MLB Off-Season moves and discussion

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

Gordon Wittmeyer(sp) begs to differ. Unfortunately the article was deleted after FJM mocked it you'll find it there, Gordon believes that Jones was integral to the Cubs success last year.

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

Yanks, Posada agree to $52.4M deal; Rivera gets offer

NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees and Jorge Posada agreed Monday night to a $52.4 million, four-year contract that keeps the catcher off the free-agent market.

A five-time All-Star, Posada said Sunday he was "really close" to a deal with the Yankees and his preference was to remain with the only major league team he's played for.

A person familiar with the talks confirmed the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce it. The sides were working late Monday on wrapping up details of the agreement, which was first reported by the Daily News on its Web site. Posada must pass a physical before the contract is finalized.

Posada's $13.1 million average salary becomes the highest for a catcher, topping the $10 million Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez and Boston's Jason Varitek are guaranteed. Rodriguez will earn $13 million next year, the option season of his contract with the Tigers.

New York also was trying to re-sign Mariano Rivera before Tuesday, when free agents could start talking money with all clubs, but those talks were taking longer to complete.

Posada and his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, had lunch Monday with Mets general manager Omar Minaya and vice president Tony Bernazard. The Yankees initially offered the 36-year-old Posada a three-year contract but upped their proposal to four years on Monday evening.

Posada hit a team-high .338 this year with 20 homers and 90 RBIs. He set career highs for average, slugging percentage (.543) and on-base percentage (.426).

The Levinsons also represent Boston third baseman Mike Lowell, and the Yankees already have had dialogue with the pair about the World Series MVP, whose preference appears to be to stay with the Red Sox.

Rivera, an eight-time All-Star who turns 38 on Nov. 29, was in the Dominican Republic on Monday, and the closer said if he couldn't reach a deal with New York, he would consider following manager Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is expected to receive a three-year contract and Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Rivera already had been given an improved offer.

"The Yankees are my first option," he said in Santo Domingo. "But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers."

General manager Brian Cashman said re-signing the pair are his top priorities right now.

"The ball's pretty much in their court now. They've both been made very good offers now, and we'll see where they're at," Steinbrenner said Monday afternoon. "We'll see how committed they are."

Steinbrenner said the Yankees still were trying to gauge what the Florida Marlins might want in a trade for All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who is being made available.

"We got a couple ideas, what they might be asking for, and it's a lot," Steinbrenner said. "I don't know what's going to happen there, but there's still plenty of time on that."

It's also far too early to determine whether the Minnesota Twins will attempt to trade two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who can become a free agent after next season. Steinbrenner said the Yankees certainly would speak with the Twins if he becomes available.

"I think somebody would be foolish to say they have no interest in Santana," he said, "but it depends. It depends on what they're looking for."

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

Tigers, Jones agree to one-year, $7M deal

DETROIT -- Todd Jones and the fast-moving Detroit Tigers agreed to a $7 million, one-year contract Monday.

Jones had 38 saves for the Tigers last season, a year after saving 37 games to help Detroit make the playoffs for the first time since 1987. He had four more in the postseason as the Tigers reached the World Series. He turns 40 in April.

"For us, he's done a quality job for the last couple years and for us, a real big need for him to come back and fill that closer role," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said.

Re-signing Jones became even more important for Detroit when hard-throwing reliever Joel Zumaya had shoulder surgery, costing him at least the first half of the 2008 season.

"Joel is going to be a real tough void to fill. You'll see how valuable he is by the amount of money that Dave has to commit to try to fill those spots," Jones said.

Earlier Monday, the Tigers acquired outfielder Jacque Jones from the Chicago Cubs for utility player Omar Infante. The Tigers also filled a major need two weeks ago, trading for All-Star shortstop Edgar Renteria from Atlanta for two prospects.

"We've done a lot of things here already since the season ended," Dombrowski said. "Our No. 1 priority would be trying to get a starting pitcher. I'm not going to forget about the bullpen by any means, but with getting Todd back, at least I feel comfortable that we're solid out there."

Jones agreed that Detroit needs more pitching. Kenny Rogers is talking to the Tigers but also exploring other options.

"That's the Achilles' heel, it looks like now," Jones said. "Dave is going to get us a starting pitcher, and then he'll help us with the bullpen, and then we'll be set to go."

