Note: Kiko and Prior, Possible Non-Tenders
…the buzz from shea has long been that the Mets are likely to non-tender C Johnny Estrada during today’s deadline…
…by doing so, he becomes a free agent and the Mets owe him nothing, other than a thank you for allowing them to ship Guillermo Mota, and mota’s salary, to the Brewers…
Meanwhile, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, the A’s are likely to non-tender RHP Kiko Calero, who was 1–5 with a 5.75 ERA in 46 appearances in Oakland last season.
However, in his previous 128 relief appearances, spanning two seasons, he was 7–3 with a 3.36 ERA having struck out 119 batters in 113 innings pitched.
…the word from san francisco has been that calero is suffering from some sort of arm issues, which could be why they have no interest in bringing him back…
Speaking of arm issues, the Chicago Tribune writes that the Cubs may non-tender RHP Mark Prior, as he could earn up to $4 million through salary arbitration.
Prior has not pitched in a big-league game since August 2006.
He is 42–29 in 106 starts for his career, with a 3.51 ERA.
…if prior hits the open market, i assume there will be a large number of teams who will try to be creative about bringing him in to their camp…i hope the Mets are one of them, though it will be hard to justify giving him a guarenteed roster spot…
Lastly, the Padres may non-tender 3B Morgan Ensberg, according to the San Diego Union-Tribune.
At RotoWorld, Matthew Pouliot lists the following players, who could also find themselves non-tendered and available to any team via the free agent market starting tomorrow:
- Nationals 2B-SS Felipe Lopez
- Brewers OF Kevin Mench
- Dodgers LHP Mark Hendrickson
- Mariners LHP Horacio Ramirez
- Cubs LHP Neal Cotts
- Red Sox RHP Brendan Donnelly
- Brewers RHP Seth McClung
- Royals RHP Brandon Duckworth
- Nationals RHP Ryan Wagner
…in some cases, like with donnelly, the player will likely be cut and then re-signed to a lesser deal than he would have been given through arbitration…
