Author Archives: Matthew Cerrone
The Marlins and free-agent closer Heath Bell have agreed to a three-year, $27 million contract, according to ESPN.com’s Jayson Stark.
Here are other relevant Hot Stove rumors from the last 12 hours or so:
- The Twins are interested in free agent LHP Chris Capuano.
- The Blue Jays are still open to bringing back free-agent 2B Kelly Johnson.
- Despite recent trade rumors, according to Cubs GM Theo Epstein, “Matt Garza is exactly the type of guy we’d like to build around.”
- The Giants are in talks with free agent SS Alex Gonzalez.
- The Brewers told Prince Fielder they’d be willing to offer him a six-year, $120 million deal.
- Team have been asking the White Sox about LHP Chris Sale.
Here is a quick round-up of hot stove rumors making their way around MLB:
- The Nationals, Marlins, and Royals are likely to pursue free-agent starting pitcher C.J. Wilson, who the Rangers might pass on if he ends up seeking a five-year, $75 million deal.
- Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors thinks Scott Boras is likely to seek a four-year deal for free-agent starting pitcher Edwin Jackson.
- The Indians are looking for a middle-of-the-order bat.
The Pirates are likely to move on from catchers Chris Snyder and Ryan Doumit.- “The Marlins are considering a serious run at Rays starting pitcher James Shields,” according to ESPN’s Buster Olney. “They could dangle Logan Morrison as part of any package.”
- Newsday’s Ken Davidoff believes the Cubs, Nationals, Orioles and Rangers are among the teams that will show interest in free-agent first basemen Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols, with Pujols likely to sign first and for more money.
- Free-agent SS Jimmy Rollins will need to back off asking for a five-year deal, if he plans to re-sign with the Phillies, which means they’re also not likely to be serious players for Jose Reyes.
If Tim is right, and Boras is seeking four years for Jackson, he’s going to end up being overpaid. I see no way around it, especially given the lack of quality, ideal starting pitching on the open market. And, since I can’t imagine Sandy Alderson overpaying anyone, ever, I bet Jackson’s sixth uniform is unlikely to include orange and blue.
That said, Shields is exciting and coming off of a career year and definitely someone I’d love to see on the Mets. However, he’s affordable and LOTS of teams will be interested. If Logan Morrison is the mark, then I’m thinking the Mets will need to consider trading Ike Davis.
By the way, the thought of Shields possibly joining the Marlins is concerning. Him, plus Anibal Sanchez, Ricky Nolasco and a healthy Josh Johnson would be a problem for the NL East, especially if they go out and spend money on their lineup this winter (as the buzz around baseball suggests they might do).
Shields will earn $4.25 million in 2011, which is the final guaranteed year on his contract. However, he has a 2012 option worth $7 million (with a $2 million buyout): a 2013 option worth $9 million (with a $1.5 million buyout); and a 2014 option worth $12 million (with a $1 million buyout).
The Mets have already started renovations to Citi Field, according to people I have talked with (who have been to the ballpark over the last week).
They say the new distances to the outfield wall have been marked on the ground. It sounds to me like the new wall in right-center field totally eliminates the current warning track, which would support Adam Rubin’s report, and Mike Francesa’s report, indicating that wall will come in to 390 feet. Also in right field, it looks like the Mo’s Zone’s wall will cut straight across, rather than at an angle. Lastly, it sounds like there will be a new wall in center field, basically where the warning track is now, and it will be the height of the lower half of the original wall.
And so, based on what these people are describing, and based on what Rubin and Francesa have said, I’m guessing the new outline might look like this:
Last week, David Lennon of Newsday said the team will likely make an official announcement about changes to the ballpark after the World Series. Rubin reported the same thing this weekend on his blog for ESPN New York.
According to Newsday’s Ken Davidoff, when talking to people in the baseball industry, “You can get six different predictions from six different folks on whose uniform Jose Reyes will wear in 2012.”
The rumor from Miami seems to be that the Marlins might look to bowl people over with pricey, short-term deals. I’ve been told Reyes will be steadfast in getting at least $100 million, and so the Brewers feel like a long-shot to me.
Late last summer, people who know Jose said they felt the Angels would be most interested in him, and that he would certainly consider signing there. So far, I haven’t heard one way or the other if they plan to make a push for him, though I assume that will depend on what happens with CC Sabathia. Also, if Omar Minaya gets that GM job, I bet he advocates making an offer to Reyes.
Lastly, the Nationals seem like a wild card to me. They gave that foolish deal last winter to Jayson Werth, so who knows what they’re thinking or doing?
To date in the Arizona Fall League, Mets 22-year-old OF prospect Juan Lagares is hitting .393 with a .414 OBP, a double, triple, two home runs and one walk in 28 at bats.
Meanwhile, the team’s 20-year-old 3B prospect Jefry Marte is hitting .317 with a .442 OBP, two doubles, three home runs and eight walks in 41 at bats.
Earlier this month, MiLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo ranked Marte as the team’s No. 10 prospect.
Marte is 11th in the AFL in OPS. He drew 41 walks in 131 games in St. Lucie in 2011. However, just as he’s done in the AFL, he got off to a quick start in the Florida State League. After 14 games for St. Lucie, he was hitting .340 with .433 OBP and .560 SLG with 8 walks against 13 strikeouts. What’s it mean? He’s off to a nice start in the desert, but 12 games is a painfully small number for any serious analysis.
By the way, the AFL as a whole is hitting .280 with a .450 SLG and scoring 6.13 runs per team per game. Yeah, it’s hitter friendly.
To read Toby’s recap of how the team’s pitchers are doing in the Arizona Fall League, check out SNY’s Mets Minor League Blog.
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