And Signings on Jan 18, 2013
Hunter Makes a Lotta Cents, Cents and Pence – Gold, Myrrh, and Frankincense
Posted by Drew Fairservice under Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants, Trades And Signings on Jan 18, 2013
There was some chatter earlier this off-season that the San Francisco Giants might — MIGHT — non-tender Hunter Pence. As a super two with plenty of counting stats compiled over his career, coming off a very hollow 100 RBI season, Pence stood to earn a huge raise. The Giants opted to stick with their soon-to-be-even-more wealthy right fielder.
Matt Schwartz projected Pence would earn $13.8 million in his final trip through the arbitration process…which is exactly what he got. The Giants are on the hook for nearly $14 million for Pence in 2013. That’s a lot of money.
The Rangers Quietly Extend a Quietly Good Pitcher
Posted by Drew Fairservice under Texas Rangers, Trades And Signings on Jan 17, 2013
Shhhhh, don’t talk about Matt Harrison. Matt Harrison is why we shouldn’t shove aside prospects who “merely” project as mid-rotation arms. Matt Harrison shows why it is good to have mid-rotation arms. Matt Harrison proves “number three starter” is not a dirty word. Matt Harrison is not an ace. Matt Harrison is probably a number three starter. Matt Harrison is better than a lot of teams’ best pitcher.
Which is to say, Matt Harrison is really good. Matt Harrison’s stats don’t jump off the page – his strikeout rate is low and his walk rate is respectable, though it isn’t so minuscule to blow back the hair of anyone aware of Cliff Lee. His ground ball rate is above average but, like his other metrics, drops neither jaws nor stat nerd boxer shorts.
What Matt Harrison does is prevent runs. Over the last two years, few pitchers did a better job of keeping runs off the board. He ranks sixth among starters in WPA since the beginning of the 2011 season – he gets outs, in other words. He will continue to prevent runs for the Texas Rangers for the next five years as he agreed to a five-year contract extension worth $55 million dollars. The Rangers announced the agreement includes an option for 2018.
Report: Red Sox, Mike Napoli Agree on One-Year Deal
Posted by Scott Lewis under Trades And Signings on Jan 17, 2013
According to Rob Bradford of WEEI, the Boston Red Sox and Mike Napoli have finally reached an agreement. The Red Sox had an agreement on a three-year, $39 million deal in place with the free agent catcher/first baseman/designated hitter in November, but it fell apart as details of Napoli’s ailing hip surfaced following his physical. ESPN’s Gordon Edes, citing Jim Bowden, intimated late Wednesday that Napoli’s revised deal would be worth less than the $13 million average annual value of the initial contract.
Update: Jon Heyman brings us the details. Can you say PAY CUT?
Napoli got $5M for the 1 year. #redsox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) January 17, 2013
Report: Mariners Acquire Michael Morse
Posted by Scott Lewis under Michael Morse, Trades And Signings on Jan 16, 2013
It appears as though the Seattle Mariners will be the winners of the Michael Morse trade sweepstakes. Jon Morosi and Ken Rosenthal reported that the Mariners were on the verge of acquiring the right handed 1B/DH (I use that 1B loosely) from the Washington Nationals, and the Washington Post’s Adam Kilgore reports that it’s done. The Nationals will receive pitching prospect A.J. Cole and an additional prospect plus a PTBNL from the Oakland Athletics in a three-team deal, which will also see John Jaso shipped to the Bay Area.
Morse became expendable after the Nationals brought Adam LaRoche back on a two-year, $24 million deal. Morse hit .291/.321/.470 with 18 home runs in 430 plate appearances last season, but was limited to 103 games due to a right lat muscle injury. The 30-year old enjoyed a breakout season in 2011 in which he hit .303/.360/.550 with 31 home runs.
Report: Brian Wilson Fails to Impress Mets
Posted by Scott Lewis under Trades And Signings on Jan 16, 2013
As Darren Kritzer noted here over the weekend, the New York Mets watched Brian Wilson workout at UCLA. Today, Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that the Mets walked away unimpressed with the right handed reliever. Wilson, who is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, has “got a ways to go” according to Puma’s unnamed source.
Wilson earned $8.5 million in 2012 with the San Francisco Giants, but the club elected to non-tender him as he recovers from ligament replacement. Wilson was among the best relievers in baseball between 2009-10, saving 86 games and striking out 29% of batters faced. The bearded one was compartively less effective in 2011 when his strike out rate dropped and his walk rate climbed up over 12%. A slight dip in fastball velocity in 2011 became a significant dip in 2012 (90.7 mph compared to 96.5 mph in 2009), and the writing was on the wall. Wilson made just two appearances last season before he was shut down with elbow woes.
As with most ligament replacement recipients these days, Wilson should make a full recovery, although this was his second dance with the procedure . The pitcher is reportedly not interested in signing a minor league deal, which effectively puts a damper on the prospects of him finding a suitor in the immediate future. With a little more recovery and the right fit, it’s probable that we’ll see Brian Wilson pitch in the Majors at some point this season. The Brian Wilson show, though, we’ll probably get our fill of that sooner than later.
Natitude! The Nats Load Their Bullpen By Signing Rafael Soriano
Posted by Drew Fairservice under Trades And Signings, Washington Nationals on Jan 15, 2013
The news trickled out earlier this afternoon but now the news hose opened all the way up, blasting reports of Rafael Soriano nearing a two-year deal with the Washington Nationals. A move that is surprising to say the least. If you really think about, the move is actually shocking.
