According to ESPN's Buster Olney, (on Twitter) the Red Sox have signed former Chicago White Sox closer, Bobby Jenks, to a two-year $12 million dollar contract. After Jenks' relatively disappointing season, where he posted a 4.44 ERA, the White Sox decided to non-tender the reliever in November.
Bobby Jenks, a former All-Star, is one of a trip of high-profile Red Sox acquisitions this month. The Red Sox added perennial American League and National League MVP candidates, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez earlier in December, during the winter meetings.
The Red Sox have also made a number of smaller transactions this offseason. They've handed new contracts to veteran main-stays, Jason Varitek and David Ortiz, and have added a number of veteran pitchers. Earlier today it was reported that the team would re-sign former Detroit Tigers' top prospect Andrew Miller, and was preparing to sign free agent pitcher Matt Albers.
With the recent, expensive acquistions of Gonzalez, Crawford, and Jenks combined with new contracts for veterans like Jason Varitek and David Ortiz, the Red Sox may have passed the Yankees' projected 2011 payroll-- for the time being.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Yankees Sign Russell Martin
Yankees Sign Russell Martin To One Year Deal
Ryan Kelley
12/14/10
3:47pm EST
The New York Yankees are in the process of signing former All-Star catcher Russell Martin to a deal that will probably keep him in New York through 2012. This signing came only hours after the team fell short of signing their primary target this offseason, star free agent pitcher Cliff Lee. Lee’s decision to sign with the Phillies, instead, shocked much of the baseball community.
Only a couple of years ago, Martin, the Dodger’s former starting catcher, was one of the National League’s rising stars. He made the NL All-Star team in 2007 and 2008, and has won both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. Marred by injury, Martin has seen a steep drop in his production these past two seasons, failing to post an OPS above .680. His defense is still premium among MLB catchers, though, and he has experience playing third base as well.
The Yankees hope that Martin can rebound from the hip injury—a hairline fracture—that depressed his 2009 production. In order for his contract to become official, Martin will have to pass a physical proving his health. With less than five years of MLB service time, Martin will be under team control through 2012.
Earlier this winter, the Dodgers offered Martin a $4.2 million dollar contract, with an additional $1.1 million in incentives. The two sides weren’t able to reach an agreement and Martin was non-tendered a couple of weeks ago.
Martin, a native of Montreal Quebec, had stated that he wanted to play for an East Coast team so that he could be closer to his home city. Naturally, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays were also possible suitors for the 28-year-old catcher.
Ryan Kelley
12/14/10
3:47pm EST
The New York Yankees are in the process of signing former All-Star catcher Russell Martin to a deal that will probably keep him in New York through 2012. This signing came only hours after the team fell short of signing their primary target this offseason, star free agent pitcher Cliff Lee. Lee’s decision to sign with the Phillies, instead, shocked much of the baseball community.
Only a couple of years ago, Martin, the Dodger’s former starting catcher, was one of the National League’s rising stars. He made the NL All-Star team in 2007 and 2008, and has won both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger. Marred by injury, Martin has seen a steep drop in his production these past two seasons, failing to post an OPS above .680. His defense is still premium among MLB catchers, though, and he has experience playing third base as well.
The Yankees hope that Martin can rebound from the hip injury—a hairline fracture—that depressed his 2009 production. In order for his contract to become official, Martin will have to pass a physical proving his health. With less than five years of MLB service time, Martin will be under team control through 2012.
Earlier this winter, the Dodgers offered Martin a $4.2 million dollar contract, with an additional $1.1 million in incentives. The two sides weren’t able to reach an agreement and Martin was non-tendered a couple of weeks ago.
Martin, a native of Montreal Quebec, had stated that he wanted to play for an East Coast team so that he could be closer to his home city. Naturally, the Boston Red Sox and the Toronto Blue Jays were also possible suitors for the 28-year-old catcher.
The Phillies Attract a Stud: Free Agent Pitcher Cliff Lee Agrees to Contract With Philadelphia
The Phillies Attract a Stud: Free Agent Pitcher Cliff Lee Agrees to Contract With Philadelphia
Ryan Kelley
12/14/10
2:55AM
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and Jim Luttrell of the New York Times, free agent pitcher, Cliff Lee, has agreed to sign a five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies worth between $100 and $120 million.
