SB Nation User Blog: Eli Greenspan

Braves sign Troy Glaus

Eli Greenspan — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:16:40 -0000

More photos » by Jeff Roberson - AP

The Braves have come to terms with infielder Troy Glaus on a one year deal, according to FOXSPORTS.com. Glaus missed nearly all of 2009 last season, but has the power to have an impact off the bench from the right-side of the plate.

The deal is pending a physical.

Glaus boasts a career .856 on-base/slugging percentage. He has hit 20 or more home runs eight times, including in ’08, his most recent full season.

It will be interesting to see where the Braves go from here with talks with Adam LaRoche, who remains a free agent. This move could trigger the Mets to pursue LaRoche, who reportedly hasn't had contact with the Braves all offseason.

Matt Capps deciding between Cubs and Nationals

Eli Greenspan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 17:06:57 -0000

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MLB.com's Bill Ladson is reporting that free agent reliever Matt Capps will make his decision between the Nationals and Cubs by Wednesday night.

Capps role with either team would be different, with Capps being a set up man in Chicago and a closer in Washington. While he struggled mightily in 2009, he has had success prior to the 2009 season, posting a career 3.61 ERA.

Blue Jays close to acquiring Brandon Morrow

Eli Greenspan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:47:58 -0000

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The Blue Jays and Mariners have worked hard to revamp their rosters, making another move early this morning for a former top prospect.

The Mariners have agreed to send starting pitcher Brandon Morrow to the Blue Jays in exchange for pitcher Brandon League, another reliever, and a prospect to be named later.

Morrow's ERA in 197 2/3 career innings sits at 3.96, and he has averaged more than a strikeout per inning. Putting him in a situation where he can know his role is key to the young pitchers development.

Darren Oliver set for Rangers physical today

Eli Greenspan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:42:34 -0000

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If free agent pitcher Darren Oliver passes his physical today, his 3.5 million dollar deal with the Rangers will be made official.

Oliver posted an impressive 2.71 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with the Angels last season, while proving to be a reliable veteran for the teams young pitchers. With the Rangers, he is expected to fill a similar role

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Darren Oliver	5-1	63	1	0	0	0	1	73.0	61	22	22	5	22	65	2.71	1.14

The deal includes a vesting option for 2011.
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Yankees acquire Javier Vazquez

Eli Greenspan — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 15:30:27 -0000

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The Yankees and Braves have agreed to a deal that would send pitcher Javier Vazquez and Boone Logan to the Yankees in exchange for outfielder Melky Cabrera, lefty pitcher Michael Dunn, and righty pitcher Arodys Vizcaino.

Vazquez was rumored in a deal with the Angels last week, but the Yankees apparently swooped in and cut a fast deal.

Vazquez, who will make 10.5 million dollars in 2010, will give them a nice fifth starter a former Yankee who is familiar with the AL East.

Vazquez posted a 2.87 ERA in 2009, but that is expected to shoot back up now that he is in the American League again.

Cabrera fills a hole in the Braves' outfielder, but he is not guaranteed the spot season long. However, a move to the NL could spell success for Cabrera, who put together a fairly strong season in 2009.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Melky Cabrera	154	485	66	133	28	1	13	68	43	59	10	2	.274	.336	.416

Dunn owns a 3.62 career minor league ERA in 110 appearances.

Vizcaino, 19, owns a 2.93 ERA in his brief minor league career, but has a high ceiling that should excite the Braves.

Tigers interested in Scott Podsednik

Eli Greenspan — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 22:52:52 -0000

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FOXSPORTS.com is reporting that the Tigers are interested in signing free agent outfielder Scott Podsednik, but only to a one year deal.

Podsednik, 33, hit an impressive .304 with 30 stolen bases in 2009. He has been pretty inconsistent recently, but is still a strong defensive outfielder who utilizes his speed effectively.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Scott Podsednik	132	537	75	163	25	6	7	48	39	74	30	13	.304	.353	.412

The Cubs and Royals are also interested in the outfielder, who is believed to be seeking an annual salary around 3-4 million dollars.

Athletics close to deal with Coco Crisp

Eli Greenspan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:41:37 -0000

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ESPN.com's Buster Olney is reporting that the Athletics are closing in on a one year deal worth 5 million dollars.

Crisp, who has a .277 lifetime average and a .377 OBP, posted a disappointing .228 average during an injury-shortened 2009 season.

	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	K	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2009 - Coco Crisp	49	180	30	41	8	5	3	14	29	23	13	2	.228	.336	.378

This move probably means that Ryan Sweeney, Rajai Davis, and Scott Hairston will be shuffled around the corner outfield spots, unless Crisp really struggles out the gate.

One possibility that the A's could be considering is by bringing in Crisp, it gives them the option to move him if he has a good first half of the season.

The Padres, White Sox, and Cubs had interest in the outfielder.

Mike Lowell-to-Texas trade off

Eli Greenspan — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 03:20:58 -0000

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Mike Silverman of the Boston Herald is reporting that Red Sox third baseman Mike Lowell will need surgery on his thumb, so the trade for Rangers catcher Max Ramirez is off.

Lowell will need six-to-eight weeks to recover, but should be ready to go by the time Spring Training gets going.

This could put the Rangers in the market for Adrian Beltre, or they could wait to see how Lowell does in Spring Training.

Mariners may target Bengie Molina?

Eli Greenspan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 23:23:29 -0000

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The Mariners are now turning their attention towards finding a veteran catcher to run their new and improved starting rotation.

Yorvit Torrealba and Bengie Molina are among possible targets, and sources believe the Mariners aren't looking for anything beyond two years.

The Mets are in talks with Bengie Molina, but they are still far apart on negotiations.

Rosenthal reports that the market is in a holding pattern until Molina signs.

"Once Bengie signs," one person in the industry said Saturday, "the catching market is going to go quick."

The Mets, Mariners, Giants, Astros, and Rockies, among others, are keeping tabs on the open catching market.

Nationals eye Jon Garland

Eli Greenspan — Sat, 19 Dec 2009 22:37:37 -0000

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FOXSPORTS.com is reporting that the Nationals are making a strong run at free agent starter Jon Garland. Garland is believed to be seeking a three year deal, likely similar to what Randy Wolf received from the Brewers.

Garland, 30, posted 11 wins last season with the Diamondbacks and Dodgers, and posted a 3.35 ERA after June 1st.

	W-L	G	GS	CG	SHO	SV	BS	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	K	ERA	WHIP
2009 - Jon Garland	3-2	6	6	0	0	0	0	36.1	37	16	11	4	9	26	2.72	1.27

The Nationals also have their eyes on Jason Marquis and Doug Davis, so it is likely that they will make a splash on the free agent starter market in the near future.