Official 2011-2012 Hot Stove Report

[RickD]

Let's put all the Hot Stove news here!

[RickD]

All Hot Stove Transactions as of 11/5/2011 at 4:54 PM PST

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Thome, Jim | DH | CLE | PHI | 11/05/11 | One-year contract
Gonzalez, Edgar | SP | COL | OAK | 11/04/11 | Minor league contract
Wang, Chien-Ming | SP | WSH | WSH | 11/04/11 | One-year contract
Blanco, Henry | C | ARI | ARI | 11/03/11 | One-year deal with mutual option
Rivera, Juan | OF | LAD | LAD | 11/03/11 | Agreed to terms on one-year contract
McDonald, John | SS | ARI | ARI | 11/02/11 | Two-year contract
Wood, Tim | RP | TEX | PIT | 11/01/11 | Minor league contract
Affeldt, Jeremy | RP | SF | SF | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Encarnacion, Edwin | 3B | TOR | TOR | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Farnsworth, Kyle | RP | TB | TB | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Frasor, Jason | RP | CWS | CWS | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Giambi, Jason | 1B | COL | COL | 10/31/11 | Mutual option exercised
Hinske, Eric | OF | ATL | ATL | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Lewis, Colby | SP | TEX | TEX | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Lowe, Derek | SP | ATL | CLE | 10/31/11 | Traded for a minor leaguer
Molina, Yadier | C | STL | STL | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Patterson, Corey | OF | STL | --- | 10/31/11 | Club option declined
Phillips, Brandon | 2B | CIN | CIN | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Shields, James | SP | TB | TB | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Soria, Joakim | RP | KC | KC | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Tateyama, Yoshinori | P | TEX | TEX | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Scutaro, Marco | SS | BOS | BOS | 10/30/11 | Club option exercised
Cano, Robinson | 2B | NYY | NYY | 10/29/11 | Club option exercised
Dempster, Ryan | SP | CHC | CHC | 10/29/11 | Player option exercised
Swisher, Nick | OF | NYY | NYY | 10/29/11 | Club option exercised
Valverde, Jose | RP | DET | DET | 10/28/11 | Club option exercised
Soriano, Rafael | RP | NYY | NYY | 10/27/11 | Player opt-out declined
Wainwright, Adam | SP | STL | STL | 10/27/11 | Club option exercised

[Old Sweater]

Soriano, Rafael RP NYY NYY 10/27/11 Player opt-out declined

What is up with him? No happy? If so if I was Cashman I'd be waving bye bye.

[Mudge]

Free Agents 2011-2012: Player & Club
(bold indicates club option exercised or signed; italics indicate club option not yet exercised)

First Basemen...Russell Branyan LAA...Jorge Cantu SD...Prince Fielder MIL...Brad Hawpe SD...Eric Hinske ATL...Jason Giambi COL...Ross Gload PHI...Nick Johnson CLE...Derrek Lee BAL...Xavier Nady ARI...David Ortiz BOS...Lyle Overbay PIT...Carlos Pena CHC...Albert Pujols STL...Jim Thome MIN

Second Basemen...Clint Barmes HOU...Willie Bloomquist ARI...Orlando Cabrera CLE...Robinson Cano NYY...Jamey Carroll LAD...Luis Castillo NYM...Alex Cora WAS...Craig Counsell MIL...Mark Ellis OAK...Carlos Guillen DET...Jerry Hairston Jr. MIL...Aaron Hill ARI...Omar Infante FLA...Joe Inglett HOU...Kelly Johnson TOR...Adam Kennedy SEA...Felipe Lopez TB...Jose Lopez FLA...Aaron Miles LAD...Brandon Phillips CIN.

Shortstops...Yuniesky Betancourt MIL...Ronny Cedeno PIT...Adam Everett CLE...Rafael Furcal LAD...Alex Gonzalez ATL...Cesar Izturis BAL...John McDonald TOR...Augie Ojeda ARI...Jose Reyes NYM...Nick Punto STL...Edgar Renteria CIN...Jose Reyes NYM...Jimmy Rollins PHI...Ramon Santiago DET...Marco Scutaro BOS ...Jack Wilson SEA.

Third Basemen...Wilson Betemit DET...Casey Blake LAD...Eric Chavez NYY...Mark DeRosa SF...Greg Dobbs PHI...Edwin Encarnacion TOR...Wes Helms FLA...Melvin Mora ARI...Aramis Ramirez CHC...Miguel Tejada SF...Omar Vizquel CWS.

Catchers...Rod Barajas LAD...Henry Blanco ARI...Ramon Castro CWS...Ryan Doumit PIT...Ramon Hernandez CIN...Jason Kendall KC...Gerald Laird STL...Jose Molina TOR...Yadier Molina STL...Dioner Navarro LAD...Jorge Posada NYY...Ivan Rodriguez WAS...Brian Schneider PHI...Kelly Shoppach TB...Chris Snyder PIT...Matt Treanor KC...Jason Varitek BOS

Outfielders...Bobby Abreu LAA...Rick Ankiel WAS...Carlos Beltran SF...Milton Bradley SEA...Pat Burrell SF...Mike Cameron BOS...Coco Crisp OAK...Michael Cuddyer MIN...Jack Cust SEA...Johnny Damon TB...David DeJesus OAK...J.D. Drew BOS...Kosuke Fukudome CHC...Jonny Gomes CIN...Gabe Gross OAK...Vladimir Guerrero BAL...Scott Hairston NYM...Willie Harris NYM...Raul Ibanez PHI...Conor Jackson OAK...Andruw Jones NYY...Austin Kearns CLE...Jason Kubel MIN...Ryan Ludwick SD...Hideki Matsui OAK...Nate McLouth ATL...Jason Michaels HOU...Laynce Nix WAS...Magglio Ordonez DET...Corey Patterson STL...Juan Pierre CWS...Juan Rivera TOR...Cody Ross SF...Grady Sizemore CLE...Matt Stairs WAS...Nick Swisher NYY...Marcus Thames LAD...Josh Willingham OAK.

Starting Pitchers...Mark Buehrle CWS...Bruce Chen KC...Aaron Cook COL...Kyle Davies TOR...Ryan Dempster CHC...Justin Duchscherer OAK...Zach Duke ARI...Jeff Francis KC...Freddy Garcia NYY...Jon Garland LAD...Aaron Harang SD...Rich Harden OAK...Livan Hernandez WAS...Edwin Jackson STL...Kenshin Kawakami ATL...Scott Kazmir LAA...Hiroki Kuroda LAD...Colby Lewis TEX ...Rodrigo Lopez CHC...Paul Maholm PIT...John Maine COL...Jason Marquis WAS...Kevin Millwood NYY...Scott Olsen PIT...Roy Oswalt PHI...Brad Penny DET...Oliver Perez NYM...Joel Pineiro LAA...CC Sabathia NYY...James Shields TB..Carlos Silva NYY...Javier Vazquez FLA...Adam Wainwright STL...Tim Wakefield BOS...Chien-Ming Wang WAS...Brandon Webb ARI...C.J. Wilson TEX...Chris Young NYM.

Relief Pitchers...Danys Baez PHI...Miguel Batista STL...Heath Bell SD...Blaine Boyer...Jonathan Broxton LAD...Shawn Camp TOR...Matt Capps MIN....Todd Coffey MIL...Clay Condrey MIN...Francisco Cordero CIN...Lance Cormier TB...Juan Cruz TB...Octavio Dotel STL...Kyle Farnsworth TB...Randy Flores NYY...Frank Francisco TOR...Ryan Franklin STL...Jason Frasor CWS...Chad Gaudin WAS...Mike Gonzalez TEX...John Grabow CHC...LaTroy Hawkins MIL...Brad Lidge PHI...Scott Linebrink ATL...Javier Lopez SF...Ryan Madson PHI...Damaso Marte NYY...Sergio Mitre NYY...Joe Nathan MIN...Hideki Okajima BOS...Darren Oliver TEX...Jonathan Papelbon BOS...Joel Peralta TB...Chad Qualls SD...Jon Rauch TOR...Chris Ray TEX...Dennys Reyes BOS...Arthur Rhodes TEX...Fernando Rodney LAA...Francisco Rodriguez MIL...George Sherrill ATL...Rafael Soriano NYY...Joakim Soria KC...Brian Tallet TOR...Koji Uehara TEX...Jose Valverde DET...Tyler Walker WAS...Kerry Wood CHC...Jamey Wright SEA...Michael Wuertz OAK...Joel Zumaya DET.

[RickD]

What is up with him? No happy? If so if I was Cashman I'd be waving bye bye.

He declined to opt-out of his contract. Nothing wrong with that. He could have opted out at the end of the season but chose not to.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Cabrera, Melky | OF | KC | SF | 11/07/11 | Traded for Jonathan Sanchez and a minor leaguer
Sanchez, Jonathan | SP | SF | KC | 11/07/11 | Traded with a minor leaguer for Melky Cabrera

[astrosfanatic]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Cabrera, Melky | OF | KC | SF | 11/07/11 | Traded for Jonathan Sanchez and a minor leaguer
Sanchez, Jonathan | SP | SF | KC | 11/07/11 | Traded with a minor leaguer for Melky Cabrera

WOW...honestly, this trade makes little sense for the Giants. Melky has 1 good year, and they go and give up a stud Lefty starter for him???? WOW...

[WilsonC]

WOW...honestly, this trade makes little sense for the Giants. Melky has 1 good year, and they go and give up a stud Lefty starter for him???? WOW...

I don't necessarily think it's a bad trade for either team. Sanchez has really only had one good year also, and is coming off a year where his walk rate was out of control (5.9 BB per 9) and his performance was inconsistent (ERA+ of 84). He's shown promise at times and looks great when he's on, but his performance outside of 2010 has ranged from average to poor, much like Cabrera outside of 2011.

Sanchez has the tantalizing K rate, but the two players are similar in terms of track record and contract status.

[astrosfanatic]

I don't necessarily think it's a bad trade for either team. Sanchez has really only had one good year also, and is coming off a year where his walk rate was out of control (5.9 BB per 9) and his performance was inconsistent (ERA+ of 84). He's shown promise at times and looks great when he's on, but his performance outside of 2010 has ranged from average to poor, much like Cabrera outside of 2011.

Sanchez has the tantalizing K rate, but the two players are similar in terms of track record and contract status.