The ace lefthander’s decision to sign with the Phillies comes as surprise to those who followed reports made throughout this offseason. While there were murmurs that a mystery “third” team was pursuing Lee throughout the past few weeks, the two highest bidders—the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers—were considered to be the only franchises willing (and able) to sign the lefty. New York had offered Lee the two most lucrative contracts, one proposing 6 years and $138 million guaranteed (with a $16 million dollar player option), and another at 7 years and about $150 million.
Hours before Lee had made his decision to sign with Philadelphia, his agent Darek Braunecker contacted Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman to let the Yankees know that they were “going in a different direction.”
Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award Winner will join the 2010 National League Cy Young award winner, Roy Halladay along with 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels, All Star Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton in the Phillies’ (projected) 2011 rotation. However, to relax some pressure on the Phillies’ weighty 2011 payroll, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. could trade Joe Blanton and insert reliever Jose Contreras into the rotation.
Ryan Kelley
12/14/10
2:55AM
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, and Jim Luttrell of the New York Times, free agent pitcher, Cliff Lee, has agreed to sign a five-year contract with the Philadelphia Phillies worth between $100 and $120 million.
The ace lefthander’s decision to sign with the Phillies comes as surprise to those who followed reports made throughout this offseason. While there were murmurs that a mystery “third” team was pursuing Lee throughout the past few weeks, the two highest bidders—the New York Yankees and Texas Rangers—were considered to be the only franchises willing (and able) to sign the lefty. New York had offered Lee the two most lucrative contracts, one proposing 6 years and $138 million guaranteed (with a $16 million dollar player option), and another at 7 years and about $150 million.
Hours before Lee had made his decision to sign with Philadelphia, his agent Darek Braunecker contacted Yankees’ General Manager Brian Cashman to let the Yankees know that they were “going in a different direction.”
Lee, the 2008 American League Cy Young Award Winner will join the 2010 National League Cy Young award winner, Roy Halladay along with 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels, All Star Roy Oswalt and Joe Blanton in the Phillies’ (projected) 2011 rotation. However, to relax some pressure on the Phillies’ weighty 2011 payroll, GM Ruben Amaro Jr. could trade Joe Blanton and insert reliever Jose Contreras into the rotation.
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Yankees Offer Star Pitcher Cliff Lee Seven Year Contract
Yankees Offer Star Pitcher Cliff Lee Seven Year Contract
In the wake of the Red Sox’ signing of star leftfielder, Carl Crawford, to a seven year $142 million dollar contract, the New York Times has reported that the Yankees offered free agent pitcher, Cliff Lee a seven-year, $161 million dollar contract.
Firmly locked in a bidding war with the Texas Rangers, the Yankees had already offered Lee a six-year, $140 million dollar contract earlier in the winter meetings. But, with the Red Sox addition of two star, left-handed batters this week, the Yankees decided to increase their contract offer to seven years- a length that only the Red Sox had offered Lee previously. However, the new offer from the Yankees has less annual value than their previous, six-year offer.
It seems that Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker has played his hand well. Waiting until after other top free agents, Jason Werth and Carl Crawford had signed to gauge Lee's market value, and gambling on the Yankees desperation to add a top left-handed starter. In such a strong division, heavy on left-handed sluggers and with their biggest rival, the Red Sox adding so much talent, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman is now left with little leverage in talks with Cliff Lee.
In the wake of the Red Sox’ signing of star leftfielder, Carl Crawford, to a seven year $142 million dollar contract, the New York Times has reported that the Yankees offered free agent pitcher, Cliff Lee a seven-year, $161 million dollar contract.
Firmly locked in a bidding war with the Texas Rangers, the Yankees had already offered Lee a six-year, $140 million dollar contract earlier in the winter meetings. But, with the Red Sox addition of two star, left-handed batters this week, the Yankees decided to increase their contract offer to seven years- a length that only the Red Sox had offered Lee previously. However, the new offer from the Yankees has less annual value than their previous, six-year offer.
It seems that Lee's agent, Darek Braunecker has played his hand well. Waiting until after other top free agents, Jason Werth and Carl Crawford had signed to gauge Lee's market value, and gambling on the Yankees desperation to add a top left-handed starter. In such a strong division, heavy on left-handed sluggers and with their biggest rival, the Red Sox adding so much talent, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman is now left with little leverage in talks with Cliff Lee.
Red Sox Sign Carl Crawford, Put Pressure on Yankees
Red Sox Sign Carl Crawford, Put Pressure on Yankees
by Ryan Kelley
12/08/10
2:27am
On Wednesday night the Red Sox signed free agent All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford to a near record-breaking seven-year, $142 million dollar contract.