Jones, who lives in Georgia, said six or seven teams were interested in him, but not the Atlanta Braves. The right-hander, who has 301 saves and a 3.93 ERA over 15 seasons, isn't sure whether 2008 will be his last year.

"I just appreciate the Tigers, you know, letting me kick tires and letting me look around, and with no hard feelings," Jones said.

For now, Zach Miner and Jason Grilli could be the relievers who try to help the Tigers get to setup man Fernando Rodney.

"We're aware of the bullpen," Dombrowski said. "I don't think it would be anything we would rush out and do immediately."

Suntan Superman

WC's Resident Samoan

Nov 11 - If the Twins make Johan Santana available this offseason, expect the Yankees to work aggressively to get him, according to the New York Times. Santana, 28, is signed for one more season, but he is expected to command around $20 million a season as a free agent. The Yankees have indicated they would not deal Joba Chamberlain, Phil Hughes or Ian Kennedy for a position player. However, they might for someone like Santana, who is already a two-time Cy Young Award winner. The Boston Globe reports that the Red Sox could pursue Santana if they are willing to part with Jon Lester or Clay Buchholz and negotiate a long-term deal with the left-hander. New Twins GM Bill Smith has made signing Santana his top priority before listening to offers. According to Newsday, if the Yankees are interested in acquiring Santana, they likely would have to include second baseman Robinson Cano in any deal.

Slimdust

The New York Yankees and Jorge Posada agreed Monday night to a $52.4 million, four-year contract that keeps the catcher off the free agent market.

A five-time All-Star, Posada said Sunday he was "really close" to a deal with the Yankees and his preference was to remain with the only major league team he's played for.

A person familiar with the talks confirmed the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the team didn't announce it. The sides were working late Monday on wrapping up details of the agreement, which was first reported by the Daily News on its website. Posada must pass a physical before the contract is finalized.

Posada's $13.1 million average salary becomes the highest for a catcher, topping the $10 million Detroit's Ivan Rodriguez and Boston's Jason Varitek currently are guaranteed and the $13 million Mike Piazza averaged under his contract with the New York Mets from 1999-05. Rodriguez will earn $13 million next year, the option season of his contract with the Tigers.

New York also was trying to re-sign Mariano Rivera before Tuesday, when free agents could start talking money with all clubs, but those talks were taking longer to complete.

Posada and his agents, Sam and Seth Levinson, had lunch Monday with Mets general manager Omar Minaya and vice president Tony Bernazard. The Yankees initially offered the 36-year-old Posada a three-year contract but upped their proposal to four years on Monday evening.


Jorge Posada's .338 batting average led the team this year. (Getty Images)
Posada hit a team-high .338 this year with 20 homers and 90 RBI. He set career highs for average, slugging percentage (.543) and on-base percentage (.426).

The Levinsons also represent Boston third baseman Mike Lowell, and the Yankees already have had dialogue with the pair about the World Series MVP, whose preference appears to be to stay with the Red Sox.

Rivera, an eight-time All-Star who turns 38 on Nov. 29, was in the Dominican Republic on Monday, and the closer said if he couldn't reach a deal with New York, he would consider following manager Joe Torre to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He is expected to receive a three-year contract and Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Rivera already had been given an improved offer.

"The Yankees are my first option," he said in Santo Domingo. "But if that is not possible, there is Joe with the Dodgers."

General manager Brian Cashman said re-signing the pair were his top priorities right now.

"The ball's pretty much in their court now. They've both been made very good offers now, and we'll see where they're at," Steinbrenner said Monday afternoon. "We'll see how committed they are."

Steinbrenner said the Yankees still were trying to gauge what the Florida Marlins might want in a trade for All-Star third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who is being made available.

"We got a couple ideas, what they might be asking for, and it's a lot," Steinbrenner said. "I don't know what's going to happen there, but there's still plenty of time on that."

It's also far too early to determine whether the Minnesota Twins will attempt to trade two-time Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana, who can become a free agent after next season. Steinbrenner said the Yankees certainly would speak with the Twins if he becomes available.

"I think somebody would be foolish to say they have no interest in Santana," he said, "but it depends. It depends on what they're looking for."