Sanchez had a few minor injuries that plagued him last year. Maybe that makes the trade a little more risky on the Royal's part, but still i think Sanchez is the better player in this deal. It just seems to me that the Giants are going the wrong way about solving their offensive problems. Instead of adding a top of the line-up guy, they need to find a middle of the line-up guy.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Bloomquist, Willie | IF | ARI | ARI | 11/09/11 | Signed two-year contract

[OutfieldGrass]

I actually like the trade for both sides. The Giants get a guy who should at least be a slightly above average bat in CF while the Royals get a lefty with obviously nasty stuff who has serious command issues. Sanchez isn't the whiz some people think and to be honest I think his value was very close to what Melky offered. Its a win-win for both sides.

[OutfieldGrass]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Bloomquist, Willie | IF | ARI | ARI | 11/09/11 | Signed two-year contract

I don't understand the Bloomquist signing unless they plan on giving him more playing time than just a utility fielder, which is all he is. They just locked up McDonald. Sure he isn't much with the bat but he takes a lot of the value away from Bloomquist.

I've always liked Bloomquist though. Not a starting player like they tried to make him in Seattle but a guy who can play all over the diamond, which is very valuable in itself.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Buck, Travis | OF | CLE | HOU | 11/09/11 | Signed Minor League deal
Stavinoha, Nick | RF | STL | HOU | 11/09/11 | Signed Minor League deal

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Barajas, Rod | C | LAD | PIT | 11/10/11 | One-year contract with a club option for 2013
Young, Matt | OF | ATL | DET | 11/07/11 | Signed Minor League deal

[OutfieldGrass]

Solid signing for the Astros inking Travis Buck. Not likely to be a starter but could be a solid 4th OFer.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Burton, Jared | RP | CIN | MIN | 11/12/11 | Minor League Contract

[astrosfanatic]

Solid signing for the Astros inking Travis Buck. Not likely to be a starter but could be a solid 4th OFer.

We will see. Maybe he gets with Wallace (old ASU teammates) and lights a fire under his ass. Not a bad idea for the Astros since we will likely be needing an extra hitter in 2 years anyways

[RickD]

Player | Position | Old Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Snyder, Brad | OF | CHC | HOU | 11/12/11 | Minor League Deal

[OutfieldGrass]

I am much more intrigued by the minor league deals and sad to see some of the Tacoma Rainiers players, who I had season tickets to see, leave the team. A few years back before I started to go to their games I didn't care about most of the organizational type players when dealt or released. Now I started to get attached. When the Mariners dealt their CF from Tacoma I knew he had no place in Seattle but I hated the deal. He was fun to watch.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Old Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Thurston, Joe | 2b | MIA | HOU | 11/13/11 | Minor League deal

[astrosfanatic]

Player | Position | Old Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Thurston, Joe | 2b | MIA | HOU | 11/13/11 | Minor League deal

this move is probably insurance in case we dont sign back Barmes. Scott Downs did a heck of a job as the utility infielder last year down the stretch. I would have to imagine that he has a strong hold on that job coming back next year

[RickD]

Player | Position | Old Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Hill, Aaron | 2B | ARI | ARI | 11/14/11 | Signed two-year deal
Papelbon, Jonathan | RP | BOS | PHI | 11/14/11 | Agreed to four-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Ellis, Mark | 2B | COL | LAD | 11/15/11 | Two-year deal, with 2014 club options
Treanor, Matt | C | TEX | LAD | 11/15/11 | One-year contract with a club option for 2013

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Carroll, Jamey | 2B | LAD | MIN | 11/16/11 | Two-year contract with a mutual option for 2014
Kotsay, Mark | OF | MIL | SD | 11/16/11 | One-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Pascucci, Valentino | 1B | NYM | NYM | 11/17/11 | Minor league contract
Rottino, Vinny | OF | --- | NYM | 11/17/11 | Minor league contract
Schneider, Brian | C | PHI | PHI | 11/17/11 | One-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Bulger, Jason | RP | LAA | MIN | 11/18/11 | Minor league contract
Deduno, Samuel | RP | SD | MIN | 11/18/11 | Minor league contract
Laird, Gerald | C | STL | DET | 11/18/11 | One-year contract
Pendleton, Lance | SP | HOU | HOU | 11/18/11 | Minor league contract
Pridie, Jason | OF | NYM | OAK | 11/18/11 | Minor league contract
Ramirez, Wilkin | OF | ATL | MIN | 11/18/11 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player| Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Wigginton, TY | IF | COL | PHI | 11/20/11 | Traded with cash for player to be named

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Boggs, Brandon | OF | MIL | PIT | 11/23/11 | Minor league contract
Doumit, Ryan | C | PIT | MIN | 11/23/11 | One-year contract
Fox, Jake | C | BAL | PIT | 11/23/11 | Minor league contract
Sizemore, Grady | OF | CLE | CLE | 11/23/11 | One-year deal
Baker, John | C | --- | SD | 11/22/11 | Traded for LHP Wade LeBlanc
Boscan, J.C. | C | ATL | ATL | 11/22/11 | Minor league contract
Durango, Luis | OF | HOU | ATL | 11/22/11 | Minor league contract
Hughes, Dusty | RP | MIN | ATL | 11/22/11 | Minor league contract
LeBlanc, Wade | P | SD | --- | 11/22/11 | Traded for C John Baker
Russell, Adam | RP | TB | ATL | 11/22/11 | Minor league contract
Wilson, Josh | IF | MIL | ATL | 11/22/11 | Minor league contract
Barmes, Clint | SS | HOU | PIT | 11/21/11 | Two-year contract
Nathan, Joe | RP | MIN | TEX | 11/21/11 | Two years, $14.5M with club option

[Old Sweater]

Dodgers got Mark Ellis to go along with Jamie Carroll and Aaron Miles in the past. Then I see Clint Barmes, who is a quality glove going to the Pirates. All this, while the Rockies have a hole at 2nd? Oh yeah, Ronnie Belliard and Juan Uribe has also had good years after leaving the Rockies.

[RickD]

Sizemore getting another year with the Indians is cool.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Jaso, John | C | TB | SEA | 11/27/11 | Traded for RHP Josh Lueke
Lueke, Josh | RP | SEA | TB | 11/27/11 | Traded for catcher John Jaso

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Chatwood, Tyler | SP | LAA | COL | 11/30/11 | Traded for catcher Chris Iannetta
DeJesus, David | OF | OAK | CHC | 11/30/11 | Two-year deal with option
Evans, Nick | 1B | NYM | PIT | 11/30/11 | Minor league contract
Hernandez, Ramon | C | CIN | COL | 11/30/11 | Two-year contract
Iannetta, Chris | C | COL | LAA | 11/30/11 | Traded for RHP Tyler Chatwood
Kennedy, Adam | 2B | SEA | LAD | 11/30/11 | One-year contract
Misch, Pat | RP | NYM | PHI | 11/30/11 | Minor league contract
Orr, Pete | 2B | PHI | PHI | 11/30/11 | Minor league contract
Sanches, Brian | SP | --- | PHI | 11/30/11 | Minor league contract
Santiago, Ramon | 2B | DET | DET | 11/30/11 | Two-year deal
Valdes, Raul | RP | NYY | PHI | 11/30/11 | Minor league contract
Broxton, Jonathan | RP | LAD | KC | 11/29/11 | One-year contract
Corporan, Carlos | C | HOU | HOU | 11/29/11 | Minor league contract
Molina, Jose | C | TOR | TB | 11/28/11 | One year with a club option for 2013

[Old Sweater]

Just checked, Ramon Hernandez had a 37% CS this year and a career 31%. Career OBP of .330

Not bad, not bad at all.

[RickD]

Yeah good little pick up for the Rockies.

[Longo]

Marlins signed Heath Bell today.

[Mudge]

Marlins signed Heath Bell today.

Yeah, I noticed that. Apparently, they have agreed on a three-year deal, pending completion of a physical -- Bell is 34. According to reports, the contract is worth $27 million.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers inked Chris Capuano to a 2 year deal (worth $10 million). Capuano, 33, was 11-12 with a 4.55 ERA in 31 starts for the Mets in 2011.

I'll let Rick D fill in the boxes since I have no idea how he does that.

[Longo]

Baltimore Orioles also signed catcher Taylor Teagarden. I am not sure how many years or the money involved.

[RickD]

I'll let Rick D fill in the boxes since I have no idea how he does that.

Just don't peek behind the curtain or you will find out the great and powerful Oz is a tall balding man with lots of free time.

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Capuano, Chris | SP | NYM | LAD | 12/02/11 | Two-year contract
Hernandez, Diory | IF | ATL | HOU | 12/02/11 | Minor league contract
Pagnozzi, Matt | C | PIT | CLE | 12/02/11 | Minor League contract
Pena, Wily Mo | OF | SEA | --- | 12/02/11 | Signed with Fukuoka (Japan)
Teagarden, Taylor | C | TEX | BAL | 12/01/11 | Traded for a minor leaguer and a PTBN

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Jeff Mathis was traded to Toronto by the Angels in exchange for for left-hander Brad Mills.

After Jose Molina signed with the Rays, the Blue Jays were in need for a back up catcher.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to MLB.com, the Braves are willing to trade away Jair Jurrjens and Martin Prado. But they will only do that if they get something significant in return. In other words those players won't come cheap.

[Mudge]

The first big splash of the off-season has 28 year-old shortstop Jose Reyes, formerly of the Mets, going to the Miami Marlins.

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the offer is for $106 million over six years, terms which GM Sandy Alderson apparently did not deny

In Reyes, the Marlins have a leadoff hitter who is a .292 career batter with a .341 on-base percentage and 370 stolen bases. Should the Marlins choose have Emilio Bonifacio hit second, they would have two of the fastest players in the game at the top of the order.

[Mudge]

The Nationals, who have made it clear that lefty Mark Buehrle is their top target, have apparently made an offer, but the terms were not disclosed.

General manager Mike Rizzo said he wanted a veteran starter who could help a young rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann.

At the same time, Rizzo confirmed that the Nats are not interested in pursuing Prince Fielder at first base. The reasoning: Adam LaRoche returns from an injury-plagued 2011, and Mike Morse (the Nats 2011 team MVP) is available to play the position as well.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Jeffrey Loria keeps finding "disappeared" money. Now he has offered Albert Pujols a ten year contract worth 200 million dollars.

[Mudge]

Jeffrey Loria keeps finding "disappeared" money. Now he has offered Albert Pujols a ten year contract worth 200 million dollars.