Throughout the recent winter meetings, it seemed that Red Sox General Manager, Theo Epstein, had been too busy, already working on acquiring Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, to be close to a second blockbuster deal. In fact, the Red Sox visible interest in Crawford was most defined by media reports that Crawford’s price tag—enlarged by the Nationals’ big-money signing of outfielder Jason Werth—was too gaudy for the team’s taste. Clearly, the team wasn't intimidated by adding another big contract to their 2011 payroll, and they handed one baseball's richest contracts to Crawford.
Theo Epstein's Plan to Sign Crawford
This move shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to those who follow recent business in the American League East, though. Apparent in his array of transactions last offseason, Epstein was planning to make a run a big-money outfielder this year. The move seems even more natural after a disappointing 2010 season. Interestingly enough, the deal should also push New York Yankees' General Manager, Brian Cashman, into an even more difficult position this offseason.
The Red Sox waited out the winter meetings last offseason and ended their 2009-2010 offseason with only short-term signings. There was some speculation that the team had signed veteran centerfielder Mike Cameron to keep an outfield spot warm for Crawford, and that the Padres’ All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez would be one of the team’s targets moving forward.
Fast-forward through a relatively disappointing season where the team finished third in the American League East, and the Red Sox have taken the spotlight once again. Adding Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to a lineup that already includes Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury has made the Sox the favorite to win the American League Pennant in 2011.
Carl Crawford, still just 29 years old, is already a four time All-Star, and is baseball’s active leader in triples, range factor (per game) for a left fielder and is second in stolen bases. An asset on both sides of the ball, the speedy outfielder added both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger to his resume this off-season.
Boston Has Forced the Yankees into a Difficult Position
However, Crawford fits the Red Sox preferences in one more important way. His addition means more than just an increase in production—it also forces the team’s rival, and primary competition, the New York Yankees, in to a very undesirable position in regard to their own, expensive, offseason negotiations.
The Red Sox lineup will now feature 5 left-handed batters—all in key, run-producing positions. Crawford (two-hitter), along with (lead-off man) Jacoby Ellsbury, (clean-up hitter) Adrian Gonzalez, (number-six hitter) David Ortiz, and (number-seven hitter) JD Drew all show considerable platoon-splits, with Crawford, Ortiz and Drew having the most difficulty with lefties.
With the Yankees already in hot pursuit for left-handed ace pitcher Cliff Lee, recently offering him a record-breaking 6-year $140 million dollar contract, the Red Sox have pushed the Yankees’ hand even further; forcing them to offer Lee a 7th year and even more money. Now that the Yankees’ lineup is suddenly out-gunned by their rival, the team is obviously even more desperate to help their starting rotation. Because the Red Sox, have such a left-handed batting order, the Yankees will have no choice but to pursue another star lefty-- Cliff Lee-- to join C.C. Sabathia in the rotation. By this same thinking, the Red Sox have given veteran lefty Andy Pettitte even more leverage in his contract negotiations with the Yankees.
Up until this point, the Yankees had already been in desperate need of left-handed pitchers. Boone Logan and Neil Cotts, both unreliable options, are the team’s lone lefty relievers who have major league experience. Depending on the outcome of the Lee and Pettitte contract negotiations, the Yankees could be more inclined to pursue expensive lefty relievers like Scott Downs and Pedro Feliciano.
So, in a sense, the Red Sox used Crawford as a gambit. They handed him a massive contract in hopes of receiving All-Star level production, and in hopes of forcing the Yankees into drowning their flexibility with an even more massive payroll. At the very least, Crawford’s contract has made Cliff Lee wealthier, and has made Yankees GM Brian Cashman sweat.
by Ryan Kelley
12/08/10
2:27am
On Wednesday night the Red Sox signed free agent All-Star outfielder Carl Crawford to a near record-breaking seven-year, $142 million dollar contract.
Throughout the recent winter meetings, it seemed that Red Sox General Manager, Theo Epstein, had been too busy, already working on acquiring Adrian Gonzalez from the Padres, to be close to a second blockbuster deal. In fact, the Red Sox visible interest in Crawford was most defined by media reports that Crawford’s price tag—enlarged by the Nationals’ big-money signing of outfielder Jason Werth—was too gaudy for the team’s taste. Clearly, the team wasn't intimidated by adding another big contract to their 2011 payroll, and they handed one baseball's richest contracts to Crawford.
