SB Nation User Blog: ritz

Wagner could accept Arbitration

ritz — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:02:08 -0000

per: http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/11/billy-wagner-could-accept-arbitration.html

Billy Wagner's agent Bean Stringfellow says not to rule out his client accepting an arbitration offer from the Red Sox, according to Michael Silverman of the Boston Herald. Stringfellow said that prior to a recent meeting with his client, he believed there was no chance Wagner would accept. Wagner loved his experience with the Red Sox enough that it's now a possibility. Stringfellow "fully anticipates" an arbitration offer by the Red Sox. Wagner is a Type A free agent, so the Sox will snag two draft picks if he declines the offer and signs elsewhere.

Yesterday, Ken Rosenthal and Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports learned from Stringfellow that six teams called about Wagner so far, all of them interested in him as a closer. The writers noted that the Tigers, Astros, Rays, Orioles, and Braves have the need.

Looks like a win-win here. He accepts and we get another year of what seemed to be a rejuvenated Billy Wagner. Otherwise we go back to the original draft picks outcome. Nice.

Red Sox DFA Mark Kotsay

ritz — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 21:12:18 -0000

3:55pm: Mike Petraglia of WEEI.com says Kotsay was designated for assignment, not waived. This gives the Red Sox ten days to make their next move.

2:17pm: The Red Sox put Mark Kotsay on waivers to make room for the recently-acquiredAdam LaRoche, according to Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe. If no team claims Kotsay within 48 hours, the Red Sox can release him or assign him to the minor leagues. The 33-year-old has an OPS of .615 in 27 games at first base and as an outfielder.

It's unfortunate, especially when you got a class act like Kotsay. Lets just hope Laroche performs.

What would you give up for Victor Martinez?

ritz — Mon, 18 May 2009 19:17:11 -0000

Interesting article on MLBTR. Speculating on the idea of the Sox trading for V-Mart.

Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports sets up a new line of trade speculatin' today: he asks whether the Indians might be willing to take offers on catcher/first baseman Victor Martinez in the near future. The Indians would have to fall out of contention first (they're currently 7.5 games out), and even then it'd be a long shot. Martinez, 30, is hitting a robust .401/.478/.632 in 178 plate appearances this year. He has $4.3MM more coming this year and an easily-decided $7MM club option for 2010.

Rosenthal says the Red Sox already inquired on Martinez about a month ago. While "premium players on both sides" were discussed, "the talks failed to progress." Rosenthal speculates on names such as Clay Buchholz, Daniel Bard, and Lars Anderson.

Rosenthal doesn't mention them, but the Mets could be a nice fit for V-Mart if Carlos Delgado's injury puts him out for several months.

My question is, what would you give up to aquire him? Personally, I have always loved the way this guy hits. Unfortunately, it appears he is more of a DH/1B at this point than a catcher. If Papi's struggles continue, he would be a nice fit to add protection in a lineup that appears to become thinner and thinner (Youk on the D/L, Papi's struggles, Nick Green). If Bard continues to progress it probably leaves MDC as the odd man out in the pen. How does MDC/Bowden or Bucholz/Carter? This is of course truly speculation, I am guessing it would take more, but I have always been nervous about trading prospects since the Hanley deal.

Angels prospect Nick Adenhart killed in Car crash

ritz — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 16:08:49 -0000

Awful news today. TMZ reports that Angels pitcher Nick Adenhart was killed in a felony hit-and-run car accident early this morning. Two others (one affiliated with the Angels organization) were killed in the crash, and the offender was caught and hospitalized. The 22 year-old had just tossed six scoreless innings the night before, the best performance of his young career.

Condolences to his family. Adenhart was penciled in to be the Angels 5th starter.

Red Sox sign Brad Wilkerson

ritz — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 17:48:17 -0000

MLBTR has learned tonight that the Red Sox have signed outfielder Brad Wilkerson to a minor league deal with roster and playing time incentives. Wilkerson, 31, hit .220/.308/.326 in 309 plate appearances for the Mariners and Blue Jays in 2008. The Ms signed Wilkerson last year for $3MM but designated him for assignment before May.

Nice low risk signing again. Guess he will have a chance to make the roster, it will be interesting to see what the Sox are going to do with 3 major league ready outfielders, Kotsay, Baldelli, and Wilkerson.