This from a team that has averaged fewer than 20,000 per game for each of the last 5 years.

Loria is a swindler of the highest caliber. But then again, America loves its charlatans.

[jaded28]

Some of this stuff is mind boggling. The Marlins now out bid a NY team. All of a sudden the Marlins have money.

I have this thought. It was not that long ago that the Marlins total payroll was just about what the redsox will be paying Lackey and Dice K to eat wings and drink beer next year. What a country!

[Mudge]

I have this thought. It was not that long ago that the Marlins total payroll was just about what the redsox will be paying Lackey and Dice K to eat wings and drink beer next year. What a country!

Especially for the crooks.

[JoshRedcay]

The first big splash of the off-season has 28 year-old shortstop Jose Reyes, formerly of the Mets, going to the Miami Marlins.

According to FOXSports.com's Ken Rosenthal, the offer is for $106 million over six years, terms which GM Sandy Alderson apparently did not deny

In Reyes, the Marlins have a leadoff hitter who is a .292 career batter with a .341 on-base percentage and 370 stolen bases. Should the Marlins choose have Emilio Bonifacio hit second, they would have two of the fastest players in the game at the top of the order.

And now they are going after Pujols....can you imagine? Pujols, Reyes, AND Hanley. What a team...maybe a new stadium and a revamped team is what the Marlins need to FINALLY get some fans to the ballpark.

[Old Sweater]

DALLAS (AP)—The Minnesota Twins have traded winless pitcher Kevin Slowey to the Colorado Rockies for a player to be named.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AksjDNntyeKaDkKwZ0UNyfgRvLYF?slug=ap-twins-rockiestrade

Ho Boy! Things just keep getting better and better for us Rockies fans. On the up side, if Slowey makes the rotation he is bound to up his win total next year.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Slowey, Kevin | P | MIN | COL | 12/06/11 | Traded for player to be named
Bell, Heath | RP | SD | --- | 12/05/11 | Three-year contract
Hairston, Jerry | OF | MIL | LAD | 12/05/11 | Two-year, $6M contract
Mathis, Jeff | C | LAA | TOR | 12/03/11 | Traded for Brad Mills.
Mills, Brad | SP | TOR | LAA | 12/03/11 | Traded for Jeff Mathis.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Washington Nationals have been in the market for a center fielder since this past July, when they were linked to the Minnesota Twins’ Denard Span and the Tampa Bay Rays’ B.J. Upton in trade rumors.

No move was made then but the talks about Upton have picked back up, according to the St. Petersburg Times.

Upton, 27, hit .243 with 23 homers, 81 RBIs and 36 stolen bases this past season for the Rays, but he is eligible for arbitration and might be getting too pricey for the team.

The newspaper also reports the Cincinnati Reds, Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals have inquired about the availability of the Rays’ starting pitchers.

[Mudge]

And now they are going after Pujols....can you imagine? Pujols, Reyes, AND Hanley. What a team...maybe a new stadium and a revamped team is what the Marlins need to FINALLY get some fans to the ballpark.

Good to hear from you Josh.

I thought I'd add this link. It's helpful in assessing the cost of going to a game (particularly ticket prices).

I put it here because of the amount of money the Marlins are attempting to spend for 2012. I suspect that their ticket prices will increase to about an average of about $25 this coming year. If they put, say, 15,000 more paying fans in the new stadium per game, with that kind of increase, they easily pay for Reyes, Bell, and Pujols.

https://www.teammarketing.com/public/files/2011_mlb_fci.pdf

[Mudge]

Oh, and it's been reported that the Mets have signed right-handers Jon Rauch and Frank Francisco to free-agent contracts and traded for right-hander Ramon Ramirez of the Giants, this "according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation." mlb.com

[WilsonC]

Also of note: the Jays traded pitching prospect Nestor Molina to the White Sox for their probable closer in Sergio Santos.

[Old Sweater]

It appears to be a done deal. The Colorado Rockies have sent reliever Huston Street to the San Diego Padres for a Player To Be Named Later.

The Padres appear to be absorbing the entire $7.5mil that Street was owed for 2012 and the buyout for his 2013 option. In exchange, they will be sending a lesser prospect back to Colorado.

Between the Chris Iannetta, Ty Wigginton, and Huston Street trades, the Rockies have almost $13mil in budget space -- money that can be used on a impact free agent. The Hot Stove just became even hotter for Colorado.

Guess it now depends if the Rockies will spend the surplus. I like Betancourt better then Street, just need another solid 8th inning guy now to replace him. Sure wish the Rockies would have kept Mark Ellis.

[WilsonC]

I wouldn't be surprised if the PTBNL is a 2011 draft pick, rather than the typical fringe guy.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

And Mark Buehrle is the next one that signed with the Marlins. 58 million on a four year contract.

Wayne Huizinga is coming to my mind. Expect a fire sale in two or three years.

[Mudge]

And Mark Buehrle is the next one that signed with the Marlins. 58 million on a four year contract.

Wayne Huizinga is coming to my mind. Expect a fire sale in two or three years.

Wow. I am depressed. This is chicanery of the highest order, and I would not be surprised but that you are right on target.

I wonder how much influence Ozzie Guillen had on this particular signing. I mean, they were together for 7 years.

[Mudge]

The Pirates would seem to have addressed their need for a left-handed starter, as they signed veteran Erik Bedard to a one-year, $4.5 million deal on Wednesday.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Morales, Jose | C | COL | PIT | 12/07/11 | Minor league contract
Reyes, Jose | SS | NYM | FLA | 12/07/11 | Six-year deal with option

[Old Sweater]

Loria sure is taking a gamble on demand increasing in Florida, of all places. Even if attendance really goes up I ain't to sure of the TV market for him compared to the Yankees and Red Sox. You got to keep top players for years before it pays off.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Loria sure is taking a gamble on demand increasing in Florida, of all places. Even if attendance really goes up I ain't to sure of the TV market for him compared to the Yankees and Red Sox. You got to keep top players for years before it pays off.
Sure you have to spend money to make money. But when I see the reactions on Facebook, people don't look any further than the signings themselves. Most comments are like: Great signing, now let's get Pujols.
Only a few look further and point out the fact that the scumbag always claimed not to have any money...
I know that I have said it before, but I really hope that all this will end up in a Dodger like situation and that Loria needs to file for bankruptcy himself.

[RickD]

The Marlins aggressiveness, well let's just say I think MLB should rid itself of this owner! I think of him and the word crooked comes to mind!

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Marlins aggressiveness, well let's just say I think MLB should rid itself of this owner! I think of him and the word crooked comes to mind!

IMO, the way Loria is purchasing high priced players, is an act of contempt towards MLB and the city of Miami. Like he wants to say: "Look at me. I fooled you guys!"

[RickD]

Busy day yesterday:

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Bedard, Erik | SP | BOS | PIT | 12/07/11 | One-year contract
Capps, Matt | RP | MIN | MIN | 12/07/11 | One year with a club option for 2013
Johnson, Kelly | 2B | TOR | TOR | 12/07/11 | Accepted arbitration
McLouth, Nate | OF | ATL | PIT | 12/07/11 | One-year contract
Navarro, Yamaico | IF | KC | PIT | 12/07/11 | Traded for two minor leaguers
Ortiz, David | DH | BOS | BOS | 12/07/11 | Accepted arbitration
Pagan, Angel | OF | NYM | SF | 12/07/11 | Traded for Ramon Ramirez and Andres Torres
Ramirez, Ramon | RP | SF | NYM | 12/07/11 | Traded with Andres Torres for Angel Pagan
Rodriguez, Francisco | RP | MIL | MIL | 12/07/11 | Accepted arbitration
Street, Huston | RP | COL | SD | 12/07/11 | Traded for a PTBN
Torres, Andres | OF | SF | NYM | 12/07/11 | Traded with Ramon Ramirez for Angel Pagan

[Baseballnum3er0]

If I was a Brewers fan I'd be upset right about now as now your locked in to K-Rod for 13m+ which could put a dent in the rest of your off-season. Ortiz accepting arbitration made sense too as his market was limited by teams having to give up a draft pick to sign him, which really worked against him in negotiations.

[RickD]

Yeah I figured Ortiz would go back to Boston when Valentine was signed.

[Mudge]

If I was a Brewers fan I'd be upset right about now as now your locked in to K-Rod for 13m+ which could put a dent in the rest of your off-season.

The Brewers gambled and lost.

That said, the Rodriguez/Axford combination was a good one, but not at what it's going to cost the team.

[Mudge]

So, the Angels are throwing approximately $25 million a year at Pujols. I'm wondering what that translates into at the turnstiles.

The average ticket cost $17 in 2011 (a bargain, really). https://www.teammarketing.com/public/files/2011_mlb_fci.pdf


The Angels averaged just over 39,000 for each of their 81 home games. 86% of capacity (not a whole lot of wiggle room there). http://espn.go.com/mlb/attendance


To pay for Pujols (assuming all things are equal and he represents a pure $25 million increase in overall payroll), they'll have to raise the average ticket $8 (to $25). Or hit 100% capacity while still raising the average ticket to $22.50.
Obviously, there are other sources of revenue: TV and radio contracts, merchandising, etc.

Furthermore, the Angels may have spare change, having cleared maybe $12 million with the departure of Pineiro and Rodney. Of course, CJ Wilson's new contract eats that up, and then some (rumored at over $15 million a year).

[Old Sweater]

IMO, the way Loria is purchasing high priced players, is an act of contempt towards MLB and the city of Miami. Like he wants to say: "Look at me. I fooled you guys!"

Exactly, this may have spurred the investigation by the SEC. Not to many fans, especially Mudge, ain't going to be shedding any tears if they hang him by the short hairs. Guy is thumbing his nose at everyone he has ticked off and that is a long and growing line.

[Mr. Baseball]

Pujols doesn't have a drop of respect coming from me anymore. You don't turn your back on the city that made you.

He appears to be following in the foot-steps of LeBron James. How pathetic, especially for a man that claims he plays the game to glorify god.

Thoughts on Gonzalez: The Brewers certainly struggled defensively last season, but that doesn't justify signing a guy with a career .290 OBP. What was Doug Melvin thinking?

[Mudge]

Pujols doesn't have a drop of respect coming from me anymore. You don't turn your back on the city that made you.

He appears to be following in the foot-steps of LeBron James. How pathetic, especially for a man that claims he plays the game to glorify god.
Can't say I agree on this one. Plenty of free agents have moved on. No comment on the God part.