Theo Epstein's Plan to Sign Crawford
This move shouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to those who follow recent business in the American League East, though. Apparent in his array of transactions last offseason, Epstein was planning to make a run a big-money outfielder this year. The move seems even more natural after a disappointing 2010 season. Interestingly enough, the deal should also push New York Yankees' General Manager, Brian Cashman, into an even more difficult position this offseason.
The Red Sox waited out the winter meetings last offseason and ended their 2009-2010 offseason with only short-term signings. There was some speculation that the team had signed veteran centerfielder Mike Cameron to keep an outfield spot warm for Crawford, and that the Padres’ All-Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez would be one of the team’s targets moving forward.
Fast-forward through a relatively disappointing season where the team finished third in the American League East, and the Red Sox have taken the spotlight once again. Adding Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez to a lineup that already includes Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, David Ortiz and Jacoby Ellsbury has made the Sox the favorite to win the American League Pennant in 2011.
Carl Crawford, still just 29 years old, is already a four time All-Star, and is baseball’s active leader in triples, range factor (per game) for a left fielder and is second in stolen bases. An asset on both sides of the ball, the speedy outfielder added both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger to his resume this off-season.
Boston Has Forced the Yankees into a Difficult Position
However, Crawford fits the Red Sox preferences in one more important way. His addition means more than just an increase in production—it also forces the team’s rival, and primary competition, the New York Yankees, in to a very undesirable position in regard to their own, expensive, offseason negotiations.
The Red Sox lineup will now feature 5 left-handed batters—all in key, run-producing positions. Crawford (two-hitter), along with (lead-off man) Jacoby Ellsbury, (clean-up hitter) Adrian Gonzalez, (number-six hitter) David Ortiz, and (number-seven hitter) JD Drew all show considerable platoon-splits, with Crawford, Ortiz and Drew having the most difficulty with lefties.
With the Yankees already in hot pursuit for left-handed ace pitcher Cliff Lee, recently offering him a record-breaking 6-year $140 million dollar contract, the Red Sox have pushed the Yankees’ hand even further; forcing them to offer Lee a 7th year and even more money. Now that the Yankees’ lineup is suddenly out-gunned by their rival, the team is obviously even more desperate to help their starting rotation. Because the Red Sox, have such a left-handed batting order, the Yankees will have no choice but to pursue another star lefty-- Cliff Lee-- to join C.C. Sabathia in the rotation. By this same thinking, the Red Sox have given veteran lefty Andy Pettitte even more leverage in his contract negotiations with the Yankees.
Up until this point, the Yankees had already been in desperate need of left-handed pitchers. Boone Logan and Neil Cotts, both unreliable options, are the team’s lone lefty relievers who have major league experience. Depending on the outcome of the Lee and Pettitte contract negotiations, the Yankees could be more inclined to pursue expensive lefty relievers like Scott Downs and Pedro Feliciano.
So, in a sense, the Red Sox used Crawford as a gambit. They handed him a massive contract in hopes of receiving All-Star level production, and in hopes of forcing the Yankees into drowning their flexibility with an even more massive payroll. At the very least, Crawford’s contract has made Cliff Lee wealthier, and has made Yankees GM Brian Cashman sweat.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Boston Going Gonzo: Adrian Gonzalez Traded to Boston Red Sox
Boston Going Gonzo: Adrian Gonzalez Traded to Boston Red Sox
Ryan Kelley
12/5/10
8:44 PM EST
Although no deal has been officially announced, numerous reports indicate that All Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will be traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a package of top prospects that includes pitcher Casey Kelly first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes and one other mid-range prospect-- possibly pitcher Drake Britton.
Early Sunday afternoon, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman reported (via Twitter) that a deal between the Red Sox and Padres for Adrian Gonzalez had fallen through; just hours later he reported that a deal was being finalized between the two teams. Heyman also stated that a press conference announcing the trade is scheduled for tomorrow.
With the acquisition of Gonzalez, Boston will likely leave the running for former Phillies outfielder, Jason Werth, and will move to sign their new slugger to a more lucrative new contract. This could also mean that Adrian Beltre’s time in Boston is over, and that Kevin Youkilis will move from first base back to the hot corner next season.
