Archive for Asides
MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects List
Posted by: | CommentsJonathan Mayo of MLB.com published his list of baseball’s top 100 prospects yesterday, with Matt Moore, Bryce Harper, and Mike Trout unsurprisingly occupying the top three spots. Manny Banuelos ranks 13th, one spot behind Jesus Montero. I coulda sworn those positions were reversed last night and Banuelos was in front of Montero, but I guess I’m just going crazy. Dellin Betances is #41, Gary Sanchez is #53, and Mason Williams is #73. Mayo’s rankings always seem to buck the consensus a bit, which I like. Prospect ranking isn’t a perfect science.
Yankees avoid arbitration with Boone Logan
Posted by: | CommentsThe Yankees and Boone Logan have avoided arbitration, the team announced. The AP says it’s a one-year deal worth $1.875M. He had filed for $2.1M while the team countered with $1.7M, so they settled just below the midpoint. Logan can earn an addition $25k by appearing in 55 games.
All six of the Yankees arbitration-eligible players (Logan, David Robertson, Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, Brett Gardner, Russell Martin) are now under contract next year for a total of $18.65M in guaranteed money (not including bonuses). Matt Swartz’s model at MLBTR projected the six players to sign for $17.8M combined, so give him a round of applause. Getting within 5% is pretty damn good in my book.
It’s official: Kuroda’s a Yankee
Posted by: | CommentsKevin Whelan getting designated for assignment earlier today kinda gave it away, but the Yankees have officially announced the signing of Hiroki Kuroda. It’s reportedly a one-year deal worth a cool $10M. He’ll be expected to step right into the rotation and do what A.J. Burnett couldn’t, and that’s eat innings at an above average rate. Perhaps working with his old Dodgers battery mate Russell Martin will help. Welcome to New York, Hiroki.
Yankees designate Kevin Whelan for assigment
Posted by: | CommentsVia Jon Heyman, the Yankees have designated Kevin Whelan for assignment to create room on the 40-man roster for Hiroki Kuroda. The team hasn’t announce the signing yet, but this is a pretty clear indication that Kuroda passed his physical and everything’s a-okay.
Whelan, 28, was one of the first in line to go whenever a 40-man spot was needed, so this isn’t much of a surprise. The right-hander walked five of the ten men he faced in his big league cameo, but had a fine year in Triple-A: 3.24 FIP in 52.1 IP. His 2.4 BB/9 and 6.8 BB% in the minors were his first sub-5.5 BB/9 and a sub-14.0 BB% since 2006, so he’s always had significant control issues.
Deep Thoughts At DRays Bay
Posted by: | CommentsJust a heads up, I took part in the latest edition of Deep Thoughts over at DRays Bay, which is just a fancy way of saying we talking about baseball. Specifically the Yankees and Rays, and their respective offseasons. Check it out.
It’s official: Andruw’s back for another year
Posted by: | CommentsThe Yankees announced that they’ve officially re-signed Andruw Jones to a one-year contract, meaning he passed his physical. He did have his knee scoped after the season, so the check-up was slightly more than routine. Back in December we heard that it was going to a one-year, $2M pact, and the AP has a breakdown of the plate appearance-based incentives. The 40-man roster is now full, so someone will have to get the boot when the Hiroki Kuroda signing becomes official. I ran down the list of candidates a few weeks ago. Welcome back, Mr. Jones.
Report: Yoenis Cespedes is now a free agent
Posted by: | CommentsVia Ben Badler, MLB has informed teams that 26-year-old Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes is now a free agent. He recently established residency in the Dominican Republic, which was step one of the process. By now you’ve seen the Michael Bay-esque promotional video (both of them), though I still prefer 19-year-old Jorge Soler at the point, based on the little bit we know. Cespedes went 5-for-35 with no walks and ten strikeouts in winter ball, which isn’t all that surprising given his long layoff. He did hit a homer though, which you can see right here.
Report: Kim Jones will not be back in 2012
Posted by: | CommentsVia Neil Best, Kim Jones will not be back as the YES Network’s clubhouse/sideline reporter in 2012. They offered her a contract, but she’s decided to pursue other opportunities after seven seasons on the job. I enjoyed Kim’s reporting and wish her the best, but I sure hope this means a lot more Jack Curry.
Yankees avoid arbitration with Russell Martin
Posted by: | Comments6:52pm: Via David Waldstein, Martin got $7.5M with another $100k in performance bonuses. Just under the midpoint, in terms of guaranteed money. Sweeny Murti said the two sides talked about a two-year deal, which would be ideal, really.
6:05pm: The Yankees announced that they’ve avoided arbitration with Russell Martin by agreeing to a one-year contract. No word on the terms yet, but Russ filed for $8.2M while the team countered with $7M last week. Splitting the difference and calling it $7.6M seems fair enough. Martin is eligible for free agency after this coming season, and there’s been some speculation that the Yankees could look to sign him to a multi-year contract. That can still happen at any time, this deal doesn’t change that at all. The team’s only remaining unsigned arbitration-eligible player is Boone Logan.
Tigers land Fielder with nine-year deal
Posted by: | CommentsVia Tim Brown and Jon Heyman, the Tigers have agreed to sign Prince Fielder to a nine-year contract worth $214M. Detroit recently lost Victor Martinez for the year after he tore his ACL during an offseason workout, so they more than replaced the lost offense. Fielder was never a realistic option for the Yankees, but I have to admit I did have visions of him at DH dancing in my head after Jesus Montero was traded away. That’s some contract, wow.
Just 5 days 'til pitchers and catchers report.