Thoughts on Gonzalez: The Brewers certainly struggled defensively last season, but that doesn't justify signing a guy with a career .290 OBP. What was Doug Melvin thinking?
The Brewers today signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to replace Betancourt in the infield.

Gonzalez, 34, hit .241/.270/.372 with 15 homers for the Braves last season.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Harang, Aaron | SP | SD | LAD | 12/08/11 | Two-year contract
Pujols, Albert | 1B | STL | LAA | 12/08/11 | 10-year contract
Wilson, C.J. | SP | TEX | LAA | 12/08/11 | Five-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Buehrle, Mark | SP | CWS | MIA | 12/09/11 | Four-year contract
Colvin, Tyler | OF | CHC | COL | 12/08/11 | Traded with DJ LeMahieu for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers
LeMahieu, DJ | IF | CHC | COL | 12/08/11 | Traded with Tyler Colvin for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers
Nix, Laynce | OF | WSH | PHI | 12/08/11 | Two-year contract
Stewart, Ian | 3B | COL | CHC | 12/08/11 | Traded with Casey Weathers for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu
Weathers, Casey | RP | COL | CHC | 12/08/11 | Traded with Ian Stewart for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu

THe Marlins are being aggressive this off-season.

[Mudge]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Buehrle, Mark | SP | CWS | MIA | 12/09/11 | Four-year contract

THe Marlins are being aggressive this off-season.

With someone else's money.

[RickD]

Yeah the Marlins are being aggressive but I feel they lied to get where they are now.

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Dotel, Octavio | RP | STL | DET | 12/09/11 | One-year deal with option
Garcia, Freddy | SP | NYY | NYY | 12/09/11 | One-year contract
Purcey, David | RP | DET | PHI | 12/09/11 | Minor league contract

[Mudge]

And in real baseball news (outside of the chemistry labs), Rafael Furcal signed a two-year deal with the St. louis Cardinals -- or should I say he resigned with them.

With Alex Gonzalez inked as a Brewer, that means that Jimmy Rollins will likely remain in Philadelphia since those three teams were the three most in pursuit of a free agent shortstop.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Balester, Collin | RP | WSH | DET | 12/09/11 | Traded for Ryan Perry
Breslow, Craig | RP | OAK | ARI | 12/09/11 | Traded with Trevor Cahill for Jarrod Parker, Ryan Cook and Collin Cowgill
Cahill, Trevor | SP | OAK | ARI | 12/09/11 | Traded with Craig Breslow for Jarrod Parker, Ryan Cook and Collin Cowgill
Cook, Ryan | RP | ARI | OAK | 12/09/11 | Traded with Jarrod Parker and Collin Cowgill for Trevor Cahill and Craig Breslow
Cowgill, Collin | OF | ARI | OAK | 12/09/11 | Traded with Jarrod Parker and Ryan Cook for Trevor Cahill and Craig Breslow
Gonzalez, Alberto | IF | SD | TEX | 12/09/11 | Minor league contract
Perry, Ryan | RP | DET | WSH | 12/09/11 | Traded for Collin Balester

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Francisco, Ben | OF | PHI | TOR | 12/12/11 | Traded for a minor leaguer

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Badenhop, Burke | RP | --- | TB | 12/12/11 | Traded for a minor leaguer
McGehee, Casey | 3B | MIL | PIT | 12/12/11 | Traded for Jose Veras
Veras, Jose | RP | PIT | MIL | 12/12/11 | Traded for Casey McGehee

[astrosfanatic]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Badenhop, Burke | RP | --- | TB | 12/12/11 | Traded for a minor leaguer
McGehee, Casey | 3B | MIL | PIT | 12/12/11 | Traded for Jose Veras
Veras, Jose | RP | PIT | MIL | 12/12/11 | Traded for Casey McGehee

I wonder how McGehee does in Pittsburgh...last year was a huge drop-off for him, and i think he is not as good as 2010, but not as bad as 2011.....hopefully 2012 turns out to be better for him

[Old Sweater]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Buehrle, Mark | SP | CWS | MIA | 12/09/11 | Four-year contract
Colvin, Tyler | OF | CHC | COL | 12/08/11 | Traded with DJ LeMahieu for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers
LeMahieu, DJ | IF | CHC | COL | 12/08/11 | Traded with Tyler Colvin for Ian Stewart and Casey Weathers
Nix, Laynce | OF | WSH | PHI | 12/08/11 | Two-year contract
Stewart, Ian | 3B | COL | CHC | 12/08/11 | Traded with Casey Weathers for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu
Weathers, Casey | RP | COL | CHC | 12/08/11 | Traded with Ian Stewart for Tyler Colvin and DJ LeMahieu

THe Marlins are being aggressive this off-season.

Now watch Ian Stewart blossom with another team.

In other flat pulse Rockies moves............


Rockies agree to terms on a one-year contract with RHP Kevin Slowey, avoiding arbitration. The club also non-tenders outfielders Cole Garner and Ryan Spilborghs.

Spilborghs is a real crowd fav and I guess can still make the team in ST, if not I wish him the best and hope he fully recovers from his foot injury.

[astrosfanatic]

Spilborghs was quite a good little utility player there for a while...i hope he heals and finds a place with the Rockies again

[Mudge]

In recent news:

According to his agent, Aramis Ramirez will sign a three-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers, pending a physical for a contract worth $36 million guaranteed with a mutual option for a fourth year. He hit .306 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs and won the Silver Slugger award as the top offensive third baseman in 2011.


Outfielder Josh Willingham has reached agreement on a multiyear contract with the Minnesota Twins. Willingham, 32, batted .246 with a career-high 29 homers and 98 RBIs for Oakland in 2011.


Apparently, the Philadelphia Phillies have reached agreement on a one-year major league deal with free agent Dontrelle Willis.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Ramirez, Aramis | 3B | CHC | MIL | 12/14/11 | Three years with a mutual option for 2015
Golson, Greg | OF | NYY | KC | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Gutierrez, Juan | RP | ARI | KC | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Shoppach, Kelly | C | TB | BOS | 12/13/11 | One-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Furcal, Rafael | SS | STL | STL | 12/14/11 | Two-year contract
Punto, Nick | 2B | STL | BOS | 12/14/11 | Signed two-year contract
Saito, Takashi | RP | MIL | ARI | 12/14/11 | One-year contract
Ascanio, Jose | RP | PIT | LAD | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Bard, Josh | C | SEA | LAD | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Ford, Darren | OF | SF | SEA | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Kinney, Josh | RP | CWS | SEA | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Marquez, Jeff | RP | NYY | SEA | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract
Tucker, Ryan | RP |TEX | LAD | 12/13/11 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
James, Chuck | RP | MIN | NYM | 12/15/11 | Minor league contract
Willingham, Josh | OF | OAK | MIN | 12/15/11 | Three-year, $21 million deal
Willis, Dontrelle | RP | CIN | PHI | 12/15/11 | One-year contract
Gimenez, Chris | C | SEA | SEA | 12/14/11 | One-year contract
Hawkins, LaTroy | RP | MIL | LAA | 12/14/11 | One-year contract
Lowrie, Jed | IF | BOS | HOU | 12/14/11 | Traded for RHP Mark Melancon
Melancon, Mark | RP | HOU | BOS | 12/14/11 | Traded for SS Jed Lowrie
Rauch, Jon | RP | TOR | NYM | 12/14/11 | One-year contract
Weiland, Kyle | SP | BOS | HOU | 12/14/11 | Traded for RHP Mark Melancon

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Romero, J.C. | RP | COL | STL | 12/15/11 | One-year contract
Whiteside, Eli | C | SF | SF | 12/15/11 | One-year contract

[Old Sweater]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AkXNwLmHiFEhLZU1TJ7jtP0RvLYF?slug=ap-rockies-cuddyer

DENVER (AP)—The Colorado Rockies and free agent outfielder Michael Cuddyer have agreed to a three-year deal worth about $30 million.

CBS Sports and the Denver Post first reported the deal Friday morning.

The former Minnesota Twins star is the first big-time free agent the Rockies have signed since 2000, when they brought in pitchers Mike Hampton and Denny Neagle for a combined $172 million.

Cuddyer, who hit .284 with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs last season, also was pursued by the Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners.

Cuddyer brings a big bat and a veteran presence to Colorado, where general manager Dan O’Dowd has talked about changing the clubhouse culture after a disappointing 2011 season.

With Cuddyer’s arrival, Seth Smith could return to a reserve role or serve as trade bait.


Well I'll be. Still remains a mystery to me why the Rockies couldn't fork over enough cash to retain Mark Ellis. Be nice for Tulowitzki to see a familiar face when he looked to his left.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Nieves, Wil | C | ATL | COL | 12/17/11 | Minor league contract
Baxter, Mike | OF | NYM | NYM | 12/16/11 | Minor league contract
Blanco, Andres | SS | TEX | WSH | 12/16/11 | Minor league contract
Lopez, Jose | 3B | --- | CLE | 12/16/11 | Signed to Minor League deal
Pie, Felix | OF | BAL | CLE | 12/16/11 | Signed to Minor League deal
Richardson, Antoan | OF | ATL | BAL | 12/16/11 | Minor league contract
Fulchino, Jeff | RP | SD | WSH | 12/15/11 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Jimmy Rollins confirmed via Twitter an ESPN report that he has re-upped with the Philadelphia Phillies, agreeing to a three-year contract with a vesting option for a fourth season. The deal is guaranteed for $33 million and, according to mlb.com, the $11 million option would be easy to attain.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Alonso, Yonder | OF | CIN | SD | 12/17/11 | Traded with Yasmani Grandal, Edinson Volquez and a minor leaguer for Mat Latos
Latos, Mat | SP | SD | CIN | 12/17/11 | Traded for Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal, Edinson Volquez and a minor leaguer
Volquez, Edinson | SP | CIN | SD | 12/17/11 | Traded with Yonder Alonso, Yasmani Grandal and a minor leaguer for Mat Latos

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Betancourt, Yuniesky | SS | MIL | KC | 12/20/11| One-year contract
Chavez, Endy | OF | TEX | BAL | 12/20/11 | One-year contract
Cuddyer, Michael | OF | MIN | COL | 12/20/11 | Agreed to three-year deal
Igarashi, Ryota | RP | NYM | PIT | 12/20/11 | Minor league contract
Joaquin, Waldis | RP | SF | WSH | 12/20/11 | Minor league contract
Kubel, Jason | OF | MIN | ARI | 12/20/11 | Two years with a mutual option for 2014.
Paul, Xavier | OF | PIT | WSH | 12/20/11 | Minor league contract
Cameron, Mike | OF | --- | WSH | 12/19/11 | Minor league contract
Francisco, Frank | RP | TOR | NYM | 12/19/11 | Two-year contract
Rollins, Jimmy | SS | PHI | PHI | 12/19/11 | Three-years with a vesting option for 2015

[catman]

Nice contracts for some people. Punto getting 2 years as a utility player for the Red Sox is a bit much.
The Twins have picked up a lot of roster-fillers for Rochester, and possibly a couple will make the 40-man roster out of spring training. They currently have a couple of spots open there.
I'm sorry to see Michael Cuddyer and Jason Kubel leaving the Twins. They have both contributed a lot to the community, but both are moving into pretty decent situations. I'm also sorry to see Joe Nathan leave the team, but there is no way the Twins were going to match the deal he got from the Rangers.
I wish them all well.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to Sports Illustrated, the Tampa Bay Rays would be interested to sign Jorge Posado to a one year contract. He would be backup for Jose Molina and play 1B and DH. Normally the Rays don't have many "old" players on their roster and in general they didn't fare well with them.