Casey Kelly was Boston’s top pick—drafted 30th overall—in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. Drafted as a two-way player, Kelly had spent much of his first two professional seasons playing both shortstop and pitcher, but was eventually moved to full time duty on the mound. Once he focused solely on pitching, Kelly’s stock exploded as he blew South Atlantic and Carolina League hitters away with his plus command and impressive repertoire. However, last season, as one of the youngest pitchers in the Eastern League, Kelly struggled and attracted some questions about his fastball velocity and his eventual ceiling.
Despite his struggles last year, Kelly is still viewed as an eventual above-average starting pitcher in the MLB. This past November, Baseball America rated Kelly as Boston’s top prospect heading in to 2011 season.
Reymond Fuentes and Anthony Rizzo are both mid-range prospects with much less projection. Rizzo, the better of the two, won Boston’s Minor League Player of the Year Award (along with catcher Ryan Lavarnway) and could eventually become a solid player in the MLB. His power was rated by Baseball America as the best in Boston’s system for 2011.
Fuentes has plus speed and stole 42 bases in the South Atlantic League in 2010. While he is still very raw in terms of development, Baseball America ranked him as Boston’s 6th best prosect for 2011.
The addition of Adrian Gonzalez will give the Red Sox much needed power in the heart of their batting order. While David Ortiz, the teams’ clean-up hitter and top power source since 2003, showed some resurgence last year after a disappointing 2009 season, his numbers have sharply declined since his years on the MVP ballot (2004-2007).
The addition of Gonzalez, whom has been the National League All Star Team’s starting first basemen for the past three years, will also help to fill the void left by the departures of Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez. A former number one overall pick (2000), Gonzalez has a career .875 OPS and has won two Gold Gloves at first base. Still only 28 years old, he is considered to be one of the top players in baseball and he finished forth in MVP balloting this past November.
Ryan Kelley
12/5/10
8:44 PM EST
Although no deal has been officially announced, numerous reports indicate that All Star first baseman Adrian Gonzalez will be traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for a package of top prospects that includes pitcher Casey Kelly first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes and one other mid-range prospect-- possibly pitcher Drake Britton.
Early Sunday afternoon, Sports Illustrated’s Jon Heyman reported (via Twitter) that a deal between the Red Sox and Padres for Adrian Gonzalez had fallen through; just hours later he reported that a deal was being finalized between the two teams. Heyman also stated that a press conference announcing the trade is scheduled for tomorrow.
With the acquisition of Gonzalez, Boston will likely leave the running for former Phillies outfielder, Jason Werth, and will move to sign their new slugger to a more lucrative new contract. This could also mean that Adrian Beltre’s time in Boston is over, and that Kevin Youkilis will move from first base back to the hot corner next season.
Casey Kelly was Boston’s top pick—drafted 30th overall—in the 2008 MLB Amateur Draft. Drafted as a two-way player, Kelly had spent much of his first two professional seasons playing both shortstop and pitcher, but was eventually moved to full time duty on the mound. Once he focused solely on pitching, Kelly’s stock exploded as he blew South Atlantic and Carolina League hitters away with his plus command and impressive repertoire. However, last season, as one of the youngest pitchers in the Eastern League, Kelly struggled and attracted some questions about his fastball velocity and his eventual ceiling.
Despite his struggles last year, Kelly is still viewed as an eventual above-average starting pitcher in the MLB. This past November, Baseball America rated Kelly as Boston’s top prospect heading in to 2011 season.
Reymond Fuentes and Anthony Rizzo are both mid-range prospects with much less projection. Rizzo, the better of the two, won Boston’s Minor League Player of the Year Award (along with catcher Ryan Lavarnway) and could eventually become a solid player in the MLB. His power was rated by Baseball America as the best in Boston’s system for 2011.
Fuentes has plus speed and stole 42 bases in the South Atlantic League in 2010. While he is still very raw in terms of development, Baseball America ranked him as Boston’s 6th best prosect for 2011.
The addition of Adrian Gonzalez will give the Red Sox much needed power in the heart of their batting order. While David Ortiz, the teams’ clean-up hitter and top power source since 2003, showed some resurgence last year after a disappointing 2009 season, his numbers have sharply declined since his years on the MVP ballot (2004-2007).
The addition of Gonzalez, whom has been the National League All Star Team’s starting first basemen for the past three years, will also help to fill the void left by the departures of Adrian Beltre and Victor Martinez. A former number one overall pick (2000), Gonzalez has a career .875 OPS and has won two Gold Gloves at first base. Still only 28 years old, he is considered to be one of the top players in baseball and he finished forth in MVP balloting this past November.
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