AP NEWS

Dr. Giganto

One of my co-workers met Mets announcer Ron Darling last night at a charity event here in the city. First of all, he said that Darling was one of the nicest guys he's ever met. Very friendly, outgoing, and talkative. Another of my co-workers met him a few years ago, and said the same thing.

But anyway, here's the important stuff. My friend asked Darling if the thought the Mets would get Johan or A-Rod. This is what Darling said:

"Well, this isnt public, but we offered Mike Pelfrey, Philip Humber, Aaron Heilman, and Lastings Milledge for Johan, and the Twins turned it down...As for A-Rod, there's no way we sign him. Boras came in and talked to us, but it was mostly about other players. The Mets aren't in the market for A-Rod. Also, I know a guy in the angels front office, and he said there's no way they are going to meet Boras's demands...they think it's a joke how much money he's asking for. So, dont expect him to go to the Angels"

My co-worker is reliable, so I wouldn't doubt that Darling said all this stuff...but who knows if Darling was b.s.ing him or not...

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I think the Twins are trying to sign Johan themselves. They probably won't but they are trying to work something out.. Don't be surprised to see a similar trade revisited.

As for A-Rod, I think his asking price definitely needs to come down. $350M? No fucking way.

Necro

VIP Room Moderator

NEW YORK (AP) -- Mariano Rivera was offered a $45 million, three-year contract to stay with the New York Yankees. Now, the team is waiting to hear back from its star closer.

"He'd be by $4 million a year the highest-paid relief pitcher," Yankees senior vice president Hank Steinbrenner said Tuesday. "To say that's a strong offer would be an understatement."

On Monday, the Yankees retained catcher Jorge Posada when they upped their offer to $52.4 million for four years. Posada is due to take a physical Wednesday, another step toward finalizing that agreement.

Rivera, the next step in the team's offseason plan, was allowed to start discussing money with other teams Tuesday. Steinbrenner confirmed the $45 million offer, which was made several days ago and was first reported by The New York Times.

"The ball's in their court," Steinbrenner said. "If they still want to look for more somewhere else, that's up to them."

Rivera's agent, Fernando Cuza, did not return telephone messages.

Mets closer Billy Wagner is the highest-paid reliever, averaging $10.75 million during his $43 million, four-year contract. Only four pitchers are signed for next year at higher average salaries than the Yankees' proposal to Rivera: Carlos Zambrano ($18.3 million), Barry Zito ($18 million), Jason Schmidt ($15.7 million) and Atlanta's Mike Hampton ($15.1 million).

In addition, the Yankees have a standing $16 million offer to Andy Pettitte, who hasn't decided whether to pitch or retire.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman was more guarded in his comments about Rivera than Steinbrenner was.

"He's a free agent and he's fielding offers from other clubs. He's certainly received offers from us," Cashman said.

Posada decided not to test the free-agent market and accepted a deal averaging $13.1 million, the most for a catcher in baseball history. Before Monday, the Yankees had offered a three-year contract to the 36-year-old catcher.

Steinbrenner wasn't concerned that Posada will be 40 when the deal expires.

"He's a catcher, but he can also later on be a DH," Steinbrenner said. "I'm fine with keeping his bat another four years. And as far as the salary is concerned, he was pretty logical. You can't argue with that. He didn't go nuts with what he asked for."

Steinbrenner said it was too early to evaluate the trade market. Florida is dangling third baseman Miguel Cabrera, and teams are waiting for the Minnesota Twins to determine if they can re-sign ace Johan Santana. If not, they might listen to offers for the two-time Cy Young Award winner.

"Everybody is just probing, including Brian," Steinbrenner said. "The only probing we've done thus far is on Cabrera. Obviously, there will be an interest in Santana. Everything with Santana and Cabrera is very preliminary right now."

Blitzkrieg

Administrator

I think the fact that Posada signed back helps the Mariano situation. It looked for a minute like everyone wanted out.. Rivera will stay.

Jayman

Super Moderator

As far as the Jacque Jones - Omar Infante/cash trade goes...

I agree that when I heard it, I was like "meh". Infante was a backup infielder that was okay in my book. While Jones isn't anything to write home about, he does have a decent left-handed bat, which is something the Tigers need.