I can't decide for Jorge, but if I was him, I would retire as a Yankee. Things can only get worse from here. Now the fans still look at you as a great/decent catcher that was part of the core four.

[RickD]

The Problem is that many an athlete still feel they can play and contribute and not everyone will pull a Bernie Williams and play for the Yanks or no one!

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Beltran, Carlos | OF | SF | STL | 12/23/11 | Two-year contract
Gonzalez, Gio | SP | OAK | WSH | 12/23/11 | Traded with a minor leaguer for Derek Norris, Brad Peacock, Tom Milone and a minor leaguer.
Marshall, Sean | RP | CHC | CIN | 12/23/11 | Traded for Travis Wood, Dave Sappelt and Minor Leaguer
Milone, Tom | SP | WSH | OAK | 12/23/11 | Traded with Derek Norris, Brad Peacock and a minor leaguer for Gio Gonzalez and a minor leaguer.
Peacock, Brad | SP | WSH | OAK | 12/23/11 | Traded with Tom Milone, Derek Norris and a minor leaguer for Gio Gonzalez and a minor leaguer.
Sappelt, Dave | OF | CIN | CHC | 12/23/11 | Traded with Travis Wood and Minor Leaguer for Sean Marshall
Wood, Travis | SP | CIN | CHC | 12/23/11 | Traded with Dave Sappelt and Minor Leaguer for Sean Marshall
Johnson, Rob | C | SD | NYM | 12/22/11 | Minor League contract
Marquis, Jason | SP | ARI | MIN | 12/22/11 | One-year contract
Hermida, Jeremy | OF | SD | SD | 12/21/11 | Minor league contract
Izturis, Cesar | SS | BAL | MIL | 12/21/11 | Minor league contract
LaRoche, Andy | 3B | OAK | CLE | 12/21/11 | Minor league contract
Mijares, Jose | RP | MIN | KC | 12/21/11 | One-year contract
Perez, Juan | RP | PHI | MIL | 12/21/11 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Sonnanstine, Andy | SP | TB | CHC | 12/26/11 | One-year contract

[jaded28]

the red sox acquire andrew bailey. it appears baird gets a full chance to be the fourth starter.

[RickD]

the red sox acquire andrew bailey. it appears baird gets a full chance to be the fourth starter.

A few more details:

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Bailey, Andrew | RP | OAK | BOS | 12/28/11 | Traded with Ryan Sweeney for Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers.
DeRosa, Mark | IF | SF | WSH | 12/28/11 | One-year contract
Reddick, Josh | OF | BOS | OAK | 12/28/11 | Traded with two minor leaguers for Andrew Bailey and Ryan Sweeney
Sweeney, Ryan | OF | OAK | BOS | 12/28/11 | Traded with Andrew Bailey for Josh Reddick and two minor leaguers

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Sonnanstine, Andy | SP | TB | CHC | 12/26/11 | One-year contract

You may call me crazy, but he is still one of my favorite players.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Yankees have agreed to a minor league deal with left handed reliever Hideki Okajima. Okajima was demoted to AAA by Boston in May and was never called up again.

[Old Sweater]

the red sox acquire andrew bailey. it appears baird gets a full chance to be the fourth starter.

Yeah, the A's are rebuilding again. What, I don't know, but it sure isn't fan demand.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Sherrill, George | RP | ATL | SEA | 12/30/11 | One-year contract
Mora, Melvin | 3B | ARI | --- | 12/29/11 | Retired

[BobH]

I guess this means Mora now has more time to devote to his quintuplets...now 10 years old.-BH

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Yankees have signed Andruw Jones to a one year contract, believed to be worth 2 MM plus incentives.

[Old Sweater]

I guess this means Mora now has more time to devote to his quintuplets...now 10 years old.-BH

The Denver Post ran their picture when they was 7, great looking kids. Hate to see Melvin hanging them up. It was worth getting to the ballpark early to see him so his 'Frankenstein' warm up walk.

[Cubs Fan]

I don't know if the A's are really rebuilding. That division will just be too much with the Angel's improvements. Texas will continue to do great. Seattle will finish last. Hopefully, those minor leaguers they got will be good for the A's.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to the Sporting News, the Miami Marlins are the next to that have serious interest in Matt Garza.

The Marlins still seem not to be done bolstering their rotation after acquiring Gio Gonzalez from the A's.

Miami is willing to ship the following players to the Cubs in exchange for Garza:

- Minor league outfielder Christian Yelich in a package for Garza. Yelich, 20, was a first-round choice of the Marlins in the 2010 draft. He batted .312/.388/.484 with 15 home runs and 77 RBIs in Class A Greensboro last year, his first full professional season.

- First baseman Gaby Sanchez
- Third baseman Matt Dominguez
- Outfielder Chris Coghlan
- Righthander Jose Ceda

[Cubs Fan]

Miami? That would be a good fit although I still want Garza to stay. He's used to the weather down there.

[Old Sweater]

I don't know if the A's are really rebuilding. That division will just be too much with the Angel's improvements. Texas will continue to do great. Seattle will finish last. Hopefully, those minor leaguers they got will be good for the A's.

They are always rebuilding their stock in Oakland. If they pan out, there is a good chance they will be moved/traded, within the 6 year limit before they become free agents and many during the 3-6 arbitration years. Hope this will change for the new A's fans if they get a new stadium. Lew Wolff is bad as Al Davis with the me before the fans, mentality.

[Baseballnum3er0]

I'm confused as to what the White Sox are trying to do now. I guess they are purely dumping payroll now because the return on Frasor and Quentin was hardly even worth the effort unless your clearing payroll.

I'd guess the clock is ticking on Floyd getting his ticket out of town punched as well as possibly Thornton.

[astrosfanatic]

I'm confused as to what the White Sox are trying to do now. I guess they are purely dumping payroll now because the return on Frasor and Quentin was hardly even worth the effort unless your clearing payroll.

I'd guess the clock is ticking on Floyd getting his ticket out of town punched as well as possibly Thornton.

i was very surprised at what they got back for Quentin. There must not have been a very strong trade market for him. His injuries to nearly every part of his body make him a big risk

[Mudge]

i was very surprised at what they got back for Quentin. There must not have been a very strong trade market for him. His injuries to nearly every part of his body make him a big risk

That's right, even though he's only 29, he's never really played a full season.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Miami? That would be a good fit although I still want Garza to stay. He's used to the weather down there.

Sorry. I mixed Miami up with the Nationals. Somehow both have an unlikely link with Jeffrey Loria :AR15firing:

[Cubs Fan]

To me Nationals is a bad fit for him.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

To me Nationals is a bad fit for him.

They sure were when they were still the Expos. He was the reason for the decline of the club.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to the Sporting News, the Chicago Cubs are seriously overasking.

The Yankees are unlikely to land starting pitcher Matt Garza from the Chicago Cubs because the Cubs are asking far too much. Chicago reportedly would wants two—and possibly all three—of the Yankees' top prospects: catcher Jesus Montero, lefthanded pitcher Manny Banuelos and righthanded pitcher Dellin Betances.

I wonder what they ask the Red Sox and other teams.

[winningbaseball]

I wouldn't give the Cubs any one of the three mentioned for Garza, much less two or three. The Cubs can rot with him for all I care.

[Cubs Fan]

Really who could blame them. They need players that can play everyday and play well

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Really who could blame them. They need players that can play everyday and play well

Like many other teams, the Cubs are overasking because it's the Yankees. I have seen it before. The Yankees can only blame themselves because they wanted every big name player in the past.

[Cubs Fan]

Yes, that is another reason they have the Cubs over asking.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Yes, that is another reason they have the Cubs over asking.

During the George Stoneburner years, the Yankees have built a reputation. It will take a couple years to get rid of that.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Frasor, Jason | RP | CWS | TOR | 1/01/12 | Traded for two minor leaguers
Laffey, Aaron | RP | KC | TOR | 12/31/11 | Signed Minor League deal
Quentin, Carlos | OF | CWS | SD | 12/31/11 | Traded for Simon Castro and Pedro Hernandez

[winningbaseball]

Like many other teams, the Cubs are overasking because it's the Yankees. I have seen it before. The Yankees can only blame themselves because they wanted every big name player in the past.
I disagree. The Yankees have passed on countless big name players. Teams 'over ask' from the Yankees because their system is loaded and they are hopeful Cashman will do something stupid.

[WilsonC]

It's not a Yankee thing here - the Jays rumours also have the Cubs demanding multiple top prospects, which the Jays don't look to be biting on. There's enough teams that could use him that it makes sense for them to ask high, but I'm not sure if any team is likely to pay the price they want.

[Cubs Fan]

Yeah they might have to lower it a bit but smart to see if you can get a good deal first.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

I disagree. The Yankees have passed on countless big name players. Teams 'over ask' from the Yankees because their system is loaded and they are hopeful Cashman will do something stupid.
I think that they didn't need the ones they passed on. Why get Albert Pujols when you have a high priced 1b already? But in the 2008/2009 off season they acquired three big names. What about A-Rod? Do you remember that the Boss demanded to acquire Randy Johnson? Kevin Brown, Reggie Jackson, etc, etc. I can go on for a while. All players from outside the organisation that the Boss wanted.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

In an attempt to acquire a top notch starter, the Detroit Tigers have put their top prospect, RHP Jacob Turner, in the shopping window.
The Tigers are reportedly in the mix to acquire Matt Garza from the Cubs.

