The Tampa Bay Rays and shortstop Jason Bartlett have come to an agreement on his 2009 salary, which will pay him $1.98125MM for the 2009 season.
With Bartlett out of the way, the Rays still have catcher Dioner Nivarro and 3rd baseman Willy Aybar to negotiate with.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Tigers sign Rincon
According to the Associated Press, the Detroit Tigers have signed right-handed reliever Juan Rincon to a minor league deal.
The soon to be 30-year old posted a combined 3-3 record with a 5.86 ERA with the Twins and Indians in 2008.
The soon to be 30-year old posted a combined 3-3 record with a 5.86 ERA with the Twins and Indians in 2008.
Brewers still have work to do
After avoiding arbitration with right-hander Seth McClung, the Milwaukee Brewers still have work to do to avoid the same with 1st baseman Prince Fielder, outfielder Corey Hart and 2nd baseman Rickie Weeks.
Repko wants out
Dodgers' outfielder Jason Repko, after agreeing to a $500K salary for the 2009 season plus incentives, says he's been asking to be traded for the past two seasons according to his agent.
When asked about Repko's request, Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti's response was, "It's all about production. That is all I'm going to say."
Repko is going to have to fight if he's going to beat out Andre Ethier, Delwyn Young and Matt Kemp for a starting spot in the outfield.
When asked about Repko's request, Dodgers' GM Ned Colletti's response was, "It's all about production. That is all I'm going to say."
Repko is going to have to fight if he's going to beat out Andre Ethier, Delwyn Young and Matt Kemp for a starting spot in the outfield.
Pirates avoid arbitration with LaRoche
The Pittsburgh Pirates have avoided an arbitration hearing with 1st baseman Adam LaRoche, signing him for $7.05MM for the 2009 season, earning another $100K based on plate appearances, after that he'll become a free agent unless the two sides work out an extension sometime during the season.
LaRoche finished the 2008 season batting .270 with 25 HR's and 85 RBI's.
LaRoche finished the 2008 season batting .270 with 25 HR's and 85 RBI's.
Rangers close to a deal with Vizquel
The Texas Rangers are close to an agreement with veteran shortstop Omar Vizquel, according to T.R. Sullivan of MLB.com.
It could be a one year deal or it could be a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, but Vizquel isn't penciled in to be the starter when the 2009 season opens. That job could be handed to 20-year old rookie Elvis Andrus who spent 2008 with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers). There are a lot of questions on whether Andrus is ready to be the every day shortstop with the Rangers, but with the Rangers signing Vizquel, that could mean they have a good idea that Andrus may not be up to the task.
If Andrus shows he's ready during spring training, he'll join former Frisco teammates Matt Harrison and Chris Davis who are currently with the Rangers.
It could be a one year deal or it could be a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training, but Vizquel isn't penciled in to be the starter when the 2009 season opens. That job could be handed to 20-year old rookie Elvis Andrus who spent 2008 with the Double-A Frisco RoughRiders (Texas Rangers). There are a lot of questions on whether Andrus is ready to be the every day shortstop with the Rangers, but with the Rangers signing Vizquel, that could mean they have a good idea that Andrus may not be up to the task.
If Andrus shows he's ready during spring training, he'll join former Frisco teammates Matt Harrison and Chris Davis who are currently with the Rangers.
Could the Yankees spend any more money?
Have you ever seen a team spend this much money for just 3 players?
The New York Yankees spent a combined $322MM on 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, left-hander C.C. Sabathia and right-hander A.J. Burnett.
How much?! Now, I know the Yankees are desperate to end their 8-year World Series drought, but is this really the way to go about it? This is a team that went through 27 pitchers during their 2008 season and needed to replace Mike Mussina (retirement) and Andy Pettitte (free agent) and may be without Chien-Ming Wang to start the 2009 season with a torn tendon in his right foot. With Sabathia and Burnett in the fold, the Yankees may start the 2009 season with young pitchers Ian Kennedy, Philip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain as part of their starting rotation, though it may be more likely that Chamberlain could start the year as Mariano Rivera's setup man as Chamberlain showed flashes of brilliance in that role.
Whether or not Burnett, Sabathia and Teixiera can handle the pressure that is the New York media is yet to be seen, can they get the Yankees back to the post season and back to the World Series? They'll have to deal with a Tampa Bay squad that could be stronger than the ALCS Championship team from 2008 and you know Boston isn't going to hand either team anything.
So, did the Yankees spend too much? Personally, I think they'll end up regretting at least one of the contracts, I think it might be Burnett's but we'll see.
The New York Yankees spent a combined $322MM on 1st baseman Mark Teixeira, left-hander C.C. Sabathia and right-hander A.J. Burnett.
How much?! Now, I know the Yankees are desperate to end their 8-year World Series drought, but is this really the way to go about it? This is a team that went through 27 pitchers during their 2008 season and needed to replace Mike Mussina (retirement) and Andy Pettitte (free agent) and may be without Chien-Ming Wang to start the 2009 season with a torn tendon in his right foot. With Sabathia and Burnett in the fold, the Yankees may start the 2009 season with young pitchers Ian Kennedy, Philip Hughes and Joba Chamberlain as part of their starting rotation, though it may be more likely that Chamberlain could start the year as Mariano Rivera's setup man as Chamberlain showed flashes of brilliance in that role.
Whether or not Burnett, Sabathia and Teixiera can handle the pressure that is the New York media is yet to be seen, can they get the Yankees back to the post season and back to the World Series? They'll have to deal with a Tampa Bay squad that could be stronger than the ALCS Championship team from 2008 and you know Boston isn't going to hand either team anything.
So, did the Yankees spend too much? Personally, I think they'll end up regretting at least one of the contracts, I think it might be Burnett's but we'll see.
Back on the air
I know, I know, it's been a long time since we posted anything on the site, but after going through something in my life that took me away from the game for awhile, I decided it was time to start getting back into the groove of things.
What better day to get back on the horse than a day that will make United States history, a day that will never be forgotten. On this day, January 20th, 2009, the 44th President of the United States will take the oath of office. This isn't just any president, this is the first black president in our great country's history, his name is Barack Obama.
So, with all that being said, let's get this party started...welcome back to The Hot Corner
What better day to get back on the horse than a day that will make United States history, a day that will never be forgotten. On this day, January 20th, 2009, the 44th President of the United States will take the oath of office. This isn't just any president, this is the first black president in our great country's history, his name is Barack Obama.
So, with all that being said, let's get this party started...welcome back to The Hot Corner
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