Transactions in Traction
The New York Mets appear to be about to sign former San Diego Padres pitcher Chris Young to a one year deal pending a physical. Young will join Chris Capuano as injured but formerly successful hurlers who will try to complete for a spot in the Mets’ 2011 starting rotation. The ace of the staff, John Santana, will start throwing shortly and is not expected to be ready to pitch in a regular season game until June.
Considering the Mets’ recentmedical history, I fear that they may be stockpiling injured players and actually setting up a black market organ harvesting scheme and not really assembling a rotation.
Other Staff Changes Across Baseball
From a Jon Heyman tweet…”Orioles and Yankees considering Freddy Garcia”.
The Chicago Cubs trade Tom Gorzelanny to the Washington National for three prospects. “Sources confirmed the Cubs will receive in return lefty-hitting outfielder Michael Burgess, a former supplemental first-round draft pick, and two pitching prospects: left-hander Graham Hicks and right-hander A.J. Morris.”
From Hardball Talk via twitter…”The Toronto Blue Jays signed reliever Jon Rauch to a one-year, $3.5 million contract with a $3.75 million option for 2012.”
Brian Fuentes signs with the A’s for 2 years and about $ 10 million. When added to an already strong starting staff and solid bullpen, the A’s look like serious contenders and perhaps the favorite in the American League West over Texas, Los Angeles and Seattle.
Arbitration Cancellations from the Local Papers
AL East:
The Baltimore Sun reports that the Orioles reached a deal with centerfielder Adam Scott. ” The Orioles have settled one of their six arbitration cases, agreeing Sunday with center fielder Adam Jones on a one-year, $3.25 million deal. That's up from the $465,000 he made last year when the club unilaterally renewed his contract.”
From Tampa Bay Online…“The Tampa bay Rays and B.J. Upton avoided arbitration by agreeing Monday on a one-year, $4.825 million contract with $25,000 of performance bonus based on plate appearances.”
From MLB.com…” The Toronto Blue Jays have avoided arbitration with Casey Janssen by signing the right-hander to a one-year contract worth $1,095,000”
NL East:
From MASN.com…” The Washington Nationals agreed to a contract with left-hander John Lannan for the 2011 season on Monday, avoiding arbitration with the pitcher, who's headed into his fourth big-league season. Lannan's deal, according to an industry source, is worth $2.75 million.”
The Miami Herald says that “The (Florida) Marlins avoided arbitration with two of their relievers by signing Leo Nunez and Edward Mujica to 1-year deals. Nunez will receive $3.65 million plus performance bonuses based on games finished. Mujica will get $800,000.”
AL Central:
From Cleveland.com…”ClevelandIndians sign shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera to a one-year, $2.025 million deal to avoid arbitration “
The Kansas City Star reports that reliever “(Robinson ) Tejeda and the Royals avoided arbitration when both sides agreed in principle to a one-year deal that is believed to be worth $1.55 million.”
Comments