[Mudge]

Overasking makes more sense than underasking, no matter who you are dealing with, especially as the starting point for discussion.

Under normal conditions, I doubt you'd put your house on the market for less than it's worth.

[winningbaseball]

I think that they didn't need the ones they passed on. Why get Albert Pujols when you have a high priced 1b already? But in the 2008/2009 off season they acquired three big names. What about A-Rod? Do you remember that the Boss demanded to acquire Randy Johnson? Kevin Brown, Reggie Jackson, etc, etc. I can go on for a while. All players from outside the organisation that the Boss wanted.

True, however there were many more the Yankees never needed nor wanted. The list would be twice as long as the ones they acquired.

[WilsonC]

Overasking makes more sense than underasking, no matter who you are dealing with, especially as the starting point for discussion.

Under normal conditions, I doubt you'd put your house on the market for less than it's worth.

Indeed - and it's worth noting that there's no pressure to trade him immediately. They'll ask for the moon, see what the counter offers are, and then decide whether any of the offers are worth taking, or whether they think he'd fetch more mid-season.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Burroughs, Sean | 3B | ARI | MIN | 1/03/12 | Minor league contract
Ciriaco, Pedro | 3B | PIT | BOS | 1/03/12 | Minor league contract
Johnson, Reed | OF | CHC | CHC | 1/03/12 | One-year contract
Miller, Jai | OF | OAK | BAL | 1/03/12 | Traded for cash
Pearce, Steve | IF | PIT | MIN | 1/03/12 | Minor league contract
Quintanilla, Omar | IF | TEX | NYM | 1/03/12 | Minor league contract
Snyder, Brandon | 1B | BAL | TEX | 1/03/12 | Traded for cash
Tejeda, Robinson | RP | KC | CLE | 1/03/12 | Minor league contract
Towles, J.R. | C | HOU | MIN | 1/03/12 | Minor league contract

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Roy Oswald has lowered his demands by accepting a one year deal to prove his health. Because of this, the Yankees and the Cardinals seem to be interested to sign the 34 year old right hander. Oswald himself prefers the Cardinals over the Yankees.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Reliever Fernando Rodney signed a one-year, $2 million contract with the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday.
The hard-throwing right-hander will earn $1.75 million next season. The deal also includes a $2.5 million club option or a $250,000 buyout for 2013.

[Old Sweater]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=Atl9o0v1zi1vO8wDYURO.M4RvLYF?slug=ap-cubs-marlinstrade

MIAMI (AP)—Carlos Zambrano will get a much-needed fresh start with the Miami Marlins.

The Chicago Cubs traded their former ace Wednesday for Marlins right-hander Chris Volstad, pending physicals and approval by Major League Baseball, a person familiar with the negotiations said. The person confirmed the deal to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the teams hadn’t announced a deal.


And things get even more interesting in Miami. Guillen and Zambrano in the same dugout?

[Mudge]

And things get even more interesting in Miami. Guillen and Zambrano in the same dugout?

All they need is Milton Bradley.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

All they need is Milton Bradley.

I am all for it. :biggrin:

[winningbaseball]

Roy Oswald has lowered his demands by accepting a one year deal to prove his health. Because of this, the Yankees and the Cardinals seem to be interested to sign the 34 year old right hander. Oswald himself prefers the Cardinals over the Yankees.

Then by all means Oswald should go with the Cardinals. He probably couldn't hack being a Yankee.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Brackman, Andrew | RP | NYY | CIN | 1/04/12 | One-year contract
Reyes, Jo-Jo | SP | BAL | PIT | 1/04/12 | Minor league contract
Rodney, Fernando | RP | LAA | TB | 1/04/12 | One year with a club option for 2013.

[Old Sweater]

Then by all means Oswald should go with the Cardinals. He probably couldn't hack being a Yankee.

Oswalt could.

Signed: Walter.:)

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Chicago Cubs signed Reed Johnson to a one year, 1.15 million contract.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Crisp, Coco | OF | OAK | OAK | 1/05/12 | Two years with a club option for 2014
Dobbs, Greg | 3B | MIA | MIA | 1/05/12 | Two-year contract
MacDougal, Mike | RP | LAD | LAD | 1/05/12 | One year with a club option for 2013
Volstad, Chris | SP | MIA | CHC | 1/05/12 | Acquired for RHP Carlos Zambrano
Zambrano, Carlos | SP | CHC | MIA | 1/05/12 | Acquired for RHP Chris Volstad

[Baseballnum3er0]

Still on the fence with the Zambrano move personally. The way I'm looking at it is they get a guy in Volstad who I would classify as a back of the rotation starter at best for about 100 thousand give or take(this is based of what he projects to earn from arbration-whwhat the Marlins pay Zambrano) and cut Zambrano. So if the Cubs were as fed up with Zambrano enough to cut him then I guess it all works out well for them. As for the Marlins, they get Zambrano who has a good upside for a good price in exchange for a guy that was a serious non tender candidate in Volstad, so I can't argue with that too much.

I get Zambrano may casts a black cloud around the Cubs that new management may want to erase, but I still think giving Zambrano a shot next year and then trading him at the deadline while eating his salary is worth a risk if all you can get in return is Volstad.

I don't think the move will make or break the Cubs either way, but I do know I would have done it differently.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Cashner, Andrew | RP | CHC | SD | 1/06/12 | Traded with a minor leaguer for Anthony Rizzo and a minor leaguer
Rizzo, Anthony | 1B | SD | CHC | 1/06/12 | Traded with a minor leaguer for Andrew Cashner and a minor leaguer

[OutfieldGrass]

Reed Johnson is exactly the type of player I think the Mariners need to look at. Not quite a starting option but somebody that could fill in for a long period of time due to injury or if one of our young outfielders struggles to start the season. It bums me out that we seem to miss out on these types of players. Same with Brooks Conrad.

[Dbacksfan]

Apparently many teams called about Parra after the Kubel signing. Towers is quoted as saying "I'm not really motivated to move him." Good call imo. Our outfield depth is incredible. Now, how to balance the playing time....

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Baltimore Orioles have signed Taiwanese lefthander Wei-Yin Chen to a three-year contract, The Baltimore Sun reports.

Chen, 26, went 8-10 with a 2.68 ERA in 25 games (24 starts) this past season for the Chunichi Dragons of the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball, with which he played the Nippon Series (Japanese championship).
Wei-Yin Chen pitched for the Chinese Taipei national baseball team in the 2008 Olympics. (AP Photo)

In four seasons with the Dragons, Chen was 36-30 with a 2.48 ERA in 117 games (88 starts).

“Chen works off of a 92-94 mile per hour fastball and he uses a hard, slurve-like breaking ball as an out-pitch,” Orioles executive vice president of baseball operations Dan Duquette said in a statement. “He has exceptional command and we like the quality of his pitches to help our team.

[Cubs Fan]

Interesting move for the Orioles. But you always take a risk when you get players from half-way across the world.

[Mudge]

Interesting move for the Orioles. But you always take a risk when you get players from half-way across the world.

Agreed. It's just a matter of cost vs. risk.

[Cubs Fan]

Yeah it is cost v.s. risk but they of course picked cost. Well they MIGHT be getting more then what they are expecting. But with Yu Darvish, I think he will struggle at first.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction Date | Notes
Batista, Miguel | SP | NYM | NYM | 1/10/12 | Minor league contract
Heilman, Aaron | RP | PIT | SEA | 1/10/12 | Minor league contract
Maholm, Paul | SP | PIT | CHC | 1/10/12 | One-year with a club option for 2013
Conrad, Brooks | IF | ATL | MIL | 1/09/12 | Minor league contract
Oliver, Darren | RP | TEX | TOR | 1/09/12 | One year with a club option for 2013

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to the Sporting News, the Rays have interest in resigning Johnny Damon and.... Carlos Pena.

Damon, of course, was with the Rays last season on a one year contract. He batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs.

Pena on his turn filed for free agency and signed a one year deal with the Cubs, hitting t .225 with 28 homers and 80 RBIs.

They're both not light out hitters, but at least they provide some power. I hope for the Rays, that when they sign Pena, his batting will be better than with the Cubs.

[Mudge]

According to the Sporting News, the Rays have interest in resigning Johnny Damon and.... Carlos Pena.

Damon, of course, was with the Rays last season on a one year contract. He batted .261 with 16 homers and 73 RBIs.

Pena on his turn filed for free agency and signed a one year deal with the Cubs, hitting t .225 with 28 homers and 80 RBIs.

They're both not light out hitters, but at least they provide some power. I hope for the Rays, that when they sign Pena, his batting will be better than with the Cubs.

That's funny, I thought they had resigned Damon (as in retired him -- when I first read this, that's the meaning I took. :wink:)

Anyway, Pena and Damon both seemed to work well in Tampa when each was there last. At the right price, I would say why not?

[yankeebiscuitfan]

That's funny, I thought they had resigned Damon (as in retired him -- when I first read this, that's the meaning I took. :wink:)

Anyway, Pena and Damon both seemed to work well in Tampa when each was there last. At the right price, I would say why not?

Should I write re-sign then?

[yankeebiscuitfan]

According to baseball sources, it is very unlikely that Prince Fielder will sign with the Nationals (like we didn't know). The Nationals are not prepared to pay anything close to Albert Pujols' 10 year 240 MM contract. The Nationals also have concerns about his health; especially his weight. Fielder weighs about 270 pounds.

I am pretty sure that this weight problem will cause knee trouble in a couple of years. DH will be the only position he can play then, I think.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Well, forget what I wrote about Johnny Damon re-signing with the Rays. The Rays just have signed DH Luke Scott to a one year deal with an option for 2013. No financial data was disclosed.

Scott hit .220 with nine homers and 22 RBIs in 64 games for the Baltimore Orioles in 2011. He didn’t play after July 22 because of a shoulder injury that required surgery. However, the newspaper reports Scott has been hitting off a tee for six weeks and has been lifting weights. His only limitations involve throwing the ball from the outfield, but he believes he will be ready to do that soon after the 2012 season begins.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Yankees are still looking to add starting pitching, but not at every price. That explains their quiet off season so far. But Hal Steinbrenner is talking with Edwin Jackson's agent Scott Boras.

Multiple reports have suggested that the 28-year-old Jackson was originally looking for a five-year commitment worth approximately $15 million to $17 million per season, though his demands have likely decreased with the winter progressing.

This talk makes me think once again about Cashman's role in the Yankees' organization. Isn't it the GM's job to talk with agents about players?

[Old Sweater]

The Yankees are still looking to add starting pitching, but not at every price. That explains their quiet off season so far. But Hal Steinbrenner is talking with Edwin Jackson's agent Scott Boras.

Multiple reports have suggested that the 28-year-old Jackson was originally looking for a five-year commitment worth approximately $15 million to $17 million per season, though his demands have likely decreased with the winter progressing.

This talk makes me think once again about Cashman's role in the Yankees' organization. Isn't it the GM's job to talk with agents about players?

Sure is the GM's job, perhaps Hal has to much George in him.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/2011-specialpos_1b-fielding.shtml

^ Concerning Pena, I thought he was better with the glove. BR has him a click under Prince.

[Vertigo O]

Looks like the Yanks may have found their SP.

Pineda for Montero

I don't know what to think of this yet.

[Vertigo O]

JonHeymanCBS Jon Heyman
trade involves more players than that tho. @StoneLarry suggested it first
1 minute ago

Jon Heyman
JonHeymanCBS Jon Heyman
montero is traded for pineda

JonHeymanCBSJon Heyman
#yankees tried for #felix before acquiring pineda. #mariners wouldnt budge. #yanks woulda offered montero/banuelos/betances/etc./etc

[Vertigo O]

GregJohnsMLBGreg Johns

No confirmation from team, but source says Mariners sending Pineda and Jose Campos to Yankees for Jesus Montero/Hector Noesi.

[Baseballnum3er0]

Buster Olney is reporting the Yankees signed Hiroki Kuroda to a 1 year 10m deal.

[Old Sweater]

http://www.fanfeedr.com/mlb/ny-yankees?id=5adc63aa-afae-54bc-8613-ee466aa57b21

Thank you, Brian Cashman and Jack Zduriencik.

For hardcore baseball fanatics, there's nothing better to make the winter days pass than a bold, blockbuster trade like the one Cashman and his Yankees and Zduriencik and his Mariners reportedly have executed -- on Friday the 13th no less.

Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to Seattle for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos is a swap that takes imagination -- and nerve.

The Yankees also were operating from a position of strength -- youthful catching talent -- in parting with Montero. They're in fine shape behind the plate.

Hmmmm, the Yankees are in fine shape behind the plate? Okay Yankees fans that keep up with the farm-who are they referring to since names were left out of the article.

[Vertigo O]

Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez

Romine is 23 and has a very good defensive reputation ... his bat is very questionable though.

Sanchez is an 18-year-old with a lot of upside. Big bat, questionable defense.

Plus they still have Russell Martin ...

Montero was never going to stick behind the plate anyways I don't think.


Word now is the Yanks are talking to the Angels about Trumbo to fill their DH spot?

[Vertigo O]

Hmmmm, the Yankees are in fine shape behind the plate? Okay Yankees fans that keep up with the farm-who are they referring to since names were left out of the article.

Actually, here's a good site to check out. I forgot about Murphy as well.

http://baseballinstinct.com/2011/12/23/new-york-yankees-2012-top-10-prospects-list/

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Cedeno, Ronny | SS | PIT | NYM | 1/13/12 | One-year contract
Prado, Martin | 2B | ATL | ATL | 1/13/12 | One-year contract
Wilson, Jack | IF | ATL | ATL | 1/13/12 | One-year contract
Wood, Kerry | RP | CHC | CHC | 1/13/12 | One year with a club option for 2013
Scott, Luke | OF | BAL | TB | 1/12/12 | One-year deal with club option
Hairston, Scott | OF | NYM | NYM | 1/11/12 | One-year contract
Proctor, Scott | RP | NYY | --- | 1/11/12 | Signed with Doosan Bears, Korean Baseball Organization.

[yankeebiscuitfan]

Looks like the Yanks may have found their SP.

Pineda for Montero

I don't know what to think of this yet.

You always have to wait how things will pan out. But I think that the Yankees added a potential #2 starter to their rotation in Pineda. I don't know the other guy, Jose Campos, but his MiLB numbers look promising. Sure it is too early to tell, since he has only spend two years in the Dominican Summer League and one year at the M's low A affiliate Everett AquaSox in the Northwest League. But his ERA has dropped dramatically in these three years and the number of K's has risen from only 23 in the VESL to 85 in the NOWL.

The loss of a powerhitter, that is still a diamond in the rough is a blow, but on the other hand the Yankees didn't have to give up too much.

I think Cashman deserves all the credits here. When many Yankeefans got nerveous about Cashman leaning back, he never worried and waited for the right moment to strike.

[Old Sweater]

Scott Proctor may have jumped from the frying pan into the fire, by going to Korea. Maybe not, but when I watch the Olympics I get a feeling that no other country resents Americans more then the South Koreans.

[winningbaseball]

Scott Proctor may have jumped from the frying pan into the fire, by going to Korea. Maybe not, but when I watch the Olympics I get a feeling that no other country resents Americans more then the South Koreans.

Maybe I am wrong, but I think it is the North Koreans that hate the U.S., not the South Koreans.

[runningshoes]

South Korea and the US are strong allies.

[Old Sweater]

Maybe I am wrong, but I think it is the North Koreans that hate the U.S., not the South Koreans.


South Korea and the US are strong allies.

I said watching the Olympics guys. Nothing about politicking or the governments. The SK soccer team mocked our speed skater when they beat the USA. One of the most disrespectful things I ever seen at the Olympics.

Sorry I got off topic.

[winningbaseball]

I said watching the Olympics guys. Nothing about politicking or the governments. The SK soccer team mocked our speed skater when they beat the USA. One of the most disrespectful things I ever seen at the Olympics.

Sorry I got off topic.

It may be more a situation of competitive juices. Nothing wrong with hating your rival during competition. It's a way some athletes pump themselves up.

[BobH]

Glad to see the Braves sign up Martin Prado...even if for just a year.-BH

[Old Sweater]

Fought my way thru the cobwebs and already posted the following in the Rockies section. Just in case you don't make it down South to often..............


http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=AljHQrqavnGYLv7DuEEMQxIRvLYF?slug=ap-athletics-rockiestrade

DENVER (AP)—The Colorado Rockies have traded outfielder Seth Smith to the Oakland Athletics for right-hander Guillermo Moscoso and left-hander Josh Outman.

Monday’s deal came a day after Smith and the Rockies avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year contract worth $2,415,000.

Smith has spent the last three seasons with the Rockies, playing both left and right field, and has a .275 batting average with 51 homers and 181 RBIs in 487 major league games. He hit .284 with 32 doubles, nine triples, 15 homers and 59 RBIs last season, when he made $429,000.

Moscoso went 8-10 with a 3.38 ERA in 21 starts last year. The Rockies are his fourth major league team. Outman went 3-5 with a 3.70 ERA last year for the Athletics.

Recent trades with the A's has been, Cargo, Street, Greg Smith, Mark Ellis and now these two, Guillermo Moscoso and left-hander Josh Outman.

O'Dowd and Beane are getting so tight that the Rockies even do the barter and signing work for Beane.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Morgan, Nyjer | LF | MIL | MIL | 1/16/12 | One-year contract
Moscoso, Guillermo | SP | OAK | COL | 1/16/12 | Traded for Seth Smith
Outman, Josh | SP | OAK | COL | 1/16/12 | Traded for Seth Smith
Smith, Seth | OF | COL | OAK | 1/16/12 | Traded for two pitchers
Kouzmanoff, Kevin | 3B | COL | KC | 1/14/12 | Minor league contract

[yankeebiscuitfan]

The Milwaukee Brewers have signed Japan's Central League star outfielder Norichika Aoki to a two-year deal with a club option for 2014.

He was the Central League's 2005 ROY and hit over .300 in six of his seven full seasons in the NPB.

Aoki's team, the Tokyo Yakult Swallows, accepted the Brewers' bid of $2.5 million under the posting system in December. The Brewers had until 4 p.m. CT Tuesday to complete a deal.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Cust, Jack | OF | PHI | HOU | 1/18/12 | One year with a club option for 2013
Counsell, Craig | IF | MIL | --- | 1/17/12 | Announced retirement
Navarro, Dioner | C | LAD | CIN | 1/17/12 | Minor league contract
Pineiro, Joel | SP | LAA | PHI | 1/17/12 | Minor league contract
Saunders, Joe | SP | ARI | ARI | 1/17/12 | One-year contract
Slaten, Doug | RP | WSH | PIT | 1/17/12 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Cabrera, Orlando | SS | SF | --- | 1/18/12 | Announced retirement

[OutfieldGrass]

You always have to wait how things will pan out. But I think that the Yankees added a potential #2 starter to their rotation in Pineda. I don't know the other guy, Jose Campos, but his MiLB numbers look promising. Sure it is too early to tell, since he has only spend two years in the Dominican Summer League and one year at the M's low A affiliate Everett AquaSox in the Northwest League. But his ERA has dropped dramatically in these three years and the number of K's has risen from only 23 in the VESL to 85 in the NOWL.

The loss of a powerhitter, that is still a diamond in the rough is a blow, but on the other hand the Yankees didn't have to give up too much.

I think Cashman deserves all the credits here. When many Yankeefans got nerveous about Cashman leaning back, he never worried and waited for the right moment to strike.

Jose Campos is a legit pitching prospect. Not on the national radar but I think this kid is going to be very good. Will take 2-3 years at least to find out but he could move quicker than most kids his age. Great stuff and command.

I was alright with Pineda for Montero. Loved the deal. Then I heard Campos was heading to the Yankees and I had a rough time accepting it. In the end I realize the Mariners got a very good hitter in Montero and while its tough to give up Pineda/Campos we really need the bat. Unfortunately its going to be easy for the Mariners to fill a pitching need through FA but it doesn't seem like many hitters want to head up to Safeco. Good deal for both sides.

Oh and I am higher on Noesi than most. I think he can be a very good 3-4 pitcher and possibly a top flight reliever if that doesn't pan out. With the pitching depth we have accumulated its possible he slides into the closer role if League is dealt.

[OutfieldGrass]

The Mariners signed LHP Oliver Perez to a minor league deal. He has shown solid stuff and seemed to have a good year for the Nationals Triple-A team but I don't see him rebounding and taking a rotation spot. Could be a good lefty out of the pen though.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Hawpe, Brad | 1B | SD | TEX | 1/20/12 | Minor league contract
Madson, Ryan | RP | PHI | CIN | 1/20/12 | One-year deal with mutual option
Putnam, Zach | RP | CLE | COL | 1/20/12 | Traded for Kevin Slowey
Slowey, Kevin | SP | COL | CLE | 1/20/12 | Traded for Zach Putnam
Snyder, Chris | C | PIT | HOU | 1/20/12 | One year with a mutual option for 2013
Spilborghs, Ryan | OF | COL | CLE | 1/20/12 | Minor league contract
Figueroa, Nelson | SP | PIT | TOR | 1/19/12 | Minor league contract
Lewis, Fred | OF | CIN | CLE | 1/19/12 | Minor league contract
Burres, Brian | SP | PIT | SF | 1/18/12 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Mortensen, Clayton | SP | COL | BOS | 1/21/12 | Traded for Marco Scutaro
Scutaro, Marco | SS | BOS | COL | 1/21/12 | Traded for Clayton Mortensen

[Baseballnum3er0]

Scott Boras has worked his magic once again by getting the Tigers to agree to sign Prince Fielder to a 9 year, 214M contract after the market seemed to be a couple teams at best for most of the off-season. Wow...just wow.

[Mudge]

Scott Boras has worked his magic once again by getting the Tigers to agree to sign Prince Fielder to a 9 year, 214M contract after the market seemed to be a couple teams at best for most of the off-season. Wow...just wow.

You are kidding, right?

[WilsonC]

If that report is accurate, wow...

[yankeebiscuitfan]

MLB.com confirms it. The Tigers haven't confirmed it though. Now I wonder who will play 1B; Fielder or Cabrera?

[Old Sweater]

Even I think that is to long of a contract for Fielder(weight) 23.77mil a year.

Boras is amazing. When fans thought he had goofed with A Rod, he wound up with a bigger contract and I believe, the first marketing money thrown at a player.

[WilsonC]

Even I think that is to long of a contract for Fielder(weight) 23.77mil a year.

Boras is amazing. When fans thought he had goofed with A Rod, he wound up with a bigger contract and I believe, the first marketing money thrown at a player.

Here's a question for you: Scott Boras - future Hall of Famer?

[BobH]

Amazing...so like his daddy...Prince will be a Tiger. Well, at least Pop was a Tiger for part of his career and had his best years as a Tiger..-BH

[Mudge]

Here's a question for you: Scott Boras - future Hall of Famer?
Absolutely.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Fielder, Prince | 1B | MIL | DET | 1/26/12 | Nine-year contract
Gomes, Jonny | OF | WSH | OAK | 1/26/12 | One-year contract
Kuroda, Hiroki | SP | LAD | NYY | 1/26/12 | One-year contract
Lidge, Brad | RP | PHI | WSH | 1/26/12 | One-year contract
Ross, Cody | OF | SF | BOS | 1/26/12 | One-year contract
Wheeler, Dan | RP | BOS | CLE | 1/26/12 | Minor league contract
Cora, Alex | 3B | WSH | --- | 1/25/12 | Announced retirement
Harris, Willie | OF | NYM | CIN | 1/25/12 | Minor league contract
Jones, Andruw | OF | NYY | NYY | 1/25/12 | One-year contract
Kearns, Austin | OF | CLE | MIA | 1/25/12 | Minor league contract
Lucy, Donny | C | CWS | --- | 1/25/12 | Announced retirement
Motte, Jason | P | STL | STL | 1/25/12 | One-year contract
Valdez, Wilson | IF | PHI | CIN | 1/25/12 | Traded for a minor leaguer
Augenstein, Bryan | RP | STL | TB | 1/24/12 | Minor league contract
Betemit, Wilson | 3B | DET | BAL | 1/24/12 | Two-year deal with vesting option
Colon, Bartolo | SP | NYY | OAK | 1/24/12 | One-year contract
Millwood, Kevin | SP | COL | SEA | 1/24/12 | Minor League contract
Pena, Carlos | 1B | CHC | TB | 1/24/12 | One-year contract
Posada, Jorge | DH | NYY | --- | 1/24/12 | Announced retirement
Vizquel, Omar | IF | CWS | TOR | 1/24/12 | Minor League contract
Stetter, Mitch | RP | MIL | TEX | 1/21/12 | Minor League contract

[Old Sweater]

It's going to be real interesting to see how Millwood fares at a pitchers haven in Seattle after surviving quite well at Coors Field.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Hudson, Kyle | OF | BAL | TEX | 1/28/12 | Minor league contract
Duke, Zach | SP | ARI | HOU | 1/27/12 | Minor league contract
Keppinger, Jeff | 2B | SF | TB | 1/27/12 | One-year contract
Pierre, Juan | OF | CWS | PHI | 1/27/12 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Burrell, Pat | OF | SF | --- | 1/30/12 | Announced retirement
Galarraga, Armando | SP | ARI | BAL | 1/30/12 | Minor league contract
Miller, Trever | RP | BOS | CHC | 1/30/12 | Minor league contract
Neshek, Pat | RP | SD | BAL | 1/30/12 | Minor league contract
Paulino, Ronny | C | NYM | BAL | 1/30/12 | Minor league contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Moylan, Peter | RP | ATL | ATL | 2/02/12 | Minor league contract
Cordero, Francisco | RP | CIN | TOR | 2/01/12 | One-year contract
Cruz, Juan | RP | TB | PIT | 2/01/12 | Minor league contract
Canzler, Russ | IF | TB | CLE | 1/31/12 | Traded for cash
Qualls, Chad | RP | SD | PHI | 1/31/12 | One-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Coffey, Todd | RP | WSH | LAD | 2/03/12 | One-year contract with 2013 club option
Johnson, Dan | 1B | TB | CWS | 2/03/12 | Minor league contract
Kotchman, Casey | 1B | TB | CLE | 2/03/12 | One-year contract
Jackson, Edwin | SP | STL | WSH | 2/02/12 | One-year contract

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Penny, Brad | SP | DET | --- | 2/06/12 | Signed with Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League

After going 11-11 last year with a 5.30 ERA I guess this males sense. I thought at least one team would give him a shot.

[RickD]

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Branyan, Russell | 1B | LAA | NYY | 2/08/12 | Minor league contract
Francis, Jeff | SP | KC | CIN | 2/08/12 | Minor league contract
Hensley, Clay | SP | MIA | SF | 2/08/12 | One-year contract
Ludwick, Ryan | OF | PIT | CIN | 2/08/12 | One-year deal with mutual option
Mota, Guillermo | RP | SF | SF | 2/08/12 | One-year contract
Theriot, Ryan | IF | STL | SF | 2/08/12 | One-year contract
Hall, Bill | 2B | SF | NYY | 2/07/12 | Minor league contract
Ankiel, Rick | OF | WSH | WSH | 2/06/12 | Minor league contract
Beimel, Joe | RP | PIT | TEX | 2/06/12 | Minor league contract
Camp, Shawn |RP | TOR | SEA | 2/06/12 | One-year contract
Cora, Alex | 3B | WSH | STL | 2/06/12 | Minor league contract
Guthrie, Jeremy | SP | BAL | COL | 2/06/12 | Traded for Jason Hammel and Matt Lindstrom
Hammel, Jason | SP | COL | BAL | 2/06/12 | Traded with Matt Lindstrom for Jeremy Guthrie
Jackson, Conor | OF | BOS | TEX | 2/06/12 | Minor league contract
Kuo, Hong-Chih | RP | LAD | SEA | 2/06/12 | One-year contract
Lindstrom, Matt | RP | COL | BAL | 2/06/12 | Traded with Jason Hammel for Jeremy Guthrie

[BobH]

I haven't seen this posted anywhere but it seems like Clay Kershaw has signed for two years with the Dodgers for 19 Million dollars thus avoiding arbitration.-BH

[Cathy]

All Hot Stove Transactions as of 11/5/2011 at 4:54 PM PST

Player | Position | Former Team | New Team | Transaction date | Notes
Thome, Jim | DH | CLE | PHI | 11/05/11 | One-year contract
Gonzalez, Edgar | SP | COL | OAK | 11/04/11 | Minor league contract
Wang, Chien-Ming | SP | WSH | WSH | 11/04/11 | One-year contract
Blanco, Henry | C | ARI | ARI | 11/03/11 | One-year deal with mutual option
Rivera, Juan | OF | LAD | LAD | 11/03/11 | Agreed to terms on one-year contract
McDonald, John | SS | ARI | ARI | 11/02/11 | Two-year contract
Wood, Tim | RP | TEX | PIT | 11/01/11 | Minor league contract
Affeldt, Jeremy | RP | SF | SF | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Encarnacion, Edwin | 3B | TOR | TOR | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Farnsworth, Kyle | RP | TB | TB | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Frasor, Jason | RP | CWS | CWS | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Giambi, Jason | 1B | COL | COL | 10/31/11 | Mutual option exercised
Hinske, Eric | OF | ATL | ATL | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Lewis, Colby | SP | TEX | TEX | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Lowe, Derek | SP | ATL | CLE | 10/31/11 | Traded for a minor leaguer
Molina, Yadier | C | STL | STL | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Patterson, Corey | OF | STL | --- | 10/31/11 | Club option declined
Phillips, Brandon | 2B | CIN | CIN | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Shields, James | SP | TB | TB | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Soria, Joakim | RP | KC | KC | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Tateyama, Yoshinori | P | TEX | TEX | 10/31/11 | Club option exercised
Scutaro, Marco | SS | BOS | BOS | 10/30/11 | Club option exercised
Cano, Robinson | 2B | NYY | NYY | 10/29/11 | Club option exercised
Dempster, Ryan | SP | CHC | CHC | 10/29/11 | Player option exercised
Swisher, Nick | OF | NYY | NYY | 10/29/11 | Club option exercised
Valverde, Jose | RP | DET | DET | 10/28/11 | Club option exercised
Soriano, Rafael | RP | NYY | NYY | 10/27/11 | Player opt-out declined
Wainwright, Adam | SP | STL | STL | 10/27/11 | Club option exercised

Scutaro was traded to the Rockies for RHP Clayton Mortenson (sp?)